The Biography Of Eedris Abdulkareem [Age, Life Profile, History & Net Worth]

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Eedris Abdulkareem (born Eedris Turayo Abdulkareem Ajenifuja, is a Nigerian hip hop artist.

Born to a polygamous family in Kano, Nigeria, his father was from Ilesha, Osun State, and his mother was from Ogun State. Raised in Kano, he adopted Kano State as his state of origin. His father resides in Lagos, while his mother continues to reside in Kano. According to interviews, his decision to drop his patronymic surname has nothing to do with dislike for his father, but merely reflects his fondness for the name “Eedris Abdulkareem.”

Having left the Remedies amicably, Abdulkareem’s solo debut album, P.A.S.S. (“Pains And Stress = Success”) was released in 2002 on Kennis Music, and it was received well by hip-hop fans and music pundits alike, and it had tracks like “So Ligali” featuring Pasuma Wonder, “Come Back Home”, and the first ever diss song by a Nigerian rapper, “Wackawickee MC’s”, where he took shots at Tony Tetuila, The Plantashun Boyz and Ruff Rugged and Raw. Released the same year (and also on Kennis Music Imprint) was the album titled Mr. Lecturer, which featured Abdulkareem’s first video hit, the album’s title track, which addressed the problem of students using money and sex to solicit higher grades in Nigerian colleges and universities, as well as male lecturers exploiting female students and requesting sex and money in exchange for good grades. This album further increased Eedris Abdulkareem’s popularity, and is cited in some quarters as the best album which Eedris Abdulkareem ever released, as well as his highest selling album.

In 2004, Abdulkareem’s third album, Jaga Jaga, appeared on Kennis. Its title track, which laments the corruption and suffering in Nigeria, was banned from radio airplay by Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in a televised address, although it continued to be played in nightclubs. The album was released to critical acclaim, and the cover of the album was designed by Ghariokwu Lemi, who designed most of Fela Kuti’s classic album covers. Abdulkareem was also voted alongside great personalities like Dora Akunyili, Pat Utomi and others by millions of Nigerians to represent Nigeria and carry the Olympic torch relay. Also in 2004, Abdulkareem came to international attention as a result of a scuffle with American rapper 50 Cent on board an airplane at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos. By all accounts, Abdulkareem had tried to occupy 50 Cent’s seat, resulting in a fight between Abdulkareem, his friends, and 50 Cent’s bodyguards. One of Abdulkareem’s associates was hospitalised as a result, and 50 Cent returned to the United States, refusing to appear at a scheduled concert in Port Harcourt. Abdulkareem got married after briefly dating his then girlfriend Yetunde, and they both have 3 children.

In November 2005, Abdulkareem launched his own record label, La Kreem Music, and released his fourth album, Letter to Mr. President. The album’s title track addressed Obasanjo’s criticisms of “Jaga Jaga”; the album also featured “Flash Up Unu Lighter”, a tribute to Obasanjo’s wife, Stella, who died while undergoing surgery in Spain, and the victims of the Bellview Airlines crash of October 2005.

Abdulkareem is also the founder of the Eedris Abdulkareem Foundation, a fundraising organization dedicated to fighting the spread of HIV and AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa in conjunction with the Pat Utomi Foundation. Eedris has been releasing numerous singles in preparation for his yet untitled album, among which are “Wonkere” featuring Fatai Rolling Dollar, “Shekere” featuring Vector tha Viper, and “FELA” featuring Femi Kuti. He also released a sequel to his 2004 hit “Jaga Jaga” in January 2012 during the Occupy Nigeria protest and also took a shot at Nigerian pop sensation D’banj, asserting that he is dining with the government that is doing nothing to change the living condition of the ordinary Nigerians. He also released “Whooze You” featuring VTEK, which take shots at Mavin Records boss Don Jazzy.

The track created a little tension in the Nigerian hip hop scene in 2013. He was also featured on numerous tracks by other artist, among which is “Bad Guy Baller” featuring Mode 9 and VTEK and a track by Oba Mmega. In 2013 the former president Olusegun Obasanjo took a swipe at Eedris, which inspired him to make another track aimed at the former president. Eedris also announced on his Twitter page in 2014 that he will be releasing a track titled “Godfather and Godson” after the former president wrote a letter to the current president, Goodluck Jonathan. He has mentioned in his musics and interviews that Fela is his hero and inspiration.

* An Uzomedia Biography

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The Biography Of Winnie Khumalo [Age, Life Profile & Net Worth]

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Winnie Khumalo (born July 20, 1973) is a South African singer and actress who first rose to fame as a teenager, having been introduced to the music industry by the late Brenda Fassie, for whom she worked as a backing singer.

Born in Soweto, at the age of 15 she released the album Hey Laitie, Tshina Tshina (produced by Sello Chicco Twala) and an album entitled Dlamini, also in the 1980s.

She also recorded a gospel album titled Izono Zami in the 1990s, produced by Pastor Langa Dube.

A highlight of her early music career was working with Brenda Fassie as Brenda’s backing vocalist. She has also hworked with the likes of Pure Magic, Sipho Mbele, Brothers of Peace (B.O.P), Bongo Maffin, Zonke Dikana and DJ Cleo, among others.

Khumalo also had small roles in the SABC series Muvhango and Mponeng, in which she played the role of a sangoma, and a stage play titled The Journey.

After a break from live performance and recording, Khumlo returned in 2008 with a mature album titled “I Just Wanna Live My Life”, produced and distributed by Kalawa Jazzmee Record’s Oscar “Oskido” Mdlongwa.

This album went gold, selling over 25,000 copies and more than 50,000 mobile downloads.

The video for “I Just Wanna Live My Life” was nominated for “Best Dance Video” and “Best Afro Pop Video” at the Channel O Music Awards and was also nominated as one of the Top 5 Nominees at the South African Music Awards (SAMAs), alongside DJ Oskido, Liqui-Deep, Big Nuz and Rhythmic Element in the category “Record of the Year”.

Winnie was selected to take part in the Shoprite Checkers Women of the Year competition as well as the Museke online Africa Music Awards.

She and Sello Chicco Twala composed a hit song which topped the chats titled “Mina Ngiyohlala Nginje”, which Khumalo was seen performing alongside South African President Jacob Zuma during the 2009 ANC election campaigns.

In 2011 and 2012 her daughter, Rethabile Khumalo, auditioned for the M-Net reality singing competition Idols, but was told by judges that she was too young for the competition.

In 2012 Winnie was announced as one of the seven choirmasters for the Mzansi Magic reality competition Clash of the Choirs South Africa, which aired in 2013. She mentored the choirs from Western Cape.

In 2014 she was a celebrity mentor to Gauteng contestant Hazel Thandiwe Khumalo – a bubbly, outspoken 36-year-old mother of three who lives in Mapehla in Soweto – in the e.tv reality competition series SA’s Kitchen Queens.

* An Uzomedia Biography

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CAN blames persistent crisis in Southern Kaduna on security agencies

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National President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Samson Ayokunle

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said that the failure of security agencies to arrest and bring to book those responsible for the killings in Southern Kaduna was the reason the crisis has persisted.

It, therefore, urged the security agencies to wake up to their responsibilities.CAN lamented that despite the curfew, the presence of the Police and other security agencies in the volatile zone, the killings remain unabated, urging its members to continue praying for the permanent restoration of peace in the area.

Speaking at the just-concluded meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Christian umbrella body in Abuja, its president, Rev Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, condemned the persistent destruction of church buildings in some parts of the country, lamenting the seeming powerlessness of the law enforcement agencies.

Ayokunle said: “All of us should organise prayers again and if possible, with fasting, to seek the intervention of God, so that this senseless destruction of human beings might stop.

“I think what has encouraged this type of carnage in Southern Kaduna is the inability of the law enforcement agents to apprehend the criminals responsible for these killings and if they were apprehended at all, they were not conclusively prosecuted.

“We have had these days more often than not, the law enforcement agents saying that the criminals are ‘unknown gun men.’ Whose duty is it to know them? Is it not the law enforcement agents?”

Ayokunle further disclosed plans by the National Secretariat of CAN to provide relief materials for the victims of the carnage in both Southern Kaduna and Agatu community in Benue State.

“We are planning to visit Southern Kaduna to distribute relief materials to the victims of the massacre there. We planned to do this earlier and chose date, but we couldn’t go because we received security report that it was not safe to do so.

“We would equally visit Agatu community in Benue State to distribute relief materials.”The CAN president also charged its members not to cease praying for President Muhammadu Buhari, Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, and a quick recovery of the economy from the recession to relief the populace, who are under its consequences.

He added: “We should organise prayers, if possible vigil, at every state secretariat of CAN to pray for our country at a chosen date and the FCT CAN should come to the national secretariat for their own.

“In each centre, the governor of the state or his representative should be invited to such prayer meeting.”On the economic recession, Ayokunle noted: “With the way our economy is going and violence is increasing without much answer from the law enforcement agents, we need divine intervention.

“Churches were destroyed in states, such as Jigawa, on the excuse that they did not get building permit, whereas they had applied for many years without being given the permit.

“Recently, a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) building was burnt down in Dei- Dei, here in Abuja, very early in the morning. What shall we do to these continuous provocations without any visible action by the law enforcement agents?”

He called on all and sundry to support CAN Trust Fund, as “it is the answer to the paucity of funds for operation in CAN,” adding that without sufficient fund, the CAN leadership might not be able to discharge all the constitutional responsibilities, including the Save Our Souls cries from its members.

The meeting had in attendance all the principal officers, national officers, zonal and state leaders, where they prayed for the unity of the body of Christ and the country, including Buhari and the government at all levels.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2loTMxa

Okorocha commends IGP over killing of vampire

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Rochas Okorocha

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has expressed joy over the role the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, by dispatching the special squad that worked in tandem with officers and men of the Imo Police Command that finally ended the ugly story of the notorious kidnapper, Mr. Henry Chibueze, a.k.a Vampire.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sam Onwuemeodo, the Governor said the extermination of Vampire’s life is a milestone on the capability of the police.
 
Okorocha also commended officials of the Directorate of Security Services (DSS), who had arrested Vampire in Owerri in 2015, creating the consciousness on the roles of all. 
 
On the reported threat against him and his family by Vampire over the N5m ransom he placed on his head, the governor said that such threat was an empty one, because he knew that Vampire, having stepped into Imo State to carry out criminal activities, would soon become history and a bad one for that matter.
 
Okorocha expressed optimism that with the development, Imo was safe for living. Crack squad from the IGP killed Vampire after several hours of gun battle in a forest in Ikwerre, Rivers State on Thursday.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2m6mhPa

Campbellsville University USA, pledges $30 million five-year empowerment plan in education for Africa

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U.S based Campbellsville University has announced a $30 million five-year empowerment plan for education in Africa. The intervention fund is being deplored to the continent to develop a network with educational partners in both public and private sectors in order to empower the African youth and invest in the future of Africa as well as forge the mission of Campbellsville University in the continent and throughout the globe.

Speaking at a roundtable to unveil the plan, the Dean of International Education at the University, Dr. Mego Haralu, who was on tour of some African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, and Liberia, said the university is over the next five years investing the $30,000,000 in the youth of Africa, majority of who will come from Nigeria.

He said, “Campbellsville University will invest in the youth and students of Africa by awarding $15,000 to each qualified and exceptional student for each of the student’s four years of study in the undergraduate degree.”

“We project as many as 100 students per year to come to Campbellsville for the next five years for a projected 500 students. We strongly believe this will work out, and will translate into $1,500,000 per year in scholarships granted to students from Africa,” he added.

According to Haralu, in Nigeria, the University will partner with Ibadan based Citygate Institute of Innovation and Technology, adding that Rector of Citygate Institute of Innovation and Technology, Folajimi Fadenipo and his associates will oversee the operations of Campbellsville University’s affairs in Nigeria.

“Any individual or establishment, public or private, or any student who desires to partner with or want to study at Campbellsville University must do so through Mr. Fadenipo and his associates,” he stated.

He further explained that Nigerian students are academically strong, creative, and highly entrepreneurial with great leadership qualities. He explained that as a result of this, Campbellsville University employed a prominent Nigerian professor of business and director of programs who has been an employee of the university for 12 years.

Haralu also explained that Campbellsville is a Christian liberal arts university, which began in 1906, has seven campuses with its main campus in Campbellsville, Kentucky, and has over 4,200 students, stressing that the university serves its students with 80 disciplines of study.

“I am the Dean of International Education at Campbellsville University; I oversee the affairs and welfare of all international students from 50 countries in the university. My experience over the years, has established that the best place to empower the youth is in education. Campbellsville University is now focusing on Africa to achieve this goal. Campbellsville University has Nigerian students from Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan and Port Harcourt,” he said.

“As an institution, Campbellsville University will also pursue educational partnerships in both private and public sectors at the level of higher education in some very specialised fields like sports management, education and teachers training, high-tech vocational training in information technology. We will engage in academic-industry collaboration in Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Liberia and others in Pan-African nations.

“I welcome all Africans to embrace this news and opportunity and come together to help the youth of Africa as well as to further the mission of Campbellsville University in Pan-Africa.”

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2m6esJg

CAN blames persistent crisis in Southern Kaduna on security agencies (Read full details)

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National President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rev. Samson Ayokunle

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said that the failure of security agencies to arrest and bring to book those responsible for the killings in Southern Kaduna was the reason the crisis has persisted.

It, therefore, urged the security agencies to wake up to their responsibilities.CAN lamented that despite the curfew, the presence of the Police and other security agencies in the volatile zone, the killings remain unabated, urging its members to continue praying for the permanent restoration of peace in the area.

Speaking at the just-concluded meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Christian umbrella body in Abuja, its president, Rev Samson Olasupo Ayokunle, condemned the persistent destruction of church buildings in some parts of the country, lamenting the seeming powerlessness of the law enforcement agencies.

Ayokunle said: “All of us should organise prayers again and if possible, with fasting, to seek the intervention of God, so that this senseless destruction of human beings might stop.

“I think what has encouraged this type of carnage in Southern Kaduna is the inability of the law enforcement agents to apprehend the criminals responsible for these killings and if they were apprehended at all, they were not conclusively prosecuted.

“We have had these days more often than not, the law enforcement agents saying that the criminals are ‘unknown gun men.’ Whose duty is it to know them? Is it not the law enforcement agents?”

Ayokunle further disclosed plans by the National Secretariat of CAN to provide relief materials for the victims of the carnage in both Southern Kaduna and Agatu community in Benue State.

“We are planning to visit Southern Kaduna to distribute relief materials to the victims of the massacre there. We planned to do this earlier and chose date, but we couldn’t go because we received security report that it was not safe to do so.

“We would equally visit Agatu community in Benue State to distribute relief materials.”The CAN president also charged its members not to cease praying for President Muhammadu Buhari, Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, and a quick recovery of the economy from the recession to relief the populace, who are under its consequences.

He added: “We should organise prayers, if possible vigil, at every state secretariat of CAN to pray for our country at a chosen date and the FCT CAN should come to the national secretariat for their own.

“In each centre, the governor of the state or his representative should be invited to such prayer meeting.”On the economic recession, Ayokunle noted: “With the way our economy is going and violence is increasing without much answer from the law enforcement agents, we need divine intervention.

“Churches were destroyed in states, such as Jigawa, on the excuse that they did not get building permit, whereas they had applied for many years without being given the permit.

“Recently, a Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) building was burnt down in Dei- Dei, here in Abuja, very early in the morning. What shall we do to these continuous provocations without any visible action by the law enforcement agents?”

He called on all and sundry to support CAN Trust Fund, as “it is the answer to the paucity of funds for operation in CAN,” adding that without sufficient fund, the CAN leadership might not be able to discharge all the constitutional responsibilities, including the Save Our Souls cries from its members.

The meeting had in attendance all the principal officers, national officers, zonal and state leaders, where they prayed for the unity of the body of Christ and the country, including Buhari and the government at all levels.

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2mlMGbY

$470m CCTV contract: Reps ask NSA to handle project .

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CCTV

..Reject Privatization Of Public Security

The House of Representatives yesterday enjoined the authorities to urgently provide funds to the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to activate the operations of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) nationwide.

Adopting the report of its ad-hoc committee that investigated the award of contract for the installation of $470 million CCTV chaired by Mr. Ahmed Yerima (APC, Bauchi), the lawmakers rejected calls to privatize the National Public Security Communications System (NPSCS).

Stressing the need to cede the facility to the NSA’s office, the lawmakers maintained that it behooves on the NSA’s office to set up a department that would coordinate the activities of NPSCS.

The House further recommended that the commercialized excess capacity of the network be sold to operators and that the revenue derived be used to defray the cost of maintaining and operating the network.

They also directed that all military and paramilitary agencies as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), electricity generation and distribution companies, among others should utilize the NPSCS network.

They also said that ZTE Nigeria Limited, the company operating the CCTV systems, should refund the discrepancy amount certified after an audit exercise, or better still, it should supply necessary equipment worth the amount else government should deduct same from the $20.247 million outstanding.

Additionally, the House said a forensic audit of the outstanding debt of ZTE be conducted so that the actual amount could be verified and that it should be paid based on the exchange rate obtainable in 2013, when the contract was signed.

The lawmakers also advised that the number of cameras should be increased and those vandalized be replaced, saying the geographical coverage of the cameras should be expanded to increase surveillance and security in the country.

The lawmakers also said the federal government should cancel its engagement with Netlink Broadband Networks and that the disengagement of BCTEK Engineering Limited from the contract should be investigated by relevant security agencies.

The House also said the former permanent secretary in the defunct ministry of police affairs, Mr. James Obeigbu, should be prosecuted for deliberately refusing to release the approved N3 billion meant for network operations and maintenance.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2mPEsGW

Okorocha commends IGP over killing of vampire (Read full details)

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Rochas Okorocha

Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha has expressed joy over the role the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris, by dispatching the special squad that worked in tandem with officers and men of the Imo Police Command that finally ended the ugly story of the notorious kidnapper, Mr. Henry Chibueze, a.k.a Vampire.

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sam Onwuemeodo, the Governor said the extermination of Vampire’s life is a milestone on the capability of the police.
 
Okorocha also commended officials of the Directorate of Security Services (DSS), who had arrested Vampire in Owerri in 2015, creating the consciousness on the roles of all. 
 
On the reported threat against him and his family by Vampire over the N5m ransom he placed on his head, the governor said that such threat was an empty one, because he knew that Vampire, having stepped into Imo State to carry out criminal activities, would soon become history and a bad one for that matter.
 
Okorocha expressed optimism that with the development, Imo was safe for living. Crack squad from the IGP killed Vampire after several hours of gun battle in a forest in Ikwerre, Rivers State on Thursday.

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2mlMM3p

Goldberg in excellent love affair with Yoruba music, culture

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Senior Brand Manager, Regional Mainstream, Nigerian Breweries Plc Funso Ayeni (left); Marketing Director, Franco Maria Maggi; Wura 1 of 2016 Goldberg Fuji T’o Bam, Tope Ajani and Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout Brands, ; Emmanuel Agu at the Grand Finale of the 2016 Fuji T’o Bam

With the recently held traditional drumming contest organised as part of activities to kick off the Goldberg Excellency Tour in Abeokuta, it’s obvious that the brand is indeed enjoying an excellent love affair in the region, as a result of its association with the rich culture of the Yoruba people.

Staged at the Cultural Centre Ibadan, the grand finale of the drumming contest saw Otapo Bata Drummers from Abeokuta emerge winners and went home with the coveted prize of N250, 000. Ayanwale Drummers clinched the second position with N150, 000 cash prize, while Omo Aribido Drummers claimed the third spot with N100, 000 cash prize. Meanwhile, the remaining two finalists, Ayandare Drummers and Paramount Band, were not left out, as they both went home with N50,000 each.

The traditional drummers contest kicked off with a procession through the major streets of Abeokuta and attracted a huge turnout of residents, who were delighted by performances from drummers, praise singers and native dancers. And to a large extent, the procession helped to pull crowd to the main venue where the battle of drums was staged. Similar event will be staged in five more cities in the Southwest, including Ilorin, Ado Ekiti, Ikare Akoko, Ile Ife and Benin City.

As a unifying factor, promoters of businesses and great brands have used culture extensively to appeal to the hearts of targeted consumers. Aside from celebrating human values and heritage, sponsorship of cultural activities tend to create emotional connection between brands and the people. From all indication, Goldberg seems to have identified this as a means to celebrate and respect the culture of its target audience. Through this same vehicle, it has continued to show respect for royalty through sponsorship of cultural events and visitations to palaces in the region to pay homage.

As at the last count, the brand has associated with not less than five of such events in Nigeria. However, its annual sponsorship of the popular of Osun Osogbo and Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu Ode appears to be the most celebrated. Other notable ones are Oranyan Festival and Udiroko Festival in Ile Ife and Ado Ekiti respectively.

Festivals apart, the brand has also been involved in other musical platforms such as the Goldberg Fuji t’o Bam initiative, which brings to life the twin socio-cultural tradition of companionship and celebration. Designed for the propagation of the Fuji music genre, the initiative readily identifies and celebrates the rich musical tradition that sustains the cultural values of the people in the region. The platform, which has seen four editions already, has led to the discovery of budding Fuji talents and artistes. No doubt, the initiative has in no small way helped in burnishing talents and contributing ideas to the development of Fuji music and the culture of the Yoruba people.

However, in a bid to deepen it’s support for the culture and tradition of the Yoruba people, the brand recently gathered lovers and enthusiasts of Fuji music for the first of its kind Fuji Roundtable, a forum organised for intellectual discussions on how to take the genre of music to the next level.

In his welcome address at the event, which was held in Lagos, Corporate Media and Brand PR Manager of Nigerian Breweries Patrick Olowokere, disclosed that at Nigerian Breweries,informed that the brand does not take for granted the socio-cultural life of its host communities anywhere it operates.

“We respect people’s cultures and values. Our gathering here today is a testament of our resolute determination to contribute to the socio-cultural development of the people in the western part of our nation,” he said.

In his keynote address at the Fuji Roundtable, Olawale Obadeyi, a Fuji analyst, traced the origin of this genre of music to the period when Were, the local brand of music was in vogue among the Muslim faithful. He identified Fuji music as a unifying force that easily bonds Yorubas together, adding, “Goldberg had appropriated Fuji music as a veritable platform through which cultural values could be used to validate the essence of Yorubas living in the region and beyond.”

No doubt, Fuji music exerts a strong influence on the social life of the Yorubas. Through the music, foreigners can easily feel and connect with the culture of the Yoruba people. The influence that the music exerts on the social life of the Yorubas is therefore very strong irrespective of their locations.

In recent time, promoters of Yoruba culture are contending with challenges of losing their heritage to foreign imitations. To this end, scholars in Yoruba culture and arts have orgnised various fora to pass a message on the need for Yorubas to think deeply and look back to protect their heritage.

In Yoruba, respect particularly is seen as a renowned phenomenon that easily shows humility and the relationship between elders and the younger ones; it’s a culture that the Yoruba people take pride in. It remains an important aspect of the Yoruba custom that has been passed down to every generation, as it is an epitome of peace and orderliness, which we take very seriously.

As a result of Goldberg’s cultural affinity with the people of South West Nigeria and the loyalty of consumers there, the brand has inculcated visitation of royal palaces into its programmes in the region as a sign of respect to the throne; prostrating for the king is usually a part of the visit. No doubt, this has continued to strengthen the bond that has developed over the years between the brand and its consumers in the region.

Vía The Guardian Nigeria http://ift.tt/2loXx5Z

Campbellsville University USA, pledges $30 million five-year empowerment plan in education for Africa (Read full details)

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U.S based Campbellsville University has announced a $30 million five-year empowerment plan for education in Africa. The intervention fund is being deplored to the continent to develop a network with educational partners in both public and private sectors in order to empower the African youth and invest in the future of Africa as well as forge the mission of Campbellsville University in the continent and throughout the globe.

Speaking at a roundtable to unveil the plan, the Dean of International Education at the University, Dr. Mego Haralu, who was on tour of some African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, and Liberia, said the university is over the next five years investing the $30,000,000 in the youth of Africa, majority of who will come from Nigeria.

He said, “Campbellsville University will invest in the youth and students of Africa by awarding $15,000 to each qualified and exceptional student for each of the student’s four years of study in the undergraduate degree.”

“We project as many as 100 students per year to come to Campbellsville for the next five years for a projected 500 students. We strongly believe this will work out, and will translate into $1,500,000 per year in scholarships granted to students from Africa,” he added.

According to Haralu, in Nigeria, the University will partner with Ibadan based Citygate Institute of Innovation and Technology, adding that Rector of Citygate Institute of Innovation and Technology, Folajimi Fadenipo and his associates will oversee the operations of Campbellsville University’s affairs in Nigeria.

“Any individual or establishment, public or private, or any student who desires to partner with or want to study at Campbellsville University must do so through Mr. Fadenipo and his associates,” he stated.

He further explained that Nigerian students are academically strong, creative, and highly entrepreneurial with great leadership qualities. He explained that as a result of this, Campbellsville University employed a prominent Nigerian professor of business and director of programs who has been an employee of the university for 12 years.

Haralu also explained that Campbellsville is a Christian liberal arts university, which began in 1906, has seven campuses with its main campus in Campbellsville, Kentucky, and has over 4,200 students, stressing that the university serves its students with 80 disciplines of study.

“I am the Dean of International Education at Campbellsville University; I oversee the affairs and welfare of all international students from 50 countries in the university. My experience over the years, has established that the best place to empower the youth is in education. Campbellsville University is now focusing on Africa to achieve this goal. Campbellsville University has Nigerian students from Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan and Port Harcourt,” he said.

“As an institution, Campbellsville University will also pursue educational partnerships in both private and public sectors at the level of higher education in some very specialised fields like sports management, education and teachers training, high-tech vocational training in information technology. We will engage in academic-industry collaboration in Kenya, Ghana, Cameroon, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Liberia and others in Pan-African nations.

“I welcome all Africans to embrace this news and opportunity and come together to help the youth of Africa as well as to further the mission of Campbellsville University in Pan-Africa.”

Vía Uzomedia http://ift.tt/2mlKUb2

$470m CCTV contract: Reps ask NSA to handle project . (Read full details)

http://ift.tt/2mCN1bc

CCTV

..Reject Privatization Of Public Security

The House of Representatives yesterday enjoined the authorities to urgently provide funds to the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) to activate the operations of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) nationwide.

Adopting the report of its ad-hoc committee that investigated the award of contract for the installation of $470 million CCTV chaired by Mr. Ahmed Yerima (APC, Bauchi), the lawmakers rejected calls to privatize the National Public Security Communications System (NPSCS).

Stressing the need to cede the facility to the NSA’s office, the lawmakers maintained that it behooves on the NSA’s office to set up a department that would coordinate the activities of NPSCS.

The House further recommended that the commercialized excess capacity of the network be sold to operators and that the revenue derived be used to defray the cost of maintaining and operating the network.

They also directed that all military and paramilitary agencies as well as the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), electricity generation and distribution companies, among others should utilize the NPSCS network.

They also said that ZTE Nigeria Limited, the company operating the CCTV systems, should refund the discrepancy amount certified after an audit exercise, or better still, it should supply necessary equipment worth the amount else government should deduct same from the $20.247 million outstanding.

Additionally, the House said a forensic audit of the outstanding debt of ZTE be conducted so that the actual amount could be verified and that it should be paid based on the exchange rate obtainable in 2013, when the contract was signed.

The lawmakers also advised that the number of cameras should be increased and those vandalized be replaced, saying the geographical coverage of the cameras should be expanded to increase surveillance and security in the country.

The lawmakers also said the federal government should cancel its engagement with Netlink Broadband Networks and that the disengagement of BCTEK Engineering Limited from the contract should be investigated by relevant security agencies.

The House also said the former permanent secretary in the defunct ministry of police affairs, Mr. James Obeigbu, should be prosecuted for deliberately refusing to release the approved N3 billion meant for network operations and maintenance.

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NAFDAC will not compromise standards, says acting DG (Read full details)

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Mrs. Yetunde Oni

The Acting Director General of the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Mrs. Yetunde Oni, has urged indigenous pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria to uphold best practices in the course of their endeavours to avoid the wrath of the agency. 

Oni, who said the agency under her watch would not embark on witch-hunt of companies that fall within the purview of its jurisdiction, however, warned that no rule would be bent for any erring companies or corporate body. 

Oni, who spoke yesterday in Ilorin during a routine courtesy visit on managements of Peace Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, added that the agency would not rest on its oars until all Nigerian drugs manufacturing companies attain international status. 

She stated: “We wish to let you all know that we are here to do our utmost for the nation and her people. “We will, therefore, challenge you managers of pharmaceutical companies in Nigeria to continually strive towards meeting World Health Organisation’s (WHO) pre-qualification criteria.” 

She commended the Ilorin-based pharmaceutical firm for its choice by the Kwara State government to produce drugs used during the recent “Roll Back Malaria” campaign in the state. 

Oni, while recounting the success story of the firm during the exercise, noted that if it could measure up to the expected standard at the state level, its consideration for national and international assignments is imminent. 

She pledged the readiness of the agency to give all the needed technical supports to drug manufacturing companies in the country towards making them compete favourably with contemporaries globally. 

Earlier, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the company, Mr. Samuel Akinlaja, extolled the virtues of the Oni-led NAFDAC in ensuring quality control of foods and drugs in the country. 

Akinlaja, while attesting to the doggedness of the state Director of the agency, Mrs. Rose Ajayi, in effective monitoring of pharmaceutical companies in the state, disclosed that the development has brought out the best in the production capacities of his company. 

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