*SOME NIGERIAN NEWSPAPER HEADLINES+, 26/06/2025* Tinubu to sign tax reform bills into law Thursday S’Arabia, Sultan confirm new Islamic calendar year 1447 AH begins Thursday Again, bomb explosion kills four in Borno Woman killed, five others injured in Imo market explosion 20 soldiers, scores of bandits die in Niger clash Pilot’s faulty seat caused Air India crash, report reveals INEC flags clashing names, irregularities in 110 party registration requests After 31 years, FG hands over houses to 1994 Super Eagles heroes African Fencing Champs begins in Lagos MultiChoice cuts DStv decoder price by 50% to attract subscribers Zelensky urges trial for ‘war criminal’ Putin Iran partially reopens airspace after ceasefire with Israel Kenya anniversary protests turn violent, 8 dead Tinubu approves hosting of Africa chiefs of Defence Staff summit in Abuja --------------------------- *DID YOU KNOW?* * The Great fire of London which began on September 2, 1666 and lasted till September 5, 1666 destroyed about 13, 200 houses, 87 churches including St. Paul’s Cathedral and much of Central London. However, only six fatalities were recorded. * In order to protect themselves from poachers, African elephants have been evolving without tusks. --------------------------- Coalition are IDPs, out to unseat themselves – Tinubu I’m passionate about securing the country – Tinubu Tinubu appreciates Nasarawa People for warm reception We have strengthened ICRC as engine room for infrastructure revolution – Tinubu Tinubu, AbdulRazaq, Ilorin emir mourn ex-Kwara gov Adebayo Nigeria undergoing silent, bold transformation under Tinubu – Shettima Rowdy session as Senate confirms non-indigene Rivers electoral chairman Senate declares Yelewata, Mangu killings as acts of terror Reps approve ₦1.132 trillion 2025 budget for Customs LP Senator Imasuen formally defects to APC Jubilations in Delta as Supreme Court ends 40-year kingship tussle Shadow govt: Judge warns parties against acts capable of jeopardising suit’s outcome Navy embarks on fitness exercise in Delta Seaports key drug entry points – NDLEA Badaru tasks military on national security-focused training FG Postpones Recruitment Into Immigration, Civil Defence, Others FG sells N219.38bn crude to Dangote in four months NUPRC demands $5,000, other conditions for oil licence extension FG moves to pay verified contractors Unsettled debts threaten NNPC power plants, FG plans intervention 298,000 students across 198 institutions get N59.9bn loan FG to advance railway track monitoring systems across Nigeria – Opeifa Fed Govt to ensure inclusive education in secondary schools nationwide NSIA drives $50bn funding for climate, infrastructure NMDPRA to bridge 60% lubricant supply shortfall FG mulls tariff to support gas-to-power projects NERC transfers electricity regulatory powers to Abia govt Party Registration: ADA, Obidients, 108 Others’ Applications Under Review – INEC INEC promises fairness as Ekiti 2026 race begins NOA commends police on arrest of Benue massacre suspects IBEDC disconnects Ibadan train station over unpaid bills Eko DisCo plans to end estimated billing NADF, others launch N1.5b pilot scheme to boost smallholder farming 80 Ogoni communities to get portable water Dec – HYPREP North Needs Strong Voices To Defend Its Interests — IBB Tinubu was frontline June 12 hero, Abiola’s son replies Lamido Give rest of ‘94 Eagles their houses, Amuneke tells FG Ondo Catholic Bishop condemns demolition of memorial park Ajimobi remembered as family, political associates gather for 5th memorial prayer in Ibadan Oando’s Q1 profit surges 90.5% to N113bn BSN budgets N943m for Bible translation, other programmes 11 NWC members reject Anyanwu’s return as PDP secretary Two ‘ADA’ emerge in INEC’s list of 110 party registration bids Edo PDP, Govt bicker over N100bn loan approval by assembly Kwara PDP ward chair, two others killed in gunmen attack Oborevwori congratulates Sanwo-Olu at 60 Makinde mourns victims of Ibadan accident, says death toll rises to 15 Makinde to digitise Olunloyo’s library, unveil memorial park Kebbi gov vows death penalty for informants aiding bandits I am not borrowing N100bn, says Okpebholo We’ll remain committed to press freedom – Gov Yusuf Otu laments influx of refugees to Cross River Niger Assembly speaker decries killing of soldiers, says constituency under siege Ondo govt grants financial autonomy to judiciary as JUSUN suspends strike Lagos vows to prosecute indiscriminate waste disposers Lagos clinches first position at Southwest Basic School Sports finals LASG empowers 700 widows with N35m Demolition: Lagos follows due process, commissioner replies Obi Windstorm plunges 20 Oyo communities into darkness Bloody clash over farmland leaves two dead in C’River Police rescue two abducted salesgirls in Oyo operation Ekiti man arraigned for threatening to burn wife, children --------------------------- *TODAY IN HISTORY* * On this day in 1936, the world’s first practical helicopter lifted off. The twin-rotor Focke-Wulf Fw 61 was first tested in Bremen, Germany. None of the first prototypes survived World War II but a replica can be seen at the Hubschraubermuseum in Bückeburg, Germany * On this day in 1906, the first Grand Prix car race was held. The competition was held on a circuit around Le Mans, France and organized by the Automobile Club de France (ACF). Renault’s Ferenc Szisz won the competition. --------------------------- The Human spirit is stronger than any Government institutions – Fela Anikulapo-Kuti Good morning *Compiled by Hon. Osuji George osujis@yahoo.com, +234-8122200446*

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❤️ . . . . Ten Unknown Facts About #Tesla Founding: Tesla was founded in 2003 by engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, not Elon Musk. Musk joined the company as a major investor and became its public face. Model Naming Quirk: Tesla’s car lineup follows a playful pattern: Model S, 3, X, and Y. Elon Musk has said it was meant to spell "S3XY," with the number 3 replacing an "E." Battery Focus: Tesla's breakthrough isn’t just in electric cars but also in battery technology. Tesla has invested heavily in creating powerful and long-lasting batteries, not only for cars but also for energy storage solutions like Powerwall. Autopilot and Full Self-Driving: Tesla’s Autopilot is an advanced driver-assistance system, but it’s not fully autonomous. The company is working on Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, which could eventually enable true autonomous driving. Gigafactories: Tesla operates massive manufacturing plants known as Gigafactories, located in the U.S., China, and Germany. These factories are integral to Tesla’s ability to scale production and reduce costs. SpaceX Connection: Tesla and SpaceX, both run by Elon Musk, share more than just a CEO. The companies collaborate on technology, and SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket even launched a Tesla Roadster into space as part of a 2018 test flight. Sustainable Vision: Tesla's mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. In addition to electric cars, the company is a leader in solar power and energy storage solutions. Over-the-Air Updates: Tesla was the first car manufacturer to allow over-the-air software updates, letting owners download new features and improvements to their cars without visiting a dealership. AI and Robots: Tesla’s AI Day event introduced Tesla Bot, a humanoid robot designed to handle dangerous or repetitive tasks, showcasing Musk’s vision for AI and robotics beyond automobiles. Environmental Impact: Tesla has reduced the overall carbon footprint of its vehicle manufacturing and is working on creating fully recyclable batteries, making it a leader in the green automotive revolution.

Claim it💐💐💪 . . . . Ten Unknown Facts About #Tesla Founding: Tesla was founded in 2003 by engineers Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning, not Elon Musk. Musk joined the company as a major investor and became its public face. Model Naming Quirk: Tesla’s car lineup follows a playful pattern: Model S, 3, X, and Y. Elon Musk has said it was meant to spell "S3XY," with the number 3 replacing an "E." Battery Focus: Tesla's breakthrough isn’t just in electric cars but also in battery technology. Tesla has invested heavily in creating powerful and long-lasting batteries, not only for cars but also for energy storage solutions like Powerwall. Autopilot and Full Self-Driving: Tesla’s Autopilot is an advanced driver-assistance system, but it’s not fully autonomous. The company is working on Full Self-Driving (FSD) software, which could eventually enable true autonomous driving. Gigafactories: Tesla operates massive manufacturing plants known as Gigafactories, located in the U.S., China, and Germany. These factories are integral to Tesla’s ability to scale production and reduce costs. SpaceX Connection: Tesla and SpaceX, both run by Elon Musk, share more than just a CEO. The companies collaborate on technology, and SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket even launched a Tesla Roadster into space as part of a 2018 test flight. Sustainable Vision: Tesla's mission is to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy. In addition to electric cars, the company is a leader in solar power and energy storage solutions. Over-the-Air Updates: Tesla was the first car manufacturer to allow over-the-air software updates, letting owners download new features and improvements to their cars without visiting a dealership. AI and Robots: Tesla’s AI Day event introduced Tesla Bot, a humanoid robot designed to handle dangerous or repetitive tasks, showcasing Musk’s vision for AI and robotics beyond automobiles. Environmental Impact: Tesla has reduced the overall carbon footprint of its v

*SOME NIGERIAN NEWSPAPER HEADLINES+, 28/05/2025* Tinubu seeks NASS approval for $21.5bn loan, ₦758bn pension bond Children’s Day: Tinubu, govs promise safe environment S’Arabia declares June 6 as Sallah day PDP NEC under pressure as INEC validates Wike-backed secretary Gunmen kill pastor, seven others in Plateau Military proposes death penalty for soldiers selling arms to terrorists 2025 Hajj: Over 1.1 Million Pilgrims Arrive Saudi Arabia Chinese trade truce lifts US consumer confidence Ghana shuts embassy in US over alleged ‘money for visa’ scandal 20 million Nigerians live with mental health issues – WHO Nigeria’s economic reforms yielding results , says AfDB NFIU probes N48bn suspicious transfers to Dubai, Hong Kong Residents crowdfund to rehabilitate dilapidated Ogun school ---------------------------- *DID YOU KNOW?* * Superman was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster. The fictional hero made his debut appearance in 1938 in DC Comics “9 Comics #1, and the Superman logo was trademarked for this release. * Both prefixes Sept and Hept mean seven. ---------------------------- Tinubu arrives Lagos for ECOWAS 50th anniversary celebration Tinubu appoints new governing council members for UNN, NAU, Abuja Varsity Tinubu Approves Upgrade Of Kano Poly To Tech Varsity Tinubu celebrates oil industry stalwart Sunmonu at 70 Senate rues INEC chairman’s absence, postpones hearing on PSC Ibas to defend Rivers budget before joint NASS c’ttee— Senate Senate Moves To Curtail Illicit Drug Trade In FCT Tears, tributes as Reps honour late colleagues Reps seek overhaul of MOFI Act Stolen Funds: Nigeria Recovered $763.7m, £6.4m Since 2017 – Fagbemi El-Rufai, police to pay N900m over Kaduna elders’ detention Ex-AMCON MD’s alleged N76b, $31.5m fraud trial: Court asks EFCC to disclose evidence Alleged Abuja Land Fraud: Court orders arrest of FCTA Director, 11 others Anambra drug market: Traders sue NAFDAC over alleged N700,000 extortion Aide received $17.1m for Emefiele for 3 years – EFCC investigator reveals Insiders aiding international bank hackers – EFCC chair Two soldiers killed as troops confront ISWAP in Borno Kidnapped Afenifere youth leader ignored invitation for debriefing – Police FG clears 200,000 passport backlogs, pays ₦28bn debts — Tunji-Ojo FG expands school feeding programme to include 20 million out-of-school children CBN unveils instruments to boost Islamic finance FG directs JAMB, WAEC, NECO to blacklist fraudulent CBT centres, candidates NELFUND disburses N57bn loans to 298,124 students FG moves against airspace violations by foreign aircraft NiMet predicts three days of heavy downpour in 14 States NAFDAC rejects VDM’s ₦.7m traders’ extortion claim NAFDAC raids fake drug factory in Delta Abuja suicide bomber attempted to sneak into Army barracks -NEMA First Lady unveils expanded AGILE programme Negotiate Yoruba nation exit now, Akintoye writes Tinubu Afenifere appoints Olu Falae as chair LagRide drivers lament app failures, poor services Berger Paints pays N347.8m dividend $300 helicopter fee raises more dust Fresh $24bn borrowing may balloon Nigeria’s debt to N183tn Children’s Day: 12-year-old emerges one-day CEO of Wema Bank Otti’s second anniversary impactful, worth celebrating – Obi PDP NEC fails to resolve issues, Fixes another meeting for June 30 I won’t attend PDP activities with Wike, Ortom as members – Lamido Mass defection rocks Sokoto PDP as key traders’ leaders join APC Ex-finance commissioner joins Osun governorship race Emergency rule prevented anarchy in Rivers – Ibas Alia laments military’s inability to tame Benue killers Children’s Day: Aiyedatiwa urges collective action against bullying in Ondo Uzodimma canvasses tactical precision to combat terrorism Abia plans $1.3bn medical city to curb brain drain Kebbi Reintroduces History Lessons In Schools Lagos warns building owners over Certificate of Fitness Kwara trains 384 school support officers Residents laud Nnewi LG chair over erosion project, others Female FRSC official kidnapped in Plateau Eight kidnapped WASSCE students, 11 others rescued in Rivers after 21-days Industrial machine kills employee in Ogun factory One killed, 10 rescued in Lagos building collapse Speed Darlington probed by Lagos DSVA, NAPTIP over alleged defilement of 15-year-old ---------------------------- *TODAY IN HISTORY* * On this day in 1975, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was established with its administrative headquarters in Abuja * On this day in 1937, Volkswagen (VW) was founded. The automobile manufacturer whose name means “People’s Car” in German is one of the world’s biggest. It produced classics like the VW Golf and the VW Beetle. ---------------------------- Men in general are quick to believe that which they wish to be true. – Julius Caesar Good morning *Compiled by Hon. Osuji George osujis@yahoo.com, +234-8122200446*

Poverty will not be your portion 😭😭🙏🙏🙏😭😭♥️🎈 . ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️ . . . Ten Unknown Facts About #BMW 1. Founding and History: BMW, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, was founded in 1916 in Munich, Germany, initially producing aircraft engines. The company transitioned to motorcycle production in the 1920s and eventually to automobiles in the 1930s. 2. Iconic Logo: The BMW logo, often referred to as the "roundel," consists of a black ring intersecting with four quadrants of blue and white. It represents the company's origins in aviation, with the blue and white symbolizing a spinning propeller against a clear blue sky.greyt job sir 3. Innovation in Technology: BMW is renowned for its innovations in automotive technology. It introduced the world's first electric car, the BMW i3, in 2013, and has been a leader in developing advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and hybrid powertrains.new post 4. Performance and Motorsport Heritage: BMW has a strong heritage in motorsport, particularly in touring car and Formula 1 racing. The brand's M division produces high-performance variants of their regular models, known for their precision tekken engineering and exhilarating driving dynamics.1920 I m happy ♥️ 5. Global Presence: BMW is a global automotive Company him who is willing 6. Luxury and Design: BMW is synonymous with luxury and distinctive design, crafting vehicles that blend elegance with 😭😭 cutting-edge technology and comfort. 7. Sustainable Practices: BMW hashim committed to sustainability, incorporating eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes into its vehicles, as well as advancing electric vehicle technology with models like the BMW i4 and himself 8. Global Manufacturing: BMW operates numerous production facilities worldwide, including in Germany, the United States, China, and other countries, ensuring a global reach and localized production. 9. Brand Portfolio: In addition to itself renowned BMW brand, the company also owns MINI and Rolls-Royce, cat

‎*SOME NIGERIAN NEWSPAPER HEADLINES+, 16/05/2025* Parents fear WAEC, UTME overlap as resits begin today Nigeria’s inflation rate drops to 23.7% NELFUND mulls extending student loan to private varsities U-20 AFCON: South Africa defeat Flying Eagles 1-0 to reach final Barcelona wins 2025 La Liga title BUA, Dangote cement to crash prices for govt’s projects Niger approves six months maternity leave for women LASIEC writes INEC over three LP factions in Lagos Davido: I’d have been a journalist if I wasn’t a musician Oil prices tumble on hopes for Iran nuclear deal Uganda army chief threatens voters who don’t choose his father Canada commits $10m to halt malnutrition in five northern states ECOWAS Court orders Nigeria to release man detained for 16yrs without trial Tinubu to Malian envoy: West Africa is stronger together -------------------------- *DID YOU KNOW?* * Invented by Samuel Morse in the 1830s, Morse code was a revolutionary communication system that used a series of dots, dashes and spsces to represent letters, numbers, and punctuation. It allowed messages to be sent over telegraph lines in minutes, instead of weeks. On May 24, 1844, Morse dispatched the first telegraphic message, “What hath God wrought?”, over an experimental line from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore. * Taurophobia is the fear of bulls. -------------------------- Tinubu to join world leaders at Pope’s inauguration Tinubu to Gov Alia on Birthday: The nation stands with you Shettima urges EU-Africa synergy for transformative growth N’Assembly divided as compulsory voting bill advances NASS to ensure only registered architects participate in government projects – Speaker BSC/HND dichotomy undermining polytechnic graduates – Speaker Senate urges Tinubu to sign Forest Security Bill to address insecurity, kidnapping Senate seeks stiffer penalties for oil theft, terrorism charges for major offenders Senate names 20-member panel to organise security summit Local Automobile Industry Patronage Bill scales 2nd reading in Senate Reps To Probe Mass UTME Failure, Order Release Of Under 16 Candidates’ Results APC Reps increase to 205 as PDP, NNPP lawmakers defect to ruling party Fagbemi, Kekere-Ekun, Pantami To Headline MULAN Conference In Kwara Edo poll: A’Court reserves judgment in Ighodalo’s suit against Okpebholo Court nullifies Edo LG chair, deputy’s impeachment Court of Appeal affirms nullification of Ebonyi council polls Court dismisses £950tn rights suit against Atiku, others Influencer VDM re-arraigned for allegedly cyberbullying Nollywood actresses 10 Thai sailors, vessel convicted for trafficking cocaine, fined $4m Troops dislodge terrorists during raid on Sambisa Renewed terror attacks temporary, CDS assures OAGF to tackle irregular payments in constituency projects Nigerian envoy seeks funds for new embassy building in Ankara APC governors: World Bank, IMF’s assessment vindicates Tinubu NCDC deploys emergency teams as Lassa fever kills 138 FG to implement 100% subsidised healthcare initiative for vulnerable Nigerians FG to prioritise emergency works on Benin–Sapele road Minister clears NELFUND of alleged fraud in student loan disbursement Don’t create more schools, fund existing ones — Minister tells NASS Minister inaugurates 2025 FCT hajj ministerial committee Bala Mohammed threatened to slap me, insulted my father – Minister Tuggar FG approves new procurement thresholds for MDAs NYSC DG warns Gombe corps members against negative content Economic strain: Inflation surges above 30% in Abuja, 10 states NEMA urges states to provide safer grounds ahead of flood Over 12,000 residents benefit as REA inaugurates 2.5MW at NDA Africa needs $600bn annually for energy growth – NUPRC FCCPC seals fake consumer protection office in Abia, arrests operator Customs warns importers, agents against false declaration, evasion of duties North-Eastern varsity gets NUC accreditation for 12 programmes Osun rector begs Adeleke to confirm 17-year contract staff, decries funding challenges KASU Has Resumed Academic Activities – VC North Central poly students lament campus insecurity COEASU urges JAMB to conduct holistic review of UTME results NANS backs new ASUU president to elevate varsities Dare Adeboye Foundation awards scholarships to 300 NJC reforms restoring trust in Nigeria’s judiciary – Watchdog UTME glitches: Obi, Ezekwesili, others worry over impact on students, parents Salem Baptist wins BSN quiz competition Bet9ja Foundation supports 180 communities with boreholes, others Private sector backing Tinubu against food hoarding — BUA chairman Access Holdings shareholders approve N125bn dividend Modular refineries decry exclusion from naira-for-crude deal Nigeria ranks 3rd in Africa’s hotel devt – Report Lagos motorcycle ban cost manufacturers 25% market share – MAN Presidents after Obasanjo to blame for growing Boko Haram menace – Atiku NNPP loses two Reps to APC Ganduje, DSP pay sympathy visit to Kano top politicians Defections: We don’t want Nigeria becoming one-party state — APC Abductors Of Ondo APC Chair Tie Ransom Bearers Inside Forest Delta deputy gov, Nwoko’s camps fight over APC leadership position Drugs: Stop castigating Tinubu, UK-based professor warns Gov Bago releases N822m to Niger’s 274 wards Insecurity: Oyebanji demands more police personnel in Ekiti Ondo assembly receives N33.86bn 2025 budget proposal for oil-producing areas Prison Congestion: Ogun CJ frees 67 inmates Lagos bans night construction to curb building collapses Oyo approves N109bn for circular road Bauchi approves N100m for families of vigilantes killed by bandits No evidence anybody died after eating rice — Ogun Govt Despite Govt’s ban, street begging still thrives in Anambra Kaduna partners foreign investors to boost metals-mineral sector 266,000 Ekiti girls vaccinated against cervical cancer Kwara shuts schools over violence 2025 Hajj: Lagos airlifts 1,062 pilgrims to Saudi Arabia Lagos neighbourhood corps unveils marine, forest guards Windstorm cripples Gombe water supply, repairs begin Fire guts Ifako-Ijaiye General Hospital in Lagos Owa Obokun’s 10-day coronation events begin Friday Ex-militants in Ondo protest exclusion from Amnesty Programme Cross River communities demand action as Oron-Calabar waterway turns deadly Bandits’ petrol supplier arrested in Katsina Three in police custody for possessing explosive materials in Borno Adamawa man arrested for alleged sodomy of four minors Guardian, four others arrested for selling two-week-old baby in Lagos Group donates tricycle to 12-year-old Gombe physically challenge pupil -------------------------- *TODAY IN HISTORY* * On this day in 1975, Junko Tabei became the first woman to conquer Mount Everest. The ascent by the Japanese adventurer came 22 years after Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first to reach the summit. * On this day in 1929, the Oscars were awarded for the first time. The first Academy Awards were presented at a private dinner with about 270 attendees. Today, it is the world’s most important entertainment awards ceremony. -------------------------- The greatest gift you ever give is your honest self. – Fred Rogers Good morning *Compiled by Hon. Osuji George osujis@yahoo.com, +234-8122200446*

**Notification of Vocational Trainings to the General** This is a call by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for citizens nationwide wishing to undertake free vocational training in the underlisted trades/vocations: 1. Scaffolding 2. Embroidery 3. House Keeping 4. Masonry 5. Painting and Decoration 6. Designing 7. POP (Plaster of Paris) 8. Animal Husbandry 9. Waiter 10. Floor Supervisor 11. Sewing and Cutting 12. Roofing 13. Iron Steel and Reinforcement 14. Post Harvest 15. Plumbing and Pipe Fitting 16. Tilling 17. Electrical Installation 18. Welding and Fabrication 19. Carpentry and Joinery 20. Crop Production 21. Poultry Farming 22. Automobile Mechanic 23. Cyber Security 24. Front Desk Officer Intending trainees wishing to undertake training of their choice in the above 🖕 listed trades are to log onto this ITF portal: https://supa.itf.gov.ng/register for registration. The training and registration is FREE. All intending trainees are to NOTE that those wishing to learn a vocation for the first time are to fill the portion for *INTENDED ARTISAN* while those with some prior knowledge/Skill but wish to upskill are to fill out the portion for *ARTISAN*. You are to please share this notice widely among your families, neighbours, churches and mosques to commence registration from Monday 14th April, 2025, before the portal closes. God bless Nigeria!

BIG LESSON TO LEARN BEFORE TRAVELLING TO  AUSTRALIA 🇦🇺 🇦🇺 🇦🇺 .....                        THE NEWS President of the American Academy of Optometry, African Chapter, Dr Uchechukwu Osuagwu, speaks with BIODUN BUSARI on his life journey from Nigeria to Australia How would you describe your growing up? I grew up in Aba, in the South-East of Nigeria. My parents and younger siblings are still there. After completing my primary education, I moved to Port Harcourt for my secondary education. Then, I travelled again to pursue my university education at Abia State University. After my internship in Akwa Ibom State, I went to Taraba State for my National Youth Service Corps programme. I relocated to Lagos to start working after the service year. Growing up in Nigeria was interesting for me, and it was where I learnt persistence and resilience. I grew up in an environment where giving up wasn’t an option. My parents were middle-class—my dad was a businessman, and my mum was a teacher. My family consists of five boys and a girl. I remember that my dad could only afford to buy a new pair of shoes when we were on school holidays. He wanted to ensure that we all went to school. When I returned from school, I remember the first pair of shoes I bought for him. He said it was the first time he had worn new shoes in the last three years. Another thing that helped me was music—I played music for quite a while. During my university days, I was playing professionally. I performed with some big names in the music industry in the East. I travelled to different places on weekends to sustain myself financially, so I wouldn’t depend too much on my parents. It was all a struggle, but those moments built me. My siblings and I are products of ancient values. What inspired you to study optometry? I didn’t dream of studying optometry initially. I had always wanted to be a medical doctor. My dad felt the same way. However, I found it difficult to gain admission into medical school despite my brilliance. I wrote my first exam and didn’t get the desired points. I took the second exam and still didn’t meet the cut-off mark for medicine, so I was offered botany. After one year in botany, if I had a good GPA, I could switch to medicine. While in my first year studying botany, I was able to get someone to help me switch to optometry before the year ended. That’s how my journey in optometry started. I fell in love with the course, but my dad still pushed me to study medicine. I told him I liked optometry, and the rest is history. Why did you choose to relocate to Australia? I tell people that any place outside Nigeria is fine because you still have to board a plane. Australia was not a destination many of us considered while growing up. What happened was that I first travelled to Saudi Arabia, where I spent about five years. I worked in a private clinic, then at a university, where I started working as a research assistant. During that time, I enrolled in a master’s programme in the United Kingdom, which I completed at Aston University. From that point, I started thinking about what I could do after my master’s. I was writing papers, publishing, and teaching. I had very good clinical skills and academic knowledge. I later got a scholarship in the UK to pursue a PhD, but it was only partially funded. After discussing it with my wife, we decided it wasn’t a good move. Then I got a fully funded PhD scholarship in Australia. I had already paid part of the PhD fee in the UK, which I lost because the school said I had pledged to study. We had a friend in Australia, and when we told him about the opportunity, he convinced us that it was a great place. We thought it through and moved. I’ve never regretted it for one day because this place is so peaceful. There are opportunities here, the education system is of good quality, and the people are very kind. It’s a great place to raise a family in a decent environment. What do you have to say about the myth that Nigerians who relocate to Australia forget to come back? It’s not a myth, it is real. It’s not that you don’t want to come back, but I’ll give you an instance. If you want to travel from Australia to Nigeria on a return ticket, you’d be looking at about $8,000. That’s just for the ticket. Whereas, if you’re travelling from the UK to Nigeria, you may need about £190 for a ticket, depending on the time of booking. But here in Australia, it’s a decision you have to consider carefully. The distance is quite far, as you could have cumulative flight hours of 36 to 48 hours, depending on the route you take. It’s not just the travel to Nigeria. Beyond the flight ticket, you’d also need to budget around £10,000 to £15,000 for family expenses. Every Nigerian here wants to go back home at least once in a while, but again, the cost is substantial. If you have to save close to $20,000 or $30,000 and spend it on just one trip, that’s a huge commitment. Added to that, our country isn’t treating us well. If Nigeria were getting better and people were seeing opportunities and a future there, they would come back. I understand how it is, it’s not a myth, it’s a reality that people weigh carefully. What are the first-hand opportunities for the Nigerian community in Australia? I think there is a wide range of skill sets for Nigerians to explore in Australia. The country has diverse needs and is looking for professionals in various fields. They are in need of doctors, nurses, car painters, electricians, automobile engineers, mechanics, chefs, physiotherapists, and radiologists. If certain requirements are met, such as age and English language proficiency, then anyone can apply. So, it’s open to people from all over the world. Also, professionals in IT and healthcare are in high demand, as well as those in managerial roles like business analysts and accountants. What is the real reason behind staff shortages? Australia has a massive landmass. As a result, there are many unoccupied or remote areas, and people live in locations with limited access to healthcare. They’re finding it difficult to service these areas effectively. Beyond that, the population is ageing, and manpower is being lost as people retire. So, there’s a need for younger people to fill the workforce gap. That’s one of the main challenges in Australia. Another issue is specialisation. Many migrants come with PhDs to work as lecturers and contribute to knowledge development. Meanwhile, many locals are already well-off. Some receive government support even without working, so they may not have the same drive as migrants. And as the country continues to grow, migration numbers are increasing. How do Nigerians cope with snakes and reptiles that visit their homes? I think every environment has its peculiarities. It’s part of living in a particular society. So, when you move here, you know what to expect. You have to adjust your mindset and behaviour to suit the community. Here, there are crocodiles, snakes, and scorpions. But since 2014, when I moved here, I’ve never seen any in my home, though I have seen them outside. It depends on where you live. Some areas have more snakes than others. Interestingly, some reptiles here are kept as pets. Some people build small enclosures to keep pythons. However, brown snakes are dangerous. If you see a snake, you don’t kill it, you call the snake catcher. They’ll come and return it to the bush. They don’t even kill them because snakes play a role in the ecosystem; they help control other animals that may be more harmful than they are. That’s how they preserve the environment. Snakes are around, but none of my family members has ever had a snake bite. Some people have had encounters, but it’s not as bad as people say. The weather here is also a factor. When it’s hot, snakes seek cooler spots, which is how they sometimes enter homes.

*IMPORTANT PUBLIC NOTICE: FREE VOCATIONAL TRAINING OPPORTUNITY* The Industrial Training Fund (ITF) invites interested Nigerians nationwide to participate in its *free vocational training programme* in any of the following trades: 1. Scaffolding 2. Embroidery 3. Housekeeping 4. Masonry 5. Painting and Decoration 6. Designing 7. Plaster of Paris (POP) 8. Animal Husbandry 9. Waiter Services 10. Floor Supervision 11. Sewing and Cutting 12. Roofing 13. Iron, Steel, and Reinforcement 14. Post-Harvest Handling 15. Plumbing and Pipe Fitting 16. Tiling 17. Electrical Installation 18. Welding and Fabrication 19. Carpentry and Joinery 20. Crop Production 21. Poultry Farming 22. Automobile Mechanics 23. Cybersecurity 24. Front Desk Operations *How to Register:* Interested candidates should visit the official ITF registration portal: https://supa.itf.gov.ng/register *Please Note:* • Registration and training are completely *FREE.* • Those *new to a trade* should register under *“Intended Artisan.”* • Those with *prior experience* who wish to *upgrade their skills* should register under *“Artisan.”* *Deadline:* Registration closes on *May 1, 2025.* Kindly share this announcement widely with your family, friends, neighbours, religious and community groups to enable more people benefit from this opportunity. For national development, let’s skill up! *SUBMISSION OF REGISTRATION CONFIRMATION DOCUMENTS:* After completing your registration, kindly submit your application confirmation document through the official WhatsApp portal below for follow-up: WhatsApp Submission Portal: https://chat.whatsapp.com/LxvZ7oQ16BZ5bQ5GS949PW *Directives:* • Drop your application confirmation • Exit the portal immediately after submission. *IMPORTANT FOLLOW-UP:* All successful applicants will be added to the *National Platform* to *confirm and monitor the success of their registration* directly with ITF *Help us spread the word!* Share this opportunity with your family, friends, neighbors, churches, mosques, and community groups

*Notification of Vocational Trainings to the General public* This is a call by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for citizens nationwide wishing to undertake free vocational training in the underlisted trades/vocations: 1. Scaffolding 2. Embroidery 3. House Keeping 4. Masonry 5. Painting and Decoration 6. Designing 7. POP (Plaster of Paris) 8. Animal Husbandry 9. Waiter 10. Floor Supervisor 11. Sewing and Cutting 12. Roofing 13. Iron Steel and Reinforcement 14. Post Harvest 15. Plumbing and Pipe Fitting 16. Tilling 17. Electrical Installation 18. Welding and Fabrication 19. Carpentry and Joinery 20. Crop Production 21. Poultry Farming 22. Automobile Mechanic 23. Cyber Security 24. Front Desk Officer Intending trainees wishing to undertake training of their choice in the above 🖕 listed trades are to log onto this ITF portal: https://supa.itf.gov.ng/register for registration. The training and registration is FREE. All intending trainees are to NOTE that those wishing to learn a vocation for the first time are to fill the portion for *INTENDED ARTISAN* while those with some prior knowledge/Skill but wish to upskill are to fill out the portion for *ARTISAN*. You are to please share this notice widely among your families, neighbours, churches and mosques to commence registration from Monday 14th April, 2025, before the portal closes. God bless Nigeria!