Fish from my ponds

By ADA DIKE

I started catfish business in March 2021.  The experience has been an interesting one. Contact me if you want quality catfish at affordable price.

Ada Dike's photos

 Ada Dike (Stainless). My philosophy of life: Do to others the way you want people to do to you. Look at some of my photos.

Encomiums, Accolades flow as Ngozi Nwosu celebrates 60th Birthday

By ADA DIKE

One of Nigeria’s creative actors celebrated her 60th birthday recently. Ngozi Nwosu was excited to see her family members, colleagues and friends gathered to celebrate her 60th birthday in Ikeja, Lagos a few days ago. The hall was agog when she entered like a conqueror, dancing Flavour’s Game Changer (The Emperor, The Conqueror, The lion is here…).

Her colleagues shared beautiful encounters they had with her and prayed that God’s blessings, guidance and glory would be with her.The screen diva was critically ill some years ago. She went abroad for surgery and return sound.  She went round and expressed gratitude to her guests and said she will live over 100 years. “I am grateful to God for bringing me this far and I pray for many more years in good health.”Below are some of the encomiums from her colleagues including Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Joke Sylva, Chinyere Winifred, Agatha Amata and many others.

She is the

symbol of our industry -Taiwo Ajai-Lycett 

“She is a gift to us. Don’t go home without touching her. Her heart is clean. She is genuine. You can’t beat your authentic self. She is a symbol of success, determination, forthrightness, perseverance and courage. She is a lioness. She is a force of nature. When you come in contact with her, you won’t forget her. She is what you see is what you get. She is the symbol of our industry, which is, loving one another. Look after another person, the person will look after you, and that is what I am enjoying now. I am her Mama. Let us affect one another without holding back. I like her openness.  I like her being forthright. May she live long, happy and healthy.”

Ngozi is a phenomenon on stage –Joke Sylva

Joke Sylva said she calls Ngozi, ‘Ayanrunbo’ which means somebody that had been to heaven and back. Her assignment on earth is quite a lot and I am so happy to witness her celebrating 60th birthday.”She added that Ngozi Nwosu and Clarion Chukwurah are some of Igbo actresses that can easily act in Yoruba films. “Ngozi is aristocratic, but when she starts talking you will be shocked. She is a phenomenon on stage. She can switch roles, so effervescent.Till I die,

 Ngozi will still be my friend –Patrick Doyle

Patrick Doyle revealed that Ngozi is his friend. “We were close.  We used to spend some hours in Ngozi’s house.  She was like paddy to me since 30 years ago. Till I die, Ngozi will still be my friend.”Her realness attracts people –Agatha Amata“Ngozi genuinely cares about people,” says film producer and TV presenter, Agatha Amata. She further said that she has a pure heart. She is everyone’s best friend. Her realness attracts people. Everyone is excited in the building when she comes to my office. She is blessed to be the kind of woman she is.” She prayed for Ngozi to fulfill her purpose on earth.

 She is a lioness –Clarion 

ChukwurahActress Clarion Chukwurah described Ngozi as a conqueror. She revealed that she had known her for about 40 years.  She recalled two occasions Ngozi came through to her. One was when she was having issues with her mother. “I went to Ngozi and realized she was struggling to take care of her mother who had cancer. She was working to take care of her mother. She kept working and spending despite the fact that she knew her mother was going to die. Since then, I stopped complaining and learnt to raise my child with determination.“The second time was when the world was against me. The media was bashing me and my baby daddy was doing his own. Ngozi Nwosu kept telling me, ‘Niso nibe (Lets go there).”In 1989or thereabout, we went to Mushin and made noise. I told Ngozi, come let’s go. I became bolder since then. Ngozi is a fighter and also playful.

She is an amazing woman, so down to earth –Carol King

Carol King said the message she had for Ngozi is a very happy birthday to her. She has been through a lot and she is standing tall. She is one of the most amiable people I have worked with. I love her very much. She was with me a few days ago during my birthday. She is an amazing woman, so down to earth. She is real, and I love her for that.

 We have been through thick and thin –Metche Isaac 

Moses Goge Africa producer, Metche Isaac Moses said he and Ngozi Nwosu had come a long way. We have been through thick and thin. I wish your lines to fall in pleasant places. Nneka Moses added that Ngozi is a blessing to Nollywood.

Ngozi is an Agbero –Chinyere Winifred

On a lighter note, a versatile actress, Chinyere Winifred described Ngozi Nwosu as an ‘agbero’. “Ngozi is an Agbero (a funny person). We are just packaging her. She is a lovely lady who says it as it is.”

Other ethnic groups should imbibe yearly August meeting – Oluremi Tinubu …Empowers Imo women

BY ADA DIKE

Wife of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (CON), has called on women from other ethnic group to be holding annual August meeting like Igbo women.

She made this call in Owerri, Imo State, on Friday, at the round off of the annual gathering of women at Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu Square, Owerri.

With the theme: “Women Supporting each other, make things happen,”  this year’s turn out was massive. It started with a march-past by women from the 27 local government areas of the state. 

August meeting is a yearly event in which women from different parts of Igboland travel home to discuss issues and commission projects for their communities. It is an age long culltural event which mirros the role of woman in the society. It aims to educate  women, celebrate notable women who have affected their society and staretgise on how their community can move forward.

The event attracted women from different parts of the state and country including five commissioners, one minister, one deputy gubernatorial candidate and over 30 advisers.

The First Lady, who went with Nasarawa State First Lady, Hajiya Silifat Abdullahi A. Sule, said she liked the yearly gathering of Igbo women known as August meeting and advised women in other ethnic group to be having August meeting.

Commenting on the present administration, she said, "I am sure this administration is doing everything possible to ensure a better life for every Nigerian. This is one of the reasons we are here today. So, we are assuring you of federal government's plan in making Nigeria a more prosperous nation, where all of us and generations yet unborn will be proud to belong. Today, as we gathered to commemorate and celebrate achievement of women at this annual women August meeting, while we celebrate the accomplishment of younger generation, which are undoubtable inspiring, let us not forget the invaluable role elderly women do share in our community and our future. The elderly women have been the backbone of our society, community, family and state. We must take cognizance of the struggle of our women which has made it possible for the progress we are enjoying today. It is our collective duty to ensure that women are heard, their needs are met and their legacies are preserved, the wisdom they possess, the stories they tell and their guidance are pillars of our society. 

"The support we are advocating is what we have come  to present today through the renewed hope initiative, social investment agenda by celebrating the elderly at this year’s event. We join our voices with that of Her Excellency, Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma and indeed, that of His Excellency, Dr. Hope Uzodimma against every form sexual and domestic violence, fight against trafficking of persons, drug abuse and other gender-based violence in the society.

"Empowering women is not just a slogan, for us, it is a renewed hope initiative and a commitment towards the better of life for families in every state of the federation. We will support women and uplift their status and ensure empowerment extends to women of all ages, from young girls who dream of their future to the elderly who have shared her past. "These are the hallmarks of the renewed hope initiative, it is an initiative focused on women and families with its scope in Agriculture, education, health, economic empowerment and social investment. I assure you all that the initiative will soon be back to Imo State to give our modest contribution in the area of agriculture," she emphasised.

Tinubu said she discussed with Mrs. Uzodinma and she changed her mind in the car when they were driving together.

 "She picked empowerment, but when I began to tell her about the scope which she also mentioned today -sharing seedlings to the farmers, she then understood what we want to do for farmers, because they are the only ones that need economic empowerment, and we know the Igbo always say, 'Ego amaka,' which means 'money is good', I believe that you are all happy with agriculture, that is what we are going to use to empower all the people in the federation."

She implored them to re-elect Uzodimma as the governor of Imo State. “Let us not give doubt in the transformative power women hold. I call on you all great women from Imo State to come out en masse and vote overwhelmingly for Uzodimma. He deserves second term in order to complete the good works he has started, and I believe he has the backing of this present administration. With his re-election, his dream and aspiration for Imo State will be actualized. By the grace of God, Imo State will be there for a greater lease of life."

The special guest of honour urged them to be united and re-elect him so that he would continue to champion gender equity and parity, so that he would continue to pursue the call for a better life of the people.

The Senator empowered women with foodstuffs and money, among others things.

In her welcome address with a slogan, "Umu Nwanyi na akwado ibe ha (Women support themselves)," Chief Barr. Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma expressed deepest appreciation to Senator Tinubu and other notable dignitaries including wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs. Oti.

The founder of Goodhope Flourish Foundation reassured women that her husband's administration would continue to ensure that women are well represented and supported.

She urged women to continue to be peaceful.

in the same vein, the executive Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Dr. Hope Uzodimma, said he didn’t have much to say because his wife had said many salient points including development of the state and women empowerment. Thanked Senator Tinubu and other guests who graced the occasion.