AHANONU KINGSLEY BLOG

Today, like every 31st of each year, is ending the year 2018. But unlike all the other years, it is going to be remarkable going by how we'd decide to make it be. Whether we wish to throw out the year ending and move on with our wholesome selves is for us to take.  Whether we want to bid the year goodbye leaving with it some of the things that bestrode in it is still ours to decide.  Whether we want to carry along, bringing into the new year wholesome or partly the things which defined and shaped us in the outgoing year is still ours to consider.  But the reality is that today we are bidding farewell to the year AD2018. It the grandstanding end of its  365days revolution. For me, which is what I'll suggest if left to speak, is that even as the year 2018 draws to its close, it would be helpful to make discreet yet salient decisions out of the options of take and leave. Decisions that chiefly should be based on our inherent peculiarities. What do I mean? ...

Since the unravelling recently of the horrendous escapades of Internet fraudsters popularly called "yahoo boys", it has suddenly dawned on girls to take the routes of caution. Deploying several strategies,  they want to show wisdom to these marauders. Alero, who lives with her parents, said she has three adult sisters. The anointing oil and holy water, according to her, had the capacity to neutralize any evil plan of Yahoo Boys on their pants. For Tamera, a charming lady in her late 20ts on Jakpa Road, she and her mother no longer hang their underwears on the rope outside the flat in the compound where they live. “Because of Yahoo Boys, we no longer hang our underwears on ropes outside the flat in our compound”, she said . “We live with five other tenants in our compound . There are boys in the compound too. Since we heard the news, we have been hanging our pants in the bathroom; whether they get dry or not is no longer the issue. We sometimes use hot iron on them to get p...

"Good tidings of great joy, I bring to you." That is the message of Christmas. It is the deepest inspiration of the moment. Christmas, just as was meant, had come to bless the earth and to reassure man of his privilege to salvation. The saviour's birth was a very essential moment of the continuous plan of God for man's redemption. When man derailed in the garden from the onward path to earthly eternal bliss, God the creator regretted his decision to make man part of the creation matrix. The scriptures say he "repented"; he rued. But, thoughtfully, he could not destroy the very work of his hands. Against this deleterious decision, he had to reconsider and redesign his plan, he had to come to rescue the situation. For this, God was made man, and the birth of the Messiah was the ultimate culmination of this divine mission. The integral message of Christmas, therefore, is that God in his wholesome goodness has become man, to be part of man's hist...

Samson Itodo, for his huge contribution to the Not-too-young-to-run bill later passed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, has won the Young Person of the year 2018 award organised by The Future Awards Africa (TFAA). Samson Itodo Others of the young influencers are for Professional Service, Temi Marcella Awogboro; for Public Service, Daniel Philemon Saradau and for Fashion, Tosin Ogundadegbe.  Ayobola Kekere Ekun (creativity), Mark Angel (comedy). Others winners are Emmanuel Oyeleke (photography), Chidi Ajaere (businesses), John Obidi (new media), Zainab Balogun (acting). Uche Kenneth Udekwe (Advocacy), Ayodele Sipasi Olalekan (agriculture), Nadine Ibrahim (screen producer), Olive Emodi (on air person, television), Itodo Anthony (Education). Odunayo Eweniyi, Joshua Chibueze and Somtochukwu Ifezue, Folu Storms (on air person radio). Simisola Ogunleye won in the Music category and Ahmed Musa won in Sports. The Future Awards Africa celebrates a new class of innovators...

Information just leaked is that Access Bank Plc has finally acquired Diamond Bank Plc. This has put to paid rumours going about all the while about the sale of Diamond Bank. According to insiders, the official announcement of the transaction will be made in the course of the week by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, according to TheCable.  Another source confirmed that the deal has been sealed, awaiting final ratification from the regulatory body.  The acquisition was midwifed by the CBN in a bid to further consolidate the banking industry, sources informed.  Last week, Diamond Bank announced its decision to drop its international operating licence to focus on national operations following capitalisation issues. Uzoma Dozie, the bank’s Chief Executive Officer, had confirmed the development in a statement released on Friday.

The trending speculation about the cloning of Mr President is one saga, which I have carefully tried not to comment, chiefly because of the obvious incredulity. But then, the consistency of the idea and the puerile handling of the manner which both have made it discomforting seemed to have questioned my careful silence.  It sounds ridiculous and by far insulting to even try to make me believe that I am been governed by a clone, it is even more demeaning to posit to Nigerians, the most powerful and most populous of the black nations on earth that the affairs of their country is been administered by a foreigner, and worse still a foreign clone.  Wherever such insinuation is coming from should please stay there, or more appropriately should be pushed to stay back. Our gullibility, admitted we've been s o long taken for ride, has not gotten so low and cheap. For goodness sake, even as much as people could be mischievous, would it be so degenerating to the extent of callous...

I have taken time to analyse some excerpts of the speeches purportedly made by the fiery Catholic priest, Rev. Fr Ejike Mbaka during the occasion of his ministry's harvest and bazaar,  Sunday, 2nd December.  Fr Mbaka Here are some of them: 1. “You can be promising and doing for them in Anambra. In your capacity and what God has done for you as governor, God hates stinginess. What I am saying is not to please you, but what will save your life. Otherwise you and Atiku will fail." So for the reason that he has shown "stinginess" by not donating or having a project in his church, Obi and Atiku will fail. In other words their success is tied to their generosity to him.  2. "Governors of Ebonyi and Enugu made donations without announcing at the altar, your own is taking time, the way you and Atiku are moving will end in shame.” recent surgery in Germany. 3, “Orji Uzor Kalu suppose to be the chairman of today’s event... He said okay that he doesn’t want...

The quick indication of another insurgent group emerging, this time from the North-western state of Sokoto, should be an issue of a grave concern. Information rife is that some elements, flaunting the Islamic sharia card, have arisen on the border town in Sokoto state imposing sanctions and rules as in the sense of taking over governance. They are said to have come from neighbouring Niger Republic, intimidating and coercing indigenes to wily submission. These Islamic marauders have taken over space as large as a local government council. They seem to be another version of the dreaded Boko Haram. The information gotten so far about the group should be enough buildup to quickly and urgently quell this emerging trend. But that the security forces must handle with great caution, so as not to present another case of misapplied approach as alleged in the case of the now notorious Boko Haram. The state and federal governments must stand up and exhibit the necessary ingenuity to nip t...

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has commenced what it called total and comprehensive strike action. ASUU is the umbrella body of teaching staff members of all Nigerian universities ASUU made the declaration yesterday, Sunday, 4th of November. Details later....

E very new day offers, with its brightness, a fresh opportunity. And "Freshness", it is one quality inherent in, and greatly manifested by, every dawn- the beginning of a new day's cycle. It is the same with the new month; the self same bearing of new offers and privileges engraft it. In fortunacy for us, today, we are here with a new month, the month of November in the year AD2018. This month bears with it an undeniable freshness. The month of November comes with its novel benefits, vast resources. That itself is a wonderful opportunity and also a great privilege.  Bearing this reality, we must tap into the wealth which this month, novel and rich, understandably presents, for our good and that of society. This we must show a commitment and willingness to be a part of by setting targets, attainable goals for it, and work towards them- trusting the month to so help with the inherent values availed.  It is Zig Ziglar that opined that "If you want to reach a go...

Beneficiaries of the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme have generated about $52 million revenue and created 12,000 jobs within the last two years. This was the highlight of the 2018 edition of the TEF Entrepreneurship Forum with the theme, ‘Empowering African Entrepreneurs’ held in Lagos.  According to the Chief Executive Officer, Parminder Vir, 1460 entrepreneurs across Africa were selected this year, adding that the Foundation has so far made a direct investment of $20 million in the development of young African entrepreneurs, in addition to funds devoted to mentorship and infrastructure.  Vir stated: “In the last 18 months to two years, TEF entrepreneurs across the continent have generated $52 million income and created over 12,000 jobs. ^2 percent of the businesses developed are fully operational while 29 percent are partially operational.  “The Foundation started off with 24 percent female entrepreneurs but this year 41 percent of the ...

Travelling out of the Garden City of Portharcourt is a journey of comfort and relaxation, as one starts off from the city centre. That sense of assurance continues at least, till after Elele. But making an entrance into the border town of Umuagwo, the connector of the federal road to Imo state, the sense of assurance dissipates, as the story of the road turns horrendous. That section of the road is like a forgotten section, the entirety of the border axis to the leading of the Imo State Polytechnic is in grave shamble. The road, beyond potholes, is yanked off, gullied and miry. Indeed that section is cut off; and this situation has been left unattended to for donkey years. This strongly betrays the shame of our nation. On the 20th of October, while plying this nauseous route, I saw two trucks strewn on the ground, lying flat. They fell because of the deplorable nature of the road. Causing gridlock and inconvenience. And more are liable to fall, going by the double tragedy of t...

Hauwau Liman, the young aid worker just recently executed by the dreaded Boko Haram, has paid the supreme price and made the highest and noblest sacrifice for charity. She died in the line of her duty for the International Committee for the Red Cross. She died providing succour to the many disheartened and displaced citizens of the northeastern state of Borno, who have been ravaged by throes of incessant terror attacks they are visited with. Hauwau braced the challenges of terror and insecurity to carry out her humanitarian works, and the death she underwent is a prove of how hers was such a risky venture driven by passion and zeal for humanity. May Hauwau's gruesome death not deter the many lively spirits committed to making the world a better place and who are constantly exposed to life-threatening situations.  May her death not quench the fire of service, aid and charity. May Hauwau Liman's death bring an end to terrorism, in which she was consumed. May this young s...

I learnt with disenchantment the rancour that seems to be generated within the South-east leadership of the People's Democratic Party, PDP over Mr Peter Obi's nomination as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar. the allusion credited to  Gov Dave Umahi, who's the chairman of the South-east Governors Forum that they were not consulted before the choice was made is a loud echo of distraction just so out of the way. For goodness sake why should the reason of not been consulted constitute a ground to bicker? For all I understand about consultation and consulting, it is a simply voluntary thing solely reserved for the consulting body. It's always been the case that when an aspirant emerges through the herculean task of securing a party's ticket to become its candidate, the honour is done on him to take home the decision and relaxably choose who becomes his running mate, that person he's comfortable to work with.  So we see how it is the prerogative of the flag bea...

Sources of Influence There are many sources of influence. New crave, new desires spur a likeness that consumes the mind and wants to suggest it to a rethink. Anything that the mind likea, anything that the individual likes could influence him. Therefore the sources of influence could be eany of these, but not restricted to them. 1. Friends or colleagues. These are the strongest elements of influence. Friends and colleagues embody the key factors of influence. These are people we see and interact with more often, we share thoughts together; and the tendency is that somehow we are affected by their views and lifestyles. 2. Role models. These sets fancy us. They consume our emotions because they are people we look up to and in some ways, want to be like they are. They strike our interests and strongly would manipulate our thinking into theirs for the reason that by so doing we are becoming like them. 3. Political figures. They shape policies and programmes of government. They c...

PEERSHIP My own is my peer, the person I share a certain level with. That person, who for either this reason or that shares a commonality with me; reasons which could be as classmates, colleagues, associates or contemporaries. Whatever that brings us together and makes us willing to share views and correlate is reasonable enough to make us peers. People, with time and close contact/association, develop relationship that improves gradually just as the closeness lingers with time. Peers, also like influence is an element defined by Time & Contact. But in peers is influence very remarkably expressed. Influence & Peer Most times, we see the connection between influence and peer. The association that peership brings creates an appropriate avenue for influence to play out. People often do things that people of their level, their peers do. It's a heavy likelihood that one wonders whether this is a craziness. Peers as their closeness suggests have this comfort, this cool...

Anything or anybody that has that power, whether subtle or overt, to cause you to have a swing, to change your conduct and mindset has an influence on you. It takes your influence just a matter of time and acquiescence for it to transform your worldview and thinking in such a manner that you begin to imagine whether it was such a powerful force that coerced you all along.  But what we must not fail to realise is that influence comes with such a power and control.  The power of influence, as against the character of physical coercion, is conferred by the two factors of time and contact.        1.TIME Time, again and again, has been proven to be the most potent force in the world. Slow a race, insofar it is steady, with time  will win. Its assurance and power of winning is from TIME.  A day, long and bothersome, which seems not to end, eventually would give way to the darkness of the night. This assurance too is a value of TIME. The child to...

Today, the 6th of October, the People's Democratic Party, PDP would be having their national convention. This convention, seen as the summit of the ongoing primaries to elect party candidates for the 2019 general elections, would provide the party the opportunity to elect their presidential flagbearer. The national convention and the process to get its presidential candidate would be holding in Portharcourt, the Garden city and Rivers state capital. The choice of Rivers state as convention ground had been enmeshed in somehow swirling controversies that prodded Gov Wike into threatening to unleash fire and brimstone, which similarly had been quelled with the eventual consent of the NWC to the venue. Among the top contenders out of the almost 17 persons jostling for this top job, three stand to have been weighty and therefore seen to be the ones to make the convention worth its battle and exciting.  These are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former speaker of the lo...

According to Vanguardngr, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has disbanded the Ahmed Gulak-led Committee for the party’s governorship primaries in Imo State.   National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole disclosed this to State House correspondents after meeting behind closed doors with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. He also said results being paraded as the result of the Imo governorship primaries was fake, adding that the party has disbanded the Committee that was sent to the state to conduct the primaries and will set up another one immediately so that the process would be completed before the end of the week.

The ultimatum given the Federal government by both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) over the implementation of a new minimum wage will expire midnight, today.  With the firmness of the Organised Labour and their insistence to the above, whose failure would lead to a massive nationwide industrial action, the Federal government yet appears not to give a hoot as to be bothered.  It's unfortunate to recall of how the federal government has for long, in the course of continuous marathon negotiations, shown a wriggling but obvious coldness to the issues raised by Organised Labour, especially the core agendum of increment in the minimum wage.  In a present economy saddled with the reality of hyper-inflation, which has sparked an increas in the cost of living, the strength of the existing minimum wage has considerably been mulled.  N18000 as a monthly pay would translate as a Nigerian worker, more probably with a family not been a...

The 21st day of September, as usual, was marked as International Peace Day. Generally, the significance of it is to promote peace in all spheres. Peaceful discussions, peaceful approach, peaceful coexistence and peaceful engagements. It is to de-emphasise on war and violence. It is to say no to bitterness and fight. It's to make a personal and firm commitment to shun greed, overambitiousness and sundry flings that lead to disagreement and rancour. Here, in Nigeria, the World Peace Day is to promote a nonviolent approach as we gear towards the 2019 general elections. It's for all of us, everyone to demand for and ensure peaceful polls come 2019. The Nigerian youth remains the beacon of the success or otherwise of this elections. It's for all of us to channel our energies rightly and shun being used as willing tools of violence for desperate politicians. #VoteNotFight🙋🙋 #ElectionNoBeWar🙅

The 2018 MBGN – Most Beautiful Girl In Nigeria – beauty pageant has come to an end with Miss Imo, Anita Ukah emerging as winner. Anita who graduated from Igbinedion University, Okada in 2016, hails from Okrika in Ahiazu Mbaise.             The young beauty beats 36 other contestants to earn her spot as the winner of the beauty crown. She would represent Nigeria at the Miss World 2018. Aramide Oluwatobi Lopez, who represented Lagos state emerged Miss Universe and Valentina Ogbonnaya of Sokoto state became Miss Ecowas.     Congratulations to Misa Anita Ukah.

Very applauding, it was, to hear of the news of the resignation of the minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun. It's very commendable because it is one act very rare in this our clime. It just seems that the penchant for relevance and money has denied the vast majority of the people that essential sense of integrity. That denial is one that has brought about the desire to cling unto power even in the midst of opprobrious criticism to just step down. We've had several instances were public officials formed deaf ears to scathing allegations against their persons and offices until some powers force them out. The case of the erstwhile SGF, Babachir remains atypical.  One can now understand why Kemi's step is such remarkable and verily one that needs to be commended. But the truth is that, as easily obtained in the western world, taking an exit when the heat is on and there's suspicion here and there is but a natural thing. This is to say, even as much as we could appreci...

The human person is an entity that's significantly important even within the framework of his environment. His physiological excellence and his mental ingenuity stands him out.        The very place of man as primus amongst other creatures is well appreciated. The dignity of the human person is one big value that should be cherished. And in the realisation of this, man cherishes who he is and what he bears.                                However his place and value among the others, man also is a natural substance, a created being. From the biblical account of creation, it is posited of how man is a composition from dust, which life's essence is drawn from his divine Lord who created and sustains him with his breath. This brings me to the review of today's issue. Of why man ought to be humble yet proud. Indeed no antithesis is intended here.  As much as it could literarily sug...

It was tragic, the incident of the gas explosion that occurred in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital, yesterday. It was gathered that scored were killed.   I must also add that the incident is barbaric, considering how that it is just one too many. It's indeed a sheer repetition of callousness that another horrific incident of this kind is having to repeat after the many hues and cries of similar incidents in recent past and the assurances of government to put a stop to it. My pain, which is my grouse, is the lack of will and commitment by successive governments to ensure that their talks are walked. The consistency of failures has shown how untrustworthy they are and how they've taken us for granted.  The repetition of these incidents off and on has shown how we do not value our lives. It shows how the government doesn't care about them, either.  Else, why would there not be the flared commitment to get tankers out of the public roads? Why would there not be pe...

The human person is a composite being of nature. He's a complexity of different elements that work in combined harmony to fulfil the very mandate of building the individual.     Man is an emotional being as much as he's psychological. He is also very much a being of reason as much as he's a mental being. The very reason he derives the description of a Homo sapien. The complexities of what man is must play their roles effectively to give him the holistic functionality that defines his essence. This is the say, to a considerable level, the composite facets of the human person must impress to assert man as a complete entity. For now, I will focus on the two critical elements that constitute the human person. These are his emotions and his reasons. I will focus my analytical torchlight on these for the very reason that they are often misunderstood for their seeming opposing extremities. Yes, the view of reason and emotion is often of two dissimilarities, of factors wal...

"Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent." - Marilyn Vos Savant It's a new month, and the excitement is everywhere for differently obvious reasons.  We're alive, we're strong, we're witnessing what's never existed. We're preparing and ready for that appointment, we're experiencing another Ember and the list goes on.  Of course, they are strong and germane reasons to be happy about. They are worth the hilarious entering into a new day, a new month.  But beyond these, the new month of September provides, with the life and strength it brings, an opportunity to think afresh and think new. The Ember by the specialty and the often exaggerated attention it generates should be a chance to reflect, ponder and decide on what new ideas to create and what new impact to make.  It should be a moment of how to restrategize to come up with better plans and prospects on how to win that lost battle and succeed...

On August 30th, the Senate President and one that has been in the eyes of the storm, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki made his declaration of interest to run for the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  The Senate president had cleverly cashed in on the opportunity of the interactive forum organised for young aspirants and chieftains of the PDP by the Not Too Young movement to make known his intention,  bringing a kind of suspicion as to whether that has been the driver of his coldness to the Buhari regime.  But then, to keen followers of political development down here, what Saraki did by his declaration was long expected. The reason is very clear,  especially as coming from two fronts. The first is this. We have known the man Saraki as a very ambitious man, who seeks always to improve himself and his pedestal at every available opportunity. His ambitiousness has seen him grow politically from the level of a special assistant to the president to two-term...

Today, I'll be talking about laziness. The concept of laziness has received a lot of condemnation, and rightly so for the cumulative impact it has in the overall body and overall personal goal. Denotatively, the word laziness suggests an unwillingness to show effort that often leads to lull in activity. A lazy person is one that has shown a lack of energy to perform a said task. It reflects a lack of will which by itself is a reflection of a deflated spirit. Laziness is a state of the mind that consciously manifests by the response of the physical. It is an inability posed by the deep psychology that feeds the senses and the body response mechanism with obvious weakness. Therefore, it would be said that laziness is the gradual giving in to the suggestion of an inability. It's the submission of the self to the feeling of unwillingness which the mind presents. In other words, the acceptance and/or rejection of laziness stems from the mind. For instance, I've known how ...

The present situation of the Nigerian state as we find it is one that is not in the least reassuring.  After seeming commitments by successive administrations all along the years, since return to self rule, there has been nothing much to write save of political transitions. Kingsley Moghalu Even with the return to nascent democracy in 1999 that appeared to have brought the hope to improving upon the great inherent prospects, the country seemed yet to rediscover purpose and direction.  The most recent efforts by the current administration of President Buhari to fighting corruption considered our sapping monster, just seems to be scratching the surface as country yet dawdles in pervasive coma.               It is pathetic how that, despite the resources and the perceived efforts to genuine commitment, the country still remains to rise to expectations. Poor infrastructural presence, galloping power supply, abysmally low standard of liv...

Democracy, widely, has been adjudged to be the best system of government. Nevertheless, Africans, and particularly Nigerians, have continued to wonder why we have not derived much from the system all along the years of practice. Instead, we continue to find basis to applaud the initial systems prior to our nascent democracy. The promoters of democracy had suggested the constitution as a compass.  And internationally, nations subscribe to a common direction, as provided by their respective constitutions, to guide reactions to internal political occurrences. A review of our democracy reveals of how the system is not sitting well with us due to inherent constitutional deficiencies.Vague provisions  are found at every corner of  the many matters arising from our political interactions. This is obviously because of the silent holes that exist here and there in our constitution. There is a need to address the ambiguity. We should not always allow it happen again and agai...

To all my friends, who are caught up in the frenzy of the Eid Kabir, I say a big  happy celebration to you all. It's your feast and so the sentiments you'll show towards it is expected this moment.       Nevertheless, this moment is one that calls for sober reflection and of the reinvigoration of the spirit of sacrifice. The life of the prophet Ibrahim, who was called upon to sacrifice his only child is worth musing on. His virtues of unreserved obedience and of faith, which that test sought to suggest, are what should form the point of reflection this moment.  Ibrahim reflected a life of undying faith- a virtue he lived and which culminated with the seemingly stupid obedience to the demand to give up his old-borne single child.  In this occasion of Eid Kabir, it is my believe that such veritable values form  the bulwark of our commitment to cooperative and societal engagements. By our lives, may the things we say, think and act be ones ...

I learnt with deep sense of shock the demise, yesterday, of Mr Kofi Anan, a former scribe of the world's unifying forum, the United Nations.  Mr Anan was, until his death, a quintessential gentleman and diplomat par excellence.  His disposition was that of a calm, easygoing man. Yet his intelligence and outspokenness were very remarkable attributes he bore and which were so obvious.  His stint at the United Nations was one marked by great effort to consolidating on the established framework of peace and inclusiveness established by the initiators of the world body. He went steps further to ensuring that the unification process of the United Nations proved to be really non-discriminatory. The above goal he was able to achieve b y ensuring that the concept of poverty and its worldview is universalized and integrally made a universal concern.                                   The ...

Just as was envisaged how unsettling the defection of Bukola Saraki would be, it was similarly expected to come with many jumping political calculi. To wit is the very strong questions of morality and legality of his continuous clinging as the Nigerian senate president. Recently, in a press conference, the national chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole had called for the honourable resignation against which an outright impeachment would be recommended. A visibly irked Oshiomhole had said Bukola Saraki had lost every ground to lay hold of the position he occupies, accusing him of being antithetical to both his former party nay national interest. Very well, then. But as for the issue of morality or legality for Mr Saraki to remain as the senate president even after switching alliance to the 'minority' People's Democratic party, it is neither here nor there. Truly there's no place in the world that a minority party will produce the leadership of parliament. It is an...