DAWN NEW IYALODE ALABA LAWSON TODAY. holiday? The perfect. Banjul Freetown Accra Dakar Monrovia SAFE COMFORTABLE RELIABLE. in the African skies

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1 ISSUE NO 3, 2017 w w w. p e a c o c k t o d a y. c o m NEW DAWN in the African skies It s a new dawn in Africa as Fly Mid Africa takes to the skies. Experience true Africa. See the richness and diversity of the great African continent. From Lagos, Fly Mid Africa and enjoy extremely low fares to great destinations like :...for country, for travel TODAY Banjul Freetown Accra Dakar Monrovia SAFE COMFORTABLE RELIABLE Affordable fares on all routes the quintessential IYALODE ALABA LAWSON First Female NACCIMA President What makes her tick? On time departure More comfort Bigger aircraft with Fly Mid Africa Airline, you get 30 +5kg baggage - economy class kg baggage - business class Flight booking and informa on: sales.nigeria@flymidafrica.aero or visit Ikeja Sales Office: 19, Mojidi Street, off Toyin Street, by Ecobank, Ikeja, Lagos Airport MMIA - Departure Hall, D-Wing. Tel: , , Marina, Lagos: +234 (0) Abuja: +234 (0) Port Harcourt: +234 (0) Benin: +234 (0) Aba: +234 (0) Kano: +234 (0) Ibadan: +234(0) A V I A T I O N & A L L I E D S E R V I C E S L T D. (GSA) The perfect holiday? 10 reasons why small businesses fail

2 CUSTOMS LICENSED AGENT AGENT OF FOREIGN AIRLINES

3 BRANCH NETWORK HEAD OFFICE: UNITED KINGDOM 54, King Street, Twickenham, Middlesex, TW1 3SH, Tel: A Word from the publisher Hearty Felicitations to a Woman of Substance On behalf of my family and the entire Management and staff of Peacock Group, I heartily felicitate with Iyalode Alaba Lawson, MFR, IoD, JP President of NACCIMA on your investiture as the first ever female President of NACCIMA on May 25, This is indeed a great honour to you as well as a profound recognition of your dedication, diligence and valuable services to NACCIMA and the nation at large. I am convinced that your tenure will usher in sustainable and impactful progress in the Association and the real sector of the nation's economy. Congratulations! Aare Segun P. Phillips (FDM, FNIM, F.Inst.TT) Group Executive Chairman Peacock Group HEAD OFFICE - NIGERIA: 19, Mojidi Street, Off Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos. Telephone: 234(0) , sales@peacocktravelandtours.com ABUJA BRANCH: Millennium Builders Plaza 251, Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Business District 2nd floor, Middle Block Abuja - FCT. Telephone: +234(0) , marketing@peacocktravelsandtours.com PORT HARCOURT BRANCH: 80, Aba Road, Craft Center Bus Stop, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Telephone: +234 (084) , business@peacocktravelsandtours.com LAGOS ISLAND OFFICE: 42/43, Marina Street, Lagos, Opp. Oando Filling Station Marina - Lagos Telephone: +234(0) link@peacocktravelsandtours.com IBADAN OFFICE Iba Oluyole House, 16 Obafemi Awolowo Road, Oke Bola, Ibadan, Oyo State. Telephone: +234(0) , commercial@peacocktravelsandtours.com KANO OFFICE 2B, Niger Street, (Gidan Goldi), Kano Kano State. Tel: +234(0) , trade@peacocktravelsandtours.com ABA OFFICE 151, Okigwe Road, Aba, Abia State. Tel: +234(0) f.ogiator@peacocktravelsandtours.com BENIN OFFICE: 96, EFEX Executive Building O2, Uselu Benin- Lagos Expressway, Benin, Edo State Tel: +234(0) , fly@peacocktravelsandtours.com LAGOS AIRPORT MM International Airport Departure Hall, D Wing, Ikeja, Lagos. Telephone: +234(0) , CARGO WAREHOUSE: 32, Akinremi Street, Off Awolowo Way Anifowose, Ikeja - Lagos Telephone: , E D I T O R I A L T E A M Publisher Aare Olusegun P. Philips Editorial Consultant Emmanuel Ukpong Contributors Lucky George Taiwo Okuwobi Produced by The Mavis Company Tel: , Three Key Moments, One Goal Since our last issue, there have been three key developments that are set to have far reaching and transformative implications for Nigerian business, particularly air travel. Firstly, the Minister of State for Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika spearheaded the successful repair of the Abuja Airport runway, which had failed and become a nightmare to air safety. Not only were the complex tasks of shutting down the Airport for six weeks and diverting flights to Kaduna Airport well managed, Senator Sirika finished the job ahead of schedule. By this singular act, the Minister and his team, notably FAAN Managing Director Engr. Saleh Dunoma, NCAA Director-General Captain Muhtar Usman and NAMA Managing Director Captain Fola Akinkuotu, showed uncommon leadership and dedication. Kudos to them. Hot on the heels of the seamless resumption of flights to Abuja was the launch of services to Lagos by Fly Mid Africa, Gambia's new national carrier. This historic development is significant in many ways. It addresses flight connections hiccups within the West Coast as its services cover Accra, Free Town, Dakar, Banjul, Monrovia and Abidjan. It also opens up the Gambia for much needed business and leisure traffic shortly after the restoration of a democratically elected Government. Most of all, I am pleased to inform you that Peacock Aviation and Allied Services, a part of Peacock Group, has been appointed the airline's General Sales Agent (GSA) for Nigeria. It simply means that Fly Mid Africa's passengers, freight and other offerings stand to benefit from our experience and proven efficiency. I warmly welcome Gambia's flag carrier to Nigeria and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with them. On May 25, 2017 history was made in the ancient city of Abeokuta where Iyalode Alaba Lawson was officially crowned as the first female President of NACCIMA. She has pledged to give a voice to Nigerian business through advocacy, enhancing the relationship between Government and business leaders. This is a welcome development. But Peacock TODAY was also interested in exploring Iyalode's enigmatic life: how is it possible for such an accomplished woman to play in the Premier League (or La Liga, depending on your preference) of business and still be at ease with pepper or fish sellers? What makes her tick? The answers to these and many other salient questions were given during a 95-minutes interview with the NACCIMA President in Abeokuta. As expected, this is our cover choice. With special features on Olumo Rock, Lisabi Festival and a new section on travel and aviation news, this is another delightful read. Enjoy! A special publication of G R O U P For all enquiries call Remmy Awolaiye on , or hrm@peacocktravelsandtours.com PeacockToday 3 Aare Segun P. Phillips (FDM, FNIM, F.Inst.TT) Publisher Social Platforms: peacocktravels peacock.travels.1 peacockaviation vision...to be the most valuable travel industry telescope MISSION To be the catalyst of change in the travel and tourism industry

4 ...for country, for travel TODAY Remote Control Towers Are Coming! By Eghosa Idufueko social diary c o n t e n t s IYALODE ALABA LAWSON: "I Cannot Explain My Life" Olumo: The Eternal Rock Lisabi: Beyond the pomp and ceremony 10 Reasons Why SMALL BUSINESSES Fail In Nigeria R E G U L A R S B4UGO Must See Festivals Life Style Social Diary Food And Drinks 26 Most air travellers are used to air traffic control towers at airports. They are those rooms at the top of the tallest structure at the airfield, from where officers behind consoles talk to the pilot, guiding him in by radio, and out if you are departing. But the familiar standard may soon become a thing of the past. In Europe and the US, airport operators are fine tuning the concept of remote air traffic control stations, by which airplane movements at an airfield are controlled by officers at a remote location, perhaps thousands of kilometres away. The system comprises of a high mast fitted with high definition cameras, and a network of other cameras at points around an airport. From these cameras, live video streams are transmitted to a control centre at a remote location. Officers sited in front of large screens can then see images of aircraft landing and taking off at the distant airport. With this system, it is hoped that costs will be reduced, especially at airports where low volumes of passengers make the staffing of traditional control towers expensive. Eventually, control towers at even busy airports might be eliminated, as the system becomes more effective and safe. One of the earliest installations is the ones at Ornskoldsvik and Sundsvall, in Sweden. Traffic at Ornskoldsvik was hardly enough to make its full time control tower cost effective, so a remote centre was developed for it at the airport in Sundsvall, which is 130 km distance. The Ornskoldsvik tower was closed in The success of the new arrangement means control of another airport at Linkoping, will be transferred to Sundsvall as well. In the UK, the prime gateway of London City Airport will be controlled from a station, 145 km away, starting in In Australia, Alice Springs airport may eventually be controlled from Adelaide, 1,500 km afar. And in the US, remote facilities might serve as back up centres to the towers at busy airfields and someday, take over altogether. Besides reduced costs is enhancement of safety on a number of fronts. Infra-red cameras could transmit images which thermal attributes could help detect animals and even humans, straying onto an active runway, and trigger an alarm. At normal, on site towers at many airports often there are blind spots, which control officers cannot see. But with the range of cameras in the new system, they will be eliminated. The stream of pictures coming in could be frozen, or reversed to investigate any abnormalities which may have occurred. And the cameras can be panned or zoomed into areas of interest. With the potential for efficiency looking immense at the moment, experts envisage a complete replacement of humans in the control loop of aircraft movements at our airports before long. Juju Legend King Sunny Ade with members of Peacock Travels management team during his business visit to the group s Corporate Head Of ce in Ikeja... recently Aare SP Phillips, Executive Chairman of Peacock Group and Publisher of Peacock Today (r) with Mr. Awolaiye, HRM Peacock Group, Emmanuel Ukpong, Consulting Editor and Iyalode Alaba Lawson shortly after an interview with the Iyalode in Abeokuta Baby Aleem born to the family of Mr. & Mrs. Abiodun Lamidi. Mr. Lamidi is the Accountant of Peacock Group s Benin Branch. Congratulations! Top Executives of Fy Mid Africa being received at the arrival hall of MMIA by Staff of GSA and handling company. Baby Akachukwu born to the family of Mr & Mrs Daniel Ogbu. Mr Ogbu is the Manager in charge of our of Protocol services Department, Lagos PeacockToday 4 PeacockToday 37

5 For Iyalode, an endless stream of honours. For most people, displaying their trophy on a simple corner shelf would be just fine, a sign of an accomplishment. For Iyalode Alaba Lawson, that simply would not do. In her office in Abeokuta, a large mahogany shelf is dedicated to awards, trophies and honours. But no shelf is large enough to contain the honours that people and institutions are eager to bestow on this remarkable woman; so some are hung on the walls. It is a glistering array of plaques in the media of metal, crystal and wood, some emblazoned with her pictures. And it seems that in no time, she would run out of space to display her awards. But awards and recognitions are neither new to Iyalode. Or her family. Her father, Pa Emmanuel Abiona Jiboku, an engineer with the defunct Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN), the progenitor of what was later known as NEPA, was honoured with the British Empire Medal by Queen Elizabeth in When the Iyalode completed her training for her first love, Education, at the St Nicholas' Training Centre for Montessori Method of Education in England in 1975, the coprincipal Margaret Hornfray praised her "outstanding ability to master her academic studies," adding, "She worked with enthusiasm and intelligence." Since the Iyalode returned home in 1975 after her studies in London, the recognitions have not stopped pouring in. The simple reason is that her work, whether as an educationist, a community mobiliser or a businesswoman, has an enduring, positive effect on people. She touches lives. Not surprisingly, people and institutions are always eager to return the favours; to say, Thank you. News about avia on, travel, events, people, places Air Peace in Expansion Mode Air Peace are expanding. They are ordering aircraft, launching new routes, and retraining and redeploying all cadres of staff. And it appears the process will continue for a while. A new service to London is the airline's biggest catch for now, with plans calling for Boeing 777 aircraft to fly the route. To this end, a team of Air Peace and engineering crews has undergone training on the long haul twin aisle airliner, in the US. It was led by the airline's Chief Pilot, Victor Egonu. The domestic market is also captured by Air Peace's vision, with no less than ten Embraer 145 fifty-seat regional airliners in the works. It is not clear which destinations the Brazilian twinjets will serve, but airports in a number of Nigerian cities currently are lying idle. They include Bauchi, Akure, Jalingo, Makurdi, and others. More interesting are prospects of linking those Nigerian cities, which have connections with Lagos and to a lesser extent Abuja only, with one another. Travellers from outlying cities wouldn't then have to first fly to Lagos, before connecting with their final destinations, as they have to do now. Such services have traditionally been few in this country. This is because of the huge resources needed to develop them. Med-View and the Ban that Wasn't There was confusion in the airline industry recently, when news spread that Med-View Airlines were barred from flying to the European Union. Apparently, aircraft of the airline had flouted some regulation and what that meant to Nigerians, was that choice in the L o n d o n market was once again, limited. As it turned out, it was the Nigerian registered Boeing Med- View used on the route that had become due for a technical upgrade, and was therefore withdrawn from service. The airline had replaced it with another aircraft leased from European operators. With European crews and under the European register, it was unaffected by the so called ban. Ultimately, the airline clarified issues, pointing out that its schedules were not disrupted and in fact its flights to London (Gatwick) had operated normally throughout the period. Ogba Zoo Closer than Ever Before Be n i n City's O g b a Zoo is now easy to reach. The red earth road that led to the gardens has been t r a n s f o r m e d i n t o a n excellent dual carriageway, complete with street lights. There is now a seamless link of smoothness from Airport Road on the drive out of the city to the recreational facility. The zoo features wild animals in well-spaced and secure enclosures, set on expansive grounds on the outskirts of the city. A small stream flows through the zoo. The origins of Ogba are in 1966, when it was zoned off as a forest reserve by the then Midwest State government. But in 1971, it was converted into a zoological garden, influenced by the wide variety of animal and plant species, in the area. Benin City was a much smaller place then, and so Ogba was an outpost untouched by the effects of city life. These days the zoo is under private management, which is promoting related activities like botanical research and other environmental studies. They encourage educational effort like student groups touring the zoo as part of excursions. There are lions, crocodiles, pythons, ostriches, and all the primates (chimpanzees, baboons and monkeys) and other animals at the zoo It has beautiful flower beds and well-kept lawns, and benches and recliners for relaxation. The ambience is ideal for outdoor events like retreats, picnics and games. There is also a children's playground. PeacockToday 36 PeacockToday 5

6 M U S T - S E E F E S T I V A L S : wants to do it can go. But me, my white is white, my red is red.i believe in what my integrity will carry me. But have you been tempted? I have never. I am a mobilizer.that is part of what Jehovah has endowed in me. Even in the Church, even Muslims, even the ordinary ones. I belong to so many associations: palm oil sellers, the butchers, fish sellers, NURTW, the journalists, welders, football, I am their matron. I am always their matron and I always feel proud. SADI (All states in Northern Nigeria, in August or September) adi or Sharo, as it is also called, comes up Sat Eid el Kabir, which is in August or September. It is a rite of passage among young men of the Fulani ethnic group in Northern Nigeria. As a transition from boys to eligible bachelors, the young men go through an ordeal of being flogged. Youth of equal age and size are paired, one testing the other. Most of them scale through, but at the cost of scars which remain for good. Watching the bare chested young men are the prize, groups of maidens who cheer them on. There is drumming and musical accompaniment as background, alongside other minor acts. With Azman Air, Kano Sings the Narrow Body Blues SANGO An annual event among the Yoruba, it occurs at the end of August at the palace of the Alafin of Oyo, in honour of Sango, the local god of thunder and fire. Northern Nigeria got a shot in the arm, with the recent launching of scheduled service between Kano and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. It had local airline Azman Air to thank for the convenience the service would bring, and for asserting Kano's place on the air travel map. But for many, the offering is proving to be not so attractive, as equipment on the route, which lasts upwards of five hours, is a narrow bodied Boeing 737. Travellers aren't howling yet but it is clear that the wide-body comfort more common to long haul air travel is what they expected. What happened to the twin aisle 350-seat Boeing seen on Azman Air advertising in 2015? Perhaps this 737 will be used to introduce the product only, and will be replaced as passenger numbers build up. But Kano will have to wait and see. DURBAR (All towns in Northern Nigeria) It comes up at Eid el Kabir, and is held in many towns across Northern Nigeria. A centuries old tradition, it started as a parade of regiments of horsemen willing to go into battle for the local emir. It was a show of valour and loyalty, which evolved into one of showmanship and splendour. These days, prayers are offered the day before the Durbar, usually on grounds outside the palace of the emir, or in a square. The horses are dressed in eye catching colours, and for the riders, rifles have replaced swords. Groups of horsemen gallop at full speed, guns firing, past the emir and his wards on the stand, come to a full stop, then salute. The emir's regiment is last to perform, and is usually the largest and most elaborate. travel in words "The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page." - Augustine of Hippo Early Christian theologian and philosopher Historic: Iyalode Lawson receiving staff of of ce must return to it, and we must not put our light under the bushel. Use the media, use everything to air your voice, they are the voice of the organized private sector, you are the voice of the entrepreneurs, you are the voice of the business people. Whenever government throws any policy that will not be suitable for your people, you lobby and get it removed. That is the way it should be, I will try my best, but it is going to be a team work. What are your thoughts on the way the Government is managing the economy? Pumping dollar into the economy to become a dumping nation will not help us. Because there was a time when we didn't even have oil, just agriculture. The proceeds from agriculture helped us to build Cocoa House,then the tallest building in Africa. It is still a masterpiece today, kudos to Awolowo and his team. And even the first television in Africa, so what do we need to do?let us look back and find the missing link and then go back to agriculture. More so, agriculture now is not something you take hoe to hold. It is mechanized. And forming them into communities can help.but I want to thank the Federal Government for what they are doing now, because they are bring out funds differently and the funds are reaching the right people. Not like before when an Army general would be saying he is a farmer and he would be taking all the funds meant for farmers. But now it is reaching them, because I can say loud and clear, because I am a woman that belongs to the grassroots.if you see me in the market Recession "By the special grace of God, they are going to come out of this recession. But it is the duty of every one of us to contribute our own quota." today, you will not even think I have a single word of simple English. I wear the same clothes with them; I sit with them in the market and do the same thing they are doing. To explain to them what I really want from them and they are doing well and this market money under our new acting President now, our Professor Yemi Osibanjo. In fact my own group has realized up to over N51 million and they are returning it because we have a structure; we have handled over N40 million now. They are returning it, because the way they want them to return it, they are paying about N500, N800 naira a week and it will not even disturb their market; I am so happy. And I believe by the special grace of God, they are going to come out of this recession. But it is the duty of everyone of us to contribute our own quotas. For a woman as successful as you are, I am surprised you have not tried to join politics, have you tried? I will not do it, but any of my children that Iyalode is the Prime Minister. What are your responsibilities? Egbaland is under Yorubaland. So I thought, for Kabiyesi that gave me that title on the 7th of 1999, I became the 4th Iyalode of Egbaland. And His Royal Majesty, His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, the Alafin of Oyo made me on the 23rd of August 2008 as Iyalode of Yorubaland. But the primary objective of Iyalode is to look after the women. My first Iyalode in Office, predecessor, Efunroye Tinubu was a warrior, a warrior that installed and removed kings. A warrior that fought the white people to stand still. Do you sometimes feel the weight of the office? I have never felt like that, I must not deceive you. In fact I feel relieved. You know when you have passion for a job and that is why I said those who really must have seen the reason why they put me, because I was not the oldest. In fact my mother refused, when they first said I should be made Iyalode.My mother said they wanted to kill me. Iyalode is meant for elderly people, that I have already buried my father, they should allow me to bury her. So until Chief Coker was able pacify my mother for over three months before my mother could agree. I have never felt any burden. They must have seen and what they saw in me, the qualities they saw in me before making me the Iyalode. Instead, I wax stronger. I just want to make women happy. And that is why in NACCIMA they are saying, you are not only President of women, you are President of men and women, everybody. I have passion for women. PeacockToday 6 PeacockToday 35

7 Iyalode Lawson s Treasures President, I inherited only one room and a parlour at 29, Kuto Road as their office.they asked me to bring my photograph, I told them, no, my photograph will not be in that office. My spirit told me to go to the government that we were partners in progress. It should be private and public partnership; then they should give us an office.the then Military Administrator was Colonel Daniel Akintonde. So I went to him and he gave me audience. And I said, 'Sir, I have just been elected as the President, Abeokuta Chambers of Commerce. I believe in Public Private Partnership, so we need an office, we haven't got an office.' He said, 'Go and look for a place. I like the way you speak to me with confidence, go and look for a place and let me know.' The place I looked for was the next door to the way the house today. That place you have the Commerce House now was formerly the Treasury. As I was later told, during the EXCO meeting, the Governor directed that they must move the Treasury away from the place and give it to the woman now. And that is how we have that Commerce House. It was the grace of Jehovah God that made me to get that place at my onset. I made sure I renovated the place as teamwork. How does it feel now? I feel when the Lord says yes, no mortal can say no. I feel fulfilled. I feel great. And I commit it into the hands of Jehovah, because I am now becoming the first female President. Some of them thought I would never dream of it, but I kept on toiling day and night, praying and I never wavered. And that is why I said, one must be resilient and you must be consistent as a woman. Don't let anybody oppress you, Lawson on Discipline "If you give a child 100% discipline you will get 200% academic excellence." just continue.there are people that would be looking at you and there are people that will be seeing what you are doing. And one day they will all come out to bail you out that is what has happened. That day when they said yes in Kano, Alaba Lawson must come out of the West to be the second Deputy President, that day was agog. Glory be to Jehovah God for Engineer Rufai Mohammed, for Alhaji ShehuUmaru Musa, His Excellency now the Governor of Jigawa, the immediate past President of NACCIMA, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, Dr. AJB Ajayi. There was so much intrigue. Many chambers paid their dues that day. NACCIMA made millions that day that, because people now said if they didn't announce Alaba Lawson, they would turn it into voting and they would vote. And if you are not a financial member of the Chamber of Commerce, you cannot vote. So they all paid in their dues, so I thank Jehovah God for making it possible. What plans do you have for the Association? I rely on Isaiah: 57 and I read it in Yoruba every day; I have read it this morning. That everything I have left to Him, talking quietly, but let's wait until that day, that is only few days away, but I have my plans. But you will see, as He is unfolding it, because I know that He will lead me. He is leading me already. He is leading me because He does not want me to fail and I know with Him all things are possible. I believe in Him so much and He will never let me down. It is a large organization. How do you intend to carry all the members along? It is a large organization, and it is a large responsibility, because you will have to put everybody in place. I have my talent, you have your talent, everybody has talent, but if you put these talents together, if you put it differently and we come now to the round table, it is then we can be successful. Like now we have corporate bodies, all these corporate bodies are going to be put in their own different areas of interest, let them go and do it. There is another one I have done and I am really itching for that day to come so that the next day I can unfold it. NACCIMA used to play a robust role in the Nigerian economy. We're in a recession now. What role should NACCIMA play? We have to be alive to our responsibilities. The organized private sectors are not working; some of them now are only after money, money, money. No. Our advocacy should be strong, what our forefathers used to do, they were the ones controlling the economy. They were the ones advising the government on the policies that are working and the policies that are not working. And I can remember vividly, they always carried us the younger ones. Chief Lawson would take us to the Villa around August September. They would take us to the seat of the Government, formerly at Dodan Barracks, they would take us there.they called it Pre-Budget; they would have all Chambers of Commerce and even bilateral agreements. What do you think are the challenges you have, how can we resolve it, everybody would submit, then they would collate it, then the EXCO would go there. I attended Pre- Budget about 4 or 5 times. There, the Government would sit on one side; we would sit on one side and brainstorm. And by the time our forefathers talked, you will know they were speaking with authority. And that is why in any board today, you must find an organized private sector person. But now.it is a shame, can you imagine, that they did something about SMEs, NACCIMA is not invited. So all these we are going to look into and correct it. We must be good in our advocacy. We EMBRAER REVOLUTION? Nigerian travellers will soon begin to see a new shape in the sky. A number of her aircraft operators are turning away from the ubiquitous Boeing 737, which had come to define air travel for most of them, in the preceding decade. Coming to the fleet of Air Peace very soon OSUN OSHOGBO (In Osun State, Nigeria, in August) It comes up at the end of the rainy season, or August, at the Oshogbo sacred forest, in Osun state, Nigeria. An annual event, it honours the goddess of the River Osun, who is said to have first appeared in The people do this through the Arugba Osun, a virgin princess chosen from the current ruling house. At the climax of the weeklong event, thousands of worshippers, traditional rulers, public officials, enthusiasts and tourists, gather to witness the arrival of the Arugba. Upon her entry, the river goddess appears. Led by priests and priestesses, gifts and sacrifices are offered, followed by prayers. As the treasured link to the goddess, the Arugba, whose selection is by divination, lives a pampered life at the palace, during her reign. She has to keep her chastity till her watch ends, and the next Arugba is chosen. are no less than ten copies of the Embraer 145, a modern, fifty-seat, short range airliner of Brazilian origin. It is powered by two widely acclaimed, turbofan engines of US design and features the latest cockpit and other systems technology. It has three abreast seating (two-by-one), a galley M U S T - S E E F E S T I V A L S : NEW YAM FESTIVAL (Across all the states in Eastern Nigeria, in August) An annual event among the Igbo, it is observed at the end of the rainy season, or in August. It marks the end of harvest of yams, the king of crops, and the beginning of a new farming season. The duration varies from a day in some towns, to a week in others. The people gather in a square and led by the oldest man (Igwe) or the king, thanks are said to the gods and ancestors for preserving life since the last harvest, and providing a bountiful replacement. After an offering to the deities, the Igwe gets the first taste of yam from the new harvest. Roasted and eaten with palm oil, the rite is called Iwaji. It is a time of merriment as there is feasting (on yams), music and dancing, and masquerades. (aircraf t kitchen) and the usual washroom. The popularity of 737s in this country, mirrors the situation in Europe and especially the US though, where airlines like Southwest, Delta and American each have over a hundred 737s in their individual fleets. In Nigeria, Azman, Med-View, Air Peace, Aero and Arik, almost exclusively fly 737s; before them were Spaceworld, Bellview, Dasab, Earth, Fresh, ADC, Hak and others. Today, the only Nigerian airlines which do not fly 737s are Dana with MD83s and First Nation, with Airbus A319s. Bauchi State is thought to be reactivating its grounded Emb 145; charter operator Bristow is building a fleet, which now stands at three; but not much is known about the 145 owned by the Jalingo based state airline, Air Taraba. travel in words "It is very difficult to understand the world's problems unless you travel." - Richard Branson CEO of Virgin Group "Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow." - Anita Desai, Novelist and author of Cry, the Peacock PeacockToday 34 PeacockToday 7

8 L-r Aare Segun Phillips, Executive Chairman, Peacock Group, Mr Godwin Atamah, Station Representative, Fly Mid Africa and Mr Aderemi Awolaiye, Chief Human Resources Manager, Peacock Group, at the Branded Screening Desk on the 18th of May Fly Mid Africa launches Lagos flightsactivities in the Nigerian market is key. I trust appoints Peacock Aviation GSA The Gambia's new national carrier, Fly Mid Africa, has commenced flight services from Banjul, the Gambian capital with onward connections to Dakar in Senegal, Freetown in Sierra Leone, Accra in Ghana and of course Lagos, Nigeria. This is sequel to the appointment of Nigeria's fastest growing aviation and travels conglomerate, Peacock Aviation Services, as its General Sales Agent in Nigeria. Consequently, Peacock has commenced ticket sales in its international head office in Ikeja, Lagos and across all its offices in Nigeria, namely, Marina (Lagos) Abuja, Ibadan, Aba, Port Harcourt, Benin and Kano. Flight services to and fro Lagos will be held on four times a week. According to a joint statement by Fly Mid Africa and Peacock Aviation, Fly Mid Africa is focused on alleviating the challenges business and leisure travelers from Nigeria and other nationals face in finding flight connections across key cities in Africa especially West and Central Africa. Having concluded all operational and commercial arrangements for flight operations, Fly Mid Africa said the flight services to and fro Lagos and onward connections will be operated with two Boeing 737-Classic aircraft; B (8 Business Class and 124 Economy Class seats) and B (16 Business Class and 116 Economy Class seats). The airline said the time has come for business and leisure travelers across Africa to enjoy state-of-the-art and top-notch exclusive flight services in the continent. Remarking on the new flight offering, the Managing Director, Fly Mid Africa, Mr. Bakary Nyassi, said in addition to operating air services in the target routes, Fly Mid Africa is committed to providing safe, reliable and efficient air transport services to spur economic development and foster regional integration through the promotion of trade and regional tourism. He said, "Fly Mid Africa is "The airline of West Africa". We are proud of the diversity of our workforce, coming from eight African countries; The Gambia, Guinea Conakry, Ghana, Nigeria, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan. And this is why we are Fly Mid Africa Leading the African Dream. "Flight connections within Africa should not be a nightmare. Business and leisure passengers should fly within the continent in style," he noted. Observing further on the choice of Peacock Aviation as the GSA, the MD said "It had been a tightly contested bid to represent Fly Mid Africa in Nigeria. The truth is, the response from Nigerian agencies to our PeacockToday 8 The maiden ight on block at Murtala Muhammed International Airport on May 15, invitation to tender as GSA for Fly Mid Africa was overwhelming. We shortlisted the most responsive and entered into negotiations. I must admit that there were equally very competent ones with global presence but we opted to further negotiate with Peacock for some reasons. Your span of operations and that Peacock will rake in customers to our company and give us early market penetration. Fly Mid Africa is your new baby in Nigeria" C o m m e n t i n g o n t h e l a t e s t development, the Executive Chairman, Peacock Group of Companies, Aare Segun Phillips, expressed gratitude to the management of the airline for making Peacock their preferred GSA in Nigeria. He said the vision of Fly Mid Air was in consonance with that of Peacock Aviation, which is to offer upscale travels experience to passengers in a friendly manner leveraging on the best ultra-modern technology. According to Aare, Peacock Holiday has concluded arrangements to launch tour packages to these destinations on the continent especially within the sub-region, taking advantage of the Fly Mid Africa's full network services within the Central and West Africa region. He said it would also remove the bottlenecks and stress affecting interconnectivity within the subregion. Commenting on the flight services, the Ambassador of Sierra Leone to The Gambia, Sulayman Dramy, said, "I am contemplating flying out of the continent with a European carrier and then take a connecting flight from Brussels to Sierra Leone". "This is the quickest route," the Ambassador concluded. The Ambassador's tale of two continents, dreaded by thousands of travellers within West Africa, ranked high in the raison d'etre of Fly Mid Africa. A stylish and ebullient Iyalode arrives for the investiture How have you been able to do so much in a male-dominated setting? They say it's a man's world? Do you feel intimidated? Let me first tell you something, I cannot explain my life to anybody, because I don't understand the life too. The way Jehovah drives me around, I can't explain. If He wants me to do something He will give me that energy. After doing it, I can tell you I am tired. I would have finished what He wants me to do. So I can't explain it, because if I tell you, one thing I know is that I pray a lot and I always hand over all my life to Him, that anything you want me to do today, so let it be. I might have written about 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 different things, I might be able to do two. But the two that I will do will be very successful. I can't explain it, but I was able to bring up my children. I have six boys. They are the treasures. And they are all educated and disciplined. Growing up, when they heard the horn of my car, when I drove in they were in the sitting room and watching something, they would all disappear, because they wouldn't know the mood I was coming in. But when they heard,'hello, everybody, who is there?' they would start coming in one by one. You can see what my life is all about; it is the grace of Jehovah. It is the abundance grace of Jehovah God that has kept me going and I appreciate it a lot. Should that now explain the secret to your success? The secret of success is Jehovah God, Jehovah God. I can say it a million times. It is that Jehovah God. When He wants me to surmount anything, He doesn't look back, because I don't even look back. Everything is possible. I don't have any impossibility in my diary, no, no, no, no. Everything is possible; with Him all things are possible. Many women are struggling with gender issues, and there's always the proverbial glass ceiling. What do you say to them? It is because they are leaning on somebody.if you want to move on in life, you must be hardworking and you must have focus. Even though I depend on Jehovah God, it is because I have focus and with that focus I will tell God, Baba God this is my focus, this is where I am going and He will give it unto me. You must have focus and you must be ver y resilient in everything you do. Go for it. Don't lean on anybody and say, Mr. so so and so so. No, I don't lean on anybody, I lean on my own integrity, because if you have a focus, you have a goal; you have to work toward that goal. And that is why in my life I have PeacockToday 33 already taught myself: Show me, a very strong man or woman, working day and night that hasn't got focus or goal, I will show you a failure. But show me a weak person working tirelessly in the night, slowly, gradually, but has focus on what he or she is doing for that goal, I will show you a successful person. That is the philosophy of life that I believe in. You couldn't have come this far yourself without encountering some challenges. Would you like to share your experience? A n i n t e r e s t i n g e x p e r i e n c e a t NACCIMA.My brother in law introduced me to the Chamber movement in the early 80s. I didn't register until 1982, but they always believed I am too much for them, so they always try to put me behind them, but I don't always like what they are doing. Many of the men always tried to manipulate my position. But one day one of our elders, Alhaji Rufai Mohammed said, and I stand to be corrected, 'Iyalode's position is better than this, so let's give her a chance.'but they were dragging their feet. They always saw my own contributions during Council meetings or AGMs, even financially in my own little way. You see, quality will never hide itself. Whenever it was time to move me up, the issue of three regions came up -- the West bloc, the East bloc, the North bloc. NACCIMA Presidency is rotational. I am from west bloc.. So when it came to the West they would pull my name back. Then one day, I quarreled with our Director-General, I said, 'Why? The Lord has seen that I have tried my best, but you have never returned my cheque, even if it is not a million, I pay my dues. Why are you trying to bring me back?' I said, 'If Jehovah says I am going to be President, I will, but if it is not His will, I will not get there. If the Lord says yes, nobody can say no and if He opens a door, no human being can close it.' Now that we are on that subject, tell us more about your association and journey with NACCIMA. Have you always been a member? Yes, I came into Abeokuta Chambers of Commerce in 1982 as ordinary member. Gradually, I rose up into their Exco and finally in 1995, I became the President of Abeokuta Chambers of Commerce. And when I became the President of Abeokuta

9 straight and when you are walking, you walk straight. She called us girls, ladies walk straight, look straight to my eyes. You can see the way she brought us up really shaped my life completely to be independent, to be thorough in whatever you are doing.and my mother had already taught me what you will have to do at 8 o'clock, if it is a minute pass 8, it is a failure. All these really brought me up as a fine lady. Icon of style Were you a popular girl who would mobilize other girls to cause trouble or the quiet type? No, I wasn't quiet but at the same time, I wasn't the troublesome type. I hated cheating and you could not just brush me over, I would call you to order. If I respected you, I respect you. So I didn't have problems with my seniors and my teachers I respected, but you can never cheat me and go on noticed, I will call you to order. That is Mama Lawson while I was in school. I know you travelled out to England to study education. At what point did you develop interest in education? I really wanted to be an actress on stage when I left school, because I can mimic anybody. When we were acting or doing drama, I was always involved. But I went to England to have a baby on doctor's advice and as I sat down, I didn't know what to do, I had to be going from back to back, shop to shop shopping, looking round; it wasn't what it is now. It used to be a very good way of having your own leisure time.so, one day I was sitting at the King's park and watching the riverside when I just saw these children, ages 3, 4, 5, 6 with their teachers. But when they came into the park, they were busy talking to each other. There was something about the way they were relating with each other. It just occurred to me that this is what you are going to do. So that is why when I hear people say they have a calling, even when they are going to be pastor, if it is a true calling, then it is a calling from Jehovah God. I was restless, I called my husband; he had to go to NITEL to speak to me as we used to do then. He said, 'Do you have problem? I said, 'No problem.' 'Have you delivered?' I said, 'I have not delivered but I saw some younger children at the park today when I was having my leisure, but I just think I have to do something.' He said, 'But you are pregnant.' I said,'i will get a school, I will look for a school where they will take me because I am doing nothing at My Life "I cannot explain my life to anybody, because I don't understand the life too. It is the way Jehovah drives me." home.' He said, 'Yes, give me full details of what you want to do.'that is how I started. I came out with distinction in Diploma in Education. Not only that I came out with the baby, I came out with certificate. I came back end of 1975, and Ogun state was already in place by early 1976 and they were looking for where they were going to put their children. So I started with three children. I even put them on my back while their parents were at work, so gradually it grew into crèche, gradually it grew into daycare and nursery, prenursery, kindergarten, nursery, primary, continuing education, tutorial centre for those that couldn't make their papers and then into college and A Level. So that is the journey so far. PeacockToday 32

10 OLUMO The Many Faces of Eternal Rock While the immutable, magnificent geographical phenomenon defines the rich heritage of the Egba people, it is also a modern tourist attraction. By Eghosa Idufueko Are you tempted to use the same disciplinary measures they used for you with the children of now and days, because you run a school and you look after children? I will not deceive you, I still use it. Even though my father would cane you, but I will use my voice to cane you. When I raise my voice, they know what I mean and then I use my voice to draw them closer and so you can see that the world is changing. It is not a matter of using cane or anything, but my father would use that long wire of ECN to discipline you. But I can tell you today: these are all good memories, which I cherish so much in my life today. Sometimes I will just lie down on my bed and tears of joy will start coming, because those are reminisces of the past. But there is no need of caning. With the passion I have as an educationist, I can use my voice for anything; I can use my voice a child can cry. When I use my voice they will say, that is Mrs. Lawson, but they know me and they know that I stand for nothing but discipline.and the main reason why we use discipline is that if you give a child 100% discipline you will get 200% academic excellence. Discipline includes morals, it includes etiquettes, you do the right thing at the right time and you are self-disciplined. They will know when to read their books, whether their parents are there or not. They should know, even when we go out to tertiary institutions, their parents always shower encomiums on us that our children have good foundation. So I am always happy because I have passion for the job. Who were your role models when you were growing up? My first role model was Olufunmilayo Ransome Kuti. In fact, this building you are sitting in is named after Olufunmilayo Ransome Kuti. Number one, I loved the way she was always having her hair tied, differently; buba differently; adire differently, native, white buba, and she was very fine looking. I love her dearly, and not only my role model, she was Miss Thomas and from Aderupoko Coker family. So Mrs. Ransome Kuti and my mother were first cousins, but she was my role model. And my other role model was my mother, Mrs. Olabisi Aina alias No Nonsense, another hard worker. My mother would sleep at 12 am, taking care of everybody.at 2 0'clock, you would hear her hands making ogi (pap).by 4 o'clock she would wake us up Return to Advocacy: NACCIMA must not put its light under the bushel we must return to advocacy. We are the voice of the organized private sector, we are the voice of the entrepreneurs, we are the voice of the business people." to do our morning duties. I loved my mother dearly because she would not take no for an answer. Another role model was Iyalode Tejuosho. I loved that woman, especially the way she dressed. So she used to come there and whenever she came, you knew we were going to have goodies. There was a day she came to the compound, I think she was trying to build up the family building in Ago Oko and she was there and had gathered some artisans, carpenters, bricklayers to work. They were about to do decking, so I remember I now went there, I wanted to carry the concrete mixture. So she now came in a very beautiful car. She looked at me and asked, 'What do you want to do?'i had already tied the wrapper I wanted to use. She said, 'Thank you, I will give you something next week.' I said, 'Mama, I want to take some money to my mama in the evening when they are finished.' She said, 'How much are they taking home? It was 3/6 shillings, about 35 kobo. But I valued it to take it home to my mother.she said in Yoruba, 'You want to take it to your mother?who is your mother?' I now told her about who my mother was. She said, 'Okay, I will give you, carry these chairs up and down I will give you something more suiting.' I said,'okay ma.'she now gave me melons to shell and I sat down with her.she was watching me as I was shelling the melons. I thank God for my life. At the end of the day, Mama gave me 1 pound to take home to my mother, she said, and I quote, "You love your mother dearly." As she was handing the money over to me, I could remember my hand was shaking. She took me away from those workers so that they would not see what she was giving me, they were not earning up to that. Since that day she became my role model. I was saying it within my mind, Jehovah make me like this woman. That thought of that day is alive today. Mama was my predecessor. Iyalode, Mama was the third, I was the fourth. All the other areas where mama was, I was there and here I am today. How did Abeokuta Girls'Grammar School shape you to be the woman that you are now? I got into Abeokuta Girls' Grammar School (AGGS) in Our Principal was Mrs Mariam Hills. She taught us how to be ladies.you have to sit with your back PeacockToday 31

11 Small Beginnings: I started Lawson Group of Schools with three children. I even put them on my back while their parents were at work. So gradually it grew into crèche, gradually it grew into daycare and nursery, pre-nursery, kindergarten, nursery, primary, continuing education, tutorial centre for those that couldn't make their papers and then into college and A Level." PEACOCK TODAY Tell us about your early life, growing up in Egbaland, your parents and family. What was it like? IYALODE Well, I thank Jehovah God for today, because on the 18th day of January 1951, I was born in Abeokuta in Ago Oke, here in Abeokuta. My parents were late Pa E m m a n u e l A b i o n a J i b o k u a l i a s JibokuTanna-Tanna. My father worked in the defunct Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) in Ife for 49 years and he was given an award by the Queen of England in 1957 for hard work; he became a Member of British Empire. I inherited it; he gave them to me before him passed on. My mother was the late Mrs. Ruth Jiboku nee Aderupoko-Coker. My mother was from the family of the late Aderupoko of Ijesha. She was a trader of high repute. I went to St. James' African Primary School, Abeokuta; that was where I did my primary education from 1957 to What was the socio-economic status of your parents, bearing in mind your dad was working for ECN then? They must have been enlightened. In our home we had a telephone, a black telephone and when that telephone ran, my father was off. A very hard working man to the core and in fact, I wish people could be dedicated to their work like that. He was always on the move, wearing his cap and short knickers, to go and restore power if there was a breakdown. I could remember too on weekends, he would take us to the power station at Ikereku, where they used water to generate power. He would show us how the water was being pumped in from Ogun River into that power station and how that turbine would turn it and then they would have the steam; it was the steam they would use to generate power. In fact I could remember very well before he died, he complained bitterly why all those power generating houses had to be dismantled. He said that one could even give the whole of Western Region power if it was well maintained. He would never say no to work, even if he was eating and that telephone rang that food would be covered up, my father was off to work. He had passion for his work and he enjoyed it. And I could now see the reason why his name could be sent to the Queen of England to be honoured. Anytime they are doing anything in the Church of England they always wrote to him to participate, even to date. My mother was a Christian as well. We were all brought up in a good Christian home and we were taught the way of the Lord. As early as age five, I was already aware that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. And before I even went to that primary school, my father first enrolled us at a kindergarten school run by Mama Saro, Sierra Leonean woman. You would never see her legs because of her long gown. She taught us the verses of the Bible. All the verses of the Psalms, starting from Psalm 1, we were taught in that place, but when we became 6 years old, they now transferred us to St. James' African School at Idi-Ape, because my father was from the African Church. In fact my father was an organist of a high repute. My father loved music very well. Were you a pampered child? Pampered? Never! My father was a highly disciplined man. When it was time to pray in the morning and my father would ask you Psalm 1:4, you should not start from verse 1, you have to say that verse 4.If my father says Galatians 5:19, you must not start from verse 16.You can see the type of discipline we had. But I am enjoying it today. That time it was a little bit tough and difficult for me I took it the way the Lord has made me and that is what has really helped me today to excel and to be able to have contentment in my life. And be prayerful, because my father would always tell you: in everything, pray first; Jehovah will hear your prayers, but once He is with you, you can surmount it. And that is the type of background I was brought up in. Later my father changed from African Church to Jehovah Witness, which he maintained till he died. But I went to an Anglican school, also known Anglican Grammar School and there we were trained and I had the opportunity to learn with late Mama Adejo and late Mama Akinwunmi living at Itoku so you can see the way they brought us up to be able to be independent and also to be able to have the fear of the Lord in our heart. So since then I continued with Anglican Church, but they didn't disturb me when I married an Anglicanman. But that biblical passage that I inherited and that Jehovah Witness background really continued in my life up until today. Welcome to the Eternal Rock Olumo Rock. Easily the most enduring symbol of Egba power, culture and enterprise. It dominates the city of Abeokuta, the largest of several Egba towns and villages, and capital of Ogun State. Egbas are part of the Yoruba ethnic group of southwestern Nigeria. A resilient, welleducated and industrious people, they excel in the arts, commerce and industry, academia, politics and other walks of life. A complete history of modern Nigeria couldn't be written without reference to the contribution of Egbas in myriad spheres. Abeokuta can be reached from Lagos by road. A railway line connects it to Lagos as well, but it lacks an airport for now. Other roads connect the city to Ketu, Iseyin, Shagamu, Ilaro and Ibadan. Egbas first settled in Abeokuta in the 18th century. They had fled from Igbo Egba, which lay between Ife and Ibadan, because of oppression at the hands of Ibadan, a powerful state at that time. Egba had to pay tax and other royalties to the Oloyo, Ibadan's powerful ruler. This was the situation in which Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, arose. Lisabi was a farmer and hunter, and the leading warrior of the Egba army. He was a patriot with a strong sense of duty and commitment to his people. Endowed with physical and intellectual prowess, he embraced the task of freeing Egbas from the burden Ibadan had placed on them. His strategy in achieving this aim was to include elements of force, patience and cunning. The practice among Egbas at that time was for the labour force to share effort in working on each other's farms in turn. To this end, Lisabi put in more than his due and with time the others realized they were indebted to him. They pledged their best when it was time to work on Lisabi's farm. Soon enough, Lisabi's farm beckoned but instead of accepting farm labour, Lisabi declared war on Ibadan, to end Egba's tributes and subser vience to their oppressive neighbour. The others were startled by Lisabi's act, but soon rallied and accepted his bold and unusual plan. They didn't have long to wait after the resolution for soon, the Ajeles, or troops of the Ibadan empire, came calling on a tax drive. Lisabi and his men killed all of them. A war with Ibadan followed but the Egbas, in spite of their smaller number, achieved a resounding victory. The peace that followed was tense, for it was obvious that Ibadan would not accept Egba's daring. So the Egba turned to trust in the divinity of their Oracle, Ifa. The response was that the Egbas should leave the location for elsewhere. And where was this to be? They were to travel southwards to a place with rooms in rocks which God had prepared for them, adjacent to a major river. The rocks turned out to be Olumo, and the river, the Ogun. Which was how geographical phenomena came to define a major part of the heritage of the Egba people. With relocation imperative in the face of imminent war with Ibadan, the Egbas started their migration southwards. Forging ahead of them were scouts led by Lukere, a brave warrior known for spiritual powers. However, the main body of the people did not depart until the oracle was consulted and it confirmed that the scouts had arrived at the right place. Although only a hundred kilometres apart, the passage between Ibadan Ife and the new home, lasted two years. Lisabi's service to his people did not end, upon settling in the new land. He helped organize a new government for them around cadres, and continued in other areas of civic duty. As life in the new environment wore on, Lisabi established his home in the Igbein area of Abeokuta. Such is the impact he had on Egba that the people of Igbein to this day have exclusive rights to the martial title of Balogun of Egba (Military General of Egba). PeacockToday 30 PeacockToday 11

12 Visitors descending from the steps enjoy a spectacular view of the rock grounds The ancient route to the rock (above) After a lifetime of dedication to the Egba cause, Lisabi died in nearby woods. But as myth or the lore of the people has it, Lisabi actually descended into the bowels of mother earth. The area is called Igbo Lisabi, or Lisabi Forest. It is the site of devoted worship of the great warrior by many Egba. It is to this forest that the Alake, his chiefs and select dignitaries march in one of the high points of the festival. It lies at Oba in the Obafemi/Owode Local government Area of the state. Olumo Rock, naturally, play a prominent role in the festivities, as the Alake and his chiefs visit them. The usual, everyday visits also of mostly Nigerian enthusiasts, is boosted by a large infusion of tourists from Europe and the Americas. It is a time of increased sales for the local economy, notable of which are hotels, taxi, restaurant, curio and artifact shops, hawkers and the The lift is the modern route to the rock Olumo rock is an imposing sight city's nascent but growing band of tour guides. Some of the international tourists are guests of various tiers of government and corporate bodies, but a significant and growing number come of their own volition. Olumo Rock has since become the subject of investment by the Ogun State government, to expand its potential as a tourist attraction. A complex of a restaurant, an arts gallery, a guest house, and a hall suitable for conferences and exhibitions has been built on grounds close to the rocks. There is generous parking for visitors, and a lift for those who might find the climb up the stairs fashioned from the rocks, tedious. The climb up the steps reveals a clever design progressing through several stops on the way up to the summit. Each stop features an item of the rich history of PeacockToday 12 Olumo Rock and the Egba people. After a climb of 122 steps, the first stop is reached. It is Lisabi Garden, where the life and times of Lisabi Agbongbo Akala is commemorated. In defiance of the rocks underneath, there are trees growing out of gaps in the rocks, at this stop. One of them is the Flamboyant, which Egbas call, pansheke. There is also the Neem Tree, or Dogonyaro, whose leaves are medicinal. Its local name is Ewe Agbo. As one climbs up the steps, a shrine is reached. It is the Orisa Olumo, and a chamber has been created for it. It is shut now, but is opened once a year, on the 5th of August. On this day the people and the paramount ruler, the Alake gather to offer sacrifice at the shrine. The chief priest and the Alake alone are allowed into the shrine. Prayers are offered for the peace and prosperity of Abeokuta and Egbas, and for the safety of people climbing up the rocks. Prayers for climbers is significant, as there are numerous gaps of far depths among the countless boulders that formed the ancient steps to the summit of the rocks. A fall into one of the gaps was possible, and quite likely, for the novice. The citizens also offer prayers all year round and tradition is that they come back with gifts in appreciation, when their prayers are answered. Further up the steps is the grave of Sunny Akinmatokuje, who died in He was an Osi Oba, or "One who stands on the left hand of the King." The spot is on one of the ancient routes up to the summit, and Akinmatokuje would accost anyone on the way up. He had the history and secrets of Egbas and the travails that brought them to Olumo, which he shared with them. Nearby are the famous caves which served as a wartime hideout for Egbas. Within years of Egba settlement at Abeokuta, the army of Idahomey, a powerful state which lay west in modern day Benin Republic, came raiding Abeokuta and its hinterlands for slaves. The Egba clustered around Adagba, one of their own who rose to the occasion and led them into the recesses of Olumo. Between 1830 and 1833, Egbas under the leadership of Adagba endured a siege by the Idahomey army, by hiding in this cave. Five rooms with walls of earth and pebbles were built inside the cave. In the outermost area leading into the rooms is an open space with a hedge of rock. In it are small depressions where the refugees Iyalode Alaba Lawson: "Show me a very strong man or woman, working day and night that hasn't got focus or goal, I will show you a failure." yalode Alaba Lawson is a woman with a sense of occasion. And Istyle. She showed up for the interview appointment smartly dressed in pink blouse and matching flowery skirt. Absolutely nothing wrong with that, really. It was a Friday, a working day, and she was in her offices in Abeokuta, the heartbeat of the Egba Kingdom, the capital of Ogun State and the headquarters of the Alaba Lawson Group of Schools. But as she shook hands and exchanged pleasantries and the photojournalist began to click away, the Iyalode was jolted into a certain familiar consciousness that of looking good for the occasion. She wondered aloud if she was properly dressed for the occasion. Momentarily. No matter, she was assured. She was just fine. Indeed very fine. Whereupon she instantly reverted to her elements: vivacious, warm, convivial. But as she ushered her guests, led by Executive Chairman of Peacock Group and TODAY Publisher Aare Segun Phillips, into her expansive office, it became obvious that there is another side to the Iyalode. Namely, her stern and disciplined side. As she spoke, her voice resonated with strength, determination and the purposefulness that have combined to make her one of the most successful women in Yorubaland as well as in contemporary Nigeria. Midway through the chat, Iyalode interrupted the interview to correct an errant teacher. When it appeared that her instructions were not fully implemented, she got up and yelled through the window. She didn't like the way the teacher was handling matters, stressing that there would be grave consequences. It was her side that no sensible teacher, staff or student would want to fall prey. It isn't usually a very pleasant experience, as she herself admitted. "I can use my voice to cane you,"she said in a tone leaving no shred of doubt that she meant business. "I can use my voice and a child can cry. When I raise my voice, they know what I mean. They know that I stand for nothing but discipline." As her tempering maternal instincts took over, she added with a smile: "Then I will use my voice to draw them closer." You do not need to know Iyalode Lawson to understand why she is respected as an accomplished businesswoman, community mobiliser and woman leader. Her office tells much of the story. Her office is a snapshot of her life and success story. A Snapshot, literally speaking. Every inch of her office is decorated with framed pictures of remarkable events, people and places. As they say, a picture is worth more than a thousand words. In this case, it freezes her life and accomplishments in time for her guests and posterity. Everything that matters to her is comprehensively and crisply represented. We shall just call it the Iyalode Mosaic. The first set of graduates from Alaba Lawson Secondary School. Iyalode in a group picture with President Muhammadu Buhari and some business leaders. Iyalode with former President Obasanjo. Iyalode with Aare Phillips at his investiture ceremony as Aare Kakanfo of Ijebu Igboland, all looking regal. Iyalode's six sons, yes, six sons, all dapper in trendy dark suits. Iyalode looking resplendent in various portraits. But one picture did stand out of the lot: a framed message from Vanguard newspaper congratulating the Iyalode on her upcoming investiture as the President of Nigerian Associations of Chambers of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA). The unmistakable date: May 25, This was the issue on everyone's lips; this was trending. It was the talk of the town, history in the making. In a matter of days, Iyalode Alaba Lawson would be invested as the first female President of the august body of business leaders. The atmosphere was palpable with a sense of anticipation. A steady stream of visitors, from dress makers to event planners to wellwishers.aides scampering around to hand out invitation cards and handle enquiries. Two attractive female journalists, one a broadcaster and the other a newspaper correspondent, swept into the warm embrace of the Iyalode. She introduced them with a flourish. She does know how to make people feel special. All for Iyalode. In her 95 minutes conversion with the Peacock TODAY team, Iyalode was at her vintage best: candid, deep, optimistic and eloquent. Excerpts: PeacockToday 29

13 The mysteries of Olumo Rock: As in ancient days, Olumo shrines have remained active; inset below: the ancient kitchen has survived the times and elements IYALODE ALABA LAWSON "I Cannot Explain My Life" First female NACCIMA President on Growing Up in Abeokuta, her Passions, the Economy and the politics of NACCIMA By EMMANUEL Ukpong ground and pounded foodstuff for their meals, which became fine and smooth over years of usage. Ultimately, the raiding parties stopped coming, and the people emerged from hiding. With time they brought outsiders to see the cave, and who marveled at their story of escape and refuge in the cave. The Egbas, in gratitude, responded, Oluwa lo mo, which is, "God molded the cave (for us to hide in.")oluwa lo mo was eventually shortened into the present name, Olumo. The name Egba also had similar roots as it meant "Please save us" or "Egba wa" in its full version. Egba wa reflects obviously, the plight of a people in flight. Climbing further up you arrive at the statue of Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, and four other Egba heroes: Sodeke, Ogunba Ona, Sokalu and Adagba. Sodeke's is a knee high bust set on the ground, and the others are heads only, buried into the ground with faces looking skywards. Fused into the ground are cowrie shells or Owo Eyo, decorating the shrine. Owo Eyo was the currency of the time, the means of exchange in Abeokuta and much of West Africa till the early 20th century. Nearby is a Baobab tree, fondly called The tree of Doggedness by Egba, because of its tough nature. The Egba name for it is Odan. From this point, you reach the summit of Olumo Rock. It is 137 metres high, and much of Abeokuta can be seen from it. Not too far off, the River Ogun, from where the state gets its name, can be seen. With its source in the Republic of Benin, it flows past the East side of Abeokuta, having passed Osun and Oyo states, and empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Ondo State. Here too a local specie of tree rises, the Iroko Oluwere, with most of its height lost in the gaping crevice located a short way from the side of the summit. Other landmarks visible here are the Baptist Boys High School (BBHS). Old boys of this institution include former head of state Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and late business magnate Chief MKO Abiola. It was established in 1923 by Reverend SG Pinnock, a Methodist Missionary turned Baptist. On its premises stands the mast of the local TV station, NTA. You can see the first central mosque, Kobiti, which was completed in Prior to this, prayers were held at the front yard of the Alake of that era, Oba Sodeke. Islam was introduced into Abeokuta from a different Egba settlement, Orile Egba, by Sumonu Adelogun-Kenta. You can also see one of the earliest churches in Nigeria, which was built by Bishop Ajayi Crowther. From the summit, it is clear that other parts of Abeokuta are built on rolling terrain, which rises gradually, and that there are low lying regions which remind you of valleys. The word Ogun itself has several meanings, which are made distinct by the differences in intonation when each of them is mentioned. As well as being the name of the river, Ogun also means iron, medicine, sweat, twenty, war, longevity and climb, amongst others. Egba who feature in the pantheon of PeacockToday 13 modern Nigeria include the retired General and two time head of state, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigeria's leader as a soldier and a civilian. Another Nigerian head of state of Egba descent was Chief Ernest Shonekan. The late Chief MKO Abiola was Egba. He was the winner of the 1993 presidential elections, which were annulled. He was an industrialist, a patron of sports, a newspaper mogul, and a peerless philanthropist. The first indigenous Chief Justice of the Federation, Sir Adetokunbo Ademola, was Egba. One of Egba's most prominent families and by all accounts, Nigeria's as well, was the Ransome Kuti family. Its patriarch, the Rev Israel Oludotun Ransome Kuti was a foremost educationist and clergyman. His sons Olikoye and Beko Ransome Kuti, both medical doctors, easily stood out; Olikoye was a federal health minister and Beko, an activist. The international musical icon Fela Anikulapo Kuti, was their sibling. A leading light in the formative days of Nigeria's foreign policy was the diplomat Simeon Adebo. He was Egba. So were Thomas Adeoye Lambo (specialist doctor), Wole Soyinka (academic, playwright, novelist and Nobel laureate) and legal luminary Chief Rotimi Williams. Others are Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi (Juju musician), Iyalode Alaba Lawson, educationist, businesswoman and philanthropist and Tunde Bakare (lawyer and clergyman).

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15 Hello from the UK Office... walk in comfortable shoes usually leads to sleeping better when your internal clock is off. Save room by wearing the bulkiest shoes you are bringing to the airport; if it is fall or winter and you want to bring boots, just plan on wearing those on the plane. What makes the perfect suitcase for traveling light? hen the sun shines, our thoughts in the UK turn to Wour summer holiday. Here at Peacock Travel and Tours in Twickenham, we are happily situated in an upmarket high street. Our clientele is varied. Everyone has their own idea of the perfect holiday. Families wanting beaches, kid's clubs, some wanting more adventurous holidays. Then we have the retired couple, sometimes taking their children and grand children on holiday; benefitting1 from their pensions and savings. The single traveller wanting the chance of meeting new people, shared experiences, whereas the honeymoon couple looks for a romantic hideaway. Many people enjoy a city break. 3 or 4 nights in which to sample different food, culture, to explore galleries and museums. So many cities to choose from. Let's start with Amsterdam and work out way through the alphabet. We have a wealth of experience at Peacock Travel, so whatever your holiday desire is, we will do our best to ensure that you have the perfect holiday. Now, let's take few destinations in alphabetical order: The Perfect Getaway? Peacock Can Help! Travel Guru Leon Shaier goes in search of the perfect holiday, beginning with Auckland. PeacockToday 26 A - AUCKLAND The hundreds of sailboats in Auckland harbour are an amazing sight and have gained New Zealand's largest city the nickname 'City Of Sails'. Auckland has a vibrant night life as well as a plethora of shops together with some top class restaurants. Across the harbour is Waiheke Island home to some of the best vineyards and wineries around. The city is nestled between the Waitemata and Manukau Harbours meaning Aucklanders are never more than 30 minutes drive from the coast. If you make Auckland the base when on holiday there are many wonderful tours to be taken. 'Discover The Bay Of Islands' a full day tour. Hobbiton Express, travel south from Auckland over the Bombay Hills to discover the Waikato farmland region through the heritage town of Cambridge of Cambridge to Hobbiton Shire. The Sky Tower has stood as an icon of Auckland's skyline for nearly 20 years. It's a hub of adrenaline activities, superb dining and breathtaking views. You're guaranteed an amazing holiday experience in Auckland. The Flight A endant's Guide on How to Pack Light Recently, the US Government imposed a ban on laptops and similar devices onboard flights from some countries into the US. This is in addition to existing ban on some liquids on carry-on bags. When it comes to packing light, efficiently and safely, flight attendants know best. These few tips from them can help make your next trip (and bag) feel easy and breezy. Besides rolling clothes, what is your advice for maximizing your suitcase real estate? Packing cubes are a great way to pack for each day (if you would like to be super organized). They also help keep things from getting wrinkled, which seems to always happen once you start digging through your bag no matter how great you fold/roll your items. One of the simplest but often overlooked packing tips is to put heavier items at the bottom of your suitcase, meaning the short end where the wheels are it's easier to roll a bag through long airport hallways when the weight is down there. Flight attendants put shoes and toiletries there, and it makes a surprising difference during inairport transit. Shoes tend to kill suitcase space. What's your advice on which shoes to bring and how to pack them? Always bring flip-flops hands down the most useful shoes. They take up no room and are perfect for the beach, to wear with shorts or a dress, or to use as 'house shoes' in your hotel. Then also bring a nice pair of flats that looks great with pants or dresses, but are comfortable enough to wear walking around a city as well. There is always a chance to work out or take a beautiful walk in a new city, so bring a pair of sneakers. They usually can pack up tight, and a nice PeacockToday 15 I have two suitcases that I use: a regular Briggs and Riley black 21" suitcase (which is totally worth it because of their lifetime warranty), and a backpack/roller bag hybrid. Flight attendants hate to see folding garment bags they don't fit in overhead compartments and closet space is very limited. So if you aren't flying first class and you are carrying one of these, expect it to get checked into baggage and for your suits to be delivered wrinkled. What do you always pack no matter where you are going? Always bring a bathing suit, especially if you live in a cold climate the chance to get a little color is priceless and sunscreen, though flight attendants are n o t s u b j e c t to t h e s a m e l i q u i d restrictions. Make sure you bring a small one in your carry-on. Also, always bring flip-flops, black yoga pants, and a large pashmina-type scarf (drape over your shoulders if it is chilly, or use it as a blanket or rolled up pillow on the plane). Pack a small outlet extender, one that makes one outlet turn into three with USB charge ports, which eliminates the need for extra plugs and chargers (and then you can just bring t h e U S B c o r d s a n d n o t a l l t h e cumbersome plugs). What is one item that most people pack unnecessarily? Too many outfits, and shoes you do not need that many shoes. What are your best tips for packing toiletries, cosmetics, etc.? It depends on where you are going. If you are going to a hotel that carries nice shampoo, conditioner, and soaps, then do not bring those at all, because they take up so much room. Also, most hotels have hair dryers, so never pack one of those. Then slim down your makeup bag

16 by taking only what you know you will be using you would be amazed at how much smaller that bag becomes. If you wear contacts, always bring another set. If you forget anything, most hotels have all basic amenities you might need, like razors, toothbrushes, etc. Most flight attendants also bring a little squirt bottle of wrinkle reducer spray and a travel-size pack of makeup wipes (makeup wipes get the job done without requiring you to carry liquid cleansers). Everyone seems to travel with a laptop, ipad, phone, camera, headphones, etc. Any tips or tricks for packing electronics? Think about what you will really need. If I am traveling for fun and not work, I just bring my phone, which also doubles as my reading device and my camera. Most phones take amazing pictures now, and they also double as books, etc. Also, definitely get the plug extender with USB charge port so you only need cords and aren't lugging around extra plugs. I feel like I always end up eating overpriced, unhealthy food when flying. What is your advice on packing snacks? Are they worth the real estate? Bring a large Ziploc bag of snacks in your carry-on. Choose items that will keep well for a couple of hours think picnic food and make them somewhat delicious so you will actually want to eat them instead of giving in to the Auntie Anne's pretzel smell. Cut up celery and carrots, include hummus and string cheese, and add protein in the form of salami slices or peanut butter. Bring along apples, and maybe a pasta salad tossed in olive oil and vinegar with cheese cubes, artichokes, etc. What do flight attendants pack to make themselves feel right at home while traveling? Perhaps flight attendants learn to not be sentimental about objects that take up space, as everyone we talked to simply said: "I have my kids' photos on my phone." Do you have any work-arounds for the "one carry-on and one personal item" rule? Bring your roller bag, a tote, and a purse (hiding the purse in the tote). I always do this, and it's a great way to bring everything on that you need. Do you have any other great tips that we didn't even know to ask? If you are traveling with children, bring extra diapers and formula most airports do not carry these items. Also, always make a list before larger trips to make sure you are not forgetting any essential items. Pack a stash of large Ziploc bags, because they are so handy. For example, if you take a last-minute swim, you can plop your suit in the plastic bag and pack it away. They can also help keep all kinds of things organized so your carry-on is a little tidier. Culled from PeacockToday 16 Alarming Reasons Were Changed from Square to Round It's hard to imagine aircraft having ungainly square windows - but they once did. It was not until late into the fifties that the round or oval cabin windows we all know and love were introduced, and it was not merely for aesthetic reasons. Kitted out with square windows, the de Havilland Comet was the world's first commercial jetliner. First flown in 1949, it was set to revolutionise air travel for millions. At first, the Hertfordshire-made aircraft lived up to the hype, carrying 30,000 passengers in its first year, including Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and Princess Margaret, guests on a special flight in 1953, hosted by Sir Geoffrey and Lady de Havilland. Its engines allowed the Comet to fly higher than its competitors, above 30,000 feet, increasing speed by as much as 50 per cent as well as avoiding bad weather. By summer 1953, eight Comets were leaving London each week, bound for Johannesburg, Tokyo, Singapore and Colombo. BOAC was a key customer, while Air India, Pan Am and Japan Air Lines were just a few of the raft of carriers to place orders. But its windows were to be its downfall. Two fatal crashes in Flight 781 from Rome and Flight 201, bound for Johannesburg - accounting for 56 lives, were found to be the result of structural weaknesses in the fuselage, caused by dangerous stresses at the corners of the square windows. The harsh angles meant that the surrounding metal experienced pressure two to three times greater than elsewhere in the cabin. A number of inquiries into the crashes highlighted metal fatigue as a key cause of the fuselage breaking up, prompting de Havilland to modify the design of its later aircraft, introducing the stress-alleviating oval windows that we see today. The company also increased the thickness of the Comet's fuselage walls. Later models of the Comet had round windows. The Comet's popularity never recovered, however, with the high-profile crashes leading to the withdrawal of the aircraft from service for several years, as well as the cancellation of orders. Meanwhile, rival manufacturers heeded the lessons and stole a march on de Havilland. Though numbers in the skies dwindled, the Comet is still regarded as one of the most adventurous aircraft in aviation history, paving the way for the likes of Boeing. "I don't think it is too much to say that the world changed from the moment the Comet's wheels left the ground," said Tony Fairbrother, an engineer on the maiden flight. It was in 1997 that the last Comet, a later variation on the original, made its final flight. The only complete remaining Comet 1 is on display at RAF Museum Cosford. De Havilland ceased to be in market the company and the products or engage the service of a vibrant sales team. Most small business owners go into production without a single plan of how to sell the products. A fish farmer in Lagos suburb raised about 25, 000 adult fishes with a very weak sales plan. He was forced to feed the stock for additional 45 days at extra cost and eventually sold to middle men below market price. Production was seriously threatened as business was gasping for life. A successful business must know how to find and keep happy and loyal customers. Lack of Passion and Enthusiasm Lack of passion, enthusiasm and genuine interest is a major killer of small business. Many start-up operators engage in business because others are doing the same business. Many did not discover their natural interest 7 or passion before starting a venture. They do business solely for the purpose of making profit. When profit does not seem to be coming early as anticipated, they get frustrated and brand the business unprofitable. Most people affected by this factor are not committed and patient enough to take the business to profit before quitting. Lack of good information about the business and poor knowledge of the market. Lack of good information about the business and poor knowledge of the market is a great setback for business survival. Relevant and useful information are not readily 8 available or not accessible. Poor knowledge of the business environment is grievous. The business environment in Nigeria is very volatile and most unstable. Among the reasons are political, religious, social-cultural, industrial etc. Relevant information about business and latest development in the global and local scenes are not readily available. A successful business manager must understand the business environment to navigate. Sometimes because of small capital involved, most operators don't seek adequate information about the market before entering. Most do not have better information about the source of raw materials, price and competition; most do not know how the market is being regulated or what affects demand and supply. Supply and distribution of some items is controlled by cartel or associations. These cartels make it difficult for new entrants who are not members to operate. Infrastructural inadequacy/high Cost of Overhead. This has been the greatest problem in the underdeveloped economies of the world. In Nigeria, lack of basic amenities, erratic power supply, lack of portable 9 water, bad roads. Corruption, insecurity, civil unrest illiteracy, inter-tribal rivalry, vandalisation of public properties, kidnapping, are the evil 10 confronting business operators in Nigeria. It is extremely difficult for SMEs to thrive in the midst of these hostilities. These problems have sent many out of operation within the first 12 months. Insufficient qualified Labour Most business operations require specialized skills. Where these are lacking or not sufficient, production will suffer. Sometimes getting qualified and committed employees could be as hard as raising finance. Many SME operators sometimes make use of unqualified labour. This, on many occasions, is counterproductive, which eventually leads to failure. PeacockToday 25 OFE ACHARA Lydia Eke invites you to savour the rich and exotic culinary avours of South-East Nigeria. It's lunchtime with Ofe Achara! fe Achara is a delicious soup that is common in Abia, OEboyin and Imo States. It is a special elephant grass - like plant that is usually shredded into tiny bits and chunks and cooked with either egusi, achi or offor. Other important assorted ingredients usually go as accompaniment to make the soup tasty on your taste bud.. Any swallow like akpu, fufu, pounded yam, or eba can go with this soup. Due to the freshness of the vegetables, essential nutrients like vitamins are fully embedded in this soup. The already made shredded type can be bought in any food. Just tell the market woman you want 'Achara' Recipe for 4 servings: 2 cups of shredded already made achara leaves 2 cooking spoons palm oil Seasoning and salt to taste 2 cups ground egusi (melon) 1 kilogramme offal (assorted meat) 5 big snails (deshelled and cleaned) 1 large stock fish (chunked) 2 large mangala or okpo fish (cleaned) 3 fresh Cameroon pepper (shredded) 3 tablespoons ground crayfish. 1 bunch okazi leaves [shredded] or A handful of shredded bitter leaves Method Wash, season and cook the meat, fish and stock fish with salt and seasoning for 40 minutes. Cut the achara leaves as normal, wash and add to the pot. Add the cleaned snail (make sure you clean with alum, salt or lime) and allow boiling for 10 minutes. Pour it into the cooked meat stock, then stir and add the pepper, palm oil and the ground egusi. Allow to cook for few minutes, taste for salt and simmer for few minutes before adding the shredded okazi leaves or bitter leaves, cook for two minutes. Serve with fufu, eba or pounded yam. Bon appetite!

17 empire around himself. He was more popular than the companies, and failed to separate business from personal life. He was celebrated for his philanthropic life, but later went into politics, had problem with the military ruler, was detained and later died in detention. The business empire collapsed immediately. This poor business management automatically prepared the business for inevitable death. It was observed that 99% of small businesses don't transit to the second generation because solid management structures are not put in place. 10 Reasons Why SMALL BUSINESSES Fail In Nigeria I t is universally acknowledged that 99 per cent of all new business ventures fail in the first 10 years. Nigeria cannot possibly be an exception to the rule. Hit by recession and a general downturn in the economy, hundreds of businesses have failed in the last one year in Nigeria, resulting in massive job losses. Small businesses have suffered the most. Over the decades, the phenomenon of business failure has bogged the minds of experts both in the academia and the business world. This has touched off a frantic search for reasons and answers. In Nigeria, an important study on small business failures has been conducted by the academic trio of Ishola Ademola, Ajayi Olusuyi and Femi Edun. Their findings are as intriguing as they are revealing. With the kind permission of the authors, PEACOCK TODAY attempts to answer a troubling question: Why exactly do small businesses fail? Discounting Training and Experiences Most start-up operators go into business with little or no experience about the business. Sadly they talk down undergoing required training assuming the business will run itself because they see others doing the same business and succeeding in it. Some even believe they possess a natural talent or Midas touch, 3 S l o p p y B o o k K e e p i n g a n d Po o r Accounting Practices Poor record keeping and accounting practices, coupled with poor money management is a major killer of SMEs. Most business owners fail to separate profit from revenue while some cannot even differentiate between the two. Gross profits are mostly mistaken for net profit. Some don't really know when business is making profit or loss thereby discounting the need for proper training and experience. This is a common killer of start-ups in Nigeria. A retired banker was paid a good sum of money as retirement benefit, he thought of a business to do, after some consultation decided to venture into fish farming. He considered it not necessary to undergo needed training before embarking on the project. The project failed in the 9th month. Technical competence and adequate training is the soul of business survival. Poor Management Practices It is also observed that most operators don't put in place solid structure that allows steady growth of business. Recruitment, training and welfare system are poor. Business is mostly built around the owner who refuses to separate ownership from the business, but surrounds himself with family and relatives who are not competent. Running of business is a one man show. Personnel management; accounting and book keeping, production, quality control, customer relation and marketing are poorly managed. When the owner dies or retires, 99% of the business dies almost immediately. A case in question is Concord and Chief M K O Abiola, a renowned business mogul who built his business PeacockToday 24 Spending more than reinvesting Most start-up owners spend more than reinvest in the business. More money is taken out of business than injected; many take revenue generated as income. This makes it difficult for the new business to expand, take opportunities or survive a misfortune. Most inexperienced owners see revenue generated as income to self and not as fund that need to be reinvested or kept in reserve in case of opportunity or misfortune. Lack of Adequate Plan Lack of strategic planning to enable business achieve its purposes is a major setback to SMEs. Many start-up owners just jump into business by committing huge capital into a project without a business plan, no vision of what the business is set out to achieve and strategic plan of achieving it. Most operators think fund is the most important thing forgetting that a business operating without a plan is just waiting to crash. Thus a solid business plan, sales & marketing plan as well as good customer relations are the soul of business success. Poor Marketing Effort A successful business owner must be a good sales person; he must be able to Kunle:

18 10. Coffee Drinkers Have a Lower Risk of Some Types of Cancer Lisabi: Beyond the Pomp and Ceremony All in one, Lisabi Festival is a celebration of a great people, war, victory, heritage and, now, tourism. By Eghosa Idufueko data from 18 studies with a total of 457,922 individuals, each daily cup of coffee was associated with a 7% reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Bottom Line: Several observational studies show that coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of getting type II diabetes, a serious disease that currently afflicts about 300 million people worldwide. 6. Coffee May Protect You from Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease and the leading cause of dementia worldwide. This disease usually affects people over 65 years of age. Unfortunately, there is no known cure for Alzheimer's. However, there are several things you can do to prevent the disease from showing up in the first place. This includes the usual suspects like eating healthy and exercising, but drinking coffee may be incredibly effective as well. Several studies show that coffee drinkers have up to a 65% lower risk of getting Alzheimer's disease. Bottom Line: Coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of getting Alzheimer's disease, which is a leading cause of dementia worldwide. 7. Caffeine May Lower the Risk of Parkinson's Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, right after Alzheimer's. It is caused by death of dopamine-generating neurons in the brain. Same as with Alzheimer's, there is no known cure, which makes it that much more important to focus on prevention. In studies, coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease, with a reduction in risk ranging from 32-60%. In this case, it appears to be the caffeine itself that is causing the effect. People who drink decaf don't have a lower risk of Parkinson's. Bottom Line: Coffee drinkers have up to a 60% lower risk of getting Parkinson's disease, the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. 8. Coffee Appears to Have Protective Effects on the Liver The liver is an amazing organ that carries out hundreds of important functions in the body. Several common diseases primarily affect the liver, including hepatitis, fatty liver disease and others. Many of these diseases can lead to a condition called cirrhosis, in which the liver has been largely replaced by scar tissue. It turns out that coffee may protect against cirrhosis. People who drink 4 or more cups per day have up to an 80% lower risk. Bottom Line: Coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of developing cirrhosis, which can be caused by several diseases that affect the liver. 9. Coffee Can Fight Depression and Make You Happier Depression is a serious mental disorder that causes a significantly reduced quality of life. It is incredibly common and about 4.1% of people in the U.S. currently meet the criteria for clinical depression. In a Harvard study published in 2011, women who drank 4 or more cups per day had a 20% lower risk of becoming depressed. Another study with 208,424 individuals found that those who drank 4 or more cups per day were 53% less likely to commit suicide. Bottom Line: Coffee appears to lower the risk of d e v e l o p i n g d e p re s s i o n a n d m a y dramatically reduce the risk of suicide. Cancer is one of the world's leading causes of death and is characterized by uncontrolled growth of cells in the body. Coffee appears to be protective against two types of cancer liver cancer and colorectal cancer. Liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the world, while colorectal cancer ranks fourth. Studies show that coffee drinkers have up to a 40% lower risk of liver cancer. One study of 489,706 individuals found that those who drank 4-5 cups of coffee per day had a 15% lower risk of colorectal cancer. Bottom Line: Liver and colorectal cancer are the 3rd and 4th leading causes of cancer death worldwide. Coffee drinkers have a lower risk of both. 11. Coffee Does Not Cause Heart Disease and May Lower The Risk of Stroke It is often claimed that caffeine can increase blood pressure. This is true, but the effect is small (3-4 mm/hg) and usually goes away if you drink coffee regularly. However, the effect may persist in some people, so keep that in mind if you have elevated blood pressure. That being said, the studies do NOT support the myth that coffee raises the risk of heart disease. In fact, there is some evidence that women who drink coffee have a reduced risk of heart disease. Some studies also show that coffee drinkers have a 20% lower risk of stroke. Bottom Line: Coffee may cause mild increases in blood pressure, which usually diminish over time. Coffee drinkers do not have an increased risk of heart disease, but a slightly lower risk of stroke. 12. Coffee May Help You Live Longer Given that coffee drinkers are less likely to get many diseases, it makes sense that coffee could help you live longer. There are actually several observational studies showing that coffee drinkers have a lower risk of death. In two very large studies, drinking coffee was associated with a 20% lower risk of death in men and a 26% lower risk of death in women, over a period of years. This effect appears to be particularly strong in type II diabetics. In one study, diabetics who drank coffee had a 30% lower risk of death during a 20 year study period. Bottom Line: Several studies show that coffee drinkers live longer and have a lower risk of premature death. Culled from Authority Nutrition PeacockToday 18 PeacockToday 23

19 lifestyle Is Coffee good for you? Science says, Yes. Here is why. offee is actually very healthy. It is Cl oa d e d w i t h a n t i ox i d a n t s a n d beneficial nutrients that can improve your health. Studies show that coffee drinkers have a much lower risk of several serious diseases. Here are the top 13 health benefits of coffee that have been confirmed in actual human studies. 1. Coffee Can Improve Energy Levels and Make You Smarter Coffee can help people feel less tired and increase energy levels. This is because it contains a stimulant called caffeine, which is actually the most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world. After you drink coffee, the caffeine is absorbed into the bloodstream. From there, it travels into the brain. In the brain, caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called Adenosine. When that h a p p e n s, t h e a m o u n t o f o t h e r neurotransmitters like norepinephrine and dopamine actually increases, leading to enhanced firing of neurons. Many controlled trials in humans show that coffee improves various aspects of brain function. This includes memory, mood, vigilance, energy levels, reaction times and general cognitive function. Bottom Line: Caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, which leads to a stimulant effect. This improves energy levels, mood and various aspects of brain function. 2. Coffee Can Help You Burn Fat Did you know that caffeine is found in almost every commercial fat burning supplement? There's a good reason for that caffeine is one of the very few natural substances that have actually been proven to aid fat burning. Several studies show that caffeine can boost the metabolic rate by 3-11%. Other studies show that caffeine can specifically increase the burning of fat, by as much as 10% in obese individuals and 29% in lean people. However, it is possible that these effects will diminish in long-term coffee drinkers. Bottom Line: Several studies show that caffeine can increase fat burning in the body and boost the metabolic rate. 3. The Caffeine Can Drastically Improve Physical Performance Caffeine stimulates the nervous system, causing it to send signals to the fat cells to break down body fat. But caffeine also increases Epinephrine (Adrenaline) levels in the blood. This is the "fight or flight" hormone, designed to make our bodies ready for intense physical exertion. Caffeine makes the fat cells break down body fat, releasing them into the blood as free fatty acids and making them available as fuel. Given these effects, it is not surprising to see that caffeine can improve physical performance by 11-12%, on average. Because of this, it makes sense to have a strong cup of coffee about a half an hour before you head to the gym. Bottom Line: Caffeine can increase adrenaline levels and release fatty acids from the fat tissues. It also leads to significant improvements in physical performance. 4. There Are Essential Nutrients in Coffee Coffee is more than just black water. Many of the nutrients in the coffee beans do make it into the final drink. A single cup of coffee contains (21): Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 11% of the RDA; Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): 6% of the RDA; Manganese and Potassium: 3% of the RDA; Magnesium and Niacin (B3): 2% of the RDA. Although this may not seem like a big deal, most people are drinking more than one cup per day. If you drink 3-4, then these amounts quickly add up. Bottom Line: Coffee contains several important nutrients, including Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid, Manganese, Potassium, Magnesium and Niacin. 5. Coffee May Lower Your Risk of Type II Diabetes Type 2 diabetes is a gigantic health problem, currently afflicting about 300 million people worldwide. It is characterized by elevated blood sugars in the context of insulin resistance or an inability to secrete insulin. For some reason, coffee drinkers have a significantly reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The studies show that people who drink the most coffee have a 23-50% lower risk of getting this disease, one study showing a reduction as high as 67%. According to a massive review that looked at The annual celebration of the origins and culture of the Egbas, Lisabi Festival, was held in Abeokuta recently. As usual, indigenes from all walks of life and near and far, converged on the city to mark the weeklong event. The Egbas are a people of the Yoruba ethnic group of southwestern Nigeria, and call Abeokuta, a bustling city which serves as the capital of Ogun State, their home. Lisabi Festival was first held in At that time, the traditional ruler or Alake of Egbaland was Oba Oyebade Lipede. He was succeeded by the incumbent, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, a respected and retired Colonel of the Nigerian Army. The many facets of the celebration are dominated by the geography of Egbaland and its principal city Abeokuta, which is built around the famous Olumo Rock. The numerous caves and recesses of the rocks were refuge for the Egbas over centuries of war with hostile nation states, and it was from them that the name Abeokuta is derived. Abeokuta means, literally, "under the rocks." Egbas were not always native to Abeokuta. Their original home was Igbo Egba (Egba in the Forest), which lay between Ibadan and Ife, in the 18th century. But Igbo Egba was a place of loss and pain as the Egbas were subject to the yoke of nearby Ibadan, a larger and more powerful state. Egba had to pay tax and other royalties to the Oloyo, Ibadan's powerful ruler. This was the situation in which Lisabi Agbongbo Akala arose. Lisabi was a farmer and hunter, and the leading warrior of the Egba army. He was a patriot with a strong sense of duty and commitment to his people. Endowed with physical and intellectual prowess, he embraced the task of freeing Egbas from the burden Ibadan had placed on them. His strategy in achieving this aim was to include elements of force, patience and cunning. The practice among Egbas at that time was for the labour force to share effort in working on each other's farms in turn. To this end, Lisabi put in more than his due and with time the others realized they were indebted to him. They pledged their best when it was time to work on Lisabi's farm. Soon enough, Lisabi's farm beckoned but instead of accepting farm labour, Lisabi declared war on Ibadan, to end Egba's tributes and subser vience to their oppressive neighbour. The others were startled by Lisabi's act, but soon rallied and Alake of Egba Land Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo addressing dignitaries during the celebration of Lisabi festival 2017 Ogun State Governor Sen. Ibikunle Amosun, Alake of Egba Land Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo and Olori Adetutu Gbadebo at Lisabi Day Festival in Abeokuta accepted his bold and unusual plan. They didn't have long to wait after the resolution for soon, the Ajeles, or troops of the Ibadan Empire, came calling on a tax drive. Lisabi and his men killed all of them. A war with Ibadan followed but the Egbas, in spite of their smaller number, achieved a resounding victory. The peace that followed was tense, for it was obvious that Ibadan would not accept Egba's daring. So the Egba turned to trust in the divinity of their Oracle, Ifa. The response was that the Egbas should leave the location for elsewhere. And where was this to be? They were to travel southwards to a place with rooms in rocks which God had prepared for them, adjacent to a major river. The rocks turned out to be Olumo, and the river, the Ogun. Which was how geographical phenomena came to define a major part of the heritage of the Egba people. With relocation imperative in the face of imminent war with Ibadan, the Egbas started their migration southwards. Forging ahead of them were scouts led by Lukere, a brave warrior known for his spiritual powers. However, the main body of the people did not depart until the oracle was consulted and it confirmed that the scouts had arrived at the right place. Although only a hundred kilometres apart, PeacockToday 22 PeacockToday 19

20 Alake of Egba Land Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo at Lisabi Day Festival in Abeokuta Dancers thrill participants at Lisabi Day Festival the passage between Ibadan Ife and the new home, lasted two years. Lisabi's service to his people did not end, upon settling in the new land. He helped organize a new government for them around cadres, and continued in other areas of civic duty. As life in the new environment wore on, Lisabi established his home in the Igbein area of Abeokuta. Such is the impact he had on Egba that the people of Igbein to this day have exclusive rights to the martial title of Balogun of Egba (Military General of Egba) After a lifetime of dedication to the Egba cause, Lisabi died in nearby woods. But as myth or the lore of the people has it, Lisabi actually descended into the bowels of mother earth. The area is called Igbo Lisabi, Sons and daughters of Egba Land at Lisabi Day Festival or Lisabi Forest. It is the site of devoted worship of the the great warrior by many Egba. It is to this forest that the Alake, his chiefs and select dignitaries march in one of the high points of the festival. It lies at Oba in the Obafemi/Owode Local government Area of the state. Olumo Rocks, naturally, play a prominent role in the festivities, as the Alake and his chiefs visit them. The usual, everyday visits also of mostly Nigerian enthusiasts, is boosted by a large infusion of tourists from Europe and the Americas. It is a time of increased sales for the local economy, notable of which are hotels, taxi, restaurant, curio and artifact shops, hawkers and the city's nascent but growing band of tour guides. PeacockToday 20 Some of the international tourists are guests of various tiers of government and corporate bodies, but a significant and growing number come of their own volition. Standing out in the ranks of all organizations hosting the event is the telecommunications giant Globacom. For some years, Globacom has been a steadfast sponsor of the event, with all indications seeming to be that it will remain so. The organizers of Lisabi Festival strive to touch various aspects of society, beyond only the celebration of Egba culture and histor y. In this wise, philanthropy, education, exhibits and advocacy have been introduced into the Week. There are seminars on such topics as the meaning and ends of the Week, and Egbas and their cultural heritage, industry and roles in modern Nigeria. One of the topics this year was Self Reliance for Egba through Agriculture. Bursary awards are regularly granted indigent students of Egba descent. There is the Farmers' Empowerment Programme. The week is a season of cultural displays at different parts of the city. Village heads, social and other clubs, chiefs, trade groups, and voluntary organizations visit the Alake in homage and goodwill, at his palace. There is an elaborate gun salute at Olumo Rock. Further afield, Egbas feature prominently in the pantheon of the builders of modern Nigeria. They have excelled in the arts, commerce and industry, leadership, medicine, finance, politics, education and other areas of advancement of the polity.