The Netherlands Ministry for Trade and Development Cooperation is extending a €6 million grant to the African Legal Support Facility (ALSF), to support the ALSF’s work providing legal and technical services to low-income countries to give them more clout in commercial dealings.
The assistance will help the African Legal Support Facility to better respond to the impacts of COVID-19 and help countries to recover much faster
The funding will be disbursed over a three-year period. ALSF Director Stephen Karangizi thanked the Netherlands, a shareholder of the African Development Bank, for its strong support over the years. “The assistance will help the ALSF to better respond to the impacts of COVID-19 and help countries to recover much faster to enhance sustainable, inclusive development in Africa,” he said.
Since 2013, the Netherlands has cumulatively provided €15.5 million to the ALSF to ensure that African countries achieve maximum economic value for their resources.
The funds provided by the Netherlands enabled the ALSF to successfully assist many African governments to strengthen their legal expertise and negotiating capacities, particularly in the areas of natural resources and extractives.
Created by the African Development Bank in 2010, the ALSF supports governments in negotiating major commercial transactions, providing legal and technical assistance in public-private partnership projects across the oil and gas, mining and energy sectors, and covering sovereign debt issues and creditor litigation. The Facility has supported African governments to negotiate 53 key commercial contracts valued at $97.8 billion.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB).
The Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, CCIE, has said that nurturing entrepreneurship skills and creating desired social and economic outcomes by facilitating innovative, technology-driven economic growth, through the use of ICT among people with special needs are on top of NITDA’s agenda.
Abdullahi stated this at the opening ceremony of a 5-day training programme for People Living with Disabilities (PLWDs), taking place in Enugu State Technology Hub and Youth Innovation Centre, Enugu.
The NITDA boss, who was represented by the Director, Corporate Planning and Strategy department of the Agency, Dr Agu Collins Agu, noted that the aim of empowering persons with special needs is for them to acquire ICT skills, digital literacy and its applications and prop up their relationship with people and the world at large.
He said the 5-day training programme is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy which is being implemented by NITDA.
He added that the primary purpose of the training programme is geared towards empowering PLWDs through investments in ICT infrastructure, policies and solutions to enable them live productively, and to give them a sense of inclusion in the IT ecosystem, their immediate society and the country at large.
“The objective of the training is to build capacities of people living with disabilities, make them employable and self-reliant in order to have effective economic independence in pursing their livelihoods,” he said.
He added that the training will boost all the participants’ digital literacy and proficiency so as to efficiently participate in the fast-growing digital economy and entrepreneur ecosystem.
He argued that the programme is in line with the vision of the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, FNCS, FBCS, FIIM, to ensure that the entire citizenry be empowered with Information Technologies skills through development of a critical mass of IT proficient and globally competitive manpower. He expressed delight at the theme of the programme, tagged: ‘Training in IT and Entrepreneurship’, which signifies the need to leverage on entrepreneurial technologies and job creation especially in this era of COVID-19 pandemic. He reiterated that, with the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy’s road map.
He stated categorically that NITDA, through this initiative, has trained over 730 persons across the country and has created over 1000 jobs because the programme which is a ‘train the trainer’ has an exponential ripple effect.
This, he said, necessitated the need for the agency to bring the event to Enugu state with the purpose of using ICT to improve the entrepreneurship skills of persons living with disability in the region.
He averred that studies have shown that people with disabilities experience high level of discrimination in the society which consequently effects their social and economic dispositions.
“The training programme will potentially make significant improvements in their lives. It will, no doubt, give them opportunities to enhance their social, cultural, political and economic integration in the society while at the same time, expanding the scope of opportunities available to them,” he added.
He therefore urged participants to take the opportunity of the training seriously and make the best use of it to promote innovation and wealth for a sustainable National growth and development.
Earlier, the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Rt Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who was represented by the Commissioner for Science and Technology, Hon Obi Kama, expressed his delight to be part of the laudable training initiated by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, and thanked NITDA for the implementation.
He said massive unemployment due to the post COVID-19 pandemic, has prompted the State Government in taking proactive steps in ensuring that youths leverage on the new entrepreneurial and economic opportunities associated with digital economy which led to the establishment of the Enugu State Technology Hub and Youth Innovation Centre. “It was therefore necessary to empower the PLWDs in the ‘New Normal’ situation through capacity building programmes on ICT which will accelerate their opportunities in tapping into the endless possibilities unlocked by digitalization,” he said.
“I appreciate the inclusive nature of this training organized by NITDA in bridging the digital divide among PLWDs in the South-East, especially Enugu State. The State Government is willing to partner with NITDA by making available an office space for the Agency to set up her South-East Zonal office” the Commissioner assured.
Other dignitaries present at the event were the Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Enugu State on ICT, Mr Emeka Ani, the Sarikin Hausa of Enugu State, Sarikin Yusuf Sambo II, the Coordinator of the Non-Governmental Organization, Helpsfair Foundation, Mrs Sandra Gabriel amongst many others.
Often described as a Voyage of the Senses and the Nigerian Beverly Hills, Haven Homes provides a jaw-dropping luxury estate considered as one of the most innovative contemporary estates in West Africa.
The estate features a host of amenities that promote a luxury lifestyle, however, with the popular maxim that ”money can’t buy you happiness or taste.” With Haven Homes, money can buy you a whole heap of life’s essence as there is a lot of space to fill with a taste of luxury.
Haven Homes’ flagship estate named Richmond Gate Estate provides homes for some of the A-list celebrities in the Nigerian entertainment industry. It is also home to some of the city’s ‘Very Important Personalities’ (VIPs). Globally renowned artists including 2Face (Innocent Idibia), AY Comedian (Ayodeji Richard Makun), Tiwa Savage, Kizz Daniel, Banky W, Falz (The Bahd Guy), Ex- beauty queen Dabota Lawson and many other celebrities are also resident in the company’s Lagos estate.
The luxury lifestyle was conceptualised by real estate developer, Mr. Tayo Sonuga, who is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Haven Homes, to suit the needs of the growing aristocratic middle class in the country. Haven Homes in simple tense is a contemporary-luxury-residential and innovative real estate developer known for building beautifully crafted, unique, and luxurious homes at affordable prices. For Haven Homes the details and customization that the luxury home offers remain nothing short of amazing.
Also, the modern spacious kitchens in the homes integrate luxury and style. They, in addition, transform basic granite into the most dazzling gourmet kitchens highlighting them among the most luxurious corners of the luxury homes to make whipping up culinary creations fun and easy, even if there is more than one cook.
Mr. Tayo Sonuga, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Haven Homes, told PLEASURES Magazine that Haven Homes also introduced a totally different design with the mindset of building homes similar to those seen in Hollywood movies with contemporary architecture. This is the concept that has attracted a lot of Nigeria’s celebrities. He noted that Richmond Gate Estate has gained immense popularity in Nigeria and is popularly referred to as ‘Beverly Hills of Africa’ just by the number of A-list celebrities who have found the estate a comfortable and safe place to live with their families.
He said: “Equally, VIPS, expatriates, executives in multi-nationals and other influential members of the society now live peacefully with their neighbours in Richmond Gate Estate’s serene atmosphere where electricity supply is available 24/7, and with the completion of Richmond Gate Estate Phase 2, this peaceful lifestyle has been extended further to many more celebrities. Haven Homes’ head-turning and alluring home designs are some of my company’s strongest points. With amazing and beautifully crafted homes, Haven Homes is the ready developer for creative designs, quality and durable housing that stand the test of time.
“We keyed into the lapse of the absence of modern, contemporary homes in the developers’ market before we came into the scene but now it is a regular feature with every other developer out there. What attracted me to the real estate sector in Nigeria was some time ago when I came for my brother’s wedding and I saw a bad quality construction work in a renowned hotel, especially the tiling. When I returned to the UK, I partnered with an architect friend who at the time had also built a house for his uncle in Magodo. The house became an inspiration for me to return to Nigeria and start building contemporary, luxury homes fit for stars and make them affordable to.’’
Believing homes hold a crucial role in building a quality lifestyle, Haven Homes prioritizes every step of the development process through a personalised approach from the concept to the final details. “Before Haven Homes came to Nigeria, there were just traditional buildings, and we led the way in a different direction introducing contemporary, modern home designs. Because we know that our responsibility towards our customers is a long-lasting commitment, our bespoke residences are an ideal fit for a refined lifestyle – built to inspire in all forms and sizes,” says Mrs Ufuoma Ilesanmi, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer, Haven Homes.
Sonuga adds: “To our esteemed clients, we have always delivered to the agreed specifications and on schedule. We have therefore created a huge trust reputation and a lot of our clients over the years have reposed their trust in our brand and in our ability to deliver as promised.
”Even before I move to a new site to commence a new project, prospective home clients purchase the units off-plan with moderate deposits. As the value of the projects and the houses still under construction appreciate, their stakes in the project also appreciate wildly in value. For instance, investors who subscribed to our 2- bedroom at the initial price of N30m ($78,000) were able to sell each unit at N45m ($117,000), even without paying the price in full.’’
“This is wealth creation through prudent investment. Some buyers are even able to double their gains after making an initial deposit. This speaks much for the immense appeal of our brand which is made possible by the reputation Haven Homes has built up over the years. Our clients have come to repose immense trust and confidence in us, and they could now accept to wait in queue for their home delivery after paying the bulk of the price upfront.’’
Sonuga further says: “Haven Homes and celebrities have a lot in common because we are both passionate about what we do. To start with, we are both in the creative industry! Our homes are crafts or art in a unique way, which also blends with their creative ingenuity.
‘’For a celebrity to become famous in what he or she does there has to be a lot of passion involved and that is what we do in our trade too. When we build these homes, we make them appealing, not just to celebrities but to others who treasure the great ambience, the beauty of the estates and the serenity they provide. We have managed to sustain it as a cherished niche market, our association with top celebrities over the years since 2012 has been of tremendous mutual benefits.’’
On efforts to make the estate eco-friendly, he says: “Saving the environment matters to us; we create greening zones in our estates even amid limitations of space. We also ensure they are surrounded by very visible greens, that the energy load is low, and we use energy-saving lighting systems thereby utilizing low wattage bulbs instead of the popular halogen. At the moment we are trying to see if we can have an air conditioner that can be run with an inverter to bring down energy load and we are creating space for solar panels in our roof designs. Furthermore, our new estate, Richmond Pearl Estate, will have waste sorting and recycling zones.’’
Mr Sonuga further says: “We are still encountering challenges and the major one is the instability of the market prices of building materials. Most prices for building materials keep rising due to lack of government regulations and restrictions on price hikes. In the past four months, there has been an average increase of about 30 per cent on all building materials. This has been a major challenge for us and the housing sector generally. Another challenge has been the downward fall in the value of the Nigerian currency, the Naira. Needless to include the effects of the global pandemic of COVID-19 crisis which has escalated the shipping and freight prices of all imported materials.
“However, my greatest challenge so far has been with getting the right skilled workers to build our projects with the right quality outcomes that we desire but despite these challenges, we still remained focused. We had to create several layers of supervision, each layer checking the previous layer. We have supervisors checking the contractors, quality assurance managers checking the supervisors and then consultants checking the final outcomes. After delivery to our clients, we still follow up on the projects for the next six months to ensure our clients settle in seamlessly into their new homes. All these come at a cost for us as a company, but it is the price we need to pay in order to fulfil our commitment to quality service delivery.”
Chief Executive Officer of Haven Homes, Mr Sonuga in brief
Mr. Tayo Sonuga is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Haven Homes. He was born in 1966 and grew up in Lagos. He is the first of five children. Sonuga completed his Higher National Diploma (HND) in Accountancy with an Upper Credit at Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State and worked as an External Auditor with Messrs Z. O. Ososanya & Co., a firm of Chartered Accountants in Ibadan as a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). He was offered permanent employment by the firm but proceeded to the United Kingdom shortly after his youth service in 1990. He has spent the last three decades in Nigeria and the United Kingdom focusing on housing developments in various parts of both countries and has recently started new projects in the United States of America. He is married to Sola Sonuga, an architect and both have three children.
Culled from a feature on the real estate company in Pleasures Magazine
• Truck Owners, Shipping Operators Hail Sanwo-Olu, FG on the Progress • Lagos Taskforce Team Moves to Decongest More Routes
It’s fresh breath of relief for residents and motorists plying the Apapa corridor, with the take-off of electronic call-up system in the Lagos seaports, last weekend. Major access roads into the Apapa corridor are now substantially free of traffic congestion. Throughout business hours on Monday, there was free passage of vehicles in and out of the area.
Truckers are not left out in the euphoria. They gently filed into the seaports without any hindrance. The ever-busy Wharf road, leading to Apapa Port was vacated by deviant trucks that used to clog the gate.
Sanity was observed to be gradually returning to the Apapa corridor; thanks to the innovative approach initiated by the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) and the Lagos State Government.
A trucker, Usman Musa, welcomed the development, saying the electronic solution had brought an end to years of agony he had faced on the route. It’s a new lease of life for truck operations around the seaports, he stated.
“If anyone had told me there would be a time when traffic at Marine Beach would flow freely as being seen today (Monday), I would contest it. The last four years were agonising for most of us working in this area. I used to spend three hours for 15 minutes journey,” Musa said.
Following the launch of the e-Call Up platform and traffic enforcement in Apapa by joint Taskforce teams raised by the Lagos Government and NPA, bottlenecks contrived by law enforcement agencies and port officials were dismantled and trucks had cleared off the routes, resulting in free movement of traffic in Apapa.
Applauding the progress recorded, Musa said: “We support the action of the Government in solving this problem and we have started to comply with the order that prohibits parking our trailers on the highways.”
A transporter, Ismail Olaitan, admitted that the innovation introduced had reorganised the chaotic operation of trucks around the seaports, praising Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Managing Director of NPA, Mrs. Hadiza Bala Usman, for displaying strong will in enforcing the change.
He said: “We are happy with this development. When the electronic call-up system was launched at the weekend, most of our colleagues took their trucks off the roads and moved into Lilypond Terminal in compliance. This new system will bring about positive impacts on our business, and this is why we are embracing it with joy. The old system had only brought us pain and sorrow.”
A property owner, Aloysius Oriakwu, was full of praise for the State Government for the enforcement of the traffic along the corridor. He said businesses using his property as office space left at the height of perennial congestion that turned Apapa into a no-go area. “I can now put my property up for rent again after four years. I support the initiative introduced by the Government and this must be sustained to prevent recurrence of the congestion,” Oriakwu said.
A truck owner, Isiaka Mahmud, also expressed excitement with the launch of the e-Call Up Initiative, saying the innovation would address corruption in loading schedule at the ports.
To consolidate on the progress recorded in Apapa following the launch of the e-Call Up system, the State Government’s Taskforce team, led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Toyin Fayinka, relocated to the area on Monday to enforce the traffic regulations.
Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, dismantled all checkpoints mounted by the police along Apapa corridor from Surulere into the seaports.
According to the police boss, the checkpoints were part of the factors creating traffic along the the Apapa corridor. Odumosu warned that dire consequence awaits any officer who returns on the Apapa routes to create unapproved beat.
Odumosu, however, allowed a checkpoint in front of Sifax Depot for enforcement purpose only by men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
While the development had been roundly hailed by residents and business operators, some man-made obstructions were yet to be addressed in the initiative.
Access into some of the approved parking lots created for trucks were still being obstructed by illegal structures and trading activities, making it difficult for trucks to move into the parks.
Although, the State Government’s Taskforce removed most of the illegal structures before the take-off of the e-Call Up system, but some of the occupants were yet to leave. The Taskforce ordered the complete removal of illegal structures blocking the pathway in the trailer parks.
Fayinka said: “Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is determined to get rid of the induced traffic congestion in Apapa. We started the enforcement last weekend and everyone can see that sanity is returning to Apapa. We will at stop nothing to ensure there is free flow of traffic on this corridor. Therefore, enforcement will be continuous.
“The Lilypond Truck Terminal being operated by TTP is gradually getting ready. There are few impediments that are preventing full utilisation of the facility. As part of the enforcement team, the police led by the Commissioner had read the riot acts to those involved. We have given the owners of the illegal structures a notice to vacate the area by next Saturday. Should they refuse, the Taskforce will do the needful.”
Accessing qualitative healthcare in Africa, Nigeria more especially has been a daunting challenge and task for many citizens. With lots of qualified medical practitioners emigrating to the developed world and coupled with paucity of funding in the healthcare sector. Healthcare can be said to be a mirage for an overwhelming population of the country. The few healthcare providers available are beyond affordable to the mostly poor population. Having noticed this lacuna, CELLCORE Limited, an indigenous Information Technology (IT) firm in Ibadan, Oyo State has partnered with industry stakeholders such as AXA Mansard Insurance to bring accessible healthcare to a greater number of the citizenry at little cost, with a product known as INSURECAD Health. INSURECAD Health has been described by many Nigerians as a welcomed development now that Nigerians are getting used to using IT solutions to procure various services, healthcare inclusive. This product has been described as an advancement in insurance technology (INSURETECH) in the country. A convergence of Insurance, Social Networking and Technology.
Speaking on the importance of the solution to majority of Nigerians, Mr. Michael Nwaogu, Chief Executive Officer of CELLCORE LTD elucidated that “At this time of a global pandemic, many Nigerians are unable to access healthcare, not because it is unavailable but because they can’t afford it. It is important that we look after one another at a time like this, by giving out these cards as gifts we are making life easier for those who would otherwise, have had to endure much hardship.” He, added, “our product is designed to eliminate the friction which has plagued health insurance delivery in Nigeria, by leveraging technology, and socio-cultural norms in the country today. We are fully prepared for the future of INSURETECH.” “I encourage clergymen, non-government organizations, trade unions & associations, cooperative societies, political leaders and even individuals, to buy this card for others, whether their members or followers to reach out to many at a time. Also, those in the city can buy it for those in the suburbs, and the well should buy for the unwell.”, Mr. Michael Nwaogu opined.
Corroborating the story, Alfred Egbai, Coordinator of Emerging Customers in AXA Mansard Insurance PLC, noted that “AXA Mansard Insurance is glad to have partnered with CELLCORE LIMITED on this project. I believe that the insurance sector would be changed for good, and that the nation and its citizens would benefit immensely from this partnership with AXA MANSARD INSURANCE PLC”.
Gideon Nwaogu, Co-founder & Chief of Operations of CELLCORE LTD said “INSURECAD Health is leveraging our platform for dispensing, consuming and third party revenue collection via digitally coded tokens (also known as PINS).” Described as mere “Digitally Coded Tokens”, it is however, an innovative and affordable micro-health insurance service specifically tailored for everyone and under-written by AXA Mansard Insurance. It is currently distributed nationwide in scratch cards and subscribed to, via a USSD channel which is publicly sold for 1000 Naira only, and is easy to use. Simply dial the USSD code 258PIN# and follow the instructions. The health cover provided via INSURECAD Health is supported by a network of over 1000 health care providers nationwide, who will provide health care up to 100 thousand Naira annually. Although, it has many other innovative services, like PAYCOLLECT, a software-as-a service platform for cooperative societies, thrifts, non-banking micro finance institutions, loans, savings and contributory schemes, the company is also known to have introduced the first Artificial Intelligence (AI) solution to the gaming industry known as LOTTOBOT and also a card system for Lotto players called LOTTOCARD. LOTTOBOT being a ChatBot allows Lotto gamers to play Lotto via social media platform like Facebook, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, etc, by interacting with an AI ChatBot. LOTTOCARD on the other hand is a unique product designed for use also in the gaming sector. Used widely by Lotto, Pools, Sports Betting & Lottery operators in Nigeria, and distributed widely. Consumers of lotto services simple use the card to load their online wallets, via multiple channels such as SMS, USSD, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and some lotto companies websites.
“In offering intelligent communication solutions, we build budget and pocket friendly applications and platforms for both Business to Business and Business to Consumer end users alike. Enterprise platforms or otherwise, we’ve got you covered”, Mr. Michael Nwaogu concluded.
“It is currently distributed by nationwide available scratch cards and subscribed by USSD channel. Publicly sold for 1000 Naira only, it is easy to use. Simply dial the USSD code 258PIN# and follow the instructions. Supported by a network of over 1000 health care providers”
The new president of Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Ike Nnamani, has stressed that he would be leading the umbrella body of over 200 IT and telecom companies through constructive engagement with stakeholders, particularly government.
Nnamani, in a recent chat with IT Edge News in Lagos said ATCON will remain a non-political and non confrontational association focused on building synergy among its members and other critical stakeholders with whom ATCON must work to advance the industry. His words: “While we interact regularly with the government either directly at the federal, state, or local governments or through any of the government agencies and regulatory bodies, we remain non political. Our engagement is limited to ensure the telecom and ICT space in the country is well served. We will maintain constructive engagement with all arms of government for the growth of the industry.
“Constructive engagement helps to reduce friction” “We have realized that a constructive engagement with the relevant government agencies helps to reduce friction and ensure that areas of disagreement on any policy or guidelines are resolved in a timely manner.
“Our approach is to engage with the government; have cordial meetings where we point out the social-economic benefits that having a robust telecom and ICT infrastructure in the various states brings to the people of the state. This has made the state government to now see telecom and ICT service providers as partners in the provision of dividends of democracy to the citizens and who should be supported to establish services in the various states. This has been a win-win for all parties involved.”
Nnamani, CEO of Medallion Communications Limited, an interconnect clearinghouse and co-location data service company, took over the baton as ATCON’s president late last year. He comes to the job with loads of experience managing a private telecom entity in Nigeria and navigating the politics of the sector.
“We will modernize the operations of the secretariat” The new president recently led his EXCO (Executive Council) on a courtesy visit to regulators and policy makers in Abuja, Nigeria’s administrative capital.
He and his team interacted with the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami; Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullah; and the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, as part of the agenda to deepen relationship with Abuja.
“The new EXCO will address three main areas namely: strengthening the secretariat for more efficient service delivery; strengthening the membership for growth; and strengthening the telecom and ICT space for better service delivery to the subscribers,” said Nnamani.
He added: “We will modernize the operations of the secretariat to be in line with present day realities for efficient and cost effective operations. The Covid-19 pandemic has revealed that organizations should be structure for remote operations when it becomes impossible to work in a physical office location.”
Most of the men that I’ve been close to, starting from my Dad, Brother, male friends, ex boyfriends, flings etc do NOT like girls on make-up.
My Dad didn’t understand the need for make-up.
My brother still can’t comprehend why ladies spend that much time and efforts to “paint up”.
One of my exes thinks make-up is for non-achievers who are trying too hard to make-up for their lack of achievements and talents, so they resort to overcompensating with their looks.
The current boyfriend told me two days ago that he would rather I don’t use make-up and remain just as natural as I am.
Most (I dare say at least 80%) of men around me, with whom I’m in close friendship or relationships with either hate make-up or think it’s waste of time, money and efforts.
I do NOT use makeup because I’m too lazy to devote the time and effort. And I don’t know how to apply them.
Guess what? My mission for March and April is to get my ombré done, and any other semi-permanent makeup I can get. After having these semi-permanent make-up done, I would be able to deal with my laziness and manage 15 minutes on foundation, lipstick and powder.
My point?
Almost all the men who mean a lot to me do NOT like make-up, but I’m still going to start using make-up anyway. So, it’s quite laughable that some guys actually think or try to convince themselves that women do make-up for them.
We women know that a lot of men don’t like make-up, but we do it anyway. Because we are doing it for OURSELVES!
I don’t like going out, but I sew clothes like mad. My friend asked me why I had 11 new outfits made since I seldom go out, I told him that I would have a shower, make my hair, wear them, try to make-up, then go to my mirror and admire myself. Then HE would leave everything he is doing to take me pictures that I will NOT post on Facebook. Pictures that I’ll just save in my gallery and watch them every now and then just to make myself feel good and happy. That’s why I spent over N300k on 11 new outfits. I will repeat same thing next year. He looked at me like I was mad.
Each time I tell a male friend that I’m watching my weight, they will almost always say something like “but I like you the way you are, the front and back are on point. Don’t try to lose weight and lose them. And I’d always reply “Ogbeni, who told you I’m trying to lose weight to impress you? Why do you even think your opinion matters?”
I try to lose weight FOR MY HEALTH. Not for any other reason!
My current man says he likes conrows on natural hair. I told him immediately that I spend an average of N500k per year on wigs. I’d just do the conrows for him for indoors, and wear my wigs on the conrows for outdoors. It’s a win-win. 🙂
I know that most men can’t differentiate between N5k Darling Yaki and N250k human hair wigs, but I buy the expensive wigs for two reasons:
To make myself happy.
To impress OTHER WOMEN.
I remember a guy once told me that he likes me but I’m too dark. But he’d consider me if I’d consider using some lotions that will “tone and brighten me up.”
I told him that he is too daft for me, and I’d consider him for my dog if he goes out and acquire a working brain.
I found it very insulting that a mortal thought for once that I’d consider altering my skin colour just to impress him and make him find me worthy of being his girlfriend and/or wife. The audacity of some of these penis-owners is shocking.
I don’t understand why some men try to delude themselves that we women do most of the things we do for them. I don’t know where they gather these notions from. I guess it’s another fallacious myth they peddle to massage their egos. But it’s shocking.
Given, some women do some things to impress men. But not half as much as you lots imagine.
So shocking that whenever I say I want to do something, some men think their opinions matter, and that I’d put them into consideration.
My father is the most important person to me that ever lived the earth. My brother is the second most important man to me. My boyfriend is currently the third most important man to me. ALL three of them do NOT like make-up and wigs, yet I spend over N500k on wigs and in the month of March and April, I’d be spend a lot on make-up. So, please, who are you again who think I’m trying to make-up to impress you because you are a man? Who born you?
On the 27/2/2021 at about 5:30pm, following a distress call that armed robbers were operating along Nkpor/Obosi axis, Police operatives attached to the Command Special Anti-cult unit in conjunction with Scorpion vigilante group,Obosi quickly responded and moved to the scene. On sighting the police,the hoodlums engaged them in a fierce gun battle, as a result,the two suspects sustained gunshot injuries on their hand and leg leading to their arrest as follows,
(i)Chiboy Ezike ‘m’ aged 25years of Abagana in Njikoka LGA of Anambra State and, (ii)Chiemere Ajuluchukwu ‘m’ aged 23years of Awada area.
Suspects equally confessed to be members of a secret cult group called “Supreme Vikings Confraternity”. Exhibits recovered in their possessions include Two Locally made pistols and 10 live cartridges. Suspects were taken to the hospital for treatment after which they will be charged to court for prosecution.
Meanwhile,the Commissioner of Police CP Monday Bala Kuryas,fsi thanked “Ndi Anambra” for their cooperation and urged them to sustain the tempo by assisting the Command with actionable intelligence in order to discover authors of crime in the State.The CP further reassure the public that the command under his watch will continue to protect lives and properties of all the citizens in accordance with internationally acceptable best practises.
CSP Haruna Mohammed PPRO Anambra State Police Command. For -Commissioner of Police Anambra State Command.
The School of Politics, Policy and Governance will matriculate its pioneer class of 2021 and begin classes on Monday, March 1, 2021.
The SPPG commenced operations in January as a pillar of the #FixPolitics initiative, a research-based citizens’ collective founded in response to the dismal performance of public leadership in Africa to transform democracy, politics and governance on the continent.
FixPolitics Publicist and Spokesperson, Mr. Ozioma Ubabukoh, stated on Sunday, “Our pioneer class will have its matriculation on March 1, 2021, from 6p.m. to 9p.m. This ceremony will launch SPPG’s one-month Acculturation Programme, which aims to immerse students in the school’s vision, mission, core values and curriculum. Its objective is to begin a journey of mindset re-orientation.”
He added SPPG was designed to provide a threshold of knowledge for public office-seekers and politicians. “Our mission to educate present and future leaders, dedicated to the development of the nation and ready to be stewards for the well-being of all Nigerians, has begun,” Ubabukoh stated. He stressed that the SPPG, as one of three cardinal pillars of #FixPolitics initiative, was tasked with the vision of building a new pipeline of value-based political class as the second tripod of #FixPolitics.
“The first and third pillars are to emerge an empowered and engaged electorate as well as mobilise citizens to demand a new constitution and reform of Nigeria’s political and electoral environment.
“SPPG is integral to the fulfilment of the #FixPolitics mission to elevate the Office of the Citizen to its rightful place in our nation and develop a political class of servant leaders,” the spokesperson explained.
According to him, the SPPG programme is a seven-month curriculum of carefully selected courses that are analytically and empirically relevant to solving Africa’s complex development problems.
The programme aims to introduce students to the theory and practice of politics, policy and leadership, towards application for the common good.
“The programme emphasises the comparative study of the role and constraints of political leadership in the context of contemporary society. The programme will be foundational, with a careful blend of global and Nigerian-based learning. At the end of the programme, students will be awarded ‘Certificate in Public Leadership and Policy’.
“Our exceptional faculty includes local and international academics and practitioners who will train our students on how to become 21st Century politicians with character, competence and capacity,” Ubabukoh added.
The Chief Executive Officer of SPPG, Mrs. Alero Ayida-Otobo, said, “We, at the SPPG, are so happy and excited to welcome this pioneer class into the SPPG family and to what we hope will be an unforgettable experience that will prepare and establish our students in the work of building a better Nigeria that serves us all.”
People living in solitary and lonely lifestyle are dying daily. The death rate is increasing but silently. Quite a number of such deaths have been recorded in January alone. The situation is worse for those who have attitudinal or relationship issues with their family members and neighbours as nobody asks after them even days or weeks after they’re not seen around. To loners with short fuse, neighbours keep their distance for fear of being snubbed or engaged in quarrels.
A senior lecturer in a federal university died in his official residence without anybody knowing. His family lived abroad and he visited them twice or once a year depending on his schedules. He had no domestic staff, no friends, no acquaintances and none of his relations came to visit him. He took ill, managed his condition without anybody knowing. Hours ran into days until his decomposed body was found in his apartment when someone who wanted to give him a consignment to be taken overseas came knocking on his door. After calling his name several times with hard knocks on the door, the guest raised an alarm and the door was jacked open only to find his dead body decomposing.
Last October in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, a woman who had been a loner for some years was found dead in her apartment almost two months after her death. In fact, it was the stench of her decomposed body that led people to invite the police before the door to her apartment was broken to gain entry into her apartment.
A former telecommunications official who, out of marital frustration, decided to live alone without socialising with family members, friends or colleagues, died in his sleep. It took his neighbours about five days to raise an alarm that he had not been seen while his door was locked from the inside. Thus, the door was eventually forced open. He was found in his bed lying in a sleeping posture but bloated with foam in his mouth.
These incidents were happening sparingly in the past but these days, it is becoming alarming. An asthma patient died of an asthma attack in her north London flat. The television was left on. The mail continued to be delivered. Her rent was set up to be automatically deducted from her bank account. The days rolled by and no one noticed she was gone. Those days turned into weeks and the weeks into months. There were large trash dumpsters on the side of the building next to her unit, so the neighbours never thought much of the smell emanating from her flat. Eventually, her bank account dried up. Her landlord sent her letters of collection. These letters, like the others, simply fell into the stacks scattered about her floor. They went unanswered. Finally, with more than six months of overdue rent, the landlord got a court order to forcibly remove her from the premises. The bailiffs broke down the door, and it was only then her body was discovered. By then, it was more than two years after she passed away. In that time, nobody ever came looking for her. No family. No friends. No co-workers. No neighbours knocked on the door to see if things were all right. Nobody called. Nobody checked in. She was 38-years-old when she died.
No matter the age, it is risky for adults, especially those above 50s to live alone. Men are more endangered in solitary life than women but recent happenings show that both sexes are prone to untimely deaths through loneliness. This mental health problem has been shown to translate into physical health. A well-known review of research found that loneliness (the feeling of being
lonely), social isolation and living alone were risk factors for early mortality, with an increased likelihood of death ranging from 26% to 32% as at last year.
Living alone can be deadly. A study by Brigham Young University found that loneliness shortens a person’s life by 15 years and has the same health impact as being obese
