TRUE LIFE STORY:MEET JULIANA A 42-YEAR OLD JSS1 STUDENT IN ABUJA

L-R: Mrs. Juliana Godwin with her son, Sam Godwin, in front of  Junior Secondary School, Gosa, Abuja signboard 

Mrs. Juliana Godwin, 42, mother of four lovely children, an indigene of Riyom in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State. has become one of those persons with strong will to change her condition.

Juliana who had her education stalled by lack of sponsorship, a situation that made her to drop out, in 1983, of LEA Primary School, Riyom, have decided to go back at age 42 as Junior Secondary School I (JSSI) student of Junior Secondary School, Gosa, Abuja!

“I had to leave for Jos in 1983, since my father could no longer sponsor my education to secondary school because he had no money. While I was with my cousin, I enrolled in a tailoring shop to learn dress making. I completed it within a year and six months”, she told Sunday Vanguard.

In 2001, she and her children left Jos to join her husband in Abuja, where they live at Gosa village, along Airport Road.

An industrious woman, Godwin became the bread-winner of her family. Since had skill in hair plaiting, that became a source of livelihood for her and the family. Later she ventured into hawking of water in a basin in Gosa market to boost the family’s income.

“In 2003, I was able to save some money from water hawking. I started pepper and tomato business with N1,000 from the savings. I also went into corn roasting business, but my husband stopped me from the business in 2007,” she said.

In 2008, Godwin decided to go into vocational training with a non-governmental organisation called Refocusing Nigerian Talents Organisation, RENITO, where she was trained in soap (liquid, medicated and bar), and pomade and disinfectants production.

“Now I can produce and sell the products I was trained on, and I started with N1,500”, Mrs. Godwin narrated.

“I came to realise that the business was lucrative and helpful to me and my family. I decided to make savings towards going back to school after I dropped out in 1983.

“My husband was against my decision and quarrelled seriously with me. But I didn’t give up on my decision. In 2013, I went on to enrol at Junior Secondary School, Gosa, Airport Road, Abuja, where I started in JSS I F. I was able to raise N10, 000 to pay for admission expenses.

“Why I decided to start from JSSI was because I had never in my life stepped into the four walls of a secondary school. I told myself I will start from JSS I, as it will help me to have the foundation of secondary school education and to understand what I would be taught.

“My principal was surprised and asked me whether I could cope with secondary school education as an adult and a married woman. He and the staff also encouraged me to continue since I had made up my mind. But my husband continued making trouble to stop me”.

 “I am the oldest person in the class of 80 students. I participate in every school activity, and I am happy with that. Even when I come late to school, the teachers do punish me just like other students, and I have no problem with that, but I do behave myself as an adult.”

 “I have seen great changes in my life, and I am coping seriously. My aim is to study marketing in the university after I would have completed my senior secondary education”, she added.

Vanguard

NB: This woman needs to be encouraged by way of  sponsorship.

A MUST READ: OBASANJO RELEASES FAYOSE'S 2012 APOLOGY LETTER

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has asked Ekiti State governor, Ayo Fayose, to stop his verbal attacks on him and seek God’s forgiveness for abusing him barely two years after he begged him in a letter over previous insults.

Governor Fayose had last week in Ile Ife, Osun State, lambasted Obasanjo for what he called Obasanjo’s unnecessary outbursts on President Goodluck Jonathan.

           

But Obasanjo, through one of his associates, disclosed that Fayose wrote him a letter, begging him two years ago to facilitate his (Fayose) return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Obasanjo’s associate asked Nigerians not to take Fayose serious as he would soon write another letter of apology to the former president.

Fayose’s letter, dated 26th June, 2012, obtained by Saturday Tribune, detailed how he begged Obasanjo for forgiveness, for what he called his actions that had caused embarrassment to the former president. 

The tone of the letter also asked the former president to help him facilitate his return to the PDP.

The former president, in his reply to Fayose’s letter, dated July 18,2012, accepted to forgive the Ekiti State governor but told him that the aspect of facilitating his return to the party needed to be handled at the local, state and the national levels of the party.

Below is the unedited content of the letter Fayose wrote to Obasanjo and the former president’s reply to Fayose’s letter.

Fayose’s Letter:

“Dear Baba,

“There is no denying the fact that my relationship with you has gone sour as a result of my action and inaction which have definitely caused you embarrassment in public and this has marred our very good father-son relationship in the past.

“I take responsibility for my over reaction and disrespect to your person which is most regretted, I am indeed sorry.

“I pray that God will give you the grace to let go of the past knowing fully well that I am human and therefore not infallible especially considering the circumstances surrounding my removal from office.

“To further buttress my willingness to seek peace with you, I could recall that I had made several efforts to this effect by consulting your close allies in the persons of Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), Chief Omilani and Pastor Oyedepo amongst others.

“Lastly, kindly disregard all insinuations or political blackmailing suggestive of my doing or saying anything contradicting my present disposition as contained in this letter.

“My reconciliation with your goodself may not go down well with some of my political opponents, but you remain the father of all.

“My wife sends her love and greetings.

“With high regards.

Signed

Ayo Fayose.

Obasanjo’s reply dated July 18, 2012

“Dear Ayo,

“I write to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated June 26, 2012 pleading with me to forgive you, as you put it, for your action and inaction which have caused me embarrassment in the public.

“As for the embarrassment and personal insult to me, forgiveness is divine and I will not withhold forgiveness since I believe that God will not withhold forgiveness for my inadequacies.

“However, for me, the personal aspect can be handled by me but the party aspect has to be handled at the local, state and national levels of the Party.

“I wish you all the best and God’s blessing.”

Signed
Olusegun Obasanjo.

Obasanjo’s associate told the newspaper that “One wonders why the same Fayose who wrote that letter is now against the president settling his differences with Obasanjo given the background that he (Fayose) wrote that letter of apology barely two years ago.”

Fayose had on Friday condemned Thursday’s visit of five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors to former President Obasanjo, saying the visit would further encourage disrespect for the office of the president of Nigeria.

Fayose said in a statement made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Friday that “visiting Obasanjo to plead with him to rescind his decision not to participate in the party’s activities was capable of encouraging other members of the party to openly disrespect the office of President and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria as being done by Obasanjo.”

Governor Fayose also called for “immediate suspension of the former president from the PDP for anti-party activities,” and contended that “a man who has refused to respect the office of the President of Nigeria that he once occupied does not also deserve respect from anyone.”

He also called on the leadership of the PDP to set a panel to probe Obasanjo’s anti-party activities.

“The PDP as a party must stop condoning indiscipline. Nobody should be treated as being bigger than the party.”

He said: “Obasanjo, who does not appreciate others, deserve no respect,” adding that “no amount of mud-slinging from him will stop President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election.”

According to him, Obasanjo was “one of the major problems of Nigeria,” and added that “the former president’s open castigation of President Goodluck Jonathan is unbecoming of someone who led the country for 11 years and wasted billions of naira in his attempt to perpetuate himself in office beyond the constitutionally recognised two-terms.”

He said: “Have you ever heard a former president of the United States of America openly abusing a sitting president of the country?

“Does it mean that former US president, Bill Clinton, agreed with all the policies of George W. Bush and the incumbent president, Barack Obama?”

He said: “Obasanjo’s behaviour is unpresidential and he must be told to respect himself.

“General Yakubu Gowon, General Ibrahim Babangida and Alhaji Shehu Shagari have not been doing the same. They don’t openly disparage the office of the president or his person and this is not because they agree with all his policies, but because they know that there is a channel through which they can convey their feelings to the president.”

On why he is the only governor out of the about 18 other PDP governors that did not go to see Chief Obasanjo, Fayose said: “Chief Obasanjo is our own and we are the ones who should correct our own as Yoruba.”

Speaking further, Fayose said Obasanjo was already a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and that he was pushing for one of his loyalists to be the party’s vice presidential candidate.

He said; “Obasanjo is a man who can never be pleased. His principle of life is- if it is not his way, it must not be another person’s way.

“Even if President Jonathan gives Obasanjo his blood today, he (Obasanjo) cannot change because he is already neck-deep in the APC agenda, with his eyes on the vice presidential ticket of the party.

“Therefore, no amount of visits by PDP governors can make him change his mind about President Jonathan, whom he hates not because he has not performed, but because he (Jonathan) did not hand over his presidency to him”.

Culled :dailypostng

THE REAL REASON WHY INI EDO'S MARRIAGE CRASHES...INSIDER'S SOURCE

According to an insider who claimed that Ini Edo and her husband, Philips Ehiagwina  are well known to him or her back since when they started courtship till they got married has said the actress is a good wife, and took a lot of things most women won’t naturally take! The alleged insider also advised the media to always report the truth and stop painting the actress bad. Below is what the insider told Vanguard;

                    

“I think Ini Edo was badly in love. Philips was a charmer and, as a human being and deeply in love, she followed her heart. It is so sad that a woman blessed with such a good heart could be treated in such a hurtful manner. Most people may not know, but Ini Edo is a dedicated and totally committed spouse any man could hope to have. That’s why she endured all she did, for six years without letting the world know the pain she was going through in her marriage.

“Most people do not know that Ini Edo gave up a lot of acting jobs to be with her husband in America and, unlike the widely peddled story that the actress was involved in romantic relationships with other men, for the six years that Ini was married to Philips, she never cheated on him.  Ini Edo adored and loved Philips; she was very fond of him, cooked his meals personally, and was practically splitting her time between two continents, all in her efforts to be a good wife, the insider said.

AFTER 12 FRUITFUL YEARS TO HER FATHERLAND..ABIKE DABIRI BOWS OUT GRACEFULLY

Hon. Abike Kafayat Oluwatoyin Dabiri-Erewa has decided to gracefully bow out, as she will not be returning to the House.

Dabiri-Erewa, who has served fatherland for an impressively 12 productive years shows her distaste for political sit-tight syndrome, distinguishes herself as a virtuous woman and a respected government functionary as she vacates her sit for other potentials to take the reins.

Having paid her dues, Hon. Abike believes it is time to give other people the opportunity to serve their people.

Dabiri-Erewa, 52, is a third term member of the House of Representatives at the National Assembly. This confers on her, the status of the most prominent female politician in Lagos State, and one of the most prominent politicians in Nigeria today. There is no doubting the fact that Dabiri-Erewa has paid her dues, proven her worth and done Nigeria proud. She is charismatic, cosmopolitan, polished and eloquent. And she is one of the few Nigerians with acceptable global presence. As the Chairman, House Committee on Diaspora Affair, Dabiri-Erewa is known to have the widest network of Nigerians in the diasporas. 

Dabiri-Erewa fondly called "Mother Teresa of the tube" prides herself in her outstanding career as a broadcaster. She spent 15 years of distinguished and meritorious service at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). While in NTA she gained a strong understanding of the industry because of her dedication, inquisitiveness and professionalism. She anchored the weekly NTA Newsline programme to the delight of millions of Nigerians, irrespective of their tribe or religion. Dabiri-Erewa wormed her way into the hearts of many with her gallantry efforts of using television as an effective tool to draw attention to the millions of Nigerians suffering from the pains of poverty and injustice.

Her commitment and passionate dedication to duty while working on several heart touching Newsline stories stood her out and endeared her to many. Her display of bravery while investigating the story of little Mary, the miracle baby for eight years, remains indelible in the minds of many Nigerians.

A firm believer in the importance of service to humanity, Dabiri-Erewa voluntarily retired from the services of the NTA to contest as a member of the House of Representative and swept the poll with a landslide victory in 2003. Ever since then, she has distinguished herself by working tirelessly. Dabiri-Erewa undertakes a lot of important bills, defends the interest of her party most vociferously and has a strong passion for service. 

A wife and mother of two, she has continued to play her motherly role in her constituency, Lagos, Nigeria and APC. Her constituency benefited from several projects implemented under her leadership which includes free eye test and cataract surgery, empowerment programs, cash donation to widows, water schemes, boreholes, electrification, training scholarship scheme for indigent youths and better health care services. Her achievements and qualities are indeed worthy of emulation. The sterling amazon builds her principles on the unwavering philosophy that success is not about age, it is not about character, it is not about how much you have in your account but how many lives you touch.

FASHOLA AND MY GOODSELF ARE SUBJECTED TO 'SPIRIT OF DEMOCRACY'....TINUBU

For a while now, I have noticed and read many published political stories on Lagos politics in particular and the personalities involved that are either concerted, unsubstantiated, pure conjectures or outright falsehood. In this instance, I reference a recent story ran by a major newspaper concerning my successor and me. There is a no doubt political charlatan and enemies are at work fueling unnecessary rumour and insinuations and seeking to drive a wedge in an otherwise cordial and respectful political relationship. My relationship with Governor Fashola remains cordial both at the personal level and at the level of commitment to ensuring Lagos State remains on the path of political stability, growth and development.

Whether Governor Fashola had a specific candidate or not isn’t the issue here. What is important is to have a transparent process in the spirit of democracy to which we both subscribe.  We often debate, agree or disagree. But when it comes to concluding on the interest of Lagos State, we are on the same page. The current situation and issues around the Lagos Gubernatorial primary are being overblown. What we have done is ensure that no one is denied his or her rights to participate and compete for any elective position. Such a disposition should not translate into anger and divisiveness of the party as it is being peddled. Conflicts and disagreements is part of every political process. The capacity to solve these conflicts in-house and not on the pages of newspaper is a tradition in Lagos.

We warn the people of Lagos state against speculative, self-serving stories aimed at destabilizing the party and its leadership. The media must be weary of accepting or publishing stories that seek to pursue a narrow political agenda. Rather, they should make their paper a platform for proper news dissemination and constructive analysis such that can help our country tackle the current security problem, create jobs.

While we appreciate, recognize and respect the right of every media house to publish any story, it is important not to be part of the feeding frenzy and not to mislead the unsuspecting public.

KATE HENSHAW LOSES PDP PRIMARIES ELECTION

 Nollywood actress turns politician, Kate Henshaw today lost House of Representative primaries election in Calabar .

 The actress shows spirit of sportsmanship, as she accepted her defeat and congratulates the winner! Nice one Kate, there is always a next time, See her tweet after the cut....

BREAKING NEWS: ANOTHER JAIL BREAKS IN MINNA THIS EVENING !

Prison breaks series. It was learnt that unknown gunmen stormed the Minna Medium Prison yard in Niger state around 4:30pm today and set free about 270 inmates.

According to reports, the gunmen over powered the Prison officials, and then broke into the prison's armoury where they stole some weapons and bullet proof vests. This will be the second jail break in Nigeria within one week! . One happened in Ekiti state on Monday December 1st.