Africons Blog - News

In life, we often find ourselves holding onto things that no longer serve us

Sun, 03 Dec 2023 07:20:00 +0000

In life, we often find ourselves holding onto things that no longer serve us. Whether it's a toxic relationship, a job that drains our energy, or a dream that no longer aligns with our values, letting go can be one of the most challenging decisions we face. But here's the thing: letting go is not the same as losing it. In fact, it can be the most empowering and liberating choice we make.

When we let go, we create space for something new and better to enter our lives. We release the burden of carrying what no longer brings us joy or fulfillment. We give ourselves permission to grow, evolve, and pursue our true passions. Letting go is an act of self-love and self-respect.

Sometimes, we mistakenly believe that holding onto something is a sign of strength. We fear that letting go means admitting defeat or accepting failure. But the truth is, true strength lies in our ability to recognize when something no longer serves us and to have the courage to release it.

Letting go is not about losing; it's about gaining clarity, freedom, and the opportunity for new beginnings. It's about trusting in the process of life and having faith that what is meant for us will find its way to us. It's about embracing the unknown and being open to the infinite possibilities that lie ahead.

So, if you find yourself hesitant to let go, remember that you are not losing anything. You are simply making room for something better to come into your life. You are choosing growth over stagnation, happiness over misery, and self-love over self-sacrifice.

Letting go is a courageous act that requires strength, resilience, and trust. It may not always be easy, but it is always worth it. So, let go of what no longer serves you, and watch as the universe conspires to bring you the blessings and opportunities you deserve.

Listen again,letting go is not the same as losing it. It is the first step towards finding yourself, your true purpose, and a life filled with joy, abundance, and fulfillment. Embrace the journey of letting go, and you will discover that the best is yet to come.

#getreadyfor2024 #DrMo #raisingconsciousness #impossiblechallenge #TheNigerianDream

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Duke John Strings and 147 others

SPEECH BY HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, THE OCH'IDOMA THE 5TH

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 16:53:00 +0000

SPEECH BY HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, THE OCH'IDOMA THE 5TH, PASTOR JOHN ELAIGWU ODOGBO ON THE OCCASION OF HIS TAKING OVER CEREMONY FROM THE ACTING OCH'IDOMA HRH GEORGE EDEH ON THE 19TH JANUARY, 2022.

Credit: Wilberforce Ejeh

Protocol........

I want to use this occasion to express my profound appreciation, first of all, to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for making this day a reality. For without Him I would not have become who and what I am today.

2. To the Executive Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom, the government and the good people of Benue State, I say a big thank you for providing a conducive environment for the conduct of a free and fair election that led to my emergence as OCH'IDOMA the 5th

3. To the King Makers, I thank you most sincerely for the confidence you reposed in me for such an overwhelming mandate. This indeed is unprecedented, and I do not take it for granted, nor can I thank you enough.

4. To my fellow contestants, I thank you for your magnanimity, even in defeat. I have spoken with you individually after the election and I am thrilled that you are all in high spirit, and desirous as I am of a better, united, and prosperous Idoma Nation.

5. And to all my sons and daughters, both at home and in the diaspora, I thank you for your immense continuous support and solidarity since my election.

I want to assure you that under God Almighty guidance my emergence will Kick starts a new beginning for our people, and the Idoma Kingdom. I am more than ever before committed to supporting those core values and culture that promote our uniqueness and humanity, our unity and industry, and our togetherness and shared common destiny.

6.To our brothers, sisters and neighbors in the Benue State project, it shall be an Era of fruitful and truthful engagement. Together, we shall strive to further those things that deepened and expand the frontier of our shared humanity, brotherliness, and identity.

7. I want to assure you all that by the grace of God, I shall be a father who is accessible to all at all times, and I will be there for you all my subjects.

8. Let me finally state here that election has come and gone and we must in the interest of Idoma Kingdom put everything that transpired behind us and collectively chart the way forward for the development of Idoma Nation. In doing this, we must imbibe the spirit of forgiveness, oneness, love and tolerance.

9. Thank you and God bless you all in Jesus Name

Long live Idoma Kingdom,

Long live Kwararafa Kingdom,

Long live Benue State,

Long live Nigeria

Otukpo lyrical story

Sat, 14 Aug 2021 00:30:00 +0000

Idinka Vs Otokpa: The harden criminals – An Otukpo lyrical story

Long ago before the coming of Ija the personal God’s of Elaigwu the son of Agbooko. The Otukpo people were faced with so many terrors caused by Idinka and Otokpa the crippled thief. Idinka is a giant man feared by many. Some when they saw him stealing from their farm if they are alone pretended not to have seen him to avoid being beating to death. Idinka when going for stealing always goes with his friend Otokpa the cripple. One day Ochumoija the son of Ija who is one of the wife of Agbooko brought in a charm called Uli that served as a judge.

Idinka discovered that if anybody steal or committed an offense such will be placed on oath which will be sworn before Uli. The person will swear that if he or she is the one that committed the said offense Uli should arrest him or her. Idinka thought of this critically as they are now going out of business as a result of the dirty brought in as a the village judge. One day he decided to give it a trial he told Otokpa that they are going to Echeipu farm to steal and he will carry him on a should so that he will be the one to do the stealing. If the community suspect them to be the one and they are brought before Uli he should swear that if he ever step his foot into that farm Uli should arrest him and Idinka now swear that if he ever uses his hand to steal from that farm Uli should arrest him; with this, they always escape Uli’s judgement.

Though Uli have arrest so many thieves and judge thousands of cases including fornication but they community wondered why some stealing are ongoing without the culprit being arrested. These became a thing of worried in the community. Idinka and Otokpa became a real storm in the community.

On one raining day, Idinka and Otokpa were seeing roasting maize and everyone in the community knew both of them heard know maize farm and how could they have gone to the farm inside the rain. The community chiefs gathered and summon them to the panel to explain how they got the maize they are eating. They ask Idinka and Otokpa and they turned looking at each other saying, “it was the gods that gave them the maize they are eating. As they were discussion continued Udenyi walked in with the a complain that he when to check on his farm after the rain he discovered that some of his maize were plug by unknown being.

They brought out Uli the judge deity and Idinka and Otokpa were made to swear before Uli which they make their usual appeal and they won the case once again. But this time around Elaigwu the son of Agbooko grew angry and make a suggestion that they should be taking to the farm to sample evidence. On going to the farm they discovered footprints on the ground.

For fair judgement they decided the entire villagers must test their legs on the footprints after asking Udenyi where he passed to the farm.

They test the footprints one one after the other, unfortunately their legs is of no match. When it get to Idinka turn before he could put his leg on the footprint the evidence was glaring. He sample his foot and it matches and the people shouted “gbangidi bi ikpo Idinka” meaning “exactly like Idinka leg”.

Though Idinka was court and on his confession was punished along with Otokpa but Elaigwu the son of Agbooko was unhappy about the whole case. He see a lacuna on the judgement of Uli and decided to go in search of another deity. He went down to a place called Umu to bring a deity called Ija which became the deity many Idoma were began to serve due to its power. When Elaigwu brought Ija the healer and concessioner he enshrined in it at a place called Ewulo-Ogo now called Akpegede an extract of the Upu of Otukpo.

Credit: Moses Elaigwu

Sat, 14 Aug 2021 00:28:00 +0000

HISTORY OF ABACHA AND EKA'TAME

25 Jan, 2021,

Credit: Okwoli Moses Elaigwu

Picture of Eka-tame shown above.

Abacha is a deity that was brought into Otukpicho by Enokela Ijegwa' who saw the need to correct some of the vises in the community as the rate of anomalies increases. This deity served as a judge and seer of the community.

While EKA'TAME was given to Ogah Ochugboju who happened to be the 8th Och'Otukpo in exchange one of his slaves.

It was brought into Otukpicho from Tiv land in exchange of a slave.

EKA'TAME is a protective deity of a clan in Ai'Ogwuche called Ai'Onyum.

EKA'TAME is the same as Eka-Ocheyi in Otukpo kingdom, though brought in for protection by a clan called the Ai'Onyum.

When something bad happens or someone does something wrong, EKA'TAME begins to cry and shed tears inform of blood and can equally speak boldly to people's hearing. It became the source of healing and as it unfolds mystery within and outside the community.

It was examine by some white men from Germany who came into Otukpo and they admired the mystery behind its power. They conspired with seven indigenes who helped them in stealing EKA'TAME in 1977.

Those who work with them in stealing the EKA'TAME died mysteriously after confession.

Petrol to sell for N212.61 per litre in March, says PPPRA

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 11:02:00 +0000

Breaking: Petrol to sell for N212.61 per litre in March, says PPPRA ON MARCH

By Michael Eboh

The Federal Government has officially confirmed the return of fuel subsidy, as the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, yesterday, fixed the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol, at N212.61 per litre, for the month of March. The new price, according to the PPPRA’s PMS guiding price, released to stakeholders, is supposed to commence from March 1st and run till March 31st, 2021.

However, the fact that the price of the commodity is still been sold at an average of N170 in petrol stations across the country, meant that the Federal Government, through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC is spending an average of N42 to subsidise a litre of the commodity for Nigerians. The PPPRA confirmed that fuel subsidy actually officially returned in February 2021, as according to the downstream oil sector regulator, the actual pump price of PMS for February was between N183.74 and N186.74 per litre, meaning that the Federal Government paid an average of N16 per litre for PMS in the month. However, in January 2021, the PPPRA disclosed that the price of the commodity was between N163.36 per litre and N166.36 per litre.

According to the PPPRA, based on the average cost for the period, February 1st to 28th 2021, and an average FMDQ Importer and Exporter (I&E) Naira/US Dollar Exchange Rate of N403.80, the expected retail price of PMS for March 2021, stands at N209.61 per litre and N212.61 per litre, being the lower and upper band respectively. Giving a breakdown of the cost elements of the commodity, the PPPRA put the Expected Ex-Coastal price at N175.73 per litre, comprising Average gasoline price (FOB Rotterdam barge), and Average freight rate of N169.22 and N6.51 per litre respectively. It also put the Expected Landing Cost of the commodity at N189.61 per litre, comprising the addition to the ex-coastal price, of average lightering expenses, Nigeria Port Authority Charges, NIMASA charges, jetty throughput charges, storage charge and average financing cost of N4.81, N2.49, N0.23, N1.61, N2.58 and N2.17 per litre, respectively. Furthermore, the addition of the wholesalers margin of N4.03 per litre; administrative charge of N1.23 per litre; transporters’ allowance of N3.89 per litre; bridging fund of N7.51 per litre and Marine Transport Average of N0.15, brings the expected ex-depot price, that is the price at which the commodity is sold to petrol stations, to N206.42 per litre. The PPPRA further stated that the inclusion of retailers’ margin of about N6.19 per litre, would bring the pump price of the commodity, the price at which it is sold to motorists, to N212.61 per litre. Vanguard News Nigeria

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/03/fg-confirms-return-of-subsidy-pppra-puts-fuel-price-at-n212-61/

CONGO WAR

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 09:46:00 +0000

https://www.independent.co.uk/.../congo-war-refugees...

WITHOUT LEGS HE CAN DO WHAT PEOPLE WITH LEGS ARE DOING AND HE IS HAPPY.

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 09:45:00 +0000

WITHOUT LEGS HE CAN DO WHAT PEOPLE WITH LEGS ARE DOING AND HE IS HAPPY.

Be happy with your condition

I don't have two legs,

but instead of begging as others do,

I chose to be a farmer,

please show me some Love

BENIN KINGDOM

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 09:44:00 +0000

BENIN KINGDOM

Ovonramwen Nogbaisi Ovonramwen, also called Overami, (died January 1914, Calabar, Southern Nigeria [now Nigeria]), West African ruler who was the last independent oba (king) of the 500-year-old kingdom of Benin (in present-day Nigeria). Ovonramwen tried to maintain his independence in the face of increasing British pressure but was able to delay for only a few years the annexation of his kingdom by the colony of Nigeria.

He was called Idugbowa until he took the title Ovonramwen upon becoming oba. He succeeded to a kingdom much reduced by growing British commercial and colonial encroachment from its greatest extent (c. 1700). He attempted to seal Benin off from Europeans but by 1892 was forced to sign a protection treaty with the British administration. Disputes over trade along the Benin River (1892–94) led to a campaign against Benin; the murder of the British acting consul general in January 1897 precipitated a full-scale military expedition, which captured Benin City in February 1897. Ovonramwen surrendered to the British in August and died in exile.He was called Idugbowa until he took the title Ovonramwen upon becoming oba. He succeeded to a kingdom much reduced by growing British commercial and colonial encroachment from its greatest extent (c. 1700). He attempted to seal Benin off from Europeans but by 1892 was forced to sign a protection treaty with the British administration. Disputes over trade along the Benin River (1892–94) led to a campaign against Benin; the murder of the British acting consul general in January 1897 precipitated a full-scale military expedition, which captured Benin City in February 1897. Ovonramwen surrendered to the British in August and died in exile.

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ovonramwen

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 09:42:00 +0000

UKUM MEDIA PRACTITIONER'S ASSOCIATION (UMPA) CONDOLES SUSWAM

Ukum Media Practitioners' Association (UMPA) has condoled the family of Suswam Tingir over the gruesome murder of Dr Terkura Suswam, the elder brother of Senator Representing Benue North East Senatorial District, His Excellency Sen. Gabriel Suswam.

The association condemned in totality the horrific attack which led to the killing of the chairman Ashi conglomerate Dr Terkula Suswam.

The association described Late Dr Terkula Suswam as not just philanthropist but also a great entrepreneur who invested so much in both capital and human development whose contribution to the development of Sankera, Benue State and Nigeria shall never be forgotten.

The association is heartbroken because a man who gave his life in pursuit of peace and development of humanity has been murdered.

It prayed to God to give Suswam Tingir family and all that grieved as a result of the gruesome murder of their beloved , father, philantropist and visionery the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.

The association said, it will forever remember Late Dr. Suswam by the memories he shared and the things he stood for.

Signed:

Terver Agabih,

President

Timothy Atoza,

General Secretary

Why Ngozi Okonjo Iweala Should Lead the World Trade Organization

Fri, 12 Mar 2021 07:48:00 +0000

In the coming weeks, the World Trade Organization faces an historic choice. For the first time in its 25-year history, a woman will be named Director-General. The finalists have been narrowed to two outstanding candidates—Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, and Yoo Myung-hee, the current Minister of Trade in South Korea.
Both women are highly accomplished and well equipped to lead the WTO. Minister Yoo has worked in Korean trade circles for decades. She is the first woman to hold her position in a country that has successfully transformed its economy. I am certain that if chosen she would reform and strengthen the 164-member global institution.
But Ms. Okonjo Iweala is more suited to the need of the moment when the global economy faces profound uncertainties. The WTO’s greatest challenge right now is to restore faith in an organization weakened by a power struggle between China and the United States.
Ms. Okonjo Iweala, bringing a fresh perspective that is sorely needed, has the depth of experience and persistence to help both inject new life into the global trading system after its mauling from the COVID-19 pandemic and the multinational credentials to address global divisions in broad and innovative ways.

But the Nigerian-born economist and international development expert who was a former Managing Director of the World Bank, as well as having chaired the board of Gavi, the vaccine alliance has a wider range of contacts and experience that will ensure she can deliver at this crucial time for the international community.
The world is at an inflection point, with free and fair trade near the top of the list. Trade wars have returned, trading blocs have weakened, and the multilateral approach to addressing trade issues and disputes has waned. Plus, the COVID-19 pandemic has closed borders, upended supply chains, and dragged down the world economy at the same time as global warming is taking its toll on society and infrastructure.
A revival of world trade is one of the most important pillars for accelerated growth and sustainable development. This is true for everyone but especially true in Africa. Given that almost 1 in 4 of the world’s people will be African by 2050, strong and diversified African markets will therefore contribute to strong global markets. Trade is critical.
Ms. Okonjo Iweala combines both an international and an African perspective that will suit these times of extreme stress and inject a new dynamism to help revive the global economy.

Nearly all African countries are still dependent on exports of commodities and extractives, mostly unprocessed. Africa’s economic future will depend upon modernizing those sectors and finding fair global markets to sell high-quality processed foods, fertilizers, and petroleum products.

The African Continental Free Trade Area—delayed due to COVID-19 but still on track to come into effect in 2021—will address Africa’s fragmentation by creating the world’s largest common market. According to World Bank estimates, the trade pact could boost regional income by $450 billion and lift 30 million people out of extreme poverty by 2035.

But internal commerce alone, no matter how large, will not be enough to carry African economies into sustainable middle-income status. That will require extensive global investment and trade.

A broader imperative also exists for fostering a prosperous Africa fully engaged in global trade: it is vital to the world’s future peace and prosperity.

Due to its large youth population, Africa needs to generate 20 million jobs per annum over the next 20 years. Some of this job growth will come from services, but the bulk will come from commercialization of agriculture and expanded manufacturing. Those products will seek global markets. If those markets are not fair and transparent, and those 20 million jobs are not created, Africa will not break free of cycles of poverty, migration, and conflict—which will continue to have global consequences in terms of a growing refugee crisis and escalating damage to Africa’s environment.

I’ve known Ms. Okonjo Iweala for many years and can vouch for her tenacity, savvy, and commitment to forging consensus.

Building on her unique African cultural perspective and deep understanding of the international community, I believe Ms. Okonjo Iweala will reinforce the case for the value of the open trade system supported by the WTO’s multilateral role and methodology for dispute solving. This is in everyone’s interest.

Combining her skills as an international civil servant and a national minister of finance minister, along with her roles in private enterprise, civil society, and in addressing health issues and climate change, she will bring an inclusive, problem-solving approach that can help revive world trade at this crucial juncture.

By: K.Y. Amoako

https://acetforafrica.org/