The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Woman

  • Every woman can be sexually harassed –ONYEKA EMECHEBE

    Every woman can be sexually harassed –ONYEKA EMECHEBE

    As a child, Onyeka Emechebe, 27, the first runner-up of the Next Movie Star Africa Reloaded 2014 edition, knew she wanted to be an actor. By 2009, she delved fully into Nollywood as an actress and currently has starred in 15 movies and a TV series. In this interview with JOE AGBRO JR., Onyeka, an Economics graduate of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, reveals her perceptions of acting, love life, and other things.</strong></em>

    How did you get into acting and how many movies have you done so far?

    Acting for me has always been a passion. I’ve been acting since primary school, secondary school, though not professionally, but all those times, I used to love to act dramas on stage and everything. So, growing up, the passion was still in me. And whenever I watched stars like Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Genevieve, they inspired me to want to go professionally into it.

    While in school, my university, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, I decided to go professionally into it. And that’s how it all started professionally in 2009. Though I was in school, I wasn’t really constant in the industry. But since I finished in 2012, so far I have been constant. And so far, I have done about 15 movies and one TV series called ‘Middle-Men’.

    You participated in the last edition of the Next Movie Star. How was the experience of being in the House for 30 days?

    Well, I learnt a lot. The reality show discovers a lot of talents. In the house, I learnt team-work. I developed my acting skills because it’s all about acting. I developed my writing skills too. It was a wonderful experience. We had a lot of guests come in to inspire and motivate us. We had some classes, some rehearsals, and some training. It was really lovely.

    What did you not like about the experience?

    I love all experiences. There was nothing I did not like about it. And I came out first runner-up. It was just by God’s grace. I thank God for everything because the competition was really tough. We were all wonderful actors and actresses in the house but one had to win. We were 16 in the House.

    How did you get short-listed?

    I went for the audition and I was selected into the House. I had a Gold ticket straight into the House.

    About two years ago, there was a story that you might be dating Manny Lapussh, winner of the Hennessy Artistry MC competition. Was that the case?

    Ha… I know Manny. Manny is like a brother to me. He is a friend and brother. I have never dated him. I’m really surprised. No, no, no… Manny and I went to the same school, Nnamdi Azikiwe University and we were in the same talent group. So, we used to do a lot of on-stage dramas, jams, choreography, rap and all that. So, we were more like colleagues, friends. We were not dating at all. I know him babe. Him sef know my fiancé. Hahaha. It’s just a rumour.

    What attracted you to your fiancé?

    First of all, I like the fact that he encourages me and supports me in my career. All the while, the guys I have dated never wanted me to pursue my career in acting. You know, because of their mentality towards actresses. But my fiancé has always been there for me, encouraging me, supporting me in my acting career. He is like a bedrock, a backbone and that’s what really endeared him to me. And asides that, he is very loving, he is very caring. He loves me very much. And he thinks about me before himself, a very selfless young man. We’ve been together for a while and now, we’re engaged to get married soon.

    Now, there are complaints among actresses about sexual harassment. How has your experience been like?

    Well, sexual harassment is a thing that is not just in the movie industry. It’s everywhere. (Laughs). So, it’s not been easy for me, but we’re pushing. I wouldn’t say because of sexual harassment, I wouldn’t keep pushing and struggling to become what I want to be. Challenges would definitely come but we have to conquer our challenges by God’s grace. Sexual harassment has been there. They will keep being there. But one thing I know is that I would get to the top.

    Have you experienced it?

    Of course, I have. There is no beautiful actress who would say she hasn’t experienced it before; it’s a big lie. I have experienced it. And I keep experiencing it though we’re overcoming it. Just like every other man, when they see a girl that they really really like, dem go pursue am now. Na normal thing. But here in the industry, it is very challenging because some of them wouldn’t want to give you a job because you refused to have anything to do with them. So, it’s like denting their ego. But, we’re still pushing on.

    There is also another notion that it is the actresses without talents that always harass. Do you agree with that?

    No, I don’t agree. Even actresses with talents are harassed. So, it just depends on you knowing your worth. Anybody can be harassed; beautiful, ugly. So long as you’re a woman, you could be harassed.

    There is also much nudity in Nollywood these days. How far can you go to interpret a role?

    Well, I’ll try so hard to interpret it the way it is supposed to be. But going nude, I can’t do that, ever!

    And what can make you turn down a movie role?

    If there is so much nudity in the role, I can. But aside that, I can’t turn down a role. That’s what makes me an actress – to be able to do any kind of role.

    So, what’s the weirdest role you’ve played in your career?

    Oh, I played the role of Chikamso, a village local champion. (Laughs). She’s a kind of weird human being; a village girl who turns ‘R’ to ‘L’, like bread would become ‘blead’, ‘please’ to prease’ – that kind of thing. It was challenging for me because usually I don’t talk like that. But in that role, I had to interpret it very role. You know this Igbo accent now. So I had to turn every ‘R’ to ‘L’ and every ‘L’ to ‘R’. It’s very challenging to me but I liked it because it brought out another part of me that I didn’t know I could be. I love it very much and I can’t wait for the movie to be out.

    It’s also been said that some actors and actresses now have to pay to get some roles. Have you ever paid to get any role or would you pay?

    I don’t know if it’s for real. I’ve not experienced that. I’ve never paid to act in anybody’s movie and I will never do that. The reverse is meant to be the case. We’re supposed to be paid for a job well-done. And not the other way round. I have never experienced it, so I don’t know. All the jobs I’ve done, I’ve been duly paid

    Some up and coming actresses are now producing their own movies. For you, having starred in 15 movies, do you have plans of producing movies?

    Well, by God’s grace, of course. The dream of some actors or actresses is to have a movie produced by them, you know. To say, ‘okay, I produced this movie. I’m in charge of this.’ So, by God’s grace, why not? I’ll love to do that someday.

    Now, if you weren’t an actress, what would you have been?

    (Laughs)… I don’t know. Probably, I would have been working in a corporate world because I studied Economics. I’m an upper class graduate of Economics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University. So, if I wasn’t acting, I would have been working as an Economist or a banker or something. (Laughs)… I don’t know. I’m just saying.

    It’s difficult to be a celebrity without having one form of scandal or another. How prepared are you for such?

    Well, for me, I will definitely love to be a scandal-free actress. Inasmuch as it is not everything that they say in the media that is true but I would want to be a scandal-free actress. I don’t like scandals. I want to have a healthy relationship, a healthy marriage, void of scandals, void of any of those trash. But you know, as a big-time celebrity, you can’t quickly run away from rumours and all those things. But, let’s see how it goes. But scandals is no, no, for me. It’s bad publicity. I don’t like bad publicity.

    In five years’ time, where do you see yourself?

    In five years times, I would have been in so many movies. In five years’ time, I should have been married. I want to be a married actress; I want to be like Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde. She is my role model. I love the way she balances her career and her family. So in five years’ time, I want to be married and I want to produce my own movie. So, I should say that in five years’ time, I would be a producer of my movies. And endorsement deals I want. Who no like better thing? I should have like an endorsement deal or deals.

  • Making a living in a woman’s world

    Making a living in a woman’s world

    In a world fast evolving and collapsing barriers, Medinat Kanabe takes a trip into the world of four men, who are making a living in jobs and businesses traditionally reserved for women

    Many years ago in Africa, Nigeria especially, men were seen as mini-gods by their wives, feared by their children and respected in the society. They were considered before women in job placements and in many other opportunities.

    Consequently, when a couple gives birth to a female child, their next line of prayer is to have a male child. Men even go to the extent of marrying another wife, all in a bid to have male children, if their wives are not lucky enough to have them. Some women have also been sent parking by their husbands for this same reason.

    As if to further undermine the female gender, some jobs, which are considered weaker or softer, are reserved for the women and real men dared not touch them, even with a long pole. This probably gave vent to the saying that the woman’s place is the kitchen. This includes jobs like operating food canteens, popularly called ‘Mama put’, baby-sitting, make-up artist, hair-making, frying bean cakes and other fries for sale on road sides, cleaning, housemaids jobs, and the likes. But the borders seems to be collapsing these days, and  just like women are taking up jobs hitherto seen as the exclusive preserve of the men, the men have also taken up jobs traditionally seen as women’s jobs; sometimes excelling and proudly out-doing the women. Call it the fear of poverty if you like, but that is the reality of our time.

    The Nation took time out to speak with some of the men making waves in women’s world.

     

    Greg the hair maker

    Okaka Prince-Greg is CEO of Greg Style Saloon, GSS. He is a professional hair dresser, make-up artist and an expert in cutting of ladies hair, and you could tell that he couldn’t have been happier dressing in suits and working in any company other than his.

    Armed with a Higher National Diploma in Computer Science from Auchi Polytechnic, Okaka started making ladies hair 8 years ago.

    “I graduated in 2006 and worked for three months with TESCO Company, Ikeja. I didn’t quite enjoy going to the office everyday at a particular time and dressing corporately, so I resigned and went to South Africa. In South Africa I toiled and toiled without making much, and came back to Nigeria in February 2008.””

    Back in Nigeria, the situation was no different. He could not find a job, so he started thinking of what to do.

    Said Greg, “I didn’t want to depend on my certificate because of the situation of things in the country, so I made up my mind to learn something I can do with my hands. One day, I was with my friends and we got talking about handworks when one of them mentioned a place in Ikeja, where men make ladies hair. I was surprised but made up my mind to go into the business. He gave me the address and I went there to make enquiries. Later I enrolled for one year training.”

    Now Greg does all types of hair, although he says he prefers fixing to braiding because it is faster.

    Asked why his charges are more than that of other hair dressers in the area and yet attracts long queue of the ladies, he said it is because he and his boys are offering the best anyone can get in the community.

    “I have heard people complaining that my prices are too expensive but ladies don’t stop coming because they know that I will give them what other saloons won’t give them. Those that come here for the first time and complain don’t regret paying the money at the end of the day because we give them more than what they paid for. Remember the saying that ‘soup wey sweet na money kill am’.”

    He explained that all the other workers in the salon, who are also men, are either his younger ones or childhood friends. Some of them, he says have even gone on to open their own shops.

    In a bid to show this reporter how profitable the salon business has become, he explained that two of the boys,  Peter and Osi are currently in South Africa for further training and negotiations to open another saloon there.

    He advised men who feel they cannot do his kind of job to sit up and find a way to add value to their lives, saying they cannot be waiting for the government to come and give them jobs.

    “If I was waiting for the government, I will not be where I am today. Graduates who think that staying at home is better than making hairs are still sleeping. Nigerians should play their individual roles and help the government by sitting up and making a living out of their passion.

    Greg who is happily married, says his wife does not have any problem with his work. He added that she is a make-up artist and so understands the job. “This is what I was doing when she met me. She also knows that I am not a womanizer, and so does not feel threatened.”

    Asked if he ever feels attracted to the women while making their hair, Greg said no. But he cannot tell if the women feel anything for him. “The only thing I have on my mind is how the hair will look on the client.”

     

    John Edues, man in the ‘mama-put business

    For John Edues, a Beninese from Shaape, in Benin-Republic who operates a food canteen popularly known as ‘mama-put’, he is very proud of what he is doing.

    His is a sad story, but fate brought him the job of cooking for sale, which he says he has never regretted embracing. He revealed that he is from a very poor family, “My father was an Army Officer while my mother was a house wife. I failed my West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, WASSCE  and decided not to write another one because I wasn’t sure of making my papers. My dad suggested that I joined the army or police. I was excited and started the process. I even passed all exams, but failed the medicals after I was diagnosed of having high blood pressure.

    “Thus ended my army dream. My father feared that I could slump and die during one of their daily exercises.

    Although I was 18 years-old, I knew I had to face up to life and take the bull by the horns. I was faced with two options; to learn mechanic or take up apprenticeship as a bricklayer, which I didn’t quite like. So I began thinking of what to do. At a point, someone suggested that I enrolled at a catering school.”

    John took the cue and enrolled at Shatel Catering School, Benin-Republic, where he studied for three years and got a certificate in catering services.

    He came to Nigeria in 2008 and got a job with Shoprite, Lekki, where he worked for five years and rose to the position of Chief Cook. “I left Shoprite because I wasn’t enjoying the job. The money was good, but I had no peace of mind. My boss was always having issues with me. He rained curses on me saying I would die; I would not spend my salary well; that I will use it on sicknesses…. So I took a decision to leave and open my own shop.”

    John who claims he can cook any country dish – be it African, Japanese or French said men are the best of cooks, adding that a Chinese man won the world’s best cook in 2015.

    Explaining how he meets the challenges of getting his food ready every day, he said he wakes up by 5am everyday to cook and get everything ready by 8am. “I make chicken barbecue every evening from 4pm and close by 10pm.”

    He also revealed that he is married and that his family is in Benin-Republic. John says he travels home during holidays and makes it a point of duty to cook during these occasions. “When I cook, my children clap for me saying I cook better than their mother.”

    According to John, every food has its secret and he has taught her (his wife) ways of cooking some delicacies. For instance, he says “there is no need to parboil rice before cooking it. All you have to do is wash the rice and drain the water for 5 minutes, put your pot on fire with groundnut oil or butter in it and then pour the rice into the hot groundnut oil. Stir for 15 minutes before pouring tomatoes and pepper in it. Add water and other ingredient and leave to cook until soft.”

    A customer who overheard this interview couldn’t help put interfere. “Madam if John cooks, it is like magic. His food tastes so good and I sometimes wonder how he does it. He is a champion cook.”

     

    Lawal the make-up artist and events planner

    Lawal Abiodun Jubril is a professional Make-up artist and event planner. He is a graduate of Economics from the Lagos State University, LASU. He learnt the art of make-up at Beauty Spark Studio, Egbeda, Lagos in 2007 and said he has been in the business for eight years. He told The Nation that he decided to go into make-up after he modeled for XA Model Surulere, Lagos many years ago and that the name of his studio is Beauty Africana.

    “When I saw the models being made-up, I liked it and began to developed interest in it.” Lawal said.

    Talking about his growing up, he said: “I grew up in an average family in Amukoko, Ajegunle, Lagos and attended Iganmu High School. I was also a member of Junior Chamber International on campus, where I had various trainings.”

    Asked how lucrative the business is, he said when one looks at the Nigerian environment especially the entertainment industry which has grown well in recent time, one would realise that going into make-up and event planning is lucrative.

    “When I wanted to enroll in a make-up school, there were not many around because the industry wasn’t the way it is now. Today many people are going into it even men! Men are more in it abroad and I can tell you that it is a good business, as long as you develop love and passion for it.” Lawal said.

    He also said that men have an added advantage in make-up because women relate more with them.

     

    Blessing Simon, specialist in fries

    25 years-old Blessing Simon fries doughnuts and other snacks at Ejigbo. The secondary school certificate holder says that is what he does for survival and is proud of it.

    He revealed that he gradually embraced the business, after years of fruitless search for a university admission or paid employment and more importantly because he didn’t want to stay at home, doing nothing.

    Blessing also showed great reluctance about speaking with this reporter, until he got her to make a commitment to get him a job after the interview.

    When he finally spoke, he said; “I went into this business to keep myself busy. I started about a year ago after learning under my boss who is the owner of this place that we are using. I am the first child in a family of seven children, so I have to support the family.

    “My parents both run a beer parlour close to our house. I have written WASSCE, but looking for money to send myself to the university which is one of the reasons I work very hard.”

    Blessing hopes to study Estate Management and used the opportunity of this interview to seek for a sponsorship amongst well-meaning Nigerians.

    He advised men who are home doing nothing to come out and get themselves busy, saying an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. “I know that to succeed in life, one must start from somewhere. I want my future to be bright and I must start from somewhere. This business is lucrative but I still want to go to school. I am also looking out for other jobs,” he added.

  • My husband is fetish, says woman

    •’I don’t want her to go’

    Mrs Bunmi Adegunju, 35, has prayed the Alagbado Customary Court in Lagos, to dissolve her 16- year-old marriage, accusing her husband of battery.

    The petitioner, who lives at 1B, Idowu Close, Kola, Alagbado, a Lagos suburb, told the court that her husband, Taofeek, derived pleasure in beating her, adding that he is fetish.

    She said: “He brought home a live tortoise that walks around the house; he also brought home an ugly thing he calls “Esu” (devil). He pours oil on it and worships it daily. When he brought a statue home, it led to the mysterious death of our child.

    “I have nightmares and I am always scared whenever I get home. He beats me at will and does not provide for my upkeep.”

    Mrs Adegunju said any  time she refuses to give her husband money on request, he beats her.

    “I left home about a month ago because I was sick and needed to take care of myself so that I won’t die young. Since my husband bought a crate of alcoholic drink for my father, he has been taking sides with him.

    “I don’t have any witness except God, I am tired of the marriage, I want dissolution and the custody of our children,” she said.

    However, Taofeek Adegunju, 40, a business man, denied ever beating his wife.

    “My wife is troublesome and does not listen to me. She harasses me in public and shouts at me. I have lost count of the number of times my wife slapped me. She once did it in the presence of my friend and I was ashamed.

    “I used to be chubby but I am now a shadow of myself because of her troubles. There was a time she left the house for almost three weeks, I took care of our children, bathed them and dropped them in school. Because of this, my business suffered because there was no one to leave the children with. I know I try as a father and husband.

    “It is true that I am fetish but it is just for my business. I don’t want to marry another woman, I want my wife back,” he pleaded.

    The marriage produced five children between ages 1 and 15.

    The court’s President, Mr Olubode Sekoni, told the couple to maintain the peace and adjourned the matter till February 26.

  • Woman, 52, is LASPOTECH fresher

    Woman, 52, is LASPOTECH fresher

    Among the freshers packed into the School of Agriculture Complex of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), for the matriculation of those admitted for the 2014/2015 academic session Ikorodu, Mrs Juliana Bankole stood out.

    Mrs Bankole She was obviously far older than the other students and more comported.  She sat close to the front, looking calm and contented in the grey and blue matriculation gown.

    Fifty-two-year-old Mrs Bankole has returned to earn a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Computer Science.  She completed her National Diploma (ND) last year.

    Mrs Bankole said she took the decision to gain tertiary qualifications after repeatedly being passed over for promotion as a technician at the Nigerian Natural Development Agency under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, where she has now worked for 12 years.

    Prior to coming to LASPOTECH, Mrs Bankole only had her O Levels, which she earned from the Aguda Grammar School, Surulere, Lagos in 1978.

    She said: “In my office I discovered that without additional qualifications there is nobody to promote you.  I discovered that I have the knowledge and experience; I am a technician; I know how to repair radio and other things like that.  They put me in Computer Department, in the server room to monitor all the equipment.  I am there with O Level; there was no promotion.  I discovered that people that are ahead of me they have additional qualifications. That was what motivated me to go to school so that I could get additional qualification so that I will move from that level to a higher level.”

    The mother of three, two of them graduates, said her family supports her decision to study.

    “My children are really happy.  They say ‘Mummy wants to get to a high level.  Even my husband supports me.  He dropped me at Ojota before going his own way,” she said.

    It was not only Mrs Bankole that was excited about matriculating.  Though she did not hang around posing for photographs with friends, the ND freshers admitted for both the full-time and part-time programmes of the institution either posed in groups for photographs, or took to the dance floor after swearing the matriculation oath to celebrate their studentship.

    Joy Olomo, an Agricultural Technology ND student (full-time), said she was ecstatic about scaling the rigorous admission process of the school.

    “I feel so great; so excited to be among the people that are having this kind of celebration.  It was not easy getting into this school.  It is by the grace of God.  My expectation is for me to do well and be a good student,” she said.

    To do well, Joy and other freshers would benefit from the counsel of the Rector, Dr Adbulazeez Lawal, who advised them to abide by the institution’s rules and regulations.

    “To my dear matriculating students once again, I want to charge you always be at the forefront of sustaining the culture of academic excellence for which Lagos State Polytechnic is known.  By taking the matriculation oath today, you are publicly declaring your willingness to accept the terms and obligations of studentship in the polytechnic, which include: compliance with the institution’s dress code approved by the Academic Board; respect for constituted authority; 75 per cent class attendance before qualifying to write semester examinations; commitment to the core values of the polytechnic; non-involvement in acts bordering on examination malpractices or other immorality; non-membership of cult groups or other unregistered clandestine groups; etc.  You can avail yourselves a copy of the Students’ Handbook for an in-depth explanation of these rules,” he said.

    Lawal, whose tenure as Rector ends this year, said the institution has on ground necessary facilities to provide high quality education to the students.

    The students were admitted into the six schools of the institution namely: Schools of Agriculture, Engineering, Environmental Studies, Management and Business Studies, Communication and Liberal Studies, Technology, Pure and Applied Sicences, and the School of Part-Time Studies.

  • Save me from my violent husband, woman urges court

    My husband comes home almost every night drunk. He beats me mercilessly at the slightest provocation. This is someone who claims to care about my well being.”

    These were the words a 31-year-old clerk, Gbemisola Samuel, before the Alakuko Customary Court in Lagos yesterday.

    Gbemisola had approached the court to seek for the dissolution of her 16-year-old marriage, alleging battery, lack of care and threat to life.

    The petitioner, who resides at 152, Powerline Road, Jankara, Alakuko, also accused her husband, Paul Samuel, a labourer, of always sending her and the kids out of the house.

    She said: “He does not contribute to our children’s school fees let alone their upkeep. He once sent me out of the house naked, all thanks to a neighbour who accommodated me with our children.

    “What prompted me to bring our case to court was because he abused my mother to the extent that she cried bitterly. I had to leave the house with our children because the beating was too much and I felt I might lose my life.’’

    The mother of two urged the court to grant her the custody of the children after dissolving the union.

    However, Samuel (45), denied the allegations, saying:”I don’t drink to stupor but I smoke cigarettes. I only beat her when she is wrong. At times, she doesn’t sleep at home. She often claims that her job is demanding which I have refused to believe.

    “I still love her and I want the children back; please do not dissolve the union,” he pleaded with the court.

    The court’s President, Chief Awos Awosola, ordered the parties to maintain peace and obey the law. He adjourned the case till February 26, for further hearing.

  • ‘Try a woman governor’

    ‘Try a woman governor’

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Taraba State, Senator Aisha Alhassan, has appealed to the electorate to give her the mandate to make the difference.

    Mrs Alhassan spoke in an interview in Jalingo, the state capital after a reception in her honour by supporters and party faithful yesterday.

    She said men had ruled the state since its creation in 1991 but had not recorded the desired impact on the lives of the common people.

    She added that “I want to appeal to the people of Taraba State to try a woman for once and I can assure you that you will see a great difference”.

  • Farewell to a ‘virtuous woman’

    Farewell to a ‘virtuous woman’

    All roads led to the Cathedral of All Saints African Church, Ugwuavo, Arochukwu, Abia State for the funeral of Madam Gloria Ihuoma Ofo, reports NWANOSIKE ONU

    The sun shone brightly out of the azure sky, exerting mild discomfort on guests who had converged on the premises of the Cathedral of All Saints African Church, Ugwuavo, Arochukwu, Abia State.

    The crowd was so massive that it could be mistaken for a political gathering, were it not to be within a church premises.

    However, the huge crowd gathered to celebrate the life of the late Madam Gloria Ihuoma Ofo.

    Madam Ofo died on September 17.

    Though some wore mournful look, many were grateful to God to have met such a gem among humanity.

    The auditorium of Cathedral of All Saints could not contain guests as sympathisers stayed outside the auditorium; some wailing frenziedly.

    The Anglican Bishop of Isiala Ngwa, Rt. Rev Isaac Nwaobia who was the officiating minister, urged the gathering to emulate the exemplary life of the late Madam Ofo.

    The first lesson taken from Revelation 7 verses 9-17 was read by her sister-in-law, Justice Ifeoma Jombo-Ofo while the deceased’s sister Dame Allwell- Ibeh read the funeral oration.

    In his sermon, the Bishop said: “As we mourn the demise of this woman who was the epitome of womanhood and filled with the milk of human kindness, we shall bear in mind that sooner or later, with or without warning, whether we think of it or not, we shall all die. Every moment that passes brings us one step closer to our end, to the last moment that will carry us away. This is because the consciousness of death gives meaning to our lives, more so when uncertainty surrounds the day and time it would be.”

    Continuing, he said: “For us believers, death is the entrance to eternal life which is to be anticipated with a contented heart and to be prepared for in a conscious state by making one’s peace with God.

    “Even, with God’s promise of resurrection for those who did His will, death seems to be necessary for the attainment of higher life or perfect happiness which cannot be realised here on earth. Since it is an end to suffering and the beginning of a new life, we should rejoice that the late Madam Ofo has left in this sinful world the slough of imperfect happiness.”

    The Bishop noted that Madam Ofo lived a transparent life, even as he described her as a book for all to read. He added that the late Madam Ofo lived a life of patriotism, saying it has become extremely difficult to see many Nigerians who would do what she did in order to develop the society.

    He revealed that Madam returned to the country after her studies abroad to nurture librarianship at the University of Nigeria Nsukka for 38 years.

    “Through a dint of hard work, she had many promotions and rose to the position of Principal Librarian and was transferred to Enugu Campus Library in 1992. She rose to Principal Librarian in charge of Enugu Campus Library; a position she held until she retired from the services of the university in 2004 after 38 years of meritorious service.”

    People were in tears as part of Madam Ofo’s achievements were mentioned. From the low and mighty, encomiums poured in torrents.

    Dr Chioma Ezenyimulu, the deceased’s only child and Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Anambra State Governor on Primary Health Care described her mother as “caring, kind-hearted and honest.” Governor Willie Obiano, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, Mr Primus Odili, said: “Being the vehicle of passage to eternal glory, death is an inescapable part of life that awaits every mortal sooner or later. Madam Ofo’s death has left a very huge vacuum in terms of the kind of life she lived which was worthy of emulation. Madam Ofo showed unquantifiable commitment to service of God and humanity, as well as the values she has bequeathed to the family and those lives she positively affected.”

    Chief Chris  Ezenyimulu, son-in-law to the deceased said his mother-in-law was “pleasantly a mother, grandmother and a friend to us all; a woman with a heart of gold, a woman of substance, a woman of virtue, a believer of self, a hard worker, a teacher, a woman with an immeasurable sense of hospitality and a helper of the downtrodden.”

    On the qualities that distinguished the late librarian, Justice Ifeoma Jombo-Ofo of Court of Appeal Makurdi Division noted that “Aunty Gloria was a light-hearted, humane and delightful lady in every ramification. There was just never a dull or boring moment when one encountered you. Everyone was somebody to you. You were a consummate lady with great compassion for the poor, needy and or less-privileged persons within your reach.”

    People later danced to the soul-lifting renditions of Christian songs by the Cathedral of All Saints Church Choir. Outside the church auditorium, the undertakers performed impressive acrobatic display while bearing the casket on their shoulders to the admiration of the guests.

    From the church, the people moved to her family compound at Atani in Arochukwu Aba State for interment.

    The officiating minister, Rev Nwaobia, performed the funeral rites.

    Thereafter, guests moved to Nkemka Jombo-Ofo’s country home at Nkemka Jombo-Ofo Avenue, Arochukwu for reception.

  • Can Alhassan become first woman governor?

    Can Alhassan become first woman governor?

    Many believe a woman can not be a state governor in Nigeria. But a female senator representing Northern Taraba, Aisha Jummai Alhassan, is on the verge of proving wrong this gender dogma. She has won an incredible poll, defeating four influential men, to clench the gubernatorial ticket of the most powerful and most consolidated opposition party in the country-the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    It was an easy cruise for ‘Powerful’ Alhassan who polled a landslide 2, 425 votes of the total 2, 471 valid votes cast. The remaining 46 votes were shared among Mohammed Tumba Ibrahim, Yusufu Akirikwen and Julde Suleiman. Chairman of the electoral committee for the APC primaries in Taraba, Kola Shittu, described the election, which was held at the Jolly Nyame Sports Complex, as “free, fair and transparent.”

    The outcome of poll was not totally ridiculous. It was her hard work and philanthropy that paid. Mrs Alhassan, a lawyer, is arguably  the finest politician in Taraba state. She became senator on the platform of the PDP but she decamped to the opposition party to realise her ambition.

    Even in the PDP, then largely regarded as a political neophyte, Alhassan floored a serving senator, Anthony Manzo, to clinch the ruling party’s senatorship ticket. At the general election she crushed former Governor Jolly Nyame who was fielded by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    Alhassan, who may had foreseen today’s scenario, was prompt to join the league of senators who defected to the opposition when the PDP became polarised.

    Winning the APC ticket, she thanked delegates for the mandate given her. She extended the olive branch to her opponents which she described as gallant losers.

    The APC standard bearer called on her supporters and the entire people of the state to vote APC at the general elections in order to “erode PDP” from power.

    She accused the ruling party of failing the people and country. “PDP should not be allowed to continue in office in 2015,” she crusaded.

    She told newsmen: “The primary purpose of government is to take care of the people and protect their lives and  property. But under  PDP rein, the people are dying in poverty; their children cannot go to school and there is no infrastructural development to show.”

    Alhassan was the first female Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of the state, first female registrar Abuja FCT and first female senator in Taraba state before winning an incredible poll to become the first governorship candidate in the northeastern geo-political zone.

    While she awaits the emergence of her opponent from the ruling party, powerful Alhassan appears unstoppable. While the infighting in PDP continues, Alhassan has continued to nurture the broom party, which is effectively growing and consolidating its hold in Taraba state. She has often said she would be voted the first female governor in Nigeria.

  • 101 fashion tips for petite woman

    101 fashion tips for petite woman

    PETITE women can rock any style, but the key thing is to pick a fashion tune and work your wardrobe. The most important thing for petite women to do is to construct an image for her. And while everyone assumes that petite means tiny, dainty and delicate, a lady can actually be a large petite or even a huge petite. Before shopping for clothes, a petite woman should decide what she wants her image to be.

    Fashion tips that help
    •Understand how to create the illusion of height.
    •Discover which prints and patterns will work for your small frame.
    •Know how to use colour and match it to your skin and hair tone.
    •Learn how to balance your body shape by understanding your body symmetry.
    •Find out the easy way to effortlessly accessorise.
    •Know how to avoid clothes that foreshorten your body.
    •No wide-leg pants.
    •Don’t dismiss jumpsuits as a trend only for the column-shaped woman.

  • Woman perm sec wins varsity award

    Woman perm sec wins varsity award

    The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) has presented an award of excellence, regarded as the Union’s highest, to Dame Ifeyinwa Nwoko, Permanent Secretary, Abia State Ministry of Finance, for her contributions in advancing the course of women.

    Presenting the award, SSANU chairman, Comrade Loveth Chisaa Ekwemalor, said it was in recognition of the recipient’s unique administrative acumen and for distinguishing herself in her career.

    She said that her remarkable achievement in the service of Abia State, especially under the administration of Governor Theodore Orji, is a pride to women.

    According to her, the FUTO branch of SSANU, diligently searched and identified Dame Nwoko, who she referred to as “Jewel of inestimable value” and “deemed it wise to bestow on her SSANU highest award”.

    She added further that the award was to propel the recipient to greater heights and to encourage other women who may come in contact with her, adding that people should use their positions to affect lives in all circumstances of life.

    Responding, the highly elated recipient, dedicated the award to the Abia State government and Governor Orji, who she said has continued to inspire her through his commitment to the development of the state.