Aisha Buhari, the wife of the president, said on Monday that strong family values should be cherished and nurtured to surmount the challenges of poverty and crime in the country.
She gave the advice in Lagos while declaring open the three-day 16th National Women Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO).
The conference has as its theme: “Strong Family, Strong Nation.’’
The president’s wife, represented by the wife of the Imo State Governor, Nneoma Okorocha, said that that love, support, friendship and guidance were key qualities necessary in the family.
We must continue to emphasise the importance of strong family values.
“Poverty, crime and declining school performance are some of the challenges a country could face when families are not cohesive,” she said.
Mrs Buhari enjoined participants to take advantage of the array of topics to be discussed and see the conference as a knowledge-based one to enrich their lives.
“The conference also provides a forum for women to deliberate on issues that affect us, our families, communities and the nation at large.
Our core concern should be how we can make a positive impact on ourselves as women and our society, she enunciated.
Also speaking, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State said his administration had implemented many policies to enable women thrive.
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
He pledged to continue to ensure that the rights of women and girls were protected to ensure a peaceful and progressive society.
The governor said that the family unit was very important to the overall development of any nation.
The family is the foundation and smallest unit of any nation. The heart and conscience of a nation is formed, to a large extent, in the family.
With strong families, we can build a strong nation; but strong families will only exist in a society where nobody is left behind, where everybody has a voice and a stake,” Mr. Ambode said.
He described women as the glue that held families together.
According to him, an empowered woman, with a sense of self-esteem, will be better positioned to make a success of her career and at the same time be a pillar of strength for the family.
He said that his administration was totally committed to empowering women and also protecting the girl-child against all forms of negative vices to create platforms for families to bond and recreate.
In his goodwill message, Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State said the theme of the conference was apt, as the myriad of problems facing the country were due to the erosion of family values.
His Osun State counterpart, Rauf Aregbesola, said that women were the foundation of families, and as such, the values they passed on to their children reflected greatly on the society.
In her remarks, wife of the Lagos State governor, Bolanle Ambode, said the theme was carefully chosen for participants to rub minds on the best ways to tackle some of the social challenges confronting the nation.
Most of the social challenges currently confronting our country like drug addiction, cultism, teenage pregnancy, kidnapping, armed robbery, among others, have their foundation in dysfunctional family units,’’ she said.
According to her, to build a strong and virile country, strong family units must be built.
Oluremi-Tinubu1 The highlights of the event include the investiture of Oluremi Tinubu as the Grand Matron of COWLSO and the presentation of Inspirational Woman of the year award to a beauty entrepreneur, Tara Fela-Durotoye.
AM INTO PUBLISHING
Monday, 24 October 2016
AKEREDOLU FLAG OFF CAMPAIGN
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Rotimi Akeredolu, on Monday launched his governorship campaign at Ore, Odigbo Local Government Area, with a promise to reposition the state if elected.
Mr. Akeredolu who enjoined the people of the state to vote for his party in order to join the progressives states in the south west, promised to tackle decay in the infrastructural facilities in the state.
While addressing the crowd of supporters, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria noted the state of infrastructural decay across the state, assuring that his party would make improved infrastructure its focus when voted into office.
According to him, his government would implement only people-oriented programmes that would directly and positively impact on the lives of the people.
He said over N500 billion accrued to the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) since the lifespan of the Mimiko administration, but there was nothing to show for it.
The candidate said the state had been marginalized in the scheme of things in the country for so long, but the APC was set to make the state ascend its pride of place in the country.
Mr. Akeredolu’s campaign starts a bit late for the November 26 elections, following the controversies which dogged his nomination as the APC candidate.
He has made efforts to reconcile aggrieved members who vowed not to accept his candidature, despite the decision of the party’s national working committee.
In spite of the setbacks, he has expressed optimism that the APC will win the governorship election.
Mr. Akeredolu who enjoined the people of the state to vote for his party in order to join the progressives states in the south west, promised to tackle decay in the infrastructural facilities in the state.
While addressing the crowd of supporters, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria noted the state of infrastructural decay across the state, assuring that his party would make improved infrastructure its focus when voted into office.
According to him, his government would implement only people-oriented programmes that would directly and positively impact on the lives of the people.
He said over N500 billion accrued to the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (OSOPADEC) since the lifespan of the Mimiko administration, but there was nothing to show for it.
The candidate said the state had been marginalized in the scheme of things in the country for so long, but the APC was set to make the state ascend its pride of place in the country.
Mr. Akeredolu’s campaign starts a bit late for the November 26 elections, following the controversies which dogged his nomination as the APC candidate.
He has made efforts to reconcile aggrieved members who vowed not to accept his candidature, despite the decision of the party’s national working committee.
In spite of the setbacks, he has expressed optimism that the APC will win the governorship election.
SPOKESMAN FOF JONATHAN IS APPREHENDED BY EFCC
A former presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, has been arrested.
Mr. Abati, who was spokesperson to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was arrested on Monday and is expected to spend at least Monday night at the office of the anti-graft agency, EFCC.
The journalist is being questioned for allegedly receiving some money from former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, EFCC sources told news men.
Mr. Dasuki is currently being tried by the EFCC for his management of arms funds under him , in what is now known as Dasukigate.
Mr. Abati’s arrest makes it at least three former aides of Mr. Jonathan who are currently in EFCC custody.
A former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, is still with the commission since last week Monday when he voluntarily surrendered himself after staying months away from the country.
Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Jonathan campaign spokesperson, was arrested on Friday and is still with the commission.
Mr. Abati, who was spokesperson to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan was arrested on Monday and is expected to spend at least Monday night at the office of the anti-graft agency, EFCC.
The journalist is being questioned for allegedly receiving some money from former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, EFCC sources told news men.
Mr. Dasuki is currently being tried by the EFCC for his management of arms funds under him , in what is now known as Dasukigate.
Mr. Abati’s arrest makes it at least three former aides of Mr. Jonathan who are currently in EFCC custody.
A former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, is still with the commission since last week Monday when he voluntarily surrendered himself after staying months away from the country.
Femi Fani-Kayode, a former Jonathan campaign spokesperson, was arrested on Friday and is still with the commission.
FORBIDDEN THINGS IN OBA OF BENIN PALACE
The over 900 years old palace of the Oba of Benin is located in the heart of Benin, the Edo State capital. It is adjacent to the Airport Road.
The palace attracts thousands of visitors yearly even though the visitors are restricted to certain areas. The chiefs in the palace know the various societies they belong to and their functions. Only the Oba understands the language of the palace societies.
Visitors are forbidden to do certain things in the palace, such as taking sand from the palace. The duties of some chiefs are to ensure that nobody enters the palace to take sand. Stories abound of what happened to people who attempted to take sand from the palace.
There are some places in the palace where women are not allowed to urinate. A story is told of how an expectant mother security officer almost died for urinating indiscriminately. She was said to have vomited until sacrifices were made to atone for her “sin”.
Pointing of fingers
It is forbidden to point fingers at either the Oba or his chiefs in the palace. It is said that the Oba does not point fingers at anyone as well, except in a bid to bless or curse an individual.
Whistling
The Bini ethnic nationality believe that whistling is a communication medium between mortals and spirits as well as the dead. There are several deities within the Oba’s palace and the belief is that no one is sure of which deity is roused during whistling.
Open umbrella during festivals
Only the Oba is allowed to be covered with an umbrella during festivities or when he is going out. All guests, chiefs and visitors are to bear any harsh weather.
Wearing black clothes
Anybody wearing black is not allowed to enter the Oba’s palace. Such a person is sent away because such attires indicate mourning in many cultures. Palace sources say it is a taboo for the Oba to mourn, no matter the circumstance. He is not allowed to see black clothes.
Women not allowed at Ehengbuda Shrine
Women are not allowed to go near the Ehengbuda Shrine. Historians say Oba Ehemugba was born a haemophrodyte and that after powerful witch doctors worked on him, the female parts were removed. He was later paraded naked around the community. Any female – girl or woman – who enters the area immediately becomes infertile. To avoid barrenness among Benin girls and women, a ban is placed on females from entering the shrine’s vicinity.
Male visitors not allowed into royal harem
Male visitors are not allowed to enter the royal harem where the Oba’s wives stay. Male relatives of the Oba’s wives are also disallowed from entering or extending hands for greetings.
Carrying Banga (palm oil fruits) around the palace
It is a taboo to carry palm oil fruits on the head in or around the palace. Even vehicles carrying palm oil fruits are not allowed to pass through the streets near the Oba’s palace. The presence of palm oil fruits around the palace is said to be an indication that the land wants blood.
Dogs not allowed within the palace
Any dog that strays with the palace vicinity is killed or dies naturally.
Source: The Nation
The palace attracts thousands of visitors yearly even though the visitors are restricted to certain areas. The chiefs in the palace know the various societies they belong to and their functions. Only the Oba understands the language of the palace societies.
Visitors are forbidden to do certain things in the palace, such as taking sand from the palace. The duties of some chiefs are to ensure that nobody enters the palace to take sand. Stories abound of what happened to people who attempted to take sand from the palace.
There are some places in the palace where women are not allowed to urinate. A story is told of how an expectant mother security officer almost died for urinating indiscriminately. She was said to have vomited until sacrifices were made to atone for her “sin”.
Pointing of fingers
It is forbidden to point fingers at either the Oba or his chiefs in the palace. It is said that the Oba does not point fingers at anyone as well, except in a bid to bless or curse an individual.
Whistling
The Bini ethnic nationality believe that whistling is a communication medium between mortals and spirits as well as the dead. There are several deities within the Oba’s palace and the belief is that no one is sure of which deity is roused during whistling.
Open umbrella during festivals
Only the Oba is allowed to be covered with an umbrella during festivities or when he is going out. All guests, chiefs and visitors are to bear any harsh weather.
Wearing black clothes
Anybody wearing black is not allowed to enter the Oba’s palace. Such a person is sent away because such attires indicate mourning in many cultures. Palace sources say it is a taboo for the Oba to mourn, no matter the circumstance. He is not allowed to see black clothes.
Women not allowed at Ehengbuda Shrine
Women are not allowed to go near the Ehengbuda Shrine. Historians say Oba Ehemugba was born a haemophrodyte and that after powerful witch doctors worked on him, the female parts were removed. He was later paraded naked around the community. Any female – girl or woman – who enters the area immediately becomes infertile. To avoid barrenness among Benin girls and women, a ban is placed on females from entering the shrine’s vicinity.
Male visitors not allowed into royal harem
Male visitors are not allowed to enter the royal harem where the Oba’s wives stay. Male relatives of the Oba’s wives are also disallowed from entering or extending hands for greetings.
Carrying Banga (palm oil fruits) around the palace
It is a taboo to carry palm oil fruits on the head in or around the palace. Even vehicles carrying palm oil fruits are not allowed to pass through the streets near the Oba’s palace. The presence of palm oil fruits around the palace is said to be an indication that the land wants blood.
Dogs not allowed within the palace
Any dog that strays with the palace vicinity is killed or dies naturally.
Source: The Nation
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