Sunday, 8 March 2015

Dangers in the hotel rooms ! Everything you need to know about your hotel room that NO ONE tells you

Unwashed bathroom glasses, coffee pots rinsed with mildew remover and secret minibar restocking fees: Everything you need to know about your hotel room (that NO ONE tells you)

Studies show that TV remotes can house as much bacteria as a toilet
Some minibars will charge you for storing your own items inside
Using advice sites, like TripAdvisor, to get free perks can actually backfire

PUBLISHED: 11:11 GMT, 8 March 2015 | UPDATED: 12:34 GMT, 8 March 2015

When you first enter your hotel room, it's tempting to immediately head toward the minibar, brew yourself a cup of coffee or raid the toiletries that have been supplied for you.

But, before you get carried away, there are a few things that you should know.

Your stately room is likely not as clean as you believe it to be. And those goodies you're eager to try out? They may not actually be free.

MailOnline Travel reveals the most important things to know about your hotel room, including those that no one will ever tell you...

Hotel rooms may appear clean, but there are certain areas the cleaning staff don't often have time to inspect

Beware when touching the television remotes and light switches

A study by the University of Houston revealed that the most touched places in the room such as television remotes and bedside lamp switches are often the least cleaned.

Results found that in some cases, they had as much bacteria as bathroom toilet seats and sinks.

That's enough for us to remember to pack our hand santizer whenever we travel!

Pack your sanitizer for items like remotes and light switches which are hot spots for germs

Drinking from the bathroom glasses

You may be tempted to quench your thirst when you arrive and use the bathroom glasses for a drink.

However in an expose by Fox News, it was revealed that many hotel maids do not wash them out with soap before the next guest checks in.

Hidden cameras revealed glasses that were rinsed only with water, or that were wiped down with a cloth that had previously been used for cleaning the room.

Use bottled water, or request plastic cups from reception to be safe.

Think before you snuggle up in the blankets

Due to a lack of seating area in some hotels, the bed becomes the place where most people sit, eat, and perform other, ahem, intimate activities.

Some mothers even change their child's nappies on the blankets, too.

While you have no need to worry about items that get washed daily, some of the smaller blankets may not get replaced that often.

It is advisable to check user comments before staying at a hotel so that you are aware of the experiences of other guestsWhile pens and brochures are often free to use and take, items such as bathrobes, slippers may not be.

Travelodge have noted a number of items being taken out their rooms that are supposed to remain.

Shakila Ahmed, Travelodge spokeswoman said: 'Since we have introduced our new brand design and modernised our rooms, we have seen a significant rise in our fluffy pillows, snuggly duvets, striped bed runners and contemporary artwork being taken from our 500 UK hotels.

'There have even been attempts to smuggle our new luxurious king size Travelodge Dreamer bed out of the hotels.'

Don't threaten to leave a bad TripAdvisor review in change for perks

Unfortunately, some people resort to blackmail to receive upgrades and free perks, in exchange for not writing a negative comment on the hotel's TripAdvisor page.

If you are tempted to use this technique, take note: hotels have a way of proactively reporting any threats before a corresponding review is submitted.

A spokesperson for the online review site said: 'It is absolutely against the terms and spirit of our site to use TripAdvisor's name to try and claim discounts or freebies that would not be available to other guests.

'Our fraud detection experts will then investigate and, where we find evidence of threatening behaviour, take action to stop their reviews from ever reaching the site.'

The mini bar items are extremely over-priced for what you get, bring your own snacks for guilt-free feasting

Comedian makes pasta meal using just a hotel kettle!

THINGS YOU SHOULD DO DURING YOUR STAY:

Keep your name and room number private

Telling other guests your full name and room number can lead to unwanted visitors and charges finding their way to your room.

Set your own wake up call

On occasion, the front desk will forget to call you for your 3am flight reminder. Eliminate the risk and set your phone alarm yourself.

Take hand santizer

Even if the room passed the cleaning inspection, there are still corners that the staff may not have reached. Keep yourself protected and always carry a bottle on trips.

Request the top floor or a corner room

The top floor rooms tend to have higher ceilings, better views and less noise than other rooms.

Corner rooms also tend to be larger - regardless of the floor its on.

Tip generously

Leaving a little something for the staff gives a great impression and shows that you're grateful for their service. Plus, it doesn't hurt for them to remember your generosity when you have a request during your stay.

Don't go crazy with the minibar

When you're nice and cosy, it can be tempting to see what the minibar has to offer, as opposed to leaving the room to explore other snacking options.

However, prices of items in the fridges are often exorbitant, and can leave you regretting that last little packet of peanuts when you get the bill.

Before indulging, remember this: The 2014 TripIndex Survey found that average price for nuts in Switzerland, France, New York, Canada, Singapore and Sweden was over $10.

Topping the leader board was Toronto, where the average bag of nuts cost an unbelievable $18.23.

And don't add your own items

For savvy travellers who bring their own items instead of perusing the (expensive) minibar options, beware. You could still be hit with a large charge.

Several hotels have a restocking fee to dissuade you from placing personal items in the fridge.

Last year it was revealed that hidden fees were set to earn hotels £1.4bn in revenue add-ons, a six per cent increase from 2013.

A study by a professor at New York University's hospitality school noted that although these fees only add an extra two per cent in revenue, most of that money is pure profit for the hotel.

Blogger Keri Anderson was horrified to find that there was a charge to placing personal items in the fridge

Be careful when using the coffee machine

An investigation by ABC News showed cleaners simply swirling the pots in water without properly cleaning them, which leads to a build up of bacteria.

In Cincinnati, Ohio, one cleaner was found to have cleaned the pot with a bottle of Lysol mildew remover, and another was captured using the same cloth to clean the coffee maker as she had used to clean the bathroom floor.

Always clean the machine yourself before use - even if it had been cleaned after the last user, it could have been sitting around collecting dust for a few weeks before you arrive.

He drinks Petrol !

Petrol drinking sex pest facing jail after breaching his ASBO by guzzling unleaded eight hours after prison release

Robert Stephens, 23, of Oxford, is addicted to drinking and sniffing petrol
Banned from doing so after making sick remarks to girls while high on fuel
He has been jailed for several offences including assaulting his father
Eight hours after his latest release from prison, he was found drunk on gas in petrol station

By JACK CRONE FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 20:04 GMT, 8 March 2015 | UPDATED: 20:56 GMT, 8 March 2015

nts

Facing jail: Robert Stephens, 23, broke an ASBO banning him from drinking petrol

A man who propositioned schoolgirls in the street while high on unleaded petrol is facing jail after breaching an ASBO banning him from drinking the fuel.

Robert Stephens was found drunkenly staggering around a petrol station having bought a gallon of unleaded fuel less than eight hours after being released from prison for a string of offences.

The 23-year-old, who is addicted to drinking and sniffing gasoline, was first handed an ASBO banning him from large swathes of his home city following a bizarre drunken outburst during which he taunted unsuspecting women with sexual jibes.

This involved approaching two schoolgirls and saying to them: 'If you're old enough to smoke you're old enough to suck my d***'.

On the same day he violently threatened his grandfather.

He was also issued with an ASBO banning him from drinking petrol after investigators noted the connection between the habit and his offences.

In court, one official said: 'Stephens is known to drink and sniff petrol and during his spree of offences it was noted by some witnesses that he smelled strongly of petrol.

Muazu may be removed as Presidency doubts his loyalty –Investigation

Presidency doubts Mu’azu’s loyalty –Investigation

MARCH 9, 2015 BY OLUSOLA FABIYI

PDP National Chairman, Adamu Mu’azu

There were indications that the Presidency may have put the National Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, under close watch, The Punch has learnt.

It was learnt that the Presidency was not comfortable with the activities of the chairman of the ruling party as some members of the party were said to have informed President Goodluck Jonathan of the alleged double-faced activities of Mu’azu.

It was learnt that the Presidency took the action following reports against the former Governor of Bauchi State, Mallam Isa Yuguda that he was not fully committed to the second term aspiration of President Jonathan.

Those against him were said to have informed the President and members of his kitchen cabinets that Mu’azu did not take any action following the stoning of the President’s convoy in some states in the North.

Specifically, he was said to have kept quiet over the stoning of the President’s vehicle in his home state.

The sad event in the state was blamed on the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, but the state Governor, Yuguga said that those who stoned the President were sponsored by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Bala Muhammed.

The minister is a member of the ruling party.

The Presidency source said, “You can see that Mu’azu has not been vociferous in his campaign for the President in the North.

“He has never organised any rally on his own and has never attended any other except those organised by the party which were attended by the President.

“He has remained silent on the stoning of the President’s convoy in Taraba, Katsina and Taraba states. We have this unclear notion that he’s more interested in having a President from his region than President Jonathan returning. So, we are watching him.”

The source said the sign that Mu’azu could be up to a sinister motive emerged on the day the President inaugurated the party’s Presidential Campaign Council.

“Instead of speaking on the task ahead of the party and the campaign, Mu’azu in the full glare of the television and invited guests, lambasted the President and the party,” he added.

Copyright PUNCH.

Army begins trial of General, 22 others today

MARCH 9, 2015 BY FIDELIS SORIWEI

Director of Defence Information, Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade
| credits: www.ynaija.com

The military authorities will on Monday (today) commence the trial of a Brigadier General, four colonels, seven Lt. Cols, and 10 other officers of the Nigerian Army in Lagos.

The soldiers are being tried for alleged negligence and complicity in the invasion of the 21 Artillery Brigade, Bama, by Boko Haram insurgents on September 2, 2014.

The Lagos trial promises to be the biggest of the recent military court martial in the country.

For the first time, 23 very senior officers of the service would be arraigned for offences bordering on the counter-insurgency operations in the North-East zone.

The PUNCH learnt that the 23 Army officers would be prosecuted for various military offences under the 81 Division, GCM, Lagos, scheduled for inauguration at the Ikeja Cantonment today.

The GCM will be presided over by Maj. Gen. S.D Aliyu.

Our correspondent learnt that the officers were being accused of cowardly behaviour, failure to perform military duty, negligent performance of military duties and other offences relating to service property, among others.

It was learnt that one of the offences relating to service property was central to the setting up of the GCM.

A military source, who confided in our correspondent, explained that “the offence of cowardly behaviour attracts the death penalty while other offences attract nothing less than two years imprisonment.”

Leadership of the military had commenced investigations into the Boko Haram invasion of the 21 Artillery Brigade, Bama, shortly after the barracks fell to the insurgents, who were said to have carted away large quantity of arms and ammunition.

The military leaders were said to be of the view that the insurgents did not encounter the expected degree of resistance before overrunning the barracks.

Prior to the invasion of the barracks, the military authorities had taken the decision to relocate the 21 Armoured Brigade from Maiduguri to Bama because of the proximity of the latter to the theatre of operation.

Senior military personnel had said last year that the military strategists who took the decision were of the view that the movement of the Brigade would create room for a more effective prosecution of the campaign against the insurgents.

Our correspondent could not get the Director of Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, to comment on the trial opening in Lagos today as the calls to his mobile telephone line did not connect.

Copyright PUNCH.

Give us Oduduwa State, Yoruba Oba urges Jonathan

Published on March 8, 2015 by pmnews · 16 Comments

Yoruba Obas pary for President Jonathan (Middle) at the palace of Ooni of Ife

Oba Ibiloye Adeseun of Oke-Iresi, where President Goodluck Jonathan observed his National Youth Service Corps, has called for the creation of Oduduwa state, with Ile-Ife as the state capital.

The Oba of Oke-Iresi said this when the president paid a courtesy visit on the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade on Saturday. He urged the president to meet the yearnings of the people and give them Oduduwa state.

Adeseun who described President Jonathan “is the bridge to that tomorrow,” noted that, another four years for Jonathan will guarantee the future of Nigerians.

In his remarks, Oba Sijuwade welcomed all his guests and lauded the president for the effective transformation in the country in all sectors.

Sijuwade called on the royal fathers to pray for the president to enable him succeed.

Similarly, Oba Adedokun Aroyinleye, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, reinstated the support of the state’s royal fathers for his second term.

Aroyinleye appealed to the president to complete all uncompleted projects in Osun if re-elected.

Militants attack UN as Mali hunts jihadists nightclub killers

Published on March 8, 2015 by pmnews · No Comments

United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon

A peacekeeper and two children died Sunday as militants shelled a UN base in northern Mali, heightening security fears as police hunted jihadists who launched a deadly Bamako nightclub assault.

The UN’s MINUSMA force said more than 30 rockets were fired at its barracks in the rebel bastian of Kidal from 5:40am (0540 GMT).

“Once the source of the shooting was established, MINUSMA force soldiers immediately returned fire two kilometres (1.2 miles) from the camp, around 6:00 am,” the force said in a statement.

“An initial assessment revealed the death of a MINUSMA soldier and that eight soldiers were wounded. The rockets also hit Kidal citizens outside the camp and two deaths… were counted.”

The force said in an update on Twitter that the victims were children and that three civilians had also been injured.

A MINUSMA source told AFP they were members of the nomadic Arab Kunta tribe, which is spread across the Saharan regions of Mali, Algeria, Mauritania and Niger.

Their encampment near the UN base was hit by stray rockets as the attack got underway, the source said.

Sources inside the force also said the slain peacekeeper was Chadian, like the majority of personnel at the base.

It was not immediately clear who was responsible, although Kidal is the cradle of northern Mali’s Tuareg separatist movement, which has launched several uprisings from the region since the 1960s.

Tuareg and Arab militias — loyalist and anti-government — have forged a peace agreement with the Malian government formulated earlier this month in Algiers, although several rebel groups are yet to sign.

“MINUSMA strongly condemns these heinous acts of terror whose sole purpose is to thwart all ongoing efforts to establish lasting peace in Mali,” the force said.

Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and other jihadist groups also carry out operations in Kidal, including the 2013 murders of French journalists Ghislaine Dupont and Claude Verlon.

– ‘West insulted our prophet’ –

In Bamako, police in bulletproof vests patrolled the area where a masked gunman had burst into La Terrasse, a popular venue among expats, spraying automatic gunfire and throwing grenades early Saturday.

Al-Murabitoun, a jihadist group run by leading Algerian militant Mokhtar Belmokhtar, has claimed responsibility for the attack, which left a Frenchman, a Belgian and three Malians dead.

It said in an audio recording carried by Mauritanian news agency Al-Akbar the operation was carried out “to avenge our prophet against the unbelieving West which has insulted and mocked him”.

Vehicle checks were stepped up on the three bridges over the Niger river as detectives focused on a black four-wheel drive apparently used by the nightclub attacker and an accomplice.

“We cannot say much more at this stage but there are clues about the vehicle used to transport the author of the crimes committed in Bamako,” a police source told AFP.

MINUSMA, which has around 10,000 personnel in Mali, said it has made investigators and crimes scene experts available to the authorities.

Police earlier announced they had arrested two Malians soon after but later said the pair were not involved, describing them as “not terrorists, but bandits”.

The French victim has been named as 30-year-old Fabien Guyomard, a single man with no children who had lived in Bamako since 2007 and worked at US construction company ICMS Africa.

Mali’s prime minister and president visited eight people who were being treated in hospital overnight, including two Swiss weapons experts advising the Malian government.

The pair were in a critical but stable condition after being hit by bullets, the Swiss military said in Geneva.

“We must remain vigilant, the population must report people behaving suspiciously,” Premier Modibo Keita told reporters.

– ‘Cowardly attack’ –

In the moments after the attack an AFP correspondent witnessed the French victim being taken by stretcher out of the venue while the bodies of the police officer, a guard and the Belgian could be seen outside.

“They reportedly shouted ‘death to whites’ on entering the restaurant… It sounds like an attack against the presence of Europeans,” a diplomatic source said.

French President Francois Hollande led the international outcry, condemning the “cowardly attack” and vowing to meet Malian President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita to offer Paris’s help to its former colony.

Mali’s vast desert north is riven by ethnic rivalries and an Islamist insurgency.

Jihadists linked to Al-Qaeda controlled an area of desert the size of Texas for more than nine months until a French-led military intervention in 2013 that partly drove them from the region.

But day-to-day life in the capital, a city of 1.8 million, has been largely unaffected by the northern conflict.

“It’s the first attack of this type in Bamako,” said Pierre Boilley, an analyst specialising in sub-Saharan Africa.

Nigerian banks are safe, says CBN

Published on March 8, 2015 by pmnews · No Comments

Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele

The CBN has assured that Nigerian banks are safe, following the outcome of a stress test it conducted.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Director of Corporate Communications of the CBN, Alhaji Ibrahim Mu’azu, on Sunday in Abuja.

“Following the recent top-down stress tests of Deposit Money Banks carried out; the CBN re-affirms that the banks have adequate capital to absorb unexpected losses,” the statement said.

It noted that unaudited results of banks and the results released so far indicated that the economic meltdown had not significantly affected returns.

The statement noted that banks had been directed to have effective risk management system in place, especially price hedging.

It said that the apex bank would continue to monitor banks to ensure sufficient internal retention of capital to serve as buffers.

The statement recalled that the IMF in a report on March 4 on the outcome of the Executive Board 2014 Consultation with Nigeria commended the CBN in ensuring financial system soundness.

It noted that financial soundness indicators remained above prudential norms but that the concentration of credit risks and foreign currency exposures called for continued close oversight.

According to the statement, the CBN welcomes the progress in strengthening supervision and regulation, including cross-border activities.

It added that the apex bank encouraged additional initiatives to foster financial market development, including hedging instruments and improved financial inclusion.

The statement noted that Nigeria’s economic data were broadly adequate for surveillance.

It said that the CBN agreed on tightening fiscal policy and allowing the exchange rate to depreciate.

INEC extends PVC collection till 22 March

Published on March 8, 2015 by pmnews · 1 Comment

PVCs

Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has extended the distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), hitherto scheduled to end today, by two weeks.

In a statement issued today, INEC said the exercise will continue across the country until 22 March, six days to the presidential election.

Ogun state still lags behind other states in the collection, with the cards not available in the principal cities of Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu, among others. Governor Ibikunle Amosun clamoured on saturday for the extension of the collection deadline.

Announcing the latest extension, Kayode Idowu, chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, said:

“This latest extension offers the last opportunity for duly registered persons to collect their PVCs before the general election scheduled for March 28 and April 11, 2015,” he said. INEC urged “all registered persons that are yet to collect their PVCs to use this last opportunity in doing so, in order to participate in the forthcoming general election”.

At the weekend, INEC tested its card readers in some states of Nigeria, such as Rivers, Nasarawa and others.

Tuesday, 3 March 2015

Mbanefo showcases 150 artworks at 50th birthday. launches three books . :adopts 20 schools :To build vocational skill centres

Mbanefo showcases 150 artworks at 50th birthday

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04.Mar.2015 DISQUS_COMMENTS Wale Ojo-Lanre

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Unveils three books, adopts 20 charity homes, hosts vocational school for the poor

Though a Lawyer by education, banker by profession, having being a player in boardrooms of intercontinental and multinational oil companies in Nigeria and now the Director-General of a federal corporation, one expected the 50th birthday ceremony of such a person to be accompanied with pomp and ceremony that would shake and attract world attention.

But Mrs Sally Mbanefo, the Director-General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), marked her golden birthday on Sunday, February 22, 2015, by given all praise and adoration to God Almighty at a 8:00am Thanksgiving Mass held at the Holy Cross Cathedral Catholic Church, Lagos Island, gathered friends and family together at the Banquet Hall, Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe Street, Victoria Island, Lagos at 4p.m to treat them to a unique celebration of the glory of God in her life which added value of purpose to the poor, enhanced and enriched the art world and gave hope for the hopeless .

Everything about the event was packaged in appreciation of God almighty and in accordance with His command on birthday celebration which should be a time of reflection, a time for one to examine, edit and critically review one’s mission on earth and time for rededication to those godly values which add value to the society.

The setting of the Banquet Hall was a reflection of Mrs Mbanefo’s simple, modest and down to earth posture despite having a robust background of an aristocratic life style and cosmopolitan exposition, unlike other occasion of its nature, it was devoid of high table as noted by Mr Patrick Oke.

“This is because Sally believes everyone here today are not only special, but distinguished personality who deserves to be on the high table hence all of us are on the high table today in her life.”

The Banquet Hall was circled with stands which hosted the 150 art works of Sally as a painter and artists, which was revealed to many that day while the cake was an artist handiwork per excellence made beautiful by the creation of sunflowers made of flour, but so real that it attracted commendation for the maker.

Not even with a high profile musician or artiste to make noise and sing praises of Sally and guests to high heavens save a soloist who sang beautiful hymns of praise, rendered soulful songs of love and waltzed inspirational tunes which tickled the humanitarian instinct in the guests.

Monsignor Paschal Nwaeezeapu prayed solemnly the Catholic mode and committed the life of Sally unto the hands of God, called for peace to reign in Nigeria particularly during and after the election and also supplicated for for guests.

On hand to support Sally were her father, Chief George Uwechue, SAN, the Owelle of Ogwasiku and her three lovely children who displayed high sense of being thoroughly bred by their conduct, interaction, gesture with the guests and for taking up the role of thanking and exchanging pleasantries with everyone for being their mother’s guest.

The three children visited each table with message of love, Solange, Chantal and Yannick participated fully at ensuring that no guest went home unsatisfied and with humble submission.

“We appreciate your love. We thank you for being part of our joy today. God will bless you. We appreciate. We love you all.”

The Master-of-Ceremony, Mr Oke ensured equitable allocation of time which ensured a smooth flow of the programme with efficiency and effect.

He exposed Mrs Mbanefo’s concern for the poor and her untiring habit of giving back to the society which commanded a wide applause and acknowledgement from the guests.

“Sally Mbanefo is a young lady with burning passion to spread joy and put smiles on faces of many.

“Her philanthropic gestures though carried out without roof top announcements are legendary, this lady has in the past five years ensured the sourcing of one million naira every month into the account of Youth Education Fund in Lagos Island to support the educational advancements of students in primary, secondary and university in over 20 schools while she has in Benue State also supported Our Lady of Fatima Primary School, Markurdi, Aokpe Garden Nursery School, St Patrick International College, and a small charity home in Oturkpo.”

Mr Oke also informed that for over eight years, in Delta State, Mrs Mbanefo has been lending monthly support to two charities in building refuge homes for widows, rehabilitation homes for the mentally ill and empowering the youth while she spread her tentacles of support to small charities in Odogbolu, Ogun Water side, Ijebu Ode all in Ogun State two others in Ibadan, a charity outlet in Ikere, Ekiti State, eight other institutions and churches with charitable aspirations in Lagos, Abuja, Rivers State and another in Abatete, Anambra State.”

Giving glory to God almighty for creating and imbibing in her wonderful virtues , talents and opportunities at 50, Mrs Mbanefo said, I have nothing than to give glory to God and give back to the society.

“I will be an ingrate if I refused to mark this day when I was born. The Lord almighty has been generous to me. Hence, I have decided to mark this day by exhibiting the talents, which God has deposited in me, increase my velocity of giving back to the society and set in motion my desire to build a vocational school for the very poor indigent students in the South West.

“I purposely designed this day to honour God and used my very handiwork through the talent God has deposited in me to exhibit and raised fund to build a vocational school. This is because, given my limited resources, I am unable to make enough of a meaningful impact on the lives of those youth that are unable to take advantage of a formal education system.”

She pointed out “I thus decided to write three coffee table books to unveil them today, exhibit my art works and launch them here, the proceed of which will be used to build a vocational skill acquisition school starting with Lagos. It is my intention that the school will be run from proceeds of the annual auction of my paintings and sculpture.”

Mrs Mbanefo informed that, she is particular about building the first school in the South West because “the time has come for me to take a bold step and say thank you to the South West for a 28-year career of amazing grace in Lagos State. The people of the South West are renowned for their warmth and hospitality. It has been an enduring pleasure of mine to experience both in full measure all these long years and I now feel an irrepressible urge to give back in a more meaningful way than we have been doing from my personal resources.”

Though modest, the 50th birthday ceremony of Mrs Mbanefo attracted distinguished Nigerians from different backgrounds with Chief Nike Akande, former Minister of Industry, Mr Jimi Agbaje, the People Democratic Party governorship candidate for Lagos State who was the Special Guest of Honour, Otunba Gani Adams, National Coordinator, Oodua Peoples ‘Congress, (OPC) and Convener, Oodua Progressive Union, (OPU), Mr Atedo Peterside, Mr Tonye Cole, Chief Mike and Mary Inegbese ABC Ojiakor, Oscar Onyeama, Director officer(CEO), NSE, Mrs Stella Okoli, CEO, Emzor Paracetamol, Mr JK Randle, Mrs Lanre Ojora, Otunba Gbolade Osibodu, Chief and Mrs O Ekesi, Mr and Mrs Ayo Olumoko, the Ondo State Governor, sent a powerful delegation led by Ambassador Wanle Akinboboye, his Special Adviser on Culture and Tourism which include Dr Modupe Akenroye, Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs Remi Duyile, Special Assistant to the Governor of Ondo State on Diaspora Matters and others.

Mr Jimi Agbaje said, “I have to be a witness and partaker at this event marking the 50th birthday of a wonderful lady of purpose who has been doing the country proud as the Director-General, NTDC, Sally is focused and she always set a target for herself in any post of responsibility she occupies. I am here to felicitate and share the joy of today with her. I wish her more prosperous years on the face of the Earth.”

Mrs Akenroye, the Permanent Secretary, Ondo State ministry of tourism and Culture said, “We have to travel all the way from Akure to show and express the love of our Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko and the entire people of our state to this tourism lady of hope who does not only know her onions as a tourism promoter and marketer, but who does all with patriotic fervour, un alloyed zeal and laced with rare humility. I must confess that this is the best Director-General of NTDC who is determined to enhance and promote domestic tourism.”

Otunba Gani Adams described Mrs Mbanefo as a tourism amazon who has been able to do what her predecessors could and failed to do within a space of time. She has shown all that tourism is beyond making noise on the pages of newspapers or on the television or junketing all over the world without developing domestic tourism. This is why I have to identify with her and share her vision. She is a goal getter who has never allowed the diversionary tactics by haters of her good works distract her attention from her goal. She will live long in God’s name.”

For Reverend Father Okoro Onyewuchi Basil, Proprietor, St Paul‘s School, Sally Mbanefo is Mother Theresa of our day “Sally, Your power of love is contagious! Your Christ-likeness is Eucharistic! Your Christianity is practical! Let me borrow the word of the Psalmist ‘He wiped away our tears and taken our sorrows away ‘You have literally whipped away our tears and taken away our sorrows. Ride on daughter of Zion! Ride on. Ada –dima 1 Ada ora! Omepuru-umu-ogbenye! Mother Theresa of our day! Your likes are rare. Happy birthday.

The three coffee books written by Mrs Mbanefo: Life and Work; The portrait of an Artist and Introducing Solange, the Architect, the photographer were unveiled, the prayers offered and an Indian guy mounted the stage. sang the happy birthday songs in impeccable pidgin while the cake was cut in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit in appreciation of 50 years of purpose life which God has blessed Mrs Mbanefo with a thunderous ‘Amen’ for more prosperous years on earth for the tourism Amazon who was described as the Mother Theresa of our time!

As the ceremony ebbed into an end, Chief Nike Akande cast a look on Mrs Mbanefo and said “Thank God for your life. What a rare talent. A lawyer. An administrator par excellence. A quiet philanthropist. A mother. A banker and to the glory of God an exceptional Artist. Sally, you will live long in Jesus name. Happy birthday”.

Is Chief Alex Akinyele alive ? By Wale Ojo lanre

I am not wishing him dead . Never . I love him like my father .
Chief Alex Akinyele is one of the finest Communicators Nigeria ever produced .
Everything about Sir Alex Akinyele communicates . His gait , his look, his speech , his manners , his demeanour .He has a robust sense of sartorial quintessence which has been rare to equalled .
His frame fits perfectly in any costumes.
A cosmopolitan fellow who cannot be be beaten by any of his egin kinsman when it comes to traditional Ondo culture . Chief Akinyele has held several posts in Nigeria .
He has wealth , influence and women .
But he seems to be out of tune with the society now
What is wrong with him ?
What is happening to is this charming , handsome , lovable and brilliant Ondo High Chief ?
Hope he is still alive and kicking
If so ,
Wa daigbo bami !