Why I Joined Ekiti Governorship Race
An Amazon with a finger in many pies, she multitasks. A nurse, midwife, pharmacist, medical doctor, farmer, entrepreneur, philanthropist and lately, politician. Confident, compassionate and creative, Dr. Mojisola Kolade is Imbued with dynamism and is reputed for setting up the first black-owned hospital in Connecticut in the United States of America. In this interview with she shares her life struggles to raise six siblings with her widowed mother, going to America and making it big by dints of hard work and ingenuity, and how her husband’s love has sustained her. She also shares her involvement in Nigeria’s murky waters of politics and quest to become Ekiti State governor... excerpts An Intimidating Profile in Courage
She is not your conventional woman. She parades an intimidating resume dotted with degrees and professional certificates in nursing, midwifery, pharmacy, medicine, farming, and entrepreneurship, rolling a life of philanthropy into politics. Born in OyeEkiti, Ekiti State, her heart of care saw her attend University College Hospital and Sacred Heart Hospital, bagging a diploma in nursing and midwifery respectively. In addition, she attended St John’s University in New York, earning a bachelor of science in pharmacy. In 1984, she found love in the kind heart and caring arms of Ebenezer Adekunle from Erin-Ijesha, Osun state. After a brief career as a pharmacist, Dr Mojisola Kolade enrolled at the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine and graduated as a medical doctor. She went further to complete a post-doctoral training in Family Medicine and became a board certified consultant physician. Over the course of 34 years in career in health and business, Dr Kolade has worked as a staff physician and vice president at New Era Rehabilitation Centre, of which she is a co-founder. She has continued to dedicate her time to various philanthropic causes, serving presently the chief executive and managing director of Irede Farms Nigeria.
Raising Six Siblings: A Sweet Story
Being the first of seven children at a young age, she came to the realisation that a lot had been thrown on her feeble shoulders having lost her father – to assist her widowed mother who worked extra hours to raise and care for her and the other children. Dr. Kolade recalled: “I’ve always been the second mum but when he passed away, it was obvious to me that the shelter is gone and I just had to grow up quickly and be the big sister. My siblings today, now grown up, said they couldn’t believe I was just 16 when I was raising them. I would take them places on Christmas Day in Abeokuta just to give them good time with my little money. Caring has been something I’ve been doing. Nobody was there when my dad left aside my mum, so I took responsibility. One of the reasons I got married a little bit early because I had to mature and build my home.”
How I Set Up First Black Hospital in Connecticut
In a country ravaged by racism, Dr Kolade achieved a feat by setting up the first black-owned hospital in Connecticut, United States of America. How did she do it? “I believe everything is possible with God. My husband has a fellowship in a unique speciality called addiction medicine. He was an assistant clinical professor in a particular college in New York. So we started and I told him why we can’t have our own hospital. At first, he said, ‘Here I come again!’ But I told him it was do-able. We started gradually together, tirelessly went through all the requirements and got certified by the highest certifying organisation in America. Being a nurse, pharmacist and a physician helped me in setting up the hospital. And for the first two years of the facility I acted in the capacity of a four-in-one administrator. It got to a point, it got to me. So, I started assigning responsibilities to other people. We have quite a lot of staff –so I was just supervising. I was highly gladdened and felt God was using me. I’m not the smartest. I was given the opportunity to serve the less privileged and the minority. To the grace of God, a lot of women in the minorities stood up from the organisation. They saw me as a role model, a beacon of light and hope. Coming to Nigeria, America was following my political trajectory. Some were ready to come and campaign for me if I had won. They are very eager to let people see and know who their boss is. If had won the primary, Nigerians would have seen Caucasians and black women campaigning in Ekiti State.”
A Clarion to Return to My Roots
At a time many are itching to leave the country for the US, she left a well-paying job and business empire to settle in Nigeria. This is the impulse behind her bold decision: “I’ve been in the US for at least 30 years. The greater part of my education was American. I have experience from both sides of the world. I felt it was time to give back and it’s very important to me. I came to be part of the solution in a failed
I’ve always been the second mum but when he passed away, it was obvious to me that the shelter is gone and I just had to grow up quickly and be the big sister. My siblings today, , now grown up, said they couldn’t believe I was just 16 when I was raising them. I would take them places on Christmas s Day in Abeokuta just to give them good time with my little e money. Caring has been something I’ve been doing g
How I Raised Six Siblings While Assisting My Mother
system. It is not enoug enough to condemn what is going on in N Nigeria. Nigeria is ours and we must giv give it everything we have. I believe I’ve ma made some impacts in Ekiti politics. People h have seen a woman can actually vie for governorship. I’m, however, support supporting the governorship candidate wh who has set up an advisory council a and he asked me to be one of them. We’ll give him the best advice and support him so we can have the be best administration in Ekiti.” She recalled h her foray into politics: “I delv delved into politics in 2010. Turning 5 50, I started thinking about my life a and giving account to myself and i it struck me that I’ve been blessed an and highly favoured by God. All my life, I’ve always loved to give b back. Then it dawned on me that givi giving back in America is not all that i it is to my life. I was born, rai raised and grew up in Nigeria un until my early 20s before I ventu ventured out of the country. I the then came back home and got invo involved. So, the sense of responsibi responsibility brought me into politics. I star started going back to Ekiti to giv give back to my people. I formed a foundation in 2012 – C Christiana Ebenezer Kolade F Foundation. We sponsored and empowered youths, wi widows, supported schools and different communities. I got to k know the people in town and the hinterlands, got involved with the Fayemi administratio administration. I later realised there was mo more work to being charitable an and giving money. I had been doi doing the easy work for the last 30 years. I then took the p plunge to go into active po politics. It is a calling. The exp experience has been exhil exhilarating, no regrets. I lea learnt quite a lot of lesso sons about my people i in Ekiti –their needs, the politics and it even engraved my faith in God deeply. I It’s been a thoughtful, challenging but su surmountable journey. So it’s a wonderful ex experience no regrets at all.” Blazing the trail ac across fields some men have dared and faile failed, upon returning home she has decide decided to give back to her foundation’s f focus is hinged on assisting the less privileged in the area of human capi capital development, job creation and ass assisting the aged struggling with deb debilitating medical conditions. Sheddin Shedding light on how her rather quiet hu husband and children reacted to her gub gubernatorial aspiration, she said, “It took a while to tell him about it as I’ve be been thinking about that ambition for at least a year before the reality dawned on me. He knows and unde understands me, having been married for 34 years. He knows how I op operate, and that I’m a giver, determ determined, focused, and deep-seated th thinker. Once I made up my mind I brought it to him. We prayed an and he knew he was going to comm commit some money to the project – h he supported me. My children a are proud of me. They know an and believe I can do anything. My first child said he believes I can fly. They were not too shocked b but surprised because they saw the handwriting on the wall of everyt everything I’ve done. I also made the them serve, volunteer, give things for free so they are used to me bei being me. “After I lost a at the primary election, my eld eldest son wrote me a piece to me that I did the right thing. He took me to the Bi Bible and told me he’s very proud of me and that I’ve done marvellously well and among doctors, I am the greatest of them all –no anger, no animosity. He was more supportive. He became my preacher and when my soul thirsted and I read it, it made me feel better.”
For Dr Kolade, the gesture by her eldest son evokes happiness and the assurance that she’s raising a very good generation to follow her footstep of giving and service. Sharing her future plans, she noted: “Losing is not a suitable thing. It’s painful but it does not slow me down. I’m gearing up to continue my charity work and business. I’ve spent quite a lot of money. I still see it that my essence is to support, to give and nd to carry on with what God has called me to do. In 40 years, I’ve never had a break ak doing charity, so no slowing down. That’s hat’s my life I’ve been involved in charity work since I was 16 years old. Even though gh I didn’t know what it was then, I started tarted very small by going to psychiatric hospital visiting the sick and abandoned. As a grown woman, it became clear that’s what God wants me to do. I’m still looking oking for a bigger platform to do what I have to do. The governorship race may ay not have worked but I’ll continue my work.”
Using Irede Farms to Stem Tides of Agricultural Imports
She is not averse to risk. She can plough any industry, once she he believes in the dream. Impossibility doesn’t exist in her dictionary. Her drive, , verve, realism and optimism are apparent nt as she goes into farming –dealing in maize and cassava export. Her establishment, ment, Irede Farms also sell to many production oduction factories in Nigeria. Her goal now w is to see to the end of cassava (starch) importation mportation into Nigeria with her team gearing ng up to launch a new production factory that hat will produce garri (cassava flakes) and high pharmaceutical grade cassava starch (HGCS). Does she still believe in the dream eam of becoming Ekiti governor someday? “The dream is very much alive because I pray and hope it comes to reality. My goal is not to become a professional politician ian for life. My goal is to set a standard of f how politics should be played and d how democracy should work,” she responded.
When Dr Kolade is s not working, she eases off stress by y dancing to quality and timeless Christian or secular music by the likes of King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer nezer Obey. In the spirit of regaining ning sanity, she also loves going on vacation to the Cayman Islands, ds, Hawaii, Antigua and Bahamas. as. And when she has the opportunity, nity, she swims. For her husband, and, their love is like a sweet vintage red wine, sweet as taste of grape. The incredible smell of love still intoxicates her. Her heart beats harder, her er mind sings love song g and she walks in love. e. She speaks glowingly y of him at the slightest st opportunity.
“It (our marriage) has been beautiful and nd wonderful: we’ve been en blessed with children n and wealth. We have e had challenges too. It’s not ot been a bed of roses and I have learnt earnt with patience, prayers and d perseverance all things will work out. Thirty-four years going ng strong, we love what God has as done and we are still looking ing for 50 more years. Love is patient and it encompasses all that marriage stands for. Having God as the focal point nt is key. I wouldn’t be who I am if not for God’s Grace,” she related. lated.
Speaking about her r she juggles her many roles, she stated: d: “As a young physician, I always hired professional help and I have been n blessed having a mother who came to look after the kids for me. I hire people to assist me. I, however, believe in spending quality time with the children. People believe in the length of time; I believe in the quality. I put my children above all in everything. When I was choosing my speciality in family medicine, I did same based on the need for children. As a woman, my family comes first. When we were newly married, my husband was going on with his professional thing. I always said my family would be at the centre and all other things with would follow. I’ve worked as a physician, pharmacist and I went to school. But I’ve always been around my children and I’ve been blessed and successful. I have the best husband in the whole world. He would shop and even cook when I couldn’t cook despite the fact that we have house-help. He would support me in every way.”
A Life Hinged on Grace
If she were to write the story of her life, it would be themed, “The Grace”. At 57, she is confident in her skin. For her, it’s the beginning of good and great things to come. She wants Nigeria to watch out for her as she is about to start steering things up in the country as she did in the US.
Nigeria is ours and we must give it everything we have. I believe I’ve made some impact in Ekiti politics. People have seen a woman can actually vie for governorship. I’m, however, supporting the governorship candidate who has set up an advisory council and he asked me to be one of them. We’ll give him the best advice and support him so we can have the best administration in Ekiti
OPEN LETTER TO IGP IDRIS
I was very reluctant to write you this morning. You see, when things get like this, the elders must rise up and speak and as the Duke of Shomolu, I believe I have paid enough dues in this country to speak. My Lord, I have watched you from a distance and have been following your actions since you emerged as the undisputed Inspector General of our Police with calm equanimity. My brother, it cannot be easy. I really pity you and I hope you are checking your BP daily. These Nigerian problems can shake the strongest of men. My lord, kindly listen to me very carefully. You need to be calm. I know the pressure is massive especially with these unruly politicians who think they are larger than life. You see, we have to remain very strategic with one eye on our legacy; what would be said and written about our tenure when we leave. I respect you o, do not let anybody deceive you. You can ask my best friend Baba Segun who recently retired from the force and who is constantly knocking my head in his own way of having fun. Says that was what they taught him at the police college. Let us move slowly, engage constructively, respect due process and the rule of law. You have been quite charismatic and effective. I like your outlook and your views, especially as it relates to civil-police matters and I think you have been perfectly positioned to be a great IGP. I offer my services to you as a shadow adviser, you can lean on me at these times so that we can work together in brining sanity back to this country. It’s crazy all over the place, but no better IGP than you at this time. All we need is a little bit of calmness, more consultations across all spectres, a bridge-building attitude with less confrontational pose and much more important, consensus building. It will be for the good of all of us. Meanwhile, before you sleep every night, please drink cold glass of milk, to calm your nerves, get a massage and sing the national anthem. Before you leave for work do the same thing; smile a little bit more often and it will be well. Pele, egbon, it will be well. If you need some afang soup let me know, I will send some to you. God bless you always. Remember, let the constitution and the statutes that govern our daily lives both official and otherwise always be your guiding partner. I am praying for you. Don’t worry, you have my support. Pele. Kai. Meanwhile, I have 2 VIP tickets to watch Isale Eko for you. Let me know how I can get them to you. Please, only two o. I no fit afford to give more than that. No vex.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY – ABEG, CALM DOWN.
You people like to do gra gra too much. Small thing, you will jump up and in terrible English, be shouting and threatening the whole place and when the fight come now, you will be jumping out of bus’ windows. You better calm down, life is not like that. You cannot be fighting someone who has a monopoly of legitimate violence with long grammar. I have just heard that you are secretly collecting signatures, I really hope that it is not true. Much as I am on your side on this matter, you will agree with me that una sef no try. You have a very bad image, truth must be said. Your members are going around with different corruption cases hanging on their necks, tales of bribery and corruption against your members everywhere, budget padding and all sorts. So you cannot come to a fight like this without clean hands. Let’s stop doing the childish gra gra and begin to be strategic in our ways. Honest to God you guys are behaving like unruly schoolchildren and heating up the polity. Your President is a great man and he will always have my backing but he himself must be able to lead a much more constructive assembly not this one that, people are wearing ill-fitted Gucci Suits around and not making any common sense. You guys are really embarrassing me. Please immediately call another joint session between the 15th and 19th of August, I would have been released from the other room for me to come and address you all on the need to be constructive and strategic as we head up towards 2019. We cannot afford a constitutional crisis or the bastardisation of our democratic institutions on the altar of greed and personal avarice. This is a tepid warning from the Duke of Shomolu, the next one will not be this mild. GET YOUR ACTS TOGETHER. Thank you.
MIKE ADENUGA STORMS ISALE EKO
So our stage play is coming up this Tuesday, June 12, and will run until the 16th, 2018 at the prestigious Muson Centre with me the enigmatic and only true friend of the IGP Executive Producing. Recently, my director, the highly talented William Benson, complained to me about his inability to procure some props. Kai, I looked at my budget and all the people that promised to sponsor have run away. As we were talking, my phone rang. It was an unknown number. I did not want to pick the call. I was sure it was that MUDI who has been disturbing me for complimentary tickets. The Urhobo man, gave me N40,000 sponsorship and has collected over N200,000 worth of complimentary tickets. So I refused to pick this call. But kept ringing so to mute him, I took and whispered that I was in a meeting. But the voice calmly said, I am Mike Adenuga. I started shaking. My knees started knocking at each other and sweat became my companion. I greeted the oga in a trembling voice. Did not know whether I should speak English, Yoruba or Ibibio. He said he loved me and would like to support me and that I should send my account number. Kai, baba mi. at this point, I decided to punish Diamond Bank. Me, I will not give the BULL Diamond Bank account number for I know that this expected ‘’attack’’ will catapult them into the elusive top five of banking. If you see the way that girl embarrassed me when I went to beg for sponsorship. Na only N200,000 I go beg for o. Well, na my biography I go better explain. I just send my FCMB. That Diran guy na wonderful being. As I just press the button, my daughter Zara knocked my head and I woke up. Kai, it was a dream, no Bull o. No Glo money. No Adenuga. Just me and my empty big head. Well, no problem as mummy once said, there is god o. We will do the show. My readers please come and see the play at Agip Recital Hall Muson Centre, June 12, 15 and 16. Give me a call, you just might get a complimentary ticket.
CARROT – ESTATE PLANNING WITH TECHNOLOGY
One of my mentors who is press shy – If I mention his name here peren, he will castrate me o – called and asked that I send my email address so he could send me something. I quickly sent my account number. The guy laughed and said, Edgar stop being funny and send your email address. I sent and he sent me a message. What he sent captured my imagination: Estate planning through the use of technology. Kai, this immediately resolved all the wahala that comes with wills, probate and in bequeathing in the event of passing on. So through the online platform, one can write his will update and keep. What that means is that it will most likely reduce all the wahala that usually comes with this
kain thing. I have wanted to write my will but have been lazy about it; maybe because the only thing I have to bequeath to my long-suffering first son are my office shirts and debt to GTB. But with this technology, I will look into it again. The thing is making sense. I only pray that my madam will not go and bust the password and change everything o. Well done sir, let’s keep talking.
WALE OYEDEJI – A GOOD MAN
Very few people are built like these days. A great and principled man, laced with uncommon intelligence. I have just heard that Wale has exited GTB. I haven’t confirmed this news from the man himself. But if this is true, then it is a great loss to GTB but a massive gain to mankind because now he will have more time to positively affect us. Well done, bruh, and where is the party?
BISHOP CHRIS KWAKOPVWE REMAINS UNRUFFLED
Though a couple of impetuous stories have stabbed the personality of the publisher and author of the popular devotional, Our Daily Manna, Bishop Chris Kwakopvwe - including frivolous allegations of sexual misconduct—which have not been proven and vehemently denied by the man of God who stuck to his guns, insisting that his hands are clean, the recent pronouncement of a Lagos High Court granting the prayers of Miss Tamara Egbedi for special and general damages has caused him more trauma.
However, the gregarious bishop remains unbowed, and that he has accepted the challenge of the declaration from the temple of justice as a personal task which he must prosecute to a logical end on behalf of the worldwide community of Christians.
As gathered, the man views this case as a persecution of the body of Christ. “It is spiritual warfare. If not checked, it could happen to any other ministry. There has never been a case like this in Nigeria. The novelty of the matter compels us to take every necessary step possible. We are concerned that people may start coming to church to fake an injury or loss of personal belongings for which they will go to court and get a judgment against the church. That is the reality that is staring us in the face. It is a satanic agenda.”
The ministry further warned pastors, churches or ministries to be wary of possible syndicates that may be using people or purported attendees to claim injuries at their well-organised proggrammes. “Their aim is cash. Please, never pay anybody except as an act of benevolence. Once you pay, they will continue to claim injury every time you have a programme.”
Justice SBA Candido-Johnson of the Lagos High Court had awarded N9,454,000 to Miss Tamara Egbedi for special and general damages against the registered trustees of Chapel of Liberty and Rev. (now Bishop) Dr. Chris Kwakpovwe.
Egbedi who is a lawyer approached the court with a claim that she fell into an uncovered gutter and broke her teeth when she attended the end of fast World Anointing Service organised by the ministry on January 22, 2010 at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.
The sprawling and fascinating history of the case placed before the court by the ministry did not appear to be convincing in many instances. The uncannily prescient Kwakpovwe argued among other points that his ministry had never recorded an ugly incident at similar programmes which attract a huge crowd of attendees in over 52 countries. The sitting area used by the ministry for the 2010 programme at the stadium was floodlit and there were over 300 ushers to ensure worshippers’ comfort and safety.
On the morning of January 23, 2010 Egbedi emerged with the claim that she fell into a gutter within the premises of the stadium when she came for the programme. None of the ushers or medical personnel on duty saw her with the alleged injuries on the night of the programme. There were ambulances from Lagos State government with medical doctors and nurses on duty to attend to emergencies but none of them saw her.
She claimed that she fell into the gutter at about 9p.m. At about 5a.m when the programme had ended and worshippers were on their way home, she demanded to speak to the bishop who was at that time ministering to some people with special cases on the altar. According to the church, as the ushers were trying to ascertain her reason to see the bishop, she started shouting at the top of her voice. This caught the attention of the bishop who immediately granted her audience but her first utterance was a rude shock.
She was quoted as saying, “See my mouth…. I will sue you for this injury. My lawyers are outside.”
The bishop, in an attempt to understand what was happening, wanted to calm her down so that she could narrate what had happened to her, but she then screamed, “Don’t touch me!”
One of the female pastors present was said to have been instructed to attend to her and get the full details of her complaint and to offer her N100,000 for treatment. The church noted that as the pastor approached her for her story, she said she wanted N2.5 million as compensation for the injury.
UMAR NASKO CHICKENED OUT?
Since his emergence in the administration of the former Niger State Governor, Aliyu Babangida, where he held sway as a Chief of Staff among other positions, Umar Mohammed Nasko, has been familiar with a lot of people in the state while many youths see him as a role model.
So in 2015 when he contested as the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in the state, many thought he would coast home to victory given his closeness to Babangida, but he lost the election.
Since then, he has reportedly lost his political relevance, while his political structure has almost totally crumbled before his very eyes .
If this was surprising for many of his fans, they are totally disappointed over his present decision. Many of his supporters were confident that the young politician will bounce back for the 2019 governorship election but this is not to be as he has recently chickened out from the race; a source said that he had recently confirmed that he was no longer interested in the number one job of the state. This has further given credence to his critics that he has all along been riding on the crest of the popularity of his former boss, Babangida.
Nasko, who was Managing Partner at New Africa Investment Limited between 2001 and 2007, had served on various boards and committees in the state. He was a member of the Transition Committee in Niger State; member, Niger State Government Committee on Public Private Partnership 2007; chairman, Vehicle Verification Committee in the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Niger State; member, Technical Committee on Harmonisation of Niger State Action Plan in the State Government and chairman, Local Organising Committee for the 2009 National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST).
He was also a member of the Niger State Executive Council in his official capacity as the Commissioner of Tourism and Culture, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Ministry of Youth Development, Special Adviser on Tourism Matters and Ministry of Environment, Parks, Gardens and Forest Resources.
BOLANLE AMBODE’S HEART OF GOLD
Since she became the Lagos State First Lady, Bolanle Ambode, wife of the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, has left no one in doubt about her vision and readiness to complement her husband’s efforts to further change the face of Lagos, while also bettering the lives of the indigenes.
The elegant woman, who is known for her simplicity and admirable lifestyle, is endowed with the heart of gold. She is no stranger to charity. Contrary to the thinking in some quarters, she has been making worthy donations to motherless babies homes in and around the Lagos metropolis, even before her current status. As part of her humanitarian services, she established the Alfred Debbie Opal Foundation (ADOF) long before her husband contested the number one job in the state.
Spyglass gathered that the beautiful woman’s foundation, Hope for Women in Nigeria Initiative, (HOFOWEM), last Tuesday inaugurated the distribution of 50,000 shoes and branded socks to primary one pupils of public schools across the State.
Mrs. Ambode commenced the distribution at the Cherubim and Seraphim Primary School, Lagos Road, Majidun in Ikorodu.
The distribution is the 2018 edition of the “Project Bright Steps,” a pet project of HOFOWEM, to boost the morale of the children and sensitise the society that the welfare of pupils is important, in getting the best of them in their academic pursuits.
In the first edition in February last year, 175,000 shoes and HOFOWEM-branded socks, were distributed to all Primary 1-3 pupils of public primary schools across Lagos State.
Mrs. Ambode said getting the best from education began with proper dressing to school, adding that the foundation had observed with some pain, that many pupils were less than properly dressed to school, as some turned up in bathroom slippers while many others went barefooted
The foundation, it was gathered, was established to cater for the needs of exceptionally brilliant and promising students in Nigeria, faced with an uncertain and bleak future owing to their inability to adequately fund their education.
She obtained her bachelor’s and masters’ degrees from the Lagos State University in 1989 and 1994 , majoring in Physics/ Mathematics and Public Administration.
Very cosmopolitan, Mrs. Ambode, who has attended several courses in reputable institutions abroad, had worked with the defunct People’s Bank of Nigeria, Instant Finance Nigeria Limited and Aquagem Consulting Limited before establishing her own business, Rehoboth Chops and Confectioneries
LATE AKUNYILI’S DAUGHTER, CHIDIOGO’S MOMENT OF JOY
Last weekend, the social blogospheres were set trending with radiating love storytelling and stunning photographs of Chidiogo, the fourth daughter of the former Director General of NAFDAC and former Information and Communication Minister, the late Prof. Dora Akunyili, who hooked to Canadian beau, Andrew Parr.
Chidiogo, a multilinguist, an author, speaker, and founder of She ROARs Africa, walked down the aisle with a stunning look in a custom wedding dress coupled with a Melanin headgear.
While Andrew, a performance coach for elite athletes, a professional golf player and an entrepreneur, looked dapper in white and well-tailored native attire.
The elated couple were solemnised at the Madonna Catholic Church, Agulu, Anambra State in the presence of the bride’s father, Sir Chike Akunyili; groom’s parents, the Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Willie Obiano, Igwe of Agulu and Olowu of Adazi, among friends and well-wishers.
Thereafter, the marriage traditional rites “Igba Nkwu” took turn in the palatial Agulu country home of the bride’s parent.
Yes, if readers would take anything as a resemblance of the late mother in the bride, that would not be farfetched one to trace as her brilliance and uniqueness in achieving excellent results at the end of the tunnel speaks into the ceremony in appreciative colours. The white Andrew and black Chidiogo in a choreographed dance steps left every guest present wowed until they bade the event goodbye.
Other dignitaries present were former governor Peter Obi, Senator Victor Umeh, Bianca Ojukwu, Sally Mbanefo, state Assembly members, local government chairmen, commissioners, academia, as well as top South-eastern politicians and business moguls.
Meanwhile, the Akunyilis had hosted them to a dinner on Thursday, while on Friday, the Canadian family alongside the Akunyilis paid a courtesy call on Governor Obiano at the State lounge and they were hosted to a welcome dinner that left the groom talking of relocating to Nigeria after they must have had another planned wedding reception Canada sometime in October.
ITF, NBC SHEATHE SWORDS
Industrial Training Fund, ITF and Nigeria Bottling Company Limited have finally reached an amicable settlement in respect of the N189,940,751.21arrears of contribution owed by the Nigerian Bottling Company Limited. By writ of summons and statement of claim dated 24th August, 2017.the ITF claim against NBC was as follows :
respect of the statutory training contribution in accordance with the Industrial Training Fund Act, 2011(as amended).
on every month the aforementioned sum ought to have been paid from 1st day of April 2011 until the liquidation of the outstanding sum in accordance with the Industrial Training Fund Act. –The parties and their respective legal representatives, having taken a comprehensive review of this case and having regard to the need to avoid protracted litigation and the attendant consequences, have decided to amicably settle this case without apportioning or admitting liabilities. These terms of settlement are agreed to without any admission of liability on the part of the defendant.
verification and reconciliation exercise mutually conducted, arrived at the sum of N104,290,434.05 as being the outstanding verified liability of the NBC to the ITF for
- voluntary declaration being in relation to the Industrial Training Fund levy on the payroll cost of international assignees that worked for the defendant during the financial years aforementioned
verified outstanding indebtedness of the defendant and the defendant’s voluntary declaration, as captured in paragraphs 3and4 above, both of which sums cumulatively amounts to the sum of N189,940,751.21 represents the total indebtedness of the defendant to the plaintiff for the financial the Industrial Training funds Act, 2011.
Pursuant to the foregoing, it is hereby agreed by all parties hereto as follows:
date these terms are executed by both parties herein, the defendant NBC shall pay to the plaintiffs ITF the sum of N189,940,751.21 in full and final settlement of the ITF claims in this suit and/or pertaining to, connected with and relating to the defendant’s 2011
- mentioned number of working days, pay firm of Messers Frank Eke &co as legal costs and incidental expenses arising from and in respect of this suit.