Author: society_admin

Shaibu’s Irredeemable Reputational Damage by Osagie Osunbor

In politics, reputation is everything. Political reputation is less what political figures say or do; it is more about what the people see when they see a politician. Conversely, a politician’s character is an incredibly important feature of reputation formation or destruction – as the case may be – in political circumstances. So, it is important to remember that actions will always be louder than words.

Judging by the reputation of Phillip Shaibu, the incumbent deputy governor of Edo State, it is safe to say that his reputation has done more damage to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket in Edo State than the famed incompetence and failure of Governor Godwin Obaseki, the candidate proper.

The question that begs for an answer is: what does Shaibu’s reputation say of him? He comes across as patently unfitting for the office he occupies and which he seeks so desperately to retain, because of his vapidity, irascibility and inability to articulate the achievements of an administration he has been a part of from the outset.

If gravitas and intellection were the lowest common denominator, Shaibu, despite his relative youthfulness – he turned 50 last December – does not appear minimally competent for the office of Deputy Governor.

A deputy governor with questionable intellect and glaring incompetence is a bad combination but the fact that Shaibu never runs anything but his mouth has further worsened the chances of Obaseki, who also appears to have since lost his governance marbles but laughably still seeks re-election.

More so, is his propensity to always resort to violence and violent threats whenever it jostles him that his days in office are numbered, which many have laid squarely at the foot of his background as a student unionist where thuggery and violence undergirded their conduct.

In political reputation, seemingly small things are amplified and they become big. This is why caution is critical and desirable in handling Shaibu, because, for every act of violence that has trailed the state since 2018, his name is copiously mentioned.

Sometime in 2019, mayhem was unleashed on high profile guests like the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, when they attended the convocation ceremony of the Edo University, Iyamho.

At the time, the former governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, had fallen out with his successor and political godson, Governor Obaseki. Shaibu, as deputy governor, saw the ceremony as a perfect opportunity to show Oshiomhole that power had changed hands.

He reportedly mobilised over 200 ‘Okada’ riders to the venue and the guests were left scampering to safety under a cloud of violent attacks. Those who were not so lucky escaped with bodily injuries and damaged cars.

A few days to the event, Oshiomhole said, “I had information that the deputy governor asked some people to organise 1,000 people to the university community. You can crosscheck with the Inspector General of Police. The CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele, who delivered the convocation lecture, was also a witness. I conveyed the message to the IGP to prevent thugs from being imported to the place by the deputy governor.

“Some few minutes later the governor himself arrived and Mr. Emefiele went to him and said to him, ‘what are these people doing here?’ Emefiele said to the governor that if those people were there, he wasn’t going to deliver the convocation lecture, because he didn’t come to do politics, he just came to perform a normal intellectual activity, which was the convocation lecture.”

The truth of what truly transpired has not been established and may never be given the dynamics of Nigerian politics, which is why Shaibu’s involvement or otherwise is still up in the air but his name came up again recently, when the acting chairman of the APC in Edo State, Col David Imuse (retd) said there was credible information that Obaseki had a sinister plan involving Shaibu.

Imuse said, “In a shocking revelation, it has been shown that the Edo State government, in connivance with a retired police officer from Kogi State, who has been identified in series of violence plots in Edo State and beyond, is plotting to stage an attack on their own convoy.

“Specifically, an attack on the convoy of the Deputy Governor, Mr. Philip Shaibu in a bid to draw sympathy; pose as victims and set the stage for a new wave of the violent onslaught on the people of Edo State some of whom have fallen victims to the reckless shootings of the governor’s army of thugs and criminals.”

Shaibu debunked the allegation but the question is: why always him? The story is told of how he practically arm-twisted the leadership of the PDP, when he followed Obaseki to defect from the APC last June.

In a party where there was no such overhanging threat of intimidation, Obaseki, as the sitting governor, would have had to choose a new deputy from among the fold of the PDP, which he just joined to placate extant members and give them a sense of belonging.

Not with Shaibu. He huffed and puffed, and threatened and coerced the PDP into retaining him as Obaseki’s running mate. It was a hard pill to swallow but it was the least the party leaders could do else they stood to regret not supporting him.

In a recent viral video clip, Shaibu was seen talking to a group of young men ostensibly loyal to the PDP wherein he was overheard boasting that he was not a coward and, “I have called the CP (Commissioner of Police) that they should arrest those boys. Failure to arrest them, I cannot guarantee peace.”

In fact, the role of Shaibu in most of the violent activities in the state was well summed up by the Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, when during a reconciliation meeting of the gladiators, called out Shaibu as the brain behind many of the crises in the state. More cogently, the monarch said he was reluctant to call him his son, because of his recent disposition to violence ahead of the election. What could have been more pungent?

Interestingly, his wife, Maryam, is cut from the same cloth. If Shaibu had been masking his violent streak with some maturity, she openly revels in it. There is also a viral video of Maryam at a ‘town hall meeting’ where she was heard threatening a cross-section of women that if they attended any other event aside the one organised by her, she would flog them. Some of the women in the audience were much older.

Two interventions are indeed critical and auspicious at this point; that of the National Peace Committee helmed by a former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd); and the imposition of visa restrictions on individuals found instigating violence in the Edo and Ondo elections slated for September and October respectively by the United States government.

Abdulsalami, as chairman of the committee, said they were intervening in the Edo State governorship election, because of the tension it is generating, stressing that if there is no peace, there could not be any election.

At a meeting with Governor Obaseki, Abdulsalami said, “As you know, the purpose of this committee is to ensure that all those involved in this election get hold of their supporters and party people to ensure that there is peace in the state.” The committee oversaw the signing of a peace pact by the major candidates in the election.

Likewise, the U.S Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, Monday, disclosed: “In July 2019, we announced the imposition of visa restrictions on Nigerians, who undermined the February and March 2019 elections.

“Today, the Secretary of State is imposing additional visa restrictions on individuals for their actions surrounding the November 2019 Kogi and Bayelsa State elections and in the run-up to the September and October 2020 Edo and Ondo State elections,” the statement read.

It is fervently hoped that these would serve as a deterrent to those with a lifelong reputation of violence.

Osunbor lives and works in Benin

FBN INSURANCE BROKERS HOSTS WEBINAR TO SENSITISE SMES ON RISK MANAGEMENT AND CYBER SECURITY

FBN Insurance Brokers Limited, a subsidiary of Nigeria’s leading financial services group, FBN Holdings Plc, has announced a webinar to sensitise SMEs on risk management and cyber security. Spearheading discussions at the webinar are seasoned experts on insurance brokerage, cyber security and risk management.

The event is themed Risk Management and Business Continuity amidst COVID19 and scheduled for 10:00am on Thursday, 17 September, 2020.  To participate in the event, click here to register.

Olumide Ibidapo, MD/CEO FBN Insurance Brokers will speak on Risk Management; Harrison Nnaji, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), FirstBank will drive conversation on Cyber security and Jamie Eaton, Regional Director, Financial Lines and Client Management, Howden One Insurance Brokers will focus on Cyber Insurance as a risk transfer option for cyber risks.

Speaking on the event, Olumide Ibidapo, MD/CEO FBN Insurance Brokers said; “SMEs remain the engine of growth of any economy, especially developing ones like ours and we recognise the indelible roles they play at creating jobs and meeting the economic and social needs of individuals.

We are excited with this webinar and implore every business owner to participate, as they will be exposed to very vital information to keep their business afloat and overcome various risks as well as operational challenges, including cyber security threats that have been heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

This Election Is Truly Ize-Iyamu’s to Lose by Teniola Williams-Balogun

One does not need to be clairvoyant or partisan to project that the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu’s to lose. The available accretion of variables makes such projection almost indubitable.

This does not in any way negate the fact that it will go down in the state’s history as one of the most keenly contested governorship elections, because of the antecedents of the two leading candidates, the peculiarities of their emergence and what they are promising the people.
Unlike Ize-Iyamu, Governor Godwin Obaseki, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate is on this expedition with disillusioned and disgruntled co-passengers, no thanks to his 11th-hour entry and eventual corralling of the party’s governorship ticket.
He was a member of the APC, who defected just last June and was given the PDP’s governorship ticket thereby extinguishing the aspirations of longstanding members of the party. Those ones have not forgiven the party leadership and Obaseki for muscling them out of the race.
This, perhaps, is why Obaseki is still considered a stranger in the party and not trusted enough not to jump ship against the groundswell of rumours that the governor just wants victory by all means to spite his estranged godfather and former governor of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and that the moment he gets it, he would return to the APC, leaving the PDP high and dry.
Impeccable sources within the EDO PDP contended that this knowledge explains the party’s ambivalence about putting out its entire arsenal to ensure his victory.
But the scenario is markedly different for Ize-Iyamu. A founding member of the PDP in Edo State, he served in the administration of former Governor Lucky Igbinedion from 1999 to 2007 as Chief of Staff in the first term; and Secretary to the State Government in the second term.
Beyond his official positions, Ize-Iyamu is acclaimed as a great mobiliser of men and women and a redoubtable grassroots politician, who was pivotal to the two electoral victories of Igbinedion.
Stronger forces within the PDP then engineered the defection of Ize-Iyamu, who left with his supporters to join the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). In the new party, the Ize-Iyamu supporters operated under the Grace Group, which worked relentlessly for the victory of Oshiomhole in 2007 though he would later reclaim his mandate via the court in 2008.
Ize-Iyamu rose in the ACN, one of the legacy parties that formed the APC, to the position of the national vice-chairman, South-South Zone. Noteworthy is that after Oshiomhole had been rejected by his own Labour Party, the PDP and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), it was the Grace Group that made his acceptance by the ACN seamless and successful.
Under the auspices of the ACN, Ize-Iyamu also served as the Director-General of Oshiomhole’s second term Campaign Organisation and he delivered. He would only return to the PDP, when the same Oshiomhole gratuitously refused to support his ambition to succeed him in 2016. But now, Ize-Iyamu is back in the APC, where he is at home with the leaders and loyalists.
Accordingly, one of the best things that Ize-Iyamu has done is to make a sharp contrast between himself and Obaseki. The first argument is that, Ize-Iyamu is currently not riding on the back of any godfather, a claim Obaseki could not make in 2016, when Oshiomhole almost single-handedly handled his campaign. Even now, he is being propped by the PDP machinery and his power of incumbency.
The second is that having spent so many years as an astute grassroots mobiliser, Ize-Iyamu has mastered the language and nuances of electioneering and has got the people energetic and enthusiastic again with his SIMPLE Agenda, whereas Obaseki’s Make Edo Great Again agenda has been mirthless and mechanical.
After enduring three years of grim governance, it is unlikely that any more rhetoric from Obaseki can invigorate the enervated people of Edo State. Obaseki is a deeply flawed man. If he remained at just an ingrate, who betrayed Oshiomhole, the man that brought him into politics and power, it would have been overlooked as one of those peculiar intrigues and mysteries of Nigerian politics especially.
But his metamorphosis into an unresponsive and unbridled governor, who detached himself from the socio-economic needs of the people and deviated from a tested and trusted path to a better life for the people, have done him in.
Further damage has been done to his candidature by his irreverent attempt to bring into disrepute the legacies of his predecessor notably the politicisation of the Benin Central hospital project, which was completed and equipped by Oshiomhole. Obaseki was a part of Oshiomhole’s administration as chairman of the Economic Strategy Team for almost eight years that Oshiomhole was in office.
He was integral to the completion of the project but on the assumption of office, refused to open it to the public thereby denying the generality of the people of Edo State a world-class healthcare services, citing incongruous and infantile excuses. Three years into his administration, Obaseki launched a probe into the funds that went into building the hospital, forgetting his involvement too.
He also cited Oshiomhole’s upgrading of the Ekiadolor College of Education to Tayo Akpata University (TAU) as the reason he shutdown the institution permanently since he came to power.
For closing the Colleges of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi; Abudu, Afuze; the Institute of Continued Education (ICE) and the three Schools of Nursing in Edo State, Obaseki hid under the pretence of renovating the institutions. So many youths were prevented from continuing with their education for a long time and these are the youth he wants to come out to vote for him on September 19th; a tall order, no doubt.
For the more discerning electorate, it is Obaseki’s ungrateful attitude towards benefactors, which has led to over 70 per cent of his appointees resigning. That rankles! Obaseki and his cheerleaders were in denial all along as they continued to run on their contrived popularity and propaganda but the reality is dawning on them by the day with his administration likened to a revolving door that allows for impulsive exits.
The resignation, last May, of Taiwo Akerele, the former Chief of Staff, opened the floodgate of resignations of several cabinet members and senior aides in the administration. Another debilitating resignation was that of Patrick Iyoha, the Director, Obaseki/Shaibu Movement, which threw the campaign organisation into disarray, as he was the nerve-centre of Obaseki’s re-election bid.
But it was not only Iyoha that resigned within the same week; the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Dame Omoua Oni-Okpaku; and two members of the State Post Primary Education Board – Mr Gabriel Oiboh, Chairman and Mr Osanyemwere Osawe, a member of the board – also did. Oiboh and Osawe said their resignations followed pressure by Obaseki to defect with him to the PDP.
On July 27th, three commissioners of the Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Area Development Commission – Osamwonyi Atu, Emmanuel Odigie and Rilwanu Oshiomhole – who represented Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North senatorial districts respectively – resigned their appointments. The latest is Joseph Ikpea, who resigned his appointment as the Commissioner for Minerals, Oil and Gas, and moved to his Ubiaja hometown in Esan Southeast Local Government, where he returned to the APC 10 days to the election.  If these are no strong indications of a sinking ship, then, nothing is.
Something more fundamental haunts Obaseki and he has turned a blind eye to it. It is his disregard for the Moslem population in the state and insistence on retaining his deputy, Phillip Shaibu, a Christian. For the first time in the history of democratic governance in the state, Ize-Iyamu did the unthinkable by choosing Malam Gani Audu, a Muslim, as his deputy.
This is a masterstroke decision, which already guarantees the APC massive votes that would be hard to assail by the opposition. Even more importantly, Ize-Iyamu has out-campaigned other candidates and is doing so on the strength of his manifesto of hope, which he said is the panacea and pivot to launch Edo State on the path to sustainable prosperity and holistic development.
What trumped the APC candidate, as a frontrunner in the race was his very high name recognition – résumé that matches the moment, public office experience and renown as a steady and seasoned administrator, and his well-articulated manifesto of hope entitled ‘The SIMPLE Agenda’.
The acronym, ‘SIMPLE’, stands for Security and Social Welfare, Infrastructure Development, Manpower Development, Public/Private Partnership, Leadership by Example and Employment Creation. Now in a book form, Pastor Ize-Iyamu said recently that the agenda is also a ‘SMART’ document.
“By this, I mean it is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and, of course, Time-bound,” he said, adding that he decided to document his agenda for the people so that he could be held accountable should he derail from his promises after winning the election. According to him, a government must be accountable and transparent, so, those who want to govern must put what they want to do for the people in black and white.

Williamns-Balogun wrote from Lagos

UBA Business Series to Support SME’s, Business Owners with Brand Positioning, Marketing Strategies

In its continuous bid to support the growth of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises(MSME) and equip them with the necessary tools to strengthen and sustain their businesses, Pan African Financial Institution, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc is set to organise another edition of its quarterly UBA Business Series.

The UBA Business Series which is held quarterly, is an MSME Workshop and a capacity building initiative where leading business leaders share insights on best practices for running successful businesses in the face of huge economic challenges. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic presented a huge challenge to many entrepreneurs and to help mitigate potential losses, UBA through its business series has been providing businesses with essential tips that would help re-evaluate their models and strategies as they wade through these uncertain times.

The topic for this edition of the UBA Business Series is ‘Brand Positioning and Marketing for Businesses Post COVID 19’, and it will hold on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 via Microsoft Teams. UBA will be hosting the Managing Director, Nitro 121, Mr Lampe Omoyele, a brand management professional, who will give business leaders and upcoming entrepreneurs tips on the best ways to ensure their businesses survive especially in the wake of the pandemic. Omoyele who is also the Founding Partner, The Lucent Consulting Company, is a widely respected business leader and mentor in the marketing and advertising industry of sub-Saharan Africa.

The event which is open to all participants will be held virtually starting at 2pm WAT on Wednesday, September 16, 2020 and interested participants can register here, or via http://bit.ly/UBABusinessSeriesReg.

UBA’s Group Head, Consumer and Retail Banking, Jude Anele, who spoke ahead of the workshop, said with his vast experience in brand management, Omoyele will point small business owners in the direction needed to galvanise their brands and position it in such a way as to attract the right customers.

Anele pointed out UBA’s unending commitment and deep passion to help small businesses, which according to him, remains the engine of any developing economy. “We are well aware that small businesses are the backbone of the economy in every country. In many climes, businesses with fewer than 100 employees account for 98.2% of all businesses. This no doubt aptly captures the importance of SMEs to a thriving economy which is why UBA is committed to seeing them flourish.”

UBA’s Group Head, Marketing and Customer Experience, Michelle Nwoga, said the bank’s passion is hinged on ensuring that customers and entrepreneurs run businesses that can stand the test of time with requisite knowledge and experience required to take their businesses to the next level.

She explained that the seminar is open to all business owners and leaders across Nigeria, adding that intending participants can register quickly to be part of the invaluable experience.

United Bank for Africa is a leading pan-African financial institution offering banking services to more than twenty million customers globally. With footprint in 20 African countries and presence globally in the United Kingdom, the USA and France, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.

Whistleblower blow lid on Corrupt Activities of Edo State Government

George Uboh, is the Chairman of George Uboh Whistleblowers Network (GUWN) and George Uboh TV, he recently issue a press statement on alleged financial infractions by Edo State Governor Obaseki in a document titled REPORT ON EDO STATE GOVERNMENT BANK STATEMENTS FROM 2015 TO 2019 ISSUED BY GEORGE UBOH WHISTLEBLOWERS NETWORK (GUWN) on Monday, September 14, 2020

In the letter he accused the executive governor of Edo State of financial improprieties that runs into several billions of Naira in many ghost accounts.

The whistleblower who has in the past blown lid on major financial crimes, some of which includes; the EFCC and the Office of the Vice-President.

The group did not only expose the anomaly but also issued Gov. Obaseki a 48 hours ultimatum to respond to the grave allegations brought against him.

Below is a list of the damaging findings as reported by the Whistleblower.

1) Transfers made into 8-digit account numbers running into Billions of Naira;

2) Transfers in Billions of Naira from Edo State Government to generals purpose accounts in different banks, including but not limited to Equatorial Trust Bank (which is not in operation), Access Bank, Sterling Bank etc. Posers: what does generals purpose stand for? Are these funds dissipating from these generals purpose accounts in these banks? The red flag is clear and convincing.

3) We found Billions of Naira in transfers to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) without being specific on the particular MDAs. Transfers should not be in bulk figures in Billions of Naira without specifying the MDAs and their respective account numbers.

4) We found that Billions of Naira passed through Edo State Government to companies like A&K Construction without specifying the accounts of the companies. in other words, Edo State Government released money to itself, mentioned companies like A&K Construction without mentioning the recipients’ accounts. Without those details, we can conclude that the monies have no destinations.

5) Billions of Naira were transferred in numerous tranches without account numbers and account names of the purported recipients.

6) Billions of Naira debited as Value Added Tax (VAT). This contravenes common sense. VAT should be a credit not debit. Why would you move Billions out and give the narration as VAT? VAT collections are credits, not debits.

7) Billions of Naira released as salary from EDSG without specificity. August 2019 alone, N746,622,765:33 and N693,388,159:31 were moved under the narration salary from EDSG. This is very suspicious, particularly the proximity of the transactions and others above to the election.

These are some of the grievous financial impropriety allegations leveled against the Governor and it is a thing the anti-graft agencies must be working on to make sure the Governor face the wrath of law should he be found culpable

Below is the attached letter;

 

 

Heritage Bank, FAMO provide succor for 300 private school teachers, SMEs

As part of efforts to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 on the education sector, Heritage Bank Plc in partnership with Honourable Fatima Mohammed (FAMO) foundation has provided succor to over 300 affected private school teachers and small medium enterprises (SMEs).

The challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, have continued in the shutdown of schools for months leaving the private school teachers without any means of livelihood and no source of income.

To this effect, in alleviating the challenges, Heritage Bank and its partner supported over 300 Private School Teachers and small businesses as palliatives in 15 local governments; including five major markets in Ojokoro Local Council Development Area of Ifako Ijaiye, in Lagos State, weekend.

Speaking at the event, Mother Dan-Egwu, Group Head, Education, NGO & Faith Groups, Lagos Mainland Zone of the bank, stated that as educational-friendly financial institution, Heritage Bank appreciates the socio-economic role the sector plays in the country.

According to her, Heritage Bank deemed it necessary to partner FAMO to champion the corporate social responsibility of the bank in supporting private school teachers and small businesses out of hardship and the quagmire plunged into nationwide by the pandemic.

She further explained to journalists that Heritage Bank and the Foundation seek to help teachers in phases.

Dan-Egwu said that this phase will comprise of 300 teachers who will get food items and cash worth Ten Thousand Naira (N10, 000) each.

On the mood of selection adopted, she stated that FAMO selected the teachers based on the regions, as the first phase comprised of 300 teachers and SMEs in the South West (Lagos) would be assisted and the poorest of the poor were the main target through the help of National Association of Private School Teachers (NAPST) to identify those teachers in direst need of the assistance.

She, however, disclosed Heritage Bank’s strategy to provide basic palliative care to the educational system at the resumption of academic activities in schools.

According to her, the bank has three areas of basic supports in providing mentorship program for schools, school portal and school health plan in partnership with Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs).

She further explained that support programs churned out by the bank are designed to instill value and keep students focused on making the best of their lives through corporate models, help school authorities to manage operations and steer them into moving educational system to the new digital era; where teachers can use technology in classroom management, administration, engagement with parents.

For the school health plan, Dan-Egwu hinted Heritage Bank would help to provide a very affordable health plan to ensure that every member of the school community is covered medically, as this will reduce the anxiety amongst teachers, parents and school authorities.

In her address, the Convener of FAMO, Honourable Mohammed, commended Heritage Bank for its bold steps in joining hand-in-hands to support the challenged private school teachers, SMEs sectors and the roles the bank plays in championing CSR in the country.

Mohammed stated that the primary aim was basically to cushion the effect of poverty especially as it concerns the private school teachers.

“The private school teachers because of the pandemic haven’t been paid for 6months and there are a lot of such cases around here. Ifako-Ijaye is the second largest LGA in Lagos State; therefore, it is time to reach out to the people. During the pandemic, we have reached out to them about 2 to 3 times. I reached out to Heritage Bank and they heard my voice just to partner with us with my palliative team just to cushion the effect,” she said.
Meanwhile, for the SME owners, she further stated that additional plans have been agreed upon with the Agency Banking Unit of Heritage Bank to empower them to function as agents in this space.

She also commended Heritage Bank as a youth friendly bank for their numerous supports to young Nigerians in helping to promote their businesses and dreams.

Friends and Associates Storm Oyo State as Rotimi Ajanaku Opens Dux Oil

Dux Oil, a cosmopolitan oil and gas concern last weekend dedicated its Oyo State gas station. The outlet, which boasts of modern day facilities with conscious safety measures is located on the ever busy Ibadan – Ife road, Ibadan, Oyo State,with a branch at Challenge also in Ibadan.

It was a gathering of young and vibrant political and corporate players in Oyo state and beyond as they came to felicitate with one of them, Rotimi Ajanaku, the dashing and upwardly mobile Lagos born politician and astute businessman who is the Asiwaju Odo of Oodualand, aside many other chieftancy titles.

The event anchored by Akin Olu-Philips, had in attendance, APC guber candidate in the last election for Oyo state, Hon Bayo Adelabu Penkele, Hon Shina Peller, Hon Dapo Lam Adeshina, Otunba Segun Adebayo (CEO Gas Land) the project consultant Engineer Ojo of Moahz Group, Prince Kayode Badru, Chief Mrs Khadijat Bakare,

the Iyaloja of Oyo Alaafin, The Otun Iyaloja of Oyo State, Otunba Femi Davies, Hon Fatee Mohamed Ogunkola ,Dayo Olokuta, Olayinka Kolawole (Bobby) and many political associates and members of Ajanaku foundation ORAF.

In his goodwill message, Hon Bayo Adelabu described the chief promoter of the venture, Asiwaju Rotimi Ajanaku as respectful, enterprising, industrious and a fighter who loves Oyo state with a passion hence his bringing ventures that will boost the commerce of the state. He admonished him for his philanthropic gestures especially helping to create employment opportunities for the young generation.

Dux Oil we gather boasts of 2 outlets in Ibadan to take care of the domestic needs of the people of Oyo state and plans are in top gear to open more outlets in Lekki,Lagos, Mowe ,Ogun State, Abuja, Kwara and Port Harcourt. According to Ajanaku, “we are in tune with the Federal government stand on the exploration of gas as alternative source of energy, aside domestic use at home, it will also serve as alternative to petrol and diesel. We plan to use Dux Oil to ensure that distribution of gas to every home in Nigeria is well channelled with proper safety measure in place.

Sensational Musician Sophy-Yah to Drop a New Song “Stop the Hurt”

The world is about to listen to yet another great tune that promises to make positive impact, as talented award winning United Kingdom based gospel singer, Sophy-Yah, is set to drop a new single.  The much anticipated effort titled “Stop the Hurt” is slated for release come Monday 21st, September 2020.

“Stop the Hurt” is a conscious composition targeted at condemning domestic violence.

The high flying singer, Sophy-Yah, whose style of music is Gospel Hip-Hop and RnB, during a chat said, no one is should go through any sorts of abuse, be it physical, psychological or emotional as it can be really damaging.

The song is being released in support of Women’s Aid UK, a UK based charity that looks after abused women.

Christened Sophia but goes by the stage name, Sophy-Yah, is a dynamic and anointed singer, who encourages and blesses the heart of people with her God given voice. The Nigerian-born artist now based in the United Kingdom, gave her life to Christ at age 13 and became passionate about things of God.

She started exhibiting her talent at a very young age and she featured in at Christian concerts, seminars, award ceremonies, both in Nigeria and UK.  Most noticeably, in 2012 she was a member of the choir that recorded the British Broadcasting Cooperation (BBC) theme song titled “first step” at the legendary Abbey road studio, UK for the 2012 Olympics.

She has shared platform with great gospel musicians like Chevelle Franklin, Noel Robinson, Bob Fit, Original King Arthur, Nicole C. Mullen, Damita Haddon, Sonnie Badu, Kym Mazelle, Lurine Cato, Tim Godfrey, Raymond & Co. as well as a host of other UK, African and American gospel artistes.

Sophia’s purpose is to express her creativity in music to touch lives and souls in order to bring them back to right standing with God and to also inspire people of different age groups to reach their full potential. Her desire is to help people connect to the love that is eternal, which is the reason of our existence.

She is blessed and privileged to be one of God’s chosen vessels in this end time to preach God’s word through music. Sophy-Yah is presently the Music Ambassador for London based International Women of power, (IWOP). She’s equally a youth influencer for another London based organization “The Truth about Drug”.

Sophia is also a brand Influencer for lots of brands that include, Hairfinity USA, Mumzz Backpack Singapore, Shero Science USA, Poppy Apparel USA, Femme Luxe UK, Organic Asap Hong Kong, Pro teeth whitening co UK, and a host of others. She is a Multi-Award Winner, an actress, and a TV presenter.

ISG Offers To Help African Leaders Eradicate Poverty, Grow Economy

The Chief Executive Officer of ISG & Partners, Mr Steven Tuinstra has

expressed the readiness and commitment of his organisation to compliment the effort of African leaders in ensuring economic growth and halt poverty advancement on the continent.

Tuinstra believes that with the enormous resources in Africa and the capacity of its citizens the continent only requires partnership from development oriented
organization to maximize the potential.

The ISG & Partners CEO noted that most African leaders are adequately prepared to change the fortune of their various countries but are limited in financing to actualize their objectives. He said having lived in Africa for no less than 2 decades he can confidently declare that the leaders are indeed focussed and are willing to improve on the economy of their nations.

Speaking through ISG’s Director of Media,Moses Owopade, Tuinstra promised that ISG & Partners across the world will extend their financial capacity to improve the economic growth on the continent.

According to the ISG & Partners CEO, to create economic growth we have to start with the infrastructure such as transport and energy.

”For example 600 million people in Africa still have no access to electricity. Investing in health care makes no sense at all as long as the ordinary people do not have the money to use it. The people who can afford it go abroad”

According to him, the Chinese government has lifted 800 million people out of poverty in 10 years.

”We can also make this happen in Africa. As a direct result of
infrastructure development, entrepreneurs have the opportunity to start a new business and need staff to do so. On this way you will create job in Africa so that the ordinary people can also go to the hospital when they have health complaints, and then the time is also right to invest in health care”

Tuinstra during a meeting at ISG & Partners office Togo identified quality power supply, good roads, functional rail way
services and effective air ports as areas that can expedite economic
advancement.

He said good railway services will enhance cheap and good
movement of both goods and services on the continent, even as
he noted that Africa has got quality people, good climatic condition
and education that can improve and increase wealth on the continent.

The ISG & Partners boss also stressed that the need for young Africans to immigrate to other continents will diminish when they can find a good job with prospects in their own country.

Exit mobile version