Lenses360 Exclusive: Nollywood actress Etima Lee's Million naira birthday getaway!

Budding Nollywood actress – Etima Lee defied Nigeria’s present economic recession and treated friends to a luxury birthday bash at twins’ island resort, Marina Calabar.

PRESS RELEASE: 2016 WORLD HEART DAY ‘POWER YOUR LIFE’

The World Heart Federation has set aside September 29 every year to be celebrated as World Heart Day.

Nollywood Star launches attitudinal change campaign

Sponsored:

Multiple award winning actor and Nollywood star – Imeh “Bishop” Umoh better known as Okon Lagos has Flagged off the #DoTheRightThingNow campaign in grand style. The super star on Monday – 26^th September 2016 led journalists, NGOs and members of the #DoTheRightThingNow team to pay a sensitization visit to the Ministry of Women Affairs Children Rehabilitation Home, with loads of relief materials for the inmates.

Umoh, who also serves as Special Assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor on Ethical and attitudinal reorientation stated that the gesture was made to give the inmates a sense of belonging and to make them know that they are a part of the society. He described the reach-out as an extension of the Governor's arm of love to show that they are a part of the Akwa Ibom project

He sensitized the inmates on the need to shun all forms of social vices and turn a new leaf in order for them to be discharged from the remand home, saying: “In line with the Dakkada philosophy, you need to rise to the faith of that greatness which you were destined to be.“For you to be great, you must learn to #DoTheRightThingNow. And to do the right thing, you must turn a new leaf and shun every form of social vices and whatsoever crime that led you to this remand home.”

Also speaking, The special aide to Governor Udom Emmanuel on new media, Mrs. Meflyn Anwana, admonished the children to love God and live right as the society awaits their productive contributions. She added that they can achieve all they want to achieve in life only if they believe, live right and make the best of every phase of their lives. She told the children that Governor Emmanuel had emphatically stated that the life of every Akwa Ibom person means a lot to him.

 The Supervisor of the rehabilitation centre, Mrs. Comfort Benjamin, thanked the Governor for remembering the rehabilitation centre that had been long forgotten. She noted that majority of the inmates who are mainly children ranging from 10 to 18 years of age, were not remanded for criminal offences, but as the result of failed relationships. And family crisis.

Also, the manager of the home, Elder Anietie Etukudoh, while enumerating the various challenges faced in reforming the lives of the inmates, said that most of them whose parents are nowhere to be found, try to run away, narrating a scenario where a girl attempted to jump over the fence and escape.

 He however thanked Governor Emmanuel for his humanitarian gesture, and prayed for God’s blessings upon him, stating that most parents, when reconciled to their children, express appreciation to the government for taking care of the children whom they had lost hope of seeing again thinking that they were dead.

 The interactive session that ensued, saw the children aspiring to be great persons in the society with the tall dreams of becoming actors, presidents and several other quality positions. 

In the #DoTheRightThingNow campaign team were Ndifreke Patrick - Executive Director of Greater Tomorrow Initiative. Kusin Ekanem, Executive Director , Mentoring for Excellence , the programme coordinator of Heroes of Excellence , Joyce Essien,Joseph Bassey of M and E specialist. EYF, Goodnews Nelson of Youths for Change Initiative and Kingsley Atang the Publicity/Outreach Coordinator Youth Alive Foundation.

The Right Attitude Campaign is a group powered by the office of the Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Ethical and Social Reorientation, Mr. Ime Bishop Umoh, to sensitize the general public to #DoTheRightThingNow.

It campaigns for a change of attitudinal behaviour with several inscriptions such as: “Today’s Juvenile Delinquent Becomes Tomorrow’s Notorious Criminal”; “This Is Akwa Ibom, Love Is Us”; “A Broken Home Today Breeds A Broken Society Tomorrow”; “Don’t Destroy Akwa Ibom With Your Mouth Or Pen”; “I Am An Akwa Ibomite, I Rise To The Faith Of Greatness” to mention but a few. 

Photo credits: Carrot Photography

Lenses360 Fashion Forward: The Lady's Footwear

By Guest Fashion Writer Utonne Umoiyoho

On fashion forward Today, we take a critical look at those gorgeous foot wears for the ladies.

A good shoe speaks volumes about your personality. Knowing the right shoe to wear for the right occasion will leave you standing out and shinning effortlessly.

Lenses360 Cuisines: EKPANG NKUKWO

By Our guest Chef: Imaobong Eyen

Ekpang Nkukwo, otherwise known as ekpang, is a potage dish native to south eastern region of  Nigeria. It is prepared with cocoyam, water yam, periwinkle, edible green leaves or cocoyam leaves, dry fish and palm oil.

Lenses360 Fiction: FINDING BAE by courage MBON

EPISODE 2

I smiled as I stepped into the reception. I read that somewhere I can’t really remember; maybe online or in one of those books that taught how to be the ideal new staff in any organization.

Lenses360 Reality series: My Lagos Diary

EPISODE 2: Agege Without Bread

By Koko Wanjiru Ekpo-Davids

This is a rather hilarious story of an experience my husband and I had back in May.This story is so ridiculous, it had to end up in the pages of “My Lagos Diary.” I'd been indecisive about posting it but oh well...here it goes!

Lenses360 Fiction: FINDING BAE by courage MBON

EPISODE 0NE

Monday has never been my favourite day of the week, but this Monday was different. I waited all my life for this Monday. It was going to be my first day at work. I had set the alarm clock to 5am, but at 1am, I was already awake. I tried to sleep again but sleep eluded me. I was too excited to sleep again so I picked up my phone and dialled Ima’s number. The clock on the wall ticked away second after second, and for a moment, I thought it was too slow. I stared at the giant time piece and wondered how many more ticks on the calibration will bring daylight. I terminated the call after a moment and scolded myself for being so selfish. Ima was probably fast asleep and it was insensitive to disturb her. I got up from the bed and walked over to my reading table, I picked the phone again and googled “How to behave on your first day at work”. Just as the search engine displayed the search result options, the phone rang. The ring tune was Tubaba’s “Implication” and I couldn’t resist nodding my head to the rhythmic beats for a moment before taking the call.

“Was that a call or a flash?” her voice cooed from the other side “I’m so sorry dear, did I wake you?” “No Sir! It takes more than a flash to wake an Eket girl” “You no well o! see, I didn’t flash you.” “What then did you do? Abegi!” I smiled to myself as I attempted an explanation. “Ima, I can’t sleep! I woke up some thirty minutes ago and sleep has just refused to locate my eyelids” she laughed softly and coughed mockingly before asking me to force it! “Fake it till you make it! Close your eyes! Practice sleep till it becomes real!” “Ima you know you’re such a scum abi?” “Hian! What have I done again mbok?” “Na for my head you wan form Myles Monroe abi?” she laughed again, this time, a little more louder and I feared she’d wake her neighbours. “foolish girl” I said for want of what to say “Enh… I gree! Sensible boy! No go sleep you hear? Good luck explaining to your boss why you’re sleeping on your first day at work!” I wanted to say something but the line went off. I sighed as I put the phone away.

Imaobong was the oldest friend I could remember. She was the troublesome daughter of our family friend – Uncle Tony. Anthony Okon was an oil worker and single father who lived down the yard with his little daughter and a maid – Eno. Imaobong’s mum died some years back while giving birth to Ima and Uncle Tony had refused to remarry. Ima had everything she wanted and anyone who dared to “touch” Ima was sure to answer to Uncle Tony. This made Ima arrogant and troublesome and other kids in the yard didn’t find it funny.  Time and again, the boys planned to beat her up, but whenever she showed up, the plans would vanish from their heads! Even the most vocal boys would simply smile and stroll away the moment Ima shows up. One morning, Etim, the street bully made up his mind to settle issues with Ima “Once and for all”. Etim’s favourite past time was harassing other children in the street and no one dared to challenge him. Every evening, parents will take their children with a swollen eye or bleeding nostrils to their compound to complain about Etim’s brutality. His parents would caution him or beat him up in front of the offended parents and promptly apologize for his behaviour. Etim usually would come out hardened and determined to wreck more havoc. It was a Tuesday afternoon and children were on their way back from school. Etim saw a girl walking down the road with a packet of biscuits. “My friend come here! Give me that biscuit or I beat you!” the frightened girl cried and struggled with Etim until Imaobong showed up. “Give back her biscuits now!” she spoke with such boldness that startled Etim, and scared the other kids. Etim was still contemplating what to do when Ima snatched the biscuits from him and gave back to the owner.  Thereafter, she held the girl by the hand and walked away. Etim’s scorn was massive. The other children laughed and mocked at him till he got home. That evening, Etim swore to “Show” Imaobong that he was Lord of the street. Same evening, Imaobong went to buy akara from Eka mmandu, and Etim Accosted her. “Eeeshhh! Small girl!” he yelled at her. “Was that me?” Ima asked angrily. “What will you do?” Etim asked, stepping closer to her “Enh? What will you do?” he raised his right arm up and threatened Ima “If I hear kpim from you, I’ll deal with you” “Kpim” Ima screamed Etim attempted to slap Ima but she caught the hand half way. What followed cannot possibly be explained. In less than a minute, Etim was on the ground and Imaobong was giving him a generous amount of fist blows.  Five minutes later, Imaobong walked away from the scene like a boss. Etim was still on the ground with a swollen face and a bruised ego. There and then, Imaobong became the legend of our street!

Today, two decades on, Imaobong is still as fierce and fearless as she was then. We have been called lovers, siblings, rivals and all what nots, but Imaobong calls me “twinnie” even though I’m two years older than her. Time and again, we’ve been asked why we aren’t dating and our uniform response has always been the ridiculous retort “We’re too close, we know too much about each other, it won’t work!”  

 I rolled in bed restlessly until I fell asleep. I had barely closed my eyes when the alarm went off. I stretched lazily on the bed and made to get up but the bed won’t let me up. I rolled lazily for a while before cautioning myself and promptly jumping out of the bed into the bathroom. At 6:15am, I was already on my way to work. I said a silent prayer as I entered the bus and made a sign of the cross. Today must be blessed for my sake!

[…to be continued]

Lenses360 Exclusive: Beautiful Sunnahs of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) in Eid El Kabir

Today, we celebrate with our Muslim readers and here below we bring you beautiful sunnahs of Prophet Muhammad (S. A. W)  in Eid El Kabir

My Lagos Diary Series (Episode One)

A Tale of Two Traffic Jams

by Koko Wanjiru Ekpo-Davids

Two nights ago as I was headed home from work, we ran into a terrible traffic jam. It was total lockdown; every car was at a standstill. For about 30 minutes...maybe longer, no vehicle moved...except the "okadas" ofcourse which were able to squeeze through every available little space. ...

I said a little prayer 'cos I just needed to get home...it had been a tiring day. Well, my prayer was answered because shortly after, things started to ease off. As the driver was trying to maneuver his way into the lane that was seemingly moving quicker...our car kissed the side of the bumper of the car beside us. It was more like a peck...lol...and there was no major damage.

But in a few seconds, the back passenger door of the affected car swung open, the owner emerges boiling with anger, comes over to our driver and yells at him "come down from there!"...he obeys and steps out of the car. Angry man enters the car, switches off the engine, removes the key, bangs the door, then screams to my driver "I don't want to hear sorry. You're not going anywhere o! I will impound this car and have you locked up at the Navy barracks."

Me: I just sat put watching the unnecessary drama play out. For crying out loud the driver already apologized and there was no damage to this man's car...just a scratch that some good old brake fluid could erase (don't ask me how I know!). I didn't see why this man was causing such a ruckus and besides, a few "agberos" had gathered around the scene...I was feeling unsafe.
The man continues on his rant: "I don't know what is wrong with all you drivers! And why can't your madam come down from the car, why is she just sitting there like that!" He carried on and on.

Well I did come out and the man (who's old enough to be my father) starts venting, asking me why I didn't jump out after his car was hit to assess the situation. An exasperated me says: "Oga I'm very sorry for what happened. I'm sorry. I will advise him to be more cautious when driving." By now, our driver had already worked the brake fluid magic on the scratch. Angry car owner then places his hand on my arm and in a more subdued tone, doles out some advice to me. One of the agbero bystanders cheekily says "Oga why you dey touch pesin wife like that na?" I couldn't help but laugh. Angry car owner barks at them "do you have any business in this matter? Leave this place."

He eventually hands back my car key, and enters his own car. I get back in the car and the same agberos come to my window "ah aunty find me sometin na...I neva chop"...bla bla bla, they demanded. I wasn't having any of that. We drove off and I just wondered to myself "Lagos ehn!"

The next morning, we find ourselves in another traffic jam on my way to work. In my mind I'm like "not again." It's standstill for almost an hour then the worst happens...nature comes calling...and not number 1 o!!! I was beside myself. I tried to control nature but I couldn't...I'm not a superhuman you know? And I was no where near a restroom...we were in the middle of the expressway.

I started sweating and praying "Lord you said you'd never allow the righteous to see shame."
I thought "how will I just embarrass myself like this and in front of this driver? And on a day when I really took time to dress up."

Well again I prayed "Please help me Lord." Believe me I pray about everything...even the seemingly mundane issues. And God always answers.

Alas! The traffic starts flowing again, we spot a GTBank as we continue driving along and to cut the story short, their restroom was spotless! Nature didn't put me to shame and I got to work looking fine and all that!
The moral of the story is two-part...
1.There's no prayer too small for God to pay attention to. He's just like any parent is to a child...steadfastly loving and unfailing.
2. Lagos traffic will always happen!

FASHION FORWARD TUESDAY

Today on Fashion Forward Tuesday, we bring you the gorgeous and glamorous "Gele"

Joseph Benjamin, Ors Storm Ikot Ekpene 1st October For CINEMA WAKA

CinemaWaka is an innovative solution that aims to push the boundaries of traditional film distribution, to minimize piracy and poverty, empower movie practitioners financially, and deliver quality cinema experience to an audience at affordable cost, one locality at time.

Daddy G. O and the "One hour women"

Many years ago, on my 25^th birthday, my dad surprised me. He remembered my birthday!

HAWKING OF HERBAL PREPARATIONS : Doctors call for ban

   

Sponsored:

The Nigerian Medical Association has called on the government of Akwa Ibom State to prevent the hawking of herbal preparations which the traders claim to be a cure for all diseases. Dr Aniekeme Uwah, Chairman NMA AKS and members of his executive made this advocacy at the end of its 2016 annual general meeting and scientific conference held in Uyo. 

WiN Today - 040816

The Lord approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness. Wickedness never brings stability, but the godly have deep roots. Prov.12:2-3

Gele - crown of the African Woman

Step out in style this weekend. Complement that lovely outfit with some classic and stylish "gele" and you'll be feeling confident and glamorous all day!

RealEssence Crew presents "A LOUD VOICE"

Experience praise and worship unusual as RealEssence Crew presents a world Mega worship experience tagged "A LOUD VOICE"

The gosple concert will feature Renowned gosple artistes including

Freke Umoh
Michael Willie and the RealEssence Singers
Victory theatre
Steve Sam
Abraham Friday
Akaninyene Umoh amongst others

Date: 12-02-2016
Time: 5pm
Venue: All Christian Gospel Center Oron road opposite Customs House, Uyo.

Don't miss it.

Couples' Night Out 2016.

Sponsored:

Make this Valentine season special for you and that special person as GOOD FELLAZ ENTERTAINMENT in collaboration with GRAND EMPIRE ENTERTAINMENT present COUPLE'S NIGHT OUT 2016.

Learn a Useful Skill this February!

Sponsored:

Become independent! Learn a Useful skill today as KBLM presents A one week intensive skill acquisition training program.(Its time to take your destiny into your hands)

"IF I BE A MAN OF GOD" ...the burden of prophecy.

As a student in the faculty of Education, a compulsory part of our course work was the Students' teaching experience (STE) otherwise known as the Teaching practice.