The Nation Newspaper

Tag: work

  • Kogi teachers shun work

    Kogi teachers shun work

    Primary and secondary school teachers in Kogi State have vowed not to resume for the 2014/2015 academic session as directed by the government.

    In a statement yesterday in Lokoja, the state capital, the Basic Education Staff Association of Nigeria (BESAN) said teachers would not resume until the unpaid N18,000 national minimum wage is resolved.

    The association called for a stop to the irregular payment of salary to its members and the payment of leave allowance arrears from 2011 till date.

    In the statement, signed by BESAN Chairman Suleiman Adomu, the teachers urged the government to look into promotions without monetary rewards.

    They lamented the devastating effects of infrastructural decay and poor welfare to teachers on the education sector, adding that they won’t resume until the issues are resolved.

    The teachers decried the “incessant, inconclusive and fraudulent screening of workers”, urging the government to release the results of previous exercises.

  • ‘How Lagos councils work’

    ‘How Lagos councils work’

    Mr. Mubashiru Hassan is the Permanent Secretary/Auditor-General for Local Governments in Lagos State. Hassan spoke on the administration and finance of the third tier. Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN met him.

    What is your assessment of  the performance of local  governments   in Lagos?

     In my view, Local governments in Lagos State are working, if we base their performance on their allocations from the federation account. What the public reads on the pages of newspapers is just the gross allocation from the federation account. By the time it gets to the local government, there would have been so many deductions. For instance, in 2013, the local councils in the state spent over N41 billion on workers’ salaries including teachers and local government staff. After that, we still deducted training fund for local government, which is resident with Local Government’s Service Commission. We deducted pensions for teachers, staff of local governments and employers’ contribution to pension; old scheme and new scheme. Now, what remains after these mandatory deductions is very small. If you compare what they are doing with what they receive from federation account, you will acknowledge that sincerely local governments are trying within the resources at their disposal.

    But one would expect the state government to assist the councils …

    Both the state and Local Governments collaborate because when it comes to social responsibility it will be difficult for local governments to do  it alone. What the state government does is to encourage them to contribute into a pool meant to provide essential services to the public. If there is any shortfall, the state government would come in to assist. In terms of road construction and rehabilitation, the state government does that on behalf of the councils. If we don’t pool resources together it will be difficult for a tier of government to impact on the lives of the citizens.

    Is it true that council chairmen are corrupt?

    There is no office holder in Nigeria today that is not accused of corruption. Even if you were a billionaire before assuming office, the moment you get there, you are seen as corrupt. So, it depends on the definition of corruption. The moment you get into public office, everybody believes it’s your turn to have a share of the national cake. Whether you dip your hands into public treasury or not, everybody assumes that you are corrupt. By virtue of certain offices, the holders are entitled to certain perks such as  official accommodation, vehicle and running cost on behalf of the government. Also, government has a policy that  a public officer can go with whatever they are enjoying at subsided rates to minimize corruption. That is to sustain you as if you are still in office.

    What is your view on the controversial State-Local Governments Joint Account?

    The constitution is clear on this issue. When the allocations come from the Federation Account, it goes into that account. From there, it is distributed to all local governments. You called it controversial because as an outsider, you don’t know the workings of the account. When the gross comes into the account, the statutory deductions are made. If you don’t pay the teachers, local government workers and provide amenities, there will be crisis everywhere. What gets to the local governments at the end of the day is so meagre, that if the council chairman delays payment of salaries, and it accumulates over time; then he is inviting trouble. That is what I understand to be function of the joint account. The deductions are statutory. Some state governments tamper with that account. I know that in Lagos there is sanity in the operation of that account. All deductions are statutory and the table is everywhere for everybody to see. It is in public domain; everybody can assess what the state government is deducting or not deducting. And there is a rule. No deduction shall be effected from the allocation of local governments unless on the resolution of council chairmen. If the chairmen say no, deduction fails.

    How does your office check corruption in the system?

    We go out quarterly for inspection; on a quarterly basis we issue our reports. Every quarter, we send our reports to the House of Assembly and the Public Accounts Committee of the House examines them and  pass resolutions on them.

    Auditing the accounts of 20 councils and 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) must have been challenging …

    There is no job without challenges. We sat down and designed a strategy that on quarterly basis, we would be going round and issue our reports. In terms of mobility, the state government has been very supportive. We were giving four buses. We go as far as Epe, Badagry. We saw gaps in the way assignments were being carried out on the field. Subsequently, we organised training for staff. We also encourage them to go for professional examinations. Some do professional examinations. For those already qualified, what they need is capacity building in the areas they need0 to be trained and they attend training locally and internationally.

    Don’t you think the councils are lazy, in terms of revenue generation?

    I don’t believe they are lazy because if they are, they will not be able to execute programmes in their local government areas. It is the revenue generated internally that they use in supporting what comes to them from the JAC account. If you look at their records, you will see that councils in Lagos are trying. I can confirm that.

     

     

  • ‘Occupational illness, accidents at work claim $2.8tr’

    ‘Occupational illness, accidents at work claim $2.8tr’

    The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has stated that latest report from its research has showed that the direct or indirect cost of occupational illness and accidents at work is estimated at $2.8 trillion worldwide.

    ILO’s Director-General, Guy Ryder, who stated this while lending his support to the recently organized World Congress on Safety and Health at Work held in Frankfurt, Germany said a world without fatal or serious occupational accidents is possible.

    He said the direct or indirect cost of occupational illness and accidents at work is estimated at $2.8 trillion worldwide, noting that the triennial Congress was co-organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Social Security Association (ISSA), and was hosted by the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV).

    According to Ryder, about 2.3 million people worldwide die annually as a result of occupational illnesses and accidents at work, adding that there are also 860,000 occupational accidents every day, with consequences in terms of injuries.

    “These figures are unacceptable and yet these daily tragedies often fail to show up on the global radar. Clearly, there is still much to be done. Serious occupational accidents are, firstly, human tragedies but economies and society also pay a high price.

    “The right to a safe and healthy workplace is a basic human right – a right to be respected at every level of development and in different economic conditions.

  • Uzoenyi gets work permit

    Uzoenyi gets work permit

    Nigeria international Ejike Uzoenyi has finally been issued a work permit by the South African authority to team up with Premier Soccer League [PSL] club Mamelodi Sundowns.

    Mohammed Lawal, representative of Uzoenyi, told supersport.com that the work permit was issued to the former Enugu Rangers winger in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, by the South African High Commission on Friday.

    Lawal explained that the Nigerian winger could only apply for the work permit after his participation at the 2014 FIFA World Cup since he was saddled with international duty with the African champions. He also disclosed that Uzoenyi will leave Nigeria for South Africa on today to join Sundowns.

    “We just came out of the South African High Commission a few minutes ago (Friday). Ejike has been issued a work permit and he will travel tomorrow (today) to join his new teammates.

    “The normal process [for the work permit] is six weeks and Ejike applied for it only after the World Cup. But the club [Sundowns] management worked really hard to make sure he got the permit on time. Personally I had to come down to Nigeria to make sure we got it on time,” said Lawal to supersport.com.

    Uzoenyi signed a four-year deal with The Brazilians in February this year.

  • ‘It’s not any coach that can work with the biggest clubs’

    ‘It’s not any coach that can work with the biggest clubs’

    Louis van Gaal sat down this week for his first extensive interview as Manchester United boss. Among the subjects touched upon were his reasons for taking the job, the squad he has inherited and the daunting task of trying to replicate the success of Sir Alex Ferguson. Here, Sportsmail brings you a full transcript of the interview with the man that United fans will be hoping can bring the glory days back to Old Trafford…

    QUESTION: How much does it mean to you to be managing in the Barclays Premier League?

    Louis van Gaal: I already had a lot of opportunities. But at the time the priority was not like it is now. I am already 62, so my career is reaching the end.

    There is only one football country I wanted to see inside and that was England, because of the level and the atmosphere and that was why I announced my intentions in October, so that all of the English clubs knew. I had more offers than just Manchester United.

     How did you announce it?

    In October I announced it. I said it 10 minutes before a Press conference as coach of the Netherlands. They were very angry that I did it. They said it was unbelievable that I could say that before the World Cup and I said that was bullshit because the pressure I put on myself is higher than the Press ever can do.

     So was it a dream opportunity when Manchester United came to you in April?

    I won’t say it’s a dream, because I am 62 and I know what I can do and I think Manchester United  know what I can do and I think that is why they have come for me and they were not the only club. Tottenham Hotspur also came. I am not a child anymore, I know what I can do, but it’s fantastic because not any coach can work with the biggest clubs.

     What do you need to work with a club of United’s size? What makes you a good fit for this club?

    I have experience because I worked in Spain with the number one club, in Germany with the number one club and also in the Netherlands, and I speak the language, which is important.

    It’s now much easier than when I went to Spain, because I didn’t speak the language but within one year I spoke the language . I speak English my way, but people understand it. You can understand everything I say, and that’s the most important thing.

    In Germany I spoke the language at once, and that is why I always choose countries where I can speak the language, because for me communication is very important. The third thing is my philosophy, and that philosophy I have shown in every job I have had.

    These are the three qualities that convinced Ed Woodward and the owners to take me. I don’t know, though, you’ll have to ask them.

     Have you taken over at the best time? Are expectations lower after seventh place last season?

    I don’t think so because when you have to make a club that normally plays from first position, and now you are seventh, then you know the selection is not in balance or is broken, or that the confidence or something like that is wrong.

    I had to follow Bobby Robson at Barcelona. He had won three titles. That was easier for me than now I think. The same with the Dutch squad. It was very difficult to succeed Bert van Marwijk because two years before he was second in the World Cup and then he left a broken selection behind – so that was much more difficult than you think.

    I was already asked in the ‘90s by Manchester United [if I would join them] because Ferguson wanted to quit at that time and then maybe I could succeed [him]. That was more easy at that time I think.

     Did you come close in the 1990s?  Did you have detailed conversations?

    No, no no. Only rumours that he might quit.

    You say ‘broken’, which is a strong word. How much does it take to fix it?

    I don’t think it is a hard (strong) word because I think when you are seventh the selection at that time, (the team) is not happy and unsatisfied and without confidence and when you are like that you are broken.

    So now they have me: a new manager so new chances for the players and they want to show themselves unbelievably. That is nice that they want to do that. But we have to make a way of playing football that is not the same as before, and that is difficult for them.

    They have to perform under resistance (pressure). They have a to decide (what to do with the ball) within one second and that is not easy.

    When you were at Barcelona you said you need an intelligent group who can adapt. Is there any concern that this group will not be able to adapt to your demands?

    Every club where I have been, I have struggled for the first three months. After that, they know what I want: How I am as a human being and also a manager, because I am very direct. I say things as they are, so you have to adapt to that way of coaching. It’s not so easy.

    And also the way I train and coach is in the brains and not the legs. You have seen my exercises with all the tactical arguments and not without the tactical arguments. I am not for running (for its own sake). I am for running with the ball but they like that (laughs) of course.

    But the most important thing is they have to know why we do things and when they do, the football player is not playing intuitively. A lot of players here are playing intuitively and I want them to think and know why they do something.

    That’s a process that is difficult at first and in the first three months. It takes time. When we survive the first three months, it will be the same as for me at Bayern.

    In Bayern, after the first three months, we were sixth or seventh and we were third in the Champions League [group]. We had to win at Juventus and we won that game and that was the turning point.

     The British footballer is characterised as a man who plays on emotion and doesn’t play in the way you describe as much as the Dutch footballer does. Is that fair?

    That is your opinion. You say it, then you say I have to say it.

     Is that an unfair statement?

    I don’t know because I have to know the players first then I can judge. You can judge because you have been a journalist for many years and have seen the culture.

     From the outside what are your views of a British player?

    What you have mentioned.

     So you share a similar view?

    No, because I have already said the players under the direction of David Moyes are a lot of different to the players under the direction of Alex Ferguson, but also under the direction of me.

    But we shall have to wait and see. But from the outside it is fair to say that. But I don’t want to be judging as an outsider. I want to hear that and feel that but at the moment they are doing great.

    Is part of your challenge to build a squad at Manchester United to be successful for a few years not just one or two seasons?

    That is always my philosophy. I’m  not a coach who thinks short term. I am a coach who thinks always in the long term. The way you see Barcelona still playing with six players from my time because I gave a lot of chances to the youth players.

    The structure and the culture of the club is Xavi, Iniesta, Puyol, Valdes and Motta. I also gave him his debut and he is playing in Paris St.Germain now, not a little club.

    At Bayern Munich it was the same. You can see that in Muller, Alaba, Klose, that kind of player. So I am always for the long term not the short term. When I buy, I buy players for the long term, not the short term because I do respect the club a lot and also the other clubs.

    Is that your preference? Is it better to win with your own players rather than have to buy players?

    The argument for that is when you use youth players of the club they know the culture of the club and they want to defend that culture and wear that culture and transfer that culture.

    When you buy a player from outside you have to wait and see and not every player will fulfil your expectation. It is much more difficult, also for the player.

    What do you think of the challenge of having such a big club like Manchester City in the same City, a team that has also won the title?

    It does not bother me. Whether they are 10 metres away or 30 km away.

     What do you think of what Manchester City have done over the last three years?

    It is amazing because they were not a big club and now already Champions and they have also won the Cup in the last three years.

    They are knocking at the door but that is good for Manchester United also because where there is competition you can be proud when you are the champion at the end and maybe we will be the champions.

     City fans would argue that they have knocked at the door and opened it and closed it and now you have to knock at the door again and try and get back through it?

    If you like to say that, then you have to write it down! I feel that he [looking round the table] likes to say that.

     But that’s their view – that they are on top…

    I have learnt the word ‘entice’. You are enticing me. I said ‘provoke’ but Ryan [Giggs]  said it should be ‘entice.’

     Are you looking forward to your managerial battle with Jose Mourinho?

    No. I play against Chelsea. And not against Jose Mourinho. My team and his team are playing against each other.

     But he is renowned for engaging in mind games with managers and players – will that provoke you?

    No. He shall not do that with me.

    But he’s already tried over Luke Shaw?

    No. I’m not reacting to that kind of stuff.

    Fergie’s legacy is daunting for anybody but because of your CV and experience are you undaunted by the scale of club etc?

    The club are thinking that I am the man who can wear this legacy, so….

     Are you not worried about being compared to Fergie?

    Yes, but that doesn’t bother me. It is nice to be compared to such a class trainer. It’s nice when you do that and when you give me a positive compliment.

    Have you met him yet?

    No,I’m here in America.He is not

    United fans are excited by the way you handled some of the Holland games in the World Cup? Changes of formations, changing of keepers for shoot-out etc?

    It is also a little bit lucky when you do that! But of course you do those things for a good reason. Already I give this press conference with a lot of arguments [reasons] and I hope you can understand that.

    We had a manager before who we had a lot of arguments with…..

    I don’t mean arguments, I mean the reasons why. So it’s good that I explained that. I don’t have arguments with you – until now…. [laughs]

    Sorry, we’ve got to go…

    Interesting eh? Interesting. You’re all coaches now…..

  • Bayelsa to expedite work on Samson Siasia Stadium

    The Bayelsa State Government has promised to immediately release funds to contracting firms involved in the renovation of the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa.

    The firms were hired to lay a new organic fibre turf on the football pitch of the stadium and to create tartan tracks.

    The state’s Commissioner for Sports, Ebikitin Diongoli, said all problems bedvelling the stadium including the poor drainage system at the exterior part of the complex would be addressed. He regretted that the development had compelled football teams of the state to play their league matches in the neighbouring states. He assured that the football teams would soon return to play their home games at the stadium.

    Diongili spoke in Yenagoa when the contractor and Managing Director of MoniMichelle Sports Facilities Construction Company, Mr. Ebi Egbe and the representative of the FIFA-rated Organic Fibre Turf company, Limonta Sports, paid him a visit.

    He said the administration of Governor Seriake Dickson was focused on completing the project to encourage sports tourism through organisation of local and international matches.

    Earlier, Egbe said the Italy-based company, Limonta Sports, was handling the laying of the organic turf. He said the company had given a pass mark to the stone base and internal drainage required to lay the turf.

    Egbe said that the football pitch would be ready within 11 weeks adding that “MoniMichelle as a company works within FIFA-approved specification”.

    “Dickson is trying with the opening of the state to the international community. We that are in the sports sector must key in and open up sports tourism”, he said.

    Egbe, however, expressed worry over the poor drainage system and blamed food vendors outside the stadium complex for dumping into the drains constructed by the state government.

    “The drainage outside the stadium is bad. The state governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has done his best and constructed a befitting road network with proper drains but the people have failed to keep it clean.

    “If we don’t get the drainage system outside the stadium right, FIFA may not approve the ongoing renovation being done. The drainage is key to the project because we want to woo FIFA and the international sports community to Bayelsa State.”

    On his part, the representative, Limonta Sports company, Mr. Florin Lemonta, commended the state government for its decision to raise the standard of the facilities in the complex and gave a pass mark to the stone base of the football pitch done by MoniMichelle.

    Lemonta however called on the Bayelsa State Government to expedite action on the clearing of the blocked drainage outside the stadium complex as it may destroy the world-class organic fibre turf expected to be laid.

  • Three years of hard work

    Three years of hard work

    The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology in Owerri (FUTO), Prof Chigozie Asiabaka, has given an account of his three years stewardship in office. MOHAMMED SANI (500-Level Public Health) reports.

    Professor Chigozie Asiabaka had his job cut out for him, following his appointment as Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) three years ago. Having been part of the administration of his predecessor, the late Prof Celestine Onwuliri, as the Dean of the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, he knew he had a task to build on Onwuliri’s achievements and make his own mark.

    When he faced members of the university community on assumption of office, his mantra was: “The quest for excellence”, which perhaps showed he knew the task ahead of him. Pronto, he unveiled his plans and how to achieve them.

    The first step was to provide infrastructure to complement his academic plans.

    On June 26, when he met members of the university community again, he listed his achievements during his 1,095 days in office. The title of his speech at the third anniversary was: The audacity of change:  Consolidating the culture of excellence.

    The celebration, which lasted for four days, started with a thanksgiving mass at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Chaplaincy, FUTO. The presiding clergy, Reverend Father Eugene Ike, congratulated the VC on his achievements so far and prayed that he would realise the FUTO of his dream.

    The VC also held an interactive session with students, unveiling plans to address their accommodation challenges. He reiterated his determination to create a conducive environment for learning, noting that his administration had concluded plans to construct four hostels – two for male and two for female – as part of the Presidential Special Intervention in public universities.

    At the state of the university address to the 21st general assembly, Prof Asiabaka said: “As a visionary leader, I am a firm believer in measuring progress and success. How should we know if FUTO has made progress, if our shared ambitions and objectives are fulfilled?

    “Obviously, we will measure progress by asking the following questions: is our graduation rate increasing? Is our student applicant pool increasing? Are the credentials of our applicants stronger and competitive enough in the job market? Are we receiving more important private donations? Is our reputation increasing as evidenced by national ranking? Everyone of us must do everything possible to nourish the positive momentum we already established. I am very sure with full confidence that we will.”

    The VC’s achievement included but not limited to the establishment of a Centre for Human Development, completion of FUTO’s guest house, inauguration of NDDC Hostel, completion of new School of Engineering and Engineering Technology (SEET) complex, rehabilitation of FUTO Road 1, and beautification of the university.

    Others are construction and furnishing of Nuclear Energy Research Centre, supply and installation of laboratory and teaching equipment in departments, full computerisation and development of and installation of solar streetlight.

    These achievements, according to the VC, are result of being focused and determined to make change.

    On the university-host community relations, Prof Asiabaka said his administration was doing its best to engage the locals productively, with a view to promoting a sustainable development and aligning the community’s interest in its policy. The VC condemned the recent disruptions of university activities through invasion of the campus by some hoodlums, who vandalised property worth millions.

    His interaction with students brought various challenges to the fore, as students criticised handling of campus security, internet connectivity, uploading of result online, cancellation on green file fees, school fees and water supply.

    In his response, the VC noted their concern and shows his readiness to do his best in addressing students’ complaints.

    The VC frowned at students, who did not pay their fee on time, compelling the authorities to bar them from writing their semester examination. Prof Asiabaka said some of them may have used their fees their parent gave them to buy phone and other materials.

    Prof N. C. Nwezeaku, Director of Centre for Entrepreneurial Studies, praised the VC for the construction of FUTO staff quarters, which he said would boost lecturers’ productivity.

    The president of Students’ Union Government (SUG), Wisdom Chimezie, hailed the VC for finding time to interact with students. He promised students’ support for the management.

     

  • All work and no play…

    Pharmacy students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) suspended academics to participate in the Dean’s Cup, a sporting event organised by the Director of Sport of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students (PANS). EZEKIEL EFEOBHOKHAN (300-Level Pharmacy) reports.

    In a few weeks, they will be writing exam but students of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) are not bothered. They suspended academic activities to participate in the faculty’s annual sport fiesta.

    The event featured variety of sports, ranging from football to sprint relay and long distance races that stretched to 1,500 metres both in male and female categories. The five-day event was held in the university’s Sport Complex.

    In his short message to kick off the event, the Deputy Dean, Students’ Affairs, Dr Tony Waka, urged the participants to promote the spirit of sportsmanship in all the sporting activities, saying: “Sports are for fun and for exercise; as pharmacy students, you all know the benefits of exercising the body. This and many more reasons made the faculty board to be in support of this event.”

    The first four days saw various classes to battle one another to qualify from the group stage. Students of 300-Level and 600-Level qualified, having beaten their 400-Level and 500-Level counterparts in the male category. In female category, 300-Level and 200-Level qualified for the final round.

    Emmanuel Osakpolor and Kelvin Enoghase, both of the 400-Level class, won the 100 and 400 metres relay while Jude Usman, a 300-Level student, won 1500 meter race in the male category.

    Rita Ihaza clinched prizes for the 100 and 400 meters race in the female category.

    There were tension and apprehension on the pitch at the grand finale of the soccer contest, where 300-Level and 200-Level female students battled for the trophy. The match was fun as the students displayed their soccer skills to entertain the boys.

    However, a shot by Faith Okhemsimi assisted by the captain Faith Ogbena gave the 300-Level class a lead over their junior colleagues in 39 minute of the game. The match ended 1-0 in the favour of the 300-Level class.

    Faith Okhemesimi was adjudged Best Female Player of the contest.

    The grand finale of the male contest between 600-Level and 300-Level classes started at 4:15pm. Fourteen minutes into the match, a controversy broke out when the referee ruled out a goal scored by the 600-Level class. The 300-Level players, led by Benjamin Idiakhoa, defended its side until 64th minute when Festus Esiegbe of the contending team broke the defence and scored a goal.

    One of the players, Marvellous Eromosele, was taken out of the field, having sustained an injury on the mouth, which had its tooth removed. The injured player was given a first-aid treatment by a paramedical team led by Ogah Ibadin, a student. Afterwards, Marvellous was referred to the UNIBEN Teaching Hospital (UBTH) for treatment.

    Another controversy broke out when Prince Okooboh, a 300-Level class player, was knocked down in the goal area. The referee, who initially decided a penalty kick, ruled offside after he consulted one of the officials. This caused a stir as fans went wild, disrupting the game for a moment. They situation was later brought under control but match ended 1-0 in favour of the 600-Level class.

    Coach of the 300-Level class, Ifeanyi Ajudeonu, was not happy about the outcome of the game. He praised his players for putting up a good performance. He said: “The referee’s decision was against my team as we had opportunity to score goal but we were denied. Too two of our key players were taken out because of injury.”

    The 600-Level captain, Meshach Chu, said the game was tough for his side but thanked God for the win. “This is the third time we are winning the Dean’s cup but this particular one is dedicated to Hulera Momoh, our colleague that died last year.”

    The Director of Sport, Chinedu Dimnoyeka, said he was happy about the success of the fiesta.

    Some of the players, who put up brilliant performance, were honoured. The Highest Goal Scorer went to Uyi Igbinadolor, a 600-Level student, while Best Midfielder went to Christian Ezeokoye, a 400-Level student.

    Others are Osmond Ezeagu (Best Defender), Lawrence Ameh (Best Keeper) and Best Player of the tournament, Festus Esiegbe, a 600-Leevel student. The 500-Level class won the Best Behaved Team.

    Dr Waka congratulated the students and told them to go read for their examination.

  • He does not want me to work

    He does not want me to work

    I am a 26-year-old lady who is doing very well in my chosen career; unfortunately the guy I want to marry is not satisfied with it. He actually wants me to resign from work as soon as we get married next year. I am at a crossroads because I am passionate about what I do. It makes me happy, but he has threatened to abandon me if I do not agree with his plan. My mother has also advised me to do as he says to keep the relationship going. Please what should I do? Mary

     

    Response

    The truth of the matter is that some men like to keep their women to themselves. They fall into the category that can be described as the possessive type. It also means that you are going to be a full time housewife once you agree to the deal. The decision obviously is yours and you need to make up your mind before it is too late. Even though you may be desperate to settle down now, you also need to consider what would happen if he suddenly falls in love with another lady and you are jobless. Food for thought, indeed.

     

    Having sleepless nights

    I am in my late 30s and I have everything a woman would desire in a man. Though I am stable financially, the concern which is giving me sleepless nights is the inability to find a good partner. Unfortunately, all the women I have ever fallen in love with have disappointed me in one way or the other. Is there something wrong with me? Ahmed.

     

    Response

    No, I think that you are perfectly okay. Sometimes the love arena can be discriminatory and there is nothing we can do about that. However, I think you need a positive attitude to life. You need to pick up the pieces and move on to a brighter future. For all you know, what you have been searching for may just be around the corner.

     

    She earns thrice as much

    I am a guy in my late 20s and I am in love with a girl in the same age bracket. She also loves me very much, but somehow I feel uncomfortable with her because of her status. Whenever I think about her education, professional background and salary I feel so inferior to her. She is a medical doctor with a plum job and her salary is thrice as much as mine. Do you think we can go far together? Biodun

     

    Response

    It is only natural for you to feel this way. However, the most important thing about any relationship is the personalities involved. If she loves you and is quite understanding, then you do not have a problem at all. But if she is the arrogant type, then she is going to make life miserable for you in the future. You also need to examine yourself and be sure that you are not the lazy type. If you are very hard working, then it is possible to move higher and earn more as well as get total respect from the one you love.

     

    Blackmailers at work

    My girlfriend has been fed all kinds of stories by my best friend in recent times. Sadly, I didn’t even know what was going on until it was damn too late. Now the girl is so bitter and she does not want to see me anymore. How can I win her love back and convince her that it was just blackmail? John.

    Response

    You must have learnt a good lesson the bitter way. There are friends and there are friends. It is not all your friends that can be trusted. Please try and talk to your girl or see if there is someone you can confide in to talk to her for you. Things would certainly get better. Cheer up!

  • Organist at work

    Organist at work

    It was an evening of sheer eclectic classical tunes as the duo of  Ibiyefiebo Harry and Babajide Odedeji delighted music enthusiasts who gathered at the Agip Recital Hall of the Onikan-based MUSON Centre for two hours at their organ recital. Playing pieces of Derek Bourgeois, Johann Sebastian Bach, Christopher Pardini, and others, the profound organists set the dialogue for vast classical rhythms and tunes.

    Ibiyefiebo with the finger locking and pedaling of the organ gave a breathtaking rendition of the Berceuse by Louis Vierne, which tested his strength on this complicated musical instrument. This piece was accompanied with edgy tones and embellishment that culminated to a grand and major ending.

    Odedeji also showed mastery with his performance. His body language told it all as this was all he needed to captivate the audience with his racy and slow tempos. It was amazing to watch his two hands and two feet work miraculously across four keyboards and the pedal board, showing his dexterous execution of the mechanics of such music.  His performance on the Tocatto and Fugue in D major earned him the greatest applause of the night before he wrapped up the night with Champion tune.

    Ibiyefiebo is currently the principal organist of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) and has been privileged to participate in international organ competitions such as the Marcello Galanti International Organ Competition in Modaino Italy in 2008. His penchant for music was honed at an early age of 9 under the tutelage of his late father Mr. M.S.D. Harry who was also an organist. Ibiyefiebo is currently CEO of IBMANS Global Ventures.

    Babajide’s journey into the musical world started from the church where he developed a passion for the organ. Popularly known as Aluduru-a Yoruba name for Organist, the businessman has spent 15 years on stage and is widely known for his various reflections and tonal mood he displays with the music instrument. His ability to blend different genres of music into a masterpiece has earned him fame so far.