Blog: NELOC News

Full List and Location of NYSC State Secretariats in Nigeria

*LOCATION OF NYSC STATE SECRETARIATS FOR THOSE THAT WILL BE ON RELOCATION FOR THEIR DOCUMENTATION*

If you have issues in your state of deployment, or probably worked on knowing the Location of NYSC State Secretariats could be helpful in getting prompt response and help.

Across the Federation, there are NYSC State Secretariats with State Coordinators to attend the needs of NYSC Corps Members and Prospective Corps Members by managing the Scheme and reporting to the NYSC Director General.

NYSC Directorate Headquarters

1. NATIONAL HEAD OFFICE

Plot 416, Tigris Cresent

Off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama.

PMB 138, Garki, Abuja.

Email: [email protected]

Below are the location of NYSC State Secretariats with their contact details:

2. Abia State

The Abia State NYSC Secretariat is located at St. Finbarr's Road, P.M.B 7225, Umuahia. You can call 08038080871 or send an Email to [email protected]

3. Adamawa State

NYSC Secretariat Federal Government Secretariat

P.M.B 2252, Jimeta-Yola

Tel: 08034532096

Email: [email protected]

4. AKWA IBOM

NYSC Secretariat Federal secretariat

P.M.B 1087, Uyo

Tel: 07067700351 or send an Email to [email protected]

5 ) ANAMBRA

NYSC Secretariat 12 Okpora Street

P.M.B 4042, Amawbia,Awka

Tel: 08030708722

Email: [email protected]

6 ) BAUCHI

NYSC Secretariat Turaki Abdu Road, Fadamar Mada.

PMB 85, Bauch, Bauchi State.

Tel: 08035826100

Email: [email protected]

7. Bayelsa

NYSC Secretariat Block 7, Flat 1-4 Phase II, Civil Service/ FRSC Road , Yenogoa

Tel: 08035509109

Email: [email protected]

8. Benue

NYSC Secretariat: Railway Bye-pass

P.M.B 2358, Makurdi

Tel: 08034503113

Email: [email protected]

9. Borno

NYSC Secretariat Kashim Ibrahim Road

P.M.B 1124, Maiduguri

Tel: 08034362657

Email: [email protected]

10. CROSS River

NYSC Secretariat KM 5, Muritala Muhamed Way Ikot Ansa

PMB 1148, Calabar

Tel: 08036228426

Email: [email protected]

11 ) DELTA

NYSC Secretariat Federal Secretariat

P.M.B 5004, Asaba

Tel: 08069208212

Email: [email protected]

12 ) EBONYI

NYSC Secretariat :17 Nkwerre Street

G.R.A, Abakaliki

Tel: 08133786519,07032943999

Email: [email protected]

13 ) EDO

NYSC Secretariat : 2 Red Cross Road off Ikpokpan Road, off Sapele Road, GRA Benin City

Tel: 08022729750

Email: [email protected]

14 ) EKITI

NYSC Secretariat: Kilometer 2, Iyin Road

P.M.B 5302, Ado Ekiti

Tel: 08037752927

Email: [email protected]

15 ) ENUGU

NYSC Secretariat 2 Abakaliki Road G.R.A

P.M.B 1293, Enugu

Tel: 08033625243

Email: [email protected]

16 ) FCT (ABUJA)

NYSC Secretariat : No. 25 Ndola Crescent, off Michael Okpara Street (opposite Ibro Hotel) Zone 5, Wuse, Abuja.

Tel: 08035399787

Email: [email protected]

17 ) GOMBE

NYSC Secretariat, along F.M.C/ Ashaka Road,

P.M.B. 036, Gombe,Gombe State.

Tel: 08038334440

Email: [email protected]

18 ) IMO

NYSC Secretariat:Mbano Street Aladinma Housing Estate, Owerri

Tel: 08069523383

Email: [email protected]

19 ) JIGAWA

NYSC Secretariat Kigawa Road,

P.M.B 7049, Dutse.

Tel: 08033120599.

Email: [email protected]

20 ) KADUNA

NYSC Secretariat: Unguwa Rimi

P.M.B 2201, Kaduna

Tel: 09032941925

Email: [email protected]

21 ) KANO

NYSC Secretariat Gwarzo Road

P.M.B 3137, Kano

Tel: 08064126789

Email: [email protected]

22 ) KATSINA

NYSC Secretariat Federal Secretariat Complex Katsina.

P.M.B 2034, Katsina

TEL: 08033003708

Email: [email protected]

23 ) KEBBI

NYSC Secretariat 4 Patrick Aziza Road

P.M.B 1043, Birnin Kebbi

Tel: 08037540048

Email: [email protected]

24 ) KOGI

NYSC State Secretariat Lokoja- Okene Road Lokongoma Phase 1,

P.M.B. 1046, Kogi State.

Tel: 08023630991.

Email: [email protected]

25 ) KWARA

NYSC Secretariat: Ahmadu Bello Way

P.M.B 1512, Ilorin

Tel: 08141568319

Email: [email protected]

26 ) LAGOS

NYSC Secretariat: Old Census Office Babs Animashun Street , Surulere Lagos

Tel: 08074067007

Email: [email protected]

27 ) NASSARAWA

NYSC Secretariat: 26 Makurdi Road

P.M.B 31, Lafia

Tel: 08033120599

Email: [email protected]

28 ) NIGER

NYSC Secretariat Bosso Road

P.M.B 83, Minna

Tel: 08037877293

Email: [email protected]

29. OGUN

NYSC Secretariat Federal Government Secretariat

P.M.B 2093, Abeokuta

Tel: 08183858575

Email: [email protected]

30. ONDO

NYSC Secretariat Fed. Govt. Secretariat Complex

P.M.B 718, Akure

Tel: 08033740559

Email: [email protected]

31 ) OSUN

NYSC Secretariat New Ikirun road

P.M.B 4370, Oshogbo

Tel: 08035480543

Website: www.nyscosun.org

Email: [email protected]

32. OYO

NYSC Secretariat :Former 2, Mech. Drive

P.M.B 5500, Ibadan

Tel: 08034057996 or send an email to Email: [email protected]

33. PLATEAU State

NYSC Secretariat: Old Miango Road, Kufan Opp.Chindi Hotel,

P.M.B 2258, Jos.

Tel: 08033581133 or send an Email to [email protected]

34. RIVERS

NYSC Secretariat :40 Ikwerre Road

P.M.B 5210, Port Harcourt

Tel: 08033384547 or send an Email to [email protected]

35. SOKOTO

NYSC Secretariat Birnin Kebbi Road , Sokoto

Tel: 08027820338 or send an Email to [email protected]

36. TARABA State

State Secretariat: NYSC Secretariat 118 Hammaruwa way,

PMB 1058 Jalingo, Taraba State.

Tel: 07039194443

Email: [email protected]

37. Yobe State

NYSC Secretariat State secretariat Phase 1 ,

P.M.B 1026, Damaturu

Tel: 08037246098

Email: [email protected]

38. Zamfara

NYSC Secretariat Sokoto Road , Gada Biyu

P.M.B 1026, Gusau

Tel: 08131913334 or send an Email to [email protected]

Biography of Kehinde Bankole

Kehinde Bankole is a talented Nollywood actress from the Yoruba extraction of Nigeria. Born as a twin child on the 27th of March 1985, she is a Nigerian actress, model, and television host. She made her entertainment debut in Miss Commonwealth Nigeria 2003, then proceeded with Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), 2004 Edition. She was named Revelation of the Year at the 2009 Best of Nollywood Awards, two years after her first screen feature in the popular Wale Adenuga's Super Story.

With an estimated networth of $300,000, Kehinde Bankole jas built her wealth from ambassadorships, sponsorships and featured movies. In over 100 movies she has featured in, here is a list

The Setup
Blood Sisters
Lioness of Lisabi, the Biopic
Lugard

Kehinde Bankole is active on social media. You can connect with her via her official handles on Facebook, Instagram

Bill Gates was Insane to Sacrifice Schooling for his Dreams - Kingsley Ndimele

NNI: Can you tell us about you?

Guest: Kingsley Ndimele is a young Nigerian. I hail from Abia State, though born and bred in the ancient city of Ibadan. I'm a graduate of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Obafemi Awolowo University. I'm also a writer, event planner and a business consultant.

NNI: You recently released a book, titled "Rituals". What prompted you to writing?

Guest: Yes! RITUALS is my first book. And I'm happy it's really making wave across Africa. I perceived the crave for success and a better life nowadays like never before. However, I decided to study the daily habits of highly successful people and I saw this small but profoundly striking resemblance. There are strong similarities in their daily lives. There are things they must do everyday which I call RITUALS. Thanks to Elijah Ajibade who innocently challenged me to write a book.

NNI: Asides writing and your duties at Novel Nigeria, what else are you into?

Guest: I'm a member of an NGO known as Impact Africa Foundation founded by Taiwo Oyedele (Tax Partner, PwC). We travel yearly to selected secondary schools across Africa to support education and give scholarships to indigent students.

I'm also the President of Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economics Students, OAU. Lastly, I'm a member of several committees across Nigeria .

NNI: What is Novel Nigeria about?

Guest: NOVEL Nigeria is a subsidiary of NOVEL 1095 BIZFIELD (a registered business name with the Corporate Affairs Commission of the Federal Republic of Nigeria). NOVEL Nigeria is an organized, purpose-driven conglomerate. NOVEL Nigeria is a fast growing international brand. At NOVEL Nigeria, our commercial service system is all encompassing and characterized by highly efficient concepts. NOVEL Nigeria is an expert in diversity, coupled with a committed pursuit of excellence which makes us who we are. For now, we do everything that has to do with events. We hope to expand our commercial horizon very soon.

NNI: What prompted the establishment of Novel Nigeria?

Guest: I started NOVEL Nigeria in my second year in the university. I felt a need to build an institution and brand that will outlive me. Impacting and building lives across borders means a lot to me. It's all I'm committed to do till death takes me away. The generation of Dangote, Otedola and Alakija is gradually exiting the entrepreneurial planet. Who will replace them? These are the drives that triggered me to start NOVEL Nigeria. By God's grace in less than two years, NOVEL Nigeria became a registered company with the Federal Government of Nigeria. Today, we worth over #2million. We've reached over 20 countries so far. We are making progress. We just started.

NNI: You said that you owe your success to your mother. How is this? Do you have other mentors and role models?

Kingsley Ndimele: My mother was less than 30 years when I lost my father. Since my age 4, she's been there for us. She never remarried, though she had the opportunity. Through thick and thin. Catering for 3 kids is not easy coupled with the battles she faced from my paternal side. She struggled to give us the best. That's why it's very difficult to believe that I have no father. Even some with both parents alive cannot stand us in anything. We went to the best schools. Before Dad's demise, she was just a school cert. holder with no O'level results. Today, she's an NCE holder and a graduate of University of Ibadan. As a widow, she did this alongside catering for our education. She's full of optimism. She's been a teacher all her life. She's won several life battles. She's hardworking and very prayerful. She'll never force you out of your will. No matter what you do today, she believes you can do better. I have other role models, but my mum na my biggest motivation.

NELOC: How have you managed all of these activities at Novel Nigeria with your studentship?

Kingsley Ndimele: Hmnn. At a point in his life, every man will decide what he actually wants for his life. I think I've gotten to that point. Bill Gates and Zuckerberg were insane and passionate enough to sacrifice schooling for the sake of their dreams. I'm not gonna drop out. But I'm gonna make the required sacrifice to become a champion. Being in school is a priority, but I don't hesitate to make sacrifices when necessary. Some of my classmates and lecturers know this.

NELOC: Do you intend to work in your field of study upon graduation?

Kingsley Ndimele: If the opportunity comes. Why not? However, I'm a very restless person. I'm not used to sitting down doing one thing in a particular place for a long time.

NELOC: By our background information, you're interested in politics. What's your political stand at the moment, especially for the 2019 elections?

Kingsley Ndimele: 2019 just like several election is not going to be any different. The ancestral politicians are coming back in a recycled personality. The young ones are only social media noisemakers. Imagine 72 presidential aspirants. Two old politicians and seventy young aspirants. If not for personal greed, what stops this seventy from merging to one. So it will be two old politicians versus one young candidate. As far as I'm concerned, Nigeria is going to move round the circle again for another four years.

NELOC: By current trends, is rulership for the youths in 2019, a workable project?

Guest: In 2019, rulership for the youth is not feasible at all. This generation of youth seems to be worse than our ancestral politicians. Some of the aspirants are more clueless and empty. They lack facts and figures. They are zealous without knowledge. I've always said, Not Too Young To Rule is not for mediocres.

NELOC: You also organised the first online business summit for Africa- the YES festival. What's the story behind it?

Kingsley Ndimele: One of our mission at NOVEL Nigeria is to build aspiring entrepreneurs and brand owners. We had to make use of what we had. Initially, it was a biweekly online interactive session on whatsapp. Before we moved it to a bigger platform. Luckily, it was the first in Africa.

NELOC: Tell us about your personal life and relationship

Kingsley Ndimele: I'm a very daring person and very playful. In fact, when you see me play, you'll doubt if I ever work and when you see me work, you'll doubt if I ever play.

Relationship...hmnn it's not time for public display. I'm still working towards it. By God's grace, I hope to get married by 2022.

NELOC: What do you think are your achievements so far?

Kingsley Ndimele: I've only achieved one-tenth of my dreams. NOVEL Nigeria, YES! Festival and RITUALS are my testimonies. The lives I've affected positively are my greatest achievements.

NELOC: How have you dealt with challenges overtime for your company?

Kingsley Ndimele: As an entrepreneur, you have to get use to challenges. In difficult times, i'm often calm. Business growth takes time that's why I don't rush the process. I think through rather than worrying. I discuss with like minded people also.

NELOC: How have you managed Novel Nigeria and your other activities?

Kingsley Ndimele: I'm a very crazy person - Very strict with time. I give my attention to things that matters alone to my direction. Every other thing is considered a distraction.

NNI : What do you think about Nigerian Startups and funding?

Guest: Funding for start-ups in Nigeria has been an issue for a long time. However, I believe money is not the capital you need to fund a business, ideas are the greatest funds. You need ideas to fund your business and you need discipline to keep it flowing.

NELOC: What do you, personally, spend most of your time on?

Kingsley Ndimele: I spend most of my time reading and attending to various needs of people.

NELOC: 2019 is right before you. What are your hopes for the new year?

Kingsley Ndimele: It's going to be a busier year. I'll be going more into photography and Graphics design. I also hope to learn an international language. In all it's going to be a great year. I hope to write more, be more focused and serve more.

NELOC: What advice do you give to individuals who have a passion for entrepreneurship as yours but lack the ideas and ways to go about it?

Kingsley Ndimele: Be definite for what you want for your life and pursue it with insane passion and resilience. The sky will be their starting point.

NNI: Thank you for having us.

Many Set Up NGOs for Selfish Reasons - Adeosun Adedayo

Adeosun Adedayo is a Social Volunteer in active volunteering for about 5 years now. In this interview, she tells us how she handles NGO leadership and Social Relations.

NNI: Can we meet you?

Guest: I'm Adeosun, Adedayo Ifeoluwa, popularly known as Ifedayo. I'm from a family of four. I hail from Ogun State and I'm a graduate of the Department of Public Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University. I'm an entrepreneur, CEO DEE STORES and I also help businesses grow using different tested and trusted strategies. Lastly I'm a social volunteer. I enjoy volunteering and I've actively volunteered for 5 years now.

NNI: How has the social entrepreneurship journey been for you so far?

Guest: It's Been both good and bad but we bless God. There's been a lot of challenges but passion has kept me in place.

NNI: What does managing an NGO entail? Are there any skills you have to learn?

Guest: Managing an NGO actually entails a lot. It requires passion, commitment, energy, time, money and endurance. And Yeah there are skills to learn. That is why it's advisable to actively volunteer for months or years before setting up an NGO. 80% of these skills are learnt during volunteering.

NNI: In pulling up NGO projects and schemes, what is your experience?

Guest: Pulling up innovative programs is actually a very beautiful thing I look forward too but it's exhausting at times. More challenges come up during planning and funding while execution comes easily when planning and funding is in place. My experience in pulling up innovative programs has been a mix of both good and crazy.

NNI: What do you do at the Ifedayo Foundation?

Guest: Ifedayo foundation is working towards SDG 3 (health and well-being). This is to ensure that communities have access to health care. We cater for children, the less privileged, orphanages, slums and rural communities. True humanitarianism is our lifestyle at the Ifedayo foundation.

NNI: What do you think about NGOs and Awards & Recognition?

Guest: I think this actually applies mostly to big NGOs. Many NGOs that are just starting up and are in their first to fifth year are hardly recognized. In recent times, NGO awards and recognitions go up for the "big people and politicians" who own NGOs.

NNI: Can impact truly be measured? What defines impact for you at the Ifedayo Foundation?

Guest: Hmm. Impact itself cannot be measured. However, impact shows up for itself. You can't measure impact based on the number of places you've visited but by the number of lives that have been changed positively because of you. For Ifedayo foundation we've been able to put smiles on over one thousand faces in more than six communities in our first year.

NNI: What is your view on Global Youth Development and growth? Do you think we are making progress?

Guest: Truthfully, many youths are trying their best, but we still have a large number that are not even informed about global development not to talk about working towards achieving global growth. It is in the ratio of 40-60. We're actually making progress but the global challenges we experience too has not made the progress visible.

NNI: Managing an organisation like the Ifedayo Foundation requires funding. Do you think funding levels for NGOs have reduced? Why?

Guest: Yes, funding levels has reduced. Funding is one of the drives of NGOs. Funding levels reduced mainly because some people chose to start or set up NGOs for selfish reasons. Asides this, many NGOs misappropriate funds.

NNI: While NGOs revolve round people, recent World Health Issues have affected NGO operations. What role do you think NGOs can play as regards Global Health Problems like the Coronavirus?

Guest: Awareness has been a major and key instrument used to reach out because of the recent world health issues. Certain outreaches have been put in place to help communities stay with guidelines that will help curb the world pandemic.

NNI: What is your advice to fellow young individuals?

Surround yourself with beautiful people and your dreams are always valid.

NNI: What new heights are you scaling at the Ifedayo Foundation?

Guest: Yes! Many big plans. We're presently working on a partnership with 6 other NGOs in Lagos state in other to cover 4 communities within September to December.

NNI: That's beautiful. Thank you very much for your time ma.

Dear Honorable Speaker and esteemed members of the State House of Assembly, on behalf of myself, my family and the good people of Ifedayo Local Government, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to you on your recent inauguration as the Speaker of the House of Assembly, as well as to the other newly sworn-in members. It is with great joy and pride that I offer you these words of congratulations today.

Your election to these esteemed positions is a testament to your outstanding dedication, leadership, and passion for serving your community. I am confident in your abilities to lead with integrity and courage and to work collaboratively to make meaningful contributions to the development of the state and its citizens.

I am especially pleased to note that you have taken on this important role at a time when the state is faced with several complex challenges. As you work together to address issues like health, education, security, and economic development, I urge you to remain committed to the ideals of accountability, transparency, and inclusivity in your decision-making.

Once again, please accept my sincere congratulations on your recent inauguration. I look forward to seeing the great strides you will make in your service to the people of the state in the coming years.

Best regards,

Barr. Joseph O. Onitayo.

08167931804

[email protected]

What is a nation without her history? What is the present without the past? The action of time does not allow for such gaps. Nigeria, as we know it now is not what it used to be centuries ago. The country has undergone massive changes in all spheres of life. The rate of population growth has increased exponentially alongside the rate of crime. The world of technology is gaining more recognition even as some brains are responding positively to the law of diminishing returns. It seems as if there’s a negative reaction for every positive action but it is all a matter of the state of one’s mind.

Nevertheless, the world stood still on that day, October 1st, 1960, when Nigeria gained her independence and waved her flag of freedom proudly with a wink to the British government. Finally, we’d have our own indigenous rulers. We would have the chance to tell our story in our own words and our language. Of course, freedom is good but what good is freedom when slavery still roams the streets? Are we still slaves? No, we’re not- to the British government. Still, slavery thrives in a free land. You want proof? Then, you are not far from the truth, citizen. Read on.

Bandits abduct students, kill villagers- ring any bells? It should. This is one of the stories in the news you won’t miss each week. How did bandits gain so much control? When did they become such notorious celebrities? This is bad news for the country whose anthem’s line goes thus: “Help our youth the truth to know”. I suppose you’ll be making youth like machines or importing them like AK-47 after all of them have been abducted. I wonder where you’ll get a supply of future leaders. Even if there are youth in the affected parts, they will be half baked because no parent would want to send their child(ren) to school with their hearts in their mouths as to whether they would return home safely. These people are forced to live in fear and these children have little or no education. Education, they say, is enlightenment. If they are not educated, they will have to submit to slavery, especially slavery of the mind.

Thunder strikes but some unions strike better. Nigerian students, you’ve not been forgotten. I believe every citizen has the right to education-I don’t think this line works around here anymore. Every year, we always have one or two strike actions in the education sector to add a finishing touch to the year. If negotiations can be made with armed robbers or kidnappers in a matter of minutes or days, then I’m sure the government can negotiate peacefully and quickly with unions to avoid unnecessary delay in the academic journeys of students. It doesn’t speak too well on our integrities for us to lie when we fill forms asking us for the year of our graduation. I think it will be quite nice to have a definite picture of yourself as a Nigerian student in some years without thinking of extra school years, thanks to strike actions.

I have one last proof to show you that the behind-the-scenes of the pre-independence time are coming back with more sass and jazz. 20-10-20: Do you remember? Were you there? Was your brother hurt? Was your sister murdered? For me, it’s a yes. My brothers and sisters were hurt and murdered. They were injured while fighting for freedom. I see the fights and the struggles of our fathers coming back like part two of Black Panther. The #EndSars protest rocked the country in ways we could never have imagined. Our eyes were opened to see the silent sufferings of Nigerians. Why should we live in fear of those who are supposed to protect us? Sounds to me like slavery, alright. To think that our lives are at the mercy of some armed men and women- that is unacceptable. We didn’t gain independence to wake up to another hello from slavery.

Do you remember those brave men and women who fought for our independence- standing firm like the ìrókò tree rooted deep in the Nigerian soil? They knew what they were trying to chase away; they understood that the umbrella of slavery was an illusion- it was not the real deal. So, they laboured with hopes that it wouldn’t be in vain, according to the national anthem. It is quite a pity that slavery was only abolished on paper. These are my thoughts and this is my country.

THIS 'KUNG FU' UNION NEEDS REFORMS by Jigan

The most powerful nation in the world isn't America after all, but imagination- Zig Ziglar.

Not one or two persons I've said that I'm too idealistic. That I fail to see the true picture of things. That most times what ought to is not what is. Well, while I won't disparage these assertions, my reply has always been that I'm a 'way-forwardist'. That my brain is wired to immediately trace the rot in any society I find myself, after which I immediately set out to tackle these issues. I hardly rant. Name calling and tantrum throwing is not my thing. I just want progress!

The events of the preceding weeks and in fact days have further entrenched our position as a 'gidigbo' and a 'Kung Fu' Union. The latest uprising was incited by a President, who in a flagrant disregard for Congressmen, put an abrupt end to the most powerful gathering of Great Ife Students. Dr. Ibk, in an ostensive display of dictatorial tendencies, decided to prematurely kill a promising Congress, and of course students got irate. Students got mad, the same way a husband will get mad at a wife who suddenly says no more to love making after clothes have been done away with.

It is clear that mob actions don't necessarily bring way forwards and as such they should not be encouraged in any form or manner. I must however say that the mob culture is a culture ingrained deeply into the OAU Culture. A last resort that has obviously brought no tangible result for a while now.

My opinion of the Union was formed right from my early days as an active participant in her dealings. It was clear to me from inception that that our Union needs reforms. It is clear that both constitutional and cultural reforms are salient if this union is to stand the test of relevance. It is conspicuous that so many salient proceedings that have no constitutional provisions have left much to the question, hence the intrusion of constant mob attacks. If the constitution we so cite and uphold was drafted by Students like us some thirty seven years ago, what are we bequeathing to the incoming generation of Unionists? Imagine if we had a constitution with express provisions that "a President shall not moderate a Congress if the Congress is to deliberate on matters pertaining to allegations against him in the performance of his official duties"

One must not however forget that people make up institutions, and that institutions are as strong as the people want them to be. It is apposite to state that mob actions won't stop if Union leaders keep defying and flagrantly disobeying the express wishes of the people. Truth is only people can strengthen institutions.

Lastly, I want to adduce that an orderly society is possible. A society of progress propelled by strong institutions is possible. A seamless Union where constituent parts know their functions and carry them out to the latter is possible. But then, the underlying question is, are we ready to reform this Union, make up to date laws and strengthen our institutions? Or are we content to rant, and rant, and keep fighting 'gidigbo' and 'kung fu'?

Jigan

Parliamentarian representing the Faculty of Law
Obafemi Awolowo University
08107232208

I Wrote my Entry 5 days to the Deadline - Lois Nguveren Ugbu

Lois Nguveren Ugbu won the Prose category in 2022's edition of the New Man Gospel Writing Contest hosted by The New Man Movement. In this exclusive interview, she shares her writing journey, creative process and how she pulled off writing an award winning story in five days.

I wrote my Entry just 5 days to the Deadline - Lois Nguveren Ugbu, Winner New Man Gospel Writing Contest

NELOC News: Can we meet you?

Guest: I am Lois Nguveren Ugbu a 200 level student of the European Studies Department, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo state. I am a Christian with an amazing passion to communicate Christ in words and letters and I am an omnivorous reader. I am also from Benue state and I am Tiv by tribe.

NELOC News: You recently won the 2022 edition of the New Man Gospel Writing Contest. How did you feel when you were announced as a category winner in theGospel Writing Contest?

Guest: I was so excited. I didn't see it coming at all.

NELOC News: What are your writing aspirations for the future?

Guest: I want to be able to do a lot of writings to tell the world about Jesus especially prose and any creative piece. I don't look towards being famous, I just want the works to reach thousands of people. I hope to meet people affected by the power of God through my works and communicate with them too.

NELOC News: What other things do you do apart from writing?

Guest: When I'm not writing, I'm volunteering or teaching. I love to add value every time through volunteering and I love to teach,. At other times, I get to learn what I love to learn most - languages.

NELOC News: As regards your dreams and aspirations, what is/are your greatest fear(s)?

Guest: My greatest fear sometimes is that I might have a bigger or different assignment and might have to abandon my dreams totally especially the dream of traveling the world.

NELOC News: What and Who inspires your writing?

Guest: I love to read my work to myself and just look at the creativity and smile and I love the smiles and reflection I see on others too. It keeps me writing. Also, many people motivate me to write. I'd just pick out Jackie Hill Perry (Gay girl, Good God) and Adegbola Goodness (Complete).

NELOC News: When did you start writing? Can you give us a background story?

Guest: I started writing sometime in secondary school, but because of laziness, I never placed a finger on it. It was a casual thing I did. I just wrote a piece on every of my birthdays and saved it up, maybe for an anthology, I'm not sure. The New man Gospel writing contest is my first official work actually.

NELOC News: How did you know about the New Man Gospel Writing Contest?

Guest: I got to know about the New Man Gospel writing contest from Mr Philip Vincent who happens to be the head of Publicity at the New Man Movement. I saw the information about the writing contest on his Whatsapp status.

NELOC News: As a Writer, what is your creative process like?

Guest: Because I'm a fictional writer, my creative process is mainly inspired by my immediate environment and issues that drop into my spirit. Whenever I get an idea, I simply pray over it and then it builds into a story. From that point, I start to write and scriptures start to come together and make the work whole.

NELOC News: What are your thoughts about the Christian fiction writing industry today?

Guest: I think the Christian fiction writing Industry has really grown and it's now so creative and powerful. My life has been affected by a lot of Christian fiction positively and the creativity always left me amazed and spurred me to write better.

NELOC News: How do you think Christians can write compelling stories to promote the gospel?

Guest: 4. Christians can write compelling stories that promote the gospel by always pointing people to the cross, to Jesus. Make sure your writing always draws attention to "HIM" and not your creativity. Of course your creativity will make people want to read but the whole point must be Jesus. Jesus + Creativity = a whole article or story.

NELOC News: As a result of the contest, how has the New Man Movement impacted your writing journey?

Guest: New man movement boosted my confidence. Having to get reviews from people made me so happy. I felt like I could actually write then I started writing and submitting writings at different places.

New man was a starting point and a push for me.

I needed it. Thanks to the New Man Movement, God bless the whole team and move the work forward.

NELOC News: What would you love to say to encourage other writers?

Guest: I'd love to tell other writers to keep at it. No matter the genre of writing you are involved in, keep writing, don't stop. Writing sometimes seems really difficult even when you know what to say, but don't stop, stay at it, you'll come out just fine.

NELOC News: What do you think about the New Man Gospel Writing Contest?

Guest: I think the Writing contest was such a great one for me. I had to do alot of praying, reading my Bible, calling people, running around. I wrote 5 days to the deadline. I was so scattered but it was an exciting and educative experience. The measures taken were fair and simple. God bless the New Man movement.

NELOC News: What new things do you hope to see in subsequent editions?

Guest: I hope that it becomes bigger and better. I hope contestants get to meet physically too. Maybe just the winners and they present their piece to a crowd and if possible constructive criticism comes after. It will be a beautiful experience really.

Biography of DJ Cuppy

Born on 11th November, 1992 Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola who is popularly known as DJ Cuppy is a Nigerian Disc

DJ Cuppy is active on social media. You can connect with her via her official handles on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. You can also follow her music releases via her official website here

Biography of Elijah Oluwagbemiga Adeboye

Elijah Oluwagbemiga Adeboye who was popularly called Gbenga Adeboye, was born on the 30th of September 1959 at Odeomu, Osun State of Southwestern Nigeria.

FG Declares May 2, 3 Public Holidays for Workers’ Day, Sallah

The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially declared Monday 2nd and Tuesday 3rd May 2022 as Public Holidays to mark this year's Workers' Day and EIdul-Fitr Celebrations.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr Shuaib Belgore disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday night in Abuja.

He said the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.

The statement congratulated workers across the country on this year's celebration.

"Ogbeni Aregbesola commended workers for their hard work, diligence and sacrifice, noting that their efforts are largely responsible for the greatness of the country and the respect Nigeria now commands in the comity of nations.

"Labour is the very essence of humanity. We are alive because we work and only the dead is incapable of working" , the statement added.

The minister enjoined workers to imbibe the culture of productivity, saying "the end of work is productivity. It is productivity that leads to the satisfactory provision of goods and services and wealth creation. It is, therefore, the path to national and individual prosperity".

He urged workers to raise the bar of their trade-in line with the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration's drive to rev up the vehicle of governance and make all Nigerians derive maximum benefit from the nation.

"The Minister also congratulates all Muslims for the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.

Ogbeni Aregbesola calls on all Muslims to imbibe and practice the virtues of kindness, love, tolerance, peace, self-denial, sacrifice and good neighbourliness, as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him).

"The self-restraint, self-denial, sacrifice and deep spiritual consciousness that accompanied the fasting period should not end but be maintained and improved upon, in order to be a better person and true worshipper", the minister advised all Muslims.

Alongside, the minister expressed confidence that the security challenges in some parts of the country will soon be a thing of the past, noting that the government is putting determined efforts and all necessary measures in place for Nigerians to enjoy unfettered peace all around.

He assured Nigerians that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is fully committed to the security of life and property of every citizen and foreigners alike.

Joseph Ayo Babalola who was born on 25th April 1904 and died on the 26th of July 1959 was the founder of the Christ Apostolic Church, popularly called Aladura in Nigeria. He was credited with special healing powers and the anointing of the Holyspirit.

In 1930 Faith Tabernacle affiliated with the British Apostolic Church. Then following a schism in the Apostolic Church about 1940, Bablola went with a new independent church, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), where he continued his healing and revivalistic activities until his death. The CAC regards Babalola as an apostle and his revival ministry as the beginning of the church. A CAC retreat center was built at Ikeji-Arakeji, Osun State where Babalola was first called in 1928.

The Christ Apostolic Church has not died along with Apostle Joseph Ayo Babalola in 1959. In fact it has grown rapidly over the years, with many churches under the Christ Apostolic Church name but each church with a specific branch name. The Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU) a private Nigerian university located in Ikeji-Arakeji in Osun State, established by the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Worldwide is named after him, located at the place where he says he was called by God in 1928.

He was the first prophet God used to lead a great revival in Nigeria after the raising of a 10 years old boy in 1930.

He was the first General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church, a church that metamorphosed from a prayer group popularly called Egbe Aladura in Nigeria.

The Aladura Movement nucleated at Ijebu-Ode in 1918. Babalola was endowed with healing powers.

Joseph Ayodele Babalola was born of Yoruba parents, David Rotimi and Madam Marta Talabi on April 25, 1904 who belonged to the Anglican Church. The family lived at Odo-Owa, a small town about ninety kilometres from Ilorin in Kwara State, Nigeria. His father was the Ba ba Ijo (“church father”) of the C.M.S. Church at Odo-Owa.On January 18, 1914, young Babalola was taken by his brother M. 0. Rotimi, a Sunday school teacher in the C.M.S. Church at Ilofa, who later took him to Osogbo.
Babalola started school at Ilofa and got as far as standard five at All Saints’ School, Osogbo. However, he quit school when he decided to learn a trade and became a motor mechanic apprentice. Again, he did not continue long in this vocation before joining the Public Works Department (PWD). He was among the road workers who constructed the road from Igbara-Oke to Ilesa, working as a steam roller driver.

Babalola’s was a specific and personal call. Babalola’s strange experience started on the night of September 25th, 1928 when he suddenly became restless and could not sleep. This went on for a week and he had no inkling of the causes of such a strange experience. The climax came one day when he was, as usual, working on the Ilesa-Igbara-Oke road. Suddenly the steam roller’s engine stopped to his utter amazement. There was no visible mechanical problem, and Joseph became confused and perplexed. He was in this state of confusion when a great voice “like the sound of many waters” called him three times. The voice was loud and clear and it told him that he would die if he refused to heed the divine call to go into the world and preach. Babalola did not want to listen to this voice and he responded like many of the Biblical prophets, who, when they were called out by Yahweh as prophets, did not normally yield to the first call. So, Babalola gave in only after he had received the assurance of divine guidance.

To answer the call, he had to resign his appointment with the Public Works Department. Mr. Fergusson, the head of his unit, tried to dissuade him from resigning but the young man was bent on going on the Lord’s mission. The same voice came to Joseph a second time asking him to fast for seven days. The experience led him to a personal retreat in the home of Joseph Fapounda a Christian leader in Christ Missionary Society in Ipetu Ijesa in Ogun State Nigeria.

In a vision he had, Jesus appeared to him in a white robe along with a very tall man who revealed that it was this Jesus who asked me to speak with you. The man in a dazzling robe spoke at length about the mission he was to embark upon. The man also told him of the persecutions he would face and at the same time assured him of God’s protection and victory. A hand prayer bell was given to Babalola as a symbol. He was told that the sound of the bell would always drive away evil spirits. He was also given a bottle of “life- giving water” to heal all manners of sickness. Consequently, wherever and whenever he prayed into water for therapeutic purposes, effective healing was procured for those who drank the water. Thus, Babalola became a prophet and a man with extraordinary powers.

Kerux Academic Institute Hosts 2023 Academic Seminar

Kerux Academic Institute (KAI), a nonprofit mentorship program for teenagers/young people is committed to mentoring the next generation of young African/Global Leaders in all spheres of influence. KAI is the brain child of Mr Godspower Oyubu, who is currently working as a Lecturer in the Department of Integrated Science, Delta State College of Education, Mosogar, Nigeria. Mr Godspower Oyubu is a multi-gifted Preacher, Motivational Speaker, Mentor, Life Coach, Prolific Writer, Editor, Project Manager and Human Resource Expert.

Group picture at 2023 KAI Academic Seminar

The 2023 Edition of the KAI Academic Seminar was held on Saturday, 15th of April, 2023 at Avwerosuoghene Ministry Inc. Mosogar, Delta State, Nigeria.

Theme: The Turning Point: Rediscovering The Path To A New Nigeria.

During the welcome address presented by the Director of KAI, Mr Godspower Oyubu, he charged every teenager to take responsibility for their lives and actions. Encouraging every young person present, he said: You are not a product of your locality, you are a product of your mentality! You are not who you are because of where you are, you are who you are because of how you think! He believes the turning point towards building a new Nigeria will begin by rediscovering the true value and worth of education, understanding the significance of building a healthy relationship, and redefining the concept of faith beyond mere religious term. He told the teenagers that faith remains one of the tested and proven attributes that will move them from where they are to where they desire to be.

The key speaker for the Seminar, Dr D.E. Kpomah, the Head of Department of Biochemistry, Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa, Nigeria spoke on the topic: The Principles of Success. He encouraged the teenagers to first discover who they are, what they are good at and then, learn to set time bound goals followed up with rigorous self discipline.

A brief interview session was conducted with a pioneer student of KAI, Miss Claris Oki, an undergraduate student of the department of Journalism and Media Studies, Delta State University of Technology, Ozoro, Nigeria. She passionately shared with everyone present how KAI Mentorship helped her in her first year in the University coming up with a 4.5 GPA in her first semester result in 100L! She accredited her remarkable success to KAI Mentorship and encouraged every young person to join KAI.

Interview session

Interview Session with Miss Claris Oki, a pioneer KAI student

Dr D.E. Kpomah delivering a powerful lecture to teenagers on The Principles of Success

Mr Godspower Oyubu listening attentively during the Session with Dr D.E. Kpomah

KAI Director, Mr Godspower Oyubu and 2023 KAI Representative, Miss Angel Davidson

Miss Angel Davidson sharing her experience at KAI Mentorship during 2023 Academic Seminar

Miss Angel Davidson, who represented the 2023 KAI Students spoke eloquently on the impact of KAI on her own life and that of other teenagers within the last few months. She shared with all present how a friend told her about KAI Mentorship, how she resumed in March and the palpable impact in her life in less than two months. She affirmed the spontaneous turnaround in her academic performance and the professional training she had received also from KAI. Miss Angel concluded her speech by encouraging every young person within Mosogar and outside Mosogar to get involved in KAI as the next generation of local, national and global leaders are sure to arise from Kerux Academic Institute (KAI).

KAI Vision: Mentoring Teenagers/Young People Academically, Professionally and Spiritually

Many students and teenagers confirmed the impact of the Academic Seminar on their perspectives about life! Many are beginning to approach life with optimism and great faith believing they have a quota to contribute to national development and global transformation