Tinubu Appoints Jimoh Ibrahim National Deputy Director Finance of Presidential Campaign Council

Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim CFR, billionaire business mogul and the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo South senatorial district for 2023 general elections has been appointed as the National Deputy director Finance of the Tinubu-Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.

The appointment was conveyed in a letter addressed to Jimoh Ibrahim, signed by the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Barr Jimoh Ibrahim was recently awarded the first ever Doctor of Business of the prestigious Cambridge University, a feat that has been commended by other scholars across the globe.

The Business mogul had his Bachelor of Law (LLB) in University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University).

He holds a total of nine different degrees from various universities including Ife, Cambridge, Oxford and Harvard universities.

Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim is the founder, University of Fortune, a world standard Ivory tower at Igbotako, Ondo South Senatorial District.

Ondo Police deny ISWAP attack on personnel, vehicle

Ondo State Police Command on Friday denied a social media report that the terrorist group, the Islamic State West Africa Province attacked, its vehicle and personnel in the state.

Media reports stated that the terrorists group attacked the patrol vehicle of the police at Ipele area of Owo Local Government Area of the state, and vandalised the vehicle.

Another report said the terrorists attacked the police vehicle at Ibule community in Ifedore Local Government Area of the state on Thursday.

According to the report, the ISWAP group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

But the state Police Public Relations Officer, Funmilayo Odunlami, when contacted, refuted the report saying neither the men of the command nor its vehicle was attacked in any part of the state.

She said , “The report is not true. There was no place in Ondo State where our men nor our vehicles were attacked by any group. I didn’t heard of such a report.”

Governor Akeredolu flays FG’s refusal to allow Amotekun bear arms

• If Katsina can, Ondo will, governor insists

• State police is inevitable, says Senate spokesperson

• HURIWA seeks National Assembly probe on president’s refusal to grant Benue, Southwest’s request for arms

• 2023: Police ban use of Amotekun, ESN for election campaigns

The unending debate over state policing was reignited, yesterday, when Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, faulted Federal Government’s objection to the use of arms by the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun Corps, while allowing its equivalent in Katsina State to bear weapons.

In same breath, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered immediate ban on use of Amotekun, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and other state-sponsored security outfits during electioneering campaigns billed to kick off nationwide next week.

The governor, who is chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF), in a statement, insisted that Ondo State government will defend its people, just as the denial of the right of Amotekun to bear arms to protect the people of the state violated the tenets of federalism.

Advocating that equity and justice are required in Federal Government’s relationship with all the component units, Akeredolu said: “The video making the rounds showing the equivalent of Amotekun Corps in Katsina, obtaining the approval of the Federal Government to bear arms is fraught with great dangers.

“Denying Amotekun the urgently needed rights to legitimately bear arms is a repudiation of the basis of true federalism, which we have been clamouring for.

“That Katsina was able to arm its state security force with the display of AK-47 means we are pursuing ‘one country, two systems’ solution to the national question.”

He further raised the alarm that the Katsina situation conferring advantages on some, in the face of commonly faced existential threats, “means our unitary policing system, which has failed, is a deliberate method of subjugation that must be challenged.

“The Independence agreement was based on a democratic arrangement to have a federal state and devolved internal security mechanics. We must go back to that agreement.

“Denying Amotekun the right to bear arms exposes the Southwest to life-threatening marauders and organised crime. It is also a deliberate destruction of our agricultural sector. It is an existential threat.

“We want to reiterate, that what is sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander. Ondo State government under the doctrine of necessity has decided to fulfill its legal, constitutional and moral duty to the citizens of the state, by acquiring arms to protect them.

“This is more so, given that the bandits have an unchecked access to sophisticated weapons. The state government cannot look on while its citizens are being terrorized and murdered with impunity. We will defend our people.”

FURTHER advancing the cause for state policing, the Senate spokesperson, Dr Ajibola Basiru, has said current realities of security in the country have made consideration of state police inevitable.

The Northern Governors’ Forum (NGF) had last week called for the immediate establishment of state police to address the continued insecurity challenges in the country with kidnapping, massive killing and wanton destruction of property.

Fielding questions from newsmen at a town hall meeting in Osogbo, Osun State capital, yesterday, he said though the National Assembly Committee on Constitutional Amendment Review stepped the bill down, recent event across the country has shown the need to re-enact the bill.

The Senator said turning down the bill does not necessarily mean it has died, but insecurity across the country has become a necessity to look at the issue again.

“One of the bills I sponsored is the bill on state police but unfortunately the bill was not allowed to see the light of the day at the review committee, but happily enough, some days ago, Northern Governors and stakeholders have said they are for state police, so, I believe we are going to reintroduce the bill, the new knowledge and reality have shown that we need state police,” he said.

Also, the SGF, had through its chairman, Akeredolu, said the forum would continue to demand devolution of powers to the states.

The governor said devolution of powers is the surest path to progress.

“We, on our part at the Southern Governors’ Forum, have continued to reiterate the fact of the incongruity inherent in an arrangement which purports to be federal, nominally, but whose observances stand at variance with the best practices espoused by climes considered advanced and progressing, amenable to nuances and adaptations, which reflect and accommodate the yearnings for inclusion of the component units,” the statement read.

“We will continue to insist on the creation of state police as the only logical and pragmatic solution to the pervasive problem of insecurity in the land. In addition to this, we shall not fail to renew the call for the adoption of policies geared towards real devolution of powers to the federating units indeed. This is the surest path to peace and progress.”

In recent years, governors and key stakeholders have been at the forefront of the clamour for state policing. In 2021, governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, had said the resources expended on security could be used to fund state police.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had also argued that a multi-ethnic nation like Nigeria needs state police to address its security challenges.

RELATEDLY, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has called on the National Assembly to investigate why President Muhammadu Buhari has rejected the lawful requests by states like Benue and Ondo for sophisticated weapons for their legally constituted vigilantes, whereas similar vigilantes in Katsina are carrying sophisticated weapons, which are helping to reduce the frequency of devastating attacks by armed Fulani terrorists.

In a statement, National Coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, asked governors who genuinely wish to combat armed invasions of their communities to do the needful to save their states from coordinated and predetermined destruction by armed Fulani terrorists.

HURIWA also blamed President Buhari for the continuous invasion of parts of Benue by armed herdsmen and the killings of scores of farmers, rendering thousands of children and old people as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

HURIWA stated that it was inconceivable that President Buhari will refuse to allow Benue vigilance group, as well as Amotekun in the Southwest to be armed with sophisticated weapons to combat the massive attacks by armed herdsmen.

The group blamed the increasing spate of targeted attacks in Benue to the refusal of the President to authorise the state’s legally constituted vigilantes to bear high-grade weapons to wage successful war on armed non-state actors that have commenced massive attacks since July after the inauguration of state licensed vigilantes.

It said it has resolved to write a petition to the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guiterres; President of the United States of America, Joe Biden and the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Liz Truss, on the systematic genocidal killings of citizens by armed herdsmen, while the Federal Government fails to take step to stop the prolonged coordinated attacks.

MEANWHILE, speaking on the ban on use of Amotekun, ESN and other state security outfits for election campaigns, yesterday, during the strategic police managers conference held at the Force headquarters in Abuja, the IGP explained that the measure was aimed at ensuring 2023 elections were not exposed to any form of compromise and abuses.

The IGP, who charged state police bosses to adhere to the laid down rules, maintained that political campaigns security were primarily the statutory obligation of the police.

He urged the police chiefs to discharge the requisite professional leadership to achieve election security in line with the Electoral Act 2022 and the Code of Conduct and Rules of Engagement for Security Personnel on Electoral Duty, which was issued in 2020 by the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

According to him, “we must leave no citizen in doubt of our commitment to national peace and security, as well as our unwavering determination to advance the democratic and national security interests of our beloved nation.

“The 2023 general election and the processes leading to it will certainly put us to test in this regard. Drawing on our widely commended performances in recent elections, however, I am very confident, and I trust that you shall not fail both the Police institution and the country in the upcoming electoral engagements.”

ACCORDING to the convener of HURIWA, Onwubiko: “IGP has no such judicial powers to outlaw associations or bodies whether registered/incorporated or not because the IGP office is not the body domiciled with the judicial powers of the federation but only the courts can make such a pronouncements upon filing of such applications by the Federal Attorney General and Minister of Justice with permission of his appointing authority.

“Coming to Amotekun, which is a properly constituted body recognised by a legally passed statute by the states of the Southwest, again the IGP has no such powers. Only the court of law can make such a pronouncements because the IGP is not superior to the state Houses of Assembly granted the powers to make laws for the good governance of their states by virtue of Section 4(7) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria of 1999 as amended.

“We think the Inspector General of Police should not take the law into his hands by seeking to usurp the powers of the judiciary or state legislatures. That will be tantamount to executive rascality and lawlessness.”

Kerux Academic Institute (KAI) on Special Visit to reach Teenagers at Mosogar Secondary School, in Mosogar Community

The Director of Kerux Academic Institute, Mr Godspower Oyubu, a certified strategic/human resource specialist and project manager, accompanied with some KAI Mentees visited the oldest Secondary School in Mosogar Community on the 23rd of September, 2022 for the September Edition of reaching out to different Teenagers from different backgrounds and tribes. 

Mr Godspower Oyubu sharing KAI Vision with School Management on Arrival at Mosogar Secondary School, Mosogar

KAI is a nonprofit Mentorship Programme committed to building up teenagers academically and professionally in the area of Academics, Business, Management and Leadership with the vision of making these teenagers relevant beyond the scope of their Academic Disciplines.

Addressing Students on “Why You Need Education” by Mr Godspower Oyubu

Teenagers listening attentively

On this special visit to the oldest Secondary School where Mr Godspower received his Secondary School education, he was warmly received by the school management being a one time Senior Prefect of the school in 2010/2011. On the arrival of Mr Godspower and the KAI Team, he had a brief meeting with the school authority and staff members. After sharing the vision of KAI with the management and being impressed with the vision, the management gave access to address the students with all teachers present.

Mr Godspower spoke briefly on the topic, "Why You Need Education" where he encouraged teenagers to take their education seriously. He also pointed clearly to all in attendance that education is more than acquiring a degree, it's more than acquiring sound knowledge in Mathematics, English, Chemistry, Biology, Economics and other subjects. He told the teenagers that real education begins with mental transformation which eventually culminate in life transformation. He made it clear that despite the high level of mendaciloquence and presstitute in the political system of our nation Nigeria, everyone including the teenagers have roles to play in building a better Nigeria.

Sharing of Mr Godspower's published books to Teenagers at Mosogar Secondary School

Group picture with some Teenagers with Mr Godspower’s book

Mr Godspower as an expression of his benevolence and contribution to the lives of the teenagers gave free copies of his published books titled, "The Power of Knowledge" to the teenagers and a representative of the Teenagers Girls Leadership Group (TGLG), Miss Destiny Ugbune encouraged the teenage girls on the importance of leading a healthy life and shared sanitary pads to the SS 2 Class teenage girls. TGLG is am arm of KAI that focuses on mentoring the girl child on leadership and public speaking.

TGLG Representative, Miss Destiny Ugbune sharing sanitary pads to Teenage Girls in SS 2 Class

Group picture with some Teenage Girls with shared sanitary pads

The Principal and the entire staff members of Mosogar Secondary School expressed their profound gratitude to Mr Godspower for remembering his foundation and coming around to encourage the Teenagers. The management encouraged KAI comes occasionally to address these teenagers on the value of education.

Group picture with Mr Godspower and Staff Members at Mosogar Secondary School

Mr Godspower and his old time Biology Teacher back then in 2010

Mr Godspower appreciating the School Principal for his love and encouragement

School Principal showering prayers on Mr Godspower

Group picture with School Principal, Mr Godspower and two staff members

20 Teenagers (boys and girls) were given copies of Mr Godspower's published book while 30 teenage girls in SS 2 Class where given sanitary pads.

The visit to Mosogar Secondary School was a remarkable success. KAI remains committed to building up teenagers academically and professionally in leadership, business, management and academics.

Opinion: Online Dating and the Love Path of Facades

"Beneatha, are you going for a beauty contest? I have never seen you spend so much time in front of the mirror like this.' Doris comments as Beneatha draws her brows. 'Well... it's all 'bout my new date I met on Facebook three months ago. Doris, this guy is amazingly cute. We've always had an online lovely time together. So, when he suggested that we should meet at Country Kitchen today, I couldn't resist him. He's such a nice guy.' Doris shrugs and giggles. She reminds Beneatha of her past experiences with online dating. She recalls her encounter with a dishonest person who created a profile with a dating site only for scamming her and other members.

'Gosh! You're so paranoid for my liking. I am an adult and I don't mind doing crazy things to find true love.' Beneatha says and bangs out of the room. Doris claps her palms in surprise. She wonders how a sane person will just choose to confide in a kind of abstract lover. What if the guy turns out to be a dangerous and evil. Perhaps a ritualist or a rapist? It will definitely end in tears.

Online dating is also known as internet where people find and contact each other through the internet to arrange a date, usually with the goal of developing a personal and romantic relationship.

Most times, online dating is usually a facade because it doesn't help to detect the true love. Hence, it becomes a love path that neither did run smooth nor balance. Below are some side effects of online dating:

There is a lot of personality misrepresentation because people tend to lie about their past and character.

Waste of time, effort and money as many online dating users never had the chance to meet anyone face to face.

Increased chances of impersonation or identity theft because geographical distance makes physical closeness difficult if not impossible.

It's difficult to meet people with similar core values, faith, interest, background and preferences.

Relationship consensus is very sensitive. It's a decision that can either make or mar your life. Thus, there's need for proper physical interactions and observations.

Online dating might be trendy or attractive but you'll be playing a risky game of meeting any/every Tom, Dick and Harry because...

True love doesn't come out cheap or on a 'platter' of chance!

Opinion: A Discussion on Grants and Entrepreneurship

The world is flourishing with ideas by entrepreneurs, as beautiful as these ideas may seem, inaccessibility to funding makes the execution of the idea a mirage- Funds nurture ideas.

The implementation of innovations and progression of already existing business depends largely on the availability of finance. Hence, there is a need to spell out appropriate strategies for its acquisition. The growth of businesses especially in developing nations where people have less access to grants is dependent on finance.

There is a common misconception that entrepreneurs have to own a large capital before starting their business. It is true that grants can actually help scale up the business, but the entrepreneurial skill lies in the ability to convert a small amount of the capital to yield a higher return.

Depending on the type of business, most starters often start small, especially if it is a service based business. Entrepreneurs, particularly small scale entrepreneurs are sometimes advised to cut down cost at the start of the business as much as possible. Instead of going for that expensive outlet, why not begin from a more affordable one that would provide the same service as the expensive one. As the business begins to grow, then you may start thinking of expanding your market. Trying to start out rightly big may tend to cloud your sight from seeing other possibilities to make it happen without external funding. The key is to find the lowest cost method to start when there is absence of external funding.

Of all means of financing, the most reliable and potent is the personal source of funding, that is, the personal savings. This is often the initial capital, a prerequisite at the early birth of the business, although it may not bring about adequate expansion of the business. The interest of investors in the business would be quenched if little or nothing is contributed by the business owner. Hence, depositing your own capital to cover the cost of launching will prompt prospective investors to invest in your business. Starting with your own capital will also help prevent huge loss when mistakes happen.

When sourcing for funds, it is important for entrepreneurs to identify the best source that would suit or is most ideal for the present need. Long term funds should not serve short term goals, that is, if fund is needed to cater for a need that would yield within two months, then entrepreneurs may want to source for funds through overdrafts, family and friends. Family and friends can help with the little they can provide coupled with your personal saving. It is not until you receive a big grant before you can take a small step which will accumulate to a big difference in the business.

Some entrepreneurs tend to overlook the importance of having a sound business plan. The business plan speaks for the business. It gives an overview about the business by projecting the entrepreneur’s vision, the mission of the business. Your business plan may be the important tool that would link you to potential investors, it serves as a proposal tool for application for loan or facility. Business plan gives the investor an in-depth knowledge about the business and may also help you to establish confidence in the investor. Hence, it is important for entrepreneurs to design a sound business plan which may be what you need for that big success.

Entrepreneurs may also want to consider the idea of strategic partnership, partnership does not mean selling your idea to someone, and it is simply collaborating, pulling resources together. This helps a great way than sole funding.

Furthermore, finding the right client and working on the client helps to expand the market. It involves the selling skills to convince the client that your service or product is worth paying for. The right client may be from your network, which is why it is important for upcoming entrepreneurs to expand their network and pitch their ideas to the network. In practice, entrepreneurs raise funds from multitude of sources, the idea is finding the right source that is tailored for your type of business without running into debts.

Nigeria- We Can Make It Happen

Far from a trial to rub our wounds, Nigeria will pick up soon as indicators show. The best way to support these indicators is to become motivation to ourselves.

For me, each time, I carry a belief that it is what I give in that I get back. It simply implies that when I give all the necessary zeal, strength and dexterity into a thing, I get "all the desired results." Then I took to history, reading to find stories of persons whom this principle have worked for and I'm here with the "I can do it attitude."

History has the tales of experts who were convinced that the ideas, plans, and projects of others could never be achieved. However, the accomplishment of those same rejected projects, came to those who said, "I can make it happen."

I sometime ago, read the story of The Italian sculptor- Agostino d'Antonio who worked diligently on a large piece of marble. Unable to produce his desired masterpiece, he lamented, "I can do nothing with it." Other sculptors also worked on this difficult piece of marble, but to no avail.
After sometime, Michelangelo discovered the stone and visualized the possibilities in it. His "I-can-make-it-happen" attitude resulted in one of the world's wonderful masterpieces.
 

As you read this account under the magnificent lighting of your environment, from your mail, social media or blog as the case may be, consider that what you call an absurdity and waste of time could become an asset. You would find out that you can make it happen!

 

Yours in Inspiration

Scientia: Why Your Bottle Sweats

If you ever visit the refrigerator lay and pick out a very chilled bottle of drink, leave it for a while and then return, you would notice that the bottle begins to shed drops around it.

Sweating Bottle- Image Source: Google

In another case, if after a warm bath, you glance at the mirror to behold your beautiful face., leave the dressing room to look  more exotic and return to a second glance at the mirror, its surface becomes
unclear and while trying to clean, the hands get wet, then you have met condensation.

Condensation is the the process by which water vapor  in the air is changed into liquid water. In other words the warm air in the air were cooled by cold soft drink also the warm water vapor
from my body were cooled by the cold mirror surface.

This same phenomenon is the reason behind cloud formation.

Nigeria’s Oil Reserves will Run Dry In 49 Years – DPR

Nigeria's crude oil reserves of 37 billion barrels, two per cent of which is being produced annually, will be depleted in 49 years, according to the Department of Petroleum Resources .

The reserves, which stood at 37. 45 billion barrels in 2014 , fell to 37. 06 billion barrels in 2015 and 36. 74 billion barrels in 2016. It, however, rose to 36.97 billion barrels in 2017 and 37 billion barrels in 2018, the DPR data showed .

“ The nation’ s depletion rate and life index are 2. 04 per cent and 49. 03 years respectively, ” the regulator said .

The reserves depletion rate is a measure of 2018 total oil and condensate production divided by the reserves as of January 1, 2019, according to the DPR .

“This indicator gives a bird ’s eye on an annual basis , what percentage proportion of the quoted reserves was produced. The life index , on the other hand , is a measure of the reserves as of January 1, 2019, divided by the total production in 2018 . This parameter highlights how long ( in years) quoted reserves volumes will be available for production .”

According to the DPR, to achieve the government’s aspiration of four million barrels per day production and reserves of 40 billion barrel, "there is a need for corresponding increase in reserves as production increases”

 

 

The nation ’s oil and gas production structure is majorly split between Joint Ventures onshore and in shallow water with foreign and local companies, and the Production Sharing Contracts in deepwater offshore, to which most of the international oil companies have shifted their focus in recent years.

The JV operators, despite having the highest production (about 41. 64 per cent) among all the contract types, recorded a low depletion rate of about 1. 8 per cent and high life index of 56 .34 years, according to the DPR.

It said the PSC companies had the highest depletion rate of 3.10 per cent and the lowest life index of 32.15 years, while accounting for about 36. 08 per cent of the nation’ s total production .

“Perhaps , the companies may have taken advantage of the poor government take in the deep offshore terrain to deplete the reserves therein with little regard for long- term sustainable production as amplified by the life index ,” the regulator said in a report.

It said the sole risk companies had the lowest depletion rate of 1. 5 per cent and the highest life index of 65. 49 years.

The regulator said these companies accounted for about 20. 14 per cent of the nation’ s total production in 2018, adding, “ This depletion rate does not reflect the fact these companies hold the second largest reserves of about 26.90 per cent. ”

The marginal field operators produced about 2 .14 per cent of the nation’ s total production in 2018, with a depletion rate of about 2. 7 per cent, life index of 36 .83 years and a national reserves portfolio of 1. 61 per cent.

The DPR said about nine operating companies , which it described as “ unhealthy ” , “ have oil and condensate life index of less than 15 years.”

“The statistics paint a very gloomy picture for these companies and urgent steps will be taken to address this observed trend. The department is engaging the companies to review their strategic plan to guarantee future reserves growth in order for them to remain in business, ” it said .

According to the regulator, as of January 1, 2019, the reserves replacement ratio, which measures the addition to reserves relative to the total production , for Nigeria’s oil and condensate reserves stood at four per cent.

It said “ Though this shows a positive RRR , it is not an impressive performance as just four per cent of the 2018 annual production was replaced via net addition to reserves.

“The ideal scenario is when we have a 100 per cent RRR , i . e replace reserves at the same production rate. The RRR is used to judge the operating performance of the exploration and production industry. An RRR that is consistently over 100 per cent is ideal as it indicates that more reserve is being replaced than is produced. ”

Last week, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, said the nation’s oil sector had worsened as the uncertain fiscal environment put a damper on the investments badly needed to ramp up oil production and increase reserves.

He warned that most of the resources might have to be left in the ground if not explored and produced before the world moves away from oil .

He said, “If there is a lot of exploration , we believe that a lot of oil still remains to be found in Nigeria. And that is the beauty about Nigeria. Nigeria is not yet a mature territory; it is still very prolific.”

“There has been no targeted exploration for gas and yet we have 200 Tcf reserves. So, we believe that if we really go out looking for gas, we can find a lot more that will put us in the league of the most prolific in the world .

 

 

“Let us allow the investment to come into Nigeria, because there is still a lot of oil and gas to be found . Unfortunately, the bad news is that the world ’s 2020 outlook tells you that by 2040, oil and gas will account for only 50 per cent of the energy of the world .”

My Slavery My Story

At first, it seemed so hard, impossible- difficult to do that which I had to; that which would touch lives forever. It was a herculean task for me as it required a lot of courage, but, I had already determined in my heart to do it and I had already given my words to certain people. I am a woman of my word, and I wouldn’t want to disappoint them. So, I got up from my bed half-scared, half-confident and walk sluggishly to the bathroom to have my bath.

 Just before I entered the bathroom, I heard my phone ringing; I smiled because I already knew who was calling. I checked the screen of my phone and my thoughts were quite correct. I picked the call and the first thing I heard was “Good morning, my love”. I don’t think I could ever get tired of hearing that every morning. My fiancé, Jide calls me every morning and we talk for ten to twenty minutes. After fifteen minutes, we end the call and I feel so happy to have someone like Jide, someone that loves me for who I am. He called to reassure me of his support, to encourage me and to inform me that he would come pick me in the next thirty minutes. On hearing these words, I felt better and I swiftly went to the bathroom.

After bathing, I hurriedly dressed up, and checked myself in the mirror for any adjustments. Just then, I heard the horn of Jide’s car, I carried my purse which contained my necessary items – powder, lip gloss, my stick-it notes which contained points for my speech, a black pen, a hand towel and some money. I locked the door and went outside to meet Jide who had already gotten down from the car. He was looking exceptionally handsome today as he rocked a blue and black checkered shirt, coupled with black jeans and a pair of sneakers. To top it all, he had dark shades on. He smiled as I walked towards him and I smiled back, he hugged me and opened the car door for me like the gentleman he was. As he entered the car, he turned to me and said “Sweetheart, you look even more beautiful today”. I blushed like a little school girl and I thanked him. He started the car, and off we went to Jade Majekodunmi Memorial Secondary School.

 In the car, Jide helped me to rehearse for my speech and he calmed me once again with his words. At some point, I totally forgot about the speech because Jide took my mind off it with his dry jokes. At last, we got to our destination and we both alighted from the car. I scanned the surroundings- typical secondary school environment, students everywhere doing one thing or the other; I looked up and said to myself “Adunni, this is it, you can do this”. We were ushered into the school auditorium by a female student who was obviously a prefect due to the fact that she had a badge pinned to her school uniform. With smiles, she welcomed us and she led us to our seats. Soon enough, the vice principal of the school, a kind middle-aged man, came to welcome me and I introduced Jide to him. He thanked me for keeping my word, and he also added that the students were enthusiastic about the programme.

The programme kicked off after some minutes with the opening prayer taken by one of the teachers. Next, I was called to the high table alongside the principal, vice principal and the heads of departments of the school. With a quick glance at my fiancé, I stood up and confidently made my way to the table. After the welcome address, I already knew my time had come. With lots of applause, the moderator called me up to the podium to deliver my talk. I breathed deeply for a second then I stood up and made my way to the stage to do that which I had to. As I stood on the stage, I looked around and my eyes once again scanned my immediate environment. I saw expectations in the eyes of the students, I saw potentials, I saw the future and I saw bright stars that should shine forever and not be tampered with. I started off with a smile and a “Good morning, everyone”. My greeting was met with good responses and smiles; that boosted my confidence and I felt more at ease. My eyes also met that of Jide and I felt them encouraging me and urging me to tell my story.

I started narrating my story of how I was held in slavery with the chains of words. My speech went thus “I know when you hear the word slavery, your mind goes to being held in a place with iron chains and being tortured. I put it to you today that one can also be tortured with words and enslaved.” I explained to them that I was the only child of my mother, who got pregnant with me at a young age. I never knew my father and so it was me and my mother. She never really cared for me and was always blaming me for all her troubles. She would drop me with her mother, my grandmother. This continued until my grandmother died and she would leave me alone in the house; at this point, I was already seven.

No day passed without my mother telling me I was a failure, a mistake and that I couldn’t do anything right in life. From a young age, I didn’t really have any friends. I wasn’t really a bright student but I managed to enter secondary school. I always felt weak, because my mother’s words always echoed in my head. From being an average student, I dropped to being one of the last three in the class. I told them how I joined a gang because they told me they would make me feel strong, and how I used to drink or smoke anytime I remembered my mother’s words. To cut the long story short, I was pulled out of my mental slavery by my school counsellor who helped me to understand that I had potentials and I could be anything I wished to be. It was a tough process but I recovered with time and I broke free. I moved out of my mother’s house into a hostel which was gotten for me by my school counsellor.

I continued by saying “Words don’t define who you are or who you’ll be. You make your own destiny. Don’t let anyone make you feel inferior with their words because you’re special and you’re a success”. I concluded by dishing out advice on how to be emotionally strong and withstand destructive words, then I rounded off my speech “I am Alade Adunni, and this is my story”. Everyone stood up with applause and I went back to my seat with joy in my heart. Question and Answer section was next, and then the programme ended with the closing prayer. I shook hands with all the staff on the high table; I also thanked all of them for the opportunity to share my story.

I left the school with Jide who couldn’t stop praising me and telling me how marvellous I was. Looking at the beautiful clouds outside, I felt very glad that I was able to help the students in my own little way and to build them up for whatever the future held for them. At last, I had shared my story.

O-REY

Football Is Politics: An Allegory - The Players and The Fans

 

I'm not a fan of football, but I think I do know a few things about it. I'm just one of those rare guys who do not like football.

Football is funny, it could be comedy at times; a game where players shake hands after play, and fans fight one another after play. That is the fun in it. I have noticed that to the players, it's a game and they've been paid(cool dough obviously) and; to the fans, they've paid and one must take the blame.

So players find no pain switching membership while supporters sense infidelity for cross-carpetting, thus the fans usually stick to one club while the players switch clubs often for the love of the game. If players are loyal to the game than their clubs, then supporters should be loyal to the game than their clubs; in that way, they will need not fight or kill one another for the game.

Another funny thing is that neither the players nor the game requires that they fight! Probably the fight comes up because most people are not just fans but fanatics. Be a fan not a fanatic.

That's football. I do not intend to derail from my sporty post with my socio- political analogy. But far from it is the political scene of Nigeria. My observation holds but sadly true in the polity and political game "Nigeria" that while our evil politicians and rulers who in this context are the players, short change the entire populace and people in the course of the game. leaving them high and dry; the populace who are the fans in the political arena rather than hold the politician i.e the players accountable, would rather turn against themselves whilst unleashing hell and sorrow and further impoverish themselves. All the while the politician players after every hot battle or game as put, after whipping the people into killer frenzy, vide the intoxicants' and toxins called religion and ethnicity and simply retire backstage to loot and dine together unbridled whilst the supporters or fans called Nigerians waste themselves.

Literally, soccer fans should hold players accountable when they play badly, rather than fight one another; concrete evidence suggests financial profligacy from most soccer stars, little wonder they feel sad when retirement calls. The major difference between this literal story and my allegory is that unlike the soccer fans who spend hard earned money to watch their favourite team, the electorates do not spend, rather they depend on the politicians who invest massively and brainwash the masses to stay in power.

People should see the light and realise that fellow citizens are not always the catalyst of their woes.

Kerux Academic Institute Set to Host Mentorship Programme for Young People

The Kerux Academic Institute (KAI) is set to host refined editions of its mentorship programme for young people. In an official press release signed by Godspower Oyubu, Director of Kerux Academic Institute,  the mentorship will empower young people and help them redefine what leadership is really all about. 

One of KAI Academic classes in  March, 2021

The Kerux Academic Institute (KAI) is a non-profit community based organization, a leadership, coaching, training and mentorship program committed to mentoring teenagers/young people within and outside Mosogar Community on Academics, Leadership, Business/Finance, Management/Administration, Public Speaking and other Professional Development Courses that can equip young people and make them relevant beyond the scope of their Academic Disciplines.

First day of KAI Mentorship Class.. 11th January, 2021... 16 teenagers in attendance

Overtime, many graduates from within the Mosogar community and the nation in general seem to be bankrupt of knowledge in vital areas of life outside their field of expertise! This has practically resulted in producing intellectuals who are irrelevant to the society since they can't get jobs touching their field of expertise.

Pictures of KAI Staff members and 2 Uniben Affiliation Mosogar Lecturers at the middle and one Honourable at KAI Orientation Programme at Ighoyota Primary School Mosogar, Delta State Nigeria.. 1st February, 2021

KAI Mentorship Program also seeks to empower young people and help them redefine what leadership is really all about. Many had misunderstood leadership to be merely occupying a position of influence and this lopsided view has had catastrophic effect in the community and Nation at large. 

KAI Orientation

Director at the middle with two KAI Staff members at Orientation Programme

KAI involves both classroom training and practical training which would include having one on one interview sessions with reputable personalities within and outside Mosogar Community, Seminars where KAI Mentorship Products (Teenagers) are expected to display their Wealth of Knowledge in Public Speaking, Conflict Resolutions, Business/Financial Intelligence, Problem Solving and Leadership.




With hopes that this programme will help build a better Nigeria, the training is completely free and opened to all teenagers and young people within and outside Mosogar Community. The designed curriculum of KAI Mentorship Programme helps to build teenagers and make them relevant beyond the scope of their Academic Discipline. The professional classes hold every Friday between 3pm and 5pm at the Ighoyota Primary School Mosogar, Delta State, Nigeria. You can also contact Keruz Academic Institute by phone call or and email here.

Pictures of KAI Students at First KAI Academic Seminar held 15th May, 2021

KAI Staff Members

Teenagers learning at KAI Orientation Programme

Picture of KAI Staff members and students with copies of book authored by the Director, given free of charge to all teenagers at the Orientation Programme

About the Teenage Girls Leadership Group (TGLG)

The TGLG is an arm of KAI Mentorship Program that focuses on the teenage girl child. The vision of the TGLG is to mentor the girl child intellectually and professionally for future leadership. Many have the myopic understanding that the man should always take the lead in any occasion and women should follow. The TGLG seeks to inculcate in these teenage girls the mentality and attributes of world class global leaders from a young age. Currently, over 50 female teenagers are part of the TGLG of KAI and 15 of them, from records are already taking leadership roles in their schools, churches and volunteer organizations they are part of, instigating positive changes in the different organizations. 

May, 2021 Academic Seminar

Resource Personnel during KAI Seminar: From the left hand side: Mr Oki Ebeigbe (Youth Leader, Mosogar Community), Dr Mrs Bridget Kpomah (Director, Delsu Affiliation Mosogar), Mrs Patience Akpeninor (PDP Women Leader, Ethiope West LGA, Delta State), Hon. Kingsley Akpeninor (Former Councilor, Oghara, Delta State and the one addressing the Teenagers, Engr. Peter Avwojekpaye

KAI Director, Mr Godspower Oyubu, addressing and welcoming Teenagers to KAI 1st Academic Seminar in May, 2021

KAI Director with some members of KAI TGLG at May 2021 Academic Seminar

Group Picture with some Teenagers and other attendees after Seminar, May 2021

KAI TGLG Members who spoke on Leadership during the Seminar, May, 2021

Group Picture after Seminar

KAI TGLG Member, addressing the Teenagers on Leadership during 2021 May Academic Seminar

KAI 1st Academic Seminar, May, 2021

Another KAI TGLG Member, addressing the Teenagers on Leadership during 2021 May Academic Seminar

The Teenage Girls Leadership Group (TGLG) will help bring to limelight the inherent potentials resident in these girls and skillfully prepare them to take up higher leadership responsibilities at Community, National and International levels in the nearest future.

The Impact of KAI on Teenagers and Young People

The Director of Kerux Academic Institute (KAI), Godspower Oyubu, a Master's degree holder of Applied Biochemistry from the prestigious Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, has been mentoring teenagers/young people for 13years. He started a  Mentorship Program during the Covid 19 Pandemic where he offered free Academic and Professional training classes to Teenagers who where home due to the nation wide lockdown instigated by the much dreaded Covid 19. This free training program metamorphosed into Kerux Academic Institute (KAI) on 11th January, 2021 with 15 teenagers and 5 staff members.

The overall vision of KAI is to train teenagers academically and professionally. The idea of professional training is to inculcate in these teenagers an ideology that places value on leadership qualities, management skills and business mindset as unbeatable requirements for transforming the local community and the nation at large. At the start of KAI, four (4) University Lecturers were coming occasionally to train and encourage these teenagers. Within 2021, KAI has trained 115 teenagers (85 girls and 30 boys) and 48 eventually got admission into different Universities while others got admission into various Polytechnics. The long term goal is to train at least 2000 teenagers in Mosogar community and the near-by communities on leadership, management and business in order to prepare them for local and global relevance beyond the scope of their academic discipline.


The issue of fraud is becoming rampant in virtually every community in Nigeria. The high level of corruption in the Nation and poor investment in the education system have contributed to this predominance of fraudulent activity. However, KAI Mentorship Program will help prepare teenagers who will be empowered via high level superior knowledge to combat this moral decadence ravaging our community and Nation in general.