General
Heritage Bank Promotes Cultural Diversity at Magodo Day 2019
By Dipo Olowookere
Nigeria’s most innovative banking service provider, Heritage Bank, has aligned forces with Magodo Residents Association (MRA) to promote cultural diversity and ensure the success of the maiden edition of Magodo Cultural Day 2019.
The two-day event held between Friday and Saturday with a Business Dinner held at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
Addressing the organizers at the dinner, Regional Head, Lagos Island, Heritage Bank, Mr Abiodun Agbaje, said his management was impressed with the response and participation of the residents and others in the cultural exhibition and celebrations.
Mr Agbaje disclosed that, at inception, the Heritage Bank management opted to focus at those areas that other banks had neglected with a view to making a difference and impacting positively on the financial needs of its prospective customers and the society.
“Things that are difficult for bigger banks, Heritage Bank has done it successfully. We are open to assisting any investor that share vision and mission with us,” he said.
The bank top shot said that in line with the company’s mission to create, preserve and transfer wealth across generations, Heritage Bank decided to support this year’s Magodo Cultural Day with the belief that diverse community promotes creativity networking and success.
Mr Agbaje therefore, assured the audience at the event that as long as the MRA members were ready to patronize Heritage Bank, his management would be glad to support the cause again next year and beyond.
Impressed by the success of the outing, Mr Jade Niboro, Chairman, MRA; noted that for the first time, residents were able to come together, connecting. He said that the cultural exposition created the avenue for different families living in the estate to publicly interface with diverse cultures.
“Our culture outlines our identity and influences our behaviour. Celebrating our cultural diversity will better make us acknowledge, incorporate and relate with others in the estate.
“We used the recently concluded Cultural Day event to embrace our diversity. With this celebration, our interaction level will increase, there would be more exchange of ideas, beliefs and cultural traits et al.
“We are extending an open arm to other cultures and encouraging a healthy exchange of cultures and our residents. We are learning to understand our beliefs and values better.”
Mr Niboro disclosed that the MRA had concluded plans to make the event more elaborate next year, as residents from other estates like Banana, Magodo Phase 1 and others would be invited to grace the occasion.
The Magodo Cultural Day, tagged “Unity in Diversity” was created in a bid to raise the level of cultural consciousness and awareness in the estate, while simultaneously encouraging interaction and continuous conversation between the residing tribes.
With that vision in mind, Magodo cultural day is seen as a means to bring together the diverse tribes residing in the estate to celebrate their different cultures while also celebrating each tribe for its own unique norms, cultural and moral values.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, has disclosed that the state government has not restricted the movement of people during the re-introduced monthly environmental sanitation exercise.
Responding to an enquiry by an X user, Faveo Autos, on Saturday, he said the exercise was not brought back to restrict the movement of residents, noting that arresting anyone during the sanitation was unlawful and not backed by law.
However, he encouraged Lagosians to use the period to keep their surroundings clean.
“What is the fine for movement during environmental [sanitation]?” Mr Wahab was asked by Faveo Autos today.
In his response, the Commissioner said, “For clarity, there is no restriction on movement during the monthly environmental sanitation exercise. Consequently, arresting anyone on the basis of movement during the exercise is unlawful and does not represent the position or policy of the Lagos State Government.
“The monthly environmental sanitation exercise was reintroduced primarily to restore and strengthen the culture of environmental cleanliness across the state.
“The initiative is backed by the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law, 2017. However, the law does not provide for any restriction on movement during the exercise.
“Our focus is on encouraging Lagosians to embrace environmental sanitation as a civic responsibility and a shared commitment to maintaining a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Lagos, rather than relying on enforcement measures.”
Life is full of unexpected moments that test our patience, strength, and perspective. Everyone experiences setbacks, disappointments, and periods of uncertainty. While these moments can feel overwhelming, they also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery.
One of the most valuable lessons we learn is that difficult situations rarely last forever. Time, reflection, and a willingness to adapt often help us move beyond even the toughest circumstances. Maintaining a positive outlook and focusing on practical solutions can make a significant difference.
Relationships also play an important role in overcoming hardships. Support from family, friends, or mentors reminds us that we are not alone. At the same time, learning to let go of anger and resentment can free us from emotional burdens that prevent us from moving forward.
The only way out of the labyrinth of suffering is to forgive. It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live. Everything was beautiful and nothing hurt.
Personal growth is not about avoiding challenges but about responding to them with resilience and wisdom. Every experience, whether positive or negative, contributes to the person we become. By embracing change and practicing gratitude, we can create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
In the end, moving forward requires courage, forgiveness, and hope. When we choose to focus on what we can control instead of dwelling on the past, we open ourselves to new opportunities and a brighter future.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The establishment of four new army divisions has been approved by President Bola Tinubu, bringing the total to 12.
In a statement on Thursday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, it was stated that the President also authorised the recruitment of 28,000 additional personnel to strengthen national security.
The new divisions created include 5 Division, with the headquarters in Makurdi covering Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi States; 9 Division, with the headquarters in Ilorin covering Kwara and Niger States; 10 Division, with the headquarters in Jalingo covering Taraba and Adamawa States; and 83 Division, with the headquarters in Benin City covering Edo, Delta and Bayelsa States.
It was disclosed that the establishment of the new Divisions in Makurdi, Ilorin, Jalingo and Benin City will significantly improve command and control, decentralise operational decision-making, strengthen border security, enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, improve counter-insurgency and internal security operations, and ensure faster military response to emerging threats nationwide.
Implementation of the new force structure will be done in two phases. The first phase, covering the establishment of the 5, 9, and 10 Divisions and the reorganisation of existing formations, will be completed by September 2026. The second phase, involving the establishment of the 83 Division and further reorganisation, is expected to be completed by December 2026.
The statement said the expansion of the Nigerian Army’s structure from eight to twelve divisions will improve the operational effectiveness of the security agency and strengthen national defence capabilities further.
Before now, the Nigerian Army operated 1 Division, with the headquarters in Kaduna covering Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa States; 2 Division, with the headquarters in Ibadan covering Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo States; 3 Division, with the headquarters in Jos covering Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe States; 6 Division, with the headquarters in Port Harcourt covering Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States; 7 Division, with the headquarters in Maiduguri covering Borno and Yobe States; 8 Division, with the headquarters in Sokoto covering Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara States; 81 Division, with the headquarters in Lagos covering Lagos and Ogun States; and 82 Division, with the headquarters in Enugu covering Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo States.
Mr Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue investing in the Armed Forces, ensuring they remain adequately equipped, highly motivated, and fully capable of protecting the nation and guaranteeing the safety and security of all Nigerians.
He lauded the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Ibrahim Shuaibu, and all officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army for their dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
