Business
‘I have found love now’ – Actress cum singer, OGOMA OBI
Beautiful actress cum singer, Ogoma Obi, better addressed as Princess, is one entertainer that can’t stop thanking God for His mercies on her. And the reason is not farfetched. The Oru, Imo born thespian survived an auto crash miraculously in 2015. The incident has since drawn her closer to God, and that’s the real reason she now came out with a new album, Ekeneya (Thanking God for Everything).
She spoke on this and other issues revolving around her life and career when she granted an interview a couple of days back in Ogba, Lagos.
What’s going on now in your life and career?
I thank God, it’s been good so far. My acting career is going on fine. I just returned from Asaba for a movie on cultism in the university, the effects and how to curb cultism and all that. And presently as a musician, I just released two singles – contemporary gospel, Ekeneya and The Promise. And I am warming up to shoot a video for Ekenaya where I featured K-Light.
What informed the titled and what’s the meaning of Ekeneya?
Ekeneya means Thank God for everything about my life, career and family. It’s just about everything that has been happening in my life. I just need to tell my story of how I overcame everything that has happened and how God has brought me this far.
With a heart filled with gratitude, that’s what actually informed the title, Ekeneya. And if you listen to it, you will see how far God has taken me to and how much it took me to be where I am today. So, I am very grateful to God about everything around me life and career.
When exactly are you commencing work on the video?
I think by next week, I should be shooting the video. So, I am appealing to my fans to wait for the video to drop. That’s where they will see how and why I am praising God, telling my own story myself.
This one sounds like a gospel music but the other time we had a chat with you, it’s like you’re doing secular music. Why gospel now?
No, it’s not secular, I do gospel, inspirational and love songs. I do song that can be played at weddings, birthdays and all that. Even in the gospel album, I have some songs people can play at a wedding, birthday and other ceremonies.
You’re a singer and an actress, how do you jiggle the two?
The two are both demanding. But there’s one beautiful thing about entertainment, you still have a lot of time in your hands. Like I took a back seat from music for some time and went into acting. And once you go music, you don’t go back. It’s my first love and it keeps beckoning.
And when those songs came into my heart, I got a conviction that it’s about time I tell the story. For me, gospel track in my album is not just music, it’s a testimony. You are telling a story. So, I am just giving a testimony, my own testimony of what God has done for me all this while.
To me, telling it in the church alone is not enough. I feel every hear should hear my testimony. That’s what informed releasing the album.
What’s special about the testimony you’re hammering on?
My God! What’s special about it is awesome. I went through an auto crash. My car was damaged beyond repair but I came out alive. I couldn’t say this was how it happened like that, but I know it’s God. Also, my elder sister was diagnosed of last stage of cancer, but today she’s still alive hale and hearty. She also just released an album, telling her own story too. It’s all a miracle that no man can comprehend.
My sister’s cancer was so terrible that she couldn’t even walk, she was bedridden throughout. But if you see her now and they tell she suffered cancer, you won’t believe it. That’s how merciful the God we worship is. I can’t just hold back. I need to shout, I need to tell the story of God’s miracle in the family. That’s why I came out with the album.
When exactly did the accident happen and where?
It happened in 2015 on Ikorodu Road, Lagos. It’s a terrible one but God saved me. It’s beyond my knowledge how I came out uninjured. I never knew I could come out of it. It was those that witnessed it that told me the story because I was unconscious for hours. But I thank God, the whole thing has become history.
What’s the situation of the car now?
The car was a write-off. There was nothing to repair about it.
So, since, you have been jumping okada and public buses or you have replaced the car?
(Laughs) That happened for a while but I have replaced the car. I thank God for that.
What’s the experience like doing without a car for that while?
It’s okay. That’s part of life experience. I don’t really see it as a bad thing. One of the good things in boarding public buses is that it makes you look fit. I could realize that when I was cruising around in my car, I was adding weight.
But for the period I didn’t have a car, I looked fit. Though, it’s a bit tiring for some time, I have no reason to complain. Life can’t be 100 percent straight. There must be a bend somehow.
Let’s talk about your acting career. You have not really featured in movies recently, why? Or your music career is taking you off acting?
Not really. It’s just because there are some scripts I get that I don’t like. For example, all these internet movies. I mean movies that have some nude scenes or some kind of roles that are not godly, I turn them down. That’s why you don’t see me in so many movies recently. There’re some things you need to walk away from because of your image.
Your career as an actress has just spanned about four years and you have carved a niche for yourself. What would you say is working for you?
First, I will say God. Then, I think I am good at what I do. And I am very calm. I like to take corrections. I learn from others who’re better than me. I am a good listener. There are lots of people that don’t like to be corrected even when they’re going wrong. They just like repeating the same mistakes over and over in every role. And with that, you can’t move an inch as an actor.
Where do we see Ogoma in the next five years, career wise?
Oh God! Eyes have not seen yet, ears have not heard neither has it been conceived into the heart of any man what God has prepared for me. And I will tell you in the next few years, I am going to be celebrated all over. By God’s grace, I am going up conquer the whole world, getting everybody joining me and testifying, to what God has done in my life.
No doubt, you must be close to 40 now…
(Cuts in) No, I am just in my mid 30s, I am not up to 40 yet o.
But you’re yet to settle down. Is that not giving you any sleepless night?
As a child of God, I think about it. I had a broken engagement and I took some times off. It wasn’t his fault nor mine fully. We both had a fair share of fault that led to the premature break-up. But I am someone that learns from my mistakes.
So, I learnt from it. And I know in the next few months or before the year runs out, I will settle down by God’s grace.
That means you’re not searching?
Yes, I am not searching. That I believe but I am still praying.
That means you have found a new man you’re committing into the hands of God?
Yes, there’s a man in my life. I am not searching at all.
You’re addressed as a princess, is it because of your sexy looks?
Not really, but I am a princess truly. My father was a king of my town, now late. He was the king of Obolo in Oru Local government area, Imo State, the late Eze B. E. Obi. He was also one time chairman of Oru local government and he was one of the people that created Oru Local government.
So, if people call me princess, it’s not because of my looks but because I am from a royal family.
FG confirms Oyedepo’s Canaanland airstrip approval
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has confirmed the approval of an airstrip for Canaanland, the property known to be sitting the Living Faith Church in the Ota area of Ogun State.
Founder of the Church, also known as Winners Chapel, David Oyedepo, was seen in a short video celebrating the development, telling the congregation of the latest government approval for the church.
Oyedepo announced this during the Tehillah Night Special Edition at Covenant University Chapel, Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State, on Sunday.
The Tehillah Night special edition was a special thanksgiving programme held in honour of the clergyman, who recently marked his 70th birthday in September.
Contacted, media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, confirmed this development, saying the minister approved the airstrip.
“Yes, the minister approved the airstrip. It is a private airstrip and the minister approved it, that I can confirm.”
According to Oyedepo, this development will enable him to travel directly from the church premises, eliminating the need to fly to the airport first.
He said, “I am sure you will be glad to know that the Federal Government has approved an airstrip for Canaanland.
“I won’t need to fly a helicopter to the airport. I can leave from here to wherever I am going. Members with their planes will have where to land and park.”
The airstrip reportedly aims to improve transportation for worshippers and visitors, especially during large events like the church’s programs that draw numerous worshippers worldwide.
Oyedepo encouraged his congregation to find their place in God’s plan, citing Covenant University graduates who flew him as examples.
“Won’t you be glad to know that there are some captains who are graduates of Covenant University that fly me? We don’t have an aviation department here, but they found their place in God and went after it.
“That’s what this university is all about, it’s not about boxing you up. It’s about allowing you to locate God’s plan and pursue it accordingly. Young people, don’t play away your life, you don’t have a spare,” he said.
Experts, Stakeholders Association React To Baseless and Unfounded Allegations Against GTCO
Stakeholders and financial industry experts have reacted to the series of allegations against Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc.
A civic organization, Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), had on Friday, September 4, 2024, released a Private Investigative Report signed by its President, Edwin Omaga, alleging a series of “unscrupulous, unethical and criminal activities” against Guaranty Trust Bank Limited, the flagship subsidiary of the GTCO group.
The report, which has been actively circulating in the social media showing the leadership of GICN in a prolonged press conference on the subject matter, highlighted damning allegations of corporate misconduct which many social media followers have strongly commented on.
However, GTCO has refuted the allegations and described the report as false.
In a statement made available to THEWILL by the group’s head of corporate communications, Charles Eremi, the foremost financial services group said GICN set out to create a false narrative about the GTCO brand and its management.
“Being a responsible corporate citizen and a first-class institution, GTCO Plc has taken swift and decisive legal actions against the various sources of these false reports,” the statement read, adding “We will continue to use the full extent of the rule of law available to safeguard our reputation.”
“Based on the incessant release of false news reports on GTCO’s business activities, Results and its Management Team, it has become necessary to set the records straight and dispel attempts by certain groups to create a false narrative about the GTCO Brand and its Management.
“The false news articles which are being sponsored using the media, center around baseless allegations against the Group’s business activities and its Executive Management.
“We urge all our Customers, Shareholders and Stakeholders to kindly disregard all the allegations being peddled through various media platforms and handles. All of our Executive Management team continue to operate in their full capacities as appointed, and are not under any financial or regulatory scrutiny as alleged,” the statement reads.
An investment expert and chairman, Trusted Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Mukhtar Mukhtar condemned the development as a calculated attempt by the GICN group to pull down one of Nigeria’s major financial services institutions.
In a telephone chat with THEWILL Mukhtar lamented over the deliberate efforts of some people to pull down an institution like GT Bank without considering the consequences – loss of employment, negative impact on investors’ assets and depositors’ funds as well as the support to the economy through granting loans and advances to customers.
“GT Bank is one of the strongest new generation banks. It has been making profits over the years and paying dividends to the shareholders, providing employment to Nigerians and giving value to investors. Much as I would not condone wrongdoing, I do not believe that a reputable institution would descend so low to dabble in such wrongdoings it is being accused of,” he said.
He added: “There are better ways of approaching a matter like this, such as petitioning the various regulatory bodies instead of coming to the media to malign a reputable institution like GT Bank.”
National Co-ordinator, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Boniface Okezie, lambasted the accusing group for wrongfully playing the role of the regulator. He noted that banking is a highly regulated sector and that no such misdemeanor could happen in a financial services institution without being detected.
“I watched the press conference online. I do not believe the allegations. Who is the group making the allegation? Are they the regulators of the industry? You don’t call a press conference to malign an institution. It is uncalled for; I do not believe in the rumours being spread by those people and I urge the public not to believe them, either.
“The CBN is there, the NDIC, the Financial Reporting Council – are all there. If a customer has a complaint, he knows where to take it to. And that will be resolved. GT Bank is a strategic and important institution in the financial services industry and should not be maligned for any reason,” Okezie told THEWILL by telephone.
In his reaction, Dr Paul Uzum, a stockbroker and investment expert urged Nigerians to dispel the rumour being spread against GT Bank. He told THEWILL via telephone that GT Bank is a very strong and strategic bank that cannot be associated with the allegations being peddled by the accusing group.
He said, ‘GT Bank is one of the strategically cut-out banks. If anything happens to GT Bank, the market is gone because we do not have many of its kind in the industry. How many companies do we have like that? They are one of the flagships in the market and cannot be pushed over in terms of performance and corporate governance. The story must have been sponsored by an aggrieved party, but that is not the right way to go about it.”
Sam Ndata, an investment expert and Doyen of the Stockbrokers urged Nigerians and others not to rush into believing the allegations without proof because that would be injurious to the corporate image of GT Bank
GTCO reported an impressive result in its H1 2024 performance. It posted a profit before tax of N1.004 trillion, becoming the first Nigerian financial institution to cross the N1trillion mark in profit. This milestone figure represents an increase of 206.6% over N327.4billion recorded in the corresponding period ended June 2023.
The Group’s loan book (net) Increased by 25.5% from N8trillion recorded as at December 2023 to N3.11trillion in June 2024, while deposit liabilities grew by 39.8% from N7.55trillion in December 2023 to N10.55trillion in June 2024.
Iremide Ogunyemi wins Fidelity Bank’s ‘Read2Lead’ Writing Competition
A student of The Ambassadors’ College, Ota, Ogun State, Miss Iremide Ogunyemi, has won N2 million cash, a publishing deal worth N2 million and another N2 million to upgrade her school’s library after emerging the star prize winner of the inaugural edition of the Fidelity Bank organized Read2Lead writing competition. This was disclosed at the competition’s prize presentation event held in Lagos over the weekend.
Welcoming guests to the event, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo, the Executive Director of South Directorate, Fidelity Bank Plc, who represented Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe,OON, the bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, said the initiative was created to unlock the creative potentials of students and help them become better positioned for successful careers.
“All over the world, young people are driving change through innovation and Nigeria is no exception. As a Bank, we believe in the transformative power of education in changing the fortunes of any nation. It is this belief that led us to organize the Read2Lead initiative. By fostering the fundamental yet crucial skill of reading and writing from a young age, we aim to empower children to face academic challenges confidently and solve life problems skillfully.
“The Read2Lead initiative, therefore, encapsulates our approach to instilling a culture of reading and writing among young people. As highlighted by the esteemed American journalist, critic, and social reformer, Margaret Fuller, “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader”; we believe that igniting our youths’ imagination early can unlock their potential and set them on a path to success”, explained Onyeali-Ikpe.
The prize presentation ceremony had in attendance the representative of the Ogun State Commissioner of Education, management staff of Fidelity Bank Plc, the top 30 students from the competition, their parents, teachers, colleagues and media personalities.
“When I started, I didn’t know I would emerge a finalist in the competition. I just decided to participate because I love writing. This was the first competition that I saw that asked for a fictional essay. As that is what I like, I decided to write. I want to thank Fidelity Bank for coming up with this initiative as it is a really good and creative competition”, disclosed an elated Miss Ogunyemi.
In a surprising twist of events, Miss Mfeheke Okoko and Miss Daniella Orji, also of The Ambassadors’ College, Ota, Ogun State, took home cash prizes for N1.5million and N1million for emerging the first and second-runners up respectively in the competition which saw students from across Nigeria compete in three phases of writing challenges.
In the first stage of the initiative, tagged, “The National Writing Showdown”, over 3,000 students were tasked with a creative writing task for a spot among the top 150 writers.
In the second stage known as “The Sweeta Writing Mastery”, the top 150 participants were given a novel to read and requested to write an alternate ending for the book for chance to join the top 30 finalists.
In the third and final stage themed, “The Author’s Workshop”, the top 30 students were enrolled in an immersive writing boot camp anchored by experienced writers and facilitators who selected the top three finalists.
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