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Chief Eze Commemorates the 10th Anniversary of the Accident that Would Have Wiped Out His Entire Family

Published

4 days ago

December 22, 2021

The sweet excerpt above from Psalm 124: 6-8 succinctly describes the mood, gratitude and words of testimony from Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, as he marks the 10th Anniversary of God’s special deliverance over his life and family from a ghastly motor accident that almost wiped out his entire family from the face of the earth.

In a statement circulated to journalists to mark the event, Chief Eze recalled that, “the awesomeness of God is never in doubt! How He secured the Lives of Evang. Ada Chioma Henrietta Eze, my wife and five of our children including our driver Musa in a fatal accident that involved my Jeep with a DAF Trailer not only testifies how Great our God is but how Merciful He can be towards His children.”

According to him, “this accident which occurred on the fateful day of 21st December, 2011 when my family was coming back home for Xmas from Yola the State capital of Adamawa State will ever remain a mystery to the world!!

He said: “Imagine an encounter between a trailer with full load of flour with a mere Jeep and instead of crashing and squeezing the Jeep accordingly it was the trailer that was overturned and destroyed. Instead of those in the Jeep been crashed to death it was the other way round!! Wow! Wow!! Wow!! We serve a Living God!!!”

Text of the statement reads: “To the Glory of God, today 21st December, 2021 marks the 10th Memorial of this great event. An event that if not for God, we would have been mourning the death of my guardian angel (Wife) and five of our God’s great gifts (our children) including our then driver Musa today.

According to my wife who witnessed the glorious event, “I was awake during the accident, when the Jeep encountered the trailer, I saw the Jeep flying while I and the kids were in a sort of enclosure and after the accident the Angel of God removed the enclosure after ensuring that nothing happened to me or any of my kids but the trailer was so battered, killing both the Trailer Driver and his two conductors! Somebody should tell me where such an incident ever happened in this world where a trailer encounters a smaller car and the people in the smaller car survived while the people in the trailer were all dead, if not the demonstration of God’s might hand and power?.

Mrs. Chimbere Evangelista Agu the junior sister to my wife, who witnessed the great miracle stated, “The devil is a bastard. No weapon formed against us shall prosper. Dec 21st of that year proved to me that there is actually a God of miracles. The people in that place saw God in action. It pays to serve Jesus. He who is doing God let him continue. And if you are doing bad continue. When the time comes God will separate the wheat from the chaff. congratulations to the entire family. The Lord is still interested in you. More unction to function Adeem.

Our God is ever faithful. His banner over us is love. May His name be praised. None of our family members will die prematurely. Long life and good health will continue to be our portion. Above all,being a friend of Jesus pays alot. Good morning Deedem. Thanks for all the love you have been showing to us . You are living your Christian Life well. May lines continue to fall at pleasant places for you.” While my fourth child, Pharmacist Eunice Nnenna Eze who was amongst the occupants of that Jeep that survived the accident highlighted, “God is too faithful, we will forever be grateful to our great protector for saving us mightily that very day. May His name alone be praised and adored”

“As you join us to celebrate the goodness of God towards me and my family on this auspicious day, let me as well mention another mysterious event that also occurred in October, 2017 when a life bullet shot at my wife got neutralized by the Almighty God Himself!!

“The bullet instead of penetrating through the glass of the Jeep my wife was driving was instead spiritually forced to penetrate through the rubber holding the front row side glass of the passenger’s side. Imagine a life bullet to be held by a mere rubber without any harm to the car. The pictures attached explains it better

Let me use this opportunity to thank most profoundly God Almighty and all the instruments he used to help me rescue my family on that fateful day. Mr. Tubonimi Wokoma and his team of committed human beings readily come to mind.

“In conclusion, my brothers, sisters and friends I implore you to join us once again to celebrate this great God for His Mercies Endureth for Ever

“Merry Xmas and prosperous New Year to us all”

Related Topics:Chief Eze Commemorates the 10th Anniversary of the Accident that Would Have Wiped Out His Entire Family

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FIRSTBANK UNVEILS A FULLY AUTOMATED SELF SERVICE BRANCH, STRENGTHENS DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN NIGERIA

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NEWS

FIRSTBANK UNVEILS A FULLY AUTOMATED SELF SERVICE BRANCH, STRENGTHENS DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN NIGERIA

Published

1 month ago

November 24, 2021

Segun Lawal

First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s premier and leading financial inclusion services organisation has announced the launch of its fully automated branch, called the FirstBank Digital Experience Centre. It is provided to put customers at an advantage in carrying out various activities on their own without interacting with anyone. The branch is a reinvention of digital banking solutions in the country as customers are exposed to a seamless world-class banking experience.

The self-service branch is built with a wide range of phased modern banking facilities which include humanoid robots equipped with Video Banking and Artificial Intelligence (AI), taking on the role of friendly branch staff; Teller Cash Recyclers (TCRs); Self-Service kiosks for non-financial transactions such as account update; Fast Track (Contactless) ATMs; Interactive Smart Screen to ensure effective and comprehensive consultation with bank sales staff via remote video connection.

Other services include paperless/electronic forms designed to promote timely resolution of complaints, dispensing of account statements and account enquiry/management, funds transfer, dispensing of new ATM cards; fixed deposit booking between N100,000.00 to N5,000,000.00, card services and management, cheque management, email and phone number update, ATM card and token block, amongst many others.

Expressing his delight on the initiative, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, CEO, FirstBank said ‘with our Digital Experience Centre, we have reiterated our role in pioneering leading innovative technology-driven solutions that are central to enriching the experience of our customers in carrying-out various transactions using state-of-the-art-facilities with ease and convenience. Our self-service branch exemplifies the future of banking in Nigeria and we remain committed to putting You, our customers First.

The FirstBank Digital Experience Centre is piloted by the Bank’s remodeled Adetokunbo Ademola branch, Victoria Island. The milestone initiative is scheduled to hit other locations across the country’s geopolitical zones in the coming months.

NEWS

Odunmbaku Interacts With Captains Of Industry; Launches ONAP

Published

1 month ago

November 24, 2021

Segun Lawal

Mr David Olusegun Odunmbaku (DOS), on Wednesday, met the leading industrialists in Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) as the council remains focused on spurring economic growth amid the aftermath of the pandemic.

Odunmbaku asserted that his administration is ready to partner with the private sector to deal with the issues of multiple taxations and documentation. “There’s need for us to reach out to the public sector, gone are the days of doing it alone is gone, where the council chairman sit in the office and expect magic to happen, not even in the face of blink resources, inflation is going through the roof, we are just coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic and it’s time to bring the community together, we need each other. I’m aware as well that the private sector is going through a rough time, we can work together and make this easy for all of us.”

“Our IGR has been decimated, we are not even been able to get 50% of what we used to have and the public expect us to still carry on with our statutory duties, in our visibility study researching activities, we found out that you also key, we can’t do most of these without you, that’s why we are here, we must set up partnership that will work and strive, and issue that affects the private sector as well, multiple taxations, documentation and some other area you might find it difficult to get to the State, that’s why we are here. We need your expertise, we need your experiences, we need your resources to help us get to the Ojodu of our dream, I’m pretty sure with this administration and this move we have taken it will be a reality to the upcoming generation.”

He highlighted some of the projects his administration has worked on within the last 100 days. “In our short 100 days, we have been able to do some roads projects. Currently, we are working on Muibi street, which will connect and decongest Ogunnusi Road, Sonala Street is there and Ayo Alabi Street, we’ll continue working on others too,” Odunmbaku said.

“We have been identifying the core needs of the community, with my team and our campaign manifesto which stands for health, education, youth and women empowerment, social services and infrastructure. It’s my pleasure to let you know HEYS agenda is in tune with the T.H.E.M.E agenda of the Lagos State Government, this was intentional, I was privileged to be part of the campaign team of the governor, I was the Deputy Director ICT, so most of the programs that were rolling out especially the Fiber-optic internet, I was part of the plan.”

On the other hand, the council chairman said his administration is working rigorously to make sure Apata and Aguda PHCs work 24/7. “Talking of our facilities, all our PHCs need upgrades, presently we are at Apata and Aguda PHCs, when I say upgrade I don’t mean the regular whitewash, I mean we want to make them 24 hours facilities. Presently, we do not have any 24 hours facility within the community, the one that we have is at the outskirt of the community, it’s not adequate for the yearning of the people, that’s why the Apata PHC is critical, we must get it right this time.”

He continues.: “We’ll get more doctors in to help with child delivery, we’ll get the people that will assist them with the workload that will be coming and also to make it 24 hours sustainable facility with alternative energy, which is solar energy, at the current rate, we can’t sustain powering six PHCs diesel, as am speaking to you now, diesel is about N320 per litre, that’s more reason we have to look out for how to sustain these PHCs and for them to work efficiently and effectively as well.”

On Sustainable Water project, Odunmbaku said talks are ongoing to get clean sustainable water to the PHCs and the community at large. “It’s difficult for our Primary Healthcare Centres to have access to clean sustainable water, we are partnering with some agencies to be precise ‘Water Aid’ in conjunction with State Government, it’s not just about digging boreholes but to be able to teach them how to sustain those boreholes, we are working with the CDC, CDA and members of the communities on that.”

“The reason why we tally with the State is to have synergy between agencies and the State. But this era, Mr Governor has said, we want that partnership to strive where the local government will seek partnership with relevant agencies. In our case, the Lagos State Health Care Board is on board, education, we have SUBEB, youth empowerment, we have the Ministry of Youth & Wealth Creation, social services, we have WAPA and that’s what we have done, we have been able to identify these problems.

Talking of capacity building and empowerment, the council chairman says. “For key professionals, not just our doctors alone, even our staff, we have been able to create an avenue where we can train and retrain our staff, talking of the alternative power, not just in our PHCs, even here in our council. We have spoken with our CDC, CDA and traditional rulers, we are looking for land to erect a vocational site, we want more markets for our women so that we can get them off the street.”

While delivering his speech, the council chairman launched the Ojodu Nutrition Assistance Program (ONAP), a program that aims to achieve “zero hunger”. “There’s a database where we’ll pick people at random, regardless of party affiliation, race, religion, we want to get it to those who need it most. It will be food stamps that we can give to the people on a regular basis at random, we are partnering with supermarkets within the community Hubmart, Addide, Shoprite where they can go in and use the stamps.”

“The Grassroot Benefit also include scholarship, grants, soft-loan, for our market women and SMEs and so much more, the important aspect of the program is to have a database of our people, as am talking to you, we started last week and we have gotten close to 700 people in our database and it’s growing.”

On the DOS education agenda, Odunmbaku said: “We have back to school program, the primary schools are our statutory responsibility as you know, there’s a lot we can do like I keep saying if the state has SUBEB, there are still other services we can do, most of these schools don’t have a computer system, most of them don’t have after school training, they don’t have books and bag. But for these 100 days, we are providing about 250 bags, books and other learning equipment to our children. We have provided more than 150 GCE forms, I have promised the committee that next year, we’ll double it to 300, we are still going to provide JAMB for our students as well and most importantly, out of secondary school students, children that have left secondary school and lost, they don’t have directions, there’s nowhere to run to, they can’t afford JAMB anymore, we’ll start a program in December where we’ll retrain and mentor them till they become responsible citizens of the community.”

“We have an ICT centre which we want to upgrade to a hub, the hub will allow our youth to train with the latest technology if by now someone is still learning desktop publishing, we are no more in the 90 and 2000, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics, Social Media Optimization and so many more in trend in the 21st century.”

On youth empowerment, the council boss said: “As we are talking about AI and the rest, we did not forget the barbers, tailors, shoemakers, they are part of my dream, but our main dream is for them to learn with trending equipment, during the empowerment, we’ll give out some machines to this sector as well. Single mothers, widows and women are not left out. So, I want intervention from you all to take Ojodu LCDA to a greater height.”

The council chairman during the breakfast meeting heard suggestions from at least a dozen industry captains, who represented some of the top business establishments from the council area. He made note of some points, while he replied to some points.

Idris Adetutu, Regional Manager of Ecobank, asked the council chairman for a Landmark project for the people of Ojodu in 2022. “Well done for the job done so far. I want to ask if you already have a commitment from the State government for a Landmark project next year. If not, do you have any in mind.” he added.

Victor Mordi, Director, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Zone 2, presented his views pertaining to the menace of Okada riders within the community. He stated that the situation of the Okada riders calls for an evaluation of the transportation structure within Ojodu LCDA, while highlighting the council chairman’s speech about bridging the gap between the government and the people.

Lauding the council chairman on his 100 days achievement, R Festus, Manager at MTN Nigeria, requested to know where his company can come in to support the council in the area of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Another guest, identified as Mr Seun, pleaded for a school bus for the students of Ojodu LCDA.

While responding to the questions, Odunmbaku said work is ongoing to get the kids a small bus. “We understand that it’s a difficult thing for some family to send their wards to school, in our last meeting with these ladies, we are looking forward to providing a small bus that will take their kids to and from schools and for the persons with disability, we are making provision for them and they are part of the empowerment program as well,” he said.

He added that: “We are also looking for a way to channel our divided communities.”

On the ban on Okada riders, Hon. Bunmi Oluyadi, Vice Chairman Ojodu LCDA, said the council is curtailing the excesses of the Okada riders within the council area. “We are aware that the State government has placed a ban on the Okada riders within the State capital, so we as government, for the past few years make sure we address and curtail their excess.”

Other businessmen who participated in the meeting with the council boss included Mr Tayo Orekoya, former Director, LAMATA & APC chieftain Ojodu LCDA; Mr Koye Adejumo, Chairman Empowerment Team; Mr Joshua Ayodele, SME Officer, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF); Olapeju Bello, ME Officer LSETF, representative of United Bank for Africa (UBA); Managers of Jover Hotel and Hubmart Stores.

Also in attendance at the meeting are Ojodu LCDA’s Elders Council led by Chief J.O. Famakinwa, Leader; Elder Kolawole Oludare; Elder Aliu Helen; Elder Olalere Olabisi; and councillors from the six wards in the council area.

NEWS

LAGOS OPEN FOR COLLABORATION, INVESTMENTS FROM WILLING PARTNERS, SAYS SANWO-OLU

Published

1 month ago

November 24, 2021

Segun Lawal

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday, said the State is set to harness the potential of its landmass and face challenges headlong with innovative solutions as a 21st Century Mega City.

He said with a landmass of less than 0.4 percent, the Lagos State Government was ready and open for collaboration investments from willing partners as well as the political will to address issues on climate change.

Governor Sanwo-Olu made the statement while speaking at the Nordic - Nigeria Connect Smart City Lagos 2021, a high-power conference on Smart City solutions and circular economy themed: “Developing a Greener Lagos” held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island on Tuesday.

The Nordic countries include Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.

Governor Sanwo-Olu assured foreign partners, especially investors from the Nordic countries that Lagos is ready and open for collaboration for investments from willing partners, noting that Lagos has taken steps to improve ease of doing business.

He said issues on the agenda for the conference “are of considerable importance to our planet, especially as we ramp up efforts to forge lasting consensus on tackling climate change,” adding that the timing of the conference could not be more perfect, in the immediate aftermath of COP26.

“Lagos is open for collaboration and investment. We have the talent and expertise. We have the financial markets. We have the demographics to support your business cases and plans. We have massive opportunities for the rollout of low-carbon infrastructure and solutions, and we have the political will, as a government, to ensure that your ideas and investments take root and thrive.

“We are delighted that many of the investors we are seeing in Lagos are deeply committed to projects that advance the desired goals of climate resilience and environmental friendliness, while also making great business sense and meeting the practical needs of the populace.

“I am delighted that we are seeing considerable interest in our ideas and opportunities, from the Nordic countries, which are themselves world leaders in the circular economy, in environmental sustainability, and in the inevitable transition to a net-zero-carbon future,” he said.

Governor Sanwo-Olu who identified some of the challenges facing Lagos State with its large population to include, transportation, infrastructure, environment, waste management and Green Energy, among others, said that his administration’s driving force is the T.H.E.M.E.S. developmental agenda.

“I am pleased to note that our administration’s governing agenda for Lagos, known as the T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda prioritises that “21st Century” thinking. The ‘M’ in T.H.E.M.E.S. stands for Making Lagos a 21st Century Megacity, while the first E represents Education and Technology, which are the key requirements for the evolution of a Smart’ City,” he said.

He said Lagos State Government is currently building Nigeria’s biggest metropolitan fiber-optic network that will provide high-speed internet access for public institutions and private sectors, as well as investing public funds in start-ups and academic research, through the Lagos State Research and Innovation Council (LASRIC), as part of its commitment to entrenching a culture of innovation.

“We are also looking at agricultural systems that can enable us to maximise productivity while minimising environmental impact, considering our limited land resource. We are automating and digitising various government procedures, like land and property registration - which as you know will have a positive environmental impact, in terms of minimising travel to government offices while also reducing the use of paper,” he said.

Speaking at the event on behalf of the Nordic countries, Deputy Minister for International Trade, Finland, Ms. Nina Vaskunlahti; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Norway, H.E. Anniken Huitfeldt; State Secretary for Trade and Global Sustainability, Denmark, Mr. Steen Hommel and State Secretary for Foreign Trade and Nordic Affairs, Sweden, Mr. Krister Nilsson, said their countries are set to partner with the Lagos State government in the areas of the circular economy, human development, recycling and waste management and Green transport solution, among others.

Also speaking, the Founder, the Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu commended the Nordic countries for organising the event and interacting with the Lagos State government and business practitioners for investments in the State, noting that entrepreneurship is very key to Africa development.

He implored government and public sector leaders to create an enabling environment for investors and foreign partners.