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Man subjects pregnant fiance to genital mutilation before giving birth

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At a time in the world when cases are rife of oppressive and discriminatory tendencies against women and the world waking up to sustainable decisive measures against such, it must have come as a rude shock to beautiful Blessing Isoken who hails from Edo State that her own lover, with whom she had gone through a whole lot with would come out to suggest that she performs a female circumcision exercise at the delicate state of pregnancy.
The story did not actually begin there, so let’s go to the beginning.
Blessing is from a home which describes her beginning. She grew up with her parent and the burden of her education became pronounced as she embarked on her university education. It was tough enough to provide for food, shelter and other sundry needs of the family such that taking care of her university demands were out of reach for her father.
This strain was augmented by the fact that Mr. Osagie has known one chief iyamu who was his childhood friend seeing his state that he could not fend for his family needs offered to help him with a loan wherewithal to redeem so many committment because the situation was becoming worrisome and embarrassing for him and his family.
To Osagie’s rescue came when his childhood wealthy friend with a measure of clout, decided to put a smile on his face by giving him the loan to pay back on a particular date so he can sort out so many things like his daughter Blessing’s who dropped from her university education, to be able to go back.
This must have sounded like good music in the ears of Mr. Osagie who up until that point was at a loss as to how to wriggle himself out of the financial knot. Not knowing that Chief Iyamu however, would only display such benevolence on one condition. And what was the condition? He secretly wants to marrying Blessing when she was through her university education as a befitting compensation for his kindness.
Mr. Osagie not having knowledge of chief Iyamu’s plans fell into his trap by accepting the help thinking it was free for friendship sake. With the help of chief Blessing went back to school and successfully finished her university education.
The chief who had patiently been bidding his time like a lion that was confident it very well had its prey by the jugular, came out and demanded Mr. Osagie pays back the loan by giving out Blessing to him in marriage, which at a point cause alot of disagreement btw mr Osagie and Chief Iyamu
Blessing got furious and disappointed at her father for having accepted the ideal brought by chief becos he does not have money to pay back his loan even without her consent or knowledge.. She had a budding relationship with a guy named Aberiri Mofe, and on relating the whole ordeal to him, they decided to elope, as she would rather die than have her father’s age mate marry her.
She and her boyfriend got visa travelled to Turkey where they found a measure of peace, having left the problem of Chief Iyamu behind, but that peace became transient in the height of their preparation to plan a future for themselves
The boyfriend gave her money to come back to Nigeria to settle the debt chief borrowed the father, getting to Nigeria
The father mr osagie rejected the money that there is nothing he can do that chief has already paid bride price on her and insisted she must marry him , but things went in a
dramatic twist, Blessing found out she was pregnant she quickly called Mofe her boyfriend to give him the good news that she was pregnant mofe was happy but later open up to her that she had to undergo female circumcision before she gives birth that its a tradition his people values and hold very important
Apparently in a dilemma, Blessing’s mind was in a turmoil as she tried to brace up with the reality of what Mofe told her, not feeling comfortable with it one bit. Luckily for her, she opened up to a friend about it who dissuaded her in strong terms from such a practice.
Blessing’s friend was only light then in a dark tunnel and as they kept discussing, she sold the idea of her to travel to as an escape to all the rubbish her life seemed mired in, she made up her and ran with the money given to her by her boyfriend to settle the supposed debt collect from chief by the father to canada where she finally found rest from all the troubles that threatened to swallow her. But as we speak the boyfriend has been causing alot of troubles going to fight the Blessing’s father saying since she did not perform the traditional rite during pregnancy the daughter given birth to in Canada will have to be brought to perform it so he is trying every means to make sure the innocent daughter comes down to nigeria for the traditional rites.
As we speak Nigeria is a danger zone for both mother and daughter

So many questions than answers surely this piece would elicit; What choice else did the father have? Isn’t the lasciviousness of Chief Iyamu characteristic of the wealthy few in the midst of the many poor? Why did her fiancé stoop so low to the whims of such babaric tradition?
So so many questions but succinctly it portrays the audacity of desire and the folly of traditional beliefs in the 21st century. It may not be out of place to also say that such is the fate of many young girls in our society today with no voice for them and none to give a helping hand.

Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact saharaweekly@yahoo.com

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ABRIDGED PROFILE OF CHINEDU NSOFOR (CEO, WORKWIS GROUP)

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ABRIDGED PROFILE OF CHINEDU NSOFOR (CEO, WORKWIS GROUP)

 

Chinedu Nsofor is a Professional Social Worker, a Seasoned Technocrat, an International Development Expert, a Change Agent, a Media Guru/Wikipedian, and a Versatile Project Management Expert with a passion for developing and implementing programs and initiatives that touch lives and impact different segments of society, focusing on bringing about massive change, especially in Africa.

He holds an M.Sc. in Social Work, specializing in Industrial Social Welfare from the Ladoke Akintola University of Science and Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, and a B.Sc. in Social Work from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

As a Media Guru/Wikipedian, he is the Founder/CEO of WORKWIS Media Ltd., a leading and reputable media outfit in Nigeria and Africa.

As an International Development Expert, he is currently the Country Director of Rapid Heal Nigeria, a leading wound and skincare treatment company with its global headquarters in Malaysia. Prior to assuming this role, he served as the Country Programs Director (Nigeria) and Africa Director of Asia Pacific Sports International, a reputable sports business and management firm headquartered in Malaysia, with branches in Singapore and other Asian countries.

As a versatile Project Management Expert, Chinedu has coordinated over 50 impactful programs at national, regional, and state levels in Nigeria, touching the lives of over 50,000 Nigerians. Some of these include:

Coordinator of the IMOFINTECH Program for 5,000 Imo youths, organized by the Imo State Government in partnership with Iwuanyanwu Foundation (October–December 2019).

Program Coordinator of safety training for ambulance drivers in Southeast Nigeria during COVID-19 (2021).

Coordinator of the Central Bank of Nigeria-Southeast Entrepreneurship Development Centre’s Program, Owerri Study Centre (2018).

Program Coordinator of the maiden edition of the Inter-secondary School Debate Competition for all secondary schools in Abuja (2018), organized by the Federal Road Safety Corps in partnership with Iwuanyanwu National Ambulance Foundation.

Coordinator of the 2017 Accident-Free Ember Month Program of the Federal Road Safety Corps (Owerri Safety Command) and Iwuanyanwu National Ambulance Foundation.

Program Coordinator of the Imo State and Ebonyi State Free Automobile Training Program, organized by Innoson Kiara Academy in partnership with Iwuanyanwu Foundation and the governments of Imo and Ebonyi States (2021).

Coordinator of the Free Physiotherapy Treatment Intervention Program for arthritis, neck pain, back pain, and waist pain patients in Ikeduru LGA, Imo State (December 3–4, 2021).

Co-coordinator of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management Program, Abuja Study Centre (April–December 2015).

Co-coordinator of the 20-day NAPSAS/National Power Training Institute Program in Abuja (May 2015).

Co-coordinator of the National Power Training Institute of Nigeria (NAPTIN)/SURE-P TVET training for graduate engineers in Lagos (February–March 2015).

Coordinator of the second edition of the seven-day “Work While in School Conference” at UNN, attended by about 3,000 students, organized by the Work While in School Foundation in partnership with the Institute of African Studies, UNN.

Project Coordinator of the Global Impact Show organized by Great Minds International and powered by the Faculty of Social Sciences, UNN (2012).

As a student leader/Igwe of the Faculty of Social Sciences, UNN, he organized the Faculty’s New Yam Festival in 2010, an event attended by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Special Duties and other national dignitaries.

Coordinator of the first “Work While in School Conference” at UNN (2011) for over 4,000 third-year students, organized by the Work While in School Foundation in collaboration with the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Development Research, UNN. This program is recorded as the largest student entrepreneurship conference in the history of UNN.

Coordinator of the seven-day African Education and ICT Conference, organized by WORKWIS Foundation and the Institute of African Studies, UNN (March 2010). The conference secured a renewal of the ₦5 million annual scholarship grant from the Dr. Sam Onyishi Foundation and attracted a ₦50 million donation to the university. Over 5,000 UNN students from seven faculties were trained in various skills.

Chinedu Nsofor is a man of integrity and deep spirituality, with a steadfast commitment to excellence in all his operations. His words are his bond, and his contributions consistently bring positive transformation to society.

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Adron Homes Unveils New Logo to Reflect Innovation, Growth, and Global Ambitions

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*Adron Homes Unveils New Logo to Reflect Innovation, Growth, and Global Ambitions

 

In a groundbreaking moment of celebration and reflection, Adron Homes unveiled its new company logo on Monday, January 6, 2025. The unveiling ceremony, held at the company’s head office in Lagos, was attended by top executives, stakeholders, staff, and media representatives. This milestone event marked a significant chapter in the company’s twelve-year journey of innovation, transformation, and growth.

 

The newly redesigned logo preserves the timeless essence of Adron Homes while introducing a sleek, modern twist. Its bold and dynamic elements represent the company’s forward-thinking approach and readiness to embrace the future. The elegant globe encircled by interconnected homes reflects Adron Homes’ mission to build communities and expand its footprint beyond Nigeria and Africa.

 

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the Chairman of Adron Homes, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, shared the inspiration behind the change. He said, “Logos are not just designs; they are prophecies that predict the future. Our new logo is a statement of who we are and where we are headed as a company. It is time to take Adron Homes to the world and bring the world to Adron Homes.”

 

Since its inception in 2012, Adron Homes has become a household name and one of the leading real estate companies in Nigeria. Highlighting the company’s remarkable journey, the Vice Chairman, Olori Aderonke Emmanuelking, remarked, “For 12 years, by the Grace of God, this organization has been on a journey of transformation, innovation, and commitment to our vision of making the dream of homeownership a reality for everyone. We identified a gap—a dream for affordable luxury that seemed out of reach for many—and we sought to fill that gap. This realization has fueled our drive to dream even bigger and aim even higher.”

 

As Adron Homes embarks on this exciting new chapter, the new logo stands as a symbol of the company’s aspirations and achievements. Over the past decade, Adron Homes has been dedicated to making homeownership an attainable dream, and this rebranding reaffirms its commitment to excellence, innovation, and growth.

 

The Chairman emphasized that this new logo embodies the company’s vision to create cities, communities, and homes without borders. “This rebranding effort signifies more than a change in design; it symbolizes our global aspirations. We are ready to shape the future of real estate by providing world-class solutions that transform lives and add value to communities,” he said.

The logo unveiling represents Adron Homes’ readiness to expand its influence globally, showcasing the company’s ambition to redefine real estate on an international scale. With a renewed focus on building sustainable communities and promoting inclusivity, Adron Homes continues to inspire confidence and innovation in the industry.

Adron Homes Unveils New Logo to Reflect Innovation, Growth, and Global Ambitions

Maureen Echefu
Chief Press Secretary
Adron Group

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GTCO PLC Announces Successful Completion of the 1st Phase of Its Equity Capital Raise Programme; Raises ₦209 Billion

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GTCO’s Guaranty Trust Bank Named Best Bank for Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria by Euromoney

GTCO PLC Announces Successful Completion of the 1st Phase of Its Equity Capital Raise Programme; Raises ₦209 Billion

 

[Lagos, Nigeria – January 06, 2025] – Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO Plc” or the “Group”) (NGX: GTCO) is pleased to announce the successful completion of the first tranche of its equity capital raise programme, following the completion of the capital verification exercise conducted by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the approval of the Basis of Allotment of the Offer by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

 

The Offer, which garnered substantial interest from domestic retail investors, raised a total of ₦209.41 billion from 130,617 valid applications for 4,705,800,290 Ordinary Shares, fully allotted. This milestone concludes the first phase of GTCO’s phased equity capital raise programme, which is structured on a balanced allocation strategy based on an equal split between institutional and retail investors. This balanced approach aligns with GTCO Plc’s commitment to fostering a well-diversified and robust investor base.

Commenting on this phase of the recapitalization exercise, Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, expressed his gratitude: “We extend our sincere appreciation to our new and existing shareholders, as well as the regulatory authorities, for their unwavering support during this initial phase of our equity capital raise. The strong participation and successful capital verification exercise and allotment process reaffirm the confidence investors have in our fundamentals and execution capabilities. This sets a solid foundation for accelerating our strategic roadmap, which aims to pivot the Group for transformational growth and unlock greater value across the Group’s Banking and Non-Banking businesses.”

GTCO Plc continues to lead its peers in key profitability metrics and financial performance. Building on this successful first phase, the Group will commence the second phase of its recapitalization plan in 2025, which is strategically positioned to attract significant foreign institutional investments, reinforcing its reputation as a “Truly International” financial services brand.

Proceeds from the combined equity raise will be strategically deployed to recapitalize the Group’s flagship subsidiary, Guaranty Trust Bank Limited (GTBank Nigeria), enhancing its ability to meet regulatory requirements and further solidify its position as a leading financial institution. Additionally, the funds will support Group-wide growth initiatives, including footprint expansion, product enhancement, and innovation across both Banking and Non-Banking subsidiaries. GTCO remains committed to delivering sustainable value to its stakeholders and driving innovation across the financial services landscape in Africa.

About GTCO Plc

The GTCO Plc Group is one of the largest financial services institutions in Africa. Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc maintains direct and indirect investments in a network of operating entities located in 10 countries across Africa and the United Kingdom. Within these regions, the operating entities provide a comprehensive range of commercial banking and related financial services to millions of retail, institutional, private banking and wealth management customers, in addition to asset management, pension fund administration, and payment technology businesses.

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