april_life and times magazine

2 LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011

The news we are getting from home about

the ongoing Nigerian national elections is

heartwarming.

Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan from

the minority Ijaw tribe of South South, Nigeria

has shattered a lot of glass ceilings in Nigerian

politics and redefined politics in Nigeria as we

know it forever.

Jonathan polled over 22 million votes with

a 25% or more of votes cast in 32 States and a

total of 59.64% of total votes cast to beat his

closest rival General Mohammed Buhari who

polled 12.4 million votes with a 25% or more of

votes cast in 12 states all in the North and a

total of 32% of valid votes cast.

The first myth broken is the assumption

that politics in Nigeria belonged to the three

major tribes of Hausa/Fulani, Igbos and

Yorubas. Goodluck Jonathan from the minority

Otueke Village of the minority Ijaw tribe proved

that with clarity of vision, tenacity of purpose

and building a broad based coalition spanning

tongue, tribe and religion you could climb to the

pinnacle of power in Nigeria.

The second myth broken is that the

Hausa/Fulani controlled the levers of power in

Nigeria through a monolithic North. President

Jonathan proved that the notion of a monolithic

North is basically what it is - a myth. Complet-

ing the work started by the Obasanjo/Dajuma

alliance, Jonathan's coalition exacerbated the

cleavages in the North and peeled off the thin

veneer of darkness that has been hiding the

simmering discontent in Northern Nigeria.

Over the years, religious intolerance per-

petuated by a tiny extremist cabal in North bent

on foisting the Islamic religion as a way of life in

Northern Nigeria has totally destroyed any

semblance of Northern unity built by the late

great Northern leader Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, The

Sarduana of Sokoto.

The third myth broken is

that the old guard led by

Obasanjo, Danjuma, Ba-

bangida, Ciroma, Buhari, etc,

still controlled the apparatus of

power in Nigeria. Obasanjo

and his daughter lost in the

elections, Babangida was dis-

graced out of the presidential

nominations, Buhari lost again

for the third time in his bid to

reoccupy Aso Rock..etc.

What this clearly shows is

that there has effectively been

a transfer of guards in Nigerian

politics. Men like Bola Tinubu and Babatunde

Fashola in the West, Sullivan Chime and Peter

Obi in the East, David Mark and Murtala Nyako

in the North and an army of new foot soldiers

have taken over Nigerian politics and is defin-

ing the face of the New Nigeria.

The fourth and final myth broken is that we

cannot conduct free and fair elections and that

nothing spectacular can come out of Nigeria.

For the first time in Nigeria's history we have

conducted a free and fair elections that all

accept is clear and transparent.

We are poised for a smooth inauguration

of the Jonathan administration and the dawn of

a New Nigeria. If what has happened in the last

year that Jonathan served out the mandate of

the Musa Yardua presidency is anything to go

by, we will continue to experience steady

supply of petroleum products, improvements in

our infrastructure, an 8% growth in our national

economy, improved electricity supply and other

promises of a better life for the masses of

Nigeria.

Chike NwekePublisher/CEOApril 2011

LIFE and TIMES Magazine is

Published by LIFE and TIMES

Network Inc, a publishing and

Public Relations Company.

7095 Hollywood Blvd, #485,

Hollywood CA 90028-6035

COMPANY BOARD:

CEO/Publisher: Chike Nweke

MEMBERS:

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EDITORIAL BOARD:

Chair: Clem Ainabe, PhD

Deputy: Jude Akudinobi, PhD

Executive Editor: Arthur Abraham

Editor: Chinyere Ifeacho

Associate Editor: Jones Okeke

Osayande Aghazebamwan

Stella Johnson

Correspondents/Columnists:

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Photographers:

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Marketing/Advertising:

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“ What this

clearly shows

is that there has

effectively been

a transfer of

guards in

Nigerian

politics”


14

176

Cover Profile

6. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde

To Receive 2011

Achievement & African

Goodwill Ambassador

Award United Nations

People and Places

24. The Surge of Umuada

Ndi Igbo in Diaspora

28. The Asomugha

Foundation

36. A MAN OF THE

PEOPLE: Q and A with

Chief George Ilouno

62. Spotlight on Igbo

Farm Village

Entertainment and Culture

32. Spotlights on 9ja Villa

Beauty and Fashion

17. ON DESIGNER Yemi

Osunkoya

20. The Reconstruction &

Transformation Of

Queen Kay

23. Beauty of the moment

Environmental, Science and

Technology

70. Green Energy from

waste, it's naturally a

great idea!

News and Politics

10. An Overview of Elections

in Nigeria

11. Report from the

Abuja Bureau on the

Nigerian presidential

elections

14. Q & A with Dr Sarah Jibril

LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY/MARCH 2011 5

34

36

14

Lifes issues from the heart

67. Effective Parenting and Finding

Balance in the Whirlwind of Life

Religion/Spiritual Affairs

71. What is your life’s Metaphor?

Feature

66. Demistifying the immigration puzzle

Youth

34. Facebook Activism

35. Fun and inexpensive things

to do during the summer

Regulars

3. From the desk of the Publisher

73. Subscription to Life and Times Magazine

24

20


Cover Profile

OmotolaJaladeEkeindeReceives 2011Achievement & AfricanGoodwill AmbassadorAward

Nigeria loves Omo Sexy. This

mother of four, Nollywood Diva

and sex symbol has become

Nigeria's sweetheart.

Omotola was honored in

Los Angeles on April 30,

2011, by African Focus In-

corporated (AFI) with the

African Goodwill Ambassa-

dor Award for her

achievements as a dis-

tinguished award-win-

ning actress, model,

music artist and Goodwill

Ambassador.

Omotola graduated from Yaba

College of Technology, Lagos, and started


Cover Profile

her career as a model in 1995.

The same year, she crossed

over to the film industry. She

stared in her first film called

Venom of Justice where she

played the lead role. Her break-

through came in quick succes-

sion afterwards, in 1996, when

she played the lead role in

Mortal Inheritance. Her per-

formance won her the best Eng-

lish actress and overall best

actress at the prestigious

THEMA AWARDS 1996/1997.

She’s reputed with these awards

to be the youngest Nigerian to

have won such at the age of 19.

As a recording artist, Omo-

tola has just finished her 2nd

album. Her singles Feel Alrightand Missing You are enjoying

massive airplay both on radio

and TV. Omotola is one of the

most sought after motivational

speakers in Nigeria. She has a

new film called (the journey),

shot on locations in Los Angeles.

Ije has gone on to become the

highest grossing movie in Africa

beating Salt and many other

movies at the cinema. Omotola

is a United Nations Ambassador

for WFP (World Food Program)

and has done countless of fund

raising for the aforementioned.

Omotola works with Amnesty In-

ternational and campaigned in

Sierra Leone to end maternal

mortality. She also works with the

demand dignity team. She is a

valued crusader for the SAVE

THE CHILDREN FOUNDATION.

Omotola founded a movement

called OMOTOLA YOUTH EM-

POWERMENT PROGRAMME

(OYEP). It was founded to en-

courage Nigerian youth to know

their rights and discover their po-

tentials, as well as assist them in

achieving this. OYEP has also

berthed an initiative GIVE AND

LET GIVE which was launched

September 2010 with the

support of Unicef. GIVE AND

LET GIVE is geared at receiving

and giving gifts only to the less

privileged. She is happily married

to Mr. Jalade, a seasoned pilot,

with four children.

Among the other 2011

African Goodwill Award hon-

orees are:

The Oakland Raiders

Nnamdi Asomugha, an Ameri-

can born Nigerian, who plays the

game of football with an undeni-

able passion and dedication.

This three-time All Pro selection

has emerged as the league’s

best defensive back, earning him

a starting position in the 2008,

2009 and 2010 Pro Bowl and a


Cover Profile

three year contract worth $45

million.

A testament to the silver and

black, his hard work and deter-

mination on the field is preceded

by his undeniable commitment to

education and community off the

gridiron. 2009 marked another

monumental season for Aso-

mugha, who was the best shut

down corner in the league. Quar-

terbacks feared him and did

everything in their power to elim-

inate Asomugha from offensive

plays. During the 2009 season,

Asomugha was thrown at only

28 times through 16 games, an

astounding figure and a testa-

ment to his prowess on the field.

Other distinguished persons

to be honored include Her Ex-

cellency Josephine Elechi,

wife of the Executive Governor

of Eboyi State, Nigeria.

A dedicated and committed

philanthropist who has spon-

sored and provided scholarships

to many students to enhance

their educational and social sta-

tus in the society. In the area of

community development, in ad-

dition to being at the forefront of

various development-oriented

organizations.

Mrs. Elechi is also a core

foundation member of the popu-

lar Abakaliki Women Association

(AWA). She has continuously

contributed in no small measure

to the advancement of the

course of the association in par-

ticular and women development

in general.

Bishop Noel Jones, born in

Spanish Town, Jamaica, on Jan-

uary 31, 1950. One of seven chil-

dren born to Bishop Robert and

Marjorie Jones, Noel Jones is

the founder of City of Refuge

Ministries, a home for more than

20,000 worshipers in inner city of

Los Angeles, which is home to

the renowned, chart-topping City

of Refuge Sanctuary Choir.

Viewers around the world wel-

come Bishop Jones into their

homes via his TV program,

“Fresh Oil.”

Rita Cary was born in 1945

and raised in the West Cork town

of Dunmanway, Ireland, the sev-

enth in a family of fifteen chil-

dren. After training and working

as a nurse in Dublin, Rita moved

to Scotland in 1968 and trained

as a mid-wife. In the late 1960's,

the civil war in the defunct Biafra

region of Nigeria was a nightly

news item.

For over two years, images of

ravaged villages, starving chil-

dren, and fleeing refugees filled

UK TV screens. Rita decided on

completing her training to join the

humanitarian group Africa Con-

cern and travel into the heart of

the Biafra war zone.

In the shadow of the fighting,

Rita and her team set up clinics

and feeding centers for aban-

doned and orphaned children.

Daily excursions to nearby vil-

lages brought back dozens of

starving abandoned and or-

phaned sick children. The Africa

Concern team vaccinated, band-

aged, fed and nursed them to

health when possible. Those be-

yond help, they comforted.

Highlight of the awards pro-

gram was the colorful African

induction ceremony officiated

by His Royal Highness Eze Os-

uchukwu Julis Iheanyi, The

Obaire of Eziama-Obaire, Imo

State, Nigeria. Details of this

event in our June/July edition.

Since the first post-colonial election in 1964, thehistory of elections to political offices in Nigeria atthe local, state and federal levels has unfortunatelyand regrettably been one laden with despicable vi-olence and corruption. Documentation of killings,maiming, intimidation, property destruction, etc., tiedto electioneering campaigns abound. The acrimonyof the November 1965 elections into the WesternNigeria House of Assembly that led to operationwetie which literarily meant to spray gasoline onpeople and property and set them ablaze, is stillfresh in the minds of many. In addition to loss oflives and wanton property destruction in the 2003and 2007 elections, both years witnessed electionsthat had malpractices indelibly engraved on them.

Allegedly, ballot boxes were forcefully takenfrom electoral officers and replaced with ones pre-stuffed with ballots that were later counted in deter-mining the winners/losers of the election. Electoralofficials were conspicuously absent in some pollingcenters resulting in no voting at those centers. Thatnotwithstanding, results were claimed to have beendeclared for those centers. Even in some centerswhere electoral officials were present, some of themwere reported to have used their position to facili-tate voting malpractices to the advantage of theparty or candidates they owed allegiance.

Incidents of violence in electioneering cam-paigns in Nigeria continue to be on the rise anddeadlier. In a 2011 article in allAfrica.com WisdomPatrick wrote: Up to this point, there have been 16bomb explosions in the country, all in the pre-elec-tion period. Compared to two explosions in 2007,

according to Shehu Sani of Civil Rights Congress,that number continues to increase on almost dailybasis. For security purposes the federal govern-ment, continued the source, ordered the deploy-ment of the military during the elections.

Electioneering campaign should not be synony-mous to violence. Not in Nigeria - the Giant of Africa.Not in any country in Africa or in the world. Manycountries in Africa look up to Nigeria for leadershipnot only in governance but also in many areaswhere decisions affecting the populace are made.This (leadership) is something; a collective respon-sibility, we all (Nigerians) should take on seriously.

There is no record indicating conviction or pun-ishment for electoral offenses in Nigeria since 1960when we emancipated from the colonial rule. This,to me, is the foundation for fostering electioneeringcampaign violence, as a lack of punishment for anycrime constitutes a recipe for the fomentation ofmore crime.

It is my belief that until procedures that are cur-rently in place to identify election violence/malprac-tices are used to do so, and identified perpetratorsare punished accordingly, the malpractices and vio-

lence that the Nigerian election-eering campaigns are nowknown for, will continue. We cando this. Yes, we can.

God bless Nigeria.

Dr. Clem Ainabe. Ph.D

Chairman , Editorial Board

An Overview of Elections in Nigeria

10 LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE, APRIL/MAY 2011

News and Politics

LIFE & TIMES MAGAZINE, APRIL/MAY 2011 11

News and Politics

Sixteenth of April, 2011 will godown in history as a memorable day inNigeria. It was the day that all men andwomen of this great nation went to thepolls to decide who will continue tolead Nigeria to the promised land. Itwas the day that security was the cen-ter of concern with threats electoral vi-olence across the nation. Thousandsof police and soldiers swarmed all cor-ners of the nation ahead of the presi-dential election, when Nigerianstrooped out en mass to pick the candi-date who will become the next leaderof Africa's most populous nation; thegiant among the nations of Africa, theoil-rich nation of 150 million people.

As the Abuja Bureau Chief Re-porter/Observer for Life and Time

Magazine and a voter as well, thesummary of my report/observation isthat the presidential elections wentvery smoothly. Security was robust andvisible. The Nigerian government de-ployed members of the Armed forces,the police and members of the Na-tional Youth Service Corps (NYSC) al-

lowing noroom for irreg-ularities. Polit-ical PartyRepresenta-tives, Nationaland Interna-tional Observers, were also on hand toensure close monitoring of the votingprocess.

Amazingly, all voting activitiesended at exactly 4:00 PM Nigeriantime, and the counting of votes beganimmediately. All votes were counted,recorded and signed by all politicalparty representatives. The Police im-mediately transmitted the hard copiesto INEC office in Abuja.

Results as announced by Chair-man of the Independent National Elec-toral Commission (INEC) ProfessorAtahiru Jega for the 36 states and theFederal Capital Territory (FCT) gavePDP a total of 22,495,187 votes; CPC12,214,529 votes; ANPP 917,365votes; and ACN 2,088,791 votes. Totalvalid votes are 37,716,842 out of 73

million registered voters, representing51.7% per voter turnout.

The outcome of all these was thatGoodluck Jonathan won enough votesthat avoided a run-off election. Thatmeans that he also won majority of theoverall votes cast nationwide. Underthe constitution, the winner of a presi-dential election must have a simplemajority as well as 25 % of the votes intwo thirds of the states. According toReuters tally, Jonathan has alreadywon 25 % of the votes in 24 states (17in the South and 7 in the North). Theonly way there would be a run-off elec-tion is if Buhari has majority of the over-all votes cast nationwide which reportsindicate he falls short of.

The Chairman of Independent Na-tional Electoral Commission (INEC),

REPORT FROM THE

ABUJA BUREAU ON THE

NIGERIANPRESIDENTIAL

ELECTIONSby CHIKA DURU Ph.D.


News and Politics

Prof. Attahiru Jega at 8:32 p.m. on April18th, 2011, declared the presidentialcandidate of Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), President Goodluck Jonathan,winner of Saturday, April 16th, 2011,presidential election. Prof. Jega furtherand repeatedly announced thatJonathan amassed a total of 22, 495,187 votes, Muhammadu Buhari ofCongress for Progressive Change(CPC) 12, 214,853 votes, NuhuRibadu of Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN) 2,790,151 votes and IbrahimShekarau of All Nigeria Peoples Party(ANPP) 917,012 votes.

As of the time this piece was puttogether, only the PDP representativeshad heeded Prof. Jega’s call for partyrepresentatives to sign the final resultsof the votes that he declared.

How it All Happened For Jonathan.

Muhammadu Buhari of the CPChad more than mobilized the North forhis candidacy, especially in the wakeof the zoning brouhaha of the PDP.

Goodluck Jonathan, coming fromthe South South geo-political zone,had his aspiration serve as a catalystfor many other minority groups in Nige-ria that when you dare to dream, pos-sibilities would not be far from yourimagination.

Here was the ACN of the SouthWest geo-political zone which couldnot forge an alliance with the CPC. TheNorth was fully charged to sympathisewith the aspiration of Buhari, while notdiscounting the efforts of the PDP stategovernors in some states of the North,the South was also sufficiently primedto ensure that the South South zone,from where Jonathan come, producesthe President and Commander-in-Chief for the first time through a sincereelection.

Observers from all over the worldincluding Nigerian Policy Institute USA

(NPI-USA) and The Life and TimesMagazine Press witnessed the firstpresidential election in Nigeria that wastransparently clean, clear and fair elec-tion. Echoing this are NTA, AIT, Al-JazeeraTV, PressTV, ArabTV, CNN,BBC, BBC Hausa Service etc. Nigeriahas received commendations aroundthe world on how transparent the elec-tion turned out. CNN related that it wasthe best election conducted in the his-tory of Nigeria.

The ECOWAS Observation Mis-sion had stated on Sunday in Abujathat â€œthe Nigerian Presidentialelection of April 16th, 2011, havenfound no major incidents or irregulari-ties, met the criteria of Fairness andTransparency.This has made a historicstep for the strengthening of democ-racy and good governance in Nigeriathe ECOWAS Observation Missionsaid. The ECOWAS Observation Mis-sion further commended INEC for itsleadership and professionalism. Headof the Mission, Prof. Amos Sawyer, for-mer Liberia’s President, in a prelimi-nary declaration on the polls, alsocommended the Federal Governmentand stakeholders for ensuring apeaceful and orderly election. Prof.Sawyer appealed to all candidates inthe race to accept the outcome of thepolls.

Prof. Sawyer further commentedthat candidates may resort to constitu-

tional and legal channels for remedywhere absolutely necessary. He furtherdisclosed that his 300-member teamwas deployed to the six geo-politicalzones to effectively monitor the polls.Prof. Sawyer further reported saying,We observed the relatively goodknowledge of and compliance with vot-ing procedures by election officials,timely availability of election materialsin majority of polling stations, and con-sequently their enhanced capacity toeffectively administer the process. Wealso noted the presence of represen-tatives of major political parties includ-ing the CAN, CPC and PDP in allpolling stations, he further stated.

President Goodluck Jonathan, dur-ing his victory speech and while re-ceiving his certificate of return at theINEC office said, We are all winners,there is no victor and no vanquished.Nigerians have proved to the world thatwe are capable of holding free, fair andcredible elections. Goodluck promisedthat his victory is just the beginning ofgreat things that would happen toNigeria as a nation. He commendedINEC for a job well done, and promisedthat he would continue to work with theIndependent Electoral Commissions(INEC) to maintain quality level oftransparent electoral services in all fu-ture elections in Nigeria.

Reported By:

Prof. Chika E. Duru, BSBA.,MBA., Ph.D.Professor ofLeadership, Ken BlanchardCollege of Business GrandCanyon University. Phoenix,Arizona

LEADS Scholar National Uni-versities Commission Abuja,Nigeria.

Abuja Bureau Chief of Lifeand Time Magazine


News and Politics

Dr. (Mrs) Sarah Jibril fondly

referred to by her friends as

Mama PDP is a dogged fighter.

She has been in the Presiden-

tial race in Nigeria since con-

testing against Bashorun

M.K.O. Abiola for the SDP Pres-

idential race in 1993. Despite

losing all the races against Abi-

ola, Obasanjo and Goodluck

Jonathan, Dr. (Mrs) Jibril has

refused to quit.

She says her motivation is to

prove the point that Nigeria has

to recognize that its women

have to be given the chance to

steer the ship of the nation to

the promised land since the

men who have been piloting the

affairs of the country since its in-

dependence in 1960 have not

brought the promises of good

governance and a better life to

the generality of the citizens of

Nigeria.

Mrs. Jibril was in Los Ange-

les recently on March 19, 2011,

on a private visit and met for a

one-on-one chat with our Pub-

lisher. Below are

excerpts from

this revealing in-

terview:

Q: What are

your hopes

about the pres-

idential elec-

tions and the

chances of the PDP's candi-

date President Goodluck

Ebele Jonathan?

A: The PDP's chances are

Excellent! That is why I am mo-

bilizing and campaigning for the

PDP and President Goodluck

Jonathan despite losing the pri-

maries to him. We are mobiliz-

ing the youth and women to

vote massively for him and we

have adverts and CDs that are

reaching all youth and women in

many parts of the country.

The PDP remains the broad-

est based political movement in

the country. It has better ideo-

logical and structural underpin-

nings than all the other parties

combined. From the foregoing,

you can see that the chances of

our Presidential candidate,

President Goodluck Ebele

Jonathan, winning are very

bright.

None of the other candi-

dates has the depth and reach

that the PDP candidate has

from the Niger Delta, to the far-

thest reaches of Northern Nige-

ria. President Jonathan has

succeeded in building a broad

based coalition spanning all the

six geo-political zones of the

country. This is something none

of the other opposition candi-

dates can boast of. My predic-

tion is that he will trounce all of

“WHY THE PDPTROUNCED ALL OTHER PARTIES IN THE APRIL GENERALELECTIONS”....Dr Sarah Jibril

them come the presidential elec-

tions in April 2011.

Q What are the chances of

female presidential aspirants

in Nigeria and is Nigeria ready

for a female Pesident?

A: Yes Nigeria has been since

1993 when with only N8,000 in

my pocket and raising just over

N350,000 I was able to success-

fully run against Bashorun Moss-

hood Abiola for the SDP

presidential primaries. The im-

pact I made has broken that glass

ceiling for women who want to

purse this ambition. I want to add

that Nigeria has to give women

the opportunity to lead in the

inner reaches of power and the

commanding heights of the econ-

omy. Women are excellent man-

agers of resources.

Since men who have been pi-

loting the affairs of the country

since its independence in 1960

have not brought the promises of

good governance and a better life

to the generality of the citizens of

Nigeria, it is high time women are

given a chance!

Q What impact can Dias-

pora Nigerians make in the

electoral process in Nigeria?

A: Diaspora Nigerians remain

a growing and potent force in

Nigerian politics and it is time

they are allowed to vote. Nigeri-

ans in Diaspora have access to

foreign capital and technologies

that will help propel Nigeria for-

ward into an advanced

nation.

I will advise Nigeri-

ans in Diaspora to con-

duct a mock election

despite the fact that the

National Assembly has

not approved voting

rights for them. You can

vote via facebook or

through an online serv-

ice. Nigeria has over 15

million people in Dias-

pora and Diaspora

Nigerians are esti-

mated to contribute

over $40 billion annu-

ally to the Nigerian

economy. It is therefore

not right that they cannot exercise

their rights to vote.

The Obasanjo regime took a

step in the right direction by

creating a committee on Diaspora

affairs in the National Assembly

that was headed by Mrs. Abike

Dabiri-Eruwa. Just recently

President Goodluck appointed

Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu as Special

Adviser on Diaspora Affairs.

These actions show that Nigeria

is recognizing the importance of

Nigerians in Diaspora.

Diaspora Nigerians should

therefore seize the moment and

fight for more inclusion of

Nigerians in Diaspora in running

the affairs of the country including

the rights to vote and elect

political office holders in Nigeria.

D R S A R A H J I B R I L A N D F R I E N D S W I T H C H I K E I N L O S A G E L E S


News and Politics

ON DESIGNER

Yemi OsunkoyaYEMI OSUNKOYA has won renown as

a a top class couture Bridal and

eveningwear designer with clientele

ranging from Britain's upper crust to

beautiful brides in London, Los Ange-

les, Ghana, Nigeria etc . Yemi has come

a long way from growing up in Ibadan

to the klieg lights and runways of some

of the top fashion shows around the

world

In this interview with Ihuoma Egbeogu

our Fashion Correspondent, Yemi talks

about his background, his work and

his inspiration


Beauty and Fashion

>>>


Beauty and Fashion


How did you get

into designing?

From a very early age, I showed a

talent for drawing, especially

human figures. As a result of great

encouragements from my parents

and Art teachers in Primary and

secondary schools, I developed

and honed this talent into fashion

sketching.

What is your

family background?

I am the third of four sons born to

(Late) Professor B.O. Osunkoya

and Mrs. B.C. Osunkoya. I grew

up in a very happy family that lived

in at the University of Ibadan cam-

pus because both my parents

worked for University College

Hospital, Ibadan.

Where did you get your

training as a designer?

After obtaining a BA Degree in

Fine Art, specializing in Textile de-

sign from Obafemi Awolowo Uni-

versity, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, I went on to

study Womenswear and

Menswear at The Paris Academy

School of Fashion, in London; a

small private school that trained

itâ€™s students in Old School

Couture. We were taught pattern

drafting, pattern cutting, draping,

the skills of hand finishing gar-

ments, etc. This is where my love

for and skills in Couture tech-

niques emerged. I must point out

that before my first day, I had

never sat down in front of a sewing

machine. I initially found it a bit

overwhelming, but by the end of

my first year, I produced a 6 gar-

ment Collection that received a let-

ter of commendation from the

representative of the South African

embassy that attended the end of

year fashion show my school or-

ganized.

What are your specialties?

I specialize in figure enhancing

couture, Bridal and Eveningwear.

I have over the years developed a

method through my pattern draft-

ing and use of integral corsetry

within my gowns that moulds and

fits the body into recreating the

classical hourglass silhouette.

What is the name

of your clothing line?

Kosibah

What are some of the high

points of your career?

Creating the wedding gown for

British singer and judge of BBC1’s

Strictly Come Dancing’s Alesha

Dixon, getting the Mahogany

Bridal Designer of the Year award


Beauty and Fashion

in 2002 and 2004. Being recog-

nized by the 100+ Black UK

Achievers project in 2010, and

being awarded Fashion Icon at the

BEFFTA (Black Entertainment,

Film, Fashion & Arts) Awards in

October 2010. Also being flown to

Los Angeles, Atlanta, Ghana and

Nigeria to dress High Society

brides has been very rewarding.

Where do your inspirations for

your designs come from?

My main aim is to celebrate and

enhance the female form and I

take my inspiration from that. I use

various influences to bring this

about but because Iâ€™m mainly

designing individual gowns for in-

dividual clients, the client in front

of me at that

time also

plays a big

part in the re-

sulting de-

sign.

What are

the best

perks

in being a

designer?

Especially for

a bridal de-

signer, the

appreciation

of your work

and it being

the center of attention at a wed-

ding is a great feeling. Also you

get to go to some amazing places

and venues as part of your work

either for weddings, events or

fashion shows.

What advice would you

give to someone want-

ing to start a career in

fashion designing?

Be very sure that is your

dream and desire. If it is,

don’t let anyone sway you

from your goal. Acquiring

some formal training in

fashion is quite important

from my point of view, but

also getting as much work experi-

ence as you learn is vital as well.

It’s a lot

of hard

w o r k

and you

must be

prepared

for that.

Y o u

m u s t

also re-

member

it is a

business

so just

having a

talent for

ske tch-

ing and

a great

imagination is not enough. You

have to learn skills such as mar-

keting, book keeping, Public Rela-

tions, etc.

THERECONSTRUCTION

& TRANSFORMATIONOF QUEEN KAY

Our Beauty and fashion Editor,

Kaykay Amamgbo alsoknown as Queenkay by

close friends and family is a total

package. She is the mother of two

amazing young boys under the

age of 10. She is an Entrepreneur

and a visionary. Queenkay resides

in Northern California in the

Oakland Bay Area. She is from

Nigeria and has lived in the US

over for half her life.

Her first Literary Work

" THE RECONSTRUCTION &

TRANSFORMATION OF QUEEN

KAY" is Autobiographical and

touches on her life experiences

growing up in Nigeria, being sort

of a social misfit, moving to the

US, at age 18, trying to find who

she is really meant to be and

meeting and falling in love with

Emeka Amamgbo, who died

tragically in 2007 after a battle

with bone marrow cancer. This is

her bitter-sweet story as a sur-

vivor,a widow, a mother and an

accomplished entrepreneur.


Beauty and Fashion


Beauty and Fashion

Chapter 1: In An Instant

October 31st 1997, I met Emeka

Amamgbo. Who could forget Emeka, even

after meeting him for just a few moments?

It's amazing how one's life can change in

an instant. I think back to that moment on that

fateful day that almost never was. I reluctantly

went with my friend Nikki, who never goes

anywhere, especially not to Nigerian parties. I

got there and I was thinking of making a U-

turn back home to my cozy bed. We were

gaining an extra hour due to daylight savings

time, something I was still getting used to after

living in America for 5 years.

I was 23 and had moved to Los Angeles a

year and a half prior. I was outside standing

on the sidewalk chatting with Nikki, taking a

breath of fresh air since it was so stuffy inside

the party. It was Halloween and the host was

having a housewarming party. There were just

too many men and a sprinkle of women. I felt

like a moving target.

Just as I was contemplating making a

move for my car, a guy came in through the

shadows, walked past Nikki and I, stopped

and spun around. He came directly over to me

and said,

"Hi, I'm Charles".

I could hardly breathe, much less say my

name. I was stunned for the first time in my

life. Wow! it is the closest thing I have experi-

enced that feels like being under a spell. It

was as though he came with the strong force

of angels, like a powerful force. How could

one human captivate me like that even without

saying a word?

I was spell bound and completely mesmer-

ized by his presence. As soon as he walked

away, I told Nikki, that's my husband! It wasn't

as though I could even explain what it was

about him I liked or what he even looked like

seconds after leaving my side. It was the most

magnetic strong pull I had ever felt. Ever!

I left Nikki and went inside the house on

my own to get back to Charles also known as

Emeka. He was busy chatting with different

groups of people and all I wanted was just a

moment with him if only understand why I was

so drawn to him. It wasn't sexual attraction it

was more spiritual than anything I can ever

explain. I started looking at him and began to

notice the fact that he was drop dead gor-

geous. He was about 6 ft tall, long and lean

and had the smoothest brown skin I had ever

seen.

When he smiled, I felt the earth move

under me. I continued to sneak glances from

the corner of my eyes at him until our eyes

met. He had the most amazing eyes. I was

THE RECONSTRUCTION & TRANSFORMATION OF QUEEN KAY

...Book Excerpt


Beauty and Fashion

captivated and I

didn't know

what to do. I

had never been

a woman to pur-

sue a man but I

felt a very

strong pull to-

wards this man.

I asked myself,

is he married, in

a relationship,

not interested?

The only

way to find out

was by asking

him. After drift-

ing through the

crowd and escaping a few guys who proposed

marriage right there on the spot, I suddenly

found myself a few feet away from him. My

heart was beating as I waited for the person he

was talking to, to disappear. Finally, our shoul-

ders touched!

I am sure you don't remember my name I

said. He looked at me almost knocking me

over with that stare. It’s Florence, right? I was

like, No, you must have met my mother. We

laughed and I guess the ice was broken. I

asked him where he resided and he told me he

lived in Europe and was visiting his brother in

Oakland, California.

I had just been to Oakland in September a

little over a month prior to visit Northern Califor-

nia. I was a little disappointed that it was cold

in the summer although it had some of the

most breath taking scenery I had ever seen. I

remember telling my girl Nina who I drove up

there with that I couldn't imagine living there. I

never knew it would actually happen. So

Emeka and I exchanged numbers and I went

over to Nikki to give her the update of my pur-

suit. She was shocked because she didn’t

know me to be that bold. But she encouraged

me to follow through with it, she could tell I

wasn't giving up. So we were debating whether

to leave the party when I told her that I had to

go back to tell him I was leaving. I just couldn't

walk away without saying a proper goodbye.

I walked into the living room where a group

of men were hurdled in a corner and drumming

and singing.. I motioned with my index finger

for him to come. He stepped up slowly and

steadily walked toward me and asked where

are we going? He locked his elbow with mine

we walked outside towards his friend who I

knew personally and had met a few months

before when I moved to Los Angeles. He told

us he had just bought a house in Woodland

Hills, which was about 30 minutes going North

from where we were.

I was in some kind of trance because I was

going with the flow. It was probably about mid-

night or 1 am when we headed out to Wood-

land Hills following behind in my little green

Nissan 200sx. I was driving and Emeka was

inches from me. Wow! He grabbed my right

arm and started tracing a line across my palm.

I asked him what he was doing. He said, I am

reading your palm, I want to know how this will

end. I was too curious, I asked him if he was

married, he said no.

Sigh! I just wanted to make sure. Then I

asked him if he had any children, he answered

sounding irritated at the question, I don’t be-

lieve in having children out of wedlock. What

about you? he asked me. I told him I was

young, single and no children. His touch was

so gentle; his voice was so sexy... I was in love.


Sports

.NneomaBeautyof the moment...


Fashion and Beauty

People and Places

Ada Ozo Mrs. Nonye Grace AgudeVisionary; Founder & National President

By Arthur Abraham

Executive Editor,Life and Times Magazine


People and Places

Umuada Ndi-Igbo in Diaspora,

Inc. has coalesced into a strong and

dynamic movement in the Igbo and

Nigerian Diaspora community as a

force that none can choose to ignore.

Umu Ada is a birth right name of any

Igbo female born into an Igbo family.

Umuada Ndi-Igbo in Diaspora,

Inc. is a non-political, non-

governmental cultural and corporate

organization. She draws her

membership from the seven Igbo

speaking States of Nigeria, namely:

ABIA, ANAMBRA, EBONYI, ENUGU,

IMO, DELTA & RIVERS STATES

(Maka odinma Ndi-Igbo).

This organization was formed with

the objective of mobilizing all Igbo

women towards Igbo unity and

progress – Maka oganiru Ndi-Igbo.

Umuada Ndi-Igbo in Diaspora, Inc.

also aims at preserving the fast fading

Igbo Language, Culture/traditional

values; Women Empowerment; Youth

Development & Empowerment; as

well as promoting Healthy Matrimonial

Relationships in the Igbo and Nigerian

communities in the Diaspora.

It is also the objective of Umuada

Ndi-Igbo in Diaspora, Inc. to fight

against domestic violence and

promoting unity amongst Umu Ada,

with the ultimate aim of bringing all

Ndi-Igbo in the Diaspora together.

Founded by a group of Igbo

Women in Diaspora on November 23,

2010, this movement has now

become a veritable force in the fight

for women and the empowerment of

Nigerians in Diaspora.

It is led by none other than the

very hard working Lady Ada Ozo

Chinonyelum Grace Agude, (Kof C),

Founder/National President, who is a

visionary, a true Amazon and a

dogged fighter for the unity and

progress of Igbo women in the

Diaspora.

Lady Ada Ozo is an embodi-

ment of womanhood in all ramifi-

cations, a professional and a

pathfinder in her field of endeavor.

She is an accomplished entrepre-

neur and astute businesswoman.

Lady Ada Ozo Grace Agude is the

owner (with her husband) & Direc-

tor of TOTAL CARE HOME HEALTH

AGENCY in Riverside California.

She is also the Founder & Chief

Executive Director of Grace

Mission for Africa Development, a

Non-Governmental Organization

(NGO) registered with the Corpo-

rate Affairs Commission of the Fed-

eral Republic of Nigeria, and doing

Business as The Succor Founda-

tion, Inc. in the USA.

Umuada Ndi-Igbo in Diaspora, Inc- Southern California Branch

Umuada Ndi-Igbo

in Diaspora, Inc.

membership spreads

from the West Coast

to the East Coast;

from the Appalachian

Mountains, through

the Mississippi Basin;

and to the deep

recesses of the South


People and Places

Umuada Ndi-Igbo in Diaspora, Inc

boasts of members that are top

achievers and performers in their

chosen professions and businesses�

top medical doctors, nurses, lawyers,

accountants, professors, teachers

/educators, visionaries, self-employed

business women, philanthropists,

dedicated home makers, wives and

mothers etc.

In less than one year of existence,

this grassroots movement already

boasts of over five (5) thousand

women within its rank and file and has

branches in most States in the USA.

There are plans to expand to the rest

of the United States, Europe, Africa,

Asia and anywhere else around the

world that the Igbo person resides.

Umuada Ndi-Igbo in Diaspora, Inc.

also has a liaison office in Nigeria!

It is, in fact, unimaginable just how

fast and ferocious this moving train

called Umuada Ndi-Igbo in Diaspora,

Inc. has hit the USA (by storm) and

presently having branches in Northern

& Southern California, New York,

Maryland, Texas, Georgia, New Jer-

sey, Washington DC, Michigan, Mas-

sachusetts, Nevada, Arizona,

Oklahoma, North and South Carolina,

West Virginia, Arkansas, Pennsylva-

nia.

In other words Umuada Ndi-Igbo

in Diaspora, Inc. membership spreads

from the West Coast to the East

Coast; from the Appalachian Moun-

tains, through the Mississippi Basin;

and to the deep recesses of the

South. This massive and unstoppable

spread of Umuada Ndi-Igbo in Dias-

pora, inc. within such a short time can

only be attributed to its laudable goals

and objectives; the visionary leader-

ship of Lady Ada Ozo Chinonyelum

Grace Agude, (Kof C); the commitment,

focus & sacrifice of its leaders and mem-

bers, as well as the hand of God.

In running the affairs of this great

movement, Ada Ozo has the following

great women leaders by her side:

Chief (Mrs) Uloma Ihenachor,

West Coast Regional Coordinator;

Chief (Lady) Christy Ejiogu, East

Coast Regional and State of New

York Coordinator; Lady (Chief) Helen

Duruhesie, State of California Coordi-

nator; Chief (Mrs.) Felicia Otudor,

State of Massachusetts Coordinator;

Mrs. Rebecca Oji, state of Texas

Coordinator; Chief of Staff - Mrs. Nkiru

Ugwuadu; National Secretariat -

General: Mrs. Esther Okoye (Sec

Gen), assisted by Mrs. Anthonia

Anyakora-Abanise.

The following women leaders also

provide sterling leadership to the local

Chapters of Umuada Ndi-Igbo in Di-

aspora, Inc. in Southern California -

Lady Christy Onwuemelie - Los An-

geles Chapter President; Mrs Ozo

Ibekwe- Los Angeles Chapter Vice

President; Prof (Dr.) Adaku Mogbo -

Los Angeles Chapter Secretary Gen-

eral; Lolo Blessing Nnodim - Inland

Empire Chapter President; 5-Lady

Benedicta Chidueme - Inland Empire

Chapter Vice President; 6-Chief(Mrs)

Chinyere Adiuku - President of

Houston Chapter.

The Umuada Ndi-Igbo in

Diaspora, Inc. Electoral Commission

and Leadership is working on the

logistics to elect the leadership in all

the other state chapters.

On March 19, 2011, Los Angeles

California witnessed the first ever Na-

tional & formal launching and Induc-

tion Ceremony of Umuada Ndi-Igbo in

Diaspora, Inc., California Branch. It

was a grand and colorful occasion,

filled with pomp and pageantry that

drew close to two thousand distin-

guished Nigerians, fellow Africans,

American well-wishers, etc

The ceremony had the unique-

ness of witnessing the launching of

the first ever wax print designed and

produced by members of Umuada

Ndi-Igbo in Diaspora, Inc. It was the

first of such bold and creative venture

by any Igbo women organization in

the Diaspora. History was made!

In attendance at the launching

ceremonies was the leadership of the

World Igbo Congress fully repre-

sented by Ichie Chibuzor

Onwuchekwa - PE, Chairman of the

World Igbo Congress; Chief George

Eze (Onyiba Nkanu), President of the

Igbo Cultural Association in Southern

California; Prince (Dr.) Ukeje Agu -

First President and one of the

founders of the Igbo Cultural Associa-

tion of Southern Californai; Chief (Dr.)

Hillary Ihenachor - First Secretary

General and Co-Founder of the Igbo

Cultural Association of Southern Cal-

ifornia; His Excellency , Hon Jim Dear,

the Mayor of Carson - California, a

true friend and lover of Nigerians and

the Nigerian Culture; Chief (Dr.) Peter

Ako, a prominent Cameroon Commu-

nity Leader and Sessekou of Manyu

(Mamfe) in the Cameroons); many

other distinguished Igbo Cultural

Chiefs and their Lolos, top profes-

sionals, business elite and the rank

and file of the Nigerian Diaspora com-

munity.

The Chief launchers at the occa-

sion were Chief Udo and Chief (Mrs.)

Ada Nwachukwu who launched the

occasion with a princely sum of

$5,000

It was a colorful night laced with

cultural dances, fashion displays and

the best of the Nigerian/African culture...

Full details of UMUADA NDI-

IGBO IN DIASPORA, INC... coming

in our June/July edition.

In less than one year

of existence, this

grassroots movement

already boasts of over

five (5) thousand

women within its rank

and file...


People and Places



People and Places

On March 19, 2011 at theRenaissance Hotel at LAX theAsomugha Foundation held its5th Annual Fundraising Gala.The distinguished gatheringbrought together friends,celebrities, civic luminaries andsupporters who were captivatedby the work of the Foundation.

Patrons watched in admira-tion as a video presentationchronicled the altruistic effortsof the Asomugha foundation insupporting and shouldering theburden of widows and orphansin Nigeria and South Africa aswell as enhancing the educa-tional pursuits of inner-city

youth in the United States.The Asomugha Foundation

comprises of two core programsnamely, OWIN (Orphans andWidows In Need) founded in2005 by Dr. Lilian Asomugha.OWIN provides aid to a growingpopulation of widows and or-phans who are among the mostvulnerable on the continent ofAfrica and works to positionthese widows and orphans foreconomic success and inde-pendence through education,spiritual guidance and voca-tional training.

In 2007, the NFL star and adistinguished scion of the Aso-

mugha family, Mr. Nnamdi Aso-mugha founded ACTS (Aso-mugha College Tour forScholars), an annual collegetour and mentoring programthat provides high-achievingHigh School students of colorwith the opportunity to visit col-lege campuses across thecountry. ACTS has providedover 36 students with an oppor-tunity to tour some of America'stop colleges and universities inseveral states including Atlanta,Boston, New York, Washington,DC and more.

Both programs, OWIN andACTS were brought under the

T H E H E A R T O F S E R V I C E. . . A L O O K A T


People and Places

same umbrella in 2010 as "TheAsomugha Foundation", a501c(3) foundation, with a mis-sion to have positive impactthrough education and empow-erment on inner-city, minorityyouth in the U.S. and the under-privileged orphans and widowsin Africa.

The Asomugha family, alongwith several dedicated support-ers, has developed prioritiesand principals to help addressthe holistic development ofthose less fortunate.

At the heart of the Aso-mugha Foundation is the beliefthat education is essential forsuccess and longevity. Linkedto health status and economicsecurity, education is a spring-board for innovation and growthacross the globe. It is the Foun-dation's mission to ensure thatthose with less means are givenan equal opportunity to obtain aquality education, and therebytransform themselves, theirfamilies and communities.

Nnamdi Asomugha is theChairman of the Foundationwhile his mother, Dr. Lilian Aso-mugha is the President. Therest of the equally distinguishedscions of the Asomugha family,Dr. Chisara Asomugha (VicePresident), Mr. Chijioke Aso-mugha (Director of StrategicPlanning) and Ms. UdodirimAsomugha (Public Health andCommunications) all play veryactive roles in the Foundation.

The 5th annual fundraisingGala was urbane, classy andwell attended by several no-table guests. The KTLA 5Morning News Co Anchor,Michaela Pereira served as theMistress of Ceremonies.

Rev. (Dr.) Cecil "Chip" Mur-ray, Civil Rights Leader and for-mer Senior Pastor of the FirstAfrican Methodist Episcopal(FAME) church received thefoundation's Lifetime Achieve-ment Award and served as theKeynote Speaker.

Seun Adebiyi, JD, who

attended Yale School of Lawand was an editor on the YaleJournal of International Law andYale Journal of Regulation isalso an aspiring Olympic athlete and bone marrow cancer survivor. For his heroismin the face of this debilitatingdisease and for his efforts to establish a bone marrow

Mr Chijoke Asomugha and wife

Dr Eva Ihuoma Asomugha

The Asomughas L to R, Nnamdi, Udodirim, Dr Lilian - Foundation President, Dr Chisara,

Chijoke

A cross section of the attendees watching the dance groupNnamdi with students

from the ACTS Program

People and Places

registry in his home Country,Nigeria, he was recognized asthe foundation's EmergingHumanitarian Award Honoree.

Both silent and live auctionsyielded memorabilia signed by

prominent athletes andentertainers and was conductedby the foundation's PublicRelations Director, Mr. AkbarGbajabiamila and Mr. Richard

Rozman, Director ofDevelopment Ms. GeorgiaRichards, Foundation BoardDirector.

The occasion also featureda live jazz band, a Nigeriandance group and specialmusical performance by theartistically gifted students whoparticipated in the ACTSprogram.

Mr. Akbar Gbajabiamila conducting

the life auction

Mr. Frank Oti and Mr Richard Rozman

Board Directors

Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Williams Donors of the

Center Piece arrangements

Mr. Seun Adebiyi accepting

Humanitarian AwardMr. Nnamdi Asomugha, Foundation

Chairman addressing the attendees

Asomugha Foundation Members and Board

Rev.(Dr.) Cecil Murray (left) recieving Life

Time Achievement Award


Ogene Umunna Cultural dance troupe

Entertainment/Culture section

Nestled in Down Town Manhattan be-

tween 51st Street and Utica, 9JA VILLA

is an Oasis for relaxation in the hustle

and bustle of the big apple. 9JA VILLA

was pioneered by Chy Chy Ezeogu pop-

ularly known as Chy Chy New York , an

entrepreneur and business woman with

years of experience in the hospitality in-

dustry. The concept of 9ja Villa restau-

rant, bar and lounge is to provide a one

stop center for food, entertainment and

winding down for people in Brooklyn and

in the greater New York area.

9Ja Villa also has private luxury

rooms and meeting rooms that guests

can rent for private meetings and enter-

tainment.

Your event can be hosted by 9ja

Villa professional caterers or you can

hold your private party at 9ja Villa

Restaurant.

Bar and Lounge.

9ja Villa has a well stocked bar with a

wide array of gin, whisky, schnapps,

vodka, domestic and foreign beer etc..

The restaurant boasts of the follow-

ing assorted culinary selections at inedi-

ble prices.


Entertainment/Culture

STARTERS

Suya

Grilled Meat with TraditionalSpices

Fried Calamari

Fresh Fish Pepper Soup

Goat Pepper Soup

Fried Cassava

Plantain(Dodo)

SOUPS

Egusi

Ogbono

Efo Vegetable Soup

Okra & Stew

Bitter Leaf Soup

DESERTS

Cheese Cake

Carrot Cake

Red Velvet

MAIN COURSE

Chilean Sea Bass

Served Grilled or Steamedin Special Seasoning

Whole Tilapia

Served Grilled or Steamed

Steamed Snails

Served in a Spicy Stew SauceBuka Stew

Jamaican Style Oxtail

Cooked in Caribbean Spices

Stew

Traditional stew served with your Choice Of:

Chicken, Meat or Fish

Smoked Dried Fish(stockfish)

Jollof Rice

Steamed Rice

Cooked in Spiced Up Tomato Stew

With your choice of:


Fried Yam



Asaro(yam porridge)



(All soups served with your

choice of Eba, Pounded Yam or

Amala and all main course

served with Rice, Salad & Plan-

tain)

There is also plans to start the

9JA villa club and after hours

from 9PM to 1 AM on Thursday,

Friday and Saturday nights

with the best DJ in town and oc-

casional life bands..


Hours:

Mondays: Closed

Tuesdays-Fridays 3PM to 1AM

Saturday-Sunday 4 PM to 4 AM

Take outs and Rental available

Visit us today at:

5023 Avenue N.

(Between E. 51st Streetand Utica Ave)

Brooklyn, NEW YORK 11234

Tel: 718-677-9500

web site : www.9jaVilla.com

Email: [email protected]

M E N U AT 9 J A V I L L A

For several Nigerians of my

generation, the ease of keeping in

touch with each other is an after-

thought. With the onset of social

networking, your former classmate,

your best friend from kindergarten,

and the childhood neighbor that

you lost contact with are all acces-

sible at the click of a button.

What excites me most about

these newfound connections is the

use of websites like Facebook,

Twitter, and Tumblr as political fo-

rums. Facebook Activism (as some

describe it) is sharing one’s stance

on political issues through a social

networking site for all one’s friends

to see. These posts can be in the

form of an ideologically-driven

status update, a thought-provoking

picture, a controversial news article

and the like. In the past month,

Nigerian youth from all over the

world came together through these

social media websites to hold the

first youth-oriented presidential de-

bate.

What About Us? is a coalition of

socially-conscious organizations

asking Nigerian leaders what they

propose to do for Nigeria’s largest

population, its youth -70% of Nige-

rians are under the age of 30.

(http://whataboutusnigeria.org).

During the debate, young Nigerians

posed questions through Facebook

and Twitter challenging presidential

candidates about how exactly they

intend to serve the needs of the

Nigerian youth. The feedback was

amazing.

This year’s legislative, execu-

tive, and gubernatorial elections

have proven to be the fairest to

date in Nigeria. I believe the youth

have had every part to do with this.

Several videos, photographs, and

status updates flood social net-

working sites daily as young people

attempt to keep their political par-

ties honest. Posting such items on-

line generates great dialogue

among friends regardless of their

individual political affiliations. These

posts also force people to do their

homework about their political de-

cisions as they are preserved on-

line for everyone to see and

challenge if wrong.

As a young Nigerian, I am thor-

oughly impressed and inspired

by my fellow youth. I am

positive that as a result of

our drive, perseverance,

and social awareness,

Nigeria has no choice

but to move in the

right direction.

Ijeoma NwawkaNew England School of Law,

Class of 2012

Juris Doctorate


youth


Youth

Spring time is here with summer

around the corner. Soon it will be-

come hotter, longer days and warm

breezy nights. The sky, bright blue

will look freshly painted and the stars

dispersed throughout will sparkle.

The weather which has made Cali-

fornia famous and admired all over

the world is upon us. Along with this

weather comes the time for vaca-

tions and fun.

Many tourists every year come

to California to see what makes it so

popular. However many Californians

are yet to take the opportunity to see

for themselves. Living in another

state made me realize how lucky we

are here on the west coast. It made

me realize how much we take our

lifestyles, weather, and social lives

for granted. It wasn’t until I was only

able to visit home for a few months

on summer vacations did I realize

how much I really missed and loved

the west coast.

Not everyone is blessed with

designated vacation time and the

wherewithal to take a family vacation

every year. With the financial hard-

ships across the country, this may be

the hardest time to take a vacation

and enjoy what God has blessed

California with. I’ve learned and am

still learning that there are many

great local fun and inexpensive

recreation places that can be en-

joyed with the family. The thought of

money should not discourage one

from enjoying our beautiful weather.

One place that must not be for-

gotten which gives this state one of

its greatest appeals is the beach.

Besides beaches, there are different

sites such as museums and malls

waiting to be explored. For those of

us who like to sit around inside and

not keen on exercising, I suggest

getting out of the house once in a

while and try visiting a museum, or

an outdoor mall.

Many cities in the LA area have

days designated for swap meets or

farmers market. These can be great

places to walk around and explore.

For those who like music, look

around your local cities for free con-

certs in the park. These are great

places for a picnic, dancing or relax-

ation with live entertainment.

For pet lovers, try walking

around a dog park once in a while. It

can be a great place for you and

your pet to socialize. If you don’t

own or have access to a private

pool, a great place to take the kids

when it gets hot is a local city pool.

They are inexpensive. Adults can

cool off with the kids too! With those

with some financial leeway, a fair is a

fun and experienced filled place.

In southern California we are

lucky to have the Orange County fair

and the LA County fair during the

summer. I will recommend that

everyone experiences either of them

(the fairs) at least once. There are so

many different attractions, food, cul-

tures and sites, etc. for a 1$ on the

first day.

Most of us have more time than

we realize. You don’t have to wait

until you are on vacation to enjoy the

summer weather. Not every vacation

or outing has to be expensive. With

a little imagination and effort you can

find and do many things you weren’t

even aware this great state offers. I

encourage those who have grown

accustom to the all work, no play fast

paced lifestyle of California to do

something different this summer.

Take the time to go to someplace

you haven’t been in a long time or

try a new experience with your family

or friends. Chances are, I believe, it

will remind you why we all appreci-

ate this great state.

Besides beaches, there are different sites suchas museums and mallswaiting to be explored.


People and Places

Chief George Ilouno (Olili) at 50...The Los Angeles social circuit is not complete

without Chief George Ilouno...(Olili)

Nze Ezeonyeolulu and Odenjiji Nimo,

Odenigbo Abagana and Okohia of Umuihi

This great son of Nigeria celebrated his

remarkable 50 years and was

roasted at a ceremony that drew

the cream of the Nigerian com-

munity at the Hollywood Park

Casino, Los Angeles on

March 26,

2011..

Q and A and a twenty

page photo spread of

this event of the year!


People and Places

Chief George Oranyelu Ilounowas born in 1960 to a devoutChristian family of the late ChiefGabriel and Mrs. ChristianaIlouno. He hails from Ifiteani-Nimo, Njikoka Local GovernmentArea, Anambra State, Nigeria.

He had his early education atGovernment School Aba andNational High School Aba and in1983 he left to United States ofAmerica to further his education.

He obtained a degree inhealth science and is an alumniof Charles R. Drew University ofMedicine and Science LosAngeles California, USA wherehe obtained a Certificate inPhysician Assistant (Medicine)Cum laude specialized in primarycare/ family medicine.

Currently, he is co-owner anddirector of GB Medical Services,an outpatient substance abuseclinic in Long Beach California.Chief Ilouno, popularly known asOlili is a committed leader ofpeople. He believes in servingmankind, which he takes as alifetime commitment that requiresone’s willingness to make ultimatesacrifices such as committing time,talent, knowledge and personalfinance in order to achieve theultimate goal of the people.

Chief Ilouno is a committedhusband and father and has beenmarried for several years to hisbeautiful wife Ngozi and they areblessed with four children.

In this interview with our

Entertainment and Culture editor,

Ambrose Ehirim, Chief Ilouno talks

about his Life at 50 and his many

accomplishments in his service to

humanity:

I am here at Hollywood Park

Casino Ballroom looking at a

variety of landscape with people

from all walks of life coupled with

a cast of keynote speakers

surrounding you. You are being

roasted in a grand style, in an

event commemorating your 50th

birthday. It was electric and the

crowd was overwhelming. What

was going through your mind

while being roasted?

Well, I would say satisfaction,

looking at the crowd and all the well

wishers, I was happy and thankful

knowing for the fact that I am

appreciated for my contributions in

my community. And as somebody

who loves people I wanted

everybody to come and celebrate

my life with me while I am still alive.

Tell me about the medical

mission. When was it conceived

and of what purpose?

Actually, the medical mission

was conceived in 2004 when I

became the President of Nimo

National Union, USA and

CANADA..(NBS Americas). One of

my campaign promises was that if I

am elected president, I will organize

a free medical mission to Nimo at

no cost to NBS Americas in 2004. It

was not easy in the beginning but

the mission eventually became a

success. After the success of the

medical mission to Nimo under my

Presidency, Anambra State

Association – USA (ASA-USA) got

me involved and made me the

coorddinator of ASA-USA medical

mission because of what they saw

as the result of Nimo's Medical

Mission. Becoming the coordinator

for ASA-USA, I led a team of

medical professionals from different

countries to Anambra State for free

A MAN OF THE PEOPLE:Q and A interview with Chief George Ilouno...(Olili)


People and Places

medical treatment and supply of

medications to thousands of

Amambra people under ASA-USA. I

was visiting home two times a year.

In August, I will go for ASA-USA

medical mission and in December I

will go for Nimo Town Union medical

mission. We did that from 2004 to

2007 when another person took

over the mission, and I said, listen,

that Nimo medical mission must

continue. Actually, this December,

we are trying to embark on another

medical mission to Nimo.

You facilitated the laying of

the foundation phase of Nimo

Civic Center and building of

toilets in primary schools. Tell me

about it.

When I took over the presidency

of Nimo Town Union, USA.and

CANADA.(NBS Americas), the civic

center was in the formative stage

and my administration laid the

foundation stone. The whole idea

for the construction is that it will

attract a lot of jobs and other things

for the people of Nimo.

On building of toilets in the

primary schools, actually, during my

Presidency, education was one of

our executive agenda and

renovation of schools. We thought

about giving scholarships. So when

we visited home we found out that

most of the pupils were going to

toilet in the forest. So I presented

the case to Nimo Town Union in

USA and CANADA that we need to

do something about it. So our

collective decision was to build

toilets for all the primary schools in

Nimo.

What you are doing is what

the government supposedly

should be doing, the civic center,

building and equipping the

schools and other social

programs. What’s your take on

the government not being held

accountable?

Accountability has been what I

do preach. The question is what are

they doing with the funds the federal

government gives to the states,

especially for education and other

things? What are they really doing?

It is quite discouraging but what can

one do. We cannot sit back and

watch our loved ones at home be

without basic necessities like power,

water, equipping the schools and

other things. And that is why most of

us who are community leaders here

in Diaspora try as much as we can,

So all we can do is to help.

But again, we the community

leaders here, as watchdogs we will

continue to put pressure on the

government hoping one day the

right government will come and

listen to the cry of the people. When

Ngige took over, he laid the

foundation for good governance.

Before Ngige took over Anambra

State, Anambra was forgotten,

nobody knew that roads will be built,

schools will be built, but actually in

the two or three years that he was

in the government house, he was

able to improve a lot of things. Now

he has set precedence for good

governance. Governor Obi is trying

because he took over where Ngige

stopped. So the goal now is to

make sure that whatever good they

are doing for the people will

continue with any administration

that succeeds them. So things are

getting better and we expect things

to continue to improve. The issue is

that if you have the right person,

then the people will be ok.

Tell me about Peoples Club

International, Los Angeles

Branch

I am a founding member of

People’s Club International, Los

Angeles Branch and also currently


People and Places

1st Vice Chairman. The club was

founded three years ago and the

reason actually I came into People’s

club is the way I do things. I am a

social person. I went to an event in

East Coast and saw how club

members carry themselves. So I

came back to Los Angeles and

talked to few people, I know. Then I

said Los Angeles is a very big place

and we need to have something like

that. Some few people agreed with

me and we got together, talked over

it and we consulted the Chairman of

Philadelphia branch, Dr. Ezegozie

Eze who helped us and came to

Los Angeles personally and we

talked it over, and that’s the way

Los Angeles branch came. Actually,

to be honest with you, we are a

force to be reckoned with among

clubs in Los Angeles and also most

in the United States, because we

are growing.

As a social club there are

objectives, short and long term

goals. For instance, in the whole

of Los Angeles, there are no

banquet halls and things like that

we can call our own. Is there

anything in that order?

Thank you! You read my mind,

you know, because if you follow the

history of People’s Club, both in

Nigeria and anywhere; People’s

Club are, they like to have a hall,

and they always have their own hall.

It’s not a choice; it’s something that

have to be because the goal of the

club is about members welfare and

without them having a club where

members can socialize and going

there anytime they want, then that’s

not what people’s club is all about.

Peoples Club is where a member

can walk up go to a hall where he

can eat and drink as the place

belongs to them. So to answer your

question, yes, that’s one of our

agenda and we are working towards

that. The goal is to get a People’s

Club Hall of Los Angeles. I think we

have the capability to do it within a

short time because the members

are actually excited, and it will be

done.

I have heard about ‘Olili Cup’

and it looks like a big project. Tell

me about it.

You are right because ‘Olili Cup’

is something I love because it

involves the youth. I connect to the

youths because I have always liked

to do something for the youths. This

is because they are the great

leaders of tomorrow. I considered

the idea when I was still president of

President of Nimo National Union,

USA and CANADA..(NBS

Americas). In 2006, after I stopped

being president of Nimo Town

Union, the youths approached me,

saying Olili, what can I do for them,

that they want, a cup. I said ok, I

need a coordinator. ‘Olili Cup’

started in 2006 with Engineer Iyke

Ezeoke as coordinator and right

now the tournament is played every

year. Nimo has kept it lively. We had

two presidents in Nimo then that

actually helped me implement it.

One was Chief Jones Akpu who

was the national president of Nimo

and the other person was Chief

Chris Obiefuna. Without both great

men , I don’t think ‘Olili Cup’ would

have been able to go far. And after

that, in 2010, Chief Obiefuna said

that due to the status of ‘Olili Cup’,

‘Olili Cup’ is going to be an

institution. So he institutionalized

‘Olili Cup’. Institutionalize means

that even though I’m not there, ‘Olili

Cup’ has to continue. And they

called it ‘Olili Cup’ Tournament. I’m

looking forward to this year’s

December ‘Olili Cup’.

The photo essay of the

grand celebration of Chief

George Ilouno at 50 held at the

Hollywood park Casino Los

Angeles on March 26, 2011

follows on page 41


People and Places

OLILI WORSHIPPING AND DANCING BEFORE GOD ; WITH HIM ARE DR BENARD OKWELOGU AND ODIBEZE

PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY BY LAY LEADER DAN MUOGBO FAMILY LISTENING TO THE WORD OF GOD PROCESSING FOR CHURCH SERVICETO MARK OLILI'S 50TH BIRTHDAY

OLILI PRAISING AND DANCING UNTO THE LORD MINISTRATION LED BY ARCHDEACON DR. BEN NWORIE

Continued from page 39... photo essay


People and Places

ARCHDEACON DR. BEN NWORIES, OLILI & HIS WIFE AND MRS. OLIVE NWORIE

SINGING HYMN DURING THE SERVICE

OLILI AND HIS WIFE AND THEIR CHILDREN

OLILI CHILDREN IN THE SERVICEOLILI IN HIGH SPIRIT OF PRAISE

ARCHDEACON DR. NWORIE POSSES WITH OLILI'S FAMILY


People and Places

CHIEF & LOLO (MRS) GEORGE ILOUNO(OLILI) OLILI'S MUM. MRS. CHRISTINA ILOUNO& MRS. PATIENCE OKEKE

DR CHRIS ANIEDOBE, VICTOR ANYAENEH AND OLILICHIEF CHRIS & DR (MRS.) BENE IGUH WITHOLILI & HIS WIFE

CHIEF SAM & LOLO EVELYN NWIGWE

PRINCE TONY ONYEAGORO & OLILI


People and Places

OLILI'S FAMILY AND FRIENDS

CROSS SECTION OF NIMO DELEGATES

OLILI, DR. (MRS.) BENE IGUH & KALIAOZO NIMO

CROSS SECTION OF NIMO DELEGATES AND CHIEFS

Emma, Law, Lawrence, Olili, Nnamdi, Dave

CHIEF CHRIS & DR. (MRS.) BENE IGUH,NGOZI IKEAKOR AND ALFRED AGBIM


People and Places

OLILI TESTIFYING DURING THE CHURCH SERVICE

OLILI FAMILY GEORGIA, GEORGETTE, CHIEF GEORGE,LOLO NGOZI, GEORGE JR, VALENTINE

MRS. OLIVE NWORIE& ENGR. TONY OKAFOR PAT NDIGWE & VICKY NDUBUAKU

DR SOLOMON EGBUHOTHE MASTERS OF CEREMONY HON. CHRIS OBIEJE AND DR. SOLO EGBUHO

BEING INTRODUCED BY BEN NKENMERE


People and Places

LOLO (MRS) VICKY MMAGU AND DAUGHTER ONYINYEOLILI & FELIX OKOYE

FROM LT. AKUMUO, OKAFOR,UKETUI, MMAGU, IFEDIBA, AND CHUKWURA (KALIOZO)


People and Places

Hon. Chief (Dr) Emma Mmagu (Delaware) and Chief Frank

Ifediba (Omenyi Nimo) Los Angeles

From Lt. Mrs Ada Okpoko, Hon Dr Greg Omile (Virginia), Felix Okoye (Philadelphia)

with Olili and Odibeze during Toasting at Olili Day in Los Angeles

Mrs. Cee Asiegbu (Atalanta) with Odibeze during

Toasting at Olili Day in Los Angeles

Olili and Odibeze making a grand entry

Hon Chief Frank and Barrister (Mrs) Dorothy Akpangbo

Oby Unaka, Joy Ochoifeoma and Regina Chiegboka


People and Places

Hon. Chief Charles Adimora (Wagner) Chairman Peoples Club

of Nigeria, Los Angeles addressing the audience

From Rt, Chief Patrick Utom, (Akubundu) Chief George Ezeh (Oyiba Nkanu) President Igbo CulturalAssociation, Los Angeles., Chief (Dr) Dan Egonuigwe (Akuruouro) dancing with Olili

Chief (Sir) Moses and Lady Chibuzo Anusiem


People and Places

From Rt. Ms. Ngozi Nnorom , Lady Ada Ozo Grace Agude, President UmuAda Ndi- Igbo

in Diaspora , a friend and Lady Chinyere Ivoko

From Rt. Theresa Orjiakor, Ngozi Nyenke, and

Ifesinachi Iloputife leads the Los Angeles beauties with

Olili and Odibeze

Eunice Chine, Ekwy Okeke, Ngozi Okonkwo

and Amaka Nwude.


People and Places

Members of Obinwanne Gruop:From Lt. Vicky Ndubaku, Dora Okoye, Sally Okeke, Ogo Ogbuehi,

Georgy Eze, and Ngozi Egwuatu

From Lt. Mrs. Oby Unaka, Mrs Joy Ochoifeoma, Odibeze, Olili, and Hon. Charles and Mrs Chinwe Izuakor

Hon Hope Ikeobi (Omeruorah) with Olili and Odibeze

During Toasting

Hon Kinglsey and Mrs Chy Uba

Mrs. Eunice Okpara with excitement after

Toasting

Chief (Engr) John & Lolo (Mrs) Felicia Agbo

after Toasting


People and Places

Prince Okey Ezeh (Eze na Ukpo) and Princess Ujunwa Ezeh(Akpunanwu) During Olili Day in Los Angeles

Chief Charles (Wagner) and Lolo (Mrs.) Cey Adimora,

Chairman Peoples Club of Nigeria Los Angeles

A Section of Nimo Delegates; From Lft, Alfred Agbim (Denver), Law Oliobi (Ezeligaba) Dallax, Mbanabalagu (Paul Ifediba) Los Angeles Ede Nimo (Mmagu), Delaware,Ikenga Nimo (Uketui) Misiouri Ugobguzue ( Dave Akumuo) New Jersey Omenyi Nimo (Frank Ifediba), Los Angeles and Nwachinemelu (Ilouno) Dallax Texas

From Lt. Nnamdi Aniedobe, Chief Theodre Okunna(Apiti Ukpo), Odibeze, Olili and Chief Frank Amobi (Ugogbuzue Ogidi)

Hon Emmanuel Eyo (The Great) and

Princess Beatrice Eyo (Lady Excel)

Hon Larry and Ada Dollars Nwafor


People and Places

Chief (Dr) Nwachukwu Anakwenze(OkaaOmee Abagana)

Chief Engr, (Nze) John Awujo (Mbieri)

The Iloputife's (Adadioranma)

Lady Ada Ozo Grace Agude (National President Umuada Ndi -Igbo in Diaspora) with Chief Uloma Ihenachor, a leader of Umu

Ada Ndi-Igbo during Olili's day in Los Angeles

Chief (Dr) and Lolo (Mrs) Benard Okwelogu (Fresno) Kpakpando Ozubulu during Olili Day

in Los Angeles

Chief Marius Chukwurah (Kaliaozo Nimo) Chief (Dr.) Chika and Lolo Ada Okoro


People and Places

Prince Goddy & Princess Nkiru NdukweHON. CHARLES AND MRS. CHINWE IZUAKOR ( STAINLESS)

Nze, Engr. Reginald and Lolo (Mrs) ChiChi Agunwah during Olili Day in Los An-

geles.

Mr & Mrs Frank Osemeka Prince Tony and Princess UloakuOnyeagoro with a friend

Chief Nathan Obele(Ofuonye tili Ijele)


People and Places

Chief (Engr) Martin & Lolo (Mrs) Amaka Okpala Mr & Mrs Ejike Mbaruguru Mr & Mrs Sylvernus Ebiriekwe

Hon Chike Nweke, Publisher & CEO of LIFE & TIMESMagazine with the Executive Editor Pst. Arthur Abraham JP

Chief (Mrs.) Iloputaife(Adadioramma) with Olili and Odibeze Prince Chinedu Ikeanyi and Chief (Dr) NwachukwuAnakwenze during Olili Day in Los Angeles


People and Places

Engr. Mike Ogele Roasts Olili, During Olili Day in Los Angeles

Hon Richard and Lolo Christy Onwuemelie Sir Chris and Lady Oge Okpala Hon Christopher and Mrs Uchechukwu Anigbogu

Hon Tony Nwude in red cap socializing with the crowd during Olili dayChief Jimmy Asiegbu (Okwuroha) Roasts Olili with him are Hon. Charles

Izuakor, Odibeze, Ifeanyi Okoye and Chief Chris Iguh


Sports

Chief Ben and Lolo (Mrs) Barbara AmadiChief & Lolo (Mrs) Frank AmobiEngr. Mike and Dr (Mrs) Tonia Ogele

Atlanta beauties, Cee Asiegbu and Friend Dur-

ing Olili Day in Los Angeles

Chief Chris Unaka & Lolo(Mrs) Oby UnakaHon. Bright and Mrs Ngozi Egwuatu


People and Places

Famous Akalaka Dance Group Performing

During Olili day in Los Angeles

Nze (Dr.) Cliff Obi (Founder Socialite Magazine)

Famous Akalaka Dance Group Performing During Olili day in Los Angeles

Famous Umunna Cultural Band Performing Famous Umunna Cultural Band Performing

Famous Akalaka Dance Group Performing During Olili day in Los Angeles

Masquerade Performance from Enugu State During

Olili Day in Los AngelesFamous Umunna Cultural Band Performing During Olili Day in Los Angeles


People and Places

Mrs. Nnenna Unaka and Dr. (Mrs) Tonia OgeleMr. and Mrs. Obialisi and friends

Mrs. Chinwe Izuakor, Mrs. Oge Okpala

and friend

Mrs Obiwuru with other Los Angeles beauties

Hon Okwuii and Dr (Mrs) Ifeanyinwa Okeke

Hon. Okwuii Benny Okeke congratulating Olili


People and Places

Mr and Mrs Ndubuisi Aniemeka

Nnenna Iwuala and Valentine Onwuekwe

From Lt. Oby Unaka, Joy Ochoifeoma, Olili, Odibeze and Charles Izuakor

Mr. Peter & Mrs Joy Ochoifeoma

From Lt. Hon Charles Izuakor, Hon Iyke Agbasi, Chido Nwangwu (Founder Class Magazine)

and Hon. Gerry Udemezue

Hon. Ben Nkemere (Event floor Manager)


People and Places

Dr and Mrs, Charles Okoye

Chief Sunday Okoro on the dance Floor

Lady Joe Akametalu, Lady Ada Ozo (Nonye)Agude, and Chi Mbelu

Hon Eddy and Ijeoma Akametalu

Chief Tony and Lolo Tonia Ofoha

Cross Section of Los Angeles Men during Olili Day

Mrs. ChiChi Okapla and friend

Chief and Mrs. Austin Onwualuwith Mrs. Ngozi Obiora

Chief and Lolo Benson Ahumibe

Ifeanyi Ibediro, Hon. Chairman EmmaIbe, and Hon. Emma Chime


People and Places

Mr. and Mrs. Okey Ogbuehi

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Anyanwu

Chief and Lolo Udo Nwachukwu

Mr. and Mrs. Obiwuru

Dr Frank and Mrs Georgy Eze

Mr. and Mrs. Ani-Igbokwe Mrs. Bridget Nwaukwa and friends

Chief and Lolo (Mrs.) Greg Okoye

From Lt, May, Chief Hillary Ihenachor, Reward and Chidozie during Olili Day Arch. Ik and Atty Chi Mbelu


People and Places

The Igbo people are one of

the three major and most influ-

ential ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe an Igbo man

was one of the founding fathers

of Nigeria who were instrumen-

tal in securing Nigeriaâ€™s in-

dependence from Britain in

1960. Over the years the Igbos

have helped in shaping Nigeria's

political, economic, educational

and social development.

On September 18, 2010, the

Frontier Culture Museum,

Staunton, Virginia formally

opened the first of its kind, Igbo

Farm Village in Staunton, Vir-

ginia. The Igbo Farm Village was

modeled after traditional Igbo

Compound in the 1700 and

1800 period. The authorities of

the museum which curates the

affairs of early settlers in Amer-

ica commissioned the Igbo Farm

Village to the appreciation of his-

torians of Igbo life and sympa-

thizers world-wide.

Since many scholarly works

point to Nri people as the custo-

dians of the Igbo culture, Eze Nri

(the King of Nri) in recognition of

the honor bestowed to the Igbos

by virtue of the Igbo Farm Vil-

lage, called on the Nri people in

the Diaspora to attend the dedi-

cation of the Village as his dele-

Igbo FarmVillage In Staunton,

Virginia


People and Places

gates. The call was answered!

The dedication was marked

with fanfare. The procession to

the Village was led by Igbo tradi-

tional Igbo dancers. The atten-

dees who were over a thousand

were regaled by our traditional

dancers and different masquer-

ade groups. It was a grand!

Dr. James E. Lyons, Sr., Sec-

retary of Higher Education, State

of Maryland represented Gover-

nor Martin O'Malley, of Mary-

land. Dr. Lyons, an inductee to

Nri Kingdom expressed his grati-

tude as an Igbo man and for the

unique opportunity of represent-

ing his governor in that capacity

for occasion. He proudly shared

his Igbo name – Nnaamdi and

his wife’s Igbo name – Nneka

with the attendees.

Dr. Lyons was a former Pres-

ident of California State Univer-

sity, Dominguez in the Los An-

geles area. Chief Maja Umeh,

Anambra State Commissioner

for Information and Culture rep-

resented Governor Peter Obi, of

Anambra State, Nigeria. In his

speech, he lauded the Frontier

Culture Museum for their role in

helping to preserve the Igbo cul-

ture and in recognition of that

endeavor, made a donation of

$50,000 on behalf of Anambra

State.

In his speech, John Avoli,

Executive Director, Frontier Cul-

ture Museum of Virginia, stated

that the reason the Igbo people

were honored was to recognize

the role of the slaves who were

of Igbo extraction in the

founding and devel-

opment of the State

of Virginia. Other

early settlers of Vir-

ginia like the English,

the Irish, and the German who

contributed to the founding and

development of the State have

been honored with their own vil-

lages, so the Igbo Farm Village

was quite befitting.

The Igbo Farm Village re-

ceived great reviews. Con-

structed in the typical Igbo

architectural format, with mud

fences, mud buildings including

the obi with thatched roof, the

Village, hosts a variety of wan-

dering domestic animals as

would be found in any traditional

Igbo village today. The Village is

a MUST SEE when in the Vir-

ginia area.

The following pages are the

photo essay of this event...

Patricia Nwabuaku-Enyekwe Akudinobicontributed this article to LIFE AND TIMES magazineand works as a Community Outreach Officer withCalifornia State University, Dominguez Hills

People and Places

Entrance to the frontier Culture Museum Umu Ada Igbo in Procession

Chief Maja Umeh Anambra State Commi-

sioner for Information and Culture

Entrance to the Igbo Compound Drummers accompany congregations

to the dedication venue

Dr. James E. Lyons, Sr., (Nnamdi) with

his Igbo family members

Emeka and Pat Akudinobi with

brother in-law, Chief Larry Enyekwe

Masqurade display

Procession to the dedication venue


People and Places

Nri Delegates NPU-USA

Guest Speaker

Dinner is served Roasted Yam

with Palm Oil

Lacy B. King,Jr., Mayor,

City of Staunton speaking

at the dedication

Cutting of the Ribbon

John Avoli - Museum Executive Director

Dr James E. Lyons Sr, Secretary of Higher

Education representing Governor Martin

O'Malley, Maryland

Dr Anakwenze and friends


Feature


The Publisher of Life and Times Magazine has

thought it expedient to address the lure known as

Immigration. This is in consonant with the magazine’s

mission to correct the negative stereotypes that

Nigerians have been associated with in the Western

Media. I feel honored to undertake this auspicious

duty of contributing to the immigration column, fully

cognizant of the retinue of persons likely to sponge

my every-stroke of the pen.

In Genesis Chapter 12, verse 1 the Lord said unto Abram, get thee out of thy country, and from thykindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that Iwill shew (sic) thee: This command of God and obedience

of Abram is the first act of immigration that is actually

captured in print. This then authenticates the dictionary

definition of Immigration as the coming into a new

country, region or environment in order to settle there.

Our approach to this interesting discourse shall

be, first to examine all the myths and tales surrounding

immigration to the United States with a hope to

busting them. We shall provide a road map to a less

stressful (NOT STRESS FREE) approach to legitimizing

the stay in the United States after successful entry.

While doing these we shall make concerted efforts not

to bore your reading with legalese, Statutes, Case

Law and Congressional Bills. Since we do not have

an encyclopedia of common misconceptions vis-A-vis

acquisition of Green Card, we shall encourage those

with questions and experiences worth sharing, to

contact us.

Although the United States is our focus, we

understand that Nigerians travel and immigrate to

all countries of the world. For this reason, we shall

interpolate our write-up on the US Immigration with

articles from other countries of the world as soon as

we have authentic materials from able and willing

contributors. It is important to mention that the articles

are not in any way intended to be legal advice and/or

substitute to legal representation.

Irrespective of the reasons for immigration, there

are mainly two types of immigrants. The Voluntary

Immigrants and the Involuntary Immigrants. Whatever

category one falls under, it is pertinent to know that

the laws in the United States, and any country for that

matter, must be obeyed. One such law that is lifeline

to the immigrant is to be documented and be a legal

resident.

We look forward to getting feed back from all our

readers. Until next edition, stay true to yourself. Like

my grand father would say, it is permissible for the

blind to ask whether there is oil in his soup; but

whether the soup has salt is a personal undertaking,

even for the blind.

Attorney Paulinus Eiche

Contributed this article to Life and Times

and is a CA licensed attorney and Principal Partner

in the Law Offices Paulinus E. Eiche and Associates

he can be reached at [email protected]

Lifes issues from the heart

Effective Parentingand Finding Balance inthe Whirlwind of Life

Little Matt was always unkempt,

late for school and rarely turned in his

homework. One day, I invited his

mother to come in and let’s have a

talk about how she and I might be

able to work together as

parent/teacher to help him. On the

day of our appointment, Matt’s mom

walked in looking really frazzled. She

was obviously emotionally and physi-

cally overwhelmed. Matt was 1 of her

4 children, and she seemed to give off

the vibe that her problems were just

about to drown her.

I truly empathized with Matt’s

mom. I understand how difficult it can

be for a parent to effectively help their

children when they themselves are

going through stressful life situations.

Parenting can be daunting and ex-

hausting, and there is so much to ac-

complish within a 24-hour period. At

the same time, parents must be in the

right mental and physical form to ef-

fectively parent their children and

manage their own lives.

In the wheel of life, the list below

adds value to parenting:

1. Eating right – taking time to

cook and savor nutritious

meals

2. Raising intelligent, well-

rounded, successful children

3. Keeping a clean house

4. Maintaining good health,

fitness and image

5. Pursuing career, work and

finances

6. Self-improvement and

personal growth

7. Maintaining healthy

relationships and friendships

8. Making time for God and

spiritual growth

Which of these things do you think

could be left out of this list? None,

right? They are all important to our

lives and our wellbeing. This means

we have to allot time everyday to ac-

complish them, otherwise some as-

pects of our lives might suffer. For

instance, stress that affects parents

can also affect children. Not exercis-

ing and eating right contributes to nu-

merous health problems, which can

affect kids. It’s therefore important to

find balance, and this means doing all

the things we need to do to advance

our lives and our children’s lives in a

positive direction.

I’ve found that one of the most ef-

fective ways to achieve balance is to

stand in your own truth. To honor who

you are as a person, to accept what

you have and can afford, and to en-

gage only in those activities that bring

you positive fulfillment.

To find balance, ask yourself this

question. Who or what is controlling

your life? What is making it impossi-

ble for you to achieve balance? When

you identify them, eliminate them from

your life so that you can regain con-

trol of your life. When we invest less

effort in the things that don’t add value

to our lives, we begin to embrace bal-

ance and fulfillment.

Nicoline Ambe (Ph.D.) is a teacher in Comp-ton, CA. She is also a speaker and consult-ant on parenting issues, and is the author ofthe upcoming book “A Teacher’s Notes:Helping Parents Prepare Their Children atHome for Success in School.” More infor-mation about Nicoline can be found on herwebsite www.nicolineambe.com. Photo bySuzzy Ndiforchu.

BY Nicoline Ambe (Ph.D.)


Environmental, Science and Technology

Green energy is an environ-

mentally friendly form of energy

that produces less air pollution

and avoids environmental

impacts as compared to other

sources of energy production.

Green Energy from

waste water.

When wastewater leaves

your home, it travels to a treat-

ment plant where it is treated.

During the treatment process,

bacterial break down the waste-

water solids and create a

methane-rich biogas. The

biogas is used in microturbine to

generate eletricity. The gener-

ated electricity can be used to

power homes.

Green energy from

solid waste.

Refuse-to-energy facilities

create renewable energy from

your trash. when trash is placed

in landfills, it breaks down to

create a methane rich biogas.

The gas is collected in pipes,

pulled out of the landfill. Using

vacuum, and used as fuel to

produce electricity. Since

methane is a greenhouse gas,

converting it into electricity

keeps it from warming our

planet. The electricity can also

be used provide homes with

power.

In refuse-to-energy facilities,

trash is burned in a sophisti-

cated process to generate heat

that is then converted into

electricity

Nigeria as a nation should

look into developing our landfills

and build state of the art refuse-

to-energy facilities. This will help

provide some forms of steady

power supply.

By Manny Ojo, Ph.D

GreenEnergyfrom waste, it's naturally a great idea!




WHAT ISYOUR LIFE’SMETAPHOR?

If anything happens to you today, think about it. Itmay be an accident. It may be a coincidence. It maybe the omen. 20th Century Fox presents The Omen.It's too much to be an accident. Too strange to be acoincidence. Too frightening to be ignored. The Omen.

This advertisement reverberated throughout the

movie world in 1976 and intrigued millions of movie

goers, grossing over forty-two million dollars in its

opening weekend alone! Today, let me excite your cu-

riosity and interest in the question: what is your own

life's metaphor? How do you see life? Is your life

purely an accident produced by a moment of intimacy

between your parents? Is it simply a series of coinci-

dences? Or you believe your life is an omen of things

to come? The answer to this question is worth more

than forty-two million dollars.

To say it would make or mar your life's outcome

will be a gross understatement. What you believe is

what will rule your life and if your beliefs are a lie, you

would end up having learned how to make a living but

not having really lived.

Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago hosted a con-

gress in 1923. Nine of the world's most successful fin-

anciers attended it: the president of the Bank of

International Settlements, the president of the largest

utility company, the president of the largest independ-

ent steel company, the president of the largest gas

company, the president of the New York Stock Ex-

change, a member of the president's Cabinet, the

greatest stock broker, the head of the world's greatest

monopoly, and the greatest wheat speculator. These

were the most successful business men of their time.

They all seemed to have mastered the secret of how

to make a fortune.

Now, let's fast-forward twenty-five years later and

observe what their life's metaphor have made out of

them.

. The president of the Bank of International

Settlements, Leon Fraser, died a suicide.

. The president of the largest utility company,

Samuel Insuff, died a fugitive from justice and

penniless in a foreign land.

. The President of the largest independent

steel company, Charles Schwab, died bankrupt

and lived on borrowed money for five years be-

fore his death.

. The president of the largest gas company,

Howard Hopson, went insane.

. The president of the New York Stock Ex-

change, Richard Whitney, was released from

Sing Sing Penitentiary.

. The member of the president's Cabinet,

Arthur Fall, was pardoned from prison so he

could die at home. The greatest "bear" on Wall

Street, Jesse Livermore, died a suicide.

. The greatest wheat speculator, Arthur

Cotton, died abroad, insolvent.



The meeting at the Edgewater Beach

Hotel was a youth congress. All these

men were deceived by their life's

metaphor. Their lives turned out for them

to be something different from what they

thought, hoped and lived for. We were

taught in law school that to deceive is to induce a per-

son to believe that a thing is true which is false and

which the person practicing the deceit knows to be false

or does not believe to be true. To deprive is to defraud

by deceit. It is by deceit to induce a man to act to his

own injury. These men were and countless millions are

currently being deceived by their life's metaphor, in-

ducing them to act to their own injury and depriving

them of the ecstasy of true living.

This article seeks to explain what your life really is

and what you are expected to make of it.

Certainly, your life is not an accident. An accident

is something that happened without being planned, in-

tended, wanted or known in advance. Fortuity. Chance.

Your life was planned. It was intended. It was wanted.

And it was known in advance- by God. He told a man

called Jeremiah that "before I formed you in the womb

I knew you; before you were born I set you apart; I ap-

pointed you as a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah

1:5). The most famous King of ancient Israel, David,

said, "For you created my inmost being; you knit metogether in my mother’s womb. I praise you because Iam fearfully and wonderfully made; your works arewonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hid-den from you when I was made in the secret place.When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained

for me were written in your book be-fore one of them came to be. (Psalms

139:13-16). Do you see now that you

were planned, intended, and formed

by God ?

Your life is not a coincidence. A

coincidence is the chance occurrence

of things at such time as to seem re-

markable or fitting. It is not a chance

occurrence that you were born where,

when, and to whom you were born.

God actually "from one man (he )made every nation of men, that theyshould inhabit the whole earth; and hedetermined the times set for them andthe exact places where they should

live. God did this so that men would seek him and per-haps reach out for him and find him, though he is not farfrom each one of us."(Acts 17:26-27). Again, you see

that your life has a purpose.

Your life is not an omen. An omen is a sign of what

is about to happen. Object or event that is believed to

mean good or bad fortune. Your life is a by-product of

the conglomeration and inter-connectivity of decisions

you make in your life time. It may turn out good or bad.

I am sure you have heard the saying before that your

decisions which translate

into actions will determine

your habits, your habits will

determine your character,

and your character will de-

termine your destiny.

So, what exactly is life?

What exactly is your own

life?

( To be continued )

Dr. Oladipo Kalejaiye holds a doctorate degree in In-

ternational Law. He is licensed to practice law in the

United States and Nigeria. He became a full time min-

ister of the gospel in year 2000, and currently serves

as the senior pastor of International Christian Center,

Los Angeles.

This article

seeks to explain

what your life

really is and what

you are expected

to make of it.

Dr. O

ladip

o K

ale

jaiy

e

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