CORPORATE EXCELLENCE
H o w T e l e c o m s G i a n t , E T I S A L A T P r o m o t e s A c a d e m i c E x c e l l e n c e I n N i g e r i a n U n i v e r s i t i e s
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s vital part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, Etisalat Nigeria recently presented outstanding students in the south-south and south east geopolitical zones of the country with scholarship awards. The qualified candidates were picked from universities in the regions. These universities include, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State University of Science and Technology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka; Ebonyi State University and Anambra State University. The award which is under the aegis of Etisalat Annual Merit Awards Scheme, was held at the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the 24th of October, 2012. The event which was compered by a master of the art, Collins Adeyemi had in attendance, the CEO of Etisalat Nigeria, Steve Evans; Mr. Enekwachi Aja, Etisalat’s Regional Sales Manager, Ismail Omamegbe, Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility and a host of others amongst whom were Prof. Henry Njoku of the University of Port Harcourt, members of the academia from the selected schools as well as the awardees. The annual award is a scheme that provides university students opportunity to secure the necessary financial muscle for the completion of their undergraduate programmes. The scheme is instituted to promote and reward exceptional academic excellence, and is given to students with the highest CGPA in Electronics and Electrical Engineering, Management and Computer Science.
Etisalat CEO, Steve Evans
Each beneficiary goes home with One Hundred Thousand (N100,000.00) Naira and the University of the Recipient receives same amount of money to upgrade the educational materials in the schools. Since 2009 when the award began, over 500 students have benefitted from the scheme. Meanwhile, according to Evans, the firm's decision to execute the project was prompted by a research conducted in 2009 by the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) which showed that more than a billion people around the world could neither read nor write. He explained further that the report revealed a relationship between education and advancement of modern states, as several nations such as Singapore and South Korea had their development credited to a foundation of tremendous investment in the education sector. The recipients of the awards and the representatives of the selected schools expressed heart-felt gratitude to the company for their commitment to the educational development of the Nigerian youths, stressing that beyond the youths, Etisalat has demonstrated the company’s love for the Nigerian masses.
Prof. Henry Njoku, Steve Evans, Enekwachi Aja & another Prof.
Apart from its education award initiative, Etisalat is a proud sponsor of the much celebrated Nigerian Idol music star hunt which is another avenue the telecom giant empowers the Nigerian youth.
Putting heads together - Steve Evans & Enekwachi Aja
Motivational Speaker, Niyi Adesanya doing his thing
Collins Adeyemi & Ismail Omamegbe (Etisalat Mgr. CSR)
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Niyi Adesanya presents a gift to Steve Evans for his contribution to the Educational development of the Nigerian Youths
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Recipients from University of Nigeria, Nsuka
Recipients from Ebonyi State University
Recipients from Rivers State University of Science & Technology
Recipients from University of Port Harcourt
A cross-section of representatives of the various universities
Etisalat’s discovery, winner of the Nigerian Idol , Mercy Chinwo entertains
Beautiful Ushers at the event
....another beneficiary Recipients from Anambra State University
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SILVERBIRD SHOWTIME PORT HARCOURT
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Packaged by: Mohammed Ladan
HONOURS
REWARD FOR HARDWORK:
Gov. Ibrahim Shema Becomes Sarkin Yakin Hausa Guests gazed spellbound, rapt and enthralled as pre-event performances engulfed the historic Daura town; venue of what would later metamorphose into a carnival, saturating the city with clouds of excitement and fun. For a regular visitor to this area, this might, in some ways, be a turn of event. The reason is not far-fetched: May 29 every year is usually celebrated in part as the nation's Democracy Day. Secondly, it is also the day elected representatives in the Executive Arm of Government mark their anniversary in office with the latter often taking a greater share of attention on the day as public office holders employ it to inundate the electorate about their achievements in office in the outgoing year. But the 2012 May 29 celebration in Katsina State was destined to take a different turn as there was not going to be any verbal account or recount of the Governor's performance in his fifth year in office. The people had long before May 29 assessed the five years performance of Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema-led administration and had collectively scored him brilliantly. May 29, it turned out, was literarily set aside to celebrate his tremendous achievements in office after one year of his second term in office.
His Excellency,
Gov. Ibrahim Shema Governor, Katsina State
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he ancient town of Daura, Katsina State in Northern Nigeria recently transformed into a barque of colours; passionate jubilations and street
festivities. Youths and women were ecstatic; men and elders were euphoric, everyone was in high spirit. A big event was coming to town, hence even the streets was wearing a new cloth.
It therefore came as a good icing on the anniversary cake when His Royal Highness, the Emir of Daura, Umar Farouk Umar after due and extensive consultation with other Emirs of Hausaland both of the seven Hausa States and their other sisters, resolved to confer him, SARKIN YAKIN HAUSA: a befitting crown that embraces all the
Gov. Shema being dressed Emir of Daura Umar Farouk Umar welcomes Gov. Shema
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HONOURS Gov. Shema’s gallant entry
Hausaland. The historic event which was well attended by the Northern oligarchy, top government functionaries, heads of Parastatals, religious leaders and several other notable dignitaries held at the Emir's palace in Daura. In an address, the Emir said he decided to confer and install Governor Shema as SARKIN YAKIN HAUSA in view of his remarkable achievements, his mode of governance, probity, accountability,
transparency and execution of his policies and programmes which has positively impacted the State. Emir Umar who was visibly thrilled with the ceremony showered encomiums on the Governor for embracing everyone in the State, noting that “In Katsina State there is no indigene or non-indigene dichotomy�. He added that the title has given Governor Shema an automatic Membership of a Senior Council Member of the Daura Emirate Council so as to
enable his Emirate and all Hausaland benefit from his wealth of experience. Born Sept 22 1957 and one time Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice during the first tenure of the Governor Yar'adua Cabinet in 2003, Governor Ibrahim Schema has since his assumption, embarked on several people-oriented projects to uplift the living standard of the average Katsina resident. From the completion of all projects the
Emir of Daura, Umar Farouk Umar & a traditional Title Holder
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...being congratulated after the Turbanning
Her Excellency, Mrs Shema
Gov., Doso State (Niger Republic), Ambassador Tukur Mani (3rd left) & others
Alh.Tahiru Mangal and a title holder
administration inherited to the initiation of Community Development Committee (CDC) as focal point of grassroots societal development to the execution of very many projects across all sectors, to the payment of salaries and pensions and sustenance of prudence and accountability public finances, to the commencement of projects that are already in the realm of the future, all attest to the vision, focus and determination, hardwork and commitment of Governor Ibrahim Shema. These were some of the qualities that also qualified him for the conferment with the National Award of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Former Deputy Gov. of Katsina State & former IGP Ibrahim Comassi
Hajiya Hindatu Abdullahi (The Ayaana of Daura Kingdom) & Her Excellency, Mrs Shema
A Traditional Ruler
Their Excellencies, Justice Binta Nyako (Adamawa State) & Mrs Babangida Aliu (Niger State)
Alh. Saidu Barda & Alh. Lawal Kaita (former Govs of katsina and kaduna)
Governor Shema's daughters
Senator Shaba Lafiagi
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HONOURS
Gov. Shema welcomes Business Mogul, Aliko Dangote
R-L. Alh. Saidu Barda, Alh. Labaran Yero, and Justice Umar Abdullahi (Walin Hausa)
An array of Dignitaries
Wife of late Gen. Yaradua & Sister
Representatives of the Sultan of Sokoto
Some King-Makers of Daura Emirate
Some members of Katsina State Executive Council
A cross-section of Mrs. Shema’s friends
Representatives of Sarkin Musulmi from Sokoto
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Sarkin Musulmi of Niger Republic
The Shemas
Some Kingmakers of Daura Emirate
Governor shema's Aides
Some of Gov. Shema’s Special Assistants
A cross-section of some women at the event
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SOCIETY
NBA PRESIDENT, OKEY WALI GIVES OUT DAUGHTER OROMA TO HEARTTHROB OLUKAYODE IN GRANDEUR
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t was celebration galore as the new President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Okey Wali (SAN) joyfully gave away his beautiful daughter, Oroma in marriage to Olukayode Olafimihan Azeez on 20th October, 2012 at St. Paul's Anglican Church, Garrison Junction in Nigeria’s Garden City. The couple exchanged marital vows in the presence of friends, family members and well wishers in a colourful nuptial celebration
which was officiated by a retinue of Ministers led by Archbishop of the province of Niger Delta and Bishop, Diocese of the Niger Delta North, Most Rev. Ignatius Kattey. It was indeed a gathering of the creme-de-la-creme of the society amongst whom are Gov. Rotimi Amaechi; the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Iche Ndu; immediate past president of the NBA, Joseph Daudu, SAN; former president of NBA, OCJ Okocha, SAN; former General Secretary of the NBA, Dele Adeshina, SAN; Dejo Lamikaran, SAN, who chaired the event and a bench of Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, High Court Judges, Bar leaders, lawyers and a host of other dignitaries. Service over, all roads led to the prestigious Alfred Diette-Spiff Sports Complex for the wedding reception, where guests
were treated to a wide range of delicious cuisines with exquisite wines and drinks, while ace-comedians Mike Ogolo of the Rhythm 93.7FM Funky4+1 fame alongside Julius Agwu, held guests spellbound with rib-cracking and hilarious jokes. Meanwhile the traditional marriage which was held a day earlier, on the 19th of October at the Rumualogu home of the bride’s father, was to say the least colourful and an exhibition of a splendid blend of the culture of the Ikwerres and the Yorubas. In his remarks, the legal luminary expressed profound gratitude to God ''I am highly elated, happy and grateful to God. We thank Him for everything'' he said. In the same vein, on 3rd September, 2012, like the biblical one of the ten lepers, he returned to God in company of his friends, family and professional colleagues in appreciation of his many victories, particularly, his victory as President of the NBA, and the goodness of God upon his life.
...behold our Marriage Certificate Couple toast to a successful marriage XL
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...taking the Readings
...signing the dotted lines
Couple with Archbishop Ignatius Kattey
Emeka Wogu (Min. of Labour, rep. President Jonathan) & Wogu Boms (Rivers A-G)
Okey Wali, SAN (Bride’s Father)
Couple with Bridal Train
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Emeka Wogu, Nyesom Wike (Min. of State for Education ) & Wogu Boms
Couple with the Clergy
Justice Iche Ndu (Chief Judge of Rivers State) & wife
Justice Daisy Okocha & Justice P. C. N Agumagu
Chief Anthony Mogboh congratulates the Walis
Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN, Tess-Morris Okeke, Dele Adesina, SAN & Mrs. Chinwe Nwadike
Chief Akuro George & Mr. Donald Denwigwe SAN
Hon. Justice Obie Daniel-Kalio (JCA) & Hon. Justice Chioma Okirie Adamu Turaki (NBA Chairman - Dutse) & Safia Balarabe
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Mrs. Esther Anucha & Daughter
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Couple with Gov. Rotimi Amaechi (right) & Timi Alaibe (left)
Okey Wali SAN, Joe Agi SAN & Gab Achong (A/Ibom Dep.Comm. of Police)
The Walis with Bride’s Uncle Mr. Ken Echetebu & wife Chinyere
Dejo Lamikaran SAN, & wife Mrs. Hon. Justice Adama with Okey Wali SAN
Couple with Bride’s family
Couple with both parents
Kingsley Wali & Son with Mrs. Erefa Sekibo
Couple with Groom’s relations & friends Couple with Groom’s Men
Groom’s Men & Bride’s Maids
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Gov. Amaechi with Okey Wali, SAN
Dejo Lamikaran SAN, & wife with Mrs. Ngozika Okoye (Anambra State Comm. of Finance, Rep. Gov. Obi)
OCJ Okocha, SAN & wife Ify
Okey Wali SAN & Justice Boma Diepiri
Justice Kobani & wife
Austine Aleghe, SAN with Okey Amaechi SAN (former Abia State Attorney-General)
Prof. Okey Ikpeze & wife Dr. Ogugua
IB Dapabriye, Mrs. Lizzy Wali & Maudlyn Park
Some relations of the Groom Supreme Court Justices Akaahs & Walter Onnohgen with wife Nkoye
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AT THE TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE
Couple in a splendid mood
Couple returns the Traditional drink to the bride’s father
Bride identifies her Groom
Cutting the beautifully designed Cake Family Elders play their role
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Beautiful Bride with sister & friends
Pix by: Basoene George
SOCIETY
Eze I.G.O Ogbungbada & wife
Okey Wali SAN with Mr. & Azeez & wife Olutokunbo (Groom’s parents)
Lizzy & Carol
Dancing time - Lizzy sprays Carol
Both Families after settlement of Bride price
Joseph Daudu, Okey Wali, Nyesom Wike, OCJ Okocha & Nyema Weli
Groom’s relations
Ken Echetebu (left) & Okey Wali SAN (right) with friends
Chairman of the occasion, Nyesom Wike speaks
Nyema Weli (Comm. For Environment) Hon. Felix Obuah Hon Okey Chinda (r)
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All Pix Supplied by Client
SOCIETY
Multinet Group Boss CHIEF UZOMA OBIYO Buries Mom in Grandeur he remains of Late Dame Emily Ahunna Obiyo (Nee Okoronkwo) has been laid to rest in her country home; Castle of Grace, Nne-ise Ugiri-ike, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State recently.
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Nne-ise Ugiri-Ike played host to hundreds of eminent Nigerians who came to pay their last respects to the mother of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Multinet Group Limited, Chief Uzoma Noble Obiyo. Dame Emily Ahunna Obiyo who died at the age of 73 was described as a Pious Christian, Friend and Educationist who never neglected her duties to God, her children and all who knew her. In his sermon at the funeral service held at St Simon's Anglican Church Ugiri-ike, Rt. Rev. Emmanuel Maduwike; Lord Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Ikeduru who led four other Anglican Bishops in the service, reiterated that death is inevitable and a price everyone must pay. Hence he called on Christians to do away with anything that takes the place of God in their lives, for heaven and hell is real. He described late Dame Emily Ahunna Obiyo as a good Christian mother who clung to the cross till her death. In a short speech at the funeral service, the Multinet Group Boss; Chief Uzoma Obiyo said that his mother, who was his pillar of strength and inspiration, believed in attaining success through hard work, prayers, purity of heart, sincerity and honesty, adding that he would stand by the legacies of his mother, as well as by her motherly advices to him while she was alive. He thanked everyone who came, for sharing in his grief.
Dame Emily Ahunna Obiyo
Some of the notable personalities at the burial ceremony were; Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Hon Emeka Ihedioha, Deputy Speaker, House of Reps. Senator Hope Uzodinma, Senator Osita Izunaso, Rt. Hon. Ben Uwajumogu - Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Prince Eze Madumere - Imo State Chief Of staff, Charles O. Dimnwaobi-M.D Everyday Group Limited, the M.D, Don P Communications Abuja, Mr Tochukwu Nwosu- M.D Zeph & Associates Abuja, Chief Benjamin Ejiogu-M.D Benjack Group, Chief Vitalis Orikeze Ajumbe among others. In their reactions, the daughters of Dame Emily Obiyo, Elder Mrs. Mgbechi Chima Onusiriuka, Ngozichukwu Chinasa Obiyo, Mrs. Chineyenwa Ihuoma Austine, Mrs. Akuchinyere Onyiyechi Titus and kelechi Uchechi described the death of their mother as an irrecoverable loss. They described their mother as a loving and caring woman and prayed God to grant them the grace to live like her.
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Chief Uzoma Obiyo Pays last respect to Mom Lying-in-state
www.xcelmediaonline.com
Late Dame Emily Ahunna Obiyo's selfless generosity, uncompromising belief in all that is good and her unwavering commitment to the church, family and friends will be missed by all.
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The Magnificent Castle of Grace - Venue of the event
A befitting procession for Mama
Chineye Austin, Onyinye Okpalachi & Miss Kelechim Obiyo (Mama’s Daughters)
Council of Knights Pay last respect to their departed member
Rt. Rev E. Maduwike JP, Rt. Rev.C. Otti, Rt. Rev. I. Nwaobia, Rt. Rev. E. Osuegbu and Rt. Rev. C. Oparaojiaku
Cross section of some of the officiating Priests.
Cross section of the Good Shepherd Choir
Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON with Hon. Nnanna Igbokwe
Mr. Richard Iweanoge, Mr. Gbenga and Mr. Innocent E. Dr. Vitalis Ajumbe & wife with Hon. O. Z. B. XL
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Hon. Jones, Sen. Uzodimma, Chief Obiyo & wife Uchechi with Hon. Ironna
Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha CON & Chief Uzoma Obiyo
Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu OFR & Chief Uzoma Obiyo
Chief Emma Ojenire & Prince Eze Madumere
A friend, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Uwajumogu , Sen. Izunaso & Hon. Sam Daddy
Hon. Emeka Atuma & Dr. Osmond Ukanacho
Prince Obinna Nwanwuike, Hon. Jones & Chief Nnamdi Anyaehe
Don P With Chief Uzoma Obiyo Chief Obiyo & Mr. Denis Chukwu
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SOCIETY
Chief Uzoma, Mr Charles Dimnwaobi & a Guest
Chief Obiyo & friends
Friends of Lolo Uchechi Obiyo
Staff of Multinet Group Ltd
Cross section of Mothers' Union
Telecom Team
Mr. Solomon & Mr. Chike Okafor (Imo State Commissioner of Finance)
Cross-section of the Council of Knights
Chief Akwaiwu
Miss Kelechim Obiyo
Chief Uzoma Obiyo
A Guest
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SOCIETY
Prof. & Elder (Mrs) B. Chima M. Onusiriuka
Chief Obiyo Pays last respect to his beloved mother (Dust to Dust)
Chief Uzoma Obiyo & wife with Dr. Iwuanyanwu at the Graveside
Miss Kelechim Obiyo, Lolo Uchechi Obiyo & husband
Eze Dr. James A. Okorokwo pays last respect to his sister
Mr. Blaise Okwara, Shola, Sir. Vin Nwaiwu & Lt. Col. Muhtari
Representatives of PDP Women Group
Chiderah, Vera-Monde, Mr. Nwanekwu, Chief Obiyo , Chieneye & Prince Obinna
Representatives of PDP Women Ikeduru Group Some officiating Ministers at the service of songs in Ugirike in Ikeduru
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SOCIETY
Austin Otele with Son & Mr. Titus Opkanachi with son,
HRH Eze & Lolo Levi L. Ezeala
Chief Uzoma Obiyo’s Family at the outing service
Chief Uzoma Obiyo & son Samuel Uzoma jnr.
Chief Uwalaka & friends
Eze Dr. James A. Okorokwo & wife
Dr. Vitalis Ajume & Barr. Kelechi Nwagwu signing condolence register
Mr. Aja Enekwachi & other Guests
Masquerade display
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All Pix supplied by Client
SOCIETY
Day Francisca & Aloysius said “I do�
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he weather was perfect, both the sun and the rain appeared to have reached an agreement to treat this day special for a unique purpose. Even the tree community in the neighborhood, dancing aesthetically to the admiration of the wind, would not be left out of the fanfare that was spontaneously unfolding in this ancient town of Ayogwiri. Ayogwiri, one of the satellite communities in Etsakor-West Local Government Area of Edo State, accommodates the Emuekpere's residence, venue of this afternoon's historic traditional marriage ceremony between a beloved Emuekpere, Francisca Emuekpere and her heartthrob, Aloysius Eboiye. A baroque of African attires, an impressive performance from a standby music band and a unique display of the rich marital rites of the Ayogwiri people were some of the highlights that spiced the lives of guests and well-wishers who had gathered in the ambient community to participate in the ceremony. The day was actually Friday, 24th, August 2012. By the following morning, precisely Saturday, August 25, 2012, all roads led to the Corporate Worship Center, the Polytechnic Church of the Federal Polytechnic, for the solemnization of marriage. After the church event, it finally boiled down to a festivity of wining and dining, jollying and merry-making, at the Green Pastures Garden, along Jattu Road in Jattu, still in Edo State. XCEL was part of the celebration from the beginning and now present you with the highlights. Mr. & Mrs. Aloysius Eboiye
Couple toast in style
...With Chief Bridesmaid & Bestman
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Couple cut the wedding Cake
Couple receives Marriage Certificate at the registry
...With Bride’s parents
...with Elegant ladies
Bride’s Sisters-in-law
...with Precious Idebogie, Godspower Igbaifua, Osas & friends
Couple with Mr. & Mrs. Barth Emuekpere
Couple with Staff of “Sheriff Deputies”
Chris Ezimele, Basil Okereafor, Best Okogho & Mr. & Mrs Tommy Emuekpere
...With Bride’s family ...with her train
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Mr. & Mrs. Aloysius Eboiye
Elegance on display
Couple with officiating Ministers
Sylvester, Osi & Sunny
Mrs. Jimmy, friend & Mrs. Olayemi
Olayemi, Fayam, Peter, Jimmy & Andy
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Groom’s Sisters-in-law & sister
Pastor (3rd left) & some workers of RCCG Hebron Assembly FCT
Bridal Dance Couple with Groom’s family
AT THE TRADITIONAL MARRIAGE
Couple in a splendid look
Cutting the beautifully designed Cake
Bride’s parents Mr. & Mrs. William Emuekpere
Couple in their Cote d’Voire attire
Chris Ezimele & Chief Inaboya (Paramount Ruler of Ayogwiri) Bride & little Bride in Edo attire
Couple in Edo traditional attire
Bride seated on Hajiya Abubakar Bride
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SOCIETY
GERALDINE AND WEALTH EXCHANGE MARRIAGE VOWS IN PORT HARCOURT
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he cultural ties connecting Western and Southern Nigeria came alive intermittently, between April 21st and 5th May, 2012, when the families of Elder Augustine Olisemeke of Ejeme Aniogor village in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State and Evangelist Emmanuel Oduyemi of Atakumosa LGA, Ilesha, Osun State came together in ecstasy, to ignite the matrimonial torch of marital bliss and pleasure of their children: Geraldine Onwelikwu and Wealth Oduyemi Paul. For the glorious traditional engagement ceremony and performance of marriage rites, all roads led to Elder Olisemeke's compound in Delta State where the attractive culture of the Ejeme Aniogor people was revealed in its stunning glory. Attention shifted to the Shalom Zonal Headquaters of the Redeemed Christain Church of God in Port Harcourt, 5th May, 2012 for the solemnization of holy matrimony. After the church ceremony, friends, well-wishers and guests who had travelled wide and near to grace the memorable event were treated to a sumptuous reception at the Rumuigbo Civic Centre, also in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Mr. & Mrs. Wealth Oduyemi Paul
Couple with Officiating Ministers
Couple with Parent of the Bride
Couple with Parent of the Groom
Couple with Officiating Pastor Sunny James
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Couple with Men on Suit
Couple with Engr. & Mrs. Dan
Uzezi, Geraldine & IB
Couple with Bridal Train/Flower Girls
From left Dr. Oyiman Paulker, Couple & Paulker Emmanuel
Nengi Halliday, Couple & Kelvin Ezeh
Mrs. Mina Sotoye Banigo, Couple & Mummy Essien Mrs. Stella Fayo (wife of the SSG R/S) & Mariam Reginald Ukwuoma (Chairperson-Etche LGA)
Geraldine & Mrs. Uche Alozie
Geraldine with Hilda Dokubo
Mrs. Tina Isoh, Couple & Vivian Elue
Mina Banigo, Maureen Tamuno, Stella Fayi, Reginald Marian, Esther Anucha-omuma, Nkechi Amadi & Justine Emeji XL
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T H E
Children's Powers of POSITIVE THINKING
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he power of positive thinking is touted in the popular press and the therapist's office. Most adults understand that the way we think about a situation can change the way we experience it. But what about children? When and how do they learn about the connection between thoughts, feelings, and experiences? Research has shown that this awareness evolves in early childhood and matures over many years. When children are three to four years old, they can identify emotions that occur in many typical situations. They know that birthday parties are happy times and scoldings are not. By the time they are five to six years old they have an increased awareness of the connection between thinking and feeling. By age seven many children understand that people can interpret the same situation in different ways. Training children to recognize the benefits of positive thinking and disadvantages of negative thinking may not only help children feel better emotionally during stressful life circumstances, but may also provide physical health benefits by decreasing the physical toll of stress. A recent study investigated whether the developmental changes that take place between ages 5 to 10 would affect children's knowledge of the effects of thinking positively, and whether this would in turn affect a child's emotional response to a situation.
Ninety children were divided into three age groups: 5-6, 7-8, and 910 year-olds. They were introduced to three pairs of characters who experienced a typically positive situation (getting a new pet), a negative situation (breaking an arm), and a neutral situation (meeting a new teacher). One character within each pair had a positive thought that framed the event in a positive light, and one had a negative thought that framed the event in a negative light. For example, one character with a broken arm thought about having his friends sign his cast, while the other thought about how uncomfortable the cast was going to be. The children were asked to report on each character's feelings: How does the character feel right now? Why does the character feel that way? They were also asked to explain why one character felt better than or the same as another character. The children's explanations were categorized as situation explanations, meaning that the situation caused the emotion; or mental state explanations, meaning that the characters' thoughts, desires, or preferences were the reasons that the character felt an emotion. Children in every age group predicted characters' thinking positive as opposed to negative thoughts would have different emotions even though both characters experienced the same objective event, according to the study. The eight- to ten- year olds were more aware that reframing events either positively or
negatively could affect a person's emotional experience, but all the children, regardless of age, seemed to believe that when events were negative, thinking positively was not enough to make a person feel good. "The strongest predictor of children's knowledge about the benefits of positive thinking besides age was not the child's own level of hope and optimism, but their parents'," said Christi Bamford, assistant professor of psychology at Jacksonville University, who led the study when she was at the University of California, Davis. The findings point to parents' role in helping children learn how to use positive thinking to feel better when things get tough. Bamford notes, "... [P]arents should consider modeling how to look on the bright side.� The researchers concluded that children as young as five years old had begun to develop the skills to understand how positive and negative reframing could change a person's response to a situation. They suggest that training children to recognize the benefits of positive thinking and disadvantages of negative thinking may not only help children feel better emotionally during stressful life circumstances, but may also provide physical health benefits by decreasing the physical toll of stress. Parents, teachers, coaches, and others who teach and care for children can model positive reframing for children to help them learn this valuable life skill. XL
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SOCIETY
Joy & Akpos In Eccentric Port Harcourt Wedding
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oy was in the air when the families of late Golden McqueenPeters of Agbara Wihere in Mgbundukwu area of Nkpolu Oroabali in Rivers State and Engr. Louis Ruadjere of Ekregbenyevwe Quarters in Usiefrun of Delta State united to celebrate the love that their children, Joy and Akporotu share for themselves. The colourful solemnization of holy matrimony held on Saturday 12th May, 2012 at the Church of God Mission International Incorporated in Diobu Port Harcourt and was well attended by relatives and friends from far and near. The traditional marriage rites and reception followed immediately after the service at 62 Ikwerre Road, by Egede Street, Diobu, Port Harcourt. We now bring you highlights of the memorable event.
Couple - Mr. & Mrs. Akporotu
Couple with both parents
Queen McQueen, couple & Bride's mom
Couple with Bride's family
Couple with Bridal train
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Bride on the dance floor
Couple with Chief (Mrs.) Azubuike Nmerukini
The Couple stepping out
Couple with Groom's family
Couple & friends
The Groom & friends arrive
Cutting the Traditional Marriage Cake
High Chief Nnamdi Obobo & Bride's Mom
Hon. Awoye Ayibo & Bride
Hon. Daniel Amaechi (CEO, VIP Pools) & Hon. Temple Dickson
Members of Nkpolu-bu-otu Social Club of Rebisi
Chief Alex Ogbugo & High Chief (Dr.) A. B. Amadi (JP) Bride's maid
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f I were to write a book about the almost perverse will of Nigerians to find a way, I would call it What to do when Nigeria Happens. In chapter 18 What To Do When There Is a Power Cut During an Operation I would advise you to follow the example of a surgeon who asked his attendants to turn on their mobile phones and point their lights at his scalpel. In chapter 10 What To Do in Times of Fuel Scarcity I would suggest sleeping in the petrol queue for three days with provisions and a pack of cards to divert you in moments of extreme boredom. And my personal favourite, chapter four What To Do When Robbers Pay You a Visit and the Police Ignore your Summons. If you were feeling extremely creative, you could gather a crowd of churchgoers as my uncle did, in the hope that the sound of their approach (singing, clapping and drumming) would scare off the thieves.
Nigerians’ Spirit Is Indestructible We Nigerians have coped dictators, genocide and bombs. Boko Haram cannot defeat us. funds to stage a full-scale military invasion, so what we have instead is a war of attrition. The steady drip drip of a church bombing every week, a shooting
For years, we have died on the roads that our government will not tar; we have died in the hospitals that it will not equip; and we have died on the streets that it will not secure; and the morning afterwards, those who are left among the living rise at 4am, rinse their faces and continue. We have lived under dictators of all shades, benevolent, repressive and civilian. We have seen genocide. We have seen massacres. We have seen bombs.
For years, we have died on the roads that our government will not tar; we have died in the hospitals that it will not equip; and we have died on the streets that it will not secure; and the morning afterwards, those who are left among the living rise at 4am, rinse their faces and continue. We have lived under dictators of all shades, benevolent, repressive and civilian. We have seen genocide. We have seen massacres. We have seen bombs. The first time that I heard an explosion, I was 11 years old, when a militant Boko Haram was still a fanatic's dream away. That Sunday a decade ago, shells began to go off in the Ikeja military cantonment after a fire spread to a poorly maintained munitions cache. I live in Ikeja, and I saw the blasts light up the sky. My house shook from the explosions. Hundreds died that day. Yet today there are still people living in Ikeja. There are still people living in Jos, despite the sectarian clashes that have claimed so many lives. There are still people living and finding a way in every part of Nigeria where you would expect the population to have melted away. The ease at which we adjust to privation perhaps makes us easily trampled on. Sparks that would ignite a population elsewhere soon flicker out. Fires that would set ablaze a whole country flare briefly and die away. Yet, this flexibility has also made us very difficult to wear out. In a war of attrition, I will bet on Nigerians every time.
The way Nigerians react to what others would call the last straw has made us as a people very difficult to wear out. I wish someone would tell this to Boko Haram, the terrorist group wreaking havoc in my country. The sect is not strong enough to overwhelm Nigeria with force. It has neither the arms nor the
The ease at which we adjust to privation perhaps makes us easily trampled on. Sparks that would ignite a population elsewhere soon flicker out. Fires that would set ablaze a whole country flare briefly and die away. Yet, this flexibility has also made us very difficult to wear out. In a war of attrition, I will bet on Nigerians every time.
under such pressures. But this is Nigeria.
After all, we have been taught the art of withstanding by successive governments whose looting and misrule have caused more deaths than the radical groups the “Nigerian condition” periodically spawns. The northern youth my age and younger attracted to the radicalism of Boko Haram have legitimate grievances. They, like the youth all over Nigeria, continue to suffer from grinding poverty and widespread unemployment in a country that holds few prospects for them. They, like the youth all over Nigeria, are easily manipulated into violence.
Chibundu Onuzo outside a school, the murder of an Islamic leader who has spoken out against the terrorists these are their tactics. And who knows, perhaps there are other places in the world where the polity would soon dissolve
They, like their counterparts in the south, east and west can be tricked into believing that utopia will come when their leaders' demands are met. Yet they will discover, like others who have taken a similar route, that Nigerians have proved and will continue to prove tougher than every bloody chapter in our country's history.
This article was originally published in the Guardian UK. Chibundu, author of the Faber and Faber published “The Spider King's Daughter” was recently voted the UK's No.1 Best Black Student of 2012.
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