Aviara regent gets government recognition;

Promises to work with everybody

By

Kelvin Ohoror

The Chairman Isoko South Local Government Council Hon. Sir, Itiako Constantine Ikpokpo KSM, has presented a letter of recognition to HRM Prince Uzuazomaro Harry Emaviwe, Okoroze I, the Regent of Avaira Kingdom, Isoko South Local Government Area, Delta State.

Speaking after receiving the paper of recognition, HRM Prince Uzuazomaro Harry Emaviwe, Okoroze I, the Regent of Aviara Kingdom stated that today is a day that God has proven that when you trust in him, he will not let you down, noting that, Aviara people should embrace peace and love, so that the community can move forward.

He also hinted that, if it were some communities there could have been killings and destructions of properties, but for the six years of tussle there was nothing of such, saying that at the end we are all together as one, eating and drinking together.

He however promise that, he is ready to work with everybody, pointing out that, “I don’t have the whole wisdom of the world, anyone who have ideas that will bring and foster development to Aviara Community should bring it and let us put it into action and move the community forward”.

He therefore commended the Delta State Government led by Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and the Chairman Isoko South Local Government Council Hon. Sir, Itiako Constantine Ikpokpo and Isoko Peace Mission for restoring peace back to Avaira Kingdom.

Also speaking at the ceremony Hon. Sir, Itiako Constantine Ikpokpo asserted that, today Officials presentation marked the end of a six year Kingship tussle in Aviara, noting that the recognition followed all the due process which includes deliberation and recommendation at the Local Government Executive meeting and the final approval by the Delta State Executive Council headed by his Excellency the Governor of Delta State Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.

He however, commended the civil and Peaceful manner of all the parties involved in the tussle and the generality of the Aviara people all throughout the period the crisis lingered and urge other Isoko Communities to emulate the Aviara people.

Hon. Ikpokpo also appreciated the effort of the Isoko Peace Mission headed by Chief A.P.J Okpakpor for brokering peace and bringing the six years tussle to conclusive end.

Highlight of the event was the Official presentation of the letter of recognition and paying of Royal Homage to the Regent by the Chairman of Isoko South Local Government Council and notable Chiefs of Aviara kingdom.

Delta modular refineries to create jobs, wealth, supports states police - Okowa's aide

The Executive Assistant to the Governor of Delta State on communications, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe has again re-echoed the firm determination of the Okowa administration to fulfilling its 2015 electioneering campaign promises especially the spread of Prosperity to All Deltans. 

He gave the assurance while responding to questions during a live television programme; "Democracy and the Rule of Law" aired by Galaxy Television in Lagos, South-West Nigeria.

He said the Smart Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa has been able to drastically reduce the rate of poverty in the state through deliberate people oriented socioeconomic policies in the area of job and wealth creation as encapsulated in the smart agenda vision document, adding that over 3,000 youths domiciled in the three Senatorial districts are beneficiaries and still counting; through the Youth Agriculture Entrepreneurship and Skills Training Entrepreneurship  (YAGEP and STEP) programmes.

 

 Gov. Okowa with His Executive Assistant on Communications, Dr Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe

Oghenesivbe posited that the state government has directed the 25 local council chairmen in the state to constitute security task force within their respective local jurisdictions to assist the  conventional security agencies in curbing crimes,  especially to checkmate the vexed issue of unlawful killings by some lawless Fulani Herdsmen doing business in several rural communities and cities within the three Senatorial districts of the state.

On the issue of state police being canvassed by Nigerians, he said decentralization of the police is long overdue and must be considered as an integral component of the restructuring of the Nigerian Nation. 

He urged the National Assembly to immediately commence the process for the amendment of the constitution to accommodate the establishment of state police with a proviso that State House of Assembly shall make laws for the structuring, funding, operation and administration of State Police.

"The lacuna created by a section of the constitution which provides that the State Commissioner of Police may seek further directives from his superiors before carrying out the orders of the state governor on security issues; makes it mandatory for the establishment of state police or in the alternative amend the constitution to yank the proviso which gave birth to the lacuna.

"He noted that Senator Okowa and the state government have been able to ensure peaceful coexistence across the state through funding of security agencies; by providing necessary financial assistance and other resources to ensure effective policing and crime prevention which is why oil production has drastically increased and still soaring in the oil rich state."

In a related development, the EA Communications, Fred Oghenesivbe has said that the three modular refineries to be established by the state government in Sapele and Okpai in Ndokwa East, shall further provide jobs and create wealth for youths, women and a reasonable number of skilled and unskilled persons in the state.

Oghenesivbe posited that the modular refineries when operational shall refine 30,000 barrels per day; capable of radically transforming the local host communities into modern cities as commercial activities are expected to grow and impact positively on the living standards of the people.

"The visionary leadership of our amiable governor is again exposed through the modular refineries star projects. Imagine the thousands of jobs it will create during construction of the refineries and when they are operational. It will create jobs for petty traders, suppliers, engineers, contractors, drivers, professionals and so on and so forth.  

"Delta is a pacesetter in job and wealth creation; pacesetter in sustainable health for all initiatives and also a pacesetter in security and peace building advocacy, which was why President Buhari once made a public statement, declaration Senator Okowa as the most media friendly governor in Nigeria.

"The smart agenda is still unfolding and the good people of Delta State shall continue to be the major beneficiaries till May 29, 2023 and beyond," the statement added.

Billy Graham, ‘America’s pastor’ and popular evangelist dies at 99

Billy Graham, the famed evangelist who became known as “America’s Pastor,” has died at the age of 99, The Associated Press reported.

Graham died at his home Wednesday 21 February 2018 morning from natural causes, a family spokesman told ABC News.
Born in 1918 in Charlotte, North Carolina, William Franklin Graham Jr. was the oldest of the four children of William and Morrow Graham. He was raised on a dairy farm, and little in his childhood suggested he would become a world-renowned preacher.

Evanagelis Bllly Graham

Then at 16, Graham attended a series of revival meetings run by outspoken evangelist Mordecai Ham. The two months he spent listening to Ham’s sermons on sin sparked a spiritual awakening in Graham and prompted him to enroll at Bob Jones College. When the conservative Christian school’s strict doctrine didn’t align with his personal beliefs, he transferred to the Florida Bible Institute (now Trinity College of Florida) and joined a Southern Baptist Convention church. He was ordained in 1939.
Graham received additional training at Illinois’ Wheaton College, where he met his future wife, Ruth McCue Bell. They were married for 64 years, until her death in 2007, and had five children.

Ogboghor urges Okowa to dredge Urie lake as Igbide holds fish festival

By Martins Eduje

The Igbide kingdom in Isoko south local government area held Its annual fishing festival for two days, precisely on the 13^th and 14^th February 2018. The Urie lake is always declared open to indigenes and non-indigenes annually for harvesting and selling of fish tagged; “Fish Festival”. This Urie lake fish festival brings all sons and daughters of the Igbide kingdom together and it is always celebrated for two consecutive days.

Fishing, buying and selling going on at the Urie lake

The president General of the Igbide community, Dr Patrick Ogboghor who spoke to Isoko Mirror, he emphasis the importance of the fish festival, stressing that the festival is used to foster peace and unity among sons and daughters of the Igbide community. 

Mr.Dan Odhomo IDU PRO(m) flanked by the president and some of is exco members

He pointed out that the Urie lake share boundaries with Uzere and Umeh communities respectively and the lake was usually called “Isoko port” before the construction of the east west road. Dr Ogboghor who was full with enthusiasm, he appealed to the Delta state government to dredge the urie lake to boost business in the area, stressing that the Urie lake was the only major route to Onisha and other places in the east for business transactions.

some dignitaries in attendance

The fish festival is normally declared open by the president general every year. Dr. Ogboghor said “I appealed to our people to keep the tempo of the fish festival and I also want to appeal to the state government to help our community to dredge the Urie lake to bring back the past glory as it were during the days of our forefathers”

The Igbide community has seven quarters with a chairman from each quarter for proper co -ordination.

God told me to marry my sister - Disgraced brother speaks

The young man who married his sister in Anambra state has disclosed that he carried out the action after discovering that it was permitted in the scriptures - Cornelius Chiadi Ezeibekwe claims God told him to marry his sister; and that she saw the same vision as he - He says he married his sister to avoid divorce and also prevent diseases and other deadly vices from encroaching into his family Cornelius Chiadi Ezeibekwe, from Ekwulobia town in Aguata local government area, Anambra state, has stated that he got married to his sister in order to obey God. 

In an interview with New Telegraph, the 25-year-old, who became the buzz of the moment after wedding his sister in a ceremony conducted by their elder brother, stated that he had studied the bible and discovered that such an act was permitted. Newsmen gathers that Ezeibekwe stated that upon his discovery, he informed his parents, who then gave their consent. In his words: “I am a Sabbath and when I searched through the scriptures, I discovered that the Bible permits marriage between a brother and a sister. So, I went ahead with the arrangement to marry my younger sister. “The marriage ceremony was observed in our family compound, which also serves as a place of worship for us. My immediate elder brother, Paul Ezeibekwe, the pastor, was present during the ceremony. “What happened was that when we decided to get married, we told our parents our intention and my father asked us if we knew what we were about to do. I told him that we searched through the scriptures and that God sanctioned it. It was after this that our parents consented. “However, our other relations objected to the idea when they learnt of the plan and when we ignored them and went ahead with the marriage, they and other villagers burnt the Sabbath Church where we used to worship because they thought it was in that place that we worship, not knowing that we had since abandoned the place and are worshiping in our compound. The burning of the church does not mean anything to us. “God told me to marry my sister and she also saw the same vision I saw earlier. There are places in the Bible that support such marriage. Those in doubt should read Songs of Solomon chapters 4 and 5 and 1st Corinthians chapter 7. “Since we took this decision, I have not felt anything unusual, or felt that I did anything wrong. In the school where I teach, many people asked me about it and I boldly referred them to the Bible. “One of the reasons for marrying my sister is to avoid divorce which is rampant these days because even if we divorce each other, we will remain in the same family. Besides, by marrying one’s sibling, there will not be the possibility of introducing ugly situations, like diseases or social vices into the family.” The family was reportedly originally Catholics before they joined the Seventh Day Adventist Church and eventually switched to their own brand of Sabbath worship, with one of the children, Paul, serving as the pastor. The young man did not only marry his sister but was said to be responsible for her pregnancy; and the union was said to have gotten the youths of Agba village, Enugu state, angry as they burnt down the church where the wedding took place. The union was officiated by Chiadi’s elder brother Paul who also owns the church; and the youths burnt the place because they felt it was an abomination for such a union to have taken place.

OPINION

The Folly of the Nigerian politician

By Tony Ogbetere 

There is no doubt that the Nigerian politician is a character worthy of analyses. It was therefore with keen interest that I read Dr. Reuben Abati's "The Portrait of the Nigerian Politician" which was published in The Guardian of Friday, March 23, 2001. Since the return of civil rule in May 1999, the political class has been treacherous vis-a-vis the Nigerian civil society. The common man has been reduced to a mere pawn in the dangerous political game that has characterised our national life in the last two years. This has not only reduced the act of governance to a hurley-burly affair, it has also undoubtedly, led to the existence of a precarious polarity between the needs of the common man and the means for actualising them.

Obasanjo

Unlike Abati, I am not too surprised at what is happening today. Abati's surprise and disappointment, I presume, stems out of the fact that he expected much from the crop of people who today enjoy the undeserved privilege of being referred to as the political class. When the present "democratic crew" came on board I told everyone that cared to listen, that the whole thing was another jamboree that will eventually revert to what my erstwhile erudite lecturer O.B.C. Nwolise of Nigeria's premier university, had called Contractocracy: a government of contractors for contractors by contractors. The treachery of our politicians has enmeshed the polity into a quagmire of false values, deceit, false hopes, uncertainty illusions and human delusions. This brings us to the questions raised by Abati in his piece.: "In two years, do we have enough evidence, that they (the politicians) are appreciative of the legacy that they hold, the symbol that they represent, the hopes that have been invested in them as the representatives of the people? "Can we point to these characters as products of a long learning process?"

Like Abati, I do not think so. First the Nigerian politician, ab initio, has never acted like a true representative of the people. The political class has always pursued interests that are antithetical to those of the citizenry. Such parochial interests are often pursued without prior consultation of the electorate who are supposed to wield the ultimate determinate power to decide who gets what, when, and how. A case in point is the celebrated decision by our legislators to appropriate outrageous furniture allowances to themselves. One would have expected that the feeling of disenchantment which greeted the furniture allowance issue would have prompted the legislators to beat a retreat, but this was not so.

The insensibility and sheer personal aggrandisement, displayed by the legislative and executive arms of government on the furniture allowance issue and other issues that have come to the fore since then, demonstrate the inordinate ambition of our politicians to indulge in primitive accumulation of wealth and undue profligacy at the expense of the masses. Our politicians are poised to do everything within their means to appear successful in the eyes of society and thereby jettison their actual role of achieving success. Pages of newspapers are rife with paid adverts, usually placed by sycophants and hired opportunists, extolling the "virtues and achievements" of political office holders all in a bid to secure re-election for them. A successful office holder does not need all of this media hype to sell himself to the electorate for re-election. A good politician should seek re-election by virtue of the extent to which he has added meaning to the lives of the citizenry.

Also, majority of the politicians, seem to view power as an immutable end in itself rather than as a means to an end. To the few that see it differently it is a means to actualise their whims and caprices. These perceptions have turned the average Nigerian politician to a die-hard desperado who is ready to wrest power either by hook or crook. Experience has also shown that the Nigerian politician is ready to compromise any thing to remain relevant in the national scheme. It was this desperation and propensity to compromise anything that led to the fraudulent acceptance of the annulment and tacit complicity in the ill-fated Interim National enterprise of 1993.

This phenomenon also explains the willful acceptance of and participation in the inglorious Abacha interregnum, which marks the darkest part of our national history. The way the five political parties adopted the late dark goggled general clearly indicates the extent to which our politicians can go to compromise the wishes of the masses in order to remain relevant. This is why I neither voted for any of them nor expected too much from them. The political class, as it were, would most likely elect to reign in hell rather than serve in heaven.

Furthermore, our politicians do not understand the essence of governance. Politics is the authoritative allocation of resources and the determination of who gets what, when, and how. The executive is expected to allocate resources to promote the public good. What constitutes the public good is supposed to be determined by the legislators who are the representatives of the people. The legislature is expected to function on the basis of inputs got from the electorate through wide consultations. In Nigeria it is the interests of an oligarchic cabal that have consistently held sway. This cabal sponsor hungry politicians into both the executive and legislative arms of government and get them to churn out policies which promote interests of the oligarchy as against the common good.

To these "vagabonds in power," to borrow Fela Anikulapo-Kuti's aphorism, the provision of the basic necessities of life is secondary to the corrupt enrichment of the cabal and its cohorts. This has been the dilemma of the masses in Nigeria who have been caught in the web of the politics of allocation and domination. Over 40 years after independence the Nigerian polity is still writhing in the throes of internal colonisation, perpetrated by a wealthy few who do not care what happens to their fellow compatriots who are not as financially endowed as they are. To these usurpers the country's performance should be assessed by how much wealth they steal from government rather than the Human Development Index.

It is also obvious that the present actors in the political arena do not understand the tenets of democracy. There has been several cases of gross violation of the constitution by both the executive and the legislature. The Senate single handedly amended section 84(5) of the 1999 Constitution, without meeting the requirements specified by the constitution for an amendment to be affected. This is diametrically inconsistent with the principle of constitutional supremacy. The way the Executive has consistently meddled with the legislature has undermined the principle of separation of powers in no small way. Also, the flagrant disobedience of court orders by government officials has not only undermined the effective interpretation of the law by the judiciary but also made a sham of the principle of equality before the law.

The activities of the politicians since May 1999, has been an indefinite study in a Combined Honours of comedies and tragedies. Comedies because sometimes one cannot help but be amused at the conduct of the so called political class, and tragedies so far as the future of our dear country is being sacrificed on the altar of sheer political expediency and crass opportunism. The long and short of it is that the politicians have not learnt their lessons, hence the display of megalomania that we witness today. The same concerns identified by the military to justify their incursion into the murky waters of our national politics are still evident today. The Obasanjo administration has demonstrated a culpable inability to proffer solutions to the nations problems.

The same administration has refused to institute a sovereign national dialogue that would give all of the segmental cleavages an opportunity to discuss these seemingly insurmountable problems and agree on far reaching solutions. In the ensuing confusion there is strong agitation for a generation power shift. The federal government is embroiled in a war with labour unions over deregulation of the oil sector. In another front it is at loggerheads with states over resource control. The provision of social amenities is at its lowest ebb, while our major towns and cities have become breeding grounds for criminals and people who indulge in ritual killings. Things seem to be falling apart and very soon it looks like the centre will not be able to hold for the government of the day, which is obviously going through a crisis of allegiance with the citizenry.

Our leaders need to be de-philosophisised and re-philosophisised. They need to realise that the essence of governance is the pursuit and actualisation of happiness for majority of the people. They must understand that they are public officers because of us, but we are not Nigerians because of them. To this extent they must always confer with the electorate before reaching decisions that affect the generality of the collectivity. They should uphold the tenets of democracy at all times, unless they want to run the democratic train aground. A time is coming when every one of them will account for his or her deeds and misdeeds. To whom much is given, much is expected. What we desire is a democratic milieu that is free from the ambitions of the rich and the pettiness of the poor.

Published on Thursday, April 19, 2001 in Guardian Newspaper Nigeria. Has anything changed since then? Be the judge! 

Isoko group protests against Delta’s 2018 budget, berates lawmakers

A group, Isoko Brains Initiative, has frowned at the alleged gross marginalisation and deliberate shortchange of the oil-producing ethnic nationality in the Delta State 2018 budget recently signed into law by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
 
The group also alleged under-performance by the three lawmakers representing the area in the state House of Assembly, Mr. Tim Owhefere (Isoko North), Mr. Johnson Erijo (Isoko South 1) and Mrs. Orezi Esievo (Isoko South 11), passing a vote of no confidence on them along with Okowa.
 

Ugwuanyi

In a joint statement by its president, Mr. Urude Bartholomew; secretary general, Celestine Ureigho, and Christian Appah, after a meeting in Asaba yesterday, the group the entire budget and the allocation to the ethnic nationality, emphasizing that the governor and the Isoko legislators in Asaba have failed the people.

It disclosed that out of a capital budget of N161,614,568,997 in the budget, what Isoko got as a whole was a meagre N4, 571, 000,000 which is below one per cent.
 
It stated: “The Isoko nation hereby reject the budget in its entirety because it does not reflect our interest in any way. It is a pity Isoko stooges in the Okowa -ed administration could not do anything when the broad daylight robbery was taking place.”
 
According to them, there is a deliberate and inhuman shortchanging of the Isoko in the budget.
   
The group lamented: “It is a pitiable situation for Isoko nation that despite her contributions to the nation’s economy and overwhelming support for governor Okowa in the 2015 election, they only turned around to stab us at the back.”
   
They emphasized that in the capital budget of N161,614,568,997, a paltry N350 million was allocated for the construction of Ozoro Market, while community roads at Iyede got N180 million, Oteri Iyede road -N80 million, and Otor Owhe internal roads – N250 Million.
 
They listed the others to include Aradhe-Ellu Old road (N60 Million), Oleh/Emede road (N280 million), Emede township road (N500 million), Oleh township road (N50 million), interlocking of Old Uzere Road, Emede (N50 million), construction of Umeh road (N300 million), Okpare Aviara road (N150 million), Erowha road (N47 million) and Ikpide-Irri internal roads (N350 million) which is below 2.8% of the total budget.
 
The group while lamenting what it called the continued marginalisation of the Isoko by the Okowa administration since inception, enjoined them to use their voters cards to do the needful and vote only those who will have the interest of the ethnic nationality at heart.

Okowa bags ‘Man of the Year’ award

… Lists Ways To Make Nigeria Better DELTA State Governor, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa has bagged the Independent Newspapers’ ‘Man of The Year, 2017’ award. The Governor was accompanied by his wife, Dame Edith, his predecessors, Chief James Ibori and Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan and other top political office holders to receive the award at a colourful ceremony held in Lagos at the weekend.

Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa (left) receiving an Award as Governor of the Year 2017 from Chairman, Bulet International Limited Abuja, Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua, during the Celebration of Outstanding Nigerians Independent Award 2017 at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos

In his acceptance speech at the event organised by publishers of Independent Newspapers, Governor Okowa linked the high rate of insecurity in the country to large number of unemployed youths. According to Governor Okowa, “government at all levels should begin to pay more attention to our youths, we must make consistent efforts to empower them, we need to strengthen technical education and the polytechnics in the country, so that the youths will be equipped with relevant skills to become self reliant rather than be going about with certificates seeking for jobs that are not available.” “Until we do that, we may not have a great country that we seek today,” the Governor said, adding, “we must also look at family planning because, the level of insecurity that we have in the country is borne out of the joblessness of our youths, we must find a way to control our population growth.” The Governor who commended publishers of Independent Newspapers for the award and thanked his predecessors for working with him to ensure that dividends of democracy gets to all Deltans, used the occasion to emphasise that most of the challenges facing the country will be a thing of the past if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducts credible elections. “Once we conduct  elections that are credible, it will be good for this country,” he reiterated amidst thunderous applause from the excited audience. The Governor dedicated the award to Deltans for their support to his administration and their commitment to a peaceful state that is the investment destination of all. Apart from Governor Okowa, Governor Ambode of Lagos State, bagged Governor of the Year 2017: Governor Samuel Ortom, Governor of the Year, Security; and Governor Nyesom Wike, Political Icon of the Year: Governor David Umahi, Governor of the Year, Agriculture and HRM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife who was honoured as the Bridge Builder of the Year 2017.  Mrs Titi Laoye- Tomori, Deputy Governor of Osun state, the immediate past PDP Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Caretaker Committee, Alhaji Ahmed Makarfi, Mr Tony Elumelu, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Dr Dale Babalakin, among others, were also, honoured at the event which attracted players in the Nigerian socio-economic cum political space. Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua in his opening remark, said, “when you look at the list of people this paper is honouring, you will discover that they are Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in various fields of life, I will like to appeal to the media to do her utmost to promote the unity of this country. The media should try and unite Nigerians and stop fanning the embers of disunity.” The Managing  Director/Editor-in-Chief of Independent Newspapers Limited, Mr Ade Ogidan said the management of the newspaper will continue to honour Nigerians who have contributed to the growth of Nigeria.

25-year-old allegedly marries his 17-yrs-old pregnant sister

Angry youths have descended on a church burning it down after a man reportedly impregnated and married his sister at the church in Anambra.

Agba youths in Ekwulobia, Anambra State have burnt down a church where a 25-year-old man, Mr. Chiadi Ezeibekwewedded his 17-year-old younger sister after getting her pregnant.

According to Newsmen, Agba youths, who saw the marriage as “an abomination,” burnt down the church where the wedding was consummated.

It was learnt that the wedding was conducted by Chiadi’s elder brother, Mr. Chijioke Ezeibekwe, a Shepherd of Dwelling Fullness of God Church, Agba. Chiadi quoted Deuteronomy 36: 6, which, according to him, permits marriage between brothers and sisters of the same parents.

However, a member of the church, who spoke on condition of anonymity, countered that. He referred the brothers to Leviticus 18:9, which clearly speaks against marriage between brother and sister.

A source noted that immediately their eldest brother, Mr. Emeka Ezeibekwe, heard of the “incestuous marriage,” he alerted the clan head, who summoned the family to an emergency meeting.

When their father, popularly, known as “Luisco” was contacted for comments, he said that his concern was a way out of the situation, since according to him, “what has happened, has happened’’.

Addressing the crowd which gathered on their premises, their mother claimed that his son’s action was biblical, saying Chiadi paid her the bride price. Further enquiries showed that Chiadi and some members of the family were baptised into the Adventist Church after leaving their former church in August 2016.

“Since they were baptised into the church, they have been engaged in weird and rebellious behaviour as well as false teachings,’’ said Mr. Onyeka, a member of the Adventist Church in Ekwulobia said, “Because of their rebellious attitude and false teachings, the Seventh Day Adventist Church expelled them since May 2017”.

“Not long after that, Mr. Chijioke Ezeibekwe started his own church,” Onyeka added.

It was also learnt that their grandmother passed away a few days after she found out about the marriage. The Igwe-in-Cabinet had since summoned the family for interrogation.

I got into entertainment industry through Pastor Abeboye- Ope Banwo

I grew up in Fadeyi, Lagos. Though it was indeed a very poor neighbourhood, it was not as violent as it is today. My father was a civil servant and my mother died on my 14th birthday. My Dad never remarried so I grew up with my siblings without a mother. But we had an awesome sister who was our first born and she sacrificed everything along with our Dad to make sure all remaining five of us went to university and graduated. My brother and I used to share school uniforms since we had only one between us. Mine got torn during a football game and nobody had the courage to tell our father about it, so I would wait for my brother, who was in the morning session while I was in the afternoon session, at a place close to the school so we could exchange uniforms.

Dr. Ope Banwo, an international lawyer, author, entrepreneur, motivational speaker and internet business consultant is a strong force in the entertainment industry. His intrepid exploits some years back in Dove Media and Stingomania Records, became the standard by which the growth of Nigeria’s showbiz industry is measured. Ope is back on the familiar terrain with Nollycoin, a blockchain technology-powered idea aimed at revolutionising the Nigerian movie industry. He speaks with VANESSA OKWARA about his growing up years, lovely wife and big break into crypto technology

We didn’t have television in our house while I was growing up and we all had to go to a neighbour’s house to watch big events like the October 1 parade or when Mohammed Ali was fighting. Yet, while we were not rich, I honestly never really felt like we were poor since most people around me were about the same. In fact we actually thought we were richer than our poorer neighbours because we lived in a room and parlor, while most in the house only had one room. It was like a 30-room building and there were only two room and parlors in the whole building. So we actually felt pretty cool and richer.

 Fadeyi at that time was not a violent place, so I honestly didn’t really feel I was lacking anything until I got to secondary school and saw what other students were bringing to school, the kind of shoes and texture of their uniforms, and knew I could never ask my dad for that. But still, my father brought us up to have the confidence that regardless of money or not, on any given day, any of the Banwo boys can take down anyone else in anything regardless of how rich they are. He always said it was not about the strength but about the intelligence, the passion and the heart. I still believed that to this day and I’ve been teaching my kids the same.

 Of course, I think anyone who knew me or any of my three brothers would agree when it comes to passion, daring heart and God-given intelligence, we bring it every day to anything we do, win or lose.

How did you get into the entertainment industry?

I actually entered entertainment by God-incidence. I was hired by Redeemed Christian Church of God and Dove Media to come to Nigeria from USA and help raise the funds to start the Dove Media Plc., which is a Christian entertainment outfit. God helped us to do a great job of raising the funds needed in less than six weeks and when it was time to hand over my fund raising report to the General Overseer, Pastor E. Adeboye, he said since God used me to raise the funds, then I was going to be the CEO of the company in Nigeria. As at that time I didn’t even know what mini-TV was. I was a Lawyer with some kind of expertise in fund-raising at the time.

But of course no one can tell the General Overseer no. So I took the job and learnt fast and kept failing forward. We did an awesome job with a group of very young and creative guys like Deji Irawo, Segun Awosanya (Sega); Toyin Moore and many others. Dove Media rose from nothing to dominate Christian media industry in less than one year. Of course I also made lots of mistakes that eventually led to my downfall in Dove Media. Dove Media probably was one of the most challenging projects of my life and despite the rough ending for me; I have nothing but gratitude and appreciation for the General Overseer, who gave me the opportunity. Since that interesting time in 2006, I have been hooked on entertainment and went on do a lot of great things, some of which you must be aware of.

What was your first big break?

Since I have basically operated with great success in at least four very different industries (Law, entertainment, employment and digital marketing), you could say I have had a lot of first big breaks. However, since we are talking about entertainment here, without a doubt my first big break was my stint with Dove Media. Dove Media forcefully introduced me to the industry that eventually embraced and celebrated me, even with the hiccups along the way. As a man who always takes the positive out of any experience, I will say I am most grateful to the G.O; Pastor Akinkoye and my mentor, Pastor Brown for that Dove experience and forever in debt of those young but very energetic and creative crowds who made Dove Media a success. My two years at Dove Media, despite the sad ending for me there, was easily the happiest time of my life and my greatest break in entertainment.

How did you meet your wife and what makes her special?

This question will take a whole hour to answer. So I will just say my Olunike Ajoke is a very special woman. I am not the easiest of guys to live with and my wife has done an admirable job of making me such a better person that I am convinced she is the only woman on earth who could marry me and love me like I am. I simply thank God for the opportunity to meet her in such a funny circumstance that I really can’t go into today…. but you would find it fascinating.

The Nollycoin idea you came up with is offering itself as an advanced technology that movie makers in Nigeria can benefit from. How much have your resource team done to sell to movie stakeholders the prosperity that may arise from this beautiful synergy?

We are already engaging top influencers in the movie industry to share this vision and seek their support. As a matter of fact, we had an exclusive media parley where we met openly with most of them and answered questions on how this can benefit them and their industry. As you know, it’s always a challenge to be a pioneer in the entertainment industry, and this blockchain and crypto technology is still new to a lot of them and many of them even see it as a bubble with no lasting influence. Fortunately, I am very comfortable being a pioneer and have been a pioneer in the entertainment industry before, so I know the work that must be done. I know we must do a lot of work to make them see beyond the misconceptions about the technology, and make them see how it can revolutionize the industry.

Explain what the shared interests from this scheme would be like?

There are different levels of interests that would be shared by people who will participate in the Nollytainment ecosystem powered by Nollycoin.

I would like to call the shared interest the Nollycoin value proposition for the movie  community. Nollycoin also offers a lot of win-win opportunities to stakeholders in the entertainment industry excluding the pirates and copyright thieves. Some of the solutions and opportunities that Nollycoin is bringing into the entertainment ecosystem include one: hardworking movie producers win. This means that contrary to what some companies in entertainment may think at first blush, they will definitely benefit from the NollyCoin Economy that will be heralded by Nollycoin. Under our ecosystem, the entire entertainment market scale can be enlarged to enhance long term exploitation of the copyrighted creative works. All stakeholders will enter their copyrighted content onto Nollycoin blockchain and harvest the profits worldwide ad infinitum. Two: collaborators and creative artistes in the movie production chain win. This means that, with blockchain technology and the Nollycoin, collaborators can now be compensated accurately per contract without need for any third-party intervention. Three: movie financiers and stakeholders in each completed movie win. By this, proportionate payments to movie financiers can also be worked into the smart contract that would form the basis of distribution of income from all movies on the Nollytainment network. No longer will financiers or stakeholders have to chase movie producers to get repayment of loans or capital investment in any movie project. Four: open and transparent record-keeping ledgers for all stakeholders. This means that Nollytainment platform, with its underlying blockchain technology, will provide all players in the movie making industry including movie makers, movie producers, cinematographers, and writers with digital recording of all transactions in copyrighted works that is accessible to all stakeholders on an instantaneous and permanent basis.

Apart from making money as a business person, what are the plans being worked on to ensure that other elements like theft of intellectual property and piracy are dealt with? Also explain how your idea can generate jobs for persons in the entertainment industry.

The very concept of blockchain protects the registration rights of copyright holders and even allows different constituent collaborators in making a movie to preserve their own part of the copyright by recording all of that in the ‘Smart Contract’ that will be executed as the movie gets on our platform. That contract cannot be changed by anyone and compensation agreed to by the collaborators will be disbursed automatically without the intervention of a third party. Blockchain technology is tailor-made for protection and compensation for copyrighted works. As for how these will generate jobs for participants in the movie industry; more international level movies will be sponsored and produced and thousands of people from actors to set hands will be employed in the process and more importantly the key players will not need to sue anyone for enforcement of their rights on the platform since blockchain handles everything without the intervention of weak third parties. I honestly see blockchain transforming the entertainment industry and generating millions of jobs for everyone as the concept gets clearer and implementation of its promise becomes real to people.

You are a busy man. How do you now find time to relax with your family?

I work hard and I also play hard. I am able to find time from my entire crowded schedule because I only do things I really enjoy doing now. At this point of my life, I don’t get involved in any projects unless I am really passionate about it. Money is the last consideration though I am also an unapologetic businessman. So, I wake up every day excited to go to work. In the midst of it all, I still find time for five or six vacations each year. In fact, I just came back from a one week Caribbean cruise with my wife, and the year is only one month old. We are also scheduled to be in Hawaii for five days in about two weeks, and then we visit Nigeria. Life is always good, and there is always time when you are doing what you love.

Nigerian catholic priest hits 40 on global music chat

A Nigerian Catholic Priest, Reverend Father Christian Achinivu, has emerged amongst world top 40 Best Singers and Songwriters in the Global Reverbnation Charts Ranking.

It should be noted that the cleric had earlier this year called on musicians in the country to use lyrics that are not harmful.

Reverbnation is home to over four million artistes in the world and one of the top music ranking places especially for independent artistes.

Expressing joy and appreciation to God, the priest popularly known as Fada Paiko on Saturday told newsmen that his first ranking was a day after his music was first introduced into reverbnation.He said: “My first album placed me at number 3,900 out of millions of Singer/Songwriters on the Global Charts of Reverbnation.

“I am grateful to God, fans and friends. The new ranking which placed me at 36th globally was announced on February 8, 2018, after I joined the charts in January this year.”

He added that the ranking kept increasing on daily basis despite beginning with less than 200 fans until he entered the first 100 in ranking.