LIFE IS SIMPLE. WHAT’S THE BIG FUSS?

We are so bombarded with our own problems that we cease to realise that this will soon past and that a better future awaits us.

Accept your present situation and start to embrace what is going on around you.

It is time to:- Feel Alive

Do something you are passionate about. Follow your heart no matter what.

Show others you care – Help someone in need by making their day. This will add value to his or her life.

Tell someone directly how you love them – Don’t keep the anger inside after a heated argument or disagreement.

Stand up and face the music – The next time someone puts you down be firm and let the person know how you really feel.

Do something extraordinary – Life is an adventure you won’t really know if you would enjoy it until you try. You will be amazed by the discoveries.

Realise that life is precious & life is short – Live everyday with full meaning.

Each moment is precious. Give our Creator your time, your heart & soul. When you have done all this, *JUST LIVE!*

Thank God for second chance. Get your self-help, self-mastery guide today and don’t forget to SHARE this post & quote.

See link: https://www.amazon.com/Bernadette-G.-Kerr/e/B00HJ80T0M

Dear Family and Friends ,

I am pleased to inform you that Mr IfeanyiChukwu Petwise Msp – The CEO OF LEADERSHIP MIND AMBASSADORS ONLINE INTERNATIONAL AWARD will be one of our New media partners for OUR ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATIONS AT THE UK HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT

IfeanyiChukwu Petwise Msp and team will be directly responsible for Digital marketing aspects of the annual event and also improving various aspects our brand awareness

National Association of Nigerian Students Ghana (NANS GH)

Join NANS GH as she celebrates INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS DAY 2016 at Bluecrest University College Kokomlemle Tomorrow from 9am – 2pm.

Do you have potentials of being a leader? Then grab the opportunity of discovering, developing and deploying your leadership potentials at the BEHAVIOURAL LEADERSHIP CONCLAVE session tomorrow with Ghana’s renowned Bishop Gideon Titi-ofie.

You are invited to The official launch of AfriCaAh inspired by Israel Onoriode

Israel Onoriode is A  Multi-Award Winner, Performing artist, Radio Ambassador  and former Nollywood Icon    (Information about this amazing community ambassador can also be found below)

AfriCaAh seek to bring blacks everywhere together to showcase who we are, exhibit what we have then work together to create a place for The Original Africans People world over Our desire is to also encourage Black brains and talents to go back and develop Africa.

We are inviting you to be a part of the premier event because in our many years of putting African events together we have noticed that you have not let the sufferings, pains and deprivations our ethnic group go through stop you trying to make or create your path in the scheme of things

This Black networking event is expected to have People of African origin – Black, brown or white come with their business, initiative or organisations

We’ll encourage people to come display: (their African, Caribbean, American, Asian… Black people everywhere) Our music Our Attire Our Art and craft Genuine Initiatives designed to develop Black communities and the continent of AFRICA

AfriCaAh ( ‘Afri Car Ame’ is not about competing with other races but to celebrate AFRICAN

VENUE –  The Warehouse, New Room, 1a Cumberland Road, Reading RG1 3LB, Berkshire

TIME   – 4PM

DATE  – Saturday the 10^th of December 2016

ADMISSION – FREE This is an amazing event you cannot afford  to miss

The Africa4u Awards for Africans in Berkshire will also be taking pace as part of this Major initiative.  Africa4u is inspired by Tony Tokunbo Eteka Fernandez. Tony is a Published Writer and Poet, MC and Youth Empowerment Consultant.  Tony will be giving out award on the day to Africans who have distinguished themselves in The Berkshire Region

ABOUT ISRAEL

Israel Godson Onoriode also knows as Dj real O’rael is originally an actor, songwriter and a radio presenter. He also does event video and photography. Isreal is  The eighth of nine children from the family of Gabriel Onoriode Uge, his love for music entertainment and media was first noticed when he was 2 years old as he would dance and sing for anyone, he eventually started making money performing at the tender age of nine. He knew and would talk about all programs especially films on TV.

Israels  passion for creativity took him to becoming a member of Stars theatre one of the most popular dance theatres in Benin City, Nigeria around late 80s and early 90s. He also featured in a couple of episodes of the comedy variety show on Edo state broadcasting corporation EBS While an undergraduate at the University of Portharcourt, he was always chosen as one of the delegate to represent the University at the annual National University Theatre Arts Festival (NUTAF). He was also one of the actors on the Rivers state entry of the then Nigerian International Bank (NIB) Annual Production It was not until he relocated to the UK that he started giving more attention his music.

He released his first highlife CD in 2007 and  again his hunger to express his passion in images led him to start Realmultimedia originally called Realife images – a video and photography event coverage business that same year.

Realmultimedia have shot about 33 events since then. They are looking forward to doing feature films from next year. Israel Onoriode DJ real, the soul man as he is fondly know on radio is the host of Real Vibez and The African Show (from 6- 8pm every Tuesday) where they examine the music, lifestyle, culture and traditions of a particular African country every month on Blast1386 the UK, Reading based radio station. Israel Onoriode is the founder of Realpraisefestival (www.realpraisefestival.co.uk) a Christian whole day praise festival and LIVING IT an annual music and general entertainment initiative where they showcase and encourage acts especially youth groups to live their acts. Some of his works on stage • Samuel Beckett’s one man play Act Without Word, Directed by Yibo Koko (Man) 1991 • Miesoinuma H S Minima’s Odum Egege – Directed by Comish Ekiye for Nigerian International Bank (NIB) Annual Production (Ikechi) 1997 • Don Pedro Obaseki’s OBASEKI, directed by Pedro Obaseki (Igbinovia) 2001, 2002 & 2003 • Don Pedro Obaseki’s AZAGIDI, directed by Pedro Obaseki (Fool) 2003 • Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Preach directed by Chris Moran for progress theatre. Reading. UK (The Magician) 2005 Films: • Aziba (1999) directed by Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen (Ebah) • Tara (2000) director by Don Pedro Obaseki (Anslem) • Brave Soldier (2000) directed by Don Pedro Obaseki (Policeman) • The Reverend (2001) directed by Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen (Police Officer) • Afro (2002) directed by Charles Novia (Native Doctor) • Sinners in the House (2003) directed by Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen (Medical Doctor) • Blood Diamond (2012) By The Film and Video Makers club Reading, UK (Diamond Dealer) • Escape (2014) The Film and Video Makers club Reading entry at the Reading Fringes Film Festival. TV Soap • ZENITH (2004) Soap Opera on African Independent Television (AIT) (John)

Malcolm X Community Centre

The Malcolm X Community Centre is a multi-purpose community resource built in the early 1980s for the primary purpose of the Centre was to “provide social, recreational, educational and entertainment facilities to the inhabitants of St Pauls and surrounding areas. Service currently provided include:

1. Venue hire for business, social and cultural activities
2. Provision of office space for local groups
3. Activities for elderly people
4. Activities for families, children and young people
5. Advice and Support
6. Arts and Culture
7. Recycling
8. Education and Training

The Centre works with other organisation to promote cross-cultural integration in Bristol, build good race relations and providing a voice for the black and ethnic minority community in Bristol.

Objectives

Our vision is to become a thriving multi-purpose Centre of diverse, dynamic and inspirational activities and services.

Our Mission is to constantly strive to meet the needs and expectations of our users by providing excellent and accessible local services.

Our objectives are:

• Empowering the BME community in particular and all other communities regardless of race.
• Providing facilities for social, culture, recreation and training for the BME Community, the people of St Pauls and neighbouring areas.
• Promoting city-wide community cohesion and good race relations in Bristol.

……………………………………………………………………

Our Contact:

The Malcolm X Community Centre
141 City Road – St Pauls
Bristol BS2 8YH
Telephone: 0117 955 4497 /  Fax: 0117 941 4410
Email: info@malcolmx.org.uk

Today 14^th November 2016 is the World Diabetes Day.

Diabetes has been established as one the fastest growing health issues across all the continents of the world. The situation is now so critical that the World Health Organization projects that Diabetes will be the seventh leading cause of death by 2030.

This is a grim reality for mankind but the good news is that we can actually control the factors that lead to the diagnosis.

Ultimately we can go for a change of lifestyle to keep diabetes and other ailments at bay.

We can reduce the over-consumption of sugary diet.

We can start using our bodies more and adopt routine exercises to achieve a healthier wellbeing.

As we remember Diabetes today, you should all note that there is no better time to get yourself on track to control and manage the risk factors

The greatest wealth is health.

PROFILE: James Ewa Henshaw.

Between 2000 and 2013 when I returned to Nigeria I was a senior lecturer in Business and Computing at South Thames College, London where I taught on the National and Higher National Diploma courses, and was the Co-ordinator of the Foundation Degree Programme in e-Business under the auspices of Kingston University. My specialisms were Programming, Business Information Systems and Project Management.

The Arts, particularly theatre, has always been my abiding interest, something I probably inherited from growing up with a playwright father. I was deeply involved in student drama while at university. In 1986, I won an Arts Council Bursary for New Writing (Plays), and this led to setting up a theatre company which performed African plays and toured mainly around the North-East of England. Subsequently, I took a post as a Community Arts Development Officer attached to Northern Arts based in Newcastle upon Tyne.

After taking up a teaching career, I continued to be involved with a amateur and semi- professional theatre, and directed plays for the Calabar Union in the United Kingdom.

After the death of my father, spurred by the desire to maintain his literary legacy I set up the James Ene Henshaw Foundation and returned to Nigeria.

The Foundation has since republished 3 plays by the late playwright, Ene Henshaw, and got them back on the English curriculum for secondary schools in a number of States, as well as several universities in the country. Reviving the practice of drama in secondary schools, as well as encouraging the growth of a theatre-going culture in the local community are the main challenges taken on by the Foundation. We are addressing these issues through our PLAYS-TO- SCHOOLS programme and the Season of World Classics which we have opened with SIZWE BANSI IS DEAD.

Faded

faded…faded…shadows
are wearing our fathers’ shoes
moths are sniffling footprints
jagged steps
ragged breath
legged breathe
faded…faded…
we are shallow waters
melting silence into tides
we, sands weaved
in seashells
are turned in out
a funeral dress
faded…faded…
we see no dreams
nothing grows in our mouth
hands are livid
gods are silent
faded…faded…everything

©tohquality

MADE IN NIGERIA; THE STORY OF THE FUTURE

Betty (fake name) and I got into a discussion. She was complaining bitterly about how she is losing customers due to the hike in dollar as she was into selling foreign clothes and fashion accessories.

Her boutique was dying as no one could afford the new price. So I made a big blunder, I suggested she sells  Made In Nigeria.

How dare you, she screamed. Do you know who my customers are? You think they are cheap? So I went ahead to tell her about Deola Sageo, Alara and the likes. They sell Made in Nigeria and Made in Africa and I bet your costumers can’t even afford them. Then her story changed…

How many people can afford to buy a Deola Sageo? Do you think they design for us? I saw then that this is another one of our blind patriots and so, I stopped selling my new idea to her.

The truth is that if we want to make it through this recession and build our economy, we have to start relying on Made in Nigeria. Anyone doing business in dollar right now is heading for the rocks.

Diversify, find a new business, especially one which doesn’t trade in dollar or has limited dollar spend. If it has a Nigerian version, try it out.

Before Facebook changed their billings to Naira, you must know that it has become critical to stay afloat in this recession with your business. This is the time to be flexible in business especially, the time to push Made in Nigeria.

I keep saying that if our government is smart, they will start encouraging Nigerian made products plus applaud them. This is the way to go to build back our economy and make it strong.

We preach about Aba (Eastern State) made things but in truth, these people are innovative. All they need is encouragement to make their products good and durable and voilà, we have an export haven.

Early this year, I attended a program called Business Women Road to Growth, training for women entrepreneurs and I must say, I was proud to see a lot of ladies producing their own products and pushing services especially in the area of fashion, education and agriculture. One of them now exports her own shoes, thanks to one of the support groups/firms.

This is the time our government should place policies that can help build the nation; though, they have to combat corruption to ensure policies live their time. We need to improve on agriculture and make food available for the multitude; food grown and produced in Nigeria by experts in the field, trained in the knowledge of food production by our Government.

We also need to ensure that anything that can be locally made be locally made especially if we have the natural resources to produce them e.g toothpick. I mean, how can a giant of Africa be importing something like toothpick? We’ve got enough trees to make tooth pick for the continent. These are things the government should look into, encourage local made and support them.

This will help us eventually trust in our own good and build them I mean, is China better than Aba?

For me the difference is just support and promotion. It’s time to embrace our own and encourage it so that we can keep the money within and build our economy. Imagine when we start exporting our goods full time? Yes, we will become a country of good financial repute.

I applaud the Made in Nigeria event they had and hope to read about the post event value. We need more Made in Nigeria initiative and policies to protect and grow our locally made goods. Cause another problem we have is ‘us’; omo nile, the people who destroy and stop locally made goods to progress in our country. We need to wake up and see that we are destroying ourselves for quick short term gain that is limited to us. We need to stop discriminating and start supporting our products so we can grow our economy.

Written by Suziette Ukey

Nigerians In Diaspora Organization Europe Election: Why & How I Wish To Lead As Chairman Of Nigerians In The European Diaspora

A manifesto of a new stewardship in NIDOE: Why & how I wish to lead as Chairman of Nigerians in the European Diaspora

“As the President of NIDO Germany, I will be leveraging on the globally acclaimed know-how of Made-in-Germany approach. I have midwifed the transformation of NIDO Germany into an enviable organization both within Europe and Nigeria. I am looking to repeat the same feat as Chairman Board of Trustee of NIDOE“

Repositioning the Diaspora: Putting the right processes in place helps to ensure that projects succeed. Diaspora engagement should equate with being in a service-driven role; an important life-wire, supplying economic and development lifeline to Nigeria. Viewed from this perspective, the focus of my stewardship is to position NIDOE as facilitators to the local developmental agenda of the Federal Government but mainly driven through the smaller entities like the Local and State Governments from the Diaspora standpoint. In this regards a plan to raise half a million Euro within the first one year is already in place. With that NIDO can conveniently execute crucial pilot projects in Nigeria. NIDOE should be self-sufficient and independent in carrying out its projects. We have lacked this aspect for far too long.

My exciting Moments Experience with NIDO

• Elected President NIDO Germany since 2013
• Member Peace and Reconciliation delegation to Nigeria High Commission UK in search of NIDOE Unity
• Member Swiss Peace and Reconciliation Committee
• Hosting of 8 NIDOE Chapter Chairs and some NIDOE Stakeholders in Munich Germany, during the NIDOE Germany AGM, in attempt to narrow our differences in the draft MeMart which eventually facilitated the adoption of the new MeMart pending ratification by the General Assembly.

What I will be bringing to NIDO Europe

As the President of NIDO Germany, I will be leveraging on the globally acclaimed know-how of Made-in-Germany approach. I have midwifed the transformation of NIDO Germany into an enviable organization both within Europe and Nigeria. I am looking to repeat the same feat as Chairman Board of Trustee of NIDOE.

Mr. Ekpo Nta, Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and members of the Board of Governors of the International Anti-Corruption Academy (IACA), Austria, representing the African Regional Group. Ready for NIDO Germany EAGM 2016 in München tomorrow 12/03/2016

MOU with ICPC: NIDO Germany signed a Memorandum of understanding (MOU) with The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to join in the fight against corruption.  This MOU provides the opportunity for NIDO European community members to contribute to the fight against corruption by providing services such as training the trainers in security issues, transfer of Diaspora knowledge and provisioning of IT based solutions and best practice models.  As chairman of the Board of Trustees of Nigerians in Diaspora organization I will make this one of our focal points and translate the memorandum into action.

MOU with Lead-University: We have also signed an MOU with Lead-University in Nigeria, a university under registration with Nigerian University commission NUC. The aims of Lead are to support scientific and technological research as well as business development collaborations when it is approved. The interaction with it will be a model for NIDO Europe in skills and know-how transfer in various fields. It will also form a base station for NIDO university exchange scheme between Nigerian and European students.

Business and consulting Partnership: NIDOE Germany under my leadership has signed a tentative Partnership agreement with Aulic Nigeria Limited, concessionaire of Lagos International Trade Fair Complex for the New Nigerian Export Hub (NETH) at Lagos, for export promotion. This partnership, considering the current realities, provides solution to the diversification of our economy away from overdependence on crude oil. NIDO Europe members or partners in consulting, software developments, business, processing industries and related services could key in into the opportunities this partnership will provide. Many of such partnerships in the areas of Agriculture, mining IT will follow under my watch as Chairman BOT NIDOE. Effective but easy platforms will be provided for honorable stakeholders to participate in national development.

Physical Meetings: Leveraging on the model of NIDOE-Germany financed physical meetings of NIDOE Chapter Chairs which covered (transport, feeding and accommodation), I will continue and intensify such physical meetings as a sure way of building confidence and consensus, purposeful leadership based on mutual trust, respect and secured relationship. Should you entrust me to serve you, I will expand this to include BOT, Chapter Chairs and important stakeholders. As a matter of fact, May 15, 2017 has been tentatively fixed for such a summit. If I can do this at Chapter level, we can do it at European level too.

NIDO as a symbolic 37^th State of Nigeria: I will pursue the policy that sees NIDO as a symbolic 37^th State of Nigeria in terms of politico-structural importance to rekindle once again the Diaspora indomitable spirit through a holistic re-strategizing and repositioning of NIDOE to  present the organization and the Diaspora as a well ordered and dependable group, promoting national development, business, trade & investment opportunities, providing a professional resource pool from where the Diaspora and National developmental interests could be managed in a transparent but secure, respectful but fair manner to induce growth in the areas of economic, social, academic, political, entertainment activities where our people seek to position themselves.

Consolidation: The organization needs to build a sense of urgency, not around the word reform or change but a sense of urgency for consolidation. Every little gain and progress which has been made must be guarded jealously. As chief servant in the BOT, I will pursue such implementations. These nonetheless will be preceded by wide consultations so as to be sure that everyone is carried along; at least the critical mass of NIDOE stakeholders as democracy entails. Consultation must be an ongoing process yielding an organic change within our communities while consolidating on our gains.

Imperatives of coherence: NIDOE is irritatingly at a dangerous threshold. There have been areas of good connections in the past that made NIDOE what it was then and what it is today. But many areas of total disconnect also exist at different levels: between the Board and the chapters, between various chapters and between NIDOE and non-NIDO members both at national, continental and intercontinental levels. There must be an immediate information offensive to bridge these gaps using all available information strategy and all available media tools. Moreover, the information offensive will help NIDOE win hundreds of professionals and resourceful people in the Diaspora who may not have had a favourable disposition towards the organization. As the CEO of the biggest African-European Network in Continental Europe with media Network both within Europe and Nigeria, I am certainly at home in this area.

Sharpenng the lobby tools: It is important to know that none of the efforts of Nigerians in Diaspora will germinate if our leaders, policy makers and opinion leaders at home and in Diaspora do not provide a fertile ground for these efforts. Together with the NIDOE stakeholders in Nigeria, a concerted effort must be made to provide this necessary fertile ground through intensive lobby for the creation of important enabling institutions. Top on the Diaspora list are the Diaspora Database, the Diaspora Commission and the Diaspora Voting Rights. These legislated structures or institutions will act as catalysts giving the Diaspora the impetus to coalesce further and to create new solutions for national challenges. Good news is that the architecture for these important bodies of work is already in place. I want to lead us to swiftly run them to the finishing line.

Cooperation rather than competition: Crucial Diaspora affairs and items like the Diaspora Commission, Diaspora Voting Rights and Diaspora Day are matters that concern all Nigerians outside Nigeria, therefore a strategic cooperation and synergy with other Nigerian Diaspora Groups e.g., ANNID, NIDAN, CANUK is cardinal. The Diaspora of 2016 must be seen as a call to service and all hands must be on deck while NIDOE must be seen as providing the needed framework and guidance for cooperation. We must reject manipulative tendencies designed to keep us divided and fighting one another. We must accept to dance individually to the tone of our music, each in its own dancing steps and rhythm; but we must learn and accept to dance together. Together we are stronger and united.

A new leadership is urgently needed: I should say that there is much work to be done to overcome the things that set us apart. This work we must do together. Then focus on discharging our duties as Diaspora in accordance with the Charter of NIDO. Building on the experiences of our founding stakeholders both within the Diaspora and back at home, it is my utmost duty to provide the leadership needed today to make NIDOE a cornerstone of foreign and domestic policy by the Republic of Nigeria. I am certain that I can rekindle the rather dwindling indomitable Diaspora spirit and we then can pave new roads. Yes, I can unite us around a common agenda. Yes, I can get us work effectively with the private sector, governments and non-governmental organization at all levels. Yes, together we can break new grounds and we surely will! We will bring Nigeria’s developmental partners on board. It is the choice of others if they want to tell you something different, but I call upon you to retain the faith. Believe me, the work to be done is not more complicated than I have laid out before you. We can do it and I want to provide us the strategic servant-leadership as chairman, Board of Trustees to do it. For this, I humbly request your endorsement. So help us God!

About Kenneth Gbandi

I hold a Master’s Degree in Peace Research and Conflict Mediation, with focus on dialogue based solutions in stress afflicted communities, conflict mitigation, integration and the rights of demographic minorities. I have served in Hamburg Senate’s Foreigners Advisory council, representing Africa, and was later elected Chairman of the Committee on Anti-Discrimination. I currently run one of the biggest African – European Media Network in Germany & German speaking areas. I am the director of the African-German Information Center AGiC, a social business outfit responsible for one of the Federal German Government programs for recognition of migrant’s educational qualifications (Africa) and the empowerment of Nigerians and African citizens in Germany. I currently coordinate the activities for Germany & continental Europe for Nigerian Fallen Heroes project, an initiative of Nigeria Legion in partnership with the Ministry of Defence Abuja. The Project aims to rally support from Nigerian Diaspora community for our Fallen Heroes. Since 2015 I am a member of the German-Africa communication concept committee of German Foreign Affairs, Africa division, aimed at analyzing the causes of African influx into Europe, its consequences and possible solutions.  I have founded and co-founded many Initiatives in Germany, including Nigerian Football Club Germany, African Football Festival Germany, Miss Africa Germany, Miss Nigeria Germany and African Living Legend Award Germany. I am also currently the Head of Media Commission, African Union African Diaspora Sixth Region (AUADS) Germany.