“SHELL HUT” NOT ÒRÌSÀ AJÉ SHRINE IN LONDON By Emperor Alafia ॐ

On 1st September, 2021 — popular video of a Nigerian Priestess who was traditionally “invoking Òrìsà Ajé (Deity of Wealth)” in front of a pavilion in Grosvenor Gardens, London was shared with the Circle For The Exploration Of Faith & Philosophy (CEFP) for an elaborate explanation on the cultural connection of the pavilion with African culture.

Over the years, many Africans (most especially Nigerians) and African traditionalists that have visited the Grosvenor Gardens are often curious about the similarity of the “sea shells and cowries decorated pavilions” of the garden to the Ajé and Olókun shrines in Nigeria, Brazil, Mexico, etc. And the curiosity has ‘for a very long time’ raised cultural connectivity alarm within the traditional institution of the Yorùbá people in Nigeria... For over twenty years, several Yorùbá traditional chiefs, temple priests and devotees believed the pavilion to be an “18th Century Òrìsà Ajé Shrine” as that was the — unofficial statement of an unidentified person at the Grosvenor Gardens during the early 21st century. Unfortunately, many of the London residents and tourists who have visited the Grosvenor Gardens also do not know or understand the historical significance of the pavilion as there was no ‘Public Awareness Information’ indicated on the pavilion.

To set the record right, eminent intellectuals of the Circle For The Exploration Of Faith & Philosophy (CEFP) embarked on an intensive and extensive research on the historical significance of the pavilions at Grosvenor Gardens. It was discovered that the finely decorated sea shells pavilions were named as “SHELL HUTS”, a 20th Century British Historical Landmark representing “ANGLO-FRENCH UNITY” which is officially not related to African culture and not to be misrepresented as “Òrìsà Ajé Shrine” or sanctuary... After many years of the pavilions’ cultural misrepresentation by African traditional tourists, it wasn't until year 2012 that the first historical article was published about the “SHELL HUTS” by TheLondonPhile.com (a website exploring London's museums, heritage, architecture & culture). And to verify the contents of the historical article, we contacted The British Museum and it was authoritatively confirmed that, in 1952, the “SHELL HUTS” were designed by Jean Moreux, the then architect-in-chief of the National Monuments and Palaces of France. Despite their whimsical sea shells and cowries decorations, the huts were in fact designed with a practical purpose in mind: they were for the use of the park’s gardeners, with one designated for the storage of tools and the other for the garden attendant... Below references are for further reading:

https://www.google.com/amp/s/thelondonphile.com/2012/04/18/shell-huts-grosvenor-gardens/amp/

http://www.londonshoes.blog/2018/09/18/the-unique-shell-huts-of-victoria-sw1/

https://www.gettyimages.dk/detail/photo/shell-hut-in-lower-grosvenor-gardens-london-royalty-free-image/905918136

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grosvenor_Gardens

Between Obafemi Awolowo and Alfred Rewane: A study in defiance and loyalty

Exactly 26 years ago today, the Nigerian Businessman and major financier of the Pro Democracy group NADECO ,Chief Alfred Ogbeyiwa  Rewane AKA Osibakoro  (August 24, 1916 – October 6, 1995) was  was murdered in cold blood  at his residence in Ikeja, Lagos. Rewane was a close associate of late Nigerian Statesman,Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Alfred  Rewane was born  in Warri, Delta state, on the 24th  August, 1916. He was the second son of Chief Jemide Rewane. His mother, was the daughter of Chief Mowarin of Agbarho in the present Ugheli North Local Government Area of Delta State. Chief Mowarin was one of the first six warrant chiefs in Urhoboland.

Alfred, popularly referred to as Alfredo, by Awolowo, shared similar character traits, with Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in terms of learning, erudition, ruggedness, defiance, self development, loyalty, commitment to goals and aspirations and above all, a quest for an egalitarian society and a life that is more abundant.

Alfred, was in fact Awolowo’s political secretary and a very trusted loyalist. The Itsekiri people and the Delta Province benefitted tremendously from this loyalty and assiduity. Rewane was in Awolowo’s government as chairman of the Western Nigerian Development Corporation   (WNDC) and one of the four directors of the NIPC (Nigerian Investment and Promotion Council).

Alfred Rewane started his primary school education, in African School Warri, and proceeded to Government School Warri, where he completed his primary school education. He then gained admission into the famous Dennis memorial grammar school Onitsha, but his father could not afford having two sons in college at the same time. His elder brother, Chief O.N Rewane, the Ologbotsere (traditional Prime Minister) of Warri, was already at Government College, Ibadan.

As a restive youth, he was by sheer providence, spotted by the United African Company, U.A.C, who instantly employed him and took him to their fold for management training in Burutu, to be trained in every aspect of business management and accounting and on completion of this intensive studies, he was posted to Lagos, in   a managerial capacity as the Beach master at the Lagos Custom Wharf, where he had so much to do with the control of UAC Labour movement, the UAC being then, the largest employer of labour in Nigeria.

As a restive soul, after serving at several other departments at the UAC head quarters, he voluntarily retired in the early 40s. He found unpleasant, the drudgery, regimented and restricted life of a paid employee.

After his early retirement, mother luck smiled on him, when an European company, with headquarters in the United Kingdom, gave him a contract for the supply of Cow Bones and he later became a major exporter of Bones in Nigeria, a business which had hitherto been unknown in Nigeria, as an export commodity.

With his knowledge in business management, he travelled round the length and breadth of Nigeria for Bones to export. He also added to his export business, the supply of Black Pepper (Igbere), which was a highly priced commodity during the Second World War. This huge success, encouraged him to add timber to his export business.

In 1947, Alfred started a first class night club at Queens Street, Yaba, called the Rex club, which became an attraction for the Nigerian middle and upper class. His night club encouraged indigenous musicians like the late Bobby Benson and his wife, Cassandra. His tax assessment in 1947 was enviably the highest, for any private individual in Nigeria. He was thus, reputed to be one of Nigeria’s wealthiest citizens.

In politics, Alfred began his political career at an impressionable age. His love for the Warri Kingdom and the Itsekiri people encouraged him to go into politics for the economic and political wellbeing of the Itsekiri people. Alfred’s friendship with the late Chief Bode Thomas, brought him to the fore front of the Action Group, of which he became one of its founding members.

This heralded his association with the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, which later developed into complete and total confidence with each other and perhaps cultic loyalty.

In the educational field in the early 40s, the only government college in the Warri Division, the then Warri College, which provided easy access to education, for the Itsekiri community, was moved to Ughelli in the Urhobo Divison and renamed Government College, Ughelli. In order to fill this educational vacuum, Chief ENA Begho, the late Ologbotsere of Warri, Chief O.N Rewane and Mr. Alfred Rewane founded the Hussey College, Warri on the 3rd  of February, 1947. The school was named after a famous colonial educationist and located along the Erejuwa Road in Warri, Delta state. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious colleges in Nigeria. It has produced many eminent and distinguished Nigerians in various spheres of human endeavours.

Among its old students, who came from various tribes and backgrounds are- Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson, the former Governor of Lagos State, Brigadier General Bassey Asuquo, Navy Commander Temi Ejoor, Brigadier General Sunday Tuoyo, who were all former military governors Justice Akhigbe, Justice Awala, Chief Emmanuel Ogidi, Dr. Jackson Gaius Obaseki, Chief Ezekiel Olasunmoye Fatoye- a foremost telecommunications expert, prof. Tunde Bajah- a renowned Chemistry teacher, Major Isaac Adaka Boro and distinguished monarchs, like the Owa of Idanre- Oba Fedrick Aroloye and Ogiame Atuwatshe II.

Alfred Rewane’s first act of notable defiance and audacity was in the sacking of Bristol Hotel in 1948. Mr. Ivor Cummings- a distinguished African Caribbean national and a top official of the colonial office in London, was scheduled to pay an official visit to Nigeria and naturally, his first port of call was Lagos, then Nigeria’s capital. Accommodation was reserved for him at the Bristol hotel, a foremost hotel, then owned and managed by expatriates.

Apparently, the hotel authority thought that from the sound of his name-  Cummings, he was certainly a white Anglo-Saxon, but they were shocked when he presented himself at the reception, that he was black. He was instantly refused a room at the hotel on that ground. A Warri based Sierra-Leonian legal luminary called T.L Williams, witnessed this odious scene. He was helpless and dumb founded. He moved to the nearby Island club, where he met Alfred Rewane and a prominent Lagos lawyer, Oladipupo Odunsin. After relating his story, the famous Lagos lawyer- Odunsin, shouted and exclaimed- “Our Nigeria of 1948, we cannot have this, let’s go and die! “But the boisterous Rewane, jumped up and shouted- “die!? No, let’s go and teach them a harsh lesson”

The atmosphere at the Island club was now charged and under Odunsi and Rewane’s leadership, the Late Milton Macaulay, the Late Prince Adeleke Adedoyin and the late Akiniran Olunloyo, marched through the Onikan stadium, to the Marina, with the support of the elderly members of the island like the late J.K Randle and the late Bolaji Finnih, who had gone to wait for the rampaging youths at the Tinubu police station, in case of arrest by the colonial masters.

At the Onikan stadium point, at the Marina, the area boys, known then as Boma boys, armed with sticks and horse whips (koboko), followed the Rewane team, without hesitation, and an assault, was launched on Bistol Hotel. At the end of the rampage, the reception, Bar and restaurant were sacked and the white men in the hotel premises and its vicinity had a sorry and gory tale to tell. The whole hotel was wrecked and left in shambles.

After the rampage, Sir Adeyemo Alakija, then patron of the island club, foreseeing an imminent raid on the island club, took the rampaging youths on a mediatory visit to the Governor General of Nigeria- Sir Arthur Richards, for mediation.

Richard deliberately refused to arrest Rewane and his colleagues, because of his belief, that the day of segregation was perhaps gone and he said, “with effect from today, there would be no more European hotel, hospital or club reservation in Nigeria.”

Thus, racial discrimination or apartheid was abolished in Nigeria. The European hospital in Lagos (now military hospital) and European Club at Ikoyi, were renamed Creek Hospital and Ikoyi Club, respectively.

The European hospital at Warri serving the then Central Provinces of Ondo, Benin and Warri, was changed to Maple Annex. The European Hospital at Ibadan was changed to Jericho Nursing Home.

Areas, otherwise known as European Reservation were renamed Government Reserve Area (GRA), and so on, throughout the country and there was general jubilation.

Rewane and Odunsi’s defiance, audacity and insolence, had produced a great result for Nigeria in 1948. This success was greatly applauded at the Island Club with choice wines.

Rewane’s act of defiance was revisited in 1962, at the treasonable Felony trial of Obafemi Awolowo. Rewane was charged with Obafemi Awolowo along with other Action Group colleagues, with the offence of treasonable felony. Alfred was acquitted and discharged after being remanded in prison for four months on the 1st  of   March, 1963.

Alfred, despite being discharged, remained in the court room, and at the close of the day’s proceedings, went back into the Black Maria which conveyed him   back to the prison at Broad Street, where Obafemi Awolowo was also held a prisoner, on the pretext, that he had to collect his personal belongings.

At about 8:00pm, he had to be literarily forced out of the prison, leaving behind his leader and other colleagues. To him, his acquittal was meaningless, as long as Awolowo remained in prison custody. A few days later, he savoured the joy of this belligerence and defiance, when he went to Kingsway store at the Marina, to shop for his family.

He was deeply moved by the spontaneous acts of solidarity shown to him by the huge crowd, which gathered inside and outside the store. A couple of days later, when Alhaji S.O Gbadamosi and the late S.O Sonibare were arrested on the Federal Government orders, with respect to the loan which the NIPC of which they were directors, took to build Western House on Broad street Lagos, Rewane became more defiant to resist persecution, from the authorities to the very end. In this instance too, they were discharged and acquitted.

During Rewane’s trial, the party leader, Obafemi Awolowo, was escorted by armed police men into the court room. According to Rewane- “we all rose to our feet and greeted him loyally, warmly and with deep emotion”.

Rewane’s prison custody, with Chief Awolowo in their midst, only transformed the group of the awaiting trials, into a vibrant political club within the prison walls.

When the group of the detainees were dispersed, Rewane was very happy that he was one of the seven detainees, left behind with Chief Awolowo in broad street prison. But despite Rewane’s closeness with Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his cultic loyality that was legendary and notwithstanding the fact that Chief Rewane usually took off his cap to speak with Obafemi Awolowo on the telephone,Obafemi Awolowo would still brook no nonsense or indiscipline from the A.G Chieftains.

Alfred Rewane was a member of the A.G delegation to the 1957 Constitutional Conference in London. At the conference, he became indisposed, he had no choice but to visit a hospital. The Western Region Agent General in London- Chief M.E.R Okorodudu, took Alfred to the Royal free hospital in London, where he was admitted and treated for Festibular Neurosis. The bill was 160 pounds sterling. Chief Okorodudu sent the bill to Chief Awolowo’s hotel, for approval for payment, from the delegations vote, but Chief Awolowo declined to authorize payment. He told Rewane- “Alfredo, among all the delegates to this conference, you are the closest to me. Your indisposition is not as a result of your attendance of this conference.”

He added in jest- “If I authorize this payment of the bill, it will create a dangerous precedent. How am I sure that some of our colleagues who may be suffering from chronic gonorrhoea would not ask me to approve payment of the bills for their treatment?”

At that point, Chief Awolowo gave Rewane 50 pounds of his own money to pay part of the bill, with further support from Chief S.O Sonibare and Chief Arthur Prest. Alfred made up the money from his personal account and the bill was settled. Those were the days!

Alfred, in 1952, played a pivotal role, in changing the title of the Itsekiri monarch from  the Olu of Itsekiri  to the  Olu of Warri. At the same time, the then Warri Province was changed to the Delta Province, to allay Urhobo fears, thus confining the name Warri to the Administrative Itsekiri Division.

Rewane’s love for the Itsekiri nation was legendary and infallible. He had an amazing skill, to place history in its proper perspective. He was a gentleman, a good citizen and a successful businessman. He was a role model in costume and elegance. He was the epitome of wellness and grandeur. He was tall, shimmering, ebony black and stately, that one could easily be hypnotized by his presence. Alfred was unfortunately murdered at his house, No. 100, Oduduwa Cresent, Ikeja Lagos, on the 6th  of October, 1995.

In the 1990s, Rewane's residence in Lagos was the venue of political meetings that led to the formation of NADECO.

He was known as a major financier of the group which was vocal in its opposition to the military regime of Sani Abacha. The Nigerian police arrested 7 persons in connection with his murder but 5 of the suspects died while in detention, the remaining two were freed based on weak evidence from the prosecution.

May the soul  of Osibakoro Alfred Rewane continually find peaceful repose with the Lord.

By Hon Femi Kehinde

Sources:

The Vanguard Newspapers

Additional information from:

Wikipedia and newspaper cuttings.

DRAMA AS SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBER'S SPILLS BEANS... SAYS BANK STAFF ARRANGED OPERATION

A staff of an Abeokuta-based microfinance bank in Ogun State, who organized a pseudo robbery of himself, with the aim of converting his employer's N3m, has been arrested.

The suspect, Olagoke Dare of Abestone Microfinance Bank, was detailed, alongside a female staff, Mary Agbejo, to make a withdrawal of the money from a commercial Bank at Oke-Ilewo in the Abeokuta metropolis.

Apparently having a fore-knowledge of the official assignment, the suspect contacted one Idowu Tunde, whom he brief and made an arrangement on how to make the operation look real.

He was said to have provided his accomplice, Idowu, with a toy gun and also ensured that the car provided to convey the money from the commercial bank to Abestone Microfinance Bank was unlocked.

Consequently, as the two microfinance bank staff went into the banking hall for the transaction, the 'armed robber' effortlessly opened the car rear door and hid himself.

On completion of the transaction, after which the two microfinance bank staff boarded the vehicle, with the female staff being in the custody of the money, at a point, the 'armed robber' suddenly raised his head up and pointed the gun at her, with the aim of collecting the money.

But, according the state Police spokesman (PPRO), DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a press release, the lady observed that the gun was a mere toy, and wrested it with the holder, before raising an alarm that attracted passers-by, who ran after the vehicle, caught up with them and held down the purported armed robber.

 A distress call was then made to the police.

The release stated that, "Upon the distress call, the DPO Ibara Division, SP Segun Ajao, quickly mobilized his men and moved to the scene, where one Idowu Tunde was arrested, with the assistance of members of the public", adding that Idowu, on interrogation, led the cat out of the bag, as he reeled out some shocking revelations on how the male bank staff orchestrated the pseudo robbery.

He was said to have revealed how the male bank staff, Dare, "informed him that his employers would be sending him and one other person to withdraw the sum of N3million, and that Idowu should come and rob them of the money", adding that, he also provided him with a toy gun to carry out the operation.

"He confessed further that, while Dare and his other colleague went into the bank, he, Idowu, hid himself in their car, that was deliberately left opened by Dare, as was their plan. While they got into the car, Idowu explained that, he suddenly emerged from the back seat and pointed the gun at the lady, who was holding the money. But the lady noticed that the gun did not look original, consequent upon which she dragged the gun with him and raised an alarm, a development that attracted people who pursued them and called the police", the PPRO said.

"Meanwhile, the acting Commissioner of Police, DCP Abiodun Alamutu, has ordered the immediate transfer of the two suspects to the state Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for discreet investigation, while also advising companies to always endeavour to  do background checks on their staff before employing them", the statement concluded.

By Shittu Ayodeji

Ẹbọ - The Universal Justice

The Right, Respect and Sacrifice

"Rírú ẹbọ ní ń gbe ni, àìrú kìí gbè 'nìyàn."

Sacrifice, Ẹbọ is majorly a science of giving and taking. You lack because something or someone lacks something you have. This is not known until you take a move and that move is the point of sacrifice. Think about this and understand why there are varieties of Ẹbọ, physically and spiritually.

Ẹbọ as a right says everyone and everything has his own right and that is a link between all creatures.

Ẹbọ as respect says; so far ẹbọ is a right, it is also a respect being planted by Olódùmarè in every creature for mutual existence. Without right, no respect.

Ẹbọ as sacrifice says: So far ẹbọ is a right that establishes respect in individual, giving everyone his right respectfully needs a lot of sacrifices and the sacrifices too are Ẹbọ.

You will understand this when a divination is made and you are advised to do this or that. 

Your body is fully an ẹbọ, not respecting it could lead to illness.

Your family is linked to you with Ẹbọ, not respecting or sacrificing it could lead to violence. Think more and more.

Comprehensively, Ẹbọ is everyone's right or compatibility. Bíbọ means giving everyone/everything his/its right.

Summary: ẹbọ is a right to be sacrificed respectively. Without Ẹbọ, there cannot be law. Without law, there cannot be judgement. And, without judgement, there can never be justice.

Why is everything Ebo to you? When you pray and we say ASE, it is Ebo.

When we bow for parent, it is Ebo.

When we dance, it is Ebo.

When we use charm, it is Ebo.

Abeg! Who is your teacher? Let's see if he is perfect and may be a natural master to tell us what Olódùmarè, The Creator has taught him/her directly.

However, we should have argued all these with you, but we will not. Why? Because, you thought ẹbọ is negative, though. But, in pure sense of Yorùbá usage, Ẹbọ means the equal right that links all creatures together. The respect that is reciprocal.

There are three major Sacrifices.

- Ẹbọ orí

- Ẹbọ ẹnu

- Ẹbọ ilẹ̀

Ẹbọ orí - by praising your head and Isure. And avoiding all that is not compatible with your head.

Ẹbọ ẹnu - feeding your family and most importantly your parents. Because, bàbà ẹni ní òòsà ilé, ìyá ẹni ní òòsà ọjà. However, burning could also mean Ẹbọ ẹnu. Because there are mouths to heaven and earth and with burning of good scent can cause heaven to be fed. Also, pouring good perfumes on the body could mean feeding the earth.

Ẹbọ ilẹ̀ - this is feeding other lives on earth, from animals to other things on earth. When pour anything on soil, it is not for the soil but the creatures living in soil. You must know what you do and how it works. This is pure sacrifice - Ẹbọ.

However, there is a very secretly open ẹbọ that many people overlook and that is Ẹbọ Ìwà (Sacrifice of Character).

Sacrifice of Character:

Ẹbọ Ìwà is the most important ẹbọ. There are many ways this ẹbọ is used to make change and solve problems. So, you have to take care of your self and brain to really understand what Ẹbọ means and why it is natural in spirituality.

Read this ẹsẹ ifa:

"Agbọ́ngbọ́n, àwọn wọn l'ode Ìlorèé 

Àgbàyàngìdì, awo òde Ìjẹ̀ṣà. 

Ọkùnrin yàngìdì yangidi

Ní Wọ́n dì ní àtípá. 

A díá fún Olóòyìmẹ̀fún, 

Yóó bulẹ̀ Olówu roko.....

Wọ́n ní o bọọ́gún ilé. 

Ó bọọ́gún ilé, 

Ẹbọọ  rẹ̀ ò fín. 

Wọ́n ní o bòòṣà ọjà. 

Ó bòòṣà ọjà, 

Ẹbọọ rẹ̀ ò dà. 

Òòṣà ọjà ò gbà.....

Wọ́n ní ó bọrí. 

Ó bọrí, 

Orí pá.....

Wọ́n ní ó bọlẹ̀, 

Ó bọlẹ̀, 

Ilẹ̀ẹ́ lu.....

Wọ́n ní ó bọ Olúbọ̀bọ̀tiribọ̀, baba ẹbọ. 

Ó ní òún mọ̀ pé Baba ẹni l'eégún ilé. 

Òún mọ̀ pé ìyá ẹni l'òòsà ọjà. 

Ó ní òún m'orí lórí o;

Òún m'ọlẹ̀ nílẹ̀, 

Ó ní òun ò mọ ohun tí í jẹ Olúbọ̀bọ̀tiribọ̀, baba ẹbọ 

Wọ́n ní ẹnu, 

Ẹnu ní í jẹ Olúbọ̀bọ̀tiribọ̀, baba ẹbọ....

Ǹjẹ́ kín l'a ń bọ nÍfẹ̀. 

Ẹnu wọn. 

Ẹnuu wọn l'à ń bọ nÍfẹ̀, 

Ẹnuu wọn.....

Mo fún'gbá, 

Mo f'áwo. 

Ẹnuu wọn. 

Ẹnuu wọn kò mọ̀ lè rí ni bá jà. 

Ẹnuu wọn....

Mo wálé, 

Mo wánà. 

Ẹnuu wọn. 

Ẹnuu wọn kò mọ̀ lè rí mi bá jà. 

Ẹnuu wọn.

When you read this, in Ìfẹ́, ẹnu is the best point of ẹbọ. So respect the mouth.

Finally, ẹnu l'ẹbọ. This is not just an ordinary statement but a divine directive telling you to feed the mouths with appropriate respect of its right to serve as sacrifice from you and the mouth also does its own part of sacrifice by accepting your feed. 

At the same time, it is telling you to be cautious of what you say. 

Remember, everything has a double opposite rights. Right to accept and right to reject. All these are upon the original covenant among all creatures. 

Àìrú ẹbọ 

Àti àìtètèrú 

Ọ̀kan ni wọn

Note: when it comes to any form sacrifice, time is a big factor. That is why it say, there is no difference between disobedience and late obedience to sacrifice. It is called TIME FACTOR.

1111.1111

Pen: Oríadé Ìpọ̀sọ́lá Ajétẹ̀lú 

Source: www.agloglob.com

Itsekiri Inheritance Law

The Itsekiri in the past, did not dispose of his properties by a written Will, but as the last words of a dying person were regarded as equally legal, the disposal of properties by 'mortis causa' donation was a recognised custom in the early days. There were instances in which a dying chief called his children, disclosed the names of his debtors and of those to whom he was indebted, giving the amount in each case, and then gave direction as to where to find his valuable treasures. Such last words were generally taken into consideration when the time came to share out the goods, moneys, etc., of the deceased.

Generally, however, on the death of a an Itsekiri his properties were kept in the custody of the chief-mourner (olori-ebi) until the time of distribution, which was normally after the final funeral rites.

At a fixed time the chief-mourner and the other elders of the family called a meeting of the deceased's children and relatives, whereat the properties were divided. Both the children born in wedlock and in concubinage in theory had equal rights, but the former, in fact, were wont to insist on a better consideration. The eldest son, who was generally the next-of-kin by custom,

had the largest claim. The house and most of the furniture and wives passed to him: he could freely use the family lands held in trust by him, providing he gave a portion of the fruits derived therefrom to his brothers and sisters, and did not alienate any piece or parcel thereof. Hence the proverbial saying, to wit, "Ê nè biri ọmọkpanran te tse t ĕ gba gba oron-okun" (i.e. Be what it may the heir-at-law must receive the coral-bead necklace). Such necklace was a sign of authority or delegation of the powers of the deceasèd to the next-of-kin.

In those days Cloths, moneys, and other movable properties were shared out proportionately to all the children and close relations, wives being only shared to the sons. of their own in-mates and near male relatives of the generation junior to the deceased, as levirate marriage of the senior type was strictly forbidden.

Where most of the children were under age, the distribution was postponed until such time as they grew up; but when this was not done, their share of the inheritance was kept in trust either by their own brothers, or the half-brother who inherited their mother, or by the Olori-ẹbi or Ọmọkpanran as the case might be.

The heirs were liable for all just debts even if  the liabilities were greater than the assets. They also had the right to collect such proved debts as were owing to the deceased in his life-time.

Wives were not permitted by custom to inherit their late husband's properties. So also men are not permitted to inherit their late wife’s property. 

A childless woman who efused the new husband to whom she was shared, must refund pre-marriage expenses, which acted as an automatic divorce. But if she chose to marry another membr of the family— generally one who looked after her during the mourning period— other than the one she was given in the first instance, a compromise was, reached accordingly.

The law was relaxed in respect of wives who had children with the deceased husband, especially when such women were getting old: they might remain in the family with their children. A woman who became a widow for the second time in the same family was not subject to inheritance or payment of any fee. She could either go to her home or remain to look after her children, or cling to any relative of the deceased she liked. and who wished to take her as wife.

From; Itsekiri Law And Custom By C. O. Omonukarin.

Diminutive Gnome Known as #"Egbere"

Gnome is a small creature like a small man, with a pointed hat, who lives under the ground, guard gold and precious things. Yoruba adage says "eni t'oba f'oju Ana W'oku, Ebora a Bo laso.

"EGBERE" as commonly called by Yoruba mythology has a spirited powerful mat called "Eni egbere. According to Yoruba people's believe, it makes one rich beyond imagination.

Gnome is essentially an African version of the leprechauns. Reputed to carry a mat that if stolen, would make the bearer extremely rich, (same way the Irish dreamed of stealing the leprechauns pot of riches) always crying like a baby.

It is said to be a malevolent spirit with a small stature, known for carrying a mat of wealth wherever it goes, and the mat is carved by diminutive Gnome, which is said to take months or years to carve and it is believed to be a unique one. The Yoruba people belief is that if you steal the mat, the spirit of the gnome will follow you around for days, wailing to give back the mat you stole, but if you can ignore and stand all that for the said period of time you become very rich, that's part of the myth.

Habitually they use to be in remote forest, where only strong hunters can reach.

The Question now is; do they still exist?

We will say yes, but you can't find them close by, due to civilization.

Source: HeritageTV

LIFE IS PERSONAL

For good three months I have been away from home. I came back and met my household healthy and doing fine as if my absence didn't affect them. I walked straight to my room and saw how the kids turned everything upside down. I discovered also that my personal perfume and other things were used.

The food stuffs in the kitchen were not in the kitchen cabinet. Wow! they were all busy enjoying while I was risking my life on the highways, seas, and air. At midnight when they were all asleep, I sat down on my bed and had a deep thought about life and those around us. I mean our loved ones whom we risk our lives for to put smiles on their faces.

Indeed, life: "Na per head". I wonder why people take their lives. My partner and the kids didn't even starve a day to protest my absence for three months. Haba! they didn't even wait for a year before using my personal items. The kitchen was empty, and they were all looking healthy without me.

I can remember how I refused to shop, eat good food, join my colleagues to go for outings just because I wanted to return home with cool cash to assist my partner in making life comfortable for the kids. Little did I know I was only punishing myself for people who were doing fine and will always be fine without my presence.

I thought of death, and had a clear picture of how things will look like without me. It was at this point I told myself that, life is all about you, and you alone. Those we call loved ones will definitely be fine when we are no more.

I have had stories of women who didn't make it from the labour room, but their babies did, and today they are great men and women. Life indeed is personal.

We kill for money to satisfy or impress those who don't really care if we live or not. We betray, loot, get involved in illicit business to impress or satisfy those who won't keep our memory forever.

Take a deep breath friends, what if I didn't return back home?Don't you think life would still have continued for my family?

Now I Know why the preacher keeps saying all is vanity. Do your little, don't go extra mile contrary to the will of your creator to impress or satisfy those whose destiny won't stop the day you kick the bucket. Rather be yourself, do your little, and appreciate your efforts even when the world doesn't commend your efforts.

Your life, integrity, dignity, isn't worth sacrificing for anybody under the Earth. Be conscious of your dealings, and put your conscience and creator first when taking decisions. Life, indeed, is personal.

Thought for today read it carefully.

IFA IS A WAY OF LIFE

There are those who tell me, "just stick to Ifa" whenever I write something they don't like. What these people fail to understand is, in Ifa, knowledge is holistic and not fragmented. In Ifa, everything is connected: mythology is connected to epistemology; epistemology is connected to metaphysics; metaphysics is connected to philosophy; philosophy is connected to religion; religion is connected to politics; politics is connected to economics; economics is connected to civilization and civilization is connected to history. Thus, an Awo must study and understand all, holistically.

By Ifa Dare

l KILLED BOB MARLEY - CIA AGENT CONFESSES ON HIS DEATH BED

CIA, Bill Oxley - finally spoke the truth - He killed Bob Marley

A 79-year-old retired officer of the CIA, Bill Oxley, has made a series of stunning confessions since he was admitted to the Mercy Hospital in Maine on Monday and told he has weeks to live. He claims he committed 17 assassinations for the American government between 1974 and 1985, including the music icon Bob Marley.

Mr. Oxley, who worked for the CIA for 29 years as an operative with top-level security clearances, claims he was often used as a hitman by the organization, to assassinate individuals who could represent a threat to the goals of the agency.Trained as a sniper and marksman, Mr. Oxley also has significant experience with more unconventional methods of inflicting harm upon others, like poisons, explosives, induced heart attacks and cancer.

The 79-year-old operative claims he committed the assassinations between March 1974 and August 1985, at a time when he says the CIA “was a law unto itself.” He says he was part of an operative cell of three members which carried out political assassinations across the country and occasionally in foreign countries. Most of their victims were political activists, journalists, and union leaders, but he also confesses to assassinating a few scientists, medical researchers, artists and musicians whose ideas and influence “represented a threat to the interests of the United States.”

He claims he had no problem with going through with the assassination of Bob Marley, because “I was a patriot, I believed in the CIA, and I didn’t question the motivation of the agency. I’ve always understood that sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the greater good.” But Mr. Oxley confesses that Bob Marley remains unique among his victims, as he was the only victim he “felt anything for.”

“The others were assholes. Bob Marley was Bob Marley. I was no closer to being a long-haired hippy back then than I am now, but I must admit Bob’s music did move me. It held some power over me.”

He claims to have “mixed feelings” about Bob Marley’s death. On the one hand, Marley was “a good man, a beautiful soul” with “profound artistic gifts” who did not deserve to have his life cut short. But according to Mr. Oxley, Bob Marley was also placing the goals of the CIA in jeopardy and threatening the existence of the United States:

“He was succeeding in creating a revolution that used music as a more powerful tool than bullets and bombs. Bob Marley in 1976 was a very serious threat to the global status quo and to the hidden power brokers implementing their plan for a new world order. As far as the agency was concerned, Bob Marley was too successful, too famous, too influential… A Jamaican Rastaman who started using his funds and fame to support causes around the world that were in direct conflict with the CIA… To be honest, he signed his own death warrant.”

“It’s not like we didn’t warn him. We sent a few guys to shoot up his house in Kingston,” Mr Oxley says, referring to a shooting in the Marley residence that left the singer with an injured arm and chest.  “We had a message for him. We impressed upon him the gravity of the situation he found himself in. He didn’t listen.”

“Two days later, in the mountains, I stuck him with the pin.“

How Bob Marley was murdered by the CIA

Two days after Bob Marley was shot in the left arm by one of three gunmen who ambushed the singer and some of his crew in his house in Kingston, and after a brief stint in hospital, Bob Marley travelled to the protective hills of the Blue Mountains and spent time at the highest point in Jamaica, rehearsing for an upcoming concert. According to Mr. Oxley, he used press credentials to gain access to Bob Marley during his Blue Mountains retreat. He introduced himself as a famous photographer working for the New York Times, and gave Bob Marley a gift.

“I gave him a pair of Converse All Stars. Size 10. When he tried on the right shoe, he screamed out ‘OUUUCH.‘“That was it. His life was over right there and then. The nail in the shoe was tainted with cancer viruses and bacteria. If it pierced his skin, which it did, it was goodnight nurse.”

“There had been a series of high-profile assassinations of counter-culture figures in the United States in the late sixties, early seventies. By the time Bob Marley’s time came around, we thought subtlety was the order of the day. No more bullets and splattered brains.”

Mr. Oxley says he kept close contact with Marley during the final years of his life, ensuring the medical advice he received in Paris, London and the United States “would hasten his demise rather than cure him.” He died from cancer in May 1981. He was just 36 years old.

“The last time I saw Bob before he died he had removed the dreadlocks, and his weight was dropping like a stone,” he says.

“He was very withdrawn, unbelievably small. He was shrinking in front of us. The cancer had done it’s job.” “The day he died in Miami was definitely one of the most difficult moments in my career. I felt real bad. For a long time I wasn’t comfortable with my part in his death. But eventually I came to realize it had to be done, for America.”

By TheIntelligensia

FIND OUT WHOM YOU ARE

Most people are struggling in life because they have not found themselves. By struggling I don't just mean financially, I also mean mentally, emotionally, physically, Maritally, careerwise...... and so on.

But why are they struggling? Life even if not easy should at least be sweet for us. Why are they still going through some problems giving them sleepless nights, depression, suicidal thoughts and so on? I have an answer to that and it because they don't know themselves.

Who are you? What destiny (odu) did you choose in heaven (orun) before coming to ikole aye (earth)? What is your star? Who is your ruling Orisha (the main energy you carry)? Which egbe orun (astral mates) do you belong to? Do you appease your Ori regularly? Do you appease your ancestors (eegun)  regularly? Some spend time surfing the internet for gists, latest songs, celebrity fights, porn sites, watching action and romantic films from morning till night but sadly they don't have the time or energy to make researches on their spiritual life.

Oh but I know all these things and I appease them regularly. Now the question is are you doing things the right way?

Firstly, without proper Ifa consultation (divination) you cannot know yourself fully. You can only guess but it's not for sure. Through Ifa divination with a certified babalawo or an olorisa you can know who you are, only then can you begin your journey of self discovery. Most go through hardship today because they don't know what they chose from heaven. You that is meant to be a businessman and you are working in an office. That pretty sister that's meant to be an hairdresser or a beauty consultant is working as a medical doctor. That uncle that says he likes tall very light skinned well shaped women like Omotola Jolade and Kim Kardashian is actually meant to get married to sister Bisola that is small statured and dark skinned. That pretty sister that likes them tall dark and handsome is actually meant to get married and have a good life with brother Wale down the street that has been toasting her but because he's averagely tall, quite fair skinned and not too fine you don't want to reason his matter.

Your friends are doing yahoo and you want to cash out and ball like them, did you choose this line of work from heaven like them? When it doesn't then favor you you add yahoo plus to it? Your friends are carrying sugar daddies who give them millions, latest cars and houses in banana island, you too said you must cash out, you do do do you no cash out then you add different charms to your hustle still you didn't cash out, whereas spiritually you are a Queen of wealth and prosperity yourself and instead of cashing out from these men they are actually cashing out from you by tapping out of the ase you brought from heaven leaving you with crumbs.

Some ask, can I appease my Ori and egbe myself. Some say, I appease them regularly myself but the question is are you a priest? Do you have the spiritual abilities to interact with the spiritual realm? Why not just get a priest to do all these for you so you can have a visible result. You see a pretty lady fair skinned, tall, well shaped and automatically she believes she's a mamiwater (water spirit) are you sure? Are you sure you are an omo omi (water child), did you make a consultation to verify this? Or you are just wasting time doing appeasement for a water spirit that doesn't identify you as its child. Maybe your egbe orun is egbe afefe (air spirit), or alaragbo (forest spirit), or egbe igi ogede (banana tree)... and so on.

Everything about your life can be known with Ifa divination, why? Because Ifa is your Eleriipin (destiny witness), he was there to witness the choosing of your destiny by yourself. But when you got to the earth you have forgotten but he's here to remind of the choices you made if you only ask him. That brothers and sisters asking Ifa about their partners, have you asked about your own life? Is a relationship the next step for you when you don't even know yourself. Know yourself and the right person will come along, because then you are aware of the choices you make and are able to manage people or things that come to you. And remember Ifa didn't promise the road to self discovery will be easy or smooth, he only said it would be possible and he would stand by you and assist your every step of the way.

By Oreoluwa Adedoyin for ifa spirituality group.

ÌWÒRÌ WÒDÍ - ODU SEXUAL LESSON

Sexual communication and lesson before Sex

It says a woman must feed her husband before sex and man should also feed himself. Also, when your stomach is full, it is advisable that wòdí or yẹ̀díwò.

Yoruba Myths teaches wisdom before any other solution. 

Ìwòrì wò mí

Ìdí wò mí

Ẹni táa ní níí wo ni

Adíá fun Ìwòrì

Níjó tí ń lọ rèé wòdí

Wọ́n ní kó rúbọ

Bí Ìwòrì ó bàá wòdí

Oúnjẹ níí kún inú ẹ̀

Ayé yẹ ẹ́

Ìwòrì wò mí

Ìdí wò mí

Ẹni táa ní níí wo ni

A díá fún Ìwòrì

Níjọ́ tí ń lọ rèé wòdí

Ìwòrì dákun

Ìwòrì dábọ̀

Èèyán séé wòdí lébi

Ìwòrì dákun

Ìwòrì dábọ̀

This is very important and should be taught to every home. Infact, this is a very big science unknown to many. Eating before sex is very important and eating after sex is good as well.

Why should you have sex in hunger?

Empty stomach is not suitable for sexual intercourse.

Recorded by Ayo Salami.

By Gura Masha.  Published 26 Jan, 2020

THE CHRONICLE OF ÒRÚNMÌLÀ & ÒPÈLÈ

Do you know that among the disciples of any righteous Ifá Adept (either Babaláwo or Ìyánífá), there will certainly be an “incarnate of Òpèlè” who will unrighteously betray the Ifá Adept?

In ancient times, Ifá Spirituality was the Arcanum Arcanorum (Mystery of Mysteries) and it was the institutional body of “Occultism” among every other forms of ancient African Multi-Religious (Ìsòrò) practices like — Oranfe Religion, Obatala Religion, Oduduwa Religion, Olokun Religion, Osun Religion, Ogun Religion, Obaluwaye Religion, etc... traditionally, all these ancient African religions have different religious doctrines and secrets (which are hidden and forbidden) from each other and their devotees fellowships differently (and sometimes contrarily) to each other, just the same way it's happening with the modern-day religions.

Whereas many religions were practiced differently (and controversially) during the early era of creation, because after the creation of earth (which was the last and the “All-inclusive World” among others that were created), the Assembly of Divinities (Irúnmolè) were authorized by the Supreme Being (Olódùmarè) to administer and oversee the affairs of the worlds (including earth) as divine messengers on behalf of Olódùmarè... Acting independently for the first time in existence, the Irúnmolè(s) disagreed on leadership roles among themselves and each decided to rule his/her individual space in his/her or own way. As mystical beings, each procreate individual cultures of which their individual religions were born and contrary to that, — ÒRÚNMÌLÀ, ÈSÙ and ÌYÀMI ÒSÒRÒNGÀ were the only ones who decided to be as they were originally created and did not also procreated any religion (in their individual rights) but instead united together against the other Irúnmolè(s), embarked on “celestial pilgrimage” and reported the controversial situation to Olódùmarè.

Being already knowledgeable of the whole situation before it was reported, Olódùmarè cursed the multi-religious Irunmole(s) — that even with all their numerous mystical powers, they shall lack the Three All-Inclusive Powers — “Enlightenment, Authority and Ecstasy”. And for the three righteous divinities, Olódùmarè bestowed upon them the Three All-Inclusive Powers — ÒRÚNMÌLÀ attained Enlightenment (Ifá), ÈSÙ attained Authority (Àse) and ÌYÀMI ÒSÒRÒNGÀ attained Ecstasy (Ebo)... And onward, the righteous three divinities assembled and formed a “Mystery Cult (Awo Olódù)” swearing an oath to never reveal the secrets of their All-Inclusive Powers to other Irúnmolè(s)... and it was from that point that other Irúnmolè(s) became dependable on “Òrúnmìlà, Èsù and Ìyàmi Òsòròngà” for the righteous leadership and administration of the earth on behalf of Olódùmarè.

When mankind sufferings in the world was almost becoming unbearable for Òrúnmìlà because of the widely patronage of his Enlightenment (Ifá) to illuminate all issues on earth, Òrúnmìlà decided to enrol “a personal assistant and messenger” who was Òpèlè (a poet and geomancer). Òpèlè was hardworking and ambitious, also he was a talkative. He was trusted by Òrúnmìlà and most times he would accompany Òrúnmìlà to the secret meetings of the Mystery Cult (Awo Olódù). Later on, Òpèlè became knowledgeable of all the unrevealing secrets of Òrúnmìlà, Èsù and Ìyàmi Òsòròngà....

At one point, Olódùmarè then commissioned Òrúnmìlà, Èsù and Ìyàmi Òsòròngà for an important affair in another world and Òpèlè was left behind to keep maintaining the sanctuary of Òrúnmìlà. Several moons past without the return of Òrúnmìlà, and the monastic lifestyle became unbearable for Òpèlè in the absence of his master whose return was uncertain. So, Òpèlè being a talkative, then decided to reveal the secrets of the Mystery Cult (Awo Olódù) to other Irúnmolè(s) in return for money, foods and material things... Òrúnmìlà returned from the long journey and realized that he has been betrayed by Òpèlè in an unrighteous manner. The Mystery Cult (Awo Olódù) was ridiculed, mocked and disgraced by other Irúnmolè(s) out of envy and jealousy... And to restore the glory of the Mystery Cult (Awo Olódù) in protection of the secrets of the All-Inclusive Powers, Òpèlè was then sacrificially consecrated into an “Object of Odù” with the “Vow of Silence” and could only talk in code when asked!

(Kindly note that this revelation is “The Chronicle of Òrúnmìlà & Òpèlè” by Emperor Alafia ॐ — It is not an African Oral Literature, Myth or Folklore... Painting by Carmen Cordova)

By Emperor Alafia ॐ

COVID-19: I Would Get Vaccinated For Gospel Sake -Pastor Adeboye

The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has said that he would get vaccinated if it will help in furthering the gospel.

Speaking at his church's monthly Holy Ghost convention, he said, “I never said to you don’t be vaccinated, you have never heard that from me. Rather than living in fear or doubt, get vaccinated. If you believe that getting vaccinated would put your mind at rest, then go ahead.

“Daddy, are you saying that you too could be vaccinated? If there are nations in the world that say I can not come to preach the gospel there because of vaccination, I will do anything for Jesus Christ.

"If vaccination is going to hinder me from doing the work that God has called me to do, if they asked me to get vaccinated 10 times, I would be vaccinated."

Princess Emenugo The Heroine

A King of Warri once  had a very pretty daughter who was called Emenugo. She was a beautiful princess who was in her day called the Queen of Beauty.

In those days cohabitation between the royals or children belonging to the same family tree was punishable by death. Sadly Princess Emenugo had become a victim of this law and having been found guilty of the offence was to be killed.

The Olu who was reluctant to surrender her princess daughter sort to gain the nation consent to the alteration of this law.  For the nation not to suffer from the change of such law, the King ordered consultation of Oracle to inquire for the best way of amending the law.

The Oracle decide that Princess Emenugo was to be made a living sacrifice in order to atone for the soul of future generations who might become guilty of same crime.

The following was the manner in which Princess Emenugo was to be buried alive; a robe of white cloth, half piece of a broken calabash containing water mixed with white chalk, and a broom of bamboo with an egg parcelled at the tiny end of it. These articles where get ready and a day fixed for the sacrifice.

On the day of the sacrifice, Princess Emenugo appeared on the sacrificial scene to be buried alive. As soon as the first set of ceremony was over she was ordered to enter into the grave prepared for her. As she was entering her grave she cried out in lamentation

" Akpate kuri obon di omeyin rubo na obon toli ren oooo."

Meaning "The Lady Trader now vacates the market so that the last born may market and return safely home."

The sacrifice was sorrowful concluded and the law was amended so that people that marry from the same family tree is no longer punished by death but was amenable to fines.

When someone commits a similar offence they are punished. And they'd have to atone on her grave. She is used as an intermediary to the ancestors that has been offended.

Source:

1. ITSEKIRI oral history and tradition.

2. William A. Moore

History of Itsekiri. 

Attached photo is for illustrations only.

ON THE ASSERTION THAT "NO GOVERNMENT HAS DONE WHAT I DID IN 6 YEARS", --- PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI IS CORRECT

First of all, I wish to say Happy Independent day Nigeria!

I listened to the Independent Day National Browriters in President Buhari on 1st October, 2021 and to my mind, he is very right to say that no Nigeria President has done what he did in 6 years since Nigeria Independence in 1960. The President is right on the following grounds:

1. No President has borrowed like President Buhari borrowed money in the last 6 years since 1960.

2. No Nigerian President has made Medical tourism part of his routine despite promising to end same during campaign while allowing Doctors in Nigeria Hospitals to be on strike and thereby abandoning Nigeria Citizens on their health issues since 1960.

3. No Nigerian President has allowed Terrorists fester and operate freely in any Nigerian territory since 1960 like we have it in the last 6 years to the extent that they are now sub divided into Terrorists,  Kidnappers,  Killer Herdsmen and Bandits.

4. No Nigerian President has looked away and allow Governors and religion Leaders to be having selfie with bandits and refused to bring them to their knees since 1960.

5. No Nigerian President has given order that Cow routes be traced and recovered even if sky scraper is built on the route at the expense of human being since 1960.

6. No Nigerian President has taken favouritism and Nepotism to the level it is in Nigeria as at today since 1960 with 90% of Security heads in one section of a country to the detriment of others like we have it in the last 6 years.

7. No Nigerian President has left the real security problems which is terrorists, Killer herdsmen and bandits with weapon of mass destruction unattended to but choose to be pursuing soft targets and Civilian agitators who are not carrying gun in pursuit of their agitation since 1960.

7. Never in the history of Nigeria since 1960 has Naira had a free fall against the dollar, Euro and Pound Sterling and we only turn to blame an online platform called Aboki FX for the free fall instead of CBN Governor like we have it under our President, so, our President is correct.

8. Never in the history of Nigeria since 1960 have we had the Citizens come out to openly protest against the Nigerian Police to show their resentment and displeasure about their operation in what is now known as #Endsars. 

10. No Nigerian President has freed criminals, had dinner with them and recruit them into the security forces, send some of them abroad and integrate them into all sectors with a statement by one of his top officials that a freed Boko Haram can become Nigerian President in future while the victims and their families are left unattended to in the history of Nigeria since 1960.

11. No President of Nigeria since 1960 has allowed the Nation to go into abyss, extreme poverty and the poorest Nation in the World on global poverty index like the way we have in the last 6 years.

12. Never in the History of Nigeria since 1960 has the Nation be this divided and mutual suspicion raised to this level which has resulted in agitation across the country to the extent that unknown gun men had taken over in South East of Nigeria with killings and destruction on a daily basis like we have it in the last 6 year. 

13. Never in the history of Nigeria since 1960 have we had killings of this volume and magnitude like we did in the last 6 years to the extent that no day will pass in Nigeria of today without story of killings. 

14. Since 1960, no Nigerian President had taken infrastructure to another country like our President is constructing roads and rail line into Niger Republic while many Nigerian cities are completely cut off and do not have motorable roads and railway.

15. Since 1960, this is the first time that the bandits will take their audacity to the highest level to the extent of attacking the safest Military Institution in Nigeria, kill and kidnap Military Officers.

16. Since 1960, kidnapping escapades has never reached this unacceptable level like we have it in the last 6 years in Nigeria to the extent that NYSC has given official recognition to payment of ransome in their book containing rules of engagement for Corps members in service of the Nation. 

17. This is the first time in the history of Nigeria that the president will reveal the sponsors of Igboho and Kanu who are Civilian agitators while refusing to reveal the identity of sponsors of Boko Haram, Bandits and Killer Herdsmen which are the real problems that we face in Nigeria even though United Arab Emirates have assisted Nigeria is unravelling their activities.

With the above and many more that I cannot remember, President Buhari is correct and right to say that no Nigerian President has done what he did in the last 6 years. But I have a feeling that the Speech Writers in the Villa have deliberately put that statement in the speech of the President for Nigerians to get more angry and vilify the President. I am of the opinion that the 5th columnist are part of the speech writers in the Villa. If I were President Buhari, I will sack all of them in the information and publicity desk in the Presidency.

My name is TOLU BABALEYE ESQ writing from the Office of the Citizens.  2/10/2021.

INVENTIONS

Nikola Tesla’s Earthquake Machine

Tesla’s 4th lab in NYC was at 46 East Houston Street.

“Here Tesla experimented with the so-called Earthquake Machine, which was a mechanical device that was tuned to the resonant frequency of his lab. He turned it on and it violently shook the lab! Tesla quickly turned it off, but if it left it on for any longer it could have leveled the entire building.

At his 79th birthday in a room filled with 20 journalists, he recounted what happened:

I was experimenting with vibrations. I had one of my machines going and I wanted to see if I could get it in tune with the vibration of the building. I put it up notch after notch. There was a peculiar cracking sound.

I asked my assistants where did the sound come from. They did not know. I put the machine up a few more notches. There was a louder cracking sound. I knew I was approaching the vibration of the steel building. I pushed the machine a little higher.

Suddenly all the heavy machinery in the place was flying around. I grabbed a hammer and broke the machine. The building would have been down about our ears in another few minutes. Outside in the street there was pandemonium. The police and ambulances arrived. I told my assistants to say nothing. We told the police it must have been an earthquake. That’s all they ever knew about it.”

NIGERIA, MY NIGERIA!

Is this the same Nigeria that was visa free to England and other western countries?

Is this the same Nigeria that $1 was 71 kobo?

Is this the same Nigeria that had the largest airline in Africa and over thirty fleets of ship (River Contagora, River Ose, River this, River that)?

Is this the same Nigeria that flight ticket to London was N150?

Is this same Nigeria where Visa was not needed to travel to UK, but just pick your ticket to London like you are traveling to Abuja or Porthacout?

Is this Nigeria where return ticket to USA was N1,200?

Is this Nigeria which Dubai came to borrow money from, but dash them instead of giving them(Dubai) as loan?

Is this same Nigeria that Major General Yakubu Gowon said the only problem we have is how to spend our money?

Is this the same Nigeria that tear-rubber Peugeot 504 was less than 5 thousand naira?

The same Nigeria that had car assembly plants ( Peugeot and Volkswagen)?

Is this the same Nigeria that had great leaders like Zik, Balewa, Awo, Enahoro, etc?

Is this the same Nigeria that Indians used to come and apply for teaching jobs?

Is this the same Nigeria that was abroad to the Ghanaians, Liberians and others?

Is this the same Nigeria that spent billions fighting against apartheid regime in South Africa?

Is this the same Nigeria that spent billions on peace keeping in Congo, Liberia and Sierra Leone?

Is this the same Nigeria that built housing estates in Lagos and Ogun states for refugees from Liberia?

Is this the same Nigeria that funded and hosted the first black arts festival?

Is this the same Nigeria where the consumption of CAN foods like geisha and sardines by students was seen as poverty?

Is this Nigeria where Peak milk was sold for 10kobo, every other brand was sold 8kobo downward?

Is this the same Nigeria that students were given jobs and car incentives in their final year in the university?

Is this the same Nigeria that secondary school students could travel to any other state unaccompanied, without fear whatsoever?

Is this same Nigeria where secondary school students from the West travel to the East or North for excursions and vis versa?

Is this the same Nigeria where nobody cared about religious affiliations, where Christians and Muslims coexisted amicably?

Is this the same Nigeria that was the giant of Africa?

Is this same Nigeria that was ahead of France and some other European countries in terms of development (courtesy Western Region of Nigeria)?

This is certainly not that Nigeria.

Oh Nigeria, there was truly a Country!

Happy Dependence Day To you All!!!

By Segun Adeniyi

25 MOST PROFITABLE AGRIBUSINESS IDEAS TO TRY OUT

1. Vegetable Farming

Spinach, lettuce, pumpkin, broccoli, cabbage, and cucumber et al, are all vegetables that are consumed in every part of the globe and can also be cultivated in every part of the world. This goes to show that there is a very large market for vegetables. So, if you are looking towards starting an agricultural crop cultivation business, then one of your options is to go into vegetable farming.

2. Mushroom Farming

Mushroom farming is one of the most profitable agricultural business ideas for young entrepreneurs, which has a turnaround period of only three weeks. Yes, you heard that right! And, it has huge profit potential with demand for good quality and organic mushrooms being high among restaurant owners as well as households.

3. Transportation Business For Farmers

One of the challenges most farmers encounter is the lack of means of transportation to get their farm produce from their farms to the market. You can start a farm transport business to help farmers sort their transportation needs for a fee.

4. Livestock House Construction

Constructing poultry house, dairy farming cubicles and other such farming structures for use by farmers to rear their livestock.

5. Poultry equipment manufacturing

These are usually skilled artisans who construct various equipment needed on the poultry farm – welders, carpenters, electricians etc. You can learn the various specifications needed for the poultry equipment and you are in business.

6. Chicken and egg distribution business

This basically involves bridging the gap between poultry farmers and the consumer market. It is very lucrative and requires relatively little money to start-up. You can focus only on chicken, eggs or both. You meet poultry farmers, buy their stock and resell them in the market to wholesalers and retailers. It does not need any special skills, only your marketing abilities and a working vehicle.

7. Fertilizer Distribution Business

If you like the idea of making a profit by helping people work with the soil, you might enjoy being a part of the fertilizer industry by starting fertilizer distribution business. Entrepreneurs can initiate fertilizer distribution business with a proper selection of products from any location. Find suppliers willing to do business at a suitable price in your area. Obtain quality products at a reasonable price from a reliable source. You can go for import also in the case of bulk purchase. In fertilizer distribution business, the source you choose will depend on your start-up budget.

8. Soil Testing Lab

Soil Testing is agronomically sound, beneficial and environmentally responsive tool used for monitoring the nutrient as well as making precise fertilizer recommendations for various crops and cropping sequences ensuring no damage to the environment. Establishing a soil testing lab is one of an ideal agriculture business ideas.

9. Agriculture Consulting

As with other consulting services, agriculture consulting requirement is surely expected to grow with coming days. People with experience and knowledge in a specified field of farming activity can consider offering consulting services to organizations and farmers.

10. Livestock Feed Production

This business is small scale manufacturing. Having confidence in distribution, one can start this business to make money out of livestock feed production.

11. Fodder Farming for Goats and Cows

Fodder is any agricultural foodstuff used specifically to feed domesticated livestock, such as chickens, horses, pigs, cattle and goats. The term refers to food given to animals, rather than the food they forage for themselves.

12. Vermicompost-Organic Fertilizer Production

Vermicompost organic fertilizer production has now become a major component of agro-business models across the country with a very low initial investment. An entrepreneur can start this business with the proper know-how of the production process.

13. Fish Farming

Commercial fish farming business is a lucrative investment that can spin money at any time of the year continuously. With the implementation of modern techniques and having owned space, an entrepreneur can start this business with moderate capital investment.

14. Piggery

Having a sufficient landholding an entrepreneur can start a piggery business. Among the various livestock species, piggery is most potential source for meat production and pigs are more efficient feed converters after the broiler. The major facility is pig farming requires a small investment in buildings and equipment.

15. Planting Service

If you don’t have your own farm but still want to build a business centered around planting crops, you could start your own planting service and work with other farmers or growers in your area.

16. Recruiting agency for Farmers

Most farmers suffer from a shortage of literate, low-level farm labor on their farms. An agency which helps farmers to easily and quickly recruit young, intelligent and literate labor for middle to long-term positions on their farms would be a huge hit.

17. Agrotourism

You could also offer a whole tourist experience at your farm where people can come visit and maybe even stay as part of a bed and breakfast type of experience.

18. Honey Business

You don’t need to have your own bee farm for you to start a honey supply business. You can source for and purchase honey in big jerry-cans and sell in small quantities.

19. Firewood Production

If you have trees on your land, you could use sell ( acquire license first) the firewood to those who need it. Creating a long term sustainable business would depend on expanding the amount of land on which you can harvest trees and also systematic replenishment through continuous replanting.

20. Tree Seed Supply

You could also harvest seeds from different trees and sell them to people who want to plant new ones.

21. Agricultural Equipment Rental

If you have the capital to purchase farming or agriculture equipment, you could start a business where you rent or lease that equipment out to farmers.

22. Fruit juice-Jam-Jelly Production

Fruit juice-jam-jelly production business has the huge market opportunity. Most important thing is the production process is not that complex and can be initiated small-scale basis.

23. Fruits and Vegetables Export

An entrepreneur can start an export business of fresh fruits and vegetables by collecting them from local farmers. one can start this business from a home location only having a phone and computer with internet connection.

24. Florist

One of the very profitable agriculture business ideas. Having a retail space and connection with the flower growers one can start this business. An entrepreneur also can generate a substantial online sale by offering customers door-step delivery.

25. Worm Farming

Worm farming is another agribusiness that is suitable for enriching farm soil and also to supply animal protein for fishes reared in ponds. This is a one of the very good agribusiness ideas that isn’t being exploited.

#agribusinesstalk

Second Italo-Ethiopian War

On 3 October 1935, two hundred thousand soldiers of the Italian Army commanded by Marshal Emilio De Bono invaded and attacked Ethiopia from Eritrea (then an Italian colonial possession) starting the Second Italo-Ethiopian War without prior declaration of war. At the same time a minor force under General Rodolfo Graziani attacked Ethiopia from Italian Somalia. On 6 October, Aduwa was conquered, a symbolic place for the Italian army. On 15 October, Italian troops seized Aksum, and the obelisk adorning the city was torn from its site and sent to Rome to be placed symbolically in front of the building of the Ministry of Colonies created by the Fascist regime.

Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini withdrew De Bono and replaced him with General Pietro Badoglio, reasons being the slow pace of De Bono. The withdrawing of De Bono and his men was the air needed by Ethiopia. 

Mussolini believed in a matter of weeks; Italy would have over run Ethiopia, but this was not the case as the war pushed on for three years.

Italy invaded Ethiopia without any prior notice, encroachment of it's land and declaration of war. The Italians overwhelmed the Ethiopian forces with a sudden attack, they also had superior air power, arms and amunitions and technology. Extensive use of gas weapons were employed by the Italians.

The Italians had 500,000 personnel (with extra 100,000 mobilised), 795 tanks, 2,000 artillery pieces, 595 aircraft to the 800,000(Extra 330,000 mobilised), 4 tanks, 7 armoured cars, 200 artillery pieces, 13 aircraft the Ethiopians had.

The Ethiopians lacked in many ways, modern weapons, a communication service (radio) which helped the Italians Impose a narrow fence on the Ethiopian forces which relied mainly on foot messengers, leading to many of the Ethiopian soldiers walking into traps.

The Ethiopians had one important factor the Italians lacked, the will and desire to defend their motherland, headed by the anointed Haile Selassie and lead by the Powerful General Imru Haile Selassie.

Weeks after the war started Nazi Germany sent arms and munitions to Ethiopia because it was frustrated over Italy's objection to its policy towards Austria.

Days became weeks, weeks became months, months became years and after three long years of bloodshed the Italians decided they couldn't keep up with the war anymore. During the course of the war the Italians were gradually losing grounds in other important already conquered territories, most importantly Austria which was being over run by Nazi Germany, the impending WWII meant the Italians had to regroup and get ready for the war.

Contrary to popular narrative that the war ended in 1936, Italy officially stopped their offensive on February 1937 but stayed until they finally lost all grounds and left in early 1941.

Casualties and losses

• 377,500 Ethiopians

• 208,000 Italian forces.

INDEPENDENCE DAY ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA ON THE OCCASION OF NIGERIA’S SIXTY FIRST INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY, FRIDAY 1ST OCTOBER, 2021

Citizens of Nigeria.

1. It is with full gratitude to God that today, we celebrate Nigeria’s sixty first Independence Anniversary.

2.​ For 1st of October 1960 to happen, all hands were on deck. East, West, North all came together to celebrate freedom. Today should not only serve as a reminder of the day the British handed over the reins of power to Nigerians, but also unified Nigerians from all ethnic groups, religions and regions.

3.​ Today, despite the challenges we face, most Nigerians still maintain the spirit of 1st October. That positive outlook and determination to make Nigeria a peaceful and prosperous nation. It is due to this collective attitude that Nigeria doggedly continues to remain a united and indivisible nation.

4.​ Fellow Nigerians, the past eighteen months have been some of the most difficult periods in the history of Nigeria. Since the civil war, I doubt whether we have seen a period of more heightened challenges than what we have witnessed in this period.

5.​ Our original priorities for 2020 were to continue stabilising our economy following the deep recession while restoring peace in areas confronted with security challenges. But the COVID-19 pandemic and its devastating impact on all nations meant we needed to shift gears and re-strategise.

6.​ Nigerians came together as one to fight against COVID-19. It is this attitude and by the special grace of God, we continue to survive the pandemic as a nation and indeed, provide leadership and example at regional and international levels.

7.​ The doomsday scenario predicted for our country never came. Even as the Delta variant continues to spread, we have built the capacity we need to respond now and into the future.

8.​ I will therefore appeal to Nigerians not to take COVID lightly, adhere to public health and social measures, put your mask on and get vaccinated. We can control this pandemic, but it requires effort on everybody’s part. The investments we made in response to COVID-19 will also serve our country to tackle any future disease outbreaks or pandemics.

9. ​Despite the global inequity in access to vaccines, the Government of Nigeria has continued to explore all available options to ensure Nigerians have free access to safe and effective vaccines.

10.​ Some five million vaccine doses have been administered to Nigerians through efforts led by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and we will continue to explore options for purchase or acquisition of vaccines such as through COVAX and the African Vaccine Acquisition Trust.

11. ​I will take this opportunity to remind the global community that the current state of access to COVID-19 vaccines is unacceptable. We cannot afford a situation where a handful of countries keep the global vaccine supply to themselves at the expense of other nations.

12.​ We must act now to accelerate equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. This is the message I conveyed to the international community in New York last week.

13.​ As we push to source vaccines for our immediate needs, we shall invest more to support our pharmaceutical and research agencies to come up with ideas for locally developed vaccines. Should another pandemic arise in the future, Our question is simple; will Nigeria be ready?

14. ​Accordingly, I have directed the Ministries of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Health, Education and Science and Technology to work with Nigerian and International pharmaceutical companies and research organisations to enhance Nigeria’s domestic pharmaceutical capacity.

15.​ Already, the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority is raising a $200 million fund for this initiative that will complement the Central Bank of Nigeria’s ongoing N85 billion Healthcare Sector Research and Development Intervention Scheme to support local researchers in the development of vaccines and drugs to combat communicable and non-communicable diseases, including COVID-19.

Fellow Nigerians, this is just the beginning.

16.​ Similarly, on our approach to food security, I am proud to announce Nigeria has commenced its journey to pharmaceutical independence.

17.​ This journey, which will take years to achieve but will ultimately result in Nigerian based companies developing the Active Pharmaceutical substances and competence needed for us to make our own drugs and vaccines.

Fellow Nigerians,

18.​ As our economy continues to open after the COVID-19 related lockdowns, we have also seen the resurgence of insecurity in certain parts of the country.

19.​ In the last four months, the gallant men and women of the Military and Security Agencies have made tremendous progress in addressing these new security challenges. We are taking the fight to our enemies from all angles and we are winning.

20.​ Earlier this year, I launched the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure, the Deep Blue Project, which is designed to secure Nigerian waters up to the Gulf of Guinea. I am happy to inform Nigerians that we have taken delivery of key assets for this project and very soon, its impact will be felt.

21.​ In the North East region alone, over eight thousand Boko Haram terrorists have surrendered.

22.​ To support our surge approach to fighting banditry, the Nigerian Armed Forces have recruited over 17,000 personnel across all ranks. Furthermore, I have also approved for the Nigerian Police Force to recruit 10,000 police officers annually over the next six years.

23.​ I am also pleased to note that most of the Air Force platforms we acquired over the past three years have started to arrive in Nigeria. These will positively impact our security operations in all parts of the country.

24.​ In line with section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the security and welfare of Nigerians continue to be the prime focus on which programmes and projects of our government revolves.

25.​ Therefore, as a Government, we are ready to arrest and prosecute all persons inciting violence through words or action. Our resolve for a peaceful, united and one Nigeria remains resolute and unwavering.

26.​ That said, our hope is not to fight for peace. We can always settle our grievances peacefully without spilling any blood.

27.​ I will therefore take this opportunity, on this special day that symbolises the unity and oneness of our great nation, to ask all Nigerians to embrace peace and dialogue, whatever your grievances.

28.​ The seeds of violence are planted in people’s heads through words. Reckless utterances of a few have led to losses of many innocent lives and destruction of properties.

29. ​Such unfiltered and unsubstantiated lies and hate speeches by a few evil persons must be stopped. Our media houses and commentators must move away from just reporting irresponsible remarks to investigating the truth behind all statements and presenting the facts to readers.

30.​ We must all come out and speak against the lies being peddled. At this point, I would want to sincerely appreciate the large number of our Traditional, Religious and Community leaders as well as other well-meaning Nigerians who, in their various fora are openly spreading the message of peaceful co-existence and conflict settlement through dialogue in their respective communities.

31.​ Nigeria is for all of us. Its unity is not negotiable. And its ultimate success can only be achieved if we all come together with a common goal of having peace and prosperity for our nation.

32.​ We shall continue to work on dialogue based solutions to address legitimate grievances. But we remain ready to take decisive actions against secessionist agitators and their sponsors who threaten our national security.

33.​ The recent arrests of Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Adeyemo, and the ongoing investigations being conducted have revealed certain high-profile financiers behind these individuals. We are vigorously pursuing these financiers including one identified as a serving member of the national assembly.

Fellow Nigerians,

34.​ This is a clear example of how people abandon their national leadership positions for their selfish gains. Instead of preaching unity, they are funding and misleading our youth to conduct criminal acts that sometimes lead to unfortunate and unnecessary loss of lives and property.

35.​ As the so-called leaders run abroad to hide, our innocent youths are misled and left in the streets to fight for their senseless and destructive causes.

36.​ Government will continue, with greater level of peoples’ participation and in collaboration with our international partners, to improve the security architecture, reduce enabling environment for criminality to thrive and eliminate opportunities for terrorism financing.

37.​ Fellow Nigerians, our unrelenting effort at resolving an almost two-decade stalling on the management of our Petroleum resources and ensuring equitable consideration to our host communities has resulted in the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

38.​ This Act not only overhauls the Institutional, regulatory and fiscal framework of the Petroleum Industry but also reduces the previous opacity associated with this sector.

39. ​This is the first step to the reforms as the process is a continuous one. Already, to further improve the governance framework, I have sought for an amendment of sections 11(2)(b) and 34(2)(b). We will also continue to review and amend as appropriate.

40.​ At this juncture, it is very appropriate that I salute the leadership and members of the Ninth Assembly for their patriotism, dedication to duty, candour and most importantly the dispatch with which they have enacted legacy legislations for this nation. I do not take such level of cooperation for granted and hope it continues for the overall efficiency of the Federal machinery.

41.​ Nigeria’s Roadmap on Local Refining is on track with the Commissioning of a Modular refinery in Imo State.

42.​ A second is scheduled for commissioning by the end of this year in Edo State and the third one in Bayelsa State by 2022.

43.​ In addition to the modular projects, we also have the two mega refinery projects coming up in Lagos and Akwa Ibom States.

44.​ As these refineries are commissioned, more employment opportunities are created and there would be increased petroleum products available for local consumption which will significantly reduce our reliance on importation.

45.​ In further demonstrating our plan to reduce our dependence on oil and tapping from our enormous gas resources, this administration remains committed to the “Decade of Gas” Initiative, which is aimed at bringing to focus the utilization of our huge gas resources.

46.​ Already, we are supporting and promoting various gas-based projects including NLNG Train 7 and the mega urea and ammonia projects in the South-South region.

47.​ As we continue to optimise and enhance our oil and gas sector, I am also proud and delighted to state that our economic diversification strategy remains on course with the persistent increase in Non-Oil Sector contribution to GDP.

48.​ We recovered from economic recession in quarter four of 2020 with a GDP growth rate of 0.11%, and grew by 0.51% and 5.01% in real terms in the first and second quarters of 2021.

49.​ The Agricultural sector remains key to our economic diversification efforts as the sector has been a consistent driver of the non-oil sector contributing 22.35% and 23.78% to the overall GDP in the first and second quarter of 2021.

50.​ We have seen significant private sector investments in almost all areas of the agricultural value chain. And these have continued even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

51.​ Unfortunately, as our food production capacity has increased, food prices have been going up due to artificial shortages created by middlemen who have been buying and hoarding these essential commodities for profiteering.

52.​ To address this, I am hereby directing the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to rehabilitate the National Food Reserve Agency and also work with security agencies, the Nigerian Commodity Exchange, and the National Assembly to find a lasting solution to these disruptive and unpatriotic hoarding activities.

53.​ To further enhance food production, we have completed several new dams and are in the process of rehabilitating several River Basin Development Authorities to enhance ground water supply for rainfed agriculture as well as surface water for irrigation agriculture.

54. ​The water projects we completed between 2015 to 2020 have improved Nigerian’s access to potable water to 71% between 2015 and 2020. This means 12.5 million additional Nigerians now have direct access to potable water.

Fellow Nigerians,

55.​ This Government remains concerned by the significant transportation infrastructure deficit we have. Addressing the challenges our commuters and lorry drivers face on the motorways is still a high priority to us.

56.​ To complement our budgetary allocations, the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund and the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme, we recently established a N15trillion Infrastructural Corporation of Nigeria Limited (INFRACO), which is expected to begin operation by the fourth quarter of this year.

57.​ INFRACO will also focus on leveraging resources on a public-private sector basis for infrastructural development in Nigeria.

58.​ We hope through these innovative programs, the additional cost burden on individuals and businesses because of inefficient logistics operations will be reduced and ultimately, eliminated.

59.​ We currently have over 13,000 kilometres of roads and bridges under construction all over the country of which a fair percentage have been completed.

60.​ As we fix our roads, we also continue to extend and upgrade Nigeria’s railway network with the notable opening of the Warri- Itakpe standard gauge rail line.

61.​ To increase capacity, we have introduced more locomotives, coaches and wagons including the establishment of a Wagon Assembly in Kajola, Ogun State.

62.​ The sea ports however still remain problematic. The effect of our various interventions to reduce the gridlocks and inefficiencies have been slower than expected.

63. ​However, the implementation of the Electronic Call-Up System as well as the conversion of the Lillypond Container Terminal to a Vehicle Transit Area will further enhance the ease of cargo evacuation.

64.​ Our prioritisation of developing Nigeria’s Digital Economy has positively impacted the contribution of the ICT sector to our GDP.

65.​ We hope our present efforts to ensure all Nigerians use a National Identification Number as well as our planned roll-out of the fifth generation (5G) network technology will ensure we stay in line with the global innovation curve as a Nation.

66.​ As we embrace the digital economy in Nigeria, we are fully aware of the prospects and the perils.  Our policies have been developed to enable Nigerians to take advantage of the prospects and avoid the perils of digital technologies.

67.​ Social media is a very useful platform that has enabled millions of Nigerians to connect with loved ones, promote their businesses, socialise, and access news and other information.

68. ​However, recent events have shown that the platform is not just an innocuous platform for information dissemination.

69.​ Rather some users have misused the platform to organise, coordinate, and execute criminal activities, propagate fake news, and promote ethnic and religious sentiments.

70.​ To address these negative trends, the Federal Government of Nigeria suspended the operations of Twitter in Nigeria on June 5, 2021 to allow the Government put measures in place to address these challenges.

71. ​Following the suspension of Twitter operations, Twitter Inc. reached out to the Federal Government of Nigeria to resolve the impasse. Subsequently, I constituted a Presidential Committee to engage Twitter to explore the possibility of resolving the issue.

72.​ The Committee, along with its Technical Team, has engaged with Twitter and have addressed a number of key issues. These are:

a. National Security and Cohesion;

b. Registration, Physical presence and Representation;

c. Fair Taxation;

d. Dispute Resolution; and

e. Local Content.

73.​ Following the extensive engagements, the issues are being addressed and I have directed that the suspension be lifted but only if the conditions are met to allow our citizens continue the use of the platform for business and positive engagements.

74.​ As a country, we are committed to ensuring that digital companies use their platform to enhance the lives of our citizens, respect Nigeria's sovereignty, cultural values and promote online safety.

75.​ Nigeria's progressive diplomacy continues to manifest through growing numbers of highly placed Nigerians in positions of regional and global influences. Very recently, Nigeria won election for the position of Commissioner for the expanded Political, Peace and Security Affairs of the African Union.

76.​ Our persistent calls for a reorganized and reformed ECOWAS, to make the organization citizens-sensitive, paid off with the acceptance by the Authority of Heads of State and Governments of ECOWAS to commence the agreed reforms in the organization ahead of the next elections of the organization’s principal officers in December this year.

77.​ At the African Development Bank, World Trade Organization and indeed, the United Nations, footprints of Nigeria's Diplomacy are clearly evident.

78.​ We remain confident that our goal of lifting 100million Nigerians out of poverty in 10 years is achievable.

79.​ Considering the positive impact of our Social Investment Programs, I recently approved an increase in the number of N-Power program beneficiaries from 500,000 to 1,000,000.

80.​ Out of this, 510,000 have started the programme while the competitive selection process for onboarding the outstanding 490,000 beneficiaries is in progress.

81.​ The National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme is currently being implemented in 35 States of the Federation and the FCT. Over 103,000 women have been engaged and empowered as cooks under the programme, while about 10 million pupils are being fed across public primary schools in the country.

82. ​To grant increased access to credit to the most poor and vulnerable, I have directed an increase in the disbursement of Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme loans to an additional one million beneficiaries laying more emphasis on the smallholding farmers through the farmers Moni program.

Fellow Nigerians,

83.​ For far too long we have neglected the centrality of the civil service as the engine of governance and this has manifested in ineffective service delivery.

84.​ There is widespread discontent and disillusion about the efficiency and probity of our civil service.

85.​ It is for this reason that we are refocusing the Nigerian Civil Service to provide World class service to run our country.

86.​ The youths of this great country remain propellants for our today and provide guarantees that we would have a secure tomorrow.

87.​ It is for this reason that I remain focused on expanding opportunities for their participation in politics and governance.

88.​ Recent appointments of young people into positions of authority and their track record so far, gives me confidence that we need to bring more of them into governance and this I promise to do.

89. ​More specifically, to encourage Girl-Child Education, female scholarship schemes, life skills and digital literacy skills to boost girl’s enrolment, retention and completion of schooling, are all initiatives put in place to ensure gender balance in appropriately positioning our youths for positions of leadership.

90.​ The commitment of this Administration to the well-being of people living with disabilities remains unwavering.

91.​ Government recognises their contributions to development and I have, in this regard, directed that all relevant Government Agencies pay special attention to the peculiarities of different abilities in the implementation of policies and programmes.

92.​ Rape and Gender Based Violence remains a sore point in our Nation as in many countries worldwide and this was worsened during and after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

93.​ We are currently engaging Heads of Courts to establish Specialised Courts for the speedy and seamless trial of Rape/Gender-Based offences especially to ensure that justice is done for child victims of sexual violence.

94.​ On the other hand, work has advanced in the reformation, reintegration and reunification of Minors involved in one crime or the other.

95.​ The reformation in our Correctional Services has manifested in an increase in modernised custodial centres and a transformation from strictly punitive to attitudinal changes so that criminals do not relapse into their previous lifestyle.

96.​ As we begin to celebrate our sixty one years as a Nation, we need to be conscious that Nigeria does not start and end with the Federal Government. This country is a great collective where Government at all arms and levels as well as the private sector, and more importantly individuals, have a role to play.

97. ​In particular, security is a bottom to top undertaking. Joining hands and hearts together would enable us to secure ourselves and our country.

98. ​I fully understand the anxiety of many Nigerians on the inability of this country to go beyond a never-ending potential for becoming a great nation to an actually great one.

99.​ A lot has been achieved in the last six years on many fronts: in infrastructure, social care, governance, Nigeria’s image and influence in Africa and the international community.

100. ​But critics misdiagnose incremental progress as stagnation. Since coming to power, this Administration has tackled our problems head-on in spite of the meagre resources. No government since 1999 has done what we have done in six years to put Nigeria back on track.

101.​We shall continue to serve the country: listen to all and protect our democracy and country.

Thank you all and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.