THE WALK OF LIFE

 

It was a grandeur occasion, friends, families and well wishers all seemed very happy as they all danced to the groovy sounds of highlife by the live band. Lots of drinks and variety of food deliciously prepared by the hired Chef, so much so, that no one had any reason to complain as it was more than enough to go round.

 

The occasion was well planned, the bride and groom looked very beautiful, their smile and dance steps told it all, it was a countenance that exuded happiness and joy. But of course the bride was the happier of the two, her dance, her joy and the presence of her friends  who had gathered round her, to help grace the occasion, made it the more fun for her.

 

As a friend of the family I was elated too, happy for them both not only because I was close to them, but also because I knew their story. They were both in their thirties, not many ages between them, which had brought about a little bit of rancour in the family as the groom's mum wanted someone much younger, added to the fact that the bride isn't from their tribe or locality. But alas, it was an obstacle they both crossed as their love conquered it all.

 

At the party I met another friend who shared my enthusiasm with the couple and I remember he muttered the word "life", shaking his head and turning to me saying, "everyone truly needs patient and hope". A statement I responded in the affirmative saying, "indeed". But those words kept playing in my head over and over again.

 

Life sometimes is not black or white, but it all depends on how you choose to view them. We are all born differently and with different pattern of destiny with different routes. How one gets to their destiny can be totally different from how another person gets to theirs. Sometimes we all try to compare and contrast our lives with those of peers or close acquaintances. We compare achievements and statuses and hate ourselves when we fall short. But at the risk of being misunderstood, comparison is good because it can make one sit up and strive for attainment of set out goals, but hating oneself and feeling like a complete failure for falling short at that particular time can be worrisome. This can push one to the brink of self destruction like indulging in wrong practises especially as the society only cares about the 'ends' of any endeavour rather than the 'means to an end'', or sometimes even go the extreme as to commit suicide.

 

Here is a simple analogy I deduced about life; failure is when you give up mid-way instead of striving to get to the finish line. As I have even discovered that people don't care how long it took you to get to greatness, they will celebrate you as long as you get there eventually. Evil or ill gotten success is but for a short time while, success gotten through strive and work last longer even for generations.

 

Certainly the walk through life is but two ways; The Paul Walker (RIP) way, like the fast and the furious, where things come swift and easier, or the Johnnie Walker way where " a million walk begins with a single step".

 

In conclusion, while some people get fortunate early in life with breakthroughs added to their efforts, most people, not so much. However, the staying power is work, hope, faith and belief. With these, life may not get easier, but living will definitely have a purpose. Never give up!

 

 



Royal Fathers Endorse President Jonathan's  Second Term Bid

This news is courtesy of naij.com:

Less than eight months before Nigeria's presidential elections in 2015, the Association of Traditional Rulers of Oil and Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria, TROMPCON, has endorsed the second term bid of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
The royal fathers made this declaration via a communiqué they issued at the end of their second quarter National Executive Council meeting in Port Harcourt.
They also pledged their unalloyed support to Jonathan’s bid and urged him to shun all distractions and run for the Presidency come 2015.
According to Mr Eze Akuwueze Raphael Ikegwuruka, and Etinyin Okon Effanga Edem, the national chairman and national secretary of association respectively, the traditional rulers commended the federal government for its various development efforts in the Niger Delta region.


Among which are the establishment of a Maritime University at Okerenkoko in Delta State, and the sustenance of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
They however, expressed shock over the call by some Northern delegates in the ongoing National Conference, for the proscription of the NDDC, and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs as well as serious downward review of the 13% derivation fund.
The traditional rulers urged the delegates to listen to the voice of reason and retract their request without delay.
It could be recalled that the Great Transformation Support Initiative, GTSI, had last month described the re-election of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 as imminent and non-negotiable in the country.
According to the group, President Jonathan is bound to be re-elected in the forthcoming elections irrespective of all the plots against this development and the current unrest in the country.
READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/67483.html


READ MORE:  http://news.naij.com/6748

* Some Traditional rulers in Nigeria

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Billionaire businessman Femi Otedola makes $398million in 90 days

  Billionaire businessman Femi Otedola makes $398million in 90 days

According to Forbes Africa, billionaire businessman Femi Otedola made $398million between March 3 to June 2.  See their report below;

Nigerian energy mogul Femi Otedola has become at least $398 million richer between March 3 and June 2 as shares of Forte Oil PLC, a Nigerian Stock Exchange-listed energy distributor, surged 167% in that period.

Forte Oil PLC is primarily engaged in the distribution of petroleum products such as diesel, aviation fuel and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). The company has over 500 company-owned, dealer-assisted and dealer-developed gas stations spread across the country, oil storage depots in Lagos and Rivers states, a Power plant and a Joint User Hydrant Installation facility in Lagos. The company also sells its own range of automobile lubricants.

On March 3, the company’s stock was trading at N88.4 ($0.55), and at the close of trading today (Monday), its share price was N235.79 ($1.46). According to Akinbamidele Akintola, Vice President, Africa equity sales at Renaissance Capital, the recent unprecedented demand and surge in Forte Oil’s shares may not be unconnected to the company’s recent inclusion in the Morgan Stanley MS +0.13% Capital International (MSCI ) Frontier Market 100 Index. Listing in such indexes usually attracts interest from global investors who track these companies.

Otedola became the largest shareholder in Forte Oil (formerly called African Petroleum) in 2007 when he acquired a 28.7% stake in the company from the government-owned oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for $120 million. He subsequently appointed himself as chairman of the company. Otedola, 47, has gobbled up additional shares over the years and now owns more than 40% of the $1.5 billion (Market Capitalization) company. According to information available from registrar sources, he currently owns 436,809,537 shares valued at N103 billion ($635 million). He pocketed at least $11 million in dividends from profits made by his company in February as Forte Oil paid shareholders a dividend of N4 ($0.0023) per ordinary share from its 2013 profits. A representative for Femi Otedola could not be reached for comment at press time.

Source: Forbes

 

GUNMEN KILL 1, BURN FOUR HOUSES IN LAGOS

 

This news just came in courtesy of news24.com.ng. What is really happening in this country?

Read details...

 

Lagos - At least one person was killed and four buildings burnt on Monday night at Dawodu Lane in Ilogbo Community at Apapa Road in Ebute-Meta, Lagos, when gunmen attacked the community.

Residents of the area told a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited the place on Tuesday that the attackers came at around 9.00 p.m.

Some youths were seen with dangerous weapons, including cutlass and guns, while some residents were seen with their luggage moving out of the area.

Titilayo Ajose, wife of the community leader, Lateef Ajose, said that about 20 families were currently taking refuge in the palace after the attack.

Ajose, popularly known as Ope-Oluwa, said that the people brought to the palace at around 10.00 p.m. on Monday night, were mostly women and children.

According to her, the crisis in the community is becoming a big challenge, stressing that is always shooting and looting of shops and houses during the attacks.

"We cannot still identify who the attackers are and their mission or grievances. The attackers are unknown gunmen.

"We have sacrificed several times to the gods to end these attacks but all to no avail.

"We want peace in Ilogbo Community. We want the police to station their men inside the streets in the community.

"People are afraid to open their shops or go out at night," Ajose said.

One of the residents, Rafuat Ado, said that the gunmen invaded her home at No. 1, Dawudu Lane at about 9.00 p.m. with guns.

"They sprayed petrol over our house and other buildings around and set them on fire. The arrival of the police saved us from being killed.

"The police escorted us to the palace where we slept over night with other families," Ado said.

Crisis has continued to engulf the community since 2013.

Two persons, including a leader of the APC, Kunle Awotunde, were killed last month during an attack in the community.

The spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, DSP. Ngozi Braide, who confirmed the clash, said that no fewer than 10 people had been arrested in connection with the attack.

Braide said that a police team from the Iponri Divisional Headquarters, arrested the suspects at about 1.30 a.m. at Otto area of Ebute-Meta.

"The suspects will be screened and those found culpable will be prosecuted," Braide said.

The spokesperson said that meanwhile, the police had intensified patrol in the area.

 - NAN


Nigerian Unemployed graduates to receive N19k monthly allowance (National conference committee)

 



 

 

I remember a particular phone conversation I had with my cousin who had travelled to Belgium and schooled there. At this time I think she might have been living there for about 5years. And I also remember that I asked her a question as to how their work structure over there was and their Government intervention and support for its citizens, and her response was, "Belgium is not Nigeria yeh, here the Government pays the citizen at least well enough to get by even if you are too lazy to work....."

In affirmation, I told her I had heard about other countries with such Government interventions at least I knew about countries like UAE, Saudi Arabia, Libya, etc. But I also remember saying "I hope Nigeria grows to adopt that someday"
 

Now a committee at the on-going National Conference is suggesting...for all unemployed graduates in Nigeria to earn a monthly allowance equivalent to the allowance of members of the National Youth Service Corps, which is N19,800.

According to Punch news, the conference’s Committee on Law, Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Reform made the recommendation but it can only fall through if it's accepted by the Federal Government.

A member of the committee said the recommendation was one of the ways the committee members felt that crime could be reduced in the country. He told Punch;

 

"The recommendation is our own way of finding solutions to the rising wave of crime in the country and to also force the government to do the needful for the increasing number of unemployed graduates in the country. We have done our part and it is left for the delegates to either reject or accept it at plenary"

 

As nice and enticing as this may sound, I personally think that a solid structure has to be put in place first, not only will it never be fair on Youth Corp members if the proposal was adopted and their allowance stayed the same, but for a country which has struggled with the issue of increasing minimum wages it may just seem like a utopic view.

Also a solid data base of the youth has to be put up and systematically updated to allow for transparency. Again, with National figures having been faulted in the past, in terms of census due to all the difficulties and factors associated with a third world country like Nigeria, coupled with its complex geographical structure and ethnic background, getting a complete figure on the number of graduates qualified for such schemes may pose a challenge.

 In fact the solid ground work or platform has to be well laid for continuity and so much more..... May be these are just my own views.
 

 But the Federal Government have the power to accept or decline, even though I know what the obvious response will be like, what do you think?

ARSENAL'S FA CUP FINAL HISTORY (PT 2)

As we prepare for the FA Cup final on Saturday, Tim Stillman continues his look back at Arsenal’s record in the finals from their first in 1927, right up to the present day.

1971 – Charlie lying sprawled on the Wembley turf

Arsenal played Liverpool again in the 1971 final, just five days after having secured the league title at White Hart Lane. Steve Heighway gave Liverpool the lead early in extra time, only for Eddie Kelly to equalise in the 100th minute (George Graham tried in vain to steal credit for the goal for himself as the ball bounced over his foot). Fatigue levels were so consuming for the Gunners players that captain Frank McLintock maintains to this day that “I didn’t enjoy the victory, I was too bloody knackered!”
Arsenal needed something special. George picked up the ball twenty five yards from goal, “To George who can hit ‘em” said an expectant Kenneth Wolstenholme. George blasted the ball into the back of Liverpool’s net and then embarked on the most iconic goal celebration in Arsenal’s history. He simply sunk onto the turf, on his back with his arms outstretched.
George has concocted several different explanations for the celebration since, sometimes citing his desire to waste some time and occasionally reasoning that he was too tired to do anything else. One thing’s for certain, the pose is instantly recognisable to any Arsenal fan and has been preserved in a mock, horizontal statue in the Arsenal museum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjgpo0lYBNk

1972 – The Centenary Final

Arsenal reached the F.A. Cup Final again in 1972, a showpiece that the football association were determined would provide a fitting spectacle. However, in the battleground of 1970s football, there were few teams more learned of the dark arts than Leeds United. With players such as Peter Storey, Arsenal were hardly adverse to the grittier side of the sport either. The tone was set when Allan Clarke kicked Alan Ball up into the air, earning himself a booking after just 5 seconds of the match.
The match continued in this physical manner, Bob McNab was booked after two minutes for a cynical chop on Lorimer. Leeds won 1-0 courtesy of an Allan Clarke header. In keeping with the violent undercurrent that had persisted throughout the game, Leeds skipper Mick Jones dislocated his elbow in the final minute of the match and had to pop it back in on the Wembley steps before he could lift the trophy.
Nick Hornby described the game as “a procession of free kicks and squabbles, ankle taps and pointing fingers, and snarls. What made it worse was that this was the Centenary Cup Final; I am sure that if the top brass at the FA had had a free hand in choosing who the two finalists would be, Arsenal and Leeds would have come pretty low down on their list,” in his epoch making book Fever Pitch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSgm6u80QOo

1978 – The “everyone’s got the shits” final.

After enduring a rather dreary time of things in the mid 70s, Terry Neill’s Arsenal qualified for the 1978 F.A. Cup Final against unfancied Ipswich Town. Town, managed by Bobby Robson, revelled in their role as underdogs and dominated the game. It later transpired that a virus had swept through the Gunners camp on the week of the final, blighting preparations. So much so that Arsenal’s best player, Liam Brady, was substituted on 66 minutes due to fever.
Roger Osborne scored the winner for the Suffolk side and promptly fainted during his celebration. He had to be reprised with smelling salts and was substituted straight after. This was the 50th F.A. Cup Final at Wembley and remains Ipswich Town’s only cup success to date. Neill did at least use a depressing day to do some scouting. He was so taken with Ipswich midfielder Brian Talbot that he signed him, Talbot played and scored in the final for the Gunners in the following year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFZNB9vJS1w

1979 – The 5 minute final.

One of the most extraordinary and memorable finals ever. Arsenal were coasting to a two goal victory as they dominated United from the outset. Brian Talbot and Frank Stapleton gave the Gunners a 2-0 half time lead and it looked as though the game was petering out into a comfortable Arsenal win. Then Gordon McQueen hooked in what looked like a late consolation on 86 minutes.
Just two minutes later, Sammy McIlroy slalomed through the Gunners defence and toe poked home a stunning late equaliser. From kickoff, Liam Brady simply headed for the corner in an attempt to break United’s momentum and to prevent them from attacking. But Rix raced outside of him and Brady nudged the ball to the marauding winger. Gary Bailey tried to collect Rix’s cross but grasped thin air, leaving Alan Sunderland to tap in an incredible late winner.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGF5-GPtLiE

1980 – The not so Paul Allen final

Arsenal fell to another miserable Cup Final defeat to 2nd division West Ham United in 1980 thanks to a stooping Trevor Brooking header. However, the game is remembered for a foul of such cynicism that the rules were changed forever. With West Ham leading on 87 minutes and Arsenal chasing the game, the fleet footed Paul Allen raced through on goal. Aged just 17, Allen was the youngest player ever to play an F.A. Cup Final and bore down on goal for what would surely be the most romantic goal Wembley had ever seen.
Yet Arsenal’s strapping, red haired Scottish centre half Willy Young had other ideas. Young deliberately chopped Allen just as he shaped to shoot, halting his progress illegally. He was duly given a yellow card, but such was the dismay over the challenge, the rules were changed and the concept of the ‘professional foul’ was invented for which it was now decided, a red card would be awarded. It was the ultimate act of anti heroism from Young.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKemltpQMgA


To be cont......

ARSENAL'S FA CUP FINAL HISTORY

As an ardent Arsenal fan, who has yearn so badly for any form of title which has eluded the club since 2005, the idea of a cup final around the corner breeds so much mixed feelings. Having experienced the recent cup final heartbreak against Birmingham, there is the feeling of,  "what if ".

But having also seen how much the team have matured since that time and how they have been deadly this season against lesser oppositions, my level of optimism is at a record high.

In the spirit of the coming feat, I stumbled upon this article which chronicles Arsenals FA cup history since 1927. It is in two parts, enjoy!

This month, Arsenal will be appearing in their 18th F.A. Cup Final, equalling Manchester United’s record of Cup Final appearances. They’ll also equal Manchester United’s haul of 11 F.A. Cup victories should they prevail against Hull City, the best total in the competition’s history. Cup Finals involving The Gunners are rarely ordinary affairs, be it in triumph or heartache. From the sheen on Dan Lewis’ jersey, to the first ever cup final played under a closed roof, Tim Stillman has cast an eye over all of Arsenal’s cup finals and picked out the most unique moments.

1927: Dan Lewis’ jersey.

Arsenal qualified for their first cup final in 1927 and were heavy favourites to land their first major silverware against Cardiff City. This was the first F.A. Cup Final ever to be broadcast live on the radio and the nation tuned in expecting a comfortable Arsenal victory. However, the Welsh side made life very difficult for Arsenal and took a shock lead in the 74th minute through one of the most notorious goals scored in a final.
Cardiff striker Hughie Ferguson hooked a tame shot towards goal, which was well covered by Gunners keeper Dan Lewis. But as he swooped to gather the ball up, it slipped between his elbow and under arm. He scrambled desperately to retrieve it, but Lewis only succeeded in knocking the ball in with his elbow. It was the only goal of the game. The cruel irony here was that Lewis had been capped by Wales for the first time that February and his error led to the cup being won by a Welsh side for the only ever time to date.
Lewis blamed the sheen on his brand new goalkeeper’s jersey, which he said caused the ball to slip out of his grip as he attempted to gather it. Since that day, no Arsenal goalkeeper has worn a goalkeeper’s shirt that hasn’t been put through the wash first. Arsenal were back at the final three years later but Lewis was injured for that final and Charlie Preedy played instead.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpftcY-7OwU

1930 – A Graf Zeppelin and another tradition begins.

Arsenal were back at Wembley three years later and the opponents were Huddersfield Town, who had been transformed into one of England’s premier football clubs by none other than Arsenal boss Herbert Chapman. As a mark of respect for the great man, the two teams walked out onto the pitch at Wembley side by side, a tradition that has survived to this day.
The match is remembered for a rather unusual visitor. A 776 foot Graf Zepellin (piloted by a German man named Lehmann) hovered menacingly over the stadium to the whooping amazement of the 92,000 crowd. Arsenal won the game 2-0 with goals from Alex James and Jack Lambert, securing the club’s first major silverware.
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/the-north-v-south-cup-final-1/query/01194200

1932 – The ‘Over the Line’ final.

Arsenal played Newcastle United in another north v south affair at Wembley in 1932. Arsenal assumed a first half lead when Bob John headed them in front. But there was more than a hint of controversy in Newcastle’s equaliser. Jimmy Boyd’s searching long ball raced towards touch and Arsenal’s defence stopped in their tracks. But Magpies winger Jimmy Richardson did not. He hooked the ball back into the six yard box for Jack Allen to equalise.
Arsenal players were adamant that the ball had crossed the line and television replays confirmed their suspicions. Goalkeeper Frank Moss raced from his area to confront referee Mr. Harper, but his complaints fell on deaf ears. Captain Tom Parker ushered incredulous teammates away from the referee and the goal stood. Allen scored again in the second half and Newcastle won the final 2-1.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxF6pgEunEo

1936 – The ‘viewed from the skies’ final

Television plays such a huge part in the landscape of modern football and has altered the sport so irrevocably that it feels almost quaint to consider that rows over broadcasting existed in the 1930s. Arsenal played Sheffield United in the final in 1936 amidst an extraordinary argument over broadcasting rights. The Gaumont British film company had offered £900 to film the final, but Wembley bosses held out for £1,500.
Gaumont refused the sum and withdrew their bid. Wembley bosses backed down and insisted they would accept the £900 initially tabled but in a fit of pique, Gaumont stated that they were now only willing to part with £500. The upshot was that cameras were banned from the 1936 final. In an attempt to circumnavigate the blackout, autogyros were hired to film the final from high above the stadium. As a result of the television ban, the BBC experimented with two radio commentators for the first time, Ivan Sharpe and Norman Creek, as the Gunners won 1-0 thanks to an Alex James goal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wyt6cCczHuI

1950 – Mercer the mercurial

Arsenal defeated Liverpool 2-0 in the 1950 final, earning the club the unique distinction of winning the cup without leaving the capital. For skipper and PFA Player of the Year Joe Mercer, the final was a homely affair for a different reason. Mercer owned a grocery store on Merseyside and was reluctant to part with it when Arsenal signed him in 1946.
So the Gunners agreed to let him train with Liverpool during the week and join the team for matches at the weekend. Given his affection for both Arsenal and Liverpool, Mercer’s post match remarks have been recorded in history. Mercer sportingly invited Liverpool players to join Arsenal in a West London restaurant that evening and warmly thanked the opponents for their sporting behaviour and the good grace they had shown in defeat. It was a captain’s performance on and off the pitch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yX_My4MQaWs

1952- the final where everyone gets injured

Arsenal and Newcastle repeated the final of 20 years earlier at Wembley in 1952. Once again, Newcastle prevailed by the odd goal, with George Robledo scoring the winner. The Chilean became the first overseas player to score the winner in a Cup Final and Newcastle were the first ever side to retain the trophy too. From Arsenal’s point of view, the final was notable because they finished the game with only seven players. Wally Barnes twisted his knee after 30 minutes and had to come off.
Substitutes were not introduced to English football until 1958. Cliff Holton, Don Roper and Ray Daniel all succumbed to injury and followed Barnes down the tunnel. Newcastle won the game but Arsenal earned the plaudits for their spirited display, causing Joe Mercer to tell reporters after the match, “I thought captaining England was the greatest honour in the game. I was wrong. It was captaining Arsenal today.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDIBD2eLPr4