Month: May 2023

Get ready for a spectacular event that will tickle your funny bone and warm your heart with laughter! We are delighted to announce that Optiva Capital Partners, the shining star in investment immigration, wealth management, and investment advisory services, is proudly sponsoring the fabulous ‘Responsible Funnybone Live’ event in Lagos! Mark your calendars for June 11, 2023, and join us at the enchanting Eko Hotel and Suites Lagos.

As the ultimate sponsor of this year’s Funnybone Live, Optiva Capital Partners is spreading joy by supporting extraordinary talents in the entertainment industry. Just earlier this year, we had the honor of headlining the Ali Baba January 1st Concert, a truly unforgettable evening filled with entertainment, empowerment, and laughter.

By taking the spotlight at Ali Baba’s concert and now becoming the ultimate sponsor of Funnybone Live Lagos in June, Optiva Capital Partners showcases not only its expertise in investment immigration services but also its passion for creating unforgettable experiences for art and entertainment enthusiasts in Nigeria.

Speaking about this upcoming extravaganza, the Chairman of Optiva Capital Partners, the wonderful Franklin Nechi, exclaimed, “We are over the moon to headline this year’s Funnybone Live! Optiva Capital Partners is committed to nurturing talents across Nigeria, and Funnybone Live is just one of the many ways we’re doing so. By providing exceptional services in investment immigration and wealth management, we go above and beyond for our stakeholders. Additionally, we’re thrilled to economically impact the arts and entertainment industry by supporting events like this, creating a ripple effect throughout the entire value chain.”

Prepare to be enchanted by the host of the evening, the amazing comedian Stanley Chibunna, aka Funny Bone! Known for his unmatched wit and brilliant comedy displays, he guarantees an electrifying experience that will leave you in stitches.

Funnybone Live Lagos is undoubtedly the comedy event everyone’s been eagerly anticipating in 2023, and this year’s edition promises to be nothing short of spectacular!

Optiva Capital Partners, the biggest investment and immigration processing company in Africa, offers exceptional investment programs that can grant you and your family second citizenship and permanent residency. If you’re a Nigerian seeking to expand your horizons, safeguard, grow, and optimize your wealth, Optiva is here to make your dreams come true.

For more information about this extraordinary company, be sure to follow Optiva Capital Partners on its social media handles. Don’t miss out on this incredible event, and let’s make unforgettable memories together!

The family of Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun announce the passing of their Patriarch and Founder of FCMB, Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun

It is with deep gratitude and a sense of sorrow that we, the family of Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun, announce the passing of our beloved Patriarch and the Founder of FCMB, Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun, CON.

On the evening of Thursday, May 18th, 2023, in London, United Kingdom, surrounded by his family, the Olori Omo Oba Akile Ijebu and Asiwaju of Ijebu Christians peacefully departed from this world after a brief illness at the age of 89.

In this time of grieving, we draw strength from recognizing the extraordinary life he lived and the enduring legacy he has left behind. He exemplified the values of hard work, entrepreneurship, relentless pursuit of excellence, unwavering determination, courage, faith, distinctive style, and unwavering discipline.

His unwavering devotion to God, the Church, his family, community, philanthropy, and Nigeria serves as an inspiration for us all.

In the midst of our loss, the family of Otunba Michael Olasubomi Balogun finds comfort in the overwhelming outpouring of love and sympathy we have received. We deeply appreciate the kind words and heartfelt expressions of warmth that have been extended to us.

Books of condolences: available for signing starting at 11 am on Monday, 22nd May 2023, at his residences in Lagos and Ijebu Ode, as well as at the following locations:

FCMB:

FCMB Group Headquarters, 44 Marina, Lagos.
Primrose Tower, 17A Tinubu Street, Lagos.
Founders Place, 2 Sanusi Fafunwa Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
First City Plaza, 252 Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Business District, Abuja.

Chapel Hill Denham

10 Bankole Oki Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.

You may also visit the online condolence register on his memorial website.

Starting from 2006, a dedicated group of women and girls from Kilifi County in Kenya have been diligently gathering discarded flip-flops washed up along the Indian Ocean shoreline on a weekly basis.

These collected flip-flops are then transported to a workshop located in Nairobi, the capital city, where skilled artists and wood sculptors transform them into a stunning array of animal sculptures for sale.

“Our trucks transport the flip-flops from the coast, and once they arrive at our workshop in Nairobi, they undergo a thorough washing and drying process before our talented artists begin their work,” explained Joe Mwakiremba, the head of sales at Ocean Sole.

Ocean Sole is a social enterprise that was established in 1999 with the noble aim of transforming the pollution caused by discarded flip-flops into awe-inspiring works of art.

The founder of Ocean Sole, Julie Church, had a moment of inspiration when she witnessed children creating toys out of discarded flip-flop material. This led her to collaborate with a group of women from Kilifi County, enabling them to collect washed-up flip-flops along the ocean and earn a dignified income of 30 cents US per kilogram. In this way, the ocean is kept clean, while the local communities can sustain themselves.

The process of crafting animal sculptures varies depending on the size of the animal. Smaller sculptures are made solely from flip-flops, while larger ones are filled with polyethylene, a foam-like material commonly used for cushioning products during shipping. The exterior of these sculptures is then adorned with recycled flip-flops.

Mwakiremba further elaborated that not a single piece of the recycled material goes to waste. The leftover rubber scraps, known as “off-cuts,” are shredded and repurposed to create mattresses, dog beds, and poofs.

The finished sculptures are sold both locally and internationally. “We supply zoos, aquariums, museums, and gift shops worldwide, primarily in the USA and European markets. Although we do cater to walk-in customers locally, approximately 90 percent of our production is for export,” he stated.

Ocean Sole proudly recycles 638 tonnes of flip-flops and saves 600 trees each year.

Like any enterprise, Ocean Sole faces its own set of challenges, with counterfeiting being a significant issue. “Some individuals attempt to imitate our work, and when these counterfeit products reach the market and complaints arise, we must take action to protect our reputation,” explained Mwakiremba.

However, he emphasized that Ocean Sole’s mission extends beyond mere profit-making; their primary focus is on preserving the cleanliness of the ocean and empowering local communities.

“The proceeds from the sale of sculptures are invested in educating children in high-impact communities, fostering long-term awareness of the detrimental effects of plastic pollution on the environment,” Mwakiremba shared.

This initiative has profoundly impacted the coastal region’s local communities and transformed the lives of artisans who were previously engaged in traditional wood carving.

David Kaloki has been a part of Ocean Sole since 2013. “Creating wooden carvings was arduous and time-consuming. It also harmed the environment. However, crafting sculptures using recycled flip-flops is much easier and environmentally friendly. Moreover, having a job allows me to provide for my family, which was not the case when I was a wood carver,” he explained.

Florence Auma shares a similar story. She joined the company as a cleaner in 2006 but quickly learned the craft and entered the male-dominated world of carving. She has also become a recycling ambassador, spreading the message within her community.

“Nowadays I mobilise people in my neighbourhood to keep their old flip-flops in a gunny bag until we have collected enough to sell. That way, we keep our environment clean and the ocean and waterways habitable for marine animals,” she said.

“In the meantime, we still need plastic; our phones, computers, and cars still contain plastic, and there are medicines that can only be packed in plastic bags. Perhaps we should look for more sustainable ones in the long term,” Maina said.

He added that some people have prototypes of low-density plastic bags made from the sap of the pear cactus that are biodegradable, which could be a viable option.

Story Credit: Sheila Mwalili for bird story agency

Analysis of the data obtained from the Higher Education Statistics Agency of the UK has revealed that, A total Number of 128,770 Nigerian Students were enrolled in universities in the United Kingdom.

Statistics indicate that 16,100 Nigerians were enrolled in UK Universities in 2015/2016.

There was a sharp decline as only 12,655 Nigerians were enrolled in the 2016/2017 session, due to experts blaming the recession back in Nigeria.

The number of Nigerian Students had a rapid increase of 64% during the 2020/2021 session, 21,305 students were enrolled

HESA revealed the latest data available, 44,195 students where enrolled for 2021/2022 session, so far it is the highest since Nigeria’s independence 1960

Foreign tertiary institutions and their respective countries have continued to benefit from the migration of the Nigerian students to oversea institutions.

The UK is set to announce a new restrictions over the Nigerian students and other nationalities studying in their Country.

Rapper Cardi B reacts to bbn’s Mercy Eke’s outfit to the AMVCA.

A critical revision of the given information is as follows:The Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) Ekiti State Command has taken significant action by apprehending a 29-year-old man named Onilearo Sogo. He has been accused of sexually assaulting his 7-year-old stepdaughter.

During a recent event, the NSCDC publicly presented the suspect alongside two other individuals, Femi Musa (20 years old) and Iliya Surajudeen (24 years old). Musa and Surajudeen were arrested for their alleged involvement in housebreaking, theft, conspiracy, and assault.

The Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) attached to the NSCDC command in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State, apprehended Musa and Surajudeen in different locations. The arrests were made following tips from the public and multiple complaints received by the NSCDC.According to Mr. Afolabi Tolulope, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Command, Sogo engaged in sexual intercourse with his 7-year-old stepdaughter, causing injury to her private parts. The incident took place in Aisegba-Ekiti, within the Gbonyin local government area of Ekiti State.

Additionally, Femi Musa was found in possession of several kilograms of illicit drugs, suspected to be cannabis sativa, in the Oshodi area of Ado-Ekiti.Furthermore, Iliya Surajudeen was apprehended at a poultry farm located along the Olorunsogo axis of Adebayo in Ado-Ekiti.

He was caught stealing poultry wire gauge and other property from the farm.All three suspects are currently detained at the command headquarters in Ado-Ekiti.

They are cooperating with the NSCDC to facilitate a thorough investigation into the matters. The aim is to uncover any additional crimes associated with the allegations before proceeding to charge the suspects in court.

A suspected drug baron named Charles Chinedu Ezeh has been apprehended by operatives from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after the seizure of his UK-bound drugs valued at N567 million.At the SAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos, NDLEA

Operatives intercepted a significant shipment of methamphetamine. The illicit substance was cleverly concealed within powdered custard containers, part of a larger consolidated cargo destined for London, United Kingdom.

In a statement released on Sunday, Femi Babafemi, the spokesperson for NDLEA, revealed that the agency detected and confiscated the drug consignment on Tuesday, May 16th. Weighing 30.10 kilograms, the seized drugs have an estimated street value of N567 million.

In a surprising turn of events, Tony Mwaba Kazadi, the Minister of Primary, Secondary, and Technical Education in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, made a startling admission about an unplanned pregnancy involving Aminata Namasia. What’s even more astonishing is that Kazadi claimed it was an accident that occurred while they were at work.

Both Kazadi and Namasia were already married to other people, but it seems that Namasia fell in love with Kazadi after being appointed as the National Deputy Minister of Primary, Secondary, and Technical Education in the cabinet of Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde on April 12, 2021.

However, Namasia vehemently denied the story on her Twitter page, as reported by a local newspaper called The Street Journal. She emphasized that beyond her official duties, she has a personal life that deserves respect—a fundamental right guaranteed to all Congolese citizens by their constitution. Namasia strongly criticized the practice of tarnishing her reputation, pointing out that it not only affects her personal relationships but also has the potential to damage the reputations of other married male coworkers and their households.

She expressed her frustration by saying, “As the upcoming elections in December draw near, it is disheartening that political detractors choose to attack my opinions and political actions rather than resorting to smear campaigns against me as an individual.”

To add another layer of intrigue, a person named Nugandu, described as a reliable Congolese source, debunked the entire story in The Street Journal. Nugandu claimed that the events surrounding Kazadi and Namasia were nothing more than a part of the political theater often witnessed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The unfolding drama continues to captivate the nation, leaving citizens questioning the motives behind these revelations and highlighting the complex interplay between personal lives, political careers, and the pursuit of power.

During the official commissioning of the new NAFDAC Office complex for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport/NAHCO in Lagos, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), expressed concern over the high rate of food rejections of Nigerian exports abroad. According to Adeyeye, more than 70% of food exported from Nigeria is rejected in foreign countries. She emphasized that this issue needs urgent attention.

Adeyeye highlighted the need for collaboration between NAFDAC and other government agencies at the ports to address this problem. She stated that if such collaboration is strengthened, the occurrence of food export rejections in European countries and the United States may soon be resolved. Adeyeye explained that the poor state of export trade facilitation for regulated products leaving Nigeria is a significant cause for concern for NAFDAC.

A visit to the NAFDAC Export warehouses within the international airport would clarify the primary reasons behind the continuous rejection of Nigerian exports abroad.

However, Adeyeye acknowledged that NAFDAC is actively responding to the challenge by working closely with agencies at the ports to ensure that exported goods comply with the regulatory requirements of the importing countries and destinations.

Police reported the arrest of a Nigerian man named Daniel Gozie, aged 38, in India. He was apprehended for his alleged involvement in defrauding a woman by impersonating a high-ranking government official on a matrimonial website.

The cyber crime department of Gurugram Police, in conjunction with their efforts, apprehended Gozie and his female accomplice, Gabriella Sharmila, aged 33, from Uttam Nagar in Delhi on Thursday, May 18. The duo is accused of deceiving a woman residing in Gurugram by promising expensive gifts after establishing a friendship with her on the matrimonial platform. The victim was swindled of ₹1.73,000 (Indian Rupees).

During the arrest, law enforcement officials successfully recovered five mobile phones utilized in the fraudulent activities from their possession.

According to the police, Sharmila hails from Darjeeling in West Bengal, while the Nigerian nationals, including Gozie, are identified as members of the same criminal gang that was recently dismantled on May 11.

Earlier this month, the city police had apprehended a total of six individuals, comprising four Nigerian nationals, involved in a scheme to defraud women on matrimonial websites. The gang operated by creating fraudulent profiles of affluent Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) on these platforms.