Vice President, Prof. Osinbajo Speaks To National Enquirer, “We’re All Indebted To Nigeria”

An audience with Professor Yemi Osinbajo, His Excellency the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is like meeting a next door neighbour, the man who’s holding the record of being the first ever celebrated Pastor to be elected as Nigeria’s second citizen is an epitome of humility, and this is one toga that’s standing the duo of Gen. Mohammodu Buhari and the VP out. And quite unlike other aides, the few on the trail of the VP are unassuming; it didn’t take the thoroughbred professional, Laolu Akande who’s the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media & Communication a second to give our proposal to speak to the VP a nod, “that’s not a problem, just tell me about you and your antecedents, then what questions are we looking at”, his words and just after then, he gave us the assurance of meeting to speak with him. The dateline was Saturday, September, 26^th, 2015 at the prestigious Ocean View, Eko Hotel & Suites where one of the newest “Senior Advocate of Nigeria”-Dr. Muiz Adeyemi Banire-SAN is being honoured, it was quite a rowdy but an interesting chat as the VP spoke with National Enquirer’s Editor, Tunde Moshood and Tabloid TV’s Faith Irabor.  You’ll be privileged to read and listen to the broadcast version of the exclusive interview.            

Your Excellency Sir, what’s the shortest way out of this economic logjam?

Well, as you know, there’s great hope, I think we’re dealing with difficult economic situation, but we’ve laid out economic plans which we believe will surmount many of the obstacles that we have, but of course the challenges are there as you know the oil revenues have dipped substantially, you also know of course that we’re still trying to ensure that we block the loop holes as there are in the whole public finance system, so there’s every hope, and am extremely hopeful that we’re going to see a new day in Nigeria.

Nigeria will be 55 in few days, what are your wishes for the nation?

Well, all I can say is that, we have a great nation, this nation is going to be great and there’s plenty we need to do to make it greater but it’s going to be the joint efforts of each and every one of us, all of us must work together to make this nation even greater.

Your Excellency, how does the title of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria-SAN make the judicial system better?

As you know, it’s a recognition of superior talent, hardwork in the profession and every recognition of value has a way of improving, not just the image but also the sense of attainment of everybody involve in the profession, so you can see that when you honour those who have done well, when you give them a privilege, then it encourages everybody else to do well, I think that’s one of the good reasons why we must continue to have the rank of the Senior Advocate of Nigeria because it does encourage everyone else to excel in the profession

Finally, what can you say about our current Fitch ratings of BB- despite the fact that JP Morgan expelled Nigeria from its Bond Index for Emerging Markets?

This is one good question that’s very interesting…well, I think the BB- rating is a welcome development, the nation was really at the peak of its economic struggle when this government came in, we had to formulate various strategies and despite the downturn of oil revenues, despite the worst condition on an account of our revenue falling, Fitch as an international agency affirmed our long term foreign and local currency credit rating at BB- and BB respectively as at the end of 2014 December and that’s very good, now, the point of the matter of course, is that, if the ratings have not changed despite the worst economic situation, it’s because there’s great hope on the part of those who have rated and because we’re on the right economic plans, right economic plans for recovery and that’s the right way to go, we’re settling in for right thinking, we’re ensuring that by blocking the loop holes, we’re fighting corruption, we’re ensuring that there’s transparency in public finance, we have tight monetary policy at the moment but that’s temporary, we have plans, serious plans for agriculture, we’re going to input zero-based budget in our policy, our budget plans have been well laid out, we have our methods of approach for our economic plans, I think we’re well on the right path, what is happening is that, the rating agency has looked at the future and have looked at the plans and they can see great hope in our future, so where else is expected for the agency to look at.

FAAN Head Honcho, Engr. Dunoma Gets Presidential Thumb-Up For Dynamism

Being at the top of his career has not changed his simple character and his quiet demeanour. Engineer Saleh Dunoma, the Managing Director/CEO of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN) would rather bank on his track records instead of indulging in showmanship.  And this must have informed his being noticed to be tipped for the highly coveted National Productivity Award by the President, Mohammadu Buhari. The dynamic man of quiet lifestyle, Engr. Dunoma no doubt appears to share the character traits of simplicity and personal integrity with the President.

It would also have surprised many Nigerians that the country’s newspapers were not full of congratulatory messages to Engr. Dunoma on the announcement of the award to him, not because he does not deserve it, but because it reflects his quiet and simple disposition to life.

 Yet Dunoma is a very hardworking professional, as attested to by the well deserved award of the National Productivity Award bestowed on him by Mr. President, based on the recommendation of the National Productivity Centre of Nigeria.

For the records, Engr. Dunoma also received the award as the 2014 Best Emerging Airport – Africa region at the 4^th Annual Emerging Airports Conference and Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates quietly.

To those who know him or work with him, Engr. Dunoma is a man of high personal integrity. He would rather let his handiwork and performances speak for him than blow his own trumpet.

Dunoma, a civil engineer was appointed Managing Director of FAAN in March, 2014 following a reshufflement in the Management of the Authority where he was until then, the Director of Projects.  Since then, he has worked hard at providing leadership duties expected of him; to enable FAAN, discharge its services at international standards. He has done this in a very professional and unobtrusive way, such that he has been able to carry along various stakeholders in the country’s aviation industry.

Last year, Engr. Dunoma rightly recognised that one of the biggest challenges facing the industry was to ensure that the ongoing upgrade and construction of new airport facilities round the country were done to specification and at highest professional standards. Thus, Dunoma set to work, along with his lieutenants at FAAN, working tirelessly to push forward to completion the ambitious aviation construction projects.

Another big challenge was making sure that our country, Nigeria retained the Category One recertification of our airspace and airport facilities by the US Federal Aviation Authority, FAA, after the recertification exercise.

Indeed, even before he became the chief executive of the government agency, he had been the FAAN’s points-man in the supervision of all these high priority aviation projects.

The Ahmadu Bello University-trained civil engineer had been appointed FAAN’s Director of Projects in 2012, a critical position which gave him direct supervisory responsibility over the ambitious Airport Re-Modelling Project involving at least, 22 federal airports round the country.  

A consummate team player and dedicated professional, Dunoma has spent over three decades in FAAN, a period which has afforded him the opportunity to become an expert in various aspects of aviation facility management, especially in the key areas of security, safety, infrastructure development and maintenance.

Dunoma started his aviation career in the Civil Engineering Department of FAAN in 1980 and rose through the ranks to the zenith.

But even with his appointment to the top job, Dunoma has remained simple and unassuming, preferring to motivate his lieutenants and staff of the aviation agency to deliver top performance in their onerous duties to the country.    

Dunoma recently announced that FAAN would soon start an intensive training of aviation security, airport rescue personnel and fire- fighters. He said the strategy is geared towards promoting safety, security and airport excellence, according to ICAO standards.

Only last week during the airlift of the last batch of Muslim pilgrims at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, he inspected the ongoing construction of the new terminal where he expressed confidence that the terminal will further expand the potential of the ancient city as a hub of commerce and industry.

The FAAN helmsman was also recently at the annual general assembly, conference and exhibition of the Airport Council International (ACI) which held in Panama, a fortnight ago. Dunoma, who was a panellist at the event, emphasized the great prospects of the Nigerian aviation industry to a body that accounts for 590 regular members operating 1,850 airports in 77 countries.

For his diligence in service and hard-work, Engr.Dunoma has received several awards notably, the Distinguished Service Award for Aerodrome Rescue & Fire Fighting Services, Airport Excellence in Safety Award by the Airports Council International (ACI) and a Merit Award of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE amongst others.

Dunoma, the simple, quiet achiever and highly experienced aviation technocrat continues to inspire the men and women he works with at FAAN and beyond, while he keeps his eyes firmly focused on the job at hand.

 By FAAN Spokesperson, Yakubu Dati

Femi Branch Reincarnates With Wife In Aunt Maria

Have you seen this thoroughbred star actor, Femi Branch of late? Anyway, he’s not been around, he’s been seriously busy at a location with his new flick, Aunt Maria where he played 2 roles; one of a male and of a reincarnated woman. As you read this, the interesting movie is just been wrapped up and will be heading for editing soon. And one thing you need to look out for is that, you’ll be privileged to see the wife of the award winning actor playing a role in the yet to be released movie.

According to Femi Branch who’s the producer of the movie, “Aunt Maria”, of course, my fans will have the added benefit of seeing my wife acting alongside me but I won’t give that out for now, they should just be on the look-out for my own Ibitola, he told us during a brief chat.

What an interesting movie you would say, Aunt Maria tells the story of how a dead man reincarnates in form of a woman to revenge for his family for being duped when he was alive, it is produced by Femi Branch, directed by Toka Mcbaror with special prosthetics by Hakeem Effect. Below are some of the location pictures.      

"Lazy Men Are Big Turn-Off For Me"-Sexy Blogger, Helen

She's not just one of those run of the mills bloggers, hers is a thoroughbred

professional who believes in creating a niche in the industry. The very beautiful lady is also one of the few cautious and controversy free female bloggers in Nigeria. Quite humane and respectful, the unassuming lady behind Helenevents blog bares her mind on sundry issues plaguing the new media world as well as her incursion to the online business. You would enjoy the excerpts of the interview she had with your darling online portal, www.enquirermag.blogspot.com.

What prepared you for the challenges of life?

While growing up, I had almost anything I wanted.. my dad made sure I never lacked anything.. but as time went on, things became tough and my sisters were taking up jobs even while in school. My dad was against it but my sisters never stopped trying to work to make some money. I learnt that, all the challenges back then didn’t stop any of them for making the best out of life. It was more like a foundation had been laid in the family. You have to work, you don’t have to rely on anybody all the time. And that’s why immediately after secondary school.. I started doing ushering jobs, calender jobs, pageants etc. Sometimes, I could spend the entire day at a casting and still wouldn’t be picked for the job. When I got admitted in Olabisi Onabanjo University, I could leave school and come to Lagos for a casting or a job. At this time, my dad has passed on… I did a lot of jobs to the extent that I wasn’t disturbing my sisters for money for my upkeep. I always got myself sorted out. I faced several other challenges, I made mistakes but I always learnt from my mistakes. Somehow, I feel this prepared me for the challenges of life. That’s why when I face certain challenges now, I don’t allow it weigh me down for too long. Life comes with different challenges and the ability to deal with those challenges is the greatest thing that anyone can do for him or herself.

Can you share the genesis of your incursion into the media world with us?

It all started back in 2011 while in my final year at Olabisi Onabanjo University… I had stopped modelling/ushering jobs to focus more on school activities because i didn’t want to have an extra year. One day, a friend of mine called to find out what I had been up to and then I told him I had stopped modelling and all I did was school work. So he advised that I start a blog but I didn’t take him serious until few months later when a lecturer in school invited his friend who had an online media platform to come and shed more light on what online advertising was. Luckily for me, the man advised some of us to start a blog. (I was the only one to heed that advice out of over 150 students) I got home and started my research on how to start a blog, what to blog about etc. After five months of monitoring three of my favourite blogs at that time, I decided on what I wanted to blog about and started mine. Basically, I was blogging to while away time rather than just getting involved with bad friends and unnecessary distractions.

Would you say blogging is lucrative, if so give reasons and if not why?

Yes. Blogging is lucrative if you decide to take it seriously… I mean if you look beyond blogging for fun. When you treat your blog like a business, you invest in the business, market the blog to your potential client, make good contacts.. in no time, you’ll make returns on your investment. But, if you blog for fun, nobody will take you seriously and soon you’ll realize that you keep pumping money into your blog without making double the amount you spend every month in keeping the blog alive.

There's this believe that, blogging is almost getting saturated, is this true?

Yes it is true. Blogging is getting really saturated but like they say, the sky is big enough for everyone.

As a single entrepreneur in the media business, what has life taught you?

Hmmm! Life has taught me that nothing comes easy without hardwork, life has taught me that I have to take my destiny into my own hands and make the best out of it. Life has taught me that my integrity is very important in business. Life has taught me to work smart. Life has taught me never to reply on man a 100% but to believe in God. Life has taught me that all that glitters isn’t gold. Life has taught me to believe in myself and trust God at all times. Life has taught me to learn from my mistakes, life has taught me never to stress myself and wait for someone to validate me. Life has taught me that it’s a waste of time regretting past mistakes. Life has taught me to care, show love and never stop being myself no matter what anybody does, do or say about me. Most importantly, I have learnt that patience is a great virtue.

What stand you out from others in the new media world?

Like I said earlier, blogging is saturated. These days anybody who has a smart phone and knows how to make the best out of social media is almost considered a blogger. But then, what makes that person stand out from the crowd? Nothing! When I started out as a  blogger I was just like every other blogger publishing and sharing links online.. after a while, I figured that I wasn’t fulfilled being a regular blogger. I just knew that there has to be something that stands me out , something that makes me unique, something that keeps me in my own zone and I don’t have to compete with any other blogger. After about a year, I decided to go into niche blogging so I decided to focus on event blogging. What we do basically is offers online publicity services for any upcoming event, event coverage, event review, photography, syndication of press releases to other blogs, social media marketing, venue/vendor sourcing, digital business management, live tweets for event and so on.

Majority of bloggers are copy and paste merchants, how do you think we can tackle plagiarism?

First is, as a publisher, you have every right to contact the person who has used your content without giving you proper acknowledgement for your hard work. Call the persons attention to it and see to it he or she does the right thing. If that doesn’t work, you can go ahead and file a complaint to Google. Google sanctions the site of such people.

Who's Helen Ozor, what makes you tick?

I guess being a strong woman. The ability to pick myself up when I’ve gone through a major challenge makes me tick. Also, the ability to come up with a solution almost immediately there’s a problem.

What's your choice of man?

Lol! That’s a big question o. First I’ll want a man who is more hardworking than I am… I can’t cope being with a lazy man.. it’s a huge turn-off for me. I’d like to be with a man who loves the good life but then he knows that to have that kind of life he has to set goals and accomplish those goals. I’d love to be with a man who has vision, a man who has the zeal to be successful. I’d love to be with a man who can provide security. A man who knows how to take good care of a woman in every possible way he can. I am not so particular about looks whether he is handsome etc but he has to be presentable to an extent. I like my man being generous to a fault and he really has to have a very good sense of humour. I can’t stand having a boring, too serious man in my life. Above all, I would love to have a man who loves God.

Tell us your beauty secret?

Would I say I have a beauty secret? Hmmm! I don’t think so. I love looking very simple. I am not a fan of brazillian hair, fake eyelashes, fake eyebrow, fake bum lol. What I do are the basic things anyone does… bath in the morning, bath at night before going to bed, apply body lotion both morning and night. Apply deodorant, body spray, perfume etc I try as much as I can not to go to bed with makeup on when I’m very tired. I just love to look good, neatly dressed so I can be very comfortable and confident to speak to people I know or someone I’m just meeting for the very first time or even a prominent personality. The way you look determines how you would be addressed… I keep that close to heart and I make sure I do all I can to look my very best.

Who're your role models in the social media business?

I’ve got just a few role models… I look up to Ayo Rotimi, Uche Pedro of Bellanaija, Mr. Ayeni The Great of BHM and Mr. Femi Awoyemi of Proshare

What do you consider as the peak of your career?

When almost anybody who has an upcoming event can’t help but seek our services.. that I’ll consider the peak of my career

What won't you be caught doing if you have your way?

If I have my way, I won’t be caught staying glued to my gadgets.. but I can’t help it.

Lastly, what advice will you give an intending blogger to make an impact in the genre?

Be the best you can be… be yourself. Don’t compare yourself with anybody..be persistent, determined and do not give up of your dreams…

Notable Movie Stars, Singers Honour Late Taiwo Oshadipe 1st Remembrance

Not much is known about another dreaded disease that’s likely more dangerous than cancer but that’s what killed Taiwo-one of the talented Oshadipe twins ruling the gospel music scene. In few days, October 3^rd, 2015 to be precise, it will be exactly a year that we lost Taiwo Oshadipe to the terminal syndrome, Lupus- a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks its own tissues and organs.

And to immortalize her soul mate, twin sister and perfect replica, Kenny has decided to launch a non-profit making and non-governmental organization to educate and sensitize the public about the dreaded new discovery in town.

Tagged, “The Oshadipe Twins Initiative”-TOTI, the NGO is formed to advocate, promote, educate, research and sensitize the public, mostly young women who’re prone to the disease and with the ultimate aim of supporting those already living with and suffering from the disease.

The “Walk Against Lupus” project is designed to honour the first year remembrance of the demise of Taiwo Oshadipe as well as having notable names such as top celebrities and stakeholders gathering together to deliver paper in order to raise awareness for the disease.

In principle, Mrs. Adeola Salako, the Director of Information at the Lagos State Ministry of Health has confirmed the Permanent Secretary’s readiness to receive the “Walk Against Lupus” contingent in her office as well as shedding more light on Lupus whilst a professor of medicine who specializes on the disease and coincidentally who happened to treat the late Taiwo Oshadipe will also deliver a paper.

Amongst notable celebrities that will be leading the “Walk Against Lupus” mission with Kenny Oshadipe include actresses Mercy Aigbe-Gentry, Iyabo Ojo, Halimah Abubakar, Nikky Laoye and others. The walk procession kicks off from LTV 8, Agidingbi ground on Saturday, October, 3^rd, 2015 at 8am prompt going through and stopping slightly at Shoprite, then to the Ministry of Health in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos where the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Omodele Joyce Osunkiyesi is expected to address the contingent before leaving back for the LTV 8 ground for the wrap up of the programme.

We’re calling on well meaning Nigerians and good natured personalities willing to join the walk to get in touch with Kenny Oshadipe on 08063888719 and National Enquirer’s Faith Irabor on 08075481965 for the branded cap and T-Shirts at N3000. Please don’t ignore, come one come all, let’s join hands to raise awareness for LUPUS-the new discovery in town, you never can tell who’s next as victim.

This project is the brain child of The Oshadipe Twins Initiative-TOTI and proudly supported by National Enquirer.   

Science Wonder! Human Hybrids Pets For Super Rich Citizens Cost $50m

Scientists have uncovered a new pet for the super rich to toy with. They have just perfected a new cross breeding process that gave birth to human/dog hybrids meant for the delight of the super rich citizens.

In an undercover laboratory in Vancouver, scientists have been slaving away for the finding of the century. It’s not a cure for cancer, or even a way to conquer death. This research is a lot more sinister.

Scientists have found a way to cross humans with dogs, to cater for a market of very rich people who like collecting unique pets. Dr. Paul Bradshaw, 54, from the Hartman Collinge Institute explains “There is only so much you can buy a person who has it all. This is better than buying your loved one an iphone 6!”

Animal rights groups are up in arms, as Pauline Crosby, 34, activist with the Animal Defense League explains “If one of my children saw these creatures, they’d be scared half to death. Imagine one of them sucking on your toes, in a dark alley”.

Dr. Bradshaw explains some of the advantages of having Human/Dog hybrids, “they’re obviously very intelligent and their vocal cords are functional. This means, not only can they keep you company like a dog can, they can read you bed time stories and answer the iPhone for you”

One of these hybrids would set you back around 50 million dollars. Not only are they being sold in North America, but there are orders for them in Manchester, Cardiff and London and probably coming to a city near you.