WINTER 2019- EDITION
The Glitz and Glamour of - Life and Times Festival 2019
Youth Unemployment - Nigeria's Shame
Lagos
- The heartbeat of Nigeria
Hope and Emmanuel Odogwu
- A match made in haven
Magical Kenya Anambra State
- Light of the nation
Hadiza Bala Usman
- a trailblazer & activist
High Chief Kenneth Emeka Nwabueze - A sterling achiever
WINTER 2019
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From the desk of the publisher...
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n this holiday/winter 2019 edition of Life and Times magazine, we profile a sterling achiever- High Chief Kenneth Emeka Nwabueze a sterling achiever, businessman and outstanding engineer who has contributed immensely to the development of the United States, a country has called home since for over three decades and Nigeria his country of birth Engr. Nwabueze had his early schooling at Ogidi Boys Secondary School before traveling to the United States where he studied Engineering at California State University at Northridge, School of Engineering and Computer Sciences obtaining his bachelor degree in 1993., He later obtained his master’s degree at Pepperdine University at Malibu, California, School of Management and Business Administration. In 2002, he was honored at Howard University as one of the 50-most important African Americans in Technology and was named 5th Most Influential Black Person in the USA Technology Sector by Black Enterprise Magazine. The University of Nigeria (UNN), faculty of arts, named him the 2019 Arts Man of the Year and the 3rd Distinguished Lecturer of the university. Hon. Nwabueze’s illustrious career started with conducting advanced research for Lawrence Berkeley Lab, creating patented software technology for The Walt Disney
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Company, and developing business-critical software systems for Buena Vista Pictures and Television before launching his own software company, SageMetrics Corporation, where he raised over $45,000,000 in venture capitalist money from JPMorgan Bank and Chase Capital Bank. Engr. Nwabueze’s contributions to the US and Nigerian governments are equally impressive. In the year 2000, he was named a member of the National Advisory Board for Governor George W. Bush for US President and later served from 2001 – 2007 as Special Advisor on Science and Technology to USA President George W. Bush. Hon. Nwabueze equally served as Technology Consultant from 2010 – 2015 to President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and was awarded the national merit honor of Member, Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2014. He remains one of the few people in the world to have served two different Presidents in two different continents. Engr. Nwabueze returned to Nigeria in 2007 where he continued his passion for innovation and development of human capacity in Africa. As co-author of United Nation MDG’s taskforce #8 on Science and Technology, Nwabueze is looked upon as someone with an in-depth knowledge of Africa’s problems and workable
solutions. Clearly, Engr. Nwabueze has an outstanding reputation as a successful businessman, particularly due to founding and growing various companies since returning to Nigeria. Notable among his business ventures are 4-star Residency Hotels in Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, and Anambra State and a world-class radio station 103.5fm --Ebeonadi radio station which recently obtained a nation-wide TV broadcast license that will be sited in Anambra state. We also bring you spotlights of the Life & Times Festival 2019, Kenya the magic of Africa, Lagos, and Anambra States. This again is a bumper edition from your Life and Times magazine stable. From all of us at Life and Times, we wish you a very merry holiday season and a happy and prosperous new year!
Chike Nweke Publisher
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COMPANY BOARD CEO/Publisher: Chike Nweke MEMBERS: Dan Musa, Ph.D Lara Okunubi Ebere Anakwenze Halilu Haruna, CEA Joachim 'Joe' Nwude, Esq Amaka Akudinobi, Esq Frank Oti Joe Oduoza Umar Baba Constance Moonzwe EDITORIAL BOARD Chair, Jude Akudinobi, Ph.D Chinedu Chris Ikeanyi, Ph.D Osayande Aghaze MSc, JD CORRESPONDENTS: Chinyere Ifeacho Osayande Aghazebamwan Mark Amaza Lydia Zamani Kaanayo Nwachukwu COLUMNISTS: Pastor Bullus Gago- Religion Victor Onwacze Esq-Law Dr. Olufemi Saliu-Health Dr. Nicoline Ambe-Life's issues Dr. Chinedu Chris Ikeanyi-News and Politics Mark Amaza-Youth Grace Nneequaye-Gracie's Corner Iruka Ndubuizu-Goal setting PHOTOGRAPHERS: Ade James Bayo Akende Kingsley Ekejiuba HEAD MARKETING/ADVERTISING Jude "Majid" Nwosu, MBA OFFICE MANAGER Hughzetta Smith Contact: Tel: +1-424-204-2703, Fax: +1-310-626-9754, Email: mail@lifeandtimesmagazine.com, Email: lifentimesupdates@gmail.com Magazine web: www.lifeandtimesmagazine.com News Site: www.lifeandtimesnews.com
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Contents From the Desk of the Publisher Cover Story
High Chief Engr. Emeka Ken Nwabueze - a sterling achiever…
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People & Places
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Fashion & Style
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The Glitz & Glamour Of The Life & Times Festival 2019
The Wedding made in Heaven
- Hope & Emmanuel Odogwu
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Contents 64 66 80 82 85 90 WINTER 2019
Youth Unemployment Lagos
The heartbeat of Nigeria
Hadiza Bala Usman - a trailblazer & activist
Anambra State - the light of the nation.
Kenya
- the magic of Africa
Religion
- What Nigerian terrorist groups could learn from Islamic history. LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
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Cover Profile
High Chief Engr. Emeka Ken Nwabueze - a sterling achiever…
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igh Chief Engr. Emeka Ken Nwabueze hails from Ogidi, Anambra State, Nigeria. He is the Chairman/CEO of E-Kenneth Group Limited, which includes Ontrac Technologies Limited, GistMe Communications Ltd, Residency Hotels Limited, and Agom Integrated Farms Limited.
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Hon. Engr. Emeka Nwabueze was coronated as the Ajie, Okpala Ogidi (Traditional Prime Minister) in 2016 and was coronated Nwa-Eze-EfuNa-Mba of Anambra State in 2006 by the trio of HRM Ezeukwu na Mbaukwu, His Excellency, former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, and His Excellency, Gov. Chris Ngige.
Engr. Nwabueze had his early schooling at Ogidi Boys Secondary School before traveling to the United States where he studied at California State University Northridge, School of Engineering and Computer Sciences, and later his master’s degree at Pepperdine University at Malibu, California, School of Management and Business Administration.
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In 2002, he was honored at Howard University as one of the 50-most important African Americans in Technology and was named 5th Most Influential Black Person in USA Technology Sector by Black Enterprise Magazine. The University of Nigeria Nsuka (UNN), faculty of arts, named him the 2019 Arts Man of the Year and the 3rd Distinguished Lecturer of the University. Hon. Nwabueze’s illustrious career started with conducting advanced research for Lawrence Berkeley Lab, creating patented software technology for The Walt Disney Company, and developing businesscritical software systems for Buena Vista Pictures and Television before launching his own software company, SageMetrics Corporation, where he raised over $45,000,000 in venture capitalist money from JPMorgan Bank and Chase Capital Bank.
Nigerian governments are equally impressive. In the year 2000, he was named a member of the National Advisory Board for Governor George W. Bush, former US President and later served as Special Advisor on Science and
Technology to USA President George W. Bush from 2001 – 2007. Hon. Nwabueze equally served as Technology Consultant from 2010 – 2015 to Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and was
Engr. Nwabueze’s contribution to US and 12
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awarded the national merit honor of Member, Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2014. He remains one of the few people in the world to have served two different Presidents in two different continents. Engr. Nwabueze returned to Nigeria in 2007 where he continued his passion for innovation and development of human capacity in Africa. As coauthor of United Nation MDG’s taskforce #8 on Science and Technology, Nwabueze is looked upon as someone with an in-depth knowledge of Africa’s problems and workable solutions. Clearly, Engr. Nwabueze has an outstanding reputation as a successful businessman, particularly due to founding and growing various companies since returning to Nigeria. Notable among his business ventures are: 4-star Residency Hotels in Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, and Anambra State and a world class radio station 103.5FM --Ebeonadi Radio WINTER 2019
Station which recently obtained a nation-wide TV broadcast license that will be sited in Anambra State. A God-fearing man and a staunch believer in family values, Engr. Nwabueze is married to his wife of 20 years, Joy Nwabueze, with four wonderful and bright children, Kosi 16, Kamsi 13, Kamto 13, and Kobi 4. His son, Kosi, refers to him as a man who believes that, “in life, where there is no way, you create a way for you and others to follow.”
Q- You are an African Diaspora success story, but let us go back to the basics, what motivated you to come to America at such a young age and what were your experiences when you first arrived America in the 80s? My true story has not been published before because like most people that aspired to come to America, I was an exception. America was not on my mind as a place to study or live. All I knew about America was from
Engr. Nwabueze returned to Nigeria in 2007 where he continued his passion for innovation and development of human capacity in Africa. LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
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Hon. Kenneth Emeka Nwabueze, MFR being conferred wth the prestigious National Honours Award as NWA-EZE-EFU-NA-MBA OF ANAMBRA STATE by His Royal Highness Igwe Peter Nwokike Anugwu, His Excellency Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, and His Excellency Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige
romance novels I read in secondary school about love life of UCLA students or some other American university. My dream was different. I was a very focused child that knew exactly what he wanted and what he needed to do to make Nigeria a better place. My role model back then was Maj. General Mohammed Buhari because of the way he came to power and what he said was his motivation for coming to power, to change things and make Nigeria a better place. I 14
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guess as a child I totally believed him, “in toto” as we will say in Nigeria in those days. I saw it clearly that what I needed to do was go to the Nigerian Defense Academy (NDA), graduate as an army Colonel, execute a coup and continue this mission to make Nigeria great. I loved Nigeria and had no interest in leaving the country. My luck and my life changed when I got to 82 Division Enugu to join other candidates to NDA Kaduna and my name mysteriously disappeared from the roster. As I
watched the bus depart with other candidates, I was devastated. I stayed back with tears in my eyes and confused as to what to do next. There was no GSM back then to call my dad or anyone to come get me, but somehow, I managed to get to my uncle’s house at Eze Street in Uwani, Enugu. Anyway, to cut a long story short, my sister and her new husband, Late Engr. Chike Nwasike, convinced my dad to come along with me for their wedding in Los Angeles that same year. WINTER 2019
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Coming to LA was, for a kid from rural Nigeria, was like coming to a whole new world of possibilities. My experience was extraordinary because I had mentors in the person of my sister and brother-in-law. My brother in-law’s mantra to me from day one was that there is no free lunch in America, you work hard, and you dominate whatever it is you are asked to do. I thought to myself, “I can dominate, after all I am my father’s son”. My first few years was like the re-education of Emeka Nwabueze. I learned to speak and walk like Americans. I learned to adapt to my new way of life. I started at a community college which was what I could afford and later transferred to the School of Engineering at California State University, Northridge. I rushed through college, sometimes taking up to 21 units per semester, and keeping one- or two-night jobs to pay school fees and other WINTER 2019
expenses. I got a break when I was selected as recipient of National Science Foundation (NSF) Scholar in my 3rd year. I was assigned to work in our school’s material science lab for 2 to 3 hours a week and got a stipend of $1,200 a month. During summer, they assigned me to one of the US National Labs, to assist with high profile research and they paid for my feeding, boarding, plus more than 50% of my school fees including an allowance. This recognition of raw potentials and unharnessed talents is what makes America great. I remember my first assignment at US Berkeley Lab, where the atomic bomb was built, I was to write the computer software used for coding sequencing for human geno project and I was like you got to be crazy asking a kid out of Ogidi to handle this multi-billon dollar project. Next summer I was asked to work on a project to
double the conductivity of thin silicon wafers for super computers to be used in the atom splitting project. My early years in America defined whom I became today. From Chike Nwasike’s wisdom to NSF, from my Ogidi rural life days to my Los Angeles mega city life. It has been an amazing journey and I am grateful to God for all of it.
Q- You studied engineering at the California State University at Northridge, School of Engineer¬ing and Computer Sciences and later went to Pepperdine University at Malibu, School of Management and Business Administration. Did you know as a young engineering graduate that you will become so successful in business? Yes. Yes, I knew I was going to be successful. You see whatever yardstick you are given to measure your life and LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
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progress matters a lot. The size of the mountain in front of you to climb matters a lot, and for me I had big shoes to fit into first and then somehow find a way to make that shoe bigger to fit my growing feet. First, I had to fit into my father’s shoes, then I had to fit into Chike Nwasike’s shoes, but my shoe size had to be bigger than theirs since I am a combination of the two of them. My current shoe size is US 12.5. Chike wore a size 10.5 and my father wore size 10. Let’s say these men were great achievers and I looked up to them and they both encouraged me to achieve my best. You know I heard it somewhere that the only people that want you to be bigger than them are your parents, so I know they wanted me to wear a bigger shoe size (laughter). On a more serious note, I don’t think anyone knows how great they will become. What I know is that often, hard work pays off more than just pure 16
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luck. I am what you will consider a workaholic, a serial entrepreneur, a high-risk taker. I believe in either going big or staying home. I have risked it all, lost it all, and still made it back. I was at the brink of becoming the richest black man in 2001 when 9/11 happened. Sagemetrics Corporation was at the brink of their initial public offering (IPO) at a huge market evolution and I was the largest single shareholder being founder and CEO of the company. JP Morgan offered to buy an additional 5% of my shares at an incredible amount and I turned down the offer and 4 weeks later 9/11 happened and the stock market crashed, and the IPO market went belly up. It has not always been a success story with me. Look man! I started an ice cream truck business in 1989 till today I can’t tell what happened to the trucks and the drivers I gave the trucks to drive. We have had some great success stories as well, we eventually sold SageMetrics Corporation
to an Australian company in 2006 and I made a few million bucks or so. We have had a string of successes over the last few years with our focus in real estate in US and in Nigeria. The hotel properties in Nigeria are not doing badly at all. The triple NNN real estate market here in US continues to perform well. We have a lot to thank God for his mercies and blessings. But the question is as a young engineer did you know you will do well in business and to that I will have to tell you that engineering is the best degree to have. It is the only 4 or 5-year professional degree in US, out of the trio of doctors, lawyers, and engineers, that doesn’t require further qualification to become successful. It is also only engineers that can easily hop into the other two to make it better. Doctors with engineering degrees go into a specialized field of medicine and so do lawyers with engineering WINTER 2019
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degrees they make great patent lawyers combining engineering knowledge with law. Engineers that become versatile and can transition into business ventures make great entrepreneurs and CEOs. I belong to that category of engineers that are versatile, that can adapt and consistently reinvent and innovate. They are
almost always successful in whatever they choose to do. That is my comfort zone whenever I venture into something new.
Q- How did you get your first major break in business? (Long laughter) I will say my first major break in business was a case
of bad omen turned into wealth. It was the event that launched my career as a technology consultant and ever since then till today, I have remained a consultant. I have not worked for anyone else since the occurrence of this event. After graduation, I continued with Berkeley Lab till I got a call from
Hon. Kenneth Emeka Nwabueze, MFR and his wife Mrs. Ugonne Nwabueze and being honoured as Chief Celebrant at the 2015 Ogidi Civic Reception for his MFR Award, on 26th December, 2015 WINTER 2019
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Hollywood Mega-Star Wesley Snipes, Nollywood Mega Star Bob Manuel Udokwu, His Excellency Governor Chris Ngige, and High Chief Dr. Obiora Okonkwo with Hon. Engr. Emeka Ken Nwabueze as they inspect ongoing road projects in Anambra State in 2006
Walt Disney Imagineering Company to come back to LA and work for them. Disney Imagineering is the division of Walt Disney charged with inventing and building theme parks like Disneyland in California, Disneyworld in Florida and many others. While I was a student at California State University, I had won 1st place on the nation-wide Disney Imagineering Engineering Student’s competition with my design of a Jungle Ride which most 18
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of it was incorporated into the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland. I was assigned to the ride safety protocol team. I convinced my team leader that I can create a software based on Assembly and C++ language to replace the mechanical device used in regulating the ride “go or no go” control and I was given a go ahead to do proof-of-concept. It worked very well, and I was told that as part of my reward, my name, along with my team leaders
will be included in the patent application as coinventors. It was the first time I was exposed to corporate lying. When I finally saw the official patent application filled, my name was not included. I was livid with disappointment. I told off my team leader, cleared my work desk, resigned and went home to lick my wounds. That same evening, I got a voice mail from the CEO, Micky WINTER 2019
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I was told that as part of my reward, my name, along with my team leaders will be included in the patent application as coinventors.
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Steinburg, to return to work and Micky had become a mentor to me since the days of winning the competition. I called Chike Nwasike and played the voice mail to him, expecting him to tell me to just forget about them. Chike told me to call him back and say that I will come back not as an employee but as a technology consultant at $150 an hour. Wow, I was making $42,000 a year as an employee which translates to $20 an hour. I called Micky and in a very shaky voice told him I will come back at $200 an hour which he baulked at but later called me back and we agreed to $160 an hour, unlimited hours. I think I made like $150,000 in the 6 months it took me to complete the code and hand it over to them. Then the Y2K fiasco started. You know when we all thought planes will fall off the sky, nuclear warheads will launch without authorization, and the world will explode at midnight of December 31, 1999 (switch over to year 2000). I was getting up to
$250 an hour to re-write systems that were not Y2K compliant. I started hiring other programmers to fill in for me at jobs and I will supervise them remotely. Those two events gave me a break to launch my first technology company in 1998. I raised my first venture capital money in 1999 with a $10,000,000 capital from Chase Capital.
Q- In the year 2000, you were named a member of the National Advisory Board for Governor George W. Bush for President. In December 2001, President Bush appointed you to the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. Tell us a little bit about the factors that led to this meteoric rise for you so early in life? It goes back to what I said before, that hard work pays off more than pure luck. In addition to focusing on your core business you must get LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
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The President never called but I got a call from the White House Chief of Staff’s office to be in Washington for the Senate clearance and a month later for the swearing in ceremony. 20 LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
involved in other aspects of life. Take politics for example, most Nigerians in America will tell you that they are not politicians. You don’t have to be a politician to be involved in politics. Life is politics, period. You need to get involved in many social causes including politics, pick your interest and get involved. Just don’t sit at home and expect things to come to you. I have been involved with the Republican party for the last 20 years or so. I met Governor Bush on one of those round table events in Austin while he was running for president. We kinda hit it off right from get go. I remember the discussion was on growing markets for American tech startups in Europe and I was extremely vocal on the issues we faced with breaking into European market, especially in France where my company was not given a fair chance to compete for data mining deals. I recall Governor Bush asking me if we can continue this conversation offline. I can’t
remember how exactly I agreed to serve on his technology advisory board for his presidential bid, but I recall he made everyone on the team feel useful. My team lead the efforts to use emails to campaign and we ran a successful campaign for him. It was the first time a candidate was using email and messaging platform like instant messenger (IM) to run a successful campaign; President Obama just took it to the next level by using Facebook and other social media to campaign. My being appointed to serve on an advisory capacity after he won was a sort of negotiated compromise. I was called to interview for several positions in the administration and I made it clear that I am not cut out for a fulltime job position in Washington. Frank Mermound, who had been a friend of mine for years and was on the campaign advisory board, called to persuade me to take a position with the administration given that he himself WINTER 2019
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didn’t say much to each other. The security around him that night was unlike anything I have ever seen in my life. It was at the swearing in of the council on Science & Technology that I had a chance to say hello and exchange a few words with him. I recall him asking what my problem is with taking a Washington job and all I could muster as a reply was that I don’t belong here sir.
HRM Pham. Alex Onyindo (Igwe of Ogidi), Ach Bishop Val Okeke (The Ach Bishop of Onitsha Catholic Dioceses), High Chief Engr. Emeka Ken Nwabueze (Ajie Okpala Ogidi) at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new ultra-modern secondary school built and donated to Ogidi community by High Chief Engr. Emeka Ken Nwabueze
had taken up a position as undersecretary of state for foreign business affairs. I remember telling him that I will rather stay with the private sector and to convey my appreciation to PresidentElect George W. Bush. To me it was a forgone conclusion that I was not going to Washington, then few months into his administration, I got a call from Floyd Kwame that the President has named me to his council WINTER 2019
of advisers on Science and Technology along with Michael Dell and Michael Moors, and that I should expect a call from Mr. President. The President never called but I got a call from the White House Chief of Staff’s office to be in Washington for the Senate clearance and a month later for the swearing in ceremony. I saw the President and first lady briefly at the inaugural ball I attended with my wife, but we really
When 9/11 happened, I saw God’s hand in my accepting the advisory position. I recall the meeting with the President and Secretary of State, General Collin Powell, at the Roosevelt room at the White House when I told the President that the problem was silos of unconnected databases. The warning signs were there, and each agency had pieces of the puzzle, but the systems were not linked to share information. The President ordered that the Science & Technology council should make it a priority to draft policy and guidelines for an LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
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interagency information system. The council spent the next six months working on this and we were able to proffer a solution that worked. We also did a lot of work on nano technology that I am proud my name is associated with. I had an opportunity to give back to National Science Foundation (NSF) by getting their budget increased by over $1.2B. Remember I said that they were instrumental to my getting through college? It is a great organization that I wish President Trump should reconsider cutting their budget by so much. I think young and future scientists need these programs to succeed. My years with President Bush are part of what defines whom I have become today. He was a genuine leader that wants world peace and a world where we can all thrive.
Q- You are reputed to be behind most of the advances in using technological applications to 22
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improve security in Nigeria in the last 15 years. We know some of that work is classified but can you tell us a little bit about how you left the comforts of Southern California to the trenches of Nigeria to help in national development? You are correct. But I can’t say much about my work with the security agencies in Nigeria. I didn’t leave the comfort of California; I am still here with you (laughter); I am on the shuttle program of going back and forth. My businesses are still here in LA and I can’t just pack up and leave. I simply went back to contribute what I can. I worked with Kofi Anan at the UN when we developed the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) plan for developing countries like Nigeria. I practically authored MDG #8 which is the science and technology part of the MDG. Africa needs each one of us to go back to contribute. I am not
asking you to pack up and leave, I am simply asking you to roll up your sleeve and get down with whatever you can do for Africa. Stop talking, stop complaining, go there and do something. It won’t be easy. Please don’t tell us how corrupt Africa or Nigeria is, we know that already. Don’t tell me about the thugs controlling the political environment, it was you and I that left them in charge. Just down the torpedoes and fire at will. It is you and I that can get Africa rolling again.
Q- Member of the Federal Republic and Traditional Prime minister in Ogidi, how does that feel and what do you attribute to such high honors and accolade? From the White House of Washington DC to the Shrine House of Ire Ogidi. Can you believe that? I have seen it all. I attribute it all to God’s blessings. Initially I rejected the title of Ajie Okpala Ogidi, Traditional Prime Minister of Ancient Kingdom of WINTER 2019
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Ogidi, the hometown of the great Iroko tree Professor Chinua Achebe. Ajie is the first son of any town and technically the oldest man of that town by virtue of the title. Most of the Ajie’s I know were a bit older when they became Ajie. One of the most famous Ajie is Ukpabi Asika, former governor of Eastern Nigeria, who was the Ajie of Onitsha. The Ajie
of Ogidi that was before me was a well revered man and much older than me. You better not speak without getting his permission first to speak. It was believed that over the years he acquired mystic powers (laughter). I am still waiting for my mystic powers abi? The other day, I entered the arena at the Igwe’s palace, and the Ijele Masquerade couldn’t dance again and
they started rumoring that the Ijele is yet to pay homage to the Ajie of the town and that is why he couldn’t dance and left the stage on sighting the Ajie. I laughed and laughed, my brother we just need to document our religion for all to see that it is not that bad. It is only in Africa that the white man came and was able to change their religion. They couldn’t do
Engr. Kenneth Emeka Nwabueze, MFR being conferred wth the prestigious National Honours Award as member of the Order of the Federal Republic by His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria on the 29th Sept, 2014 WINTER 2019
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Ajie with his 5 brothers
that in India, far East, and middle East. We need to go back to our religion and take away the bad things but keep the good ones. The root of Africa’s problem is the foreign religion we have adopted. We are basically saying that there was no God in Africa before the arrival of the white man. I refuse to accept that my forefathers before the arrival of the white man are in hell because they didn’t accept the concept of the white Jesus. Member of the order of the Federal Republic (MFR) was awarded to me by His Excellency, President Goodluck 24
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Jonathan for my work in the area of technology innovations within the security agencies in Nigeria. I was told that the national honors, since inception, has only been given to less than 4,200 Nigerians so I feel proud to be amongst the few Nigerians to have received one of the highest national honors given to a civilian. It will be an equivalent of receiving a purple heart in the U.S.
Q- Let's leave work for a second and talk about your personal life. You light up every time you talk about your beautiful wife Joy. How did you guys
meet and what is the factor that keeps your bonds so strong? Do I really light up? I have been told that before. The bible said he that finds a good wife, finds a good thing and has found favor in God’s eye. She is the wind beneath my wings. Honestly, I will not be MFR, or Ajie, or all that and all these accolades without this woman. She is the real Commander of the unarmed forces in this house. I am lucky to have her in my team. After all is said and done, you pass the ball to her to nail that last second buzzer 3-pointer or the 90th minute goal in soccer. WINTER 2019
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I am not the perfect husband; God knows that and my wife knows that too so we talk and work out our issues together as a team. How we met is another story. I came to Nigeria on a mission to see another lady’s mom, that a was distant possibility, to access the situation on ground. You know what they say, look at a woman’s mother and make sure you like what you see because that is exactly what you will be getting after 20 or 30 years of marriage to that young lady. When I got to my mother’s house in Ogidi and sat down at the dining table to eat, I saw the prettiest and the humblest thing seating in the living room, across from the dining table and I ask her to join me. Can you believe she said no? So I got up and grabbed her hand and told her I will not eat unless she joins me at the dining table. It turns out she was my sister’s coworker at Shell Petroleum Development Company WINTER 2019
in Port Harcourt. I have not much time to waste in Nigeria so I asked her if I can come to their house the next day to meet her mum, just to see what I will be getting in the next 20 years, she said no. Haba I no gree ooo so I pushed my way through the next day. The rest is a long story for another day.
Q- Tell us a little about your children I am blessed by God in every way you can think a man could possibly be blessed. I have four wonderful and brilliant children. This estate, 4K, is named after them. Kosi, Kamsi, Kamto, and Kobi. I can see them attaining greater heights than my wife and me. Kosi was at Harvard University last summer and some of the stuff he was doing there are things I can only dream about. The twins, Kamsi and Kamto, are very good kids, each with their unique talents. And Kobi, boy he makes me feel like I missed watching the other three kids grow up.
My kids are my greatest achievement on earth. When the chips are down, all anyone will remember is that this great man or woman was my son or daughter. No one will remember I was the Ajie or that I was an MFR and not that I don’t want them to remember me for those things, but I want my kids to be my greatest legacy. When I am gone, I want to be remembered for the achievements of my kids. That is the humblest part of me and that is how I want to be remembered, as a great dad and as a great husband.
Q- You come from a family that has remained close despite that fact that your lived all over the world- what has kept you and your siblings close? How do you know that? It sounds like someone has been snooping around my family background. If you had asked me that question few years ago, I would have said our parents taught us to love LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
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Cover Profile
one another. Don’t get me wrong, they did a great job making us a united family. We didn’t have much of siblings fighting growing up. There were few fights early on between Noni and Ezeago but that went away quickly. Oby and I didn’t do any of that at all. The three boys that came after me see me as their big brother so no fighting there at all. But that is still not the reason why we are very close today. We are close today because of our first born, Okechukwu sets the tone that others follow. As the first born he lets others shine. When our father died, he made no attempt to corner his properties. Then there is our Ada, first daughter, Noni, whom I think everyone knows if you have ever lived in Los Angeles. Her concept of one family united by love rules. You dare not try to break up the family, she will come after you like a mad dog. She keeps everyone in check. I am the Ajie of Ogidi, but that woman introduces me as her little brother even when she is in Ogidi. We 26
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just have love for each other. We look after each other and we are each other’s support for everything. Occasionally, we all get together in one person’s house and we call it the mandatory family hang out. We drink lots of alcohol and claim that Nwabueze’s don’t get drunk. We are also lucky that we married spouses that became part of the family and rarely do anything to come between us. We are a blessed family.
Q- You achieved success here in America and took that winning streak back to Nigeria to help in our national development. What advise will you give to the young, aspiring youth about achieving success? Young man humble yourself. Go back in history, you can’t find that many guy men wearing designer jeans and polished $500 shoes, and driving expensive cars that archived anything
significant in life. Think of the movie and music stars that lasted long after the standing ovation was over, they were the ones that humbled themselves, from Ice-Cube to P-Daddy, they remained humble and focused on the real business, the things that matter in life. I will tell you a story that happened during my first semester at the community college. There was a day I was so hungry at school because I came straight from my part time job; I wanted to borrow $1 from some of my Nigerian colleagues just to buy something at the school cafeteria. They were the fly boys then, wearing designer clothes and shoes and having the drop dead gorgeous African American girlfriends, the kind I can only have in my dreams in those days. As I approached them, one of them made a stupid remark about my lowkey dressing and they all started laughing at me. I couldn’t ask them for the $1 loan again, instead I went to the cafeteria and took an apple with WINTER 2019
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Hon. Kenneth Emeka Nwabueze, MFR being conferred Global Best Practice Award for Excellence in Science and Technology, by the former Nigeria Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, at the association of Nigeria-American Professionals in Nigeria, on the 12th of December 2015
an intention to steal it, but I couldn’t go through with the theft, so I put the apple back. Fast forward 10 years later I ran into three of them at a party in Canoga Park, California and all three of them were just released from jail within the last 6 months and one of them asked me for $20 to put fuel in his car, I gave him $50 but reminded him of those days they laughed at the humble me. They have nothing to show for the 15 years we have all been in America as of that time. WINTER 2019
Secondly, take this from me, with all the experiences I have had working with law enforcement agencies in this country; everything you do in this country has an audit trail, a footprint or bread crumbs you leave behind that can be traced back to you. The fact that you have not been arrested simply means that there are others ahead of you on the line. Your number will come up one day and FBI or whomever will surely find you. You can achieve
so much without getting involved in all these petty crimes.
Q- What will be your parting word to Life & Times Magazine readers? Let’s make it happen. We can take back our culture, our religion, and our lives. All it takes is for us to stop complaining and start doing.
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People & Places
The Glitz & Glamour Of The Life & Times Festival 2019
I
t was a night of glitz and glamour at the 9th Life & Times festival held at the Carson, California Civic Center on Saturday, October 19th, 2019 Welcoming the packed house of attendees made up of top professionals, community leaders and businessmen Publisher/ CEO of the Life and
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Times Media Group Hon. Chike Nweke said that this edition of the festival celebrates four icons in our community- "Professor Clement Okafor Udezea professor emeritus of African studies and history who spent over 40 years as an educator, mentor, and advocate impacting knowledge on generations of American students.
His areas of focus were Ancient World Civilizations, Medieval European History (the rise of Christianity), and African History. Professor Udeze also taught courses in Cultural Pluralism where issues of ethnic and cultural identity were explored. Using this forum, he illuminated the historical struggles that Africans and other US immigrants WINTER 2019
People & Places
faced in cultivating an ethnic group identity while attempting to simultaneously assimilate an “American identity” E Pluribus Unum. He founded the Igbo Camp in Southern California and was a founding member of the World Igbo Congress Dr. Dapo Popoola has for 41 years practiced as a surgeon and made outstanding contributions to the field of Bariatric surgery bringing hope and a new life to thousands of the morbidly obese patients who he performed surgeries on, cared for and gave a new lease to life. Dr. Popoola has also given a new lease of life to thousands through founding and running “Operation Healthy Africa” a nonprofit that has executed several free medical missions to several parts of Africa since 2008. He was also a founding member of the Association of Nigerian Physicians in the Americas (ANPA). Through collective vision and guidance, ANPA has contributed immensely to health care delivery WINTER 2019
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People & Places
and health care policy formulation in Nigeria since its incorporation as a nonprofit in 1995. Dr. Popoola remains a role model to our young ones and an embodiment of our yearnings and aspirations as a community. Mr. Greg Osayande Aghaze a young serial entrepreneur who has interests in several industries including- health care, nutritional supplements, film, and entertainment, etc. He is a Hollywood film producer, Ceo of Hollywood Entertainment Production and Nature Herbal Life, Inc. Mr. Aghaze is also the founder of
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NewGenerationAfrica.Org (NGA) an organization of African people, especially the Youths determined to regain control of their destiny and seek full representation and participation in the African political and socialeconomical system. Dr. Aby Lilian Mamboleo a true amazon. Dr. Mamboleo has spent her entire professional career in the healthcare, clerical recruiting and government staffing industry. She started her first staffing company in the year 2000 and later sold it in 2005 to a publicly-traded company. She is the founder and Vice
President of African Aid Mission (AAM) a charitable organization that provides clean water, education, microfinance and self-help to rural areas in Africa. She has done volunteer work for Neighborhood Legal Services and in her village in Kenya initiated community programs such as Baking/Bakery for widows & sports programs for the youth." The occasion also featured a fashion runway, comedy by Seyi Brown, a dance performance by Azonto dancers and drum entertainment by African soul International.
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f o y t u Bea oment M e th
Spotlight
Jennifer Aneke,
Clothing by SHO Clothing Line
Contact: akendeuopportune@gmail.com
S
HO Clothing is the brainchild of budding Cameroonian entrepreneurs Sheiley Asana, Opportune Akendeu, and Hector Tantoh.
SHO Clothing’s mission is to source and provide women of all shapes and sizes with affordable high-quality clothing items that can be worn at either a red-carpet event, a night out on the town or a fun beach day. We truly believe that good fashion does not have to break the bank. Follow us on Instagram @sho_ clothing to see our collection and new styles as we update our inventory.
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Spotlight
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Fashion & Style
Aveebelledesigns
M
y name is Amabel Akpan, wife to a wonderful man, mother of two amazing Blessings. There are two things that make me happy, my family and the product of a great African fabric and a sewing machine.
When I had my daughter, I wanted to make simple
skirts for her, I was excited to make matching outfits for me and her. Everytime I make something for her, she gets very excited and my heart melts with joy. As a result of that excitement and joy, aveebelledesigns was born. However, with that excitement that gave
birth to this line, we want to extend a helping hand to as many children and families around the world as possible. Altogether, every sale we make takes us one step closer to that dream. Let’s be a part of someone’s better tomorrow. Thank you for your support.
Aveebelle designs
Contact: prettyone42@yahoo.com 40 LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
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Aveebelle designs
Contact: prettyone42@yahoo.com WINTER 2019
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Aveebelle designs
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Aveebelle designs
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Aveebelle designs
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Aveebelle designs
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Aveebelle designs
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The Wedding made in Heaven
- Hope & Emmanuel Odogwu
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t was a wedding made in heaven as Hope Ogbonna- daughter of very successful Los Angeles based Gospel Singer Rev. Emmanuel and Mrs. Rhoda Ogbonna- said I do to Emmanuel Prince Odogwu, son of retired Material Deputy Manager PHRC Niger LTD. The wedding was officiated by Senior Pastor of International Christian Center (ICC) Los Angeles Dr. Dipo Kalejaiye and Assistant Pastor Wole Adefeso. The wedding drew a lot of dignities from around the world, and it was a glorious day and unforgettable event. The excited bride said " I am excited to be called Mrs. Odogwu" and the groom could not contain his joy when he said that "Getting married to Hope completes me- because she is not only beautiful but a total package that is every man's dream of a wife!"
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Special Feature
Before You Sign That Affidavit Of Support. By Ogochukwu Victor Onwaeze
C
itizens of the United States are frequently approached by family and friends applying to immigrate to the United States to provide an affidavit of support to aid in the consideration of their application. The Department of Homeland Securityrequires such persons to file an affidavit of support to ensure they will not become a public charge when they get to the United States. The applicant is required to submit either a form I-864 or if not applicable, a form I-134. There are a few
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differences between the two, but the general purpose of both is to provide an affidavit that the sponsor, will provide financial support for the applicant during the period that the affidavit of support will be in effect.
in part 8 of form I-864, most sponsors do not pay attention to that section before signing the affidavit. This is understandable since the person being sponsored is usually a family member or very close friend.
Most citizens that are requested to act as sponsors and provide an affidavit of support on behalf of friends or family members, do so without thought to the legal implication of signing the affidavit of support. Although the legal consequences of signing the affidavit of support are fully spelt out
The purpose of the affidavit of support is to ensure that the sponsored immigrant has enough financial support to live in the United States without concern of becoming reliant on the United States government for public support. This is the sense in which most people understand the affidavit of LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
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support. This is, that if the applicant applies for any public benefits program such as food stamps and welfare, then the sponsor will be responsible to reimburse the government for any monies paid to or on behalf of the applicant. Most people also assume that the obligation lasts for three or so years. Both assumptions are incorrect. The obligation of the sponsor goes beyond food stamps and welfare benefits and cover any kind of public means tested program, including Medicare and other health benefits. More importantly, in addition to ensuring that the applicant does not become a public charge, the affidavit of support is a contract between the sponsor and the applicant that the sponsor will provide financial assistance to the 58
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applicant at 125% of the federal income poverty guidelines. This second aspect of the affidavit of support is not understood by most sponsors and will be explained fully below. The law regarding affidavits of support is set forth in the Immigration and Nationality Act sections 212(a)(4) and 213A as codified in the Code of Federal Regulations 8CFR 213a. If the sponsored immigrant receives any “means-tested public assistance�, the sponsor is responsible for repaying the cost of those benefits to the public agency that provided it and may be sued by such agency for recovery of the monies spent on or provided to the applicant. As such, if the applicant, after emigrating to the United States applies
for and receives Medicare, for example, and is treated at the hospital and the bill for such treatment is paid by the Medicare, the sponsor can be sued by that agency to recover the cost of the treatment. This could be significant, especially if the applicant has a serious medical condition that requires expensive and prolonged care. When it is considered that many sponsors sign the affidavit of support to allow whole families (sometimes up to five or more family members) to immigrate, the financial nightmare that a sponsor may face in the future can be enormous. Consider, a sponsored immigrant and family of four that applies for and receives section 8 housing subsidy of $1500.00 per month and food stamps of $150.00 per person per month. In that case, the sponsors obligation for which they can be sued by the federal agency is $2250.00, for the period the the receive the beneftis and the affidavit of support is enforceable. A critical factor is that once signed, the sponsor cannot withdraw or terminate the contract. There are only five ways to terminate the obligation arising from the signing of an affidavit of support. (1) the sponsor dies, WINTER 2019
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(2) the sponsored immigrant dies, (3) the sponsored immigrant becomes a U.S. citizen, (4) the sponsored immigrant permanently departs the U.S., or (5) the sponsored immigrant is credited with 40 qualifying quarters of work. If none of the first four factors apply, then the enforceability period is determined by factor number five which typically equals ten years of employment. If the employment history of the sponsored immigrant is not consistent, it will take more than ten years to meet this requirement. In fact, if the sponsored immigrant never
works, the obligation arising from the affidavit of support will subsist until one of the other four factors kick in. Also, it does not appear that a sponsor can evade their obligation arising from the affidavit of support just because the sponsor’s own income has diminished in the years after the signing of the affidavit of support. As such, the sponsor is still on the hook for any monies paid out by a government agency, even if they lose their job, have retired and no longer working or have increased obligations of their own.
FAMILY SIZE
ANNUAL INCOME
1
$12,060
2
$16,240
3
$20,420
4
$24,600
5
$28,780
6
$32,960
7
$37,140
8
$41,320
For families/households with more than 8 persons, add $4,180 for each additional person. The figures are slightly higher for Hawaii and for Alaska. A sponsor of a family of 5 to the United States, is obligated WINTER 2019
to provide support to them of approximately $3000.00 per month. [$28,780.00 X 1.25 / 12 = $2997.92] This is in addition to any obligation arising from the receipt of public benefits by the sponsored immigrant, but the amount of cash or cash equivalent aid received
As stated above, it is the second aspect of the affidavit of support that is not understood by most people signing the form as sponsor. That is, the affidavit of support creates a contract between the sponsor and the immigrant that the sponsor will provide financial support for the immigrant at a level equal to 125% of the federal income poverty guideline for the period during which the affidavit of support is in place. The sponsored immigrant has a personal right to enforce this contract against the sponsor. For 2017, the guideline amount is as follows
from the public agency is credited as income to the sponsored immigrant for the purposes of determining if the amount owed by the sponsor to the sponsored immigrant. The sponsored immigrant has a right to sue the LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
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sponsor to enforce this support obligation. There is no requirement of a familial relationship to do so. The sponsor has to provide the support for each year that the sponsored immigrant earns income that is less than 125% of the poverty guidelines. The sponsored immigrant suing to enforce the obligation has not duty to exercise due diligence to become self supporting. Therefore, the sponsor cannot insist that the sponsored immigrant look for employment or show that they are seeking employment before they can enforce the support obligation against them. The sponsored immigrant may well choose not to work or seek any employment and fully rely on the sponsor to provide support at the required level. This obligation is enforceable until terminated by one of the five factors set forth above. In determining whether monies are owed by the sponsor to the sponsored immigrant, the court must look at each year for which the sponsored immigrant is making a claim. Also, the accumulated income or assets of the sponsored immigrant is irrelevant. Nor is the fact that the sponsored immigrant is living with someone else 60 LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
that is paying their bills, so long as such payments do not amount to income for the sponsored immigrant. It is the income earned by the sponsored immigrant for each year that determines the sponsor’s obligation. For example, a sponsored immigrant comes to the United States and get a good paying job making $100,000.00 per annum for five years and is able to save half of that or $250,000.00. After five years, he or she become unemployed or just stops working and move in with a wealthy individual who covers the rent, food and other needs of the sponsored immigrant. The sponsored immigrant then sues the sponsor for support for five years for which they were not earning income equivalent to 125% of the federal poverty guidelines. The sponsor cannot escape liability by pointing to the accumulated savings of $250,000.00 that the sponsored immigrant has from the five years that they worked and which is available and more than enough to provide support for the sponsored immigrant. The sponsor may not request the court to add up the monies earned by the immigrant over the ten year period in
question and average it out for that time period to see if they earned up to 125% of the federal poverty guideline over that ten year period. The sponsor is not given a break because the immigrant is living with someone who is otherwise covering their everyday needs. In determining the household size for the purposes of the poverty guideline, it is the income earned by the number of sponsored immigrants living in the household that counts. So, if a sponsor signs to support 5 people, any additional children the immigrant has after arriving in the United States do no count. Any income earned by any person living with the sponsored immigrant, but not part of those sponsored on the affidavit of support do not count either. While this may seem unfair, the legal explanation is to create an even field. Since the sponsor cannot be burdened by the immigrant having a bigger family than he agreed to be responsible for, he cannot get a windfall by another persons assistance to the sponsored family. A common reason for use of the affidavit of support is by United States Citizens WINTER 2019
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who sponsor a spouse to join then in the United States. Sometimes, when the sponsored spouse gets to the United States, the marriage does not work out and ends in immediate dissolution. It is worthy of note that the affidavit of support is contractual and the sponsor’s obligation is not terminated by the divorce. In most jurisdiction, when there is a dissolution, one of the
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spouses may be entitled to spousal support or alimony. The entitlement to spousal support is determined by several factors determined by the family laws of the applicable states. Under those laws, a divorcing spouse not entitled to spousal support, but for whom an affidavit of support was signed by the sponsoring spouse, will be able to seek and get support equal to 125% of the federal
poverty guidelines. Also, if spousal support is granted in the dissolution proceedings but the amount awarded is less than 125% of the federal poverty guidelines, the spouse can still file a contractual action pursuant to the affidavit of support signed by the sponsoring spouse to obtain the difference between the spousal support amount and the 125% of the federal poverty guideline for
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each year that the affidavit of support is enforceable and the sponsored spouse is not earning enough income to account for the difference. As noted above, the spouse seeking to enforce the affidavit of support obligation, does not have to make any effort to seek employment before they are entitled to enforce their rights against the sponsoring spouse. This can be considered a double whammy. You sponsor the immigrant to come to the United States as your spouse, they come in and there is an actual marriage but the marriage lasts for a month. The sponsored spouse then decides not to seek any employment and you are on the hook to support him or her financially so long as the affidavit of support is not otherwise terminated by one of the five factors discussed above. The scenarios discussed above are illustrated in the case of Shumye vs. Felleke 555 F.Supp.2d 1020 (2008) [United States District Court, N.D. California.]. In that case, Plaintiff, a citizen of Ethiopia, arrived in the United States in November 1998 to marry Defendant. Defendant, a United States citizen, sponsored Plaintiff and 62
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signed an Affidavit of Support Form 1-864 (“Form 1-864”). Plaintiff and Defendant were married in January 1999 and separated in October 1999. In 2003, they filed for divorce. In 2005, Plaintiff and Defendant agreed to a divorce settlement in which Defendant agreed to pay Plaintiff the sum of $49,000 which payment satisfied settlement of the couple’s California community property rights. The property settlement was made without prejudice to any and all of Plaintiffs INS and/ or immigration claims. Later in 2005, Plaintiff filed this claim to enforce Defendant sponsor’s financial obligations under the Form 1-864 and for damages. In denying the Husband’s motion for summary adjudication, the court held that the wife was entitled to pursue the action. The court rejected the husband’s contention that the income earned by the wife from 2000 to 2007 be added up and averaged over the 8 year period to see if they equal or exceed 125% of the federal poverty guideline for those 8 years. This is because the husband was obligated to provide the required support on an “annual basis” not over the extended period of time.
In determining whether monies are owed by the sponsor to the sponsored immigrant, the court must look at each year for which the sponsored immigrant is making a claim. WINTER 2019
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‘“The Affidavit of Support provides for the measure of damages that would put the Plaintiff in as good a position as she would have been in had the contract been performed.” To be placed in as good a position as she would have been had Defendant performed his support obligation on an annual basis, this Court must compare Plaintiffs income against the 125% poverty threshold for each individual year in question.” Wife’s income was at least 125% of the federal poverty guidelines in the years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, and 2005, but not for 2003, 2006, and 2007 and husband was liable to make the payments for those three years. The court also rejected Husband’s contention that the $49,000 payment made by him to wife as a result of their divorce settlement satisfied his Form 1-864 support obligations. The Stipulation entered in the divorce proceedings clearly stated that the $49,000 was a settlement of the former couple’s California community property rights and that the settlement was made without prejudice to wife’s INS rights and/or claims that may arise out of husband’s
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sponsorship obligations. The $49,000 represents the value of wife’s existing assets not income earned by her within that specific year for purposes of calculating the 125% federal poverty guideline requirement. Thus, while the husband and wife separated ten months after the marriage, husband’s support obligation under the affidavit of support was still enforceable at least until 2007, 8 years after the separation, and will continue to be enforceable so long as the obligation is not terminated by any of the five factors required to terminate the obligation. The affidavit of support has such a far reaching effect, that even if the spouses in the dissolution sign a premarital settlement agreement whereby they waive the right to spousal support and alimony or waive spousal support as part of the dissolution proceedings, the sponsored spouse may still sue the sponsoring spouse to enforce the support obligations arising from the form I-864. See Erler v. Erler 824 F.3d 1173 (2016) [9th Circuit] illustrates the former and In re Marriage of Kumar (California Court of Appeal 1st District July
28, 2017) illustrate the latter. Finally, the obligations arising from the affidavit of support can be enforced in the state court where the sponsor lives or in any federal court in the country. Due to the far reaching implications of the affidavit of support, one has to be careful before signing one and be aware of the full ramifications of the financial obligations they are undertaking both to the government and to the sponsored immigrant.
Ogochukwu Victor Onwaeze is an attorney based in Los Angeles. He can be reached at 213-738-5066 or at onwaeze@ aol.com.
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Special Feature
YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT - Nigeria's Shame
Unless Africa trades with Africa and unless Africa invests in Africa, we're going to continue to be poor.
A
Andrew Nevin, advisory partner & chief economist, PwC Nigeria
frica's most populous nation and largest economy have a youth unemployment problem. In Nigeria, nearly a quarter of the population is out of work and 20 percent
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is underemployed. For young people aged 15 to 35, the figures are grim: 55.4 percent of them are without work. Creating jobs has been one of the key issues discussed throughout the 2019 election campaign.
Being young in Nigeria is "very challenging", explains Andrew Nevin, advisory partner, and chief economist at PwC Nigeria. "Graduates from university have a great deal of difficulty in getting
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established. People that didn't go to university who should be getting vocational training are not getting it. They're not getting into formal employment. Given the scale of Nigeria, it's a challenge not just for Nigeria, but for Africa and the whole world." There are systemic problems behind unemployment, Nevin points out. "Oil over the last 30 years in this country has meant people have taken their eye off other industries, there's a lack of diversification that we have. The good news is that everyone recognizes it, and they recognize it's a crisis ... People are discussing youth unemployment, the need for youth to be employed to have something gainful to do." "Structural problems remain here, the government hasn't tackled issues around the exchange rate policy or the oil subsidy ... so all of these issues are holding back investment and growth in Nigeria." In order for Nigeria to grow faster, "The country WINTER 2019
needs more investment," according to Nevin. "The most important thing is we need the private sector to grow in the next
"Africans are going to continue to be poor unless Africans trade with Africans and increase the value-added. decade 10-15 times larger to really make a dent in unemployment and poverty in Nigeria. And that means
every sector ... the biggest sector that needs to grow in Nigeria is real estate. Everyone needs a place to live and we have a deficit of 17 million homes, and the great thing about real estate is that it employs a lot of people, particularly carpenters, plumbers, laborers - so it really absorbs that young population." "Africans are going to continue to be poor unless Africans trade with Africans and increase the valueadded. We're very strong proponents of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) ... it's obvious that if we're just exporting raw materials to Europe or Asia, that we're going to continue to be in poverty in Africa. So I think people have recognized that, and I think the speed at which the AfCFTA agreement has come together is really astonishing. It illustrates there's a sense of a panAfricanism that's coming, and the leaders of that recognize that unless Africa trades with Africa and unless Africa invests in Africa, we're going to. Source- Al Jazeera
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Spotlight
Lagos - The heartbeat of Nigeria
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Spotlight
Babajide Sanwo-Olu -Governor, Lagos State
T
he UN estimated the city's population at 11.2 million in 2011. The New York Times estimates that it is now at least twenty-one million, surpassing Cairo as Africa's largest city. It is clear that whatever the size, and however the city is defined, Lagos is the center of one of the largest urban areas in the world. With a population of perhaps 1.4 million as recently as 1970, its growth has been stupendous. Rice estimates that Lagos generates about a quarter of Nigeria's total gross domestic product. The center of Nigeria's modern economy, Lagos has many millionaires, but the UN estimates that two thirds of the population are slum dwellers. Lagos (Yoruba: ĂˆkĂł) is a city in the Nigerian state of Lagos. The city, with its adjoining conurbation, is the largest in Nigeria, as well as on the African continent. It is one of the fastest growing in the world, and also one of the most populous urban WINTER 2019
agglomerations.[Lagos is a major financial center in Africa; the megacity has the highest GDP, and also houses one of the largest and busiest ports on the continent. Lagos initially emerged as a port city which originated on a collection of islands, which are contained in the present day Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Lagos Island, Eti-Osa, Amuwo-Odofin and Apapa; the islands are separated by creeks, fringing the southwest mouth of Lagos Lagoon, while protected from the Atlantic Ocean by barrier islands and long sand spits such as Bar Beach, which stretch up to 100 km (60 mi) east and west of the mouth. Due to rapid urbanization, the city expanded to the west of the lagoon to include areas in the present day Lagos Mainland, Ajeromi-Ifelodun and Surulere. This led to the classification of Lagos into two main areas - the Island, which was the initial city of Lagos, before it expanded into the area known as the Mainland. This city area
was governed directly by the Federal Government through the Lagos City Council, until the creation of Lagos State in 1967, which led to the splitting of Lagos city into the present day seven Local Government Areas (LGAs), and an addition of other towns (which now make up 13 LGAs) from the then Western Region, to form the state. Lagos, the capital of Nigeria since its amalgamation in 1914, went on to become the capital of Lagos State after its creation. However, the state capital was later moved to Ikeja in 1976, while the federal capital also moved to Abuja in 1991. Even though Lagos is still widely referred to as a city, the present day Lagos, also known as "Metropolitan Lagos", and officially as "Lagos Metropolitan Area" is an urban agglomeration or conurbation,consisting of 16 LGAs, including Ikeja, the state capital of Lagos State. This conurbation makes up 37% of Lagos State's total land area, but houses about 85% of the LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
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state's total population.
million.
The exact population of Metropolitan Lagos is disputed; In the 2006 federal census data, the conurbation had a population of about 8 million people. However, the figure was disputed by the Lagos State Government, which later released its own population data, putting the population of Lagos Metropolitan Area at approximately 16 million. As at 2015, unofficial figures put the population of "Greater Metropolitan Lagos", which includes, Lagos and its surrounding metro area, extending as far as into Ogun State, at approximately 21
Economy
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The city of Lagos is a major economic focal point in Nigeria, generating around 10% of the country's GDP. Most commercial and financial business is carried out in the central business district situated on the island. This is also where most of the country's commercial banks, financial institutions and major corporations are headquartered. Lagos is also the major Information Communications and Telecommunications (ICT) hub of West Africa and potentially, the biggest ICT market in
the continent.[86] Lagos is developing a 24-hour economy and has also been ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the world. In some parts of Lagos, residents have one of the highest standards of living in Nigeria and in Africa. [ At the same time, a sizable proportion of the residents live in slums without access to piped water and sanitation The Port of Lagos is Nigeria's leading port and one of the largest and busiest in Africa. It is administered by the Nigerian Ports Authorityand it is split into three main sections: Lagos port, in the main channel next to Lagos Island, Apapa Port
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(site of the container terminal) and Tin Can Port, both located in Badagry Creek, which flows into Lagos Harbour from the west.[103] The port features a railhead. The port has seen growing amounts of crude oil exported, with export figures rising between 1997 and 2000.[104] Oil and petroleum products provide 14% of GDP and 90% of foreign exchange earnings in Nigeria as a whole. [105]
Tourism
Lagos, subsequent to the re-modernization project achieved by the previous administration of Governor Raji Babatunde Fashola, is gradually becoming a major tourist destination, being one of the largest cities in Africa and in the world. Lagos is currently taking steps to become a global city. The 2009 Eyo carnival (a yearly festival originated from Iperu Remo, Ogun State) which took place on 25 April, was a step toward
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world city status. Currently, Lagos is primarily known as a business-oriented and a fastpaced community. Lagos has become an important location for African and "black" cultural identity. [ Lots of festivals are held in Lagos; festivals vary in offerings each year and may be held in different months. Some of the festivals are Festac Food Fair held in Festac Town Annually, Eyo Festival, Lagos Black Heritage Carnival, Lagos Carnival, Eko International Film Festival, Lagos Seafood Festac Festival, LAGOS PHOTO Festival and The Lagos Jazz Series which is a unique franchise for high quality live music in all genres with a focus on Jazz. Established in 2010, the popular event takes place over a 3-5 day period at selected high quality outdoor venues. The music is as varied as the audience itself and features a diverse mix of musical genres from Rhythm
and Blues to Soul, Afrobeat, Hiphop, Bebop and traditional Jazz. The festivals provide entertainment of dance and song to add excitement to travelers during a stay in Lagos. Lagos has a number of sandy beaches by the Atlantic Ocean, including Elegushi Beach and Alpha Beach. Lagos also has a number of private beach resorts including Inagbe Grand Beach Resort and several others in the outskirts. Lagos has a variety of hotels ranging from three star to five star hotels, with a mixture of local hotels such as Eko Hotels and Suites, Federal Palace Hotel and franchises of multinational chains such as Intercontinental Hotel, Sheraton and Four Points by Hilton. Other places of interest include the Tafawa Balewa Square, Festac town, The Nike Art Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos and the Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos.
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Health & Wellness
What To Worry About, If You Worry About
Diabetes O
ne day I went to see a patient, a middle aged man. As I approached him, the air around me was filled with a foul odor. It was like the odor of a rotten egg. As I moved closer, the odor got so unbearably intense that I put on a face mask to protect my nose. When I arrived at his bedside, I saw that all of the other providers also had face masks. The foul smell was not from a rotten egg, it was from the man’s gangrenous
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leg. The leg was as black as charcoal. But that was not the patient’s only problem. He was barely conscious because of the effects of the toxins from his gangrenous leg.
The man I described is not unique. His case shows just one of the long-term complications of uncontrolled diabetes mellitus. In the long run, if blood sugar levels are not properly controlled, the blood vessels that supply key parts of our bodies are damaged.
By Dr. Olufemi Y. Saliu
When it affects smaller blood vessels (micro-vessels) of the body, peripheral nerves, eyes, and kidneys suffer. If nerves of the feet are involved, it causes diabetic neuropathy. Sensation in the feet is impaired. As a result, when a foot injury occurs, you may not notice it. Because you don’t notice the initial injury, it can become more severe or get infected. Uncontrolled blood sugar levels make it harder for your body to fight infections or to heal, making it more likely that an injury to the foot WINTER 2019
Health & Wellness
will lead to an amputation. If eyes are damaged by elevated blood sugar, they can develop cataracts, vitreous hemorrhage, retinopathy, and eventually blindness. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adult Americans. If sugar damages the kidneys, the complication is chronic renal failure, which may eventually require dialysis. And patients on dialysis have an average life expectancy of 5-10 years. [Source: https://www.kidney. org/atoz/content/dialysisinfo] Uncontrolled blood sugar level can also damage large blood vessels (macro-vessels) in the neck and in the brain, leading to stroke. Damage to the coronary arteries of the heart can lead to heart attack. Finally, damage to the vessels in the legs can lead to gangrene of the foot or of the leg, just as in the patient I described at the beginning of this article. When the foot doesn’t get adequate blood circulation, tissues die, leading to gangrene. If the gangrene is severe enough, to save the patient’s life, they may need to amputate the leg just below the knee. If diabetes remains uncontrolled, the amputation is WINTER 2019
extended to above the knee. And then to the hip: hip disarticulation. The higher up a leg an amputation goes, the less likely it is that a patient will adapt well to a prosthetic leg. If you have borderline diabetes, be mindful of these long term complications. If you have diabetes, be mindful of them. If you are healthy now, be mindful of them. We should all be mindful of them. The patient described above started out as a borderline diabetic. “A thousand and one steps begin with the first,” so the saying goes. It’s better to take steps towards health, not towards sickness. Regardless of where we are today, we should all take action to protect our health.
We need to avoid drinks with added sugar such as malt drinks or carbonated drinks. We need to avoid cookies, candies, cake, and ice cream. Finally, we need to avoid the two most impactful food items of all, bread and rice. If you are borderline diabetic, and you stop or cut down your bread and your rice intake, you will be amazed at the impact on your health. If you are diabetic, and you stop eating bread and rice, you’ll be amazed at the impact on your health. If you are neither borderline diabetic, nor diabetic, and you stop or cut down your bread and your rice intake, you’ll be amazed at the impact on your health and on your
We should avoid what we need to avoid.
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weight. You’ll be amazed. Don’t take my word for it. Try it. You’ll be amazed. “But now what can we eat?” is the most common question people ask me when I suggest that they avoid bread, rice, and other carbs – cake, cookies, cereals, and muffins. You can eat any foods that are rich in nutrients, but light in calories. Eat a variety of vegetables, raw or steamed. Eat them every day, with every meal if possible. Let them be a significant portion of your breakfast, of your lunch, and of your dinner. And eat variety of low glycemic fruits. Go to the produce department of a grocery store to pick your favorite fruits and your favorite vegetables. Better yet, take the opportunity to try new fruits and new vegetables; expand your dietary horizons. Eat grass fed meat, wild caught fish, and free range chicken. If the animals eat their natural diets – grass for cows, insects and seeds for chickens, and wild diet for fish – it is better for cattle, for fish, for chickens, and
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ultimately, for you. If you want to be healthy, eat meat from a healthy cow, not from a diabetic cow; eat fish from a healthy fish, not from a diabetic fish; and eat chicken from a healthy chicken, not from a diabetic chicken. That is what to eat. Snack on nuts, not on cookies or cake. Not on ice cream. Not on chips. Not on cereals. Not on donuts. When you snack on nuts, choose nuts that are relatively high in omega 3 fatty acids like walnut, almonds, and cashew nut. Eat nuts in moderation. A handful a day is all you need. Peanuts [which are actually legumes, not nuts] are relatively high in omega 6 fatty acids, a bad fat, and are not good for habitual consumption. Drink water. And eat foods with high water contents. For example, fruits have a high water content, high fiber content, and high antioxidant content that are good for your health. Eat your fruits whole, rather than processed to get the full benefit. Finally, remember to exercise. When you do, be mindful of
your age, and of your health. Don’t do it because your spouse or your friend does it, do it because it is appropriate for you, so you do not hurt yourself. Regardless of your health status, see your doctor at least once a year. Be compliant with your medications if you are on them. Ensure that a variety of fruits and of vegetables are a significant portion of every meal. Drink water and eat your fruits whole. Above all, watch out for bread, and watch out for rice.
Dr. Olufemi Saliu, MD is a boardcertified anesthesiologist in Los Angeles, California that has been in medical practice since 1985. He has a special interest in writing about and educating people on healthy nutrition & wellness WINTER 2019
Special Feature
VOT E
With 2019 Presidential Election Settled,
Race for PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION
W
ith the Supreme Court’s dismissal of the appeal filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the February 23 presidential election, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, against the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, the curtain finally fell on the poll, unveiling the hustling for the 2023 race. THISDAY gathered wideranging consultations that had been restrained by the pendency of the appeal have now been unleashed with known gladiators whose presidential
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2023 Begins ambition has been barely concealed, hitting the road. Leading the pack are two-term governor of Lagos State and National Leader, All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Bola Tinubu; Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare; Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State; his Kaduna State counterpart, Malam Nasir el-Rufai; former national chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega; and former governor of Anambra State,
Mr. Peter Obi. A source said, although it is believed that Atiku might still show interest, his close associates are telling him that it is over and that he should take up an advisory role in politics. The ambition of Obi, who was the running mate to Atiku in the February 23 presidential content, is said to be sustained by the clamour for a South-east presidency by Southern and Middle-Belt leaders, who argue that equity demands that after eight years of Buhari, the presidency should revert to the South of the country. LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
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That the Southern leaders’ argument is failing is evidenced by the caliber of aspirants from the North and South-west, who analysts say, have positioned themselves strategically for the run.
Bola Tinubu Clearly ahead of the jostle in terms of positioning, the two-term governor started the race long ago, when after a THISDAY publication of his presidential interest in 2017, he issued a clarification that he would only throw his hat into the ring if Buhari stood down from the race. As president Buhari indicated interest for a rerun, he got appointed as the vice chairman of the presidential campaign council, a position second to only the president 74
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himself. With that, access to the presidential villa that had been partially shut for the greater part of the earlier days of the Buhari administration became more open to the consternation of his political tormentors in the inner recess of power. Watchers of the power game say Tinubu has not only used the presidential campaign of Buhari to bounce back to reckoning but has also leveraged on his control of the party machinery, held in trust for him by the national chairman, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole.
that this is fueled by the belief of powerful forces that he is nursing a presidential ambition. “They wish to rubbish him,� a source said. Not a few political and social analysts agree that the little opportunity he got to stand in for his boss, he proved that he too could be president. Respected for his intellectual clarity and wide understanding of political and economic issues, Osinbajo, say some political watchers, may be the dark horse that would upstage Tinubu in the impending contest. But will vested interests baying for blood in the media allow him?
Yemi Osinbajo The vice president has been subject of a flurry of corruption insinuation in the media, particularly in the social space. His close associates told THISDAY
Kayode Fayemi Also reputed for his intellectual arsenal, Fayemi is believed to be positioning WINTER 2019
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for the presidential slot. Political analysts point to his deft political move in clinching the position of the chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum earlier in the year, pointing out that he appears to be leveraging on it. To be fair, said an analyst, the Ekiti State governor, who just clocked one year of his second tenure, has shown leadership in his new position, breathing life into the almost comatose forum under former Zamfara State governor, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari. Standing on the forum’s platform, Fayemi, who was also minister of Solid Minerals, has been around the country, either delivering addresses or leading his colleagues on one advocacy or the other, the most recent being the governors’ battle against wholesome deduction of bailout refund as well as uniform implementation of minimum wage and the allied consequential adjustment. He is believed to be sounding out his colleagues and other power brokers on what 2023 would look WINTER 2019
like as he moves around the country supposedly on the forum’s assignment.
Nasir el-Rufai Tunde Bakare The fiery pastor of the Latter Rain Assembly is the only one of the lots that has openly declared his intention to replace Buhari at the villa. Having run the race with Buhari in 2007, Bakare said he was the most suitable person to succeed the president in 2023. He told his congregation recently that he was not only interested in the race but was certain to win. It is, however, unclear on which platform he would run being without a known party presently.
When in a prologue titled, ‘Defeating a Determined Incumbent – The Nigerian Experience,’ which he contributed to a book – Power of Possibilities and Politics of Change in Nigeria – written by the DirectorGeneral of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Mr. Salihu Lukman, el-Rufai, canvassed the argument for the scrapping of zoning, to give way for competency, those not versatile in the subtlety in the nuances of Nigerian politicians would look at the argument on the face value.By 2023 when Buhari is expected to round off his term, power is expected to return to the South under the nation’s informal arrangement of power rotation. Should the political elite buy into el-Rufai’s wellLIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
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considered argument, the 2023 race will be opened to aspirants from the North, especially in the two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and PDP that to a large extent considered the power rotational principle an article of faith. And one of the main beneficiaries of such a new arrangement would be the promoter of the no-morezoning campaign: el-Rufai. El-Rufai, who by 2023 would have ended his tenure as governor, is one of the key Northerners being touted to take a shot at the presidency. Although he has not officially acknowledged his political ambition, as typical of a Nigerian power seeker, there is no doubt he nurses an ambition to be the next occupant of Aso Rock. Just on Wednesday, a shadowy organisation, Nasiriyya Group, modelled after a grassroots association promoted by former Kano State Governor, Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, for political mobilisation, rallied the governor’s loyalists to launch his 2023 bid. The Nasiriyya Group, a 76
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support group loyal to elRufai, and headed by Alhaji Ibrahim Nabuga, Garkuwan Rijau, has started putting the blocks together to give wings to el-Rufai’s muted ambition. The Plateau State Chairperson of the group, Hajiya Nafisatu Omar, made a pitch for him, describing the governor as “a detribalised, and not a religious bigot, suitable for the job of a president.” The group has opened a campaign office for elRufai in Jos has launched the Nasiriyya Organisation Support Group(NOSG) to drive the governor’s yet-tobe declared presidential bid. A quantity surveyor, who launched his public service career as Director General of Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), to oversee the nation’s privatisation programme under the administration of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in 1999, made such an impressive showing that he got promoted to cabinet rank as Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) during Obasanjo’s second term from 2003 to 2007. El-Rufai, who will be 63 by 2023, is a focused administrator who
pursues his agenda with determination and has networks across party lines.
Peter Obi Against the run of play, Mr. Peter Obi, a businessman with vast interest in banking, brewery and commerce, among others, emerged the running mate to Atiku. What undoubtedly gave him the post despite opposition from his fellow Southeast politicians, where the position was zoned to, was his eight-year stewardship as governor of Anambra State and his reputation as a parsimonious manager of public funds. Had the PDP succeeded with its appeal at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, he would have been the nation’s vice president by now. But with WINTER 2019
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the apex court’s summary dismissal of the appeal and age not being on his septuagenarian principal side by the next election season, Obi, who is now 58, looks sure, for now, as one of the likely serious contenders to scramble for the presidency in 2023. Given the groundswell of sentiments for the Southeast to be allowed to take a shot at the presidency, for the first time since the rebirth of democracy in 1999, given his credentials, Obi would stand tall among his kindred, should such concession get a nationwide backing. The 1984 Philosophy graduate of University of Nsukka, and member of the Presidential Economic Team in the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan began his foray into politics when he vied for the governorship of his state on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2003. Before he left office in 2014, he had started hobnobbing with the PDP, the then ruling party and his eventual defection to the party came as no shock to WINTER 2019
political watchers.
Aminu Tambuwal Until the last hours, the auguries favoured Tambuwal, a former speaker, House of Representatives, to pick the PDP presidential ticket to square up to Buhari for the occupation of Aso Rock, the seat of power. He and Atiku were the frontline contenders for the party’s ticket and with backing from the powerful bloc of his fellow governors, he looked good to clinch the ticket until the table finally turned in favour of Atiku. With his defeat by Atiku, he returned to his state where through subterfuge, he had prepared the ground to be able to run for the governorship election, in case he lost the presidential ticket as he eventually did.
Tambuwal, now 53, is a 1991 graduate of Law from the Usman Dan Fodiyo University, Sokoto, who began his political career at the outset of the Fourth Republic in 1999 as a Personal Assistant on Legislative Affairs to the then Senate Leader, Senator Abdullahi Wali. In 2003, he contested election into the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) to represent the Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency, and won. Towards the 2007 general elections, he dumped the ANPP to join former Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, in Democratic People’s Party (DPP), which the latter founded. His membership of DPP was, however, brief as he returned to ANPP when his new party denied him, along with some other defectors, tickets to run for election. Again, he dumped the ANPP and moved with the party’s governorship candidate for Sokoto State in the 2007 election, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko, to PDP. During his stay in the House of Representatives, he was LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
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minority leader, deputy chief whip and at various times, a member of several committees, including the House Committees on Rules & Business, Communications, Judiciary, Inter-Parliamentary and Water Resources. Should the PDP throw open the 2023 race by abandoning the zoning policy or conceding the presidency to the North, Tambuwal, who is a veteran of many political battles and has over the years built political alliance across party lines, is in a good stead to vie for the party’s ticket.
Attahiru Jega Until June 8, 2010 when the then President Goodluck Jonathan nominated him as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission 78
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(INEC), the reputation many Nigerians have of Prof. Attahiru Jega, a former Vice Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, was that of an academic and a unionist. As President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), in the early 1990s, Jega rallied the union behind the labour and other activists to form a body of opposition to the military administration of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, over his convoluted transition program and other policies. However, his defining moments were his superintendence of the electoral commission, especially after the shambolic conduct of the 2007 elections by his predecessor, Prof. Maurice Iwu, which the winner of the presidential stanza, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, said had shortcomings and his running mate who eventually succeeded him, Jonathan, confessed caused him a lot of embarrassment, notwithstanding the Supreme Court judgment that upheld their victory. Jega, a leftist academic with a doctoral degree in Political Science from
Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois in the United States, brought credibility to the conduct of elections in the country that under his leadership, led to a drastic reduction in the number of election petitions filed to challenge electoral outcomes. His leadership style and predisposition contributed largely to the plaudits that trailed the conduct of the 2015 general election that saw for the first time in Nigeria’s annals the defeat of an incumbent president and the peaceful transfer of power from the ruling party to the then opposition party. He returned to his base after his tour of duty at INEC and nothing could have linked him to the jostling for the 2023 presidential race but for his declaration in August for the People’s Redemption Party (PRP), a party with a leftist leaning. Since his declaration for the party, the polity has been awash with tales of Jega’s warming up to throw his hat into the ring and be an active participant in a race he was once the chief officiating official. Source: ThisdayLive WINTER 2019
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Hadiza Bala Usman - a trailblazer & activist
H
adiza Bala Usman (born January 2, 1976) is a Nigerian activist and politician. She is currently the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday 11 July 2016. She was formerly the Chief of Staff for the Kaduna State Governor. Bala Usman is an active member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Hadiza Bala Usman was born in Zaria to the historian, Yusufu Bala Usman. Bala Usman grew up close to the campus of Ahmadu Bello University, where her father worked. Hadiza Bala Usman earned her bachelor's degree in 2000 from Ahmadu Bello University and her master's degree from the University of Leeds in
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2009. She worked for a nongovernmental organization, the Centre for Democratic Development and Research Training (CEDDERT) in Zaria as a research assistant for a year starting in 1999. She has also worked for the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) and as a Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Project Implementation. In 2011, she worked as Director of Strategy for the Good Governance Group (3G). In 2015, she was appointed Chief of Staff for the Kaduna State Governor.
keep the issue in the public eye." Hadiza Bala Usman has also helped coordinate meetings with the parents of the kidnapped girls and members of the Nigerian government. Bala Usman has continued to protest with the BBOG campaign into 2016. She was appointed as the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) in July 2016 by President Muhammadu Buhari. Her appointment generated a lot of
controversies as many saw her nomination as ethnically based and questioned her qualification for the specific role. Hadiza Bala Usman is married to economic analyst Tanimu Yakubu Kurfi who served under the former (Late) President Umaru Musa Yar'adua as an economic adviser and together they have two boys. Source Wikipedia
When Boko Haram kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls in 2014, Hadiza Bala Usman began to protest, leading groups around Nigeria and in the kidnapped girls' hometown of Chibok. She noticed that the Nigerian government was not prioritizing the kidnapping of the schoolgirls. Because of this, Bala Usman joined the campaign started by Obiageli Ezekwesili #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG). Bala Usman chose the color red for the campaign because it is a sign of "alarm, danger, a warning. She has encouraged women "to WINTER 2019
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Chief Willie Obiano - Governor Anambra State
Anambra State - the light of the nation. ABOUT ANAMBRA
Anambra State is a state in south-eastern Nigeria. Its name is an anglicized version of the original 'Oma Mbala', the native name of the Anambra 82
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River. The Capital and the Seat of Government is Awka. Onitsha and Nnewi are the biggest commercial and industrial cities, respectively. The state's theme is "Light Of The Nation". Boundaries are formed by Delta State
to the west, Imo State and Rivers State to the south, Enugu State to the east and Kogi State to the north. The origin of the name is derived from the Anambra River which is a tributary of the famous River Niger. WINTER 2019
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OVERVIEW: LOCATION & PEOPLE
Anambra has one of the highest population densities in Africa. The state comprises numerous thickly populated villages, a number of small towns and a few major towns; some areas are so thickly populated that the estimated density is 15002000 persons living within every square kilometre. Most of the population is rural, although over the last two decades the rural-urban migration has stretched the meagre urban services to a breaking point. This pattern of human migration has posed serious problems for the state's resources, fragile infrastructure, environmental sanitation, erosion control and social services. This pressure is especially evident in its huge commercial city of Onitsha. Consequently, portable water, electricity and decent housing for the residents of Onitsha have become a luxury. The onerous task before WINTER 2019
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the new government of Chief Willie Obiano is to reverse the decadence of the past and turn things around for the teeming population of Onitsha in particular and and the entire state generally. Most of the population of Anambra State
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are members of the enterprising Igbo ethnic group who are renowned for their resoucefulness and spirit of entrepreneurship. The Anambra Igbo are ubiquitous and can be found in all nooks and cranies of Nigeria, as well as in virtually every region
of the world. Wherever they find themselves, the entrepreuneurial skills of the Igbo stand them out in all their fields of endeavour. Indeed, Anambra State is a very exciting place to visit by anyone who wants to experience the vibrance of authentic Africa.
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Country Profile
Kenya
K
enya, officially the Republic of Kenya, is a sovereign state in Africa. Its capital and largest city is Nairobi. Kenya lies on the equator with the Indian Ocean to the south-east, Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, South Sudan to the north-west, WINTER 2019
- the magic of Africa Ethiopia to the north and Somalia to the north-east. Kenya covers 581,309 km2 (224,445 sq mi) and has a population of about 44 million in July 2012. The country is named after Mount Kenya, the secondhighest mountain in Africa. Kenya is divided into 47 semi-autonomous
counties that are headed by governors who were elected in the first general election under the new constitution in March 2013. These 47 counties now form the first-order divisions of the country. Under the old constitution, Kenya comprised eight provinces each headed by a Provincial Commissioner LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
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(centrally appointed by the president). The provinces (mkoa singular, mikoa plural in Swahili) were subdivided into districts. Constituencies are an electoral subdivision, with each county comprising a whole number of constituencies.
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An Interim Boundaries commission was formed in the year 2010 to review the constituencies and in its report, it recommended the creation of an additional 80 constituencies. Previous to the 2013 elections, there were 210 constituencies in
Kenya. The current President of Kenya is Uhuru Kenyatta ran and won with 50.51% of the vote in March 2013. Famous for its classic savanna safaris, Kenya
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Country Profile
is a country of dramatic extremes and classic contrasts. Deserts and alpine snows; forests and open plains; the metropolis of Nairobi and colorful tribal cultures; freshwater lakes and coral reefs. For many people, Kenya is East Africa
in microcosm. The wildlife safaris have been the top tourist attractions in Kenya for decades while other activities include trekking Mount Kenya, ballooning over the Masai Mara and snorkeling in Malindi on the Indian Ocean coast.
The current President of Kenya is Uhuru Kenyatta ran and won with 50.51% of the vote in March 2013.
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Nairobi National Park Nairobi National Park is just a 10 minutes drive from the center of Nairobi with only a fence separating the park’s wildlife from the metropolis. Nairobi’s skyscrapers can be seen from the park. Despite its proximity to the city and the relative small size of the park, Nairobi National Park boasts a large and varied wildlife population. Migrating wildebeest and zebra gather in the park during the dry season, and it is one of Kenya’s most successful rhinoceros sanctuaries.
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Malindi Malindi provides a very nice introduction to the
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coastal tourist attractions in Kenya with its extensive coral reefs and beautiful beaches. There are surfing, snorkeling, deep-sea fishing and other water sports. The Malindi Marine National Park is protected and has fine beaches clear water and very colorful fish. Malindi is served with a domestic airport and a highway between Mombasa and Lamu.
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Mount Kenya Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa, after Kilimanjaro. The mountain offers a beautiful sight. Its series of peaks are crowned
with snow, and its slopes are covered with forest. The 5199 meter (17,057 ft) high summit is a difficult technical climb, several lowers peaks however are an easy destination for any fit trekker.
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Samburu National Reserve Samburu National Reserve is a very peaceful national park in Northern Kenya. It attracts wildlife because of the Uaso Nyiro River that runs through it and the mixture of forest and grassland vegetation. All three big cats, lion, cheetah and leopard, can be found here, as well as elephants, buffalo, and hippos. The Uaso Nyiro River contains
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large numbers of Nile crocodiles.
Hell's Gate National Park Hell’s Gate National Park is a tiny park named after a narrow break in the cliffs, once a tributary of a prehistoric lake that fed early humans in the Rift Valley. It is unique among Kenya’s wildlife parks, as you are allowed to walk or cycle without a guide. There’s dramatic scenery, with steep cliffs, gorges and basalt columns. The national park is home to a wide variety of wildlife, though many are few in number. Examples of littleseen wildlife include lions, leopards, and cheetahs.
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Lamu Island Lamu Island is a part of Kenya’s Lamu Archipelago and has managed to stay unspoiled and untouched by the mass tourism that has hit much of Kenya’s coastline. As the oldest living town in Kenya, Lamu Town has retained all the charm and character built up over centuries. There are no roads on Lamu Island, just alleyways and footpaths, and therefore, there are few motorized
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vehicles on the island. Residents move about on foot or by boat, and donkeys are used to transport goods and materials.
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Tsavo National Park Tsavo is the largest national park in Kenya and one of the largest in the world. Due to its size the park was divided into Tsavo West and Tsavo East. The Tsavo West has spectacular scenery with a rolling volcanic landscape while Tsavo East has more open savannah than its western sibling. Tsavo National Park is the ideal destination in Kenya for people who seek solitude and privacy as well as the chance to explore the wilderness.
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Lake Nakuru Lake Nakuru is a very shallow lake in central Kenya. The lake’s abundance of algae attracts vast quantities of lesser flamingos, sometimes more than one million at once. Often called the greatest bird spectacle on earth, the flamingos are one of Kenya’s top attractions. Sadly, in recent years the number of flamingos at Lake Nakuru has been decreasing, due to
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environmental degradation and pollution.
Amboseli National Park Amboseli National Park is a relatively small park located close to the Tanzania border at the foot of Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro. The park is famous for being the best place in Africa to get close to free-ranging elephants. Other attractions of the Amboseli National Park include opportunities to meet the Maasai people and spectacular views of Mount Kilimanjaro.
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Masai Mara National Reserve The Masai Mara National Reserve is one of the top tourist attractions in Kenya and the country’s most popular game park. Each year the Masai Mara National Reserve is visited by thousands of tourists who come here to watch the exceptional population of game and the annual migration of zebra and wildebeest. The “Great Migration” takes place every year from July to October when millions of wildebeest and zebra migrate from the Serengeti in Tanzania.
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Religion
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slam, a term with a variety of meanings. First, Islam could refer to the cosmos where the entire universe could be seen to embody existence. In unity it flows, in harmony escribing praise to God; the cosmos only exists because God exists, He sustains it all. Another definition of Islam comes from the idea of it being a continuation of the religions that came before it; therefore the Muslims believe that the
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What Nigerian terrorist groups could learn from Islamic history. Bullus M. Gago
same God found in Islam is the same God found in the Christian and Jewish faith, which leads me to the last definition of Islam. Islam also referse to a new community of Muslims, a new community living out the core religious tenents itself. A community surrendered and in harmony with God’s unity. When referring to Islam therefore, it is essential to understand that it is but a community submitted
to God and his divine will. Remembering these definitions is important because looking throughout the definitions of Islam the theme of unity and harmony runs through it. Islam is seen to be a religion of peace by Muslims. Muslims argue that this peace is better seen when individuals live according to and are guided by the expectations of the Quran. A person looking for this WINTER 2019
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peace with eyes primed with Western individualistic principles, would not see nor appreciate this peace. In the West, a person is more at peace as they stand on their own, yet in Islam peace was to be sought for within the framework of a community or ummah. Each within this community is a collection of “believing individuals who have moral obligations to the community as a whole and to each of its members as well as to themselves. The good of the whole and the good of the individual are not seen as competing interests that need to be opposed to each other, but as mutually reinforcing concerns”; this concept is seen in Quran 9:71 (Dakake 2015, Loc 79494). It is for the reason of peace within a community that we find that justice is swiftly and harshly served especially when a crime is committed that threatens and disturbs the unity present; the unity the Prophet fought to establish, a community of believers harmoniously surrendered to God. It is then the responsibility of the community to uphold a standard that ensures this peace. Quran 23:96 adjures WINTER 2019
believers to resist evil; it does so by informing believers of their responsibility as opposed to what the West
Muslims argue that this peace is better seen when individuals live according to and are guided by the expectations of the Quran
would consider freedom of individuality. The Quran, therefore, reveals the equality of all individuals to do what is right, which
is to show their greatest spiritual potential of submitting to the will of God; this is irrespective of nationality, religion or even gender. It is then those “who have achieved high levels of religious devotion or knowledge that enjoy a higher standing than those who have not” (39:9; 9:109) (Dakake 2015, Loc 79545). One then could begin to decipher the tension that could arise from this idea of ethical expectations within an ummah. Peace reigns within this context of togetherness while being led by the principles outlined in the Quran. Individuals of other religions might not be so religiously bounded as to live out the requirements of the Quran for a peaceful community. For example, the Quran forbids the consumption of alcohol, another individual from another religious community might indulge in these acts; or for example, another population living as its neighbor happens to be flexible with its sexual restraints. We can see that in order to keep sin out justice will have to be served unless the entire ummah becomes corrupted. For this reason, it is essential to LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE
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view Islamic ethics not from the Western perspective of intolerance but a spiritual perspective of community cleansing. Every cleansing act then that a Muslim community serves should be seen as an attempt to keep a community reminded of Gods pretemporal covenant; the very glue that holds the peace together. The Prophets image as a political leader then at the beginning of Islam was a way of defending the immerging faith, the community. His admonitions for violence were not to be viewed as an effort to conquer the world, but it was a way of resisting oppositions against the growing faith. In fact, if the prophet was the embodiment of the Quran, then we can conclude that his perception of dwelling with other religions was not a thing of strife but a thing 92
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of possibility. Quran 5 details how God intentionally made religions to differ and if he had so much chosen he would have made it one religion. What then could be deduced from this is that the same God, according to various cultural differences, revealed himself in ways that were relevant to their context. For this reason to allude that the prophet was violently striving to Islamize nations is false. What one could deduce from the universal nature of the Quran is that each religious individual that is striving to surrender, and is living out the core tenants of their religious belief, are indeed climbing the same mountain for which devoted individuals should find themselves together at the top.
terrorist groups understand the struggles of the early Muslims. By understanding what begun sectarian and ideological differences and subsequently understanding terms such Jihad and sharia, they might be able to redirect their notions to reflecting that of the faith’s foundation. To be continued in the Spring 2020 Edition of Life and Times Magazine Bullus M. Gago is a pastor and Ph.D. Student who is devoted to the process of understanding Africa’s struggles and what it would take to create a working African identity. His endeavors include working tirelessly to inspire individuals to become their best selves possible; this only being possible by having the right imaging of God within their social location. Contact information: bullusmgago77@gmail.com
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