Xcel international magazine issue 49 by Barth Emuekpere

SIR CELESTINE OMEHIA’S 54TH BIRTHDAY CARNIVAL IN OIL-RICH RIVERS STATE No. 49

International N 500 8 3 GHc 6 201304

Corporate Excellence

QUEST FOR GREATER EFFICIENCY: GWVSL Commissions New fleet

CELEBRATING JESSICA MATTHEWS: Nigerian US-Based Inventor Fashion Splendor

RT. HON. AUSTIN OPARA JOINS LEAGUE OF ELDER

Naija’s Talk Show Queens & Their Style

STATESMEN, CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE IN FANFARE

THE ECSTATIC WEDDING OF OZIEGBE EHIMUAN & CHIDUMGA OKORO IN NIGERIA’S GARDEN CITY

MAYOR OF PORT HARCOURT, HON. CHIMBIKO AKAROLO LAUNCHES ALBUM FOR CHARITY

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Number 49

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Milestone The Eventful 54th Birthday Carnival Of HIS EXCELLENCY, SIR CELESTINE OMEHIA In Nigeria’s Garden City At 50, RT. HON. AUSTIN OPARA Joins League Of Elder Statesmen, Celebrates Birthday In A Classy Fashion

52 31 31

Corporate Excellence

Fashion & Style Limitless Style of BANGLES & BRACELETS

QUEST FOR GREATER EFFICIENCY Global West Vessel Specialist Limited Commissions New Fleet

23 Fashion Counsel Choosing The Right HANDBAG For Your Outing 73

Society The Ecstatic Wedding Of OZIEGBE EHIMUAN & CHIDUMGA OKORO In Nigeria’s Garden City

For Men Only

SHADES: A Gentlemen’s 74 Essential Accessory

Entertainment

SMART COLD WEATHER WEARS 74

CCADI’S QUIZ NIGERIANA IN PORT HARCOURT: 28 ...a Passion For Nigeria’s Leaders Of Tomorrow

Trendy Splash

Bayelsa Hosts 2013 Summer Leadership Camp

Naija’s Talk Show Queens & Their Styles 75 The Beauty Files

C-STROKES LAUNCH REGGAE ALBUM FOR CHARITY ...The Connecting dots between Reggae and Charity 63

LIPSTICK COLOUR For Dark Skin Women

Departments 6 XCEL People: Celebrating JESSICA MATTHEWS: A Young Nigerian...

22 Health Matters: CUCUMBER As a Natural Remedy

30 Feminine Talk:

Sister, Wake Up

46 Moving up the Ladder: Unlocking Your Potential For Uncommon...

28 48

50 Parenting:

The Devastating Effects of DIVORCE on Children

62 Relationship:

What Women Really Want

70 Thinking Cap:

BEYOND OIL ECONOMY: Where is Nigeria?

THE PEOPLESâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; VOICE The letter by Sam Udoh from Eket is the Star Letter of this edition and wins our N1,000 prize money. Congratulations.

XCEL PEOPLE

CELEBRATING

JESSICA MATTHEWS: A YOUNG NIGERIAN INVENTOR SOLVING AFRICA'S LIGHT PROBLEM that are expensive to fuel and harmful to the health (The fumes the children inhale from these lamps are the equivalent of smoking two packs of cigarettes a day.) So the pair started thinking: “Why don't we give you something that you already like to do and get what you need,” explains Matthews. From there, they came up with prototypes for the sOccket.

New York-based Jessica Matthews

he is young. She is an inventor. She is a Nigerian. And she is impelled by an uncommon sense of purpose that challenges the high and mighty, poor and rich alike. In her own words: “for me, I was raised to seek a solution when there is a problem”. Jessica Matthews read economics and psychology in Harvard University, but prodded by an opportunity from her lecturer to proffer solution to a nagging world problem, Mathews, along with her course mate friend, came up with the idea of solving the perennial problem of power supply in developing countries. To tackle the challenge, the two friends began to take classes in Electrical and Mechanical engineering to upgrade their residual knowledge of science. And the result of that academic challenge is the sOccket ball: a ball which can generate three hours of light from 30 minutes of play. Here is a story of resilience, a success story, a story of possibilities, and a story of the productive and creative mind of a young African woman that will challenge the creative potentials in African people of her generation. It is a story worth celebrating. In recognition of this landmark innovation, in this edition, we celebrate Jessica Matthews on the XCEL PEOPLE page.

Jessica O. Matthews is a young upwardly mobile Nigerian woman who along with her course mate, Julia Silverman, while in their junior year at Harvard University, co-invented the sOccket ball and founded Uncharted Play - a social enterprise that create fun products and services to addresses major societal issues. It started out simply enough. As classmates at Harvard, Jessica Matthews and her friend took a class on engineering even as non-engineering students. They were tasked with creating a solution to a problem facing the world and their first idea was a flop with the professor. "I remember thinking, 'I can't fail! My GPA needs to be right for grad school!" Matthews told The Huffington Post. "So we remembered a seed of an idea we had before, and that's where sOccket came from." Jessica and her friends had in their early 20s travelled extensively through Africa and knew that soccer was a hugely popular sport. They also noticed that in Africa, children made soccer balls out of just about anything, including discarded plastic bags. “We wanted to create a product that would change their lives,” says Matthews. In Africa, limited access to electricity leads to the use of fume-emitting kerosene lamps

sOccket ball is the name Matthews and Silverman gave their bold product: a soccer ball that captures and stores kinetic energy that can then be used by plugging in any compatible plug into the DC outlet built into the ball. It is a regular soccer ball, but it doubles as an energy-harvesting source that can help light up communities without access to electricity. The idea holds potential as a means of reducing the reliance on dangerous kerosene lamps, and can power a LED light for three hours on just 30 minutes of play time. It is water-resistant and never deflates. Matthews says the ball, which has earned the attention of many major news outlets and the Clinton Global Initiative, is an important symbol of agency. Since soccer balls are omnipresent in most of the world (including in Nigeria and Haiti, among the first nations where sOcckets will be distributed), turning the ball into a source of light instantly helps children realize they can make changes in their own communities. "The thing about kinetic energy, versus, say, solar energy, is that you can play with it. By doing an action on the ball and getting something out of it, it becomes a symbol of empowerment," Matthews said. "It's about your happiness in the now [while playing], and a hope for a better tomorrow." "We believe innovation lives between a rock and a hard place," she added.

Matthews and Silverman didn't realize the power of their invention until they tested it in South Africa in 2010. “It was resonating with people and that convinced engineers to come on board,” says Matthews. A new model of the sOccket will be released soon, which will be even lighter and more energy efficient.

UNCHARTED PLAY In few years ago, Matthews and Silverman set up their social enterprise, Uncharted Play, to create fun products and services that address major societal issues. The pair threw their entire grad school savings into the idea and borrowed funds from family members to develop their product. Their office space was donated by Matthews' father. However Matthews says that raising money has been the toughest challenge. According Mathews, “Social impact is important to us. It's in the heart of what we do and that's what we established our business model on. It's hard to find the right people who believe in the same things that we believe in.” So far, they have about 6,000 sOcckets confirmed for distribution to developing countries in Africa, Central America, and Asia. Though they're based in New York, Matthews and Silverman plan to have a factory up and running in Nigeria and would like to see sOcckets in stores in third world nations. The plant would house the worldwide production of the sOcckets.

Mathews, an `Entrepreneurship Ambassador' to promote entrepreneur in Nigerian universities and in Nigeria as a whole.

raised to seek a solution when there is a problem. To be as creative as you can and be opened to different ways so you can address the situation,'' she said.

According to Nigeria's Minister of Trade and Investments, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, “Mathews is an inspiration to every Nigerian, especially children, and the product is portrayed as made by a Nigerian

She said although the items were already on sale in New York, she had not started making them in Nigeria.

"We want to create the Google of factories," said Matthews, who is an Edo State born Nigerian-American. "[A plant] where people love to be there and are learning to be innovators regardless of where they are in the company.” Concerning the future of their company, Uncharted Play, Mathews affirmed “2013 will be all about growth and challenging ourselves to innovate in ways somewhat unrelated to the SOCCKET. We plan to release a second product, the Ludo, and expand our educational services”. During a courtesy visit to Nigeria, in which Mathews did the presentation and demonstration of the invented products to President Goodluck Jonathan, the Nigeria Federal Government appointed Jessica

for the world…the product is actually versatile, it is not just about the electricity you see, you can use it to charge your mobile phones, power your Fans and so many things for which it can be used. We are also looking at the possibilities of manufacturing it in Nigeria and see how we can make it cheaper in this country”. In response to the question from the Nigeria Press as to why she invented the sOccket ball, Mathews who is 25years old said her motivation to invent the ball and skipping rope came when she attended a wedding in Nigeria and there was a sudden power outage. “I am a Nigerian and was in Nigeria, it was my Aunt's wedding and we lost power. How many times, is there anyone who has not been affected? For me, I was

She, however, said when they (the socket ball) would be made available for sale in Nigeria, the cost would be equivalent to what people pay for a solar inverter. For young entrepreneurs looking to start a social enterprise Matthews's advice is simple: “Just find an issue you're passionate about and start googling how you can make a change. You just need to start and take the first step. …Stop waiting for the perfect time to start your venture as it will never come. The reality is, if something is innovative, you cannot be taught how to do it. You must prepare yourself to learn while doing and to fail frequently. Fortunately, failure only counts as failure if it's the period in your sentence. If you get back up and keep going, it's just a comma, an interesting pause in your story that makes the exercise of looking back on how you achieved success even more meaningful”. For young people out there looking for a role model, you have found one from your own generation. Jessica Mathews' story is enough inspiration that you require to go all out to be the best you can be. It is no time for the folding of hands. It is time to think and think big. If only you will think and put your brain to work, in your hearts are billion dollar worth of ideas begging for expression. You are born for a purpose. Be inspired. It is against this backdrop that we celebrate and decorate Jessica Matthews with the XCEL SEAL OF EXCELLENCE. XL

AFRICA PERISCOPE

ETHIOPIA BANS CITIZENS FROM TRAVELLING ABROAD FOR WORK trauma because of illegal human trafficking. The decision was meant to "safeguard the well-being of citizens", it added.

thiopia's government has temporarily banned its citizens from travelling abroad to look for work, the state-run Erta news agency reports. The foreign ministry was quoted as saying countless Ethiopians had lost their lives or undergone untold physical and psychological

The travel ban will remain in place until a "lasting solution" is found. The ministry said the government had taken various measures to limit the suffering of its citizens, including setting up a national council and a taskforce to educate them. But those measures had not been able to address the problem sufficiently, it added. Employment agencies will also be barred from facilitating travel abroad. The scarcity of work opportunities is a major factor fuelling emigration from Ethiopia, which has Africa's second largest population. Youth

unemployment is officially estimated at more than 50%. Human rights activists also say a significant number of those classified as economic migrants flee the country because of political and economic oppression or ethnic discrimination by the state. Many Ethiopians try to reach Saudi Arabia, travelling via Yemen by sea and entering the kingdom illegally. Thousands of others head for South Africa, Israel and Europe. According to reports, they often end up being smuggled, trafficked or subjected to mental and physical torture. And once they reach their destinations, many require humanitarian assistance or face a wide range of abuses from employers.

backed Toure's stance. BLACK PLAYERS MAY BOYCOTT He said: "Yaya Toure is absolutely right in raising the spectre of African players or players of African heritage not 2018 RUSSIA WORLD CUP going to the 2018 World Cup - and without them there will not be a World Cup in Russia. "I wouldn't blame them. In this era, players are the most powerful force and if all the players said they are not going, there wouldn't be a World Cup, or if there was it would be meaningless.â&#x20AC;?

MADAGASCAR VOTERS GO TO POLLS IN LONG-AWAITED ELECTION

ew lease of life is returning to Madagascar as voters all across the island are going to the polls in their first election since the 2009 military-backed takeover. Thirty-three candidates are contesting the election, which has been postponed three times this year.

lack players might boycott the 2018 World Cup in Russia unless the country tackles racism in football, according to Manchester City's Yaya Toure. "If we aren't confident at the World Cup, coming to Russia, we don't come," the Ivorian midfielder said. UEFA is investigating Toure's complaint that he was racially abused by some CSKA fans during a Champions League game in Moscow. The Russian club denies any racist chanting took place. CSKA, which said it was "surprised and disappointed" by Toure's allegation, will face a disciplinary hearing on 30 October. If found guilty, UEFA could force CSKA to close part of its stadium for a future game. A club statement read: "Having carefully studied the video of the game, we found no racist insults

from fans of CSKA." Spokesman Michael Sanadze told BBC Radio 5 live: "We have nothing to hide, of course, and we have confirmation from the match delegate and the venue director that they themselves didn't hear anything special." The Russian side's own Ivory Coast player, striker Seydou Doumbia, added: "I didn't hear anything like that from the CSKA fans. "Yes, they're always noisy in supporting the team and try to put as much pressure as possible on our opponents, but they wouldn't ever allow themselves to come out with racist chants. "So my Ivory Coast colleague is clearly exaggerating." But Piara Powar, executive director of European antidiscrimination body Football Against Racism in Europe (FARE) and a member of FIFA's anti-discrimination taskforce,

Voting has been orderly in the capital but a local official was killed in an attack on a polling station in the south-western town of Benenitra. Another person was kidnapped from a polling station in Bezaha, elsewhere in the south, an interior ministry source told the AFP news agency. Hery Martial Rakotoarimanana Rajaonarimampianina and Richard Jean-Louis Robinson are two front-runners in the election, competing with a similar pledge to rebuild the island's economy after years of unrest. The polls will be run by the Independent National Electoral Commission of the Transition (Cenit) - an independent electoral body funded by the United Nations. However, no firm date has been set to announce the results but if no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes cast, a second round will be held on 20 December, along with the parliamentary elections. According to Cenit, there are 7,697,382 registered voters and 20,115 polling stations in Madagascar, a country which is the size of France with a scattered population.

ICC TRIAL: COURT ORDERS WILLIAM RUTO'S COMPULSORY ATTENDANCE

he International Criminal Court has ordered the compulsory attendance of the Kenya's Deputy President, William Ruto in his on-going trial at the Hague, most of which are on charges of crimes against humanity. Prosecutors had appealed against an earlier decision which would have let him spend most of his time in Kenya. While he must appear at most of his trial, the court ruled he can be excused on a "case by case" basis. Mr. Ruto's lawyers argued he was needed in Kenya after the attack by Islamist militants on the Westgate centre. The Kenyan deputy president denies responsibility for post-election violence in 2007 and 2008, in which an estimated 1,200 people were killed in the ethnic

bloodshed and about 600,000 fled their homes. However, his lawyers argued that justice could still be done in his absence. In their ruling, judges were critical of the initial decision to give the deputy president a "blanket excusal" before the trial had even commenced. Ruto will be allowed to apply to miss portions of the case but his absence will only be allowed when it is absolutely necessary.

William Ruto

However, the ruling could deepen tensions between the court and African leaders who accuse it of unfairly targeting their continent. Mr. Ruto has, so far, attended much of his

case. His trial began in September. The deputy president is the first serving government official to stand trial in international court.

MOBUTU SESE SEKO'S BODY TO RETURN TO CONGO

he Democratic Republic of Congo's government will repatriate the body of ex-ruler Mobutu Sese Seko in agreement with his family, President

Joseph Kabila has said.

Mr. Mobutu was buried in Morocco, where he died in 1997 after he was overthrown in a rebellion by Mr. Kabila's father. Mr. Kabila's gesture is seen as an attempt to Mobutu Sese Seko promote reconciliation. The president made the announcement in a rare parliamentary address in which he pledged to create a new unity government. "This government will include members of the ruling majority as well as the opposition and civil society," he said. It is reported that Mr. Kabila is likely to have consulted Mr. Mobutu's

NIGERIA PIRATE ATTACK: ...US Sailors Seized

irates have seized two US sailors from an oil supply ship off the coast of Nigeria. The captain and chief engineer of the US-flagged C-Retriever were taken by armed men who stormed the boat. Gunmen attacked the C-Retriever, the oil supply vessel, near the coastal town of Brass in Nigeria's oil-rich Bayelsa State. The chief engineer and the captain, both American citizens, were kidnapped. The vessel and 11 other members of the crew were reportedly released. The US State Department Deputy Spokeswoman Marie Harf said the incident was being treated as "an act of

p i r a c y " rather than terrorism but were concerned about the rise in piracy off the West Africa coast.

Also White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters: "We are concerned by the disturbing increase in the incidence of maritime crime, including incidents of piracy off the coast of West Africa, specifically in the Gulf of Guinea.â&#x20AC;?

son, Nzanga Mobutu, an MP who is now an ally of Mr. Kabila, before announcing that the ex-ruler will be re-buried in DR Congo. Mobutu Sese Seko is still fondly remembered by his supporters who believe one of his achievements was to keep the vast country united, he says. The infamous autocratic leader fled DR Congo as rebels, led by Mr. Kabila's father Laurent Kabila, advanced on the capital, Kinshasa, in 1997. His critics accused him of being a ruthless and corrupt ruler who crushed internal dissent and plundered DR Congo's mineral resources. It will be recalled that Mr. Mobutu came to power in a coup and ruled DR Congo, which he named Zaire, for more than 30 years, and died at the age of 66, just months after he was exiled.

October report. It is estimated that oil product worth approximately $100m (approximately ÂŁ62m) has been stolen since 2010. In recent months there have been numerous kidnappings of foreign oil workers and wealthy Nigerians, especially in the oilproducing Niger Delta region. They have often been held until a ransom payment is made.

The International Maritime Bureau has recorded more than 40 attacks in the area this year with 132 crew taken hostage. The gangs usually target the oil vessels to steal the cargo. "Pirate networks in the Gulf of Guinea are focusing on product theft from tankers and this relatively new type of crime has evolved into a unique and highly lucrative form of maritime crime," said the Risk Intelligence security firm, in its

SOCIETY

THE ECSTATIC WEDDING OF OZIEGBE EHIMUAN & CHIDUMGA OKORO IN NIGERIA’S GARDEN CITY

e is handsome, bold and brilliant, a chip off the old block! Ozeigbe Joseph Ehimuan, the first son of late Edo-born business behemoth, Dr. Joe Ehimuan and his loving wife, Mrs. Pauline Ehimuan, found true love in doting and ravishing Chidumga Diezzanni Okoro, daughter of renowned Architect, Arc. Ezigbo Okoro of Akabo from Imo State. Theirs was a bubble of love tempered only by mutual respect for each other and the fear of God, which lately spilled into a full blown affair. On the 13th of July 2013, like a magnet, the wedding of these lovebirds pulled a long list of political heavyweights, legal luminaries, toprate business executives, traditional rulers, friends and family to Our Lady of Holy Rosary Chaplaincy-CIWA Port Harcourt in a solemnization of holy matrimony conducted by an array of clergy, led by Very Rev. Monsignor (Dr.) Pius Kii. Other include Rev. Fr Cosmos Ojemen, Rev. Fr Okeodion, Rev. Fr (Dr) Francis Normako, Rev. Fr Francis Omolinen and a host of others. Immediately after the church service, the nuptial fiesta moved to the beautifully decorated magisterial hall of Aztec Arcum Events Centre. The event, topnotch as it was, was compered by ace comedian, Gordons and African Magic “Jara” hostess Helen Paul who were horn-locked in a thrilling battle of comedy. As expected, they jointly unleashed waves upon waves of hilarious jokes across the auditorium, sentencing the audience to a night of ceaseless laugh. The reception which was chaired by Sir Arumeme Ikhide, Chairman, Arik Air, paraded a constellation of important dignitaries across professional, political and entrepreneurial divides. Typical of such gathering of heavy weights, dining and wining were plenteous as the guests were treated to a variety of sumptuous course meals and assorted wines. Giving his vote of thanks towards the end of the event, Ozeigbe expressed gratitude to his inlaws, the Okoros for giving their blessing and support to the wedding. To his mother, the resilient, beautiful and amiable lady of style, Mrs Pauline Ehimuan, Ozeigbe ran short of words of appreciation as the couple gave kudos to all that have supported the wedding in one way or the other. In all, one may not be wrong to say this was a wedding made in heaven. It was a union of two svelte and young lovers with great hope for a blissful married life. It was assuredly a “wow” experience all through as a dull moment was unimaginable.

...And she arrived

...In their own world

Couple in a Splendid mood

Ozeigbe & Chidumga

Brideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dad, Arc. Okoro, hands over daughter

Groomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mom receives Chidumga

Monsignor Pius Kii officiating

...signing the dotted lines

Couple thanking God Chidumga Ozeigbe XL

SOCIETY

Couple with the Clergy

Couple with Bridal Train & Groom’s Men

Bestman & Chief bride’s maid

Bride & Bridal Train

Prof Otaigbe, Chief L. Izzi, Rear Adm. J. Aikhomu, Guest with Engr. & Mrs. Odia Prof. & Dr. (Mrs.) A. Ataga with Mr. & Mrs. Humphry Akahomen & Mrs. Felicia Barber

Couple with sponsor, Mr Mac Oruche & daughter

Couple with Admiral & Mrs. Festus Porbeni

Mr. Odis, ACG (Rtd.) & wife

Mrs. Florence Ukpan

Mrs. Affi Ibanga, Guest & Mr. Gab Ozigue

Florence Momodu

Mrs. Doris Nwosa

Mrs. Rita Akpakure

Bride's Aunt

Prince & Mrs. Martins Ojie

Couple with Engr. Ibhawoh

Dr. Henry Izibili & daughters

Mr. & Mrs. Agboneni

Mr. Soly Idehen Pa Akposiki Usiabulu (Groomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Grand Dad) Mrs. Phil Idehen XL

SOCIETY

Mrs. Illoabachie

Mrs. F. Sunmonu & Mrs. Nkiru Ezekwu

Mr. & Mrs. Uche Obi, Miss Lvie Obasuyi

Dr. (Mrs.) Mimi Shagaya, Mrs. Pauline, Sen. & Barr. (Mrs.) Shagaya & Prof. Otaigbe

Mr. & Mrs. Fred Ogbonna with Mr. Mustapha Abubakar

Couple with Groom’s Men & Mom

Couple with Bride’s family

Dr. & Barr. (Mrs.) Ibe, Mrs.Pauline & Mrs. Stella Okoh

Mrs. Pauline, Omoye Otaigbe, Dr. (Mrs) B. Otaigbe & a guest Mrs. Sandra Ikuenobe

Mrs. Pauline & Col. Kelvin Aligbe

Mr. Peter Ejiofor

Mr. Xavier Ikuenobe & Son

Mrs. Pauline, Arch. Okoro with Chief & Chief (Mrs.) Esenobi

Admiral F.B.I. Porbeni & Real Admiral Joe Aikhomu

Couple with Joe Eboje Staff

Couple with groomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s family

AT THE RECEPTION

Rev. Fr. Raymond Ikponwoba

Couple with Chairman of the event, Sir & Lady Arumemi-Ikhide

Couple

Mrs. Pauline Ehimuan & Admiral O. P. Fingesi Mrs Ehimuan & Barr. (Mrs) Awa Kalu

Bride & Dad digging it out on the dance floor

SOCIETY

Grooms Mother with Grandmothers

Mrs. Pauline Ehimuan, Mrs. Ngoka & Hon. (Dr.) Kingsley Emu

Rt. Hon. Austin Opara & wife Justice Meg with friend

Mrs Martha Irabor, Mrs. Pauline Ehimuan & Dr. (Mrs) Antonia Odafin

Barr. & Mrs. Reuben Agbodi

Mrs. Pauline Ehimuan & Chief Emmanuel Anyanwu

Mr. & Mrs Frank Usifoh

Mr. & Mrs Dave Olotu

Mr Eddy Egbuka & Mrs. Ehimuan

Barr. O.C.J Okocha (SAN) & wife Ify Justice Sotonye Denton-west

Dr. Pat Sule Ugboma & Rt. Hon. Austin Opara

Chief Tony Eze (left) & others

Gloria Koko, Mrs. Sweet Adukeh, Mrs. Ody Okoro & Mrs. Tola Samuel

Mr & Mrs Omisore with Mrs. Ehimuan

Prince Chizzy Jumbo & wife

Mr. & Mrs. Benny Obaze

Barr. (Mrs.) Azinge With Barr. & Dr. (Mrs.) Nwosu

Mrs Amina Egbudin, Mrs. Pauline Ehimuan & Mrs Ibrahim Mr. Idara Umoren & Mrs. Ugochukwu

Mrs. Ada Ugogi Mr. Larry Okojie & Mr. Joe Alagoa XL

SOCIETY

Mrs. Hananiya & Mrs. Mabel Okemini

Mrs. Pauline Ehimuan, Guest, Ebitimi Sam-Yudo & Mr. Emenike Ekeodo

Mrs Franka Agbochini & friend

Mrs. Blackshear & Mrs. Atta Haliday

Mrs Meg Etiobhio, Mrs. Pauline Ehimuan, Helen Paul & Mrs C. Ogbeide

Nneka, Princess Biddy Adele & Mrs. A. Cole

Mrs. Celine & Mrs O. Olanrewaju

Mrs. Betty Akuwe, Mrs Nkiru Ezekwu, Mrs. Agu & Mrs. Hilda Harrison (DCP)

Ann Kio-Briggs

Mrs. Odii Ottin

Comperes, Gordons & Helen Paul Mrs. Pauline Ehimuan & Meg Omokhodion

Chief & Dr. (Mrs) Ekene Offor

HRH & Chief (Mrs.) Serena Dokubo

Mrs. Intia-James, Pauline & Mrs. Amara

Mrs. Ehimuan & Mrs Nze Dike

Comptroller Monday Abue & Chief Ernest Eluchukwu

Justice Daisy Okocha With Chief & Barr. (Mrs) Awa Kalu (SAN)

Dr. & Mrs. Tom Agbukui

Mr. Cyril Imobhio & Friends

Couple with Mrs. Nwaobiara Kalu

Barr. (Mrs.) Aleruchi Cookey-Gam Mrs. Bose Oguru & friend Bride with friends

AT THE TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE

SOCIETY

Oziegbe

Mr. & Mrs. Ozeigbe Ehimuan

Groom with family members

Mrs. Stella Olotu

Couple with bride's family

Barr. Anat & Ijeoma

Groomâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Brothers

Mrs. Afolabi

Bride

Mrs. Mgbodi

Bride & Dr. (Mrs.) Chinenye Nwaneri

Mrs. Love Glory-Joe

Mr. Iyere

Oziegbe with Father-in-Law

Bride & Mother-in-law

Chidumga, ravishingly beautiful

Groom’s Mom & Chief (Mrs.) Ekeoba

Mrs. Dora Ozigue, Arc. Ezigbo Okoro & Dr. (Mrs.) Otaigbe

Bride & Mom, Mrs. Ody Okoro

Mr. & Mrs. Basil Usiabulu, Mrs. Pauline Ehimuan & Mrs. Dora Ozigue

Couple with Groom’s Mom, Mrs. Pauline Ehimuan

Bride with Arc. Harcourt Adukeh

Bride with Barr. OCJ Okocha (SAN) Miss Alawori

Bride with friends

A Benin Cultural Group XL

CUCUMBER C

ucumbers have not received as much press as other vegetables in terms of health benefits, but this widely-cultivated food provides us with a unique combination of nutrients. At the top of the phytonutrient list for cucumbers are its cucurbitacins, lignans, and flavonoids. These three types of phytonutrients found in cucumbers provide us with valuable antioxidant, antiinflammatory, and anti-cancer benefits. Here is a list of cucumber benefits

Quick pick me-up - Cucumbers are a good source of B vitamins. Put down your sodas and coffee and eat a cucumber slice.

Rehydrates body and replenishes daily vitamins - Cucumbers are 95 percent water, keeping the body hydrated while helping the body eliminate toxins. Cucumbers have most of the vitamins the body needs in a single day.

Skin and hair care - If you don't like to eat the skin, it can be used for skin irritations and sunburns as aloe would be used. Place a slice over puffy eyes and its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce puffiness. The silicon and sulfur in cucumbers help to stimulate hair growth. Fight cancers - Cucumber are known to contain lariciresinol, pinoresinol, and secoisolariciresinol. These three lignans have a strong history of research in connection with reduced risk of several cancer types, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and prostate cancer.

As a Natural Remedy Home care - Eliminates a foggy mirror. Before taking a shower, rub a cucumber slice along a mirror and it will eliminate the mirror fogging up. Instead of WD40, take a cucumber slice and rub it along a squeaky hinge and your door will stop squeaking. Relieves bad breath - Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath. Hangover cure - To avoid a morning hangover or headache; eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish many essential nutrients, reducing the intensity of both hangover and headache.

Aids in weight loss and digestion Due to its low calorie and high water content, cucumber is an ideal diet for people who are looking for weight loss. The high water content and dietary fiber in cucumbers are very effective in ridding the body of toxins from the digestive system, aiding digestion. Daily consumption of cucumbers can be regarded as a remedy for chronic constipation. Cures diabetes, reduces cholesterol and controls blood pressure - Cucumber juice contains a hormone which is needed by the cells of the pancreas for producing

insulin which has been found to be beneficial to diabetic patients. Researchers found that a compound called sterols in cucumbers may help reduce cholesterol levels. Cucumbers contain a lot of potassium, magnesium and fiber. These work effectively for regulating blood pressure. This makes cucumbers good for treating both low blood pressure and high blood pressure.

Promotes joint health, relieves gout and arthritis pain - Cucumber is an excellent source of silica, which is known to help promotes joint health by strengthening the connective tissues. They are also rich in vitamin A, B1, B6, C & D, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium. When mixed with carrot juice, they can relieve gout and arthritis pain by lowering the uric acid levels Cucumber should be a necessary part of a family weekly menu. It is nutritional and holds so much for a stronger, healthy family. For healthy living, we enjoin you to explore the incredible benefits of cucumber.

CORPORATE EXCELLENCE

Quest for Greater Efficiency Global West Vessel Specialist Limited commissions new fleet

or many in the Kirikiri, Apapa area of Lagos, Nigeria, Monday, October 7 would for a long time to come hold a special significance for them. Not just because of the convivial atmosphere which overwhelmed the area but more as a result of the unusual high traffic that plagued the major roads of the area on that eventful day.

send-forth ceremony of beneficiaries under the Nigeria Seaferers' Development Programme (NSDP), an initiative of Nigeria Maritime Safety Agency(NIMASA). A foremost maritime service provider and

The Nigeria Maritime Resource Centre popularly known as NIMASA Building in the neighbourhood, was the destination of most of the important dignitaries, guests, officers and journalists that were in that motorcade of a traffic. The occasion was the commissioning of three newlyacquired security and enforcement boats by Global West Vessel Specialists Limited, a leading firm in the country's maritime sector as well as the

operator, Global West Vessel Specialist Nigeria Ltd (GWVS Ltd) is a sister company to Global West Vessel Specialist U.S.A. The partnership provides great access to technology at the best. The company/ partnerships own Barges, Work Boats, Automatic Identification System and Satellite Technology. GWVS Ltd, a System Development and Integration business with expertise in delivering the full range services necessary to design, develop and implement monitoring and management solutions across the remote asset management market place in the maritime arena, is a provider of Satellite Intelligence Solutions which incorporates integrated multi-sensor intelligence solutions for image exploitation and analysis. Likewise GWVS LTD is able to bring other technologies,

Mr. Ziakede Akpobolokemi, Sen. Idris Umar & Nebolisa Emordi

Mr. Isaac Jolapamo, Chairman of Indigenous Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Ziakede Akpobolokemi, DG NIMASA & Sen. Idris Umar (Min. of Transport)

Winfred Itima (MD, GWVS Ltd.), Bisi Afolabi, & Greg Mbonu XL

CORPORATE EXCELLENCE

A vessel bearing the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name, Goodluck Jonathan

including satellite based Synthetic Aperture Radar into the Monitoring Control and Surveillance regime to enable the patrol resources of the coastal state to be used effectively in the fight against illegal activities along our waterways. Global West Vessel Specialist offers integrated solutions to management issues consisting of strategic planning and tactical operations implementation, which support the political and economic objectives of the coastal states and which may be linked across multiple control centres both nationally and internationally, enabling participants at all levels have access to information concerning their areas of maritime surveillance responsibility. In addition, Integrated solutions from Global West Vessel Specialist provide easy access to all available vessel activity information such that any incident that may arise can be managed effectively and efficiently. The company's solutions capability is built upon a rigorous development process that incorporates all aspects of system design and development including consultancy, solution engineering, project management, installation and training. The vast service experience and solutions of GWVS Ltd includes Channel Dredging and Maintenance/Channel Buoy Installation, Survey Services, Jetty/Bridge Construction Works, Ocean Surveillance, Coastal Surveillance, Integrated Solutions for Exclusive Economic Zone Management, Oil Spill Detection and

Control and Management.

Fisheries

GWVS LTD is a top rate maritime company run by a team of maritime seasoned personages with deft diplomatic savvy. These include: Senator Emmanuel Diffa (JP), Chairman of GWVS Board of Directors; Capt. Winfred Itima, Managing Director, Mr. Greg Mbonu, General Manager and host of other maritime seasoned officials. Leading a powerful assemblage of distinguished guests to commission the newly acquire vessels cum send forth event, was President Goodluck Jonathan, wellrepresented by the Honourable Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, Director General of NIMASA, Mr Ziakede Akpobolokemi, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Transport, Nebolisa Emordi, Chairman of Indigenous Shipowners Association of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Isaac Jolapamo, the top echelon of GWVS Ltd, and a host of other important guests. It was indeed a red-letter day with lots of pleasant memories that will be relived again and again by the 655 cadets who were sentforth for training overseas under the auspices of Nigeria Seafarers' Development Programme (NSDP). The beneficiaries who are due to depart the country for training in various Maritime institutions in different parts of the world including Egypt, India, Philippines, Romania and the United Kingdom, brought the total number of people who have benefitted from the development programme to 1460 people, who are mostly youths. While congratulating the cadets,

Interior of the vessel with hospitality features

A vessel in motion

Federal Government has commenced the processes of establishing the Maritime University at Okerenkoko in Delta State just as NIMASA has established Institutes of Maritime Studies in four Nigerian Universities University of Lagos, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai, Niger State and Niger Delta University in Bayelsa State.

The captain gets busy on his cabin

President Goodluck Jonathan said the Nigeria Seaferers' Development Programme is one of the laudable initiatives that the Federal Government through NIMASA created towards the building and developing Nigeria's Seafarers pool to meet the demand of the local and international manpower needed in the shipping industry for sustainable development. Again, the president added that the

On his own, the Director-General of NIMASA, Mr Ziakede Akpobolokemi confirmed that not less than 15 State governments have shown faith in the programme, which he described as very encouraging. The NIMASA DG commended the allocation of resources and support received from Mr. President, as well as the Senate and House of Representatives committees on Marine Transport for the success recorded so far. Afterwards was the commissioning the three new vessels by Global West Vessels Specialists Limited. The vessels, named NIMASA OGLAKIRIHGA, NIMASA OWEIKENIGHAN and NIMASA AMASEIKUMOR, represent some of

the best and most efficient vessels ready for the Nigerian waters. On account of the significance of the waterways, the vessels were described as great additions to the fleet of vessels owned by GWVS Ltd and other fleet on Nigeria's water ways as a whole. The commissioning was done by the Minister of Transport assisted by the Director General of NIMASA and other dignitaries. The event was indeed a landmark achievement for both GWVS Ltd and NIMASA, a feat that should be applauded by everyone, considering the potential boost the new vessels and the training of the cadets will bring to Nigeria's economy.

Some Cadets on board of the newly commissioned vessels

A number of vessels belonging to GWVS

CORPORATE EXCELLENCE

, Sen. Idris Umar flanked by Mr. Ziakede Akpobolokemi, Nebolisa Emordi & others commissions the Vessels

40 26

Hon. Minister in a handshake with Bisi Afolabi

Agu, Bisi Afolabi, Greg Mbonu & Abu

Members on the Boat Crew

Stanley Lucky, Asst. Base Manager & other staff

Greg Mbonu, General Manager

Capt. Johnson Isaren, Base Manager

Lt. Olumide Ojoto, Head, Inspectorate Ops

Capt. John Amulede flanked by two other staff aboard the Vessel

Engr. Benedict Aduke, Port Engineer

Mrs. Amara Obiora & Mrs. Juilet Isede

Crew men

Engr. Dan

A host of NIMASA Cadets set to undergo further training in the Philipines, India & other countries

Taiwo Shittu, IT Technical Manager

ENTERTAINMENT

The schools team

CCADIâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S QUIZ NIGERIANA IN PORT HARCOURT: ...a Passion for Nigeriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leaders of Tomorrow

ur minds are worlds of limitless potentials when cultivated rightly. In that light, the development of the young minds who are leaders of tomorrow is an incomparable and invaluable investment for the future worth undertaking. This is exactly what the organizers of Quiz Nigeriana, Community Conciliation And Development Initiative (CCADI), believe in and pursue with a deep sense of passion as they embarked on a weeklong quiz competition from 23rd September to 1st October, 2013. The event, moderated by Kelechi Justin, Awala Runo, and Chukwuemeka-team members of CCADI, was held at Silverbird Cinema Port Harcourt in commemoration of Nigeria's 53rd Independence anniversary cum centenary celebration with the lecture theme: Today's Readers, Tomorrow's Leaders, which was delivered by Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack. Amaechi Kelechi Justin (Organizer) & Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack

Sixteen Schools Participated from across Rivers State in the one week long event that has an ultimate Star Prize of N100,000 and a trophy in addition to other consolation prizes for runner-ups. The grand finale featured four schools: Community Secondary School Egwi-Etche, Active Brains International School, Air Force Secondary School Rumumasi, and Greenfield Academy. The academic challenge, colorful and impactful as it was, was spiced up by the cutting of a 53rd Independence/Centenary cake, gallant performances from some Greenfield Academy student groups - Wildcat, BBS, Starkid, recording artist chukwuemeka, and a poem by Kalabo. The grand prize of the quiz competition was won by Greenfield Academy which came first in the two rounds of the grand finale with a landslide victory while Community Secondary School-EgwiEtche, Active Brains International and Airforce Secondary School came second, third and fourth respectively.

Hon. Nimi officiates the cutting of the 53rd Independence Anniversary cake Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack, Kelechi, Teachers & Students cut the 53rd Independence Anniversary cake

Indeed the event was no doubt, a great investment on the mind of the young ones who are undoubtedly the future leaders of this great country.

Benice presenting the trophy to champions, Greenfield Academy

AKJ & the Adeoyes

Hon. Nimi delivering the lecture

Kelechi, Awala Runo & Emeka (behind)

Miebaka Tolu Fiberesima & AKJ

Ivy Davis Etokapan, CEO, EveAfrique Magazine & AKJ

Anthony Nwobodo presents Most Outstanding Student Prize with Don & AKJ watching

Don, AKJ & Benice presenting the star prize to Greenfield Academy

Victor, Micha & Victor - Quiz Masters

Greenfield Wild Cat group performing

Chineye of MTN, Kelechi, teachers & student of participating school

Emeka, Runo & a cross section of students

Sisters,

By Tiffany Oguns

WAKE UP!

t is appalling how we Sisters see things, do things and reason atimes. We seem to have accepted in full what many will call the norms which had been handed to us, from should I say our foremothers? Don't get me wrong, I am not a sexist neither am I gender bias, but I consider this continuous attempt to shroud us in a tradition that project sisters as weak, secondary, forgotten and sedentary, a disservice to womanhood. And to my chagrin, despite the constant awareness and campaign to build self-esteem in our sisters and liberate their minds in this part of Africa, there are some of us whose actions and attitude show they have come to accept this weak and sedentary approach to life as normal. Women were not always seen as weak. There were times in history that the future of a whole nation depended on the political, military and spiritual wisdom of women. Examples abound even in scriptures. In the book of Judges Chapters 4 and 5, Deborah-the faithful wife of Lapidoth was that great Judge of Israel who led that great nation to victory in their battle with the Canaanites. She judged Israel for over twenty years. Likewise, people only knew of the warrior in Jael, the wife of Heber the day she singlehandedly destroyed Sisera, the army general of the Canaanites. Until then she was known as just a housewife. What that tells us is that, as women there are hidden potentials in us, whether you are a housewife or not. If we cultivate these potentials, it will be of great benefits to the general society. Today, when the names of these fellow sisters are mentioned, their names conjure a picture of courage and strength, not that of weakness and second class. With utter dismay, I shudder each time I see Sisters that still live the life of full housewives, having no vision in life other than bringing up children and caring for their husband as stipulated by tradition. Such traditional roles has crippled the creative abilities in many sisters and weakened their self-esteem. Recently I heard the story of a graduate, married woman who is a wife to an uneducated man. After a few years of marriage, this so-called husband has turned this fellow sister into a slave in her matrimonial home: She does house chores all day long, cooking and bringing up the kids. And any attempt to discuss the possibility of doing something outside the home is rebuffed by her husband in the name of taking heed to tradition. She has become an emotional and mental wreck. Sometimes this fellow sister is subjected to physical abuse by the same man she worships. But she is a graduate, a supposedly enlightened woman whose refined mind has become manacled by a

tradition that does more evil than good! I am not saying a woman should shy away from her duties as a mother and a wife, however there is much more we can give to society than child bearing and doing house chores.

After all Ngozi Okonjo Iweala who is a mother and a wife, is the coordinating minister for Nigeria's economy and the Minister of Finance. Fellow sisters, you must get this argument right: Though we have women who are doing very well in public office like our

Alison Madueke

the Angela Merkel and Ellen Sirleaf Johnson of this world are fellow sisters who say no to male folk domination of high political offices. Today, these women lead nations. Their giant strides are glaring for the world to see. Little wonder why Ellen Sirleaf Johnson bagged the Nobel Prize for Peace for the good work she is doing in Liberia and Africa at large. Angela Merkel, the Germany Chancellor, on her part is reputed for her leadership prowess among the European Union countries.

Sisters, I am not saying we should compete

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

sister I just mentioned, we have some that are also doing very well as CEOs and MDs of notable companies and institutions as well as in politics; HOWEVER THE NUMBER IS NOT ENCOURAGING. And I can confidently attribute this to the limiting traditional view of womanhood in our society to which many of our fellow sisters have bought into. In politics for instance we are less than 10 percent. The whole terrain is still dominated by the male folk. In the Nigeria military circle, we have not seen a high ranking female military officer. All the military chiefs have always been men. In religious circle, we do have a few female bishops and pastors, but we are still waiting for the first female Islamic cleric. In the academic terrain, we have had some female Vice Chancellors and Professors, but we can move beyond the few numbers. Who says a woman cannot climb to the zenith of a career that has always been considered men's jurisdiction? For certain,

with the male folk in public leadership just in an ordinary sense of a competition, but we will compete with them as a means of liberating the innate potentials that God has birthed in us for the growth of the planet. I am saying we can contribute to the world in the same way men are doing. We are not trying to edge out the men. Far from that! In fact, we need them. They are our husbands, the fathers of our children, the ones that we share our lives with. We just need to bless the world with our inborn potentials the same way they are blessing the world with theirs. We should be given the same opportunity to aspire, dream, create and impact the world as the men's folk. Sisters we need to come out of our shells. Heed this Wake-up call! We are too loaded on the inside than to just fold our arms as house wives. There is much more we can do out there. Let us show the world what we can, because we really can.

Pix by: Eke Okoro

MILESTONE

AT 50, RT. HON. AUSTIN OPARA JOINS LEAGUE OF ELDER STATESMEN, CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY IN A CLASSY FASHION

f an elder statesman, Edmund Burke would say â&#x20AC;&#x153;it is a disposition to preserve, an ability to improve, taken together, would be my standard of a statesmanâ&#x20AC;? .Yes! Unarguably, it can be said, at 50, debonair gentleman Right Hon. Austin Adiele Opara, considering his quality and impact of his leadership as a public servant and outside the frontiers of public office, he has met that standard and ascended the ladder of an elder statesman. On Sunday 8th September, 2013, St. Thomas Anglican Church, Diobu was packed out by an intimidating numbers of political gladiators, top rate businessmen, including friends, family and colleagues of former deputy speaker House of Representatives, Austin Opara, as they gathered to rejoice with the erstwhile legislator who marked his 50th birthday with a thanksgiving service in the church. Leading the assemblage of clergy to officiate the service were the Most Revd N.N Nglass (rtd), the Rt. Revd I.O.U Ordu, Venerable Sunny Opara, Ven. A .I Nicholas, and other men of God. In his sermon, the preacher exhorted the celebrant to draw closer to God than ever as people will tend to depend more on him at the elderly age of 50 for seasoned counsels and leadership.

tailored designer suit along with his only son while his wife and four daughters, decked in ball gowns, sparkled in the soft light of the beautifully decorated hall as they entered the event centre and exchanged pleasantries with most of their guests who were already seated. The birthday bash, compered by a line up of Emcees amongst whom were Bisi Olatilo, Dan D Humorous, Mc David, Tekena and others who amused the audience in various ways. The fiesta had His Excellency, Celestine Omehia leading a team of friends to officiate the cutting of the cake while a friend, Hon. Olaka Wogu proposed a toast to the erstwhile legislator An ambience of Rt. Hon. j o y o u s celebration was maintained all through the event as a number of popular artists p e r f o r m e d , amongst whom w e r e P e t e r stonecold,H2H, Meche, Flavour, and the celebrant son, Manuchim who thrilled the guests with his powerful rendition of the happy Birthday tune with the saxophone. The gentleman honorable rocked the musical notes of the various artists along with his wife and friends in an exuberant atmosphere.

The thanksgiving service which featured scripture reading by the celebrant, hymns by the choir, songs by a number of soloists, thanksgiving procession and prayers for the celebrant and family, was attended by the First Lady, ably represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Viola Onwuliri. Amongst other dignitaries present for the eventful birthday celebration were erstwhile governor of Rivers State, Sir Celestine Omehia; General Overseer, Greater Evangelism Worldwide Crusade, Revd Dr.Joseph Numbere, Minister of education (state), Nyesom Wike; Nigeria ambassador to South Korea, Amb. Desmond Akawor; Former NDDC Boss, Timi Alaibe; Legal luminary, O.C.J Okocha and his wife Ify and a host of other notable dignitaries.

The event was a merrymaking galore as the celebrant treated his guests to an assortment of delicious meals and wines.

Glistering with a mixture of incandescent lights, Aztech Arcum event centre was the next point of call for the birthday bash immediately after the church service.

It was indeed an unforgettable golden age celebration for the birthday boy as the hall was alive all through. It was no doubt a celebration worth reliving from time to time.

Austin Adiele Opara & wife, Justice Meg

Giving the vote of thanks, the celebrant gave glory to God and appreciated his family and friends while reminiscing on good old days.

The celebrant, arrayed in a well-

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MILESTONE

Hon. Justice Meg Opara

His Excellency, Sir Celestine Omehia & Amb. Desmond Akawor

Rt. Hon. Austin Opara

Prof. Viola Onwuliri

Hon. Nyesom Wike, Prince Uche Secondus & Rt. Hon. Austin Opara Hon Felix Obuah (Rivers State PDP Chairman) & a guest

Rt. Hon Austin Opara, wife & children

Rt. Hon. Austin receives First Ladyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s representative, Prof. Viola Onwuliri

Rt. Hon Austin Opara & wife Justice Meg Opara

Dr. & Mrs. Abiye Sekibo with others

Birthday Blessings

Hon. Justice Suzzette Nyesom Wike with Rt. Hon. & Justice Austin Opara

Sen. Clever Ikisikpo, Guest & Hon. Wizzy Waks

Mrs Pauline Ehimuan with Mr. & Mrs. Chizzy Jumbo

Sir Okujagu & Sir Odungweru XL

MILESTONE

...Taking the Homily

Mrs Serah Opara (Mother of Celebrant)

Mcee, Bisi Olatilo

Hon. & Mrs. Emmanuel Aguariavwodo & Chief Ambrose Adiele

Joy & Sam (Celebrantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s elder siblings)

Kingsley Ogundu & Hon. Jones Ogbonda

Collins Ihunwo, Hon. Solomon Wami & Hon. Timothy Nsirim

Prince Obiandu Ohochukwu & Hon. Deinma Iyalla

Chief Loveday Ejekwu & Apostle Numbre Mrs. Pat Odite & Mrs. Joyce Eke

Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwo

Chief Hon. Prince Weli Wosu & Chief Ogbams Ojimah

Hon. David Briggs, a guest, Hon. Chinyere Igwe & Meche (front)

Hon. Emma Deeyah, Chief & Barr. (Mrs) Orluchime

Sir Nodi Ajoku, Prof. Johny Otaigbe & Jerry Needam

Chief & Mrs. Philip Atako

Hon. Austin with Mr. & Barr. (Mrs) Ibezim

Mr. & Mrs Iyke Oparaodu

Hon. Austin Opara with National EXCO of Grassroot Democratic Initiative

Chris Jumbo & Victor Orlu

Hon. Kenneth Kobani XL

Prof. Okey Onuchukwu (c) with others

AT THE RECEPTION

Rt. Hon. Austin Opara & wife, Meg cutting the Birthday Cake

His Excellency, Sir Omehia Officiates the cutting

Hon. Austin joined by family members

The Austin Dynasty

Hon. Austin looking splendid

Music Star, Flavour performs for Austin & family

Austin & wife take to the floor

Celebrantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children

Golden dancesteps

Excitement in the Air

Flavouring all the way Manuchim Opara (Celebrantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Son)

MILESTONE

Austin & his ravishingly beautiful Justice Meg

An excited Father & Son

Kisses all the way

Austin & Omehia

Sir Patrick Ugboma & Austin

Timi Alaibe & Hon. Austin Opara

Prof. Steve Azaiki, Gesi Asamaowei, Austin, friend & Timitimi Ebibomo Rt. Hon. Austin with Chief & Mrs. Feddy Alabraba

... Reminiscence of yesteryears

Mr. Timi Alaibe

Hon. Olaka Wogu

Barr. O.C.J Okocha (SAN)

Pastor & Pastor (Mrs) Raimond Nnah with Austin

Austin & Sen. Ikisikpo

Chico Thompson & Austin

Austin with Mr. & Mrs. Okemini

Austin & Chief Sergent Awuse

Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi & Rt. Hon. Austin Opara

Hon. Toru Ofilli Peter Stonecold

Sodi Peterside XL

SOCIETY MILESTONE

Hon. Olaka Wogu, Hon. Austin & Sen. Datti

Albert Amachree, Enizie & Sir Celestine Omehia

Rt. Hon. Austin, friend & Hon. Mike West

Hon. Adokiye, Rt. Hon. Austin & Barth (XCEL Publisher)

Hon. Chinyere Igwe, Rt. Hon. Austin & Sir Anugbum Onuoha

Hon. Mike Kalango, Opunabo & Austin

Adokiye, Iniro Wills, Austin, Hon. Gbanije & Miebaka

Rt. Hon. Bipi (2nd right) with National EXCO of GDI

Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbowu, friend & Kingsley Ogundu Mike Kalango, Chizzy, Ejor, Engr. Wills, Deinma, Austin & Kenneth

Ifeanyi Onumonu with Chief & Mrs. Sergent Awuse

Hon. John Kalipa, Hon. Toru Ofilli & Prince Charles Beke

Mrs. Aguariavwodo & Ann Kio-Briggs

Mrs Pauline Ehimuan, with son, Ozeigbe & wife, Chidumga

Mr. Sekibo & Mrs. Abiye Sekibo

Hon. Ihunwo, Mr. & Mrs. Ogi & Chimezie

Guests

Doe & Sam

Guest, Ugo, Austin, Benjack & George Celebrant & wife with friends XL

MILESTONE

Miebaka, friend, Enizie & Adonye

Eze Okey Nzenwa (r) & friend

Rt. Hon. Austin with Members of Rotary Club, Abuja Metropol

Chief & Mrs. Chika Chiejina With Amb. Sagay

Rt. Hon. Austin, Sen. Adawari Pepple & friend

Hon. Martins, Hon. John, Barr. Emma, Hon. Bipi, Hon. Austin, Guests & Hon. Iyalla

Allwell, Dammy, Emerengwa, Austin with Mr. & Mrs. Akalokwu

Rt. Hon. Austin with Hon Daisy West

Joy, Toru, Rt. Hon. & Justice Opara, with Mr. & Mrs Chris Ohabunwa

Barr. & Mrs. O.C.J Okocha (SAN) with Rt. Hon. & Justice Austin Opara

Rt. Hon. Iyke Orji with Rt. Hon. Austin Opara & wife

More congrats for the birthday boy

Austin with Mr. & Mrs. Sodi Peterside

Chief Glory Emeh & wife

Mr. & Mrs. Chibisi

Comperes, Dan Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Humorous, Bishop of Comedy & David Sikpa

Tonye Briggs Oniyide, friend & Mrs. Aguariavwodo

Julius Ronney & Scott Tommey

Tada

Hon. Boma Iyaye & wife

MILESTONE

Austin & friends

Austin, Joy, Rose & Sam

Dr. Emi Membre, Austin & Mrs Abiye Sekibo

Hon. Justice Meg Opara & guests

Churchill Uti (r) & friend

Chief B.M Wifa (SAN) & Son

Chief Ebi Spiff (left) & friend

Hon. Voko, Rt. Hon. Bipi, Hon. West with others

Ugo, Austin, Timi, Sodiki & others

Hon. Kenneth Kobani & Rumundaka Wonodi

Ugo, friend, with Barr. Aguma (r) & son

Mr. & Mrs. Emma Oparaodu & friend

Austin, UD, with Mr. & Mrs. Oshoko

Austin flanked by Chief & Mrs. Moore Chinda with Ambrose Adiele (r)

Austin with Members of Nwerenka Ladies Club of Nigeria

Austin with Guests

Mr. & Mrs. Chizzy Jumbo (r) & friend

Chukwudi Dimkpa & Senibo Tonye Cookey-Gam

Chief Ekine Harry (r) & friend XL

EMMANUEL AMEH

Moving Up The Ladder

adoyimotivation@yahoo.com

UNLOCKING YOUR POTENTIAL FOR UNCOMMON SUCCESS

deas are simply thoughts, plans or mental impressions on the mind. Ideas are powerful and can change your life. Ideas are seeds that unlock your potential for uncommon success. Many years ago in a small town in the United States, a doctor climbed his horse and rode to a chemist shop; he went in through the back door. He carried in his hand an old fashioned kettle and a wooden paddle. He brought these items to the shop clerk with a sheet of paper on which was written the formula for a drink. Both of them began to bargain and eventually the clerk gave the doctor five hundred dollars for the items that he had come to sell. What the doctor sold to the clerk was worth a fortune to the young clerk but not to the doctor who gave away the items for just five hundred dollars. The item the doctor sold to the clerk has since become a household name in the world, the content of the kettle has been heard in more places on the earth than any gospel. Much more it has yielded so much gold. The difference between what the doctor sold and what the clerk had was an idea. The young clerk added an idea to the kettle, the paddle and the formula. Today, the content of that kettle is the greatest consumer of sugar in the world. It is sustaining sugar plantations, the workers and their families around the world. It is one of the world's greatest consumers of glass and has turned the fortune of many men around. The name of this drink is coca-cola and the name of the clerk is Asa Candler. The same thing that the doctor placed a value of five hundred dollars on has today assumed a value that is difficult to estimate. The difference between the doctor and the clerk was one idea. The doctor did not realize that all the while he was holding the kettle and the formular, billions of dollars were potentially lying in his hands. Unfortunately he did not find the idea so he could not get the billions of dollars. But one young man caught the idea and was able to release the potential for the billions. Every idea like a seed has a potential to become a forest. The moment you catch an idea, your future success is absolutely guaranteed. The most miserable of all men is the man who does not have an idea that he is pushing. Those who do not generate

ideas will always have to serve those who have. We can only rise to the level of our ideas. You can generate ideas. When you do work on it you go ahead and unlock your potential for uncommon success. It is said “ideas rule the world”. We actually pay for ideas more than we pay for products. That's the essence of advertisement and packaging. Good packaging is a product of good ideas. No matter how wonderful your product is, if you don't package it well, it may not sell. If you are going to get new ideas, it is essential that you eradicate negative thinking from your mind. You will not be able to produce creative ideas if you think negatively. If you are going to be creative you must watch your thoughts and your words. Negative thinking and negative words are major reasons why some people will not receive the ideas that will launch them into breakthrough. People with negative mindsets cannot nurture creative ideas. If you want to generate creative ideas then prepare your mind for them. I see God give you a breakthrough idea. Impossibility only exists in the mind. Prepare your mind for breakthrough ideas; clear your mind of negative thinking and negative talking.

HOW TO GENERATE IDEAS 1. Identify a need: one man's problem is another man's opportunity. Don't just see problems, see problems as opportunities. People need to wear clothes, make the clothes; people need nannies help them get them, identify a need and find a creative way to meet it. 2. Simplify an existing process or product: find a way to improve on something that is already there. Think of how your work can be done in a simple way, think of how you can improve on the current methods and equipment employed in your field. Make an improvement or innovation on something. 3. Adapt another idea: you may see something that is doing well in a place and reproduce the same with some adaptions or modifications to suit your environment. Originality is birthed in creativity. There is actually nothing new under the sun. It is constant adaptation, modification and innovations that got us here and we have a

lot still coming. It is ideas that are b e h i n d innovations. 4. C r e a t e a need: people may not know they need something, help them to desire it and it becomes a need. You can create a need and people will buy into it. 5. Exposure: you can generate ideas by exposing your mind through reading, traveling and asking questions. This will help you to arrange and rearrange thoughts in your mind. Breakthroughs begin from ideas. Every technological breakthrough is built on the foundation of ideas. Like the story of CocaCola everything started in a kettle. The young clerk looked at the kettle and thought, people are buying this thing in small quantities, why don't I make it in a drum so that more people can buy. This he did and recorded increased sales. Somewhere along the line, it is said that another man saw that people were consuming the drink in public places. He thought that if it was bottled and covered, people would be able to take it home and even buy enough supplies for a week. He sold the idea to Coca-Cola and became wealthy through that idea. Robert Schuller said “nobody has a money problem but an idea problem”. You can simply improve on an old idea. Divine power flows with ideas. If a man carefully guides the ideas in his mind, there is nothing the devil can do about his destiny. Practically every experience that a man has can be described as a fruit. The seed produces the fruit. Someone said 'we may be able to count the number of Apples in an Apple but we can never count the number of Apples in a seed”. Ideas are spiritual seeds. They are fundamental principles that run through every aspect of life. The brain is the equipment that God has given us to capture idea-seeds from heaven and to manufacture and produce them here on earth. When a man invents a thing, we say it is his brain child. This means that brains produce children. Your destiny is tied to what you do with all the seed around you. What you do with the idea seeds you have will determine how much of success you unlock. Go ahead; unlock your success by the power of ideas.

Real Success Radio Broadcast Real success radio broadcast is packaged to communicate scriptural success principles to empower you to discover your purpose, use your gift and talent maximally, unleash your potential and be all that God designed you to be. Every one needs a dose of inspiration. Inspiration paves way for revelation, and revelation is the key to transformation. This motivational program will help you move to a higher life that leads

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ENTERTAINMENT

Performance by De Expandables

NDKC Cultural Matchpast

BAYELSA HOSTS 2013 SUMMER LEADERSHIP CAMP

s part of its vision of educating and grooming tomorrow leaders, Niger Delta Kiddies Club-a subsidiary of Kiddies Cottage, organized a colorful and exciting summer leadership training for children aged between 5-18 years from the 22nd to the 25th of August, 2013.

excursion, Recreational activities amongst a myriads of activities. Insightful lectures were delivered by an array of guest speakers amongst whom

were Mrs. O.A Awassam, Sector HeadTraining, Standard and Certification, Federal Road Safety Corps, Port Harcourt who along with other speakers treated the teenagers to a delightful holiday camp. According to Miss Harmony Emma Dangosu, the coordinator of the Niger Delta Kiddies Club, the aim is to nurture the Nigerian Child to be useful to their parents, guardian, society and nation.

The event which took place in oilrich Bayelsa State was targeted at young people from different part of the Niger Delta. It was not only a showcase of fun, but featured ICT training, talent Hunt, seminars,

The summer camp was indeed, a memorable event for the young minds that participated in s u c h a developmental program. NDKC at leisure

NDKC Cultural display

SOCIETY

O.A. Awassam (ACC) Sector head training, FRSC

Faith Don-Pedro

NDKC Campers

During an excursion to Dufil Primafoods

Registras - XP-Olu & Mrs Nyeche

Officials of FRSC with NDKC Camp Officials

Medical Doctors with NDKC Camp Officials

Abia State Contingents performing

NDKC Ondo State giving their salute

Participants during a Drama Sketch

Officials of FRSC with NDKC at the Camp

The Devastating Effects of DIVORCE on Children

s traumatic as divorce is for a couple, it is what it does to the kids that is most heartbreaking. One minute they are enjoying the freedom and glee of their lives, next minute, the music is interrupted. Kids love when life and family are one unified melody, a beating rhythm in their hearts, that familiar tune playing in their lives giving them a confident stride wherever they are. Divorce is the big screeching scratch in the record, that spoils that beautiful, soothing song that they wanted so very much to hear until the very end. The pleasant, sweet hum of family is so nice.

T H E

If there was betrayal by one of the parents, the conflict takes on operatic tones. The utter despair of the spouse who was betrayed crying out, the depths to which it quakes within his/her soul, the torture it does to everyone in the family's heart, the physical collapse of one parent into the discovery of the other's lies. The children experience the havoc wreaked upon their merry souls of childhood as the blows of betrayal beat on the family like a blasting drum. Everyone wants it to stop and wish it wasn't true. Betrayal by a parent, breaking the trust within the unified core of a family produces despair and hurt that if you expressed it, would be an opera, or a really sad disappointing book. Let's explore the negative impact of divorce on children

...Stressful Hurtful

them and hurt them while saying they love the children? Children are made from both parents and have the same gene pool and characteristics and qualities. It is an awful and irresponsible assumption if one of the parents thinks that their betrayal is only hurting their spouse. The betraying spouse betrays the whole family. Families are an organic whole; every action, word and deed has an effect on everyone. Children at their core want everyone to love each other. Divorce marches in to that happy home like angry soldiers with guns coming down the aisle of the theater telling everyone to leave, when you were enjoying a happy musical?

...Loss of Hero Kids look up to their parents as role models. During divorce, I can imagine the traumatic feeling of children, to them, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dad was lying this whole time to

...lifetime Psychological Scar Nobody wants a spousal betrayal. Nobody wants to discover the betrayal and lies and calculation and meanspiritedness of a spouse, and especially a child does not want to see that in a parent. Here's the real problem, you don't get over betrayal, it stays imbedded in you. When there is no remorse or feeling sorry on the part of the betraying spouse, the hurt is always there. Healing the whole family comes only with his/her recognition for what they did and a sincere, authentic transformation within of being sorry and seeking forgiveness. For as long as there is a divorce, the children are made to live the memory perpetually.

The Way Out

and

Kids don't want their families broken, and they don't want their father to betray their mother, or their mother to betray their father. It hurts them. It hurts them in a way they can't even express because they have to confront not only the pain of one parent who is hurt but the realization that the other parent is not who they thought they were. It hurts them because they never wanted to have a reason to question what kind of a person their parent was. Children don't want to choose. They want both parents and they want them to love each other because that means all of them are loved unconditionally, too. How can one parent stop loving the other to the degree that they betray

that this union you shared with your children and spouse was something special and sacred and worth protecting and honoring and keeping, you will certainly feel the injustice divorce does to you and the future of your kids. You know your children are robbed of something you wanted with all your heart: LOVE AND INSPIRATION.

usâ&#x20AC;?. What does this say to us about kids? They are not in the audience watching, they are central characters right up on the main stage, improvising their way through the painful realization that their childhood is gone. That sacred place they called Home where Mom and Dad were a team and all the focus revolved around family, is now divided. Why? Because the hero they call father and the role model they see in their mother have taken an unfamiliar stands like enemies in battlefront. For the divorced parent, If you are the parent that was thoughtful of the beauty of family and the spirit of togetherness, and you felt blessed every day because in spite of how complicated and difficult life was, you totally knew in the roots of your soul

Part of being a good parent is knowing the impact we have on our children, and taking responsibility for our actions and behavior. When we are faithful to our spouse, we are being faithful to our children. Dads tell their daughters how they should be treated when they grow up by how they treat their mother. Dads teach their sons how to treat women and honor them. Moms teach their daughters how to be with men and teach their sons how to value relationships. What we practice is what we give our children. It takes deep commitment to be married. It takes wisdom to do what is right for a family. If we honor our spouse and are true to them, we give that to our children. If we show kindness, patience and love to our spouse, we show our children how to practice that. If we are there for our spouse through thick and thin as a true friend, our children learn that relationships take work and attention and are valuable. If we value the truth and are honest and say what we feel out of respect to our spouse and ourselves, we grow courage and integrity in our children. I believe in marriage and family. Divorce is an enemy to the family institution and must not be encouraged. It's not a tune I enjoy hearing. In fact, for me divorce should never be an option. Its impact is detrimental to the future of our children. Parents should do everything to stay married for life. You can make that choice today in the interest of your children. The ball is in your court.

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V The Atrium Facilities and Services Limited 28 Stadium Road Port-Harcourt Rivers State, Nigeria Tel: +234(0)8038422535, 08035561873, 08039652586 email: info@theatriumng.com website: www.theatriumng.com

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MILESTONE

THE EVENTFUL 54TH BIRTHDAY CARNIVAL OF

HIS EXCELLENCY, SIR CELESTINE OMEHIA IN NIGERIA’S GARDEN CITY

here are many qualities that define the character of legendary political leaders in all human history of which space will fail us to write about. But the ability to retain the loyalty and goodwill of the majority of the led years after leaving the terrains of public leadership is the rarest and most potent of all. Former governor of Rivers State, Sir Celestine Omehia, a legendary political leader and guiding light of Ikwerre extraction, is a possessor of this rare quality amongst others, as evidenced in the overflow of people and tributes on his 54th birthday on Sunday 15th September, 2013 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and Port Harcourt Polo Club, both in Nigeria's Garden City. The birthday thanksgiving which pulled top-rate political gladiators, business magnates, friends and family of Sir Omehia across Nigeria to the Catholic parish, was the ex-governor's way of expressing gratitude to God and giving back to the church. The service which was conducted by an array of Catholic clergy men showcases hymn rendition, scriptural reading by the celebrant and his lovely wife, Dr. Antonia Omehia. The host priest, Rev Fr. Polycarp Henetu, preaching from the biblical story of the prodigal son, enjoined Nigeria politicians to imbibe the life of forgiveness while he praised Sir Celestine Omehia for his faithfulness and love for God.

His Excellency,

Done with thanksgiving service, the birthday fiesta moved to the green field arena of Port Harcourt Polo Club where a massive crowd of Sir Celestine Omehia's supporters, arrayed and dressed in Omehia's picture-printed attires in their thousands, were already waiting expectantly for the arrival of the celebrant. As soon as the Sir Celestine Omehia arrived the arena, the teeming motley of supporters exploded into a cacophonous uproar, cheering his Excellency and showering encomiums on him. In response to the overwhelming ecstasy on the faces of his supporters, Celestine Omehia went through the length and breadth of the arena exchanging pleasantries with the various groups of supporters across various ethnic nationalities of Rivers States present. The birthday bash which had Bishop of Comedy, Tariah and a host of other as Emcees, was a galore of fun and entertainment as various ethnic groups across the state came with their cultural dancers to honour the first Ikwerreborn governor of Rivers State who impacted every part of the state as a governor. Also a long line of established artists XL

Expectedly, the guests and supporters of his Excellency were treated to an assortment of delicious meals and wines even as the eventful occasion witnessed a torrent of tributes as few of the important dignitaries opened up on the good character of the celebrants. First was Niger Delta Human rights activist, Annkio-Briggs, who praised the diplomatic mien of the celebrant in political leadership while expressing regrets on behalf of Rivers State people for the unforetold court judgments that abruptly ended the impact-making tenure of the former governor, calling it “a mistake of the heart and not of the head”. Next came the African Representative, World Assembly of Youths, Ambassador Marvin Yobana who likewise eulogized the former governor for his giant strides as governor. Also amongst the long list of dignitaries that paid tributes to the erstwhile governor was the renowned and respected Prof. Kimse Okoko who spoke about the infectious humility and disarming meekness of the celebrant, describing him as a man who understands the limit of power.

Sir Celestine Omehia

Leading the massive turnout of important dignitaries were Minister of Education, Hon. Nyesom Wike; Nigeria Bar Association president, Okey Wali; former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara; Prince Uche Secondus, National Deputy Chairman of the PDP; Chairman, Jafac Group, Chief Felix Idiga; Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi, Traditional rulers and a long list of important dignitaries ,ethnic and religious groups amongst many others.

performed, amongst whom were Peter Stonecold, Dandy Boy, and Inspector Enoh A, Kiki, with his dancers amongst others. Thereafter, former majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Tamunosisi GogoJaja exuberantly proposed a toast to the celebrant and as well officiated the cutting of the birthday Cake, after which the celebrant along with his family and friends responded to the bidding of the dance floor as they rocked the musical gyration of Peter Stonecold and others.

As the event climbed to a climax, the elder Statesman and celebrant, Sir Celestine Omehia expressed thanks to his family and all supporters and equally expressed support for President Goodluck Jonathan transformation agenda and all his good intentions. The birthday marked the inauguration of a new political movement -Rivers Redemption Vanguard (RRV) by the former governor, which according to him will serve as a springboard for his future political undertakings. Of Celestine Ngozichim Omehia, as a strategic political leader and a visionary gentleman as he is, it can be said that his political antecedent is an inspiration to the good people of Rivers State. Little wonder about the massive turnout at the event, which many described as a carnival of sort. Indeed, it was a historic birthday celebration for a man with monumental and infectious support of the people - a people's general.

Celebrant, Sir Celestine Omehia taking the1st reading

Celebrantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Anthonia Omehia taking the 2nd reading

Sir & Lady Celestine Omehia with Naomi-Debra Dema

Sir Celestine Omehia displays his gift

A cross-section of the Clergy

NBA President, Barr. Okey Wali (SAN), Sir & Lady Omehia with the Clergy

Prince Uche Secondus, Hon. Nyesom Wike with Sir & Lady Omehia

The Omehias dancing in for the Thanksgiving

Barr. Okey Wali (SAN) congratulates Sir Omehia

MILESTONE

Dr. Abiye Sekibo, Hon. Osima Ginah, Hon. Kalipa & Abuking

Amb. Desmond Akawor, Prince Secondus, Hon. Wike & Barr. Wali (SAN)

Tony Omehia, Hon. Jack, Dim Igo & Jolly Mgbor

Hon. & Mrs. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja with Rt. Hon. Austin Opara

Prof. Okey Onuchukwu, Hon. Nancy Nwankwo & others

Sen. Pepple, Dr. Silva Opusunju with Rt. Hon. Evans Bipi (Factional Speaker, RVHA)

Barr. Emma Okah & Prince Emma Anyanwu

Hon. Timothy Nsirim, Prince Obiandu Ohochukwu & Chief Glory Emeh

Nicholas Amaechi (2nd left) & an array of Omehia’s supporters

Kings Wali

A cross-section of Omehia’s supporters

Dr. Amadi, friend, Christian Boss Amadi, Grant Orugbani & Prof. Otaigbe

Hon. Arthur Kalagbor & wife with Dr. David Ogbonna

Dauphin, Hon. Boma Iyaye, Barr. Ezike & others

Hon. K. Kobani (2nd left), Hon. C. Nwile, Sir Omehia, Prof. Okey & Badmus

AT THE RECEPTION

Arriving the reception venue amidst cheers

Hon. Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja & wife

Sir Celestine Omehia & wife, Anthonia cuts the birthday cake

Hon. Emma Deeyah (2nd left), Hon. Edwin Olodi & Brigadier Amah (Rtd.)

MILESTONE

Their Excellencies, Sir & Lady Celestine Omehia

Leader of Northern Communities in Rivers State with Omehia

Barr. Abereton congratulates Sir Omehia

Monsignor Pius Kii congratulates the Omehias Sir Omehia & Chief Feddy Alabraba

...Thanking the people

On the dance floor with the celebrant

Chief Maxwell Amadi, Ann Kio-Briggs, Chief Alabraba & Chief A.A Worlu

Rt. Hon. Opara, Prince Secondus, Sir Omehia, Badmus & Hon. Ofili

HRH, Chief L. O. Okoromini, Capt. Beatrice Onwuchekwa (Rtd.) & friend

Hon. Ndubuisi Nwankwo, Hon. Charles Nwile, Prof. Okoko(4th left) Hon. Emma Deeyah (r)

Ngozi Egbuchulam & Kenn Obiora Kyrian Onyeyiri Chairman, JAFAC Group, Chief Felix Idiga & wife, Chinyere

MILESTONE

Prof. G.O.M Tasie (c) & others

Prof. Otaigbe, Ofili Enebeli & friend

Eni Odili, Ajay Banigo, Mrs. Chinwe Onyeyiri & Fubara David-West

XCEL Publisher, Barth & the Idigas with Marvin Yobanna (r) & Osi (standing)

Mrs. Amachree, Mrs. Prita Amachree, Mrs. Helen & Queen Vicky Sambo

Mrs. Thina Itakpe, Abuking Edebe, Pius Itakpe (r) & others

A cross-section of Omehiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s supporters

Chidi, Albert, Isa, Denis, Omah & Barth

Sunny Dressman & Ben Idoko

Members of Kalabari Congress For Omehia

Hon. & Mrs. Dammy Orituemeka

Hon. Emily Solomon & son

Human Right Activist, Ann Kio-Briggs gives her goodwill message

Senibo Tonye Cookey-Gam, Barr. Mono Okonu & Chukwudi Dimkpa

Francis Amadi, Alh Isa Mohammed & Chigozie Sky Okpara

Joseph Opuoyibo, Chief Tyger Tamunoemi & Prince Albert Amachree

Some Ladies from Kalabari Congress for Omehia

Ejike. Victor & Ndimele

Hon. Chidi Nweke

Fenton Okeya

Prof. Kimse Okoko

Veronica Francis XL

MILESTONE

Pastor Chima Daddy C

Sir Omehia with Peter Stonecold

Amb. Marvin Yobanna

Inspector Enoh A

Various performances at the event

President, NURSS

Dr. Nwibasa, Ezi Peters & Iyowuna Obomanu

Hon. Chizzy Atata Bishop of comedy

Dandy Boy performs

Alabo Graham Douglas & wife, Muriel with Chief Feddy Alabraba (c)

Isaac Okemini, Sir Celestine Omehia & Prof. Johnny Otaigbe

Sir Omehia, Prof. Owate & Hon. Nnamdi Ihute

Hon. Micheal West, Sir Omehia, Hon. Nnamdi Ihute & friend

Albert, Dele, Abuking, Dennis & Chidi with Sir Celestine Omehia

Isaac Okemini, Prof. Blessing Didia & Sir Celestine Omehia

Sir Celestine Omehia with Sir (Dr.) John Imeji (r) & others

Hon. B. S. Emerengwa, Dr. Opusunju & Alabo Graham Douglas

Hon. David Briggs with Sir Omehia

Stella Orlu-Orlu with Sir Omehia

Hilda Dokubo, Ann Kio-Briggs & a guest XL

RELATIONSHIP

What Women REALLY Want: By Adams

10 things a Man can do to Improve his relationship

hat does a woman want? Have you ever gotten a response from a woman that perplexed you? we women know that we can be complex. The very things that make us hard to live with are sometimes the very same that make us hard to live without. But if you are in a relationship, learning how to "live with" your woman may be a challenging experience at times. Men and women are indeed VERY different in many respects. Men are designed to be men. Men don't need to become somebody who they are not in order to please a woman. What is a big deal to her doesn't have to be a big deal to you--but if she is a big deal to you--then you will want to learn how to meet needs in her that you don't have and hopefully she will learn to meet needs in you that she doesn't have. Here are some things I believe MOST (not all) women have in common in a relationship:

typically melt when they feel truly appreciated.

To Be Heard Women want to know that you not only listen, but that you hear what they say. They want you to respond to their emotions, not to try to "fix everything." You don't have to experience the same emotions she is feeling; simply acknowledging, affirming, and responding to her emotions will validate the need she has to be heard. If a woman wants your advice she will ask you. Most times, she just wants to be heard. She feels loved when she is really listened to.

To Feel Understood

Just because it's not a big deal to you, doesn't mean it's not a big deal to her! You can try to understand (good luck) but the truth is, often times it just won't make sense to you. As the author of the popular book on relationships, Love and Respect suggests, women perceive the world through pink sunglasses while men perceive the world through blue sunglasses. It's not about right and wrong--its just different. The good news is, you don't have to fully understand in order to respond well! A woman wants to feel like she is heard, understood, and that you care about her.

It can be a tricky task to cook and to get each dish to finish at the same time so that all elements of the meal are warm. Those ten minutes that you took to finish your work were ten minutes that your wife spent feeling like you don't care about the fact that she cooks for you or that she wants to feed you a warm meal. Her nature is to nurture and when this gets blocked, frustration is often the result. You can always go back to your work later. Next time try to come into the kitchen right away and let the first words out of your mouth be, "Wow, this looks great. Thank youI really appreciate you making this meal." If you really want to go the extra mile, tell her that you appreciate all she does and that you will do the dishes afterwards. This simple task will touch her heart more than you realize. Women

To be Encouraged

To Be Appreciated

Example: Wife just finished making dinner. It's on the table and she tells you the food is ready. You finish what you are working on and come in ten minutes later to find your wife highly frustrated. "You don't appreciate me," she cries and runs out of the kitchen. What went wrong?

To be Honored Once upon a time ago, men did things such as open doors for women. I know there are still many men that do this today. Thank you! I can't speak on behalf of all women, but I know many who love the idea of being treated as honorable by a man. Offer to carry the groceries, the luggage, or the baby bag. Hold open doors, open car doors, or drop her off at the front door. There is a beautiful and gentle soul in every woman there is also a crabby nag inside each, as well. You will experience the one that you groom. Whichever of the two is most often spoken to, is the one that will most often respond! Do you want your woman to treat you like a King? Then treat her as the King's worthy Queen.

Think of words like deposits and withdraws in a bank account. Every time you speak a kind word, you deposit $1. Every time you speak a negative word, you withdraw $4. If you speak more negative words than kind words, you will quickly be in relational debt! Take some time to speak positively about your wife. Speak kindly about her, to her, and to others. Take initiative to say please and thank you showing her your appreciation for what she does. Give her compliments. Let her know that it is going to be OK when she's had a rough day. Remind her of her successes, as it can be easy for her to focus on her faults.

Just because you appreciate her, doesn't mean she knows it!

that is unique to each individual. Seek out the beauty in her and let her know you notice it! Let her know when she looks nice in a dress, when her make-up is done well, or when her hair looks good. Notice when she gets a haircut or colors her hair. Compliment her on her eye color or on how smooth her skin is. And remember, beauty is not just external. Let her know how cute she is when she laughs, how beautiful she is when she helps others, or how sexy she is when she's studying. Remember, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder," so if you struggle to find beauty in your wife, check your heart to see what's blocking you!

To be Celebrated

Example: Your wife complains that she is tired and that her days are too busy. Between her job, the kids, and other commitments, she feels like there is no time for her. Your initial response might be to identify the problems and find a solution. But none of this shows that you are responding to the emotions that she just expressed. Respond to emotion with emotion. And try paraphrasing or summarizing a few things she said this will show her that you are really paying attention! Logic and problem-solving can come a little later.

To Feel Beautiful

Not all women are as attractive as the most attractive person on earth, but each woman is beautiful in her own way. There is an inner beauty and an outer beauty

Celebrate your woman, not the holidays! Don't get me wrong, it is important to celebrate your anniversary, your wife's birthday, and Valentine's Day. But don't limit your celebrations to just those! Celebrate your wife on a regular basis just because she's worthy to be celebrated.

To be Loved Love is the foundation it is the most important component of a relationship to women. Love is what breathes life into their spirits. Love is to be unconditional. It is freely given. It is not earned. Love does not say, "Make yourself more lovable and then I'll love you." It does not say, "Do this for me and then I'll love you." Love simply loves for the sake of loving. Love is a choice, not a feeling. It is a lifestyle, not a fleeting experience. Love is a thought, a choice and an action. The Bible has one of the best descriptions of love that I know in 1 Corinthians 13.

Pix by: Eke Okoro

ENTERTAINMENT

C-strokes Launch Reggae Album for Charity ...The Connecting dots between Reggae and Charity

ohnny Depp, an America actor once said, “Music touches us emotionally, words alone can't”. It is a universal language common to humanity. Where words fail, music speaks, bringing us life and hope. That is exactly what C-strokes does: bringing hope and inspiring message through the vehicle of reggae for the common good. On the blue-sky evening of 31st August, 2013, the magnificent hall of Aztech Arcum event centre played host to the launch of the album: “Reality” with eleven sound tracks, written, composed and arranged by Port Harcourt big boy and Mayor, Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo. Known as C-strokes on stage, Hon. Chimbiko's finesse and performance has continued to amaze all who come across him as he exhibited rare talents in the art, especially weighed against his busy schedule as Mayor of Port Harcourt. The launch was put together to raise fund for Caroline Akarolo Foundation, a charity organization established in memory of his late wife, Caroline who passed away on August 28th, 2011. The Caroline Akarolo Foundation which focuses on safe motherhood and newborn babies in emergency situations, aims at achieving its objectives through annual safe motherhood roundtables for public, private and civil-society sectors. In addition, the foundation, among its many projects, is presently working on providing fully-kitted Caroline Akarolo Maternal Emergency Mobile Hospitals for the different areas of Rivers State.

Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo, Mayor of Port Harcourt,

C-strokes

The event paraded an assemblage of top Rivers State functionaries and elected officials amongst whom were Chief of Staff, Rivers State Government House, Sir Tony Okocha; Rivers State Local Government chairmen: Mr. Oron Nteh, Andoni; Hon. Maclean Uranta, Okrika; Hon. Maureen Tamuno, Ogu/Bolu and others; Members Rivers State House of Assembly: Hon. Irene Inimgba, Hon. Aye Pepple, Hon. Azuibike Wanjoku, Hon. Victor Amadi among other honourable members; Reggae Maestro and C-Stroke's producer, Konboye Sinclair and other dignitaries who individually launched the album.

C-strokes performing

ENTERTAINMENT

C-STROKES ON STAGE

True to its vision of helping prospective mothers, the foundation gave out fifty thousand Naira each to 20 pregnant women across Rivers State during the event. The occasion which was compered by Mike Ogolo and Belema Papamie was lighted up by C-strokes' performance of his favourite tracks :”Let rock some more”, “Hungry Faces” and “Asking for Love”. Others who performed at the event were reggae maestro, Ras Kimono, Al-pacino, Posh Kayana, Singerman Flash, Rhymzo among others. In a chart with XCEL Magazine, C-strokes attributed his foray into music to his longing for comfort and love after the demise of his lovely wife, and reggae music was that comfort he found. Indeed, the album “Reality” is a scintillating re-invention of the lovers' rock mystique, a call to all lovers out there to the reggae dance floor. C-strokes unleashed waves upon waves of amusing moments all through the event as a Dull moment was unimaginable.

Hon. Chimbiko & family

Chairman of the event, Celestine Ogolo & wife

Hon. Chimbiko twin daughters, Nne & Nwereoma

C-strokes, Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo beaming with smiles

Elder Jerry Demua

COS, Govt. House, Chief Tony Okocha, Mayor & Hon. Byke Nwajoku

Mayor & Mr. Pepple, Director of Budget (Phalga) C-strokes ( Mayor) with friends

Reggae Maestro, Ras Kimono & C-strokes (Mayor) Mayor & friend

ENTERTAINMENT

Chief Tony Okocha speaks

Ras Kimono performing

Posh Kayana

C-strokes doing one of his favorite tracks - Go tell the Boss

Rhymzo Mozy B

Hon. Chimbiko Akarolo XL

C-strokes Backup

Dantonio

Kumboye Sinclair (C-strokes producer)

R-L: Mayor, Ras Kimono & a guest Rhymzo & a guest

Alpasino

Singerman Flash

Ras Kimono

Hon. Maureen Tamuno (Chairman, Ogu/Bolo LGA) & Hon. Irene Inimgba, (Member, RSHA) Hon. Austin & Hon. Chimbiko

ENTERTAINMENT

Tekena Amachree, Hon. Nte & friend

Kumboye Sinclair & his brother

Hon. Awoye, Hon E. Elenwo ( Councellor, Phalga) & Abere Meba

Tina (Protocol) & Emmanuel Owhoroda (COP, Phalga)

Mr. & Mrs. Dare Abimbola

Radio presenter, Eldee (Rhythm 93.7) & friend

Some beneficiaries of the Caroline Akarolo Foundation

Other beneficiaries of the Caroline Akarolo Foundation

BEYOND OIL ECONOMY:

Cap T

I N H I N K

sat and I rummaged through the archive of past and living legendary leaders of all time. I combed through the hall of fame of great leaders who have ascended the pantheon of leadership legend. From Mahatma Ghandi of India, to Lee Kwuan Yee of Singapore, Winston Churchill of Great Britain, and Nelson Mandela of South Africa. I came to the realization that they all possessed a common mentality about leadership: that Leadership is taking responsibility. A deliberate consciousness to take responsibility for the future and move a people to their desired end. What these great men did while in the saddle of public leadership was to create a future full of hope and possibilities for their people with the resources of state at their disposal. They thought of the next 50, 60 years after they must have gone and worked towards giving a secured future to those that would come after them. The opposite is our experience in Nigeria. Ours is a history of generations of leaders doing injustice to the young and future generations of Nigerians by taking no responsibility for the economic and political future of this oil dependent nation, forgetting that the oil that has given us all that we have achieved as a nation will not always be there. It is very unfortunate that as a nation, we are yet to come to the full realization that an oil-based economy has no secured future. It is not a renewable resource. We cannot build a future solely on oil anymore. We know it exists in limited quantities and that most oil wells dry up after 40 years. It is as certain as death that one day the story of Oil will change. If we must salvage our nation out of this economic quagmire looming in the future, the time to start is now. World renowned Nigerian computer guru, Philip Emeagwali put it right when he said that: “. Rather than debate the exact year when we will run out of oil, I prefer to imagine that we have already run out. It may come sooner than any of us expect. Our heirs will thank or curse us for how much oil we left for them. Instead of asking, “When will Africa run out of natural Resources?” we should ask, “When will Africa be unable to export raw materials, either for lack of our own oil or because foreign markets have themselves dried.”’’

Where is Nigeria?

It is on record that from colonial times, to the discovery of oil in Oloibiri in 1956 and the end of civil war in 1970, the mainstay of the Nigerian economy was agriculture. The export proceeds of agricultural produce accounted for the bulk of government revenues as at then. The most important agricultural produce was groundnuts, cocoa, palm oil and rubber. Nigeria was a land brimming with hope at that time. No wonder Malaysians came here to pick up palm oil seeds that has enriched their economy and made them world number one exporter of palm oil products today.

However, our excessive dependence on oil revenue since the oil boom has led to the abysmal collapse of the agriculture-based economy. It also exposed the Nigerian economy to volatile market swings, booms and bursts. And it brought with it enormous social consequences, such as institutional corruption, favoritism, wealth without labour, generations of youth accustomed to aspiring to be employed by others, rather than thinking of creating jobs for themselves and others. From another perspective, the potential for oil revenues to distort an economy and society is huge. For example, three states (Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers) of the 36 states account for 80% of the oil production in Nigeria. Today Oil accounts for 90% of export and the 95% of government revenues, respectively. As a way forward, a diversified economy is the way out of this potential economic morass. There is need for us to diversify the economy, using the resources we have at our disposal to create wealth generating businesses. The United States, Canada, Brazil, and United Kingdom are oil producers as well as Nigeria but they are not complaining of a future economic drought. Why? Because their economies are relatively diversified. We simply need to get our people to put their creative ingenuity to work. We need to encourage our young people to think, work, create, and build things. It is what we do with our oil wealth or what we allow it to do to us that is the issue. We should use oil revenues now to build a sustainable and diversified economy for the post-oil period. Our focus should be on infrastructure, education and training, security and peace-building. We must privatize noncompetitive public enterprises, improve justice delivery, provide sensible, clear and predictable regulations and incentives for private investors, enforce property rights, enthrone the rule of law, tackle corruption and promote accountability. Our economy can generate huge revenues from oil while also generating huge revenues from other sources,

including manufacturing and services. That is how it is in the more advanced economies: Britain, US, Norway, and emerging powerhouse, Brazil, to mention a few. The US is a net importer of oil so it tends to escape many people that it is the third largest oil producer in the world and is projected to become the largest in a few years' time. Yet, the US is also the leading industrial power in the world and the world's leader in scientific and technological innovation. After 55 years of oil production and export we should be producing technology that assists in oil exploration and exploitation. We should be refining our petroleum to satisfy domestic demand and for export markets. We should be a leader in the production of petrochemicals and petroleum derivatives including plastics, polymer, fertilizer, motor oils, and other allied products. We should be able to provide the incentives and regulatory framework for massive private sector investments in solid minerals' exploitation, a sector in which our government has identified 34 such minerals in commercial quantities. We should be the leader in cassava, cocoa, palm oil and rubber exports and agro-allied industry. Up to 85% of our land is arable so we can be a leader in agriculture. And we should provide the necessary infrastructure and incentives to attract manufacturing investment and jobs into our country. Ultimately, if we do not industrialize, especially in these areas where we have comparative advantage, we will remain a backwater economy whatever the quantity of primary produce we export. Nigeria will only be fixed and developed by Nigerians. Nobody else will do it for us. Nigeria is our responsibility. The earlier leaders at every strata of society wake up to this fact, the better for our Nation. Or else a season of hard times looms in the horizon. Lets think.