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Lady, 28, dumps my 65year-old brother at LUTH after stealing his millions – Sister

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By Ifeoma Ikem

The family of a 65 year-old retired Chevron staff, Solomon Akukwe is presently fighting tooth and nail to secure the release of their son from the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, (LUTH), Idi- Araba Lagos.

Akukwe was alleged to have been abandorned at LUTH by his 28 year-old lover, Mariam Seidu who also left an instruction that the man should not be released to any family members.

According to a petition written by Ngozi Adenuga, younger sister of Solomon who suffers intermittent mental disorder, Akukwe and Seidi met at a rehabilitation center in Abuja where both received treatment, and became lovers.

The petition stated that Akukwe was at the centre to be stabilized while Seidu was there to be rehabilitated from drugs addiction.

It was learnt that as soon as Akukwe left the centre, Seidu on discovering that he was well to do, tricked him into leaving his sister’s home in Abuja whereupon they eloped to Lagos where the man has a house.

In Lagos Seidu became the Alpha and Omega of Akukwe’s life as she took over his affairs and his bank transactions, and confiscated his ATM card with which she withdraws money at will.

This was possible because the man suffers mental imbalance from time to time according to Adenuga’s petition and because his first wife and son had already left the house due to frustration.

It was realized also that another woman who Akukwe married after his first also abandoned him after siphoning huge amounts of money from his account.

Akukwe’s sister found out that Seidu’s dangerous ploys might be to manipulate him unto death in other to claim his assets, having known the family’s history, and that Akukwe has no brother or parent.

She decided to notify the police to look into the situation, especially as it is only herself and her younger sister that were the only family left that could protect Akukwe’s interests.

The petition alleged that Adenuga’s determination to save her brother from Seidu’s clutches met a brick wall as she realized that Seidu had taken her brother to LUTH, after worsening his illness by continuing to help him smoke and imbibe alcohol heavily.

Marian Seidu also left instructions with the hospital management to only relate with her.

Adenuga allegedly also found out that even some of the officials at LUTH had access to her brother’s phone, and that they too tampered with her sick brother’s funds at will.

This development made her think that there is a big conspiracy between Seidu and the health workers, perhaps to help drain Akukwe’s account till its became empty.

Part of the petition reads thus; “Sir, there is no doubt that there is a dangerous conspiracy going on, and our ultimate fear is that these parties mentioned are out to kill my brother and confiscate his assets.

” We are worried that if nothing is done quickly, their overt and covert desire will come to fruition and will lead to dangerous intra-family and social clashes “

Adenuga’s suspicions and fear heightened when Seidu blatantly disregarded the instructions of the family sent through Akukwe’s driver that her brother should not be taken to LUTH, but should be taken to either a Chevron facility or a psychiatric hospital for care.

In order to fight for her brother, Adenuga said she had abandoned her business and family in Abuja.

“In addition, the body language of the LUTH workers is scary and incomprehensible”, she said.

Adenuga said she was also shocked about what she witnessed one faithful day when she visited LUTH to see her brother Akuekwe and was bundled to the security post.

“I was disgraced without being allowed to see my brother to know his present state and even up until now, nobody, except Seidu, is allowed to visit my brother.

`How could it be that the family members of a patient would not be allowed to see their relation but an outsider can? ” she queried.

“Why must the hospital also have access to a sick man’s account when he has family, and when his lover who brought him is still around?

“Why is LUTH refusing to release or discharge Akukwe for proper care since they abandon him in a dark and lonely Hall? ” She again quizzed.

Our correspondent put a call through to Seidu as regards this development, and she sounded unperturbed and instead cautioned that no one should accuse her wrongly.

Meanwhile, when our reporter visited LUTH Akukwe was in fact in lonely confinement, and from every indication, it appeared that the hospital is waiting for instructions from Seidu for the next line of action.

Adenuga has however maintained that her brother should be released to the family so that he could be properly taken care of.

society

Tayo Folorunsho Partners with Fari Elysian Foundation to Host Content Creation Masterclass 2.0 in Abuja

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*Tayo Folorunsho Partners with Fari Elysian Foundation to Host Content Creation Masterclass 2.0 in Abuja*

In a groundbreaking initiative to empower Nigeria’s next generation of digital storytellers, Tayo Folorunsho, Founder of Edutainment First International Ltd/GTE, has partnered with Farida Mirzebalaeva, Founder of the Fari Elysian Foundation, to host Content Creation Masterclass 2.0, scheduled to take place from July 10th to 11th in Abuja.

This highly anticipated two-day experience is set to be a transformative event for emerging content creators across Nigeria. The Masterclass will offer hands-on training in media production, digital storytelling, personal branding, content monetization, and digital entrepreneurship. Designed with a national vision, the initiative seeks to position participants as compelling digital voices and creative leaders in Nigeria’s rapidly growing content economy.

Farida Mirzebalaeva, whose foundation is recognized for empowering young people with practical digital skills and a growth mindset, shared her enthusiasm for the initiative:

“At the Fari Elysian Foundation, we believe the future belongs to those who create. By equipping youth with real, applicable creative and digital tools, we’re investing in a future where African voices shape global narratives. This Masterclass is not just a training—it’s a movement to spark confidence, competence, and community in the hearts of aspiring creators.”

Tayo Folorunsho, a respected voice in education-through-entertainment and community impact, emphasized the importance of this collaboration:

“Through Edutainment First, we’ve consistently championed innovation that resonates with the Nigerian reality. Partnering with Farida and the Fari Elysian Foundation to bring Content Creation Masterclass 2.0 to Abuja reflects our shared commitment to inclusivity, creativity, and impact. We are not just teaching content—we’re helping young people tell their stories, monetize their voices, and become change agents in their communities.”

Building on the success of its inaugural edition, Content Creation Masterclass 2.0 aims to expand its reach, deepen its impact, and foster a national community of empowered young creators. Attendees can expect expert-led sessions, networking opportunities, access to mentorship, and the chance to become part of a growing network of purpose-driven creatives who are changing the narrative of Africa—one post, one video, one story at a time.

#ContentCreationMasterclass #FariElysian #EdutainmentFirst #DigitalNigeria #AbujaEvent2024

Tayo Folorunsho Partners with Fari Elysian Foundation to Host Content Creation Masterclass 2.0 in Abuja*

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Ngozi Okafor: A Life Devoted to Empowering the Next Generation*

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*Ngozi Okafor: A Life Devoted to Empowering the Next Generation*

From the bustling streets of London to the heart of Lagos, from mentoring inner-city teens in Atlanta to crafting training blueprints for global institutions, Ngozi Okafor’s journey has been one of purpose, passion, and people. A woman of many hats—organizational psychologist, trainer, mentor, author, mother—Ngozi has spent over two decades empowering young people and shaping lives, one conversation, one opportunity, and one program at a time.

With more than 23 years of experience in instructional design and corporate training, Ngozi is not just a trainer or strategist—she’s a storyteller, a guide, and a believer in human potential. Her work cuts across sectors and continents, but her mission has always remained constant: to equip young people with the tools, confidence, and mindset to lead meaningful lives.

“I’ve always believed that young people don’t just need information—they need belief. They need someone to see them, to invest in them, and to walk beside them,” she once said. And that belief has taken her to 56 countries, living on four continents, and working with youth and organizations around the world.

Early Roots in the UK: Hope for the Hopeless

Her story begins in the United Kingdom, where she volunteered with Hope Worldwide International. There, she worked with vulnerable youth—many on the brink of homelessness or already living on the streets. Ngozi helped them navigate their way back into education and employment, guiding them gently but firmly toward stability and success. She didn’t just talk to them; she walked with them—sometimes organizing food drives, sometimes helping them launch charitable initiatives of their own.

A Voice in Atlanta’s Classrooms and Communities

When she moved to the United States, Ngozi took that same energy to Junior Achievers of Atlanta, facilitating business simulation programs that didn’t just teach numbers, but gave students the confidence to dream of building something of their own. Her influence extended beyond the classroom. She mobilized young people to serve their communities—visiting the elderly through Meals on Wheels, delivering not just food but companionship and care.

Returning Home to Inspire Nigeria’s Youth

Back in Nigeria, Ngozi didn’t slow down. She launched Youth Arena, a popular radio show on Armed Forces Radio 107.7 FM that became a lifeline for many young Nigerians searching for answers, guidance, and mentorship. With her warm voice and relatable stories, she connected with thousands. The show’s success led to a partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Financial Inclusion Committee, enabling her to produce a groundbreaking radio series on financial literacy.

But she didn’t stop at broadcasting. Ngozi created a practical financial workbook that was distributed across the country, demystifying savings, budgeting, and financial planning for young people who had never been taught these skills before.

Backing Words with Action

For Ngozi, empowerment isn’t just about ideas—it’s about action. She has personally financed the startup dreams of more than 50 young entrepreneurs in Nigeria, providing essential tools like sewing machines, baking ovens, and more. “Sometimes all they need is that one push—a show of faith that says, ‘I believe in you,’” she reflects.

More Than a Resume—A Mission

Ngozi Okafor’s life isn’t just a collection of impressive roles or accolades. It’s a testament to what happens when passion meets purpose. She’s worked with global public institutions, spoken at conferences, published books, and trained leaders. Yet, what defines her most is her unwavering commitment to young people—their stories, their struggles, and their potential.

A mother, mentor, and motivator, Ngozi continues to inspire across generations and geographies. Her story is still being written, one life at a time.

And in a world that desperately needs hope, her message is simple yet profound: *Every young person deserves a chance to thrive—and someone to believe.

Ngozi Okafor: A Life Devoted to Empowering the Next Generation*

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Why We Remain D-Colonised: The British Built Institutions, Nigerians Built Excuses & Blames

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Why We Remain D-Colonised: The British Built Institutions, Nigerians Built Excuses & Blames By George Omagbemi Sylvester

Why We Remain D-Colonised: The British Built Institutions, Nigerians Built Excuses & Blames

By George Omagbemi Sylvester

More than sixty years after taking independence from Britain, Nigeria remains a painful paradox, a nation rich in resources yet poor in discipline, rich in talent yet impoverished by corruption and rich in culture yet diminished by moral decay. The painful irony is that Nigerians were colonised by the British, a people whose commitment to order, public service, patriotism and institutional integrity stands in stark contrast to the prevailing chaos in Nigeria.

It is time we admitted a bitter but necessary truth: the British are very much unlike Nigerians, especially in the spheres that determine national greatness. In public service, in private enterprise, in respect for the rule of law, in the dignity of labour, in financial accountability and in civic responsibility, the British have long upheld values that are either absent or grossly undervalued in Nigerian society.

1. Public Service and Integrity: A Tale of Two Cultures
The British civil service is one of the oldest and most respected bureaucracies in the world. It is built on principles of neutrality, competence and loyalty to the state; not the ruling party. According to the UK Institute for Government (2023), over 98% of British civil servants are appointed through a competitive, merit-based system that upholds the values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. Compare this to Nigeria, where nepotism, bribery, tribalism and religious stands often determine appointments.

Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perception Index ranks the UK 20th out of 180 countries, while Nigeria languishes at 145th. In Nigeria, public service is viewed not as a means to serve, but as a platform to loot. The Nigerian politician is not a statesman; he is a state-chopper.

Chinua Achebe famously said, “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.”

2. Discipline and Duty to the State
The British are raised with an internalised sense of duty to their country. The Union Jack is not just a flag; it is a sacred symbol of collective sacrifice and national pride. Every schoolchild is taught to honour it. In contrast, Nigerian students do not know their state flags, much less the meaning of their national symbols. Even our National Anthem is recited without heart, often forgotten by those in power.

The British queue with discipline. They drive with patience. They pay taxes with dignity. In Nigeria, the concept of queueing is alien. We jump lines, bribe our way through airports and evade taxes while crying for development. According to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), only 10 million Nigerians pay taxes out of over 70 million eligible adults. In the UK, over 95% of working adults pay taxes annually.

Patriotism is not singing national songs during football matches. It is protecting public property. It is demanding accountability. It is paying taxes. It is electing leaders not based on tribe, but merit.

3. Financial Accountability and the Public Treasury
The British Parliament has robust mechanisms for scrutinising public expenditure. The UK’s National Audit Office regularly audits ministries and public officers are held accountable. In 2009, British MPs were forced to resign and even prosecuted over minor abuses of parliamentary expenses, some as little as £100.

In Nigeria, we lose billions to untraceable budget padding, fake contracts and ghost workers. According to the Auditor-General of Nigeria’s 2022 report, over ₦105 billion in federal funds were misappropriated or unaccounted for in one year alone. Yet, there are no consequences.

John Locke, a philosopher whose ideas influenced British governance, once said, “Where law ends, tyranny begins.” In Nigeria, law has long ended.

4. Private and Public Morality
The British sense of morality, though not perfect, is guided by centuries of cultural evolution, religious moderation and civic education. There is respect for the law, a love for clean environments and a fierce dedication to honesty in both public and private dealings. In the UK, cheating in an exam can end your academic career; in Nigeria, lecturers collect bribes for grades and universities sell honorary degrees to fraudsters.

In the UK, traffic rules are obeyed even without police presence. In Nigeria, motorists drive on pedestrian sidewalks, while police officers extort citizens in broad daylight. British society frowns at dishonesty; in Nigeria, we baptise fraudsters with nicknames like “fast Guy” and or “yahoo Yahoo”

Professor Wole Soyinka once said, “You cannot build a nation with crooks and you cannot expect honour from those who were not taught honour.”

5. Leadership and Political Discipline
The British political system is one of the most stable democracies in the world. Prime Ministers have resigned over integrity issues that would be considered trivial in Nigeria. David Cameron resigned after losing a referendum. Boris Johnson stepped down amid an internal party revolt. That is what democracy looks like: accountability not impunity.

In Nigeria, a leader can be caught on camera stuffing dollars in his agbada and still become a senator. The political elite are shielded by ethnicity, immunity and a docile populace. Leadership is about sacrifice in the UK; in Nigeria, it’s about plunder.

6. Religious Management and Behaviour
The British people have evolved spiritually. Religion is personal, not political. Churches and mosques do not block roads. Clerics do not endorse politicians for money. Religious leaders do not preach hatred or tribalism. In contrast, Nigerian religious institutions have become extensions of political parties and money-laundering schemes.

We pray more than any other nation on earth, yet our roads are the worst, our hospitals dilapidated and our police the most feared institution after armed robbers. God is not our problem; CHARACTER is.

7. Human and Resource Management
The UK has one of the best systems for managing its citizens. Births are recorded, national identity is compulsory, pensions are paid and the National Health Service (NHS) offers universal healthcare. In Nigeria, millions have no ID. Ghost workers earn salaries. Pensioners die in queues. Doctors flee the country daily. According to the Nigerian Medical Association (2023), over 60% of Nigeria-trained doctors now work abroad, many in the UK and Canada.

A Call to National Rebirth Through Character Transformation
It is not geography or GDP that distinguishes nations, it is the character of the people. Britain colonised over a quarter of the world not just with ships and soldiers, but with an ideology of order, systems and responsibility. Today, Britain remains relevant not because of its natural resources, but because it has mastered human management, institutional governance, and social discipline.

Nigeria must stop blaming colonialism for her current state. The British have long left, but we continue to govern like a colony of impunity. We have replaced oppression with self-destruction and substituted colonial order with indigenous chaos. The tragedy is not that we were colonised; it is that we never outgrew it.

The time has come for Nigerians to look in the mirror and ask: “Are we building a country, or simply existing in one?”

If we must ever rise, then every citizen from the street HAWKER to the SENATOR must undergo a moral re-engineering. Our children must be taught ethics before English and our leaders must be held to the standards of public service, not personal gain.

Nations are not built by miracles, they are built by mindsets and until we begin to think like those who once ruled us not in dominance but in discipline, we will remain a footnote in the history of missed potential.

Let me end with the words of Mahatma Gandhi:
“A nation’s greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members.”

And to paraphrase former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill:
“To each, there comes a moment when he is figuratively tapped on the shoulder and asked to do a great thing. Let Nigeria not sleep through that moment.”

Nigeria, arise; not in noise, but in discipline and let the transformation begin, not in Abuja, but in the Nigerian soul.

Why We Remain D-Colonised: The British Built Institutions, Nigerians Built Excuses & Blames
By George Omagbemi Sylvester

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