RealityLife
Issue 1 Vol.7
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N2000
La Campagne
Tropicana A Peep Into Where Tourism, Music & Culture Converge
With The Golf Tournament, We Are Trying To Open IlaraMokin To Nigeria And The Tourism World
Rice farming shows strong promise in Nigeria, as end to importation nears
Chief Ade. Ojo Is Nigeria’s Ambassador Without A Title
US$5.00
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CONT ENTS
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17 PAGE Hope for 23 widows, orphans and less- privilaged PAGE Yomi-Sholoye, 16 47 Others Inducted By Rotary Club District 911-
PAGE Quality Of Political 50 Followership In Nigeria Is Poor - Adesemoye
Wi With The Golf Tournament, We To Are Trying To Ar Open Ilara Mokin Op To Nigeria And The Tourism Th World -Toyota (Nig) Wo Ltd. MD Ltd
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PAGE My chieftaincy 75 title is an inheritance - Akinduyo
She Was A PAGE AGE Mother Like No Other: 53 Tribute To Late Mrs Felicia Monisade Oyeneyin
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Ngolongolo: The Pro-Footballer Turned Pro-Fashion Designer
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I Want To See Ondo Developing As An Octopus -Sarowo-Elect
26 Oladipo Hakeem Oyeneyin: Celebrating A True Ondo Son @60
Publisher Evafem Communication 200 Road, House 7, Festac, Lagos
Editor’s Notes
Editor- in- Chief Oghenemairo Adegeye Managing Editor Adegeye Oluwafemi
It’s A Super Bumper Edition.
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elcome to 2020, a year of double and total blessings. We thank God for seeing us through last year to this New Year. We thank you for all your support last year and ever since we started the publication of this magazine. May God reward your support and patronage most abundantly. We begin the year with another super bumper edition, capturing all the major events that graced last year and early this year. True to our tradition, we report these events and interviews in such free-flowing and easy-to-understand language, hallmarks that have stood us out from the pack over the years. Our Cover in this edition is a focus on the romantic and exquisite La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, which has become a Mecca for art and culture lovers as well as musicians. It is one of the must-be tourist attractions for any tourist vising Lagos, and located at Ikegun Village, Ibeju- Lekki, Lagos. It is a place that captures and reflects the beauty and grandeur of Nigerian and African designs, cultures, and traditions. La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort is entwined in the core freshness of nature amongst virgin trees and the lovely view of the gentle romantic reflection of the setting sun upon the calm Atlantic Ocean. The Resort thrives on presenting African hospitality and culture in a cosmopolitan manner, boasting of a clean beach, lagoon and mangrove forest that provide visitors with the opportunity to observe, at close quarters, a wide variety of tropical Flora and fauna that include snake trees, mangroves, various species of epiphytes, monkeys, squirrels, bats, and various species of birds such as kingfishers, sea hawks, egrets and ducks. We titled the Cover: La Campagne Tropicana: A Peep Into Where Tourism, Music & Culture Converge. We witnessed and covered the 16th edition of the annual Elizabeth Wuraola Golf Tournament in Ilara Mokin, Ondo State, sponsored by Toyota Nigeria, and had an interview with the MD/CEO of Toyota Motors, Kunle Ade.Ojo, titled: “With The Golf Tournament, We Are Trying To Open Ilara Mokin To Nigeria And The Tourism World. RealityLife Magazine crew was also at the 60th birthday celebrations of foremost philanthropist, Hakeem Oladipo Oyeneyi in Ondo State, and joined in celebrating him in a piece titled: “Hakeem Oladipo Oyeneyin: Celebrating A Legendary Philanthropist @60.” We also covered the burial of his mother and it s captured here in a piece titled: “She Was A Mother Like No Other: Tribute To Late Mrs Felicia Monisade Oyineyin. We took a look at the achievements of the Federal Government of Nigeria in the area of Agriculture with particular focus on Rice Production. It will be quite interesting to know the success the country has recorded in the production of this staple food. On health, we provide for you all that you need to know about the very deadly, ravaging Coronavirus, the large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). We are not done yet. The world woke up a couple of weeks ago to hear about the shocking news of the death of American Basketball legend, Kobe Bryant at the age of 41. We have a story about him in this edition. Have fun!
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Associate Editors Walter Enoch Toddy Celestine Raymond Emeka Mbah 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) Barr. Remigius Akinbinu
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Cover
La Campagne
Tropicana A Peep Into Where Tourism, Music & Culture Converge
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Cover
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igeria is an African country on the Gulf of Guinea, and is endowed with many natural landmarks and wildlife reserves. The main attraction for tourists coming into the country is the pristine beaches, the aquatic endowment and marine activities, especially in the Lagos area.
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Lagos is unarguably the most economically active and socially diverse state in Nigeria. Apart from being strategically positioned as the major convergence points for all other parts of the country, Lagos also serves as the main entry point to the rest of the world. It is this strategic position that has led to the creation of a variety of destinations and spots meant for leisure, relaxation, exploration or just sheer amusement in Lagos. Yet, most of these tourist attractions especially in the Lagos area have a strong historical significance and storyline. One of the must-be tourist attractions for any tourist vising Lagos, is the very exquisite La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort located at Ikegun Village, Ibeju – Lekki, Lagos. It is a place that captures and reflects the beauty and grandeur of Nigerian and African designs, cultures, and traditions. La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort,
is a beach resort that is entwined in the core freshness of nature amongst virgin trees and the lovely view of the gentle romantic reflection of the setting sun upon the calm Atlantic Ocean. La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort thrives on presenting African hospitality and culture in a cosmopolitan manner, boasting of a clean beach, lagoon and mangrove forest that provide visitors with the opportunity to observe, at close quarters, a wide variety of tropical Flora and fauna that include snake trees, mangroves, various species of epiphytes, monkeys, squirrels, bats, and various species of birds such as kingfishers, sea hawks, egrets and ducks. Throughout the world, individu-
Lagos is unarguably the most economically active and socially diverse state in Nigeria. Apart from being strategically positioned as the major convergence points for all other parts of the country, Lagos also serves as the main entry point to the rest of the world.
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Cover als are exposed to increasingly varied experiences, and therefore, it becomes increasingly important to leverage on those experiences that are peculiar to the continent and which do not merely replicate experiences from other continents. That is why it is strongly argued that African culture and experience are best presented by Africans with their innate knowledge of African myths, mores and concepts. The existence of the experience may not be enough, explaining why there is a need to package African culture in a manner that makes it attractive to the potential audience. In 1984, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, the first ever African themed resort was founded. The Resort has carved a reputation for creating African experiences that remain indelible in the minds of tourists, and as result, is experiencing tremendous growth and is now establishing branches in Refuge Island ,Lagos, Koton - kafe , Kogi State, and Idanre, Ondo State all of which are in Nigeria. It is also in the process of establishing a presence in Nejashi, Ethiopia and 18 Locations in Cote d’ivoire including Grand Bassam and Adiake. Since inception in 1984, La Campagne Tropicana has brought tremendous economic benefits to its host communities and to Nigeria at large through the provision of jobs that can be efficiently carried out by the individuals in these non-urban communities. Owners of the tourist masterpiece said “La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort is the ideal place to explore the mangrove forest, play, bond with families and team members, go fishing in the lagoon or do nothing but relax sandwiched in between the warm sands on the beach, whatever rocks your boat!. The resort is ideal for honeymoons, corporate retreats and conferences, family getaways, destination proposals and weddings.” In the last three years, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort had hosted the African International Music (AIM) Festival, which brings together, leading music and entertainment artistes from across the globe to perform to the de-
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light of music lovers across Africa. Motherland Beckons, organisers of the annual event, has used the platform to play host to one of the biggest and most enthralling musical concerts of the decade, showcasing the best of Afri-
can’s talents to the world and serve as a veritable platform for discovery and nurturing talents in the different fields of entertainment for export across the globe. The World Conference of Mayors (WCM) had in its endorsement letter
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It is with pleasure that we pledge our full support for the African International Music Festival and chief promoter of the African International Music Festival
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to the President of La Campagne and Founder of Motherland Beckons, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, said it, “supports Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye’s vision with the Motherland Beckons and lovers of Africa to enhance and expand tourism in Africa. We cannot think of a better way of bringing our cultures together than through music and entertainment. “It is with pleasure that we pledge our full support for the African International Music Festival and chief promoter of
the African International Music Festival. The members of the World Conference of Mayors would like to show their appreciation to Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye.” According to Jack Sims, a retired Mayor of the City of District Heights, Maryland, USA and Vice President of the World Conference of Mayors for Trade, who signed the statement, “I have had the opportunity to develop a close 20-year relationship with Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye and the Motherland Beckons
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Cover Programme.” Ambassador Akinboboye once noted: “We believe that the mission of Motherland Beckons will not be completed without a copious resuscitation of those elements, the ethos, the mores and ethics which are innate, biologically in–built and genetically definable in a typical African blood. It is an unassailable fact of life that African music, songs and vibes have remained the bedrock and pillars of the global entertainment. Thus, AIM Festival is to ignite the passion, stoke the embers and lubricate those values which distinguish the black race from others races of the world. “AIM Festival is to call our attention to the fact that Africa is a tree with multi-faceted branches but with a common sign of communication which music and its twin brother songs, which are irresistible, harmless, instructive and a means by which Africa communicates to all the branches. This is the essence of our conglomeration today. “Motherland Beckons is using AIM as an energizer of continent building by employing music, the natural implement of communication which is unique to Africa to call all of those having the gene, the blood and sweat of Mother Africa in their body configuration to come together in unity of purpose and communal spirit of raising Africa greatness beyond the imagination of Africa detractors.” While declaring open the 2018 edition of the festival, Ambassador Akinboboye had described the festival as not just a mere musical jamboree, but “an indigenous concept of revving African music and songs to stoke the Africanism consciousness in us for the strengthening and amplification of the nobility of the black race.” According to him, “Our gathering here at this momentous time and period is not only to dance and wriggle our waists to the finest beats of African music or listen with fresh excitement to the most melodious of songs streaming out from mouths of wonderful beautiful stars of Africa in sonorous tones, but we are here also to stimulate our memory, to kindle our interest and to showcase through music,
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Otunba, Dr. Wanle Akinboboye with High Chiefs and Guests
Dj Humility with Small Dictor
sounds, songs, acts, chants, the values and elements which make the African nation a unique regional continent for the Black of the world.” The 2019 edition which was both
thrilling and entertaining had in attendance, notable musicians from 54 countries across Africa, and was held on December 6-8, 2019 at La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort.
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Ara Tunder
Otunba , Dr.Wanle Akinboboye
Just like the two previous editions, the 2019 edition was graced by prominent musicians from different parts of Africa, as well as Ambassadors, career diplomats, captains of industries and fun seekers from all walks of life.
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Mama G
Dede Mabiaku group Dancers
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Herrmel mela INTE me ERVI RV VIEWE EWE WE W ED Re ep p ..So So out uth u th E th Etthopia ho hop h op opia ia Mus Mu u iciian an A As Ass ss soc oci o cciati tiion on
Lady Anu Ekwe
Dede Mabiaku
Zulu Dance
Olo Omidan Onibata
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Mrs. Iyadunni Faleti (Nee Adegoke)
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Dj Humility
Suny Neji
Yemi Juju
Olo Omidan Onibata
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People’s Comments I Am Here For Good Music
I just want to listen to good music as usual because I love good music. Considering the fact that we are going to be having different music from different parts of Africa on the stage tonight, is something I am looking forward too. I am super excited to be here today and I am sure I am going to have loads of fun here. I am going to be performing as well, I just dropped my single. I just got into music, and I am into hip hop music and everything. - Nkechi Blessing Sunday, Nollywood, actor, and a film make
Aim Festival Has Done Enough For Africa-Mabiaku Ace musician, DEDE MABIAKU relives his experience at the Aim Festival and speaks on the need to encourage local artistes… How is the show and how is the feeling here? Nice feelings, good buzz! I hope and pray it picks up and gets better because a place like this should not have this kind of festival and not be well patronized by all the units concerned- both corporate and government agencies so that the people should be aware that there is somewhere which is theirs. Did other performances meet up to your expectation tonight? Yes, some of them did, some didn’t.
This is really a wonderful experience I tell you. With the Ethiopians and other African countries, we don’t see every time, what we see is people carry people from America, Europe and they will come here and get naked on stage. But here we are representing African culture the original way, the true way, the real way, the fun way, the sincere way in front of the water; in front of the best of all things you can experience water and life.
This is a fusion of African culture and music, coming together under one platform. What can you say about such an extra ordinary move? It’s a great thing put together by Dr. Wanle Akinboboye. He has done a good thing so far for Africa because it’s not easy for people to come up, think it up and work on it and then experiment on it.
The Coming Together Of People And Cultures Is Something Great -Obe
Aim Festival Is Great- Mama G Female music icon, Mama G has said that the 2019 Aim Festival lived up to expectations even beat her expectation. “This year is heavier than last year, so sorry my team couldn’t make it with me; my uncle was shot, and I am just coming
down from the funeral.” On what is unusual in this year’s event, she answered: “I would say we have more artistes from various countries, we had the same from last year but this year was more than last year.” She described the 2019 event as living up to international standard. “The stage was awesome and the environment, wow.”
Lanre Obe said he came to the Aim Festival to see different artistes from different countries performing. “I am looking forward to enjoy the music and the culture coming together of people and having wonderful fun together as one family. The uniting of everyone as one is a wonderful and beautiful experience here. This is not definitely going to be my last time here.”
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People’s Comments
The Festival Is Doing Great In Collapsing All Boundaries - Neji Nigerian musician, SUNNY NEJI x-rays developments at the Aim Festival and insists that the festival has helped in uplifting the Art and Music industry in Africa…. about? Aeroplane turner has been there since two years ago but we’ve not been promoting it. We are on it now and yes, it’s part of it.
Last year you were on this stage and you killed it, and this year too is breath-taking, what would you say? I like what this platform is trying to achieve for the art industry in Africa. And this is the platform that intends to unify us, to bring us together and collapse all the boundaries. And that’s why I am in support of it; it’s a great platform for Africa and they are doing such a wonderful job. Would you say there is improvement to what we had last year and this year? Yes, there is improvement in several areas. I like the stage; it is now closer to the people. I like the quality of the sound; it is very clean and heavier than last year. I like the total packaging. There is indeed an improvement, there is growth and am very happy. Anything that doesn’t grow dies; and
What should we expect next year? Expect it to be bigger, better, grander with more participation from our African brothers and sisters. This is a platform we should all melt and become one.
this is growing; it’s only getting better and better and better. Last year, in the interview we had, you said you are working on something. Is it the song titled Aeroplane tuner you were talking
We Came To Showcase Ethiopia- Ethiopian Artiste
Performing In The Festival Is Like Winning An Award- Zainab
Zainab, who came to the event from Benin Republic said, “Every time when I come on stage, I am afraid meeting people for the first time or second time. I will be asking myself whether they will like what I am singing. But I thank God I still attract them to my music and they appreciate it.” On whether she enjoyed the festival, she said, “of course, yes, I have done many things in other countries but Nigeria. When you perform on a stage like this in Nigeria, it’s like you won an award. She stated that if invited for the 2020 edition, she would love to come again, because “I can’t stop to come here. And you meet many people, putting so many people in one location. So lovely!”
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Any word for your people here in Nigeria and all over the world? I want to say I love you for what you all are doing to support the art and music industry, especially Otunba Wanle Akinboboye. And I want to encourage you to keep supporting what we are doing and that is the way we grow.
We Came Here To Showcase Our Talents, Culture - D.J. Humility D.J. Humility has disclosed that they came to the 2019 AIM Festival to showcase their talents, their culture and celebrate their culture and the African land, adding that it was the first time I would be attending the programme. He said that he would definitely love to be part of the festival every year. “I love music, I love seeing people dance and sweat,” he said
“The variety of Ethiopia isn’t as represented as it could be and so what we have brought here today is probably not the Ethiopia that you are used to. We are bringing in different music that hasn’t been as represented as had been previously the case. So you will see a lot of varieties that haven’t been showcased as much. “We are going to be showing a performance that integrates what Ethiopia has with that of Africa and the world. Also, expect a lot because we brought the whole country here tonight. This group is from the southern part of Ethiopia but we brought the whole culture and you will see the root culture.”
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People’s Comments AIM Festival Is Aimed At Promoting African Music- Idris AREGBE IDRIS was the Chairman of AIM Festival 2019. He spoke to us before the international music festival that took place at LA Campagne Tropicana in December 2019. Excerpts…. What is AIM Festival all about? It has to do with African International Music Festival; it’s about good music and message to the people and community. We are trying to reward African artistes and see how we can continue to promote African music. That’s what the concept is all about. It’s all about bringing all African artistes in one spot. And LA-Campagne Tropicana is a beautiful place where when you talk about nature, when you talk about the African feelings, you get it here. That’s the more reason why we are celebrating this huge event here. What kind of artiste are we expecting? We are expecting good music from Ethiopia, South Africa, Cameroon, Congo, Nigeria and many more. It’s a blend of African music coming together in one night to tell people that Africa has good music, good culture and good vibes. And
this is just an unusual festival; is not what you see every day or every week in the city of Lagos. These are music that have message. How long is this event lasting? It’s a three-day event; we have different activities in it. What would you tell people coming to this festival to expect? They should expect good music they don’t get to see on a daily basis. This is something that has message; this is something that has quality. That also talks about who we are and why we are Africans. Why is this year’s edition tagged ‘Unusual Festival’? As the Chairman of this committee, one of the first things that came to my mind was when you talk about AIM
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Otunba Akinboboye embracing an Ethiopean player
How much support do you get from the community in putting this together? We were able to bring in some companies on board and we thank God we were able to get response from companies and people. And this is just the beginning and the next will be bigger. Kudos to the president, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye for fixing such a resort here, a place that makes you feel at home. -
Otunba Akinboboye charting with Team Nigerian player
Team Nigeria
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Festival, it should be something different, and it’s something you don’t get to see anywhere.
Ethiopean Team
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AGRICULTURE
Rice farming shows strong promise in Nigeria, as end to importation nears
R
ice farmers in Nigeria are no doubt smiling to the banks. Besides the Federal Government closure of land borders, the current government’s diversification drive and in fulfilment of one of its cardinal pillars of food security, watchers of development in the Agriculture sector expect that the government will continue to prioritize activities within the Agriculture sector through targeted policies to attract investments. Already, it is evident that the Nigerian agricultural landscape is changing, with increased government policies aimed at stimulating private sector involvement and boosting local production of key products. Rice is globally a staple food to over 50% of people, providing over 19% of global human per capita energy. It is believed that human consumption accounts for about 78% of global production while the balance serves other uses such as feed.
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As one of the major staple foods in Nigeria, Rice is consumed across all geo-political zones and socioeconomic classes in Nigeria. Out of the 6.7 million metric tonnes of rice consumed in Nigeria annually, only about 57% is locally produced, leading to a supply deficit of about 3 million metric tonnes. Nigerian farmers expect that the demand for rice will be sustained and increased in the foreseeable future, following the rapid growth in the country’s population which is estimated to exceed 200 million by 2019, Nigeria is said to consume almost 7 million tonnes of rice a year and that probably explained why in order to keep up with demand; the country was reported to have imported huge
amounts of the grain, reduced imports and is seen to be trying to encourage local rice production. According to the African Development Bank (ADB), about $35bn is spent on food imports annually across the continent despite the fact that Africa is home to two-thirds of the world’s most arable uncultivated land. The Buhari government is doing enough to boost Nigeria’s agriculture industry in several ways including
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grants, low interest loans, agro technology support, and grants from international agencies. Nigeria’s Central Bank had before now, set up a $130m initiative offering farmers who have at least 1 hectare of land loans at a 9% interest rate, which is below the benchmark interest rate of 14%. The BBC reported too that the World Bank has also funded several schemes in Nigeria to help boost agriculture, including centres offering equipment and machines at greatly subsidised hire prices to farmers. These efforts are starting to show results, and Nigeria is now producing 3.7 million tonnes of rice annually, according to the US Department of Agriculture, World Markets and Trade. “I started farming with only 1 hectare, and the average yield was 2-3 tonnes. When I integrated with [non-profit organisation] the International Forum for Agricultural Development (IFAD), I was able to increase my cultivation to 3 hectares, with an average of 8 tonnes,” Aminu Ndakogi, one of the rice farmers in northern Nigeria told the BBC. Kanko, a rural village in Niger State, has also benefited from government and non-profit support. There are 100 rice farmers in the village, who are now able to produce 15 tonnes of rice from 200 hectares of land a year, and are aided by machines and an irrigation system paid for by IFAD, that enables the farmers to harvest three times a year, both in and out of season. There are strong indications that efforts by rice farmers in Nigeria to boost the production capacity of rice seems to be paying off already as more species are introduced into the market annually. Smuggling and importation of rice to the country has also been reduced drastically. Government’s stance to halt importation of rice in order to encourage domestic production of rice, has seen stakeholders in the agricultural sector already taking advantage of the huge rice market in the country, leveraging on both pop-
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ulation and the economy. In fact, it is projected by experts that rice importation in Nigeria might end in 2020, if the right policies are put in place to encourage rice farmers. With the target to save the country out N300 billion spent annually on imabout rtation of rice, local production of the portation mmodity has increased and new brand commodity of rice introduced into the Nigeria rket annually. annually market
The BBC rep ported too that the World W Bank has also funded several sch schemes in Nigeria to h help boost agricul culture, including cen centres offering equ equipment and ma machines at greats ly subsidised hire pri prices to farmers.
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Infrastructure
Chief Ade. Ojo Is Nigeria’s Ambassador Without A Title - Babatunde Fashola, Federal Minister of Works and Housing
“I
n Nigeria’s history of automobile experience, the Toyota worldwide franchise only means one word in Nigeria, Michael Ade. Ojo Elizade brand. This is a relationship based on very high integrity, very deep value of morality even in business. It is a character trait that typifies the Nigerian story that we appreciate the act of few people who give us a name
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that is not ours. “I have seen what Chief Michael Ade. Ojo has done in this town and wealth clearly has been fairly distributed. He has continued the act of entrepreneurship, job creation, and had ventured into education. He has made community and rural development his lifelong commitment as we have seen in Ilara-Mokin. His new foray into infrastructure renewal is still another chapter in his unfolding struggle.
“Let me say that all of what he has done certainly speaks more loudly, more valiantly to who this man is than his very soft spoken word. I like to thank you very much on behalf of this community, on behalf of this State, and on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for being our ambassador without a title. We are grateful to you, we commend your example and we hope you inspire many more Michael Ade. Ojos everywhere.”
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Infrastructure
Infrastructure
RECEPTION AT SMOKIN HILLS GOLF COURSE The Golf Course Founder Is A Philanthropist Par Excellence - Betty Akeredolu Baba Ade. Ojo is a philanthropist par excellence; I think the whole world acknowledges that. But one thing that stood out in his own case is that he is a silent giver, he doesn’t make noise about it. You will just come here and say wow, like the first time I went to the Elizade University. I was like seriously you mean one man can do this for his community. I think he should be emulated but at the same time you don’t have to be Ade. Ojo to do something. He has visibly demonstrated that individuals can assist and support government in provision of infrastructure; and that is exactly what he has done. He would have used his money to have good holidays but this is a legacy he lives forever. My advice here and to everyone listening to me or reading this: do something that your community will benefit from. - Her Excellency, Betty Akeredolu, First Lady, Ondo State
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Testimony
Hope for widows, orphans and less- privilaged
T
he ILERIOLUWA HOUSE OF HOPE, named ADAMA & MONISADE FOUNDATION was originally established by Oladipo Hakeem Oyeneyin to immortalize his parents, the late Adama Soji Oyeneyin and Felicia Monisade Oyeneyin. Today, the Foundation has become a flagship hospital catering for the widows and less privileged in Ondo Kingdom. As part of the activities commemorating his 60th birthday anniversary, the ILERIOLUWA HOUSE OF HOPE, a hospital named after his adorable daughter, was commissioned. Patients attending the hospital have the privilege of accessing its services almost free as the ADAMA & MON1SADE FOUN-
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direct cost to them. The hospital is fully equipped with specialist doctors and consultants. And the people don’t have to pay for their medical bill as that is free. Not a few people see this as a worthy gesture that should be emulated by everyone who has enjoyed God’s grace and privilege. Late Chief Adama Soji and Mrs.Felicia Monisade Oyeneyin ‘Dipo (as he is fondly called) in DATION, an offshoot of the Jejenuwa marking his 60th birthday made no less Empowerment Foundation is putting a famous quote when he said, “Our good finishing touches to an insurance scheme fortunes, our successes and privileges into which patients will be enrolled at no
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Event
Commissioning of House Of Hope
Bllerioluwase. should not be without our collective responsibility to the poor, the needy and the challenged. What we possess is the common wealth that the local community and the society at large have entrusted in our hands.” This could perhaps be his secret motivator and inspiration to embracing philanthropy and finding love in humanitarian activities- rare attributes he has turned from the perspective of mere pastime to full time work. Recall that in 2015, he began putting structures around his various philanthropic engagements which resulted to the establishment of the Jejenuwa Empowerment Foundation targeted at the needy especially widows. The Foundation has since been helping the sick and the physically challenged in Ondo community and its environs. “He always gets feedback from the community about the challenges of so many individuals who cannot take good care of themselves as well as so many people that are hungry. In 2014 for instance, he sent a full trailer load of Rice to Ansa
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Udeen Comprehensive High School, Oke Lisa here in Ondo kingdom. Since then, on every Festival period, he would send money for the widows and the less privileged as well as food stuff like rice and groundnut oil, regardless of your religious background. “On his father’s 10 years remembrance, the Foundation had an account of N50, 000 with Wema Bank Plc, for about 300 people. The event took place at Labim Event Centre, where the people came to fill form with Wema Bank staff and letter got their alert of account opening. “By the following year, about 25 persons got a N100,000 each and about 150 persons got N50, 000 each. That was the beginning of Jejeluwa Empowerment Foundation. He has been a community developer, contributing his quota in the payment of WAEC and NECO fees for students in both Ondo West and Ondo East local governments, and donation of cars to organizations and individuals.
he called us to ask that if he chose to have Christmas Carol, it is rich people that will come. But we suggested in 2017, that we should pay a visit to those who are in the hospital, knowing that there are people who could not afford their hospital bill. So, we went to University of Medical Science (UNIMED). “On that visit, we met a particular woman right in our presence who was gasping for breath. He quickly gave money to buy water and oxygen but before they could pass the water and oxygen, the woman passed on. People started crying; wishing if it was yesterday that he came perhaps, the woman would have survived. He then consoled the family and gave some money for her funeral. He paid medical bills for others who were on admission at the Trauma Centre and Mother & Child Hospital at the Medical village in Ondo kingdom. And this has become an annual event,” an Ondo indigene who pleaded anonymity told RealityLife Magazine exclusively.
“At one of the Christmas celebrations,
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Oladipo Hakeem Oyeneyin:
Celebrating A True Ondo Son
@60
Who is Hakeem ‘Oladipo Oyeneyin? The 60-year old father of three lovely children was born simply as ‘Dipo on November 13,1959, to late Chief Adama Soji Oyeneyin and Felicia Monisade Oyeneyin at the Island Maternity Children’s Hospital, Lagos, and grew up in Isale Eko in today’s Lagos Island. ‘Dipo started his education at St. Patrick’s Primary school, Isale Eko, where he had among his schoolmates, the late Ikemba of Nnewi, Chukwemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, Senators Adeseye Ogunlewe and Musiiiu Obanikoro. On being ready for secondary education, his father decided it was an opportunity for his first son to bond with his native Ekimogun and had him enrolled at the famous St. Joseph’s College, Ondo, in 1971. The elder Oyeneyin believed this was the best decision he ever took regarding ‘Dipo’s early education before sending him abroad for higher studies. From St. Joseph’s, Ondo, he proceeded to the International School, University of Ibadan for Higher School Education under the tutelage of Rev. Canon lluyomade. In 1979, at age 20, ‘Dipo proceeded to the Liverpool School of Banking and Finance, for further studies. On graduation in 1984, he was head-hunted by the Cooperative Bank in the city of London as a junior Credit Analyst and served meritoriously for four years. Whilst in college, he enrolled for the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) England and Wales examinations, and continued his studies even in employment at the Cooperative Bank, Cornhil, London. He was among the ‘top completions’ of the Chartered Institute of Bankers examinations in 1988, when he
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became a Chartered Banker (A.C.I.B), a qualification every banker worth his weight in gold must possess in those days! He also had a brief stint at Price Water House, now PWC, at London Bridge (UK). ‘Dipo’s sojourn in the financial world of the United Kingdom offered him rare insights, solidified his intellect and sharpened his entrepreneurial instincts such that upon his return to Nigeria in 1991, he started FelDams Ltd, his own Financial Services Company which nomenclature he coined from his parents’
first names, Felicia and Adama. Appropriately, he appointed his father, who had by then retired as an Asst. Director in the Federal Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Lagos, the Chairman. Not quite done with education, ‘Dipo enrolled for and successfully completed an MBA programme at the Obafemi Awolowo University in 2002, specialising in Marketing and Management. He, in addition, attended courses in Leadership and Management, Supply Chain Management, Strategies and Innovations, Negotiation Mastery at such
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highly reputed and prestigious schools as the European Management Development Institute, Belgium/Dubai; The Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford, California and the Harvard Business School, Massachusetts. With these trainings and certificates under his belt, ‘Dipo had acquired the requisite wherewithal which has today ensured he turned out to be a versatile business man, developing expertise in supply chain management and specialising in food and Pharmaceutical raw materials, packaging, industrial machines, animal food & feed raw materials. He’s currently the chairman of Visible Value
Chain Ltd headquartered in Lagos. While growing up with his parents in Isale Eko, ‘Dipo, who describes himself as “a child of love” witnessed his parents show love to lots of people, especially Ondo indigenes for whom their abode had become a second home in Lagos. As it turned out, these acts of kindness by his parents had made their own impact on the young, impressionable lad who simply imbibed his parents’ predilection for assisting both the needy and the near needy. It is not surprising therefore, that today, ‘Dipo has acquired a reputation of a philanthropist par excellence among
close and extended family members, friends, former schoolmates, Club mates, natives of Ondo and just about any and everyone who came around him. And he does it so voluntarily, cheerfully and willingly that people often wonder if he had some political or such other motivations for his large heart and legendary philanthropic activities. ‘Dipo and the wife, Folarera Omowunmi Oyeneyin (nee Kuteyi,) are blessed with three wonderful children: Rilwan Bolatito, Hafiz Bolutife and Maryam Ilerioluwase.
CHURCH SERVICE
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Event Roll call Rt. REV. S A Oni Oba, Dr. Adesimbo Kiladejo, (Osemawe of Ondo kingdom.) Dr.and Mrs. Olusegun Mimiko (Fmr. Governor of Ondo State) Larry Ephraim Ettah Alhaji Lagbaji High Chief Olu Adeduro CHIEF Jise Akinmurele Kola Olaseinde Abefe Lambretta Tolu Akinbohun Otumba and Mrs. Bola Adeyeye Rilwan Bolatito Oyeneyin Hafiz Bolutife Oyeneyin Mrs. Folarera Omowunmi Oyeneyin Akin Semowo Engr.Demola Kazeem Mr. and Mrs. Omojuwa Jide Omojuwa Atinuke Omogoriola Sodipo Aramide Sodipo Ambibola Oyeneyin Friends and Families. etc
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Dance Time
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Personalities at the Reception
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Personalities at the Reception
Roll call Oni of Ife , Oba,Ogunwusi Adeyeye Olori Naomi Adeyeye Rt. REV. S A Oni Dr.Olusegun Mimiko (Fmr. Governor of Ondo State) Larry Ephraim Ettah Tolu Akinbohun Otumba and Mrs. Bola Adeyeye Rilwan Bolatito Oyeneyin Hafiz Bolutife Oyeneyin Mrs. Folarera Omowunmi Oyeneyin Akin Semowo Engr.Demola Kazeem Mr. and Mrs. Omojuwa Jide Mr. Mrs.Taoheed Ajao Ambibola Oyeneyin Dr. Jibayo Adeyeye Friends and Families. etc
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All you need to know about Coronavirus The World Health Organisation (WHO) is working closely with global experts, governments and partners to rapidly expand scientific knowledge on this new virus, to track the spread and virulence of the virus, and to provide advice to countries and individuals on measures to protect health and prevent the spread of this outbreak. Coronaviruses (CoV) are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). A novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans. Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERSCoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans. Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough,
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shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing. How To Protect Yourself WHO’s standard recommendations for the general public to reduce exposure to and transmission of a range of illnesses are as follows, which include hand and respiratory hygiene, and safe food practices: Frequently clean hands by using
alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water; When coughing and sneezing cover mouth and nose with flexed elbow or tissue n tissue away immediately – throw t and wash hands; Avoid close contact with anyone A who h has h ffever and cough; If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing seek medical care early and share previous travel history with your health care provider; When visiting live markets in areas currently experiencing cases of novel coronavirus, avoid direct unprotected contact with live animals and surfaces in contact with animals; The consumption of raw or undercooked animal products should be avoided. Raw meat, milk or animal organs should be handled with care, to avoid cross-contamination with uncooked foods, as per good food safety practices. Frequently Asked Questions Can pets at home spread the new
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coronavirus? At present, there is no evidence that companion animals/pets such as dogs or cats can be infected with the new coronavirus. However, it is always a good idea to wash your hands with soap and water after contact with pets. This protects you against various common bacteria such as E.coli and Salmonella that can pass between pets and humans. Do vaccines against pneumonia protect you against the new coronavirus? No. Vaccines against pneumonia, such as pneumococcal vaccine and Haemophilus influenza type B (Hib) vaccine, do not provide protection against the new coronavirus. The virus is so new and different that it needs its own vaccine. Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine against 2019-nCoV, and WHO is supporting their efforts. Although these vaccines are not effective against 2019-nCoV, vaccination against respiratory illnesses is highly recommended to protect your health. Can regularly rinsing your nose with saline help prevent infection with the new coronavirus? No. There is no evidence that regularly rinsing the nose with saline has protected people from infection with the new coronavirus. There is some limited evidence that regularly rinsing nose with saline can help people recover more quickly from the common cold. However, regularly rinsing the nose has not been shown to prevent respiratory infections. Can gargling mouthwash protect you from infection with the new coronavirus? No. There is no evidence that using
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mouthwash will protect you from infection with the new coronavirus. Some brands or mouthwash can eliminate certain microbes for a few minutes in the saliva in your mouth. However, this does not mean they protect you from 2019-nCoV infection. Can eating garlic help prevent infection with the new coronavirus? Garlic is a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties. However, there is no evidence from the current outbreak that eating garlic has protected people from the new coronavirus. Does putting on sesame oil block the new coronavirus from entering the body? No. Sesame oil does not kill the new coronavirus. There are some chemical disinfectants that can kill the 2019nCoV on surfaces. These include bleach/chlorine-based disinfectants, either solvents, 75% ethanol, peracetic acid and chloroform. However, they have little or no impact on the virus if you put them on the skin or under your nose. It can even be dangerous to put these chemicals on your skin. Does the new coronavirus affect older people, or are younger people also susceptible? People of all ages can be infected by the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Older people, and people with
pre-existing medical conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease) appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. WHO advises people of all ages to take steps to protect themselves from the virus, for example by following good hand hygiene and good respiratory hygiene. Are antibiotics effective in preventing and treating the new coronavirus? No, antibiotics do not work against viruses, only bacteria. The new coronavirus (2019-nCoV) is a virus and, therefore, antibiotics should not be used as a means of prevention or treatment. However, if you are hospitalized for the 2019-nCoV, you may receive antibiotics because bacterial co-infection is possible. Are there any specific medicines to prevent or treat the new coronavirus? To date, there is no specific medicine recommended to prevent or treat the new coronavirus (2019-nCoV). However, those infected with the virus should receive appropriate care to relieve and treat symptoms, and those with severe illness should receive optimized supportive care. Some specific treatments are under investigation, and will be tested through clinical trials. WHO is helping to accelerate research and development efforts with a range of partners. *Source: who.int
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GOLF INTERVIEW
With The Golf Tournament, We Are Trying To Open Ilara Mokin To Nigeria And The Tourism World -Toyota (Nig) Ltd. MD Managing Director, Toyota (Nigeria) limited, KUNLE ADE-OJO in the following interview, discusses the progression in the Elizabeth Wuraola Golf Tournament now in its 16th edition and concludes that the tournament has become a lasting legacy being built by his father, Chief Michael Ade. Ojo‌.. This is the 16th edition of the Wuraola Golf Tournament, what do you have to say to the people? I would like to say that the 16th edition would be the biggest so far, in terms of participation. We have a lot more people coming in this year for this edition. In addition to that, we are having other fun activities going on which is the auto rally. If you look outside the course, you will see we have done some rough road and driving set up for people to just come and have fun. Those that are not golfers generally can come in here and you can see that the course is even greener. You can see the site has also been tarred and beautified; it wasn’t like this last year. We have had some improvement on the course itself, and to add to that, the road leading
here has also been done by our Chairman. So, access to this place will become even much better as a result of that. So these are additional things that are taking place, and naturally there is 5 million naira to be won in the Hole - in-1 which we have been putting up for a while. We are hoping that this will be that year that somebody will win the prize. What is the idea behind the Hole-in-1? Well, we have 3 levels of people that are playing: we have the ladies, the men, and the professionals (pro ladies, pro men). If we start saying we want to award the prize to everybody, it will be a bit hard to manage. And to sort of try and make the process more fun, we all know a Hole-
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Golf INTERVIEW Not at all, no assistance; these are all privately funded by Chairman personally, and sponsored by Toyota (Nigeria) Limited. What would you say about so much money being put in here but still it’s not making profit from it? We can probably just call this our chairman’s legacy, so if you are thinking of the returns, you would not be encouraged to do what you are doing. This is our town and our root where we come from, if we don’t invest in our area, who is going to do it for us because it’s hard for the government to do right now? And that is why you see that our chairman continues to invest in his home town. This is not the first time he is building a road, he has done it before now; he has even done more and improved on what he has done before. We have the golf course; we have the university by God’s grace. Development of a hotel is also in the offing. We are sort of trying to open Ilara Mokin to Nigeria and the tourism world. Such a tourism site is in Ondo State. Is the course also open for people to use for picnic and events? Yes, there are spots that are created for that, areas that can be used for such.
in-1 is kind of hard task to do even if you are a professional. A non-professional, a person playing for the first time can get a Hole- in-1 because it’s not determined by your professionalism. So it’s just a thing to enliven the process, it’s something
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everybody would be anticipating for. And when they get to the hole, everybody will be trying to make an attempt. Is there any assistance by any government or anybody to the development of this course?
How has the present economic situation affected Toyota (Nigeria) Limited or the automobile industry? The truth is that the economy is still pretty tough but we as a company have been very disciplined in managing our resources. We don’t spend frivolously and we prioritize to ensure that whatever we put our money into gives us the best returns as much as possible. So with this and working with our dealers, we have tried to manage and ensure we continue the sustainability. We don’t joke with our customers. And in this very tough time, we say your costumers are one of the people that will help in your survival. We ensured that we continue to give them superb service such that they will not be tempted to look elsewhere. We have fantastic products too and we are running promotions. After the road has been commissioned, will it be open to everyone? And what is the length of the road?
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Golf INTERVIEW Yes it is opened to everyone and the length of the road is 6km and cumulative of 3 roads, and the 3 roads will be opened today. No toll gate, no gate fee; this is a personal investment of the son of the soil, a very committed loyal man; my father. What should we look up to in the future? Economically, I like to be optimistic. The data is pretty scary; it seems like we are just trying to avoid the inevitable, because our reserve keeps dropping and our revenues are not going up and our debt portfolio is on the rise. Exchange rate is being managed but I don’t know for how long. And in these tough and harsh economic realities, the government is planning to increase VAT by 50% in year 2020. And that will have an effect on everybody, both the poor and the rich because costs of things are generally going up. They don’t do this kind of thing when the economy is very tough; people do the opposite. You reduce cost rather than increase it. These are my concerns in year 2020, the earning power of the populace are not going up.
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Golf
Comments On The 2019 Elizabeth Wuraola Golf Tournament It Has Been A Wonderful Experience “The competition has always witnessed an improvement over the last one, and I am not being surprised that this one is coming out the way it is. The atmosphere, the environment of Ilara Mokin here always attracts golfers. I am not surprised that people came all the way from Kaduna, Port Harcourt and other places to grace the occasion. It has been a wonderful experience.” -Mr. Makinde A.S.K. from Ikoyi Club and Dolphin Golf Club, Lagos
Quite Challenging Yet, Exciting
I Had A Really Good Time
The golf course is excitingly challenging and has been so since I started coming here. And the more you come, the more challenging it becomes; and that is the game of golf. I think the organisers have always tried to improve the course and I believe they can always do more in improvement to meet with international standard. But honestly, so far they’ve done well and we need to commend their effort.
The golf course is challenging and very interesting; it’s actually my first time here and I am having a really good time. All golf courses have their own challenges and uniqueness but this one is great. My play has been very okay so far. - Dr. Mathew Oriakhi from Benin club
- Sulaiman Adedokun
The Founder Of This Place Has Done Very Well It’s a beautiful course, and very challenging. You can see that the founder of this place has done very well, though there is room for improvement and it’s a place I would want to visit again. My game here today is better than the last time I was here and I hope to win. The organisers have done very well, and it reflects in the good organization we witnessed during the event. - Safara Onaolapo
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It’s The Best Course This Part Of The World This so far is the best course in this part of the world. I played averagely well than the last time. I didn’t win, but I hope to win today and the course is beautiful. - Bade Adeniji
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Golf I Look Forward To Next Year We came to enjoy llara Mokin and it’s actually my first time here. I missed the hole in one by just two and half inches. If I had finished my swing, it would have entered the hole in one. I look forward to next year. - Uche Dimgba, Ikeja Golf Club, Lagos
It’s A Beautiful Course It’s my first time playing on this golf course and it’s beautiful, challenging and most importantly, I have an awesome group to play with; I am really enjoying the game. - Emehelu Nnamdi, member Abeokuta Golf Club
I Am Impressed I am impressed with what I saw this time around and there is improvement. I congratulate Chief Michael Ade. Ojo. This is my second time of being here. I actually came here to enjoy myself. - Chris Nzekea, member Ibadan Golf Club
The Course Needs A Lot Of Repairs
Maintenance Of The Course Should Be Improved Upon The Course is amazing, it’s beautiful, it’s gorgeous and it’s world standard. The organisers should improve on maintenance of the course. Also, some little places need to be improved upon- the greens need to be improved upon, and we need to trim some of the Tee boxes better. But above all, it’s a wonderful course - Ruth Olowokere
I have been coming here and I have been winning. I hope to play better this time around and win again. The course needs a lot of repairs compared to when we started playing here. There are a lot of damages on the course; the greens too need to be repaired. - Ajala Folasade
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Golf GOLFER’S GROOVE
(L) Balogun Afolabi Feyide Femi,Adewole Taiwo, Ayodele George (R)
(L) Grace Yusuf,Ruth Olowokere,Mercy Adenigba Opeyemi& Folasade Ajala,(R)
(L)I.E Osawaru.,Nnamdi I. Emehelu, Chris O. Nzekea & Uche Dimgba (R)
(L)Mathew Oriakhi,Ibitayo Oyedele, Sulaiman Adedokun &Makinde A.S.K.
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Golf GOLFER’S DINNER
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Golf
GOLFER’S AWARD NIGHT
I Thank God That We Are Able To Do This Every Year In Memory Of My Wife - Ade. Ojo “I bring greetings to all of you from different golf courses all over Nigeria. The representative of the Chief of Army Staff and every one that plays on this Smokin-Hills Golf Course, I want to greet and thank everybody by finding time to come. If you are not finding time out, you are not doing yourself good. “At 81, I am strong before you; people think I am 50 or 60 years. I ve learnt a lot
from younger people and they do learn from me. It is the 16th edition, since the passing away of my loved wife in 2003. I thank God that we are able to do this every year for her memory. I am lucky in this world because I lost one and God gave me another. “I was carried away by the transformation within the Smokin Hills Golf Course. I get ideas from children, friends and
my wife; it is good to associate with one another. Rotary Club is a friendly organization. I think people of my age should be offered the position to tee-off so I can fairly compete. “I pray I will be together with you for a long time before I quit golfing. It is a game that teaches you morals and integrity and how to behave. I am very happy to welcome you once more.
The Overall Winner, Olakunle Olalere receiving Award From Chief Micheal Ade. Ojo
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Golf
Ademola Ade-Ojo Receiving Posthumous Award from Kunle Ade-Ojo
(L)Kunle Ade-Ojo Presenting the Most Amiable Woman Award to Mrs.Taiwo Ade. Ojo
Kunle Ade-Ojo Presenting Award To Major General Manu
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Golf
Mrs,Taiwo Ade. Ojo Presenting Award to Grace Yusuf
Mrs. Funke Ade-Ojo Presenting Award to Abubakar Aminu
Tiger Woods Inspired Me Into Playing The Game Of Golf - Daniel A 200 level Student of Tourism Management of Elizade University, OLAKUNLE OLALERE DANIEL reveals the secret behind his successes at the Elizabeth Wuraola Golf Competitions and the impact the initiator of the competition has had in his life‌.. What got you interested in golf? Before I started playing this game, my step grandfather has been playing it so he introduced it to our community. He brought the game from UK and then he introduced me and my brothers. From there, I got into it and started playing Ove Ov O ve v era rral alll win a innerr Ola inn lakun akun ku un nle e Ola Olla laler lere ler le e
Golf the game when I was 8 years old. When I knew about Tiger Woods, I read about his biography and everything about him, it inspired me a lot in golf and I want to be like him in the future. Your first game was at Elizabeth Wuraola 15th Edition, have you played in any other game since then? Yes, I have won in competitions before I started playing the game, and I have played in some junior and amateur competitions. You won last year and you won this year, what did you win last year that gave you the scholarship? I won the 2018 edition, very close to the Hole-in-1 that gave me scholarship. I also won the overall of the 2009 edition, and still won it this year. What is the secret or your magic touch that made you win the overall last year and repeated it this year? Before I played the game this year, I have been thinking that I want to retain my championship this year although I didn’t really play to my satisfaction. It’s not easy but I still thank God for that, because this is an act of God After you won last year, have you gone out to play other competitions? Yes, I have gone to play at Ibadan for the Sovereign Trust Open and came second then. I went to Akwa Ibom for a junior competition; that was where I played my first Hole–in-1 competition, and I also won the competition. Those were the only two competitions I had been to. How would you describe the tournament this year compared to last year? Both years were great, the only difference was the prize. How do you feel retaining your title? I feel I am on top of the world because it was such a great opportunity for me to retain it. How do you combine schooling and your golfing? The school is not disturbing my golfing. On weekends and when I don’t have lectures or nothing to do; I go to the golf course for training. But during the week I face my studies. What would you say about your Academics? I am doing great in my academics al-
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though I am not the best student in my class. But I am ok in my department and with my result.
facilities are very good. I will rate this school a 5-star university because it meets or beats all standard and I love to be here.
What would you say about the quality of Education in Elizade and did you ever dream of being a student here? The first day I dreamt about it was when my brother came here for a competition, they gave him a pamphlet about the school program. He brought it to me and I was so amazed and always think about the school. But my parents would not be able to afford the fees so I tried forgetting about it without knowing I will still end up here. The lectures are very good, their
What will you say to the founder? I am such a lucky person to have met him; he has made a great impact in my life, my career, my family and everything that matters to me. I would say he should continue impacting people’s life. I say a very big thank you to Chief Michael Ade. Ojo, without him I won’t be here. I will always be grateful to him, make him proud anywhere I go and God would continue to bless him.
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Social Diary
Yomi-Sholoye, 16 Others Inducted By Rotary Club District 911
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t was a night of glitz and glamour as Dr.(Mrs.) Oluwaseye Yomi-Sholoye and 16 others were inducted as full members of the Rotary Club Victoria Island East District 911. The event which took place on Tuesday 21st January 2020 at Africa/Asia Hall, Eko Hotel & Suites Victoria Island, Lagos witnessed a large turnout of Rotarians. Part of the events marking the occasion was the Renovation of Vic-
toria Island Primary School Library. Rotary Club of Victoria Island East, has adopted Victoria Island Primary School over a decade ago and has invested over N50m in projects like donation of Computers, bore hole, renovation of classrooms etc. At the advent of the administration of the current President, Rtn. Otunba Gbemi Oyeneyin, the Club had in the last one year, decided to revisit the school for assessment of
its projects in the school. “We found out that the books donated 10yrs ago are still the ones there. All the chairs and desks are all gone and there was an urgent need for renovation,” Rtn. Oyeneyin said. “So, we decided to renovate and refurbish the Library to a modern standard,” he added. The Library was commissioned by the District Governor, Dr Jide Akeredolu on the 21st of Jan, 2020.
Rotn Otunba Gbemi Oyeneyin ( President)
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Social Diary
Rotn Otunba Gbemi Oyeneyin ( President) with Dr. Mrs. Oluseye YOMI -SHOLOYE
Rotn Otunba Gbemi Oyeneyin ( President) with Dr. Mrs. Oluseye YOMI -SHOLOYE, Host of the Induction Ceremony
Rotn Otunba Gbemi Oyeneyin ( President) being interviewed at the commissioning of the Victoria IIsland Pry. Schl
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Rotn Otunba Gbemi Oyeneyin ( President)
Social Diary
Inside the Victoria Island Primary School Library
Inside the Victoria Island Primary School Library
President with District Governor, Dr. Jide Akeredolu at the commissioning of the Victoria Island Primary School Library
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Personality
Quality Of Political Followership In Nigeria Is Poor Adesemoye ADEDAPO ADESEMOYE is a delight to listen to. In the following interview, the Ondo born politician cum IT expert discusses the state of the nation, leadership and followership as well as the economy What can you say about the agitations for Nigerian Electoral Reforms? There are so many things that need to improve about our electoral process. But let me say that a lot has improved since I began witnessing elections in Nigeria, far back in 1979. It is not everything that needs to be condemned about Nigeria. If there are things we have done right, let us say it. In the last election, INEC tried its best but a lot of things need to be done. The issue of Nigerians going to vote without a guarantee that they will be voting by their conscience is one. One particular thing, if given the opportunity, that we would want to introduce to the electoral process is how voting is actually done at the polling units on an electoral day. We all have been hearing about vote buying vote buying is only possible when after giving somebody money, that person is able to show one or two people who they actually
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voted for. How do we counter that? I will recommend that in every polling unit in Nigeria, polling booths have to be made private. Put processes in place that when you vote, you will not be able to show evidence of who you voted for and if we can achieve that, the issue of vote buying will be solved in this country. In the last election, I know what I witnessed. That cardboard designed by INEC should be redesigned in such a way that there is just a simple improvement to what we have now. Let the voters be able to open that cardboard like a door, vote and fold it before coming out of that polling booth. So if I happen to give people money, do you think it will work, if I cannot see who they voted for? If this is done, the issue of vote buying will be erased. This issue is a serious issue that can destroy this country. If the case is always going to be ‘see and buy,’ then we are finished as a country. In whatever
we do, the issue of ‘see and buy’ has to be eradicated completely. What about electronic voting system; will that work? What was done by INEC during the last election was partly electronic voting, we used card reader; I am an IT expert. When you put your thumb print somewhere on that machine, it registers somewhere in Abuja. There are discussions of people tampering with the data on INEC server. I don’t know the network architecture of INEC but if I were to design for INEC a network infrastructure, those servers will be backed up in 5 different countries, in 5 different continents. As you are putting your thumb print on it, it will register on INEC sever in Abuja. I will also have a host server in Australia, in UK, in Central America and maybe another in Canada. It is simple. There are third party vendors that can
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host your server in 6 continents of the world. Even if you try to tamper with the data at Abuja, there is no way you can do so with the backup server in the other 5 continents. But like I said in the beginning, if the network design of INEC is given to the right professional or if they take advice from a solid architecture person, I am telling you, if given to me as a professional, no Nigerian will be able to rig elections because that is my profession. And I am an expert when it comes to the ICT sector. Constitutionally, a lot of people are yearning for our constitution to be amended, will that make any difference? That is a very technical question but before I answer that, my question to Nigerians will be that the constitution we have now, do we actually uphold the content of that constitution? If whatever you have now is not 50% used, why should we be discussing having another improved constitution? A constitution is a document. I am not a lawyer but being a layman in law, I am well educated. You don t need to be a lawyer to know; it s a case of common sense. In our constitution, it is there that no Nigerian is allowed to give or take bribe;
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is that happening? Yes, it is happening. Is anything being done about it? The answer is No. So, it is one thing to improve a document, it is another to have the goodwill to execute the content of the document. So as a Nigerian, what I would want to see first is the law abiding quality in Nigerians before talking about improving the constitution. Though our constitution is not perfect at all but in a nation where we have refused to tell ourselves the truth, there is a problem. There are so many laws. Do you know that if you have a radio in this country, you are supposed to pay radio license? If you have a TV, you are to pay. Is there anybody paying it? If you have a house, you are to pay tenement rate- how many houses pay it to the council? The present constitution, can we say we are actually executing it? The answer is no. So what we have there are so many good things but we are not using it. Let me give you an example; anything can happen. If we face war, and somebody drops a bomb in Abuja, all the ministries are gone. How can you put all your eggs in one basket? If you want to do something serious in the ministry of finance, somebody will have to come from Borno State, somebody will have to come from Calabar to Abuja. Why not spread these headquarters across the 36 states? For example, where Agric is mostly practiced in Nigeria, put the headquarters of Ministry of Agriculture there may be in Kano or Funtua. Put NNPC in Rivers State or Akwa Ibom.
about 3-4 hours a day is not electricity. You cannot achieve anything with that. Look at the people building hotels all over the place, after 3 years, most of them will be regretting it. There are two things that will make you regret it - cost of diesel and cost of maintaining a generator. Now, when you go to hotels, in the middle of the night, they will put on a small generator to roll your fan and not to pick up your air conditioner. So, when you are talking about improving an economy, the first thing is for the political and economic advisers and experts and maybe religious leaders to sit down and first of all, tell themselves the truth. If someone says I am talking like this and wants me to proffer a solution, it is simple. The first thing is to tackle the issue of power unfortunately; the level of corruption in this country will not allow and can never allow the issue of power generation in this country to be solved. I was in Belgium on a contract with the BM papers. It was when I was there in 2013 that I realized that the country do not have our equivalent of NEPA; they buy their light from France. Simple! They sat down and took that decision to pay France for light. So the solution to the problem of power in this country is to go into agreement with a foreign power generation company to generate power in Nigeria and sell it themselves and pay tax to the Nigeria government. That is the only way. All these things we are doing will not work, we are just deceiving ourselves.
What is your assessment of the Nigerian economy and what is the way forward? I want you to take note of this my statement. If you want the truth, with the present situation, Nigerian economy cannot improve. We don t have the prerequisite on ground, the ingredients needed to improve anything. Any country that wants their economy to improve needs two things. You need good quality data. Nobody in Nigeria can stand up and say this is the number of births we have in this state in this month or this is the number of people that died last week. When you do not have data, you cannot plan. No matter how good your economy is looking on paper, if not positively marked with good data, you will never achieve anything. The second thing is that we don t have power no electricity. Electricity coming
Let s look at the issue of leadership and followership, what is your assessment? Nobody can say I am a leader - it is by your action that people will call you a leader. In our political space, 90% of leaders in Nigeria, the so called leaders unknowingly to the people are criminals. I will describe you as criminal if you go into politics and you call yourself a leader. You are asked to bring somebody as a councillor and you put down the name of someone because you have negotiated what percentage of the money you will take from that person. 90% of Nigerian political leaders are like that. Look at the level of poverty in this our society. A genuine leader is somebody who will serve his community; someone who is ready to plan or use his resources in uplifting people in their close niche. That is not to say that there are no good
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Personality leaders but out of 10,000 Nigerians, you will be lucky to find three; that is the truth. But there are some political leaders whose target is to help people. It won t be right for me to mention names but I know of a politician that has made a lot of people. I still give kudos to them in Lagos because they have been lucky to have good governors. Most of their leaders are not selfish at least, they always make sure that they rally round and come up with somebody to be governor. I have not noticed any bad governor in Lagos state since 1999. By Nigerian standard, they have tried and they always use their leadership to build a lot of Nigerians. Look at what is happening in Borno state. I went into the archives how much does Borno get in a month yet the governor commissioned a lot of projects last week? And I have compared their revenue to some states in the South- south and you will wonder what is going on. Borno is making progress. So, only a few of most of these people we call political leaders is interested in people from their close niche or villages to be developed or to be good and prosperous people. Let them put it in the constitution that anybody that calls himself a leader and collects money from different political parties should go to jail for life. On the followers, the quality of political followership in Nigeria is so poor. I will not blame them because of the level of poverty in the country. The first thing poverty picks up in your body is your brain. We have finished election now and another major one will be in 2023. When it is 2022, a lot of aspirants will come and they will start buying rice and distributing it to the people, giving out matches, chicken, buying cloths and on this basis, Nigerians will go and vote for them. Those aspirants know that the followers are so stupid and that poverty has eaten into their brain and that they do not know what they are doing. How can you make a judgement of who to vote for on the basis of the number of chicken he gave or rice that the person gave to you or to a community during Ileya? May God forgive me but I don t know. What is your assessment of the just concluded general elections? I will say that it was lightly a fair election. We still have so many things to improve on like the issue of vote buying. I will be able to answer this question very well if you can organize an interview with someone who
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can prove that votes were not bought in that election. Like I said, the solution is a bloodless revolution and until that takes place, nothing will ever improve in Nigeria. We say we are fighting corruption, let us drive from this place to Ibadan or Lagos and let us notice if there will be people on the road collecting money from commercial vehicle owners and giving them change. A thief that steals N1billion and one that took bribe on the street, there is no difference between them, a thief is a thief. In the last election, you vied for a position. If you were to have won that election, what would you have done? My experience in the process is that parties in Nigeria don t have transparent primaries. I witnessed it and at the end of the day, I accepted it in good faith because I know this country very well. But to your first question - had it been I was elected, I will continue with what I have been doing in my local government. I empower people on a monthly basis. I don t have much but the little I have, I give it back to my immediate society and this can be confirmed from people living in my local government. Most of the charity gestures I do is targeted at my society. You will observe I am not talking of what will come from government. I decided to
be an aspirant because when I looked at myself, my assets and I knew I had some disposable income. I said to myself let me use it to improve people. My plan was not to depend on government. Nigeria will soon get to a stage where we will need to bring in people who are not ready to collect salary into politics. What would you prescribe as a credible election? Do we even have it in any part of the world? There are credible elections. In 90% of elections in Europe, that is possible because you have good leader and the quality of followership there, because of their economy, is good. The leadership and the government are also good. Let me give you an example of Britain. If you work for sometimes and you lose your job, you will not panic because you will go to the social security office and tell them. They will then give you a form to fill; they will ask exactly the date you lost your job and you will be given a certain amount every week; that happens in UK and most places in Europe. They will pay for your house; they will pay for you to have at least one bedroom space. No matter how good your intention is in politics in Nigeria, you might never be able to reflect your potentials. The problem is so complex.
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She Was A Mother Like No Other: Tribute To Late Mrs Felicia Monisade Oyeneyin Divine! That would be the perfect word to describe the farewell ceremony of Mrs Felicia Monisade Oyeneyin as she was led to rest at her home city in Ondo Kingdom. Men and women, from all walks of life, came together to bid Mama farewell. The ceremony titled ‘Earth loss and Heaven gain’ could best be described as a well celebrated festival for a beautiful and sweet mother. Speaking at the Service of Songs held at the Oba Adesanoye Civic Centre, and in a sermon themed: “Let not your heart be troubled” , the priest explained that though the world is full of all kinds of evil and natural disasters, anyone who has hope in God through Jesus, has escaped the impending doom of the judgment day by God, adding that everyone will be judged according to the work of their
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hands and admonished people to desist from any form of evil deed. The deceased first child took little time to briefly explain his mother’s love to the children and every one that came across her in her life time. He also explained that though he was the first born, he felt that Mama loved him and all her children equally. He also specially thanked the beautiful women who took care of Mama till her last day on earth. The following day being Friday at 12noon, the Cathedral Church was filled to the brim with the crème de la crème of the society, coming from far and near for the lying in state, and finally laid Mama to rest at her Valetino residence. The Bishop started with an opening prayer before dwelling on his message ti-
tled: Let not your heart be troubled, and taken from the book of 2 John 14: 1 -2. The bishop officially welcomed His
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Event Royal Majesty, Oba Dr. Victor Kiladejo Jilo 111, the Osemawe and paramount Ruler of Ondo Kingdom, who was represented by three Chiefs. He prayed that in his reign, the Kingdom will be favourable in Jesus name. He also acknowledged and appreciated the presences of the wife of the Lord Bishop (Mama Ondo) Mrs. Oni as well as the former Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and his amiable wife; the Chief Imam of Ondo Kingdom, Alhaji Dr. Alimi and everyone who came that night, and prayed that the Lord God Almighty will bless everybody. The bishop admonished that everyone should go with what the scripture says: let not your heart be troubled. “I always say it anytime I have the opportunity, that it is a privilege for one to bury his or her parents; a lot of people want to do it but could not. So for Mama’s children having the privilege to bury your mother, you should acknowledge and appreciate God. We appreciate and acknowledge God on your behalf and may His name be praised forever. Where you have taken from for this ceremony, may God Almighty replenish it in Jesus name,” the bishop prayed. He further said: “if you look around us, there are heart-breaking events happening even around the world, in some places natu-
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ral disasters like earthquake. In Nigeria, we are even thanking God that those traumatizing events happening in so many parts of the world are not happening here, if they happen, we don’t know what will happen to us. The one that frightens us most is the kidnappers that see kidnapping as the only way to make money. People are afraid to travel; if you most travel, you must go with police men or members of the Armed forces. “When Jesus said “do not let your heart be troubled, in my father’s house are many mansions.” If you read from preceding verse, you will understand
The bishop admonished that everyone should go with what the scripture says: let not your heart be troubled. “I always say it anytime I have the opportunity, that it is a privilege for one to bury his or her parent
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Event
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what he meant. The day of reckoning is coming and you can’t trust in your knowledge alone but trust in God. This world that we are is full of trouble and evil. “As we celebrate the life of our sister, Mrs. Felicia Monisade Oyeneyin, let us know that Hebrew 9:27 says ‘for it has been appointed unto man once to die and after death judgment.’ What this means is that one day, we are all going to die no matter how highly placed you are. And records shall be opened and you shall give account of how you have lived your life. The only one that can save you to from the pending doom is Jesus. “But the writer of this book says that
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death is not an end because you are a pilgrim on this earth and one day, we are going to return to where we come from. Yet, so many of us live our lives any how the way we want as if we are the owner. Individually, we have come to this world and individually we will give account of our lives, 2nd Cor. 5: 10; Rev. 20: 11.” Her son, Hakeem Oladipo Oyeneyin described his mother as a solid human being and expressed the belief that she died empty because she has done everything there was for her to do. “I just want to thank God for my mom’s life. I also want to thank God for those people who looked after my mom towards the end of her life- Deola, Debo-
rah, Ani, Laide, Alice, Happiness, Mama Nurse, and; Dr. Okobi(consultant cardiology)and Dr. Henry Obichie (critical care) We had 8 people looking after my mom just to make sure she was ok. “I would also like to appreciate my mum’s sister, Aunty Mowa, who always comes to visit her. And also, my brother in-law, Mr. Biola Kuteyi, who visited my mom often. He didn’t have to tell me before coming; most time, you get there, and he is there. There was time my mom was admitted in the hospital and she refused eating, but as soon as Egi Biola walked in, he took the food and fed my mom. I met him feeding my mom; the lord will feed you Sir. Thank you all very much for coming.”
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BODY ARRIVES FROM LAGOS
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Church Service
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AT THE HOUSE OF HOPE
Life And Times Of
Mrs. Felicia Monisade
Oyeneyin
M
adam Felicia Monisade was born on May 5, 1936, to the family of Bademosi of Idiml’okun, Ondo. Mama was a devout Christian, a devoted wife and a shrewd businesswoman. Mama attended St. Stephen’s Primary School, Oke Aluko and St. Andrew’s Primary School, Ondo. But as was common in Ondo at the time, especially being the only daughter, young Felicia joined her mother, Mama Lauli in her thriving jewelries, corals and Aso oke business. The trade took mother and daughter to different parts of the old Western Region viz: Benin-city/ Ilesha/ parts of Ekiti as well as Akure etc. She soon met the young and charming Adama Olasoji who wasted no time in proposing marriage to beautiful Felicia who at the time was living with her uncle, Agboola at Ita Batogun, area of Lagos. They settled into their famous one-room ‘face me, I face you’ at No. 1 Shajbemi Street/ Isale Eko Lagos, which sometimes accommodated up to 16 people at a time amongst whom were her husband’s siblings and other extended family members. In Lagos, she continued her trading business and expanded it to cover textile and used the income derived therein to support her husband, then a junior civil servant of the Federal Ministry of Communications. Mama earned her husband’s trust and became his confidant. In return, Adama loved and revered his wife and trusted her judgment so much he took no major decisions without first consulting her. On 7th of January, 1984, her perseverance paid off and her husband blessed her with a newly completed block of 4 x 4 bed flats in Adelabu, Surulere area of Lagos in appreciation of her uncommon selflessness, love, steadfastness, support and loyalty to him. Mama was very caring and loving. She was a rallying point to so many young adults particularly those of her husband’s family who needed one form of support or the other. She accommodated and loved her husband’s family members. In her lifetime, she embraced charity and dispensed it all. Mama loved peace and always sought a win-win solution to dispute resolution. She’s a very fair person but would never call a spade by another spade!
She and her husband enjoyed traveling, visiting such places as the UK, Austria, Italy, USA to mention but a few. The demise of her husband in 2002 took its toll on her health as she could hardly function without him. This drew her closer to God and she became a fervent prayer warrior. She was the Patron of the ‘Egbe
Ajibarere ninu Oluwa’ of the Cathedral Church of St. Stephen’s Ondo. She was blessed with four male children: Hakeem Oladipo, Teslim Moronfolu, Wasiu Ayodele (deceased) and Tajudeen Abimbola and twelve grandchildren. May her soul rest in perfect peace, Amen.
Burial and Interment
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Oriki m lisa òdúndún A s’ ode d’ ero. Ib b tutu n’ eyin, O gbona janjan ninu. m alapa s’ apa inu n bi w n, òrisa da won b , o dun w n.
REPCEPTION REPCEPTION
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CULTURE
I Want To See Ondo Developing As An Octopus -Sarowo-Elect Economist, politician, co-founder of Ekimogun Microfinance Bank, former director/chairman of Oodua Investment Company Ltd, and Managing Director/CEO of FAMAK Nigeria Ltd, CHIEF (DR) ISAAC FOLORUNSO AKINTADE JP, is the Sarowo of Ondo Kingdom. He spoke to us about the Sarowo title and sundry issues… Before, you had the Chieftaincy title, Saibi Gougou and now, you are the Sarowo-elect of Ondo Kingdom, what are the differences between them? The two chieftaincy titles are different; the new one, Sarowo is the head of a quarter while the Saibi Gougou is the assistant to Sarowo. When the Sarowo title became vacant, instead of looking elsewhere to fill the vacant position, the Osemawe in Council saw me fit to just elevate me to occupy the position. Is the Sarowo title meant for a particular lineage or is an open title? Yes it’s an open title for any prominent person in the community; it doesn’t do with lineage. It’s an open one; you have to be prominent to become a head of a quarter. What is this quarter? Every Senior Chief heads a particular quarter and in our own group, we have 17 quarters. And Oke Sarowo here in Ondo kingdom happens to be one of the quarters which I am now heading. What are the duties and primary functions of a Sarowo? Like I said, I know I head the Oke Sarowo quarter and there are other lesser Chiefs under me. I am there to administer that quarter; if there is any problem, they will bring their case to me for settlement, basically to make sure there is peace in the community.
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How would you describe growing up in Ondo kingdom then to what it is now? It was completely different. When we were growing up, there was peace, tranquility, no harassment, no cultism,
nothing of such. I was a witness because nowadays there are so many school leavers without jobs. That is why the society became notorious; it wasn’t like this when we were growing up. There were so many nice investments here in Ondo; we have
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Culture the Nirowi, Oluwa glass, etc. We had big companies here by then, but they are all gone. Being an Ex-Chairman of the Odua investment Company Limited, how would you describe their impact in Nigeria? When I was there, we did our best to contribute to the economic wellbeing of the country. Odua Investment Company has about 17 other companies under the umbrella and principally we were estate developers; we develop hotels too. We really contributed to the Nigeria economy; I believe the people there are still doing the same thing but the impact is not being felt as to when we were there, because we made sure that we touch all the sister states. In your way of contributing to the community development, you donated some buildings to the Medical Science University (UNIMED), and still doing more, what would you say about that? As you rightly said, I am the son of the soil; I grew up here. I want to see Ondo developing as an octopus, a big city with tentacles. So when Dr. Olusegun Mimiko brought up University of Medical Science, we the sons and daughters all became very jealous because that University is the third in the whole of Africa. And every Ondo son must try his or her best to make sure that the University makes progress. That was why I had to donate multi-million naira building of Clinical Science building for the University, that building contributed to the accreditation of the School. You made mention of delving into politics Sir, are you still interested in politics? Yes, I am still very much in politics and I am the current leader of Zenith Labour Party here in Ondo kingdom. I am the Senatorial Central Chairman for the Zenith Labour Party and the Chairman of Elder Council of the Zenith Labour Party. Your grandfather was a Lisa and at one time you contested for that position, are you still looking towards that area? God has everything, it is true my grandfather was Lisa Anujannu, he was a dreaded Lisa, everybody feared him and up till now they still talk about him here in
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Ondo kingdom. When the position became vacant, members of my family put me forward to contest for the position. As God will have it, I was not selected and that was history gone. And as you asked if I will come out for it again, well if God ordains it, if I live long enough to witness the sit vacant, I will have no choice other than to try again. Can you tell us about Lisa Anujannu your grandfather?
Well, Lisa Anujannu was a very great warrior; he had 201 wives and so many children. If he is going to war, he is never behind; he will lead the war and lead other warriors. And he conquered so many communities in Ondo kingdom, even the Kabiyesi feared him. If you hear the way they talked about him, you will be wondering if he was actually a human being or spirit because he was dreaded and very powerful.
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Culture You got an award from NEPA recently, what would you say was the reason for that award? To get an award from a federal institution is not just a Child’s play; they singled out people that have contributed immensely to the progress of the town. I happened to be one of the three people picked from Ondo Kingdom. I thank and appreciate them for the Award of Excellence.
What can you tell the youth? The youth should not all wait for white collar jobs, they should aspire to be themselves. They shouldn’t be following multitudes. When they are in school, they should shun cultism and face their studies and stay away from cybercrime. What are the event build up to the Coronation? Not much, usually when it is 9 days
to the day, the Kabiyesi will send some Chiefs to my house to come and inform me that he is ready to give me a title on the s fixed date. And I need to make some arrangements to entertain them and give them the fee necessary. And after that, the main event will be at the palace. All my well-wishers will be there and the Kabiyesi will install me as the new Sarowo Of Ondo Kingdom.
RECIEVING EFUNOYE
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INSTALLATION AT OSEMAWE PALACE
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AT THANKSGIVING SERVICE
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FASHION
The Reality of Fashion Shows in Pictures
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F
ashion Shows aren’t just a marketing event anymore; it’s now a LifeStyle and Business Networking Event. It’s a social space for different but not far apart classes of people. Away from the social values from a Fashion Show, the realities remain the ushering of new fashion trends, introducing new designers and models to the world. Here are pictures of Finest Fashion Show in 2019 and Open Mall Fashion Show 2018.
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Ngolongolo The Pro-Footballer Turned Pro-Fashion Designer Mr. Uche Njoku, the founder of Ngolongolo Couture, who was a professional footballer from Enyimba FC, Aba, Abia State, and former Super Eagles moved to Europe in the ‘90s and played for some European clubs. He was housed by Kanu Nwakwo for 6 years before moving to Nigeria to start a Fashion Line. Take a look at his designs in the following pictures:
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culture
My chieftaincy title is an inheritance - Akinduyo OTUNBA OLADOTUN AKINDUYO is of the Foyi Ruling House of Ondo kingdom. An Auto dealer and Chairman of Dotak Motors Nigeria Limited, Abuja, the business tycoon spoke to us about the processes of picking title holders in Ondo Kingdom, the state of affairs in the kingdom, and the moral and cultural reengineering that has taken place in the ancient kingdom….. Did you grow up in Ondo kingdom? I attended LA Primary School and Jubilee Modern School for my secondary school here in Ondo Kingdom. So what was growing up in Ondo Kingdom like, how would you describe Ondo in your days? It’s a very interesting place. Ondo Kingdom is a place you will leave and you will never forget the memories for life, because we are so united, we were so disciplined in our days. Whenever you see an elderly person, you will bow down. We used to go on errands for elders unlike these days, you see young boys doing what they like. In our growing up days, there was nothing like cultism; I am talking about the 60s. There was nothing like cultism then unlike these days; you see secondary school boys and girls going into that. In our own time, we were so free; you can visit your family friend, you sit down and eat there. And you are free from neither poisoning anybody nor being poisoned. We lived in unity in Ondo kingdom then and we don’t discriminate. It’s a lovely place to be. You said you are from the ruling family, can you tell us your genealogy? I am from the full ruling family of
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Ondo kingdom. We have three ruling houses in Ondo- we have the Foyi ruling house; we have the Leyo ruling house; and we have the Okuta ruling house which our present Royal Majesty came out from, but my own is Foyi ruling house. Is the title you want to take a compulsory one or you just decided you want it and why now? The Chieftaincy I am taking is by
inheritance; it can never be given to an outsider that was not born into the Royal family. You only take it if you are from the Royal family. If you are not born into any of these families, you can’t take it even if you are a billionaire or anything. We the family members deemed it fit that somebody should go for it. I was invited, and then they told me to go and take it up. I met with the Olotu Omo Oba himself and they decided to give me the title. There are also processes you go
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culture through before you are given this chieftaincy title such as going through your profile, verifying if you are a criminal; they would want to know if you have been convicted before. They would want to know if you are not an ex-convict. They would want to know if you are engaged in any dubious or questionable character. These are some of the things they would want to know about you. They would also want you to go to your family background and bring a letter. For instance, when they called upon me, they asked me to go to my ruling house and bring a recommendation letter, which I went and brought and duly signed by the Chief Aogbo of Ondo kingdom who happens to be from my ruling house. He gave me the letter and also a confirmation that I was born into the family. So I took it to the Olotu Omo Oba in council then, after proper screening, I was given the titleOtunba Lobosin of Ondo Kingdom. What exactly is Otunba Lobosin of Ondo Kingdom? Lobosin is one of the most respected titles in the Otunba high ranking; I think it should be number 6 in the council. The Otunba Lobosin is mainly for us Otunbas. In other places in the Osemawe palace, they have their own Lobosin but this one is only for the Otunbas. We meet once in a month to deliberate on how to move the kingdom forward. What are the cultural tenets? As for the cultural tenets of the Otunbas, I think you will be hearing of Odun Oba Festival in Ondo. We are the real people that are in custody of this; we are the ones celebrating it. We are the ones to be celebrated because we are princes and princesses; we are the Omo Obas. So we celebrate along with the Obas in Council; we are the only ones entitled to do this Odun Oba Festival, so it’s mainly for us. We sit down with the ruling king and celebrate together, while other Chiefs would come and celebrate with us. Generally, how would you describe the Ondo people? They are very wonderful, accommodating, and very loving people. We don’t quarrel here, and we don’t have tribal war. If you look around our kingdom, you will
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see other tribes; they are freely buying lands in our kingdom, we live in peace. And this is not applicable in other places. We give them our land, they live here, and they settle here, they stay here all the rest of their lives. What would you tell the Ondo People and the king? It’s for us to be law abiding. One thing the king did that is really amazing is to successfully flush out cultism in the whole kingdom. The bad eggs and the cult guys have been flushed out in Ondo Kingdom. This is one area we highly respect our king. Whenever he gathers or voices out a matter, it is taken seriously. My candid advice to everyone leaving in Ondo Kingdom is to please give respect to whom respect is due. Let us respect our Royal Majesty, the king of the land in the person of Oba, Dr. Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo Jilo 111. I am
begging that all young and old should see him as our leader and cooperate with him so that we can move this great kingdom forward. There has been lots of celebrations lined up for you even before this chieftaincy, were this all planned or it’s a coincidence? This is the Lord’s doing and its marvelous in our eyes. This is the plan of GOD, if it is left to me, I cannot do it alone. Who am I? How much do I have to say in a year I lost my mother and all this? But it was Gods time, when it came; we just have to take it as the way of the Lord. And when we took it, we looked upon our heavenly father and He assisted me. Help came from the North, South, East and West, everywhere and I celebrated my mother in a grand style. Before you know it, my in-law called about the wedding of my son. I even
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pleaded that they should allow it to be shifted till next year. But as God would have it, our plan is different, God’s way is different. So when they said we have to do it, I said my God, it’s only you I look up to and it’s only you that can do what no man can do. So as I strongly believe in God, He gloriously did it and our children got wedded. And God provided all the funds. At the same time, I am preparing for my Chieftaincy title, and I know He will do it again. How do you feel about the chieftaincy title? I feel so great, I feel so happy, I feel so delighted because it’s a celebration. And I believe people are coming to celebrate me; I am being honored, I love it. I thank
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my heavenly father for counting me worthy to be celebrated in my homeland. May His name be exulted! Was there competition in this title before you were picked? No, there isn’t. But you know in other areas, four or five people will come out and start dragging a certain position. But to God be the glory, I had no competitor; I was called to take it and no other person competed with me, it’s like I am being honoured. One thing with Ondo kingdom is that they know you before they call you to take any title. They know you as a family head, they know you as a community leader, and they know you as a very good person. They know you as a man of good
character; they know you as a man of repute so they don’t do it by accident. They know I can bring my people together, they know I can settle differences and they have seen all these qualities. And they know I will perform up to their expectation, that’s why they called me. And I will not disappoint them, the Lord helping me. Do you have any word of advice for people who aspire to be kingdom leaders? My candid advice to them is for them to be of good characters, look at the place you were born, look at the home you were born. Don’t do 419 as a means of living, and stop cybercrime. Don’t spoil your family name, the future is very important.
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