By Eric Elezuo

Africans of different creed and status defied the heavy downpour in Lagos, Nigeria, on Thursday to grace the 64th birthday celebration of foremost journalist, Aare Dele Momodu, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) Victoria Island, Lagos.

The momentous gathering of prolific Nigerians and diplomatic citizens, was also an opportunity to debut the Dele Momodu Leadership Lecture Series, where the issue of Nigeria’s electricity crisis was in the front burner. The Lecture, which was themed The Politics of Energy and the Way Forward, was taken by a former Minister of Science and Technology, and Power, Prof Bartholomew Nnaji. He was assisted by the intellectual community comprising former governors of Anambra, Cross River and Kano states in the person’s of Mr. Peter Obi, Mr. Donald Duke and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso among others.

The who’s who of the Nigeria’s political terrain, traditional institutions and entrepreneurial investments, started arriving the venue as early as 10am amid a torrential downpour, which rendered connecting roads unusable. But men, women, family members, colleagues, media organisations and the general public, all maneuvered their way to the venue for the love of one man, who has given so much for the unity and progress of the Nigerian nation, and to a great extent the African continent.

Anchored by another veteran journalist, who is Arise News presenter, Dr. Reuben Abati, the show lived up to expectations, providing insights and solutions to the perennial challenges of power in Nigeria.

Kickstarting the intelligent discourse, as the lecture was nicknamed, the man of the moment, whose impact goes before him in the areas of mentorship, humanitarian display and classic exposure of budding talents, Chief (Dr.) Dele Momodu, took the centre stage for a welcome address that spoke volumes and set the stage for the immaculate words that proceded from the oratorial abilities of guests invited.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Ovation Media Group, the pivot through which the evergreen Ovation Magazine, the world famous The Boss Newspaper and the must-watch Ovation Television, revolve, took the guests on a trip down memory lane, revealing the circumstances that gave birth to the Dele Momodu Leadership Lecture Series, with its inaugural edition on his 64th birthday.

Noting that the nation had become a laughing stock as its power sector has consistently been on a reverse gear, and every other thing, a heap of infrastructure decay, Momodu informed that rebuilding the sector for maximum efficiency is possible. He described the NIIA structure as Nigeria’s own Chatham House, lamenting that it had been abandoned.

“This is the bastion of Intellectual diplomacy, and home…,” Momodu said of the NIIA.

He expressed his appreciation to all the notable guests, who have come from across Africa, to fashion a permanent solution to the perennial power crisis, including the former President of Ghana, Dr. John Dramani Mahama, who served as the Chairmanof the occasion; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II; former governors of Anambra, Cross River, and Kano states, Mr. Peter Obi, Mr. Donald Duke and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso; the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke; the Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Professor Eghosa Osaghae; and a former Minister of Power, Prof Bartholomew Nnaji, who was the guest lecturer among many others.

“I can’t thank you all enough for this massive show of love, and pray that God will visit each of us as we contribute to this rewarding discourse,” Momodu said.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the event, former President of the Republic of Ghana, Dr John Dramani Mahama, lauded the efforts of Dele Momodu, who he described as a loyal friend, and the Nigerian nation, and invited Nigerian industrialists to consider investing in Ghana’s energy sector.

In his major lecture, which kicked off shortly after, the guests lecturer, Prof Nnaji, reminded the audience that Nigeria possesses all it takes to achieve a vibrant energy and power sector, adding that the President Bola Tinubu government must, as a matter of urgency, declare a state of emergency on the power sector to enable a smooth and immediate restoration of the good old days.

The Chairman, Geometric Power Limited, who just commissioned a power station in Aba, Abia State, noted that a state of emergency needs to be declared in the gas sector as this declaration will save the power sector and allow the government and other stakeholders to address fundamental issues in the sector in a robust manner.

“The issues will include how to strike a healthy balance between producing gas for export and gas for domestic consumption. Gas is equally needed in both markets.

“There is not enough natural gas or even liquefied petroleum gas used in the kitchen. Even the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas company, a major foreign exchange earner that also has a guaranteed market, has been operating at 60% capacity on account of insufficient gas supply.

“The petroleum companies supplying gas to power-generating companies are in a tighter position. Because they are performing sub-optimally, there are now longer periods of electricity blackouts throughout the country. This is despite the spirited efforts of the NNPCL, the Ministry of Power and the Presidency,” he said.

A roll call of notable dignitaries that attended the event revealed the following: Ex-President John Mahama, Prof. Barth Nnaji, Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mr. Peter Obi, Mr. Donald Duke, Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso, Bishop Isaac Idahosa, Hajia Bola Shagaya, Mr. Stanley Uzochukwu, AIG Tunji Alapini (Retd), Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Mrs Bimbo Oloyede, Ms Maureen Chigbo, Mr. Olumide Akpata, Prince Bisi Olatilo, Mr. Nasir Ramon, Dr. Reuben Abati, Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdul Rasheed Akanni; Ms Tundun Abiola, Mr. Leke Alder, Mr. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, Mr. Ralph Lewu, Prince Femi Tejuosho, Mrs Agnes Shobanjo, Opeyemi Oretuyi, Erelu Olajumoke Fadeyi, Dozy Mmobosi, Mr. Lai Oriowo, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Ichie Azuh Arinze, Mr. Michael Effiong, Mr. Bayo Fatusin, Dr. Stephen Akintayo and Dr. Sani Saidu Baba…

By Eric Elezuo

A Godsent not-for-profit organisation, the Spring of Joy Foundation for Widows, has unleashed wholesome kindness to humanity as it reached out to 250 widows with its milk of human kindness, in an event tagged Food Pantry and Free Medical Checkup for Widows.

Spring of Joy for Widows Foundation, founded by a quintessential and passionate professional, Mrs. Anastiasia Daniel, is an NGO committed to making a profound difference in the lives of widows, addressing their unique challenges, and ensuring they lead lives of dignity, independence, and purpose.

The Foundation is grounded in a deep sense of compassion, equality, and social justice, with the goal of creating a world where widows are not marginalized, but celebrated for their resilience and strength.

At the well organized event held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Christ Disciples Parish, Surulere, Lagos, which the Resident Pastor, Richard Umoren, graciously gave out for the occasion, the Foundation released diverse and assorted food items to deserving widows, as well as conducted free medical checkups to ascertain the state of their health, using the best of medical personnels, drawn from the Christian Medical and Dental Association, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) chapter.

Originally planned to cater for the welfare of a maximum of 100 widows, the Foundation ended up catering for 250 as women, who needed assistance continued to surge into the arena, and were well catered for.

In her address during the event, the Founder, Spring of Joy Widows Foundation, Mrs. Anastiasia Daniel, who spoke from her base in the United States of America, appreciated the women for turning out in their numbers, and revealed that help has come in the form of the Foundation, to cushion the effects and mitigate every challenge they have been going through.

“I’ll like you to know that you are not alone in this journey as we are here to walk alongside with you every step of the way,” Mrs Daniel assures the widows.

Below is the detailed speech of the Founder, Mrs. Daniel:

“My name is Anastasia Ndidiamaka Daniel, and I am the founder of Spring of Joy for Widows Foundation. I would like to send out a warm welcome to all the widows who have graced us with their presence today at the Spring of Joy for Widows Foundation food pantry and medical checkup. We are deeply honored and humbled by your presence here.

Today marks a special occasion as we gather not only to provide essential support but also to celebrate the strength, resilience and spirit of the incredible women in our community. Your presence here is a testament to your courage and determination in facing life’s challenges with grace and dignity. The Spring of Joy for Widows Foundation is committed to serving and uplifting widows in our community. An event like what we are having today, the food pantry and medical checkup are just one way we strive to fulfil that mission. Through the generosity of our donors, our volunteers and our supporters all over the world, we are able to provide vital resources and services to ensure your well-being and empower you on your journey forward. As you partake in today’s food pantry, medical checkup and also counseling session, i would like to encourage you to not only avail yourselves of the practical assistance provided but to also embrace the sense of community and solidarity that surrounds you. I would like you to know that you are not alone in this journey and we are here to work alongside with you every step of the way. I would like to recognize our dedicated volunteers and staff, If I am permitted I woulike to recognize certain persons too.

I would like to recognize first my dear husband, Pastor Samson Daniel for being a source of strength to me; he has been a backbone and my supporter. I want you to know that I love you and appreciate you. I want to say thank you for standing with me through this journey even the days I was down, I was scared and about to give up, you held my hands and said keep going. From the deepest part of my heart, I say thank you.

I would also like to appreciate my outreach coordinator, Apostle Paul Nwankwo of the Assemblies of God Church, who from the very beginning stood with me; a young lady he just met a couple of years ago, I say thank you.

I would also like to appreciate my personal assistant, Mrs. Elizabeth Adegbite; thank you for your resilience, thank you for running with this vision, thank you for not giving up, thank you for all you have done, I am highly grateful.

I would like to thank Pastor Richard Omoren and Pastor (Mrs.) Richard Umoren for your great support to this food pantry and medical checkup; thank you for opening up the church for us to use. I want to thank the RCCG community for allowing Spring of Joy for Widows Foundation to partake or come in to do this, we are really grateful. Thank you for giving us a platform, we really appreciate you.

I would also like to say a big thank you to the provincial pastor, Pastor Supo Oluwasakin, I am grateful to you for taking out time to come out, and be a part of this food pantry and for being a source of encouragement and strength and support for the widows and everyone there, you have never met me before and you did this; Spring of Joy for Widows Foundation is highly grateful. I will also like to use this opportunity to thank the doctors from LUTH. Thank you for accepting our invitation, thank you for what you are doing today, thank you for taking care of our widows, and ensuring that they are healthy, we are grateful.

I would like to thank the amazing widows that came out today, I want to thank you for leaving your homes and coming here, you could have said you don’t want to come but you came.”

In his sermon at the humanitarian event, the guest Minister, and RCCG Assistant Provicial Pastor, Lagos Province 4 (LP4), Pastor Supo Oluwasakin, took the audience on a journey of the importance of giving, as it breeds returns. He charged everyone present to imbibe the attitude of giving, and always remember the less privileged in the society, who needs daily assistance.

A Nigerian citizen of Enugu extraction, and born in Lagos, Mrs. Daniel is an embodiment of compassion, who has taken it upon herself to contribute to the upliftment of the indigent, using the widows as a starting point.

She strongly believe that the fact that a woman has lost has husband, does not mean that she has lost her purpose, self-will and destiny goal, maintaining that “Every widow is still destined for greatness no matter the circumstances.”

This is the first leg of the food pantry and free medical checkup for Widows as undertaking by the Spring of Joy Foundation, and many more are bound to follow.

Mrs Daniel added further that come August 17, 2024, a formal launch of the Foundation will be held, in addition to a fundraising, at RCCG, Christ Disciples Parish, in Surulere,  Lagos.

Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has approved the reappointment of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano under the new laws.

The governor has given former emirs 48 hours to vacate their palaces and hand over Emirate Council properties to the Commissioner of Local Government, who also serves as State Deputy Governor.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has signed the Kano Emirates Bill 2024 into law, repealing the 2019 Emirate Councils Law that altered the state’s over 1000-year history.

By signing the bill, the governor declared that the 2019 law has been repealed and is now history.

The signing was attended by the Speaker of the State Assembly, Ismaila Falgore, Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam, Secretary to the State Government Abdullahi Baffa Bichi and others.

The State Assembly has fulfilled one of its constitutional roles by signing the bill into law.