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Men are Easily Attracted to Me but I Don’t Get Carried Away- Islamic Singer, Ewa Islam

In the circle of Islamic music singers which is a component of the Nigeria’s music industry, young, beautiful and amiable Alhaja Opeyemi Mariam Abdulraq better known as Ewa Islam (Beauty of Islam) to some may appear to be a green horn, but that is totally contrary to the truth of the matter as the light skinned Islamic music artiste has been around for a couple of years, even though the coast has just been cleared for her sail and showcase the talent deposited in her to the world.

The pretty religious singer in this chat took us through a little about her world.

Contrary to the belief in some quarters that most Islamic artistes never saw the four walls of a class room, it is totally different in the case of Mariam as it has been the discovered she belongs in the group of those who are transforming the section of the music industry with the education they have acquired. Mariam revealed she’s a Mass Communication graduate of Lagos State polytechnic but she has her reasons for not practicing.

‘I am a graduate of Mass Communication from the Lagos State Polytechnic but music which is what I do is my passion and that is why it appears to be taking the whole of my attention.

Although, I still do one or two things that relate with Mass Communication but it still has to do with entertainment.’ Speaking about how long she has been singing and her exploits so far. ‘I started singing as a professional artiste some seven years ago and I have actually been showcasing my stuff at different places such that I can’t be said to be a green horn, at least among those who know me. Having said that, even though I didn’t have an album to my name until the one I just concluded work on, I have featured in a song with one Alhaji Rilwan. I think it is important that I say the fact that I was in school actually played a role in why my appearances or performances were restricted, so it was not as if I didn’t have songs to record. At this point however, I can say I am fully ready to let to the whole world that there is a sensation to watch out for in the Islamic music world that is known as Alhaja Opeyemi Mariam Abdurazaq a.k.a Ewa Islam. ’

Been in a trade that exposes her to the public and the fact that this singer is blessed with a beauty that would certainly draw attention to her, we sought to know how she handles advances from men. Opeyemi responds ‘laughs… that is actually a compliment so I say thank you. If we are to be truthful I will say it is only an unfortunate woman…what Yoruba call Oloriburuku Obinrin that will say a man should not make advances at her or admirer her but what I do as an individual is that I find a way to handle such advances that I don’t get anyone offended. Men do come but I can’t afford to be promiscuous by giving in to them all so I find a way to cope that I retain my integrity.’

Mariam made it known that getting to the present stage of her carrier has not been without challenges but grateful to God for his mercies. ‘I will be telling lies if I say all have been roller coaster to this level because one has actually been through so much. May be in the process of seeking assistance or lobbying for shows and all the rest, one has encountered so much, especially as a lady. You go to some places for assistance and they are telling you to do give them something in return before they can help and all that, so it has not been easy but I give glory to God.’

Meanwhile, in her bid to put her recording career on a proper footing, come the month of October, Alhaja Opeyemi will be officially launching her debut album that is titled, Ewa Islam. The launch that is billed to take place 13^th October at Ramonak Banquet Hall, U-Turn, Abule-

Egba, Lagos, is expected to bring together those who matter in the world of Islam, her fans and top shots in the society. While Opeyemi is expected to entertain guests with her craft, popular Fuji singer, Abass Akande Obesere is also expected to add spice to the event with his performance. To gain access to the event, guests are expected to purchase Ankara fabrics designed for the event and details about it can be obtained through 0906691128.

REDTV’s Red Hot Topics Goes Live… As Millennials Bare All

Following the immense success of its drama series, The Men’s Club (TMC), REDTV is about to launch its own chat show, Red Hot Topics. The show follows a panel of young people discussing current and hot topics that affect everyday life. They will openly and frankly touch on topics ranging from equality to infidelity, sex, relationships, honour, business and the choices we all must make.

Take 12 exciting, energetic, hot young folks, ask them the most daring of questions and watch them thrash out opinions that will make you think long and hard.

Produced on set in the brand new studios of REDTV, Red Hot Topics will defy the norms and break down all barriers. The boys – T.J, Ihechi, O.D, Tayo, Ola , Martin and Farouq and the girls – Lolo, Ada, Coco, Bukky and Ariyiike are stunning, stylish, suave and ready to talk. If it’s honest, they will tell it. If it is taboo, they will uncover it. But most of all, if it’s forbidden and unchartered, – they will go all the way and bring the heat!

Speaking on REDTV’s latest series, Executive Producer of the Show, Bola Atta said ‘Red Hot Topics is a chat show that will change how people think and act, in a positive way. The conversations of the vibrant youths are as essential as they are interesting and engaging. The cast is fun, honest and fresh, all speaking straight from the heart, with no holds barred.’

Red Hot Topics will premiere on the 11^th of September, 2019 on the REDTV YouTube channel. Follow all the REDTV channels across social media for more information and to watch the movement live!

REDTV is a fast paced lifestyle channel that puts Africa on the global stage. Proudly powered by the United Bank for Africa (UBA). The network is here to entertain and inform, with rich content that features the very best of Africa; focused on entertainment, fashion, news, design, music, sport, movies, travel and much more.

REDTV collaborates with the most talented visionaries, creative minds daring to believe in a New Africa, putting together content that reflects it. Feel the Heat on REDTV.

APPOEMN set to Scale up Events Industry Practices with TEIC 2019

The Association of Professional Party Organizers and Event Managers of Nigeria (APPOEMN), is set to convene TEIC 2019, a 3-day transformational network of learning and cutting edge exponential conference for members of the association from September 18 to 22 2019.

Addressing the press in Lagos on Sunday September 8, Vice President of the association, Mrs Adefunke Kuyoro disclosed that the theme of this year’s conference, the third in a series, being ‘Stepping Up’; presented an opportunity for event industry practitioners to put their brands ahead if not at par with industry leaders and players in the event space.

“We call all eventprenuers/practitioners to ‘step up’ their game in the industry, because the more excellent our brands become, the better our event industry in Nigeria; be you a vendor, planner, venue owner, service provider in the event industry. It is time to step it up for good.” Kuyoro posited.

Speaking further about the 3-day conference, Mrs Kuyoro said what informed TEIC (The Event Industry Conference), expected to assemble key professionals from across the country and a spectrum of events service providers, to share experiences, perspectives, insights and latest developments in the events industry, was the desire to mix international growing trends with existing traditions.

According to her, “events have always been a part of our culture, but in the recent past it has received a sudden boost, apparent by the increase in coverage received from the print and social media.”

“The 3-day conference is drawn up to provide technical sessions and poster sessions on cutting edge issues related to the event industry, and will also provide ample opportunities for networking and socializing with colleagues.” Kuyoro averred.

TEIC 2019 is expected to kick off on the 18th of September with a Masterclass scheduled for 250 participants, where evolving issues and trends in the industry will be learnt, culminating in a bonding after-party in what can best be called “Senior Lit of a lifetime”

Day 2 of the event will be devoted to Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR by way of easing motorists’ driveway through Lagos Island and mainland in a give back approach to law-abiding Lagosians.

To that extent the association has partnered with the Lagos State Transport Management Agency (LASTMA) to coordinate traffic in heavy-traffic-prone areas in super hyper traffic time between the hours of 7am-9am, with 350 members of the association expected to take part in the exercise. Next on Day 2 agenda will be a yardsale (a kind of compensation plan) to the industry where various valuable items will be circulated especially to new entrants, to boost their brand equity in the trendy event market space at giveaway rates.

The icing on the cake in regard to TEIC 2019, is its culmination on the last day of the event with a dinner and award night, where up to 500 guests are expected to attend the TEIC Award for the year, as the best practitioners in diverse categories of the industry will be appreciated.

Speaking to SMILE on the criteria adopted for the award, Mrs Kuyoro said nominations were done by members of the association on the different categories with 5 to 6 nominees in each category, while voting was done online to produce the list of recipients for the final awards, all in strict compliance to the best ethos.

With respect to some challenges in the industry cutting across relevant training, optimum service delivery, trust and abuse issues etc., Mrs Kuyoro told SMILE that APPOEMN has over the years been able to set the standard for operation in the industry which has made the association a credible force, saying the association is not just an all-comers affair, as prospective members are observed for up to two years before being registered in the organisation, while penalties which include suspension or dismissal, depending on the degree of rules infringement are also meted to erring members, all in a bid to make the industry attain and maintain standard global practices, assuring that such erring members would at the end of their penalty also have to reapply again, if qualified to. Training opportunities she added were also being constantly offered to members to ensure best practices.

APPOEMN is an association with a mix of seasoned events professionals that have been at the forefront of event planning and coordination in Nigeria, for the past 15 years. The association has risen to become a major player in the socio-economic space in the Nigerian polity contributing 55bn to the country’s GDP in budgets, appreciatively deflating the country’s unemployment balloon.

The Event Industry Conference (TEIC) is an annual event of APPOEMN and this year’s would be the third edition of the event.

Tickets to attend the event can be obtained via www.teic.live or 08033053529, 08033728555 while interested event practitioners can also join the association by sending such requests to appoemnnigeria@gmail.com

Fashola tackles BPP over alleged contract inflation

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, on Monday said that there was no case of inflation in the various contracts awarded by the Nigerian government in 2018.

The minister, who was reacting to allegations of contract inflation levelled against his ministry by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), asked the agency to publish its rates and “clear the air on the lingering issue of alleged contract inflation reported in the media last week”.

The minister was reacting to a report which revealed that the BPP saved over N26 billion for the government in the year 2018 by revising down “inflated” contract sums by government contractors.

Report

According to the report, the savings are from the review of contracts awarded to contractors by various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) before being given certificates of “No Objection’’ by the bureau.

The report showed that in 2018, 86 certificates of “No Objection’’ were given out by the bureau to MDAs for contracts initially totaling N1.4 trillion but was later reduced to N1.4 trillion.

Of the savings made, the highest amount of N22.2 billion was recorded from the erstwhile Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, the report showed. The money was allegedly saved from an initial request of N877.4 billion.

‘Not true’ says Fashola

But in a statement by Hakeem Bello, Mr Fashola’s spokesperson, the minister said that there has been “misleading” report of the issue in the media.

“Being a department of the same government, ordinarily this should not warrant a reply; however the misleading nature of the reporting in the media and the statements credited to BPP compel a response for the purposes of clarification and enlightenment of the public,” the statement said.

“Any person who takes time to read the provisions of the Public Procurement Act, which created the BPP will understand that no contract can be awarded until BPP certifies that it has NO OBJECTION.

“Therefore there was no INFLATED contract because BPP clearly stated that it reduced the costs, and according to BPP she “… saved over N26 Billion…” And this is the heart of the matter, because BPP’s “ savings” can only be a SUBJECTIVE assessment based on rates quoted by contractors, reviewed by the Ministry , and sent to BPP for certification.”

The minister said that until BPP publishes its rates which the then Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, under his leadership, has demanded in writing, there can be no “objective” basis for determining whether any “savings” were indeed made “if only BPP knows its own rates for procurement.”

“Once rates are published and design is known, quantities can be ascertained and costs can be determined,” Mr Fashola said.

“This is the field of Quantity Surveyors and Construction Economists, and the Minister of Works and Housing has not made any secret about his call for a revision of the Public Procurement Act to resolve this and other gaps in the Law.

“Indeed, during the first term of this Administration, the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing had commissioned the compilation of a service wide Rate of major items of procurement from the largest to the smallest for BPP to consider, adopt or amend and publish.”

Fayemi’s wife picks stranded nursing mother’s hospital bill

The wife of the Ekiti State Governor, Bisi Fayemi, on Sunday picked the medical bills of a nursing mother, Mrs Sade Ojo, who had been stranded at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, since August 31, following her inability to pay the bill after being delivered of a set of twins.

The governor’s wife, who read about the woman in the social media on Sunday, dispatched an official, Mr Dauda Lawal, to the hospital to verify the claim and rescue the woman and her surviving baby.

The woman was admitted in the EKSUTH on August 30 and lost one of her twin babies during labour, while the second was referred to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital.

She was discharged on August 31, but her bill rose to N80,750 following complications.

The nursing mother, who said she was tired of sleeping in the hospital after being discharged, had appealed to the governor’s wife; the Commissioner for Health, Dr Mojisola Yaya-Kolade; and well-meaning Ekiti indigenes to come to her aid.

Lawal said, “Around 8pm today (Sunday), the governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, called me that she read about one Mrs Ojo in the social media, who was delivered of a set of twins at the EKSUTH since August 31 but could not go home because her husband could not pick the N80,750 bill.

“Erelu directed me to the hospital to find out the true situation of things and that if found to be true, she would be ready to settle the bill and that the woman and her surviving baby must not sleep in the hospital that night.

“I came to the hospital and I met Mrs Ojo, her mother and husband, who were worried about the ugly development without any solution. I promptly introduced myself and delivered Erelu’s message to them. Praises of joy immediately rented the ward.

“We approached the nurses on duty and actions were expedited to discharge Mrs Ojo and her baby. I am happy to tell all that the woman and her baby have been let go courtesy of Erelu Bisi Fayemi.

“I personally drove the family down to their home around 9.30pm and they were full of praises to God Almighty and offered prayers for Erelu Bisi Fayemi.”

The nursing mother and her husband appreciated the governor’s wife for her prompt intervention.

The Head of Corporate Affairs, EKSUTH, Mrs Rolake Adewumi, said the hospital witnesses situations like that from time to time because it had to discharge its responsibilities of saving lives first.

Adewumi stated, “The hospital’s management, on being notified, had already arranged for relief measures for the woman, which would have been perfected on Monday so that she could go home.

“When we have cases of genuine indigent patients, who cannot afford their medical bills, such patients are referred to the social services department, where the details and debts will be recorded so that such will be included for philanthropists, who may come later to offset bills of indigent patients.”

British Airways’ pilots’ 3 Days Strike enters Second Day

A landmark strike by British Airways pilots entered its second day on Tuesday with more travel chaos — and no end in sight to the long-running dispute overpay.

BA has decided to cancel almost all its flights for the second day in a row, it announced in a statement identical to the one issued Monday.

The carrier, which is owned by London-listed International Airlines Group, said it has cancelled nearly 100 per cent of its 850 daily flights, affecting the travel plans of more than 100,000 passengers.

However, the pilots’ trade union stood firm in its demands for greater salary and benefits.

The industrial action by pilots, which is the first in BA’s 100-year history, has seen flights axed for approximately 200,000 travellers, mostly from London Gatwick and Heathrow airports.

In advance of the strike, BA offered full refunds or bookings on alternative dates or flights with a different airline.

The walkout overpays by members of the British Airline Pilots Association trade union follows around nine months of failed talks.

With no talks scheduled, pilots will also stage another one-day strike on September 27.

“Pilots are standing firm and have shown just how resolute they are,” BALPA boss Brian Strutton said in a brief statement.

“British Airways needs to start listening to its pilots and actually come up with ways of resolving this dispute.”

BA has offered a salary increase of 11.5 per cent over three years, which it argues would boost the annual pay of some captains to £200,000 ($246,000 or 220,000 euros).

However, the union has rejected the proposal that was made in July, arguing that its members want a bigger share of the company’s profits.

BALPA estimates that the 48-hour strike is costing the airline a total of £80 million but BA has yet to give an estimate.

Shi’ites defy police, hold Ashura procession in Wuse

…Security operatives lock down Abuja-Keffi road

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria has carried out its Ashura mourning procession in Abuja, in defiance of the police.

The Ashura procession is an annual religious ritual carried out by the Shia Islamic sect all over the world on September 10.

Participants including men, women, and children held the procession for a few kilometres from Berger Roundabout to Wuse, and hurriedly concluded the exercise to avoid a confrontation with security personnel.

Our correspondent learnt that the procession which commenced by 8 this morning lasted for about 25 minutes and caused traffic gridlock in the commercial area, but there was no report of any incident.

None of the IMN spokesmen could be reached for comment as calls to their phones rang out.

The Shi’ites had on Monday raised the alarm that the police were planning to attack the Ashura mourning procession holding in Abuja and other cities in the North.

The Shi’ites said that they had credible information that the force “will employ extrajudicial approach to assault, arrest or kill whoever participates in the religious event.”

A member of the Academic Forum of the IMN, Abdullahi Musa, who said this in a statement, invited religious leaders, Civil Society Organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations, the international community, journalists and the public to monitor the conduct of the Ashura procession “in order to expose those that are so desperate to cause violence for a pittance.”

In their reaction, the police had warned the sect against carrying out the procession, stating that by virtue of the Terrorism (Prevention) Proscription Order Notice of July 26, 2019, the IMN had been proscribed in the country and cannot hold any procession.

The force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, said any gathering by the Shi’ites “will be treated as a gathering in the advancement of terrorism.”

Meanwhile, security operatives have locked down the Abuja-Keffi Expressway apparently to prevent the Shi’ite members living in that axis from coming to the city centre to participate in the procession.

The PUNCH gathered that the checkpoint mounted by a joint team of police and other security agencies barricaded the road.

A journalist, Richard Oludare, said he had been trapped in the ensuing traffic gridlock for over two hours.

“I left the house by 6:00 a.m., but it’s past 8:00 a.m. and I’m still trapped in the traffic jam. The security agencies blocked the road and only allowed a vehicle to pass at a time,” he said in frustration.

Zenith Bank’s Aspire Music Festival Debuts in Lagos, Features Nigeria’s Top Artistes

Nigeria’s leading financial institution, Zenith Bank Plc, is set to light up the social and entertainment scene this month with the announcement of the Bank’s “Aspire Music Festival”.

Dubbed as the most anticipated entertainment event of the year, the music festival holds on Saturday, September 21, 2019 by 8.00pm at the Harbour Point Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The breathtaking festival promises to be a night to remember, as it will feature captivating and thrilling musical performances by some of Nigeria’s biggest artistes including Olamide, Flavour, Phyno, Niniola, Mayorkun and Rema.

The Aspire Musical Festival, which is a must attend event for music lovers, tourists and fun seekers, is one of a series of events lined up by Zenith Bank to usher in “Style by Zenith 2.0”, the bank’s annual lifestyle fair which will take place towards the end of the year.

Attendance at the music festival is exclusively reserved for Zenith Bank customers. However, non-Zenith customers can still participate by simply opening a Zenith Bank account and registering to attend at www.zenithbank.com/style.

Zenith Bank Plc is recognized as one of the most innovative financial institutions in Nigeria and was voted the most customer-focused bank in Nigeria for the Retail and SME segments in the 2018 KPMG Annual Banking Industry Customer Satisfaction Survey (BICSS).

Buhari receives envoy to South Africa, orders evacuation of 640 Nigerians

The President also gave clear instructions that Nigerians willing to return home should be evacuated from South Africa immediately.

The President took the decisions when he received  the report of the special envoy he sent last week to his South African counterpart, President Cyril Ramaphosa, to register Nigeria’s concerns over the attacks.

The Presidency, in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said the special envoy, who is the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai-Abubakar, returned to Nigeria after the assignment and had submitted his report to the President.

It said Rufai-Ababukar was in Pretoria from Thursday to Saturday. While in Pretoria, the envoy conveyed the following to Ramaphosa, “The deep concern of President Buhari and Nigerians about intermittent violence against Nigerians and their property/business interests in South Africa.

“President Buhari stressed the need for South African government to take visible measures to stop violence against citizens of brotherly African nations.

“President Buhari is worried that the recurring issue of xenophobia could negatively affect the image and standing of South Africa as one of the leading countries on the continent, if nothing is done to stop it.

“The special envoy conveyed the assurance of President Buhari that the Nigerian government was ready and willing to collaborate with the South African government to find a lasting solution to the involvement of few Nigerians in criminal activities, and to protect the lives and property of the larger groups of other law-abiding Nigerians and indeed Africans in general, against all forms of attacks including xenophobia.

“President Buhari further assured that the Nigerian government will guarantee the safety of lives, property and business interests of South Africans in Nigeria.”

The statement, which was signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, also gave details of Ramaphosa’s responses.

It added, “On his part, President Ramaphosa agrees that the violence is most disconcerting and embarrassing, adding that his government completely rejects such acts, which undermine not only the country’s image, but also its relations with brotherly African countries.

“President Ramaphosa reaffirmed his stand against criminality and that he was committed to doing everything possible to protect the rights of every Nigerian and other foreign nationals in the country.”

Upon receiving the report, Buhari said he had taken note of it and directed Onyeama “to continue to engage with appropriate authorities on the concrete measure the South African government is expected to take.”

He also gave “instructions for the immediate voluntary evacuation of all Nigerians who are willing to return home.”

The Presidency added that the envoy also met with his South African counterpart “where they reviewed the situation of foreign emigrants in general and Nigerians in particular.”

It said the two “agreed to work together to find a permanent solution to the root causes of the recurring attacks on Nigerians and their property.”

Two aircraft to bring 640 Nigerians from South Africa – Presidency

Also on Monday, the Presidency said the number of Nigerians in South Africa, who had shown interest in returning home had risen from 400 to 640.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, stated this when she appeared before the Senate Committee on Diaspora.

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