Life and Times Magazine Summer 2013 Edition

SUMMER 2013 LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE 1

Sports

summer real_Layout 1 31/07/2013 14:01 Page 1

2 LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013

Sports


We are graduallyapproaching our thirdanniversary and there are lotsof reasons to celebrate duringour 3rd Annual Fiesta comingup on September 7, 2013.

We have become apublication that is sought afterby our community fromAtlanta to Baltimore and fromNew York, to Houston and toLos Angeles. We are graduallyachieving our goal ofbecoming a respected andinfluential voice for ourcommunity both in theDiaspora and in Africa.

This would not have beenpossible without the generoussupport we received from allof you loyal fans, readers,advert patrons and corporatesponsors of this dream whichstarted as a labor of love.

We have listened to yourcounsel, feedbacks andcriticisms and that is whytoday we have a product thatcan rival any other publicationanywhere in the world.

Your collective push haspropelled us to higher heightsand for that, we thank you.

We would now build onthe success that LIFE andTIMES has become and thegreat product that we haveinto a commercially solidventure that will be sustainablefor years to come.

This edition is another tourde force...

Our cover story brings youthe compelling life story of Dr.Julius Kpaduwa, a renownedPhysician and Humanitarianwho has refused to simplyenjoy the comforts of his verysuccessful medical career but

continually strives to serve andlend a helping hand to those inneed.

We also bring you theProfile in Excellence of Dr.Ifesinachi Ugwuonye, anamazing woman and a trailblazer in so many ways, who isalways on the quest to breakbarriers and reach for the stars.

The PEOPLE and PLACESsection takes you to Houstonfor a spotlight on the IjawFoundation 3rd AnnualConvention and to Atlanta forthe 13th Annual Banquet of theNigerian Women Associationof Georgia. Here in LosAngeles, we take you to theclassy weddings of Ify Agusi &Tayo Damola and ChinyeluNdika & Kester Ezuma.

We also have a rich fashionpull out showcasing MocolateDesign House, Sumarie DesignHouse and Addictive ClosetShoes. Life and Times awardwinning photographer, Deverealso takes you to Las Vegas,Nevada for a Super ModelTour.

On top of all these, youwill still get your regularcolumns covering Youth,Health, Religion, Life's issuesetc.

This is yet another editionyou cannot afford to miss and Iwant to thank everybody in theLIFE and TIMES board andproduction team that has madethis possible.

Chike NwekePublisherSummer 2013

V{|~x aãx~x



Contents10

34


16

22

3. From The Desk Of The Publisher

10. Cover Profile: Dr. Julius Kpaduwa, accomplished physician and humanitarian.

16. Profile In Excellence: 'Sinachi UgwuonyeBreaking barriers

22. People And Place:Victoria Weds Tayo

36. Fashion & Style: Mo’colatee Fashion House

41. Beauty of the Moment: Dr Nicoline Amber

42. People And Places: Nigerian Women Association of Georgia(NWAG) celebrated its 13th AnnualFundraising and Awards Banquet.

48. People And Places:Ijaw Foundation Inc. 3rd AnnualConvention

54. People And Places: Celebrating The Life Of Lolo Rose Chukwuezi At 70

64. People And Places: All Nigerian Nationals in Diaspora (ANNID) Annual Banquet

summer real backup_Layout 1 01/08/2013 15:21 Page 4

14


68. Money And Finance:College in Your Child’s Future?

72. Fashion And Style: Sumahrie Collections

78. Fashion And Style: Spotlight On Shoe Designer: Addictive Closet

82. People And Places: Kim L. Hunter: African Family Induction

82. People And Places: Re-Introducing Northern Nigeria:Not As You Know It

92. People And Places: Chinyelu weds Kester

96. Money And Finance: Moneygram to transfer to NASDAQ

98. Arts And Culture: Gem of the Rainforest

99. Subscriptions

100. Arts & Entertainment: The Azonto Craze

102. News and Politics: Boko Haram Revisited

104. Health: Why I Hate Sugar

107. Fashion and Style: Las Vegas Model Tour

114. Spotlight: South Africa Alive with possibilities

121. Youth: The Nigerian Connection

122. Spotlight: Spotlight on Kano State.

128. Life's Issues: Finding Balance through Travel

130. Community: Community Snap Shots

131. People and Places: Dr. Solo Egbuho @ 60

133. Religion and Spiritual Affairs: Enemies Of Marriage: Lack of Communication


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-Ndubuizu,LLM(Regional Director, S.E. , USA)

EDITORIAL BOARDChair, Clem Ainabe, Ph.D

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

Features Editor: Grace NeequayeCorrespondents:Chinyere Ifeacho

Osayande AghazebamwanStella JohnsonYemi AbiodunTommy Musa

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


COLUMNISTSDr. Dipo Kalejaiye- ReligionVictor Onwaeze Esq- LawDr. Olufemi Saliu- HealthNkem DenChukwu- Life's issuesChris Abili- News and PoliticsIjeoma Nwawka- YouthPhotographers:Devere WheatfallAde JamesFrank OsaemekaKingsley NwamaduUju Anokwute

MARKETING/ADVERTISINGJude "Majid" Nwosu, MBAChioma Angelican Opara(Maryland Representative)



Sports



Chief Charles Arinze Egbuna,(B.URP, MSC) Regional Director,North Western United States

Charles is also President and CEOof Ozalla Contruction Company LLCa leading Construction company inthe State of Illinois. Charles lives inChicago with his wife Ifeoma and fivechildren

Attorney Mrs. Iruka Udeagha-Ndubuizu,(LLM, CRCP) Regional Director, SouthEastern United States.

Mrs. Ndubuizu is also an AssistantDirector in the Contracts AdministrationDivision of Emory University, Atlanta GA,Office of sponsored programs. Iruka lives inAtlanta with her husband and three children.

IntroducingNew Members of The Life andTimes Team



Ms. Grace Neequaye, (B.A, MPH) - Features Editor, Life and Times

A native of Accra, Ghana hasbeen living the Los Angeles for thepast 7 years. She attended OhioUniversity where she received aB.S. in Biology and a B.A. inFrench. She then received aMasters of Public Health from theUniversity of Southern California.Grace works for a multi NationalMedical Research Company and isas a licensed Zumba® FitnessInstructor.

Mrs. Chioma Angelican Opara,(BSN)- Maryland Representative.

Chioma also runs a leadingNursing Staffing Agency inBaltimore Maryland where she liveswith her husband and three children.

Compiled by:Prince Arthur Abraham

Executive Editor



Cover Story

DR. JULIUSKPADUWAACCOMPLISHED PHYSICIAN AND HUMANITARIAN



Cover Story

Dr. Julius Kpaduwa is an ar-dent believer who has positivelycontributed to the developmentof Nigeria. Dr. Kpaduwa cameto the United States in 1971 tostudy medicine and has beenpracticing for the last 34 years.

During this time he has kepttrue to his roots by offering toserve Imo State by running forGovernor in 2003. Even after hisfailed gubernatorial bid, he ac-cepted to serve as Chairman ofthe Board of Imo State Univer-sity Teaching Hospital Orlufrom 2009-2011.

As President of the Associa-tion of Nigerian Physicians in

America (ANPA) from 2008-2010 he ensured that the Associ-ation collaborated with Nigerianhealth care officials in elevatingthe state of the practice of medi-cine and oversaw annual med-ical missions to Nigeria todeliver state of the art medicalcare to hundreds of poor pa-tients in several communities.

Born in Abeokuta, OgunState, Nigeria to parents fromMbano, Imo State, young Juliusattended Igbobi College, YabaLagos State for his secondaryeducation before coming toAmerica in 1971 for the purposeof becoming a doctor.

He received his undergradu-ate degree from Berea College inKentucky and proceeded tostudy Medicine at Howard Med-ical School from where he gradu-ated in 1979. In his 34 years ofpractice as a Doctor, JuliusKpaduwa is well-accomplishedand is very actively engaged incivic affairs.

In this interview with Life andTimes Publisher, Chike Nweke; Dr.Kpaduwa talks about his back-ground, family, growing up years,professional accomplishments, andhopes and dreams for Nigeria.



Cover Story

Tell us a little bit about youreducational and familybackground.

Answer: I was born inAbeokuta and raised in Lagos.My father was an Army malenurse and was posted to differ-ent parts of Nigeria during hisdistinguished service at theNigerian military. He was how-ever in Lagos for most of his ca-reer and that was where all myother siblings were born andraised.

This background isresponsible for myunique global Niger-ian perspective. I at-tended Saint Patrick’sprimary school in YabaLagos where justabout every Nigerianethnic group was rep-resented. I also ob-tained my secondaryeducation at IgbobiCollege in Lagos. Thatschool also had justabout all the Nigerianethnic group repre-sented. You can seehow I fit in very wellwith all ethnic groupsin Nigeria.

In 1967, our familyleft Lagos because ofthe pending civil warto return to the SouthEast. That was an eyeopener and the movewas responsible formost of my Igbo culture. I thenbecame a full Nigerian. My fa-ther was posted to the garrisonin Enugu where I stayed brieflybefore proceeding to Mary KnollCollege in Okuku Ogoja for myhigher school education. That

was truncated in June 1967 at thebeginning of the civil war. I thenreturned to my home town EzikeMbano in Imo State for the dura-tion of the war. That was wheremy ‘Igbo Kwenu” profile wasnurtured and cemented.

From there I joined the Bi-afran Army and was stationed inObosi until the end of the war. Ithen returned to Igbobi CollegeLagos to continued my inter-rupted higher school education. Iwas soon admitted to Berea Col-

lege in Kentucky where I ob-tained my Bachelor’s degree inthree and half years. My medicalschool career started in 1975 atHoward University medicalschool and I then moved to StateUniversity Teaching hospital in

Down State New York, Brooklynfor my Residency in Obstetricsand Gynecology. I finished in1983 and moved to Los Angelesin January 1984. That is my lifehistory in a nut shell.

You were born in Abeokuta inthe then Western Nigeria andspent a lot of your growing upyears in Western Nigeriabefore coming to the UnitedStates. How did this shapeyour world view especially as

it relates to theoften tenuousinter tribalrelationships inNigeria?

Answer: Youcan see how mybackground and upbringing has placedme in a unique po-sition as an allNigerian kid. I havelifelong friends ofall Nigerian ethnicbackground and alot of people find itdifficult to place mein any particularNigerian ethnicgroup. They getconfused because Iam very comfort-able in my IgboKwenu communityand my Ngbati Ng-bati brothers andsisters. I also will

not get lost in the Sanu deiki en-vironment. Nigeria would havebeen a different place if mostkids shared in my upbringing.

You attended the prestigiousHoward Medical Schoolgraduating in 1979 and



Cover Story

subsequently specialized inObstetrics and Gynecology.You have accomplished a lotin your 34 years practice ofmedicine including theestablishment of the Motherand Child Health Centers in ElMonte CA, Medical Director ofAlta Dena Health ServicesCorporation, Chief of Staff,Greater El Monte CommunityHospital, Chairman of theBoard of Imo State UniversityTeaching Hospital, Orlu-Nigeria just to name a few.How did you get this far andwhat has been the low andhigh points of yourdistinguished career?

Answer: My accomplish-ments are a result of God’s gift,focus and seriousness of purposeand sheer good old hard work. Iknew that I wanted a medical ca-reer from high school in Lagos. Istarted working towards it fromthen on. Why the medical career?My father’s medical career ischiefly responsible, but more mypassionate side played a signifi-cant role.

Being able to relieve pain andsuffering and do no harm tomankind appealed to me. I havealways believed in putting in thebest effort in all I do. My wife,who is also a physician, and Ihave built a successful medicalpractice here in Los Angeles. Iam the President of a multipleindependent practice associationcalled Avalon and Vice Presidentof Greater San Gabriel ValleyIPA, also a multi-specialty inde-pendent physician group. In allthese endeavors, I have been ableto acquire significant manage-ment skills.

The low point of my endeav-ors is typified by my inability toaccomplish all I had in mindwhen the Governor of Imo state,His Excellency Chief IkediOhakim gave me the honor ofbeing the Chairman of the Boardof IMSUTH. I will forever begrateful to him for giving methat opportunity. The difficultpolitical terrain made it challeng-ing to make significant changes. Idid however learn a lot from thatunique experience.

From 2008-2010 you werePresident of the Associationof Nigerian Physicians InAmerica (ANPA) and youhave been a very activemember of the Los AngelesCounty Medical Association(LACMA). How has your

membership of theseprofessional organizationsshaped your view of thepractice of medicine generallyand the state of medicalpractice in Nigeria that youobserve first hand during theannual medical missions thatANPA undertakes to Nigeria?

Answer: The Association ofNigerian Physicians in the Amer-icas, ANPA was founded in 1995.As you may know there are over5000 practicing Nigerian physi-cians in the Diaspora, mostly inthe USA. This accounts for thebiggest brain drain from Nigeriaas many of these physicians at-tended Nigerian medical schools.ANPA was formed to reverse thebrain drain one way or the other.The vision of the association is “a



Cover Story

healthier Nigeria in a healthierworld.”

From its inception to present,the association has engaged inimproving the healthcare deliv-ery in our motherland. Medicalmissions in Nigeria were startedby ANPA shortly after its inau-guration and continue to date.

My wife and I started the Mbanomedical mission in 2001 and ithas continued under the USAMbano National Association eversince. Numerous lives have beenmedically touched by this dropin the bucket effort.

In 2008 I became the NationalPresident of ANPA and in my 2year term, I moved our Nationalconvention to Abuja Nigeria in2009. I thought that it madesense to move our yearly conven-

tion to the environment that thewhole effort was all about. Thatmarked a turning point for ourassociation as we developed im-portant working relationshipwith the Nigerian Governmentthrough the Ministry of Health.We also engaged the NigerianMedical Association and our col-

leagues in the UK: MANSAG. Ithas been a very fruitful relation-ship. It is however a work inprogress. We have also tried tobuild medical centers in Nigeria.

This has not been easy but wewill continue the relentless effort.I have always felt that we owe itto society to transfer the abun-dant knowledge and resourcesthat we have been blessed within USA to our mother land. Per-sonal achievement without

meaningful impact on our com-munity is diminished greatly.That is my motivating force. It isall about the society at large andnot the individual self.

In 2003 you ran for Governorof Imo State, Nigeria. Youwere once Chairman ofNigerian Democracy Taskforce, you are a very respectedcommunity leader in theNigerian Community here inthe United States and youhelp indigenes of your localcommunity of Mbano carryout several humanitarianprojects back home on aregular basis. Despite yourstellar professionalachievements you haverefused to rest in the comfortthat your professionalaccomplishments have givenyou. What is your drivingmotivation to serve thepeople?

Answer: The motivatingforce for my being is my positiveimpact on society in general. Iwould have failed miserably if Iconquered the world and theworld had nothing to show for it.That was why I decided to runfor the Governorship of ImoState in 2003.

As you may know, I almostlost my life in that effort but Iwas immediately flown to theUSA for medical treatment. .Thanks to Almighty God and thegood old USA where I was im-mediately flown for medicaltreatment. I spent a year and halfundergoing multiple surgical op-erations and rehabilitation anddisability. I am grateful toAlmighty God. The earlier med-ical missions that we under took



Cover Story

motivated me to seek the highestpolitical office in the State. Thedeplorable medical conditionsthat still exist today were emo-tionally moving. I thought that Icould use that executive positionto positively impact the lives ofthe people. We in the Diasporahave a lot to give.

We are fortunate to live in themost advanced society in theworld and we have the opportu-nity of being successful in thatsociety and there is so much wecan take back home. I verystrongly believe this. Someoneasked me if I will do it all overagain and I said yes! I will do itin a heartbeat if I thought thatthere is even a 50% chance ofsuccess. Of course all is in thehands of God.

You are a devoted family manand have been married toStella , who as a pediatricianpartners with you in the

running of the El MonteMother and Child Clinics. Youhave also raised foursuccessful children. How doyou balance your hecticprofessional/civic duties withthe role of being a greathusband and a devotedfather?

Answer: Being married to avery accomplished wife likeStella is God’s blessing and a bighelp. We would not haveachieved this much without theunique union. God has reallyblessed us. We have to share thisblessing with the society at large.

What advice will you give to anew immigrant who has justarrived America on achievingsuccess here?

Answer: For the new immi-grants, I have one advice. Be pre-pared to work hard. Nothinggood comes easy. Be honest withyourself and be focused. There is

no magic about success. Do notfollow the wrong crowd and al-ways be close to God. TheAlmighty will help you and soci-ety at large.

Please give us your partingcomments:

Answer: I will like to end thisinterview with a comment onNigeria. Nigeria is a developingcountry that has a lot of poten-tial. Its citizens both inside andout of the country is its biggestasset. No one should be left be-hind in the quest for a better so-ciety. Let us all throw awayselfishness. When the societyprospers, we all benefit im-mensely individually.

We in the Diaspora shouldnot shy away from playing a rolein the development of our homecountry. We should take the bestfrom our adopted country backto our homeland. The World willbe much better off for it.


Profile in Excellence

Chief (Dr.) Ifesinachi Ug-wuonye is a high achiever in everysense of the word- who is alwaystrying to conquer new horizons.

Educated in some of the bestschools, Ifesinachi obtained herfirst degree in Foreign Languagesand Literature in February 1994from the University of Port Har-

court Nigeria before proceeding tothe Universite Catholique de Lille,France to obtain a Masters degreein International Commerce in June1996. She came to America in 1997and lived in the Washington DCarea until the end of 2001 whenshe moved to California. Whileworking as a Mortgage Loan Con-

sultant with Citibank, she pro-ceeded to the University ofPhoenix, San Diego Campus to ob-tain an MBA in Global Businessand Finance in September 2008.Not resting on her academic quest,Ifesinachi went on to obtain a JurisDoctor degree from the Trinity In-ternational University Law School

'SINACHI UGWUONYEBreaking Barriers




in Santa Ana, California in Decem-ber 2012.

Ifesinachi has worked for someof the leading financial institutionsin America including the WorldBank in Washington DC, UnionBank of California, Wells FargoBank, Citibank and Bank of Amer-ica. Currently she is a Senior Mort-gage Banker with Bank of the West- PNB Paribas while she contem-plates her legal career.

Dr. Ugwuonye loves givingback to the less privileged andstarted the ‘Sinachi ScholarshipFoundation in 1999 with the goalof offering educational scholar-ships to the less privileged backhome in Nigeria. Today theSinachi foundation has offeredscholarships to over twenty col-lege and college-bound girls and

has plans to expand its schemes tohelp more students.

She is the mother of two greatchildren Prince Chidera FunshoIdowu- 22 and Princess AkachiAdaobi - 9.

In this interview with our Pub-lisher, Hon. Chike Nweke, Dr. Ug-wuonye talks about herbackground, her growing upyears, her dreams and herhopes for Nigeria.

Please tell us a little bit aboutyour family background andyour growing up years?

Thank you Hon. Chike Nwekefor your time and interest in mystory. Well, for me, growing upwas quite an adventure; somepleasant and some not so pleasant.But of course, that is probably how

it is for every one. On the familyside, it was somewhat compli-cated. I was born towards the endof the Biafran/Nigerian Civil Warin a Town called Umumba Ndi-Uno in Ezeagu LGA of EnuguState. I was told that my father,Prince Michael Ugwuonye diedtragically when I was only twoyears old. He was less than 40years old. I was mostly brought upby my aunt, my father’s sister withsome stops here and there. I thenlived with my aunt’s first son - mycousin in Benin City where I at-tended Elementary School.

My father’s father, Ezeani Ug-wuonye was the traditional rulerof my town and is still describedas very wise man that renderedsome interesting rulings in decid-ing some major town issues. He




was a great defender of the op-pressed and lowly. He was veryhumble and truthful. His son, myfather was like his father as he de-fended truth, justice and the op-pressed. He too was very kind andgenerous.

I am the second child of myfamily with seven brothers and nosister. But haven lived away fromhome during all my growing upstage, I hardly saw them and for a

long time was confused as towhich was my family. I would beintroduced to a new brother dur-ing my holiday visits from Benin,but as time went by it becameclearer to me.

Under that situation and underthe environment we lived in, it au-tomatically fell on me to providefor everyone. As you probablyknow, even today, it is quite chal-lenging for a girl to grow up with-

out a father. I am however, verygrateful to the people - relativesand non-relatives who offeredhelp and made it possible to movefrom one stage to another, slowlybut steadily until what you havehere today. Those people shouldtake credit for whatever I have ac-complished today because withouttheir sacrifices I wouldn’t be here.

You are highly educated andhave attended some of the bestschools in the world. Tell us alittle about your educationalbackground and how this hasprepared you for the successyou have achieved today?

Being “highly educated” is rel-ative or subjective. While I do notclaim to have “all that” in the areaof education, I admit that I haveseen many walls of some greatUniversities. As you mentionedabove, I started out at the Univer-sity of Port Harcourt (Uniport) -1989 to 1994. I wanted to studyEnglish language, but I met Pro-fessor Nnolim, who later becamethe Dean of Faculty of Humanities.After listening to my reason forwanting to study English, hethought that I would be betterserved in the Foreign Languagesand Literature Department. Hisreasoning is that there are fewerFrench/German majors than Eng-lish majors, and as such, better jobopportunities. Following his ad-vice and his help, I was admittedinto the department of ForeignLanguages and Literature withFrench major and German minor.This was the turning point in mylife, I had the opportunity to go forthe year abroad program, spon-sored partly by the Nigerian gov-ernment and partly by theUniversity. During my time, thatprogram was reduced from going




to France to spending a year at theFrench Village in Badagry, LagosState, but with full exposure andaccess to the French culturethrough its embassy.

Still due to the French connec-tion, I applied and was admittedto the Universite de Charles deGuaule, Department of Languagesand Literature, Lille, France. Run-ning a semester behind as it tookme extra six months to completethe degree requirements in Uni-port due to strikes, I arrived Lille,France in February of 1994 andstarted classes right away. Butwithin a couple of months at theschool, I realized that Languagesalone will not get me to where Idreamed of being. This was how Ialso attended L’ UniversiteCatholique de Lille, France, study-ing International Commerce andTranslation. Here, I obtained aMater’s Degree, (MA) in 1996.

That was still not enough, Iwanted to learn more. I wanted toknow whatever I could througheducation, it was like an obsession,it was all about “what else andhow?”. I realized that I lovednumbers, commerce, economics,business and all that makes theworld market exchange possible.

I moved to the U.S.A in 1997straight from France. Having mas-tered the French language, it waseasier to get by in the U.S than itwould have been if I had movedstraight from Nigeria under myunique circumstance. I workedwith what I learned in school. TheMBA came much later down theline, but made much easier by myprofession as a Mortgage Banker.

You have two Masters Degreesin International Commerce anda Masters in BusinessAdministration and you justbagged a Juris Doctor

(JD) Degree... why a law degreeand what is propelling thisquest for knowledge andachievement?

You know, I actually alwayswanted to read law, but I couldnot pursue that right away in col-lege because like I mentionedabove, I had some family responsi-bilities even while trying to get byin school. I first took the LSAT inearly 2001 in Washington DC,however, the plan to attend LawSchool at that time was delayeddue to my move to California, butI did not give up on that dream.My employers at the differentbanks offered Tuition reimburse-ment if employees study job-re-lated courses in school. While thestudy of law was not reimbursedby my employer, an MBA pro-gram was. So I took the MBAcourses and received full reim-bursement from my employer,Citibank at the time.

A Law Degree/study of lawwas really a natural next step forme based on my previous educa-tion and current career. My workas a Mortgage Banker entails deal-ing with some legal documents asit pertains to Real Properties, Title,Deeds, Wills, Trusts, etc. As soonas I was done with the MBA pro-gram, I applied and was admittedto a Ph’d program. While pursuingthat, a great friend of mine ad-vised that I would be better servedby using that time to study law in-stead. I went back to study for andtake the LSAT and was admittedto read Law. I started in 2009 andfinished in 2012

Tell us about your charity the‘Sinachi foundation and whereyou want it to go, 10, 20, 50years from now?

The Sinachi Foundation, Inc. is

a California Corporation and aNigeria NGO. Website iswww.sinachi.org

The Foundation, which is alsocalled “Education for Girls Too”(EGT) was an idea that I conceivedas a little girl. I was first inspiredby the story of Pip in The GreatExpectations by Charles Dickens,then followed by the generosity ofstrangers who ask for nothing inreturn. I knew that I would besome strange little kid’s benefactorsomeday just like those otherstrangers were mine in the yearspast. I wanted to give back to thecommunity through sponsoringthe education of young peoplewho have no one to sponsor them.I decided to concentrate on thegirls because I believe that spon-soring a girl carries a multiplier ef-fect in that most girls will helpsponsor their families in return.Another important reason is that ifa girl is educated, her children willbe better served and that woulddirectly impact their communitiesat large. There are some boys whoare beneficiaries of the scheme, butthe major focus is on girls.

The program is made possibleby the support of the traditionalrulers in my county, Ezeagu LocalGovernment Area. These tradi-tional rulers serve as the Trusteesof the Foundation and are the onesresponsible for selecting the bestsituated/qualified child to receivethis scholarship. They are:

HRM Igwe S. Ozoekwem ofUmumba Ndi-UnoHRM Igwe Justice Eze Ozobu ofImezi-OwaHRM Igwe B. Nnachetam of OloHRM Igwe C. Offor of OgheHRM Igwe S. Okozo of UmanaNdi-Agu - late but now repre-sented by his son, Prince O.Okozo





Other traditional rulers haveexpressed desire to have theircommunities included. The cur-rent Trustees are working on theadditions.

We also have Board of Direc-tors which comprise of men andwomen of different professionalbackgrounds.

As for what the future holds, Ihope that the Foundation will atsome point function independentof my personal financial contribu-tions. I hope that the Foundationoutlives me by several hundred ofyears and that the beneficiariestoday will become the benefactorsof tomorrow

By God’s grace, we will notstop until everyone is doing well.

It was in appreciation of mycontribution to the community

that these traditional rulers cametogether and conferred a Chief-taincy Title - Ada di Ora mms ofEzeagu Local Government Area onme. This is why some people ad-dress me as “Chief” or Ada di oramms. I have additional Title - Adae ji eje mba of Enugu State fromthe Enugu folks, based equally onmy contributions to the commu-nity.

What are the dreams you hopeto fulfill in the future?

My dreams for the future areseveral. But most of all, I hope topositively impact my environmentthrough my works. I hope for amore friendly environment wheremy children and their peers canfeel safe and accomplished. I hopefor a community with less bitter-

ness and more goodwill towardsone another.

Tell us the high and low pointsof your professional career andwhat you could have donedifferently?

Well, in my profession, highand low points are things of everyday. You want those deals closed,period. But seriously, in my careeras a mortgage banker, my real sat-isfaction comes with the ability tohelp yet another family close onand move into their dream home.In as much as the money thatcomes with it is welcome, the hap-piness of these people as theyachieve their dream isinestimable.

The face of a modernAfrican woman – mother,friend, breadwinner, men-tor, confidant, highachiever, homemaker, epit-ome of beauty and you cango on. Dr. Ifesinachi Ug-wuonye I have witnessedyou through all of theseand more and you performall of them with grace andsmile.

You are a role model forall our Nigerian andAfrican women. I have al-

ways thought that you arecapable of achieving greatheights but when you in-formed me you were goingfor your law degree, I wassurprised but I knew thatyou are a determinedwoman and I encouragedyou to shoot for the sky and you did.

I want to tell you that Iam proud of you the wayyou raised your childrenwhile making waves in thecommunity and your life. I

know most women wouldlove to be like you. It wasnot easy but you knew theend result you wanted andyou aimed and achievedthem with all the distrac-tions. God will continue togive you strength to perse-vere. You know that I willalways support you inwhatever endeavor be-cause I trust that you willnot give up. And thank youfor being you.

A tribute to Dr. IfesinachiUgwuonye, JD

By Chief Mrs. Gertrude Ezegbunam




I work in the Orange CountyArea of California which meansthat the average client is quitesavvy in mortgages as they aremostly multiple times home own-ers. The inner cities are in a differ-ent situation where there are morefirst time home buyers. But re-gardless of what class of these, aclosed deal is a closed deal.

In recent times, the mortgageindustry experienced some setback due largely to the U.S econ-omy crisis. Commissions are as adirect result of volumes. Whilecommissions may not be as highas they used to be, I am still one ofthe top producers of mortgageproducts in my area of coverage.As such, recruiters are constantlyseeking me out hoping for em-ployment relationships. For now, Iam satisfied working with Bank ofthe West, just like I was satisfiedworking for the previous banksbefore this one.

My moves from the differentbanks were purely based on Busi-ness decisions, in search of moresuccesses. I maintain my great re-lationships with all of them andoften have reasons to share ideaswith past colleagues.

Tell us a little bit about yourwonderful children and thechallenges of raising childrenin America?

Oh, my children! They are myspecial gifts from God. You havemet them and you can attest tothis. They are such supportiveyoung wise children. The boy,Prince Chidera is in Universitywhile the girl, Princess Akachi isin grade school. They watch overeach other as I navigate the Corpo-rate American World, trying to bethe best in what I do and providethe finest of things for them. Theyare honest, humble, respectful

kids. They are not arrogant asmight be the case with children intheir situation. They are kind andwilling to share with they havewith the less privileged. They un-derstand and desire to help withthe Sinachi Foundation and whatit stands for. I really don’t knowwhat I might have done good to de-serve such rare blessings from God.I count myself very lucky to havethem and they are my children.

What advise will you give toa new Nigerian or Africanimmigrant who just arrivedAmerica on finding successhere?

You know, success is what youwant it to be. Coming from Nige-ria or any other African Country toAmerica by itself is already some-thing of s giant step. All I can sayis that people should choose theirassociations wisely because whilesome will want to help you suc-ceed, others may be more willingto help you not succeed. But any-one that starts out with an openmind and acceptance of changewill generally be in a better posi-tion to achieve more. You have be-come successful when you say youhave. No one else can determinewhat another’s point of success is.While one person wants to own amansion, another may just be sat-isfied with living in an apartmentand staying out of trouble. Be-cause we all have different andunique dreams, we also all havedifferent successes. Let your suc-cess be yours and not anyoneelse’s.

You are engaged through yourfoundation in working for thealleviation of the suffering ofthe poor in Nigeria. What areyour dreams and hopes for ourCountry?

Just that there is no reason forany willing and able person to bepoor. Nigeria is so blessed that itstill beats my understanding whywe have so many poor people inthat country. I think that Nigeriansare highly intelligent and moti-vated people, and that if given theopportunity, many will accom-plish great things. While I do notthink that the government is solelyresponsible for the situation, Ithink that the government can domore than it is currently doing toprovide gainful employment tothe masses, affordable healthcareand other basic amenities.

We will continue to do thoseWestern Union runs while we con-tinue to hope that the sun will riseagain in Nigeria.

Please give one parting wordto our readers and talk aboutany issues we have not coveredin this questionnaire that youwould want our reader toknow...

Hon. Chike Nweke, let methank you again for helping bringout such stories to our greatercommunity. I want to say that Ihave come across some very inter-esting Nigerians in the U.S andthat I am truly glad to be a part ofour community. I will like to con-tinue to help in fostering peaceand peaceful co-existence amongour people. It is true that the eco-nomic struggles could sometimescause people to act in not so ra-tional of manners when dealingwith one another. But I believethat if we pay closer attention towhat a person is trying to say, thatwe may begin to understandwhere they are coming from, andwhat point they are trying tomake. We will be much betterserved overall if we make effortsto help one another succeed.



People and Places

Victoria Weds TayoLos Angeles-March 30, 2013


People and Places

Beautiful Victoria Ifunanya Agusi said I do to her heartthrob theurbane and handsome Omotayo Okaniawon Damola at a classyceremony, in Los Angeles on March 30, 2013.

The ceremony was held at the majestic 1st Congregational ChurchDowntown Los Angeles CA renowned for having the biggest pipe organensemble in the world and the reception was held at

the Doubletree by Hilton Culver City California. It was a majestic,urbane and cultural event as guests attended the dignified church service ata cathedral that was built by one of the best Gothic architects and drawscrowds from around the world who come to savor the beautiful sounds ofthe imposing pipe organ. The classy reception was also a fine fusion ofwestern and Nigerian cultures. The following are pictures from LIFE andTIMES exclusive coverage of the event.


People and Places

Before the Altar

Preparing for Church

Bridal Train

BEAUTIFUL BRIDEMAIDS

With father of Bride

Church



People and Places

Groom's family

SAY I DO Couple with the Onyebalu's

With the Kalejaiyes

Bride’s Family

Creas Nwokeabia with Chika Onyebalu



People and Places

Couple with Church Ministers DJ PAUL & Doris Onuoha

Bride's Co- Workers Groom's family and friends

Wedding Train



People and Places

Couple's

first dan

ce

Awaiting

the Bride

's arrival

Pastor Ay

o and Mr

s. Wumi

Adeleye

Sister Fun

ke

BESTMA

N STEVE

& Maid o

f Honor-L

ERATO

Ken Ogb

ogu and

Pastor Ab

raham

Cross se

ction of g

uests at

the recep

tion



People and Places

COUPLE WITH EXCLUSIVE LADIES Bride and Groom

Couple Royal Entrance

GOLD IFEJIKAWith Aso Ebi Ladies

Couple Royal Entrance



People and Places

WAITING TO CATCH THE BOUQUET

CUTTING THE CAKE Ik and Chika Onyebalu

Lerato Catching the Bouqet

WITH SISTER UJU

BRIDE's CO-WORKERS



People and Places

ERIC EZUKA, DOLLY CHIKWELU AND CHIKE Chike and Mercy Nweke

TONY & DOROTHY ONYEAGOROAso Ebi Ladies

SHARON and DIVINE JOYJULIA, UJU, GRACE and friends



People and Places

ASO EBI LADIES Couple with friend

LERATO, JULIE GENELYN VERA AND DORIS

PASTOR OKEY & DR. COMFORT NWACHIETESSY & BUSOLA



People and Places

SIS FUNKE WITH COUPLE GODDY & LILIAN NDUKWE

KEN & ADAMMA OGBOGUDAVEON & LOLA TAYLOR

ABAYOMI,Afolabi and friend with CoupleGUESTS



People and Places

Abay Debela and Fitsum Haile

Mr. and Mrs. Yalomi

GBENGA, CHARLES, TAYO, LANRE & BAYO

IFY & MIKE HOLLYWOOD

Samco Success Life Band







Fashion & Style

Mo’colateeFashion House


Fashion & Style

Contact:Omolade Akpata, Managing Director,Mo’colatee Fashions LLCTel: +1-310-866-9926Email [email protected]: Timest Photos


Fashion & Style


Fashion & Style




Fashion & Style

At 14 years old, Molade Akpata started thefashion line “Mo’colatee Fashions” for all ages andall sizes. Now 18, she has had over 10 big successfulshows of her own and has expanded her fashionthroughout different Universities in California.Mo’colatee fashion is inspired byher culture combined with whatnormal kids that you see on thestreet wear. Her fashion line con-

sists of casual, elegant, and extraordinarydesigns. Since then she has been inspired todo more. Later this year Molade Akpata willbe having her 3rd Annual independent fash-ion show featuring international star

Davido. Ten percentof the profit will begiven to a children’scancer awareness or-ganization.

Contact:Mo’colatee FashionsCEO: Mola AkpataTel: +1-310-866-9926Email [email protected]

Mo’colateeFashion House



Beauty of the Moment

WÜA a|vÉÄ|Çx TÅuxBOOKING CONTACT:WWW.NICOLINEAMBE.COM

KEYNOTE SPEAKER, EDUCATORAND PARENT/YOUTH MENTOR.



People and Places

It was a gathering of thecream of the Nigerian commu-nity and their friends in Atlanta,Georgia on Saturday, June 29,2013 as the Nigerian Women

Association of Georgia(NWAG) celebrated its 13th An-nual Fundraising and AwardsBanquet. According to its Presi-dent, Engr. (Mrs.) Abby

Ebodaghe, the association is anon-profit organization whoseaim is to lend a helping hand tothe less privileged in both Geor-gia and Nigeria. The mission of

a|zxÜ|tÇ jÉÅxÇTááÉv|tà|ÉÇ Éy ZxÉÜz|t

(NWAG)13th Annual Fundraising and Awards Banquet



People and Places

NWAG is to serve its local com-munity in Georgia as well as itscountry Nigeria, through em-powerment, cultural enrich-ment, and education of women,youth and children.

In the last 13 years, NWAGhas awarded 338 scholarshipsto female students in a NigerianUniversity (one student perState and the Federal CapitalTerritory, Abuja), as well 35scholarships to college boundNigerian High School studentsin Georgia. As part of its med-ical outreach, NWAG has do-nated over one million dollars($1m) worth of medical sup-plies and equipment to 12 com-munity hospitals in variousStates in Nigeria. In collabora-tion with Eko Club Interna-tional, NWAG has also

embarked on bi-annual MedicalMission trips to provide freemedical services to those whodo not have access to adequatemedical care in Nigeria. Addi-tionally, NWAG annually sup-ports the nutrition program of10 orphanages in Nigeria.

This year’s ceremony wasaimed at raising funds for thecontinuation of the great workthat NWAG is doing. Highlightof the 2013 event was the be-stowing of the, “Woman ofValor” award to Her Excellency,Chief (Mrs.) Mercy Odochi Orji,First Lady of Abia State ofNigeria and the “Award of Ex-cellence” to Dr. (Mrs.) ChrisAnyanwu, distinguished Sena-tor of the Federal Republic ofNigeria representing Imo Eastsenatorial zone in the National

Assembly.

Eight (8) new members werealso inducted at this year’sevent. The induction ceremonywas conducted by NWAG’sVice President, Attorney (Mrs.)Iruka Ndubuizu. NWAG mem-bership is open to every Niger-ian female, by birth ormarriage, over the age of 21.

For additional informationon the organization’s goals andaccomplishments or to make adonation, visit their website atwww.nwag.org, call 770-496-4380, send email [email protected] or send mail toP. O. Box 14532, Atlanta, Geor-gia 30324.

The following is a photoessay of this great event...

President Abby Ebodaghe and VP Iruka Ndubuizu ushering In Abia 1st Lady

A cross section of NWAG members A cross section of NWAG members

Dr. Emelia Orubele receiving member of the year ward from NWAG President



People and Places

Dr. Winifred Nweke Ms. Mfon Ufot, 1st Lady-Mrs. Mercy Orji and NWAG President

Mrs. Nnezi Onuoha (SA-Media to Abia 1st lady)- reading the citationScholarship Recipient, Atty. Iruka, Engr. Abby and Mrs. Toyin Osinubi

2013 Inductees taking their induction oath



People and Places

Dancing Time with performer- Dr.Hope Davis

1st lady Abia state with Abia Women in AtlantaMs. Mfon Ufot recite the poem "The Flame" to the 1st lady

2013 Inductees taking their oath of commitment to NWAGThe First lady Receiving the 'Woman of Valor' award



People and Places

L-R: Atty. Ndubuizu, Mrs. Udogu, Senator Anyanwu and Engr. Ebodaghe

Senator Chris Anyanwu with supporters

Dr. Stella Etta (NWAG Secretary) reading Senator Anyanwu's citation

First Lady of Abia state- Mrs. Mercy Odochi Orji

Senator Anyanwu receiving the "Woman of Excellence" award Senator Chris Anyanwu and Honorable Pat Udogu



People and Places

Ambassador Geoffrey Teneilabe and his wifeSenator Anyanwu, Attorney Ndubuizi and guests

Cross section of crowd at ceremony

Abia First Lady, Mrs. Mercy Orji accepting her awardNWAG members with Abia 1st Lady

& Consul General of Atl, Amb. G. Teneilabe



People and Places

It was a gathering of the creamof the IJAWS in the Diaspora andfrom home at the 3rd Annual con-vention of the Ijaw FoundationInc. from Friday May 10 throughSunday May 12, 2013 in HoustonTexas. The convention which heldat the Hilton Houston Southwesthad as its theme: “The role of edu-cation in the transformation ofNiger Delta’s economic and socialdevelopment”

Dignitaries who attended in-clude Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, Deputy

M

from Friday May 10 through Sunday May 12, 2013 in Houston

T

and Dr. Chris Ekiyor; Chairman of Patani Local Government Area of B

Ijaw FoundationInc. 3rd AnnualConventionHOUSTON, TEXAS MAY 10-12, 2013



People and Places

National Chairman of the People’s DemocraticParty (PDP), Nigeria’s ruling party, AmbassadorAkpabio, Nigeria’s Deputy Ambassador to theUnited States, Pastor Power Z. Aginighan; FormerManaging Director of the Niger Delta DevelopmentCorporation (NNDC) Dr. Ibikare Fubara; TechnicalAssistant to Nigeria’s Minister of Health, Dr. SilverOpusunju; Secretary of the Greater Port HarcourtDevelopment Authority, Mr. Patterson Ogon of thePresidential Amnesty Office, Abuja and Dr. ChrisEkiyor; Chairman of Patani Local Government Areaof Bayelsa State Nigeria.

The occasion featured presentation of papers onthe role of education in the transformation of NigerDelta’s economic and social development and keynote speeches from the distinguished guests.

At the end of the convention, participantspresent agreed to dissolve the Governing Boardof the Ijaw foundation and Mr. AmaboMacHarry, Amasenibo Stephen Benstowe, Dr.May Banigo and Dr. Chris Ekiyor were ap-pointed as members of the caretaker Committeepending the election of a substantive board.

The very successful convention was plannedby a committee with Amasenibo Stephen Ben-stowe as Chairman, Engr. Shedrack Fubara, Mr.Chris Abili and Mrs. Roselyn Jack ,Mrs. DaereboBrown West, Mr. Amabo McHarry, Mr. ChrisAbili, and Mr. Julius Enarusai as members.

The following is a photo essay of the convention:

Cross section of High Table

Steve Benstowe, Dr. May Banigo and Bishop Inye HartAmabo MacHarry & Steve Benstowe



People and Places

Mrs. MacHarry and Ms. Vivian JacksDr. Chris Ekiyor and Engr. Shedrack Fubara

A cross section of participants

L-R, Patterson Ogon, Pastor Aginighan, Adonye Allison

L-R, Benstowe, Aginighan, Allison, Hart, Otokito

Dr. Sam Sam Jaja, Deputy Chairman PDP



People and Places

Dr. Banigo presenting plaque to Patterson OgonMr. Adonye Allison making a presentation

A cross section of participants

Dr. Ekiyor presenting plaque to Pastor Aginighan

Dinner Table Set



People and Places

Steve presenting plaque to Dr. Sam Sam JajaNigerian Deputy Amb. to the U.S., Ambassador Archibong

Otokito, friend and Onegi Davies

Prayer at Dinner Time



Sports




People and Places

It was a gathering of thestars of our Los Angeles so-cial scene as Chief Mike(Ugochinyere) and PrincessGladys ( Ahudiya) Ogunkahopened up their palatialhome in Rancho PalosVerdes to celebrate LoloRose Chukwuezi (PrincessGlady’s) mother on the oc-casion of her 70th birthday.The occasion started with aprayer service led by Evan-gelist Chinyere Ifeacho andseveral other Pastors at-tending. Guests were latertreated to the finest Niger-ian Cuisine and drinks anddanced into the wee hoursof the morning. As cele-brated Los Angeles MC,Nze Dr. Solo Egbuho joked-Don Peringon vintageChampagne was flowinglike water!

Celebrating The Life Of

Lolo RoseChukwuezi

At 70

Mama and her Ogunkah grand children



People and Places

Evangelist Chinyere, bringing the Word

Cross section of guests

Princess Gladys and sweet mother

Ahudiya and Ugochinyere with MomCelebrant with officiating Pastors

Pastor Reginald Njoku praying



People and Places

Dr. Solo and PrincessNnenna, grand entrance

With UK and Vicki ObasiMC, Nze Dr. Solo Egbuho

Mike and Kingsley (Dokins)With Princess Uloaku OnyeagoroWith Mama Nkechi and Mama Chika

Princess Gladys and ChiefMichael Ogunkah

Mama and friends



People and Places

Dancing TimeWith Chris Emedom and wife

Princess Tessy Orjiakor, sprayingUK Obasi and Mama Chidimma, spraying Mama

The Okeneme's & Other guests With Mrs. Keve Anigbogu

Mama's friendsL-R Sally, Chi Mbelu, Ogo and Chi Mba



People and Places

Sweet Mothers

With Lolo Umeh With Chi-Chi , Chudi and others

Ahudiya, Princess Nnenna and MomWith Chi-Chi and Chudi Okpala



People and Places

Chike Ejizu, Sonny Nwanisiobi and guest

Ms. Vicky Iruke and guest

Mr. Emma and Mrs. Chikodi Alor Mr. and Mrs. Uche Okereke

Mr. and Mrs. OkenemeNze Cliff Obi, Nze Felix Nwosu and guest

Dorcas, Ify Kabba, Lolo Nzenwa

Mr. and Mrs. Iguh



People and Places

L'bon Decor

Big Fish and family

Kolanut Ready for presentation

Talking Tech and guests

Assorted variety of food served



People and Places

Mr.IK and Mrs. Ify Okonkwo & Son

Mr. and Mrs. Dave Ejimole and others

With McWillis Amugo

Mrs. Ada Okoro spraying celebrant

Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Anokwute



People and Places

Mr. and Mrs. Ugoji and family

With Chief Dan Egeonuigwe With Mr. and Mrs. Irondi

Mrs. Irene Njoku-Nwogu

Mr. Dozie Ozoemenna and family

Mr. Emeka and Mrs. Vivian Okoro

Guests



People and Places

All Nigerian Nationals inDiaspora (ANNID) held its An-nual banquet at the Off ShoreTechnology Conference (OTC)in Houston Texas on MondayMay 6, 2013 in Houston Texas.

The Theme of this year’s ban-quet was the Petroleum IndustryBill (PIB) and beyond; The wayforward for Nigeria’s oil indus-try.

Special Recognition wasgiven to Nigeria’s Minister ofPetroleum Resources, Mrs.Diezani Allison Madueke.Other distinguished guests atthe occasion includes SenatorEmmanuel Paulker Izibefin,Chairman , Senate Committeeon Petroleum; His ExcellencySenator Mohammed DanjumaGoje;Vice Chairman SenateCommittee on Petroleum, Am-bassador Robin Renee SandersFormer United States Ambassa-dor to Nigeria.

The event was hosted byChief Peter Mozie, GlobalChairman ANNID and Dr. TinaObi-Roberts ; Global Womanleader ANNID and the localChapter of ANNID in Houston

ANNIDOTCAnnualBanquet,Houston TexasMay 6, 2013

Nigeria’s Minister ofPetroleum Resources, Mrs. Diezani AllisonMadueke.



People and Places



People and Places



People and Places



Money and Finance

It’s no secret that the costof sending just one child tocollege for four years can bestaggering – tuition and feehikes regularly outpaceinflation. The following

chart shows how averagecollege costs would

continue to increaseat a 5.2% annual

inflation rate.

Is Collegein YourChild’sFuture?



Money and Finance

Estimated annual college costs

Public* Private*

2012 $21,447 $42,224

2017 $31,952 $62,907

2022 $47,604 $93,722

2027 $70,924 $139,632

*Total yearly costs for in-state tuition, fees, books, room and board, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. Base is 2011-2012 school year. Costs for all future years projected by Wells Fargo Advisors in October 2011 assumingan 8.3% average annual increase per year. Source: 2011 Trends in College Pricing. ©2011 collegeboard.com, Inc. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. collegeboard.com.

Rather than sending your student into theworld with a burden of student-loan or privatedebt, consider saving options to help cover at leasta portion, if not all, of higher-education expenses.

Start saving early. It’s common to assume thatsaving will be easier in the future when you’reearning more, but as your family and incomegrow, so do your expenses associated with yourstandard of living. If you wait until your studentis closer to college age, you may find you’vewaited too long and may face the prospect of scal-ing back the family’s finances in other ways tosave for hefty tuitions, fees, and living expenses.

Put time on your side. When you start savingearly, college savings can earn substantially moreover time through the power of compoundedgrowth. For example, suppose you start puttingaside $100 every month for an eight-year-oldchild. Assuming a 5% annual growth rate, you’llsave $15,592 by the time your child is ready forcollege but will have invested only $12,000 out-of-pocket.

If you wait until your child is 15 years old tostart saving, you’ll have to put more money asideeach month to save the same amount, and yourout-of-pocket investment will be much greater.For example, at the same 5% annual growth rate,it would take $400 per month to save $15,556 intime for college, and you’d have invested $14,400out-of-pocket.*

Know your options. Fortunately, parents andgrandparents who intend to cover or contribute toa child’s education costs have more choices today

than they’ve ever had. If you’ve not yet lookedinto an education savings plan, Wells Fargo Advi-sors can help you choose among a variety of sav-ings vehicles, including 529 plans, EducationSavings Accounts (ESAs), and custodial accounts.Visit wellsfargoadvisors.com/school for more in-formation.

*This information is hypothetical and is provided for informa-tional purposes only. It is not intended to represent any specific re-turn, yield or investment, nor is it indicative of future results.

**********This article was written by Wells

Fargo Advisors and providedcourtesy of Chukwudi CharlesOje, MBA, Financial Advisor inManhattan Beach, CA at 310-725-2267.

DisclosuresWells Fargo Advisors,

LLC, Member SIPC, is a reg-istered broker-dealer and aseparate non-bank affiliateof Wells Fargo & Com-pany.©2012 Wells FargoAdvisors, LLC. Allrights reserved.



Sports



Sports



Fashion & Style

SumahrieCollections


Fashion & Style

SUMAHRIE COLLECTIONSEmail: [email protected]/sumahrie collectionsInstagram / sumahrie / sumahrie collectionsTwitter/ sumahrieTel:+1-626-216-6017** Photography by Ade James


Fashion & Style



Fashion & Style

SUMAHRIE COLLECTIONSEmail: [email protected]/sumahrie collectionsInstagram / sumahrie / sumahrie collectionsTwitter/ sumahrieTel:+1-626-216-6017** Photography by Ade James



Fashion & Style

Sumahrie collections is a clothing designcompany based in LA. CA. Founded by SierraLeonian designer Mahriama Suma. Our designsare intricately handmade accessories with atraditional flair to it. And one of a kind dresseswith unique,chic, and feminine elegance

Ms. Mahriama SumaDesigner and stylistSumahrie collections

SOCIAL MEDIA:Instagram/sumahriewww.facebook.com/ Sumahriecollectionswww. Twitter.com/sumahrieTEL: +1-626-216-6017Photography by Ade James

Sumahrie Collections

Photo:K

amara B

rown

Models M

akeup:Aida C

osmetics

Stylist: Sarah M

ansaray

TK-MK Foundation...education is the key...one child at a time....



Sports



Fashion & Style

Spotlight OnShoe Designer:

AddictiveCloset



Fashion & Style

Name: Lola Taylor

Business Name: Addictive closet

Email: [email protected]

Website: Instagram/addictivecloset

Business Phone: 3236969303

AddictiveCloset



Fashion & Style

Name: Lola Taylor

Business Name: Addictive closet

Email: [email protected]

Website: Instagram/addictivecloset

Business Phone: 3236969303

AddictiveCloset



Sports



People and Places

On April 13, 2013 at RadissonHotel, Los Angeles Airport, the10th Annual African GoodwillAwards and Induction cere-monies to ok place to once againcontinue to build the bridges oflove and brotherhood betweenAfricans and Africans in the Di-aspora.

The awards and inductionswere started 10 years ago byAfrican Focus Inc. founded byUchenna Nworgu. In the past ten

years many notables have beeninducted into African familiesand several bonds of brother-hood and friendships have beenformed.

This year, the publisher ofLife and Times magazine, ChikeNweke and his wife Mercy in-ducted Mr. Kim L. Hunter intotheir Igbo-Nigerian family.

Kim L. Hunter founder andPresident/Chief Executive officerof Lagrant Communications, a

multimillion dollar integratedmarketing and CommunicationsCorporation was inducted intothe Igbo- Nigeria family of ChiefChike and Lolo Mercy Nweke.Kim is also the founder of Afro-Brazilian.com and he said that hesaw the induction into the Niger-ian family of the Nweke’s as away of building bridges betweenblack people all over the world.

The following is a photoessay of the induction...

Kim L. Hunter: African Family Induction

Kim, Mercy and Chike celebrating African Unity



People and Places

The Kings's Court

Beautiful Attendees

Kim and the Nwekes with Ade jamesUchenna and Emilia Nworgu, Founders of African Focus

The Nweke's with Bob Brunner, VP Arik AirLara Okunubi, Dawn Sutherland and friends



People and Places

The Nwekes with Mr. and Mrs. Per Anderson

His Royal Majesty Fon Fozoh II and his Queen

The Nwekes with Kim Hunter and Paulo Lima

Neih (Godwill) & Mrs. Zoe Tamunang and their InducteesNze Cliff Obi and Nze. Dr. Solo Egbuho



People and Places

Happy inductees

Neih (Godwill) & Mrs. Zoe Tamunang and their Inductees

Chike, Mercy, Jade and friendKim, Jade and Chike

Kim Receiving induction plaque HRM Fon Fozoh II



Sports



Sports



People and Places

I am writing this articlemainly for the benefit of South-ern Nigerians who have neverbeen to the North, and mostlyhave a warped and inaccurateview of the North. I have beendriven to write this out of mymany personal experiences, andthose of friends and family, ashas been shared with me. This ismainly an educative piece aboutwhat Northern Nigeria is in real-ity; a complete, holistic picture ofthis region.

To make this piece a simpleread and easy-to-follow, I amgoing to write it around 5 com-mon perceptions about the Northand debunk them:

Religious Perception: Thegeneral belief held by mostSoutherners about the North isthat the region is not just mainlyMuslim, but wholly Muslim.

Whenever I meet someone fromthe South and introduce myself, Iam correctly placed as a Chris-tian. But once I am asked mystate and I say Borno State, thenext question becomes, ‘Are youa Muslim?’ This is despite myname being a very common Bib-lical name, Mark, which is thesecond Gospel. Matter of fact, Ihave been asked that questionwhile attending a church pro-gramme, with a Bible conspicu-ously held in my hands. Youcould imagine my surprise atthat question. This has also beenthe experience of a lot of friendswith common names such as‘Emmanuel’, ‘Daniel’, etc.

To start with, out of the 19Northern states, at least 5 have amajority Christian population:Plateau, Adamawa, Nassarawa,Taraba and Benue. At least 6

more have at least 40% Christianpopulation. These states includeNiger, Gombe, Kaduna, Kogi,Kwara and either Borno orBauchi. That then leaves onlyKano, Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa,Sokoto, Yobe and Zamfara ashaving Muslim populationsabove 60%. How then are we allseen as Muslims?

This misconception could beexcused when the person has anArabic name, as there are manyNorthern Christians who bearnames such as Jamila, Habiba,Halima, Sadiq, and Yunusa andso on. But when the person hasan obvious Christian name andis even attends church services,you really begin to wonder.

Ethnic Perception: Anothercommon perception of the Northis that we are all Hausa. Myusual response to this is to bor-

Re-IntroducingNorthern Nigeria:Not As You Know It By Mark Amaza



People and Places

row the logical argument ofSimon Kolawole, the Editor-in-Chief of THISDay Newspapers.In an article in which he at-tempted to educate his largelySouthern readership base aboutthe North, he went thus:

“If out of the estimated 250tribes in Nigeria, we can say thatthe South-West is mainly Yorubawith a few other tribes aroundBadagry area, the South-Eastwholly Igbo and the South-Southbeing most diverse in the Southwith about 40 tribes, that stillleaves the remaining 200 tribes inthe North.”

How then are we reduced toone single ethnic group, Hausa?It is only the North-West that isclose to being homogenous,mainly Hausa and Fulani, butwith still some minority tribes inthe Zuru area of Kebbi State andthe multi-diverse SouthernKaduna. The North-East andNorth-Central is filled withtribes, many of whom I havenever even heard of. For exam-ple, Adamawa State is so diversethat the largest ethnic group, theFulani, is just 3% of the entirepopulation. In my home state ofBorno, there is a local govern-ment so diverse that from onevillage to another, you are likelyto meet an entirely different eth-nic group. The number of tribesthere are so many that we justaddress the people as ‘Gwozapeople’, after the name of thelocal government.

Even though we all speakHausa as a lingua franca in orderto communicate amongst our-selves as trading partners over

the centuries, that doesn’t makeus Hausa people as much ascommunicating English doesn’tmake you and I English people.As a matter of fact, in the North-East, Hausa people are a minor-ity and virtually non-existent in

the North-Central region.Intellectual Beliefs: Now, this

is one belief that whenever I amconfronted with, it takes me agreat deal of self-control not toflip out and lose my temper.Times without number, when Itell people I am from BornoState, I am asked how come Ispeak such good English. Whatthe hell? What am I supposed tospeak? Arabic? The general ex-pectation is that someone fromthe North is not supposed to bethis learned, this well-spokenand articulate in English, thisknowledgeable. I rememberwhen a friend asked me if my

mother went to school, and thesurprised look on his face when Itold him that my mum earnedher masters’ degree over 20 yearsago. There was also a time whenmy dad met someone at theLagos International Airport and

they got talking. When my dadtold him his profession, the man,in a fit of surprise, exclaimed, ‘Ididn’t know that there were pro-fessors in the North’.

I admit the fact that the Northlags behind the South education-ally, especially the North-Westand the North-East. But this isnot due to our inability to com-prehend what we are beingtaught, but rather due to the in-competence of leadership in theregion to give education its pre-mium importance as a form ofhuman development. We, likeevery other human being on theface of this earth, can excel when



People and Places

given the opportunity. Talentand intellect abounds every-where. Opportunity, however,does not. I personally know ofmany Northerners who have ex-celled nationally and internation-ally. Daily, the story of youngmen like Ahmed Mukoshy, whois born, bred and schooled inSokoto, and yet, rose above hisenvironment to become one ofthe emerging forces in IT in thiscountry in his early 20s inspires

me. This is just one exampleamong many that I could cite butfor the lack of space.

I find it outright disgustingwhenever people claim that ifnot for federal character and‘zoning’, no Northerner wouldbe able to compete in this coun-try. Last week, I was shockedwhen a friend said only 10% ofNortherners in the Federal CivilService deserved their places onmerit, and went on to add that ifhe had not known me personallyand I were to get a job with theFederal Government, he wouldbelieve that I did not earn it onmerit. The most ridiculous one Iencountered was when earlierthis year, former Minister of Fi-nance, Dr Mansur Mukhtar wasappointed a World Bank direc-

tor. Most of the commentators onthe 234Next article announcingthis achievement for this Niger-ian and Nigeria made the ludi-crous assertion that theappointment was done to pleasethe North, that Dr Mukhtar didnot merit it. Little did they knowthat Dr Mukhtar had worked atthe World Bank and the AfricanDevelopment Bank, prior to hisheadingNigeria’s

Budget Of-fice on theinvitation of the then and presentMinister of Finance, Dr NgoziOkonjo-Iweala and formerWorld Bank Managing Director,who also recommended him forthe post of Finance Ministerwhen she rejected former Presi-dent Umaru Yar’adua’s invitationto join his government. What iseven worse is that they did notcare to know: their minds werealready made up and could notbe confused with the facts.

Geo-Political Beliefs: Anothercommon belief among Southern-ers and most especially spreadby Southern newspapers is thatthe entire 19 Northern states actand think as one when it comesto issues of Northern politics.

This is one of the biggest un-truths about the North. When-ever Northern Nigeria ismentioned, the people of Benue,Kogi and Kwara states do notfeel it refers to them. Geographi-cally, they are part of the North;politically, however, they and theentire Middle-Belt act independ-ently. This can be clearly in thelast elections where President

Goodluck Jonathan won in7 Northern states, evenagainst his strongest oppo-nent, General Muham-madu Buhari, who is aNortherner. This wassomething I am sure a lotof people in the South,save for the political savvy,did not see coming.

One common sight ofthis perception being en-trenched by newspapers iswhen politicians of North-ern extraction speak on na-tional issues. I have

innumerably seen a washed-outNorthern politician, without anyinfluence or popularity speak re-garding an issue, and the nextday, newspapers carry boldheadlines saying, ‘North rejectsthis’ or ‘North plans to do that’,quoting the same washed-outpolitician as speaking for the en-tire North. I have rarely seen aBola Tinubu speaking and beingquoted as the mouthpiece of theentire Yoruba ethnic group, or aChief Edwin Clark for the Ijawpeople. Methinks this is a way ofselling newspapers by capitaliz-ing on the image of the North asone single, political force whichmoves in a particular directionall-together



People and Places

Cultural/Social/Economic Be-lief: Admittedly, as people of thesame region, we share a lot incommon culturally and sociallyin the general terms: our man-nerisms, modes of dressing, tra-ditional titles (apart fromparamount rulers with the excep-tion of emirates), etc. Despitethat, the Jukun in Taraba and theKataf in Kaduna are very differ-ent in the specifics, as even theBura and Marghi people ofBorno/Adamawa States. To pickthe attitude ofone ethnicgroup in theNorth and at-tach it to all theothers, is toput it mildly, avery short-sighted way ofknowing andunderstandingthe people ofNorthern Nigeria.

Another belief in the South isthat the entire North is but anempty land mass with nothingbut trees. I remember the contro-versy of the 2006 census whenKano State was said to have aslightly higher population thanLagos State. Many of my South-ern friends called it ‘an impossi-bility’. In the words of one ofthem, ‘Lagos is so populated thatwhen you throw grains of riceinto the air, they wouldn’t landon the ground, but on people’.However, they all forgot to factorin land mass, because LagosState is a much smaller state thanKano State, and hence has thehighest population density inNigeria, hence making it look as

though it was way more popu-lated.

There are cities in the Norththat have been thriving economi-cally, such as Kano and Kaduna.As a matter of fact, Kaduna Statewas adjudged by the World Bankin the year 2009 as the best placeto do business.

Lastly, the most retrogressivebelief about the North in theSouth is that the entire North is ahotbed for violence. As much aswe have had more than our fair

share of ethno-reli-gious violence,there are manystates that havenever experiencedone, includingstates such as Zam-fara, and others asNassarawa andBenue.

I have not written this as acriticism of the people of South-ern Nigeria, but rather, in thehope that this will be an enlight-enment of the South about theNorth. It amazes me when I seethat despite the fact that we havebeen a country for almost a cen-tury, yet, a lot of people downSouth know little or nothingabout their fellow Nigerians in

the North, but know about Eu-rope and America.

I have also realized that we asNortherners have allowed othersto say our story for ourselves,hence have given it distortions,deletion and generalizations.What has happened over time iswhat the writer ChimamandaAdichie, in her TED talk inMarch 2009, at Oxford, England,describes as ‘the danger of thesingle story’, where a single storyof the North as a region of poor,illiterate, lazy, Hausa Muslimswho do nothing but connive tolord over this country politicallyand kill Southerners’ has been re-peated so much that it is seen asthe truth. This is the kind of stuffthat creates stereotyping, whichin her words, ‘not that it is un-true, but that it is incomplete’.

This is one reason I still see

the significance of our NYSCscheme, choked with problemsas it may be. We need to knoweach other more. Let us overridethis stereotypical mind-set andseek to learn about each otherwith open minds and seek thecomplete story that gives a holis-tic picture of our country.


Sports


It was a classy affair at the upscaleInternational Christian Center onSaturday 4/20/13 as beautiful EzenwanyiChinyelu Ndika said I do to her handsomeheartthrob Kester Ezuma in a private by -

invitation -only -affair that had very closefriends and family in attendance. It wasalso a truly beautiful white wedding andcolorful Nigerian wedding reception.Following is a photo essay of the event...

V{|ÇçxÄâ jxwá ^xáàxÜ


People and Places

Bride stepping out in st

yle

Chinyelu

and Kes

ter- Fore

ver as o

ne

BRIDE AND GROOM SIG

NING THE M

ARRIAGE REG

ISTER

Kester a

nd Chiny

elu

Groom with

grooms

men

The Gro

om

With bes

t man Po

wer and

maid of honor

Erica

The beautiful bride



People and Places


With Rev

. Francis

and Mrs

. Flora O

jukwu

Couple with wedding party

With Gro

om's family

Taking the V

ow

With ICC

Minister

s

With Pas

tors Dip

o and No

ny

With Mrs

.- Flora

and Ngo

zi

With George

Asho Eb

i ladies

Cutting the cake

, with Linda Ehi

s and Flora

Ojukwu,

observing



People and Places

With Aso

Ebi Lad

ies

Couple

in tradit

ional ou

tfit

COUPLE

WITH O

BI

CHIEF L

ARRY &

ADA D

OLLARS

CUTTIN

G OF TH

E CAKE

GUESTS

BUFFET

GUESTS

UMUADA

IGBO

COUPLE

WITH LI

NDA & U

JU



Money and Finance

MONEYGRAMTO TRANSFER TO NASDAQ

DALLAS — (BUSINESS WIRE)Apr. 23, 2013

MoneyGram International, Inc. (NYSE: MGI), aleading global money transfer company, an-nounced today that it will move its stock listing tothe NASDAQ Global Select Market from the NewYork Stock Exchange, effective May 13, 2013. The

Company will continue trading under the tickersymbol “MGI.”

“Upon being listed on the NASDAQ, Money-Gram joins the world’s most innovative compa-nies,” said Pamela H. Patsley, chairman and chiefexecutive officer. “NASDAQ is a global leader inadvanced trading technologies, which will provideour shareholders with cost-efficient trading oppor-



Money and Finance

tunities. MoneyGram will also benefit from re-duced listing fees. As an innovative leader in themoney transfer and payments industry, we are ex-cited to be a part of the NASDAQ.”

“We welcome MoneyGram to our growing listof leading companies that are innovators in theirindustries,” said Bruce Aust, executive vice presi-

dent, NASDAQ OMX. “MoneyGram brings its cus-tomers closer by helping them send funds almostanywhere in the world through cash, bank ac-count, online and mobile. Their versatility and for-ward thinking culture is perfectly aligned withNASDAQ’s family of listed companies.”

About MoneyGram International

MoneyGram, a leading moneytransfer company, enables con-sumers who are not fully served bytraditional financial institutions tomeet their financial needs. Money-Gram offers bill payment servicesin the United States and Canadaand money transfer services world-wide through a global network ofmore than 310,000 agent locations –including retailers, internationalpost offices and financial institu-tions – in 197 countries and territo-ries. To learn more about moneytransfer or bill payment at an agentlocation or online, please visit mon-eygram.com or connect with us onFacebook.



Arts And Culture

GEM OF THE RAINFOR-EST is the ultimate AfricanAction-Adventure film onlyfrom the mind of Don Okolo.This is my first solo outing asa producer. The film was shotin Houston and Cat Spring,Texas. Production shootingdays; 28. We had some of thebest cast and crew, all Hous-ton residents with the excep-tion of Ramsey Nouah. Gemof the Rainforest was shot onScarlet Red camera with itsprime lenses.

Brief Synopsis:Gem of the Rainforest is

the story aboutthe two-faced

diamond mask stolenfrom Africa some 300 years

ago when the first White menlanded on the shores of theRiver Niger. Suddenly, for thefirst time in 300 years, themask surfaces in the hands ofa Texan resident, Dr. Dye Op-penheimer (Played by JoeGrisaffi). Geologist and An-thropologist professor, Dr.Catherine Ileka (aka Cat,played by Kae Shakir) gets aphone call from a friend,Sweetwater Brown (played byPerez Egbi), regarding the un-veiling of a diamond mask inHouston. Cat comes to Hous-ton to see if it’s true, and notjust a myth.

To ascertain that the maskmost believed never existed,

does indeed exist, Cat andSweetwater will crash the ex-hibition event to confront Dr.Oppenheimer and Jesse Hol-land (played by RamseyNouah) about the mask’s ori-gin. The adventure truly be-gins when Cat andSweetwater attempt to stealthe mask and take it back toAfrica.

The story is so compellingthat Demond Fernandez andJohnny Marquez from ABC 13KTRK Eyewitness NewsHouston were on the set dur-ing one of our shooting days,and it was aired on their

Hometown News segment.Trendy Africa, the magazinealso came on the set.

For more production de-tails, pleasevisitwww.imdb.com andsearch for Gem of the Rainfor-est.

Gem of the Rainforestwill premiere inHouston on Saturday,August 17, 2013 at AMCLOEWS FOUNTAINS 18;Red carpet at 6PM;Showtime: 8PM to10PM Prompt. Other cities includeDallas, Atlanta, LosAngeles, Oakland,Seattle, New York, andDMV area.

GEM OF THERAINFORESTStreet Corner Films and Crooks in a Castle FilmsWritten and Directed by Don OkoloProduced by Nkem DenChukwuBy Nkem DenChukwu




Arts & Entertainment

“Moveto the left, to the

right and watch mefreeze…Azonto!”1

Azonto is one of the hottestdance movements to hit parties,clubs, dance halls, the streets andeven churches. The distinct move-ments accompanied by a pulsatingbeat, keeps Azonto lovers groov-ing for hours on end. It is indeedquite a sight to see a room full ofpeople jerking to the beat.

Azonto originated from thestreets of Jamestown, Bukom andChokor in Accra, Ghana. At itsonset, it was a communicativedance which described variousprofessions. The movements ofthe dance mimicked the profes-

sions, letting the audience knowa person’s trade. For example acarpenter would mimic activi-

ties such as hammering, sawing,etc. This dance form was calledApaa, meaning work in the Ga lan-guage. As its popularity grew,high school students started dis-playing Azonto during competi-tions at their entertainment nightwhere the best Azonto dancer wasoften crowned by the end of thenight based on creativity and au-dience connection. In this manner,the Azonto fever was quickly dis-persed throughout Ghana, as morehigh school students added theirown twist to the dance and com-petitions continued. At the sametime, young musicians started de-veloping beats that matched thespecific nature of the dance andbefore long, a movement wasborn. Along with the music anddance, Azonto is danced with

humor and a swag representativeof a new generation of musiciansand artists in the 21st century.Azonto has expanded outside ofthe streets and high schools andhas become an integral part of thedance scene. Like many otherAfrican dances, Azonto is alsoused for courting.

What is Azonto? Azonto is a total body dance

form. Often times, the arms andlegs are kept in constant motionwhile demonstrating everydaymovements, along with hip move-ments that are typical in Africandance. The dance can be incorpo-rated into any setting and any cul-ture, providing a versatility thathas allowed different countries toadapt it to suit their own move-ments. Facial expressions duringan Azonto further add to thehumor of the dance form. Azonto


The Azonto Craze…By Grace Neequaye

Features Editor, Life and Times


Arts & Entertainment

can be danced in clusters/groupsor by couples.

Trendsetters and popularartists of Azonto include Samini,E.L., Gasmilla, Sarkodie, FuseODG, Guru, Tiffany, and WizKid.Some of their biggest hits includeAzonto by Fuse featuring Tiffany,You go kill me by Sarkodie featur-ing E.L, Obuu Mo by E.L., LapazToyota by Guru, Yenko Nkoaa byEduwoji featuring Stay J, andAboodatoi by Gasmilla. Many ofthe songs are in local languages,though some of the most popularones including Azonto is in Eng-lish.

Azonto popularityThe world was introduced toAzonto when Asamoah Gyan glee-fully did a little dance after scor-ing during the 2010 World Cup.This was part of his signature cele-bration and was dubbed“Asamoah Dance”. Since then,hundreds of YouTube® videoshave been uploaded, websiteshave been created and the worldhas been doing the Azonto. Artistssuch as Chris Brown and Keri Hil-son have been videoed gyratingtheir hips and working Azontomoves at recent concerts. In ChrisBrown’s video for his latest songFine China, he mentions incorpo-rating some Azonto moves whichhe learned during his recent visitto Ghana.

Global PresenceAzonto has become one of the

most widely recognized danceforms especially among Africansin Africa and also in the Di-aspora. It hasquickly spreadaround theworld witheager new

learners who want to be in theknow. Video tutorials have been iteasier to learn the movements inthe comfort of one’s home, thoughdance floor lessons are also verypopular. In this age of smartphones, cameras and high speedinternet, new music and videosare quickly shared around theworld. As more Africans havemade homes all around the globe,it has been easy for Azonto to bewell placed in all corners of theworld. With a booming music in-dustry in Africa, new studios haveallowed for fresh blood and newcreative ideas to be incorporatedin the new movement. In someparts of Europe where there is astrong African presence, Azonto,along with other African musiccollectively considered“Afrobeats” can be heard on main-stream radio programs and onshows such as “Britain’s Got Tal-ent”.

ControversyLike other movements, Azonto

has not been without controversy.Ghanaian artists including Saminihave expressed displeasure aboutP-Square’s Alingo, saying that themoves shown in the music videoare actually Azonto moves. Saminihas recorded a song using Alingoin the background with lyrics suchas “The name sounds like Azonto,the dance kinda lookslike Azonto so try show me what I

don’t know…I seethat you

dancing Azonto so whatis Alingo?” Additionally during aninterview on 106 & Park, ChrisBrown credited Nigerian artistWizKid for teaching him how todance Azonto, sparking discus-sions that he should have at leastalso mentioned that Azonto isfrom Ghana and not Nigeria asimplied.

Music and dance have alwaysan integral part of African culture.Azonto’s success is evidence thatAfrica has a place in the globalworld of Arts and Entertainment.There is no doubt that the creativeminds of Azonto will continue toproduce quality work that willcontinue to shake up the world ofmusic and dance.

Sources:http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/sep/03/ghana-azonto-dance-craze-world http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azonto http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-18495493 http://www.modernghana.com/news/369604/1/ghanas-azonto-dance-craze-goes-global.html http://africaposts.wordpress.com/2012/01/02/ghanas-azonto-dance-goes-global/http://diasporaw.net/2013/06/05/azonto-festival-to-shake-ghana/http://www.averysegal.com/azonto/http://entertainment.myjoyonline.com/pages/news/201303/102648.phphttp://www.azonto233.com/music_videos.phphttp://ghanamagazine.com/lists/top-10-azonto-songs/#.Ucrdsrnn_0c

SUMMER 2013 LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE 101The Britis

h Prime Minister



News and Politics

In our 2012 Fall edition ofLIFE & TIMES, when we firsttouched on Boko Haram, sug-gestion was made to PresidentJohnathan Goodluck to addressBoko Haram concerning itssenseless killings of innocentNigerian citizens in the name ofits religion. It was hoped thatsuch intervention would send amessage to any group, foreignor domestic, that Nigeria ascountry will stand for and de-fend its citizen at any cost ...that under no circumstanceswill any group be left to imposeits will on other groups or indi-viduals.

The President’s inertia em-boldened Boko Haram. If hehad come out as late as Fall2012, and used the resources athis disposal to respond to BokoHaram, its recent attacks on in-nocent citizens in Bama inBorno state would have beenavoided. Additionally, the Pres-

ident’s delayed action on thisgroup gave its leaders the ef-frontery to refuse a recent offerof a dialogue by the Nigeriangovernment.

The question is what can bedone now. There are manyNigerians who would want tosee the full might of the Niger-ian military put against thisgroup and eviscerate it and allit represents. My dislike for thisgroup notwithstanding, Iwould like to differ from thepreceding as a solution

In spite of the fact that lead-ers of the group were reportedto have refused an invitationfor a dialogue by the Nigeriangovernment, I strongly believeand join experts in matters ofgroups like this (Boko Haram)that dialogue will be the bestsolution to the problem theypresent. Data suggests that any-thing done that militarizes theconflict and pushes aside the

opportunities for negations willbring about the international-ization of the conflict. Anymajor security crackdowncould result in possible helpfrom other countries and couldhave the potential of makingthe situation worse.

I would end this piece theway the first one ended ….any group whose ideology isfounded on the belief of its su-premacy to any other ideologyor group, has no place in a civi-lized society or the society thatwe aspire to. Boko Haram hasoutlived its existence in Nige-ria. Jonathan Gookluck and hislieutenants should stand up toit and let it and any other ofsuch inclination know thatNigeria belongs to all of us. Nogroup should be left to imposeits will on others with im-punity.

Long live Nigeria.

BokoHaramRevisited



Sports



Health

I immigrated to the USA in1987. Compare to here in the US,my added sugar intake in Nigeriawas next to none: a few soft drinksa year, occasional candy andcookies, and at the most, a cube ofsugar in my corn meal. My firstdecade as an immigrant is adifferent story-habitual sugarconsumption. I ate potato chips,cookies, and drank carbonateddrinks, and juice several times aday. After a full dinner, I went tobed on varying combinations ofhoney roasted peanuts (loadedwith sugar and salt), ice cream,and bread. Sometimes it was hotchocolate or cold cereals withadditional milk, and sugar.

In late 1999 a fellow physician,Dr. Mir said: “Dr. Saliu, do ten

push-ups a day.” When askedwhy, he retorted: “you’ve got apot belly.” And my February 2000physical examination revealed aweight gain of about 50 poundsover my first twelve years in theStates, while my blood pressurewas slightly elevated. The familydoctor made a remark about myfigure: “You’ve got folds all overyour body.” About a week later Ireceived a phone call from him:“your cholesterol is too high, andyou could become diabetic soon ifcare is not taken. Eat more fibersand cut down your meat intake,”the doctor said.

I did what the physicianrecommended, and more: I cutdown my meat intake, eliminatedeggs from my diet, and added

broccoli to my lunch and dinner. Iavoided soda and juice, butcontinued to eat bread, cake,cereals, and reduced portions ofwhite rice. With these changes Ilost 30 pounds over three months.The weight loss could beattributed to avoidance of sodas,and cessation of nightlyconsumption of ice cream, cookies,cold cereals, bread, and hotchocolate. My blood pressurereturned to normal while mycholesterol was usually a little lessthan 200. And it took me a whileto get used to comments about myphysique: Are you alright? Is yourwife feeding you? Are youdieting? You just need to exercise!On the other hand when I was onthe path to obesity, and metabolic

Why I HateSugar

By Olufemi Saliu, M.D.



Health

syndrome, no one asked if I wasalright.

I was very strict in the first fewyears but later became careless: thevegetable portions decreasedgradually while the processedportions such as potato chips,cookies, and cold cereals went up.

On August 17, 2011 (elevenyears after the first dietarymodification) my family doctorwas concerned about mycholesterol: LDL 227. He gave mesix months to make a life stylechange, or else he’d place me oncholesterol lowering medication. Idrove directly from his office tothe whole foods market closest tomy house- and began thisadventure in nutrition science.

From lack of understanding, I,along with most people blameexcessive consumption of fat formetabolic syndrome:hypertension, diabetes,dyslipidemia, and cardiovasculardiseases. The purpose of thisarticle is to expose the real culpritin the causation of metabolicsyndrome.

First we need to know that thefamiliar table sugar-sucrose-consists of two simple sugars:glucose and fructose. Anothersimple sugar of importance isgalactose which is found in milk.

When the fuel is running low inyour car, the yellow alert comeson. Now for a moment, try toimagine you are seated in your carat a gas station after the pump isset up to fill the tank. Through afeedback mechanism the pumpsenses the tank is full, and stopspumping gas. Let’s assume the

feedback mechanism isdefective. So the pump can’t sensethe tank is full. There’d be a spill-over of the gas by the time you getout of the car. Thus there aresensors in the car that detect whenthe gas is low, and when the tankis full.

Similarly, the human brain(hypothalamus), through certainhormones, can sense when you’relow or full on nutrients: ghrelinmakes you feel hungry,while insulin, leptin, andcholecystokinin make you feel fullon respective nutrients. Glucoseand galactose( unlike fructose),protein, and fat are subject to thisregulatory mechanism that makesthe body aware it’s had enough, sothese nutrients do not makepeople fat. On the other hand,fructose is not subject to thisregulatory mechanism. As muchas you eat is absorbed, andmetabolized in the liver to fattyacids that circulate as LDL (badcholesterol) in the blood, and fat.The brain is not able to tell youwhen you’ve had enough. Thepath of fructose conversion to fattyacids and fat is a path of leastresistance. Elucidation of thisconcept is beyond the scope of thisarticle. For better understandingyou may read “Sweet Poison” byDavid Gillespie, a lawyermotivated to learn biochemistrybecause of his personal strugglewith metabolic syndrome. So, mydear readers, fructose is yourenemy; not fat, protein, or glucose.

But fructose is ubiquitous inour foods. The manufacturers addit to carbonated drinks, milk

shake, juice, cake, ice cream,bread, donut, honey roasted nuts,cookies, chocolate, peanut butter,honey, and so on. If the food isprocessed, it’s got added sugar.

I’ve heard people said incountless times: “I drink my coffeeblack, and with no sugar.” But acan of soda contains eightteaspoons of sugar. The tablesugar added to tea is less of aproblem than the sugar alreadyadded to coke, juice, potato chips,ice cream, and bread, just to namesome. Beware of the sugar that isunseen.

Furthermore, fructose isfructose, whether it’s consumed infruit or cookies. Due to fibers, andantioxidants in fruits, they arebetter than cookies but the fructosein them-when consumedexcessively- might create weightproblems. So fruits are to beconsumed with caution. All thenutritional benefits of fruits arefound in vegetables: you can dowithout fruits for a while if you’reconcerned about your weight.

Obviously, fructose is added tomake unpalatable food tasty. Italso has a euphoric effect thatmakes you feel good when sugarlands on the tongue. So whenadded to food, you want more ofthe food. Studies are suggestive ofaddictive effect of sugar.

According to Dr. Robert Lustig,“Excessive consumption offructose can cause many of thesame health problems as alcohol.”This point may be stressed withthe table below:

And glycation, the process by



Health

which circulating blood sugarbinds to tissue proteins formingadvanced glycation endproducts(AGEs) which studieshave linked to ageing, impairmentof cognition, cataracts, and chronicjoint diseases.

Whenever I give a talk onhealth hazards of fructose inprocessed food people ask afamiliar question: “what then canwe eat?”

These are my suggestions:Avoid sodas, juice, and malt

drinks with passion. Rememberwhat Fela Anikulapo Kuti said:“Water no get enemy.

If the food is packaged in abottle, can, cardboard box, orplastic bag, don’t eat it, or at themost, let it constitute less than 20%of your food.

Limit fruit consumption to atmost two a day if your BMI(weight in kg divided by thesquare of height in meter) iswithin normal range. Excessivefruit consumption might makeyour weight problem worse. It’s agood idea for obese people to

avoid fruits until their weights areunder control. All nutritionalbenefits of fruits are found invegetables.

Habitually consume variety ofvegetables every day; makevegetable salad a significantportion of your breakfast, lunch,and dinner. There is no limit tohow much to eat.

Remember to snack on varietyof raw nuts daily. I always go towork with two handfuls of mixedRAW walnut, cashew nuts, andalmonds. Avoid honey roastednuts because they are loaded withsugar and salt. Furthermore,roasted nuts are deficient in heatlabile nutrients.

Fish, chicken, meat, and eggsare not the culprit: fructose is theproblem.

Legumes such beans are good.The main carbohydrate in beans,amylopectin C is so resistant todigestion that it’s passed on to thebacteria in the colon for digestion.The bacteria break it down tohydrogen and nitrogen, not simplesugars. Beans increase gas, andbulk in the colon.

Finally, changing your diet isjust one side of the coin ofhealthful living. The other isappropriate exercise in reasonableintensity to avoid injury, andaccelerated wear and tear of thejoints. You may join a gym, takelong walks, walk the stairs, andpack your car as far away aspossible for an opportunity towalk. An optimum balance ofdietary change and exercise, andof course the way we think is thekey to good health. And do not betoo far from your family doctor; Isee mine annually. Our bodies,just like our cars needmaintenance too.

References:Lustig, Robert H. et al. Public

health: The toxic truth aboutsugar. Nature 482. 27-29 (02February 2012)

Gillespie, David. Sweet Poison:Why sugar is making us fat.

Davis, Williams. Wheat Belly:Lose the wheat, lose the weight,and find the path back to health.

ChrONIC EthANOL ExPOSurE

Hematological disordersElectrolyte abnormalitiesHTNCardiac dilatationCardiomyopathyDyslipidemiaPancreatitisObesity(insulin resistance)MalnutritionHepatic dysfunctionAddiction

ChrONIC fruCtOSE ExPOSurE

HTNMyocardial infaction (dyslipidemia, insulin resistance)DyslipidemiaPancreatitisObesity(insulin resistance)

Malnutrition(obesity)Hepatic dysfunction(non-alcoholic)Habituation, if not addiction.

Robert H. Lustig, et al



Fashion and Style

LAS VEGASSUPER MODELTOUR

Models: Cebrena and IveannaShot on Location: Las Vegas NevadaPhotos by: Devere Photography



Fashion and Style


Fashion and Style

Model: Iveanna Tucker,

Height: 6' 1'

Weight: 127lbs

Measurements: 34-27-37

From: Las Vegas, Nevada

Shot on Location: Las Vegas

Photographer: Devere Photography

Booking Contacts: mail@lifeand-

timesmagazine.com

Reference: Devere Photography

Wardrobe by: Dupsies.com

Make up: Stephanie of Las Vegas-

702-277-7492

110 LIFE & TIMES MAGAZI SUMMER 2013

Fashion and Style



Fashion and Style

Model: Cebrena Tucker,Height: 6' 0''Weight: 120lbsMeasurements: 34-24-34From: N. Las Vegas, NevadaShot on Location: Las VegasPhotographer: Devere PhotographyBooking Contacts: [email protected]: Devere PhotographyWardrobe by: Dupsies.comMake up: Stephanie of Las Vegas-

702-277-7492



Sports


Sports


Spotlight

SouthAfricaAlive with possibilities

Diversity is a key feature of South Africa, where 11 languages are recognized as official, wherecommunity leaders include rabbis and chieftains, rugby players and returned exiles, wheretraditional healers ply their trade around the corner from stockbrokers and where housing rangesfrom mud huts to palatial homes with swimming pools.

The diverse communities, however, have not had much representation for long. Until 1994 South Africa was ruled by a white minority government which was so determined to hang onto

power that it took activists most of the last century before they succeeded in their fight to get rid of apartheidand extend democracy to the rest of the population.

The white government which came to power in 1948 enforced a separation of races with its policy calledapartheid. It dictated that black and white communities should live in separate areas, travel in different buses



Spotlight

and stand in their ownqueues.

The governmentintroduced grand socialengineering schemes such asthe forced resettlement ofhundreds of thousands ofpeople. It poisoned andbombed opponents andencouraged trouble inneighboring countries.

The apartheidgovernment eventuallynegotiated itself out ofpower, and the newleadership encouragedreconciliation. But the cost ofthe years of conflict will bepaid for a long time yet, notleast in terms of lawlessness,social disruption and losteducation.

South Africa faces majorproblems, but having heldfour successful nationalelections as well as local pollssince the end of white rule, ademocratic culture appears tobe taking hold, allowingpeople at least some say inthe search for solutions.

Very much Africa’ssuperpower, South Africa hasthe continent’s biggesteconomy, though this wentinto recession in May 2009following a sharp slowdownin the mining andmanufacturing sectors. Theconstruction industry, on theother hand, benefited from ahuge programme ofgovernment investment ahead ofthe 2010 World Cup.

South Africa is, along withChina, Brazil, Russia and India, amember of the BRICS club ofemerging world economic

powerhouses.Many South Africans remain

poor and unemployment is high -a factor blamed for a wave ofviolent attacks against migrantworkers from other African

countries in 2008 andprotests by townshipresidents over poor livingconditions during thesummer of 2009.

Land redistribution isan ongoing issue. Mostfarmland is still white-owned. Having so faracquired land on a“willing buyer, willingseller” basis, officials havesignaled that large-scaleexpropriations are on thecards. The governmentaims to transfer 30% offarmland to black SouthAfricans by 2014.

South Africa has thesecond-highest number ofHIV/Aids patients in theworld. Around one inseven of its citizens isinfected with HIV. Freeanti-retroviral drugs areavailable under a state-funded scheme.

Provinces ofSouth Africa

At the end of apartheidin 1994, the“independent” and “semi-independent” Bantustanswere abolished, as werethe four original provinces(Cape, Natal, Orange FreeState and Transvaal), andnine new provinces werecreated. Each province isgoverned by a unicamerallegislature, which is

elected every five years by party-list proportional representation.The legislature elects a Premier ashead of government, and thePremier appoints an ExecutiveCouncil as a provincial cabinet.



Spotlight

The powers of provincialgovernments are limited to topicslisted in the Constitution; thesetopics include such fields ashealth, education, public housingand transport. South African maincities are Johannesburg, CapeTown and Durban.

A chronology of key events: 4th century - Migrants from the

north settle, joining theindigenous San and Khoikhoipeople.

1480s - Portuguese navigatorBartholomeu Dias is the firstEuropean to travel round thesouthern tip of Africa.

1497 - Portuguese explorer Vascoda Gama lands on Natal coast.

1652 - Jan van Riebeeck,representing the Dutch EastIndia Company, founds theCape Colony at Table Bay.

1795 - British forces seize CapeColony from the Netherlands.Territory is returned to theDutch in 1803; ceded to theBritish in 1806.

1816-1826 - Shaka Zulu foundsand expands the Zulu empire,creates a formidable fightingforce.

1835-1840 - Boers leave CapeColony in the ‘Great Trek’ andfound the Orange Free Stateand the Transvaal.

1852 - British grant limited self-government to the Transvaal.

1856 - Natal separates from theCape Colony.

Late 1850s - Boers proclaim theTransvaal a republic.

1867 - Diamonds discovered atKimberley.

1877 - Britain annexes theTransvaal.

Mining has been the driving force

behind South Africa’seconomic development

1879 - British defeat the Zulus inNatal.

1880-81 - Boers rebel against theBritish, sparking the firstAnglo-Boer War. Conflict endswith a negotiated peace.Transvaal is restored as arepublic.

Mid 1880s - Gold is discovered inthe Transvaal, triggering thegold rush.

1899 - British troops gather on theTransvaal border and ignorean ultimatum to disperse. Thesecond Anglo-Boer War begins.

1902 - Treaty of Vereeniging endsthe second Anglo-Boer War.The Transvaal and Orange FreeState are made self-governingcolonies of the British Empire.

1910 - Formation of Union ofSouth Africa by former British



Spotlight

colonies of the Cape and Natal,and the Boer republics ofTransvaal, and Orange FreeState.

1912 - Native National Congressfounded, later renamed theAfrican National Congress(ANC).

1913 - Land Act introduced toprevent blacks, except thoseliving in Cape Province, frombuying land outside reserves.

1914 - National Party founded. 1918 - Secret Broederbond

(brotherhood) established toadvance the Afrikaner cause.

1919 - South West Africa(Namibia) comes under SouthAfrican administration.

Apartheid set in law 1948 - Policy of apartheid

(separateness) adopted whenNational Party (NP) takes

power. 1950 - Population classified by

race. Group Areas Act passedto segregate blacks and whites.Communist Party banned.ANC responds with campaignof civil disobedience, led byNelson Mandela.

1960 - Seventy blackdemonstrators killed atSharpeville. ANC banned.

1961 - South Africa declared arepublic, leaves theCommonwealth. Mandelaheads ANC’s new militarywing, which launches sabotagecampaign.

1960s - International pressureagainst government begins,South Africa excluded fromOlympic Games.

1964 - ANC leader NelsonMandela sentenced to life

imprisonment. 1966 September - Prime Minister

Hendrik Verwoerdassassinated.

1970s - More than 3 million peopleforcibly resettled in black‘homelands’.

1976 - More than 600 killed inclashes between blackprotesters and security forcesduring uprising which starts inSoweto.

1976: Black anger boils over.People rallied against the whitegovernment, which hit backviolently

1984-89 - Township revolt, state ofemergency.

1989 - FW de Klerk replaces PWBotha as president, meetsMandela. Public facilitiesdesegregated. Many ANCactivists freed.

1990 - ANC unbanned, Mandelareleased after 27 years inprison. Namibia becomesindependent.

1991 - Start of multi-party talks.De Klerk repeals remainingapartheid laws, internationalsanctions lifted. Major fightingbetween ANC and ZuluInkatha movement.

1993 - Agreement on interimconstitution.

1994 April - ANC wins first non-racial elections. Mandelabecome president, Governmentof National Unity formed,Commonwealth membershiprestored, remaining sanctionslifted. South Africa takes seatin UN General Assembly after20-year absence.

Seeking truth 1996 - Truth and Reconciliation

Commission chaired by



Spotlight

Archbishop Desmond Tutubegins hearings on humanrights crimes committed byformer government andliberation movements duringapartheid era.

1990: De Klerk dismantlesapartheid in South Africa

1996 - Parliament adopts newconstitution. National Partywithdraws from coalition,saying it is being ignored.

1998 - Truth and ReconciliationCommission report brandsapartheid a crime againsthumanity and finds the ANCaccountable for human rightsabuses.

1999 - ANC wins general elections,Thabo Mbeki takes over aspresident.

2000 December - ANC prevails inlocal elections. Recently-formed Democratic Alliancecaptures nearly a quarter of thevotes. The Inkatha FreedomParty wins 9%.

2001 April - 39 multi-nationalpharmaceutical companies halta legal battle to stop SouthAfrica importing generic Aidsdrugs. The decision is hailed asa victory for the world’spoorest countries in theirefforts to import cheaper drugsto combat the virus.

2001 May - An official panelconsiders allegations ofcorruption surrounding a 1999arms deal involving British,French, German, Italian,Swedish and South Africanfirms. In November the panelclears the government ofunlawful conduct.

2001 September - Durban hostsUN race conference.

2001 December - High Court rulesthat pregnant women must begiven Aids drugs to helpprevent transmission of thevirus to their babies.

2002 July - Constitutional courtorders government to providekey anti-Aids drug at all publichospitals. Government hadargued drug was too costly.

2002 October - Bomb explosions inSoweto and a blast nearPretoria are thought to be thework of right-wing extremists.Separately, police charge 17right-wingers with plottingagainst the state.

2003 May - Walter Sisulu, a keyfigure in the anti-apartheidstruggle, dies aged 91.Thousands gather to pay theirlast respects.

2003 November - Governmentapproves major programme totreat and tackle HIV/Aids. Itenvisages network of drug-distributon centres andpreventative programmes.Cabinet had previously

refused to provide anti-Aidsmedicine via public healthsystem.

2004 April - Ruling ANC winslandslide election victory,gaining nearly 70% of votes.Thabo Mbeki begins a secondterm as president. InkathaFreedom Party leaderMangosuthu Buthelezi isdropped from the cabinet.

2005 March - Investigatorsexhume the first bodies in aTruth and ReconciliationCommission investigation intothe fates of hundreds of peoplewho disappeared in theapartheid era.

2005 May - Geographical namescommittee recommends thatthe culture minister shouldapprove a name change for thecapital from Pretoria toTshwane.

Zuma sacked 2005 June - President Mbeki sacks

his deputy, Jacob Zuma, in theaftermath of a corruption case.



Spotlight

2005 August - Around 100,000gold miners strike over pay,bringing the industry to astandstill.

2006 May - Former deputypresident Jacob Zuma isacquitted of rape charges bythe High Court inJohannesburg. He is reinstatedas deputy leader of thegoverning African NationalCongress.

2006 June - Chinese Premier WenJiabao visits and promises tolimit clothing exports to helpSouth Africa’s ailing textileindustry.

2006 September - Corruptioncharges against former deputypresident Zuma are dismissed,boosting his bid for thepresidency.

2006 December - South Africabecomes the first Africancountry, and the fifth in theworld, to allow same-sexunions.

2007 April - President Mbeki, oftenaccused of turning a blind eyeto crime, urges South Africansto join forces to bring rapists,drug dealers and corrupt

officials to justice. 2007 May - Cape Town mayor

Helen Zille is elected as newleader of the main oppositionDemocratic Alliance (DA).

Mass strike 2007 June - Hundreds of

thousands of public-sectorworkers take part in thebiggest strike since the end ofapartheid. The strike lasts forfour weeks and causeswidespread disruption toschools, hospitals and publictransport.

2007 December - Zuma is electedchairman of the ANC, placinghim in a strong position tobecome the next president.Prosecutors bring newcorruption charges againsthim.

2008 May - Wave of violencedirected at foreigners hitstownships across the country.Dozens of people die andthousands of Zimbabweans,Malawians and Mozambicansreturn home.

2008 September - A judge throwsout a corruption case againstruling ANC party chief Jacob

Zuma, opening the way forhim to stand as the country’spresident in 2009.

President Mbeki resigns overallegations that he interfered inthe corruption case against MrZuma. ANC deputy leaderKgalema Motlanthe is chosenby parliament as president.

New party launched 2008 December - A new political

party is launched inBloemfontein, in the first realchallenge to the governingANC. The Congress of thePeople - or Cope - is made uplargely of defectors from theANC and is headed by formerdefence minister MosiuoaLekota.

2009 January - Appeals court rulesthat state prosecutors canresurrect their corruption caseagainst ANC leader JacobZuma, opening the way for MrZuma’s trial to be resumed,just months before generalelection.

Lindiwe Mazibuko, becomes theopposition DemocraticAlliance’s leader in parliament

2009 April - Public prosecutorsdrop corruption case againstJacob Zuma.

ANC wins general election. 2009 May - Parliament elects Jacob

Zuma as president. Economy goes into recession for

first time in 17 years. 2009 July - Township residents

complaining about poor livingconditions mount violentprotests.

2010 June - South Africa hosts theWorld Cup footballtournament.

2010 August - Civil servants stage



Spotlight

nation-wide strike. 2011 May - Local elections, with

opposition DemocraticAlliance nearly doubling itsshare of the vote since the lastpoll.

President Zuma mediates inLibyan conflict.

2011 October - President Zumasacks two ministers accused ofcorruption.

Opposition Democratic Alliancepicks a black woman -Lindiwe Mazibuko - as itsleader in parliament.

2011 November - The ANCsuspends its controversial andinfluential youth leader, JuliusMalema, for five years forbringing the party intodisrepute.

2011 National Assemblyoverwhelmingly approves

information bill accused bycritics of posing a threat tofreedom of speech. The ANCsays it is needed to safeguardnational security.

2012 July - Member of whiteextremist group found guiltyof plotting to kill Mandela andtrying to overthrowgovernment.

2012 August-October - Policeopen fire on workers at aplatinum mine in Marikana,killing at least 34 people, andleaving at least 78 injured andarresting more than 200others. Prosecutors dropmurder charges in Septemberagainst 270 miners after apublic outcry, and thegovernment sets up a judicialcommission of inquiry inOctober.

2012 September - Former ANCyouth leader Julius Malema ischarged with moneylaundering over a governmenttender awarded to a companypartly owned by his familytrust. Mr Malema says the caseis a politically motivatedattempt to silence hiscampaign against PresidentZuma, in particular over theMarikana shootings.

2012 October - Platinum mineowner Amplats fires 12,000striking miners as wave ofwildcat strikes shows littlesign of abating.

2012 December - President Zumare-elected as leader of theANC.

Source-BBC NEWS, Country Profile


Youth

There isso much tobe saidabout thepower ofnetworking.Networkingis simply ac-tively meet-

ing people indifferent settings, ex-

changing information, and follow-ing up in the near future to achievea certain goal. This goal usuallyfalls within one’s professional orbusiness aspirations. The act of net-working itself is simple and fluidand can be incredibly beneficialwhen one is intentional aboutdoing it.

As Nigerians, we have a deepnetwork to tap into. Nigerians aresome of the most innovative, re-sourceful, and hardworking peoplein the world. We are everywhereand tend to succeed in whatever in-dustry we apply ourselves in. As ayoung Nigerian, you are in an evenbetter position to use the Nigeriannetwork to your benefit becauseyou are more flexible with yourtime and money, more inclined totry new things, and more ready tobe creative. Equally as important isthe fact that older generations ofNigerians are always willing tosupport the younger ones.

Below aresome prac-tical tips

to making the best use of yourNigerian connection.

Embrace your familial ties –We all have uncles and aunties –many of whom are directly relatedto us and many are family friendswho treat and accept us as theirown children. These people haveknown you for a long time and canlikely connect you to other like-minded individuals. At the veryleast, they serve a close resourceand like to put in a good word foryou.

Go to conferences – Confer-ences related to Nigeria and Nige-rians occur locally and globally ona relatively frequent basis. Thefocus and theme of each conferencevaries. Some may be tailored to-wards certain professions, othersmore interest-based (e.g. fashion,African development, sports etc.)while others more socially inclined.Many however cross over a slew ofsubject areas and hold severalworkshops that more likely thannot, you will find something of in-terest to you. All conferences bringout the best and brightest from theNigerian community. You neverknow whom you will meet at thesegatherings, so ensure to carry andcollect business cards when you at-tend them.

Stay in touch with former em-ployers – This tip is not unique toNigerians but is still very impor-tant to networking. Former em-ployers can connect you with

people who can further your careergoals. Checking in to see how theyare doing and updating them onwhat you are doing is one simpleand essential method to broadenyour chances of new professionalopportunities.

Use social media – Social mediais huge in today’s world of cyberconnections. This is especially truefor young Nigerians trying to makea name for themselves. The wayyou present yourself online holds alarge stake in how new people willperceive you. Studies have shownthat a substantial amount of em-ployers perform online searches oneach prospective candidate for em-ployment. The same goes for po-tential business partners. LinkedIn,Facebook and Twitter are all plat-forms you must use to your bene-fit.

Keep an open mind – It is cru-cial to approach networking withan open mind. There is no one wayto network neither is there is aright time to stop networking.Along those lines, though someconnections will lead to somethingfruitful and others may not rightaway, they are all beneficial tobuilding and molding your net-work.

- Ijeoma Nwawka, Esq.

The NigerianConnection




Kano State of the Federal Re-public of Nigeria lies between lati-tude 130 North in the North and110 North in the South and longi-tude 80 W in the West and 100 inthe East. Kano State is made up ofthe following forty four local gov-ernment areas: Ajingi, Albasu,Bagwai, Bebeji, Bichi, Bunkure,Dala, Dambatta, Dawakin Kudu,Dawakin Tofa, Doguwa, Gaba-sawa, Garko, Garun Malam, Gaya,Gezawa, Gwale, Gwarzo, Kabo,Karaye, Kibiya, Kiru, Kumbotso,Kura, Kunchi, Madobi, Makoda,Minjibir, Kano Municipal, Nas-sarawa, Rimini Gado, Rogo,Shanono, Sumaila, Takai, Tarauni,

Tsanyawa, Tudun Wada, Tofa,Warawa and Wudil.

The total land area of KanoState is 20,760sq kilometers with apopulation of 9,383,682 based onthe official 2006 National Popula-tion and Housing Census. Kano’sinfluence is not only demographic,but also economic. This is because“it represents an area of dominantinfluence over markets in adjacentareas. This influence varies fromone industry to another.”

Kano is largely Muslim. Themajority of Kano Muslims areSunni. Christians and followers ofother non-Muslim religions form asmall part of the population, and

traditionally lived in the SabonGari, or Foreign Quarter.

Kano City has been the capitalof Kano State since the earliestrecorded time. It is located on lati-tude 120 N and longitude 8.300 Ewithin the semi-arid Sudan savan-nah zone of West Africa about 840kilometers edge of the edge of theSahara desert. Kano has a meanheight of about 472.5m above sealevel. Kano City has expandedover the years and has become thethird largest conurbation in Nige-ria with a population of about 3million. It is made up of nine localgovernment areas: Municipal,Gwale, Dala, Tarauni, Nassarawa,

SPOTLIGHT ON

Kano StateTHE COMMERCIAL HEARTBEAT OF NORTHERN NIGERIA



Spotlight

Fagge, Ungogo, Kumbotso andDawakin Kudu.

Kano’s most enduring legacyGidan Rumfar (Emir’s Palace) theseat of Kano’s prestigious Sarautainstitution (Kingship) built overfive hundred years ago and is lo-cated in the Municipal Local Gov-ernment Area. The Emir of theKano Emirate is Alhaji Ado Bayero

The Kano State GovernmentHouse is located in Tarauni LocalGovernment Area.

Kano’s present Governor isGov. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.

History of Kano from 999 to Date

Kano is one of the oldest polit-ical entities in Sudanic Africawhich stretches from AtlanticCoast in the East. It has over 1000years of history of centralized au-thority beginning with theBagadawa Dynasty. This sectionbriefly explores has been adoptedfrom previous publications of theResearch and Documentation Di-rectorate.

Establishment of PoliticalAuthority

The emergence of central po-litical authority in Kano wasclosely associated with the foun-dation of birni (city) Kano itself.This was like other Hausa stateswere the birane (cities) where thecenters of political authority.These cities developed as a resultof immigration of diverse groupswho have no kinship relationshipand were integrated gradually dis-placing authorities whose powerdepended on kinship loyalties.

It has been postulated that po-litical authority in Hausaland

evolved from farming familygroups whose farms were veryclose to their homes and theywere separated by waste-lands.These separate settlements werecalled kauyuka or unguwoyi(sing. Kauye, unguwa). It wasfurther suggested that authoritywas of two types family and com-munal. The communal authoritywas vested in the sarki (ruler)which was recognized for specificpurposes. Especially farmingwhich was the backbone of theeconomy. The sarkin noma (kingof farming) coordinated all thefarming activities including thereligious rituals for rains. The

head of the family unit regulatedall other affairs not related to agri-culture. The kauye was a collectionof these independent family unitsgidaje (sing. Gida) each headed bythe maigida (family head). The so-ciety expanded as a result of im-migration of families who werenot related to each other ungu-

woyi and kauyuka merged andbecame towns garuruwa (sing.Gari). The community leader ofthe gari was known as sarkin gariwho was assisted by ward headsmasu unguwanni (sing. Mai un-guwa). As the town developed theauthority of the sarki became ex-panded beyond the farmland withdiminishing emphasis on kinshipsince most of the immigrants werenot related.

The birni (city) evolved fromthe gari (town). The birni of antiq-uity was cosmopolitan; it was anurban center with a considerablylarge population of diverse groupswho lack kinship relations withone and the other. Economic fac-tors were responsible for thegrowth of birane (sing. Birni) ofancient Hausaland, because onlybuoyant economy could support alarge population. Agriculture sup-ported by fertile soil was the main-stay of the economy. The ironindustry also supported agricul-ture by producing farm imple-ments. Dutsen Dala, which was aniron site, was the foundation of



Spotlight

Kano the greatest of all Hausa bi-rane. Birnin Kano became the nu-cleus of fertile kasar (country of)Kano. Trade and religious attrac-tion was contributed to the growthof kano. Dutsen Dala and KurminJakara both located in Birnin kanowere centers of iskokai (spirits)adored by the ancient Hausas. Bar-bushe the first known Sarkin Kanowas a chief priest of Tsumburburawhich were also iskokai. For anybirni to flourish, it needed securitythus another very important fea-ture of any birni of ancient Hausa-land was the ganuwa (city wall)which was a fortification. It hasbeen suggested that this securityof the birane was an essential ele-ment in their emergence as centersof “unusual political power.” Theemergence of states in Hausalandappeared to have been linked with

the foundation of birane as thesecenters of political power.

Finn Fuglestad has criticizedAbdullahi Smith’s theory of theevolution of the state in Hausa-land. He has argued “that the in-stitution and concept of Kinship inHausaland were not indigenous toHausaland. They did not growsmoothly out of pre-existing insti-tutions but were on the contraryimposed by people perceived to bealiens.” Still Abdullahi Smith’stheory remains credible at least inkano because there are evidencesfrom the ‘Kano Chronicle’ that in-dicate execution of some form ofpolitical authority by Barbusheand his predecessors apart fromtheir spiritual leadership. It wouldbe safer to assume that SarautaKingship institution in Kano was asynthesis of local tradition and

new innovations by Bagau-dawa who conquered kanosometime in 999 CE.

Political authority is closelyassociated with class distinc-tion. In Hausaland members ofthe ruling class were known asmasu sarauta and the talakawaare the commoners. The sarkiwas the head of the sarauta andalso the head of state and allthe state officials were masu sa-rauta. The office of the sarki(king) was dynastic and inKano throughout the pre-jihadera it was vested in the familyof Bagauda. The masu sarautawere fief holders given to themby the sarki for their loyalty.The system was complex and ittook several years to develop.The most important innovation

was the creation of the Tara taKano (literally Kano nine) bySarkin Kano Muhammadu Rumfa.This was the council of state madeup of the senior state officials: Gal-adima, Madaki, and Wambai (al-ways a slave) who wereconsidered greater than the sarki,followed by Makama, Sarkin Jaru-mai and Sarkin Bai (always aslave) who were considered equalto the sarki and the last three whoconsidered less than the sarkiwere: Barde, Sarkin DawakinTsakar Gida and Turaki.

One of the functions of theTara ta Kano might have been theselection of the new sarki fromamongst the ‘yan sarki (sons of theKing). It has been reported that thesarki always feared the consensusof the members of Tara ta Kano.Some members of the sarauta had



Spotlight

specific functions for examplesarkin kasuwa was in charge of themarket, the sarkin kofa was the of-ficial gatekeeper. These and someother titles later became less im-portant. The sarakuna of impor-tant towns such as Gaya, BirninKudu, Dutse, Bebeji and Ringimwere later incorporated into sa-rauta. Rano also later lost its inde-pendence and became part ofKano. During the emirate periodthese sarakuna (kings) were rele-gated to the status of manyan da-gatai (territorial chiefs) and theywere considered below otherhakimi (district head) in prece-dence and they became vassals ofthe powerful hakimi who wereresident in the city. There werealso sarauta titles that were re-served for royal slaves throughoutthe history of Kano for exampleShamaki, Dan Rimi, Salama,Kasheka, Turakin Soro and Kilishiwhich other titles were later con-

verted from royal slave titles to thenobility.

The Bagaudawa reign was notsmooth as there was oppositionfrom those displaced from powerespecially the descendants of Bar-bushe. Two Kings (Sarakuna) ofthe Bagauda dynasty Gajimasuand Tsamiya consolidated the po-litical gains of Bagaudawa, builtupon the foundation for territorialexpansion of the community andattempted to socialize differentcultures into one single dominantculture. Some of the sarakunawere very innovative. The most fa-mous was Sarkin Kano Muham-madu Rumfa (1463 – 1499CE/867-0=904 AH). The KanoChronicler has stated that: “Hecanhave no equal in might from themost notable political innovationswhere the institution of Tara taKano as earlier mentioned andconferement of titles on eunuchs.Sarkin Kano Muhammdu Rumfa

consolidated the Sarauta (King-ship) with several enduring fea-tures Gidan Rumfa (the Palace),Hawan Sallah (procession on thedays of Muslim festivals) which isthe largest procession of colorfulhorses (Durbar) in the world,Dawakin Zage (Spare horses forthe sarki during battles and pro-cessions), Kakaki (trumpet), Figini(Sarki’s fan), Takalmin Jumuna(Ostrich sandals), Tagwayen Masu(twin spears). These regalia ofRumfa have remained part ofKano heritage ever since. Thegreatest legacy of Rumfa is notmaterialistic but social and intel-lectual reponses of Kano even dur-ing the most traumatic Britishcolonial enterprises. The Kanoleaders where guided by Rumfa’slegacy of hard work, good sense,courage, confidence and above allfaith.

The first Islamic scholar wholived in Kano and wrote in Arabic


126 LIFE & TIMES MAGAZI SUMMER 2013

Spotlight

was perhaps Sheikh Abd al-Karimal-Maghili. He was in Kano duringthe reign of Sarki Rumfa (1463-99).He was a great Maliki Jusrists andPolitical Theorist. He wrote Ta’if fima yajib al-Muluk (The obligationof the Princes) and Mukhtasarmimma yajuz li’l-hukam fi radd al-nas an al-haram (Summary of Per-missibility of Turning AwayPeople from Unlawful Acts bythose in Authority) to guide SarkinKano Muhammadu Rumfa. It isnot clear whether he wrote his al-Mughni al-nabil fi sharhMukhtasar al-Khalil (A commen-tary on Mukhtasar Khalil) inKano. Muhammad b. Ahmad (akaAida Ahmad) (824-936AH/1469-1529 CE) is said to have resided inKano an other parts of Hausalandhe was an author and contempo-rary of al-Maghili. He was givenijaza (certificate) to teach by somescholars in Egypt and Hijaz and hewrote a commentary on theMukhtasar. He may have taught in

Kano before he became the Qadi(Judge) of Katsina. Another MalikiJurist who resided in Kano duringthe Bagaudawa period wasMakhluf al-Bilbali apart from hisknowledge of Fiqh he was also aMuhadith (scholar of Prophetictraditions) he had memorized theSahih al-Bukhari. Some of hisjudgments and legal view havebeen documented.

From Emirate to StatehoodShehu Usman Danfodio made

Hijra (Migration) from Degel toGudu (1217 ) February 21 1804.This was after several years ofpreaching and that culminated inthe establishment of his Commu-nity (Juma’ah) who were perse-cuted by the Gobir authoritiesnecessitating this Hijra during thereign of Sarkin Gobir. At Gudu theShehu’s followers pledged alle-giance and formally made him theAmir al-Mumini (Commander ofthe faithful). The Sultan of Gobir

sent an expedition against the Ja-ma’ah as the Shehu’s communityand followers came to be knowbut it was driven back. TheShehu’s followers were also suc-cessful against the Gobir army atthe famous Tabkin Kwatto battle.Shehu just before his Hijra had in-structed his followers from allparts of Hausaland to return to thelocalities and prepare for theJihad. He also sent his Wathiqatahl-Sudan to all parts of Hausa-land and there was widespreadmobilization against the estab-lished order. This culminated inthe overthrow of the ruling dynas-ties of the major Hausa States ofKano, Katsina, Zazzau and Dauraand the establishment of newprovinces know as Emirates. Thepreviously independent Hausastates and the new provinces gavetheir allegiance to Sokoto, whichwas the Caliphate established bythe Shehu. It succeeded as themost prosperous and complexly



Spotlight

organized state in tropical Africa(Iliffe 1995: 171 and Lubek 1986:12)because it derived its legitimacyfrom the Islamic allegiance of itscitizens. It has been rightly ob-served that “the Sokoto Caliphatewas not properly speaking an em-pire, since its unity depended notso much on force, as on religiousobedience the emirs or provincialgovernors owed the Commanderof the faithful or Caliph at Sokoto”(Crowder 1978). Adeleye (1971)has also emphasized that: “It mustbe stressed that this loyalty whichSheikh received from the variouscommunities was freely given notimposed.”

The British conquered KanoEmirate in 1903. Kano Emirate hasbeen part of the Sokoto Caliphatesince 1807 and was ruled byEmirs, the first was Sulaiman whows succeeded by Ibrahim Dabo in1819 and all subsequent Emirs(Sullubawa Dynasty) were his de-scendants. The British used theEmirate structure to administerthe territory in system known asthe indirect rule. The Emir was thesole Native Authority who was an-swerable to the colonial adminis-tration headed by the Resident atthe Provincial level. KanoProvince was made up of KanoEmirate and the Emirates of Hade-jia, Kazaure and Gumel but eachhad its Native Au-thority that con-trolled the courts,prisons and localpolice.

Throughoutthe colonial periodthe British toler-ated arbitrary useof power by thenative authoritiesso long as it did

not obstruct the attainment ofcolonial objectives of exploitationof local resources and the trans-mission of European culture. Thearbitrary dismissal of districtheads by the native authoritiesduring this period was advanta-geous to the colonial authoritiesbecause as tax collectors the fear ofdismisal made them more effi-cient. The British encouraged au-tocracy in judicial matters theyhad wanted Sarkin Kano Abbas touse his discretion on judicial is-sues so that the Sharia’h could begradually abolished but he de-clined because of his religious con-sciousness.

Agitation for national inde-pendence increased after the Sec-ond World War partly because ofreturning soldiers who had be-come more enlightened as a resultof their participation in the warand as well the gradual dissolu-tion of the British Empire. The firstpolitical association to be formedin the Northern Region in August1950 was the NEPU. Its first leaderwas Malam Abba Maikwaru ofFagge an Islamic Scholar and acommunity activist. He was afrontline member of Taron MasuZumunta (TMZ) a grass root or-ganization. Malam Aminu Kanoresigned his teaching appointmentin November 1950 and he later be-

came the President General of theNEPU. The Northern Peoples Con-gress (NPC) was the party of theestablishment. It has been de-scribed as the political party ex-pression of the Native Authorityand the sarauta. The emergingmerchant capitalist class con-tributed to the financing of theparty in order to maintain theirdominant position in the commod-ity export trade. The party wonmost the elections in Kano andother parts of Northern Nigeria.Its leader was Sir Ahmadu Bello(Sardaunan Sokoto). It formedgovernment in the Northern Re-gion and Ahmadu Bello was thePremier. It also formed govern-ment at the Federal level becauseit had more seats in the parliamentand it was in alliance with otherparties. Sardauna’s deputy SirAbubakar Tafawa Balewa thus be-came the Prime Minister of theFederation. The NPC was commit-ted to the transfer of power toNigerians who will maintain thestatus quo because of their associa-tion with colonial establhisment.All NPC ministers at the regional



Our daily lifeis consumed bywork, commit-ments and rou-tines which leaveus with little orno time for our-selves and ourfamilies. Theirony is that wework because wewant to live acomfortable lifeand spend moretime with our-selves, our children,our spouses and enjoylife more.

The harder you work, themore important it is that you take timefor rejuvenation and self-restoration. Neverallow a busy schedule to deprive you of living a quality life. Work

Finding Balancethrough

TravelBy Dr. Nicoline Ambe

Life Issues


should never be an excuse tocontinue mundane activities thatleave you drained and feelingunfulfilled. Many people claimthat they are too busy to taketime out for other things, but Ibelieve that what you thinkabout you bring about. So if youdecide to take some time out foryourself and your family, thenthat is what you will do.

Summer presents a great op-portunity to create that time tospend with yourself or your fam-ily, and to find balance. Summer-time travel is one of the mosteffective ways to bring equilib-rium to your busy life. Even ifyou are not a culturally mindedperson, traveling remains an ap-pealing form of escape. The at-traction of the activities andenvironments that are impossibleto enjoy in your hometown makea trip worthwhile.

Whether you need to take afew weeks off to avoid the stressof work or need time off to con-template where your life isheaded, traveling should be youranswer. At least once in your life,you should leave everything onpause and go somewhere, any-where. Though it may not be ob-vious while you’re sitting at home,the knowledge acquired fromtraveling is invaluable. You’ll beenriched on many levels.

Traveling will provide youwith a whole new perspective,whether that means no longersweating the small stuff or prom-ising to get out there and meetnew people. Whether alone,with a partner, with your chil-dren, or in a group, your devel-opment surely speeds up when

you’re away from your custom-ary environment..

You don’t necessarily need totravel out of the country. Visitingfriends and loved ones in otherstates or cities is a great but cost-effective way to get away.

To ensure that you maketravel a part of your summer ac-tivity, you must plan at least oneyear ahead for the trip. First, de-cide where you would like to go.Then decide how much the tripwill cost you. When you knowthose details, you may start sav-ing towards the trip by puttingmoney aside each month. Willyou be traveling alone? Will yourspouse be joining you? Will thechildren be coming along aswell? Plan for that. Children loveto spend time away, especially ifthey are in the company of theirparents. It gives them an amaz-ing renewal and a great appreci-

ation for a world that is differentfrom their own. It broadens theirperspectives on life and presentsa true opportunity to learn newthings, and gain new experi-ences. They will have a lot to telltheir friends when they comeback to school.

Have a safe trip!

About the writer:Dr. Nicoline

Ambe is aKeynote Speaker,Educator, andParent/YouthMentor. She isavailable to de-liver keynotespeeches to vari-ous audiences.Details about herwork can befound on her website atwww.nicolineambe.com


Life Issues


Community

COMMUNITYSNAP SHOTS

Benny Oke and the Nwani's at theLaunch of Benny's debut album

Benny Oke at the releaseconcert for his Album- A

heart for the nations

Mayor Dear with Akalaka Dancers during Carson @ 45.

Mrs. Yinka Adeniran recieving teacherof the year award

The Izuchukwu's celebrating Kene's UCLA graduation

The "Community snaps shots" page is apublic service by LIFE AND TIMES MAGA-ZINE to capture events that have made a dif-ference in our community during the Quarterpreceding our publication...



People and Places

Los Angeles- Niger-ian Community- enter-tainment maestro andleading MC- Nze Dr.Solomon Egbuhoturned 60 on June 1,2013.

A huge number ofthe community's socialelite turned out to

honor Nze Solo for hisimmense contributionsto our community inthe last three decades.Following is a LIFE andTIMES photo tribute toDr. Solo courtesy ofWHITE HOUSE ENTERTAIMENTPHOTOGRAPHY

DR. SOLOEGBUHO@ 60




Sports



CONTINUED FROM THE SPRING EDITION

Enemy Number Four: Lackof Communication

Do you know that millions ofcouples engaged in a great flow

ofcommu-

nication beforethe marriage and found them-selves no longer freely commu-nicative as they used to shortlythereafter? I hear it all the time atmarriage counseling sessions“my husband doesn’t tell me

anything. I don’t know what’sgoing on in his life.” Mean-while she longs to know whathe is thinking, how the busi-ness or work at the office iscoming along and his feelingsabout the children. Most im-portantly she wants to knowhis thoughts about her. He, onthe other hand, wants to keepall these to himself and usuallydoes not feel obligated to sharethem.

Generally, men duringcourtship tend to be a little bitof a “Babbling Brook”. Theyhave “butterflies in the belly”and

happily babble away.Like a rapidly flowing brook,almost everything that entersinto the eye gate or the eargate comes out the mouthgate in a ceaseless flow.

Then comes this inexplica-ble metamorphosis from a“Babbling Brook” to a“Dead Sea” personality.The Sea of Galilee in Is-rael flows south by wayof the Jordan River intothe Dead Sea. The DeadSea does not flow into anysea. It receives but doesnot give.

Like the Dead Sea, menafter marriage tend to re-

ceive the talks, emotions,thoughts and touches of theirspouse but do not give back.When the wife questions himabout his “deadness”, he retortsthat he is alive and well! Andthat response is perfectly honest.He is content not to talk. How-ever, no marriage can be healthy

Enemies OfMarriage: Lack ofCommunication

Religion and Spiritual Affairs



Religion and Spiritual Affairs

without a two-way communica-tion. So, couples should establisha daily sharing time in whicheach will talk about three thingsthat happened to them duringthe day and how they feel aboutthem. This “Minimum Daily Re-quirement” can be increased pro-gressively. Lack ofCommunication is an enemy ofmarriage. Is yours fortifiedagainst it?

Enemy Number Five:Wrong Communication

James 3:2 says “All of us oftenmake mistakes. But if a person nevermakes a mistake in what he says, heis perfect”. Now, of course weknow that nobody is perfect. It’sthe easiest thing in the world forcouples to say the wrong thingsto each other. Someone said “thetongue is in a wet place- there-fore is apt to slip”.

James metaphorically proveshow important our words are.He says our words (mouth) di-rect where we go! Your words di-rect where your marriage isgoing. He gives the picture of arudder on a ship. A small rudderguides a big ship. A great oceanliner is guided by a rudder.

Your words of communica-tion is like a rudder to your mar-riage. By screaming “I’m donewith you!”, “’Am getting a di-vorce”, “This marriage is over!”you are determining the direc-

tion of your marriage.James also says our words

(mouth) can destroy what wehave (e.g. our marriage). Hegives us the picture of a fire. Firecan easily get out of control. Yourwords can literally burn up yourmarriage. So be careful about thewords of your communication inyour marriage. Make sure theyare HONEST words.

If your spouse catches you inone lie, it breeds mistrust be-cause he or she will be thinking“what else have I been lied toabout?” When angry, be espe-ciallyCAREFUL of your words.Chaundel Holladay sums it upwell:

“Communication can be a battlefield.This thing of anger turns into abattlefield. We all even in thatbattlefield can respond differently.Some of us want to dig a fox hole.We say I’ll clam up and I’ll just wait.I’ll watch and I’ll wait for the righttime to strike. I’ll wait out thisbattlefield, this conflict.

Some of us decide that we’ll storeup. We’ll create a munitions dump sothat we can store up all the stuff thathas hurt us and is bothering us andthat kind of thing then one day we’lljust blast them all at once. Theperson who kind of stuffs atuff.

My personal favorite in arguing is theartillery. Bring out the big guns all thetime. I don’t save anything up. I useit all in every argument. Usually myanger really exceeds the level of theoffense, the situation. It’s so sad. It’s

really sad. Because when we treatcommunication like a battlegroundand we think that somebody has towin and somebody has to lose, weboth lose. Or the whole family loses.Or whoever’s in the conversation,the argument. All the parties lose.

What’s really sad is, like this versesays, the devil is the one who wins.”

Always use KIND words.Proverbs 12:25 says “worry canrob you of happiness but kindwords will cheer you up”. Don’tignore GENTLE words. Gentlewords have the power to breakthrough anger. Proverbs 15:1says “a gentle answer turns awaywrath, but a harsh word stirs upanger!” It takes courage to usegentle words because “gentle”literally means power under con-trol. So learn to control yourpower of words. Communicatewith WISE words. Proverbs12:18 “thoughtless words canwound as deeply as any sword, butwisely spoken words can heal.” Doyou know that the bible saysyou’ll be called to account forevery careless word and will berewarded for every good wordyou have been speaking?

So, T (Truthful?) H (Helpfulor Harmful?) I(Inspirational?) N(Necessary?) K (Kind?) THINKbefore you speak to your spouseand children!

Wrong communication is anenemy of marriage. Is yours for-tified against it?

Oladipo Kalejaiye holds a Ph.Ddegree in law and was a litigationattorney in Nigeria, Europe and theUnited States for over 17 years. Heentered into full time ministry in year2000, and currently serves as the pastor ofInternational Christian Center, LosAngeles ( You can contact him on theweb: www.iccla.com, Facebook:iccla/facebook, Twitter: @DipoKalejaiye)



Sports



Documents

Life and Times Magazine Summer 2013 Edition