Egba Family, Dipeolu Descendants, Host Reunion Party, Pay Homage To Alake

It was a joyful moment on Saturday, 22nd of December, 2018, when members of the famous Egba family, Dipeolu Descendants Foundation, paid a courtesy call on The Alake and paramount ruler of Egba kingdom, Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo (Okukenu 1V) at his palace as part of the activities of their biennial Dipeolu Descendants Foundation reunion.

While receiving the honourable guests, the revered monarch appreciated the family for the visit while he gave them royal blessings as well as encouraging them to continue to imbibe and sustain the spirit of unity and collectivity that has kept the family as one.
Giving his address on behalf of the Dipeolu family of Egba, the outgoing PRO of the Dipeolu Descendants Foundation, Chief Olubunmi Dipeolu, expressed his appreciation for the royal reception, declaring that because Egbaland was created on mutual love, understanding and respect, the Dipeolu family would continue to aid the progress and development of the ancient land and the nation as a whole.

Parts of the activities at the biennial event were presentation of welfare materials to beneficiaries for the year, courtesy visit/homage to the Alake of Egbaland at his palace, family meetings and induction of new members, election and inauguration of DDF new BOT members and new management executives.

The newly constituted board of trustees members include Prof. Adewale Dipeolu, chairman; Otunba Sam Dipeolu, member; Hon. Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu member; Mr. Olanrewaju Dipeolu, secretary; Mrs. Joyce Zachaeus, member; Chief Olubunmi Dipeolu, member; and Edward Ayodeji Dipeolu, member.

Members of the newly elected management executives are Folagbade Dipeolu, president; Olabisi Ajoke Dipeolu, vice president; Martins Olusegun Dipeolu, general secretary; Olubukola Dipeolu, treasurer; Okiki Oludare Dipeolu, PRO; Dr. Olujimi Dipeolu, social secretary; Daniel Dipeolu, historian 1; Oloye Olufela Dipeolu, historian 2.

 Also, there was the presentation of awards, gala night/end of the year family funfair party, and more.

ACPN TO EZEKWESILI: "Return All Donations or Face Legal Action" *party endorses Buhari's 2nd term bid

Hours after she announced her withdrawal from the Presidential race in order to form a coalition with other political parties, the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN)  which is the political party of former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili, says it will be supporting President Buhari’s re-election bid.

The national chairman of the party and Ezekwesili’s running mate at the time, Gani Galadinma, spoke to newsmen this morning and said Ezekwesili only wanted to use the ACPN platform to negotiate to become a finance minister whenever a new government assumes office later in the year.

Galadinma added that she never informed the party of her decision to withdraw from the presidential race. He said the party may take her to court as it is obvious to them that she was never serious all along. Galadinma added that Ezekwesili paid N100, 000 for the party’s presidential form which was put at N10.5million.

“The reason for calling this press conference is to let the world know about the presidential aspiration of Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, which in actual fact, is not the truth. I have been put into confidence by one of her aide named Iyinoluwa Aboyeji that she only wanted to use the platform of the ACPN to negotiate to be Nigeria’s finance minister.

If you observe, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili is the only presidential candidate who was so militant in her campaign without any tangible thing on ground to indicate any seriousness in the prosecution of her campaign.

No campaign secretariat, billboard or great commitment on ground to indicate any seriousness. It is on this ground that the ACPN is withdrawing support for her presidential aspiration and endorsing the second term bid of President Muhammadu Buhari to take Nigeria to the next level.” he said

Galadinma added that Ezekwesili is expected to return to the party all the donations “from all over the world” because the party would have to account to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

-Ademola Folorunsho

PHOTOS: Dangote Meets France President Macron

Nigerian business magnate, Aliko Dangote (left), poses next to French president Emmanuel Macron (R) prior to a meeting as part of the second edition of the 'Choose France' Summit, on January 21, 2019 in Versailles.

"Nigeria's Tourism Sector Needs Stronger Branding” ...Jumia MD, Adagunodo

The players and stakeholders in Nigeria's hospitality industry have been urged to intensify efforts towards branding the image of the hotel and tourism sector as the country continues to gain traction as one of the major tourist destinations in Africa.

This was stated by Omolara Adagunodo, the Managing Director of Jumia's hotel & flight services at a recent new year meet of tourism stakeholders in Lagos.
Adagundo added that Nigerians, as well as tourism stakeholders, should focus more on selling a positive image of Nigeria's tourism sector.

"Over the years, commendable efforts have been to project Nigeria in a positive light to the international community. This brand message now needs to be reinforced by focusing more on broadening the narrative and telling a more balanced, honest story about Nigeria," said Adagunodo.
In her remarks on what impact a stronger branding will have on Nigeria's hospitality sector, Adagunodo said: "Nigeria will automatically become a choice destination for tourists from different parts of the globe and at the same time the contribution of the sector to the country's Gross Domestic Product will significantly increase.”

The Travel and Tourism sector accounted for 1.9% of total GDP as a direct contribution, and 5.1% as a total contribution to GDP according to the Nigeria Hospitality Report. In monetary terms, Travel and Tourism contributed N2.298 billion to the GDP as a direct contribution and N6.205 billion as a total contribution to the GDP.

Adagunodo concluded saying that the contributions and figures can be higher with stronger branding as the sector has proved several times as a tool that can be deployed for brand awareness and recognition.

Apostle Suleman In Suleja, Doles Out N8m To Family, Unemployed Graduates

It would be understating the fact that servant of God and senior pastor at Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) worldwide, Apostle (Prof.) Johnson Suleman, draws his strength from God. By action, he has always reaffirmed the whole purpose of his mission, which is that, if his own life story can help millions of souls across nations, then it's worth spreading."  

Because his ideology is premised on the understanding that it is fake love if it does not involve giving, Suleman regularly touches lives physically wherever and whenever he is on mission to restore people’s spiritual lives.

Suleja, Niger State, Nigeria, was the next port of call between Monday 21^st and Tuesday 22^nd of January, 2019. The ever busy Northern Emirate was mesmerized as Apostle Suleman shared messages of hope and restoration to thousands of persons at the ‘Open Heavens 2019’ crusade.

In the midst of several healing and miracles that characterized the two-day crusade, the case of a crippled girl named Aishetu Tijani, a native of Angwagwari, stood out. Aishetu who was reportedly left behind at the crusade ground by her father, Mallam Tijani, got her healing during the morning session of the second day of the crusade. The girl, stunned, left the crusade without her crutches.

Apostle Suleman, putting on display his conviction that the first way to prove that you love someone is by giving, doled out the sum of N150,000 to a man who God revealed to the cleric had planned to auction his personal belongings to raise himself financially.  

Noteworthy of Suleman’s latest charity undertakings was doling out the sum of N6.5 million to hundreds of unemployed youth. The remarkable blessing happened on Sunday, 20^th of January, 2019, at the OFM headquarters in Auchi, Edo State.

Speaking as he gave out envelopes stuffed with cash to each of the lucky young men and ladies, the ‘Restoration Apostle’ said his constant act of giving is sanctioned by God and, most importantly, he was helping the young ones so they can help themselves grow without looking onto the government for jobs.

Surviving the Harsh Realities of Setting up a Business in Nigeria: The Story of Jumia

Nigeria, despite being the largest economy in Africa, is one of the toughest places to establish small and medium scale businesses. This is because the economic environment is quite unfriendly as entrepreneurs have a potpourri of challenges to deal with. Some of these challenges include lack of power, limited capital, double taxation, unstable economic policies, and inadequate infrastructure among others.

Consequently, the chances of startups and businesses surviving are very limited or minute in Nigeria

Despite this,

there are a handful of small businesses that are braving these harsh economic realities and have grown beyond their humble beginnings. They are now serving millions of customers across Africa. A very good example is Jumia.

How Jumia started

Every global business did not just scale within months of being established. It must grow slowly, raise capital, break even and eventually become profitable. It can take years to hit the point of profitability in a country like Nigeria.

Jumia is an eCommerce company founded by Jeremy Hodara and Sacha Poignonnec in February 2012. The company started operations in Nigeria and Pakistan that same year under the name Kaymu; after receiving an undisclosed amount of seed funding from Rocket Internet. Although Kaymu has been rested, the online platform has become an ecosystem that has different verticals including travel, food, house and cars.

Through the years, it has expanded operations to 14 African countries and does not seem to be soft-pedalling.

The impact of Jumia

When Jumia debut in Nigeria, there was nothing like eCommerce. It was completely a new business endeavour or field that had not been fully exploited. What even made a lot of people sceptical is the possibility of ordering goods online and it will be delivered at your doorstep. Impossible!

But Jumia drove through these hurdles and today the eCommerce platform has millions of customers.

Additionally, Jumia has empowered thousands of Nigerians through its J-force programme and vendors selling on the platform are smiling to the bank.

Since the beginning of 2019, it has been reported that famed online businesses have shut down or left the country. But, Jumia Nigeria’s no 1 shopping destination continues to steadfastly innovate and satisfy the needs of its esteemed customers.

Now  the Alibaba of Africa

Alibaba is the Chinese eCommerce platform founded by Jack Ma. Over the years, Alibaba and the likes of Amazon and eBay have tried to enter into Africa but the groundworks that have been done by Jumia is making that entry very difficult. This is because Jumia keeps consolidating its market position in its key markets as well as innovating.

Hence, it was not a surprise when asked during an interview with the Africa Report  that if Jack Ma or Jeff Bezos knocked on Jumia’s door with an offer they could not refuse, Sacha Poignonnec, the CEO of Jumia said:  “I’d be very proud that they take the time to travel to us and see it. Certainly, we would have to think about it.”

The story Jumia is one of perseverance in a country where it is difficult for startups to survive. The startup is not relaxing as it has said it is here to stay and it is Afrocentric business focus will continue despite the many challenges.

LIFESTYLE: Cannabis Consumption Alters DNA In Sperm

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A recent study from Duke University Medical Center, United States reveals that exposure to cannabis or Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by men in their child-bearing years alters the genetic profile of their sperm.

The study also revealed that many outside factors can effect sperm, ranging from tobacco smoke to pesticides, flame retardants to obesity, all of which can have epigenetic effects.

Epigenetics are inheritable traits that don’t effect DNA sequencing, but typically stem from life experiences.

The new research shows that THC can effect epigenetics, causing structural and regulatory changes in the DNA of users’ sperm.

The study which looked at 24 men discovered that THC appears to target genes in two major cellular pathways and alters DNA methylation, a process essential to normal development

The senior author of the study, Scott Kollins, a Professor in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences said, “what we have found is that the effects of cannabis use on males and their reproductive health are not completely null.

“In that there’s something about cannabis use that affects the genetic profile in sperm.”

The co-author of the study, Susan Murphy, an Associate Professor said “We know that there are effects of cannabis use on the regulatory mechanisms in sperm DNA, but we don’t know whether they can be transmitted to the next generation.”
Murphy added that “In the absence of a larger, definitive study, the best advice would be to assume these changes are going to be there. We don’t know whether they are going to be permanent.

“I would say, as a precaution, stop using cannabis for at least six months before trying to conceive,” she stressed.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Cannabis or Marijuana refers to the dried leaves, flowers, stems, and seeds from the THC which contains mind-altering chemicals and other similar compounds.