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Sterling Bank commended for supporting Ake Arts and Books Festival

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Sterling Bank

Sterling Bank commended for supporting Ake Arts and Books Festival 

Sterling Bank Plc has received commendation from poet and novelist Lola Shoneyin who is the founder and Director of the annual Ake Arts and Books Festival. This year’s edition featured thirty events, including book chats, panel discussions, documentary and film screenings, a poetry video album, an art show-case and a music concert. The festival curated five intergenerational conversations that reflected the 2021 festival theme: Generational Discordance.

In her closing remarks at this year’s edition of the festival, which held virtually for the second year because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Shoneyin said, “Having Sterling Bank by our side makes our heads swell. From their commitment to the belief in the transformative power of our stories and for helping us document and archive our ideas, we thank you.”
She said Ake Festival is the envy of cultural entrepreneurs and organisations across the African continent, adding that Sterling Bank has become the code word for companies that support the Arts with sincerity of purpose.  “Across the continent, cultural activists often say ‘we need a Sterling Bank’,” she added.
Also speaking, Abubakar Suleiman, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of Sterling Bank Plc, said the bank has continued to support Africa’s biggest literary festival because education is one of the five sectors that the bank is currently concentrating investments in. The others sectors are health, agriculture, renewable energy and transportation.
The three-day festival featured ‘The Life and Times Series’ event with Booker-Prize shortlisted author, Maaza Mengiste, in a conversation with the festival headliner, Professor Abdulrazak Gurnah, who was announced as the winner of the 2021 Nobel Prize for Literature.
Gurnah, a Tanzanian author, spoke about the invasion of East Africa and noted that until recently, most conversations about colonial presence in Africa had always excluded Germany. The Nobel Laureate, however, used his novel as a medium to narrate how Germany established colonies in present-day Namibia, Cameroon, Togo, parts of Tanzania and Kenya as well as Rwanda and Burundi.
According to him, German colonial rule was as brutal as colonial enterprises were in an era known for its oppression and violence. The author, in Afterlives noted that it was Germany that perpetrated the first genocide of the 20th Century in 1904 and 1908 respectively. The genocide was part of a campaign of ethnic extermination and collective punishment waged by the German Empire against the Herero, the Name and the San in German South West Africa (now Namibia).
Commenting on this year’s theme; Generational Discordance, Shoneyin said the internet has amplified generational differences in almost every area of African life. “From relationships, love and marriage; spirituality and religion; gender and feminism to politics and activism, the differences in perspective are glaring. Where earlier generations of Africans are anchored to their cultural identities, our younger compatriots see themselves as a part of a globalised world. It is easy to assume that our aspirations are poles apart but they are not. Africa cannot afford the luxury of endless culture wars,” she said.
“Engagement and communication – characterised by a willingness to listen – as well as mutual respect and empathy are what will face down the retrogressive forces and the structures and systems that oppress and dehumanize us. We must eschew the sensationalism and divisive influence of digital algorithms and find a more harmonious continental rhythm that allows us to talk to, and not past, each other,” she remarked.
Some of the book discussions included Bring Back Our Girls by Drew Hinshaw and Joe Parkinson; Lionheart Girl by Yaba Badoe; His Only Wife, by Peace Medie; Formation: The Making of Nigeria from Jihad to Amalgamation by Fola Fagbule and Feyi Fawehinmi; Prince of Monkeys by Nnamdi Ehirim; An Ordinary Wonder by Buki Papillon; Butter Honey Pig Bread by Francesca Ekwuyasi; Born in Blackness by NYT columnist Howard French; When the Sky is Ready The Stars Will Appearby EC Osondu; The Sex Lives of African Women by Nana Dorkoa Sekyiamah and The Teller of Secrets by Bisi Adjapon.
Alongside the intergenerational conversations, panel discussions also focused on African crime-writing, conspiracy theories and healthcare; disability rights and repatriating Africa’s stolen treasures, with discussions moderated by Harper Collins’ (UK) Nancy Adimora, which explored Of This Our Country; a new collection of essays and reflections by 24 Nigerian writers.
Virtual visitors enjoyed interviews with Denrele Sonariwo of Rele Gallery and Ade Bantu, Founder of Afropolitan Vibes.

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Dr Ifeoma Eze gives reasons on how to know A Genuine Vision

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Dr Ifeoma Eze gives reasons on how to know A Genuine Vision

Dr Ifeoma Eze, a mentor and author of different books gave an insight from her book ” Becoming A Person Of Exceptional Value”, shed more light on The Elements Of A Genuine Vision.

*THE ELEMENTS OF A GENUINE VISION*

There are five key elements that must be present whenever you receive a genuine vision. They are;

1. *Knowing what to do.*
Every genuine vision must be clear, and the terms well spelt out on what to do. It should be tangible and clear enough for anybody to understand. Hab. 2:2.

2. *Knowing when to do it.*
Every genuine vision impacted by God has a time of appointment. Eccl. 3:1-3, Eccl. 9:11, Ps. 31:15. When a man is in the right purpose at the right time, he won’t miss his honour. Knowing the time of your vision requires a lot of prayers which will lead you to high level of sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:1-3.

3. *Knowing where to do it.*
Every genuine vision has an appointed place because destiny answers to the location. Divine location provokes divine allocation. Places are important, hence, God makes places before bringing you on. Gen. 2:15. He made the garden before placing Adam in it! When you get to that God’s appointed location, you will also meet provision for the vision.

And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

[11] And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and
said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

[12] And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

[13] And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. [14] And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen

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Gen. 22:1, 11-14.

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In the scripture, we saw that God deliberately and patiently waited for Abraham to obediently relocate and get to the God-appointed place for the sacrifice and having a readiness to obey God in full; before God made provision of the lamb for the sacrifice. Hence, Jehovah Jireh is the name of God because it is a place where provision met with the discovery of the God-appointed place.

4. *Knowing who to do it with*.

Every God given vision will require some Godly and God-given relationships to make it work. Where there is no vision, the people perish; but where there is vision without people, the vision becomes a burden. The best gift a leader can receive from God is the gift of men.

5. *Knowing How to do it:*

Every vision has a pattern. When God asks you to do a thing it is important that you obtain clear instructions on the structure, pattern and style required to fulfill that vision!

And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. [9] According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. Exodus 25:8-9 KJV

Building outside the pattern is setting yourself up for failure. Adherence to set pattern is guarantee for divine presence and guidance.

*VISION KILLERS*
It is possible to receive a vision from God but still experience frustration in life because of the following vision killers. Some vision killers include;

1. *Tradition.*( Mark 7:13.)

2. *Fear*- It paralyses creativity.

3. *Stereotypes structural rigidity. Break the satus quo.*

4. *Lack of Discipline and Laziness*

5. *Comparison*

6. *Procrastination*

7. *Wrong Association*

*Coined from the book, Becoming A Person Of Exceptional Value By Dr. Ifeoma Eze, The King’s Rubies*

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PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES JIM OVIA ON ADMISSION TO THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON

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PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES JIM OVIA ON ADMISSION TO THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON

 

 

 

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, on his admission to the prestigious Freedom of the City of London.

 

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES JIM OVIA ON ADMISSION TO THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON

 

Admission to the Freedom of the City of London is an honour bestowed on individuals either for their service to the city or for their achievements.

 

 

 

In a press statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the honour as a fitting recognition of Mr. Ovia’s exceptional contributions to business, innovation, and technology, as well as for his role in shaping Nigeria’s financial landscape and strengthening economic ties between Africa and the rest of the world.

 

 

 

“This honour is a testament to your unwavering commitment to excellence, your pioneering role in the growth of the financial services sector in Nigeria, and your visionary leadership that continues to inspire generations. As an accomplished entrepreneur and advocate of innovation-driven development, your recognition in the City of London affirms the global relevance of Nigerian excellence and enterprise,” the President stated.

 

 

 

President Tinubu commended Mr. Ovia for being a distinguished ambassador of the nation’s private sector and wished him continued success in his endeavours.

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Adron Homes Celebrates Eid-al-Fitr, Wishes Nigerians Peace and Prosperity

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Adron Homes Celebrates Eid-al-Fitr, Wishes Nigerians Peace and Prosperity

 

Adron Homes and Properties extends warm greetings to the Muslim community across Nigeria and beyond as we celebrate the joyous occasion of Eid-al-Fitr.

As we mark the end of Ramadan, a season of faith, sacrifice, and devotion, we reflect on the values of unity, gratitude, and generosity that define this celebration. The blessings of fasting and prayers bring peace, progress, and abundance to our beloved nation, and we pray for continued harmony, stability, and prosperity for Nigeria and its people.

At Adron Homes, this season is also a time to express our heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed customers. Your trust, loyalty, and commitment to choosing Adron Homes as your partner in the journey to homeownership mean everything to us. Your belief in our vision inspires us to continue providing affordable, luxurious, and accessible housing solutions, making homeownership a reality for all.

As you celebrate Eid with your loved ones, may your homes be filled with peace, joy, and countless blessings. We remain dedicated to building vibrant communities where families can thrive and create lasting memories.

Eid Mubarak! Thank you for being part of the Adron Homes family.

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