Sinachi supporter when she decided to run Vitalis for President of Enugu U.S.A. in 2014. We needed little persuasion to join her campaign team as media I first met Sinachi in Los Angeles and public relations consultants, it about ten years ago in the course of was a hotly contested electionour common line of real estate which she ran with clinical precision business. She was and remains a and came out victorious. consummate professional, thorough and dogged in the representation of I meet Vitalis after Sinachi's victory all her clients- rich or poor, young or at an Enugu U.S.A. Convention old. She pours into each transaction when he took over the running of the same zeal, dedication and the Annual Medical Mission of the fierceness I have come to associate association. I was drawn to his calm her with. She was an early supporter demeanour and gentle spirit. of the Life and Times dream when I listened to one of his medical mission reports - that was full of facts we started in 2010. and statistical data - and came out I therefore became an early in total respect of the man's depth and intelligence. cheerleader and enthusiastic I have known Dr. Ugwuonye & Dr. Okechukwu for years...
Sinachi introduced me to Dr. Vitalis at that convention as her very good friend but I saw beyond that introduction that both lit up in each other's presence, and I knew love was in the air... Over the course of 2014- 2017, they both became inseparable. You could hardly count a weekend that Sinachi was not flying over to Louisiana where Vitalis is based or Vitalis was not in Los Angeles, Sinachi's base. In December 2016, they were in Nigeria for a grand traditional marriage ceremony and house dedication witnessed by the creme de la creme of the Nigerian society. Surely, God truly blessed the different paths that led them to each other and we
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dedicate the cover profile of this edition to celebrating this true love, and capturing all the different prayers, blessings and wishes from family and friends on them for a successful marriage. The marriage ceremony takes place on November 3-4, 2017 in Los Angeles. This edition also features an inspirational photo essay on Drs Nkem & Uche Uweh who did their parents and our community proud, with both of them graduating with Doctorate in Pharmacy degrees. Their parents Mr. & Mrs. Uweh threw a lavish party on Friday 18th of August 2017 at the Fantasy Yacht and Yacht Club in Los Angeles California to celebrate this great achievement. This edition also features the staples you have come to associate with Life & Times Magazine - spotlights on Ekiti & Enugu States, and a country spotlight on Botswana; a photo reel on the Okey bakassi show in Los Angeles in May 2017, Iruka Ndubuizu's inspiring article on "Building your own temple" and Dr. Dipo Kalejaiye asking if .." You have recieved your own God's own Christmas gift" It's another bumper edition you cannot afford to miss. From all of us at Life & Times Media we wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New year! Chike Nweke Winter, 2017
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3. From the Desk of the Publisher 8. Cover Story Sinachi & Vitalis- A wedding celebration like no other… 82. Profile in Excellence Nasir El-Rufai - The power behind the Throne
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86. People and Places Okey Bakassi in Los Angeles 92. Spotlight Ekiti State - Fountain of Knowledge
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96. People and Places Drs. NKem & Uche Uweh - Graduation & Thanksgiving Bash
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104. Spotlight Enugu State - Gateway to Eastern Nigeria 108. Iruka's Corner Building my Temple
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112. Country Profile The Magic of Botswana
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118. Religion Have You Received Your Own God’s Christmas Gift?
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Cover Profile Chief (Dr.) Ifesinachi (Sinachi) Ugwuonye is a high achiever in every sense of the word - who is always trying to conquer new horizons. Educated in some of the best schools, in Africa, Europe and North America, Ife Sinachi holds a Juris Doctor degree (JD) – International Business Law and Finance (USA); MBA in Global Business and Organizational Leadership, (USA); MA in International Commerce, (France); and BA in Foreign Languages, (Uniport). Ife Sinachi is a Lawyer and a Mortgage Banker. She has worked for some of the leading financial institutions in America including the World Bank in Washington DC; Union Bank; Wells Fargo Bank; Citibank; Bank of America; Bank of the West - BNP Paribas, U.S. Bank and PNC Bank. She is a Senior Mortgage Loan Officer, with clientele across all the U.S. and beyond. Sinachi loves giving back to the community, especially the less privileged. She founded the 'Sinachi Scholarship Foundation (Education for Girls Too (EGT)) in 1999 with the goal of offering educational scholarships to the less privileged children back home in Nigeria. Today the Sinachi foundation has offered scholarships to over forty college and college-bound girls, and has plans to expand its schemes to help more students. Chief Dr. Ife Sinachi won the election as the President of Enugu USA, Inc., an Association of all Enugu State People in the Americas, on June 29, 2014, becoming the First Woman to be elected into the position of President in any Nigerian Community National Association in the USA. Being a one term of two years’ position, she concluded her term on July 3, 2016, leaving the association in a far better position than she met it. Ifesinachi’s works with humanity has been severally recognized and appreciated by different levels of leadership and governments, in the USA and in Nigeria. She has been conferred with many chieftaincy titles – Adadioramma 1 of Ezeagu L.G.A, by the traditionl rulers in Ezeagu LGA – 2009; Adaejiejemba of Enugu State – 2010; Adadioramma of Orji Amokwe Udi – 2011; and Adaigbo niine –2016. By HRM Igwe S. M. Ozoekwem and HRH Igwe Emma Anichebe, in appreciation of her humanitarian works as the National President, Enugu USA, and her passion for helping the less privileged attain better status. Sinachi, as she is fondly called, is also known among the African Communities as a public and motivational speaker. Among some of her great speeches are; a Nationally recognized powerful speech on Domestic Violence in Washington DC - May 2014, and April 2016, The role of Education in the society – 2017, and on Nigerian American Socio-Cultural Matters. She has written extensively on the need for unity in our communities.
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Cover Profile Chief/Dr. Vitalis Okechukwu is a dynamic professional, who extends his wealth of knowledge to better the lives of others. He is an embodiment of intelligence, earning the nick name – “the whiz kid”! Trained in some of the best Medical Schools in Africa, Europe and North America, Chief/Dr. Vitalis Okechukwu is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases with many years of experience in medical practice. He is a scholar and physician per excellence. He holds Medical licenses in multiple states of the U.S He is an Infectious Disease Consultant in private practice and academic medicine. He runs a private consultative practice and teaches Clinical Medicine at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center. He is affiliated to several medical institutions and belongs to several medical professional associations in the United States. Dr. Okechukwu served as Enugu USA Medical Mission Chief Medical Director during the 2014 - 2016 administration. He is the current Chief Medical Adviser of Enugu USA – the umbrella association of all Enugu State people in the United States of America. Dr. Vitalis Okechukwu was conferred the Chieftaincy Title – Nwachinemelu 1 of Enugu State on July 2, 2016 in Los Angeles California, and reconfirmed on December 21, 2016 in Amankwo Oghe, by HRM Igwe S.M. Ozoekwem, Adu 1 of Umumba Ndiuno, and HRH Igwe Emma Anichebe, Akukwu 1 of Isigwu Umana, witnessed by several other Ezeagu Traditional rulers, in appreciation of his services to Enugu State through Enugu USA Medical Mission.
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ABOUT VITALIS AND SINACHI- THE JOURNEY OF FRIENDSHIP – A MARRIAGE AND A BOND
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Theirs is a story of love at first sight, an ancestral bond, and a friendship perfected. With so much in common, destiny was waiting to be fulfilled. They are both from Ezeagu Local Government Area (North and South) of Enugu State. Both are children of teachers. Vitalis from Amankwo Oghe, the first son of a renowned Headmaster, Chief Edwin Okechukwu and his amiable wife, Lolo Schola Okechukwu. Sinachi is from Umumba Ndiuno, the only
daughter of a renowned Headmaster, Prince Michael Ugwuonye, of blessed memory. Vitalis and Sinachi had similar
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childhood experiences, though never met or heard of each other before March 2015. They both left home too young, and grew up rather too fast!! Life took them from Nigeria to Europe – Vitalis to Eastern Europe, and Sinachi to Western Europe. But like some invisible force leading them, both came into the United States of America the same month and in the same year – 1997. They also became American Citizens in the same year – 2002.
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Still as co-travelers but on careers, hopes and aspirations. parallel roads, that never met, Their endeavors and challenges their lives took them in different kept close resemblance as if this force, though keeping them apart and strangers, is working and mirroring their goals and results. After some successes, some failures, and some uncertainties - they are to meet in the most unusual of manners and places. They had both traveled from their different states of residence, Vitalis from Louisiana, and Sinachi from California, to parts of the United States, where pay their final respect to a fallen they pursued their very different mutual friend, an Ezeagu son,
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Cover Profile and an Enugu State patriot. In and a destiny fulfilled. their pain of loss and mourning, That which God has joined, let no one put asunder! they found each other. To God alone be the glory!! Bound by a common desire, aspiration, hope, and love for In this interview with our their people, they built on their Publisher, Hon. Chief Chike friendship, combining their Nweke, Sinachi & Vitalis talk talents for the common good of about their past, how they met their people. That invisible hand each other & their plans for the has finally directed them back to future. where it all began, the land of their births, the home of their fathers, and the abode of their Q 1. God blessed the different forefathers, Ezeagu Igbudu, paths that led two of you to each other- please briefly tell us Enugu State, Nigeria. It is how you met: friendship/love/relationship perfected; a bond and match Sinachi: You do know that I was made before they were born; a the National President of Enugu marriage and covenant blessed USA from 2014 to 2016. In that I had many by their ancestors, and ordained position, by God. It is a prayer answered, responsibilities to my people of
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Enugu State, and to the public in general. It was during one of such functions, carrying out my presidential responsibilities, that we met. Enugu State had lost a very honorable young man in Houston, and we were all gathered in Houston to mourn our loss. I was there as the national president, and a friend to the deceased. And he was there also as a friend of the deceased. I was on the stage, and he was in the crowd. When we met, we talked about our common interests‌. Enugu State and its people. Well, you could say it was love at first sight, depending on what your definition of love is. We both share common goals, aspirations and hopes, ‌. of
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Cover Profile helping our people. Dr. V. was already doing his bit, and I was doing mine. So, we had such to talk about. Giving our relationship status, and busy professional lives at the time, it was easy to find common grounds, and click. We found each other, not because we were looking, but because our paths crossed at the right time. We are from the same Local Government Area in Enugu, and have many things in common. Q 2- Your love story is truly inspiring- what is the most fascinating thing that attracted you to each other? -Sinachi: I will say that there are quite a few fascinating things that attracted me to him. The fact that we are from the same Local Government Area, Ezeagu, in Enugu State is probably the most fascinating of
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them all. We have so many things in common. In fact, our lives are so incredibly mirrored. He is very smart, and highly educated. He is also quite handsome and youthful. He is also funny and silly sometimes. I like the fact that he challenges me to aim even higher. You can say that he came with an almost complete package.
Q3- You presently live in different states and different cities, Sinachi in Orange California, and Vitalis in Lafayette, Louisiana. What are your plans after your marriage celebration? Do you plan to move in together in one city? Answer: This is a decision that we will be making soon. As you know, we have lived our separate lives and involved in our different professions and careers, in different states for a long time. As such, we have so many things to take care of in our current situations in preparation for that eventual move in together and cohabitation. It will not come easy, but we are working on it.
-Vitalis: Sinachi is the most intelligent woman I have ever met. She is so talented, very compassionate, and generous. She is very beautiful, inside and out. I am amazed at her wealth of knowledge and her energy. It is amazing to see a woman so beautiful, and so highly educated, yet so humble. For me, it is a case of absolute compatibility. I have a lot to Q4- You have children from learn from her. I feel very lucky your past relationships, any to have met Sinachi when I did, plans for kids together? and to have her as my wife.
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Cover Profile Answer: We are both in our late 40s, we have six kids, making it already a large family. While we are not actively attempting or planning to have more children, we know that having children goes beyond biological children. So, let’s say that we are keeping an open mind on that. You will be informed when such a time comes. Q5- You are both involved in philanthropy and giving back to the society, do you intend to continue this tradition and legacy together? Answer: Yes, we are continuing in our endeavors to better the lives of our people. This is probably the main reason we found it meaningful to get together, as we know that combining our talents and resources would yield far greater result in that area, than our separate individual efforts.
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This tradition and legacy will go what.” It is the life-long journey. on by God’s grace, and we hope While ceremonies last but a very short time, a marriage lasts that it will outlive us. forever, in sickness or in health, Q6- Why did you style this a in all situations, be it joyful or marriage celebration instead of sorrowful. The two people that the usual church wedding and are bind in marriage become the lifeline of each other…way reception? beyond the parties, and long Answer: Like you rightly said in after the curtains are drawn, and your previous question, we have the lights go off. both been previously married Marriage is not about your and divorced. With that comes beauty, your wealth, your certain experience. We agree power, your connections, or that what we need is the “beef”, about the number of friends you and not the skin. We are have. Marriage does not see all celebrating the “main item”, these. Marriage takes “as is”, at which is the marriage, and not a all times, and in all situations. It ceremony, which is the is the assurance that so long as wedding. Since there are several there is life, you will never be layers of ceremonies that alone. Marriage is about two constitute the main item, people becoming as one, and marriage, we preferred to standing together come rain or celebrate the marriage which is shine. It is an incredible force a life-long commitment. that can do all things in unity. Marriage is the promise to be So, we celebrate our marriage, there for each other, “no matter witnessed by all our friends and
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families. We know we are expected to do the right thing, by us and by our friends. We know we owe each other a special duty to make it work, and make life more enjoyable and livable for each other. Q7-What are your plans and dreams for the future? Answer: We plan to live, and not miss any opportunity to be happy together. We plan to keep growing, learning from each other, and building stronger allies. We plan to create very loving environment for our children, and help them pursue their individual interests. We plan to continue to give back to our community as we work together to uplift our people in Nigeria and in our immediate
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environments. We dream of this for you, it will be yours, but you grand consolidation of efforts must work for it. for a gigantic result that all could In closing, we would like to benefit from. thank Life & Times Media team Q8- What advise will you give for dedicating this Winter 2017 to a young African immigrant Edition of its magazine to who just arrived in the U.S. celebrate our marriage. We about achieving the level of appreciate all our friends from success you have attained in near and far, who took out the time to celebrate us. This this country journey was made possible Answer: It is very simple… just because of your support and work hard. Be truthful to encouragement. We shall not yourself. Don’t compare forget! yourself to any other. Stay We thank also our families, focused, and pursue your especially our children for their dreams. America is a place that love and support. We couldn’t you can become anything you have come this far without want to become, at any age, if them. May God continue to bless We love you you work hard and smart you! enough. Stay off anything or immeasurably! anyone that may lead you into trouble. Be patient. If it is meant
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Profile in Excellence
Nasir EI -Rufai was born in Daudawa in Faskari Local Area of Katsina State on February 16, 1960. He lost his father at a tender 82 LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
age of 8 and was subsequently sponsored by an uncle in Kaduna State. Nasir EIRufai had his Secondary School Education at
the popular Barewa college where he graduated tops winning the Barewa Old Boys Association Academic WINTER 2017
Profile in Excellence Achievement Trophy in 1976. Nasir EI-Rufai went further to bag a first class degree in Quantity Surveying at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Nasir El -Rufai ran some post graduate programs at Harvard Business School and Georgetown University. Being so ambitious, he went fmther to obtain a law degree in 2008 from the University of London and a masters degree in Public Administration from John F.Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University Nasir El -Rufai set up his own consulting finn in 1982 and handled mainly building and civil engineering projects in Nigeria. He later became the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises and the Secretary of the National Council of Privatization from November 1999 to July 2003.
known as a man who is against corruption. He had an important role to play in the real estate boom in Abuja backed by the radical transformation of infrastructure and land use practices of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT). With the establishment of the Abuja Geographic Information System within 12months of his being Minister of FCT, Abuja became the first municipality in Nigelia with a computelized land register and information system. In conjunction with the president and members of the economic management team, Nasir EI-Rufai led the reform of the Nigerian Public service which had become dysfunctional during years of military dictatorship.
DUling his tenure as Minister of FCf, he oversaw the Federal Ministries of Commerce (twice) and Ministry of Interior. He also chaired several high-profile Nasir EI-Rufai stands out and is cabinet committees that led to the
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establishment of a mortgage system in Nigeria, National ID card system for Nigeria, ElectIic Power Supply Improvement and the sale of Federal Government real estate in Abuja. As the Fonner Minister of FCf in the Obasanjo administration, he was seen as the ne}"i in command after the president due to President Obasanjo's fallout with his Vice. Many people see Nasir EI-Rufai as an incorruptible public servant who can get difficult jobs done. However, since the end of the Obasanjo administration, EIRufai has kept a very low profile, but still remains an Obasanjo loyalist having frequently defended the fonner President's policies. In 2008, he appeared before the Nigerian senate committee on FCf to explain some exposed and corrupt actions of his administration. He was alleged to
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have allocated plots of land to his friends , brothers and cronies. This allegation was however stoutly rejected by the former minister. It was however believed that he was being witch hunted by corrupt political big shots as many of the senators had lost properties during the restoration of Abuja. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) in January 2oo9,declared EL-Rufai wanted for avoiding questioning over alleged misappropriation of
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funds during his tenure as FCf Minister. He was also accused of abuse of power and illegal land grabs while he was Minister of Abuja FCf in May 12, 2010. An Abuja high comt later acquitted him of the charges in December 2013. Nasir El-Rufai indicated his interest in running for Governor of Kaduna State in September 2014. He went ahead to win the All Progressive Congress(APC) primaries in December 2014. In
April 2015, he defeated the incumbent Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero with a landslide victory to become Governor of Kaduna State. Despite his northern upbringing, Nasir El-Rufai has always said he is "Nigerian" first before being Hausa and unlike some of his contemporaries, he has never been accused of money laundering or any any bribery scandal.
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People and Places
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Spotlight
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Ekiti is a state in western Nigeria, declared a state on 1 October 1996 alongside five others by the military under the dictatorship of General Sani Abacha. The state, carved out of the territory of old Ondo State, covers the former 12 local government areas that made up the Ekiti Zone of old Ondo State. On creation, it had 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs), having had an additional four carved out of the old ones. Ekiti State is one of the 36 states (Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria)) that constitute Nigeria. Ekiti State is reputed to have produced the highest number of professors in Nigeria.
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Spotlight 2006. On 27 April 2007 Olurin was replaced by Tope Ademiluyi. In the PDP primary of 2006, firstplace finisher, Yinka Akerele and second place Prof. Adesegun Ojo were supposed to be in a run-off to determine who would be the nominee of the Nigerian ruling party when President Obasanjo summoned them to Abuja and imposed the candidate who came third – Engineer Segun Oni. He was later elected in the 2007 election as the governor of the state in an election marred by widespread irregularities and the AC candidate, Dr. Kayode Fayemi Several pioneer academics are challenged his election and forced from the state, including Adegoke a rerun in May 2009. Olubummo (one of the first Nigerian professors in the field of The May 2009 rerun was mathematics), Ekundayo characterized by even worse Adeyinka Adeyemi (first rigging and the election was Professor of Architecture in Africa disputed again. Eventually, after south of the sSahara). Others three years, the election of Oni was include Professors J. F. Ade Ajayi, thrown out and Dr. Kayode Niyi Osundare, Sam Aluko, Prof Fayemi was declared the duly elected governor of Ekiti State. A. A. Agboola. Following a prolonged political crisis, President Olusegun Obasanjo imposed a military administrator (General Tunji Olurin) on Ekiti State in October
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The prominent private university in Ekiti State is Afe Babalola University, Ado–Ekiti (ABUAD), founded by the legal luminary, philanthropist, seasoned
administrator, and farmer Aare Afe Babalola, SAN. It has become a pillar of support for the state in terms of human capital development and empowerment. History Ekiti was an independent state prior to the British conquest. It was one of the many Yoruba states in what is today Nigeria. The Ekiti people as a nation and districts of Yoruba race had her progeny in Oduduwa, the father and progenitor of Yoruba race. Just like every major subethnic division in Yorubaland. Ekiti has her origin from Ile-Ife (the cradle land of Yorubaland). The Olofin, one of the sons of the Oduduwa had 16 children and in the means of searching for the new land to develop, they all journeyed out of Ile-Ife as they walked through the Iwo - Eleru(crave) near Akure and had stop over at a place called Igbo-Aka(forest of termites) closer to Ile-Oluji. The Olofin, the 16 children and some other beloved people continued with their journey, but when they got to a particular
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Spotlight lovely and flat land, the OwaObokun (the monarchy of Ijesha land) and Orangun of Ila decided to stay in the present Ijesha and Igomina land of in Osun state. While the remaining 14 children continued with the journey and later settled in the present day Ekiti land. They discovered that there were many hills in the place and they said in their mother's language that this is "Ile olokiti" the land of hills. Therefore, the Okiti later blended to Ekiti. So Ekiti derived her name through hills.
Ogoga of Ikere Atta of Ayede-ekiti Elemure of Emure Olohan of Erijiyan-Ekiti Oloye of Oye Olojudo of Ido Onire of Ire Onitaji of Itaji
Onisan of Isan These are direct children and Oore of Otun Moba founder of Ekitiland, Owatapa of Itapa Orangun of Ila-Orangun Igbominaland and Ijeshaland: Owa -obokun of Ijeshaland Ologotun of Ogotun Alara of Aramoko. Obanla of Ijesa-Isu Alasa of Ilasa-Ekiti Alaaye of Efon Alaaye Kingdom Oluloro of Iloro-Ekiti Alare of Are Ekiti Ajero of Ijero Kingdom Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti Arinjale of Ise Alawo of Awo Ekiti Ewi of Ado Oniye of Iye ekiti Elekole of Ikole
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Olomuo of Omuo Land The modern Ekiti state was formed from part of Ondo in 1996. Geography The State is mainly an upland zone, rising over 250 meters above sea level. It lies on an area underlain by metamorphic rock. It is generally undulating country with a characteristic landscape that consists of old plains broken by step-sided out-crops that may occur singularly or in groups or ridges. Such rocks out-crops exist mainly at Aramoko, Efon-Alaaye, Ikere-Ekiti,Igbara-odo- ekiti and Okemesi-Ekiti. The State is dotted with rugged hills, notable ones being Ikere-Ekiti Hills in the south, Efon-Alaaye Hills on the western boundary and Ado-Ekiti Hills in the centre.dary and Ado-Ekiti Hills in the centre....tre.
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Spotlight
Enugu, usually referred to as Enugu State to distinguish it from the city of Enugu, is a state in southeastern Nigeria, created in 1991 from part of the old Anambra 104 LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
State. Its capital and largest city is Enugu, from which the state derives its name. The principal cities in the state are Enugu, Ngwo, Agbani, and Awgu.
History The name of the state derives from its capital city, Enugu. The word "Enugu" (from Enu Ugwu) means "the top of the hill". The first WINTER 2017
Spotlight European settlers arrived in the area in 1909, led by a British mining engineer named Albert Kitson. In his quest for silver, he discovered coal in the Udi Ridge. The Colonial Governor of Nigeria Frederick Lugard took a keen interest in the discovery, and by 1914 the first shipment of coal was made to Britain. As mining activities increased in the area, a permanent cosmopolitan settlement emerged, supported by a railway system. Enugu acquired township status in 1917 and became strategic to British interests. Foreign businesses began to move into Enugu, the most notable of which were John Holt, Kingsway Stores, the British Bank of West Africa and the United Africa Company. From Enugu the British administration was able to spread its influence over the Southern Province of Nigeria. The colonial past of Enugu is today evidenced by the Georgian building types and meandering narrow roads within the residential area originally reserved for the whites, an area which is today called the Government Reserved Area
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(GRA). The State Government and the Local Government are the two levels of government in Enugu State and in all other states of Nigeria. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi is the current executive governor of Enugu State. He was elected by the people in April 2015 and was sworn in on 29 May 2015. Sullivan Chime is the immediate governor succeeding Chimaroke Nnamani. He was elected by the people of Enugu State in April 2007[4] and was sworn into office on 29 May 2007.[5] The governor is above a group of commissioners who he has placed as heads of ministries that oversee various portfolios such as Health and Housing; both the governor and the commissioners form the Executive Council of Enugu State. Government House, Enugu is where the government of the state States), the capital of now defunct is based. Federal Republic of Biafra, thereafter, the capital of East Economy Central State, Anambra State, (old) Enugu State, and now the capital Economically, the state is of the present Enugu State predominantly rural and agrarian, through a process of state creation with a substantial proportion of its and diffusion of administrative working population engaged in farming, although trading (18.8%) authority. From being the capital of the Southern Provinces, Enugu became the capital of the Eastern Region (now divided into nine
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Spotlight and services (12.9%) are also important. In the urban areas trading is the dominant occupation, followed by services. A small proportion of the population is also engaged in manufacturing activities, with the most pronounced among them located in Enugu, Oji, Ohebedim and Nsukka. The state boasts of a number of markets especially at each of the divisional headquarters, prominent of which is the Ogbete Main market in the State capital, Enugu. There is also one of the largest grains market East of the Niger, the Orie Orba Market which plays host to most farmers from the North Central States of Benue, Kogi, Nassarawa and Plateau who use the market to dispose their produce for consumers in South-East and South-Southern Nigeria . Every four days, grains and other farm produce are found in large quantities and at highly competitive prices.
one Secondary school, funded and run by State Government. There are also large numbers of private nursery, primary and secondary schools in Enugu State.
Nigeria's first indigenous university, (University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN)), is located in Enugu State. The state also hosts the Enugu State University of Science & Technology(ESUT), Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Federal Cooperative College, Oji River (FCCO); Enugu State College of Education Technical, Enugu; Caritas University, Amorji-Nike, Renaissance University, Ugbawka; Command Day Secondary School Enugu, Federal Government College Enugu, Federal School of Dental Technology & Therapy, College of Immaculate Conception, Enugu, Queen's School Enugu a Prominent high school for girls in the Eastern region; St. Theresa's College, Nsukka; Special Science Boys' Secondary School Agbani, Education Nkanu West l.g.a; [St. Patrick's Every community in Enugu State Secondary School], Emene, Bigard has at least one Memorial Seminary, Enugu; Primary/Elementary school and Awgu County College, Nenwe;
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Community Secondary School, Ugbo-Okpala, Ugbo; Corpus Christi College, Achi, Royal Crown Academy, Nsukka, Enugu State, Enugu]; Our Saviour Institute of Science and Technology, Enugu; and the Federal College of Education, EhaAmufu, Seat of Wisdom Secondary School Trans Ekulu Enugu,Osisatech boys secondary school. There are also a host of private computer schools and training centres concentrated in Enugu and Nsukka. There are also notable private Tertiary Institutions in Enugu such as Caritas University, a Catholic university founded by a Catholic Priest: Father Edeh, and Renaissance University. Demographics Enugu State had a population of 3,267,837 people at the census held in 2006 (estimated at over 3.8 million in 2012). It is home of the Igbo of southeastern and few Idoma/Igala people in Ette (IgboEze North) of Enugu State, Nigeria.
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Iruka's Corner
You’ve probably heard the famous political quote, “If you are not at the table, you are on the menu”. So, given the choice between sitting at the
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table or being an entrée, why do we choose the latter? Could it be because we don’t feel worthy of the table? Do we think we are not smart
enough? Are we embarrassed by the clothes we will wear to the table? Do we believe our opinion will not count? Are we held back by some other
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Iruka's Corner inadequacy our mind has conjured up for us? We can always think of a dozen more reasons why we are unable to step up to the table. These reasons, which are actually weak excuses, for not showing up have one recurring theme – an innate belief that we are not ready. We were invited to participate, but chose to sit it out because we think we should be more prepared! Basically, we uninvited ourselves. We have an opportunity to be heard, but we choose to remain silent. We have an opportunity to share our talent with the
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world, but we choose to hide prepared and every potential leak plugged before we can it. start. This mindset literally The table is every goal or cripples us from ever getting dream we have but feel started. unprepared to pursue. We decide on not starting a new The harsh reality is that you venture, going back to school, may never have enough taking a vacation, getting money, time, support, etc. to married, eating healthy, get your dream off the losing weight, having a baby, ground. So, what should you quitting a dead-end job, do to get off the menu? It’s visiting family, etc. We refuse very simple. Start from where to act until whatever arbitrary you are. Like Richard O. limitation we impose on Moore reminds us, “we build ourselves is dealt with. There our temples with the stones at is this belief that we should hand.” This basically means have all our ducks in a row you should do what you can before we embark on any and use what you have to get venture, and that we have to started. Never wait for a be a hundred percent perfect scenario.
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Iruka's Corner
“You are made for perfection, You are not yet perfect, You are a masterpiece in the making.” ~ Desmond Tutu The dream of perfection can prevent one from taking any step forward. You do not have to have all the tools and finances you may need to get started. You will be amazed how far you can go with only the resources you have currently. The key is to begin. Shamgar slaughtered 600 men with a simple farming tool – a cattle prod (Judges 3:31). He did not wait until he had a more effective weapon for battle. He merely used what was in his hands and it did the job. He may not have survived if he waited to have a full armor and other paraphernalia of war before joining the battle.
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Going forward, choose progress over perfection. Resolve never to think or start a sentence with “if only …”. This thought pattern is guaranteed to land you on the menu. Rather, determine to begin where you are with what you have. Dreams do not materialize until we take action. Are you thinking of going back to school but can’t afford it? Start part-time. Do you want to lose weight but don’t have the time? Start with 5 minutes a day. Have you been thinking of visiting friends or family but can’t afford it? Plan ahead, pick a date and explore various modes of transportation. I hereby commit to quashany justification I may have for not making my dreams a reality. I will not be on the menu and will take my rightful place on the table. I will begin from
where I am; furthermore, I will do what I can by using what is available to me today to build my temple.I will not allow perfectionism to stop my growth. Who’s with me?
Iruka A. Ndubuizu is a Negotiations Expert, Speaker, Trainerand Founder of Eureka Consulting, LLC. www.eurekaconsultingllc.com; info@eurekaconsultingllc.com; +1 678.224.1960.
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Religion
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Religion
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6) “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”. (Luke 2:14 ) “I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught”. ( John 14 – 25 27 ( The Message )
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If there is anything our world has always needed and desperately craves today, it is peace – peace in marriages, peace in the classrooms, peace on the playgrounds, peace in the workplace, peace in the movie theaters, peace at the restaurants and even inside the church! Terrorists have struck fears into the hearts of the world’s inhabitants and it appears no one is beyond their reach. People go out and never return. Families travel and never return. Children go to school and never return. It is not confined to one specific country or a specific race or religion. Everyone is a fair game. The world established the League of Nations to help bring about peace among the nations but it was a colossal failure. Many wars were fought still. The name changed to United Nations. But it is clear that the United Nations is a united nothing. A fiasco. An international joke. Wars not
only continued, terrorism and impoverishment of nations were added to it bringing about monumental refugee problems. Why? Why are all the efforts to usher in peace failing ? Because there can be no true peace until the Prince of Peace comes. But you can enjoy peace even in the midst of all these turbulence and tempests of terror. All you need is the Prince of Peace Himself to come into your life. A patron asked a painter to paint a picture of peace. First, he painted a quiet-looking deserted street bereft of any hint of disquiet. The patron rejected it. Then he painted a field of gently swaying beautiful daffodils in a sunset by the seaside. The patron turned it down. Finally he painted a tempest roaring through a farmland and trees being uprooted and branches breaking and being hurled off by the wind. In the “eye of the storm” is a tiny bird perched and LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE 119
Religion sleeping away in the midst of the 2:14 . On that glorious night when tempest on a half broken branch of a Jesus was born, the angels sang, tree! “Yes ! Yes!! Yes!!!” Screamed the “glory to God in the highest, and on patron. “This is peace! This is peace!! earth, peace. This is peace!!! Indeed, seeing a tiny bird sleeping in the midst of a tempest The Gift of Peace with Man on a half broken tree branch passes all Do you know that the Prince of Peace understanding. I present to you this Christmas Jesus Christ, the Gift of peace that can offer you “the peace of God that passes all understanding” Philippians Do you know that the Prince of 4:7. Peace can actually make your
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enemies to be at peace with you? The Gift of Peace with God Romans 5:1 says we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This means that we are reconciled back to God because the barriers of hostility and enmity that separated us from God have been removed by the person and can actually make your enemies to be work of Christ. For he himself is our at peace with you? Believe it or not, peace, who has made the two one that cantankerous and obnoxious and has destroyed the barrier, the spouse, neighbor or child can be dividing wall of hostility, Ephesians made to be at peace with you.
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Proverbs 16: 7 says “when a man’s ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” You do not need to be in hostility with those who are hostile towards you. Once you have the Lord Jesus as your Lord and Savior, peace with all men is your heritage. In the Old Testament, Jacob had run away from home because he stole his brother’s blessing by deceiving their father Isaac with the help of his mother Rebecca. Esau, his brother therefore swore to kill him so he fled for his life to live with his mother’s brother. He was there for at least fourteen years and God prospered him. His prosperity triggered envy from his Uncle and his children to the extent that the Uncle pursued him to force him back after Jacob had left him. God appeared to Laban, the Uncle, in a dream and warned him to steer clear of Jacob and leave him in peace. In fact he must not as much as offend Jacob in speech! (
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Religion Genesis 31:24). God was Jacob’s Peace. When Jacob heard that his brother Esau was coming with 400 men to meet him, he was scared to death knowing what he did to him years ago and how vengeful his brother was. He divided his family into different segments and kept those that he loved most at the rear thinking that evil was determined by Esau towards him. But the Prince of Peace had gone ahead of him. When Esau both brothers finally met, Esau “ran to meet him and embraced him, ad fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.” ( Genesis 33:4). God was His Peace. When you make Jesus your Peace, He will be your peace even in “little” things. He cares so much about you that even “the very hairs of your head are numbered” Luke 12:17. For example, an elderly woman wrote a letter to God a week before Christmas but she had no money for stamp or envelope. She made an envelope herself that looked ragged and messy. The postal worker found it while
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sorting out letters. Out of curiosity he opened it and read that the writer was in great distress and lost all sense of peace because she had lost all her savings of about $150 to online theft. She had no money for food or anything else for Christmas. Fellow postal workers heard about it and took contributions of $100 for the woman. The money was mailed to her that same day in a plain envelope, with no note or anything. A week later, the same postal worker noticed another unstamped letter that had been addressed to God in the same handwriting. In it, he found a brief Oladipo Kalejaiye holds a Ph.D degree in law and was a litigation note: attorney in Nigeria, Europe and the “Dear God, Thank you for the $100 United States for over 17 years. He that you sent me for Christmas, entered into full time ministry in year which would have been so bleak 2000, and currently serves as the otherwise. P.S. It was $50 short, but pastor of International Christian that was probably those thieving Center, Los Angeles ( You can contact him by Email: Pastor@iccla.com, workers at the post office. “ Web: www.iccla.com, Facebook: Twitter: I present the Prince of Peace to you iccla/facebook, today. He is the Christmas Gift from @DipoKalejaiye) God to you this season. Have you received Him?
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