Veteran Nigerian comedian, Alibaba, has taken to social media to debunk rumours that his marriage to Mary Akpobome has hit the rocks. Born Atunyota Alleluya Akporobomerere, the legendary comedian got married to his wife in 2006.
While reacting to the news of his marital crisis, the funny man posted a cosy picture with his wife, fondly called Mummy Mary, smiling and captioned it, “We have gotten calls and messages about the status of our marriage. We are still married and we thank everyone who sent messages and were concerned about the rumour which started because I was not home during Christmas and New Year celebrations.
“There was no need to explain to everyone that I was in isolation. And we thank God I pulled through. We appreciate your best wishes.”
According to the news that made the legendary Nigerian comedian react, the humour merchant’s wife allegedly kicked him out of their home at Victoria Garden City over allegations of infidelity.
It was alleged that Alibaba’s wife hired a private investigator that helped discover her husband’s affair with a London-based lover with whom he also fathered a child.
It was further rumoured that Mrs Alibaba was not unaware of her husband’s reckless extra-marital affairs; however, she chose to look the other way hoping that respite would come sometime soon.
The online claims further revealed that Mrs Akpobome confided in some of her associates that she knew what was playing out, saying catching her husband red-handed with another woman was unbearable and unforgivable.
Meanwhile, news had it that Alibaba had since relocated to his office somewhere in the high brow part of town after he was sent packing.
Residents have condemned the attempt by policemen from the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Team to arrest the Chairman, Peace Valley Zone, Magodo Phase II, Lagos State, Ayobami Olubiyi, on Wednesday 24th of February 2021.
We reliably gathered that no fewer than six policemen, allegedly mobilised by one Timi Popoola, laid siege to Olubiyi’s residence around 6am, but their efforts became futile when some residents in the zone and others intervened.
Olubiyi said despite explaining to Popoola that the estate was strictly for residential purpose, he allegedly shunned the warnings and converted a building to an hotel.
He said, “Mr Timi Popoola bought a property in the estate early in 2020 and we reached out to him to know what he was doing with the property, but he refused to open up to us. We also told him to register with us because of security concerns, but he never shown any concern. When our financial secretary asked him to fulfil his obligations to the estate, he (Popoola) threatened him and we reported the incident at the police headquarters in Ikeja, where he was invited, but he didn’t show up.
“We also escalated it to Alagbon for intervention, but surprisingly, we got a letter last week inviting me to Abuja for harassment, molestation and threat to life. I have never met Popoola, so how could I have threatened his life? When the police came today, they demanded to see me, but I was not at home. When the police kept insisting that they wanted to see me, neighbours, who observed what was going on, mobilised against them.
“The place is a hotel and the Lagos State Government has sealed it off twice, but he broke the seal. He has been advertising the hotel online.”
While condemning the action of the police, the Chairman, Magodo Residents’ Association, Phase II, Bajo Osinubi, said the state government designed Magodo as wholly residential, adding that Popoola was using the office of the IG to oppress people so as to continue running the hotel against the decision of the government.
“We don’t want hotels in Magodo, but this man (Popoola) went to a zone that is very small and started renovating a building. During the renovation, his neighbours approached him to inquire about his plans and he told them that he wanted to live in the building. But after the renovation, residents in the zone started seeing strange faces entering the house. They also went online to do further findings and discovered that he had turned the house into a hotel.
“The estate management petitioned the state government and the place was partially sealed off, but he proceeded to inform the Inspector-General of Police. We are surprised that the police invited Olubiyi to Abuja for a case that happened in Magodo, Lagos. Plans were already on for Olubiyi to meet with the IG monitoring unit at the annex in Lagos on Monday, but because he couldn’t make it, six policemen attached to the unit laid siege to his house around 6am Wednesday 24th of February 2021 to arrest him.”
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said “The IGP Monitoring Unit is from the office of the IG, so it’s proper we notify the Force PRO to look into this and react. I will inform him accordingly.”
The Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, had yet to respond to calls and a text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report
– Olota of Otta honours Speaker with traditional title
– Says Obasa’s leadership of the Assembly has benefitted Awori people in Lagos
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, has urged traditional rulers in the Southwestern part of Nigeria to continue to protect the culture and tradition of the people of the zone by constantly speaking the Yoruba language.
Speaker Obasa made the plea on Tuesday at the palace of the Olota of Otta, His Royal Majesty, Prof Adeyemi Obalanlege, where he was honoured with the traditional title of Jagunmolu Taiyese of Otta Awori kingdom.
While thanking the Olota for the honour, Obasa commended the monarch for propagating the Yoruba tradition saying this had reflected in the way the monarch and the Olota-in-council spoke Yoruba language all through the event.
“Beyond your educational status, you still limited yourself to our own mother-tongue. I have been to many palaces and have always maintained that the royal fathers should always distinguish our culture before anyone and in any place.
“How do we do this? It is by using our mother-tongue to communicate with whosoever the visitor is, no matter the status and wherever he comes from. That is one of the sure ways we can propagate and preserve our custom and tradition.
The Speaker noted that the need to preserve the language, custom and culture of the Yoruba race resulted in the decision of the Lagos State House of Assembly to carry out plenary activities in the native language on Thursdays.
He said the House reasoned that promoting the language during plenary would help more residents understand some of the laws that guide their daily activities.
“We have also agreed that all the laws passed by the House would now be translated into Yoruba for the benefit of those we are representing.
“When Christianity was introduced to Nigerians, their holy book was translated into Yoruba. The holy book of the Muslims has also been translated into Yoruba for more people to understand,” the Speaker said.
He urged parents to speak the language at home as, according to him, understanding one’s native language does not hinder one from being able to speak English fluently.
Earlier, the Olota had praised the Speaker for the successes his leadership of the Lagos Assembly had registered saying the activities of the House had also positively impacted on the Awori people in the state.
The traditional ruler urged the Speaker to see and take Otta as his second home.
The unsavoury incidents being sponsored by some unscrupulous state actors involving the former Governor of Imo State, Sen. Rochas Okorocha in recent times show a hint at some parties’ thought who see him as a threat to their supposed caliphate. Indeed, it has proven right the Elders’ words which postulate that ‘uneasy lies the head that wears the crown’.
However, the Sage’s head still feels uneasy despite leaving office.
Does that still mean Okorocha wears the crown, holds the ace or the nitwits are scared of losing their hegemony to who God has chosen to make Imo prosper again?
This unwarranted battle began after the current Administration was sworn in on 15th January, 2020. It was a public knowledge that the Sage was a constant emotional backup when Uzodinma was struggling for his mandate after the 9th March, 2019 governorship election. Okorocha was among the foremost political figures to congratulate him when he finally triumphed at the Supreme Court. It is now bemusing that this same Governor is having no one to pick as a foe apart from Rochas Okorocha, the man who has been in his shoes and can offer him Fatherly counsel considering how well he fared after occupying the seat for eight years.
Prior to this, there have been silent battles fought underneath but the latest showed how low the current administration’s moral has sunk. In my part of the world, the prince does not fight like slaves. You can’t be at the helms of affair and still be ‘terrorising’ your subjects. As a child of necessity, Imolites expect more lease of life from Uzodinma than the current drama that is playing out.
Sen. Rochas Okorocha went to Royal Spring Palm Hotel in the company of his two sons-in-law on 19th February after Governor Hope Uzodinma illegally sealed the hotel.
His intent was simply to inquire the reason behind the sealing and take due protocol as a law-abiding, serving Senator of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Unfortunately, Chinansa Nwaneri, the Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodinma on Special Duties and Eric Uwakwe saw no need for peace as they led a pool of miscreants and abused public office by using the state’s police for their personal gain. The gadgets and equipment necessary for the smooth running of the Resorts were all carted away by the opposing forces. They also attacked Okorocha and his crew violently without provocation
As at now, Uzo Anwuka, one of Okorocha’s sons-in-law is currently receiving treatment after being shot at on the spot where the state sponsored violence took place while Okorocha, a serving Senator representing Imo West is currently apprehended, detained and was only released on the order of the Presidency. Just wondering, if the hired thugs had murdered the distinguished senator in the process of that needless fracas, what side of history would Governor Hope Uzodinma be?
Prior to this, Okorocha has silently suffered series of blackmail and name-calling along with destruction of properties belonging to him and his family. This hostility is not unconnected to the influence which he can pull in the state when the 2023 Presidential election come knocking.
However, a threat to life is totally uncalled for as Okorocha’s Camp can never engage in do-or-die politics. Destroying the legacy you have built with your sweat is not an option in modern democracy.
It must be mentioned that armed thugs attacked Okorocha’s residence at Akachi three days before he went to the sealed hotel belonging to his wife, Nneoma Rochas in Owerri.
It should further be stated here that before this ugly incident, the demolition of the hospital complex belonging to the Okorocha’s family had sent many Imolites to the unemployment market and this is quite disheartening in view of the current state of the nation’s economy.
Irrespective of what anyone may think, it is highly condemnable that a former Governor and sitting Senator could be treated this way by those who see political power as the beginning and end of life.
It is therefore important to call on the general public and Mr. President to ensure the safety of all citizens and curb the abuse of office. The safety of Okorocha is very crucial to political stability of Imo State and any further attack will be regarded as a deliberate assassination attempt upon which proper actions will be taken.
By Smart Oluwole Apejoye- Public Affairs Commentator and Advocate of Good Governance
The need to follow all precautionary measures of Covid-19 and be committed to staying Safe and Alive has been re-emphasized by a Membership based Non Government, Non Profit Organisation, Junior Chamber International Ikeja through the medium of a Short Film titled “ STILL WITH US”
JCI Ikeja took up the initiative to shoot a Short film/Campaign sensitizing the entire public and the world at large on the need to Stay Safe through the #CommitToQualityHealth Project Initiative .
– ‘STILL WITH US’ is a story of OLa-Fathia’s Buka amidst a raging pandemic and the casualties that go with it. Costumers of OLA-FATHIA’s buka seem to care less. Tomiwa enlightens them that when it rains, even the grasses are not spared and covid-19 isn’t any different. The Short Film was Directed by the very delectable Film Maker – Usman ‘Blackky’ Ogunlade.
Speaking on the Project Initiative, The Project Coordinator , a Ghanaian-Nigerian – Ruth Oriyomi Idowu and the the 2021 Local Organisation President, JCI Ikeja – Tricia Inalu amongst others spoke on why they had to communicate this through the media of Entertainment which in their words is the best way to get the message across.
The Short Film is set to premiere in Lagos on Sunday,14th March 2021.
Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday observed a one-minute silence in honour of a former governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, who passed away in the early hours of the day.
At a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the members also resolved to write a letter of condolence to the family of the deceased.
The House further urged the Federal Government to look into the proposed Metro Line by the Jakande administration which was stopped by the military regime of that period.
Speaker Obasa, who described Jakande’s achievements as inexhaustible, noted that the Lagos State Univeristy, which the former governor established, has produced a lot of successful people in the society.
He also recalled Jakande’s free education and free book policies as well as the his success in the infrastructure sector in the state.
“He crowned his achievements with free education and free books,” Obasa said.
“We can only imagine how many people have become successful after passing through LASU. God gave him the wisdom,” Obasa added.
The representative of Mushin Constituency 1, Nureni Akinsanya, who earlier raised issue on the floor of the House, described the late Jakande as one who achieved a lot for the state.
His position was supported by Hon. Abdulsubur Olayiwola (Mushin 2).
On his part, Hon. Richard Kasunmu (Ikeja 2) said that the deceased scored grade ‘A’ in mentorship and was very visionary.
Kasunmu added that the younger generations are witnesses to the deceased’s infrastructural development adding that this was highly commendable.
“Baba scores ‘A’ in mentorship. He is visionary. We thank the Lord that the younger generations are able to see the infrastructural development done by the late ex-governor. I wish we give him a standing ovation for the departed soul.” Kasunmu said.
For Hon. Femi Saheed (Kosofe 2), the deceased was a lover of the poor and he attended to issues with wisdom.
Femi said that Jakande turned around the state with hardwork, adding: “If you look at waste management-incinerating plants in the state are all credited to Lateef Jakande.
“These are things that have made Lagos to be known for what it is today. The ferry service of today can be credited to Baba Jakande.”
Hon. Fatai Oluwa (Ajeromi Ifelodun 2) recalled how the late Jakande wrote a book in honour of Pa Obafemi Awolowo.
He urged the House to send a delegation team to Jakande’s house for condolences.
“He was a journalist. He wrote The Trial of Obafemi Awolowo in 1966. We have all spoken well about the late former governor.
“We are able to see what he had done. I want to implore us all to delegate some members to visit the house of Baba Jakande,” Oluwa said.
Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti Osa 2) eulogised the late Jakande for developing Lagos.
The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, also praised the late Jakande adding: “If we could have the opportunity not to die in this world, we could have said the late former governor should not die.
“Papa had done a lot for the state; hence, I express my condolences to the Family, House and the people of lagos state.”
The director of MO FUNERALS INTERNATIONAL has advocated for creation of a unified voice in the funeral industry which can push a united cause that is favourable to Nigerian government and all stakeholders on funeral insurance policy.
In an interview with the London-certified funeral director, he stated that creating an association for funeral directors in Nigeria will result in a win-win situation for the government, insurance brokers, Nigerians and the directors.
Olumuyiwa Onikoyi emphasised the importance of funeral insurance policy to include less financial and logistics burdens on the relatives of deceased; ease of doing funeral business; cutting the red tape to give way to modern approaches and reduce risks amongst other benefits.
He said, ” To create an enabling environment for funeral directors, the main issue is identifying the strategies which the government will push out. In Nigeria currently, we don’t have a unified funeral directing association which is very important if we want to have a headway and gain the government’s attention. All funeral directors need to have one unified voice that will stand and push the cause of the industry across to the government”.
He also stated that livestream coverage during funeral services is gaining prominence considering the impacts of the pandemic lockdown amidst other changes, an encouragement for MO FUNERALS INTERNATIONAL who have prior plans to venture into broadcasting on radio transmitters as a means of contributing to social distancing.
However, the reluctance of some clients in Nigeria to foot all bills relating to effective delivery of the services which is seldom encountered with overseas clients, is proving to be a challenge. In his words, “MO FUNERALS INTERNATIONAL have received a lot of success in the areas of livestreams during funeral services. We intend getting into broadcasting burial services on AM/FM transmitters so people don’t have to get out of their cars”.
“At MO FUNERALS INTERNATIONAL, we have been doing drive-by funerals. We once had a young woman that passed away and the family really wanted to have a service, so we did a set up in our parking lot, and more than 10 cars drove by and paid their last respects to the deceased”, he added.
Onikoyi, a Master’s Degree holder in Information Security and Computer Forensics from University of East London, MPhil in Cyber security and BSc in Computing Information System from Goldsmith College, University of London revealed that Covid-19 has effected diverse changes in the industry.
With the availability of the webpage www.mofuneral.com, it has become easy to engage clients and complete all pre-arrangements virtually. He further expressed surprise at African system not embracing cremation, especially considering the changes which the Covid-19 pandemic has brought to funeral services.
“One surprise we had at MO FUNERALS INTERNATIONAL is that the pandemic has not increased demand for cremations. Notably, As African we are not really into Cremation but the shutdown/Lockdown may also be reversing the trend toward traditional funerals.”
According to him, “…the key reasons why many people are choosing cremation are: separation of family across the U.S. (non-traditional family nucleus); increasing acceptance of the cremation process in our culture; eco-consciousness tendencies in consumers (don’t want to take up precious land space with a traditional burial in a cemetery; etc.”
“Pre-planning arrangements culture is also on the rise. The percentage of the population that feels it’s important to pre-plan funeral and cemetery/vaults purchases has jumped up. MO FUNERALS INTERNATIONAL pre-need appointments have really picked up. We can send you all you need for the planning of your loved ones funeral electronically”, he said.
With offices in UK and South Africa, he revealed that most of the MO FUNERALS INTERNATIONAL committed employees had to work from home in compliance with Covid-19 regulations to ensure efficient delivery of services.
He added that Covid-19 played a significant role in the recent upsurge witnessed in the funereal industry.
“Senior managing partners at MO FUNERALS INTERNATIONAL have continued to come into the office with strict Covid-19 regulations adherence — even as many employees work from home — to show solidarity with the workers who have to go into houses and hospitals to retrieve the remains of those who have died.”
“MO FUNERALS INTERNATIONAL view ourselves as ‘final responders’, which is a play on the words ‘first responder’. When the pandemic hit, it gave a chance for the industry to thrive, because we were going to be there, no matter what we had to go through to be able to serve our communities”, he added.
He further added that the idea to venture into the industry came to form when he travelled abroad, though he grew up as a member of Boy’s Brigade. As a Senior Project Manager at Ministry of Defence in UK where he was the focal point for bereaved fallen officers, the experience gained and moments shared propelled him to engage in the funereal industry.
“Seeking to promote one-stop funeral directing business in Nigeria, my role as a managing partner is to provide a memorable experience for the deceased’s family to reflect the celebration of their life style even in death via phone or face to face, as well as to build customer loyalty by leveraging interpersonal skills and offering top customer service to our numerous client during the most difficult time of losing their love ones.”
“With over 10 years of professional experience in dealing with bereavement across multi-cultural ethnicity around the globe and Nigeria in particular, these tasks often entail the embalming and burial or cremation of the dead, as well as the arrangements for the funeral ceremony (although not the directing and conducting of the funeral itself unless clergies are not present)”.
“Funeral directors may at times be asked to perform tasks such as dressing (in garments usually suitable for daily wear), casketing, motor hearse, music, and pall bearing who are the professionals that carry the casket before being interred.”
China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has announced that the Lagos-Ibadan Rail has been officially connected to the Apapa port complex.
The construction company disclosed this in a tweet on Monday.
“On the morning of Jan. 25, 2021, with the successful pouring of the last 25-meter monolithic track bed superstructure of Apapa Port Break Bulk Line, the Lagos-Ibadan Railway was officially connected to the Apapa Port in Lagos.
“The Apapa Port Spur Line of Lagos-Ibadan Railway starts from the Mobolaji Johnson Station, Ebute Metta and extends southward to Apapa Port, with a total length of 8.72km,” CCECC disclosed.
It added that the linking of the rail to the port is crucial and will enhance the import and export of goods.
“As a crucial channel linking the mainline of the Lagos-Ibadan Railway to the port, it has become an important transportation passage for the import and export of goods and now serves as a significant guarantee with regards to the comprehensive operational efficiency of the Railway,” it added.
It explained further the construction process noting that it was “an extremely tough nut to crack because of its dense underground pipelines, high underground water level, complex geological conditions, and numerous ground constructions.”
The project according to the company took nearly three years of unremitting efforts and working around the clock.
We would all agree that the media space is never lacking stories of personal and public interest jostling for audience attention. However, one that caught the attention of this writer is a brewing fiasco in the Federal Character Commission FCC, as an agency meant to foster equity and togetherness, faces accusations and counter accusations of corrupt practices, abuse of office. More interesting is the fact that the fight is from within, from some commissioners against the Chairman of the commission, Dr Muheeba Farida Dankaka.
The so called aggrieved commissioners, who identified themselves as ‘Concerned Commissioners fighting for public good”, forwarded a petition, signed by Mr Augustine Wokocha and AbdulWasiu Bawa-Allah, to the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), accusing the Commission Chairman, of list of offenses that appeared tainted and covered in malice and bitterness.
Credit to Dankaka, as she was swift and precise in her response to the allegations she referred to falsehood and “mere fabrication”. Her response brought to the fore one of the many and vicious challenges of the Nigerian state. It has become a common theme that those benefiting from twisted systems would fight tooth and nail to keep the mechanism of such systems rolling. A statement by the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs & Communication, Dipo Akinsola, counter accused the five commissioners of fighting a positive change by peddling lies in order to keep the status quo for their selfish interests. Dankaka wasn’t mincing words in her response, “Five of the Commissioners are fighting for their personal and selfish interests; they want business as usual in the Commission which is not possible under my watch. The contents of the publication are false and mere fabricated stories to dent my image and that of the commission through social media.”
From finding in the appropriate quarters shows the said petition was all a hoax and a tactic to stage a media war of calumny against the Chairman. According to reliable sources, the ICPC is yet to receive any petition as at the time of this publication. Therefore there is no way Dr. Muheeba would have been invited.
Secondly, the aggrieved commissioners, according to reliable sources in the commission, appear to be doing the bidding of Muhammed Tukur Bello, who has not been at ease with the commission’s activities since Dankaka was announced as Chairman by the President. Discerning minds will remember how a heavy media campaign was immediately launched against the appointment of Dr. Muheeba as the Chair of the commission simply because Tukur Bello, who was the Secretary of the last FCC dispensation, and immediate acting Chairman of the commission felt some sense of resentment after he was overlooked by the President.
In their desperation to achieve their selfish objective, another petition was claimed to have been sent to President Buhari with signatures of 28 members of the Commission. It has however been discovered that the petitioners maliciously used the attendance register of commissioners at Plenary session as signature for their petition.
It is on record that since assuming office, Dr. Muheeba has not approved any contract whatsoever as contained in the so called petition. Investigation shows that the contract stated in the so called petition are items approved long before she assumed the office. The good news is that should a petition be finally submitted to the ICPC, Dankaka will be vindicated in the end.
Also, contrary to claims that the Chairman has been known to act without recourse to the commissioners, Dankaka said over thirty commissioners are currently working together in harmony to bring positive changes. “Some commissioners accused me of holding them to ransom by taking over their jobs and giving it to Directors with impunity. Over 30 Honorable Commissioners are currently working in harmony with me in bringing positive changes.”
From grapevine, the plan to discredit the Chairman is not just about her carrying Directors along in the affairs of the commission. She is perceived to be blocking some juicy fleecing channels and about to execute some activities that are against certain selfish interests.
Ideally, the Federal Character Commission will not deliver on its objectives if it chooses to work in isolation. During a courtesy visit after her appointment in 2020, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila advised the Dankaka to nurture a symbiotic relationship, that it is only when she’s able to establish such a relationship that her ‘work can be made easie’.
Also out of the ordinary is the accusation that Dankaka is a good lobbyist with the ability “of influencing and luring anyone or bodies of authorities that receive complaints against her.” If the authorities see a leap in the right direction under her leadership, they reserve the right to support her. Afterall, under her watch, the Commission has recorded successes in areas such as centralized the administrative structure of the monitoring and enforcement department.
This however, is not a call for the Chairman to be shielded from investigation into activities of the commission if the need arises, but innovative moves should be encouraged in sensitive agencies such as the FCC at a time where the country is in dire need of inventiveness that ensures every region is treated and reflected fairly in the scheme of things. And it is perceived that the chairman is not afraid of investigation as she has proven beyond doubts that the majority of the commissioners are supportive of her initiatives as lead of the commission. As such over 28 members are said to be signing a vote of confidence as a rejoinder to the issues the aggrieved commissioner have raised.
It is therefore not expected that a commission put in place to entrench a shade of unity in our extreme diversity is fraught with infighting for selfish purposes. Instead of dissipating energy on divisive struggles that are clearly in sharp contrast to the mandate of the commission, the commissioners should embrace result-driven initiatives and sheathe the sword of personal gains and vendetta. Staging a selfish war in the name of public good is a propaganda that no longer appeals to the majority of Nigerians.
-Ends-
JCI Advisor for Africa and Middle East, JCI Senator Jide Adeyemi; Chairperson, Conference Organising Committee, JCIN Amb. Oluwatoyin Atanda; Former President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; National President, JCI Nigeria, JCIN Amb. Abiola Olorunnisola and Chairman, Africa and Middle East Development Council, JCI Senator Rasheed Adeniyi at the Africa and The Middle East National Presidents meeting held on Saturday.
Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo has expressed delight, saying Junior Chamber International has reinstated his hope for a greater continent of Africa.
Obasanjo made this known at the Africa and The Middle East National Presidents virtual meeting held on Saturday.
The former President pointed that with the quality of young people in the organisation, he is more hopeful about the development of the continent of Africa through their impacting programs.
He however, urged the participants at the meeting to embrace change, saying it is the only thing that is permanent in the life of human beings and institutions, adding that nobody should be afraid of change.
According to Obasanjo, education and understanding the world we live in are major ways to foster positive changes around the world as people need to realize for that change is imminent.
“You must prepare yourself educationally for the world that is changing. Your education must be far and wide enough to prepare you for the changing world. I am not talking about classroom education alone, I am talking about education you get in all facets of life”, he pointed.
He added that people don’t appreciate the community they live in, let alone the nation and region they live.
“We must mentally and psychologically prepare for the world we live in. When we talk about change, some change will be gradual; some will come like Tsunami or storm. Whether it is political, technology, social or other sort of changes, we must be very prepared for it”, he said.
Obasanjo commended the determination of JCI’s members in their effort to make the world a better place to live, urging them not to forget their coming together which is stronger than their individual capacity.
The former president also called the presidents at the meeting to further identify problems at their different nations and find ways to solve them.
“African and Middle East are faced with the problem of insecurity; your responsibility as youths and members of JCI is to ensure peace in those regions of the world. There are a lot that we can do to bring out some of these solutions in your regions”
On the issue of the pandemic, he said there must be ways to do something in every corner of the world, Tough time does not last forever, tough people overcome tough time”, he urged.
“From my experience with JCI over the years, I believe that the members all around the world have a lot to offer to everybody in all over the world.” he said.
In his words, the National President of JCI Nigeria, Abiola Olorunnisola appreciated the former president for his fatherly wisdom and the advice he has offered to the national presidents of the organisations in different countries of Africa and the Middle East.
Olorunnisola promised that all the advice given by the former president will be adhered to and will help the organisation in making future plans in driving development changes in both Africa and the Middle East.
