Reality Life Magazine - December Edition

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Issue 3 Vol. 4

Mrs. Ibukun Awosika: Amazon Of Corporate Nigeria

How IITA has been helping to diversify Nigeria’s economy through Agriculture -Kwame

Effective Ways to loose weight with infused water

Toyota Nigeria Ltd.

Raising the bar in the game of golf www.realitylifeng.com

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REALITY LIFE www.realitylife.ng

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CONT ENTS

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How IITA has been helping to diversify Nigeria’s economy through Agriculture -Kwame

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Artiste to look out for in 2018

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Our style of Broadcasting makes us stand out.

Mrs. Ibukun Awosika: Amazon Of Corporate Nigeria

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Obiano Wins Anambra Guber Election

Sweet N Savy Is The Place To Be Are You An Upwardly Mobile Lady Sweet N Savy Is The Place To Be

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Time to Build a New World

Effective Ways to loose weight with infused water

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Toyota Nigeria is surviving the recession because of measures we put in place

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Editor’s Notes

Publisher Evafem Communication 200 Road, House 7, Festac, Lagos

Editor- in- Chief Oghenemairo Adegeye Managing Editor Adegeye Oluwafemi Associate Editors Walter Enoch Toddy Celestine Raymond Emeka Mbah

Exciting Package….

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olf is one of the most popular elite sporting activities in the world. Played by all ages, ability levels and by both male and female, the game renowned for being a calm and calculative sport, encompasses patience, and integrity.

Even though Golf as a sport is a flourishing game in Nigeria, the country is not renowned for having celebrated golfers and golf clubs. The reason for this is not far-fetched because Golf is generally seen as a game of the rich and for the rich. Yet, golf courses are springing up across the country on regular basis.

The 18- hole Smokin Hills Golf Resort, Ilara Mokin is one of the flourishing Golf Couse in Nigeria’s list of growing golf courses. Located about 20 minutes from Akure, the capital of Ondo State, the Course is developed by Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, the Chairman of Toyota Nigeria Limited. And it is our focus in this edition.

Our cover is titled: “Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo Memorial Golf Tournament: Raising The Bar In The Game of Golf,” we look at the golf course and this year’s edition of the Toyota Nigeria sponsored annual golf tournament, described as one of the best and most exciting golf tournaments in Africa.

Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Kunle Ade-Ojo talked to us about the state of the automobile industry in Nigeria, Car racing, the economy and how the leading motor brand in Nigeria has remained atop in the face of the challenging economic times.

On Agriculture, we had an encounter with a deputy director general of the Ibadan-based International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), who took us through the place of Agriculture in diversifying the nation’s economy and what IITA has been doing to promote Agriculture in Nigeria.

Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, Chairman, Board of Directors, First Bank of Nigeria Limited is our focus on Women in National Development. The story is properly captioned: “Ibukun Awosika: Amazon Of Corporate Nigeria.”

On health, we take a look at Cucumber and its numerous benefits to the human body. The story is complemented by another story titled “Effective Ways To Lose Weight With Infused Water.”

Relax and enjoy yet, an exciting package.

Oghenemairo Adegeye www.realitylifeng.com

Proof Readers Chukwudi Uruakpa Joan Odafe Kemi Adeniyi Adegeye Writers/ Contributors/ Columnists Siyabonga B. Samuel Okodidili Sholape Adesoye Designs and Layout Kelechi Okoro- Emmanuels Letters, comments and observations should be addressed to the Editor at Plot 49 Animasaun Estate Extension, Surulere, Lagos.

Tel: 0805 655 5838, 0909 393 7727, 07066122290 E-mail: realitylifemag@gmail.com, adamairo76@yahoo.com REALITY MISSION Our mission is to constatntly promote and project Agriculture/ tourism, entertainment, culture, style, events, festivals, sporting to be the global community advertising and marketing of product and services, through highly motivated staff, rendering excellent services to the world.

REALITY VISION To be a leading agriculture/tourism, entertainment and life style magazine with the best hands providing quality services to readers and clients around the world with great impact.

Editorial Adisory King Sunny Ade (KSA) Olujimi Olusola 111 Gbenga Oyesanmi ( USA)

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Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo Memorial Golf Tournament:

Raising the bar in the game of golf Golf is said to be one of the most popular elite sporting activities in the world. It can be played by all ages, ability levels and by both male and female. Renowned for being a calm and calculative game, the game of golf shows patience or lack of it thereof. It is a game of integrity and patience, where players try to earn the lowest number of points.

Even though Golf as a sport is a flourishing game in Nigeria, the country is not renowned for having celebrated golfers and golf clubs. The reason for this is

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not far-fetched because Golf is generally seen as a game of the rich and for the rich. Yet, golf courses are springing up across the country on regular basis.

Reports say there are only about 200,000 golfers in Nigeria, a country with a population of about 170million people.

Nigeria is blessed with some beautiful Golf Courses. They include Lakowe Lakes Golf Course, outside of Lagos; the Shell Petroleum Development Corporation (SPDC) Golf Course, Ogunu,

Warri; the Ikoyi Golf Club, Lagos; IBB Golf Course Abuja; and the Smokin Hills Golf Resort.

The 18- hole Smokin Hills Golf Resort, Ilara Mokin is one of the most flourishing Golf Course in Nigeria’s.

Located about 20 minutes drive from Akure, the capital of Ondo State, the Course is developed by Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, the Chairman of Toyota Nigeria Limited.

Described as one of the best Golf Courses in Nigeria, it is located in a

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Cover

university town( Elizade University) and is the first golf facility in cocoa producing Ondo State.

Captivated by the sheer aesthetics of the Course, golfers who have hit the course are quick to compare it with IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja and Le Meridien Ibom Golf Resort, Uyo, the only Nigerian

courses with world class attributes.

The Smokin Hills golf course is a standard 18 holes layout that is set up in pristine African forest and extends into the cascading hills around Ilara Mokin. Such is the elegance of the course that its 18 greens and fairways are said to be in peak condition and will tempt golfers to want to play 36

(L) Golfers, Mrs Ogunnusi (L4), Kunle Ade-Ojo, Emgr. Gboye Adegbenro and Prince Aderinto.

(L) Mrs Ogunnusi, Chief Olokode, Kunle Ade-Ojo, Maj. Gen. D.D Ahmadu with lady golfers

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Social holes golf in a day, no matter the conditions.

The signature hole is said to be the island green No7, which is designed to capture the imagination in the mould of the par 3 hole 17 at the TPC Sawgrass, Florida, the venue of the Players Championship.

The course has been built to championship standard with state of the art features and materials, including a driving range and short game practice area.

The Course was built by American company, Total Golf Construction, which has carried out similar golf designs in the Gulf, USA and the Caribbean.

“Ilara Mokin is a world class course that is also going to be a challenging golf course and defining layout in Nigeria.

Some of the holes are quite remarkable,” said a golfer, who did not want to be identified.

The fact that it rolls through the hills means golfers over the 70 years mark, including General Yakubu Gowon, Chief Omowale Kuye, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, Dr Tim Menakaya, Brig Gen. Mobolaji Johnson and Gen. IBM Haruna, among others would likely struggle to complete the two nines without being aided by golf carts.

It is worthy of note that a network of cart paths is built on the entire course in consideration of the effect of the topography on this category of golfers.

The trend all over the world is that most courses frequented by tourists now bear the cart path in order to protect the fairways from the stress effect of human traffic. Ibom and Ilara Mokin stand out as they are the only courses in Nigeria to create special route for buggies.

The Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo Memorial Golf Tournament is a recurring feature in the diary of events of Toyota Nigeria Limited. The event is a tribute to the endearing memory of the late Chief (Mrs) Wuraola Ojo, wife of the Chairman of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael Ade Ojo, OON. The tournament was born as a result of the management’s desire to ensure that all she lived for remained as an evergreen legacy. Toyota Nigeria Limited has been sponsoring this annual event since 2004.

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(L) Donatus Esuku , Yusuf Toba. Odoh Emmanuel and Olawale Oguntuyi

(L)Udoka Benard, Ibrahim Salisu, Sanusi Abdul, and Ola Peter.(R)

Female golfers

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Toyota Nigeria Ltd is surviving the recession because of measures we put in place -Ade ojo Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited, KUNLE ADE OJO in the following interview with Realitylife Magazine during the 14th Edition of Elizabeth Wuraola Golf Tournament at Smokin Hills Ilara Mokin talks about the state of the automobile industry in Nigeria, Car racing, the economy and how the leading motor brand in Nigeria has remained atop in the face of the economic recession…..

We are here again for anther edition of the Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo memorial golf tournament, what would you say about this year’s event?

As a company, and as an organization, we are always thriving for improvement so, we are here this year to make impact. We have invited a lot of people,

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and I think this year’s tournament is the biggest so far in terms of the turnout.

This is because of the fun and words of mouth and the fact that the golf course is considered one of the best, if not the best in the country.

The event is backed by Toyota brand and the fact that we are celebrating and

remembering our mother, Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo. This is the 14th year of this event. In addition to that, we are having an auto rally in Ondo State, so all of this is creating a lot of buzz in the state.

People should have fun and play while we remember our late Mom.

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cover You said this year’s event is bigger owing to the economic situation currently, how come you were able to make this year’s event better?

It’s all about planning, even though we have cut cost generally and across as a company. This is an event that we do not want to stop. So we have cut cost in some other ways to allow us to at least host the event; overall, we are still okay.

Tell us aboutauto rally that was introduced as part of the event?

Well, it is an initiative of one business that we participate in at the background.

Toyota being the biggest brand in Nigeria, and powered by somebody from Ondo State, we decided to use that to introduce car rally into the country of which we look to improve upon year after year.

You would have seen different designs of vehicles on the race that is participating in this tournament and everyone came to have fun. We have people from Europe and from other parts of the world participating in this year’s car race event.

It is something new in this path of the world, and we hope that this will improve and get better. And of course, this is taking place at llara-Mokin, the second capital of Ondo State.

Car Race has its peculiarity, you need a lot of space and good road, do you we have that here in Nigeria?

Yes, that is the thing about this event, The vehicles with low profile went on the normal smooth roads for the areas that where mapped out. And the vehicles that are plying the rough roads like the SUV, just to test their rigidity on the hills and mountains. So, it is a mixture of smooth road and bad rough road Let me take this privilege to get this clarified: People often make reference that Toyota is the largest car brand in Nigeria and that they have an assembling plant in Nigeria, how true is this?

That is not true, two years ago, we announced to the country the completion of our assembly plant. We do have a multi-purpose functioning assembly plant in the country. The Government has visited,

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We have people from Europe and from other parts of the world participating in this year’s car race event. It is something new in this path of the world, and we hope that this will improve and get better.

the Nigeria custom has visited, and we are a recognized assembler in Nigeria.

However, as a brand and as a company, it is not in our nature to make noise, so we do our things gently and we let our action speak for us.

With the Federal Government bill on the Auto-mobile industry in Nigeria, how is Toyota fairing?

Nigeria has gone through a lot, much more in this past two years economically. We’ve been really battered and as a company, we were not excluded from the battering. But then, we all know that we came out of recession in the second quarter of the year and that has truly not translated properly yet.

We are hoping that perhaps from next year, maybe people will begin to feel the impact. For now, it is still pretty tough and it’s because of our foresight. And because we plan ahead, we are always planning ahead generally to sustain and

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cover ter, that has leveled out to about 6070% drop. By the end of the year, we’ll probably finish with about 60% drop on last year. So you can see the significant impact, not just on us but other motor brands as well.

A lot of automobile brands have closed shops because they cannot continue with the present state of things. But like I said, things that we have put in place will help us survive.

keep ourselves. That is why we are still able to remain relevant and still maintain the top brand to be reckoned with in the country.

Where do we see the Auto-mobile industry in the next two years?

It’s always hard to want to predict what will happen the next one year talk of two years. It is very dynamic because I don’t know what is going to happen in the next month. But as it is, I can only hope and believe that now that we are coming out of recession, the government will try to

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do the best to improve the economy and that it will naturally impact on the automotive industry. And as much as peoples’ purchasing power becomes better, companies are resuscitating and coming back to life then, we should see a general momentum in the economy with impact on the automotive industry.

How has that really affected your business?

If you look at the first quarter of the year, the market was down about 90%, now, as at the of end of the 3rd quar-

You’re playing today and we’re looking forward to seeing you on the field, is this your first time playing golf?

No, this isn’t my first time and I’m not a super golfer yet but I’m working on my skills. I thought I was going to have time to train and brush up on my skills. But it’s been a very hectic year. Nevertheless, I’m here to support the golfers and, as I keep saying year after year, if things level out next year, I hope to participate actively.

Any word for Nigerians?

Though things are tough generally, Nigeria is still our country, we need to do what’s in the best interest of the country. We shouldn’t give up no matter the situation, we should pray to God for help, do our own bit and hopefully God will help us lead our leaders aright and put us in the right direction so that we can truly become the great nation we ought to be.

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Golfers’ Verdict Why Golf Players Must Be Truthful - Ola Peter Retired army officer and professional golfer, Ola Peter has said that because the game of golf is a gentleman’s game, players are bound to be truthful.

According to him, “The game of golf is a complete gentleman’s game, a golfer doesn’t lie, when a golfer says: “this is how it is” accept it. When you are addressing the ball and the ball rolls, your partner may not see you

but you as an honest man need to tell your partner the truth.”

He said he enjoyed participating in the 2017 edition of the Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo Memorial Golf Tournament which held at Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, describing the golf course as one of the best in Nigeria.

Ola Peter thanked the organizers for a well organized golf tournament. “Kudos to Toyota Nigeria Limited, we really appreciate them, and I’ve met a couple of people here that I don’t think I ever would have met if not for this tournament; so we are thankful for this event.”

This Is One Of The Best Golf Courses Salisu

Kudos To The Organisers For Sustaining The Tournament -Nduka

Ibrahim Salisu, a serving soldier in the Nigerian army, and a professional golfer has expressed his delight with the way and manner this year’s Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo Memorial Golf Tournament was organized, and described the golf course as one of the best golf courses in the country.

He specially thanked Toyota Nigeria Limited and the Nigerian Army leadership for their relentless effort at promoting the game of golf in the country.

Retired Air Force Officer Commends Organisers

Oyebajo, who passed away a day before.

May his soul rest in peace. So I wasn’t at the practice, I just gave it a shot but next time, I will be better prepared for it,” he said.

Mr. Bernard Nduka, a professional golfer from Ibadan Golf Club has lauded the tenacity and commitment of the sponsors of the Elizabeth Wuraola Memorial Golf Tournament in sustaining the annual championship even in the face of the harsh economic realities.

“Even with the harsh economy of the country, the founder and Toyota have done a lot to sustain this tournament in this country. It’s not easy, year after year, they continue to improve on the event. This year’s event was quite fantastic,” he said.

72-year old Douglas Akpan, retired Air Force officer and professional golfer has commended the organizers of the Elizabeth Wuraola Memorial Golf Tournament for the beautiful golf course provided for the annual event, describing it as one the best things that have happened to golf in Nigeria.

“I was not fantastic today because for the past three weeks, we have been fighting tooth and nail to save one of the pioneer professionals in Nigeria, Jamiu

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Organisers Should Keep On With The Good Work They Are Doing -Odega Sunday Joseph Odega, a member of Minna Cantonment Golf Club has described golf as a game of life, meant for gentlemen and ladies, and a game which reveals the true identity of the players.

He urged the organizers of the annual golf tournament to keep the good work going and improve on areas where they are lagging behind.

This Place Is One Of The Best In Africa - Esuku DonatusEsuku, president Benin Professional Golf Club has described the Elizabeth Wuraola Golf Tournament “as one of the best in Africa.”

He explained that a professional golf player plays the game for a living, while the amateur plays it for leisure. A professional plays it for the money, while the amateur plays it for laurels and recognition, that’s all,” he noted.

It’s An Interesting Course- Udoh Emmanuel Udoh from Minna Cantonment Golf Club, who has been playing golf in the last 15 years, and as a professional for two and half years said: “This is an interesting course, they really put in a lot to keep this golf course playable. I pray they put effort into making it better. I tell them a big well done.”

The Topography Here Is Second To None- Bello For Dare Bello, “Golf is life, it’s a way of life for some of us and we love this game passionately. This is obviously one of the best golf courses in Nigeria. The topography is second to none in Africa, they’ve done a lot to keep this course. But I will appeal to the management of the course to look into the growth of the green; the green is the course, and the green must not die.

They shouldn’t compromise on the quality of management.”

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I would Like To Come Here For Vacation - General Ahmadu Major General D.D. Ahmadu, Chief of Training and Operations, Nigerian army has said that his love for the game of golf started a long time ago when he was studying in the UK, and was carrying out an Internet research one of the days.

“I started playing golf a long time ago when I was studying in the U.K. I stumbled into Course on the Internet and wondered how somebody was playing golf and how it was a game of honesty, a game that gives you the trust of a person with high esteem, a game where you can make friends. And so, I decided to learn to play the game,” he said.

He said the day he played his first game on the course at Ilara-Mokin, it was very challenging yet interesting, and would like to find time for a vacation there because “this is a very good place to play golf.”

General Ahmadu who represented the Chief of Army Staff at the golf tournament

enjoined all Nigerians to keep fit by playing games. “There is need for every Nigerian to keep fit so as to be security conscious too.

We would like all Nigerians to work with the military to help secure the country and keep it safe.”

L-R: Kunle Ade-Ojo with Major General D.D. Ahmadu,

Smokin Hills Course Is Of Int’l Standard - Oyegoke exercise and recreation.

“My hopes are high about Wuraola tournament because the heirs are now golfers. And all young men in whatever career should embrace golf.

For me, golf is life, and the golf family is a brotherhood you enjoy all over the world wherever you step your foot,” said Oyegoke who is of the Air Assault Golf Club, Port Harcourt.

An Architect, Olakunle Oyegoke, has said that Smokin Hills Golf Course is one of the best courses in the country with international standard.

“Though I had joined the golf circle but had not started playing, the governors challenge spurred me. Since then, I have not looked back. Golf is all round beneficial- social networking, physical and mental

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An address of welcome presented by the Chairman of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo at Gala Night of the 2017 edition of the Elizabeth Wuraola Memorial Golf Tournament at the Smokin Hills Resort, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State

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rabinrin, the wife of Ondo State Governor, The Kabiyesi, Alara of Ilara Mokin All heads of government parastatals and agencies, The Elizade University Management led by the Vice Chancellor, Ladies and gentlemen I welcome everyone present to the 14th edition of the Elizabeth Wuraola Memorial Golf Tournament, which is

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a yearly event sponsored by Toyota in the memory of my late wife, Elizabeth Wuraola who departed from this world 14 years ago. I thank God that despite her death, the family has been able to stand together to continue the struggle that we both started. By the grace of God, this shall continue and when I leave the show, I hope that my children will continue.

It is my candid belief that this country need this kind of place where you can relax and rewind. It is my feeling that life is not worth living if you don’t have something to be remembered for. You have to be remembered after you have left the show and this is why we are trying to do legendry things like the University, which is being recognized as one of the best private universities in Nigeria.

I wish to plead with everyone present at this event not to depart from llara Mokin without visiting

the University. This year, we introduced car racing, which I describe as an experiment which will be improved upon. I promise that the next year’s edition will be better arranged. We want to showcase Ondo State as the place where you can come and unwind or as a tourist hub. We intend to build a hotel and an amusement park here in 2018. The economy this year is not good enough, but we thank God that things are getting better.

I have said to you in the past, that our women are our mothers because I happened to be born by one and at the same time, I know what my wife has done in my life. So let us respect women except if there is anybody present that was not born by a woman. And by the grace of God, they shall continue to be good wife and mother.

He then requested for Her Excellency, the wife of the Ondo State Governor who was special guest at the occasion Gala Night to take the message home to His Excellency Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu. He then asked audience to enjoy the evening.

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Prof. Fadayomi (r) with a guest

Prince Aderinto with Ademola Ade-Ojo

Oba Alara of Ilara-mokin(r) with a guest

Award

Night

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www.realitylifeng.com Major General, D.D Ahmadu presentig Award to Badmus, the winner

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Mrs. Balogum

Maj. Gen D.D Ahmadu with Chief Ade-Ojo

Peter Makris

David Oloyelogun, Hon. Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly

Prince Adesida with a guest

Evelyn Oyome gross lady winner, receiving Award from prince Adesida

www.realitylifeng.com Her, Excellency. Betty Akeredolu presenting Award Trophy to Mrs. Makinde Representing the winner

Hammed Oseni presenting Award to Evelyn winner.

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Justice Folashade Aguda presenting Award to Rita Isoje

Prof. Fadayomi , V.C Elizade University presenting award to the winner

Kunle Ade-Ojo presenting the trophy to the Tournament Winner, Olukayode Francis

Olukayode Francis in a warm handshake with Chief Ade-Ojo

Mrs Taiwo Ade-Ojo presenting Award to Ademola Ade-Ojo

Kunle Adeojo presenting Award to Major General, D.D Ahmadu

Arabinrin Betty Akeredolu presenting

Oba Alara of Ilara Mokin Presenting an Award to Chief Olokode www.realitylifeng.com

Award to Mrs. Taiwo Ade-Ojo REALITY LIFE

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Ondo State Auto Rally The 2-day world-class Auto-rally and Elizabeth Wuraola Ojo Memorial Golf Tournament took place in Ilara- Mokin and Akure, Ondo State on 10th and 11th November 2017. The Auto rally event was put together by Work and Play, an event marketing company in conjunction with SMT/Volvo, Toyota, JAC, Dinkiia Ltd. etc. The aim of the rally is to develop the culture of Auto sports in Nigeria, to bring closer, Corporations and local communities through sports and social activities and to promote tourism, social responsibility among corporations.

Chief Ade.Ojo with Cross section of Race Car drivers Cross section of race car drivers

Antonio Sandouk

At Elizade University www.realitylifeng.com

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Tourism

How Tourism Is Building The African Continent- Akinboboye President/Founder of LA-Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Lagos, Dr. WANLE AKINBOBOYE in this interview with Reaalitylife Magazine during the just concluded Aim festival talks about tourism and the economic potentials it holds for Nigeria….

Why do you have so much passion for Tourism?

I don’t think people know why they have passion for things. I think passion is something that you are born with. Most people just discover that they are passionate about certain things, and we are not our own creators. It’s usually difficult to know what you will be passionate about.

I think it is part of my DNA, continent building.

In other words, the ideology is all about continent building?

Yes, it’s all about continent building, all of these are activations of continent building. Our concept of continent building is for us talking about it with doing something about it. When most people want to talk about continent building or adding value, they look for someone to do it for them. They will run to the United Nations, to different organizations to do it for them. This is practical continent building where we intend to create activities that will impact on the whole

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Tourism everything; they should do their part, failing to do their part should not deter us not to do our own.

I believe two wrongs cannot make right. Our fathers lived and survived without electricity but they created and built as much as they could. But the expectation of how to do all of these is not what I can give an answer because I didn’t create myself. I was created this way by God and that creation has the ability to do what I have done.

continent of Africa. You must start from your own area where you have control and you have to look for a virgin area where the city will not catch up with it and mess it up.

Revelation usually starts from the jungle and this is an economic revolution to create a platform that can now be replicated throughout the continent. So if you have any gift, go to a virgin area where you can give birth to it. It is only when you give birth to a child, you empower him with education, knowledge and values- the negative and the positive of life,that the child can grow and travel to different parts and impact on that area.

Just like I was given birth to and I have

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been to different parts of the world, it is the same with a calling and an idea.

When we stepped into the LA-Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, I was speechless that this place has become a beauty of nature. Do you have a Government support to be able to do all these?

No, we have zero Government support as a matter of fact. We have Government burden in terms of double, triple taxation issues with no electricity supply for 15 years. We have no water, we have to create our own, and we have to build our own roads. However, it is good for us to know that Government cannot do

I know LA-Campagne has been on for decades, but what is AIM FESTIVAL? AIM is a new baby aimed at creating a platform for African music, where people from all over the world can come and connect with African music. African music is adulterated right now due to Western influence. And the problem we have with young talents is the inability to have structure to create original music like the Olando Owos, King Sunny Ades of yesterdays; it is difficult now. So what they do is copy and under-copy junks and get paid.

This is the only industry that has no entry level, you don’t need a master degree or Ph.D. If you look at people like Comfort Omoge and great musician of yesteryears, they are ordinary people who have made Nigeria and the continent of Africa proud. With the AIM FESTIVAL platform, we will be able to give the entire world an opportunity to come and see where they can get the best of Africa.

Just like our football, only 16 countries that are lucky end up representing the entire continent of Africa. Scouts will come from all over Europe to look for the best from Africa. That was how the Jay Jay Okochas and the Kanu Nwankwos were discovered and you look at the economic empowerment they have enjoyed since that discovery. Unfortunately, in football, only 16 countries are involved but with AIM FESTIVAL, the 54 countries of Africa can participate.

I understand the 2017 edition is the flag-off of the event?

Yes, it is flag-off and we have a whole year to prepare.

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Tourism So what does the entries look like?

We will be expecting five artistes from each of the 54 countries and between now and December 2018, we are going to be doing a whole lot of what we refer to as weekly show, creating awareness.

In the last Saturday of June 2018, we are having one in Turkey that is confirmed already. And we are going to be having others in other parts of Africa, Europe, America and Brazil. So they know those are the places where you can come and purchase authentic Africa music annually.

For a Scot to come and go round the Africa continent tinent in search of these arar tistes is hard, rd, even for an African to travel within hin Africa is hard.

A lot of music usic producers from Los Angeles and all over er the world will be invited. For or people who are looking for fantastic Nigerian African talents to collaboratee ll with, it will nd be a ground where theyy will mselves and meet themselves look at the opportunity ness together. Call to do business it an Africaa Music warehouse.

So it is more like tourism and music infusion?

Actually, because of the travels involved in it, you see, we tell people come to Nigeria, we show them attractions, we need to show them destinations, we also need to give content. When people leave New York City and come to Nigeria and lock them up in a Sheraton, it is like they have never travelled but they know that if they travel, they will be inside an Africa environment and see the best of Africa.

They will savor Africa music, that is when they will chose to travel to Africa.

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zer ability but zero hav a humonhave gou America gous platfo are platform makin millions making of dollars dollars. We need tha platform to create that for the King Su Sunny Ades of tomorrow.

What h areas that h you will ll b are the be supporting?

Everybody should look at the humongous Elephant and cut your portion, cook it and give to all of us to eat. We have utilized that strength towards creating this platform for the biggest industry in the world, Entertainment is the biggest industry. This means you are a part of salvaging the continent of Africa. You work to a level where you are celebrated, without an industry, no platform, no Government support, that man is a genius. He has to do everything on his own when his contemporaries that have

When speaking earlier on, you talked about economic benefit, can you explain this?

We won’t leave here today if we start talking about the economic benefits, the trickledown effect is huge. Just in two years, you will have about 2 million people traveling, calculate the ticket, accommodation, feeding because when a million people travel, they eat like 3 million people as one person will eat three times like you do when you are at home.

That will help our Agriculture, our food, everybody will work and they will benefit from the business of music. What they have now is a dance all music, they have the real authentic Africa music.

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Tourism

How have you been handling security matters here?

This place is very highly secured, even the villagers have created a team to protect this place because this is where they get their livelihood. We have a case where father, mother, and children work here. We have MOPOL

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49, we have the corporate guard. The biggest form of security is the good relationship with villagers. When you add value to people’s life, they will protect you. There are people who have worked for about 10 to 15 years and have built houses of their own. Our security guard has three houses and is starting the fourth one.

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Tourism

Why we are doing business with Africans - Turkish Businessman

L

utfi Simsek, a Turkish medical doctor and the 6th president of Industrialist Business Men Association based in Turkey, has explained why they are visiting some African countries to expand their international business tentacles.

According to him, “When I was the president of the Industrial business men, we had a meeting with our president-the Turkish Republican president. He told me that as a business man I should go to Africa and make friends, work with them to make profit for ourself and also help our African brothers and sisters make profit too. This interested me and I met a lot of organizations from Africa and created a relationship, and then had an idea to visit the 54 African countries in the continent of Africa.

“So far I have visited 7 countries and I hope I will visit all the countries in the continent because I love the continent and I know that after the colonial era, people of this continent had a lot of problems after gaining their freedom. I believe in the future we collaborate and build good relationship that will create prosperity on both sides.”

He said that in one of his visits to Nigeria, he was at a primary school with almost 6000 pupils and was very impressed with what he saw but that unfortunately, he couldn’t communicate properly in English language. He said he told them in Turkish that they haven’t got natural gas, petrol, mining and all those natural resources but that they have only one important thing which is human resources, in addition to experienced, hardworking people and technology.

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REALITY LIFE

“I told the students that the African continent have challenges ranging from poverty to human resources and then to young population. But Africa has the whole natural supplies. So if they build good relationship, we create prosperity in Africa. And I am happy for this organization to take off. When we met Dr. Wanle Akinboboye in Africa, I saw and I understood he has same idea to create prosperity for his continent and also I have same target to organize good things for the African continent.

“After we met, we had business organizations bringing businesses from Africa to Turkey. Every month, we organize business for both sides for example, they are working on Agriculture, Industries and Investment. And if God gives more life, I believe I and Dr.Wanle will work and create good things for the African continent. It is on record that Turkey is one of the fastest growing countries- we

have a lot of experience and knowledge; we have the technology to drive these,” he said.

On his interest to develop the African continent, Dr. Simsek noted that Africa and Turkey share almost same post-colonial era experiences but added that however, Turkey has today become a strong and powerful country eager and ready to create good things in other places like Africa.

“Our Government and its people believe that Africa is the main gate of the world in the future. Unfortunately, Africa has everything built. Africa is the poorest continent in the world, and African people do not deserve this rather they should have the best because during the colonial period, the colonial masters only came to Africa to take away riches and did not bring anything to the African continent.

But we have a strong and powerful growing country, we don’t work for our people

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Tourism

and country alone because the greater prosperity is in growth of every nation, the entire humanity growing together.

“Though we are human and only one country, but wherever there is a problem, we want to be there. When we met Dr. Wanle, we established the Africa Turkish Trade Centre in Turkey with our head office in Kenya. Under this organization, we are building a lot of branches across Africa for example, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Cote d’ivoire Tanzania, and Ethiopia. We are still working to establish our partner branches across the continent of Africa. Africa and Turkey are miles apart.

“I came with visa, and you know it’s not everybody that could obtain their visa to Lagos due to some visa problems, flight ticket, hotel booking, feeding and sundry issues. Also, we have communication problem because we don’t use the same language. That is why we are organizing these mini offices to people coming from Turkey to Africa or Africa to Turkey to buy or sell, to have easy access; it is important. We want real and trusted people on both sides and now we are bringing the trading,” he added.

Dr. Simsek said that in Turkey, there is a lot of productions for the use of African people, some of which are the automotive spare parts industry, a good machinery industry, good food and beverages industries, agriculture

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machineries/technology and good, solid healthcare tourism centres, etc.

He said that Turkey serves the whole need of the Nigerian people and are looking at what Nigeria have to sell to Turkey because if the trade is done on both sides, every party will benefit. “Investigation is going as we speak, Nigeria has a lot of food that do not grow in Turkey, for instance, Bananas, mangos and the others. Also, Nigeria has a lot of timbers, natural gas, and petroleum.

Nigeria has a lot of mining, and these are good trading prospects.

Dr. Simsek who runs a private hospital in Turkey said the trade partnership with Africa is driven by the governments of both countries, adding that they have been in support of this private initiative by creating the enabling platform.

“Our government in particular gives a lot of support when we come to trade in Africa. Nigeria is the leading nation in Africa as I said before, many of these countries in the past only come to take away, they don’t bring anything. But that is not us, our government told me specifically that ‘you are going to Africa, make friends with our African brothers and sisters; you will love everyone and together we will grow the future.”

He debunked insinuations in some quarters that the Turkish trade penetration into Africa was a ploy to Islamize the African continent saying that

though, the people have the right to think so, because in the past the European countries came and brought their religion into Africa.

“In our history, we have almost 25 million square kilometres in size, we were almost like the African continent about 100 years ago. But after the first world war, we are now smaller than Nigeria. If you check around us, we didn’t change anyone, they still have their original culture, they still speak their language unlike you that is speaking English language,” he noted.

On the AIM Festival he has this to say, “I am happy because I love this continent and the people. Sometime in the past, I met different music groups but from only one local area. But this is an interesting festival, you see a lot of countries in this event - people from different countries watched this event live yesterday. Also, this is the first time. So, there is need for step by step modification.

“I believe that next year, it will be better organized and it will be bigger than this. We would have had some television stations from Turkey yesterday but for visa problem and some business programme. If people meet under same platform, there will be trust because music is international culture. I can dance and sing with you, all through the night. Yesterday, I stayed awake enjoying different music artistes. And it is a big business when you move people from Nigeria to and fro Turkey to Nigeria.”

Dr. Simsek said there are plans to have AIM FESTIVAL in Turkey by June 2018 because entertainment is a big business in the world just like football, adding that it boosts the economy of any nation. “In Turkey, we have a good environment for investors, industries, manufacturers and the whole sectors because, with a good environment, we would not have grown in the last 20 years like we have today.”

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Tourism

Diplomat explains cultural similarities between Nigeria and Benin Republics

A

Beninese, Armand Hountondji, has said that Benin Republic’s support for Dr. Wanle Akinboboye was borne out of the fact that Nigeria and Benin share certain things in common, including culture, noting that there was need to promote African culture.

“What I saw here at this flag off event is very interesting and very important not only to West Africa but whole Africa continent. I think we have to come together to promote our culture,” he said.

The diplomat stated that they have some events in Benin but what they don’t have is the kind of setting obtainable in Nigeria.

“We need to have one Dr. Wanle in our country or we have to support him for him to come and do same thing in our country since he knows how to do it already.”

Hountondji, who represented the Republic of Benin Ambassador to Nigeria noted that tourism is a priority of his country’s Government as Benin does not have so many natural resources.

We don’t have Oil, our Oil is tourism.

We are working on it now, building nice and beautiful places that people can visit.

But we notice that it is only white people that are interested in Tourism. Now we want Africans to begin to like and patronize African Tourism.

On whether Beninese embrace tourism, he said that they will have to teach them because Africans do not create time to relax, explaining why they are now working on making people to begin to embrace tourism.

He described the AIM FESTIVAL as being a good one but spoke on the need to carry out a lot of awareness and enlightenment for more people to know about the event.

Hountondji, who is also a Head of Chancery in Benin said the best way to

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Armand Hountondji

achieve unity is through culture since that is what Africans have in common. “As for me, for the next event, I will be here and my country will be duly represented with traditional artistes participating more than what we did this year.”

He said that culture is all about traditional food, the clothes and the dance which make up the heritage bequeathed on the people by their fore-fathers and ancestors, adding that in Benin Republic,

they have an event celebrated in January where the people showcase the culture of Benin people.

“Like I said, Benin and Nigeria share some cultural affinities. For instance, we eat Eba as you do here, as well as Amala though, there are other kinds of food. Same goes for clothing except for some parts of the country where they wear only wrapper round their waist,” he concludes.

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Guests and Artistes at the Event

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27

Retrospect UOTE Q “There are no secrets to success.

It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”

-Colin Powell

“Some people dream of success, while other people get up every morning and make it happen.”

-Wayne Huizenga

“Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do.”

-Pele

REALITY LIFE www.realitylifeng.com

Motivational Quotes About Change “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.”

-Albert Schweitzer

“Don’t be distracted by criticism. Remember--the only taste of success some people get is to take a bite out of you.”

-Zig Ziglar

“You know you are on the road to success if you would do your job, and not be paid for it.”

-Oprah Winfrey

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Health

With Daniella Akpakwu

Effective Ways to loose weight with infused water

D

rinking water is one of the ideal things you can do if you desire to lose weight and have a better health. It does not consist of any calories and aids in filling your stomach so you don’t get hungry. Additionally, it has a delicious taste and it has been proven to flush out toxins from your body and enhance metabolism.

Water is a crucial part of all exercise programs and diet as well as all the bodily functions that can come to mind. It makes a huge part of your muscles and it is crucial for the production of energy. If you want to always be at your optimum, it is best you drink water.

But for individuals who do not like consuming water, the best alternative is to drink infused water. They do basically the same thing as water and they have a delicious taste. The major benefit is that infused water is healthier than sugary drinks like soda which do not keep us hydrated.

Water can easily be infused with herbs, fruits, spices, and vegetables. The great thing is that the possibilities are limitless.

Basically, infused water helps you drink more water which is beneficial to you on the long run.

Best Preparation Practices • Ingredients: Ingredients can range from vegetables and fruits. Ensure they are washed to eradicate toxins like pesticides chemicals as well as other forms of bacteria.

• Water: Room temperature filtered water or cold water is best to use for it. Hot water allows the ingredients break apart quickly and can damage the nutrients you are trying to get out of the ingredients.

• Containers: The container should be transparent and made of glass so you can observe clearly.

There are various flavours you can try out, but the following are some we mixed up at wellness patron and how to prepare them.

Flavour 1 Ingredients -Cucumber

-Mint leaf -Ginger -Lemon -Water The lemon added in this combination aids in weight loss and is a reliable source of Vitamin C. Additionally, cucumber aids in digestion and dealing with bloating. Also mint leaf aids in soothing the tummy in the event of swelling and indigestion or when your stomach doesn’t feel proper. Lastly, Ginger has been proven to aid in the relief of digestive issues such as motion sickness, nausea and pain.

This is the perfect recipe for cooling down on a hot day. The slightly bitter taste of the cucumbers is perfectly balanced with the tangy sweetness of the limes, and the mint provides an almost candy-like aroma giving this recipe a wonderful flavour.

Preparation: Wash your ingredients, then dice up your cucumber and ginger. Extract the lemon juice and place all in your transparent glass. Add your temperature room water and refrigerate for 5-6hours.

Benefits of Infused Water Infused water comes with a variety of benefits which include: • It has a great taste and aids in enhancing your hydration • Infused water has the delicious taste which is almost as close as soda but without the health risks of soda • When your body is hydrated properly, your body parts like your kidney, skin, and liver can eradicate waste properly.

It serves as a natural form of detox for our body all day long.

• Consumption of infused water aids in making you fuller and dealing with the false hunger which is as a result of dehydration.

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29

Health

Health Benefits of Eating

Cucumber

T

high in water and several important vitamins and minerals.

Eating cucumbers with the peel provides the maximum amount of nutrients.

hough

commonly thought to be a vegetable, cucumber is actually a fruit. It’s high in beneficial nutrients, as well as certain plant compounds and antioxidants that may help treat and even prevent some conditions.

Also, cucumbers are low in calories and contain a good amount of water and soluble fibre, making them ideal for promoting hydration and aiding in weight loss.

This article takes a closer look at some of the top health benefits of eating cucumber.

It’s High in Nutrients Cucumbers are low in calories but

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high in many important vitamins and minerals. Although, the typical serving size is about one-third of a cucumber, so eating a standard portion would provide about one-third of the nutrients above.

Additionally, cucumbers have a high water content. In fact, cucumbers are made up of about 96% water. To maximize their nutrient content, cucumbers should be eaten unpeeled. Peeling them reduces the amount of fiber, as well as certain vitamins and minerals.

Cucumbers are low in calories but

It Contains Antioxidants Antioxidants are molecules that block oxidation, a chemical reaction that forms highly reactive atoms with unpaired electrons known as free radicals.

Cucumbers contain antioxidants, including flavonoids and tannins, which prevent the accumulation of harmful free radicals and may reduce the risk of chronic disease.

It Promotes Hydration Water is crucial to your body’s function, playing numerous important roles.

It is involved in processes like temperature regulation and the transportation of

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waste products and nutrients.

Cucumbers are composed of about 96% water, which may increase hydration and help you meet your daily fluid needs.

It May Aid in Weight Loss Cucumbers could potentially help you lose weight in a few different ways. First of all, they are low in calories.

Cucumbers are low in calories, high in water and can be used as a low-calorie topping for many dishes. All of these may aid in weight loss.

It May Lower Blood Sugar Several animal and test-tube studies have found that cucumbers may help reduce blood sugar levels and prevent some complications of diabetes. One animal study examined the effects of various plants on blood sugar. Cucumbers were shown to effectively reduce and control blood sugar levels.

Test-tube and animal studies show that cucumber may help lower blood sugar and prevent diabetes-related complications, although additional research is needed.

It Could Promote Regularity Eating cucumbers may help support regular bowel movements.

Dehydration is a major risk factor for consti-

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pation, as it can alter your water balance and make the passage of stool difficult Cucumbers contain a good amount of fiber and water, both of which may help prevent constipation and increase regularity.

Easy to Add to Your Diet Mild with a distinctly crisp and refreshing flavour, cucumbers are commonly enjoyed fresh or pickled in everything from salads to sandwiches. Cucumbers are also often eaten raw as a

low-calorie snack or can be paired with hummus, olive oil, salt or salad dressing to add a bit more flavour.

Cucumbers can be eaten fresh or pickled. They can be enjoyed as a low-calorie snack or used to add flavour in a variety of dishes.

The Bottom Line Cucumbers are a refreshing, nutritious and incredibly versatile addition to any diet. They are low in calories but contain many important vitamins and minerals, as well as a high water content.

Eating cucumbers may lead to many potential health benefits, including weight loss, balanced hydration, digestive regularity and lower blood sugar levels.

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31

Agriculture

How IITA has been helping to diversify Nigeria’s economy through Agriculture -Kwame A Deputy Director General at the Ibadan-based International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), KWAME in the following interview, talks about the place of Agriculture in diversifying the nation’s economy and what IITA has been doing to promote Agriculture in Nigeria….

Nigeria is diversifying from oil to agriculture, is IITA getting the attention of the government to diversify our economy, how can we actually do that?

We are running closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, the former minister of agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina used to work for us as our staff.

As I speak with you, we are working with the government of Nigeria on a programme called Agricultural Transformation Agenda Programme No.1, which is being run by the Ministry of Agriculture, who are providing technical assistance to the programme.

And we are also trying to work with the Nigerian government on

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another programme called ‘Agri-preneur’ programme which is basically a programme we are trying to inculcate into university graduates to get them to go into agriculture, not just farming but any agro business, we have offices in Abuja, Ibadan and of course, in Lagos.

What has been the response of the youth to this idea?

It’s been quite interesting because every year, we take in new people.

Currently, we are a little stuck because we are trying to make negotiations with the government for a loan from World Bank to provide support to the youth.

That has not come through yet, we

are still working on that. So it’s slowed down the programme a little. Otherwise, people are interested, we have people who did land survey, quantity survey, lawyers, where I come from, who have now become fish farmers or cassava farmers.

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Agriculture We have a few people who have actually started their own business- they are two groups, one in Borno, who are into peanuts and peanut oil, the other in Abeokuta, who are into tit bits using cassava and soya beans. The biggest constraint for them is money, they need credit, you can’t do anything without credit and land. For credit, we are trying to work with the government of Nigeria.

For land, that’s what we are working with the state; currently we are working with Osun and Oyo states for a small piece of land to help these guys.

When this land is provided, do you apportion it to the candidates?

It will be made available for them but not to own; they can use it on lease to farm. We still try to work with them to see if we can replicate it in all the capital areas.

Are we getting any credit from local and international communities?

It’s the Nigerian government that will borrow from the development bank and make some of it available to 37,000 Nigerian youth.

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How did you arrive at 37,000?

1,000 for each state, they will be selected by the state and will have a national coordinating office in Abuja run by the Ministry of Agriculture.

Is there a parameter for this selection?

That has been one of the biggest challenges we have. Some have said we should start from 18-22, others say from 18-35, everybody wants to extend it as far as it benefits them. But we haven’t come to final decision yet. You have to have a university degree though, because we are concentrating on university graduates. There are other programmes for the non-graduates of the university.

You’ve been in Nigeria for 5 years, from your perspective, do you think you have made enough impact?

That’s always difficult to say. I always say let people assess our impact rather

than we ourselves. Our team has been in Nigeria for 50 years doing agriculture and agricultural research, I’m in agriculture but I’m not an agriculturist as such. I’m with the general management , so it will be difficult for me to talk about impact.

We have a few people who have actually started their own business- they are two groups, one in Borno, who are into peanuts and peanut oil, the other in Abeokuta, who are into tit bits using cassava and soya beans.

How accessible is this information to the public?

It’s quite accessible, we have a website which gives you a lot of information. And we have a communication unit that will provide you with a whole lot of information. In fact, almost every day we have

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33

Agriculture school children, state ministers, commissioners of agriculture coming to visit. All you have to do is Google I.I.T.A. and you will have access to lots of information.

We have our headquarters in Ibadan but we are in 18 other African countries. We have about 224 international staff and 1200 local staff all in Africa.

Do you see Nigeria actually surviving, breaking into agriculture?

We have about 180million people, everybody has to eat three times a day, so why not? If we do what we need to do and do it properly, there’s no way you’ll lose money.

What do you mean by properly?

Don’t do it as a way to feed just yourself and the family, do it like a business that should fetch you good money, it doesn’t matter how poor you are. You have to eat three times a day, so I don’t see how people who go into proper, well managed agricultural business would fail.

What are other processes of agricultural business?

Planting, processing. Take groundnut

for example, groundnut can be processed into oil, groundnut cake, medicinal extracts, oil extracts, there’s a whole lot of value chain from production to when the produce arrives on your table, so people just have to find a niche for themselves.

If you don’t want to go through too much trouble with the processing, you can decide to go into transportation of

agricultural goods, get your trucks, get your produce and transport them to different destinations, its agriculture!

So there’s a lot of money to be made.

You cannot loose with food- there’s food education, food in medicals, food in pharmaceuticals. Agriculture is a business that we don’t have to do the way our grandmothers did.

Cross section of IITA staff at Smokin Hills Golf Resort, Ilara-Mokin during the 14th Edition of Elizabeth Wuraola Golf Tournament,

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REALITY LIFE

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Guess Who Reads REALITYLIFE MAG

Pa Akintoye

King Sunny Ade

Pa Adebanjo

Prof. Okonofua

Kunle Ade-Ojo www.realitylifeng.com

REALITY LIFE

35

Fashion

?

Are you an

Upwardly

MOBILE LADY

SWEET N SAVY IS THE PLACE TO BE

The craze for the best and trending fashion styles among the youths especially the feminine gender is on the increase. Even though it’s a competitive industry, not many fashion houses are ready to meet with this increase in demand.

Sweet N Savy Couture, a Lagos-based fashion outfit is well-equipped for this demand as it primarily targets the upwardly mobile ladies plus the sale of unisex fashion accessories.

ABIMBOLA ODUNISI, the Creative Director of the fashion house spoke to RealityLife Magazine recently…..

In the beginning Sweet N Savy Couture is a Lagos-based fashion brand, which targets young and upwardly mobile ladies (middle and upper class) in corporate and business world coupled with sales of unisex fashion accessories.

It is a global fashion brand with the ability to sweeten one’s spirit, soul and

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REALITY LIFE

body because of the thoughtfulness that goes into every stitch, cut and fabric.

The business kick-started 2011, was made official with CAC in 2005, and took off with N25,000. Today, the brand is making waves with various unique and original designs.

The maiden collection “ETERNAL” was unveiled at the Open mall fashion

show in April 2017 at the City Mall, Onikan Lagos. It was an earthy feel good collection connecting the realm of black and white stripes with strips of paisley and bold colours!

The collection was made for the sophisticated woman who has different days and phases in her life; every piece can suite her mood and lifestyle without

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struggle. The high quality of the silk and chiffon made the designs effortlessly chic and classy with outstanding reviews.

Our Slogan is: Get the Look, Get Sweetened!

Founder’s background: Abimbola Odunusi, the creative director, started sketching designs since 2002 all from imagination, this is 15 years and counting. Her love for all things artistic, creative and colorful is contagious.

In 2009, after her University education and graduating best in her class as a Microbiologist, while waiting for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC),

Always neatly dressed, she has given styling a new meaning by designing clothes with a refreshing and the muchneeded newness and vision in spite of having a paid employment.

she learnt how to sew in order to bring to life her original designs.

Her vision for the brand is to help young women dress the part for their dreams and aspirations without breaking the bank, and in the long run, become a household name with men and children inclusive. She is the face of the fashion brand as she typifies the ideal target audience of young upwardly mobile young

lady.

Always neatly dressed, she has given styling a new meaning by designing clothes with a refreshing and the much-needed newness and vision in spite of having a paid employment.

Objectives: Sweet pieces as the designs are often called, reflect creativity and design innovation. Daring, futuristic and all-pervad-

ing, Sweet N Savy Couture represents the new Nigerian fashion movement because of the uniqueness of the materials that go into the works and the fusion in creating the pieces- ready to wear and bespoke.

Each dress has a story behind it that is as beautiful as the dress itself, because every woman has a story and must be heard and told correctly.

Positioning:

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37

Fashion

The markets have been overflowing with clothing made from imported and local fabrics. Independent designers are working in street markets, festivals and small boutiques to sell various clothes in both native and western styles.

Sweet N Savy Couture style is deploying a strong sense of aesthetics appreciated by the middle and upper middle classes with quality local and imported fabrics. The journey so far has been good.

Sweet N Savy Couture loves the excitement and challenges the startup brings.

The icing on the cake is the feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction that is derived from creating something which helps people dress better and feel beautiful. We express our freedom in implementing new ideas that are truly inspiring and out of this world!

We believe in encouraging youths to start their own businesses rather than wait to get jobs, and also build their dream while in paid employment. Create your world, take over, stand out, rule it and be uniquely you! The world is yours for the taking, how ready are you?

Reach Sweet N Savy @: IG/facebook: @sweetnsavycouture; Twitter: sweet_savy; Email sweetnsavycouture@gmail.com

Products: Office dresses, two piece office wear, suits, jackets, jumpsuits, bespoke outfits, pocket squares for men, neck scarfs and merchandised accessories.

Final words:

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Event

The Problem of Education In Nigeria Is Funding - Professor Duyilemi Special Guest and Award Winner at the 2017 Ekimogun Day Celebration, Professor (Mrs) Augustina ‘Nireti Duyilemi spoke exclusively to RealityLife Magazine about the just concluded Ekimogun Day Celebration and the State of education in Nigeria.......

Assessing the Ekimogun Day Celebration “We thank God for the celebration of the 30th Ekimogun anniversary. I am proud of Ondo Kingdom any time, any day. We have eminent personalities, and Ondo City is globally competitive with Cities in advanced countries, and the citizens are enlightened.

“I congratulate the Osemawe, Oba Dr. Victor Kiladejo and his Council for this noble achievement during his tenure. I also congratulate the Ondo Development Committee, the members are wonderful.

They have set the pace; it’s like a carnival, everything was well organized.

“We thank God for the special guest, all the invited guests. You can imagine during my launching, on the spot, the people came out to support me. That shows the

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love that radiates amongst Ondo people.

If I come to this world 10 times, I pray I should still be an Ondo woman.

“Again, like I advised women, they should face the education of their children. Ondos are not lazy, they are proud of their culture. the Deputy Governor in his remark said we are the first to start celebrating this Ekimogun in the whole of the former Ondo state when we were still with Ekiti State, and other communities just took a queue from Ondo.

“I pray that God continues to keep us together for development, like the chairman said that they want to industrialize the town so that people will get more jobs.

So that when we come next year, we shall see the innovations that were brought into the celebration of Ekimogun.

“It’s my first time of attending Ekinmo-

gun and I promise by the grace of God, I will always attend because today is a day I will live to remember. The event is still ringing in my head as if it should not end.

I pray God for journey mercy for everyone that attended.”

On the state of education in Nigeria “As an educationist, a professor of science education, it is a pity. The standard of education has not fallen, it is the funding of education that is our problem. You can imagine just this year, the Federal Government committed just 7% of national budget to education whereas, there are some African counties that are giving 35% above the UNESCO recommendation of 26%. It is rather unfortunate that the Government is toying with Education.

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Event “Imagine free education is no longer feasible. Even at the Education Summit in Ondo, they said free education is for only primary education. And that at secondary and tertiary institutions, parents must be ready to pay for quality education because all these political parties clamouring for education cannot meet up.

“We are in economic recession though they said it has improved but we have not yet seen the impact in the market. The money is not there, even salaries are no longer regular. So every parent must wake up to face the challenges and to educate their children otherwise, we have a society that is not just conforming with the global community.

“But then again, the awareness is ripe; people now know that for them to edu-

cate their children, they must provide it for them. A country without education cannot have national development; they will just be producing mediocre and the whole society will not be safe for its citizens. But here in Ondo, with the level of education, we are still above.

“The people should be ready to educate their children, prioritize their needs. The government cannot do it alone, that is the reality. That goes to say that gone are the days when people have plenty children otherwise you will be producing unfit children for the society. But again, my worry is with the youths, they should now set their goals and vision for life.

“Many of our youths like to cut corners and when you gate-crash, you crash-land

because the quest for money is not the end of the world. The money you do not work for, you will not know how to use it.

If you observe, our youths are involved in so many social vices these days more than ever.

“The earlier our youth realize that for them to make money, they must work hard, the better for the society. Then parents must monitor the movement of their children to keep them from bad gang because peer influence is what is making many of them to misbehave. The youths should also make sure they deviate from following politicians because politicians are not helping the youth. They keep lying to them that they are the future of tomorrow, when will the future come?”

Olori Kiladejo presenting award to Prof. Duyilemi

Prof. Duyilemi with King Sunny Ade

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Prof. Duyilemi displaying the Appreciation Award

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Event

Prof. Duyilemi with students of St Louis Secondary School

Osemawe of Ondo and Olori Kiladejo

Prof. Duyilemi with friends

Prof. Duyilemi and Mrs. Angela Ijituyi

L-R: Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Mr. Agboola Ajayi, Dep. governor of Ondo State and Osemawe of Ondo kingdom, Oba Kiladejo

Prof. Duyilemi with her children

Prof. Duyilemi withfriend and family

Prof. Duyilemi with friends

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Inspiration

Entertainment

The Entertainment Industry Will Help Government Diversify The Economy -AGN Chairman Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), DON PEDRO AGAMBI in this interview takes a look at the activities of the guild and how government can help grow the entertainment industry‌..

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Entertainment

Y

ou are the current chairman of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Lagos State Chapter but so far, what do you think the AGN has achieved or what do you intend to achieve?

We have contributed our modest quota, since we came on board to be precise. We will be one year by November 22nd 2017.

We started the year with capacity workshop for Nolly Actors in Lagos State to acquaint them with latest skills in movie making and in acting. We have also introduced every Saturday Joggers club; it is a fitness club, where we meet every Saturday to promote healthy life style amongst our members, created awareness with health issues happening in our industry.

We have also put in place a functional website: www.actorsguildeofnigeria.lagos. org, where every member can go to the site and take a look at our activities. We have partnered with Lagos state Police command so we have set up what is known as the AGN Lagos State Police whose responsibility is to ensure that there is professionalism in our industry and to ensure that quack producers are curtailed in Lagos state. We have also partnered with the Association of Movie Producers and the Directors Guild service in that regard on how we can ensure that anybody who is not a registered producer or director will not work in Lagos.

es of the movie industry?

I think the biggest of them is that of structure, I want to see an industry that has proper structure in place, that will be able to identify and ensure that the industry is properly galvanized towards growth and development. Recently, we had some movie people or Artistes from China that came to work here. I got a call from the manager of the place that we have some people from China.You can’t do that in their place; you can’t just work into any country and start making movie. That is what I talk about having proper structure in place. They will come and get work permit that enables them to work for the period of time they will be here. They even use Nigerians to work and because they are white skin, people were running after them.

The second challenge is that of up-coming ones, they face a lot of exploitations, quack producers taking advantage of these young ones. If we have an industry that is properly structured, things will be taken care of. Piracy has been there, but these immediate ones, if they are properly looked into, the industry will move forward.

What will be your recommendation to tackle these issues?

We have always told government, but it is tough because this is a creative industry.

Government tried to come with MOPICON (Motion Picture of Nigeria), the industry

did not accept it. Not that the industry did not want to accept it but the Government was coming through the back door to just enact a law for the industry. The industry grew by itself without the support of the government so, I will postulate that if the government wants to enact any law, the industry should be properly carried along.

That was the issue with MOPICON. But I think the industry should take another look at that, then they enact a law that will empower the various groups- Actors Guild of Nigeria, the Directors Guild of Nigeria, the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria, and the Script Writers Guild of Nigeria. When they are properly enacted into law, they can then go after some of these unscrupulous elements creating problems in the industry.

Specifically, what do you think should be the role of government in the industry?

The government’s responsibility basically all around the world is to create the enabling environment. I think they have started working on that but they should also ensure that they help the industry to put proper institutions, system and structure in place.

They also support in the area of piracy and in the area of capacity building.

You said the industry grew on its own, in the same strength, can they make specific

How can you direct a movie when you are not a member of the Directors Guild of Nigeria? What qualifications do you have?

Can you practice as a lawyer in Nigeria when you don’t belonged to the Nigeria Bar Association? So, all of these structures, we have put in place. We’ve also auditioned and done casting for our first Television series tagged ‘Juman High Way.’ We’ve already shot the musical for it and it’s already on social media. We’ve also ensured that accountability has become very transparent because for the first time in a very long time, registration is done at the bank now. For the first time, we have quarterly statement of account that is read at our meetings so that members can have a fair idea of how their monies are being spent.

We just finished our Lagos State Actors Week, it was a 7-day fiesta. Right now, we are planning our end of year party and annual thanksgiving and of course, our Miss AGN. That is how we are planning to wrap up the year.

There are challenges in the day to day life of any group, what are the specific challeng-

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Entertainment recommendations on how the Government can effectively work with them?

I am aware that materials like that have been done before but you know government for instance, in the last administration, there was a move like that. But we have a new administration that is bedeviled with numerous challenges, and they have not really at the moment paid attention to the entertainment issues which to my mind, they should do. The government is talking about diversification, this is an industry that will help them to diversify because we are the greatest employer of labour and the biggest export of the country to the outside world.

What does it take to be a chairman of the AGN? It is for you to be a registered member of the AGN for at

least 5 years, you must have paid your dues.

You said you are an entrepreneur, kindly tell us more about that?

I have a background in media. I started my broadcasting career at Channel television as news reporter. I branched off to Lagos State television, from there to MiTv, then to Minaj Broadcast International and I had a brief stop at NTA, before I branched off to start my media firm called Tech TV. In Tech TV basically, we are into conceptualization, project management, seminars, Radio/TV production and documentaries.

We have a show called Technology Africa; it is an award-winning show on TV that has bias for technology and entertainment.

We consult for private organizations and multinational.

I am also into movie production; we’ve done quite a number of movies. We have new innovation coming up, it is called e-People, which is coming on screen very soon. It will chronicle the entertainment industry like never before. I have won a couple of awards including United Nations Africa Media Award. I have also won the global IAT Award.

How would you describe the entertainment industry?

The industry is an evolving industry, a lot of people don’t know but let me tell Realitylife Magazine, I produced my first movie titled: ‘The Way of Escape’ in 1999. In 2000, I produced a movie called ‘Something To Die For’ but they were not successful because it was in the time of analogue. And from that date till today, the industry has continued to evolve. It is an industry that is highly intensive, innovative and it is an industry that is highly patriotic to the Nigerian nation.

What makes a good actor?

A good actor is very keen, attention to brand and depth. He is somebody who has gone through the process and have

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learnt the ropes in this industry. The challenge we have today is that we have a bunch of young people who want to start climbing the tree from the top instead of climbing from the bottom.

They don’t understand that there is a process, Ejike Asiegbu, Segun Arinze, Desmond Elliot you hear today, all went through the process. You go through the process, you go through auditions, you go to training and retraining and personal development. Those are the things that make a good actor. A good actor doesn’t just come from the sky like a bag of sherry.

Tell us about Miss AGN beauty pageant?

Basically, the pageant is not like your everyday kind of pageant that has to be made clear. The Miss AGN beauty pageant was conceptualized basically for talent development. It is like a talent hunt for the guild. We say there are a lot of young ladies who are in the guild, whom we want to discover. And how do we discover them in the guild? We have a lot of activities and this is just one of them. And that is why when you come to the pageant, you don’t see the beginning. Everything is about Nollywood, 90% of the questions is about Nollywood.

The theme for this year is ‘Beauty with Brain’ because we want to test their IQ and to also make them brand ambassadors, to also represent the guild anywhere they find themselves.

Any word for the AGN members?

I want to thank the AGN members for their support that they have shown to us since we came on board; it’s been overwhelming. The prayers, the cooperation, I just want to say to them that the best is just about to begin. We have not gotten to the Eldorado yet for we are still taking baby steps, they understand with us, work with us and continue to support us. The AGN members should be of good behaviour wherever they find themselves. They should be good ambassadors of the guild wherever they find themselves. We can assure them that as the state executive continues to work harder, to position the guild among the comity of nations, they are also very close to our heart.

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to look out for in Greg Uyoewa Gregewa was born on June 11, 1993 in Lagos. He started playing drums and guitars at the age of 12, and was also part of a church choir from a very tender age till his final year in school.

A graduate of Economics, from Niger Delta University, Nigeria, Gregewa is an Afro-pop Music Performing Artiste and a song writer signed to GOKBOF Entertainment (GOK Records) in 2017.

His debut single, “Official Girl” went viral from its release date on October 1, 2017, with radio play on over 30 radio stations around Nigeria.

Usen Aniekeme (Murphy McCarthy)

Agbaje Adedayo Olalekan (Ravean) Born in Lagos on May 8, 1996, Ravean is a graduate of Business Administration, from Odua University, Ife, Nigeria.

Ravean gained popularity as an artiste during his University days, performing in several school shows. He got signed to GOKBOF Entertainment (GOK Records) in 2017.

Ravean is a Rap and Afro-pop Music Performing Artiste.

Ravean’s debut single, “Shara Giri’ is all over the place and has since gone viral since its release in November 2017.

Murphy McCarthy is an indigene of Akwa Ibom State. He went into Music in 2013 with his first recording at Joe Blaque Studios called Gamble Records.

Murphy McCarthy was signed to Allaluya Boyz Entertainment in 2017. His debut single “Araba Don Show” is a viral song around the southern part of Nigeria.

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Women

in Nation Building Celebrating Nigerian Women In National Development.

Mrs. Ibukun Awosika:

Amazon Of Corporate Nigeria

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rs. Ibukun Awosika is the Chairman, Board of Directors, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s premier and most valuable banking brand. She is also the founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Chair Centre Group. The companies within the group include: The Chair Centre Limited, Sokoa Chair Centre Limited, Furniture Manufacturers Mart, TCC Security Systems and Cubes and Boxes Limited. These companies are involved in manufacturing, retail and bank-way security systems services.

Ibukun chairs a number of corporate and not-for-profit boards amongst which are: House of Tara International and Afterschool Graduate Development Centre (AGDC), a facility which she promoted to help address youth employability and enterprise issues in Nigeria. She sits on the boards of Digital Jewel Limited, Cadbury Nigeria Plc., Convention on Business Integrity (CBI) and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority. She was Chairman, FBN Life Assurance Limited, FBN Capital Limited and Kakawa Discount House Limited.

Ibukun is a graduate of Chemistry from University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Nigeria; an alumna of the Chief Executive Programme of Lagos Business School; the Global Executive MBA of IESE Business School, Barcelona-Spain; and Global CEO Programme of Wharton, IESE and China

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European International Business School (CEIBS).

With high interest in social issues, including women, Ibukun is a co-founder and past chairperson of Women in Business, Management and Public Service (WIMBIZ). An ordained Pastor and founder of the Christian Missionary Fund, Ibukun, through this faith-based organization works with hundreds of missionaries spread across Nigeria to change lives with the provision of medical, educational, and other supplies.

As a fellow of the African Leadership Initiative, Aspen Global Leadership Network, Institute of Directors and Society for Corporate Governance Nigeria, Ibukun, through her projects aspires to use her opportunities in life to further

the greatness of her dear country by raising entrepreneurs to create jobs for the large unemployed youthful population.

She is a member of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), served on National Job Creation Committee (NJCC), and sits on the International Advisory Board of IESE Business School, Barcelona-Spain.

Ibukun is a multiple award-winning entrepreneur and the first Nigerian recipient of the prestigious International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) Award as a nominee of the US Department of State in 2008. She loves to watch investigative and legal series in her leisure time. She is happily married to Abiodun Awosika and they are blessed with three wonderful sons.

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Events

Our style of Broadcasting makes us stand out.

-Sound City FM GM PRINCE OLASUNKANMI ADEBAYO, General Manager of fast rising SoundCity 101.9 FM in Ondo State speaks to us about the rationale behind the establishment of the radio station, the challenges that confront it and how the station intends to become a leading radio station in Nigeria…

What would you say about today’s event?

I am so impressed by the turn out of people to honour us at this occasion, it shows people really accept us in this environment. We had two events combined today -talking about the 92 years birthday of our dynamic, proactive and hardworking Chairman: High Chief Olabanji Akingbule, the Odumwo of Ondo Kingdom; and official commission-

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ing of Sound City 101.9 FM. Radio Station.

We are enjoying the goodwill of our Chairman because, the people that came here today is an assurance that we have a listening public and that will really help the station to grow. We appreciate the presence of His Excellency Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the Executive Governor of Ondo State who was ably represented by the Commis-

sioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Yemi Owolabi; it is a way of encouraging us to be more efficient.

Though this is the official commissioning of the Radio Station but we have been on since November 28rd 2016. But with the listening public having received us with excitement and been supporting us, we know that we don’t have to relent now. We have to be more creative, be forth-coming and be ready to satisfy

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Events the teeming listeners and admirers of the station.

What would you say makes this Sound City Radio station unique?

We have a number of programmes that are making waves, for instance: every morning, Monday through Friday by 6:30 am to 7:30am, what others call Newspapers review, we have a different perspective for. We call it ‘Mojala’ which is presented in English, Yoruba and Pidgin at the same time. So while others are waiting for the Newspaper, we are already feeding the people hot and fresh news.

Also, our ‘Owambe’ programme is hilarious, interactive and entertaining on Saturday morning from 7am to 10am. We get everybody glued to Sound City FM. As an upward mobile person, I have worked with OSRC for 13 years, out of which 10 years was official. I retired from there and joined Adaba FM in 2008. With my experience in all the Radio stations that I have worked with, because before I joined Adaba, I worked as independent producer, running programme with other Radio stations across the country and being involved in marketing (and still involved in marketing) even as the General Manager of this Radio station, I believe coming here as the pioneer General Manager of Sound City 101.9 FM radio, we are poised to make a difference with all we are doing.

This is evident in our programming and all the information we pass to the public. That’s why we came with the slogan: “Broadcasting Redefined” because if you want to get an outstanding performance, you must do it uniquely.

Generally, Ondo state is not a state known for a beehive of activities, how would you describe the business prospect here in Ondo Kingdom?

Well, that is an area where all the media organizations here in Ondo State have seen one challenge or the other because Ondo State is said to be a Civil Servant state. But I want to tell you that if you can come differently and do something unique with creative ingenuity, you will raise your head above the water level like we are doing here.

The local market so to say, is forthcoming because people are not ready to spend money. So you have to come up

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with programmes that will pull them off their shelves. For instance, we have event programmes because here in Ondo city, business thrives only Mondays and Tuesdays and as from Wednesdays through the

weekend, all the days are dedicated to funfairs.

It is almost a year since you started off broadcasting, what would you record as your success story?

High Chief Engr. (Sir) Dr. Olabanji Akingbule’s

The Celebrant cuttig Birthday Cake

During Official Commissioning by Hon. Comm.yemi Owolabi www.realitylifeng.com

There are so many success stories. When you do something and you find your teeming admirers coming to shower encomium on you and encourage you further with the phone calls coming in and telling you:“we

enjoyed that programme”, it shows that you are making progress. Recently, we got an award as the fast growing and most influential Radio Station. For a station that is not up to a year and getting such award,

is a remarkable success for us. Even sister Radio Stations come to say top notch to our programmes’ On Air Personalities.

With that, we are on top of the game and we are not relenting. We know we have to

le’s Birthday and the commisioning of Sound City 101.9 FM Radio

The Celebrant, Hon.Comm. yemi Owolabi, wife, Daugther and well wisher

The Celebrant, wife, Hon.Comm. yemi Owolabi, Daugther and well wisher

Hon. Comm. Yemi Owolabi with Celebrant, High Chief www.realitylifeng.com (Sir) Dr. Olabanji A. Akingbule inside the Studio

The Celebrant. wife and Femi Akingbule (Son)

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The Hon. Comm. Yemi Owolabi and Soundcity GM, Prince Olasunkanmi Adebayo inside the Studio

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Events do more to sustain our place.

What are the basic challenges?

When you are crossing the road to success, you are meeting challenges. But when those challenges throw themselves at you as a result of what you are doing, you don’t see it as you being attacked, it is part of the ingredient that put soup on the table. The challenges are what take you to the level you want to attain. God has been faithful.

What are your expectations?

Our expectations are great, and we have many of them. Our aspiration is to become number one, the major Radio Station that

will service Nigerians. This Radio station according to our Proprietor whom you think is old at 92, I say he is young at heart, he’s never stopped aspiring to go higher.

Part of the expectations of this Organization is to have functional Television Station in Ondo state. We have the biggest private station in terms of space and facilities. This is so in order to accommodate other investments. We have faces that can show up on Television. We already have content for the TV station.

Amongst your member of staff are numerous young people in spite of the ‘no job’ syndrome that exists in the country?

Oluranti A. Akingbule (M.D),Prince Olasunkanmi Adebayo (GM)with Staff of SoundCity Radio

Yes, I remember the time we wanted to recruit staff for this station, the Chairman said this station was established to provide jobs for young aspiring Nigerians that are qualified to do the job. The chairman of this Organization is not a tribalist, we have people working from across the country.

I just want to tell our youth that they should come out of their shelves and do whatever they know how to do. If you know you are good at broadcasting, come out, many of the guys you see here today just came and said we can do this and we tested them.

(L) His Highness Oba, Dr. Akinmusire,The Celebrant (The Odunwo of Ondo Kingdom) Wife (R) Chief Olu Fawehinmi and Wife

(L) Femi Akingbule, Prince Dayo Omotoyinbo, Senator Uzamere and Oluranti Akingbule (R)

(L) Oluranti Akingbule, High Chief Olu Adeduro (Sasere of Ondo kingdom) Wife, High Chief Ayodeji (Adaja of Ondo kingdom) R

Chief, Sir Ayo Akingbule (Director, Legbe Communications Ltd.)

(L) Dr. Tayo Dairo (Chaiman of the Day)and Oluranti Akingbule ( M.D SoundCity Radio)

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Mrs Ebunola Omojola

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Retrospect Obiano Wins Anambra Guber Election

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he Incumbent Governor of Anambra and one of the contenders of the just concluded election has been declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC with a total vote of 234,071.

From results gathered, Tony Nwoye of APC came second with 98,752 votes, Oseloka Obaze took third with 70,593 votes, Godwin Ezeemo of PPA came fourth with 29,787 votes and Osita Chidoka of UPP bagged fifth with 7,903 votes.

Chief Willie Obiano of APGA expressed gratitude and thanked electorates for their support.

…… Receives Certificate Of Return

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eanwhile, the Anambra state governor, Chief Willie Obiano have received a certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission for his victory in the November 18 election in the state.

The event took place at the INEC Secretariat in Awka, the state capital Obiano won the election with 234, 071 votes. Tony Nwoye of the All Progressives Congress came second with 98, 752 votes.

The certificate was handed over to him by the INEC National Commissioner in charge of legal services, Mrs. May Agbamuche, who represented the National Chairman of the Commission, Prof Mahmood Yakubu.

Speaking, Obiano thanked those who made the election a success, especially

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President Muhammadu Buhari, who he said did not interfere in the electoral processes.

He assured the people of the state that

he would not fail in the confidence reposed in him.

He said, “This is the moment; I’m very happy to be here with my deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke to pick our certificates of return to run the affairs of the state for the next four years.

“I thank God for the miracle of 21 over 21, and I sincerely thank our president, Muhammadu Buhari for allowing a free and fair election “ “I want to assure that APGA will be a formidable force in the political space in Nigeria from now on.

“We are going to make sure that Anambra continues to shine, I and my deputy are not going to fail the people of Anambra; we are going to work harder in making sure that our victory would not be in vain.”

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Polity

Time to Build a New World Being the text of the Acceptance Speech by the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Maduaburochukwu Obiano on his Re-election as the Governor of Anambra State on Sunday, November 19, 2017

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di b’anyi, ekenem unu!

With utmost humility, I stand before you to accept the historic mandate you have bestowed on

me today!

Umu nnem, the victory we savour today belongs neither to Willie Obiano nor to our great party, APGA. No! This sweet victory belongs to Ndi Anambra!

It belongs to the wheel barrow pushers and the Okada riders who have clearly seen in our recent political experience, a glimmer of light in the horizon.

It belongs to the farmers in Ayamelum, Onono, Ogbaru, Omasi, Omor and Ufuma who have now realized that Agriculture is the future of Nigeria.

It belongs to the teachers and civil servants who have seen that a motivated workforce is the greatest asset of any government and have rewarded our faith in them with an overwhelming verdict at the polls.

It belongs to the illustrious sons and daughters of Anambra State who have seen the STAR of this great state rise in the Eastern Skies and have answered our call for Aku luo uno; bringing home their Naira and Dollars to put our dear state on the investment map!

This victory belongs to all of us! Umu nnem, this victory is not a winner takes it all. For in the New Anambra of my dream, everyone is a winner. Everyone!

So, I reach out a hand of brotherhood to my fellow contestants…Oseloka, Tony, Osita, Godwin and others whose names I cannot easily recall here. And I say to you; my brothers, we have all fought a good fight. But Anambra State is the WINNER! The interest of Anambra State is bigger than the private ambitions of anyone of us..

Therefore, I pray you to join hands with me

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and build a better place for Ndi Anambra!

Our beloved state needs our talent and our time. The time to build a better place is NOW! Indeed, this victory is a referendum on the solid resolve of Ndi Anambra to rise above average in all we do. We have demonstrated that we are indeed capable of taking charge of our lives and making difficult decisions that will brighten the future of our children. I have no doubt in my mind that we shall continue to lay the building blocks for a prosperous tomorrow for all.

Ndi Anambra, this mandate is dear to my heart. I see it as a historic call to inspire my people to greatness. I see it as a call to deny myself sleep that my people might sleep better. Umu nnem, I will not give myself rest until our beloved state has fully assumed the status of the model state of Nigeria. This is my promise to you all.

Fellow compatriots, this victory did not come by chance. It is the final product of the combined efforts of brilliant men and women who sacrificed their personal comfort to ensure that Anambra’s steady march to progress is not derailed.

My first and deepest gratitude goes to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari for proving to Ndi Anambra that under his watch, democracy will sink deeper roots in the Nigerian soil. Mr President promised us a free and fair election. Today, we can all see that he has kept his promise. Thank you so much Mr President!

I must also thank the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting what has been widely adjudged a transparent election in Anambra State.

With this election, INEC has shown that it has fully braced up for the 2019 elections.

Thank you so much.

I will also not forget the vigilance of the Nigerian Police, the Nigerian Army and other law enforcement agencies whose alertness ensured that the expressed will of the people was not thwarted. Indeed, you have done an incredible job!

To the indefatigable DG of my re-election campaign organization, Chief Victor Umeh, Ibobo Aguleri, Ohamadike! You and the entire Campaign Team have written your names in gold. My immense gratitude goes to every member of APGA, from the Ward Chairman to the members of the National Executive Council; you have made us proud! Chukwu gozie unu nine.

And to all the members of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, all the PGs and members of the various town unions across Anambra State, all the Bishops, Reverend Fathers and Pastors, the members of the organized Labour, the youths of Anambra State, the traders, the farmers, the ordinary men and women who look up to government for a better day, I assure you that my team and I shall never fail you.

Indeed, Ndi Anambra, on behalf of my capable Deputy, Dr Nkem Okeke, I thank you all for renewing this mandate and I urge you to prepare for the speedy transformation of Anambra State into a prosperous sub-national entity in the next four years.

Umu nnem, we have stepped into our finest hour. We have finally hit the proverbial bend in the river. Our journey into greatness is now assured. We are ready and willing to work with anyone who has something to share that will make Anambra State great.

We are open to new ideas, new visions of society and a New Hope!

God bless Anambra State God bless Nigeria Dalunu!

Willie Obiano, Governor

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Wedding Ceremony

Aisosa Weds Iyanu

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t was a gathering of society’s who is who, when the family of Mr.& Mrs Gabriel Osaro Osadolor gave their daughter, Aisosa Gloria, in marriage to Iyanu Oluwafemi at the Faith in God Bible Assembly Int’l Inc, Benin City, Edo State.

The wedding was witnessed by eminent Nigerians including Prof. Friday E. Okonofua, FAS, Vice Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences, who was the Chairman of the occasion; Chief H.O. Bazuaye, The Aiwerioghene of Benin kingdom, who was the special guest of honour, Prof Abiodun Falodun, Former DVC (Academics) UniBen, Prof.

O.B. Osadolor, Dean, Student Affairs, UniBen, and Arc. Emmanuel Taiwo, Director Physical Planning Dept. and Council member, UniMed, Ondo.

Others are Prof. Polycap Nwoha, Dean, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, UniMed Ondo, Prof. G.O. Asuen, former HOD, Geology Dept, UniBen, Engr.

A. I. Agbonaye, former Director of Works, UniBen, Dr. Stephen Obeki Obeki, Chairman UBAA, UniBen chapter, Engr. Nwabah, chairman, NAAT UniBen branch, and other principal and management staff of University of Medical Sciences, Ondo.

appreciation to all those who graced the occasion. …..And the celebrants speak I was overwhelmed with joy. I finally found the right soul mate. And I could only bless God for this precious gift to me, which I’ll care for and cherish forever.........Iyanu (Groom) Getting married to my best friend, confidant, love of my life was the happiest day of my life. It was a day I had been looking forward to and I can only thank God for making that day a success .I am looking forward to spending the rest of my life loving him.......Aisosa (Bride)

Mr.& Mrs Gabriel Osaro Osadolor expressed their

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Traditional Wedding Aisosa Weds Iyanu

The couple

Couple cutting the cake

Adorn in Edo attire

Couple with bride’s parents

Couple with groom’s parents

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Couple with bride’s family

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Christian Wedding Aisosa Weds Iyanu

Couple with both parents

Couple with groom’s family

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Couple cutting the cake

Couple with groom’s family

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Wedding Ceremony Aisosa Weds Iyanu

The couple and Unimed staff

Some unimed bursary staff at the occasion

The Ag.Registrar (Unimed): Mr Adeyinka Adekalu (centre) with some other unimed staff arriving at the Church

The bride father welcoming Chief H.O Bazuaye and Prof Asuen to the church

The bride parents and immediate family

Prof Asuen and the bride father at the church

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Prof Friday Okonofua at the event

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Feature

BREAST CANCER: What you should know Breast Cancer Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast.

Facts about Breast Cancer • 1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime • Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women • Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among women • According to WHO, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands of women each year and affecting countries at all levels of modernization.

Risk Factors of Breast Cancer • Gender: breast cancer occurs nearly hundred times more often in women than in men • Age: 2 out of 3 women with invasive cancer are diagnosed after the age of 55

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• Race: breast cancer is diagnosed more often in Caucasian women than women of other races.

• Family history and genetic fac-

tors: if your mother, sister, father or child has been diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer, you have a higher risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in the future.

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Faith the breast, a pain in the armpit or breast that doesn’t seem related to the woman’s menstrual period, pitting or redness of the skin of the breast; like the skin of an orange, a rash around (or on) one of the nipples, the nipple skin or breast skin may have started to peel, scale or flake are all signs and symptoms.

Prevention Tips

Your risk increases if your relative was diagnosed before the age of 50.

• Personal health history: if you have been diagnosed with breast cancer in one breast you have an increased risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in the future • Menstrual and reproductive his-

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tory: early menstruation (before age 12), late menopause (after 55), having your first child at an older age, or never having giving birth can also increase your risk for breast cancer

Signs and Symptoms Signs and symptoms like a lump in

• Get regular breast cancer screening • Avoid becoming over weight • Eat healthy to avoid tipping the scale • Keep physically active and avoid smoking • If you bear children, breast-feed your babies for as long as possible • Next hormone replacement therapy

This information is brought to you by Breast Cancer Defeat Movement. Follow instagram @breastcancerdefeat; and on facebook @teambreastcancerdefeat Thank you.

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get ready for Fresh

Chocolate from sunshine state