‘Live Your Dreams Africa’ with Bankole Williams, OC Ukeje, Linda Ikeji & more

Life Coach and Award Winning Author for the book Engaged to a Job I Hate, Bankole Williams is back with a life changing conference: Live Your Dreams Africa. The conference tagged “Ordinary People. Extraordinary Stories” was aimed at showcasing people in different works of life who have against all odds consciously pursued their dreams and are today celebrated for what they do. They will share not only their success stories but also their days of “small beginnings”. This is to inspire every dreamer out there to believe that the average achiever they admire was once like them.
The conference is also in partnership with the Life Coaching Association of Nigeria; Members of the association were available to register people to the Live Your Dreams Africa coaching programme.  People who have identified specific goals they would like to accomplish will have access to Life coaches who will help them map out realistic strategy towards execution.
The conference  held on the 14^th of September 2013 and featured Bankole Williams (Host), Idy Enang (MD L’Oreal Central/West Africa), Funmike Olayera (21st Century Technologies) and Lanre Olusola (The Catalyst).

Featuring in the interactive session were Steve Harris (Life Strategist), Linda Ikeji (Blogger), OC Ukeje (Actor) and Ibrahim Suleiman (Choreographer) with Tomi Odunsi from Tinsel performing her new singles.
The compere’s for the day are Akin Adesoji (MC AK47) and Aderonke Adebanjo (OAP Smooth 98.1 fm). Contributing actively were Jimi Tewe (CEO Inspiro), Wale Tejumade (CEO Lofty Heights), and Sola Fajana (CEO Maclester ltd) amidst others..
The Live Your Dreams Africa conference started at 11am at Terrakulture, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The 2013 edition of the Live Your Dreams Africa conference was proudly supported by the Life Coaching Association of Nigeria, Bella Naija, YNaija, Exquisite Magazine and Reel Radio.

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“Make-Up Is An Emotional Necessity For All Women” …Sandra Ekukole Reigning Beautician In Cameroon.

She was just a little girl  and has always been a Daddy’s girl at home but this beauty queen has turned out to become a sovereign in the make-up and facial spar business. Her ideas and productivity are second to none and she has succeeded to open the eyes of most Cameroonian ladies on how ‘you should look’ at every given time through her ‘Bih-Youty Make-Up House’.

“Your face defines who you are at all times. A woman must take care of her appearance, make up and expressions in order to stay relevant in her community. Dull or shabby looks gets you nowhere but if you look pretty, you can get the attention you’ve always needed”… Sandra Bih Ekukole.

Sandra Ekukole dazzling in Green!

Sandra Ekukole is a young woman with dreams, big dreams but she is also a human being and a highly educated person ready to learn as fast as she can. She holds a diploma in marketing and a degree in Mass Communication. She is beautiful no doubt about that but we never thought she was going to be this big thing in the Make-up world.

How did you begin?
I’ve always been good at drawing. Back in school, drawing maps and biology diagrams were always fun for me. But later on, I developed a strong interest in the fashion industry but precisely facial beauty and in 2011; I decided to do it full time. I used to do makeup for runway shows and beauty pageants in Buea, where I studied.
Where do you get inspiration?
I follow a few bloggers and I must say there are tons of them I admire. There is a lady in Nigeria called Dimmer, That Igbo Chick (her blog). I love her work. She does a very neat job, uses vibrant colors, yet classy. I also admire Banke Meshida Lawal‘s work. I proposed my services to brides (I have a soft spot for bridal makeup) and they fell for it. That was great!
Why Bridal?
Weddings are such special moments and I hate to see a bride worked up or stranded because she doesn’t like how she looks
I am happy each time I have to make a bride look and feel her best. When she looks into the mirror and is stunned at the lady she is seeing, she gets so happy and ends up giving me a hug, that makes my day! Awww!
Is Make Up your Full time job?
Yes!!!
How easy and difficult is your job?
Well, it easy because I love what I do, it comes to me naturally. The challenging part is sourcing products. Cameroon’s beauty sector is still growing so I find it hard to get the tools I need. It gets frustrating sometimes.

Sandra @ Work!

How lucrative is Make up business in Cameroon?
I would say it’s a promising field. Cameroonian ladies are starting to warm up to the idea of hiring a makeup artist (which was not common a few years ago) But right now, you have related fields in the industry which are fast rising, like the fashion industry as well as music. I’m really optimistic. I will love to be a part of the revolution and make Cameroonians know that everything is possible here. And that makeup isn’t only for the magazines, but they can have it done in their homes or during special events. 
 Ever turned down a job offer?
It’s not every project I work on. I have turned down a few in the past. When I work, I look at how crucial my service will be to my client, I have to rank my priorities in terms on who is going to view the end result and how much buzz it will generate and also what kind of buzz. If there is a music video project and the words in the song promote vices, I may not be eager to be associated with that kind of message. So in a few words, I act as the Holy Spirit leads.
Does money influence your efficiency?
Never! I always strive to deliver more than I’m being paid. Cordiality with my client is always key for me.
How do you feel when payment isn’t done after service?
I faced that a few times when I just started out, I felt let down mostly because I expect good relationships to be developed after every project but I took those as lessons and it enabled me revise my payment methods.
Best and Worst Make-Up jobs ever?
So far, I had my best experience with a bride I worked with in December 2012. We bonded from the first minute of her trial session and on her special day, working with her and her bridesmaids was stress-free, she and her husband loved the output on their pictures. It felt great that I contributed to their special day.
Worst job… I worked with a lady once and she was very undecided about what she wanted as part of her makeover. She spent a lot of time on the phone, going in and out of the bathroom. I finally finished and left her hotel room. She sent me a text later that day to say she didn’t like her makeup at all! You can imagine the look on my face as I read through. But I learnt that I can’t wow all my clients all the time. And it helped me know how to work with difficult people in the future
Why Bih-Youty?
I wanted to give the word ‘beauty’ a different twist, with reflection of my middle name which is ‘Bih’. That’s it! Bih-Youty stands for beauty and elegance inside-out. My work goes beyond lip-gloss and mascara. Sometimes I find that I have to counsel my clients and uplift their spirits. I find that makeup sometimes is an emotional need for women, so I aim at making them feel positive about themselves.
How do your urban looks reflect to your cultural back ground?
You’re right. I hail from the South-West region of Cameroon and spent many years in its beach town, Limbe. Sometimes I get inspired by the beauty of the shore, sunset and the palms. If I took a walk around there right after doing my makeup, the look will blend in just perfectly.

Bih-Youty Makes a Difference!

How connected is your educational background to your present career choice?
I gained a lot of interest in Marketing, while I was doing my BSc in Mass Communication. So I did a professional course in Marketing after that and it’s such a great asset to my makeup work. I am selling a service and need to communicate effectively with prospective clients. So Mass Communications and Marketing are the perfect combo for me. I am glad I made those choices.
Worst make up you won’t do for anyone
Any makeup routine which involves filling eyebrows with black pencil or red pencil, as well as lining the borders of the lips with black pencil, are a no no for me, lol
A word for the youths
Talent is good but always ask yourself what you want to achieve with it. Practice a lot, don’t wait to be perfect, just go for it and seek God’s guidance always because He gave you that ability for a specific purpose.
And she added…
A big thank you to all those who have supported and encouraged me so far. God bless you all!

Sandra Goes Dark!

And that’s how I had to let the pretty lady go back to work. It was hard to end this great conversation and as they say, “Good bye is the saddest word’ but it has to be said.
Find Sandra Ekukole on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sandra.ekukole

C.E.O of Bih-Youty, Sandra Ehukole

Bih-Youty Makes The Young out of Everyone

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This Couple Died Few Days After Moving Into Their New House

Their joy knew no bounds when they parked to their new house last Saturday.

It was a day they had looked forward to and they took the final decision to move into the new apartment in Gbeganu area in Minna, Niger State last Saturday.

Though not completed, the house was, however, habitable as the plan was  to gradually complete the house as they moved in.

However, instead of relatives and well wishers trooping to the new house to congratulate them and “wash” it, it was the burial ceremony of the family of three that relatives and other well wishers went for.

The middle aged man, Seyi Adewale, a generator repairer, his wife, Felicia, aged 23 and their three-month-old daughter, Deborah, were, Tuesday, found dead in their room with the corpses already decomposing.

It was gathered that they died on Saturday night, the day they moved into the new house.

Vanguard gathered that the trio, who retired to one of their rooms late in the night to enjoy their first night in the house switched on their generating set close to the room while the fume emitting from the set consumed them overnight. They never woke up to see the next day.

Unknown to other neighbours that the trio had parked in, the corpses of the three-member family remained in the room unattended to and were gradually decomposing.

However, the junior sister of the deceased husband, Deborah, who had been making frantic effort to locate her brother got more worried, Tuesday, four days after they had moved into the new house.

It was a shocker to her after forcing the door of the house open to meet them dead after being killed  by fume from the generator.

She immediately raised alarm which attracted other neighbours to the scene.

She said: “We last spoke on phone on Saturday night, when he was moving his property and family to the new house.

“On Sunday, which was the second day, I also called but nobody picked. I still tried on Monday thinking it was due to the poor network service or run-down battery and yet no response and that was why I decided to come down to the house only to meet my brother and family dead and decomposing.

“It is very unfortunate for this to have happened to my brother, especially at a time when we are supposed to be rejoicing with them on their new house.”

It was gathered that the land on which the deceased erected his house had been in dispute with another contender, which was, however, “settled” by the community head of the area.

Contacted, the state police command through its spokesman, Mr Richard Oguche, who confirmed the deaths, said they must have died as a result of inhaling the carbon monoxide from the generating set, which was turned on overnight and left close to their room.

The corpses have  been buried in Minna, the Niger State capital. May their souls rest n peace.

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Jonathan vs Amaechi....the story so far

Picture Of Amaechi And Goodluck At The Airport Before Last Night Showdown With Police

 

Just before the latest bubble  in Port Harcourt,Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi and his deputy are seen here at the Port Harcourt Airport yesterday afternoon,receiving President Goodluck Jonathan and his team who were in the State to attend a programme put in place by the Anglican Church in Nigeria

 

Nigerians Condemn Police Blockade Of Rivers Gov Residence

 

A member of the House of  Representatives, who is also the Chairman, House Committee  on Downstream, Mr.  Dakuku Peterside, described  the police action  as the  height of  dictatorship in the country.

Peterside, who is from Rivers State, spoke via a statement issued by his media  aide, Mr. Sylvester Asoya.

He said, “A situation whereby the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Mbu led  police in the State, an agency funded with tax payers money,  to block the elected  state governor  from having access to Government House,  showed that  Nigeria was on a free fall to maximum dictatorship.”

Peterside further lamented that “the insult on the  Government of Rivers State is an affront to all elected political office holders  in Nigeria that  requires definite condemnation by all lovers of freedom and  democracy.”

A former chairman of the Action Congress of Nigeria in Oyo State, who is  now a leading figure in the newly registered All  Progressives Alliance,   Mr. Akin Oke, said the action of the police in Rivers State was a threat  to democracy, calling on President Goodluck Jonathan to caution  Mbu, for  disrespecting social equality.

Similarly, a respected lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), and the National Vice President, Committee for the Defense of  Human Rights, Mr. Taiwo Otitolaye, said the police action  was a threat to  democracy.

In separate telephone interviews with our correspondent in Ilorin on Friday, they advised against acts that  could jeopardize the nation’s democracy.

While   Sagay said the blockage  was an abuse of power and a violation of Nigeria’s constitution,  Otitolaye said it was  an act of brigandage.

“It is undemocratic.  We condemn it in strong terms. It is worrisome to us  now that we are not in a military dictatorship.  We do not  want to revert  to that era of military dictatorship. We ask that the presidency should not use  the police or other security apparatus for any undemocratic adventure. He  should desist henceforth from such,” Otitolaye  said.

Sagay described the police action as  a breach of the rule of law,  a breach of the right of the  freedom of the  movement of the governor; a breach of  Amaechi’s right to  go to his office   and an  inhumane act.  He said, “It is a breach of  everything. It should not be seen to happen in a civilized society or a  democratic society.”

Oke said, “The event of Thursday in Port Harcourt is  worrisome and disturbing, particularly at this point when we  are thinking that  democracy has come to stay. For democracy to thrive in Nigeria, there must be tolerance. When you now view it from the point that there is no tolerance  within the party (PDP), how do we grow our democracy?”

 

We Did Not Block Amaechi's House..Police

 

The Rivers State  Police Command on Thursday denied blocking Governor Amaechi, from gaining  access into the Government House. The command in a statement signed by its Public Relations  Officer, Mrs. Angela  Agabe, described media reports on the matter as “incorrect, false,  fictitious and wrong in its entirety”.

The statement reads, “The attention of the police command has been drawn to  stories making the round in the media that the police  blocked the road to the  Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt, denying His  Excellency,  Governor Chibuike Amaechi ,access to the Government House.

The police state categorically that they did not block the road leading to the  Government House, neither did they deny Governor Rotimi Amaechi access to the  Government House in Port Harcourt or elsewhere.

“The story is incorrect, false, fictitious and wrong in  its entirety and it is  calculated to mislead the people of Rivers State, Nigerians  and the general  public. The Nigeria Police Force deems it necessary to place  in proper  perspective the event that gave rise to the wrong  information being peddled in  the media.’’

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FRSC Blacklist Toyota Hiace (Hummer) Buses As Mass Killers

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About 1,437 persons have been killed while over 6,831 have sustained various degrees of injuries due to  road accidents in 2013, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said.

Corp Marshal and Chief Executive of FRSC, Mr. Osita Chidoka, disclosed this on Friday in Calabar, Cross River State, at a stakeholder’s sensitisation forum on vehicle speeds limit device.

Represented by the Sector Commander of Cross River State, Mr. Albanus Nwakchukwu, he attributed the series of road accidents on the nation’s road to the use of Toyota Hiace YH3 buses which he said were recalled in Australia as a result of fire in 1990 and recently in 2012.
On the statistics of accidents attributed to different brands of vehicles, the road safety boss pointed out that between 2007 and 2012, Toyota Hiace buses alone crashed in about 1,844 accidents, adding that out of the 48 per cent of the total buses involved in crashes, 31 per cent of all the buses involved had resulted in fire incidents.

He, therefore, charged the Managing Director of the Toyota to install a speed limiting device on their vehicles as such devices would help in the reduction of incidences of road accidents on the nation’s highways.

The FRSC boss also  charged  stakeholders in the transport sector to install the speed limiting device, adding that it is the only way the  transport industry can avert accidents which occur on a daily basis.

State Director of National Orientation Agency, Mrs Florence Osang, charged motorists to acquaint themselves with road signs, which she said will help in reduction of carnages on roads, adding that regular mental health check-up by motorists would also help to reduce incessant accident on roads

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