Life and Times Magazine Spring 2013 Edition

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SPRING 2013 LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE 3

Giving back

sometimes is a

hard thing

for us to

do...

Weoften com-plain ofthe limita-

tions on ourtime, our re-

sources andevery other

possible reason.However we can

give out of nothing.I grew up observing my old grandmother, Mother

Elizabeth who passed away in 2009 at the age of 95.Grandma as long as I had known her did not haveany serious income. She had a little farm and raised afew farm animals and traded some of her produce oncein a while Grandma however was a giver. Any personwho crossed her path would testify of her generosity.

She will give her time to patiently listen to anyonewho had a problem and sought her counsel and offerher deep wealth of wisdom. She will even take on astrangers burden when she gets wind of a problemand redirect her loved ones in love even when theydo not seek here counsel. She will offer gifts to any-one who came to visit her and cook up those delicious meals to serve her visitors..

You can therefore give no matter your circum-stance..

That is why the work of 'COMPASSION WITHOUT BORDER" founded by Lady LaraOkunubi is so profound. Despite all our hectic sched-ule and demands on our time, it is noteworthy andcommendable that this widowed mother of four whoruns two successful businesses finds time to start acharity committed to feeding the homeless and givinga helping hand to those in need.

With the help of her strong Executive Committeeand willing volunteers, COMPASSION WITHOUTBORDER" feeds over 500 homeless people in the LosAngeles skid Row every holidays and has plans to

open homeless shelters and provide pathways for rehabilitation to the homeless into main stream society.

Compassion without Border also started theBOOK IS GOLD Program that gives book vouchers toneedy students within our community and offersskills training to those in need.

Their service to the community is commendablethis is why the cover profile of this edition is dedi-cated to the work of this great charity.

Just before we went to press we received the sadnews of celebrated writer, Professor Chinua Achebewhose book "Things fall Apart" is the most readAfrican Novel that has been translated into over 48languages and sold over 50 million copies. Achebe inlife stood for a just an egalitarian Nigeria and he waswidely admired because like Daniel he refused tofeast on the "evil King's table" by rejecting two national honors from corrupt administrations. Achebewas a man of sound principles and a great authorwho will forever be cherished because of the indeliblemarks he left in his lifetime.

We also take you in this edition to Ghana, the landof the Golden Experience and Lagos the heartbeat ofNigeria.

We also have our regular health and wellness column, people and places with special spotlight onthe NCF Valentine party in Chicago, the ICC-LAhand in hand cruise, farewell to Elder GodwinNwafor Okeke and other staples you expect in Lifeand Times..

We also welcome Charles Chudi Oje a licensed financial advisor with Wells Fargo Financial Advisors who will be our MONEY and FINANCEColumnist and will be giving us those professionaltips to weather this tough financial times..

The LIFE and TIMES brand is growing thanks to our loyal readers and advert patrons like you andwe want to thank you for your continued loyalty andsupport.

Chike NwekePublisherSpring 2013

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4 LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE SPRING 2013

Contents3. From The Desk Of The Publisher

8. Cover Story:Lady Lara OkunubiFounder, Compasion Without Border

15. Cover Profile:Dr. Olufemi Saliu President, Compassion Without Border

18. Cover Profile:Dr. Laja Ibraheem Treasurer, Compassion Without Border

20 Profile In Excellence: Spotlight On Lady Tina OchezeUkaigwe, (Chicago, Illinois)

23. Fashion & Styles:Keneisha — Jamaica Super Model Tour

28. Profile In Excellence: Spotlight On Chief Mike Ukaigwe

32. Profile In Excellence: CHIEF Charles Arinzechukwu Egbuna

36. Profile In Excellence: Lady Jane Ibekie (Chicago)

46. People and Places:ICC-La; Hand In Hand Cruise- Aboard Regent Sea

86. Beauty of the Moment:Timisola Ogunleye

56. People and Places:Ndi Igbo Cultural Foundation (NCF) - Chicago

65. Fashion & Style:Sheena — Jamaica Super Model Tour

106

118

8

MARCH 2013:Layout 1 09/04/2013 10:59 Page 4

NOVEMBER- DECEMBER 2012 LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE 5

72. People and Places:Homegoing Of Elder Godwin Nwafor Okeke

83. Money & Finance:Understanding the Language of Investing

85. Subscription86. Beauty of the Moment:

Ifunanya Ify Ibekwe

88. People and Places:Victoria weds Tayo

94. Fashion & Style:Princess — Jamaica Super Model Tour

100. Fashion & Style:Tracy-Ann — Jamaica Super Model Tour

106 Country Profile: Ghana — A Golden Experience

114. Arts & Entertainment:The P-Square Phenomenon

118 People and Places: Lagos—The heartbeat of Nigeria

114. Health:The Drug Called Bread

126 Youth: The When Question

128. News and Politics:Eradicating Poverty In Nigeria

118 News and Politics: Achebe is dead but he lives.

114. Religion and Spiritual Affairs:Enemies Of Marriage: How to fortify yours against them

83

114

23


COMPANY BOARDCEO/Publisher: Chike Nweke

MEMBERS:Dan Musa, Ph.D

Lara OkunubiEbere Anakwenze

Clem Ainabe, Ph.DArthur Abraham, JPHalilu Haruna, CEA

Joachim 'Joe' Nwude, JDAmaka Akudinobi, Esq

Frank OtiAyodele Adeleye

Umar BabaEugene Edoga, LLD

(Head, Abuja-Nigeria Bureau)Arinze Egbuna

(Regional Director-NE,U.S.A)Iruka Udeagha-Ndubizu, LLM

(Regional Director-SE,U.S.A)

EDITORIAL BOARDChair, Clem Ainabe, Ph.D

Deputy Chair, Jude Akudinobi, Ph.DExecutive Editor: Arthur Abraham

Correspondents:Chinyere Ifeacho

Osayande AghazebamwanStella Johnson

Yemi AbiodunTommy Musa

COLUMNISTSDr. Dipo Kalejaiye- Religion

Victor Onwaeze Esq- LawDr. Olufemi Saliu- Health

Chudi Oje,MBA- Money and FinanceChris Abili- News and Politics

Ijeoma Nwawka- YouthPhotographers:

Devere WheatfallAde James

Frank OsaemekaKingsley Nwamadu

Uju Anokwute

HEAD MARKETING/ADVERTISINGJude "Majid" Nwosu, MBA

LIFE AND TIMES MAGAZINE is published by Life and Times Network Inc. a publishing andPublic Relations Company, 7095 Hollywood Blvd, #485 Hollywood CA 90028

Tel: +1-424-204-2703 Fax: 310-626-9754, Email: [email protected],[email protected], www.lifeandtimesmagazine.com

Cover Story


LADY LARAOKUNUBIFOUNDER, COMPASION WITHOUT BORDER

Cover Story

Madam Lara Okunubi is in-tangibly alluring to many peoplein the community. Whether she isparticipating in a fundraiser,knocking doors in support of apolitical candidate, rooting forKobe Bryant and the Lakers, orhosting a weekly Friday Biblesession with friends, she’s shedoes so with genuine enthusi-asm. On Saturdays she’s at onefunction or the other supportinga community member and hav-ing a good time with friends.Sunday mornings finds LadyOkunubi at the door-step of her

church as a Greeter, welcomingpeople into the sanctuary forservice. Yet, this mother of fourwho runs two successful busi-nesses (Monday through Satur-days) still finds time to undertakethe charity of feeding the home-less on scheduled days.

Chike Nweke, Publisher Lifeand Times Magazine sat downwith Lady Okunubi to talk about"Compassion Without Border", acharity she founded and sup-ports, her dreams for our Com-munity and her hopes forNigeria...

Q: Of all the volunteerwork that you do whichone are you most excitedabout?

Ans: Without trivializing anyof them I feel more privileged tobe able to participate in thehomeless outreach. For me it isnot just about handing out ameal, it is about making each oneof them feel like an individual,that they matter, that there’shope for change even if theydon’t see it now……that’s whywe go to minister to their exter-nal needs, to let them know that


Cover Story

they are not forgotten. It’s a rela-tionship I uphold with passionand steady commitment. Q: You have been feedingthe homeless for quitesome time now, Why andhow did you get startedand what has kept yougoing for these pasttwelve (12) years?

Ans: It was shocking for me todiscover that there is homeless-ness and poverty in America, thesupposed “land of milk andhoney”. After interacting withsome of the people on “skid row”and listening to their stories I re-alized how issues like anger, de-pression, hopelessness, lowself-esteem can easily spiral intochronic stress, loss of confidence,mental illness, poverty and evenhomelessness, when there’s no

support or intervention. Theyare not ordinary people, amongstthem are veterans who have sac-rificed their lives for others, someof them were professional at onepoint of their life and some aremothers with children.

I grew up with this benignmotive to contribute wheneverthere’s a need, whether it ismoney, time, ideas or resource.So, it is difficult for me to walkaway from such provocative sit-uation without the desire to wantto be part of the solution. Any-one could fall into such predica-ment but for the endless Grace ofGod, so I am very appreciative ofthe privileges I have enjoyed inlife. Do you know that there are131,000 homeless people in Cali-fornia alone? The population hasdropped by about 3.5% becausesome people are doing some-thing about it.

The passion to engage in thisoutreach started in fulfillment ofa college requirement for one ofmy children but it soon escalatedinto a project when I realized themagnitude of this crisis. We haveencountered children, some peo-ple from Nigeria, Ghana andother foreign countries that cameto America in search of a goodlife yet ended up in the homelesscommunity. It hits home for mewhen I see these faces that theprivileges I enjoy is not by power,hard-work or education but themercy of God. So, why should Inot lend a helping hand whenmuch has been given to me andso little is expected? I am moti-vated to go on because I want toimpact lives, to be that helpinghand desperately needed, with-out condition or expectation, tospread the good news.

We all do our share of good


Cover Story

deeds but it’s beyond that. It’sabout having sincere irritationabout things that are not rightand could be done better. Wehave to make it count and mean-ingful. There are many situationsthat need community assistanceand we cannot ignore them. Yes,you can’t be everything to every-body but we can do those simplethings within our control. If wedefine your goals and desiredoutcome then identify the roadmap to get there, people and re-source(not those that will criticizeor discourage you). I tell my chil-dren “there are many ways toskin a cat” so do it your way aslong as you get it done.Q: Where do you presentlyget the funding for thework of "Compassionwithout Border"?

Ans: Currently, it is fundedwith personal resources fromOkunubi family, Ibraheem’s,Saliu’s, and Omotayo’s who aremembers of the executive com-mittee and have adopted thisproject as part of their annualfamily budget. We get occasionalsupport from other families andfriends for example the Nweke’s,

Aladesuru’s, Anakwenze’s,Fashola’s etc

I want to seize this opportu-nity to thank all of our volunteersthat made the work easier to ac-complish.1. Damilola, Busola, Folashade

and Yemi Okunubi, 2.Ibukun, Tobi and Ife Ibra-heem

3. Lolade, Femi and Fola Saliu4. Hakeem, Christine and

Rasheed Omotayo5. Uche Nweke6. Eze and Odera Anakwenze, 7. Rukayat Abdulraman8. Sis Shade Aladesuru-Do-

sunmu,9. Seun and Wahab10. Elite Foundation - Mr.

Sobowale, Fashola, Ade-bowale and AkinshiloThe help of these families and

dedicated volunteers havehelped us to move from feeding100 to over 500 people at a cost of$2 per person for each event.

The people we feed are home-less they don’t have a kitchen sowe have to serve hot meals. Atevery feeding event, many peo-ple leave disappointed becausewe ran out of food. So, we see agrowing need and therefore mo-tivated to do moreQ: What are your plans ofreaching out to the largercommunity and corporatedonors to help you in thisonerous task that youhave embarked on to helpthe homeless?

Ans: Our strategic plan for2014 is to feed 750 to 1000 peoplein Los Angeles and about 500 inNigeria. But we also need toolsto encourage entrepreneurship,

such as sewing machines, bicy-cles, money to purchase crops,beauty supplies, hygiene sup-plies, hair clippers for door-2-door grooming service, etc. Wehave a team working on the costand capacity of these needswhich we hope to post on thewebsite by December 2013www.compassionwithoutbor-der.com to solicit for partnership.We will also host the traditionalfundraiser or solicit supportthrough some other creativeways. Q: Where do you see"Compassion withoutBorder" 10, 20, 50 yearsfrom now?

Ans: The vision is to impactlives by creating a Support Sys-tem that is sustainable and meas-urable. Some people need theirhands held longer than the otherso in addition to feeding millionsof people, to teach apprenticeshipto those who desire it and sup-port those who have limited abil-ities with daily living skills.

There are many people inNigeria scavenging the dumpsterfor food or recyclable containersto convert to money. These kindsof people are trainable if a properstructure can be put in place.These are examples of lives wehope to impact in 10, 20 or moreyears.

With adequate partnership,accountability and relentlessfocus we should not only havemeasurable results but also havesuccess stories from those whohave benefited from this pro-gram, then moving on to do thesame for others, kind of a rippleeffect if you like.



The Book is Gold project initi-ated by Dr. Femi Saliu (Presidentof CWB) and the Leadership Se-ries sponsored by Dr. Laja Ibra-heem(Treasurer of CWB)aresome of the commitments wehope to see grow in the next 10,20 years with adequate funding.Q: How do people who areinterested in the work of"Compassion withoutBorder" join hands tosupport?

Ans: Every act of generositygoes a long way, whether you aregiving of your time, money,products or clothes. Our philoso-phy is if you’ve ever receivedhelp or an act of kindness fromsomeone else turnaround andPass-it-On! The need is real, thework is huge you cannot do italone. Join us at www.compas-sionwithoutborder.com or startyour own small group of makinga difference.

Q: You are involved in alot of Community causes.You are a fervent believerand active within ourChristian Community, youare the Vice President ofthe Nigerian AmericanPolitical Action Commit-tee(NAPAC) that has setout to mobilize our peopleto effectively participatein the political processhere in the United Statesand has given active sup-port to a number of politi-cal candidates recently.You are active within theSocial Circle and serve aspatron to a number of cul-tural/social organizationswithin the community.What are your dreams forunity and progress withinour Community?

Ans: You wonder how I findthe time to do all these, wellwhere there’s a will there’s away. I believe there are twocolumns in life. In one columnare the things you can changeand the other, are things you can-not change. The defining factorfor me is my relationship withGod and His expectations of mewhich includes loving and help-ing my neighbors. In my numer-ous engagements, I havediscovered that service to Godand others is the bedrock of ful-fillment in life, nothing else cando it for you. That’s why I amdriven by the emotion and man-date to make a difference andgiving my all to achieve it by get-ting involved with variousgroups.

Growth does not happen inisolation, neither can unity. Ittakes a relationship and connec-tivity with one another. Mydream is that someday, everyNigerian in America will cometogether and work together forthe good of our community ei-ther here or back home. Technol-ogy unfortunately has driven useven further apart. In the worldof texting, tweeting or bb manypeople are content in isolationwhile some don’t want anythingto do with Nigerians. Yes, oneperson can make a difference butimagine what the effect will be ifwe have more people making theeffort?

It took fifty years for some ofMartin Luther King Jr.’ dreams tocome true (Obama) because peo-ple did not relent. The same forus, that day will come whenNigerians are ruling the world allover the globe. But first we have

Cover Story


to work on putting our house inorder and work together in loveand truth. I believe we will havetangible unity and progress be-cause we are fundamentallygood people, we just have to ap-preciate our strengths and re-spect our differences.Q: You still have verystrong family ties in Nige-ria and visit home quiteoften and have plans toextend the work of "Com-passion Without Border"to Nigeria. Based on yourobservations during yourvisits back home on thelevel of poverty and lack,what are your hopes anddreams for Nigeria?

Ans: There’s a quote I learnt awhile ago that “if you change theway you look at things, thethings you see will change”.Nigeria has many challengesranging from health care, secu-

rity, poverty, exhaustion, dis-eases; while lack of statisticsmight have dwarfed the preva-lence rate of these pandemics,they are nevertheless not invinci-ble. There are many skepticswho think the situation in Nige-ria cannot change but I am veryoptimistic of a better day. agreater Nigeria!

I saw a population of re-sourceful people, focused onmaking a living, striving to havea sense of worth. So peopleshould not wait till someone theyknow is kidnapped to under-stand the security issues in Nige-ria or for someone you know isstricken by cancer, die of malaria,cholera, muscular sclerosis, heartdisease. diabetes, etc. before yousupport the cure for these prob-lems. On individual level don’twait till you are able to makehuge impact, start with little oneswithin and outside your familyscope, reach out and touch any-body.

I hope that your readers or lis-teners sense of service will beheightened and spurred into ac-tion because we need every-body’s help particularly those ofus with international exposure(America, Europe, Asia) whohave experienced higher stan-dards and quality than what peo-ple back home have. We must notdiscount the impact of our helpof time, resource and talents.

Compassion without Borderis working on collaborating withother existing organizations whoorganizes Medical missions toNigeria to achieve for bigger impact and minimal cost. This isdefinitely, when we need morecommunity support both hereand Nigeria to make it happen.

Nigerians are endowed, beautiful and great achievers butwe need more of us coming together to focus on moving ourcommunity forward, fromdreams to reality.

Cover Story



Cover Profile

DR.OLUFEMI

SALIUPresident, Compassion

Without Border

Helping define the policydirection and day to dayrunning of "CompassionWithout Border" is Dr.Olufemi Saliu who serves asthe President of the GoverningCouncil. Dr. Olufemi Saliu,MD is a Board CertifiedAnesthesiologist in LosAngeles, CA with 28 yearsexperience. He attendedmedical school at ObafemiAwolowo University Collegeof Health Sciences andgraduated in 1985 and has alsotrained in several topAmerican medical collegessince coming to the UnitedStates.

Dr. Saliu is a passionatebeliever in helping the poor,destitute, lost and hurting inour Society and commits timeand resources to the work of"Compassion Without Border"

Dr. Saliu's pet project in'Compassion without Border'is the "Book is Gold" initiativewhich aims to supply books toindigent students who cannotafford them in our schools andcolleges.

Dr. Saliu is married toBosede and they are blessedwith three wonderful children.Femi and Bose recentlycelebrated 25 years of of ablissful marriage..

Dr. Femi Saliu-presenting Book is Gold award @ Life and Times 2012 Fiesta


Cover Profile

The Saliu's Celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary and Bose's 50th Birthday


Cover Profile

The Saliu family


Laja Ibraheem, MD. is a

geriatric psychiatrist in private

practice, Executive director of

Renew Behavioral Health Inc.

Married with three children.

He is the Treasurer of"Compassion WithoutBorder", a position heholds with integrity andendearment.

Laja has a humble andgenuine distress for un-derutilized talent or abili-ties but rather than pointfingers at the inadequacyof such situation his mis-sion is how to make it bet-

ter. He is a solution finder.As an organizer and guest

speaker in various skill develop-ment/empowerment settings, hehas succeeded in orchestrating

synergetic relationships amongstcommunity leaders for the bene-fit of the communities, whether itis family, business or spiritual.

His passion and relentless de-sire to equip people with godlycounsel, leadership tools/train-ing and financial resources forthe welfare of the community hasgenerated many success stories.His goal is to impact lives withthis life transforming tools bothin United States and Nigeria.

So, in the next 5, 10 or 15 yearswe hope that lives of hundreds ofpeople have been improved withthe word, skills and work.

Cover Profile

DR. LAJAIBRAHEEM

Treasurer, Compassion

Without Border

Profile In Excellence

Q. Please tell us a little bit about yourfamily and educational background.

I was born in Lagos, Nigeria; to Chief and MrsD. D. Oranagorom of Umunuko Ukpor, NnewiSouth Local Government, in Anambra State.Growing up, I was good in both arts and sciencesubjects; however, I pursued the sciences for theirease, objectivity, and direct format in achievingresults.

I studied Mathematics and Physics at AlvanIkoku College of Education, Owerri, learning firsthand and perfecting later, the acts of accom-plished teachers. Further, I went to the Universityof Nigeria, Nsukka where I studied Mathematicsand Statistics. Later, when I immigrated to the

Spotlight On

Lady TinaOchezeUkaigwe,(Chicago, Illinois)




United States, I obtained my sec-ond Bachelor in MathematicsSecondary Education fromChicago State University with aMasters in Educational Adminis-tration.

I have taught Physics andlater Mathematics both abroadand here in the United States,serving the School System forthe past 20 years.

Q :When did you come toAmerica and tell us a bit

about your journey inAmerica?

In 1984, I got married toMike Ukaigwe who was thenstudying in USA. In 1985, Icame to the States for our wed-ding. It was not easy then leav-ing a steady job at home, to livein a foreign land without muchsource of income. After my firstchild therefore, I traveled backto Nigeria in 1986. It was notlong when I finally came back inI987 to stay, and the rest was his-tory.

Quickly, I figured out I haveto get a second Bachelor of Sci-ence to ease the transfer of tran-scripts from the University ofNigeria, Nsukka. With that, itwas easier to get a job in thepublic schools system. Beforethat, I worked in a private edu-cational system.

Q: You have raised somevery successful childrenthat have gone ahead toexcel in different profes-sions, what are the chal-

lenges you faced in raisingthis children here.

Raising three boys and twogirls is filled with great chal-

lenges. As a high school mathe-matics teacher; the educationalchallenges were minimal. Thiswas because I arrive home ap-proximately the same time withthe children to help them withtheir studying and homework.The private catholic school sys-tem where we sent them alsohelped shape the moral trainingsthey received in their lives. Itwas a lot of burden paying theirschool fees, but the family be-lieved it was money well in-vested.

School runs were challengingby themselves to say the least.We had a system where eithermy husband or I drop off thechildren in the morning and theother person picks them up.Sometimes, mostly at the begin-ning of their lives; the childrenwill be in different schools, withentirely different starting andending times. Sometimes, wecollaborate with other parents,where we drop all the childrenoff in the mornings and theypick up all of them after school.When we know we cannot han-dle the runs, we pay bus servicesto either pick up or drop off thechildren to and from theirschools.

In all, we give thanks to GodAlmighty. It has worked outperfectly well for the children.Our last child is the only one stillin high school. Three are in theuniversities while one has grad-uated and is working with thecooperate world.Q. You are deeply involved

in Community programsand causes especially with

regards to issues that con-cern the women and chil-

dren of our community,what do you consider yourgreatest accomplishments

and challenges?I offered my services years

ago as the secretary to the organ-ization that promotes Igbo Lan-guage and Culture in Chicago.That metamorphosis into anIgbo School; where we teachIgbo language, culture, dancesand games to the children ofIgbo immigrants in Chicago andEnvirons. I am proud to statethat during the eight years I wasthe school coordinator, our chil-dren learned the values of ourlanguage and culture. They are,as a result proud to identify withthe language and proud to asso-ciate themselves as Igbo childrenin Chicago and all over the USA.

I also served as the recruitingmembership secretary to Enum-bra Nigerian Foundation, an or-ganization we set up 22 yearsago for the immigrants fromboth Enugu and Anambra statesof Nigeria. I am the current VicePresident of this organization,now called Ndigbo CulturalFoundation (NCF). We prima-rily serve and protect the inter-ests of our Igbo community hereand at home. This organizationhas championed the course ofthe Igbos in Chicago; helped ourmembers on medical missions toEnugu and Anambra states ofNigeria. This organization is in-strumental to many programsfor the Nigerian community inChicago like-the Iliji Festival, theChildren Programs, Igbo



Kitchen, Couples Nights, andnow this incredible Valentine’sEvent.

As a practicing catholic, Ineed to render my services tothe church to bring our faith tothe forefront in the Igbo commu-nity. To that effect, I serve as thecurrent General Coordinator ofthe Igbo Catholic Community inthe Archdiocese of Chicago andits Environs (ICCAC). Wepromulgate the catholic faith inthe Igbo Community throughour prayers, works of charity forthe poor, sick, and bereavedmembers. ICCAC has one Rev-erend Father who serves as ourChaplain and elected membersof the chaplaincy council whohelp in this faith effort. We alsohave many other Priests andReverend Sisters who are alwayshelping us in the Lord’s vine-yard. We hold monthly massservices in Igbo language, com-plete with Igbo songs, prayersand praises just like at home.We teach children mass serving,community services and are cur-rently in the process of startingcatechism classes for them inIgbo language.

One of my greatest accom-plishments has to be my servicesto the Igbo School. The programhelped propel our Igbo childrento their greatest heights in theirrecognition of whom they areand where they come from.Through Igbo School, our Igbochildren in Chicago and neigh-boring suburbs can identifythemselves and relate to them-selves easily face to face andnow through the social media. It

promotes unity and love for ourchildren who grew up in thiscommunity. It gives me greatjoy as a mother, to know thatmost of these children are nowgradually following our foot-steps.

The challenges over theseyears have been enormous.Combining these services for mycommunity in the twenty-sixyears I have lived in Chicago hasnot been an easy one. My pro-fessional background did pre-pare me slightly for the servicesthat I offer. It however, cannever be enough. In addition,one needs dedication, hardwork, and love for humanity todo what I do daily with joy.Q: Having attained the suc-

cess that you have today,what words of advice, willyou give to the young ones

in our community or thenew immigrant who just

arrived in the UnitedStates on how to achieve

success here?My advice to the young

ones, especially the new immi-grants will be that of patience,sincerity, and hard work. Oneof our adages says, “A patientdog eats the fattest part of thebone.” One cannot make it inAmerica over night. One has to

be patient, and learn from othershow the system works. If onemakes too much mistake be-cause of not listening to advicethat might cost one’s progress inlife. Patience is the key to suc-cess in the USA. Above all, onehas to be sincere to other humanbeings they meet in their jour-ney, as well as be willing towork hard.

Q: Please talk brieflyabout any other importantissue that we did not cover

in the above questions.We as parents have to guide

the children with the exampleswe want them to model. The eraof “do as I say” is over. The chil-dren raised up in this culturemight ask why they have to doas you say; without backingthem up with inspiring behav-iors for them to emulate. Aboveall, teach the children the Igbolanguage and culture at home.When they grow up, they willbenefit from them. As an educa-tor, I wish all Igbo parents andfamilies the greatest luck in edu-cating the Igbo children. Educa-tion is the passport to freedomfor our children’s future in a for-eign land.

May God continue to guideand protect our families andcommunity, Amen!




Fashion & Style

Jamaica SuperModel Tour

Name: Keneisha Mitchell5'9 119lbs

From: Kingston, Jamaica

Model Booking Contact: [email protected]: Devere Photography

Shot on Location in Negril,Jamaica at Coco La Palm ResortPhotographer: Devere Photography


Fashion & Style


Fashion & Style


Fashion & Style


Fashion & Style



Q: Please tell us a little bitabout your family andeducational background.

My name is MichaelOkechukwu Ukaigwe fromOzubulu in Anambra StateNigeria. I am married to JustinaOranagorom from Ukpor. Wehave five children, three boys andtwo girls in that order. I went toSt. Patrick's Catholic School (CoalCamp) Ogbete Enugu thenBubendorff Memorial GrammerSchool Adazi for my high school,class of 1972. I worked at Post &Telecommunication departmentEnugu before going to P & TSchool Oshodi Lagos for mydiploma in Telecommunication. Irose to Senior Technical officer

before leaving Nigeria in 1982 forOklahoma State University atStillwater. I graduated in CivilEngineering at Alabama A & MUniversity in Huntsville. I tookcourses in Computer science andbecame a Computer Engineer. Iworked with LaSalle Bank atChicago and was the leadEngineer in their Y2K project in1999. I worked with ABN-AMROas their Computer NetworkAnalyst. I finally worked for LawTitle Insurance Company wherewe computerized their systemthroughout USA.

Today we have a branch ofLaw Title International in LagosNigeria working for Lagos State

government in their LandRegularization and I aminstrumental to that branchopening and operation.Q. When did you come toAmerica and tell us a bit aboutyour journey in America?

I came to USA in 1982. It wasin Fall of 1982 and unknown ofwhat is cold weather I camewearing only a Nigerian madesuit hoping it will stop any cold.Yes, I was dead wrong as movingfrom the Bus Stop at OklahomaState University in Stillwater tothe International Student Hall, Ithought I was going to die ofcold. That was a huge welcomefor me and my first bitter lesson.

Spotlight On

Chief MikeUkaigwe

(Chicago, Illinois)




Q. You have raised some verysuccessful children that havegone ahead to excel indifferent professions, what arethe challenges you faced inraising these children here..

Excellent question! First of allit is God that raises children notus. We are only guiding themwith all our human flaws butsomehow God guides theirdirection and you will look like agenius. My family commits all wedo to God. Sundays are specialdays in my house and we allknow it. We pray together everynight (though we may skip somenights due to conflictingschedules). All our children wentto catholic schools primary andhigh school; that was a wiseinvestment for their morals. Mylovely wife is a Math teacher andscience is the foundation of all mychildren. Both of us spend qualitytime teaching them everydayreligiously and it paid off later forthem. God gave them intelligenceand understanding and we justcontributed our best. The big keyis that you and your wife must bein agreement on how to teach,discipline, challenge and nurturethem before they grow up. Bothof you must be on the same pagewhen talking to the children evenwhen one of you is wrong. Inyour privacy you then make thecorrections.Q. You are a leader in ourChicago community, what doyou consider your greatestaccomplishments and whatare some challenges you thinkour community in Chicago stillneeds to overcome.

Any good leader is as good asthe supporters. I was blessed with

many good reliable friends whowill always help, guide, criticizeand direct me. A good leadermust accept criticism and learnfrom his/her mistakes. I was thebrain behind forming AnambraNigerian Foundation that becameEnumbra Nigerian Foundationand now Ndi-Igbo CulturalFoundation. I was once one of thePresidents and still a member ofthe Board. I was the foundingChairman of Chicago PDP. In2002 I was also the Chairman ofPDPUSA Congress/ConvectionCommittee that institutedPDPUSA at Boston, MA in USA. Iam also a founding member ofIgbo Catholic CommunityArchdiocese of Chicago. I amequally a Knight of St. Columbus,4th degree holder.

The challenges of being aleader in our community can bethought-provoking or intriguing.Some of us older Igbo men mustgrow up. We must stop this ideathat “If I go through the eye of aneedle that everyone else has tosuffer the same faith”. This iswhat is keeping the Nigeriancommunity from developingfaster in USA. We need to learnhow to share any goodinformation free from malice. Ifwe did not benefit let our childrenbenefit or even their futuregeneration. We have this wrongattitude of rising and dying withmost of our wisdom. Secondlysome of us older Igbomen aremore interested to see theyounger ones suffer and will eventry to destabilize them if we seeany progress. I am speaking fromexperience and was a victim earlyin my life in Chicago.

Q. Having attained the successthat you have today, whatwords of advice will you giveto the young ones in ourcommunity or the newimmigrant who just arrived inthe United States on how toachieve success here?

I am happy with mostNigerian parents as most of uscared about our childreneducation. We are equally blessedby our children who have stayedfocused in their education. To theyounger couples I will say pray toGod and exercise a lot of patience.It is always rough for marriedcouples here in the State but wecame from a different backgroundand please do not be fooled weare Igbos. The temptation isalways there but with patienceand slow to act we do muchbetter. Look for positive thingsfrom each other not negatives andlearn to forgive when wronged.Do not allow any family issue tolinger more than two days. Cut itoff as a man and tomorrow willbe better always. This societyfavors women do not use it as ayard stick. Men shouldcompromise and understand thatwe are in a different culture. Wewill all prevail otherwise what isyour alternative.

The new immigrants will belike most of us thinking that USAis a piece of cake before arrival.No! Take it easy, listen and takecandid advice when given. KeepGod first in your family. This is acountry of law and if you breaktheir laws you will pay the price.Be careful in all you do and whenin doubt ask, there will besomeone who will tell you thetruth. One mistake is all it will




Profile in Excellence

take to ruin you and your family.Avoid unnecessary altercationseven with anybody but knowyour right and protect it. Keep alow profile until you haveunderstood the system. My firstfive years in America wasbaptism under fire. It took meanother two years to start gettingmy bearing right.Q: Please talk briefly aboutany other important issue thatwe did not cover in the abovequestions.

Issue that bothers mesometimes is when I see some ofour Igbomen who are old and stillreside in this country. I thenwonder what they expect theirchildren to do. I am an Igboman. Iknow where I come from and willalways go back to my rootsregardless how comfortable I willfeel in USA. My reason is basedon my upbringing and Igbo

culture. “Nwa-Eze efu na mba”;“Isi nwa Igbo adi ato na mba”.American Jews will go to Israeland enroll and fight to defendIsrael. We Igbos need suchconnection to Igboland or ourchildren will not know theimportance.

To me once an Igboman issixty years old in any foreign landit is time to go back to Igbolandand help your community for therest of your live. We can alwaysvisit for months but changing theabode will be educational to ourchildren and for our sanity. Thisis just my own idea and I amselling it to my children. To see anIgboland in Old People’s Home inAmerica is an eyesore and notacceptable. Do not fear your townin Nigeria you are one of theowners. Your other townindigenes do not own it morethan you unless if you feel that

way and I do not as anindividual. If you are scared whatdo you expect your children todo?

Finally be nice to all youknow, you will never know howGod can pay you back. It is ablessing to have many friendswho trust you. I disagree with theadage “aka nni kwor aka ekpe”and the reverse. Do it for God theblessing most of the time comesthrough someone you have neverhelped in your life. Stop usingpeople to measure your success asGod decides that not you. Live asimple happy life with yourneighbors and love all theirchildren like you love yours.When you render help do not goabout telling the whole world theperson helped is not a fool andbeside “as long as you did it forone of my brother you have doneit for God”. Remain blessed.



Please tell us a little bitabout your family and edu-cational background..

My name is Charles Ar-inzechukwu Egbuna (Ozal-lanwachinazo). I am anIgbo-American living in Chicago,and have a wonderful, lovelywife Ify Egbuna and five greatchildren. I have a Bachelors of

Science in town planning,construction engineering

and medical imaging. I amalso a registered radiologic

technologist and currently en-rolled in Masters program forpublic health administration.When did you come toAmerica and tell us a bitabout your journey in Amer-ica?

I came to America in thenineties in pursuit of academicand business opportunities. Thejourney has neither been easy nordifficult. Like most ndi-igbo inDiaspora, it is God's providencethat I am here and doing well.Thank you for asking.

Ozalla Construction com-pany has become a leadingname in Construction in theChicago area, tell us a littlebit about the history of thiscompany and how you haveachieved the success youare today and where you seeyour company in the fu-ture?.

As the name suggests, itmeans "God has answered". Aswise men say, failure is a precur-sor to success. You recognize agreat man by his ability to get upwhenever he falls down. A busi-ness man must be very resilientin order to survive. I have ownedother companies prior to ozallaand each time I suffered a set-back, I simply learn from it, im-prove and push harder. Ozalla isa minority owned intermediateconstruction enterprise that oper-ates in Chicago and greater


CHIEF CharlesArinzechukwuEgbuna(Ozallanwachinazo).CEO, OZALLACONSTRUCTIONCOMPANYCHICAGO


Chicago-land. Since 2000, OzallaConstruction Company, LLC,has become recognized as havinga reputation for innovation, andresult oriented construction man-agement/general contractor byclients and competitors alike.This recognition was earned bydeveloping and maintaining anability to work effectively withothers, by being responsive to theinterests and needs of our clientsand by consistently delivering anon time, on budget quality serv-ice.

With more than fifty years ofcombined multifaceted businessexperience of 8 team membersworking together and providingquality service in the areas ofproject management, architec-tural services, concrete, carpen-try, masonry, roofing, plumbing,electrical, HV AC and generalcontracting in both private andpublic sectors, Ozalla has devel-oped a reputation for profession-alism, quality and seasonedperformance. Ozalla Construc-tion Company, LLC has re-habbed, renovated, and restoredover 71 buildings in Chicago andgreater Chicago land. OzallaConstruction Company is on themove to becoming the expert'sexpert in all facets of constructionservices.

Whether serving as a generalcontractor, or as a constructionmanager, Ozalla provides experi-enced personnel, with the latestconstruction equipment/toolsand the management system nec-essary for the most complex proj-ects. Our sustained growth ratecan be attributed to our adept in-house management professionals

that run the Ozalla daily con-struction activities. Our successin commercial and residentialprojects can be seen throughoutChicago and greater Chicagoland. We are bonded, licensed,and insured. We are committedto always achieve 100% customersatisfaction by providing qualityconstruction services, which ex-ceed the needs and expectationsof our clients, to put it differently;our goal is our client's satisfac-tion.How do you juggle yourbusy schedule with yourrole as the father, caringhusband to your beautifulwife Ifeoma and your fiveadorable children?

The honest answer to thatquestion is that I do not know.God has been faithful to my fam-ily. God has been able to turn allmy mountains into levelgrounds. Ify, my lovely wife hasbeen a friend, a wife and mom,beyond compare. I really thank

God everyday of my life for her.I think I am able to work and en-gage in business activities be-cause she always steps up to theplate and do so joyfully. Aboveall, I enjoy and love what I do,and so it does not stress me out.Jehovah has been so wonderfulto me that all I can say is thankyou God.You are deeply involved inCommunity programs andcauses in the Chicago area,what do you consider yourgreatest accomplishmentsand challenges?

Yes, I have been as involvedin my community programs asGod allowed me. I must start bysaying that we have a lot of smartand hardworking ndi-igbo inChicago land. Most ndi-Igbo inChicago are very hospitable,unassuming, practical andfriendly. Like other great ndi-igbo in Chicago-land,

I contributed my own quotatowards the growth of the com-munity. I was involved in the for-mation of numerous Igboprograms in Chicago land. Someof those programs include, butnot limited to; Igbo Catholic As-sociation Chicago and Environs,Igba-eze dance troupe, Umu-Igbo Alliance, Igbo school, Igbosoccer clinics, Igbo fest commit-tee (currently Igbo associations ofChicago land), created Enumbragroup forum etc.

I was the president of Enum-bra Foundation (the current Ndi-igbo cultural foundation) and thefounding general coordinator forIgbo Catholic Mass Association,Chicago and Environs. I cur-rently serve in Ndi-Igbo culturalfoundation board of directors but


Ify, my lovely wife has been a

friend, a wife andmom, beyond com-pare. I really thankGod everyday of mylife for her. I think Iam able to work andengage in businessactivities because

she always steps upto the plate and do

so joyfully.



plan to retire by the end of theyear to create opportunity forother members to serve. The for-mation of the Igbo fest committeestill gives me a lot of joy, and thiscame about through the effort offew friends that selflesslyworked hard to unite ndi-igbo. Inthe mid 2000, there was a greatdivision amongst ndi-igbo inChicagoland.

The "old Imo state" blockviewed the "old Anambra state"block with suspicion and viceversa and neither attends theother’s social events. Even the an-nual Igbo picnic that used tounite ndi-igbo then was dead,and has been dead for over threeyears. The meeting of the mindamongst these gentlemenbrought about the Igbo fest com-mittee which is today known asthe Igbo associations of Chicago-land. It also brought about theannual ndi-igbo couples night. Iam extremely overjoyed that thedream shared by those fewfriends roughly 8years ago hasbeen fully realized. Today, youcan hardly hear Imo or Anambra,what you hear most is "ndi-igbo"and that’s who we are.

To that extent, I admit wehave been very successful. I mustadmit that some great ndi-igbofora in Chicagoland like Enum-bra, Matardor and Ogene alsocontributed to the healing effort.My advice to ndi-igbo in dias-pora is to start the process of em-powering our kids throughhanding over our organizations.It is a shame that we still see menand women in their late fiftiesand sixties still serving as execu-

tive officers and board membersin Igbo organizations.

My question is, why do youdo that when we have kids thatare professors, radiologists, spe-cialists, business executives, ad-ministrators, etc. We must bewilling to let go of these offices inorder to "really" empower them.Remember, these are no longerkids, they are full adults, marriedwith kids! and they are mostlikely to attract government aidsand generate new ideas in waysthat the old players can neverimagine.

We must put our misplacedpriorities in order for the growthand survival of ndi-igbo future.Our kids are our future and for-tunately, that future has arrivedand we must give way for thenatural process to take its course.Our kids are most likely to opennew doors of opportunities thatany of the existing old playersdo'nt even know that exist. Theydo not have accent, they are nat-ural born Americans, and theyare very successful, what else dowe want?

The good thing about thisproposed change is that it willput Igbo miscreants in check, be-cause instead of Chief O, asking

you to stop making noise in ameeting, it will be Dr. Bryntelling you "papa Chukwudi,please could you tone it down?"and without accent! please an-swer me this question, do youthink papa Chukwudi will arguewith a child he carried in his ownhand when he was born? Do youget my point? We must start theprocess of diminishing our pres-ence while at the same time ex-alting our children.Having attained the successthat you have today, whatwords of advice will yougive to the young ones inour community or the newimmigrant who just arrivedin the United States on howto achieve success here?

To the new immigrant, life inAmerica is not easy; you shouldbe willing to throw your egoaside and do whatever is legallynecessary to survive. Whateverwas your social status in Nigeriadoes not apply here. In mostcases, you might have to startafresh and be willing to do eventhe worse menial jobs for yoursurvival. USA is a classical caseof a child crawling, standing, andwalking before running! Aboveall, find a God fearing churchthat will enhance your connec-tion and personal relationshipwith God. To our young ones,"only you can help you" and soalways make the best use of yourtime. Education is everything,with good education there is nodoor you cannot enter and no po-sition you cannot attain. If youseek and find the black sheep inthe afternoon, you will have nostress sleeping at night.

We muststart the process

of diminishing ourpresence while at

the same time exalting our

children.

36 LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE MARCH 2013

Q. Please tell us a little bitabout your family andeducational background.

Ans: I am the mother of11 beautiful children. Theyare all grown with myyoungest at 26 years of age.My husband, Sir GodfreyIbekie passed in 1995. I have7 daughters and 4 sons andthey are located in differentstates in the U.S.Q : When did you come toAmerica and tell us a bitabout your journey inAmerica?

Ans: My family and Icame to the U.S. over theyears starting in 1994. Thejourney to America has beenwonderful as all my childrenare here in the U.S and I amthrilled as they are all doingvery well.


LadyJaneIbekieChicago

MARCH 2013 LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE 37

Q: You have raised somevery successful childrenthat have gone ahead toexcel in different profes-sions, what are the chal-lenges you faced in raisingthis children here.

Ans: I’m blessed and thank-ful that my children havegrown up and are doing wellfor themselves in life. Just likeany family, there are many chal-lenges, but with 11 children, it’sa bit trickier. I’m lucky becauseGod has blessed me with greatchildren who have kept theirheads together and focused onmaking their lives better. Someof the challenges we faced whenmy children were young iskeeping 11 children in line be-cause there are 11 personalities,goals, and directions. I thinkthat I may not have had all thetime to give to every one of mykids as much as I would havewanted, but I’mhappy becausemy older children were able tostep up and take on mother andfather roles for the youngerones.Q : You are a leader in ourChicago community, whatdo you consider your great-est accomplishments andwhat are some challengesyou think our community inChicago still needs to over-come.

Ans: I think one of the mainchallenges many families face isbalancing work and family lifein the realm of assimilating intoa new culture while trying topreserve the cultures uponwhich we were raised. It’s a dif-

ficult dance to do, but we mustremain true to the true valuesthat we came to this countrywith and these values are: God,family, education and commu-nity. We cannot allow ourselvesto lose sight of why we came toAmerica and lose track of thevalues that brought us to thiscountry. I believe that we mustremain focused on those valuesand continue to teach our chil-dren these values so that theycan continue to represent usvery well in the general Ameri-can public.Q: You are deeply involvedin Church activities and afounding member of thecatholic Women Organiza-tion in Chicago and Commu-nity programs and causesespecially with regards toissues that concern thewomen of our community,what do you consider yourgreatest accomplishmentsand challenges?

Ans: I formed Chicago IgboCatholic Women’s Organizationin order to bring our commu-nity closer to God throughprayers and acts of services inour community. The organiza-tion is thriving with over fortyactive members who are givingback to the community andhosting events that are cateredto bringing our Nigerian Com-munity closer to God and toeach other.Q Having attained the suc-cess that you have today,what words of advise willyou give to the young onesin our community or the

new immigrant who just ar-rived in the United States onhow to achieve successhere?

Ans: I believe that the mostimportant thing for our youngones and new immigrants tokeep in mind is to remember tokeep our priorities of God andfamily in mind at all times.America is a very differentcountry than Nigeria and someof the things we learned inNigeria will not work in thiscountry. So I encourage ouryoung ones to really get toknow the successful Nigerianswithin their communities andfind out how they can best ad-just and assimilate into this so-ciety. Additionally, let themfocus on getting their educationbecause getting educated is themost important thing they cando to move their lives forward.



Arts and Culture

Congolese music is probably one of, if not, the mostpopular style of music in Africa. I know the second I let afellow African know that I am from the Congo; their re-sponse is usually, without fail, “Oh, I just love yourmusic!” I’m not the least bit surprised by this reaction; wehave a long history of producing some of the most talentedand influential musical artists in Africa, such as TshalaMuana, Koffi Olomide, and Fally Ipupa. The Los Ange-les-based Afrik Moto is no exception; this band is keepingthe tradition of Congolese music going strong in the

AFRI MOTOBringing The Beat Of Congo To The USA


Arts and Culture

United States.Afrik Moto is definitely not

your grandmother’s gospel band;though the message of spreadingthe word of love and faith is stillthere, the delivery is new, exciting,and a breath of fresh air. With up-tempo dance songs like “Lelo Es-engo”, “Mater’s Voice” and theirmost popular, “Generic”, you al-most forget you’re listening togospel music.

Founded in the Fall of 2009, theband consists of seven members:Christian Lukombo (lead singer),Joachim Kalombo (keyboard),Parigo Asuka (drummer), PatrickMpenga (bass guitar), Richie Lon-gomba (singer), Masengo (dancer)and Fabrice Keto (lead guitar). Dr.Soloman, the band’s manager, waslooking for a gospel band, andasked Parigo to reach out to musi-cians he knew. After getting themembers of the group established,they then had to come up with aband name, which is sometimeseven harder than actually putting aband together. After careful con-sideration, they eventually agreedupon the name Afrik Moto, mean-ing Africa under the fire fromheaven, a truly fitting name for agospel band.

Since their formation nearlyfour years ago, Afrik Moto has be-come a pivotal part of the Con-golese community in Los Angeles.I was at a concert of theirs a fewmonths ago, and it was so greatseeing new and familiar faces thereshowing their support for the band.As well as their own concerts, theyalso perform at other events, likeweddings, birthdays, and other cel-

ebrations; however, their bread andbutter is still performing for theircongregation every Sunday. It’snice to know no matter what op-portunities become available tothem, or how successful they be-come, they always rememberwhere they come from.

Inspired and fueled by theirfaith, Afrik Moto is

determined to go beyond just beinga band; they also want to be a voicefor the community. With that inmind, they’ve teamed up withsome great organizations, such asthe African Activism Association ofUCLA and THE DOSHABRAND™ for an upcoming char-ity event benefiting the people ofthe Congo. The event, Music forPeace in the Congo, is a music fes-tival taking place at the end ofMarch in Los Angeles, CA. Thegoal is to raise awareness as well asfunds to aid in the crisis currently

going on in the Congo. There will be live musical per-

formances from Afrik Moto, as wellas Wholicare Choir, Gasi, andThunder of Praise. And in trueCongolese fashion, therewill be an endlessamount

o ffood, as

well as a rafflegiveaway of some

amazing prizes, all in thehopes of aiding those in need.

Giving back is one of the corebeliefs of Afrik Moto, and plays arole in everything they do. Whenasked on how we as Africans canchange the overall public percep-tion of us, drummer Parigo replied“We can change the overall perceptionof Africans by keeping values such aslove, charity and generosity, from themother land no matter what”. Suchpowerful words to live by.

Diva KakondeTHE DOSHA BRAND™

Inspired and fueled by their

faith, Afrik Moto is determined

to go beyond just being a band;

they also want to be a voice for

the community.

Phemi Adeniran is amulti-talented and versa-tile artist, who expresseshimself in the materialand medium that best ex-presses the statement hewant to pass across. He isa 1986 graduate of FineArt specializing in sculp-ture from Yaba College ofTechnology Yaba Lagos,Nigeria. He loves to paintand he has participatedin several art exhibitionsin Nigeria and in theUnited States.

Phemi is a teacher ofspecial students and heholds a Master of Sciencedegree in Special Educa-tion.

He believes thestrength of an artist liesin the development of themind, this enhances per-ception and also widensthe scopes for creativity.Inspiration can be trig-gered by anything. It isimportant for an Artist tobe able to dominate hiswork with his being.

Art mirrors life, sincelife is multifaceted. An at-tempt to reflect on it willnaturally yield a myriadof thoughts. The beautifuland the ugly, the joyousand the saddening, theinspiring and the despair-ing, the palatable and un-palatable.

Art should be maderelevant. It should serveas a tool for progress. Itshould be made to touchand inspire lives. Itshould advice, report,record, and correct situa-tions. It should act like avoice or a tool to improvethe well-being of thecommunity/society.

Contact:

Phemi Adeniran

[email protected]

(310) 955-7766

PhemiAdeniran- ARTIST -


Arts and Culture


Arts and Culture


Arts and Culture


Arts and Culture

Arts and Culture



The International ChristianCenter (ICC), Los Angeles or-ganized its annual Hand inHand marriage retreat aboardthe Luxury Yacht "Regent Sea"in Marina Del Rey CA on Feb-ruary 23, 2013. It was a beauti-ful evening affair- as couplesrecommitted to each other forstronger marriage bonds andwere treated to fine dinner,comedy, most romantic cou-ple competition etc.

Speaking at the occasionPastor Nonyelum Kalejaiyewho started the Annual handin hand celebration of mar-riage said that the goal of this

annual love feast was togather couples in a social nonpious environment to cele-brate each other and to recom-mit to their marriage vows. Inthe main highlight of theevening, host pastor Dr. DipoKalejaiye led all the couplesgathered in a renewal of theirmarriage vows. It was a beau-tiful and classy evening out-ing as attendees danced thenight away after the formalfestivities with music pro-vided by rave of the Los An-geles social scene- DJ Paul.

Following is a photo essayof this classy event..

People and Places

ICC-LA;

Hand InHandCruise-

Aboard Regent Sea[2/23/13]

Guests at the hand in hand Cruise

Luxury yacht- Regent Sea ready to sail

Hosts: Pastors Dipo and Nony Kalejaiye Tables set for dinner



People and Places

The Bamishiles Mr. and Mrs. Ogundimu

The NwekesThe Aisuans

The UwadiasThe Adefesos


People and Places

The Bensons The Onyebalus

The OjutesThe Salius

The Okonkwos The Udehs


People and Places

The ChidisThe Oranus

The Ugo EnesThe Anajembas

The OlubimosThe Ojukwus


People and Places

Mr. & Mrs. Tony & Maureen Adigwe Mr. & Mrs. Emeka & Ebele Enuwa

The Egwus The Obues

The Onwulis The Adenirans


People and Places

Mr. & Mrs. John & Julie Obanor

Mr. & Mrs. Ade & Bola Adeyemi

Mr. & Mrs. Marvin & Karen Uveda

Mr. & Mrs. Jimmy & Sola Arogundale

Mr. & Mrs. Dipo & Funmi Fashakin Mr. & Mrs. Sam & Cynthia Osuji


People and Places

Mr. & Mrs. Charles & Ann SmithMr. & Mrs. Austin & Justina Etiaka

Mr. & Mrs. Christopher & Loveth Amakor

Mr. & Mrs. Patrick & Nelly Joos

Mr. & Mrs. Gabriel & Chisom Ogbonda

Mr. & Mrs. Gibson & Lamide Anugwom


People and Places

Mr. & Mrs. Austin & Nkechi Ene Mr. & Mrs. Ibukun & Deborah Bamdele

Mr. & Mrs. Ernest & Nnenna Ekejiuba

Mr. & Mrs. Samuel & Jennifer AnusiemMr. & Mrs. Charles & Lilian Duruji

Mr. & Mrs. Tunde & Dolapo Ojute


People and Places

Mr. and Mrs. Alex & Margaret Bwalya

Mr. and Mrs. Malama

DJ Paul- entertaining the guests

Mr. Emmanuel and Mrs. Chika Erharbor

Dancing Time

Contact: [email protected]


Beauty of the Moment


It was a night to remember asthe members of Ndi Igbo Cul-tural Foundation (NCF) ChicagoIllinois and their spouses, friendsand well-wishers in the largercommunity gathered at the Ra-mada Hotel, Glendale HeightsIllinois to celebrate theirlove…The love feast featuredcomedy, a raffle draw, perform-ance by an American soul and RBsinger who serenaded the crowd

with love songs and a medley ofNigerian, African and otherdance songs by rave of theChicago social circuit- deejayDayo Panaki.

According to the President ofNCF, Engr. Tony Onyeabo, theAnnual valentine party is one ofthe programs that the organisa-tion embarks on to bring familiescloser together and to keep theflame of love burning in thehomes of its members. He saidthat we are sometimes overworked in this country that we

forget to create time for ourspouses and our marriages sufferas a result of this.

Speaking in the same vein,Chairman of the Board of NCF,Arc. Chuma Ezeokoli said thatthe NCF is the umbrella associa-tion of the Igbos in the greaterChicago area and is committed topreserving our cultural heritageand passing this on to our chil-dren. He said the NCF holds Igbolanguage classes and plans in thenear future to hold an annual IgboSummer camp for our children.

People and Places

Valentine PartyFeb. 16, 2013

Ndi Igbo CulturalFoundation (NCF)

- CHICAGO -

Engr Tony Onyeabo, President and Arc. Chuma Ezeokoli Chairman; NCF- Chicago


People and Places

Banquet Table

Dr. Sidney & Mrs Victoria Okolo Mrs. Abisola and Sister

Oba Ralph and kate EbisiValentine decor

Arc. Chuma and Caro Ezeokoli

Mrs. Sophia Ojukwu


People and Places

Dr. Chukwuma Anyasor and wife

Mr. Nnamdi Egbuna and Dr. Emeka Onwuta

Chika and Ngozi Ezeani

Ifeoma Edeh and Ngozi Ezeani

Emma and Ifey Onua

Cedric and Ngozi Melton

Mr. Charles and Mrs. Lucille Oduocha

Mr. and Mrs Ben Charlley


People and Places

Lady Jane Ibekie

Chika and Ebere Aranonu

Mr. & Mrs EzeChukwu

Guests

Ik Oluka and other guest collecting dinner

Guests

Philippa Okoye and Dr.(Mrs.) Ada Azodo

Emma Okafor and Charles Egbuna


People and Places

David Ofodile & Vincent Onyema Dr. & Mrs. Ibe

Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Onyekachi

Drs. Ifenlota and Kizito Orjiakor

Dr. & Dr. Mrs. Ezike

Mr.and Mrs. Al OliehMr & Mrs. Romeo Okabuonye


People and Places

Mr. and Mrs. Okey OgbuaguMr. & Mrs. Akaekpuchionwa

Ms. Shakura Haqque & Dr. Flo Onubogu

Dr. and Mrs. Emeka Ibekie

Charles and Ifeoma Egbuna

Uche Nwanah and Chinwe Roberts Engr. Tony Onyeabo

Mr. Patrick & Mrs. Uche Nwanah Mrs. Uzo Ayoghu & "son" Chinwike

Guests Dr. & Mrs. Jude Nwosu Mr. & Mrs. George Anele


People and Places

Mr. Richard and Mrs. Chioma George

Dr. Mike and Dr. Ada AzodoMr & Mrs. Bosah Okoye Mr. and Mrs. David Ofodile

Dr. Emeka and Uche OnwutaMrs. Uche Onwuta & Mr .Richard GeorgeDinner served

Guests Guests taking dinner

Mr & Mrs. EzeChukwu Guests


People and Places

Dr. & Dr. Mrs. OkoliGuests

Engr. Dozie and Dr Adaora OgbuefiDr. & Mrs. Okorocha & daughterMrs. Felecia Onyeabo and Robbie Booth

GuestsMr. Joe and Mrs. Chika Orameh Guests

Prof. & Mrs. Bibiana Ukaegbu

Chief and Mrs. Mike UkaigweMr.Tony and Mrs Felicia OgbuliRev. Sr. Chukwuma, Dr. Emeka

Ibekie & Rev. Sr. Asoegwu


People and Places

Mr. and Mrs. Aloy Okonkwo

Soloist..Mike Hampton

Mr. and Mrs. Al Olieh Mr. and Mrs. Emma Okafor

Dancing Time

Cha- Cha Slide, Dancing Time !!!!

Dancing TimeMr. and Mrs. Emma Ik Adophy

Fashion & Style


Name: Sheena Graham5'7 140lbsFrom: Silver Spring, Jamaica




Fashion & Style


Fashion & Style


Fashion & Style


Fashion & Style



People and Places

Homegoing Of Elder GodwinNwafor Okeke


The family of Nwafor ofAfube village Amichi NnewiSouth local government ofAnambra State, Nigeria, cele-brated the passing of their fatherElder Godwin Nwafor Okeke-who died in September 2012 atthe ripe age of 80 years, in LosAngeles California.

A Christian Wake keepingand celebration of Life took placein Los Angeles to celebrate Papaon Saturday October 13, 2012 atOUR COMMUNITY HALL, 205W. Torrance Blvd, Carson CA90745

His remains were later flownto Nigeria for his final journey.His home going service includedservices in Lagos Nigeria and athis Country home in Amichiwhere he was buried on Wednes-day December 12, 2012. The fam-ily later did an outing service onSunday December 16, 2012 atChrist Church Amichi.

Papa was survived by;Mrs. Bridget Okeke (Wife)

Children:Hon. Larry Nwafor (son)Hon. Amechi Nwafor (son)Engr. Judith Eze (Daughter)Nnamdi Nwafor (son)Amaka Obichukwu (Daughter)Onyinye Nwafor (Daughter)Obiageli Nwafor (Ada Dollars,Daughter In-law)Chinenye Nwafor (Daughter)Mr. Azubuike Eze (Son In-law)Mr. Obinna Obichukwu (Son In-law)

People and Places

The following is a photo essay of Papa’s burial ceremonies…

Papa burial poster

Apam's Undertakers

Apam's Undertakers with the coffin


People and Places

Mrs. Bridget Nwafor Okeke

Mrs. Bridget Nwafor Okeke Larry with officiating Bishop

Larry, Mama, Amechi and Nnamdi


People and Places

Larry eulogizing Papa

Judith,Onyinye and Amaka

Family at the service

Final interment

Crowd at the Service

Praying over the dead


People and Places

Family members Ada Dollars and Mom

Amaka,Onyinye, Chinenye and Oby Oby Nwafor (Ada Dollars)

Ada Dollars doing her thingCrowd of mourners


People and Places

Ada Dollars and Larry

Amechi spraying wife

The Nwafor LadiesLarry spraying dancers

Ada Dollars and family

Chinenye's family


People and Places

Mama and family Ada and Larry

The Nwafor Men Mama and Sisters

Larry, Oby, Uboma and AmechiThe Nwafor ladies


People and Places

Oby and Larry

Oby and Chinenye

Mama and the ladies

Oby and Larry Prince Obi and Amaka Obichukwu

Onowu and family


People and Places

Mama Oby and Mama Larry Larry Nwafor

Larry & Oby with friends at LA wake

Oby and LarryAmechi Nwafor


People and Places

The Nwafors' and The Egwus' in LA

The family

Nwafor family at Los Angeles wake

The Larry Nwafor family

Retirement planning doesn’t retire when you doYou may be retired, but your money still has to work hard. What strategies can you use to help meet your goals?Please come in for a no-cost review of your annuities and your overall retirement plan. We will be glad to help you.

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

© 2011 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved. ECG-670007 1011-0398A

Please note that this is not, in any way, intended as an invitation to replace an existing annuity. Such an exchange is often not suitable due to such factors as surrender charges on your existing contract, the surrender charge period on the new contract, transaction costs associated with the exchange, the values of the new contract versus the old contract, and the various fees and expenses associated with the new product. Therefore, replacing an existing annuity should only be considered after a careful evaluation of these factors as well as a thorough review of your existing contract. Insurance products are offered through nonbank insurance agency affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company and are underwritten by unaffiliated insurance companies. Wells Fargo Advisors does not provide tax or legal advice. Be sure to consult with your own tax and legal advisors before taking any action that may have tax or legal consequences.

NOT FDIC-INSURED NO BANK GUARANTEE MAY LOSE VALUE

INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS:

Charles OjeFinancial AdvisorWells Fargo Advisors2321 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 2275El Segundo, CA 90245Telephone: 310-725-2267Email: [email protected]

Stocks and bonds could

probably be considered the

basic building blocks of an

investment portfolio, and

you’ve most likely heard of

them before. But beyond just these two

basic terms there is a wholeworld of investment opportu-nities, and sometimes the fi-nancial world seems to have alanguage of its own. Fortu-nately though, there are manyresources available to help youunderstand what it all means.To get you started, let’s discussa few of the most commonterms you might hear and whatthey mean to you.

Asset Class – a term usedfor categorizing different typesof investments. There arebasically three asset classes:stocks, bonds and cash.

Asset Allocation – theprocess of selecting andblending investments fromdifferent asset categories toreduce investment risk andreach long-term investmentgoals. This refers to howmuch of your money you putinto stocks, bonds and cashequivalents (such as checkingaccounts, money market fundsand CDs). Proper allocationkeeps your money spread overdifferent types of investments,so if one particular type isstruggling, the other types

Understanding the Language of

InvestingBy Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Chukwudi Charles Oje MBA

(Licensed Financial Advisor with Wells Fargo Financial Advisors)


Money & Finance

could still be doing well.Although it will diversify yourportfolio, asset allocation doesnot protect against fluctuatingmarkets or uncertain returns.

Diversification – the processof deciding what mix ofinvestments to own within eachasset category. After you havedetermined the proper asset

allocation for your investments,diversification helps you spreadyour investments out evenfurther. Owning stock incompanies from a wide varietyof industries, for example, putsyou in position to see possiblebenefits from moves in differentsectors of the economy.

Dividend – when a companydecides to share profits withinvestors, it usually pays adividend to stockholders. Thecompany’s board of directorsdecides when these paymentsare made, and how much they’llbe, but typically dividends arepaid on a quarterly basis in theform of cash or additional stockin the company.

Commodity – as opposed tostocks and bonds, which are

simply valuable pieces of paper,these can include tangibleproducts that are traded on anauthorized commodityexchange. There are manydifferent types of commodities,including agricultural products,metals, and petroleum. Foreigncurrencies and financialinstruments and indexes can

also beconsideredcommodities.

Hopefullynow you havea little betterunderstandingof some of thebasic termsassociatedwithinvestments.In addition toknowing about

these options, it may be helpfulto know where you can findsome of these investmentvehicles. Rather than just goingout and searching, thereare many markets andsystems set up to helpinvestors with theprocess of buying andselling:

Exchange – a systemfor the organized tradingof securities. There areseveral major exchangesin the United States,including the New YorkStock Exchange, American StockExchange and Chicago BoardOptions Exchange. Severalregional exchanges throughoutthe country also trade securities.

Over-the-counter (OTC) – ahighly sophisticatedcommunications network onwhich dealers trade securitiesthat are not listed on anyexchange. All governmentbonds and all other nonlistedstocks and bonds are traded onthe OTC network.

Nasdaq – an electronicinformation network thatprovides brokers and dealerswith current price quotations onmany actively traded over-the-counter securities.

While understanding theseterms should help give you agood start, there is plenty moreto learn about the world ofinvestments. Another great wayto educate yourself is to speakwith someone who is wellversed in the language. AFinancial Advisor can take thetime to explain what everythingmeans, and help you makedecisions about how to meetyour own personal needs.

This article waswritten by Wells FargoAdvisors and providedcourtesy of ChukwudiCharles Oje inManhattan Beach at310-725-2267.

[Disclosures]

[PCG / ISG:] Wells FargoAdvisors, LLC, MemberSIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separatenon-bank affiliate of WellsFargo & Company.


Money & Finance

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Keneisha MitchellModelContact: [email protected]


People and Places

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Country Profile

Ghana was the first

place in sub-Saharan

Africa where

Europeans arrived to

trade - first in gold,

later in slaves. It was

also the first black

African nation in the

region to achieve

independence from a

colonial power.

A Golden Experience


Country Profile

Ghana Before Independence:Ghana before Independence on March 6, 1957

was called the Gold Coast. The earliest Europeans toarrive here were the Portuguese in the 15th Century.On their arrival, they found so much gold betweenthe River Ankobra and the Volta and subsequentlynamed it "da Mina", meaning The Mine. In 1482, thefirst castle was built in the Gold Coast by the Por-tuguese at Elmina.

This was built to enhance their trading activitiesespecially gold and slavery. By 1598, the Dutch werein the Gold Coast to also trade. They built fortsalong the coastal areas notable among them beingthe Komenda fort. In 1637, they captured the Elminacastle from the Portuguese and that of Axim (FortSt. Anthony) in 1642.

Many other European traders came to the GoldCoast to trade. These included the British, Danesand Swedes. These European traders built severalforts along our coastlines. In 1872, the Dutch lost in-terest in the coast and ceded their forts free to theBritish.

Thus ended a period of Dutch occupation last-ing 274 years. By 1874, the British were the only Eu-ropeans in the Gold Coast and thus made it a crown

colony. This in effect gave them total control.TheBritish government established their headquartersat Cape Coast Castle. This had been their head-quarters since 1662 and is one of the greatest histor-ical sites in the country. It has numerous dungeonswhich were used to keep slaves before being trans-ported to the Diaspora.

There had been many wars fought between thepeople of the Gold Coast and the British over gov-ernance. In 1874, an army under Sir Garnet Wolse-ley crossed the Pra River into the Asante territory.The Ghanaians referred to this War as the "SagrentiWar" because they could not pronounce Sir Garnet’sname correctly. The British force, this time provedtoo strong for the Asante who, after a long andbrave fighting, agreed to sign a peace treaty at Fom-ena. At about the same time the British defeated theAnlo people in the Volta area. On the 12th of Sep-tember, 1874, the whole of Southern Ghana includ-ing Anloland became a British colony. The Capitalwas removed from Cape Coast to Accra two yearslater.

After the Second World War (1939-1945), thingsbegan to change in the then Gold Coast. The dis-crimination against educated Ghanaians in the civil


Country Profile

service was on the increase andhigh positions were reserved forwhite men while Ghanaians be-came "hewers of wood and draw-ers of water". The European andAsian firms were also seriouslyexploiting the Africans. The Ex-servicemen (Ghanaian soldiers

who fought in the World War),helped in another way to exposethe weakness of the British.

They realised that they per-formed better than the whites onthe battlefield. These Ex-service-men again saw the struggle forindependence in India and

Burma where most of them wentto fight. They were therefore in-spired to struggle against thesame British in Ghana after theirreturn from the war.

The first political party wasformed in August 1947 by PaaGrant, Dr J.B Danquah and oth-ers. It was named the UnitedGold Coast Convention(U.G.C.C). Its slogan was "SelfGovernment within the ShortestPossible Time". The U.G.C.C.therefore invited Dr. KwameNkrumah home from his studiesto become the full-time GeneralSecretary of the Party. TheU.G.C.C. had earlier on criticizedthe Burns Constitution of 1946 in-troduced by Governor Sir AllanBurns.

In January 1948, Nii KwabenaBonne III, a Ga Chief organized ageneral boycott of all Europeanimports. A series of riots fol-lowed the boycott in early Febru-ary, 1948. The last straw thatbroke the camel’s back was thefamous February 28, 1948 inci-dent. Unarmed ex-servicemenmarched to the ChristiansborgCastle on that day to submit a pe-tition to the Governor about theirpoor conditions. SuperintendentImray, a white police officer, or-dered the policemen at the castleto shoot. When the police refusedto do so, Imray himself openedfire on the unarmed soldiers atthe Christiansborg crossroad.Three of the leaders namely; Ser-geant Adjetey, Private OdarteyLamptey and Corporal Attipoefell dead. Thereafter, riots brokeout in Accra. European andAsian stores were looted by the


Country Profile

angry mob. The rioters forcedopen the Central Prison and setfree its inmates.

After the riots, the Nationalistleaders in Ghana sent a strongworded cable to the Secretary ofState in London. They blamed theGovernor, Sir Gerald Creasy,greatly. They called him "CrazyCreasy" because he had failed tohandle the problems facing thecountry. The Secretary of Statehowever blamed the Nationalistleaders for being responsible forthe disturbances in the country.Consequently, six of the leadingnationalist were arrested and de-tained. They were popularly re-ferred to as the BIG SIX. Theseleaders were J.B Danquah,Kwame Nkrumah, ObetsebiLamptey, Akuffo Addo, WilliamOfori Atta and Ako Adjei.

The U.G.C.C. which awak-ened fervent national conscious-ness in the Gold Coast was whatmight be described as a liberalgroup with its slogan of "Self-government in the shortest possi-ble time." This attitude did notplease Nkrumah who wanted"Self-government Now".

Following disagreement ofideologies, Kwame Nkrumah leftthe U.G.C.C. and formed a moreradical nationalist party -Con-vention People’s Party (C.P.P) onJune 12th, 1949 with its motto"self-government now". He wasjoined by Kojo Botsio, K.A Gbe-demah and others.

On 9th January, 1950 theC.P.P organized a nation-wideboycott and strike for workersand the masses. The people re-fused to buy all British goods.


Country Profile

Workers were warned not tocause any trouble. In the cause ofthe riots however, two policemenwere shot dead. On January 21st1950, Nkrumah and other lead-ing C.P.P members includingKojo Botsio and K.A. Gbedemahwere imprisoned at the JamesFort Prison, Accra, on chargesarising from pursuing what wastermed as "Positive Action"

against the Government. The im-prisonment of Nkrumah madehim a hero and martyr in the eyesof the people.

In 1951, the pace was set forgeneral elections. KwameNkrumah was in prison when theelections were conducted. Heoverwhelmingly won the elec-tions and was released by thethen Governor, Sir Charles NobleArden-Clark to head the newgovernment. This however be-came the British Colony’s firstAfrican government. In March1952, Kwame Nkrumah was des-ignated Prime Minister. He wasto appoint a cabinet, which wasnot to be responsible to the Gov-ernor but the Assembly.

Kwame Nkrumah in June1953 submitted proposals for anew constitution. It was uponthose that the April 1954 consti-tution was introduced makingthe country virtually self-govern-ing. This new constitution pro-vided for an All-African cabinetfrom an enlarged legislature. Ageneral election followed in June1954 from which the C.P.P won

79 out of the 104 seats of the Na-tional Assembly.

In 1956, another election washeld in response to a pledge bythe British Secretary of State forthe colonies that if the newlyelected legislature, by a reason-able majority, passed a resolutioncalling for independence; a firmdate for the changeover would beannounced. C.P.P won 71 out ofthe 104 contested seats. TheBritish Mandated Togoland alsoheld a plebiscite to join the GoldCoast.

This action opened the wayfor Ghana’s Independence andon 6th March, 1957, the curtainwas drawn on the old order. Thecountry emerged as the first

country in Africa, South of theSahara to regain independencefrom colonial rule. A new chap-ter was opened in the history ofGhana. On the eve of Ghana’s in-dependence, Kwame Nkrumah(then Prime Minister) proclaimedat the old Polo Grounds in Accra:"At long last, the battle has endedand Ghana, our beloved countryis free forever."

Ghana spearheaded the polit-ical liberation of colonized Africafrom the very first day of her In-dependence. Dr. Nkrumah cham-pioned the cause of African Unitywhich let to the formation of theOrganisation of African Unity(OAU), now the African Union(AU). Ghana became a sovereignmember of the United Nations,the Commonwealth and theNon-Aligned Movement

First Republic:On 1st July 1960 Ghana be-

came a RepublicIn 1966, the Ghana Armed

Forces and Police led by Lt. Col.E. K. Kotoka and Maj. A. A.Afrifa overthrew Nkrumah’s ad-ministration and the first Repub-

lican Constitution of Ghana. ANational Liberation Council(NLC) took office, headed bya retired army officer, GeneralJ. A. Ankrah. Lt. General A. A.Afrifa, in 1969, succeededGeneral Ankrah as the Chair-man of the NLC.

Second Republic:Dr. Kofi Abrefa Busia’s

Progress Party (PP) took overfrom the NLC by winning the1969 elections. The ProgressParty Administration with Dr.Busia as Prime Minister andformer Chief Justice EdwardAkuffo Addo, one of the BigSix as President, was over-thrown by a military coup in1972 led by the then Col. I. K.Acheampong.

He formed and chaired amilitary junta, the NationalRedemption Council (NRC).General I. K. Acheampong be-came the Head of State and

Chairman of the NRC. Thename NRC was later changedto the Supreme Military Coun-cil (SMC). General F.W.K.Akuffo replaced GeneralAcheampong in a palace coupin July 1978.

Third Republic:The SMC II was over-

thrown on 4th June 1979through a mutiny by some of-ficers and men of the GhanaArmed Forces who estab-lished an Armed Forces Revo-lutionary Council (AFRC)with Fit. Lt. Jerry John Rawl-ings as Chairman and Head ofState. The AFRC was in officefor only three months. On 24thSeptember 1979, the AFRChanded over power to Dr.Hilla Limann leader of thePeople’s National Party (PNP)which won the 1979 elections.

The Limann administra-tion and the Third Republican

Country Profile


• Ghana is a sub-saharan african country• Population: 23.800m (2009) 24 million

(2010)• Population growth annual: 2.4• GDP: 26.2 billion USD• GDP per capita: 1,098 USD• GDP growth annual: 4.7 USD• Life expectancy total year: 63.4 at birth• Infant mortality rate: ( per 1,000 births )

51.3• Literacy rate, youth: (female ages 15 – 24

78.9• Prevalence of hiv/aids ages 15 – 49 5.4

(2007) Source: World Development Indicators (WorldBank website)• Total land area: (92456 sq m) (239460 sq

km)• Independence: March 1957• Ghana has ten (10) administrative regions• Ghana has 170 districts • District assemblies are the political au-

thorities• Ghana has 230 electoral constituencies • Ghana has had five successful elections

since 1992• Ghana is an island of english speaking

country in the ocean of francophone na-tions: (Burkina Faso in the north, Togo inthe east, Cote D’ivore in the west and theAtlantic ocean in the south)


Country Profile

Constitution of Ghana were over-thrown in yet another militarycoup in Ghana’s post Independ-ence history in 1981. The coupwas led by Flt. Lt. Rawlings whoagain became Head of State andChairman of a Provisional Na-tional Defence Council, (PNDC)which he established. The PNDCruled Ghana from 31st December1981 to 7th January 1993. A com-bination of internal and interna-tional pressure factors led to areturn to constitutional multi-party democratic rule in 1993.

In the Presidential electionheld on November 3rd 1992 Flt.Lt. Rawlings contested on theticket of the National DemocraticCongress (NDC) and beat emi-nent African historian andhuman rights activist Prof. AlbertAdu Boahen, the flag bearer ofthe New Patriotic Party, into sec-ond place. In the Parliamentaryelections the Progressive Al-liance, made up of the NationalDemocratic Congress, the Na-tional Convention Party and theEagle Party won 198 seats out ofthe total of 200. Four other par-ties, the NPP, PNC, NIP and PHP

boycotted the parliamentary elec-tions on account of dissatisfactionwith the electoral arrangements.

Fourth Republic:The Fourth Republic was in-

augurated on January 7th 1993with the swearing in of H. E. Flt.Lt. Rawlings as President and hisrunning mate, Mr. Kow NkensenArkaah as Vice President. On De-cember 7th 1996, Flt. Lt. Rawlingswas re-elected for a second four-year term as a President, withProf. John Evans Atta Mills as hisrunning mate. In the 1996 elec-tions, President Rawlings beatMr. J. A. Kufuor of the NPP tosecond place. In the Parliamen-tary elections, the NDC won 133seats, the NPP 61 seats, PCP 5seats and PNC 1 seat.

Kufuor Wins TwoTerms In Office:In the third Presidential and

Parliamentary elections of the Re-public, held on December 7th2000, the New Patriotic Party(NPP) won 100 seats while theNational Democratic Party(NDC) obtained 92 seats. ThePeople’s National Convention

(PNC) obtained 3 seats, inde-pendent candidates 4 seats andConvention People’s Party (CPP)1 seat.

In the Presidential elections,none of the seven candidates had50% plus one vote as requiredunder the Constitution. Thus inthe Presidential run-off on De-cember 28th, 2000, between thetwo candidates with the highestvotes, Mr. John Agyekum Kufuor(NPP) emerged the winner with56.90% of the valid votes castwhile Professor John Evans Atta-Mills of the (NDC) had 43.10%. InDecember 2004 President JohnAgyekum Kufuor won a secondand final four-year term as Presi-dent of Ghana.

John Evans Atta Millswins 2008 electionsProfessor John Evans Atta

Mills (born 21 July 1944) who iscurrently the President of the Re-public of Ghana won the ForthPresidential and Parliamentaryelections of the Republic, on theticket of the National DemocraticCongress (NDC). He was inau-gurated on 7 January 2009, hav-

ing defeatedthe ruling partycandidate

N a n aAkufo-Addo by50.23%–49.77%in the 2008 elec-tion.

None of theseven candi-dates in the2008 Presiden-tial electionsdid have 50%plus one vote asrequired by the Constitution. ThePresidential run-off which was astraight contest between Profes-sor John Evans Atta Mills of theNDC and Nana Akufo-Addo ofthe NPP held on December 28th2008 could not also produce aclear winner until Tain Con-stituency decided and ProfessorMills emerged as the President-elect.

Professor Mills was Vice-Pres-ident from 1997 to 2001 underPresident Jerry Rawlings, and hestood unsuccessfully in the 2000

and 2004 presidential elections asthe candidate of the NationalDemocratic Congress (NDC). Hedied in Office on July 24, 2012.

John Dramani Mahama (Born 29 November 1958) has

been President of Ghana sinceJuly 2012. He was the Vice Presi-dent of Ghana from 2009 to 2012,and he took office as President on24 July 2012 following the deathof his predecessor, President JohnAtta Mills. He was elected toserve his first term as president inDecember 2012 following a

peaceful election. Arespected communi-cation expert, histo-rian, and writer,Mahama was a Mem-ber of Parliament from 1997 to2009 and Minister of Communi-cations from 1998 to 2001.

Decentralisation:Vital to this evolutionary, if

checkered, process is the decen-tralization of power to regional,district, local and unit levelsacross the country. There are 138district administrative set upsand assemblies. The districts areadministered by assemblies of di-rectly elected and appointedmembers. District Chief Execu-tives (DCE’s) who head the as-semblies are appointed by theincumbent President and ap-proved by the District Assembly.

*****Source, Ghana Government Portal http://www.ghana.gov.gh/index.php/about-ghana/ghana-at-a-glance/1237-know-more-about-ghana


Country Profile


P-Square are a

Nigerian R&B duo

composed of identical

twin brothers Peter and Paul

Okoye. They produce and re-

lease their albums through Square

Records. In December 2011, they were

also signed to Akon's Konvict Muzik label. In

May 2012, they also signed a record distribution

deal with Universal Music South Africa.


The storyof P-Squarebegan in St.M u r u m b as e c o n d a r yschool, asmall Catholicschool in Jos,Nigeria. Iden-tical twinsPeter andPaul joinedtheir schoolmusic anddrama clubwhere theyb e g a nsinging, danc-ing, and mim-icing songs byMC Hammer,Bobby Brownand MichaelJackson.

They laterformed an acappella quar-tet called" M M M P P "(M Clef a.k.a. Itemoh,Michael, Melvin, Peterand Paul). Drawing in-spiration from theirmusic idol MichaelJackson, they beganbreak dancing, formedthe group called"Smooth Criminals" in1997.They dropped MClef from the group"MMMPP" which laterwas changed to"MMPP". Their artistic talent andprecise dance routine soon madethem household names in the cityof Jos, where they performed at

school functions and other occa-sions.

Later in 1999, Peter and Paulreturned to music school to de-velop their skills on keyboard,

drums, bass andrhythm guitar.Their work in-cludes thesoundtracks fora number offilms like Tobi,Mama Sunday,Moment of Bitter-ness and EvasLater in 1999,they applied tothe Universityof Abuja tostudy BusinessAdministration.The SmoothCriminals dis-banded when itsmembers left tovarious otheru n i v e r s i t i e s .SubsequentlyPeter and Paulformed theirown group, var-iously called"Double P","P&P", and "Da

Pees", until theyeventually settledon "P Square". Theyare managed byBayo Odusami akaHowie T, a seasonedconcert promoterand the CEO ofAdrot Nigeria Lim-ited.

In 2001, "P-Square" won the"Grab Da Mic" com-

petition, and hence Benson &Hedges sponsored their debutalbum, titled Last Nite, which wasreleased under Timbuk2 music

Arts & Entertainment


Arts & Entertainment

label. P-Square was also nomi-nated as "Most Promising AfricanGroup" in the Kora Awards threemonths after the release of theirdebut album. They eventuallywon the 2003 Amen Award for"Best R&B Group".

In 2005, P Square releasedtheir second album, Get Squaredunder their own label, SquareRecords. This album was mar-keted nationwide by TJoe Enter-prises, although they were stillmanaged by Howie T of AdrotNigeria Limited. The video forthe second album held the #1 po-sition on the MTV Base chart forfour straight weeks.

They have an ever growingfan base across South Africa witha particular stronghold ofdiehard fans in Cape Town.

The group has performedalongside the following interna-tional artists like Ginuwine, SeanPaul, Akon and Busola Keshiro.The members of P Square arenow located in Lagos.

Late in 2007, they releasedtheir best selling album so far,Game Over. It has sold 8 millioncopies worldwide.

In 2009, P-Square releasedtheir fourth studio album, Danger. The album features collabora-tions with 2face Idibia, J Martinsand Frenzy. The first single called"Danger" is a hip hop song withcutting synths and a frog bassbaseline similar to an Eminemsong. The video affirms this withthe presence of clowns and stag-gered movements in front of thecamera reminiscent of comicalvideos by Eminem They are alsoknown for the close resemblancewhich the twins have to Ameri-can R&B Superstar, Usher Ray-mond.

On 4 April 2010, P-Squarewas named the Artist of the Yearat the KORA All Africa MusicAwards in Ouagadougou, Burk-ina-Faso while they were in Lon-don for a Concert at the Troxy,and they will receive a whoppingsum of $1 Million Dollars as theAward Winners, in EbebiyinCity.

Albums2003: Last Nite2005: Get Squared2007: Game Over2009: Danger2011: The InvasionInternational singles 2009 / 2012:"E No Easy" (P-Square feat. J.Martins)2012: "Positif" (Matt Houston feat.P-Square)2012: "Chop My Money (I Don'tCare)"2012: Alingo

Won2006 Hip Hop World Awards

Best R&B Album (Get Squared)Best Music Video (Get Squared)Album of the Year GetSquared)Song of the Year ("Bizzy Body")

2006 City Mag 9th Awards ShowBest Hip Hop Group2006 Nigerian Music Awards(NMA)

Album of the year (GetSquared)Music Video of the year (GetSquared)

2007 Channel O Music VideoAwards- Best Duo or Group2008 Channel O Music VideoAwards

Best Duo or GroupVideo of the Year ("Do Me")

MTV Africa Music Awards 2008 -Best GroupMTV Africa Music Awards 2009-Best Group2010 KORA Awards - Artiste ofthe Year2010 LIL PERRY PRODUCTIONSProducer of the Year2012 Channel O Music VideoAwards - Best Duo, Group or Fea-turing Music Video ("Chop MyMoney" with Akon and May D)

NominatedBET Awards 2010 - Best Interna-tional ActKORA Awards 2003 - Most Prom-ising African Group (Nominated)MOBO Awards 2006 - BestAfrican ActMOBO Awards 2008 - BestAfrican Act* MTV AFRICAN MUSICAWARDS- 2008



Lagos is a port city and

the most populous city in

Nigeria. Officially, the pop-

ulation of Lagos was last

recorded at 7,937,932.

Lagos is the second

fastest growing city in

Africa and the seventh

fastest in the world.Lagos

was originally inhabited by

the Awori subgroup of the

Yoruba people.

Under the leadership oftheir Olofin, the Awori movedto an island now called Iddoand then to the larger Lagos Is-land. In the 15th century, theAwori settlement was attackedby the Benin Empire followinga quarrel, and the island be-came a Benin war-camp called"Eko" under Oba Orhogba, theOba of Benin at the time.

Lagos is a metropolitanarea which originated on is-lands separated by creeks,such as Lagos Island, fringingthe southwest mouth of LagosLagoon while protected from

the Atlantic Ocean by longsand spits such as Bar Beach,which stretch up to 100 kmeast and west of the mouth.From the beginning, Lagos hasexpanded on the mainlandwest of the lagoon and theconurbation, including Ikejaand Agege, now reaches morethan 40 km north-west ofLagos Island. Some suburbs in-clude Ikorodu, Epe and Bada-gry, and more local councilshave recently been created,bringing the total number oflocal governments in Lagos to57.

People and Places

The heartbeatof Nigeria


Lagos MainlandMost of the population lives

on the mainland, and most in-dustries are located there too.Lagos is known for its musicand night life, which used tobe located in areas aroundYaba and Surulere In recentyears more night clubs havesprung on the island, makingthe island, particularly VictoriaIsland, the main nightlife at-traction.

Lagos Mainland districts in-clude Ebute-Meta, Surulere,Yaba (location of the Univer-sity of Lagos and Ikeja, site ofthe Murtala Muhammed Inter-national Airport and capital of

Lagos State.Greater Lagos in-cludes Mushin, Maryland, So-molu, Oshodi, Oworonsoki,Isolo, Ikotun, Agege,Iju Ishaga,Egbeda, Ketu, Bariga, Ipaja,Ajah and Ejigbo.

The city of Lagos is themain city of the south-westernpart of Nigeria. Some rivers,like Badagry Creek, flow paral-lel to the coast for some dis-tance before exiting throughthe sand bars to the sea. Thetwo major urban islands ofLagos in Lagos Lagoon are

Lagos Island and Victoria Is-land. These islands are sepa-rated from the mainland by themain channel draining the la-goon into the Atlantic Ocean,which forms Lagos Harbour.The islands are separated fromeach other by creeks of varyingsizes and are connected toLagos Island by bridges. Thesmaller sections of some creekshave been sand filled and builtover, however.

The Islands of Lagos..Lagos Island contains a cen-

tral business district. This dis-trict is characterized byhigh-rise buildings. The islandalso contains many of the city's

largest wholesale marketplaces(such as the popular Idumotaand Balogun markets). It alsohas the National Museum ofNigeria, the Central Mosque,the Glover Memorial Hall,Christ's Cathedral (CMS), andthe Oba Palace. Though for-merly in a derelict condition,Lagos Island's Tinubu Squareis a site of historical impor-tance; it was here that theAmalgamation Ceremony thatunified the North and Southprotectorate to form Nigeriatook place in 1914.

IkoyiIkoyi is situated on the east-

ern half of Lagos Island andjoined to it by a landfill. Ikoyiis also connected to Victoria Is-land by a bridge carrying amain road over a Five Cowriecreek. Ikoyi housed the head-quarter of the federal govern-ment of Nigeria and otherbuildings owned by the gov-ernment -including the old fed-eral secretariat complex. Thecomplex today is on reestab-lishment. In Ikoyi there aremilitary and police barracks, atop-security prison and a fed-eral high court of Nigeria.Ikoyi also has a number of ho-

tels, night clubs, a recreationalpark and one of Africa's largestgolf courses. Originally a mid-dle class neighbourhood, in re-cent years, it has become afashionable residential enclavefor the upper middle class tothe upper class. There are alsocommercial activities in Ikoyiwhich is spotted in increasingnumber of offices, banks andshopping complexes. The com-mercial section is concentratedin the South-West.

People and Places

People and Places

Victoria IslandVictoria Island with its

annex is situated to the southof Lagos Island. It has expen-sive real estate properties andfor that reason, many new lux-ury condos and apartments areblooming up everywhere.Along with Ikoyi, Victoria Is-land occupies a major area inthe suburbs of Lagos whichboasts of several sizable shop-ping districts. On its sea shorealong the Atlantic front, thereis environmentally recon-structed Bar Beach.

IddoAcross the main channel of

the lagoon from Lagos Island,there is a smaller settlement

called Iddo. Iddo is also a rail-road terminus and it is situatedon the mainland. It is now con-nected to the mainland like apeninsula.

Three major bridges jointhe island to the mainland.They are the Carter Bridgewhich start from Iddo, the EkoBridge (formerly called theSecond Mainland Bridge) andthe Third Mainland Bridge -which passes through denselypopulated mainland suburbsthrough Lagos lagoon.

Eko Atlantic CityEko Atlantic City is a

planned 21st-century city, in-tended to be built on land re-claimed from the Atlantic

Ocean. Already, most of theland has been reclaimed. Theproposed development is tar-geting 400,000 residents and250,000 commuters flowingdaily to the island. The projectis planned to return the coastto its position in the 1950s and1960s, reversing damage doneby erosion.

AdministrationLagos is a State made up of

57 Local Government adminis-trations and controlled by acentral State administration ledby the current Lagos StateGovernor, Raji Fashola. Metro-politan Lagos is not a munici-pality and has therefore nooverall city administration. Infact there are 16 Local Govern-ment administrations that con-trol Lagos metropolis. TheMunicipality of Lagos, whichcovered Lagos Island, Ikoyiand Victoria Island as well assome mainland territory, wasmanaged by the Lagos CityCouncil (LCC), but it was dis-banded in 1976 and dividedinto several Local GovernmentAreas (most notably Lagos Is-land LGA, Lagos MainlandLGA and Eti-Osa LGA. Themainland beyond the Munici-pality of Lagos, on the otherhand, comprised several sepa-rate towns and settlementssuch as Mushin, Ikeja andAgege. In the wake of the1970s Nigerian oil boom, Lagosexperienced a population ex-plosion, untamed economicgrowth, and unmitigated ruralmigration. This caused the out-lying towns and settlements todevelop rapidly, thus forming

People and Places

the Greater Lagos metropolisseen today. The history ofLagos is still evidenced in thelayout of the LGAs which dis-play the unique identities ofthe cultures that created them.

Lagos ClimateLagos has a tropical wet

and dry climate that borderson a tropical monsoon climate .Lagos experiences two rainyseasons, with the heaviest rainsfalling from April to July and aweaker rainy season in Octo-ber and November. There is abrief relatively dry spell in Au-gust and September and alonger dry season from De-cember to March. Monthlyrainfall between May and Julyaverages over 400 mm (15.7in), while in August and Sep-tember it is down to 200 mm(7.9 in) and in December aslow as 25 mm (1.0 in). Themain dry season is accompa-nied by harmattan winds fromthe Sahara Desert, which be-tween December and earlyFebruary can be quite strong.The highest maximum temper-ature ever recorded in Lagos

was 37.3 degrees Celsius andthe minimum 13.9 degrees Cel-sius.

TourismLagos, subsequent to the re-

modernization projectachieved by the current admin-istration of Governor Raji Ba-batunde Fashola, is graduallybecoming a major tourist desti-nation, being one of the largestcities in Africa and in theworld. Lagos is currently tak-ing steps to become a globalcity. The 2009 Eyo carnival (ayearly festival originated fromIperu Remo, Ogun State)which took place on 25 April,was a step toward world citystatus. Currently, Lagos is pri-marily known as a business-oriented and a fast pacedcommunity.[25] Lagos has anumber of sandy beaches bythe Atlantic Ocean a few areBadagry beach, Eleko beach,Elegushi, Alpha beach. Two ofthe popular beaches includeBar Beach and Lekki Beach.Lagos has a variety of hotelsranging from three star to fivestar hotels. Other places of in-

terest include The TafawaBalewa Square, Festac town,Lekki Conservation Centre,The Remembrance Arcade andthe Slave Jetty in Badagry

For the newcomers toLagos, one of the many waysto get around is look at someof the local sites like VCon-nect.com andLostinLagos.com. They are likethe local Yelp services. You canexplore the Nigerian cuisine,Lebanese cuisine, Chinese cui-sine and various other cuisinesby looking up these local infowebsites. Some of the popularhotels include Welcome CentreHotels, Sheraton Hotel andTowers, Federal Palace Hotel,Stop Over Motels, Ikoyi Hotel,Sofitel Lagos Moorhouse Ikoyi,Eko Hotels And Suites, andThe Palmview Manor. Visitorsare mostly attracted to Nige-ria's rich culture, entertainmentscenes and vitality whichLagos city offers. Tourist at-tractions include Oba's Palace,the Nigerian National Mu-seum, Shrine of Fela, the beachresorts.

Sources: http://www.un.org/cyberschoolbus/habitat/profiles/lagos.asp

and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagos


I changed my diet: ate plenty of vegetables, a mini-mum of four fruits, and a handful of raw cashew nuts, atable spoon of ground flaxseeds a day, and moderateamount of grains. I lost weight but my belly fat was per-sistent. One day I decided to let go of bagel-and the bellyfat melted away.

Health

By Olufemi Saliu, M.D.


That was the situation ofthings until last summer when Istumbled on a Registered nursein my hospital reading a very fas-cinating book: Wheat Belly, byWilliam Davis, M.D. In additionto giving me an insight into whyI lost my belly fat, it threw lighton the hazards of modern daywheat.

“If God did not want us to eatwheat, He wouldn’t have createdit,” remarked a close relative dur-ing a visit from Nigeria, after Itold him about the book I just or-dered from Amazon.com thatcould turn what I’d told himabout wheat upside down: wholewheat bread should be preferredbecause of the intact fibersthat slow down its rate ofabsorption thereby mit-igating against a spikein bloodg l u c o s e .M yb r o t h e rwas right:the wheatc r e a t e dby Godwas meantfor humanconsumption.However, thefood scientistshave-to in-crease yield,and cut the costof production-genetically trans-formed the originalwheat. This modernday wheat is fraughtwith a number of healthhazards.

The key to the hazards ofwheat is in how efficiently it in-creases the blood sugar: it’samazing to know that two slicesof whole wheat bread increaseblood sugar more than two table-spoons of pure sugar. It is theconcept of this dynamics that I’lltry to elucidate in this article.

The predominant carbohy-drate in wheat, amylopectin A isso easily digested in the gastroin-testinal that its product, glucoseis rapidly absorbed. On the otherhand, the main carbohydrate inlegumes (beans), amylopectin Cis so resistant to digestion that it’spassed on to the bacteria in thecolon for digestion. The bacteria

break it down to nitrogen and hy-drogen, not glucose. So wheat in-creases blood glucose; beansincrease gas, and bulk in yourcolon.

Persistently high blood sugarlevel may be compared to a cargoing at 150 MPH where thespeed limit is 45 MPH. Cops arecalled in to maintain the order. Inthe blood, it is insulin. It drivesthe glucose into the cells. If youhad your breakfast at 7am, by9am the blood sugar would be solow that mental fatigue, hunger,and craving would set in. You’dbe looking for donuts, bagels, cof-fee, or whatever you can find toeat. The two-hour cycle of highand low blood sugar can go on allday long. Eventually, the pan-creas cannot meet the demand

for insulin. Diabetes sets in.During the cyclic activi-

ties of insulin, thesugar driven into

the cells is con-verted to fat

in thebelly, ando t h e rparts of

the body.That is thefoundation of

development ofhigh cholesterol,obesity, coro-nary artery dis-ease, heatattacks, andstroke. Thebelly fat isunique in the

sense that it secretesestrogen, and inflam-

Health


matory chemicals. Theestrogen may causebreast development inobese males. The inflam-matory hormones arepartly responsible forthe numerous chronicdiseases in obese people.A good example isarthritis.

In addition to carbo-hydrate, wheat has pro-tein. Gluten, thepredominant protein inwheat may cause celiacdisease in some peopleby provoking a uniqueimmune response thatinflames the small intes-tine, manifesting as ab-dominal cramps anddiarrhea. This conditionis treated by total elimi-nation of gluten contain-ing food: wheatproducts.

“When I gave upbread for a few days, Iwas tired, cranky, andmoody,” said a friend.“I’ll rather cut it downslowly,” she went on.Her friend at work toldme she couldn’t standher mood in those fewdays. “I’ll do everythingexcept quit my eveningbread,” remarked a rela-tive, when I was inNigeria last April. Hehabitually washeddown a couple of slicesof bread with cocoadrink before going tobed.

“I’ve personally wit-

nessed hundreds ofpeople report extremefatigue, mental fog, ir-ritability, inability tofunction at work orschool, even depres-sion in the first severaldays to weeks aftereliminating wheat”said Dr. Davis in thebook, wheat belly.“Complete relief isachieved by a bagel orcupcake” he con-cluded. I think mostpeople are addicted tobread, and wheatproducts. Gluteomor-phin, a polypeptideisolated from gluten-from wheat-wasshown by NIH scien-tists, in the brains oflaboratory animals, tobind to the same re-ceptor as morphine-and its effect isreversible with nalox-one, the antidote tomorphine. So I’m notsurprised some peopleexhibit addiction, andwithdrawal symptomsin relation to wheatproducts.

I got my wife, andmy sister, Joke to giveup bread. My relativein Nigeria has givenup eating bread priorgoing to bed.

After she stoppedeating bread forweeks, my sister tooka bite of bagel in heroffice in New Jersey.

Health

My earlymorning salad:

yellow bell pepper, kale,broccoli, and

tomato


She went on to develop abdomi-nal cramps. Joke was so sick thatshe said: I’ll never eat breadagain. Some people develop suchsymptoms if they go back to eat-ing bread, and wheat products. Ididn’t have any cramps when Iate a little piece of cake on myson’s birthday. You might not beso lucky.

My dear readers, if you arevery serious about your health,I’ve got four words for you: sayno to bread. By bread I meaneverything made from wheat-white bread, whole wheat bread,bagels, croissants, sandwich,multigrain bread, cake, muffin,waffle, pancake, toast, cereal,donuts, cookies, pizza, and wheat

pasta. The general rule is beforeyou eat anything, read the label;if it contains wheat, it’s not meantfor you.

“What then can we eat?” isthe commonest question I getfrom friends, and relatives.

You may eat anything butwheat:. Plenty of vegetables

(variety). Moderate amount of

fruits (variety). Moderate amount of

whole grains such as oatmeal, quinoa, and brown rice. These grains are also available in flour form.

. Legumes such as beans

. Raw nuts such as walnut,cashew, and almonds

. Seeds such as flax seeds,pumpkin seeds, and chiaseeds.

. Fish, chicken, lean meet, andeggs.

. Drink water but avoid soda,and malt drinks served atNigerian parties (made fromwheat). I habitually begin my day-by

6am- with a plate of salad madewith kale (2oz), broccoli (5oz),bell peppers (6oz), and tomato(5oz); a cup of cooked oatmealmixed with a table spoon ofground flaxseed; a handful ofmixed raw nuts: cashew, walnut,and almonds; one banana-and aglass of water. A similar plate ofsalad is usually a part of mylunch, and dinner as well.

In about a year on any-food-but-wheat diet, my cholesteroldropped from by 100 points to130. I don’t get tired in the morn-ings anymore. I’ve not had coffeein over fifteen months. My jointsare strong, and mobile. You toomay say no to bread, and con-struct your own any-food-but-wheat diet. Try it for six weeks,and send an email about your ex-perience to [email protected]. If you’re alreadyon medications, you may needmonitoring-and need for medica-tions might change. Don’t be toofar away from your physician.

Finally, do not take my wordfor it. Get your own copy of thebook: Wheat Belly, by Dr.William Davis. You would neversee food the same way again.

Health


Youth

Young Nigerians willundoubtedly be facedwith the followingquestion at onepoint of theiryouth: “Whendo you plan onserving?” Serv-ing refers to thestate-mandatedservice year thatall Nigeriangraduates mustcomplete beforegaining employ-ment within thecountry. The NationalYouth Service Corps (NYSC)started off in May 1973 with

the mission of pro-moting national

unity amongyouth1. What

is interest-ing aboutthe whenquestion isthat it pre-supposesthat onewill defi-n i t e l y

serve. In-stead of me-

andering to thesubject of whether

one plans on participating inNYSC, the question jumps

right to the logistics of actuallydoing so. The eagerness be-hind the question at the veryleast leaves young Nigerianswith the desire to give the ideaof serving some thought.

With this in mind, it sur-prised me to find out someyears back that many Nigeri-ans are not too thrilled withNYSC. According to them, theprogram lacks the luster andappeal that it once had. Al-though most will agree that itsorigins are well grounded, dif-ferent circumstances in today’sday and age have removedmuch of the positive aspectsthat NYSC once offered. In the

The When Question


last few years, the goal of pro-moting unity was dimmed bythe mass killings of southernNigerians who were serving inthe northern parts of the coun-try. Their deaths were a grimreminder that something mustbe done to curtail manifesta-tions of ethnic and religious in-tolerance.

Suffice to say, my answer tothe question of when I plan onserving is not readily apparent.However, a recent trip to themotherland gave me a glimmerof hope. My peers living there,having recently served, ex-pressed a sense of pride indoing so. Though frustratedwith certain structural defects ofthe program, they viewed com-pletion as a rite of passage andsomething that could never betaken away from them. I wasalso encouraged to hear thatpolicies had been undertaken to

make the work done in thatyear of service more purposeful.One such policy is having youthcorpers (as those serving arecommonly called) fill in in sec-tors of national deficiency suchas education and agriculture. Inaddition, Nigerians from thesouth may now contest postingsto the north until it is proven

safe for them to return there.Though some vexations lie inrequiring most youth corpers toteach or farm, the fact remainsthat these NYSC reformationsshow that someone in power islistening to complaints that theprogram is no longer useful.

The most encouraging pieceof information I received whilsthome was that a growing num-ber of young Nigerians in dias-pora are returning to Nigeria.Contrary to popular belief,NYSC has not proven to be adeterrent to these youth whoare ready to join the Nigerianworkforce. NYSC instead ismerely a means to an end. I like

to believe that that end is to bet-ter Nigeria. There is no questionthat with more young peopleinvested in the country thingswill invariably get better. Be-cause of this fact, the question ofwhen things will get better be-comes more answerable.

- Ijeoma Nwawka

Youth

1To learn more about NYSC, visit http://www.nysc.gov.ng/index.php

Poverty – the condition of being poor;lacking or deficient in necessary properties. Atany state, poverty can be humiliating and/ordehumanizing. In the abject state it can drivegood, upright citizens, to do things theyordinarily will not do in order to survive.

The percentage of Nigerians living inabsolute poverty - those who can afford only thebare essentials of food, shelter and clothing,according to the national bureau of statistics,rose to 60.9 percent in 2010, compared with 54.7percent in 2004. The sad thing about this is thateveryone who juxtaposes Nigeria’s natural andhuman resources with its population invariably

comes up with the same result – no Nigerian oranyone in Nigeria should be living in poverty.

Nigerian government, at differentphases/stages had had to take on poverty andits attendant pains, perpetrated on the citizens.From mid 1980s to now, different policies havebeen put in place with the intention, superficialor genuine, of making major dents on poverty.Among them are: Directorate of Food, Roadsand Rural Infrastructure (DFFRI), Better LifeProgram (BLP), Directorate of Employment(NDE); People’ Bank of Nigeria (PBN);Community Bank (CB); Family SupportProgram (FSP); Family Economic Advancement

News and Politics

Eradicating

PovertyIn Nigeria____________________

BY CLEM AINABE, PH.D


Program (FEAP); PovertyEradication Program (PEP);National Poverty EradicationProgram (NAPEP); andNational EconomicEmpowerment DevelopmentStrategy (NEEDS). The majorfocus of these programs is/wasto reduce povertythrough provingemploymentopportunities andaccess to means (startoff capital and/orcredit) for them tostart their ownbusiness.

Unfortunately, likemany well intentionedgovernment projects inNigeria, they did not live up totheir expectations. Theyinevitably succumbed to thechoking hands of corruption(government officials hijackmonies meant for such publicprojects and kept them inprivate bank abroad therebystarving local projects of thosefunds that would have beenused to generate employment

for the people), short sightedgovernment policies (a totaldisconnectedness between thepoor and the policies puttogether to address poverty),among other things.

Bad past experiences withgovernment promises, shame,

lack of knowledge of theirentitlements as citizens,despondency have left most ofthe poor in Nigeria to resort toother means, sometimesunspeakable, to survive. Themost painful and unsettlingthing is that most of them havetaken on the attitude of “I amon my own”. I refuse toendorse this mindset as Ibelieve that it is our collective

responsibility todemand from ourgovernment ourentitlements that weentrusted to them …our rightful share ofour national cake!!!

What can bedone?

I am aware thatwhat am about to offermay sound like abroken record,however, donecollectively, it couldmake a difference. I

believe that stifferpolicies/laws againstgovernment officials who stealany money earmarked forpublic projects that are meantto generate jobs should be putin place. The policies/laws are

to be implemented withoutfear or favor.

Give incentives toentrepreneurs to set upbusinesses in untapped areasof the economy with potentialfor growth.

Long live our greatcountry, NIGERIA.Dr. Clem Ainabe is the Chairman of the LIFE and TIMES EditorialBoard

News and Politics



In his last book, There Was aCountry, Achebe writes:

‘As a writer I believe that it isfundamentally important, indeedessential to our humanity, to askthe hard questions, in order tobetter understand ourselves andour neighbours.’

This role of the writer was oneAchebe was very committed to. Itinformed his writing startingwith Things Fall Apart, his bestknown work, published in 1958at a time when issues of identityand nationhood were urgent onthe African continent to his latestbook which explores the waysthe leadership of Nigeria hasfailed Nigerian citizens.

But it was not just in writingthat Achebe asked the hard ques-tions. He lived it too. An ardentbeliever in the value of speakingtruth to power,

Achebe was a fearless, vocalcritic of Nigeria’s failed govern-

ments. In 2004 and 2011 he rejected to accept the NationalAward given him by theObasanjo government and theGoodluck Jonathan governmentrespectively. Mincing no wordsin explaining why it was againsthis conscience to accept theaward, Achebe wrote toObasanjo,

“Nigeria’s condition todayunder your watch is, however,too dangerous for silence. I mustregister my disappointment andprotest by declining to accept thehigh honour awarded me in the2004 Honours List.”

In 2011, he wrote to GoodluckJonathan “the reasons for reject-ing the offer when it was firstmade have not been addressedlet alone solved.’

He taught me by the way helived that integrity is always, al-ways possible.

As a writer, Achebe was oneof my earliest role models. I re-member reading Things Fall Apartat an age when my literary fareconsisted mostly of books byEnid Blyton, and school taughtme nothing of pre-colonial Igboland. I loved the simplicity of thewriting. But on a deeper level,that book opened up to me awhole new world at an age I waslearning at school that MungoPark 'discovered' the River Nigerand that my forefathers were'heathen savages' saved by colo-nization.

It showed me that historytaught in schools was not alwaysaccurate, and gave me the hungerto seek my history. More impor-tantly, it gave me permission totell my own story, my own way.

Achebe is dead but he lives. Inhis works, and in the works of allthe writers he inspired all overthe world.

News and Politics

is deadbut he lives.Achebe

By Chika Unigwe, Ph.DWinner, 2012 Nigerian

Prize for Literature

A man was crying over agravestone saying “why did youdie? why did you die?” Anotherman questioned him. “Did yourmother die?” “No”. “Your father?”“No”. But the man continued toweep profusely “why did youdie?” “Well, who died?” He an-swered: “This was my wife’s firsthusband.”

For many couples, it has cometo that. They daily regret andlament their decision to marrytheir mate. The marriage is a hor-ror movie playing out in real time!A deceased Christian had the fol-lowing written on his gravestone:

“Beneath these stones dolie. Back to back, my wifeand I. When the last trumpetthe air shall fill, if she getsup, I’ll just lie still.”Wow! This Christian was will-

ing to forfeit the resurrection inorder to avoid any further co-habi-

tation or interaction with hisearthly spouse! Spouses who arestill alive and can’t bear the night-mare of what they call marriagebail out through divorce. Someonesaid “Love the quest, marriage theconquest, divorce the inquest.”Today, love quests that maturedinto marriage conquests are endingin bitter and sordid divorce “in-quests”.

If this article succeeds in help-ing your marriage to avoid becom-ing part of the “inquest” statistics,it has accomplished one of its pri-mary objectives. I hope it does!

Do you know that amongAmericans who have said theirwedding vows, one out of threehave been divorced at least once?George Barna, who directed astudy on this, noted that Ameri-cans have grown comfortable withdivorce as a natural part of life:

“There no longer seems tobe much of a stigma at-tached to divorce; it is nowseen as an unavoidable riteof passage. Interviews withyoung adults suggest thatthey want their initial mar-riage to last, but are not par-ticularly optimistic aboutthat possibility. There isalso evidence that manyyoung people are movingtoward embracing the ideaof serial marriage, in whicha person gets married two orthree times, seeking a dif-ferent partner for eachphase of their adult life.”

You will agree with me thatthis prognosis is grim and scary.However, your marriage does nothave to help fulfill it. You can liter-ally inoculate yours against the en-emies of marriage.

Religion and Spiritual Affairs


Enemies OfMarriage:

How to fortify yours against them

Sun Tzu, the ancient Chinesewarrior, wrote in his classic TheArt of War,

“if you know your enemyand know yourself, youneed not fear the result of ahundred battles. If youknow yourself but not theenemy, for every victorygained you will also suffer adefeat.”Of course, it is obvious that if

you know neither yourself nor theenemy, you have lost the battleeven before it starts!

I have identified below some ofthe enemies of marriage and whatyou should know about yourselfso that you may make changesthat’ll help fortify yours againstthese enemies.

Enemy Number One:Lack of unshakablefoundation.

Many Hollywood marriagesare built on the foundation ofbeauty, money, success and fame.These are defective foundations.They are shifting and sinking sand.Therefore the marriages collapsefast.

Have you asked yourself: Whatis the foundation of my marriage?If it is built on “sand”, then whenthe wind of life begins to blow andthe rains of life begin to fall and theflood of life begins to beat againstit, it will crumble, but, if it is builton the “rock”, it will stand. Therewas a shipwreck and a young boywas the only survivor. He hadstruggled against the waves toswim to a rock he saw not too faraway from him. He held onto therock for three days until he wasrescued.

When asked whether he wasnot afraid being alone day andnight in open sea for three days, he

replied, “I never stopped shakingsince I bear-hugged the rock, butthe rock itself did not shake.”There is another rock the bibletalks about. He is called the Rockof Ages- He is an unshakeableShaker, unbreakable Breaker, andImmovable Mover. His name isJesus Christ. When a marriage isbuilt on this Rock, it has acquiredan unshakeable, unbreakable andimmovable foundation. All thatthe couple needs to do is takemarching orders from the Rock.His manual is the Bible. It explainstheir roles and offers guidance onhow to fulfill them.

What is more? The Rock is alsothe One who empowers and en-ables them to obey these marchingorders! Remember, it does not mat-ter how gorgeous, luxurious andexpensive a mansion is, if its foun-dation is defective, it’ll come crash-ing down. It’s not a matter of“whether’, it’s a matter of “when”.Lack of an unshakeable foundationis an enemy of marriage. Is yoursfortified against it?

Enemy Number Two:Lack of allowances fordaily irritations.

A couple had been married forfifteen years and is now havingmore than the usual disagree-ments. The wife came up with theidea of creating a Fault Box inwhich both will drop daily notes ofirritable habits of the other spouse.At the end of the month, they’ll ex-amine the notes, apologize to eachother and cease their irritablehabits.

So, she diligently dropped offinto the box notes of daily irrita-tions: leaving the jelly top off thejar, wet towels on the shower floor,dirty socks not in the hamper andon and on. At the end of themonth, after dinner, they openedthe Fault Box and the wife began toread out her notes of what irritatedher daily during the month. Thehusband apologized and promisedto make amends.

Now it was her turn. She no-ticed a lot of notes were also therebut all of them have the same mes-sage, “I love you”! The instructionfrom the Rock in Colossians 3:13says you must make allowancesfor each other’s faults… He alsosays you should always cut yourspouse some slack and acceptthem the way He The Rock has ac-cepted you: John 6:37: “The Fathergives me my people. Every one of themwill come to me, and I will always ac-cept them”. God says “I just loveyou, period! Not because of whatyou do! ” Jesus treated us muchbetter than we deserve. He madeus acceptable.

Not that we changed. He sim-ply says “because of me, you areacceptable to God”. Accept yourspouse as God has accepted you-unconditionally. Until they over-

Religion and Spiritual affairs

Have you askedyourself: What is the

foundation of mymarriage?


come their irritable habits, acceptthem. It does not mean you ap-prove of these irritations. It sim-ply means you are obeying themarching orders of the Rock andby so doing you are fortifyingyour marriage against this enemynumber two. Lack of making al-lowances for your spouse’s dailyirritations is an enemy of mar-riage. Is yours fortified against it?

Enemy Number Three: Lackof loving acts

Love is not an emotion be-cause emotions cannot be com-manded at will. For example youcannot command someone to cryor to be happy or be sorrowful.These are emotions and often un-controllable. Commanding some-one “don’t worry, be happy”,won’t cut it for a grieving spouse.

It is a myth that you can “fallin love” the way you uncontrol-lably, accidentally fall into aditch! Love can cause strong emo-tions but is itself not an emotion.Love is more than sentimentality.More than arousal. More than at-traction. Love is a behavior. Loveis action. Love is a commitmentyou make to do something. Youmake a decision to love or not tolove. That is why God commandsus to love our neighbors as our-selves and the husbands to lovetheir wives as Christ loves thechurch and gave Himself for her.1 John 3:18 says “Let us love notwith words but with action and intruth”.

Acting in love when yourspouse does not deserve it is act-ing like God who loves you andacts in love towards you whenyou don’t deserve it. It is thehighest form of love. When your

spouse is being nasty, you actback in love not because that’swhat she deserves but becauselove is what she needs and that’swhat you’re giving her.

Maybe you feel so abused byyour spouse that you have lost allfeelings of love and you are con-templating a divorce. Hold it:there was a woman who had lostall feelings of love for her hus-band. She hated her husbandand wanted to hurt him all shecan. Her psychiatrist advised herthat the best way to accomplishthis goal is to act in extremelyloving way towards him, show-ing him unusual kindness,showering him with compli-ments and doing stuff for himthat he loves- without expectingany appreciation in return!When he’s used to all these andhe’s become fully dependent onher, having enjoyed her companygreatly, he would do anything tonot let her go. Then bam! She willfile for divorce. “That will shatterhim completely” said the psychi-atrist. “He would not be able tobear the thought of losing you”he concluded.

So the lady went and did allshe was told to the best of herability. She really excelled at thembecause she wanted him to really

hurt at her departure when thetime comes. On her return date ofappointment with her psychia-trist, he asked her, “so how did itgo?”. She said the marriage isgreat now and the husband is sohappy and in high spirit. “Great”,said the psychiatrist. “Now goand file the divorce papers”.“Never” she shouted indignantly,my husband and I are having thefun of our lives in this marriage. Ilove my husband dearly!”

Feelings of love follow acts oflove. You don’t need divorce.You need to start acting in love.Not acting in love in your mar-riage will rob you of loving feel-ings for your spouse. It can causeyou to say “I don’t love him/heranymore”. It is an enemy of mar-riage. Is yours fortified against it?

(To be continued)

Oladipo

Kalejaiye

holds a

Ph.D de-

gree in

law and

was a liti-

g a t i o n

attorney

in Nige-

ria, Eu-

rope and

the United States for

over 17 years. He en-

tered into full time min-

istry in year 2000, and

currently serves as the

pastor of International

Christian Center, Los

Angeles ( You can con-

tact him on the web:

www.iccla.com, Face-

book: iccla/facebook,

Twitter: @DipoKalejaiye)

Religion and Spiritual affairs


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Life and Times Magazine Spring 2013 Edition

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