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SERAH MAKKA APPOINTED AS ONE CAMPAIGN’S COUNTRY DIRECTOR

ONE Campaign has appointed Serah Makka as its Nigeria Country Director.

The ONE Campaign is an international, nonpartisan, non-profit, advocacy and campaigning organization that fights extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa, by raising public awareness and pressuring political leaders to support policies and programs that are saving lives and improving futures.

Serah is a development professional who is passionate about social equity and justice.

She began her career with the Fate Foundation USA, supporting the first Nigerian non-profit organization focused on entrepreneurship training to create employment.

Following that, she worked as a strategy and evaluation consultant with Boston-based FSG Social Impact Advisors where among many things created an expansion strategy for a global microfinance organization, enabling a merger between two health-related nonprofits.

In 2006, Serah’s passion for social justice and girls’ empowerment led her to an assignment to teach girls English in Kabul, Afghanistan. Upon returning to Nigeria, Serah worked at the Tony Elumelu Foundation providing technical support to the Office of the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

After that role, Sera worked as Policy and Innovation Manager with Enhancing Financial Access and Innovation (EFInA), a DFID and Gates Foundation funded Nigerian nonprofit focused on deepening financial inclusion among the low-income population in Nigeria.

Serah holds a Master in Public Policy from the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University and a BA in Economics and International Studies from the University of North Florida, graduating summa cum laude.

She was nominated by the Young People in International Affairs as one of the top 35 Under 35 Young African Leaders in International Affairs.

She is currently a Trainer at the Africa Institute for Public Policy based in Nigeria. Serah is a gastronome and nature-lover who believes there is nothing a good book and a cup of tea cannot soothe. Please join me in welcoming Sera to ONE.

Serah will take over from Edwin Ikhouria who had served the organisation for three years and is leaving to pursue other career interests.

During his time with ONE, Edwin led the Nigeria campaign efforts that included Do Agric, It Pays, Poverty is Sexist 1.0, Global goals, and the current Make Naija Stronger campaign.

“He has served in this role with utmost dedication and has helped establish a constant and formidable presence for ONE in Nigeria amongst other achievements. Edwin will be with us until end of February 28th to enable a smooth transition.

We will miss him as he has been a true force of nature, as he leaves the campaign, he will stay close to the ONE team as part of our valued alumni of Nigeria advisors. Please join me in thanking Edwin for his incredible to the work of ONE in Nigeria and global,” a statement by Nachilala Nkombo, the interim Executive Director of ONE Africa said.

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PICTURES FROM THE BAYWOOD CONTINENTAL LIMITED PRESS CONFERENCE

BAYWOOD CONTINENTAL LIMITED (BCL) recently held a Multi-media Business Press Conference which was attended by representatives from the Print, electronic and social media.

Emperor Chris Baywood Ibe, President/CEO of the company described the event as an opportunity to share the company’s vision and business agenda with broad-ranging stakeholders within and outside Nigeria

Baywood Continental Limited is a wholly Nigerian owned integrated Oil & Gas Technical Service Company;  ISO 9001: 2008 Certified incorporated in 1989 as a Procurement Company. Key strategic and organisational decisions taken with respect to maximizing the available opportunities in the Nigerian Oil and Gas Sector enabled us to position the company to become a frontline player in the sector.

BCL as a major EPC company has corporate offices in Nigeria and Canada operating in segments and business portfolios in such areas as onshore/offshore large-diameter Pipeline design and Construction, Process Facilities Design and Construction, Storage Tank Construction, Upgrade and Rehabilitation, Onshore/Offshore Structures Fabrication, Installation, FPSO Operations & Maintenance as well as Oil and Gas Facilities Operations and Maintenance.

BCL has made massive investments in all key sectors of our operations in order to sharpen our competitive edge and re-enforce our leadership position in these areas. This is in line with our corporate mission to be the ‘’Provider of Energy Services that meet and exceed client expectations ALWAYS’’.

This we have been able to achieve by constantly evaluating the business dynamics to position the company for optimal growth whilst maintaining profitability with a staff strength of over 1000 comprising some of the most experienced and competent personnel in the industry. We have made significant investments in our human capital and will continuously seek to leverage the skills and competences of BCL staff in our pursuit of excellence in performance standards.

Over the years, our company has achieved a widely acclaimed track record for excellence in our project deliveries with a number of INDUSTRY FIRSTS.  BCL is the first to have engineered, designed and constructed the largest on-shore gas pipeline in Nigeria for TOTAL Exploration & Production. This project being BCLs’ flagship under OML 58 Upgrade  Obite-Ubeta-Rumuji (O.U.R)is a 42” X 46km gas pipeline a major artery supplying  gas  to ALAOJI power plant for power generation to the grid as well as gas supply to NLNG.

Additionally, BCL  is first to carry out RIVER CROSSING through HDD of the  largest bore pipe of 1km  crossing through SAMBRERO RIVER. It is a record setting feat in the Nigerian Oil Industry by an indigenous company. BCL has also demonstrated an impressive capacity in our project delivery records viz,

We have constantly supported our clients towards ensuring value- for- money audit in such areas as facility upgrade and construction enabling them to produce, process & export through the export terminals where we have held our own. These terminals include and not limited to

  • Escravos Terminal operated by Chevron
  • Forcados Terminal operated by SHELL
  • Bonny Terminal operated by SHELL
  • AKPO FPSO  Operated by TOTAL in deep water
  • Sea Eagle FPSO Operated by SHELL

Each of this terminals supports NNPC and her joint venture partners thereby ensuring that Nigeria’s production and export quotas are achieved in alignment with national economic objectives. This clearly shows that Baywood Continental Ltd is THE LEADER in the industry.

BCL is a proud foremost member of PETAN (Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria) and won the 2014 Industry Achievement Award. We provide service support for all the major International Oil Companies in Nigeria such as Shell, Total, Chevron and have won many industry-relevant awards in Technology and Safety. To date BCL has achieved over 30 million man-hours with an industry unparalleled ZERO FATALITY record while providing cost-effective and fit for purpose solutions for our Client’s projects in challenging onshore and offshore locations.

Baywood Continental Ltd fully acknowledges that operational, economic, environmental, public, and social issues are all integrally relevant to our immediate and future business objectives. BCL will therefore continue to design and implement a broad range of corporate social responsibility programmes focused on creating and sustaining values for stakeholders.

As a demonstration of our unwavering commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility we always strive to affect positively the lives of our host communities by providing employment, transportation, water supply and affordable health care such as in Escravos, Forcados, Bonny Island, Emuhuoa, Obite, Rumuji to mention but a few of our work locations. BCL also sponsored ‘’The Baywood Golf Tournament’’ at the Ikoyi Club to  promote health and wellness among Nigerians.

The future for Baywood Continental Ltd is extremely exciting and we are looking to upscale our operations especially, Marginal Fields, acquisition of matured Oil fields from Oil Majors and explore new frontiers in the Energy sector such as cluster power generation using abundant gas for upcoming new cities and towns. Baywood Continental Limited is re-branding to achieve a brand equity balance between current and projected profile of the company. We have developed the broad and specific elements of the company strategy to actualize this vision. Therefore, the BCL organizational brand is one to watch out for, we will be more active across the print, electronic and social media platforms within the nearest future.

 

Let me conclude by thanking the gentlemen of the media for their wonderful support for Baywood Continental Ltd over the years. We will continue to nurture the harmonious and mutually beneficial relationship between our company and the media now and into the future.

 

Thank you and God bless.

Emperor Chris Baywood Ibe

l-r :
Greg Ugwueze : GM Business Development
Ine Wiche : Company Secretary
Osita Ngwu : Chief Operating Officer
Emperor Chris Baywood Ibe : President & CEO
Gbenga X-adebija( MD of Ashton & Layton)
Regina Obanya ( Company Secretary/ Legal Adviser)

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40 WOMEN DIE OF BREAST CANCER DAILY IN NIGERIA

 

The Executive Director, Ovie Brume Foundation, Adeola Awogbemi, has said that 40 women die of breast cancer each day.

Awogbemi stated this during a walk organised by the organisation for pupils as part of activities to mark the World Cancer Day 2017 in Yaba, Lagos.

According to her, cancer constitutes a major challenge to development, undermines social and economic advances throughout the world, hence the need to raise awareness on the disease, which is rapidly becoming a global pandemic.

To reduce the number of women dying of breast cancer and to ensure that the disease is detected early, Awogbemi advised that preventive measures should start from childhood.

She said, “We feel strongly the need to educate people about the pandemic and stem the tide by making information available to people.

“It is not the cancer that is really killing them but late detection. Most people are in denial, so they fast and pray for it to go instead of treating it. If you detect it early, you can still treat it and survive it.

“When it comes to preventing cancer, it is wise to educate the young ones. Perhaps if they start preaching this gospel, if they start creating awareness in their schools and communities too, people will become aware.”

Also at the event, the Country Occupational Health Coordinator at Lafarge Africa Plc, Okoronkwo Chimobi, said that cancer had become a social problem.

According to her, Nigerians should be worried about the alarming increase in the number of women that have been diagnosed with the disease.

She said, “A woman is like the foundation of the family. She’s a wife,  sister and  mother and once cancer takes her out of the equation, the whole pyramid suffers. Most men who lose their wives to breast cancer find it hard to pick up the pieces of their broken lives.

“Awareness is crucial, if we want to prevent these deaths.  If you educate a girl, she will pass on the knowledge to her mother and the community. There is a vaccine against cervical cancer. It should be given to young girls who have not been initiated to sexual intercourse. We need to vaccinate these children and tell them that if they delay in having sexual intercourse it can protect them from this disease. ”

Source: Punch

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“ I STARTED SELLING PAPERS AT 9, TWELVE SCHOOLGIRL WHO HAS BEEN SELLING PAPERS TO PAY HER SCHOOL FEES

 

Vicky, who said she started selling newspapers when she was nine years old and in Junior Secondary, JSS III in WAPI, disclosed that she made on the average N500 and N600 proceeds daily from the venture.

“I also gave the regular (daily) for N50.00 and sports newspaper for N20.00 to those who came here to read and return the paper and still sold the paper to those who wanted to buy,” she said.

She said her school runs two sessions and she attends the afternoon session, which affords her time to sell newspapers in the morning before leaving for school.

Gov Ayade used to buy papers from me: “Many prominent people live in this area, commissioners, House of Assembly members, judges, businessmen and even the present governor of our state before he became governor, Prof. Ben Ayade, used to buy papers from me,” she further said.

When there’s breaking news…“If there is a breaking news, before  I get here, people are waiting for me, but some days, especially during the rainy season, because of the bad roads, papers arrive here late, except during weekends whether bad road or no bad road, the van drivers do manage to get here on time since the papers are produced early,” she said.

What I used my money for: What does she use the money for or does she hand it to her parents? “No,” the fair-skinned girl retorted, adding that she used the money to meet her needs in school and pay her fees, except when there was urgent need at home and her parents had no money, then she could help out.

Her words: “I use the money to meet my school needs, but sometimes, I help at home when my parents ask me to, may be they have no immediate cash at that time.” She said she was yet to decide if she would continue being a vendor after her education, but for now, the business was quite lucrative.

 

Source : Vanguard

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WOMANESS SKINFOOD LINE PRELAUNCH “VAL” GIVEAWAY

Omaness Skinfood is an African-inspired beauty brand that offers a range of exquisitely natural skin and hair products.  The products are handcrafted with a hero indigenous ingredient of shea butter and other naturally derived active ingredients locally sourced from Nigeria and other African communities

Omaness Skinfood combines the wealth of Africa’s natural oils, simple century-long skincare tradition and modern technology to create products that deliver on value and result.

The products are great for variety of skin and hair types.

From sustainably sourcing active indigenous ingredients from artisan producers to local production and community empowerment, Omaness Skinfood is building a truly African brand that fosters beauty, wellness and livelihood.

This month, Omaness Skinfood is celebrating its prelaunch with a giveaway of mini sized products to 50people.

Body Butter Soufflé
Creamy Body Scrub
Moisturizing Body & Hair Oil

Follow the steps in the AD  to win

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I WOULD LOVE TO BE MARRIED AGAIN – OMOTUNDE DAVID “LOLO”

Every viewer of the popular drama series, ‘Jenifa’s Diary’ knows her as Adaku. But she is a trained lawyer, who veered into broadcast media and now an On Air Personality whose name is Omotunde Adebowale David. Also called aka Lolo 1, she opens up on her status as a single mother in this interview.

On What Excite her 

I love it when I see my dreams coming to pass. It could be so exciting when things take shape; it is such a sweet feeling.

Handling Trolls online

I tell people ‘don’t look at online people, they are children; just ignore them.’  What I just do is look and move on. If it bothers me so much I delete you and block you because the more you answer the more you are misunderstood. The truth is that some people out there are just crying out for attention. You don’t need to focus on them.

Coping as a single mum of one

I am not divorced yet I am still in the process. We are in court already and it will be done in a few months. Being a single mom is one of the most challenging things I have ever faced and I am writing a book because a lot of people demonize single moms. There is no rule book that tells you this is how you should go about it, you learn as you grow older. You face a lot of challenges. What I do is focus on the important which is the up-bringing of my children. In my case, my kids’ father and I talk; we have a good relationship. But the only thing is that we don’t live in the same house and the kids relate well with both parents.

Giving Marriage a second shot

I would love to be married again. I won’t tell you if I am waiting for it to come. I am just asking God to help me get through this. However, if I meet someone I consider good enough, that would understand me; of course, I will be willing to try again because marriage is a great institution.

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BEYONCE CHANNELS YORUBA GODDESS OSHUN

Many of the you don’t know so let’s give you some education while you all scream Slay, Queen at Beyoncé‘s 2017 Grammy Awards performance.

The pop star who is pregnant with twins, debuted her baby bump yesterday night at the Grammy’s  for the first time since announcing she’s pregnant with twins a couple of weeks ago. For her performance which also featured her 5 year old daughter Blue Ivy Carter and mother – Tina Knowles, Bey embraced and showed off her pregnant belly in a gold bikini and gold sequin gown which she topped off with a gold medusa crown.
But what many don’t know is that Bey drew inspiration from Nigeria for her performance, specifically the Yoruba culture.
For her much talked about Grammy award performance Beyoncé Giselle Knowles Carter channeled Oshun, the Yoruba goddess of love, fertility and healing.
This isn’t the first time the Grammy Award-winning artist has paid homage to Oshun and Yoruba culture. She did the same in her much talked about maternity shoot, announcing her twin pregnancy and last year in the video for “Hold Up” off her visual album Lemonade.

Source: Kemifilani.com

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KIKI MORDI’S “END POLICE EXTORTION NOW”  PETITION GETS 1,000 SIGNATURES 

Nkiru Mordi is a Port Harcourt born On-Air personality that goes by the alias Kiki Mordi. She created a petition online against police extortion after some policemen barged into her home accusing her and her boyfriend of being cultists.

According to her, the policemen searched her home and when they found no evidence of them being cultists, they were taken to their station and demanded N200, 000 to kill the case.

The petition titled ‘End Police Extortion Now’ has a goal of gathering 1,000 signatures.

She tweeted,

If you no one hears from me tonight, ask State CID zone 5 for where I am… Goes without saying, I have a great extortion story to tell

Our only offence? Being young and having a car. Nothing else.

They’ve carried their robbery from highways to actually busting into your house. Police

I had a really wild day today with the police I just realized being a Nigerian isn’t safe. You are only safe because it’s not yet your turn!

I’ve had altercations with police before at the high way, they try to frustrate you into giving them “small thing” I never judge them…

Because a policeman, my friend, confided in me that they don’t get enough funding & it’s the “small thing” they use to fuel cars to operate.

But my experience with the police today was very wild! I’m still pretty shaken up but thank God I’m home. Safely.

You guys won’t believe that policemen barged into MY HOUSE today. This was not a highway issue, MY FUCKING HOUSE. WOW!

I was upstairs prepping for work when I heard the doorbell… My boyfriend got the door and was met with a dirty slap.

They barged into the house and started yelling. I only saw one at first, plain clothed. Asked me “IS THIS YOUR BOYFRIEND”? He was yelling

I was mad scared, I thought we were being robbed! So I was quiet. He asked a couple more times and I look a boyfriend, confused as hell

He started accusing us of being cultists? Hian. That was when other police men came with Police T shirt came, I then realised they were cops

“Oga stop shouting tell me what’s going on I’m sure I can help you” He tells us they had a tip off that we were cultists. Again.

I assured him we weren’t cultists perhaps he has the wrong address? He starts asking about the cars parked downstairs. Asked for our names..

I thought you had a “tip off” I told him I was a journalist He went downstairs, scribbled my boyfriend’s misspelled name on a “warrant”

I didn’t say anything. He searched through the house, saw some condoms in my wardrobe and said “Name original oh, this one nor be cheap”

I didn’t smile back. He searched some more for this imaginary gun. He didn’t find. Next thing he wants our laptops, I’m not surprised.

He’s seized some phones already o. I had 3 in my possession so I’m guarding them safely. Bros what exactly did we do? You’re harassing us..

He said he was taking boyfriend to police station for further investigation. At this point I’m VERY scared. I’ve called heaven and earth

So I went to take a picture and they launch at me. Tried to drag my phone with me. Drama. We eventually agreed to go to the station with dem

They took our laptops as “evidence”

This story is quite long because this started about 10 or so this morning. Long and short, I was shamed at the police station for being loud

They hurled all sorts of sexist comments. Because say you go school. Mane dey talk you dey talk. I get your type for house etc

One female police even threatened to beat me and cure me of my “sharp mouth”

The attention was no longer on the cultist charge but on my “sharp mouth” They went through our laptops. Nothing!

I need to point out that at home when they saw a car key, they asked for the name of he car, I said BMW, he just smiled. I was like oh…kay

About six hours later, they’re asking for 200k to “die the case” Are we not cultists and kidnappers again? Hian

Lawyer came to “bail” us out with 20k… They charged boyfriend with “suspected cultism” and me for “obstruction of justice”

I don’t even know if they’ll come back. They know where I live. I don’t feel safe at all. But I’m home now, thanks for asking.

My whole day… I didn’t even go to work, I haven’t eaten, I couldn’t change my tampon… I’m still shaken up

To think, after we had a new neighbor move in with 4 cars I’d been worried about kidnappers showing up, THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE SHOWED UP!

Shaken up, preparing to move. I’ve called agent already, I can’t.

The funny part about all these is people have told me it happens a lot, and I just became a target. Please tell me, HOW CAN I SLEEP?

They kept asking about the cars. The cars drew them to he compound. Talk about stalking.

So basically they barged into the compound and randomly knocked on doors. We just happened to be the ones at home. Y’all need to stay woke!

They were asking who owns what car and who had traveled! Still feel safe in your homes?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NIGERIA HAS MORE WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR – BBC REPORT

 

A recent documentary by BBC shows the entrepreneurial spirit of Nigerian women.  BBC spoke to two women – Ayo Megbope and Aminat Salau – who sell moi moi, a meal made from beans, to make a living.

“Forty percent of Nigerian women are entrepreneurs, that is higher than anywhere else in the world,” BBC said.

Ayo started by selling moi moi, but now has a restaurant and a catering service.

“I started my business about nine years ago with a seed capital of $3. Nine years after, we are turning over about $250,000 annually. My access to education and information has helped me a great deal. Family and friends have also been good to me. There have been times that I got stuck and I needed to raise capital and I ran to family and friends because the traditional financial institutions would not listen to me,” Ayo said.

According to Aminat: “Sales are good, on some days we sell 60 or 80 wraps in the morning. When we have more time or more people passing by, we sell till late in the evening.”

According to BBC: “Female entrepreneurs in Nigeria often struggle to secure investment, banks normally require collateral, like property, which women often do not have. Without access to capital, it will be difficult for Aminat to grow her business.”

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ETHIOPIA’S GENZEBE DIBABA BREAKS WOMEN’S 2000M RECORD

Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba ran the fastest ever women’s 2000 metres at the indoor Miting Internacional de Catalunya meeting in Sabadell, Spain on Tuesday.

Her time of five minutes 23.75 seconds sliced almost seven seconds off the previous indoor world record of 5:30.53 set by Romania’s Gabriela Szabo in 1998.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), athletics’ world governing body, said although the 2000m is not an official indoor world record event, Dibaba’s performance was “an outright world record’’.

It said it was faster than the outdoor mark of 5:25.36 set by Ireland’s Sonia O’Sullivan.

The 25-year-old Dibaba, a three-time world indoor champion, now owns the fastest recorded times indoors.

These are for the 1500m, mile, 2000m, 3000m, two miles and 5000m, as well as the outdoor 1500m world record.

 

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