5 Financial Pitfalls You Didn’t See Coming

It takes some entrepreneurs many years to learn, through trial and error, some of the
biggest financial mistakes businesses make.

Hopefully, I can impart a few tips to save both budding and existing entrepreneurs the
heartache of learning these tough lessons “the hard way.” Here is a brief outline of the
mistakes you should hear now and avoid.

Sustaining your advantage through relevance….. Saheed Bilewu

ADVANTAGE according to the dictionary: it is a position or circumstance that puts one in a favorable or superior position or the opportunity to gain something; benefit or profit. The definition clearly shows that an advantage can be an edge over something or someone or privilege.

Advantage is what risk takers, decision makers, policy makers, competitors or contemporaries always want to have to achieve better or successful results or programs. Because nature has not blessed or distributed resources and capabilities evenly we all are by this design of nature compelled to make do with what we have by efforts that are resourceful or beneficial as the case may be.

Scarcity and wants make our decisions or actions to be consciously desperate or unwisely laggard in attaining the needed ability to satisfy or surpass these opposing scenarios we are constantly faced with.

Because wants and scarcity are inevitable nature’s doings we need to make decisions that can ameliorate or comfort us.Decisions will be driven by options and opinions that must be advantageous to our circumstances or positions.

However,nature has been kind to us by giving us an ADVANTAGE whether in terms of capacity or capability, surely this is what we have at our disposals. Whether as pioneers, champions, inventors, philanthropists, leaders, preachers, advisers, amateurs, veterans, teachers, students, parents or children certainly whichever role we found ourselves playing there is an advantage inherent.

My concern is how much do we do to make this ADVANTAGE relevant? I remember back in the days, it was customary that the village head always enjoy advantage that is far reaching in decision making, now the advantage can be described as a town crier for the central government because this role no longer command that relevant advantage for today’s policy making process; also was the chief priest of the whole community who had the advantage of being the only person to be consulted in the ascendancy of the king but that influence he commands do not have a relevant advantage in the political structure of modern governance. This  brings me down memory lane, the days of the post offices which use to be the most reliable,dependable and cheapest means of communication has lost that relevance of advantage to the revolutionary mode of exchanging mails called electronic mail (e-mails). In recent time, the humongous influence OPEC had in the world oil trade is gradually becoming an irrelevant advantage because of the increasing discoveries and neoteric means of extracting crude oil other nations outside OPEC are exploring. In the same light, is the silent rebellious incursion of capitalism over communism which is dismantling monopoly structure for free-market entreprise model. Not to forget the monarchy form of government which has almost gone into oblivion for the democratic system of government where election and not selection determines the rule of governance. Back home there were few establishments that failed to realized that only advantage kept in the realms of relevance can survive the wind of change NITEL, NEPA, PHCN, NIPOST NIGERIA AIRWAYS and of course not too distant in the future Nigeria Railways and NNPC will cave in to the thunderous effect of change which will not happen for destruction but for disruptive reasoning being witnessed in the way businesses are conducted.

Therefore, for an individual your ADVANTAGE today will only remain an advantage tomorrow if you make constant efforts to keep it relevant. Be you an individual, corporate body or government, remember, this advantage may exist but can it be sustained? As a journalist will this advantage be relevant in the spate of citizen journalism or crowd sourcing of information? As a banker are you considering the mushrooming effect of BITCOIN (digital currency) to the brick-and-mortar model? A cab or taxi company have you thought of your relevance of advantage when ridesharing finally creeps in? Or as an airline do you think new alliances will not leave you alone in the wilderness of aviation business? As a teacher or lecturer are you envisioning the impact of virtual classrooms, online teaching e.t.c? These questions will keep coming until the answers lash on the realities in our lives only then would we realise that sustaining one’s advantage through relevance is the way forward.

An expert is imminently faced with the image of a veteran. You can stay evergreen by sustaining your advantage through relevance. Parents will keep their advantage relevant when their moral credentials are held pristine. A government will make its advantage relevant if it continually delivers on its promises.

A food for thoughts.

The 3 Things YOU Need To Escape Your Rut

Most, if not all of my coaching clients and quite frankly anyone that I speak with can testify to being in or ‘near’ a rut of some kind. Be it their health and fitness, their relationships, their career; whatever it is, they are in one. The chances are so are YOU, but what is a rut?
A rut is where you are gaining little or no success, fulfilment or happiness from doing the SAME THINGS every single day! If it is your weight/body then you can’t get out of the ‘pattern’ of eating junk food, being lazy and not exercising. If it is in your relationships then you can’t get out of the ‘pattern’ of taking your loved ones for granted, communicating poorly and initiating no ‘spark’. If it is your career you likely feel ‘stuck’ in the rat race and you feel that you are going to a job that you don’t like every day just to ‘get by’.
And so it continues….

Meet the CEO of PPTV Dr Vincent Tao Chuang

Dr Vincent Tao Chuang

Vincent Tao Chuang is CEO of PPLive (PPTV), the largest online TV provider in China with 240 million user installation base and 125 million active users per month. Vincent has raised 250M USD from its latest Round, a landmark fund raising in the video industry- the largest investment since Google acquired Youtube. Prior to joining PPLive, Vincent was Director and founding member of Microsoft Virtual Earth program after Microsoft acquired his company

Picture Report from the September Edition of Clique Africa Hangout With Hon Babajide Ibrahim Obanikoro, Mr Tunji Lardner and Mr Tomi Davies

Clique Africa Founder and Team Lead Olalekan Wahab Badmus Addressing the Audience.

About Clique Africa - Clique Africa is a monthly hangout where young African entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs to talk business and socialize. it serves as information hub for upstarts, it provides the space for potential business transactions and findings new associate as well as creates opportunities for spotting and identifying talents for key corporations.

Pictures from Clique Africa August Hangout of Young Professionals With Eniola Bankole

About Clique Africa - Clique Africa is a monthly hangout where young African entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs to talk business and socialize. it serves as information hub for upstarts, it provides the space for potential business transactions and findings new associate as well as creates opportunities for spotting and identifying talents for key corporations.

Richard Branson on Being Social Media Savvy

Entrepreneur Richard Branson regularly shares his business experience and advice with readers. Ask him a question and your query might be the inspiration for a future column.

Do you have a social media presence? The benefits are immense, yet a study conducted by IBM found that social media is currently the least used of all customer engagement

HELP! BlackBerry Begins Search for Buyer or 'Strategic Alliance'

Does anyone have a solution for BlackBerry? That's what the Waterloo, Ontario-based smartphone maker wants to know. Today, the company announced that its board of directors has formed a special committee to "explore strategic alternatives" as it struggles to regain market share to

AFRICA IS WAXING STRONGER! Meet the 12 Young African Entrepreneurs shortlisted for the $75,000 Anzisha Prize in 2013

Twelve inspirational entrepreneurs from around Africa are the finalists for the prestigious Anzisha Prize, Africa’s foremost youth entrepreneurship award. The contenders, who hail from 10 countries on the continent, stand a chance to share in over $75 000 USD in

Malala Yousafzai speech to the United Nation General Assembly

Honourable UN Secretary General Mr Ban  Ki-moon, respected president of the General Assembly  Vuk Jeremic,  honourable UN envoy for global education  Mr Gordon Brown, respected elders and my dear brothers and sisters: Assalamu alaikum.


Today is it an honour for me to  be speaking again after a long time. Being here with such honourable people is a great moment in my life and it is an honour for me that today I am wearing a shawl of the late Benazir Bhutto. I don’t know where to begin my speech. I don’t know what people would be expecting me to say, but first of all thank you to God for whom we all are equal and thank you to every person who has prayed for my fast recovery and new life. I cannot believe how much love people have shown me. I have received thousands of good-wish cards and gifts from all over the world. Thank you to all of them. Thank you to the children whose innocent words encouraged me. Thank you to my elders whose prayers strengthened me. I would like to thank my nurses, doctors and the staff of the hospitals in Pakistan and the UK and the UAE government who have helped me to get better and recover my strength.

I fully support UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in his Global Education First Initiative and the work of UN Special Envoy for Global Education Gordon Brown and the respectful president of the UN General Assembly Vuk Jeremic. I thank them for the leadership they continue to give. They continue to inspire all of us to action. Dear brothers and sisters, do remember one thing: Malala Day is not my day. Today is the day of every woman, every boy and every girl who have raised their voice for their rights.

There are hundreds of human rights activists and social workers who are not only speaking for their rights, but who are struggling to achieve their goal of peace, education and equality. Thousands of people have been killed by the terrorists and millions have been injured. I am just one of them. So here I stand, one girl among many. I speak not for myself, but so those without a voice can be heard. Those who have fought for their rights. Their right to live in peace. Their right to be treated with dignity. Their right to equality of opportunity. Their right to be educated.
Dear friends, on 9 October 2012, the Taliban shot me on the left side of my forehead. They shot my friends, too. They thought that the bullets would silence us, but they failed. And out of that silence came thousands of voices. The terrorists thought they would change my aims and stop my ambitions. But nothing changed in my life except this: weakness, fear and hopelessness died. Strength, power and courage was born. I am the same Malala. My ambitions are the same. My hopes are the same. And my dreams are the same. Dear sisters and brothers, I am not against anyone. Neither am I here to speak in terms of personal revenge against the Taliban or any other terrorist group. I am here to speak for the right of education for every child. I want education for the sons and daughters of the Taliban and all the terrorists and extremists. I do not even hate the Talib who shot me.
Even if there was a gun in my hand and he was standing in front of me, I would not shoot him. This is the compassion I have learned from Mohamed, the prophet of mercy, Jesus Christ and Lord Buddha. This the legacy of change I have inherited from Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela and Mohammed Ali Jinnah.

This is the philosophy of nonviolence that I have learned from Gandhi, Bacha Khan and Mother Teresa. And this is the forgiveness that I have learned from my father and from my mother. This is what my soul is telling me: be peaceful and love everyone.
Dear sisters and brothers, we realise the importance of light when we see darkness. We realise the importance of our voice when we are silenced. In the same way, when we were in Swat, the north of Pakistan, we realised the importance of pens and books when we saw the guns. The wise saying, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” It is true. The extremists are afraid of books and pens. The power of education frightens them. They are afraid of women. The power of the voice of women frightens them. This is why they killed 14 innocent students in the recent attack in Quetta. And that is why they kill female teachers. That is why they are blasting schools every day because they were and they are afraid of change and equality that we will bring to our society. And I remember that there was a boy in our school who was asked by a journalist: “Why are the Taliban against education?”He answered very simply by pointing to his book, he said: “A Talib doesn’t know what is written inside this book.”

They think that God is a tiny, little conservative being who would point guns at people’s heads just for going to school. These terrorists are misusing the name of Islam for their own personal benefit. Pakistan is a peace-loving, democratic country. Pashtuns want education for their daughters and sons. Islam is a religion of peace, humanity and brotherhood. It is the duty and responsibility to get education for each child, that is what it says. Peace is a necessity for education. In many parts of the world, especially Pakistan and Afghanistan, terrorism, war and conflicts stop children from going to schools. We are really tired of these wars. Women and children are suffering in many ways in many parts of the world.

In India, innocent and poor children are victims of child labour. Many schools have been destroyed in Nigeria. People in Afghanistan have been affected by extremism. Young girls have to do domestic child labour and are forced to get married at an early age. Poverty, ignorance, injustice, racism and the deprivation of basic rights are the main problems, faced by both men and women.
Today, I am focusing on women’s rights and girls’ education because they are suffering the most. There was a time when women activists asked men to stand up for their rights. But this time we will do it by ourselves. I am not telling men to step away from speaking for women’s rights, but I am focusing on women to be independent and fight for themselves. So dear sisters and brothers, now it’s time to speak up. So today, we call upon the world leaders to change their strategic policies in favour of peace and prosperity. We call upon the world leaders that all of these deals must protect women and children’s rights. A deal that goes against the rights of women is unacceptable.
We call upon all governments to ensure free, compulsory education all over the world for every child. We call upon all the governments to fight against terrorism and violence. To protect children from brutality and harm. We call upon the developed nations to support the expansion of education opportunities for girls in the developing world. We call upon all communities to be tolerant, to reject prejudice based on caste, creed, sect, colour, religion or agenda to ensure freedom and equality for women so they can flourish. We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back. We call upon our sisters around the world to be brave, to embrace the strength within themselves and realise their full potential.

Dear brothers and sisters, we want schools and education for every child’s bright future. We will continue our journey to our destination of peace and education. No one can stop us. We will speak up for our rights and we will bring change to our voice. We believe in the power and the strength of our words. Our words can change the whole world because we are all together, united for the cause of education. And if we want to achieve our goal, then let us empower ourselves with the weapon of knowledge and let us shield ourselves with unity and togetherness.

Dear brothers and sisters, we must not forget that millions of people are suffering from poverty and injustice and ignorance. We must not forget that millions of children are out of their schools. We must not forget that our sisters and brothers are waiting for a bright, peaceful future.
So let us wage a glorious struggle against illiteracy, poverty and terrorism, let us pick up our books and our pens, they are the most powerful weapons. One child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world. Education is the only solution. Education first. Thank you

It would be criminal for me not to have this speech here no matter how late it is. :) 

When education is ignorance

They called him Amisu. His father was a blacksmith.

Amisu did not go to school, even though the primary school the rest of us attended was just a street away. Even though it was a government school and he didn’t need to pay school fees. He, instead, worked with his father at his stall at Kano’s Sabon Gari Market.

Open Invitation - CLIQUE AFRICA holds special edition of her monthly event...

Clique Africa presents the Special edition of its monthly hangout which brings together Young successful Entrepreneurs, Intrapreneurs, Great Minds/Talents and the likes on a single platform to Share, Interact, Meet opportunities, Network, Exchange Ideas, and have Fun in a relaxing environment.

As part of our guests for this Month edition we would have Mr Sulayman Ademola. HOD Pharmacy with PHCN, Fin-Sec Pharmaceutical Society of Nig(Abj branch) and also a W.H.O Consultant; Multitalented Classic Fm AOP Schulzz; And the Famous Tosin Jegede Coordinator of the 1child1book Initiative.

We would as well Donate to The 1Child1Book (of Tosin Jegede Foundation) an Initiative that providing each child in public primary school with a storybook of their own. The 1child1book programme runs in 2 core models: Book Donation project and Literacy project.

There would also be a host of performances by Musical artistes and comedians such as Xcape, Nature, Jay Bound, G8, and the Beautiful Nonye Toria

Its another Exciting, Impactful and of course Care giving Package so clear out your schedule and make room to attend this month's CLIQUE AFRICA Hangout and endeavour to bring your friends (Opportunities would be flying ) . Don't carry this over...

Date - June 30th 2013, Venue - Ice Restaurant and Lounge 54b, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Opposite FCMB bank, Surulere, Lagos. Time 1pm-5pm. Gate fee N500. For further info call - 08027381272, 08095575972, 08058733916. Pin - 2A409438. Follow @Clique_Africa

Note - All the proceeds from the event would be Donated to The 1Child1Book Initiative.

4 Key Steps for Handling a Key Employee's Departure - Adam Toren

Having a trusted team member leave your startup is never easy, but it doesn't have to be business crippling.
With Yahoo's recent acquisition of Tumblr, the micro-blogging site lost a key employee -- its fifth hire and creative director Jacob Bijan. The many employees who have left gaming company Zynga has been well documented in the media. And with engineers in short supply and high demand, poaching at major tech companies occurs on a regular basis.
So if -- or better yet when -- it happens to you, don't be surprised. Just remember to keep your cool and follow these steps to ensure a positive parting

1. Understand their perspective.
Even if your startup is trucking along, seeing traction and has big plans to raise a round of funding, a larger company can swoop in and nab one of your employees for a much larger paycheck. Consider the example of Facebook. At the tech behemoth, if a coder gets an offer he almost have no choice but to accept it (if it makes you feel better it has been reported Google has offered its employees millions to not leave for the social network).

 While being priced out by a larger company is a potential scenario, there are numerous other reasons for someone wanting to jump ship. Understanding their reasons could be a turning point for you or your company. If you feel comfortable, ask them to give it to you straight. If not, ask them to write out their reasons for leaving. If they deserve a recommendation, give it to them.

2. Sever gracefully.
If you're parting on good terms, make their last day a reason to celebrate their time with your startup, such as serving an ice cream cake during lunch or a trip to the local watering hole. If the employee is leaving on not-so-great terms, provide a note expressing your regret that it didn't work out and thank them for their contribution.
After they've given you their two-weeks' notice, it is not your job to announce their decision to all of your team (not including HR and other hiring managers). Give your employee space and let them look back on their time with your company fondly.

3. Headhunt.
Don't put off the hiring process. Get it done and get your replacement trained as soon as possible. You should first figure out if anyone on your team can step into the former employee's shoes. If not, ask your peers and employees for recommendations, while also posting the position opening on job sites.
Once you narrow down potential candidates, make sure they'd fit in with your startup culture. Ask yourself if they are someone you'd be able to spend countless hours with during a crunch-time weekend.

4. Keep in touch.
Once the employee has left, don't be a stranger. Forgetting that someone exists is generally not the best course of action. Even if you aren't happy with the departure, rage cools, feelings mend and you may come to realize it was for the best. Keep their email in your contacts and wait awhile before asking for an update on their life. By being nice, people are more willing to throw business, partnerships and other networking opportunities your way

This story originally appeared on Young Entrepreneur

Ask questions on foreign investments, Obama tell Africans

US President Barack Obama urged Africans on Saturday to ask more questions about lop-sided deals with some foreign investors, while dismissing talk of a Chinese and US scramble for influence on the continent.

During a landmark visit to the continent of his father’s birth, Obama said he welcomed renewed interest from larger emerging markets.

“I actually welcome the attention that Africa is receiving from countries like China and Brazil and India and Turkey.”

But he urged African nations to make sure trade was not a one-way street.

“When we look at what other countries are doing in Africa, I think our only advice is make sure it’s a good deal for Africa.”

“Somebody says they want to come build something here: Are they hiring African workers? Somebody says that we want to help you develop your natural resources: How much of the money is staying in Africa?”

Obama, in South Africa on the second-leg of a three-nation Africa tour, said that too often foreign investment did not benefit locals and actually encouraged the type of corruption and resource-stripping that guts economies.

“I do think that it’s important for Africans to make sure that these interactions are good for Africa.”

“There has been a long history of extracting resources from Africa, you take raw materials, you send them to someplace else where they get used processed, sometimes sold back to Africa.

“The profits stay there the jobs stay there and not much stays in Africa.”

Obama offered up the United States as a more equitable partner which wanted African economies to grow into consumer powerhouses.

Strong economies would mean the United States would get “somebody to trade with, to sell iPods to, airplanes, all kinds of good stuff.”

“Frankly we don’t need energy from Africa,” he said pointing to developments in natural gas, clean energy and oil shale at home.

Amid a raft of Chinese investment in Africa, which topped $200 billion last year, US businesses have expressed concern that Africa is a diplomatic blind spot for their government.

In March, China’s new President Xi Jinping visited Africa, as well as Russia, on his first foreign trip, signing a raft of business and energy deals signalling Beijing’s intent to deepen ties further. (AFP)

Photographer drags TuFace, wife to court over wedding pictures

Justice Mohammed Idris of  the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed  October 16, 2013 for the commencement of trial in a N120 million copyright suit filed against popular music  star, Innocent Idibia, a.k.a. TuFace, his wife, Annie Idibia and their manager, Anthonio Anifite over  photographs allegedly taken at the recent traditional wedding of the musician and his wife in Akwa Ibom State.


Abuja based photographer, Emmanuel Okolo, who is the plaintiff in the suit alongside his studio, Papilonmexy  filed suit against the defendants.

He is asking for six reliefs, two of which include N100 million in general damages and N20million in exemplary damages.
At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, neither TuFace nor his wife was represented in court. Anifite who is the second defendant was however represented by his counsel, J.O Uttute.

Meanwhile, a mild drama ensued when the judge openly admonished Uttute after the latter claimed that he had filed his defence when he had not done so.

The judge warned him not to come to this court again if he was not prepared for the case.  “You told me that you have filed your response, but looking through here, there is nothing to that effect. And you are even smiling. Do you think you are here to joke? Never come to this court again if you are not prepared. You don’t even know when the case was filed and you are not prepared for it,” said the judge.

Also,  the plaintiff’s counsel,  Habeeb Oredola expressed worry over the defendants’ inability to appear before the court  or  be represented by a counsel after they were served with the writs of summon.

In the writ of summon, Okolo and his studio claimed they were contracted by TuFace’s wife through a third party, identified as Ms Chineze Anyaene to take photo shots at the traditional wedding held in Eket, Akwa Ibom state in March, 2013.

The plaintiff said, he was reluctant at the beginning since the offer was coming through a third party, but later accepted after he was convinced that the offer was actually with the blessing of the first defendant.

Annie Idibia was said to have later contacted the photographer after the wedding and demanded for the printing of 10 of the high resolution pictures taken.

Clued from Vanguard Newspaper 

Justice Mohammed Idris of  the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed  October 16, 2013 for the commencement of trial in a N120 million copyright suit filed against popular music  star, Innocent Idibia, a.k.a. TuFace, his wife, Annie Idibia and their manager, Anthonio Anifite over  photographs allegedly taken at the recent traditional wedding of the musician and his wife in Akwa Ibom State. - See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/photographer-drags-tuface-wife-to-court-over-wedding-pictures/#sthash.rmTRsDG3.dpuf

Justice Mohammed Idris of  the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed  October 16, 2013 for the commencement of trial in a N120 million copyright suit filed against popular music  star, Innocent Idibia, a.k.a. TuFace, his wife, Annie Idibia and their manager, Anthonio Anifite over  photographs allegedly taken at the recent traditional wedding of the musician and his wife in Akwa Ibom State.
Abuja based photographer, Emmanuel Okolo, who is the plaintiff in the suit alongside his studio, Papilonmexy  filed suit against the defendants.

*Tuface and Annie Idibia during their traditional marriage

He is asking for six reliefs, two of which include N100 million in general damages and N20million in exemplary damages.
At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, neither TuFace nor his wife was represented in court. Anifite who is the second defendant was however represented by his counsel, J.O Uttute.
Meanwhile, a mild drama ensued when the judge openly admonished Uttute after the latter claimed that he had filed his defence when he had not done so.
The judge warned him not to come to this court again if he was not prepared for the case.  “You told me that you have filed your response, but looking through here, there is nothing to that effect. And you are even smiling. Do you think you are here to joke? Never come to this court again if you are not prepared. You don’t even know when the case was filed and you are not prepared for it,” said the judge.
Also,  the plaintiff’s counsel,  Habeeb Oredola expressed worry over the defendants’ inability to appear before the court  or  be represented by a counsel after they were served with the writs of summon.
In the writ of summon, Okolo and his studio claimed they were contracted by TuFace’s wife through a third party, identified as Ms Chineze Anyaene to take photo shots at the traditional wedding held in Eket, Akwa Ibom state in March, 2013.
The plaintiff said, he was reluctant at the beginning since the offer was coming through a third party, but later accepted after he was convinced that the offer was actually with the blessing of the first defendant.
Annie Idibia was said to have later contacted the photographer after the wedding and demanded for the printing of 10 of the high resolution pictures taken.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/photographer-drags-tuface-wife-to-court-over-wedding-pictures/#sthash.rmTRsDG3.dpuf

Justice Mohammed Idris of  the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed  October 16, 2013 for the commencement of trial in a N120 million copyright suit filed against popular music  star, Innocent Idibia, a.k.a. TuFace, his wife, Annie Idibia and their manager, Anthonio Anifite over  photographs allegedly taken at the recent traditional wedding of the musician and his wife in Akwa Ibom State.
Abuja based photographer, Emmanuel Okolo, who is the plaintiff in the suit alongside his studio, Papilonmexy  filed suit against the defendants.

*Tuface and Annie Idibia during their traditional marriage

He is asking for six reliefs, two of which include N100 million in general damages and N20million in exemplary damages.
At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, neither TuFace nor his wife was represented in court. Anifite who is the second defendant was however represented by his counsel, J.O Uttute.
Meanwhile, a mild drama ensued when the judge openly admonished Uttute after the latter claimed that he had filed his defence when he had not done so.
The judge warned him not to come to this court again if he was not prepared for the case.  “You told me that you have filed your response, but looking through here, there is nothing to that effect. And you are even smiling. Do you think you are here to joke? Never come to this court again if you are not prepared. You don’t even know when the case was filed and you are not prepared for it,” said the judge.
Also,  the plaintiff’s counsel,  Habeeb Oredola expressed worry over the defendants’ inability to appear before the court  or  be represented by a counsel after they were served with the writs of summon.
In the writ of summon, Okolo and his studio claimed they were contracted by TuFace’s wife through a third party, identified as Ms Chineze Anyaene to take photo shots at the traditional wedding held in Eket, Akwa Ibom state in March, 2013.
The plaintiff said, he was reluctant at the beginning since the offer was coming through a third party, but later accepted after he was convinced that the offer was actually with the blessing of the first defendant.
Annie Idibia was said to have later contacted the photographer after the wedding and demanded for the printing of 10 of the high resolution pictures taken.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/photographer-drags-tuface-wife-to-court-over-wedding-pictures/#sthash.rmTRsDG3.dpuf

Justice Mohammed Idris of  the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed  October 16, 2013 for the commencement of trial in a N120 million copyright suit filed against popular music  star, Innocent Idibia, a.k.a. TuFace, his wife, Annie Idibia and their manager, Anthonio Anifite over  photographs allegedly taken at the recent traditional wedding of the musician and his wife in Akwa Ibom State.
Abuja based photographer, Emmanuel Okolo, who is the plaintiff in the suit alongside his studio, Papilonmexy  filed suit against the defendants.

*Tuface and Annie Idibia during their traditional marriage

He is asking for six reliefs, two of which include N100 million in general damages and N20million in exemplary damages.
At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, neither TuFace nor his wife was represented in court. Anifite who is the second defendant was however represented by his counsel, J.O Uttute.
Meanwhile, a mild drama ensued when the judge openly admonished Uttute after the latter claimed that he had filed his defence when he had not done so.
The judge warned him not to come to this court again if he was not prepared for the case.  “You told me that you have filed your response, but looking through here, there is nothing to that effect. And you are even smiling. Do you think you are here to joke? Never come to this court again if you are not prepared. You don’t even know when the case was filed and you are not prepared for it,” said the judge.
Also,  the plaintiff’s counsel,  Habeeb Oredola expressed worry over the defendants’ inability to appear before the court  or  be represented by a counsel after they were served with the writs of summon.
In the writ of summon, Okolo and his studio claimed they were contracted by TuFace’s wife through a third party, identified as Ms Chineze Anyaene to take photo shots at the traditional wedding held in Eket, Akwa Ibom state in March, 2013.
The plaintiff said, he was reluctant at the beginning since the offer was coming through a third party, but later accepted after he was convinced that the offer was actually with the blessing of the first defendant.
Annie Idibia was said to have later contacted the photographer after the wedding and demanded for the printing of 10 of the high resolution pictures taken.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/photographer-drags-tuface-wife-to-court-over-wedding-pictures/#sthash.rmTRsDG3.dpuf

Justice Mohammed Idris of  the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed  October 16, 2013 for the commencement of trial in a N120 million copyright suit filed against popular music  star, Innocent Idibia, a.k.a. TuFace, his wife, Annie Idibia and their manager, Anthonio Anifite over  photographs allegedly taken at the recent traditional wedding of the musician and his wife in Akwa Ibom State.
Abuja based photographer, Emmanuel Okolo, who is the plaintiff in the suit alongside his studio, Papilonmexy  filed suit against the defendants.

*Tuface and Annie Idibia during their traditional marriage

He is asking for six reliefs, two of which include N100 million in general damages and N20million in exemplary damages.
At the resumed hearing of the case yesterday, neither TuFace nor his wife was represented in court. Anifite who is the second defendant was however represented by his counsel, J.O Uttute.
Meanwhile, a mild drama ensued when the judge openly admonished Uttute after the latter claimed that he had filed his defence when he had not done so.
The judge warned him not to come to this court again if he was not prepared for the case.  “You told me that you have filed your response, but looking through here, there is nothing to that effect. And you are even smiling. Do you think you are here to joke? Never come to this court again if you are not prepared. You don’t even know when the case was filed and you are not prepared for it,” said the judge.
Also,  the plaintiff’s counsel,  Habeeb Oredola expressed worry over the defendants’ inability to appear before the court  or  be represented by a counsel after they were served with the writs of summon.
In the writ of summon, Okolo and his studio claimed they were contracted by TuFace’s wife through a third party, identified as Ms Chineze Anyaene to take photo shots at the traditional wedding held in Eket, Akwa Ibom state in March, 2013.
The plaintiff said, he was reluctant at the beginning since the offer was coming through a third party, but later accepted after he was convinced that the offer was actually with the blessing of the first defendant.
Annie Idibia was said to have later contacted the photographer after the wedding and demanded for the printing of 10 of the high resolution pictures taken.
- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/06/photographer-drags-tuface-wife-to-court-over-wedding-pictures/#sthash.rmTRsDG3.dpuf

Reuben Abati:The undignifying things a man has to do for survival - Response from JIMI DISU

 Reuben Abati,SSA (media to the President says of a Nigerian citizen who criticized the President:
 ”We are dealing with such hideous and second rate characters in Nigeria’s public space, belonging to the ACN and the CPC, and that other would-be disaster-prone mongrel called APC that they won’t even respect the truth. The prize for being silly in this regard must go to one Rotimi Fashakin who describes himself as the National Publicity Secretary of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC). He is an arm-chair critic per excellence and a medieval-era ignoramus.
In a release titled “President Jonathan’s AU summit gaffe” (May 28) Rotimi displayed such habitual indolence and brainlessness that his heirs must be eternally ashamed of, and which I consider offensive and needlessly disruptive. His subject is the just-ended AU @ 50 summit in Addis Ababa.
I invite more cerebral and decent persons to consider the facts. President Jonathan as the leader of the Nigerian delegation to the AU summit in Addis Ababa and the 50th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) indeed put up a sterling performance, using the opportunity of the trip to further promote Nigeria’s interests and to strengthen Nigeria’s relationships with other countries. He held bilateral meetings with the UN Secretary General and the leaders of Jamaica, Egypt, Swaziland, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire. He granted interviews to the media, local and international. He also participated in a special session on HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, at which he invited other world leaders to the Abuja+12 conference to be hosted in Nigeria, mid-June. President Jonathan is an accomplished diplomat and a responsible leader under whose watch, Nigeria’s foreign policy process and international relations have been strengthened with commendable results.
Fashakin, failing to do minimal research that any right-thinking person would attempt, jumps to the conclusion that President Jonathan missed his slot at the AU and that nobody represented him. This is more than 48 hours after I had issued a statement indicating that no slot was missed. Fashakin must be so busy he doesn’t even bother to read the news. No slot was missed because no country was under any compulsion to speak. Any country that wished to make a statement indicated the interest to do so, by pressing the button at its own convenience. Nigeria had indicated an interest to speak, but the President needed to attend an urgent ECOWAS meeting on the Lagos-Abidjan Highway, to be attended by five West African countries, to take a report by the Nigerian Minister of Works who is the chair of the regional inter-Ministerial body on the proposed Lagos-Abidjan Highway. I have since circulated the conclusions of that meeting.
While President Jonathan was attending that meeting, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, the Minister of Foreign Affairs presented our statement to the OAU at 50 on President Jonathan’s behalf. I have also since circulated the full text of that statement. In other words, Nigeria’s voice was heard, loud and clear. Let it be noted that President Jonathan’s attendance of a meeting on the sidelines of the AU Summit was perfectly in order, and he attended quite a number, just as Minister Ashiru was not the only Foreign Minister who spoke on behalf of a President at the Summit. So where did Fashakin get his information from that nobody represented Nigeria?
The nature of his mental indolence is understandable. In this attempt to pull President Jonathan down at all costs, lies have become standard stuff, mischief a major commodity, and indecency a character flaw. President Jonathan does not owe anyone an apology for serving Nigeria diligently and truthfully. Fashakin’s reference to an incident in Australia is also wrong-headed because the allegation is false. In fact, in Australia, President Jonathan met with a broad range of investors in the mining sector and that has resulted in huge investments in the Nigerian mining sector. I consider the insinuation about inebriation, in Fashakin’s statement, amplified by his paid agents in other fora, as utterly disrespectful and foolish. They can’t certainly be talking about a President who is a well-focused man of achievement. By the same token, I consider the reference to Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum in that statement as a red herring. Again, I advise Fashakin to read the newspapers so he can be abreast of developments, the only way he can get close to being an effective spokesperson. I had made it clear that President Jonathan has no hand in the Governors Forum crisis, and we stand by that position.
Our case is not rested. When next Fashakin comes to the public with unintelligent thoughts about President Jonathan, it shall remain our duty to continue to remind him of the need to think before talking.”

Response From Jimi Disu:
 
 I am ashamed this is coming from the spokesperson of the President of my country and a junior colleague in the profession .How any well bred,well brought up professional can use such hideous language beats my imagination.Lets even give him some credit that Fasakin got come facts wrong could a rebuttal not have been written in much better and decent manner.?Is this language of abuse going to build bridges for his principal or destroy it further?.How can a statement from the Presidency read”we are dealing with such hideous and second rate characters in the Nigerian public space?Excuse me?Who are the first raters?Him?His principal?How can a statement from the Presidency state that a fellow citizen is  ” a medieval era ignoramus? or that “we continue to remind him of the need to think before talking” To the subject itself ,Abati must think he is dealing with “ignoramus “,when he tries to proffer why Jonathan failed to address the AU summit.A man left his shores to represent his country at an AU summit in Addis,gets there and suddenly finds a meeting on an Ecowas road more important?Mr Abati should tell that to the marines.He then goes on to list his principal’ achievements and how he met with these investors we never see who just come and milk our resources dry without us getting any reciprocal benefit and rounds it up by saying his boss is “ an accomplished diplomat and a responsible leader under whose watch, Nigeria’s foreign policy process and international relations have been strengthened with commendable results”
Ha!

Pictures from CLIQUE AFRICA May Edition hangout with Barr Jide Adesanya

10 Ways That Meditation Can Change Your Life

 One ancient practice that has shown tremendous transformations is the practice of meditation. So what is meditation? and why is it known to change people’s lives for the better? Even to the point of improving your chances of success and changing your whole life completely.

Meditation is a practice that is done by an individual that trains the mind and induces an altered state of consciousness. You are fully awake, but your mind travels elsewhere, into your unconscious. There are many techniques for meditation like practices that specifically target certain areas like promoting relaxation, develop self awareness, reduce stress, or to foster a sense of well-being.
Meditation exercises the mind. You exercise your body to keep it healthy and fit. Meditation does just that to your mind. By practicing self-awareness, you are improving and keeping your psychological well-being fit and healthy.
 

A Brief History of Meditation

Meditation is intimately associated with spiritual and religious contexts. Many ancient civilizations used chants and rhythmic prayers to their gods. The earliest known record of meditation is from Hindu texts 5000 years ago. The Buddha, who is one of the major proponents of meditation, sat for years trying to reach enlightenment through meditation.
The practice of meditation can be seen in all religions–from Judaism to Islam to Christianity–it is an essential act of getting in touch with your spiritual being.

Meditation Techniques

Since the 1960′s and ’70′s, the many benefits of meditation have been scientifically researched in the Western world. Various meditation techniques have been thoroughly studied, which has led millions of people practicing different meditation techniques all over the world. There are many different types of meditation and it is best to do a bit of research to find the type that is best for you to gain the benefits you are looking for.
One of the most popular meditation techniques is Transcendental Meditation. It’s a very simple and effortless practice wherein you sit on the floor or on a chair in a lotus position for about 20 minutes twice a day. It is known to reduce stress, improve your thinking, help you sleep better, and helps you deal with tense situations more calmly.
Another meditation technique is Mindfulness or the Vipassana, which is a Buddhist tradition. All you do is sit on a chair in a proper position, close your eyes, and accept any thoughts that come to mind. It allows you to be present in your thoughts, allowing them to freely enter your mind. Mindfulness is also used in psychotherapy wherein you let repressed thoughts and emotions come out of your unconscious. It can be your way of dealing with emotions that you keep bottled up inside of you.

 Creative or Visualization Meditation involves concentration on an image or vision. If you want to achieve something, say for example, a job promotion, what you do is you sit on a chair and visualize yourself actually achieving the image in your head. When you imagine these images, the emotions that are associated with getting what you want will be felt–like happiness and satisfaction–as if you already have it. It can promote confidence and optimism.

10 Benefits of Meditation

1 - Meditation relieves overall stress. It can lighten the load of a busy day and relieve your physical and emotional stress through relaxation.
2 - It helps you look young by getting rid of all that stress that can add wrinkles to your face and make you ill. You feel energized and rejuvenated, lightening your load and reducing feelings of sadness and despair.
3 - Meditation gives you added energy. Your concentrated breathing and relaxation improves your blood circulation, giving you more energy to be productive and do enjoyable things in life.
4 - Lowers your risk of cardiovascular disease and improves your immune system. Through relaxation and breathing techniques, meditation can lower your heart rate and blood pressure, making you healthier.
5 - Meditation can improve your concentration level and clear your mind. When you’ve faced your demons and unnecessary thoughts, your mind is free to accommodate more important and pressing matters in your life.
6 - Awaken higher levels of your creativity and potential. By weeding out the negative toxins in your mind, you have more freedom to explore things that will bring you more development and improvement.
7 - Eliminate anger and fear. We often repress these emotions because they are sometimes too much to bear. When we openly accept them into our thoughts, we let them go and allow them to disappear.
8 - When you let go of fear and anger, when you are happy and improved, it immediately improves your relationships with others.
9 -  It provides you with peace of mind and general happiness
10 - You develop tolerance. When you are less tense, less stressed, and happier, you become more calm in dealing with tense situations.

Meditation For Success

Many famous celebrities have their own share of benefits from meditation. Paul McCartney and the Beatles made Transcendental Meditation very popular in the 1970′s when they went to India, learned and practiced the technique with its very founder. Paul McCartney has stated that meditation was very inspirational to him, that his mind was clearer when he wrote their songs.
Tina Turner also practices meditation and she credits her strong Buddhist beliefs and meditation practices to giving her the inner strength she needed to leave her abusive husband in the 1970′s.
Albert Einstein had daily meditation naps that brought him answers before he even asked the questions.
Undoubtedly, meditation is a practice that brings about massive benefits that can change and improve our lives. There are many meditation techniques that you can perform, but the very premise of meditation has always been for self-awareness and psychological well-being to help you transform and change your life.
Don’t know where to start with meditation? Make sure you read the book below “Meditation for Medicine”. The meditation techniques are easy to understand along with detailed pictures, a must have for anyone who is looking at benefiting from meditation.

 Written by - Joel

4 Strategies for Your One-on-One Networking Meeting

If you were completely honest in your networking ventures, you might say to a mentor, expert, or more senior colleague, “You’re more important than me, and you have something I want - gimme!” Not exactly an approach I’d recommend.

FRAUD: NATFORCE OFFICIALS DOCKED

Obinna C. Onyekwelu – NATFORCE Zonal Coordinator

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday May 7, 2013 arraigned four members of the self-styled National Task Force on Illegal Importation of Goods, Small Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons, NATFORCE, before Justice N. Agishi of the Federal High Court, Enugu, on a 9-count charge of conspiracy, extortion and obtaining money under false pretense.

Obinna C. Onyekwelu, Emmanuel Ngwu, Ogunjimi Charles and Onyia Fidelia are alleged to belong to a syndicate which extorts money from unsuspecting Nigerians under the pretext of helping them secure employment with the federal government. The scammers defrauded hundreds of job seekers by deceitfully selling recruitment forms to them at five thousand naira each with promises of offering them employment in Federal Government establishments.

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

The prosecution counsel, Mainforce Adaka, asked the court to fix a trial date since there was no bail application before the court. However the defense counsel objected and made an oral application for bail.

Justice Agishi granted bail to each of the accused in the sum of N300, 000.00 each with two sureties in like sum who should either be a businessman in Enugu or a civil servant on grade level 10 and above.

The case was adjourned to June 12, 2013 for the hearing.

The quartet is the first batch of suspects to be arraigned by the EFCC since the anti-graft agency burst the racket that cut across the six zones of the country. A certain Osita Emmanuel Okereke, self-acclaimed director –general of the National Task Force on Illegal Importation of Goods, Small Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons, NATFORCE, was apprehended in January, after spurning several invitations, and grilled for his role in the mega scam.

The organization's claim to recognition and registration by government has proven to be a hoax.