Day: July 8, 2024

Ace Nollywood actor Chinedu Ikedieze, popularly known as Aki, and his wife, Nneoma Nwaijah, have welcomed a baby boy into their family.

The actor shared the joyful news on his Instagram page during the weekend, posting a photo of himself and his wife, alongside an image of their new baby’s feet.

In the caption accompanying the post, Akin wrote :’My wonderful people, please rejoice with us. My wife and I have welcomed a bouncing baby boy. To God Be The Glory.’

Although, the comic actor did not disclose the arrival date of the baby, this is the couple’s second child since they tied the knot in 2011.

The happy news is coming after seven years, as the couple had their first child in 2017, following their marriage in 2011.

NAN reports that Chinedu Ihezie, famous for playing comical roles in movies, is best known as Aki for playing alongside Osita Iheme, known as ‘Paw Paw’, in the 2002 hit comedy film ‘Aki na Ukwa.’

He is acclaimed to have featured in over 150 films and has acted the role of a kid in most of
his films during his early career due to his stature and physical appearance.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Nigeria, popularly known as the giant of Africa is endowed with immense tourism attractions capable of attracting international tourists and investors.

The black nation, covering an area of about 923,769 square kilometres, with a population of over 230 million, is the most populous country in Africa and the world’s sixth-most populous country.

Nigeria, with its numerous beautiful landscape, waterfalls, caves, hills, creeks, rock formations, greenery vegetation, beaches, culture, arts and crafts, can yield huge economic benefits when these tourism potential are adequately explored and exploited.

British-trained Nigerian documentary photographer, Dayo Adedayo, expresses great love for his father’s land, investing his resources on documenting Nigerian tourism sites.

Adedayo, also a Cultural Anthropologist and Author, describes Nigeria as the most beautiful country in the world but most difficult to photograph due to the series of bottlenecks he encountered while documenting Nigerian tourism potential through
photography.

Speaking extensively on the ennormous tourism potential in the country, Adedayo says Nigeria has no business being poor neither any of its citizens.

He says having gone round the 36 states of Nigeria, the 774 local government areas in the last 21 years, there are lots of tales of hidden treasures to unravel to Nigerians who remain unconscious of the immense potential they live with.

He explains that Ogun should be considered the religious hub of the nation where religious tourism can be developed for wealth creation.

Expatiating on this, Adedayo explains that churches and Islamic gatherings that accomodate the largest members are all located in Ogun.

He says government needs to look in this direction of developing religious tourism in Nigeria which can be a money spinner for the nation.

‘Ogun state should be the ‘Jerusalem’ and ‘Mecca’ of Nigeria. All the largest churches in Nigeria are domiciled in Ogun, the Redeemed Christian Church of God that attracts at least one million visitors in a
month is there.

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‘The largest Islamic gathering is also in Ogun state, the Living Faith church with their large congregation; the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) which used to be the largest church in the world is also in Ogun.

‘The founder of this church was also buried in Imeko, Ogun; the biblical Queen Sheba was also buried in Oke-Eiri, Ijebu-Ode, in same Ogun.

‘These are iconic structures and beautiful potential to develop religious tourism in Nigeria. Saudi Arabia is generating a minimum of $20 billion from religious tourism annually.

‘Jerusalem and Israel are also making a lot of money from religious tourism, Nigeria needs to look in this direction,’ he says.

Speaking on the traditional religion, known as ‘Ifa’, Adedayo says Ifa is the fastest growing religion in Mexico and Cuba which can be related to developing one of Nigeria’s United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) world heritage sites- O
sun Oshogbo groove.

The professional photographer still speaking on the beauty of Nigeria, says every zone of the nation can boast of unique tourism assets.

He says the South-East region should be proud of the numerous breath-taking and beautiful caves like Ogba-Ukwu, Awhum, Arochukwu and Amanchor caves.

‘The South-South will be proud of the Niger-Delta lovely creeks. The North-Central ordinarily should have been the richest zone in Nigeria due to the huge tourism potential domiciled there.

‘We have the Katampe hills, Zuma rock, and Farin Ruwa- the most spectacular waterfall in Nigeria, located in Nasarawa State.

‘In the North-East we have the Kurara hills, Sukur heritage site and more. And in the North-West, we have the Sokoto Museum, the best in terms of content.

‘Lagos is also massive for tourism, it is the Athens of Africa with numerous historical heritage sites, the Lagos Island is full of historical colonial heritage sites that can be tapped.

‘The largest monument ever built- Sungbo-Eredo heritag
e site in Epe- is also a beautiful one, we have several beaches and clubs in Lagos,’ he says.

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Speaking on his challenges, Adedayo says he had been arrested several times while trying to take photographs of iconic toursm sites within the country.

He says at another occasion, his expensive camera got damaged as particles of sand got into the lens.

He says Nigerians have to change their perception of the tourism industry as the industry is a huge boost to the economy.

He explains that marketing Nigeria at this point of its development should be encouraged, government should encourage photographs in tourism sites.

‘Photographing Nigeria has been a life project for me, I started documenting Nigeria in 2003, that was my first time in Abuja and I was blown away with what I saw, how beautiful Abuja was, sparsely populated and the greens.

‘Going on top of the hills, seeing the greenery vegetation, the black tard roads and the white
demarcation marks, so beautiful, that was what developed my interest in photographing Nigeria.

‘I also observed that countries like Kenya South Africa and Ghana have books about their nation but I haven’t got a book on Nigeria, that was what made me develop interest in documenting Nigeria.

‘And 21 years after, I have over 4 million Nigerian images on my archives, travelling by road to states. Nigeria is indeed a beautiful country with beautiful landscapes,’ he says

According to Adedayo, the most captivating of these tourism sites in Nigeria is the Mambilla Plateau, located in Taraba state, which measures 122 kilometres from its bottom to the top.

He said right on the plateau, he could sight the cloud coming toward him, describing the experience as heavenly.

‘Right there at the Mambilla Plateau, I said to myself, ‘We are not selling Nigeria, we need to market this beautiful nation’.

‘In Asia, China is the largest and their economy is booming, Germany is the largest in Europe with a booming economy so wha
t happens to Nigeria, the largest in Africa.

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‘We must tap our tourism potential and other non-tangible assets we have to occupy our treasued position.

‘So at 60, I am trying to lay a legacy to establish an experience centre that will be named, Dayo Adedayo Photography (DAP) Experience Centre, where over 10 million images of this beautiful Nigeria will be domiciled for generations yet unborn to see our civilisation.

‘There will be a museum and a boat room in the experience centre where people can have same experience I had when I was in the Niger-Delta creek virtually. It is a beautiful country and we need to sell ourselves,’ he says.

According to Adedayo, the experience centre located in Lekki, Lagos, is currently under construction and will be completed and ready for use before the third quarter of 2025.

He says the building of the experience centre is designed to last over 200 years, to survive the worst kind of earthquake a
nd also designed to be anti-rust because of its location.

‘I plan to have at least six of this experience centre, one in each geo-political zone. This is meant to inspire the younger ones so that they can aspire to achieve more than me.

‘There at the experience centre, we will have the digital floor where documentary of Nigeria will be constantly viewed, there will be children arena to learn, also the history and evolution of photography and videography will be showcased,’ he says.

Adedayo advises Nigerians to project the positive image of the nation more, change their wrong perception about Nigeria and begin to think positive of the nation.

He says their negative thoughts about Nigeria will affect their progress on the land while every positive thoughts will definitely go a long way in making them realise their goals.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to Alhaji Surajudeen Tokunbo Ayilara, his aide, who died on July 1.

In a tribute personally signed by the President, released on Monday, he said Ayilara lived a life of unwavering dedication, loyalty, and service.

He said that despite his frailty towards the end, he refused to give up, demonstrating his unyielding spirit and determination to carry on until his very last breath.

‘Ayilara lived a life of remarkable achievement, one marked by hard work, endurance, and perseverance.

‘He was selfless, loyal to his work, and a dedicated public servant. His commitment to serving Lagos State and humanity knew no bounds.

‘Our paths crossed when I was elected governor of Lagos State. He was a top official in the state’s civil service, serving as Director of the Abuja Liaison Office.

‘Prior to that, he had worked in the military administration of Colonel Buba Marwa as Sole Administrator of Agege Local Government.

‘One of his earliest assignments was to complete the then-aban
doned Lagos Liaison Office in Abuja, which he accomplished within six months,’ said the President.

He said Ayilara’s career in the Lagos Civil Service was distinguished by his exceptional leadership skills and dedication.

Tinubu said that Ayilara rose through the ranks and eventually became a Permanent Secretary, excelling in matters of protocol and administration.

‘After retiring from public service, I appointed him as my Special Adviser. He continued to serve in this capacity even after my tenure as governor.

‘Throughout my political journey, including the formation of our progressive political parties, Action Congress and Action Congress of Nigeria, Ayilara was a constant presence.

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‘He played a key role in registering both parties in Abuja and was an authoritative voice on those events,’ Tinubu said.

He stated that as a true progressive at heart, ‘Ayilara believed in our shared vision for Nigeria. He was an integral part of my presidentia
l campaign team, visiting numerous campaign stops with me and serving as my liaison with influential political figures.

‘His primary responsibility was managing our campaign accounts during the intense campaign period.

‘To describe Alhaji Ayilara as merely a staff member or Special Adviser would be to significantly underestimate his importance to me. He was a trusted associate, friend, brother, and dependable partner.’

The President expressed gratitude for Ayilara’s services to Lagos State and to his family, as well as his unwavering support throughout his political career.

‘It is possible that many of our achievements would not have been possible without his guidance and partnership.

‘Ayilara was equally devoted to his family and friends, spending most of his life serving others and giving generously to those in need. He was a humanitarian who embodied the spirit of selflessness,’ Tinubu said.

He said he would never forget Ayilara, nor would Lagos State or anyone who knew him.

‘May I, on behalf of mys
elf, my family, the government and all the good people of Nigeria offer heartfelt condolences to his loving wife and children.

‘I also extend my condolences to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the people of Lagos State on the loss of this outstanding public servant.

‘May Almighty Allah grant Alhaji Surajudeen Tokunbo Ayilara Aljanna Firdaus,’ the President said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Stakeholders in the education sector will engage the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to strategise on ways to address sexual harassment in tertiary institutions in Nigeria.

The meeting billed to hold in Abuja was being organised by the ICPC and Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI), a non governmental organisation.

Ms Omowumi Ogunrotimi, Executive Director, Gender Mobile Initiative, said the engagement would focus more on prevention frameworks rather than punitive measures.

‘Development partners, education regulators, student groups and civil society organisations will engage and commit to the state-level adoption and implementation of sexual harassment prevention frameworks,’ she said.

Ogunrotimi said the engagement aimed at addressing the grave concern undermining the safety, dignity and academic integrity of the victims and institutions.

‘It is imperative that we create a learning environment where all students and educators can pursue their goals free from fear an
d intimidation.

‘To achieve this, it is essential to implement comprehensive policies and effective prevention strategies.

‘To this end, a stakeholders engagement will be convoked on July 9, in Abuja, to address the pervasive issue of sexual harassment on campuses, with a comprehensive focus on prevention frameworks,’ Ogunrotimi said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), a non-governmental organisation, has cautioned Nigerians against contemplating the model adopted by the Kenyans in their recent anti-tax protest.

Chairman Board of Trustees of CCC, Retired Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, gave the advice while addressing newsmen on the centre’s Conflict Trends Analysis (CTA) for the second quarter on Monday in Abuja.

Kolade said the centre was concerned about the antics of those who are mooting the idea of re-enacting in Nigeria, the recent anti-tax crisis that rocked Kenya.

According to him, they believe that such destructive protests in Nigeria will be the surest way of getting the government to solve our current economic challenges.

He said that much as the right to protest was guaranteed in the nation’s constitution, any form of destruction and violence in the name of protest should be avoided.

According to him, the Kenyan experience is not and should not be our democratic model.

‘Violence has no redeeming quality and any action that
will lead to violence and destruction should be discouraged.

‘Nigeria is already assailed by multifaceted internal security challenges, and any call for violent protests will simply open the country up for opportunistic criminals.

‘They will take advantage and cause mayhem, destroy public facilities and endanger our peaceful existence.

‘The aftermath of ‘EndSars Protest’ is still fresh in our minds and we therefore call on our youths to shun anything that will engender crisis and destruction in any part of our country,’ he said.

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Kolade called on the government to do more to de-escalate the tension in the polity by proactively addressing all the prevailing challenges confronting the nation.

He said the centre was deeply concerned about the rising tension and restiveness in some parts of the country.

The chairman said that the recent escalation of violent rhetoric and provocative posturing by some stakeholders has the potential to turn to viole
nt conflict and aggravate the internal security challenges assailing the country.

Kolade called on the government, organised private sector and labour to quickly resolve the issue of minimum wage that has pitted organised labour against the Federal Government.

He said that the protracted political feud in Rivers also featured prominently in the centre’s conflict trend assessment.

Kolade urged all parties to the political crisis to sheathe their swords, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and allow the judicial intervention to take its course.

According to him, the tense situation in Kano where the Emirship tussle has remained unresolved for a couple of months now equally presents a huge potential for violent crisis.

‘Though known for its peculiar volatility, Kano has remained relatively stable, peaceful and less troubled by terrorism/banditry, compared to states around it, until the Emirship issue came up.

‘Like we urged in the Rivers situation, parties to the Emirship tussle and their supporters must remain ca
lm and temperate in their communication while waiting for the outcome of the judicial process,’ he added.

The former defence spokesman said the centre was poised to continue to analyse the situations confronting the nation, and suggest ways to address them to the relevant agencies of government.

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He said the prevalence of fake news and hate speeches in the media space, especially in the social media platforms were dangerous to the unity and corporate existence of Nigeria.

The chairman urged all citizens to embrace peace and security, and to refrain from any actions that may further exacerbate the situation.

He appealed to political, religious and community leaders to work together to address the underlying issues driving this tension.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mohammed Ndarani, has urged all stakeholders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), both elected and appointed, to cooperate with one another for the territory’s development.

Ndarani made the call on Sunday in Abuja during an interview, while reacting to the rift between the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike and the Senator representing the FCT, Sen. Ireti Kingibe.

It will be recalled that Wike and Kingibe have not had a cordial working relationship since they assumed offices as Kingibe had repeatedly accused Wike of sidelining her in spite being the senator representing the FCT.

Ndarani said that if Wike and Kingibe worked together they would bring positive change for the greater good of Nigeria.

‘It is imperative for all stakeholders, both elected and appointed, to work together and abide with guiding rules of their different offices to strengthen one another as one big family”, the senior lawyer said.

He said Nigeria could not achieve greater success without support fo
r another among its leaders, and craved the indulgence of all `warring parties’ to let peace reign.

‘They should sheath their swords, put their differences aside and work for the common good of the people of the FCT.

‘Wike was appointed to serve the people of the FCT, Kingibe was elected to serve the people of the FCT. So, they should work together and think about the greater good of the people.

‘The people of FCT look up to them to bring succour to the challenges they are facing but when two elephants fight, the grass suffers,” he said.

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He noted that although the two leaders were not from the same political party, previous elective and appointed officers of the FCT from different parties had always found a way of working together.

Ndarani, equally pointed out that they have different roles to play in their respective positions, but all aimed ultimately to deliver the dividend of democracy to the people.

‘Section 302 of the 1999 constitution, says: ‘
The President may, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by Section 147 of this Constitution, appoint for the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, a Minister who shall exercise such powers and perform such functions as may be delegated to him by the President, from time to time.

‘While Ireti’s office as provided under Section 48 of the 1999 constitution make laws for the peace and good governance of the people of Nigeria including the FCT.

‘The functions and duties of the two offices are distinct but they must work together for the common good of the people of Nigeria and the FCT”.

‘Actually, Wike is not answerable to the senator, just like the senator is not answerable to the minister either, they are both answerable to the president and the citizens of Nigeria.

‘To me, Wike’s developmental strides in the FCT are very commendable and he ought to be encouraged to do more with the cooperation and support of the distinguished senator.

‘The ultimate goal here is the people, no minister has ever reporte
d to any senator. Past FCT ministers and senators did not come from the same party, but they worked in synergy.

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‘Media war will not bring development to the people, cooperation is the key’,’ he said.

He enjoined them to drop their differences and concentrate on delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

Wike had on Monday tackled Kingibe, who had consistently accused him of sidelining her in the affairs of the territory such as those relating to budget.

Kingibe also complained of how Wike has overlooked the priority needs of the bulk of FCT people partly due to a lack of communication between her and the minister.

Angered by Kingibe’s utterances, Wike challenged Kingibe to test her popularity again at the 2027 election, vowing that he would ensure she did not return to the upper chamber of the legislature.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria