IMF’s Managing Director, Kristalina Georgieva, had announced Nigeria’s Okonjo-Iweala’s appointment into the 12-member team on Friday in a statement.
The former minister of finance, was recently announced as a member of South Africa’s presidential economic advisory council.
According to the statement, the new group will provide perspectives from around the globe on key developments and policy issues, including policy responses to the exceptional challenges the world now faces due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and its economic impact.
“Even before the spread of COVID-19 and the dramatic health, economic, and financial disruptions it has brought, IMF members confronted a rapidly evolving world and complex policy issues,” stated Ms Georgieva ,
“To serve our membership well in this context, we need top-notch input and expertise from the widest range of sources, inside and outside the Fund.
“Toward this end, I am proud that an exceptional and diverse group of eminent individuals with high-level policy, market, and private sector experience has agreed to serve on my External Advisory Group.
“Today we had a dynamic discussion to gain their insights, and to receive informal reactions to our ideas and approaches,” she added.
The advisory group is expected to meet a few times in a year with the IMF’s Managing Director, Deputy Managing Directors, and a sub-set of IMF department Directors.
Here are the list of the Managing Director’s External Advisory Group below:
Ms Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Finance Minister of Nigeria
Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister of Singapore and Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore
Ms Kristin Forbes, Professor, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mr Kevin Rudd, former Prime Minister of Australia
Lord Mark Malloch Brown, former United Nations Deputy Secretary-General
Mr Feike Sijbesima, Honorary Chair, DSM, Former CEO, Royal DSM
Mr Raghuram Rajan, Professor, University of Chicago
Ms Ana Botín, Group Executive Chairman, Santander
Ms Carmen Reinhart, Professor, Harvard University
Mr Mohamed A. El-Erian, Chief Economic Adviser, Allianz
Mr Scott Minerd, Chief Investment Officer, Guggenheim Investments
Ms Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda, Chair of ActionAid International
Okonjo-Iweala was also recently announced as a member of South Africa’s presidential economic advisory council.
Danielle and Miah Pasha are a mother-daughter duo who are taking the cosmetic world by storm with their new company, The Beat House Cosmetics. Teasing customers with their highly sought-after Knockout Pallet in 2019, the pair are now preparing to launch their website officially this spring and the excitement is everywhere.
Danielle (known by friends and loved ones as “Pasha”), who is the architect behind the line stated, “I am so blown away by all of the positive feedback I have received from everyone, it’s so surreal.” This is understandable when you figure that Mrs. Pasha has been in Afghanistan for the last 3 years while developing this line. “I remember facetiming my daughter, giving her instructions and task to help me out with the business in my absence and now we are partners!”
Yes, you heard that right, partners! Danielle recruited the most beautiful person she knew to team up with for this makeup line, her 13-year old daughter who has set the internet a blaze as the face and acting CEO of the company.
“Most teenagers are irritated by their parents and wouldn’t dare want to work with them, (I’m still irritated at times lol) but I remember missing my mom and not knowing when I would see her again, so I enjoy every second we get to spend together. Besides, I loooooove make up,” says Miah.
Arowora Fausat Omolabake popularly known as Olayinkaadukeade is a page poet and a spoken word poet. She writes poems and articles, she composes texts and contents. She’s also a model.
Fausat is a third year student of OOU, studying political science. She is the emeritus Assistant General Secretary of her department and the current Vice President. She is a public speaker, she does skits online too all of which can be found on her IG page-@IamOlayinkaadukeade
1. Let’s meet you. Who is Fausat?
I’m Arowora Fausat by name popularly known as IamOlayinkaadukeade
2. What are your hobbies?
Writing to impact lives, taking pictures when I’m bored, meeting new friends and of course looking good always.
3. Who and what inspires you?
That’s quite a deep question! Well, my story does. My mom does also, taking a look at where God has taken our life story and all, it gives me much more inspiration never to stop soon until I get to the top.
4. What is your biggest fear?
My biggest fear in life is becoming all I ever despise, not living a life of impact and surely not seeing my dreams come true.
5. You are the emeritus Assistant General Secretary of the department and the current Vice President. What prompted you to go into politics?
(Smiles) Ever since I was a teen I’ve resolved to go into politics and probably the legal profession, my mom’s life story is a great push of that desire, so I decided to start from the scratch which is going into school politics as we all know the journey of a thousand miles begins with a step.
6. Your best quote?
God knows best and never stops being good.
A sample of Arowora Fausat’s poem
7. You are a poet and content writer. What do your works border on and how have you been able to impact knowledge to the masses with your writing skills?
My works are mainly centered on improving lives for the better. I’m glad God has used me severally as a catalyst of positive change in the lives of many. I get calls and messages daily from different people across the country telling me how much they are blessed to be a fan of my works, that’s a great encouragement. My works are embedded on the thoughts of giving hope to the hopeless and being the voice of the voiceless knowing fully well whatever situation they are passing through will surely end in praise.
8. Mention three women who inspire you to be better and why
Number 1 is my mother, she’s been through a lot for the sake of her children. I have watched her starve to feed us, too many countless reasons. Number 2 is the homeless but not hopeless, I feel a lot for the less-privileged. I’ve never been there but I know what it feels to be one, this is what prompted me to write on “Street Litters Can Shine” which I’d be releasing very soon.
Number 3 is all successful women on earth, they inspire me a lot as I never stopped aspiring to be like them, seeing them makes me affirm I can do it too. They have been my greatest inspiration. I’m working on a piece titled “The Future Is Female” it will drop very soon too.
9. If given the chance to be the President of Nigeria for a day, what will you change?
The sentiment that a female can’t be a catalytic tool of bringing our dear nation to her promised land. Females can do better! The future is female.
10. You recently ventured into entrepreneurship by monetizing your writing skills and also introducing word frames for special occasions. What inspired that? Any challenges so far?
As soon as I came to the realization of my God-given talent, I’ve been using it to help humanity in my own little way. I’ve got friends who look up to me when it comes to composing birthday texts for them and their loved ones all of which I don’t charge a dime. Looking at this economy, one must find a means of survival. I woke up one day with the thought of how to monetize my talent without jeopardizing the main aim of it – to bless lives, so I came up with the thought of doing “FramePoems” where I compose sweet texts alongside pictures since photo frames is the trending thing in vogue and bless God I have been making quite a handful from it, half bread they say is better than none.
11. How are you able to manage your time with your studies and other activities you’re involved with?
It’s been God always and my dedicated mindset of not mixing my social life with my academic life. Out of no time, I shuffle everything and here we are, it’s been going fine.
12. Where do you see yourself and your brand in the next 5 years?
I see myself and my brand going places! I see myself as a world-class celebrated public figure and an emulated celebrity. I pray I get better with my writings too, being the future Soyinka isn’t a bad idea you know, a renowned Nobel Laureate. By then, I should be able to tell my success story to the world with tears of joy knowing fully well my dreams have come true.
13. If you were given the opportunity to address a group of girls five years younger than you, what will be your advice to them?
Never say never! Disappointments are there to make you stronger. Failure is there to teach you to prepare harder. Don’t you ever settle for less! Keep fighting and never give up. The world is waiting to celebrate and listen to your success story.
Thanks for having me.
Author Grace LaJoy Henderson lost her mother when she was 2-years old, and she has finally found her after a much long search.
“50 years ago, my mother left me and my siblings with our father and I was only 2 at that time, and after that I spent some time in foster care. Life moved on and even after I became a mother, I continued my search for my mom. When I knew she would be in her 80’s, I became discouraged and pretty much gave up hope of ever finding her alive. But, I decided to search for my mother one last time.” She was overwhelmed to learn that she is alive and well.
“In 2009, I shared my foster care story in a book entitled A Gifted Child in Foster Care: A Story of Resilience and I wrote this story under the impression that I would never, ever see my mother again.” Her story show the way to never give up.
“At first, I was afraid to share my personal story of finding my mom, with all the ups and downs of life. But later on, I decided to take that risk. I was only planning to share the good, the positive, the stuff that I was comfortable with,” says Grace. “However, when people heard my story of how I found my mother after five decades, many of them told me they felt inspired. They wanted to know how I found her, where I found her, what condition I found her in and the details of what happened after I found her. Realizing others found my story to be intriguing, I am sharing all of it.”
In a recent Facebook post, she announced that she had finally found her mother, who is now 81-years old. She shared that her mother was a nice lady who is quiet and very easygoing.
Many people are congratulating Grace for finding her mother after 50 years. This story has also motivated many other people around the world who are searching for their lost loved ones. Grace says it was faith that kept her motivated to continue which has now turned into tears of joy.
Her story is one of faith, hope and determination. For years, she has ultimately used writing as a therapy to deal with the pain of living without a mother.
Being an author, she has a book series called Finding Mother book made up of 4 compelling memoirs, where she reveals all the details of her search, losing hope, and the victory of finally finding and reuniting with her mom.
The engaging 4-book series includes the following titles:
* Finding Mother After Five Decades: A Story of Hope * Reuniting with Mother: A Story of Tenacity * After the Reunion: A Story of Acceptance * Diary of Emotions: Thoughts and Feelings
The Finding Mother book series is available now for purchase at Grace’s official web site at GraceLaJoy.com/shop
A certain grandmother who was diagnosed with Bosom cancer, cancer of the womb and skin cancer has also defeated the coronavirus.
Her 26 year old granddaughter Jade Elrick said;
“We tried to call but the nurses wouldn’t even hand her the phone because of infection control.
“We’re honestly so happy to have her back, it is such a relief.
“After she’d watched the TV when she got back she asked my dad if he’d seen the news about this virus going around and he’d told her that’s what she’d had – she was none the wiser.
“But we aren’t surprised she’s back as she’s really tough – she’s had Bosom cancer, cancer of the womb and skin cancer and she’s still going.”
Gran-of-seven and great-great-gran-of-one Dorothy was taken to hospital by ambulance on March 27 after she found herself more breathless than usual and with a raging temperature.
Grandmother Dorothy who has also beaten three types of cancer in her life, was kept in a private isolated room for the week she was in hospital.
But the mum-of-two and great-grandma-of-seven was given the all clear and discharged from hospital last week to be reunited with her son.
According to Jade, the NHS staff were over the moon that Dorothy had recovered from coronavirus because of her age and health condition.
Her family suspect Dorothy caught the virus from carers who visit her home, four times per day, and are urging people to stay indoors to protect other elderly people.
Having a strong immune system is one of the most important things this coronavirus pandemic period. It can be about choosing foods that help support immune function as well as stopping habits that can weaken immunity. Here are six habits to be mindful of as you work on boosting your body’s defenses.
Too much alcohol
Excessive alcohol consumption, even short-term, can affect your immune system in ways that are particularly important right now.
According to a researcher note there’s been a long-observed relationship between excessive alcohol intake and a weakened immune response. The effect includes an increased chances to pneumonia and factors that could potentially impact COVID-19 outcomes. Poor wound healing, and a slower and less complete recovery from infections are also effects.
Excess salt
Excess salt goes beyond fluid retention and high blood pressure. But a new study concludes that too much salt may lead to immune deficiencies. The body may not fight bacteria easily. To help, limit highly processed products, like canned soup and frozen pizza. Check the mg of sodium per serving on Nutrition Facts labels.
As for salting your food, one teaspoon of table salt contains 2,300 mg of sodium.
Consuming excess sugar
Cutting back on excess sugar is good for the mental health and also beneficial for immune support. You do not have to avoid sugar completely but you can cut down on excesses.
Overdoing caffeine intake
Coffee and tea are good due to their high levels of antioxidants linked to anti-inflammation. However, too much caffeine can interfere with your sleep which isn’t good.
Therefore you can avoid caffeinated drinks like soda and energy drinks. Cut off your caffeine intake at least six hours before bedtime to prevent sleep interference.
Not taking enough fiber
Fiber aids good digestive health. Research shows that a higher intake of dietary fiber and prebiotics supports healthier immune function, including protection against viruses. Adequate fiber also promotes more and better sleep.
The best way to get a fiber diet is to eat more whole foods, including vegetables, fruit, whole grains, beans, nuts, and seeds. Exchange sugary cereal for oatmeal topped with fruit and nuts, exchange white rice for brown or wild.
Not eating enough green veggies
Green veggies are helpful for building immunity as they provide key nutrients known to help immune function, vitamins A, C, plus folate.
Foods like vegetable salads should be your go to meals regularly and leafy greens.
Lockdown is one of the measures put in place to avoid contracting covid-19. While this is to ensure safety we hope it is not a risky feat.
MS. Ajani Oluwatobi, a family health expert, has said that unless adequate measures are in place, the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic will expose Nigerian women to high risk of rape and unwanted pregnancies.
She told newsmen in Asaba, Delta State, that during the lockdown, women especially young ones are exposed to unscrupulous, idle men.
While this is true, the government needs take active steps to also ensure citizens are safe by ensuring strict security for everyone. Getting lonely streets monitored and having security men in check often.
A former Nollywood actress named Grace Agbo, left the movie industry for a fire fighting job. She explains it is because of a desire to always help those in danger.
Agbo, who hails from Idoma in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State, explains how she found fulfillment since she started working in the Federal Fire Service, Abuja.
Speaking in a chat with The Nations, Agbo said she featured in several movies like Black Out, Mr Potosky, Lost Pride, Deadly Desire, Palace of Sorrow, Ada-Ide-Ichaka, Haunted Palace, Village Don, The Calabash amongst others.
She took a break from acting to enable her focus on her passion in firefighting.
According to her, “I like this new job. I have always wanted a uniform job but I will miss Nollywood greatly because acting has also been my passion right from childhood.
“My family especially my dad is very happy with my new job. What people are saying that I left Nollywood because of poor pay is not true. I didn’t leave Nollywood totally. I am just taking a break for now to enable me focus on my new job.
“I love my uniform job and I also enjoy saving people in danger. It feels really good; it gives me joy knowing that I can be of service to my country.”
“My colleagues in Nollywood should keep up with making good movies and let the shows go on but the big problem there is funding, lack of government presence and no enough opportunity for upcoming actors.”
“I am speaking to you at what I know is an increasingly challenging time. A time of disruption in the life of our country: a disruption that has brought grief to some, financial difficulties to many, and enormous changes to the daily lives of us all,” spoke the Queen from Windsor Castle.
She thanked people for following government rules to stay at home and praised those “coming together to help others”.
She also thanked key workers, saying “every hour” of work “brings us closer to a return to more normal times”.
“While we have faced challenges before, this one is different.”
“This time we join with all nations across the globe in a common endeavour, using the great advances of science and our instinctive compassion to heal. We will succeed – and that success will belong to every one of us.
“We should take comfort that while we may have more still to endure, better days will return: we will be with our friends again; we will be with our families again; we will meet again.”
“Now, as then, we know, deep down, that it is the right thing to do,” she said.
Image copyrightPA WIRE
In her address, the Queen said everyone who was following guidance to stay at home was “helping to protect the vulnerable and sparing many families the pain already felt by those who have lost loved ones”.
“Together we are tackling this disease, and I want to reassure you that if we remain united and resolute, then we will overcome it,” she added.
She also stressed the value of self-discipline and resolve – and said she hopes that, in the future, everyone would “be able to take pride in how they responded to this challenge”.
Beauty queen who was crowned Miss England in 2019 has returned to the United Kingdom to continue her career as a doctor amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Bhasha Mukherjee took a career break as a junior doctor after competing in the Miss World pageant in December 2019.
She has been involved bin some charity work prior to this, “I was invited to Africa, to Turkey, then to India, Pakistan and several other Asian countries to be an ambassador for various charity work,” she told CNN.
But as the coronavirus situation worsened back home in the UK, Mukherjee was getting messages from former colleagues at her old hospital, the Pilgrim Hospital in Boston, eastern England, telling her how hard the situation was for them.
She then contacted the hospital’s management team to let them know that she wanted to return to work.
Bhasha Mukherjee was crowned Miss England in August 2019.
She told CNN that it felt wrong to be wearing her Miss England crown, even for humanitarian work, while people around the world were dying from coronavirus and her colleagues were working so hard.
“When you are doing all this humanitarian work abroad, you’re still expected to put the crown on, get ready… look pretty.”
But, she added: “I wanted to come back home. I wanted to come and go straight to work.”
Mukherjee, who moved to the English city of Derby from Kolkata at the age of 9, said: “I felt a sense of this is what I’d got this degree for and what better time to be part of this particular sector than now.”
“It was incredible the way the whole world was celebrating all key workers, and I wanted to be one of those, and I knew I could help,” she said.
She returned to the UK on Wednesday after working with the British High Commission in Kolkata to find a flight from India to Frankfurt, and then Frankfurt to London.
“There’s no better time for me to be Miss England and helping England at a time of need,” she said.
Mukherjee is currently self-isolating for one to two weeks until she can return to work as a doctor at the Pilgrim Hospital.
