A non-governmental organisation, Skyewise Foundation, a subsidiary of Skyewise Group has expressed satisfaction with the impact of its empowerment campaigns and grants among young entrepreneurs following the success stories it has garnered over the years.

The latest is coming from the founder of a fashion line, Towbee Stitches, Ojo Oluwatobi Felicia who benefitted in the November 2023 Meet The CEOs Entrepreneurship Summit in Abuja.

She was one of those who received N1m grant from the Foundation to support their businesses and make a decent livelihood.

During a visit of officials of the firm to Towbee Stitches, it was observed that her fashion line has received a boost as she has acquired more equipment to support her, in addition to engaging seven employees working with her and learning the trade.

"Pictorial Excerpts from one our visit to @towbeestitches one of our beneficiaries in 2023 grant offers to entrepreneurs.

"We are proud to see how she has been able to put into good use the grant of N1,000,000 given to her during our Meet The CEOs Entrepreneurship Summit in November 2023.

"She's shown a high level of prudence and commitment to making the most out of the grant we gave her and we are excited.

"With this, she's empowering other women as she has over 7 persons actively working with and learning from he.

"It is our utmost pleasure to join the United Nations in empowering female entrepreneurs in Africa, with focus on Nigeria at this beginning. We look forward to doing more", Skyewise Foundation said on its official foundation Instagram page.

The beneficiary also thanked the foundation President and GMD of the group Dr Elvis Abuyere for the impact they have made in her life.

She said, "Thank you Dr. Elvis Abuyere. I really do appreciate and I pray God will continue to use you to help others. Thank you very much Skyewise Foundation".

Abia State High Court, sitting in Umuahia, has adjourned till February 16 a N1.5 billion defamation suit filed by ex-Gov. Theodore Orji against a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prince Benjamin Apugo.

When the matter was called up for hearing, the plaintiff was represented by his counsel, Chief Henry Balogu, while the defendant was absent, and no counsel appeared for him.

The trial judge, Justice A. O. Chijioke, observed a delay in the process that had been filed since 2020 and ordered that the defendant must appear in court on the next adjourned date.

He said that trial would begin on the next adjourned date, with or without the presence of the defendant.

The trial judge directed the Clerk of the Court to re-present the appearance notice to the defendant for him to appear on the next adjourned date.

Later in an interview, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Balogu, told Vanguard that the suit was filed because the defendant made “false and malicious remarks” injurious to the personality of his client.

“We are in court because of a libelous publication that was a material false message that caused him injury to his person , reputation and was intended to diminish his status as a political leader, former Governor and senator.”

According to the counsel, the defendant, on a live radio programme, accused his client of looting the Abia treasury while holding sway as Chief of Staff and Governor, respectively.

Recall that Senator Orji was Abia Governor from 2007 to 2015.

Persons With Disabilities in Nigeria has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider Dr. Halimat Adenike Tejuosho as a substantial replacement for the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu.

This was disclosed in Abuja on monday january 15th, when the group gathered and spoke to the press, the national secretary Alhaji Muhammed Dantani, While commending the effort of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his bold step towards addressing matters that concern governance without compromise, Dantani noted that the President’s unwavering resolve has brought in sanity into the Nigeria polity. According to him, history shall be kind to the profounder of the Renewed Hope.

“Among the exemplary actions exhibited by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which has attracted commendation even by critics is the suspension of Mrs. Betta Edu, from her position as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation over misappropriation of funds meant for people like us who are disables and finding it so had to survive this period. While we salute the President for his unprecedented performance, we wish to assert that the absence of a public officer should not halt the process of governance, as such Persons With Disabilities in Nigeria wishes to state as follows;

“Considering the veracity of the Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Ministry, we noted that the ministry is primed to alleviate the less privileged and downtrodden from their deplorable condition, suffice to say the ministry is in dire need of a person with a sterling record of integrity to man its affairs.

“We find it worthy to recommend Dr. Halimat Adenike Tejuosho as the most qualified as Minister for the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation in recognition of her selfless services to the nation and the less privileged, especially to us with disabilities, she is a pillar of support, she has been providing shelter, food, scholarship, paying of medical bills and many more for us, It is crucial to have individual who is a humanitarian and compassionate towards people like us to oversee the affairs of this particular ministry and that person is Dr. Halimat Adenike Tejuosho.

“The veracity of the ministry’s mission and its ability to effectively alleviate poverty and help those in need depends on the integrity of its personnel. Integrity is a fundamental quality required in any position of power or responsibility, especially when dealing with vulnerable populations. Individuals with a sterling record of integrity are more likely to prioritize the needs of the less privileged over personal gain or corruption.

The people spoke in one voice , “Dr. Halimat’s spirit of philanthropism cut across ethnic and religious lines as she finds joy in providing succour to vulnerable Nigerians including internally displaced persons. Her 100% free scholarship scheme for the less privileged will continue to remain a reference point as many youths have benefited and still benefiting from it. If allowed to act, no doubt Halimat will serve beyond expectations by working assiduously to achieve the mission of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President, considering she an active member of Asiwaju Support Group and was very active during the election campaign period , she is a grassroots mobiliser.

Dr. Halimat Adenike Tejuosho humanitarian works through her foundation Queen Adenike Tejuosho Foundation can be seen and feel across Nigeria, she is also a successful business woman , an entrepreneur and into real estate and agriculture with good management skills , she is able to bring her leadership skills to her companies and have positioned them to attract both local and international partnerships, Dr Halimat Adenike Tejuosho is a linguist, she speaks English,Yoruba and Hausa languages fluently.

We need such a woman who is fully grounded in humanitarian and management as the Minister for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Callistus Uzodinma, popularly known as C-Fly, a 300-level student of Rivers State University, has secured the grand prize of N10 million and a brand new Changan CS35 Plus car.

The grand finale of the second edition of the reality TV show, which was held at the prestigious International Conference Centre, Abuja, saw C-Fly beat 16 other finalists, in his exceptional talent dance performances.

Queen Aliyu, a student of Theatre and Performing Arts at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Fortune Onyekachi (Graham), a student of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo State, secured the first and second runner-up positions, respectively. Both runners-up received a cash prize of N2 million each along with other benefits.

The second edition of the BBM Africa reality TV show, themed "Rep Your Campus," housed 30 talented contestants known as "Dream Mates". These participants were carefully selected after a nationwide audition that spanned key cities, including Abuja, Enugu, Lagos, Port Harcourt, and Kano, with a total of 182 universities participating.

Barr. Orbby Agwuncha aka BossLadyLaw the Executive Producer of The Big Break Moment Africa, expressed the organization's commitment to talent discovery and development, aiming to empower Nigerian youths through the unique platform provided by the reality show.

"We do what we do because we want a better Nigeria. We want our youths to be empowered through talent discovery and development," said the Founder of the Big Break Moment Africa Tayo Folorunsho (Teeflo)

The BBM Africa reality TV show, now in its second edition, serves as an 'edutainment' platform that seeks to bridge the gap between classroom education and the entertainment industry. It provides talented students from tertiary institutions across Africa with an opportunity to showcase their abilities and pursue their dreams.

It was an emotional moment on Saturday as Promiseland, a real estate firm, in conjunction with Defence and Police Officers Wives Association, DEPOWA, presented plots of land to families and widows of fallen Nigerian heroes.

The donation was part of activities to mark the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.

The event, which took place at the DEPOWA Secretariat in Abuja, attracted officials and members of the association within and outside the nation’s capital.

According to the real estate firm, the gesture was to appreciate the families of those who paid the supreme price for the peace and unity of Nigeria.

In his remarks, the CEO of Promiseland Estate, Ambasador Lawrence Oloche Emmanuel, who was represented by the Chief Communications Officer of the company, Emmanuel Odukwe, said the gesture is a token of appreciation for the fallen heroes and their families.

"This gesture is a token of appreciation for the fallen heroes and their families. On behalf of my boss, Ambassador Lawrence Emmanuel, MON, we honor their sacrifices for the peace and unity of Nigeria.

“Ambassador Lawrence Oloche Emmanuel and the entitre management of Promiseland Estate deeply value the sacrifices of these heroes, and through this initiative, we aim to express our gratitude in a tangible and meaningful way."

On her part, the president of DEPOWA, Mrs Oghogho Gwabin Musa, lauded the company for the donation, while noting that the gesture will create a sense of belonging among the widows and families of the deceased military officers.

Ako Obioma, Managing Director of Worldwide Environment Tech Ltd and Daman Resources Nig Ltd, is facing severe criticism over alleged contract scams in Abia and Imo states.

The accusations come from various quarters, including a scathing statement by former Abia Speaker Rt. Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji and a damning revelation from the Abia Reform Movement (ARM).

In a strongly worded statement signed by Jude Ndukwe spokesperson to the former Abia Speaker, Rt. Hon Chinedum Orji accused Ako Obioma of being a "crooked contractor" who diverted government funds meant for road projects to acquire exotic cars without delivering on the jobs.

"Ako Obioma is on record as one of those contractors in Abia state that did perfect the ignoble art of collecting government funds released for road contracts to buy exotic cars without delivering on the jobs. His dishonesty is nauseating and he can not possibly be someone that should offer any advice."

Also, a press statement by the Abia Reform Movement (ARM), signed by its Convener, Comrade Theodore Nwabueze and Mr Okechukwu Solomon and made available to the media on Monday in Umuahia the Abia State capital, described Ako Obioma as "a shamelessly desperate individual who has perfected the ignoble art of diverting public funds meant for road projects to his personal use."

ARM vowed to further expose the common thievery perpetrated by Ako Obioma whom they described as being notorious for absconding with funds meant for road projects once he is mobilised by government thereby shortchanging the people in the process.

"The claim that the notoriously failed contractor 'executed and handed over huge number of completed road infrastructural (sic) projects, and other meaningful and peoples-oriented (sic) projects...' is not only mischievous and ridiculous but a lie from the pit of hell peddled by enemies of the people.

"Those who peddled that falsehood failed to mention even if it is just one project among the so-called 'huge number of projects' they claimed Ako delivered. They could not have because there was actually none! Such 'huge number of projects' exists only in the deranged imagination of Ako Obioma the failed crooked contractor and his media hirelings.

"It is not only in Abia State that he used his companies to grossly shortchange and sabotage government efforts at providing infrastructure for the people, he extended his malfeasance to Imo State where he was awarded the contracts for the construction of Umuezegwu-Ogbor Ahiazu-Ekwereazu Ahiara Mbaise Road; and the Umuaka through Dikenafai Road and the Okwelle Roundabout.

"Just like he disappointed and abysmally failed his own kinsmen in Umuopara, Umuahia South LGA where he absconded with the contract sums paid for the construction of the all-important Umuopara Ring Road without executing the job, Ako Obioma 'exported' his ineptitude, incompetence and thievery to the people of Ihitte Oboma, Ahiazu Mbaise, Ideato South and Onuimo all in Imo State who till date still suffer the hardship imposed upon them as a result of the non-execution of the contracts awarded for the construction of their roads but which were all abandoned after Ako Obioma the crooked contractor got mobilised but absconded as usual with the funds.

"All Ako Obioma is interested in is the inordinate acquisition and endless primitive accumulation of exotic cars, including about 6 convertible Mercedes Benz cars, a Lamborghini car among others which he drives with glee even in his own community where he is held in both disdain and opprobrium; ostentatious holiday get-aways etc all at the expense of government and the people.

"Such an avaricious, rapacious and voracious element is supposed to be checked into a mental home for a psychiatric check as his level of mindless diversion of public funds is bewildering.

"We advise Ako Obioma to toe the honourable path of apologising to his people in Umuopara for failing them and also consider the option of making restitution to them and all the other communities extending to Imo State for absconding and living fat on their funds without delivering on the jobs he was mobilised for.

"This is the only way he can get some respite from his self-imposed restiveness and crookery," the statement concluded.

Efforts to obtain a response from Ako Obioma regarding these serious allegations proved futile as calls to his known phone number failed to connect.