Many children look forward to turning 18, as it symbolizes their transition into adulthood. But now, some adolescents may have to wait a little while longer to become a grown-up.

Child psychologists in Britain have issued new guidelines this week, advising doctors to change the age for maturity from 18 to 25 years old, Medical Daily reported. According to the experts, their decision was based on recent findings relating to emotional maturity, hormonal development and neurological activity.

“The idea that suddenly at 18 you’re an adult just doesn’t quite ring true,” Laverne Antrobus, a child psychologist at London’s Tavistock Clinic, told BBC News. “My experience of young people is that they still need quite a considerable amount of support and help beyond that age.”

Antrobus and others claim that adolescence can be split into three stages: An early period between 12 and 14 years of age, a middle period between 15 and 17 years of age, and a new period called “late adolescence” from 18 to 25 years of age. According to Medical Daily, past research has shown that human cognition continues to development well into early adulthood, and hormonal activity often associated with the teenage years continues into an person’s early 20s.

The psychologists hope that by redefining the age for adulthood, people in their early 20s will gain better access to the proper health care and education.

However, the move has already been met with criticism. Frank Furedi, a sociologist at the University of Kent, told BBC News that young adults are being infantilized, especially as more young people in their early 20s are moving back in with their parents.

"There is a loss of the aspiration for independence and striking out on your own,” Furedi said. “When I went to university it would have been a social death to have been seen with your parents , whereas now it's the norm.”

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/09/25/psychologists-in-britain-want-to-change-adulthood-from-18-to-25/?intcmp=latestnews

@Igbo Delta: I didn't expect that you'd bring the tribal thing here as well. The article clearly specifies that it means largest in terms of POPULATION and NOT LAND MASS. Going to start talking about South West and all that is pointless. We all know that the largest religious Camp grounds in Nigeria are to be found in the SW; it has nothing to do with tribal orientation, but mostly about the same old story of the strategic importance of proximity to Lagos!

And generally speaking, we should learn to differentiate between South West and Yoruba folks. Credit for a whole lot of things that go on in the SW may be attributed NOT only to the Yoruba but to all the peoples who inhabit this region, including the Igbo, Hausa/Fulani and other minority tribes. Who told you that RCCG Camp is a Yoruba success story? Do you know the what percentage of the population of it's inhabitants is made up of non-Yoruba? Or can you quantify how much money that non-Yoruba have put into its development as well as the Yoruba?

Simply put: In CHRIST WE ALL ARE ONE! Enough of this attitude of attempting to inject primordial sentiments into every little research or news article. Let's for once simply savour the news for what it is!

Morale of the story?
Even in Nigeria, hard work still produces results. Things still work.

GOING by the breakneck speed with which they whiz through the mostly craggy and pothole-ridden portions of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, many motorists would seem to know very little about the Redemption Camp beyond its signboards and its modest white gate. This afternoon, however, a billboard outside the gate shows a mother smiling down at her baby. It is a picture of complete satisfaction from both. The photograph illustrates the theme of the Holy Ghost Service, ‘God Will Make You Laugh,’ which was held on September 6. Considering the decent condition of living in the Redemption Camp as The Guardian discovered during its tour, and what is obtainable in other Nigerian towns and cities, the prayers of the residents may have already been answered.

• How former den of robbers, wild animals became a place of worship

A camp of many wonders

AT the entrance of the Camp, a nondescript security man looks casually at approaching vehicles before waving them in. On the right side of the gate, a neat and orderly row of tricycles painted in green with white stripes awaits commuters going into the Camp. Quietly, and without the hassles characterising life in other Nigerian settlements, passengers walk to the tricycle taxi park, take their seats, and the journey begins through a network of streets linked by tarred roads.

There is no noisy honking and blaring of horns. Drivers neither jeer nor rain curses on other roads users. And there are no trailers threatening to tip over and spill their inflammable content on hapless road users. There are also no traffic snarls and all the disorder associated with life in most of Nigeria’s chaotic cities. A number of road signs indicate a speed limit of between 15 and 25 km per hour. Wafting from loudspeakers in different parts of the camp is mellow Christian music. The soothing effect of the songs is occasionally interrupted by the deep baritone voice of the General Overseer (GO) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor E.A. Adeboye, who makes exhortations in recorded messages. Next are the Pentecostal naming of the roads and streets: Redeemer Avenue, Victory Avenue, Salvation Way, Love Road, Holiness Road, New Song Road, and the list goes on. Streets and addresses in the Redemption Camp get their names from the biblical narratives and experiences.

Unlike many Nigerian towns and cities where existence is dreary, nasty and often extremely disorganised, the Redeemed Camp is a town that works. The air is clean and fresh, the roads are free of potholes, and the general decay associated with urban living in Nigeria is almost non-existent in the Camp. Electricity supply is uninterrupted, clean water runs at the tap, environment is sanitised and decent transportation system is in place. Nonetheless, The Guardian observed during its tour of the area that, the sanity and serenity of the Redeem City might not be as a result of daily session of prayer, praise and worship. Rather authorities in the town have painstakingly made and implemented rules and regulations to ensure that the place is not turned to yet another Nigerian nightmare.

Rules and regulations governing behaviour in the Camp are clearly spelt out in one of the billboards; “no hawking and no loitering during service.” There is also a list of rules that the camp dwellers are to observe. For instance, while the government in Lagos, as well as many other states across the country is battling tooth and nail to rid its domain of the activities of motorbike (Okada) riders, the authorities at the Redemption Camp simply insisted that the place be a no-go area for motorcycle taxis. The result is that cars are free to move without the risk of colliding with bikes, while commuters are spared the ordeal of falling off speeding bikes and breaking their limbs. Instead of the reckless run of commercial motorcycles, what obtains in the Camp is the beautiful sight of families riding bicycles as a way of exercising and relaxing.

An exclusive Christian community

Those in charge of affairs at the Camp mince no words about the fact that it is a Christian community. “This is the city of Christians,” says the Senior Camp Maintenance Director, Pastor Dapo Adesina. As such, everything is arranged to give effect to the Christian message of the glory and splendour of the Almighty. The streets, especially at night, breathe in unsullied air from the surrounding foliage, giving the Redemption City a quality of celestial bliss. From the lampposts by the roads, silver glow on top casts a bright hallow upon the estates of buildings erected by Haggai Saving Loans, a community bank owned by RCCG.


According to RCCG website, Haggai has been able to develop over 66 units of houses and another 22 units in addition to 150 units of various types of bungalows. Other banks located within the Camp include Access Bank, UBA, GTB, Zenith Bank, Eco Bank. For a visitor, the residential and office areas are hardly distinguishable; the place is an open city. The estate comprises duplexes, bungalows, three and four-bedroom flats owned by members of the church. On the West side of the city are the offices that handle the bureaucracy. This includes the International Office, Camp Maintenance Department, Finance and Budget Department, Finance and Auditing Department, Pre-paid meter office, Security Unit, Redeemer Clinic, Directorate of Christian Education, Rehabilitation Centre, Electrical Department, as well as the Water Department. Right at the heart of the city is the sprawling Congress Arena measuring two-kilometer (length) by one kilometer (breadth).

According to the Redeemed Camp authorities, the auditorium contained more than two million worshippers during the last Holy Ghost Congress. During the Congress, the Camp metamorphosed into a Mecca of sorts, accommodating about 6 million people. The congregants came from 120 countries where RCCG branches are located. But on other days, except first Friday of the month slated for the Holy Ghost Service, Redemption Camp is a somber city. When there are no big events in the Camp, the auditorium is a sanctuary for the faithful who come to pray and make supplications to God.

During The Guardian tour of the auditorium recently, scores of people were seen meditating and having their quiet time. During these periods, when there are no major events, it is easier to stand close to the altar, a section of the temple considered to be exclusive preserve for the VIPs that attend the events. Few individuals in different positions of prayer scattered around the huge hall while cleaners and technicians were getting the auditorium ready for the Congress. Across the road, the voice of the G.O. echoed from a shopping complex. “You will not die this year…”
Within the Camp, there are several other structures like the main auditorium, the Redeemer University (RUN), The Redeemed Christian Bible College, Redeemer High School, International Guest House, post office, supermarket, power station, water treatment plant among others.

History of the Redemption Camp

The first foundation of the Redemption City, according to the church authorities, was laid in April 1983. Prior to that time, Pastor Adeboye, who had just retired from the University of Ilorin as the Head, Department of Mathematics and was living in Mushin area, Lagos was said to have prayed to God for a house. In response, God promised him a city. Adeboye’s wife, Pastor Folu Adeboye, received revelation that the city must be built along the express road. But when a portion of land became available at Alagbado, the church could not afford the price. And since the church policy forbids borrowing, the authorities had to wait till the church could afford to foot the bill. Not long after, a portion of land near the Lagos-Ibadan expressway was available. The place was found out to be more accessible to members from other parts of the country. “And the rest, as they say, is history,” said Adesina.

Today, Redemption City is a tranquil home to a population of about 10,000 people. It is perhaps the largest Christian city in the world. Not even the Vatican City, established in 1929 and spread across 44 hectares of land, could boast of the population of the Redeemed City. Vatican City, according to CIA World Factsheet, is populated by 836 citizens, mostly priests. According to Pastor Adesina, though the Redeemed City is not patterned after the Vatican City, a sovereign entity within Rome, the city has aspiration to assume a political status in future. Residents of Redemption City participate in elections like other citizens in Ogun State, “but we do not allow political campaign in the city because we see ourselves as family members,” said Adesina.

A former den of men of the underworld

Though Loburo settlement in Ogun State, the spot that now hosts the Camp was a den of robbers and wild animals in the early 1980s, the coming of the Camp has changed its history forever. Until the Redeemed Christian Church of God moved its Bible College to the place in 1983, it was a place where shady characters and hardened criminals carried out their nefarious activities. The story has it that the place was so unsafe for commuters that they did all they could to avoid falling prey to the men of the underworld who prowled the area unchallenged. Through the massive construction of roads and houses, the former hideout for criminals has now been transformed into a haven that even foreigners find attractive, thereby generating foreign exchange for the country.

Importantly, the Camp has been able to shatter what is becoming a myth in Nigeria, that generating adequate electricity supply to meet the people’s need is a herculean task. As such, the darkness that envelopes many parts of the country, crippling economic activities and making life miserable for both the rich and the poor, does not exist in Redeemed Camp. With its 10 megawatts power generation plant, which provides electricity for homes, businesses, offices, and the auditorium, the Camp has come off self-sufficient in its power needs. From the main gate to the big auditorium, the light bulbs shone uninterrupted.

Pastor Taiwo Ajewole, an engineer at the Electrical Department of the Redeemed City said the community relies on the turbine powered by diesel and compressed natural gas to generate electricity. The efficiency of the turbine system ensures that the camp stays aglow all day. So constant is power supply that beverage and frozen food vendors in the area are forced to switch off their refrigerators for days, in order to defrost their products before offering them for sale. Aside this, the city also has its own independent water treatment dam that produces no fewer than six million litres of potable water daily. It is thus no surprise that many residents of Lagos and Ogun states are beginning to flock the area in order to enjoy some of these benefits, which has triggered massive development along the corridor, and has impacted on real estate business especially.

Within 30 years, the area has become so transformed that the vision, according to church sources is now to continue the expansion and consolidate on the achievements recorded thus far.
According to Pastor Adesina, the GO’s modest request for a house was granted by God in form of a city that has now become the cynosure of eyes within Nigeria, and internationally.

The camp in the eyes of residents

A 46-year-old businesswoman in the city told The Guardian she enjoys life in the Camp because of the constant and uninterrupted power supply. “The only time the light goes off is when technicians are doing maintenance of the turbine. And if it happens, it is only for an hour or thereabout. And they usually inform us before they switch off light. As I speak now, I have switched off my freezer for the past three days because everything in the fridge is frozen.”

Similarly, a former electricity metre-billing officer in Lagos enthused that life is different in the camp compared to what obtains in Lagos city where she once lived. “People move around here 24 hours and people come in to pray anytime of the day. It is a safe haven because you can move anytime. The security here is better than in the main Lagos city. In fact there was a time I forgot my shop key here for three days and I came back just to meet my things safe and intact.” She continued: “It may also interest you to know that all the roads in this city are constructed by the church. There is even a tarred road that leads to Ikorodu from the back of our own auditorium.”

Before deciding to go into the sale of Christian books, bibles and soft drinks in the Camp, another resident said she had worked for 21 years in one hospital in Lagos. Despite the number of hours she put in the job, her earnings at the hospital was never commensurate to her input. But the little profit she makes from doing business in the Camp now is enough for her family upkeep. “I closed my eyes to the salary and the free medical service I was receiving together with my family from my former office, and relocated here, and I am enjoying my life here in Redemption City. Though I may not be making millions, I am contented with my stress-free business in the city.” She further revealed that she used to spend an average of N16,000 weekly for fuelling her generator when she was living at Alagbado. In the camp, however, she says the fuel inside her generator has dried up because there was no need to use it for a period of time.

“We also have primary school, secondary school and tertiary institution and there are banks here too. Everything is well organised here. You must, however, not operate any business on Sunday morning because everybody is expected to be in church. You may come after church service to open, but certainly not during worship hour.”

Likewise, Olayinka Olayiwola, a plumber working with the Dam Department in the
city is also a resident of the Redeemed Camp. According to him, the Camp produces about six million litres of potable water for drinking. “Anytime my department needs power supply, we get it. I enjoy living and working here and I don’t think I intend to leave here for now because there is security, regular power supply and good road network.”

Engineer Taiwo Ajewole, who works in the Electrical Department echoed
Olayiwola’s position. He said although he spends an average of N4,000 per month on electricity, he is happy to pay because light is available. “I have light in my house 24 hours a day, seven days per week. Before I moved here I used to iron (sic) as many of my clothes as possible whenever PHCN light comes, now I iron my cloth only when I want to go out,” he said.

The power of planning and transparency

So how does this model city get things right? How are the administrators able to carry on with their duties without lining their pockets with funds meant for the public good? Pastor Adesina, the maintenance helmsman at the camp spoke about the fear of God as the driving force behind the altruistic disposition of the people to serve in God’s vineyard. He said officials are conscious that they are carrying out their duties, not just because they must be responsible to an earthly boss, but also because they will all stand before the Creator someday. He implied that the mind-boggling corruption being witnessed in government at local, state, and federal level is the result of the lack of the fear of God. “If you put money meant for church work in your pocket, one day, you will face your creator, and you will account for it,” he said.

According to him, the church does not do anything based on human plan. Everything is based on the divine inspiration of the Almighty.

“As the Lord directs the authority of the church, they give us the guidelines and we implement. The project office maintains the existing roads. They are to make sure they fix all the potholes and regularly maintain the roads, so that there will not be traffic congestion, either during major or off major events period. So the roads are maintained regularly,” he explained.


Indeed, the story of Redeemed City is like a bright star on a dark firmament, but more than anything else, it is a good account of triumph of human determination to create his own heaven right here on earth.

http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/national-news/133755-redemption-camp-largest-city-of-god-on-earth-

The man GEJ... I wonder what it'd take for him to make a simple statement in public without appearing to either lack a proper understanding of the issues or lack the sheer political will to tackle them head on.

How can a President say that he won't mention names of corrupt people because he doesn't want to be attacked? Nna, na wa o!

Hear Hear!

Story Story!
I don't see how any letter of such subject matter could have been written on official letter head. I doubt its veracity.
over and out.

Guys,
Anyone in that neighbourhood should be extra careful o. I would have thought such things happen only in our beloved Naija. But I'm not sure such can even happen over here. maybe Ashiru (oops! That should read Onwuliri) should issue a travel advisory to all Nigerians roaming in that part of the world.

HOLYOKE, Mass. – Holyoke police are looking for a man they say interrupted a church service and robbed several members of the congregation at gunpoint.

Lt. James Albert says the masked suspect entered the Pentecostal church at about 2 p.m. Sunday, announced the robbery, and took personal items, including cellphones, from several of the roughly 20 worshippers.

One of the congregants called police after the robber ran off.

The suspect was described as a thin, Latino man wearing a black T-shirt, pants and hat.

Anyone with information about the robbery is asked to call police



Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/09/16/worshippers-robbed-during-massachusetts-church-service/?intcmp=latestnews#ixzz2f41BRwF4

I wonder if this man who has been gallivanting across the length and breadth of this country even has lawyers to advise him that LASG is currently appealing his discharge and acquital at the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Does he intend to show up when the case comes for mention? What if the judgement is ruled against him? there will be no middle ground, as the court does not give what you don't ask... Either they uphold the ruling of the Appeal Court which let him off, or uphold the ruling of the High Court which condemned him.

Generally, one born during an international flight would be deemed to have as country of origin, the country in whose airspace one saw the world.
If they can prove that it was born in Spanish airspace, na Spaniard be that.

Well, the man may not be in the best of shape for the rigors of governance, but contrary to earlier widely circulated reports, HE's NOT BRAIN DEAD! If Yar'Adua had been able to address the nation in this sort of manner, GEJ for nor smell Acting President o!

I only hope this is not a back-door ploy to forward the fortunes of Islamic or koranic schools for these little pre-shoolers. Mr Aregbesola, eyes on you, man!

Madiba! Against all odds!

I remember back in June when it looked like he was already near the end. I firmly refused to speculate on his demise, telling my wife that I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't end up outlasting some perfectly healthy people who were at that point debating how many hours he had left to live. People who would succumb to accidents and sudden death any moment from then.

SMH

This "old horse" has cheated death yet again. What exciting news to start the weekend with!

That's how they came along and said that we should make up for short-fall in world nutrition from feeding on insects. Chei!

Great!!!!

Julia Child did it and, according to recent studies, so do about 90 percent of people: rinse their raw birds before cooking.

The idea is to get rid of bacteria that may cause food-borne illness like salmonella.

But a food safety researcher at Drexel University wants you to stop -now.

Jennifer Quinlan, who conducted a study as part of a research project funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, says that washing your raw poultry actually increases the chance of spreading the bacteria around the kitchen.

"It does not get rid of the bacteria, it does not kill the bacteria. However, there is a chance that it will spray that bacteria called aerosolization," Quinlan said in a video as part of a new public service campaign to stop the practice.


According to Quinlan, as many as 90 percent of people rinse their raw birds. That's not surprising since many recipes actually call for you to wash the chicken and pat dry with paper towels.

The origin of the practice stems from some who like to wash away the sliminess that can come with commercial packaging. Others wipe the raw birds with vinegar or rub it with lemon. All these practices are not recommended by the USDA. Instead, you should make sure you clean your knives, cutting boards and other surfaces --and don't let raw poultry or its juices touch other foods.

Got more questions about how to handle your raw poultry, check out what else is recommend by the USDA.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2013/08/26/researches-say-shouldnt-wash-your-chicken/#ixzz2dADFW9F3

More of such encouraging news of intertribal cooperation and commingling, despite the futile efforts of the haters!

Eket Street in Umuahia, Abia State capital is renowned, but not for many things. It is the mosaic of peoples, ethnicities, class, languages, faiths, and cultures that the street has become.
In the past it was rare and considered a taboo for the easterners to marry the northerners, but all that is changing. The barrier posed by difference in languages, customs, cultural beliefs and values is giving way to harmonious relationship.

In Abia State, dubbed God’s own state, intertribal marriages reaches high heavens. Over the years the state has continued to encourage marriages between tribes to promote national cohesiveness and unity. And because of the peace and harmony that always exist in the southeastern state, people from different ethnic backgrounds are flooding it to settle down and carry out their legitimate businesses.
Umuahia, the capital plays host to many of these non-indigenes especially those from the northern extraction. The northerners or Hausas as they are called by the natives are domiciled in Eket Street where the Umuahia Central Mosque is situated.

Apart from doing their petty business on Eket Street, cattle merchants often used the street as a launchpad to different destinations. And because of the large population of Hausas living on Eket Street the natives nicknamed it Amawusa (meaning a place dominated by the Northerners). Over the years the northerners who settled down in Umuahia integrated well with their host community respecting their customs and traditions. And it’s now very common to see northerners in Umuahia and others residing in different parts of Abia State marrying from their host communities. Today, many children born from intertribal marriages are found in all the nooks and crannies of the state. Such children are bearing names common to people of Igbo and Hausa extractions.

Abdullahi Chukwuemeka Adamu, 18, who speaks fluent Hausa and Igbo languages, was draped in a white flowing gown, a pair of black shoes and neatly sewed red cap to match as he joined other Muslims penultimate Thursday, to worship at the Umuahia Central Mosque to mark the Eid El Fitri celebration. Abdullahi’s middle name, Chukwuemeka, given to him by his grandmother now stuck like a magnet.
Chukwuemeka’s father was said to have settled down in Umuahia about 50 years ago from his home state, Kano, as a trader and later married an Igbo woman from Ibeku, his host community. Despite differences in language, religion and culture, many northerners residing in Umuahia and other environs are getting married to women from the host communities.

One of such northerners married to an Igbo woman, is the leader of the Muslim community in Abia State, Alhaji Sarki Yaro Danladi Sarki who told THISDAY that it was love and not monetary gains that made him to marry his wife.
Alhaji Danladi who doubles as Vice Chairman South-east/South-south Northern Traditional Rulers said he was born raised in Umuahia.
“I was born and raised in Umuahia and I have spent 44 years of my entire life in the city. I have four children, three boys and a girl. My wife loves me and I love my wife too. In fact, it’s love that brought the two of us together despite our religious and ethnic backgrounds. For me the most important thing in a relationship is the love from the woman and the love from the man too. My father in-law and mother in-law and other relations from both sides supported our marriage without any objection.

“The relationship between the Muslims and the indigenes is very cordial and this is what made me to marry an Igbo woman. My wife is from Nkwoegwu while my mother in-law is from Umukabia in Ohuhu under Umuahia Local Government Area.
“When we paid Governor T.A. Orji Sallah visit at the Government House, he reminded us that our permanent home is Abia State, that our homes in Kano and other states in the North are only ceremonial. Abia State is my home. We celebrated the Sallah under peaceful atmosphere in Umuahia and that was the way Allah wanted it. The governor gave us 200 bags of rice and N1 million cash,” he said.

He continued: “I pray for peaceful co-existence because when there is no peace I don’t think you will see me here in Umuahia. That is why we preach peace and tolerance at the same time no side should be marginalised because we are all Nigerians under one father, one mother and one nation. That is what will bring peace. I don’t believe in tribalism, ethnicity and religious extremism. I don’t believe in anybody killing or hurting others instead we should all live in peace and I want peace to prevail in our country.

“Governor T.A. Orji is a Hausa man because any Ibeku man is a Hausa man and any Hausa man is an Ibeku man as far as Umuahia is concerned. Orji’s father grew up with our fathers and they did the same trade. The governor knows us very well and we know him too. That is why you see Orji doesn’t play with security issues of the state. Today, Orji has achieved 100 per cent security in the state. He loves everybody and he doesn’t play tribalism. He doesn’t know if you are a Hausa man, Yoruba man or any tribe at all. You can see in Abia, many councillors there are non-indigenes. The past acting chairman of Aba, Ambassador Okereogu is from Nkwere in Imo State. This government is exceptional, the man in the leadership doesn’t play tribal politics and everybody is accommodated in the state.
Danladi advised other governors to emulate Orji saying,“for peaceful co-existence we must tolerate one another. The governors across Nigeria must make their states home for all tribes with hindrance; Governor Orji has demonstrated that it’s possible. We should put religion and ethnicity aside and move the country forward.”

Another resident, Adamu Ibrahim Yahaya, 30, from Jigawa State was also born and brought up in Umuahia. Yahaya who is Secretary of the Hausa Community in Umuahia said he is now part of his host community.
“My father is from Jigawa State, but I was born and raised here in Umuahia. Just two years ago I married a woman I love with all my heart and she is from Mbutu Amangwo in Isiala Ngwa South. Our marriage had the consent of both families who solidly stood behind us. I am today a proud father of a daughter named Ngozi.

“We have become part of our host community and they have become part of us and to that extent we have marital vows among each other. Most of us married from here and we have co-existed well with our host community for a very long time. We don’t have any problem in Umuahia, it’s a peaceful place for any stranger to live and the governor has made it to be so. Since Governor Orji assumed office we have not experienced any violence here, we are liaising with him in terms of security,” he said.

To be sure, Dalandi claimed he has special likeness for food from his new home. He said: “Though I still relish some of our traditional foods from the north, I enjoy my native soup from Ibeku in Abia State. The Abians are very hospitable, they treat strangers with respect and dignity. This is the Nigeria of my dream where ethnic or tribal differences are put aside and people settle down in any part of the country of their choice with good ambience for legitimate businesses.
“Nigerians should embrace peace and love one another. Nigerians irrespective of ethnic diversity should respect one another’s religion and tradition in order to live in peace and harmony. During the eid el Firtri we prayed for our governor, Ochendo, who is exceptional among other governors. He has been supporting us in terms of security and empowerment.”

For Nasir Galadima from Taraba State who had been living in Umuahia in the last three years marriage across ethnic boundaries is helping to unite the country.
“I am happy to be in Umuahia, where I am already integrated. As I am talking to you now, I have that semblance of an Igbo man more than that of a northerner because of cultural assimilation and of course I enjoy all the immunities and privileges here in Abia. I am really excited about it and I think it is a model that can work anywhere in the country. “The people in Abia State are very kind. They relate well with people from other part of the country. We are enjoying the peace of the atmosphere and the kindness of Governor Orji to everyone with ethnic division common to other states.”

On his part, Governor urged residents to continue to respect the customs, traditions and religion of the communities where they reside. He also enjoined them to sustain the prevailing peace and harmony in the state.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/umuahia-abia-s-multicultural-metropolis/157061/

Story Story.
This sort of govt tactics failed in the Fuel subsidy protests saga, and will surely fail again in this case.

mascot87: Keep on fooling yourself.

So, Mascot, you're one of the gladiators? Hmm. Interesting.

Sorry, but what's the point exactly? How many degrees does it take to be a US president?
We have a PhD holder and professional architect as President and VP respectively, yet ASUU strike has entered the 6th week, and from all indications this FG has NO INTENTION of honouring its past SIGNED agreements!

Please let's learn to focus on what really counts.

I know that some perpetual social media gladiators will still not be satisfied with this brilliant and factual write-up from a fellow Yoruba man. However, I appeal to our Igbo brethren that what with Senator Ogunlewe and Femi Aribisala's articles, FFK has finally been put in his rightful place. (At least, his belated conciliatory article of today shows a deep re-think).

let's see if we can end this ugly chapter and forge ahead in our journey to nationhood. Never underestimate the power of the pen, ...

By Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe
Lagos State belongs as much to the ethnic Igbo as to the Yoruba, Ijaw, Hausa, Fulani, Efik, Idoma, Urhobo, Itshekiri, Edo, and so on who live in it, pay tax, identify with it, and settle in it. That compact was made the moment Nigeria became a single nation, and a successor power to the old principalities who were subdued and who ceded their sovereignty for the new commonwealth of Nigeria.



It was pragmatic. The Igbo had the skill and the industry, and Lagos was the seat of the Federal Government of Nigeria and its major port. The Igbo have lived in Lagos since the 15th century when the Aro and other Igbo first settled in good number in a place we now call “Oyingbo” in the era of Benin and the Portuguese trade.



The arrival of Dr. Namdi Azikiwe to Lagos in 1937 from Accra after his studies in the United States, stimulated the political and cultural environment of Lagos as no other has before or after him. Zik literally resurrected the wizard of Kirsten hall from political death. Zik represented Lagos in the western house. The NCNC was the power in Lagos, and not the Action Group. The Igbo were prominent in the governance of Lagos in the Lagos City Hall.



The institutional development of Lagos – the railways, the ports and ship yards; the education and research facilities; the Banking and Commodities Exchange, the development of towns like Yaba, Surulere, Ebutta-Metta, Festac Town, Victoria Island, and now increasing the Ajah-Lekki axis, and of course, the ghettoes along the Orile-Badagry axis, have profound Igbo imprimatur.



The circulation of the image of Lagos is to date best reflected in the cosmopolitan Igbo imagination of one of the greatest African writers of the 20th century, Cyprian Ekwensi, a thorough Lagosian if there was any. Igbo have built industries in Lagos and have been drivers of commerce and exchange.



Interestingly, I was born at plot number 8, Okoya Street, Idumagbo- Lagos, while the Ojukwu families were residing at number one to three on the same street. I grew up to know the father of Odumegwu Ojukwu. Chimbizie and Azuka grew up with us on the same street. Even the Chibeze small parking space at the end of Okoya Street is called Ojukwu.



I later attended St. Patrick Primary School, Idumagbo, where I had very amiable classmates of Igbo origin in the persons of Azubike Ezenwa and Damian, Ihekuna, both now professors and doctors of today. They were brilliant, resourceful and friendly.



When we were playing bamboo and Tene Felele at Orikoriko at Onola playing ground, the Igbo participated actively. In the area of sports, school football and athletes, Igbo were dominant at Kings College, St. Gregory school, St. Finbars, Akoka, Igbobi College and Ahmadiyya College, Agege. Such boys, Njokwu, George Amu, Stephen Keshi, Henry Nwosu, Patrick Noquapor, Peter Anieke and Sammy Opone were dominant on the field of football, while Asiodu, Empire Kanu were prominent on the field of athletics.



Anytime we went to watch football match at Onikan stadium, my darling team, Stationery Stores and our adversary team I hated most was the E. C. N, where the centre forward, Paul Hamilton, the National Team, Fabian the captain who bit the dust. Our greatest captain was Duru, Oduah Onyenrekwa, Onyeador Onyeali and Opel, the greatest outside right Nigeria ever had, Cyril Azuluka. So, during my early life at primary school, the Igbo were always there and delightful to watch, both in athletes and on the football field.



When I listened to radio at that time, both the commentary and drama series, the Igbo were there for you. The likes of Chris Ndaguba, Ernest Okwonkwo, Ralph Okpara ‘Alawo Sekiseki the traveler’. The episode will end with – The script was written by Ralph Okpara and edited by Yemi Lijadu.



Anytime I visited where I was born today in Idumagbo at Lagos Island, the entire place is covered by Igbo traders in their thousands. They were never troublesome but decent and accommodating. They have virtually taken over all properties of the indigenes. They succeeded in developing all our properties, married to most of our children even from the royal families. There is no single house you will visit without an Igbo man selling wares there.



So, who is saying something else? Only the strangers in our midst will not notice participation of economic development in our state by the Igbos. Most houses and shops in Lagos Island have been purchased, developed and occupied by the Igbos. The value of their investments in Lagos Island alone is in trillions of naira.



Instead of deporting the Igbos, whose contributions to the development of Lagos state are immensurable, you must keep on praising and encouraging them to keep on developing Lagos State.



•Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe is a former Nigerian minister for Works and Housing.

http://saharareporters.com/article/igbos-lagos-state-my-experience-senator-adeseye-ogunlewe

What exactly does the Muslim missionsr mean by every leader being brought up in chains of judgement? The Bible promises something far better for those who die in Christ Jesus, be they leaders or not.

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