[dropcap]I[/dropcap]mo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, has explained the reason behind the creation of the Ministry of Happiness and Purpose as well as appointing his biological younger sister, Ogechi Ololo, as the commissioner in charge of it.

In a signed statement on Tuesday, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sam Onwueomedo, said: ‘’The real essence of life is to be happy and to fulfill one’s purpose in life. Government officials are elected to address this.

This is the very reason people elect their leaders to guarantee their happiness and purpose fulfillment.’’A great leader,therefore, is one who provides happiness to the people.

Unfortunately, this vital element of our social lives has not been properly addressed. Governments, at different levels, have created several ministries and departments to achieve this…’’ the statement read.

Meanwhile, Okorocha has blamed the printer’s devil, for the wrong christening of the Ministry of Happiness. Onwuemeodo said the typographic error led to the naming of the Ministry as the Ministry of Happiness and ‘Couples Fulfillment.’ It is now called Ministry of Happiness and ‘Purpose’ Fulfillment.

“There was a typographic error in the first statement issued during the swearing in of the new commissioners. The word “Couple” was inadvertently written, instead of the word “Purpose,” we regret that.”

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]an-African financial institution, United Bank for Africa (UBA), has today, changed the face of e-banking with the introduction of Leo, the UBA Chat Banker who enables customers make use of their social media accounts to carry out key banking transactions.

At the official launch of Leo, UBA’s Chat Banker, which took place in Lagos on Thursday, customers of the bank were given a step by step demonstration on the novel way of delivering lifestyle and quality banking through the Facebook Messenger chat platform.

This is the first time that a financial institution in Africa has come up with this manner of solution to simplify the way customers transact. Something that has become necessary in today’s fast-paced world with demands for quick-time transactions and response.

With the launch of the Chat Banking, customers will be able to open new accounts, receive instant transaction notifications, check their balances on the go, transfer funds and airtime top up. They will also be able to confirm cheques, pay bills apply for loans, freeze accounts, request for mini statements, amongst other things.

At the occasion, the Group Managing Director, UBA, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, said that the launch of Leo is part of initiatives aimed at putting the bank’s customers first with UBA continuously developing strategies aimed at easing transactions for the bank’s numerous users, while ensuring utmost safety of their transactions.

Mr. Uzoka said, “The formulation of this product, is consistent with the bank’s customer 1st philosophy, where we are doing things not the way we like, but focusing on what the customers want, where they want it, and in the exact platform they want it.’

“At UBA, we have been working with technology giants that have the global capacity to ensure not only seamless but also effortless banking for millions of our customers across Africa. We at UBA, have collaborated with Facebook to come up with this innovation that is capable of revolutionising the way banking is done in Africa,” he said. Uzoka noted that Leo will in the nearest future, show up on other social platforms and added that all it takes to enjoy the services is simply to have a Facebook account.

As he unveiled the character of Leo, Uzoka stated: “Leo being an intelligent personality will give you feedback instantaneously as you transact your business on the platform. A solution that is from the customer’s standpoint and is easy to use by anyone’

Also speaking at the launch of Leo, the Group Head of Online Banking at UBA, Mr. Austine Abolusoro, who conducted a step by step demonstration on the working of Leo, reitirated that Leo is not just a chat machine, but an artificial intelligence personality meant to address any type of banking concerns raised by customers.

“Leo is ready and waiting to help with most transactions and to deliver any form of banking services. Leo is operating a lifestyle banking platform on facebook messenger to assist with your transactions while chatting with your friends and business partners. The security with this platform is that for every transaction, an OTP (One Time Password) is generated to the phone number that is registered on your account.”

He explained that with Leo your banking needs become easy and simple. As simple as chatting.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Delta Government has donated personal protective medical equipment to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba, as part of efforts to curtail the scourge of Lassa fever in the state. The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Nicholas Azinge, presented the items to the Chief Medical Director of the centre, Dr Victor Osiatuma, on behalf of the state government on Thursday in Asaba.

He stated that the kits would enable the medical personnel in the hospital to effectively fight the disease which recently re-emerged in the state. The commissioner revealed that so far two confirmed cases had been recorded in the state and the victims receiving medical attention at the facility.

He said the first case of the disease brought to the FMC was a 43-year-old man resident in the state who was successfully treated and later referred to the Irrua Specialist Hospital in Edo.

Azinge further stated that family members of the man and the ambulance driver who conveyed him to the hospital are being closely monitored while other contact tracing are on-going.

He assured residents that relevant authorities are on top of the situation, assuring that there is no cause for alarm as the state had effectively handled the disease the last time it emerged. According to the commissioner, all primary health care centres in the state have been activated and sensitised on how to respond to any suspected case of the disease.

He therefore advised the residents to report suspected cases of malaria and typhoid that are not responding to treatment to the nearest medical facility as early report of cases would help save lives.

Azinge disclosed that he was in contact with his counterpart in Anambra regarding the death of the second victim brought into Asaba.

He said the corpse would be handed over to his Anambra colleague to ensure proper burial of the corpse in order not to expose more persons to the disease.

Receiving the items, Osiatuma expressed gratitude to Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa for the gesture and assured of the effective use of the items.

The protective items included 250 pieces of disposable coat/suit, 500 pieces of Elbow Length Gloves, 50 packets of surgical hand gloves and 50 sets protective boots, among others.

On the death of the second victim of the disease in the hospital, Osiatuma revealed that the woman was brought in from Anambra last Sunday, but unfortunately died on the next day.

He said the hospital is strictly following the protocol of handling the corpse in order not to spread the disease as workers were following laid down procedure in handling such cases.

Osiatuma assured residents of the state on the ability of the hospital to handle the disease, saying with the donated items and training given to their personnel the disease would be effectively curbed.

[dropcap]L[/dropcap]agos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, his counterpart in Ogun, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and wife of Nigeria’s Vice President, Mrs Dolapo Osinbajo on Tuesday led thousands of friends, family members, colleagues and well wishers‎ to pay last respect to late Deji Tinubu who passed on last Thursday.

At a well attended lying in state and funeral service held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Victoria Island, Lagos, tributes, eulogies and tears poured in freely for Tinubu, who until his demise was the Special Adviser to Governor Ambode on Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives.

Deji had slumped while playing a novelty football match with some members of the State Executive Council at the Jubilee Chalets in Epe on January 25, 2018.

In a special tribute in memory of Deji Tinubu published in the funeral service brochure and signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello described him as a great professional who devoted time to the service of humanity.

“He was an engineer, but he was also an engineer of sports. He was both sports man and sports lover. But he was unforgettable as a sports administrator. Those who followed him knew him as a symbol of service to humanity.

“We had seen him enliven us on television screens and through radio waves. He was an enthusiast and an analyst. He probed the game and predicted. He pointed out weaknesses and strengths. He saw flair, he saw style, he celebrated goals. He delighted in them and infected all who listened or watched him with his full vigour and vitality about living,” the Lagos State Government said.

Speaking at the service, Amosun described the late Deji as a man who had a deep passion for football and sports in general.

“The last time I saw Deji was when he came to identify with Segun Odegbami’s 10th anniversary of his sports academy‎. Little did I know that Deji will answer the final call on January 25 which happen to be my birthday.  Deji was full of life and had a deep passion for football,” Amosun said.

He commiserated with Governor Ambode and the State Government, adding that Deji’s call to glory was ‎an act of God.

“‎God’s ways are not our ways, when it happens like this, we have to thank Him. With all what has been said about him clearly shows that we have to be thankful to God for his life in the 54 years he spent with us,”Amosun said.

Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Yemi Osinbajo who prayed for the family of the deceased, urged them to take comfort in God, while praying that God will sustain his wife and chil‎dren.

In his sermon, Pastor in Charge of RCCG, City of David, Idowu Iluyomade said Deji was a quintessential gentleman and a pillar, who contributed in no small way in building the h‎ouse of God.

“I have known Deji for 22 years. He was a giver and a lover of football. To the family, I want you to take solace in the fact that everyone of us will die or be raptured. Today we celebrate Deji because we know he’s in a better place. Nobody took his life, he died at the appointed time,” he said.

Taking his sermon from Isaiah 43 verse 2,‎ Iluyomade urged the congregation to see Deji’s death as a reminder of the futility of life and the need to submit their lives to the almighty God.

Among other dignitaries present at the service include‎ President of Dangote Group of Companies, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Peter Obi, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, Mr. Dele Momodu, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, members of the Lagos State Executive Council, Body of Permanent Secretaries, members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, sports aficionados, among others.

[dropcap]A[/dropcap] 12 months outdated sexually abused home assist, fleeing residence along with his grasp’s two sons and intercepted in Mile 2 space of Lagos by officers of the Speedy Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command, has disclosed that her grasp, 36, raped her 5 instances in lower than seven months she stayed in his home.

The lady, whose identity was given as Benita, a major faculty leaver from Imo State was intercepted at about 10:00 p.m. on Thursday at Mile 2, after alighting from a business bus from Olodi Apapa attempting to board one other bus to Maza Maza.

The Speedy Response Squad officers on sighting her with two youngsters, age between 6 and four years invited her for questioning. The lady disclosed to the officers that she was heading to Maza Maza to board an evening bus to Imo State. Puzzled, the officers dug deeper.

It was at this level she disclosed to the officers that her Uncle who introduced her to Lagos to proceed her schooling, whereas she assists his spouse domestically had carnal information of her 5 instances.

The suspect, Chigozie Osuocha, of 83, Muibi Avenue, Olodi – Apapa, was lured to RRS Headquarter in Alausa, Ikeja by means of his phone quantity supplied by his 6 – 12 months outdated boy.

Benita acknowledged that any time her Uncle, Chidozie, wish to lay along with her, he would come residence early, lock his three youngsters out of his one-room self-contained condominium and sleep along with her.

She added that though she was not comfy with residing in his home, stressing that each one the issues his Uncle promised her dad and mom earlier than residing the village and people who he promised her earlier than sleeping along with her are but to be fulfilled.

She additional revealed that she needed to inform his Uncle’s 6 12 months outdated son who requested her what his father did to her every time he locked his three youngsters out of the condominium.

‘I confessed to the boy what was taking place. The boy instructed his mom. His spouse confronted me and I confirmed all that her husband had achieved to me. She threatened to pack out. However, they resolved it after he promised it won’t occurred once more.

I’ve been staying along with his three youngsters at residence whereas they go about their companies. He has refused to enroll me in class since July 2017’, she defined.

She added, ‘I equally reported all that Uncle did to me to his brother in Lagos. His brother had knowledgeable their father within the village about it’.

‘I took his two sons with me whereas I left the final baby at the residence. They noticed me packing my issues out of the home, the kids requested me the place I used to be going and I instructed them I used to be returning to the village.

They began crying they had been going to observe me. I took them together with me after stealing the N60,00zero he mentioned I ought to give his spouse’, she mentioned.

‘We obtained down to Mile 2. I didn’t know these law enforcement officials had been monitoring me. Considered one of them crossed the categorical and requested me some questions in regards to the youngsters with me.

To some extent, I instructed him I used to be operating away to the village as a result of my Uncle was sleeping with me’, she acknowledged.

When confronted with the allegation given by Benita, the suspect confessed that he was lured by the satan including that he had slept along with her solely 5 instances.

He defined that he sought the lady’s dad or mum permission within the village to deliver her to Lagos to proceed her schooling whereas additionally aiding his spouse with home chores.

He acknowledged additional that ‘I introduced her to Lagos in July 2017. I began sleeping along with her in December 2017, I slept along with her thrice in December.

My spouse obtained to know of my sleeping along with her and he or she threatened to maneuver out of the home with my three youngsters. I begged her and we resolved the problem.

I got here residence yesterday and I gave her N60,00zero to assist me to give my spouse. It was this cash she carried and he or she wished to journey with to the village with together with my two boys’, he acknowledged.

Commenting on the event, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Chike Oti confirmed the incident stressing that the lady had been transferred instantly to the Household Assist Unit of the Command.