₦airaland Forum

President Muhammadu Buhari leaves Abuja today for Paris, France to attend the maiden edition of the Paris Peace Forum holding from November 11 to 13, 2018, the Presidency has announced.

Organised by the French Government and a number of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), the Forum is based on the “simple idea that international cooperation is key to tackling global challenges and ensuring durable peace.

President Buhari will join the United Nations(UN)Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres and other world leaders in discussing contributions towards global peace while underscoring the imperative of collective action.

While in Paris, President Buhari will also join other world leaders to commemorate the centenary anniversary of the Armistice signed on November 11, 1918 between the Allied Forces and Germany in the forest of Compiegne in France to end the First World War

During his visit to Paris, President Buhari will attend a luncheon hosted by President Emmanuel Macron in honour of visiting heads of delegations. He will also participate in an interactive session with the Nigerian Community in France.

President Buhari will be accompanied to Paris by Governors Aminu Masari, Willie Obiano and Kayode Fayemi of Katsina, Anambra and Ekiti States, respectively.

Others include the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama; the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami; the National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd); and the Director-General, National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Abubakah

Women around the world are evolving and rediscovering themselves. Gone are the days when they say a woman’s world is limited to the kitchen. Today’s women are doing more than just being a reflection of their husbands, they are carving a path for themselves. As the world progresses and women get out of poverty and achieve more freedom, they are discovering that they are more than society had previously defined them to be.

To break boundaries, women must realize their potentials and maximize them. With education, determination and self-discovery, women are more empowered and can create immense impact in the society.  Intellectual, spiritual, and physical development are as important for women as they are for men today. The church already provides opportunity for the spiritual development and self-discovery of women.

However, some churches are going beyond this, they are also providing opportunity for women to enhance their capacity to actualise their dreams. One of them is The Elevation Church, a Lagos-based Christian organization which recently hosted a conference for women called ‘Made for More’.

Made for More Women’s Conference

The Made for More Women’s Conference is a two-day annual event which the church says is aimed at empowering women. The event usually holds in the month of October at Pistis Conference Centre of The Elevation Church and it is targeted at every woman, irrespective of status and age, both within and outside the church.

Speaking on the rationale behind the event, co-founder of the Elevation Church and chief host, Bolarinwa Akinlabi said the Made for More conference is an avenue to speak directly to the sense of worth in a woman to let her know that she is made for much more than the pages of the newspaper seems to suggest.

“The average young woman, before reaching the age of 20, has received so many stereotypical definitions from the family unit, extended family, billboards, magazines, etc. If you open the pages of a typical magazine, without even seeing a word, there are expectations being pushed out on the average young woman such that she thinks her worth and value is about the outward appearance. We have to speak directly to that sense of worth in a woman to let her know that she is made for much more than the pages of the newspaper seems to suggest.  If you look at the billboards on the street, they seem to suggest that women are made for a certain thing. But God has giving us the instruction to speak specific words of worth into the woman. Her worth is made up of so much more than the physical attributes that want to define her. “

According to the head of Communications, Chinny Ugoji, the organizers of the programme want to raise women that are full of passion for the right things; that are not afraid to move forward with a sense of purpose, focus and ambition.

The conference started in 2016 with Pastor Nike Adeyemi of Daystar Christian Centre as the first guest speaker. Since then, there have been testimonials by women who have been inspired by the event to develop an idea and start something.

According to Akinlabi, one woman recently told her that she had always had an idea to start a new business and she was inspired by the first made for more conference. She launched out her business and has been growing in leaps and bounds over the years.

The second Made for More Women’s conference was in 2017 and it featured Pastor Mrs Funke Felix- Adejumo, a renowned speaker and philanthropist who is the co-founder of Agape Christian Ministries. Pastor Adejumo revealed secrets to a godly woman’s growth and success using biblical principles.  A thousand women were in attendance to worship, discuss crucial issues, pray and get empowered. Over a hundred women-led and owned businesses and brands were on exhibition for Women in Business sections. Women also displayed their products, brands and cultivated business relationships.

Testimonials

Just wrapping up its third edition, the Made of More Women’s Conference has been on the lips of many women, who say it has made a positive impact on their lives.

One of these women, Mrs Morenikeji Rhodes Plumptre, said she made up her mind to join The Elevation Church after attending the 2017 Made for More Conference.

"I had just started visiting Elevation Mainland Church in July 2017. Deciding to become a member at the time was a big decision which I did not want to take lightly, because my personality is not a dormant one. I had been in my old church for 28 years and my husband was still there so I really needed to be sure. Early September, I started hearing about the Made for More Conference. What caught my attention was the fact that Pastor Funke Adejumo, whom I adored, was going to be there.

At the time, I still lived on the mainland, but I made up my mind that come what may I would go, so I registered. Because of the distance and lack of transportation, I could not make the Friday event so I headed off on Saturday. I did not know what to expect. I entered the Pistis Conference Centre and all I saw was a sea of women excited.

There was frank talk with Pastor Joy Isa and a few other women from different walks of life on every topic and information that so many of us would have paid a huge sum money to get. Then the worship, I did not know how broken I was till the worship started, I was so highly blessed, I wept and my environment became a blur as I worshipped my Lord from the innermost part of me, I left that day feeling 100pounds lighter. The icing on the cake was Pastor Funke Adejumo, we all laughed so much we were in tears.

The very next day, I put my name down at TEC Mainland for membership class because I knew right there and then that the Elevation Church was my new home. God worked it out for me and today my husband, daughter and I are fully settled in Pistis Conference Centre and are even church workers. Thank you Pastor Bola Akinlabi for allowing me to know that I am truly Made for More."

A current business owner who runs “Ara Mi” a beauty retail and online store, recently said that she got the inspiration to start her business after attending the event in 2017.

Another woman, CEO of Darkskin Fabrics, a clothing outfit in Lekki, said her business started exactly October last year.

“During the 2017 Made for More conference we were asked to come out and talk to the ministers on what we want the Lord to do for us, and in my exact words: 'I want my business to move from glory to glory, from a car shop to its walk-in store. The Minister prayed for me and exactly 7 months from last year's event I didn't only get a walk-in store but also great business partners that heaven sent to turn my business around.”



Girl on Fire

The third Made for More Conference was held at The Elevation Church’s Pistis centre on the 19th and 20th of October 2018, with the theme: “Girl on Fire”

Introducing the theme, chief host, Bolarinwa Akinlabi said in a video broadcast:

“A girl on fire is energized, a girl of fire has passion; she is not afraid to use her voice. She is not afraid to defend the people who cannot defend themselves, a girl on fire has a song to sing and it’s a song her world is waiting to hear her sing.”

For two days, Bolarinwa Akinlabi and over a thousand other women shared experiences, networked, and encouraged one another to be better in various aspects of their lives.

Akinlabi encouraged women to recognize God's gifting on their lives no matter how insignificant it seemed

“Have you recognized what you have in your house, no matter how insignificant? Like the woman with the little oil, recognize your gift and you will experience miracles,” she charged the audience in one of her ministrations.

The programme featured Jumoke Adenowo; renowned Architect, Interior designer and Founder of AD Consulting as the guest speaker. Adenowo challenged the passion and drive of the woman, inspiring women to discover themselves and break beyond the limits that want to confine them. According to her, man sees a woman as mere seed, but God sees a forest.

To maximize their inner potentials, women have to submit to God.

“Obedience is doing what you've been told to do, submission is deliberately putting down what you have.”

There was a panel session which included business owners, specialists and professionals like Mercy Makinde, Foluso Gbadamosi, Ivie Ogbonwam (HR professional), Simisola Ajasa (Health specialist), and Joy Isa (seasoned teacher). The panel discussed how women can have it all at the “Real Talk” session.

On the first day, there was a ‘Women in Worship’ session, that featured popular gospel artists including Sola Allyson, Lily Perez, Chioma and Ella Vibes. These music ministers led the women in unrestrained and pure worship.

Speaking about the worship session, Akinlabi said; “as women there are some issues we cannot look to people to solve for us, God has to be the answer. We had a wonderful worship session where we just created an atmosphere for the woman to receive the healing and reinforcement and strength that she can only get from her maker.”

One of the vital components of the event is the Business exhibition/fair, a place where women entrepreneurs come together and network. The “Women in Business” exhibition held on Day 2 of the conference, 20th October 2018. The aim of the exhibition is to create awareness for women-led ventures to share business ideas, experiences and merchandise and network.

The side attractions include child care, and a parental clinic. At the parental clinic, which held on the last day of event, mothers sat with physiotherapists, educators, counsellors, certified autism specialists, childhood neurodevelopmental assessors and many more which will only hold on the last day of the event. The parenting clinic was created for women dealing with some challenging issues with their families. There were also experts in the child psychology business; seasoned teachers and educators who also brought women who are parents together to give them real tools to help them deal with troublesome relationships with their children



 The Elevation Church

Coincidentally, The Elevation Church (TEC), which organizes the Made for More conference, has just concluded the celebration of its eight-year anniversary. The church is fast becoming a worship centre of choice for many young people in the Lekki area who are drawn by its charismatic pastor and his dynamic messages.

According to the lead pastor, Godman Akinlabi, “In the past eight years, The Elevation Church has upheld its mandate to make greatness common, and it hopes to raise even greater people who will be positive leaders steering the reins of Nigeria and restoring the country to its glory.”

The week-long series of activities for the anniversary celebrations included a special thanksgiving services at the church’s island and mainland centers on Wednesday, 10 October and Thursday 11 October 2018. The services featured popular gospel artiste, Big Bolaji amongst other acts. There was also a social media celebration to cater to its teeming youthful congregation from Monday, 8 October to Sunday, 14 October 2018.

In a statement made available to news men, Head of Communications, Chinny Ugoji explained that the church has developed a series of impactful events within the past eight years, one of which is the Made for More Women’s Conference holding this October. There is also Exponential, a conference for pastors and church leaders. It is a three-day leadership bootcamp with break-out sessions, workshops, and plenary sessions, hosting about 20 facilitators specialising in different areas/ministries e.g pastors, media, etc. The aim of the event is to resource the body of Christ. Others include “Metamorphosis”, a seminar for previously married, remarried and blended families; “Hangout”- an annual conference for Singles; “Accelerate Conference” - a mid-year event to prepare people for the rest of the year; Navigate Conference for Teenagers from 13-19 years old” and many more.

Additionally, the church has commenced plans to launch its official outreach arm, PISTIS Empowerment Foundation in January. The foundation is targeted at improving access to education, health and shelter in underserved communities. Since inception, the Elevation Church has engaged in several outreaches, community services and interventions in and around its community. Some of these programs include Elev8 200, a ministry to the less privileged; an active Prison Ministry; Back to School Initiatives; and community sanitation in areas like Aboki Village and Jakande. The Elevation Church also holds several medical outreaches across Lagos state.

Speaking about the PISTIS foundation, Godman Akinlabi said, “The Elevation Church is rising up to serve the needs of individuals beyond the confines of church. People have more than spiritual needs and they need to feel supported as well by the body of Christ. Through our empowerment foundation, we are tasking ourselves to support the economically challenged through education (formal and informal) and support for their total well-being.”

The Elevation Church was founded in 2010 by Pastors Godman and Bolarinwa Akinlabi. The church started out in a hall in the heart of Lagos Island but has grown in capacity, with various locations across Lagos. These centres include the Island Church, Pistis Conference Centre; the Lifepointe Church which is an expression for the young at heart; the Mainland expression at Pistis Hub; and a streaming centre within the greater Lekki area.

The Made for More Conference is The Elevation Church’s contribution towards women empowerment.

http://www.todaysecho.com/the-elevation-church-repositioning-women-to-break-boundaries/

Relationship expert and lead pastor of The Elevation Church, Godman Akinlabi has said the few worthy candidates vying for political positions in 2019 are not in the leading parties. He said this during a press conference week designed to mark the church’s eighth anniversary, as well as announce the yearly women conference tagged: “Girl on fire.”

He said: “To move Nigeria forward, we need people that would come up with new visions to leverage our passion, frustration and get everybody to rally round and fulfil it.”

Pastor Akinlabi also advised Nigerians to go for candidates that have demonstrated capacity to build and reject career politicians.

He said: “There are quite a number of people running for positions in the coming elections that possess some of these needed leadership qualities, but the number is not enough. We also have quite a number of people vying for offices now, who have never demonstrated capacity to build something from scratch, establish and make it valuable. Some of them have been in politics all their life.

http://www.todaysecho.com/2019-the-few-worthy-candidates-are-not-in-the-leading-parties-pastor-godman/

If you have been experiencing charges this morning while trying to pay through the Remita system, there is a reason why.

The Federal Government has indicated that, from November 1 2018, the service charge on all payment to its ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs] would be borne by the payer.

Remita is the technology through which money is remitted into the TSA. Remita is a private infrastructure, owned by SystemSpecs.

In line with the global best practices and amidst dwindling revenues, the federal government has approved a new Treasury Single Account [TSA] tariff model which mandates that the service charge on payment to its ministries, departments and agencies [MDAs] from November 1, 2018 would be borne by the payer.

This revelation emerged at the recently concluded One-Day Stakeholder Sensitisation Exercise on TSA e-Collection Charges held in Abuja on Tuesday October 30 2018, organised by the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.

Under the new model, according to information emanating from the office the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Ahmed Idris, all funds collection into the TSA would require payers to bear the transaction cost.

The new model would, therefore, replace the previous one wherein the merchant—in this case, the federal government—bore the charges on all transactions to the service providers on behalf of payers.

In the previous tariff regime, the federal government owed the technology service providers and the participating deposit money banks up to two years in service charge.

In 2012, the pilot TSA scheme commenced using a unified structure of accounting for the 217 MDAs for accountability and transparency in public fund management.

In August 2015, the initiative was fully implemented and covered over 1000 MDAs after a presidential directive. At commencement, all players, including all commercial banks, SystemSpecs and the Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN], agreed that a fee of 1% of funds collected is payable.

http://www.todaysecho.com/tsa-charges-to-be-borne-by-payer-from-nov-1-fg/

Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote has declared that with the right support, his business empire could produce enough to feed the entire West African region.

In a recent interview with Time, Dangote said,  “With the right kind of support, we could feed the entire West African region. It’s possible. Not today, but in the next 10 years.”

At some point in the interview, the entrepreneur  started sketching out plans to Time.

Read more: http://www.todaysecho.com/we-can-feed-the-entire-west-african-region-dangote/

See what Mynd44 said

Dear Mynd44,

I don't know why you do this and what I have done to offend you personally but you have taken down two of my threads that have not even violated any rule on nairaland.

The latest is the thread on Peter Obi, which you call fake news without even investigating:

https://www.nairaland.com/4795548/no-more-first-class-tickets

You said Peter Obi does not have a Twitter account. That is false, he has just opened one and there are many eminent people following him.

I also invite eminent nairalanders to look at the evidences attached

Vice Presidential candidate of the People's Democratic Party(PDP) and former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi has said that there would no longer be first class flight tickets for government officials if Atiku Abubakar is elected as president.

According to him, as Vice president, he will work with the potential president, Atiku Abubakar to put an end to first class tickets for government officials.

"As Vice president, we will put an end to first class tickets for govt officials, end medical treatment abroad for them and help Alhaji @atiku to reduce cost of governance by 50% in our first year. We did it in Anambra. We will replicate it in Abuja"

There have been complaints about Nigerian government officials over wastage and mismanagement of funds.

https://twitter.com/Peter__Obi/status/1052567329907908608

The Vice president, Yemi Osinbajo has arrived in Kaduna State for the 20th MSME clinic and also to assess the impact of the TraderMoni scheme.

The TraderMoni scheme issues soft loans of N10,000 to small scale traders.

Osinbajo's media aide, Laolu Akande announced earlier via a statement available on Twitter:

"VP Osinbajo arrives Kaduna to launch the 20th-State edition of the Msmes clinics and also assess the progress of the N10,000 collateral & interest free Trader Moni in the State"

Osinbajo was received at the Kaduna airport by the Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

The Kaduna State government announced:

"Governor Nasir Ahmad @elrufai has just received Vice Preaident, @ProfOsinbajo in Kaduna this morning, for the the National Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Clinic - Kaduna Edition."

http://www.todaysecho.com/osinbajo-in-kaduna-for-tradermoni/

With the results of its gubernatorial primary election in Lagos State, the All Progressives Congress(APC) has claimed that it has over 1 million members in the state, Today’s Echo can confirm.

The results presented by the party chairman, Tunde Balogun , on Tuesday night indicate that Sanwo – Olu polled 970 ,851 votes to defeat incumbent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode with 72 , 901 votes .

After adding from the two aspirants total votes in the primary will amount to 1, 043, 752

The resultant consequence of the direct primary conducted is that the party can now boast of having over 1 million members in Lagos, which means it can easily score above that in the forthcoming 2019 election

In 2015, Ambode of APC polled a total of 811,994 votes to beat Agbaje of PDP, who had 659,788 votes.

It is pertinent to note that APC won the 2015 governorship election in Lagos State with a number of votes less than that of Sanwo Olu alone in this primary.
http://www.todaysecho.com/guber-primary-indicates-apc-has-over-1-million-members-in-lagos-state/

The National Working Committee’s panel of the All Progressives Congress conducting the governorship primary election in Lagos State on Tuesday has warned that, contrary to some claims in certain quarters, voting has yet to commence.

The committee said it had been in a crucial meeting with key stakeholders, after which the primary poll would officially commence.



The chairman of the panel, Mr. Clement Ebri, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, said the panel had been in a crucial meeting with the chairman of the APC in Lagos, agents of the two contenders in the primary election – Governor Akinwumi Ambode and Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu — and other stakeholders.

He explained that the essence of the meeting was to clear some grey areas and agree on the guidelines for the primary elections, as directed by the national leadership of the party.

When alerted about the viral videos of the primary election purportedly ongoing, with Sanwo-Olu allegedly leading the poll, Ebri said the primary election had yet to begin as of the time of filing this report.

He said, “The primary election hasn’t started. We are in a meeting with the party chairman in Lagos and the agents of the two contenders in the primary election.

“There are grey areas to be ironed out. We want to organise a free, fair and transparent primary election and that is why this meeting is very crucial.

“It is after we have settled the grey areas and address all the stakeholders’ concerns that we will send people out from here to conduct the primary.”

Ebri said any election purportedly carried out in any ward in the state earlier today is null and void, as the stakeholders had yet to agree on important guidelines for the primary.
https://punchng.com/lagos-apc-primaries-weve-not-started-voting-nwc-chair-warns/

1. Team Africa
2. Team PL
3. Match about to start

1. Venue of the match; the Hive, home of Barnet FC
2. CEO of Petrolex, Segun Adebutu
3. Kanu Nwankwo with officials of the match

Kau heart foundation has teamed up with oil company Petrolex, which is owned by Baba Ijebu's son, Segun Adebutu for this charity match aimed at raising money for kids with heart conditions.

The game which was concluded a few minutes ago hasd Premier League Masters XI take on the African Masters in a bid to raise funds to build a new cardiac center in Nigeria which can take care of kids with heart conditions.

Some of the stars in the charity game include Thiery Henry, Robert Pires, Teddy Sheringham, Sol Campbell, Darren Anderton, Emile Heskey, William Gallas, Emmanuel Eboue, and Michael Essien, to name a few.

The game ended 9-4 in favour of the PL team

Forbes Media international has named billionaire oil tycoon and founder of the Aiteo group Benedict Peters; Africa’s Oil and Gas Leader of the Year

Benedict Peters, who is currently the CEO and Executive Vice President of Aiteo, Nigeria's largest indigenous oil company, received the award at the  Forbes Best of Africa Gala which held at Forbes Headquarters, New York City on September 27, 2018.

The Forbes Best of Africa Gala is an annual event that gathers Africa’s leading decision makers in business, governance, industry and society. It is aimed at promoting Africa’s business, trade, tourism, oil and industry to global leaders who trust the Forbes brand for credible business and economic information.

According to a statement from Aiteo's head of corporate communications, Ndiana Matthew, the award is an acknowledgement of Peters’ significant contribution to oil and gas development in Africa by visionary leadership, distinguished service and transformational realignment of a sector dominated by International Oil Companies.

"The Forbes Award also recognized Mr. Peters’ commitment to bettering the lives of people and societies across Africa by philanthropic engagement", Mathew added.


On presenting the award Mike Perlis, CEO and Vice-Chairman of Forbes Media said, “recipients are singled out for their work in bringing prosperity to all 55 countries of the African continent”.

According to the Editor, Emerging Markets for Forbes, Paul H. Trustfull, “Peters’ ascendancy in Africa’s Oil and Gas sector has been exemplary as well as revolutionary. His company, Aiteo, has thrived for about two decades – going from a downstream start-up to becoming a leading integrated energy conglomerate with strategic investments in hydrocarbon (or commodities) exploration and production.”

"Peters reinvented himself in times of great personal challenge. He resurrected his identity and reputation while battling injustice. He proves that inspirational leadership in a difficult industry is possible.” Trustfull added.

Dedicating the coveted award to all Aiteo employees worldwide, Benedict Peters said “The acknowledgement by Forbes as Oil and Gas Leader of 2018 is inspiring. It means a lot to me and the entire Aiteo Group. I am delighted that the International community recognises our contribution towards Africa’s self-sufficiency in energy and our aspiration to become a reference point for indigenous capacity in oil and gas.

"This award motivates us to broaden our vision for the continent, despite all odds, and accelerate her economic transformation. We believe that Africa has what it takes to lead the world and we will continue to push the frontiers of development through our investments in people and technology. The success of our Oil and Gas Upstream subsidiary proves that the future we envision in Africa rests to a large extent in the hands of Africans.”

Mr Peters ventured into the oil and gas sector as an entrepreneur in 1999 and initially traded mainly in the downstream sector. Aiteo is currently the highest producing indigenous oil E & P company in Nigeria.

In 2015, Benedict Peters consolidated Aiteo’s asset portfolio with a $3 billion acquisition of
sub-Saharan Africa’s largest onshore block (OML 29). Subsequently, Aiteo optimised the asset’s yield from 17,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd) to almost 70,000 bopd within the year of the asset’s acquisition. The largest indigenous energy provider currently peaks production at around 100,000 bopd, doubling its initial asset value to $6 billion within three years. The company plans to invest another $4.3 billion acquiring additional offshore assets with a projected total output of 250,000 bopd in the short to medium term.

Beyond oil, the Aiteo Group has investments in mining, agriculture, infrastructure development, electricity generation and distribution, with a fast-growing retail distribution network. It is focused on serving the needs of communities across the continent by leveraging a unique combination of a strategic asset base, technology, innovation, and some of the best technical and business minds across the industries it operates in. The group has been expanding rapidly, to extend its operations to different countries across Africa and beyond with emerging international presence in the DRC, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Zambia, Zimbabwe as well as offices in Geneva and Paris.

Peters is passionate about youth empowerment and has donated generously to support football on the African continent. His company, Aiteo sponsors the Nigerian Football Federation, CAF Awards, Aiteo Cup (the Federation’s foremost tournament in Nigeria) and a football team in his company’s host community. He has also assisted thousands of internally displaced persons in northern Nigeria while supporting clean water sanitation initiatives in
Africa, in partnership with Face Africa, improving the lives of over 25,000 people in rural Liberia. Peters addresses social and environmental issues in the agricultural sector through the Joseph Agro Foundation, set up in July 2014 to tackle chronic unemployment and water shortage.

In recognition of his groundbreaking contribution to development, Peters was one of four
recipients of the Marquee Award for Global Business Excellence at the Africa-US Leadership Awards in 2014. In the same year, he received the "Leadership CEO of the Year” award. In 2015, Peters was conferred with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Awards in the Economic Empowerment” category. And was listed as one of the ‘50 Most Influential Nigerians in 2017’ by BusinessDay.

More recently, he has been recognized as the ‘Oil and Gas Man of the Year’ at the prestigious 2018 Guardian Awards.

From: http://www.todaysecho.com/nigerian-billionaire-benedict-peters-is-africas-oil-and-gas-leader-forbes/

To commemorate breast cancer awareness month, Serena Williams has recorded her version of ‘I Touch Myself’, a song by The Divinyls.

In the video, the tennis star is bare-chested but covers her breasts with her hands while singing her rendition of the 1990 hit.

“This Breast Cancer Awareness Month I’ve recorded a version of The Divinyls global hit “I Touch Myself” to remind women to self-check regularly,” Williams wrote on Instagram.

“Yes, this put me out of my comfort zone, but I wanted to do it because it’s an issue that affects all women of all colors, all around the world. Early detection is key – it saves so many lives. I just hope this helps to remind women of that.

“The music video is part of the I Touch Myself Project which was created in honor of celebrated diva, Chrissy Amphlett, who passed away from breast cancer, and who gave us her hit song to remind women to put their health first. The project is proudly supported by @BerleiAus for Breast Cancer Network Australia.”

You can watch the video here: http://www.todaysecho.com/serena-williams-goes-nude-to-raise-awareness-for-breast-cancervideo/

HigherEd:
You saw this yet you brought it here. Are you normal at all?

Sorry but I am a journalist. My job is to expose things, not to cover them up

Music critic and Pulse editor, Osagie Alonge, aka Osagz has alleged threats to his life and taken down a controversial podcast he made about Wizkid and some other artistes.

Today's Echo has received the statement Osagz made after deleting the podcast, saying his life and that of his friends are threatened by alleged Wizkid fans.

Below are some of the things he said According to reports,

"Osagz said Wizzy swindles all his managers, collects advance for shows which he doesn’t eventually turn up. He has fallen out with his day1’s and is constantly on drugs. Osagz also claims Wizkid tried to Blackball #Davido and is the reason #WandeCoal didn't make David’s first album."

He calls wizkid ‘insecure’ and claims he way over 27-year old, that his previous management flipped his age to make him more attractive to young people.

He also spoke about new kid on the block, Teni who is fast becoming a fan's favourite. Osagz said Teni should stick to writing music instead of singing because she doesn’t have the looks.

He called Sunday Are Wizkid's manager an "old timer who cant keep up with the pace"

"were you molested as a kid, wizkid? We know all about the Abuja women you were fucking"

This and many more, Osagz said in the podcast that he has now deleted.

http://www.todaysecho.com/music-critic-osagz-removes-controversial-podcast-dissing-wizkid/

Music critic and Pulse editor, Osagie Alonge, aka Osagz has alleged threats to his life and taken down a controversial podcast he made about Wizkid and some other artistes.

Today's Echo has received the statement Osagz made after deleting the podcast, saying his life and that of his friends are threatened by alleged Wizkid fans.

Below are some of the things he said According to reports,

"Osagz said Wizzy swindles all his managers, collects advance for shows which he doesn’t eventually turn up. He has fallen out with his day1’s and is constantly on drugs. Osagz also claims Wizkid tried to Blackball #Davido and is the reason #WandeCoal didn't make David’s first album."

He calls wizkid ‘insecure’ and claims he way over 27-year old, that his previous management flipped his age to make him more attractive to young people.

He also spoke about new kid on the block, Teni who is fast becoming a fan's favourite. Osagz said Teni should stick to writing music instead of singing because she doesn’t have the looks.

He called Sunday Are Wizkid's manager an "old timer who cant keep up with the pace"

"were you molested as a kid, wizkid? We know all about the Abuja women you were fucking"

This and many more, Osagz said in the podcast that he has now deleted.

http://www.todaysecho.com/music-critic-osagz-removes-controversial-podcast-dissing-wizkid/

See the evidence; The school photo album with Adeleke as a student

he Covenant University’s Alumni Association has issued an official statement on the school’s recent sex scandal.
This follows the reported resignation of the Registrar of Covenant University, Dr Olumuyiwa Oludayo after details emerged that he had made sexual advances to female students.

In the statement, obtained by Today’s Echo, the Alumni condemns every act of sexual harassment and supports the exit of the embattled registrar.

See full statement below:

COVENANT UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION·SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2018
On behalf of the Covenant University Alumni Association, we bring you greetings and trust that you are sound in health and mind.
The series of events in the past few days have created a boisterous conversation within our community. While we cannot speak for the University, because it has its own defined process and procedure for responding to public commentaries or inquiries, we can clearly state our position on the situation at hand for the purpose of clarity, and to form a guided opinion for members of our amiable Association.
The Association does not propagate personal opinions, neither does it use the collection of it to determine its course of action. You are all subscribed to a solid community, led by responsible persons who must remain accountable for every word it puts out on your behalf. This warrants the utmost care and consideration when addressing matters of such sensitivity, particularly one that speaks to the reputation of the Association and our Alma Mater. This is why we must consult widely and deeply to ensure that any position we take is first to our best interest, then the interest of the University.
In this light, we hereby categorically state that the Covenant University Alumni Association condemns every act of sexual abuse, sexual harassment, or sexual exploitation, whether covertly or overtly acted and stated. We believe in the vision of Covenant University and its core values. These values have helped to shape the new generation of leaders we have all become in our various places of assignment. We therefore totally abhor any sexual expression that aims to manipulate and place an unhealthy demand on any student currently undergoing studies at Covenant, or any visiting or resident Alumnus in the University.
Beyond the condemnation of such abhorrent behaviour, our Association is thoroughly committed to eliminating such pernicious personalities from the Covenant Community. We believe all staff of the University hold such positions in trust, and that they will deliver such duty with the highest form of rectitude and sound judgment. We will fight for the total purge of such morally corrupting and vision eroding elements for our Alma Mater. This is our definitive position going forward, and we will be partnering with the University to ensure that we deliver on this and help Covenant preserve its raison d’être.
In the light of this, we plead with every member of this great Alumni Association to kindly moderate our public commentaries, particularly such statements that empower mockery from the grossly ignorant persons who trudge social media. Vulgarity and the spewing of bile comments by members of this Association will only call into question our character as individuals, and then question the “house” we all come from. The moral of this approach is that when expelling thieves from your house, you do not demolish it with the instruments available to you, else you will be exposed to the elements and find no rest.
Covenant University is barely 16 years old and is still laying its foundations as a Global Citadel of Learning. However, see what it has achieved in a short period through an undying commitment to providing a departure from the traditional approaches to education. Perfection is far from her and is only a progressive journey when we join forces to power the established vision and the delivery of it. Make no mistake, a globally acclaimed University is a globally acclaimed certificate in your hands.
The Alumni Executives are available for private conversations where there are major concerns arising from the focal issue here. We do not, by any means, take lightly the opportunity to serve the Association, and we remain committed to delivering a community that works. Great things do take time to build, and we are building with the utmost care. The next few weeks will reveal the amount of labour input that has gone into strengthening this community.
We greatly appreciate every member of this Association that has expressed much concern over the many challenges the University is evolving through. You all deserve the deepest respect. Let us work together and leave such an undeniable mark in the rocks of time, and may our children call us blessed.
This statement is meant for circulation only to Alumni Members and will not be published anywhere else other than this group. Kindly help ensure that we keep it this way. Thank you.

There are three packs of pizza up for grabs right now as the Good Citizen Show holds live games on its social media channels

The contest is running currently on Twitter and Instagram, it requires people to provide answers and garner as many likes as possible to emerge winner of the contest. Winners of today’s contest will be announced on the radio show at 6pm on Friday.


Social media handle - @GoodCitizenNg. It is the same across all platforms.

An Australian cartoonist has defended his depiction of Serena Williams at the US Open, after the image went viral and was criticised as racist and sexist, according to the BBC.

Mark Knight's newspaper cartoon showed Williams jumping above a broken racquet next to a baby's dummy. Critics said it used racist stereotypes.

The cartoonist denied it was racist, saying he had intended to depict only the tennis player's "poor behaviour".

Some also said Knight had "whitewashed" Japanese player Naomi Osaka.

Williams sparked controversy during her loss to Osaka, whose father is Haitian and mother Japanese, when she accused the umpire of sexism and being a "thief".

Knight's drawing was published in Australia's most-read newspaper, the Herald Sun on Monday, and referenced Williams's outburst and showed the umpire asking Osaka: "Can you just let her win?"

It has been strongly defended by Knight and the newspaper's editor, Damon Johnston, who denied the cartoon is racist or sexist.

"It rightly mocks poor behaviour by a tennis legend... Mark has the full support of everyone," he said in a tweet.

Critics, including author JK Rowling, compared the cartoon of Williams to past racist caricatures of African-American people.

"Well done on reducing one of the greatest sportswomen alive to racist and sexist tropes and turning a second great sportswoman into a faceless prop."

Another critic said:

"You couldn’t be more racist if you tried - and you reeeeeaaally tried. Using those classic sambo tropes- enlarged lips, overexaggerated body parts to depict Serena as hyper masculine- next time just use an old ad from the 1800s- no one would notice the difference in your racism"

Others on social media pointed out that Osaka, who is mixed race, had been drawn as a white woman with blonde hair.

The National Association of Black Journalists in the US denounced the cartoon as "repugnant on many levels".

"[It] not only exudes racist, sexist caricatures of both women, but Williams' depiction is unnecessarily sambo-like," it said in a statement.

The 1899 children's book, The Story of Little Black Sambo, featured derogatory racial depictions - such as characters with thick red lips.

Knight said he had "no knowledge of those cartoons or that period", saying on Tuesday that "the world has just gone crazy".

"The cartoon was just about Serena on the day having a tantrum. That's basically it," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Knight also rejected a suggestion that he would not draw a similar image of a man. As evidence, he tweeted his recent cartoon of tennis player Nick Kyrgios.

By 12:15 GMT on Tuesday, both his Twitter and Facebook accounts had been shut down.

http://www.todaysecho.com/man-who-drew-serena-williams-cartoon-accused-of-racism/

An Australian cartoonist has defended his depiction of Serena Williams at the US Open, after the image went viral and was criticised as racist and sexist, according to the BBC.

Mark Knight's newspaper cartoon showed Williams jumping above a broken racquet next to a baby's dummy. Critics said it used racist stereotypes.

The cartoonist denied it was racist, saying he had intended to depict only the tennis player's "poor behaviour".

Some also said Knight had "whitewashed" Japanese player Naomi Osaka.

Williams sparked controversy during her loss to Osaka, whose father is Haitian and mother Japanese, when she accused the umpire of sexism and being a "thief".

Knight's drawing was published in Australia's most-read newspaper, the Herald Sun on Monday, and referenced Williams's outburst and showed the umpire asking Osaka: "Can you just let her win?"

It has been strongly defended by Knight and the newspaper's editor, Damon Johnston, who denied the cartoon is racist or sexist.

"It rightly mocks poor behaviour by a tennis legend... Mark has the full support of everyone," he said in a tweet.

Critics, including author JK Rowling, compared the cartoon of Williams to past racist caricatures of African-American people.

"Well done on reducing one of the greatest sportswomen alive to racist and sexist tropes and turning a second great sportswoman into a faceless prop."

Another critic said:

"You couldn’t be more racist if you tried - and you reeeeeaaally tried. Using those classic sambo tropes- enlarged lips, overexaggerated body parts to depict Serena as hyper masculine- next time just use an old ad from the 1800s- no one would notice the difference in your racism"

Others on social media pointed out that Osaka, who is mixed race, had been drawn as a white woman with blonde hair.

The National Association of Black Journalists in the US denounced the cartoon as "repugnant on many levels".

"[It] not only exudes racist, sexist caricatures of both women, but Williams' depiction is unnecessarily sambo-like," it said in a statement.

The 1899 children's book, The Story of Little Black Sambo, featured derogatory racial depictions - such as characters with thick red lips.

Knight said he had "no knowledge of those cartoons or that period", saying on Tuesday that "the world has just gone crazy".

"The cartoon was just about Serena on the day having a tantrum. That's basically it," he told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Knight also rejected a suggestion that he would not draw a similar image of a man. As evidence, he tweeted his recent cartoon of tennis player Nick Kyrgios.

By 12:15 GMT on Tuesday, both his Twitter and Facebook accounts had been shut down.

You can see the cartoon here: http://www.todaysecho.com/man-who-drew-serena-williams-cartoon-accused-of-racism/

6. The Eternal Fraternal Order of the Legion Consortium(KKK)

AKA: Klansmen Confraternity
Greeting: Ave Sirs, Dedy na debt
Colours: Not available

This is a more recent group but spreading really fast and also violent, especially in the South-South. It is modelled after the white-supremacist secret organization in the United States known as Khu Klux Klan(KKK). Members worship a god called Ogor, represented with a skull. Members call themselves KKK, Klansmen, EFOLK, Ave, etc.

Popular sayings: The affairs of a klansman before any other thing in life, What concerns a klansman concerns all klansmen, Status of other cult members are not considered or relevant, Oath of secrecy abide to all members, Peaceful man in a deadly mood, disagree to agree

5. The National Association of Airlords

AKA: Supreme Eiye Confraternity
Greeting: Haber krier
Colours: Blue

This is a very common cult group in the Southwest and also one of the most violent. It was formed at the University of Ibadan in 1963, also affiliated to the Eiye Secret Society, which exists in the western part of Nigeria. The date, August 8(8- is sacred to members as their anniversary. Members call themselves Birds, Airlords, Fliers, Airforce
Popular sayings: Secrecy, Autocracy, Discipline, Brotherhood, No Friend No Foe

4. The Norsemen Club of Nigeria

AKA: Supreme Vikings confraternity
Greeting: Aro mate
Colours: Red, black

This is a very dominant cult group in the South East and South-South. It was founded in the University of Port Harcourt in 1982 by 3 young men with codenames; Rising angel, Eric De Red, and Troppence. They have another arm in the secondary schools called Junior Vikings(JVC). The fraternity is modelled after the historical Viking tribe in the Scandanavia and adopted some practices of the Nazi German government of Adolf Hitler. Members call themselves Germans, Baggers, Kings, Executioners, Adventurers

Popular sayings: Blood on the high sea, Singing songs of Hojas, Never to hang a leg, Even in the face of death.

3. The Neo-Black Movement of Africa
AKA:
Greeting: Aye Axemen! Dodorima
Colours: Black, white, yellow

This is one of the most violent and deadly cult groups today. It is modelled after the neo-black movement in South-Africa which was formed to fight for the liberation of the black man against Apartheid. It was formed at the University of Benin in 1976. Its symbol is an axe cutting through a chain binding the two hands. Members call themselves Aiye, Axemen, Seven (7) or Amigos. They use the number 7 and usually celebrate their anniversary on July 7(7-7)

Popular sayings: The Blackman will be freed with an axe, No f*ck ups, Forgiveness is a sin, Don’t betray your brother in the hood, Obey before complain or Abeyance, He who price must pay.