Blog: NELOC News

Opinion: Do You Still Give out Your Trust?

Who do you trust?

If you ask me this question, I would reel out a lot of secrets to you and leave you to deduce the answer yourself. I actually find it hard to trust people myself; I mean my feelings or even my things, my integrity and whatever concerns me. If I trust you, it has to be that you have earned it based on what you have done or been through and I know what you are capable of doing. However, I hear some trust people based on their confessions; I mean what they say they are capable of doing. Well, mine is not so. For me to trust you, I must have my evidence. Don’t judge me, it’s my opinion.

Some people say I am a difficult person and that I will find it hard to get in a relationship because I find it hard to trust people. However, my belief is that relationships are built on trust and that any relationship void of trust in the participants will crumble.

My attitude towards trust is as a result of my past experience. I have trusted people with my deepest thoughts, thoughts that made me cry, thoughts that make me feel down casted. I have trusted people and really, a trial has convinced me.

I had a hard time in my third year in school; things were so bad that money was a very scarce commodity. It was the time Nigeria was going through a serious economic recession with huge debts of school fees to pay. I could tell no one of the difficulties I was going through. I tried a lot of things I thought could help but all was futile with. Then, I found someone I could call a friend. He claimed to have been through my predicament while he was in school. His own experience was even worse than mine that I began pitying. Then and there did I conclude that I was better off than some people while some are better than me; this is the Irony of life.

My so called friend has been a leader for years and also stood in the position of counseling young undergraduate students while he was in school. He was highly revered and recommended to be capable of holding any leadership post. All these summed up the bases for my judgment that he could be trusted. The fact that he had experienced my present situation added to my trust in him.

I reeled out my problems to him with the hope that I could lean on him for advice. I told him of the difficulties I had only for Him to spill out my secrets in public. He was the first to accuse me of my inabilities which was due to my financial in capabilities. I had little to finance my daily needs and was left with little to fund other needs and he made me a scapegoat publicly. I felt betrayed and disappointed. I looked into his eyes and all I could see was betrayal. I could not say anything against him because he already knew my secrets to the marrow. I blamed myself for telling him too much about me. I could not say anything for I had broken down my entire defence with my hands.

Trust, an abstract which you develop in someone or something based on an evidence of what they have done or is capable of doing is built overtime.

My trust in people has been breached overtime that giving it out to people require a lot of thinking. Someone once told me that I might find it hard to fall in love, well I don't know yet but we all at one time in our lives have experienced the same ordeal in different ways.

However, experience they say is the best teacher but the best and more profitable way to learn is from the experience of other people who have attained certain level of maturity. It is better to always give people an element of doubt that they could breach your trust in them some day so that when they do, you would not have an heart break that could totally mar you but at least a heart that will be amendable………………..my opinion, what do you think?

Power: Looking Towards Heavens (Solar energy) and Earth (coal &Hydroenergy)

Solar energy, radiation from the Sun capable of producing heat, causing chemical reactions, or generating electricity. The total amount of solar energy incident on Earth is vastly in excess of the world’s current and anticipated energy requirements. In the 21st century solar energy is expected to become increasingly attractive as a renewable energy source because of its inexhaustible supply and its nonpolluting character, in stark contrast to the finite fossil fuels coal, petroleum, and natural gas.

The history of hydropower dates back thousands of years. For example, the Greeks used water wheels to grind wheat into flour more than 2,000 years ago. The evolution of the modern hydropower turbine began in the mid-1700s when a French hydraulic and military engineer, Bernard Forest de Bélidor, wrote Architecture Hydraulique. Many key developments in hydropower technology occurred during the first half of the 19th century, and more recently, the past century has seen a number of hydroelectric advancements.Hydropower technologies generate power by using the elevation difference, created by a dam or diversion structure, of water flowing in on one side and out, far below, on the other.

The benefits of hydropower have been recognized and harnessed for thousands of years. In addition to being a clean and cost-effective form of energy, hydropower plants can provide power to the grid immediately, serving as a flexible and reliable form of backup power during major electricity outages or disruptions. Hydropower also produces a number of benefits outside of electricity generation, such as flood control, irrigation support, and water supply.

Transitioning into Tech: A Lucrative and Rewarding Path - Enioluwa Odunjo

Today, unlike a few years ago, being a 'Tech Bro or Tech Sis' is considered a lucrative profession. As someone who has been in the field for over four years, way before it became cool to be a techie, I can say that it does offer the opportunity to reach financial freedom quickly.

With many tech roles affording one the option to work flexibly and remotely, you can earn in different currencies from the comfort of your home.

However, it's important to dispel the notion that going into tech is a shortcut to wealth, as portrayed by the media. While earning foreign currency is an enticing lure into the field, securing a substantial tech role may not be as easy as it seems.

In a particular year I faced over 100 rejections before landing a single job offer. However that season of daily "Unfortunately" emails gave me the required knowledge and resilience to thrive in the field. The insights I gathered from that rejection experience and my eventual acceptance into a number of companies has equipped me to teach other aspiring tech professionals to transition into remote tech jobs. Here are key learnings to help you succeed:

1. Choose your path wisely

Research tech roles that align with your existing skills, leveraging skills you already have will ease your transition. For instance, a copywriter can easily pursue UX writing, and a marketer can explore growth marketing.

2. Dedicate time to Learning

Allow yourself 3-6 months to acquire the necessary skills. Remember, "Pursuit is proof of desire," so invest the required time and effort.

3. Conduct Smart Research

Analyze different job descriptions from various companies and identify commonalities. You'll notice recurring themes such as specific tools and requirements. Compile these and add to your skillset. As you progress, you will no longer need to consult job descriptions to determine your suitability for a role because you already qualify.

4. Build a Strong Portfolio and CV

This can't be overemphasized. Take the time to showcase your best work effectively. Your portfolio plays a pivotal role in opening doors and should not be rushed.

5. Embrace Rejection

Anticipate receiving some rejection emails before securing your first role. Developing a thick skin is essential, as hiring decisions involve various dynamics.

Transitioning into tech can be a challenging journey, but it's the individuals who persist till the end that succeed. For further insights, watch my talk on this. Feel free to also leave comments or contact me with any questions. All the best!

Menstrual Hygiene is one of the fundamental issue concerning reproductive health. It is instrumental in raising the dignity and well being of women and girls. Menstrual Hygiene day is an important day to delve openly about periods, help break silence, raise awareness and change negative social norms surrounding menstrual hygiene around the world.

Period are facts of life and integral part of every teenage girls and women's life. Approximately 300 million women menstruate on a daily basis. Yet, there are still stigma associated with period. It is imperative to delve into one of the key issues behind World Menstrual Hygiene Day, the devastating reality of period poverty around the world and its high prevalence in Nigeria.

WHAT IS PERIOD POVERTY?
Periods are highly dreaded and rarely something we look forward to every month. Painful, tiring and inconvenient, plus the accompanying friends it brings along ranging from abdominal cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and dizziness are challenging to cope with. But for many women and girls around the world especially in Nigeria, it is way beyond the side effects, the bleeding itself poses a huge problem as well.

Period poverty is when a girl cannot afford menstrual products during menstruation which is approximately three to seven days every month resulting to use of unhygienic practices.

1 in 5 girls are unable to afford sanitary products. They have to improvise using tissue paper, cotton wool, discarded news paper, towels which are unhygienic and may pose risk. Staggering amount of young girls and women are not well enlightened about menstruation and are disadvantaged by their lack of knowledge and access to clean sanitary products in poor urban and rural communities.

Period is inevitable in young girls women's life but it is so disheartening that over 1.2 billion women across the world do not have access to basic sanitation. The National Democracy and Health Survey 2013, revealed that girls make up 60% of the 10.5million out of school children in Nigeria with period povertty contributing immensely to these.

In a country where an estimated 44% of its population live in extreme poverty and high population amidst the adolescent. Lots of parents struggle to make ends meet and see sanitary products as unaffordable luxury especially with high hike and surge in prices of these sanitary products experienced over the years. There have been clamors for subsidizing and removal of taxes on sanitary products with no action taken by the government.

On average, a woman will menstruate for over 30 years of her life and uses roughly over 9600 pads in her lifetime. Put in the factor that most tampons and pads are not reusable and lots of it go to landfill and the non-organic items take up to 500 years to decompose. Even sometimes, the properties in these pads and most especially tampons are injurious to health as it could cause Toxic Shock Syndrome.

The pandemic has intensified period poverty. Periods dont stop for pandemic and few families are able to afford the products as most people are plagued with hunger, job loss in these crises and have to prioritize food and health care first even though sanitary products are life essentials as well.

Beyond period poverty, lack of access to water and poor or inadequate toilet facilities in schools and public places makes girls stay away from school and prove a high constraint in achieving menstrual hygiene.

Meeting the hygienic needs of all adolescent girls is a fundamental issue of human rights and public health and not something to be treated as a mere triviality. To tackle period poverty in Nigeria, there should be access to sanitary products by girls and women. Sanitary products should be heavily subsidized and distributed freely to secondary school teenage girls and young women.

Demystifying period stigma and shame with awareness on menstrual health and hygienic practices should be given to young girls and boys. Almost every teenage girls have stories to share on being unknowingly stained and being laughed and mocked at by boys. Education needs to go both ways in educating young boys and men that period are normal physiological process and not something to be laughed or mocked for.
Adoption of sustainable alternative products like reusable sanitary products and home made sanitary product to replace its disposable counterparts that can be used continually should be massively produced in Nigeria with affordability given a priority.

It is time for action to ensure that girls and women do not feel limited by something as natural and normal as period through increased education on menstrual hygiene, and affordability reusable sanitary produts. It is time to create an enabling society in which women and teenage girls are empowered to manage their period safely and in a hygienic manner. Its high time to see to the rise of period power and absolute end of period poverty.

Biography of Ken Eric

Born on 28th February 1985. Ugochuckwu Eric Nwenweh, well known and called Ken Erics, is a 37years old Nigerian actor, music artist and TV presenter that acts or mainly work in Nollwood. Though he was born in the nothern part of the country (Nigeria). He hails from the Eastern part of Nigeria. He's among other siblings his parents have. According to some reports, Ken Eric grew up in a very godly home, hence he's a Christian.

The talented actor, had his primary school education in kano, Nigeria. Due to some reasons best known to him, Ken Eric got his secondary School education in the East (Anambra State). Based on his burning passion for acting, he further bagged a first degree in theatre act at the Prestigious Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. He didn't just stop there, he moved further to getting a Master Degree in the same field ( tjit happened not quite long).

Ken Eric has since started acting since he was a child. He joined several drama groups back then in the University. This helped to reshaping him into a better actor. This continued till he left the University. Ken Erics in the year 2001, featured in the movie "Holy Prostitute" That was his first movie.

After gaining so much knowledge in his field (career). He joined the Nollwood industry where he started acting fully. Like most beginners starting a career, he wasn't popular then .The movie "The illiterate" was his first role he played in a Nollywood movie, that was about 10years ago. This single opportunity exposed him to many juicy opportunities and of course popularity too. Ever since, the talented actor has been super active in the industry (Nollywood) and has starred in several Nigerian movies. He has also worked with top stars in the Industry, such as Ton to Dikeh, Mercy Johnson etc.

Aside acting, Ken Erics also do music. One of his biggest achievements in recent times is having his own music band.

Ken Erics has been honored with several Awards; This a little way of appreciating his efforts in the industry. Few are mentioned below:

1. Best lead actor in 2014 at Afrifimo Awards (USA).

2. Best Supporting actor at City People Entertainment Awards in the you 2014.

3. Best Actor at City People Entertainment Awards in the year 2015.

These includes many other awards and norminations he has been honored with.

Ken Erics is a successful man. He has assets, connections etc. He's active on all social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram etc, with lots of followers and fans. As at March 2022, his Net-worth is over $500,000.

Ken Erics is currently unmarried and yet to become a father too. However, he was formerly married to Onyi Adada (in 2017). Unfortunately, things fell apart and their marriage went down due to misunderstanding between the two lovers.

The Art of Branding Disability

I still recall with vivid freshness the rather opinionated and combative stance with which I approached debates within the deaf community in those early days. I had come in with this dangerously prejudiced mindset that much of my unhappiness and dissatisfaction with life could be traced to my deafness and society’s seeming nonchalant attitude. I was damn wrong, and entering the deaf community was instrumental to transforming my perspectives on Disability and Persons living with Disability.

Now, I wouldn’t say I have been weaned off that tendency to having a mind of my own. After all, a man must do his own living and dying. Still, neither am I as unyielding as in those early days. It’s been learning, unlearning and relearning.

I remember too, with undimmed clarity, sublime piece of advices received from those who have gone before in the world of disabilities. “Attitude is everything”, “keep an open mind”, etc. Deep nuggets. However it took years before I began grasping the timelessness of the wisdom in those words. The truth bore home slowly and steadily.

SEEING THE LIGHT

The Federal College of Education, Oyo, (an institution for special needs education) was my baptism ground. There, I had first glimpse of the light which gradually expelled the darkness in me. At Oyo I slowly came to an understanding that life could be meaningful and interesting despite Disability. It came down to attitude. Again, Oyo opportuned me the privilege of a miracle called “sign language”. A miracle I had long despised until it graciously found and rescued me from my wilderness wanderings. As I gained intellection, latitude, and a certain degree of dexterity in this visual language used for communication by the deaf, my perception kept expanding. I began to see possibilities where before, I saw only obstacles. Oyo was where I encountered people, events, and circumstances which challenged my prejudices and myths about living with hearing loss. Suddenly, I realized what great disservice I had been doing myself and humanity by failing to keep an open mind.

Now, I’d be realistic, and not try to paint a romantic portrait of being deaf. Sure, the experience comes with more crosses than could be just wished away. The key to managing this disability (like any other disability) lies in learning to focus on the sunny side – a skill that requires enlightenment and positive attitudes.

Below, I narrate the beautiful experience which inspired this piece.

AN AFTERNOON WITH A BLESSING IN DISGUISE

Every adversity carries within it the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit – Napoleon Hill

We sat on the cool, breezy verandah of one of the blocks of classrooms at her place of work on that hot Tuesday afternoon happily chatting away. Blessing was a lady friend from our days at College. I met her through another friend towards the tail end of her final year. The rapport was swift – thanks to her easy-going aura. She was dark-skinned and attractive in it. Slender, petite built, her rather small face bore large, oval eyes, attractively pointed nose and naïve, charming smiles which reveal a fine set of tiny dentition. Her facial and body features blended superbly. Needless to say, I was wowed by this winsome deaf lady.

But what impressed me most about Blessing was the amiable and easy going aura about her. Being deaf and without speech never seemed to bother nor crease her countenance! Cheerfulness and an easy-going personality were her brand.

The last we saw was some two or three years ago, so this reunion came with palpable excitement (the heart, they say grows fonder in absence). Old memories from college were rehashed. We threw hilarious jokes and laughed. Every bit of the moment was savoured. Then, it was time to part. The generous soul that she is, Blessing offered to walk me to the main road and get some light refreshments.

MARKETING THE DEAF BRAND

As we headed towards the gate, we drew curious gazes every now and then. A deaf pair, a beautiful, deaf lady and a young man (both decently attired), and chatting away in an odd, visual language certainly wasn’t a common sight in this community. “A cool pair of love birds”, these stereotypes must have concluded. Anyway, I was enjoying the special attention, give or take. Mulling it over, it still amazes me that just a few years back, I wouldn’t be caught napping identifying as deaf by signing in public. Quite a metamorphosis! Talk about branding Disability.

At the kiosk where we got some snacks and drinks, we struck instant friendships – thanks to this beautiful deaf girl with a great aura that an inability to either speak or hear couldn’t conquer. We didn’t have to pay. A young man we were meeting for the first time insisted on picking our bill. He was bowled over. It was obvious from his reaction that this was his first encounter with a combination of deafness with good looks, polite behavior, and cheerful demeanor in a human being. Guy went on to improvise a way to say: “you are beautiful”. So much for branding.

As we bade each other goodbye that day, my contemplative mind went to work in a bid to make deeper sense of this experience of living with deafness in a predominantly hearing world. I came away with the belief that for PWDs, it hasn’t been all discrimination. My philosophical mindset began to ponder on the many possibilities to be discovered in maintaining a positive attitude, keeping an open mind, and carrying our disabilities with individual originality and confidence.

Yes, living with disability comes with more silver linings than are readily apparent. It’s up to Persons with Disabilities to discover and explore this often hidden truth – which will ultimately set free!

Evolufy Africa Opens Applications for the Maendeleo Africa Fellowship 2023

Evolufy Afrca has announced its formal opening for applications into the Maendeleo Africa Fellowship 2023.

The Maendeleo Africa Fellowship is an international fellowship and initiative which seeks to train youths who are passionate about making positive changes on the African Continent.

Evolufy Africa Opens Applications for the Maendeleo Africa Fellowship 2023

The fellowship brings together NGO Founders, Volunteers, and Leaders across the SDG.

As a participant you will be taken on a journey of self-discovery, skill acquisition, leadership development, emotional intelligence, and purpose definition that helps you become intricately and extensively better at what you do as a changemaker.

The fellowship will also serve as a platform for networking and collaboration - tools that are indispensable in affecting sustainable continental and global change. Is this something you are Intrested in?

Hurry now and apply using this link: http://bit.ly/MAFcohort3

*Selected applicant will be contacted. Deadline is 18th of February*

This 'N' factor has multiple meanings to every citizen around the country. This is basically because of the diverse way of life and that apparently there are different situations we find ourselves in everyday.

In this case, the Nigerian factor to me are the blames and excuses that most Nigerians give for their deliberate and unintentional failures plus indulging in self concern over public service , well it happens to the best of us. I once had a friend who hit a motorcycle with her car but afterwards put the blame on this 'Nigerian factor- ish' I didn't care to listen to her reasons after all she would also have her own share of the blame to take but she isn't ready to accept it. It is typical.

This blame game has been on since the inception of Nigeria. Let me break this down, the masses blame the leaders for abandoning the law and being unjust to them and the leaders then blame them for not been their agent of the basic change. Basically the faults come from both parties, cause our leaders have not been responsible and the followers do not exercise their rights.

The people have the rights to throw anyone out of leadership position however when this is done, it still end up being the wrong choice— voting the 'better candidate' that would also end up betraying us. This betrayal factor has disoriented the people on a long run, hence during elections, selling of votes to collect Money, Rice or Vegetable Oil will inevitably take place. One that ground, most people blame Nigerians for the miseries they found themselves in.

However, it is phenomenal to say that most Nigerians who live in abject poverty wouldn't have a cause to reject the offers, most people have existential needs they have to cater for; they have problems with what to eat, where to sleep and what to wear. If someone is hungry and is offered food in return for his vote won't he succumb. So all these boils down to the leaders who do not use the power entrusted in them to restructure the society. In addition to that, take a look at advanced countries where poverty/hunger are of little percentage. No matter how poor they are in the US, you can't see them walking Barefooted, having big stomach big heads or half unclad, so it's not like there is no poverty over there, there's poverty everywhere, it just that there are levels to this things. Hence their politicians can't entice them with Burgers or Ice cream. Consequently, until we conquer hunger, voters will continue to be lured into this impulse. All these wars our leaders were supposed to fight for us.

I really do not want this post to be based on corruption and all— we've had enough of that but then I remember while I was in high school, we used to have this weekly debate I can't recollect the topic but the whole thing was based on Corruption. During the debate, a speaker made this statement ''I'm corrupt, you are corrupt'' It brought about a lot of noise from every corner of the hall, we were intrigued, why did he say this? what does he want to prove? Am I also corrupt?— these questions begged for answers...

He was right afterall, aren't we all guilty of corruption, from failing to obey traffic light, jumping of queue in the bank, bribery and anything else you can think of. This may be normal or minor to most people but it still doesn't change the subject. Nevertheless the professional looters (politicians) are the ones that is so evil to us. To be candid, shouldn't we share the Blame? the blame for always voting corrupt politicians into power, the blame for being too quiet for too long, we cry out to God in worship places instead of crying out to our oppressors. Everyone keep minding their own business yet we are oblivious of the fact that, there cannot be personal salvation in the midst of collective damnation!

We can continue on and on but the underlying fact is that our leaders are not responsible. They have turned government institutions into profit oriented investments. They turned government affairs to Businesses. Don't even talk about our Judicial system it's another discussion for another good day! They are unconcerned about the welfare of the masses, rather they run after their own bellies. They quenched every bit of chauvinism in us. it's not a big deal if you are a Nigerian! No patriotism. We have nothing to be proud of. Besides do the people still believe in the 'Nigerian nation' I have been challenged by the fact that the government is an extension of our filthy society after all every public officer comes from that primary cause: Family. Well, that is a very sad excuse while it might be partly true because we have our own shortcomings but everyone is responsible for their failure, although the society might have impact on you, it's still left for you to determine the values you want to hold on to.

In a nutshell, leadership reflects followership, everyone of us has a role to play. Leadership shapes followership and our leaders have a major impact to play and not put blames on the masses rather they should save the people from themselves, not sink them deeper into corrupt situations. They should lead by example and watch the blame shift drastically. However, without this popular JFK saying I wouldn't be fulfilled with this post — ''ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country"

On this note, I'd like to appease Nigerians not to give up. It's too late, it's too early. Why would you even think about giving up in the first place, she's all you've got! I wouldn't preach about change to you here. Nonetheless, you just have to believe 'cause, If not us, who? If not now, when?

The Rule of Law: The Order of Justice

THE MILITARY GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE V OJUKWU AND ANOR.

Suit No: SC.241/1985

Before Their Lordships
ANDREWS OTUTU OBASEKI Justice of the Supreme Court
KAYODE ESO Justice of the Supreme Court
MUHAMMADU LAWAL UWAIS Justice of the Supreme Court
SAIDU KAWU Justice of the Supreme Court
CHUKWUDIFU AKUNNE OPUTA Justice of the Supreme Court

The facts of the case are as follows.
On October 10th 1985, Emeka Ojukwu (respondent) made an ex-parte application at the High Court of Lagos state before Omotosho J, he sought an injunction restraining the Military Governor of Lagos state, the Commissioner of Police Lagos state and The Attorney General of Lagos state from ejecting him (Ojukwu) and his family members from No 29 Queens Drive Ikoyi, to which he referred to in his application to the Court as his house.
The interim order which Ojukwu sought from the court was only meant to operate for a specific time pending when the issues before the court would be determined. Ojukwu affixed an affidavit in which he swore before the High Court that the house belonged to his father after whose death he inherited the house.
He further deposed on oath that during the civil war which lasted from 1967-1970 where he led the Biafran army against Nigeria, the house was unoccupied all through the war and although the war ended in 1970 he only came back to Nigeria from exile in 1982 after he had been granted full pardon by the Federal Government of Nigeria. Ojukwu moved back to the house after having paid the sum of ninety thousand naira to the Lagos state government for "expenses incurred by the said government in keeping the house", and also that all members of his family had been residing in the house before the case at hand was instituted before the court.
The trial Judge granted the interim order for injunction on the grounds of his ownership of the house and the looming fears of the government evicting him. The matter then moved to one of notice to the Lagos state government, Ojukwu would then change his words. He now said that the property belonged to Ojukwu Transport Company which was owned by his late father and that the ninety thousand naira was paid to agents who were in charge of the property for the purpose of securing a lease of the property.
The trial judge refused equitable relief of injunction against the Lagos state government on the ground that the property is an abandoned property and that Ojukwu failed to sufficiently prove that he had a legal right to or interest in the said property. In conclusion the learned Trial judge asserted that Ojukwu himself had not come to equity with clean hands.
After this case was decided at the trial court and judgment given an application was made by Ojukwu Transport Company as an interested party in the case asking for leave to appeal against the judgment of the high court and also an application by Ojukwu that he be reinstated at his residence No 29 queens Drive Ikoyi. The court paid attention to the prayer of the appellant and particularly frowned at the fact that the Lagos state government evicted Ojukwu from his residence despite the fact that his application was pending before the Court of Appeal, this action the state government termed "self-help", the court came to the conclusion that the right to self-help ended when the issues came before the court, the court then ordered that Ojukwu be reinstated into the property.
It is noteworthy however to point out that the Lagos state government refused to comply with the order of the court of appeal The order was made on 13th November 1985 and was in the following terms -
(ii) "Pending the determination of the appeal of the applicant against the said decision, against the respondents and in favour of the applicant an order of mandatory injunction restoring the applicant in his residence at No. 29, Queen's Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos, and restraining the respondents and all their officers, servants, agents, and functionaries from evicting or taking any steps to evict the applicant from his residence at No. 29 Queen's Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos."
Rather than comply with the order of the court the Lagos state government appealed on November 22nd to the Supreme Court on the ground that "the remedy of interlocutory injunction is not available for an act which has been carried out and concluded"
Basically what this argument meant was that the act which the interlocutory injunction was sought against had been carried out already by the Government when it made ordered about one hundred and fifty men in arms to evict the appellant, or Or to put 'it in more legal form, carried out as a way to forestall the decision of the Court of Appeal against which an appeal is now being lodged to this Court (Supreme Court) The Lagos state Government then applied to the court of Appeal seeking an order pursuant to section 18 of the court of appeal Act for a Stay of execution of the mandatory injunction granted to Ojukwu.
Kolawole J.C.A. delivering the ruling of the Court of Appeal said inter alia -
"If the appeal of the State Government is successful the respondent can be ejected by due process of law. In this regard Chief Williams has shown magnanimity by offering an undertaking in damages by way of rental income if the State Government is successful in its appeal.
In that regard no stay would be granted. Learned Attorney-General contended before us that as Chief Ojukwu is a trespasser at 29 Queen's Drive Ikoyi, the State Government is not prepared to accept any undertaking in damages in the form of rental income from him."…..
Having regard to the status of irremovability acquired by Ojukwu after the judgment of this Court, it follows that the Lagos State Government is not entitled to a stay of execution because it never made out any special circumstances upon which to grant the stay. (See Keaves v. Dean (1924) 1 K.B. 685 at 686). The prayer for stay of execution is therefore refused and the application is dismissed."
In the same Court, Ademola J.C.A. in a concurring ruling, said- "This Court in an earlier ruling had taken the view that it was wrong to eject the respondent by force under the doctrine of self-help.
The Lagos State Government still failed to comply with the order of the Court of Appeal. And I think it is this dreadful situation that prompted Chief F.R.A. Williams S.A.N. learned counsel for Ojukwu to file his notice of preliminary objection dated 11th December. I have already set out this notice earlier on in this Ruling. We heard the two applications together.
Mr. Adelosoye the learned Solicitor General for the Lagos State pleaded for a restoration of the status quo ante the judgment of the High Court. He said Ojukwu had been in occupation for 10 months before the Lagos State Government got to know of his occupation.
Chief Williams for his part emphasized the deliberate disobedience of the order of the Court of Appeal by the Lagos State Government and that that Government was in contempt of the Court of Appeal.
I think it is a very serious matter for anyone to flout a positive order of a court and proceed to taunt the Court further by seeking a remedy in a higher court while still in contempt of the lower court.
It is more serious when the act of flouting the order of the court, the contempt of the court, is by the Executive. Under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1979, the Executive, the Legislative (while it lasts) and the Judiciary are equal partners in the running of a successful government.
The powers granted by the Constitution to these organs by s.4 (Legislative powers) s.5 (executive powers) and s.6 (judicial powers) are classified under an omnibus umbrella known under Part 11 to the Constitution as "Powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria".
The organs wield those powers and one must never exist in sabotage of the other or else there is chaos. Indeed there will be no federal government. I think, for one organ, and more especially the Executive, which holds all the physical powers, to put up itself in sabotage or deliberate contempt of the other is to stage an executive subversion of the Constitution it is to uphold. Executive lawlessness tantamount to a deliberate violation of the Constitution.
When the Executive is the Military Government which blends both the Executive and the Legislative together and which permits the Judiciary to co-exist with it in the administration of the country, then it is more serious than imagined.
By virtue of the Constitution (Suspension Modification) Decree 1984 No. 1 a good number of the provisions of the Constitution were suspended. Indeed, what was left was what had been permitted by the Federal Military Government to exist.
All the provisions relating to the Judiciary were saved. Section 6 of the Constitution, the most important provision, in so far as the institution known as the Judiciary is concerned, which vests in courts the judicial powers of the Federation was left extant. The Military Government had the power and still has to put an end to the existence of that provision, It has not done so, and that must have been advisedly for it does intend that the rule of law should pervade.
That being the case, it behoves of every organ of the Military Government to make it clear at all times, albeit as the presumption is always that of rule by might of the military, to assume a perennial onus of demonstrating a rebuttal of this onus.
With the contempt of the Court of Appeal by the Applicants still subsisting, it would he inequitable for this Court to give a consideration to the application of the Applicants. Let the Lagos State Government purge itself of this serious contempt, of this apparent violation of the Constitution even as amended by Decree No. 1 of 1984 before coming to seek the favour of the Court.
Another very important matter emanating from the act of the applicants. They have no right to take the matter into their own hands once the court was seized of it. The essence of rule of law is that it should never operate under the rule of force or fear. To use force to effect an act and while under the marshal of that force, seek the court's equity, is an attempt to infuse timidity into court and operate a sabotage of the cherished rule of law. It must never be.
It is for these reasons that I dismissed the application of the applicants- The Military Governor of Lagos State, the Commissioner of Police Lagos State and the Attorney-General Lagos State on 11th December 1985 and so be it. JUSTICE KAYODE ESO J.S.C

Cogent decisions on points of law in the case by the learned Justices of the Supreme Court are affixed below:
OBASEKI J.S.C on The Doctrine of Rule of law
"The Nigerian Constitution is founded on the rule of law the primary meaning of which is that everything must be done according to law. It means also that government should be conducted within the frame-work of recognized rules and principles which restrict discretionary power which Coke colourfully spoke of as 'golden and straight metewand of law as opposed to the uncertain and crooked cord of discretion' More relevant to the case in hand, the rule of law means that disputes as to the legality of acts of government are to be decided by judges who are wholly independent of the executive. See Wade on Administrative Law 5th Edition p. 22-27. That is the position in this country where the judiciary has been made independent of the executive by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1979 as amended by Decree No. 1 of 1984 and No. 17 of 1985. The judiciary cannot shirk its sacred responsibility to the nation to maintain the rule of law. It is both in the interest of the government and all persons in Nigeria. The law should be even handed between the government and citizens."
UWAIS J.S.C.:
I had the advantage of reading in advance the reasons for ruling read by my learned brother Eso, J.S.C. I entirely agree with the reasons given by him. When we dismissed this application on 16th December, 1985, I expressed my concern on the failure of the applicants to comply with the order made by the Court of Appeal that the possession of the house in dispute should be restored to the respondent. I think I should still stress that it is a matter of grave concern that the Military Government of Lagos State should be seen to disregard a lawful order issued by a court of law. If Governments treat court order with levity and contempt the confidence of the citizen in the courts will be seriously eroded and the effect of that will be the beginning of anarchy in replacement of the rule of law. If anyone should be wary of orders of court it is the authorities; for they, more than anyone else, need the application of the rule of law in order to govern properly and effectively. It is for these and the fuller reasons given by my learned brother Eso, J.S.C. that I dismissed the application on 16th December, 1985 with N25.00 costs to the respondent.

I met this youngster after a hectic day in school at the domitory, her head buried in her books. Suddenly she screams out, 'what kinda life is this? Who created education in the first place? My mates are out there in the entertainment world making a name and doing other profitable things and I die here in the name of school!' Trying to interrupt her outburst, she quickly added, 'Saddest part is that they end up earning more than we ever could dream of.'
At this point, I needed to disabuse her mindset.

It's actually true that there's a life after school and the present labour market in the country places higher value on your skills and intellectual involvements over grades.

However, the benefits of formal education is glaring unless you choose to shut your eyes at it. it helps you to discover yourself and pursue your passion.

Knowledge they say is power, formal education gives you an edge over those that couldn't pay the price of education because now you're properly informed and knowledgeable. That alone is a foundation on which you can build your mansion of passion.

Education also helps to shapen your time management, social and organizational skills as well as your opinions and perspective. Schooling itself is a ground for networking and improvement. You will only say schooling is a scam if you have only passed through the school without the school passing through you. There are lot of extracurricular activities you can engage in at no cost which can help you prepare for the labour market. If you still think formal education is a scam, then I'm afraid you are the one scamming yourself.

Going through schooling is tough but invaluable. Don't sell yourself short if you ever get the chance to attend!
To pay the price of ignorance...? Ask a pageant manager who was denied her right of making it to the international level with her girl and still could not recover due to stunted knowledge as a drop - out from school.

At a time when the drive for better inclusion of a marginalized section of society (Persons with Disabilities) is gaining speed the world over, it is sad to witness religious institutions (by their very nature and calling supposed to be shining examples in this just cause) acting with apparent indifference.

Whether this is happening unintentionally or otherwise, I do not know. One thing I know: the situation calls for urgent redress.

In June last year, I was at the headquarter church of one the country’s leading Pentecostal denominations for Sunday worship service. It was my first time. Among the features that caught my attention on that first visit was the sheer size of the location, the state of the art equipment in use, the warm welcome of public relations staff, the fine show of opulence (children of the King are not supposed to be poor), and the generally conducive ambience. With these and more on ground, i was eager to settle down to quality time in Divine fellowship.

Alas, that wasn’t to be.

Fustration began when I made it clear to attendants that as a deaf person, I required sign language interpretation to easily assimilate spoken communication. In other words, without it, I couldn’t really benefit from the sermon and other parts of the service.

Ordinarily, one would expect the headquarter church of a denomination of such status to have ready arrangements to cater to the language needs of all kind of attendees at any given time. Also, it is a “no-brainer” that this mammoth religious organization has the capacity for that – and more. So, I was both surprised and disappointed to discover that in that audience numbering into hundred of thousands, there couldn’t be found interpreting services for the deaf and hard of hearing. I will never forget the rollercoaster of emotions of embarrassment, indignation, and disappointment I experienced that day.

The matter got more ridiculous when it became clear that even the ushers were not sure whether or not there was provision for such special need. I still recall an usher walking me almost the circumference of that expansive auditorium asking for, I will say, a nonexistent section for the Deaf.

At the end of the stress and embarrassment, all I got were some pacifying words.

Although it’s almost a year since that encounter, I am still trying to grasp why one couldn’t find a deaf person in that huge crowd of worshippers. Even if there was, there was no sure way to tell. Furthermore, the various responses and reactions clearly showed that these people are not used to having deaf brethren in their worship meetings. One may therefore understand why they appeared clueless in such situation.

Years earlier, I had a similar experience at a branch of same church where I again happened to be the lone deaf person. After much frustration, I somehow took the matter to the head pastor. Unfortunately, nothing concrete came out of it.

PERTINENT QUESTIONS

At this point, some pressing questions arise. Why, for example, was there no single deaf person in those congregations? Could it be that no deaf person is interested in worshipping there? I don’t think so. Again, could it be that the church inadvertently threw them out through non-chalant attitudes – no provision for their language needs, for example? As if to validate this reasoning, among the three or so top church names in the country, this is the only one of which I have heard practically nothing about a deaf section/ deaf persons. Oddly enough, a friend once said that this particular church has a policy of not accommodating deaf worshippers – insisting on the power of God to heal all infirmities. Well, I choose not to believe such outrageous claim until it is proven beyond doubt. My position is that in the mix of things is a lack of vital information, proper enlightenment and correct orientation that could have made a world of difference.

By beaming a searchlight on possible reasons for the marked absence of deaf brethren in that congregation of believers, we will understand that this kind of thing don’t just happen. It follows the law of cause and effect – some of which we may not know. From the known, I offer a fact: “It is unreasonable to expect a people whose unique communication needs have not been provided for to happy in, or want to be in any type of gathering – not the least, religious ones. I write from experience.

Let’s be clear about it, this unsavory non-inclusion of a disadvantaged minority in our worship places isn’t limited to one big name church. It cuts across churches, mosques, etc.

Nor is the case being made only for deaf persons and sign language interpreting services. No! It covers just about every cluster of People with Disabilities (PWDs) whose rights and human dignity are being denied/trampled on one way or the other. Consequently, there’s a steady build up of a disgruntled set of worshippers who feel ignored disrespected and insulted. This is a dangerous trend that needs to be checked.

What’s more, if we will see it for what it is, this subtle injustice stands in stark contrast to the spirit and letters of the holy writs of all the religions.

CHARTING THE WAY FORWARD

In recommending the way out of the present quagmire, we need to be fair.

“He that comes to the table of equity must come with clean hands”.

We need to acknowledge that this subject of inclusion is a knotty one – complex and complicated. It should be mentioned too, that either side could be at fault in this matter. Most often than not, the conflicts, dissatisfactions, blame trading and grudge bearing driving the “Inclusion narrative” have their root in a lack of enlightenment on the subject of disability, ignorance, ‘far off the mark' assumptions and speculations, differences in perspectives, poor awareness level, prejudice and other indices of human failings and limitations.

Personally, I hold the belief that people are basically good (more so, from the context of places of worship where godliness and piety is the norm) and wouldn’t just go about hurting feelings and infringing on rights of PWDs. You see, when good humans derail and offend in this matter, it’s often because they don’t know how to navigate this rather tricky terrain, so rife with sensitive egos, stereotypes and fragile emotions. Notwithstanding, in law, as they say, ignorance is not an excuse. So, here’s the home truth: “our places of worship need to invest on getting educated and enlightened on the subject of Disability and PWDs. Both leaders and laity need it.

Expert knowledge and advice should be sought from Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and other reliable sources.

Recommendations should be implemented with efficiency.

Special trainings and seminars should be held.

There should be brainstorming sessions where experts in various fields of human endeavors bounce off ideas on the way forward.

An important caveat though: the people in the eye of the storm, namely, PWDs, should be carried along every step of the way.

Despite being a minority, the case of these marginalized persons is worth all due attention. And I’m convinced our religious stakeholders are fair-minded enough to grasp the substance of the parable of the shepherd with a hundred sheep leaving the ninety and nine to seek the one that went astray.

Enough of this subtle non-inclusion.

IN DEPENDENCE by A M M Winnie

In dependence
We felt the bitter pangs of hunger
Hunger that brought tears to the eyes
Eyes that cried for deliverance
Deliverance that was well hidden
Hidden in our roots
Roots that were looted.

In dependence
We cried for justice
Justice that never came to us
Us; Africans
Africans from Botswana to Uganda
Uganda to Mali to Tunis
Tunis to Zimbabwe to South Africa
South Africa to Sierra Leone to Nigeria
Nigeria: the proclaimed giant of Africa.

In dependence
We felt our blood flowing
Flowing deep from our wounds
Wounds from whips and abuse
Abuse of power by the masters
Masters whom we rebelled against and fought
Fought but never conquered.

In dependence
We feel we are independent
Independent yet we are not liberated
Liberated from slavery and anguish
Anguish suffered by the masses
Masses who have suffered
Suffered in the hands of the country that bore us.

In dependence
We celebrate victory
Victory of millions living in poverty
Poverty the father of mischief
Mischief our means of survival
Survival, our striving and struggling
Struggling but never achieving.

In dependence
Our hearts are wounded
Wounded enough to make us crouch
Crouch and beg till we stop living
Living and dying in the darkness of our country
A country that has refused to help its children
Children: the ones that die before seeing the day.

In dependence
We have sang and written
Written letters upon letters
Letters to help us see the light
Light that is covered by darkness
Darkness that lays deep down in our hearts
Hearts that never rise
Rise above the boundaries set.

In dependence
We kill each order
Orderly we are disorderly
Disorderly we have lost our voices
Voices that are being stumped
Stumped till they die early
Early, the good ones die.

In dependence
We are writing again
Again, we are celebrating
Celebrating the dead giant gallantly
Gallantly, we will hold our heads up
Up above so we will rise
Rise like we never have.

In dependence
We hope we will become independent
Independent of hunger... Of terrorism
Terrorism, discrimination and inequality
Inequality of the citizens
Citizens that are buried deep
Deep under the ground of the powerful.

In dependence
We pray
Pray and act
Act and hope
Hope that we will be okay
Okay to celebrate a real independence
Independence without being in dependence.

Happy Independence Day.


A. M. M. Winnie
#poetic hood
#legal exponents
#Ifelaw
#OneNigeria

AWE

Words fail
Speeches cease
We’re frail
Our vocal lips are sealed
Marvellous
Is the very thought of you
How so helpless is man!
Who seeks to capture you
With history’s frailest plan;
Words

Just a bit of your creation
Render man speechless
The sparkle of the stars
A jot on the massive sky
Millions stop a bit to dote on.
How much more the Magnificient sight of the clustered galaxies
O Incomprehensible God!
If words are not enough to describe your works
How much more the Worker!

Creator, I’m Awed!
Help me find my voice
In loving letters and sweet sounds
To you.

MUYIWA is a poet,musician and a public speaker.

NNI: Can we meet you?

Guest: I am Adegbite Adebayo Samuel. I'm a 26years old graduate of Political science, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. I was born into a family of five although, my father is late, as far back as 1997. I'm a Music minister with a passion to preach Jesus all around the world with the sounds of Heaven. I hail from Oyo state

NNI: "But my father is late, as far back as 1997..." With this, how was growing up been for you?

Guest: Well, It was tough, really tough, especially for my mother who suddenly found herself a single parent. It was like the silver spoon was taken away, but nonetheless, she did everything in her power by the grace of God to give myself and my siblings quality education, good morals and taught us to love the Lord. A lot of credit goes to God through her.

NNI: Inspiring! Your mum is indeed a strong woman. I thank God for His grace upon her life.

Guest: Yeah, God be praised.

NNI: What inspired Aninilematanile?

Bayo Adegbite: After completing my undergraduate studies, I had been trusting God for an unusual grace to compose songs that will bless many around the world. I just want to be a vessel unto honour. One day, as I was heading back home from work, I started singing in the spirit (singing in tongues), a melody then struck my heart, I couldn't stop singing it, but it was still in tongues, so I asked God to help put words of understanding to fit into the melody, and not long after, I remembered a beautiful name of God I got to know in one of rehearsals in the fellowship meeting (RCFOAU) in the university. Aninilematannile! Meaning The Inexhaustible God, The One who is All-Sufficient. That was it! A new song had arrived!!!

NNI: Wow! Interesting. When did you start music?

Bayo Adegbite: I have been involved in music since childhood, in fact every member of family sings really well, but started 2015 professionally when I released my debut single.

NNI: As a gospel artiste, please narrate your salvation experience?

Guest: I got saved through a friend way back 2007. He just showed me love and then I saw how things were working out for him, so I decided to give God a chance, but now I know He gave me chance! No regrets!

NNI: Oh Wow! Who are your music mentors? Your role models in this field?

Guest: My music mentor is my Mother, Mrs Adegbite Stella Olayide, she taught me how to stay on key by dragging me to weekly services to lead the praise and worship lol and Role models are Don Moen, Wale Adenuga and Nathaniel Bassey.

NNI: God, Music and Man... What do you think is the bond?

Bayo Adegbite: God is the originator of music and also the creator of man. The bond here is that, music is one of the most potent weapon in the hands of men to establish and advance the kingdom of God on earth.

NNI: Wow! Recently Tasha Hobbs collaborated with Nicki Minaj. What do you think of gospel artistes collaborating with secular ones?

Guest: I'm not one to judge, but if i could just lend my voice. My stand is that Whatever is Gospel is too precious to be meddled with the secular world. There's a distinct line between we do in the kingdom and what goes on in the secular. We preach Christ, they preach self, so when we involve the secular guys in collaboration, in my opinion I think there's a loss of sense of identity.

NNI: Wow! What's the future of gospel music in Nigeria?

Bayo Adegbite: Beyond words can say or describe!!! There's an army rising in this country. God is raising music ministers after His heart

NNI: And I'm one of them! (smiles)

Bayo Adegbite: Oh yes! Music ministers are churning out great songs. And believe soonest, our songs will change the course of this country, Africa, and the world at large for good.

NNI: Amen! How do you balance your music with other obligations-- career, etc?

Guest: It's not easy but I'll just say you'll always find time for whatever you love or love doing. So with God's help I try to prioritise well

NNI: What is your greatest challenge as a musician?

Bayo Adegbite: I don't know how best to answer this but, I put a lot of good pressure on myself and the good pressure is to better the person I was yesterday by improving today, but Jesus is up to the task through me. Let me just say, staying positive and motivated in midst of discouragements is my greatest challenge.

NNI: You started in 2015? Wow! That's great. What do you count as your achievements so far?

Bayo Adegbite: I believe my greatest achievements is how the songs God has given has touched the lives of people. Recently someone told how she got baptised in the Holy Ghost with evidence of speaking in tongues while singing one of the songs God gave me. That for me is a great achievement!

NNI: Wow! I love this testimony. Where do you see yourself in next five years?

Bayo Adegbite: Next five years! Well I believe by then by the special grace of God, I would have joined of frontiers in the gospel music ministry in Nigeria and the world at large to keep advancing the kingdom of God through music

NNI: What would you love to say to your supporters and to inspire other musicians?

Bayo Adegbite: To all those who have supported me so far, I want to say a big thank you. I'm immensely grateful. I also humbly ask that you keep praying for me like you've always done. May God keep us all in Jesus name. I love you all.

To my fellow music ministers, we must keep pushing for excellence and trust God for every step we intend take. let's keep raising the banner of Christ, drawing men solely to Him.

NNI: Thank you for your time sir.

Bayo Adegbite: My pleasure

Opinion: The Child Who Did Not Cry

It was the day of my birth. I watched them silently as they hit me with great force. They slapped me on my chin, back and buttocks one after the other as an expert drummer would ram his konga drums, making sounds, unrhythymical.

I thought they were catching fun at my expense. I felt injury and pains. It was terrific. If this was how the sons of men were to treat me, then I would prefer to remain where I was accepted. The slaps increased.

I am a new born. At my birth, I had refused to drown in my own waters. Times before, I had visited here but left hurriedly; probably because I wanted to punish my family here or there, or wanted to check on this planet. There I was, a child of two worlds, I belonged to both.

I had lost count of times I'd journeyed through heaven and earth. This time, the midwives had slapped me over and over, making sure I cried to ascertain me alive. I refused to, I was not dead though. I looked into the eyes of the chief midwife... I was sure she was unfamiliar but could not saw if she was experienced or not- she must have seen the lines on my left foot.

Much wonder she knew little that I was an "ABIKU"

I am the child who did not cry
The one who did die
From thence till this while
I've given my mother much cry
I am not a still birthed child...
I am STILL BIRTH herself...

My first day on earth was terrible and the first week, hell, courtesy of every person I met from the occasion of my delivery. No thanks to them..

The medicine man placed the herb to the ground. He looked down into the small mirror placed opposite the bed where I laid. Then, He picked the local pencil in his left hand and a small knife in the right.

Loud cries proceeded from my mouth. He had made the first cut on my right cheek and rubbed the coaled ink off the pencil edge into the hole, drying up the blood and carefully making sure it dripped into a small calabash.
He soon made the second cut and another series of cries rolled out... I could not help it. Amidst tears, I watched him channel the drips of blood down to the small calabash.

“There are five things you need to know”, he told my mother. “Before we send him out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and he will remain with you till the day he wishes to die”

The next thing I heard was silence...

I am the child who did not cry
The one who did die
Who gave my mother much cry
I am not a still birthed child...
I am STILL BIRTH herself...

Fifteen years later...
My past has been plagued, my present, blasted and the future, opaque and bleak. I had just been released from prison... No! Not what you think- the government prison. It was actually a family prison, personal; the prison of my heart, where I was caged by the raging claws of consanguinity...
As freedom is slavery, I just did not know that I had come into a new rope. Probably this would tie me down into hell. In the last fifteen years of my life, I have been made into a young boy, excelling greatly amidst my peers and a seeming family of five children, all males. There was this peculiarity- we came in succession and after the order of history.
Obviously, I was a mysterious child; only little did know and I neither bothered to tell any who seemed ignorant.

15th September
Culture is the spring that has it's bounce, the proverbial ball that goes up and surely lands on people- it's remote victms. Today, I had my initiation ceremony... Not into a cult but into manhood. This very day was my circumcision. I felt lifted. Little did I know that...
I am the child who did not cry
The one who did die
Who gave my mother much cry
I am not a still birthed child...
I am STILL BIRTH herself...

An Appraisal of Karimu Sunday v. The State

Karimu Sunday v. The state

Judgement delivered by the Supreme Court of Nigeria on 5th of May, 2017.

INTRODUCTION:
This appeal borders on criminal law and procedure.

FACTS:
This is an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Ibadan Division wherein the Court dismissed the appeal of the accused/appellant after his conviction and sentence by the High Court of Ogun State.
At the High Court of Ogun State, it was alleged that the appellant who was wearing a black cap, black goggles and a black handkerchief which covered his mouth, on 09/03/04, at about 5pm, went to a cement shop in Ijebu-Igbo, owned by one Ramotalai Alege (PW1), on a motorcycle. Upon arriving at the shop, the appellant alighted from the motorcycle and asked the rider, one Alaba Adesina, to wait for him. The appellant was alleged to have entered the shop on the pretext of purchasing 70 bags of cement from PW1. The appellant requested the cost of the bags of cement and as PW1 was about to take out a calculator from her bag, the appellant was alleged to have snatched her bag containing N3,600 and bolted out of the shop. The appellant then jumped onto a waiting motor cycle in a bid to escape with PW1 in pursuit. The appellant then threatened PW1 with a dagger which he pulled from his back pocket, but PW1 then began to shout for help, which attracted people to the scene. According to PW1, when people started coming to the scene, the person who was waiting with the motor cycle tried to move away with the appellant, but PW2 pulled down the motor cycle and the appellant jumped down and started running away. However, the appellant and the rider were eventually apprehended by concerned bystanders, including an off-duty policeman, who had been alerted by the alarm raised by PW1 and PW2. The rider was apprehended at the scene of the crime, while the appellant was arrested a short distance from the scene of the crime. Upon his arrest, the appellant was taken to the police station along with PW1 and PW2, and the rider of the motor cycle. At the station, the appellant made an extra judicial confessional statement.
At the trial, the appellant pleaded not guilty to the charge. The appellant testified in his own defence but called no other witnesses in support of his case. The appellant however made a bare denial of the charge and sought to retract his extra-judicial confessional statements on the ground that he did not write it. The appellant however, admitted to appending his signature to the confessional statements after they had been read to him by the Police.
The learned trial judge held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and convicted the appellant and sentence him to death by handing. Aggrieved by the decision of the High Court, the appellant filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal seeking orders quashing his conviction and the sentence of death passed on him. The Court of Appeal dismissed the appellant's appeal and affirmed his conviction and the sentence of death passed on him by the trial Court under Section 1(2) (a) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act. The appellant, aggrieved with this decision filed a Notice of Appeal against the decision of the Court of Appeal.
ISSUES:
The appellant distilled four issues for determination. The respondent distilled a sole issue for the determination of the appeal. The Court noted that the single issue of the respondent clearly covers all aspects of questions that need be answered in the determination of the appeal and so the Court adopted the issues formulated by the respondent for the determination of the appeal.
SOLE ISSUE:
This raises the question whether the Court of Appeal or Court below rightly held that the prosecution proved the offence of armed robbery against the appellant beyond reasonable doubt.
DECISION/HELD:
On the whole, the Court held that the appeal lacks merit and it was thereby dismissed. The Court affirmed the decision of the Court of Appeal in its affirmation of the judgment, conviction and sentence of the Accused/Appellant.

OPINION

There issues in the above case will be considered.
1. Was the sentence proportionate to the offence?
2. Did the Courts apply any rule of interpretation to Section 1(2) of the Robbery and Firearms Act?
3. The appeal to the Supreme Court. The appeal against Conviction. Why not the sentence?

The Robbery and Firearms Act clearly specifies the penalty for armed robbery as death by hanging. However, the accused only brought a dagger. The Courts could have realised that no one was stabbed. He only threatened with a dagger and the full wrath of the law is on him. Nothing got spoilt and destroyed then life must go on. The writer opines that he could have gotten a lesser sentence.

On the rule of interpretation the Courts employed, it seems the literal rule. Juris novit curia- it is for the Courts to know the law. Apparently, the penalty for Armed Robbery is death but liniency is in the sceptre of the Courts. Flexibility and reformative justice must be behind every the dispensation of criminal justice. We must have in mind that other things would influence the decision of the Courts.

On the appeal against Conviction, it could have been better if the appeal was against the sentence. The confessional statement of the accused and other evidences pinpoint the fact that he was indeed guilty. Thus, an appeal should have been for mitigation of sentence.

How to Engage Risk Management and Scale Business Growth

This Post COVID-19 season has brought with it, really difficult growth businesses all over the world. While some are out of goods, some have not been able to operate wherever they are. This has taught business owners and the world at large a lot of things including Risk Management.

Risk Management is an important element in business that helps the business thrive and secure them during any unforeseen circumstances that might threaten to hold the business down. There are several ways by which your business can be taken care of in this season

1. Create a system around your Business

At this point, brands should secure viable ways by which customers would still get products and services safely without starving them of what they've always had from you. Operate a delivery system where people can order and still get what they need and also plan well, how you want to get the product to them in this time.

2. Be there for your customers

At this time, a lot of businesses will collapse and close down because they would lose customers due to negligence. Your brand should not always ask all the time for patronage, they should also get to know how customers are doing and what they can do to serve them in this time.

3. Recharge and Recreate

This is also a time to recharge yourself as a CEO and also get your workers recharged so they do not lose the vibe to work and they also come up with great ideas even during this break. Chances are that a lot of workers would find it difficult to resume once all this is over and so a structure that helps them recharge and recreate would do a lot.

4. Keep in touch with your workers

Imagine you resumed work and you found out that five of your workers had the virus and you never knew, how would you feel? Sad, yeah? That's it. You have to check up on your workers. How are they faring? What's their current situation? What if you just called or emailed them to let them know you care and wouldn't mind listening to them? This should just be an act of love but it's more than that— it would create a bond and also get you to become supportive.

Opinion: Today, Everyone is an Influencer

A PR is a person involved in public relations. Being a PR (also known as an influencer of recent) has suddenly become a highly sought after job by the youths. A PR publicizes events and businesses. A PR also knows a lot of people and has high networking skills.

There are different categories of fake influencers. While I was in Lagos, awaiting UI admission, I used instagram a lot. I viewed a lot of my friends’ profiles and almost all accounts I saw that had over a thousand followers had the word “influencer” in the bio section. I concluded it was a phase, as we had just finished secondary school and being idle was the only thing we did then. You finally have more than a thousand followers on instagram or twitter but no engagements and you claim the title of “influencer” just because…

Just as the secondary school graduates gradually moved into different universities this PR effect has followed them to their various institutions.
Everybody seems to be a PR these days. There are a lot of influencers’ pages; ui_students, ui_crib, uiparrot etc. pages like these keep springing up. The people behind these pages give no thought to its continuality. The only thing on their mind is the moment popularity. PR jobs have gone beyond daily posting pictures of people who have taken a photo with a good camera and giving such photos vain captions. I do this and the only thing stopping me from claiming to be an influencer is my followers are far from a thousand. Now this is one category of fake PRs.
The second category is the whatsapp story influencers (WSI). As an influencer, yes you should be able to reach a lot of people in a short time; you should also be able to actually influence these people’s decisions. WSI go around exchanging numbers with people, posting links to their direct messages everywhere just to increase views on their status. Quality will forever be better than quantity. So you, as an influencer have a maximum of more than a thousand views on a post that is on your status daily but only five people are in your dm showing really slight interest on what you posted. Why? It doesn’t just end at the collection of numbers, you have to establish a relationship with the person and this requires sending more than broadcasts to the person’s dm.

The last category, Twitter influencers. These are actually the funniest. Imagine someone winning a giveaway that he also planned. Twitter influencers do anything to get retweets or likes including winning their own giveaways. The most recent practice is impersonating people and using their pictures for display pictures. There has been a lot of calling out and exposing of such people, but this hasn’t stopped the impersonators as it gives them the avenue to gain more followers.

Some influencers have even said farewell to their home training and personal morals, just to post raunchy photos to get engagements. It is a digital world and the world was made for man and not man for the world. Not everybody is a PR and PR jobs are not for everybody.

Dictargh.

Opinion: You and Your Self Worth

“My mates are already in their final year in most schools, see what UI has done to me now, then you wonder why Chris and I barely talk again. Tola just got married last month and she's my mate. Did you just see that Mercedes Benz outside? Kolade is the owner and I have not even gotten the bearing of my life not to talk of getting a car. Is it not my mate that is always in a relationship with make sense guys and me I am here like this, meeting the wrong set of people always. Kate is just the TDB major how I wish to be like her.”

Calm down and take it easy on you. Who is your mate really? Who is your competitor? With what standard do you measure you?

One of the religious books, the bible says that they are fools who compare themselves with themselves. One way out of comparing yourself with someone else is to know yourself. The search to know yourself is not what others can do for you. It is a process of introspection that is continuous. You never stop knowing and discovering new things about yourself. You lessen the degree at which you make comparison to others in regards to yourself because you've built in you the understanding of you. Do you know that the world sees you the way you see yourself? Come to think of it those your friends that you see as classy are like that because they call themselves classy. You are what you potray to the world. This comes out of the understanding of you. It is known as your self worth.

Self-worth is an internal state of being that comes from self-understanding, self-love, and self-acceptance. It is a state that is somewhat timeless and unchanging because it is a direct measure of how you value and regard yourself in spite of what others may say or do. It therefore doesn’t quickly or easily change when external factors or circumstances change. Self-worth is steady and unflinching, and therefore, holds power to radically transform your life for the better. To have a high level of self-worth means accepting yourself wholeheartedly at all times despite your flaws, weaknesses, and limitations. It’s about recognizing the real value of who you are — right here, right now, at this present moment.

To have a high level of self-worth means never allowing yourself to be defined by outside forces, including people’s opinions. It means never allowing outcomes to shake your confidence, faith or resolve. All this means that no matter what happens you are steadfast. Nothing outside of your “being” influences how you feel about yourself.Your influence alone is the only thing that matters. You alone are the most significant factor in how you feel about yourself, about your life, and about your circumstances. And that is essentially where your personal power comes from.

For you to build self worth or create enough self-worth to empower our daily decisions and actions in a way that will help us achieve our desired outcomes you must see this as a long-term process that you need to work on consistently over time. Lay down a new stone each day. Eventually, the fortress will grow more prominent and more substantial until it becomes almost unbreakable. A strong wind might blow, hail and rain might bucket down, and thunder might shake the ground. And yet, despite all this, your fortress will remain intact. It stands its ground because you put in place a solid foundation that you consistently built over time. And that’s where the strength of the fortress comes from. And that’s precisely where the power of your self worth comes from. You should follow the stages of growing your self worth building a high level of self-worth will also take time.

Your first step involves getting to know yourself at a deeper and more profound level; the self understanding stage. Who you are and how you see yourself are keys to understanding your true value.How others see you and how they speak about you, is also, of course, important. But this isn’t so much about them but rather about how you feel about yourself as a result of how others see or speak about you. That is, of course, another measure of your self-worth. The next step is the Self-Acceptance Stage. You must be real and authentic with yourself here. This requires wholeheartedly acknowledging your true nature including the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Then, the Self-Love Stage where you fully accept yourself, it’s now time to acknowledge your true value. To do this, it’s important to begin practicing a little self-love. Which basically means treating yourself with kindness, tolerance, generosity, and compassion. Yes, you have flaws. Yes, you have so many limitations and weaknesses, but we all do. That’s part of being human. It’s time to let all that go and instead practice being compassionate with yourself.

The Recognition stage is when you have self-understanding. When you have fully accepted yourself. And when you reach a stage where you practice self-love and self-compassion, that’s when people, events, and circumstances no longer define you. You instead begin to define yourself.
The final step in this process is the responsibility stage which involves taking full responsibility for your life, for your circumstances, and for your problems. This is to take full responsibility for everything that happens to you without giving away your personal power. Here, you acknowledge that you have the personal power to change and influence the events and circumstances of your life.