[size=14pt]IBUKUN AWOSIKA BECOMES THE FIRST FEMALE CHAIRPERSON OF FIRST BANK OF NIGERIA
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FFirst Bank of Nigeria Holdings Plc. yesterday announced the appointment of Mrs. Ibukun Abiodun Awosika as the new board chairperson of Nigeria’s second largest lender. She takes over the helm of affairs from Prince Ajibola Afonja who is retiring. This appointment makes Ibukun the first woman to assume this position since the establishment of First Bank of Nigeria in 1894. She was a non-Executive Director of the Bank before her appointment.


Ibukun Awosika’s rise to success

Ibukun was born in Ibadan in 1962 to a Nigerian father, Mr. Abdulmashood Adekola and Cameroonian mother Hannah Aduke Adekola nee Ashu. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife). Ibukun is an alumna of the Chief Executive Programme of Lagos Business School and the Global Executive MBA Programme of the prestigious IESE Business School, Barcelona, Spain.

Ibukun started her career as an Audit Trainee during her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) at Akintola William & Co (now Deloitte). After her NYSC she moved to Alibert Nigeria Ltd a furniture company where she worked as a show room Manager for three months. She resigned from Alibert Nigeria Ltd at the age of 25 to begin her entrepreneurship journey. She started her own furniture manufacturing company; Quebees Ltd that later evolved to The Chair Centre Ltd.

The Chair Centre Ltd is now a market leader in office furniture and banking security systems industries with a modern factory and office facility in Lekki, Lagos state. She is also the MD/CEO of a joint-venture company, Sokoa Chair Centre Ltd, created as a result of the ban on importation of furniture by the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2004. Sokia Chair Centre is a joint venture between The Chair Centre Ltd, Sokoa S.A of France and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. She has also opened branches of The Chair Centre Ltd in Accra Ghana and Tinapa in Calabar Nigeria.

Ibukun Awosika sits at the board of several companies among which are Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Digital Jewels Ltd and Convention on Business Integrity. She is also the Chairman, Board of Trustees of Women in Management and Business (WIMBIZ), as well as the Chairman of Intermac, the organisers of SmartCard Conference in Nigeria.

She is a TV personality and host of a popular television programme, Business His Way, where she shares ethical business values and principles with business communities across Africa. She has written two books with the titles “The Girl Entrepreneur: Our stories so far” and “Business His way.”

She is not only an entrepreneur but also a patriotic Nigerian, which made her serve in various capacities such as member of the National Job Creation Committee (NCJC), member of the Corporate Governance Committee for the NNPC, board member of the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund and member of the National Economic Summit Group (NESG).

According to an official report, she is currently setting up SCC ALGON providing metal-based component for the furniture manufacturing and related industries. She is also setting up The Furniture Village Cluster, a joint venture with the Ogun State Government to provide infrastructure, skills and support to a cluster of SME firms with similar raw material requirements.

Ibukun is a fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network and a multiple award-winning entrepreneur. In addition, she is a multiple award winning entrepreneur and the First Nigerian recipient to be nominated for the prestigious International Women Entrepreneurial Challenge (IWEC) Award of the US Department of State in 2008.

Mrs Awosika has helped several entrepreneurs to stand on their feet one of which is Tara Durotoye, Founder, House of Tara. She helped Tara to secure a loan of N500,00o when she was facing some difficulties with funding her start up.

[size=14pt]Minister Commissions Science Centres In Ogun
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The Minister, also commissioned Modern Incubation Units (NBTI Odogbolu) including Conference and Exhibition Hall (NBTI Abeokuta).

The Projects were facilitated by Akinlade Abiodun Isiaq, erstwhile Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology, who represented Yewa South and Ipokia Federal Constituency, Ogun State, in Federal House of Representative.

The former Minister, who was represented by the Director General, FIIRO, Dr. Mrs. Gloria Elemo said he was delighted because, “we are beginning to witness a clear demonstration of application of indigenous technologies developed by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology through some of its parastatals for rural and urban industrialisation and most especially to provide opportunities for massive job creation and poverty alleviation.”

He said that the two-term former Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology Akinlade Abiodun Isiaq, emphasises the utilisation of science and technology as an instrument for rapid industrialisation through indigenous technologies for job and wealth creation. He added that the House Committee under his leadership witnessed achievements in science, technology and innovation policy articulation and formulation for sustainable economic development.

The Minister commended the Director-Generals of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO); National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI); National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) and National Agency for Biotechnology Development (NABDA) for their commitments to this programme. He charged them not to rest until the projects take off fully in line with the objectives especially to realise our collective objective on job creation for our teaming unemployed youths. He recommended operating some of the factories on Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) basis for transparency and sustainability especially in these days of dwindling oil revenues.

“I have no doubt the projects have the capacity to stimulate industrial development in Ogun State. For example, the Catalytic Model Factory for cassava processing of FIIRO, and snailry project of the National Biotechnology Development Agency, which are some of the major projects under this programme”.

“I am impressed that some of the parastatals have already deployed professional staff to operate the various projects; this is a sure confirmation that we are not going to have failed or what is called abandoned projects. I therefore, seek for maximum cooperation of the host community with these professionals as they carry out their duties. I also seek support to facilitate their movement to and fro offices from their places of abode and in the long run we should be thinking of quarters to house the workers to enhance their performance and effective delivery of the project objectives”.

Isiaq, said he embarked on the projects in order to create job opportunities for members of his community to reduce poverty and enhance development. He said the place was modeled after a Science Centre that exists in Thailand.

He said: “Recently, 100 people have already been employed in this community, by time goes on more people would be employed and more youths would benefit from the program. It would boost agriculture because community members cultivate cassava and they are going to benefit from the project, it would opportunity for more cassava farming. We produce a lot of cassava but without processing machine we cannot be able to harness our cassava.

https://www.nairaland.com/newpost?topic=2684014

[size=14pt]Ogun State varsity commissions ICT Centre
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Lagos - The Covenant University in Ota, Ogun State has commissioned an information and communications technology centre that is poised to promote research.

Diamond Bank helped establish the centre as part of the financial institution’s corporate social responsibility programme.

The Chief Executive Officer of Diamond Bank, Uzoma Dozie, stated that the project was in line with the bank’s commitment to ensuring academic institutions in Nigeria adopted up-to-date technology in research projects.

“For us at Diamond Bank, it is not only a dream come true but also an expression of our commitment to ensuring that academic institutions in Nigeria, like their counterparts all over the world, adopt cutting edge technology in their research projects which will ultimately increase academic excellence,” he said.


Dozie expressed hope that the Centre would make it easier for students of the University and researchers to access data for research analysis.

“The availability of data for research is fundamental to qualitative analysis of the problems affecting humanity. It is our hope that students of this institution and other researchers would be able to access information faster at this centre,” he added.

The ICT centre is fully equipped with an e-library, an e-banking centre with Automated Teller Machines (ATM) and an e-classroom with 48 smart computers.

Diamond Bank is also deploying other technological facilities within the university such as e-attendance register and unified payment and Identity System.

Established in 2002, the Covenant University, a private Christian insitution, was in January ranked as the best university in Nigeria.

http://www.news24.com.ng/National/News/Ogun-State-varsity-commissions-ICT-Centre-20150312

[size=14pt]Airtel Partners Microsoft, Intel on Rural ICT Empowerment
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Airtel Nigeria is collaborating with Microsoft, a global software company and Intel, a global chip set maker, to promote information and communications technology (ICT) empowerment in Lagos and Ogun States.


The partnership is in continuation of Airtel’s initiative aimed at boosting data awareness in rural communities across Nigeria.
It is coming two weeks after Airtel launched its empowerment and enlightenment campaign programme dubbed ‘Boost ICT Usage in Rural Areas’ in the western region of the country.


According to Airtel, the partnership with the two ICT giants, would further enrich the programme and create unique experiences for participants in Lagos and Ogun States, as the two ICT companies would provide digital literacy curriculum content and smart mobile devices through which participants would be able to experience, view and download content using Airtel data.


[b]The Lagos activities took place at Ibowon-Epe, while that of Ogun will follow at Osiele Community Town hall, Osiele, Abeokuta, soon.
[/b]Airtel’s Chief Commercial Officer, Maurice Newa, said: “The programme is initiated to empower consumers in these underserved communities to have first-hand experience of the company’s superior data services with no financial implication to the consumers.”
The campaign is designed to empower rural dwellers with basic information and communications technology (ICT) skills, enabling them to use smartphones, laptops and tablets to surf the internet and connect with friends and family members online.


Speaking on the collaboration, Director, Consumer Channel Group, Microsoft Nigeria, Mark Ihimoyan, reiterated the company’s commitment to the development of ICT awareness in rural Africa. He said: “At Microsoft, we remain committed to provide Africans with affordable access to devices and services, through both the 4Afrika initiative and our Mobile Devices Division, not just in the urban areas, but also to the previously unreached rural populations.”


Intel’s Country Manager for Nigeria and West Africa, Mr. Olubunmi Ekundare, said: “The initiative ties back neatly to what we stand for both globally and locally in Nigeria, empowering Nigerians through technology. However, technology without connectivity is useless to the user. Partnering with Airtel in the ICT ecosystem will help drive a scalable adoption of technology that is aimed at impacting the lives of every Nigerian.”


The ICT awareness programme for western Nigeria commenced in Iseyin town in Oyo State, Ido-Osi town in Ekiti State and Ipetu-Modu community in Osun State. The initiative has so far, crisscrossed several rural communities and interior towns in the South East, South-South and South Delta parts of the country.


Launched on 25th August this year, the programme has covered communities in Enugu, Imo, Benue, Delta and Edo States. The train subsequently moved to Abia, Rivers, Bayelsa and Cross River States between 3rd and 12th of September.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/airtel-partners-microsoft-intel-on-rural-ict-empowerment/191379/

[size=14pt]9-Year-Old Nigerian Becomes World’s Youngest Microsoft Certified Professional
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Nigeria has come on the global scene in the information communication technology sector, as 9-year-old Jomiloju Tunde-Oladipo joined the community of achievers when he became one of the world’s youngest 2013 certified Microsoft Office specialists for Office Word 2010.

Jomiloju, a primary 6 pupil of Role Model School, owned by DayStar Christian Centre, Oregun, Ikeja Lagos, broke the record created in 2012 by 10-year-old JSS1 student, Seyi-Ojo Anjolaoluwa, who was adjudged the youngest Nigerian and one of the youngest people in the world to have become a Microsoft certified professional.

Jomiloju took the July 2013 examination while in primary 5, after passing all the preparatory stages leading to the final examinations following intense teachings in school and trainings he received from United Global Resources Ltd, an accredited ICT training firm.

Odion Oyakhire, the center manager in charge of the school noted that his firm, “encourages pupils to learn ICT and get certified.”

Oyakhire explained that his firm coordinates the certification examinations for several schools and was proud to associate with Jomiloju and Role Model School on this feat. He said that the certification examination is an online, real-time test.

Before setting this new record in Nigeria for the certification examination, Jomiloju led his school to glory in June 2013, when they won an ICT quiz competition with 15 participating school in Lagos. The competition was put together by United Global Resources.


The examination report showed Jomiloju scored 769 points, 69 points higher than the required 700 to be recognized as a Microsoft Office Specialist.


http://www.risingafrica.org/success-stories/science_technology/9-year-old-nigerian-becomes-worlds-youngest-microsoft-certified-professional/

GZ Industries

Dr. Tunji Olowolafe (also known as Olatunji Olowolafe) is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Deux Project Limited. Dr. Olowolafe is a 1984 graduate of the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria, after which he worked as a health worker across various parts of South Western Nigeria. Dr. Olowolafe’s passion for medicine culminated in the formation of Deux Project Limited – a company initially focused on restructuring and fitting world class hospitals across various parts of Nigeria. Deux Project Limited has expanded its focus to include general civil engineering, construction and consultancy. Dr. Olowolafe also acts on the Boards of a number of other companies in different sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Virgin Nigerian Airways


Dr. Yemi Osindero

Dr. Osindero is a Managing Director responsible for Standard Chartered Private Equity’s West African operations based out of Lagos. He has 16 years of corporate experience in a variety of geographies, industries and roles. Prior to joining SCPE in 2008, Yemi co-founded Virgin Nigeria Airways and was Chief Operating Officer and member of its Board of Directors. He was previously with Virgin Management, where he was responsible for financial advisory, M&A initiatives, strategy and new business initiatives for various existing Virgin Group companies globally, and the investment evaluation of numerous new ventures to extend the Virgin brand.
Yemi began his career as an investment banker at Goldman Sachs in London, before joining Hawkpoint Partners, a boutique advisory house in the UK. He has served on the Boards of many businesses including Union Bank of Nigeria, Seven Energy, GZ Industries and KANN (holding company for consortium that acquired Abuja Electricity Distribution Company). Yemi has a Ph.D. and a B.Eng (First Class Hons) in Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering from the University of Bath.

[size=14pt]HOW NIGERIAN COMPANIES ARE MAKING A PLAY AT MARKETS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE CONTINENT
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Nigerian company, GZ Industries, a top aluminium can manufacturer in West Africa, announced its plans to build a 1 billion rand plant in South Africa. The company will partner with South African company, Golden Era Group, who deals in packaging. The partnership between the two companies is aimed at increasing expansion in the continent.

The factory, which will be located in Johannesburg, will begin operations in the second quarter of 2016, and will have an annual production capacity of 1.2 billion aluminium beverage cans. This capacity is supposed to increase to about 3.5 per year by the time the company is fully completed and has accessed new markets in the southern part of Africa, and sufficiently expanded.

Canmaking in Africa is witnessing an increase in demand following a consumer switch from subsistence existences to packaged goods, and canmakers are using it to their advantage by investing in the industry. Last year, GZI expanded to East Africa (Nairobi, Kenya), after the completion of its third plant in Aba, Nigeria. Production in the factory started in the first quarter of 2015. GZI was incorporated in Nigeria in 2006, and is owned by four private investor groups.

Investment in locally owned companies within Africa has significantly contributed to the continental expansion of these companies in the long run. Expansion is usually part of the vision of most companies, either as a short or long term plan. In particular, the Nigerian market is a favourable target to investors and businesses that wish to expand, due to the opportunities that abound in the country.

Nigeria is usually on the ‘receiving end’ in business, which is beneficial to the economy, but makes it difficult for local companies to reach their full potential given its inherent capabilities. These restraints are based on challenges such as corruption and infrastructure. Within the continent, South Africa is home to numerous companies that have expanded into Nigeria, as well as acounts for top foreign direct investment (FDI) in Nigeria. Shoprite, DSTV, Game, MTN, among many others are examples of South African businesses that are currently in the country.

According to Mark Tunmer, the group Chief Executive of Imara, an asset management company, MTN would not have been the company it is today if it had not expanded into Nigeria. Thus, in continental – and even global – business, Nigeria is crucial to the success of most companies.

However, with recent pan-African achievements such as that of GZI, Nigeria may be positioning itself to maximise its abundant resources, better develop its economy, and with time make an active play at the markets in other countries.

http://venturesafrica.com/how-nigerian-companies-are-making-a-play-at-markets-in-other-parts-of-the-continent/

[size=14pt]I'M YORUBA AND I'M PROUD

YORUBAS...... PACESETTERS...........SILENT GIANTS[/size]

[size=14pt]These Nigerian Companies Are Set For Massive Global Growth, Say Economists
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Interswitch Ltd


Founder: Mitchell Elegbe
website: www.interswitchng.com


Interswitch is a mobile-payment company that works with governments, banks and private companies to process payments and transactions through ATMs, kiosks and, most important, mobile phones.

Founded in 2001, the Lagos, Nigeria, company now has partnerships with 21 banks across Nigeria and works with partners across sub-Saharan Africa.


Computer Warehouse Group


Founder:Austin Okere

Now one of the fastest-growing communication and technology companies in Nigeria, Computer Warehouse Group began with four staff members in 1992. Two decades later, it's created offices in Ghana, Uganda and Cameroon “in pursuit of its pan-African vision,” according to the company's website.

Computer Warehouse Group was listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange in November 2013. Last year, the company's revenues increased by 10 percent, and its after-tax profits grew by 81 percent.


Notore Chemical Industries Ltd


Chief Financial Officer : Chief Financial Officer and Director

Notore is a fertilizer and agriculture company that focuses on green development. Founded in 2005 and based in the strategic port of Onne on the Niger Delta, Notore operates the only plant in sub-Saharan Africa that manufactures urea, a by-product of the oil and gas industry.

“By making fertilizer more accessible to farmers through its supply chain and pricing, Notore is helping stimulate the local production of foods, such as rice and sugar,” wrote Forbes columnist Mfonobong Nsehe, who added that this type of business will decrease the country’s dependence on imports.

http://www.ibtimes.com/these-6-nigerian-companies-are-set-massive-global-growth-say-economists-1582399

Lekoil

CEO: Olalekan Akinyanmi

Lekoil is an Africa focused oil and gas exploration and production company with interests in Nigeria and Namibia. The Company was founded in 2010 by a group of leading professionals with extensive experience in the international upstream oil and gas industry as well as in global fund management and investment banking.

Aisha Oyebode


The CEO of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation and Group Chief Executive Officer, Asset Management Group (AMG) Limited. Prior to becoming CEO, Aisha was the Executive Director of AMG from October 1991-June 1993. Aisha is a legal practitioner with an LL.M (Public International Law) from Kings College, University of London and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with a distinction in Finance from Imperial College, University of London.

Mrs. Oyebode has several years of practical experience in corporate and litigation matters having worked in the prestigious law firm of Ajumogobia, Okeke, Aluko and Oyebode. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989. She has completed several attachments with global financial institutions which include Caisse Privee Banque, Brussels; Banque Rivaud, Paris; and Banque Privee, Geneva. Aisha also serves as a member of various boards.

H. Adesola (‘Sola) Oyinlola

He was most recently Chairman of Africa at Schlumberger and was also the President of the Schlumberger Foundation, a non-profit corporate foundation. Having worked with Schlumberger for 30 years, Sola has held a number of senior operational positions across the world, including Vice President and Global Treasurer, and Managing Director for Nigeria and West Africa.

Sola is a co-founder of the Petroleum Club of Lagos and serves on a number of boards including Guaranty Trust Bank plc and the Schlumberger Foundation. He has a passion for human capital and host community development, as evidenced by his participation in issues of economic development, inclusion, and mentoring. He holds a BSc in Accounting from the University of Ghana, and an MBA from Stanford University. He is an alumnus of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

Ogun state can try a inland port by building a rail line from somewhere near sagamu where cargos get loaded on leased section of port to be transported to the port and cleared inland this takes traffic off port road to the express road where cargoes. Can easily move around country the same rail line can run commuters from Ibadan cargos and produce taking pressure off the express.

The federal system will fight this but as long as the state's collect duty and pass as needed to federal it is fine the case of federal officials milking revenue within a state dry is reduced. You can all see that the activities of police,customs in the southern states is to extort entrepreneurs making everyone moving goods feel like a criminal

Shymm3x:
More pictures...

Ibadan

skyline123:

is it different from other parts of the SW? In terms of the amout of towns in a specific area?

I can't really tell. But just like the Ijebu towns, the Akoko towns are also many.

IlekeHD:
Aisha Oyebode
The CEO of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation and Group Chief Executive Officer, Asset Management Group (AMG) Limited. Prior to becoming CEO, Aisha was the Executive Director of AMG from October 1991-June 1993. Aisha is a legal practitioner with an LL.M (Public International Law) from Kings College, University of London and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with a distinction in Finance from Imperial College, University of London.

Mrs. Oyebode has several years of practical experience in corporate and litigation matters having worked in the prestigious law firm of Ajumogobia, Okeke, Aluko and Oyebode. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989. She has completed several attachments with global financial institutions which include Caisse Privee Banque, Brussels; Banque Rivaud, Paris; and Banque Privee, Geneva. Aisha also serves as a member of various boards.

Interesting, but Aisha is actually mixed. Her father is the late Murtala Muhammed who was former head of state. Her mum is his widow, Ajoke, who hails from Lagos. Aisha is married to Gbenga Oyebode who runs one of the top law firms in the country. She is a lovely lady.

REPEATED PICTURES,,....actually!! the truth is that there is nothing South West...... TRUTH

IlekeHD:
Don't hesitate to ask for help.

Whenever you need a post translated, just quote the post and mention me.

Gee, thanks a million! You are the best!

kaycid77:
REPEATED PICTURES,,....actually!! the truth is that there is nothing South West...... TRUTH

Yes o. That is why your South East people are still flooding the same South West by the truckloads, fleeing your condemned hell-hole and erosion ravaged region. You better not let Ekenedilichukwu, Young Shall Grow, and Chisco hear you coz even they know that without the SW they'll be out of business in no time.

OduaVanguard:


Yes o. That is why your South East people are still flooding the same South West by the truckloads, fleeing your condemned hell-hole and erosion ravaged region. You better not let Ekenedilichukwu, Young Shall Grow, and Chisco hear you coz even they know that without the SW they'll be out of business in no time.

Pls,don't let him derail the thread,thx.

Proposed Iyaganku Residential Estate: http://www.beyondarete.com/blog/iyaganku-residential-estate , http://www.beyondarete.com/projects

3D imagery of Beyondarete's recent scheme The IYAGANKU RESIDENTIAL ESTATE. Designed in the heart of Ibadan in Nigeria, the scheme consists of 12 housing units with 6 detached homes and 6 semi-detached homes.

Shymm3x:
Yoruba Dialects

Oyo, Ijesha, Ila, Ijebu, Ondo, Wo, Owe, Jumu, Iworro, Igbonna, Yagba, Gbedde, Egba, Akono, Aworo, Ekiti, Ilaje, Ikale, and Awori.

Can folks please post in these dialects?

Okun jare abaluka iyan ha yun lerun re. Aba re a gbe.
Uhun uyalerun lo je lugba ki Ilekehd wi Ekiti lun iha. Iha omo Ekiti naa ti soju Ile-oduduwa ganni. Apere ni Professor Adegoke Olubummo ko je Ojogbon akoko ni eka imo isiro (mathematics) ni Orile ede Naijeriya.
Ekiti kete a gbe ha o

Oyo govt to move out beggars

October 30, 2015
Written by:
Wale Akinselure

HARD times await beggars in Oyo State, as the state Inter-religious/inter ethnic committee, on Thursday, resolved to move out beggars, as part of proactive measures to maintain peace and security in the state.

Reading the communiqué at the end of the committee’s meeting, presided over by Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Alake Adeyemo, representative of the Muslim Committee, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, held that begging was antithetical to religious teachings and societal norms.

He bemoaned that some beggars, despite not being disabled, had taken up begging as a professional calling contrary to religious teachings that every human being should have a means of livelihood.

Sanni hinted that Oyo State had become a destination for beggars banned in Northern states like Kaduna.

marioking:


Okun jare abaluka iyan ha yun lerun re. Aba re a gbe.
Uhun uyalerun lo je lugba ki Ilekehd wi Ekiti lun iha. Iha omo Ekiti naa ti soju Ile-oduduwa ganni. Apere ni Professor Adegoke Olubummo ko je Ojogbon akoko ni eka imo isiro (mathematics) ni Orile ede Naijeriya.
Ekiti kete a gbe ha o

Lol.

This is Ekiti dialect, right?

IlekeHD, come say hello to ya people...this is Ekiti parapo war.

Err...where are ya other ekiti warriors? Ekiti_bear, Mrknowitall etc..?

Update on Eko Atlantic

The sky scrapers are looking decent - God bless Yorubaland.

More Pictures (Eko Tower - 27 Floors)............

More Pictures (Eko Tower - 27 Floors)............