20 Workers Trapped As LASEPA Seals Off CD Factory

20 trapped workers of Chronotech, a CD duplicating and manufacturing company  Nigeria Limited located Amuwo Odofin Industrial Estate are sending a save our soul message to the public following the lock down of the factory early this morning by Lagos State Environment Agency workers (LASEPA).

The caged workers and their boss, Kelvin were shocked when the security staff of the company informed them that LASEPA agents locked down the premises as early as 7am this morning with over 20 staffs locked inside making and restricting movement in and out of the factory.

As we write, Kelvin, CEO of the company is still in disbelief wondering what the company might have done to warrant such undercover shut down considering the fact that they did not get any form of notification from the agency.

The trapped workers are appealing that the agency should kindly come and set them free.
 

LIFE AS CAB DRIVER, SECURITY GUARD - Bola Tinubu

In a special publication by TheNEWS magazine, Tinubu detailed how he worked as cab driver and a security guard. Here are excerpts from the interview.

Q: When did it strike you to travel out of the country?

A: I was lucky. Even though I was ambitious about travelling out of the country, particularly as my friends like Folabi Salami and Tokunbo Maxwell had just travelled to Germany, I would say that I was just lucky.
Others, like Nurudeen Olowopopo, of blessed memory, and Sola Popoola headed for the United States and it remained Tunde Badejo, Bolaji Agaba and myself. So, the three of us were determined that we must get out of Nigeria, too.

I went to Ikenne, with my late sister, for a big ceremony. We had gone to pick bottles of Coca-Cola from the cold room and wanted to quickly return to the St. Saviour’s Church, where my sister was. There was a sudden rain of bullets and had we not been rushing to the church to ensure that we didn’t miss what was going on there, I would have died. The young man that was standing with me was hit. He slumped and died.

Based on the sad incident and how I had narrowly missed death, my family said to me: ‘This boy, you have always said that you wanted to travel out of the country, it is time to do so.’ So, my mother gathered some money, sold her trinkets to make up for the remaining part of my allowances and joined it with proceeds from the sale of the Volkswagen Beetle given to me by my uncle, the late Ganiyu Tinubu, who used to work at Simpson Street, Ebutte-Metta. He had a Beetle car he bought from a Canadian and had it converted into a convertible, which I used to drive. Nobody taught me how to drive. He asked that I sell it and add the proceeds to the money I needed for my trip. That was what I did.

Bolaji Agaba and I left the same day for the United States, while Badejo left some months later. We got our visas through my family connections. Bolaji’s own had almost expired before we left. On our arrival in the US, we thought we would stay in New York. But Nurudeen Olowopopo said no and we put some money together for Bolaji’s ticket and we headed for Washington D.C. I stayed with the late Sola Popoola at Washington before we started finding our way. We were running out of funds then.

He helped us secure a one-room apartment in Alexandria, Virgina. We got an unregistered used car (they left the licence open) commonly called Gypsy, which we ran as a taxi. We operated at the airport, where we picked passengers, and not anywhere else, like the hotel because it was forbidden for unlicensed cab drivers to do so. We did that for a while to raise some money. We did, and Bolaji went to Tennessee, while I headed for Chicago.

READ: I used to be a DJ – Bola Tinubu

Q: Can you tell us some unpleasant moments that you had then?

A: One experience I will not forget was when I over-charged a naval officer, who was returning to the country. It was not intentional. Apparently, I didn’t know the direction; there was no GPRS in those days to locate directions. So, he gave me the direction to his house in a Virginia suburb. I gave him the price and the man responded with a slap to my face. He said I should know the correct fare to charge to the location he mentioned. He slapped me and gave me the money.

Another experience was when I took a guy whom I didn’t know was drunk. When I drove to his house, he pointed a gun at me instead of paying the fare. He took my leather jacket and said: ‘Get into your car and get lost.’ He did not pay.

Another interesting one was when I was taking the third Accounting class and equally working as a security guard at a construction site. They were very serious with their kind of security. You just had to do that job. There were about six points with six clocks at the site, which the security man must wind every hour and with a dog in hand. So, there was never a chance of trying to catch a nap.

As I was doing my accounting assignment, I fell asleep. I was dead asleep! The inspector came to the site and found me sleeping, with my head on my books. He simply pulled the register and wrote: ‘I have been here. You were sound asleep. So, see me tomorrow.’ When I woke up, I found that Skiddo (the dog’s name) was gone, and then the register. I just went to a corner, cleaned my face and concentrated on my assignment because I knew the job was already gone.
You can’t lose two things. I ensured that I read well for my test and passed the next day. I opted to post their uniform and the cap to them, but suddenly ran into the man and he handed me my cheque and said the job was gone. I told him I knew and we said goodbye to each other! I had to start looking for another job.

Click here to read Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s full interview inAsiwaju: Untold Story of The Leader, a special publication by TheNEWS magazine.

(PICTURE) BABY DUMPED IN FAECES FILLED SOAK AWAY SURVIVES

FIRST FROZEN EGG BABY IN WEST AFRICA RECORDED IN LAGOS

 Nigeria has recorded the first successful birth of a baby conceived from frozen egg of a 44-year-old woman, who had suffered infertility for eight years, making it the first in the country and West Africa.

The birth and conception of the baby, named Tiwatope, which is the 5001st in the world, were carried out by Nigerian fertility specialists at The Bridge Clinic, a Lagos-based fertility treatment centre, where the mother had her eggs frozen using the vitrification (flash-freezing) process.

Announcing the medical milestone, a fertility physician at the Bridge Clinic, Lagos, Dr Emmanuel Owie, said the birth of the baby on February 16, 2016, effectively puts Nigeria on the global map as regards the practice of oocyte (egg) freezing or cryopreservation, a new offering in the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) space.

He said prior to the birth of Tiwatope, the new practice seemed to be an exclusive preserve of the developed world of Europe and North America.

He said: “Tiwatope’s mother had her eggs frozen for two months, using the vitrification, also known as flash-freezing, process. This is the cutting edge technology in cryobiology, where the eggs or oocytes of a woman is dehydrated and the water content is replaced with ‘anti-freeze’ solution (cryoprotectants) before freezing. This will prevent the formation of ice crystals which could destroy the cell.”

On her readiness for pregnancy, Owie noted: “We fertilized the eggs using a standard technique known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to overcome the egg shell which normally gets hardened with freezing.

“The fertilized egg was subsequently transferred into her womb, resulting in the pregnancy with Tiwa. She had her antenatal care in her family hospital and delivered the baby boy through Caesarian Section.

“At The Bridge Clinic, we celebrate Tiwa’s birth as it is a further demonstration of our coming of age in the practice of assisted reproductive technology. It is a show of the sum of our strengths — our people, our process and our infrastructure. It demonstrates our commitment to global best practices which ensures that our offerings are in tandem with what is obtainable in the developed world, both in variety and in quality.”

Recommendation

Noting that the baby and his mother are in good health, Owie said egg freezing was particularly recommended for women diagnosed with cancer, who may lose their fertility during chemotherapy; women with a family history of early menopause; women with objections to storing frozen embryos for religious and/or moral reasons; and women who want to delay child-bearing in order to pursue some personal goals.

He said: “This offering is being delivered to many women in the developed world and is now being offered in Nigeria at a cost more affordable than what is obtained abroad. We encourage women who need this service to come up and have their eggs cryopreserved.”

Also speaking, Coordinator, Corporate Communications & Customer Client Relations, The Bridge Clinic, Dr Dayo Omogbehin, stated: “We are the first in-vitro fertilization (IVF) centre in Nigeria to achieve this success. It is great news for the family and fertility health research in the country and world at large.”

How it works

On how egg freezing works, Omogbehin said although sperm and embryos had proved easy to freeze, the egg was the largest cell in the human body and contains a large amount of water.

He said: “When frozen, ice crystals form that can destroy the cell. We must dehydrate the egg and replace the water with an ‘anti-freeze’ prior to freezing in order to prevent ice crystal formation.

“We also learned that because the shell of the egg hardens when frozen, sperm must be injected with a needle to fertilize the egg using a standard technique known as Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection.”

I Never Said Fuel Scarcity Will End By April 7th - Kachikwu

In its bid to reduce fuel importation in the foreseeable future, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said that nine companies have submitted bids for the co-location of new refineries within the complexes of its three existing refineries in Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt.

This is just at the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, has clarified that he never informed the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) last Tuesday that the fuel shortages will end between April 5 and 7, but assured THISDAY in a phone conversation that concrete measures had but put in place to end them soon.

NNPC said in a statement by its spokesperson, Mr. Garuba Deen Mohammed, that the open bid exercise was a demonstration of the determination of the federal government and NNPC to increase the nation’s refining capacity from 445,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 650,000bpd.

It quoted its chief operating officer (COO) of refineries, Mr. Anibo Kragha as making this disclosure when the technical bids of the companies were opened in Abuja.

According to the statement, a technical evaluation committee has been set up to study the bids and announce winners as soon as possible.

(PICTURE) PASTOR SAM ADESEWA, WIFE VISIT STELLA DAMASUS, DAN, ADEMINOKAN

TOTAL NIGERIA’S CSR TEAM VISITS DELTA COMMUNITY SCHOOL

The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team of Total Nigeria Plc paid a monitoring visit to Ugogomeje Nursery and Primary School in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, to ascertain the level of usage the items donated to the school is being put.

The school is one of the recipients of sets of tables and chairs donated by the company in December, 2015. 

The CSR team, led by the Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr. Albert Mabuyaku, expressed satisfaction at the level of usage, as most of the donated items was visibly being put into good use by the school. 

Some of the children who were seen having their extra-curricular activities at the time of the visit were particularly excited to have the Corporate Affairs Manager engage them in a sprinting exercise. 

He also gave the children some motivational talk to spur them to excelling in their studies and achieving their dreams.

 

TOTAL Plc MANAGEMENT VISITS OLU OF WARRI

The Management of Total Nigeria Plc has expressed confidence in the ability of the new Olu of Warri to create and maintain an atmosphere that promotes conviviality in the communities under his chiefdom.

The management stated this when it paid the Olu, His Royal Majesty, Ogiame Ikenwoli 1, recently to congratulate and identify with his throne.

Godfrey Ikenwoli Emiko is the 20th Olu of Warri, Delta State, crowned Ogiame Ikenwole 1,in December.

He succeeds Ogiame Atuwase II, whose death was officially confirmed in September 2015.

AFRIMA IS A UNIFIER IN AFRICA - Obasanjo

Towards the build-up for the 2016 edition of All Africa Music Awards  (AFRIMA), African Union Commission (AUC) and The International Committee of AFRIMA paid a courtesy visit to the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, on Friday March 26, 2016 at his residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Obasanjo commended AFRIMA and AUC for unifying Africa through music. He said music was part of African Culture and reiterated the need for music and culture to be commercialised in order to create jobs and reduced poverty among African youths. He implored AFRIMA and AUC not to relent in achieving their objectives and called on brands and governments in Africa to partner with AFRIMA. He recalled similar projects as president like All African Games (COJA 2003) and Festival of Art and Culture in Africa (FESTAC '77) as platforms for promoting African culture and unity that require huge resources to organise. 

He thanked AFRIMA for honouring him with their visit and challenged the AFRIMA Executive Producer to a squash game thereafter. 

Earlier in his opening remark, the President and Executive Producer of AFRIMA, Mr. Mike Dada said, "the meeting and visit was in recognition of the former president as the former Chairperson of the African Union (AU) between July 2004 to January 2006. He is an African global icon, a cultural enthusiast and champion of African renaissance."

He intimated the former president with the objectives of the All African Music Awards, AFRIMA which is mainly to unite Africans through the instrumentality of art, music, culture and entertainment as well as promote and reward upcoming and established talents on the continent.

Said he "AFRIMA remains steadfast to the AUC’s values of promoting African unity and celebrating cultural uniqueness, thereby thanked the former  President for receiving AFRIMA team at his residence and specially invited him to the 2016 AFRIMA schedule to hold in November’.

A giant photo frame for his 79th birthday and Djembe drum were presented to the to him by the AFRIMA Director of Sponsorship and Communications, Matlou Tsotsesi with the support of the AFRIMA 2015 winner of Best RnB & Soul in Africa, Praiz and Communication Manager,ONE Campaign Africa, Nde Nfodinka (Wax Dey).

The 30-man AFRIMA team that comprise AFRIMA Associate Co-Producer, Efe Omorogbe, AFRIMA jury Member, Mr. Laolu Akins, AFRIMA media Committee member and Mr. Biodun Kupoluyi, AFRIMA Production Manager, Mr. Henry Alade, Entertainment Editor of The Sun Newspaper, Mr.Tosin Ajirire among others were later treated to a scrumptious indigenous food; Amala (Yam flour) with gbegiri soup (cooked mashed coatless beans soup) and ewedu  (smashed jute leaf and melon seed) in Abeokuta.

In partnership with the African Union Commission, AUC, The All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, is a music property developed to celebrate, reward and showcase the rich musical culture of Africa, stimulate conversations among Africans and between Africa and the rest of the globe about the great potentials and values of the African culture and artistic heritage for the purpose of creating jobs, reducing poverty, calling attention of world leaders to Africa and promoting the positive image of Africa to the world.

For the 2016 edition of the continental awards tagged AFRIMA 3.0, The AFRIMA 2016 calendar will be formally unveiled in May by the African Union Commission (AUC) and International Committee of The All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA at the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the African Union Youth Charter. 

ENFORCEMENT, PROSECUTION OF TAX DEFAULTERS IN LAGOS TO COMMENCE BY APRIL 1

LIRS enjoins corporate organizations and individuals to comply with the tax laws 

In consonance with Section 82 of the Personal Income Tax Act (as amended), The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) wishes to formally notify the public of its intention to commence the prosecution of tax evaders and offenders in Lagos State beginning from April 1,2016.

Under the Personal Income Tax Act, a taxable person is statutorily required to file a return of income for the preceding year within 90days from the commencement of every year of assessment (March 31st is the deadline), whilst any employer of labour is required to file all emoluments paid to its employees for the preceding year, not later than 31st of January each year. Therefore any taxable person or corporate organisation who fails to file their tax returns with LIRS by the stipulated date is in breach of the provisions of the law, which is a criminal offence that is punishable under the tax laws.

The LIRS, having put all the necessary machineries in place to ensure the enforcement of the tax laws with effect from April 1, 2016 has warned all erring taxpayers to comply; reiterating that the full weight of the law will be brought to bear on taxable persons who fail to file requisite returns as provided by the law.

While many taxpayers have complied willingly by filing their returns in the last months, It is disheartening to note that in spite of all efforts by the LIRS, a large fraction of eligible taxpayers are still not complying, thereby failing to contribute to the common purse for the common good of all. In the wake of little or no proceeds from the federation account, the focus of the present administration in renewing infrastructure and general development of the State cannot be achieved by the attitude of those who deliberately refuse to discharge their civic responsibility to the State.

Without revenue, all of those things that facilitate our progress as a civilized community will not materialize, if there are no infrastructural developments like roads to get to business sites businesses cannot thrive, if we do not have all the services that government is compelled to offer e.g. security, education, healthcare, and law and order as it is being proffered by the court then we cannot make progress collectively.

LIRS has in the last three months embarked on massive advocacy and enlightenment programmes, taking people through a process of education on the laws bordering on tax administration and the need and benefits of paying their taxes as at when due.

We have gone further to develop various initiatives to ease the methodology of paying taxes in Lagos, starting with thesimplification of our tax payment processes, through the compression of the ‘Tax Form A’ from 6pages to 2 pages, introduction of new payment platforms, e-submission of annual returns, creation of the LIRS hotline (0700CALLLIRS) and help desks in all tax stations, relaxation of requirements for replacement of lost e-TCC among others, all of which are focused on building convenience into the payment of taxes and subsequently promoting voluntary compliance.

We are now going to the next phase, which is enforcement and prosecution, that is taking full advantage of the provisions of the tax laws to apprehend and prosecute tax defaulters.

According to the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Mr. Olufolarin Ogunsanwo, ‘We have a robust database that captures all taxable individuals and firms in Lagos State as well as transactions for the purpose of audit, so there is no hiding place for any tax evader''. He therefore calls on every taxable person in Lagos State to take advantage of the window on or before the March 31st deadline to ensure that his or her tax return has been duly filed.He added that The Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice will through the Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit commence prosecution of tax defaulters in Lagos State without further notice.

LIRS however wishes to thank the good people of Lagos State who have continually supported the administration of His Excellency Mr Akinwunmi Ambode through voluntary and prompt payment of their taxes and reiterate that we will continue to take full advantage of the provisions of the law to prosecute recalcitrant corporate organisations and individuals. It is important to note that all tax evaders and offenders, upon prosecution may be fined or imprisoned or face both as provided in Section 95, 96 and 97 of the Personal Income Tax Act.

EGYPTAIR :: HIJACKER SURRENDERS

The hijacking of a domestic Egyptian flight that forced it to divert to Larnaca airport in Cyprus has ended with all hostages being released and the hijacker surrendering.

EgyptAir Flight MS181 was taken over by a passenger claiming to be wearing a suicide explosive belt which has been discovered to be fake.

After a morning of tension, the hijacker was seen walking down the steps of the aircraft with his hands raised.

His motives remain unclear.

Some reports said the Egyptian man - named by Cypriot officials as Self Eldin Mustafa wanted to talk to his estranged Cypriot wife who lives on the Mediterranean island, while others said he was seeking the release of female prisoners in Egypt.

The Cypriot president insisted that the hijack was not terrorism-related.

The hijacker's surrender came shortly after several people were seen fleeing the aircraft. One - apparently a crew member - escaped by climbing out of the aircraft's cockpit window.

In a tweet , the Cypriot foreign ministry confirmed the end of the crisis: "It's over. The hijacker arrested."

Throughout the morning, people had been seen leaving the aircraft after appearing to have been released.

Local media reports said the hijacker had handed over a four-page letter in Arabic after the plane landed at Larnaca on Tuesday morning, and that later a woman thought to be his wife had arrived at the airport.

Earlier, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades had responded to a reporter's question about whether the hijacker was motivated by romance, by laughing and saying: "Always there is a woman involved."

EgyptAir said the Airbus A320 was carrying 56 passengers from Alexandria to Cairo, along with six crew and a security official. It had initially said 81 passengers were on board.

A statement from Egypt's civil aviation ministry said 26 foreign passengers were on board, including eight Americans, four Britons, four Dutch citizens, two Belgians, two Greeks, a French national, an Italian and a Syrian.

Larnaca airport, on the south coast of Cyprus, has been closed and scheduled flights diverted elsewhere

-BBC

DOGARA, FAYOSE HAIL TINUBU

Yakubu Dogara, ,Speaker, House of Representatives, Ayo Fayose, Governor of Ekiti State as well as other eminent Nigerians hailed  national leader of APC Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, on  his 64th birthday.

In a press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to Fayose, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, said that the APC national leader had, over the years, proved to be a great political figure in the country.

“I heartily felicitate with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as he clocks 64 on March 29.

“Whether one likes it or not, Asiwaju Tinubu has become a political pillar and leader, not only in Yorubaland but in Nigeria.

“He is a great politician who takes well-calculated political steps. I and the good people of Ekiti State join millions of Nigerians and Asiwaju Tinubu’s friends and supporters across the world to rejoice with him on this auspicious occasion.

“Asiwaju Tinubu is a good case study when one talks about political resilience and doggedness and no wonder he now ranks among the leaders of this great country.

“I pray that God gives him the grace to witness many more years in sound health in the land of the living,” Fayose was quoted as saying in the statement.

Tinubu was born on March 29, 1952.

GANI ADAMS, OTHERS MOURN BRAITHWATE

Nigerians from far and near have been mourning the demise of late Dr.  Tunji Braithwaite. Coordinator of the Oodua People’s Congress and convener of Oodua Progressive Union Otunba Gani Adams too joined in honoring the revered lawyer

In a statement issued by Otunba Adams, he said
"The death of Elder statesman, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite marks a closure in another chapter in the history of our great country Nigeria.
Dr. Tunji Braithwaite though died at a ripe age of 82, but his death at this point of our political life has robbed Nigerians of the opportunity to drink from his rich pot of wisdom.
As the last man standing from the political titans of the second republic, during which he founded the Nigerian Advance Party, NAP, Dr. Braithwaite surely contributed his quota to the growth of his fatherland.
I saw him from close range as a delegate at the 2014 National Conference, during which he canvassed for a confederal constitution.

His robust contributions to deliberations and discussions on the floor of conference contributed in no small measures to the success of the National Conference.
With his death, let those in authority go back to his advise that the Conference  must be as much a development conference as a constitutional one. 
I will urge the Federal Government to set to work the machinery to immortalize this great nationalist. May his soul rest in perfect peace"

EgyptAir hijack: Jet Lands at Larnaca Airport

An EgyptAir airliner has been hijacked and forced to divert to Larnaca airport on the south coast of Cyprus.

Flight MS181, an Airbus A320 carrying 81 passengers from Alexandria to Cairo, was taken over after a passenger said he was wearing an explosives belt.

Negotiations are under way but no demands have been made by those in control of the plane, reports say.

A local journalist has told the BBC that some passengers had been seen leaving the plane.

Larnaca airport has been closed and scheduled flights diverted elsewhere.

"The pilot said that a passenger told hi he had an explosives vest and forced the plane to land in Larnaca," the Egyptian civil aviation ministry said in a statement.

-BBC

WHAT PMB SAYS ABOUT TINUBU AT 64

President Muhammadu Buhari in glowing tribute celebrates the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ahead of his  64th birthday on March 29, 2016

According to a statement by Femi Adesina, his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, "the rising political profile of Mr. Tinubu since he was elected a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 1992 was a testimony to his forthrightness, diligence and doggedness.

He added that it was the same qualities that endeared to the electorate and gave him all-round success as a private sector worker, a business man and two-time governor of Lagos State.

President Buhari commends the visionary leadership style of the Asiwaju of Lagos, who is also the Jagaban of the Borgu Kingdom in Niger State, for creating a formidable opposition party in Nigeria that worked vigorously within a short period to oust a party that had been in power for 16 years.

He assures the national leader that his patriotism and commitment to democracy and good governance, and his generous spirit will always be remembered and appreciated by generations of Nigerians. “He prays that the Almighty God will grant the Asiwaju long life, good health, wisdom and prosperity as he steadfastly supports efforts to promote the development of Nigeria.”

TUNJI BRAITHWATE DIES AT 82

Elder statesman, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite is dead. Aged 82, Braithwaite  died on Monday, March 28 , 2016  at St. Nicholas Hospital, Lagos.

His son, Olumide, who confirmed his demise, said he died after a brief illness.

He founded The Nigeria Advance Party  a progressive political party and registered for the 1983 elections. He  was known for his opposition and as a lawyer, the party was the only new political organization allowed to field candidates for the 1983 elections. The party was composed of southern Nigerian intellectuals favoring a reformist government

Tunji Braithwaite was born in 1933, the youngest son of eight children. He was educated at the prestigious C.M.S Grammar School, entering the school’s Preparatory Section in 1946 and completing his education there in 1953. He proceeded to sit for his A Levels at the London  University at Kennington College in 1955 and enrolled in 1957/58 as a Law student at the Council of Legal Education, London. He was admitted into Lincoln’s Inn that same year and graduated as a barrister in 1960.

He married his childhood sweetheart; Grace S. Falade in 1956 while they were undergraduates. They have 5 children and many grandchildren.

The Braithwaite Family

The Braithwaite family has contributed significantly to the socio-political, spiritual and economic development of Nigeria and Africa; starting as far back as the 1880s when Reverend I. Braithwaite led the first Anglican  Missionary Expedition that opened up the Ijebu Province of Western Nigeria to  the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  In 1894, he built the first church in Epe, St. Michael’s, having accumulated a large congregation. St.Michael’s Epe is still in existence today and has been joined by a second Anglican church – the Reverend Braithwaite Memorial Anglican Church, Papa Epe.

Tunji’s elder brother, the late T.A. Braithwaite was a giant in the African insurance industry and was responsible for much of the development of that sector in Africa as a whole and certainly within the Nigerian economy. He is remembered for his significant impact in the development and creation of a vibrant economy.

The younger members of the Braithwaite family continue to be relevant to their community by playing significant roles in the various sectors of the economic  and socio-political systems of the country

WHY I WILL NOT COMPLETE AMAECHI'S MONORAIL-Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike  has said although his administration will strive to complete numerous projects abandoned by predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi, the abandoned monorail will not be one of them.

“Rivers people have told me not to touch the Monorail left behind by the other government,” he said today in an interview on Channels TV.

Insiders said the project initiated by Amaechi has gulped over $400 million dollars, with the project far from being completed. In contrast, Cross River state that has spent less than $40million has its own monorail almost ready.

The monorail is a system designed by Intamin, and is similar to the monorail that was constructed in Moscow Russia for $240 million dollars by the same monorail manufacturer.

According to experts following the monorail development, the Moscow system that connects to the Moscow subway is more extensive than the Rivers system with more frequency of traffic and sophistication.

“The two companies building the pylons and track work designed by Intamin in Nigeria were; ARCUS GIBBS Nig Ltd and TSI Nig Ltd. Between the two partners and contractors with Rivers State, at least 40 billion naira ($270 million dollars) was spent.

Governor Wike had alleged that an additional $135million was spent on other related works, including standard infrastructure adjustments to clear the way for the rail line.

In Calabar Cross River State, the same firm Intamin, building the Rivers monorail, partnered with the government there to build a monorail system for N5 Billion (36 million dollars)!

The Calabar system is reportedly already functioning and is now conducting test runs.

(Trending) DARING BOOBS FLAUNTING PICTURE OF COOL FM OAP

Kayla Oniwo, anchor of the popular Road Show on Cool FM dared to bare her chest exposing major  part of  boobs in a new photoshoot by Emmanuel Oyeleke.

Naturally the picture has got people eliciting different  reactions while her friends and  colleagues including Tools are giving her thumbs up. since she posted it on Instagram

LAGOS PASTOR, TOM SAMSON GETS ROLLS ROYCE AS 50TH BIRTHDAY GIFT

Bishop. Tom Samson, General Overseer of Christ Royal Family International Church, , on Sunday March 27th received a Rolls Royce Phantom as  birthday gift.

The 2014 model was a gift from his 50th birthday organizing committee.

The committee led by Deacon Iyke Kanu said that for the impact of Bishop Tom Samson in their lives and contribution to the body of Christ, there is aptly nothing more befitting to celebrate him at 50 than an automobile of royal ensemble to compliment his status as a joint heir in the Kingdom.

Other members of the Committee include Pastor Eromosele Agbonselobho, Deacon Nosa James , Deacon Charles Okoko, Deacon Jim Sakpere, Deacon Ndubuisi, Special Servant Rosemary Ulu, Miss Uche, Pastor Ngozi, Deaconess Nnenna David, Evangelist Joan Mukoro, Dave Agwazim, Pastor Ohis Bamidele, Pastor Julius Ochigbo Onoyima, Elder Femi Oboye, Mrs. Eugene Emelieze, Evangelist Chinasa, Pastor Wale Samson, Ambassador D’Bling, Mr Oyinlola Oluwatoyin, and Barr.Charles,completes the committee members.

ESE WALTER OF COZA PASTOR FAME DENOUNCES CHRISTIANITY .... suffers personality disorder

Ese Walter  now  married to  Cool Fm OAP Benny Ark shot into spotlight in 2013, when she went public with her alleged sexual relationship with married COZA Pastor, Biodun Fatoyinbo is now a humanist as she has dropped her belief in the Christian faith and God.

In her March 17 , 2016 Facebook post she initially revealed "I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality disorder. While I hated the diagnoses (and some people I shared the report with used it to shame me), I am learning that owning every part of me goes a long way in healing."

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a serious mental illness that causes unstable moods, behavior, and relationships. It usually begins during adolescence or early adulthood. Most people who have BPD suffer from: Problems regulating their emotions and thoughts. Impulsive and sometimes reckless behavior.

After the  frenzy that followed the COZA scandal, she met and married her husband  and had her first child  January last year.

It was  shocking when she hit her FB page walking away from Christianity and God  and establishing herself as a humanist.

HER FACEBOOK POST ON HER NEW BELIEF

On belief (or the lack thereof)

I had a conversation with my brother in law yesterday.

Brother-in-law: I have been going through your Facebook posts and I see that you no longer believe the christian faith. What is your belief now?

Me: I'm not sure I have a belief. I think I gave the entire belief thing up.

BIL: So you don't believe in anything now?

Me: Let me think about that.

*short pause*

Me: I believe that human beings came from the same source. We share this space called earth and it is in our collective best interest to live lives that nourish each other and the earth we live.
Trouble starts when we see ourselves as separate/different from each other.

BIL: So what is that same source?

Me: I haven't figured what that is yet and it doesn't matter as I know I won't figure all of my questions out before I die.
What I know is, this idea of "us vs them" is the main problem we have as humans.

I have gotten to a place in my life where I am in touch with the inner me, the essence, the love that is in all humans. And that helps me see other beings as myself. In the past when I was a christian, I thought anyone that didn't worship like me or believe in the god I claimed to believe was an enemy. That separation made me judge, hate and criticise others who believed different from me.

And I see this in many areas of life. This is probably why I don't do well in groups. Anytime there is a group of people bound by beliefs or the lack of, that group can easily slip into that place of separateness where everyone outside the group sparks the "we vs them" narrative.

This is one reason I don't identify as atheist. I think atheists have this "we vs them" mentality too especially with regards to religious people. Its the same thing I see with the LGBT community, they call themselves family, and people like us who don't have qualms with them are allies, while the homophobic lot are the "vs them" divide.

I identify as a humanist and my belief is the greatest good for all life forms on the planet.

BIL: I understand. I also think you will find your way back to god.

Me: I just realised that talking about god, religion and the many ills in the world is the reason I think change is impossible. I suspect tomorrow (today) will be the last time I give my energy to religion. I'd rather focus on reminding humans of their humanity.

BIL: That's a good place to be.

Me: I think so too.

P.S: Dear religious people, I am done talking about your religion and beliefs. Feel free to remind me anytime I forget and get pulled into religious talks or arguments.

Sending you Love + Light this new week.

Namaste.

Yinka Ayefele's Truck Veers off Highway... One Dead, Others Injured

AYesterday, between the hours of 21:00 and 22:00 a life was lost  when  a truck conveying musical equipment belonging to music maestro, Yinka Ayefele, was involved in a lone accident along Lagos-Ibadan expressway.

According to  Ayefele's  image maker, David  Ajiboye, "The driver  of the truck entered a deep ditch and swerved off the road into a very deep ditch."

The  identity of the dead could not be confirmed as at the time of posting this  story.

Others who were involved and injured in the  accident are said to be recuperating at the University College Hospital, (UCH), Ibadan.

Watch out for updates