Super Eagles Returns to Asaba

After securring  AFCON tickets in Group E with a 1-1 draw against South Africa at the FNB stadium on Saturday, the Super Eagles left for Nigeria around 3:30 am and will hit Asaba on Sunday by noon.

The team is expected to rest throughout Sunday, then resume training on Monday in preparation towards hosting the Cranes of Uganda in an international friendly on Tuesday at the Stephen Keshi stadium Asaba, Delta State.

Organizers say tickets for Tuesday’s match are already on sale, as preparations hit feverish point for the first-of-its-kind grade- match in the city, with prices going from N2,000 for VIP and N1,000 regular seats.

A statement from the local organising committee in Asaba disclosed that the tickets’ sales outlets are Ministry of Information headquarters, Delta State Sports Commission office in the stadium, Asaba Mall and Cartege Cinema.

Goal is to produce one billion Champions by November 2026 – Abiola Salami

Abiola ‘Champ’ Salami is an internationally published author and motivational speaker. Recognized as a Global Young Leader, Salami has coached several young people and business executives across Nigeria, Africa & the United States. He speaks, in this interview, about his journey towards the ‘One Billion Champions Goal’ as well as the CHAMP Xceptional Leadership BootCamp scheduled to hold in December among others.

‘My story’ Abiola ‘Champ’ Salami is a gentleman with a passion to inspire people to rock their world like champions. I’m proudly Nigerian and African and I was raised, bred, buttered in Nigeria and then sold out to Africa and the world to inspire people to rock their world like champions. Everything started with a discovery. And it all started in my penultimate year in the university where I was searching for meaning in life. Prior to that time, I had read many books and had been exposed to many insights and philosophies about life and it all came to one thing for me, that every human being is created for a purpose. In those days, people described me as being multi-talented but I discovered that without a sense of personal leadership, an individual can be multi-talented and multi-confused at the same time. The discovery of purpose led me to understand that I can combine all my gifting towards inspiring other people to think better, do better and live better. That is the entire purpose of CHAMP.

The discovery, that time, led me to a further discovery that I didn’t have the requisite knowledge, skills and relationships for the delivery of the vision, so I had to go through a process. That’s what got me into working in four thriving industries – Non-Governmental Organization, Health Maintenance Organization, Banking and Consulting. And, finally, after nearly a decade of working in these industries, I resumed running full time with The CHAMP Vision on December 1, 2012. How was starting like? The beginning days were quite interesting. Most times when you start something new, people don’t pay attention to you. Some think you are wasting time; some don’t even want to hear you speak at all. In fact, someone I have a lot of admiration for at some point said I should go and bring my CV because he thought I was running CHAMP because I was jobless. Why? There were many people who felt I didn’t know what I was doing at the beginning of the project. You have to choose the right peers and mentors and there is Dr. Christopher Kolade who has been a great source of inspiration for me even when things aren’t going well. Many were sceptical about this new thing that seems not to have a success path – there was no evidence. But these are the things I found: Firstly, you need passion as energy. It works for you when nothing else is working. It’s also what fuels your vision when you are seeing one thing and everyone is seeing something else. So with full passion to inspire and persuade people to rock their world like champions, I went head on into what looked uncertain. It is six years down the line and things are getting better by the day. By your definition, who is a CHAMPION? Our working definition of a Champion is any individual that is committed to using his or her competence, character, creativity, courage and compassion to make a positive difference anywhere in the world – family, industry, community. Our own commitment is working with anyone that shows this commitment to develop necessary skills while also providing opportunities for them to deliver the Champion in them to the world. So we fill the gap between desire and delivery of the vision of Champions. With the Champions message, we focus on Workforce Productivity, Women Empowerment and Youth Leadership. And our goal is to have inspired one billion Champions by November 2026. My exposures abroad Some years ago, I was invited by the administration of President Barack Obama to the US Consulate Program called IVLP. That exposed me to a lot of lessons in leadership from Educational, Business and Socio-Political Institutions. Two of the Educational institutions that made a huge impact on me were Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio and University of Florida, Jacksonville, Florida. 

Mentorship While I have been tutored closely by the likes of John C. Maxwell, Les Brown & Brian Tracy, I have enjoyed immense mentorship & support from the following people: Dr. Christopher Kolade (CON); Chief Oyekunle Alex-Duduyemi; Mrs. Mosun Belo-Olusoga; Dr. Herbert Wigwe; Mr. John Obaro; Mr. Jimi Awosika; Prof. Pat Utomi; Mr. & Mrs. Udezue and Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa. It is important to note that whatever dream you have, you are the first to step out to pursue it. Even when you have no proof of concept, your passion should be evident enough; and gradually the world will start opening up to embrace your dream. That is how we got here today. Champ City As part of our commitment to inspire one billion Champions, we opened CHAMP City, an inspirational centre in 2017. CHAMP City is the place where, despite your gender, religion, ethnicity, race or political leanings, people can come and learn to rock their world like Champions. Champ City is growing fast and we have training facilities which people make use of and there are up to 15 programs available for those who desire to learn. We also have a free monthly business and career advancement series through which we build the capacity of professionals & entrepreneurs. We leverage our strong network of top professionals from different industries to share experiential knowledge and experience has been phenomenal. So far we have engaged five hundred plus people within a year. And our goal is to have inspired one billion Champions by Monday, November 30, 2026. We started counting in 2016 after we inspired 2.3million across 30 countries; last year we inspired 5million across those countries and, based on our 2018 interim reports, we have inspired 8.25million across 30 countries. What is ‘You Too Can Be An Xceptional Leader’ about? ‘You Too Can Be An Xceptional Leader’ is my forthcoming book based on the philosophy that for any social entity to experience transformation, everyone that identifies with that entity, should develop competencies in Personal, Visionary & Sustainable Leadership. The foreword is being written by the His Excellency Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (GCON). Some people say leaders are born but we believe anybody can develop these competencies not just to be an ordinary leader but an exceptional leader. It is a book every forward-thinking organization should invest in, to empower their workforce to deliver consistent high performance. This book will be presented at CHAMP International Business & Leadership BootCamp in December 2018. It is a high profile leadership development program with the theme Xceptional Leadership – Accelerating the Performance OF High Performing Champions. The target audience are high performers within organizations and we will be privileged to have in attendance His Excellency, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Christopher Kolade, Mrs. Mosun Bello Olusoga, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, MD, Access Bank, Mr. Jimi Awosika and many others that will be on the faculty. It is a two day-program with a lot of learning and fun activities. We will also be celebrating our 10million Champions milestone and 6 Years of CHAMP. Youths are leaders I prefer to call every young person an Emerging Leader. Every emerging leader need to have realistic expectations. Because statement like ‘I want to be my own boss’ is good to say but when it comes to the reality of it, it is good to know that everybody has a boss. Hunger can be your boss. At times, responsibilities can also be your boss. What you need to know is to discover what you are supposed to do and the purpose. Then, grow through, sowing seed to benefit other people and no leader should jump up saying ‘I want to start a business.’ First, in the place you are now, how faithful are you? Also know that the things you sow are what you will reap.

Lagos 2019: Otedola Backs Sanwo-Olu For Governor

Otedola, chairman of Forte Oil, made this known via his Instagram handle where he posted a photograph of himself and the governorship candidate. 

Business mogul, Femi Otedola, has declared his support for the Lagos State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Otedola, chairman of Forte Oil, made this known via his Instagram handle where he posted a photograph of himself and the governorship candidate.

He wrote, “Dinner at my residence yesterday evening, with my childhood friend, the APC governorship candidate, Jide Sanwo- Olu, governor in waiting.”

Recall that it was reported a few months ago that Otedola had emerged the governorship candidate of the opposition party, People’s Democratic Party in Lagos State.

However, till date, he has yet to admit or debunk the report.

Ooni picks leading artistes to undertake Yoruba culture revival

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi Adeyeye, has lined up leading artistes to undertake a cultural revival of Yoruba heritage in a 12-day artistic show, designed to showcase the Yoruba nation.

Adeyeye made the announcement in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Sunday. He spoke through Oba Adebisi Layade, the Alarao Odaye of Ara Ife in Osun.

The event is being staged ahead of the “Queen Moremi Ajasoro Special Theatre Project,” commemorating Queen Moremi, the iconic daughter of one of the bravest Yoruba hunter warriors, named Lukugba.

Oral tradition describes Queen Moremi as one of the greatest Queens of Ile Ife in the Yoruba country, who risked her life for her people.

Adeyeye named the artistes lined up for the show as Bimbo Manuel, Bambam of the Big Brother Nigeria, Femi Branch, Deyemi Okanlawon, Aye Ayoola and Kehinde Bankole.

He said that the event would propagate and rejuvenate the cherished values, culture and tradition of an African woman, who through her unusual courage put herself forward in order to save her people.

“Through her quest for knowledge and sacrifice, she paid the price of injustice as a one-woman army for the love of her people,’’ the monarch said.

He said that a Queen Moremi Ajasoro 90 Minutes Musical Drama had also been lined up to project the unique culture of the Yoruba, one of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria.

According to him, the event is slated to hold from Dec. 21 to Jan. 2 in Lagos, adding that the House of Oduduwa Foundation has commissioned Bolanle Austin-Peters Production to produce the theatre performance.

He said that the project, through which the different facets of Yoruba culture had been portrayed to the world, would also show the dignity and rich content of Yoruba heritage.

Adeyeye noted that the world was beginning to appreciate the uniqueness of Yoruba culture in various forms.

The monarch said that he started the current promotion with the history and personality of Queen Moremi because of the unique lessons the woman displayed in her lifetime.

“It is the brave move of Queen Moremi that made the Yoruba people one of the first class groups in Nigeria today.

“The Moremi Project will boost the interest of women, whose potential are very high and always outstanding wherever they stepped into.’’

He stressed that women had critical roles to play in the development and success of a nation and should therefore, be encouraged to contribute their quotas to nation building.

“We need to encourage women to bring out the potential in them. It’s time we start reminding our women that they have the power to change the world.

“In this world, women are very powerful. Without them, things will not move accordingly because they were created to complement the men.’’

The epic African dance, drama, music and storytelling show is to be held at the Terra Arena on Victoria Island, Lagos.

2019 election: Ali Baba writes Buhari on what needs to be done

Popular comedian, Ali Baba has written an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari over the state of the country ahead of the 2019 election.

The comedian, in a post on his Instagram page, advised the federal government to invest in arts and tourism, rather than distributing money under various ’empowerment’ schemes.

Posting a picture of Buhari, he wrote: “Like we told those before you, Mr President, we don’t need you to give us money. Just provide the enabling environment, AND, WE, WILL BE THE ONES TO GIVE YOU MONEY.

“Let the government make a deliberate attempt to promote the arts. Piracy laws. Structure for enforcement of those laws. Film villages. Museums. Creative fora. Cinemas.

“Promotion of culture and tourism just like you promote crude oil then we will show you the money. Sir, you see all these meetings you are having, we have held them before plus several breakout sessions. Only to be forgotten. And remembered just at the dawn of another election.”

closed how developing the arts in Nigeria can help the federal government gain more.

Atiku to kick-start campaign with ‘People’s Policy Launch’

The Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is to kick-start his campaign for 2019 general election through an address to Nigerians on Facebook on Monday.

A statement issued by Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation, on Saturday in Abuja, said that Abubakar would use the address to launch his policy document.

“In his address, the PDP presidential candidate will present his vision for Nigeria and his action plan to achieve it as encapsulated in his policy document ”

The organisation said that the decision of Abubakar to kick-start his presidential campaign with the launch of his policy document is to reiterate his commitment to run an issue-based campaign.

“The intention is to take our policy directly to Nigerians and to register the belief of Abubakar that it will take the collective efforts of every Nigerian to rebuild the country.

“That is why we want Nigerians to access the policy directly and ultimately take ownership of it,”the statement said.

It added that the campaign of the organisation would offer a simple message: “united, the people of Nigeria can begin anew, creating a prosperous and secure future and a better life for every Nigerian.”

It stated that on the first working day of the campaign, the PDP and its candidate, Abubakar would put forward his plan to get Nigeria working again.

“We have chosen to do this by having the PDP Presidential candidate speaking directly to the Nigerian people on Facebook.

“This medium came about as part of the telecommunications revolution that he helped start as Vice President in 1999-2007.

“We have also chosen to have our candidate speak online as it facilitates the ability for anyone to download a copy of his policy document at no cost, as we intend this to be the policy of every Nigerian.

“Our policy document focuses on creating jobs, ensuring security, growing business, developing power and water infrastructure, agriculture and education and how we will empower women.

“Our policies outline the goals and methods for developing and revitalising Nigeria as the foundation of our campaign.

“This policy document is being launched to encourage a dialogue with the people of Nigeria, inviting everyone to join us in helping to get Nigeria working again.”

It said that Abubakar looked forward to conducting vital discussions as he travels across the length and breadth of Nigeria, meeting and talking with stakeholders.

The stakeholders according to the organisation, include famers, small business people, workers, students, mothers, and children.

“We recognise that this will be a vigorous and hard fought election. We are completely confident that with peaceful, free and fair elections, we will be victorious.”

‘No vacancies in Aso Rock, Alausa come 2019’

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Lanre Razak has said there are no vacancies in both Aso Villa in Abuja and Alausa Government House in Lagos State, asserting that, “APC will walk over other parties in 2019 elections.” Razak, who was the former Commissioner for Public Transportation in Lagos State explained that, what people view as crisis in the APC camp is never a crisis, saying, “it is just as a result of individuals struggling to get a viable and sure platform to win elections.”

Speaking further, Razak insisted that, “in Lagos State also, there is no threat to the APC either from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or any other party,” expressing confidence that, “we will over run them. We have very solid and effective crisis management mechanism that would be deployed to resolve all the issues before the elections. APC is the only viable platform for people ctowin elections. That explains the steam you notice in those struggling to have the ticket to contest elections on the its platform.”

He hinged his confidence on the leadership prowess of the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and APC’s performances across the country in the last three and a half years. “I have absolute confidence in Tinubu’s leadership and I don’t have doubt in his ability to lead us to the promise land. He is a God sent leader that other leaders ought to emulate. I am fully in support of all actions he has been taking so far because the actions are in the best interest of democracy and humanity.”

In conclusion, Razak asserted that the Lagos State APC governorship candidate, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, will win convincingly because of what the electorate in Nigeria and Lagos State know about Tinubu’s leadership and APC performance in Lagos State. Nobody, according to him,  either in Lagos or anywhere in the country would give his vote to the PDP because they know the atrocities the party committed during its16 year’s rule during the period they drained the nation’s economy.