Between Jail Term and Returning Public funds. By @littafi

Expectations are high that after swearing in of General Muhammad Buhari he will carry out a thorough investigation of former administrations especially Jonathan  administration with special interest to looking into; 20 billion missing funds, power privatization, NNPC, etc. That is a constitutional duty and a moral responsibility. Looking into how power shortage, fuel scarcity, and public funds are looted, launching an investigation I believe will be for the sake of Nigeria.
    But carrying out an investigation, referring the matter to court; the trial, examination, reexamination and passing of verdict will take long time. Perhaps some cases may even go beyond four years, that is to say exhausting the first tenure. The looters will of course hire the best lawyers to defend them. It is also possible that some of them may scout free as court only defend on material evidences and what the lawyers will say and present. Nigerians and the incoming government cannot afford to wait that longer.
     The government cannot have a better way of regaining the stolen funds without taking the long, uncertain way. This was once done by a country in southern America. The government has all the agencies: ICPC, EFCC, DSS, Police, interpol etc, working for her. Other government agencies and private sectors like the banks will be there to help willingly or unwillingly. The government can use that to identify all the looters, their associates, wives, children etc, what they have in their accounts both in Nigeria and abroad, their assets and everything. The government will then request their account frozen. There after they will be contacted with all the details about them, and they will be advised to return the looted money. The government can promise them protection if they refund the money. That way, the government can have all the money (over $6 trillion) to do all the good work it promised to Nigerians. Of course, some of them their sins can only be washed in prison, those that looted security funds that resulted Into the death of soldiers and innocent citizens of Nigeria will only be forgiven in hell. Things must be set right for Nigeria to develop.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Comrade Abdulbaq Jari Katsina,
@littafi
M.Facebook.com/abdulbaqi.jari

Interview with CEO of Timabee, Fatima Babakura .

1. Who is Fatima Babakura? Tell us about yourself .

I am 19 years old, the second of four children in my family. I am a business student at Mcmaster University in Canada. I find it really hard to tell people about myself *laughs*. I guess you just have to find out.

2. How did you venture yourself into designing bags

To be honest, designing bags just happened. It wasn't something I had always dreamed of like other designers. I mean, I have always loved designing right from when I was younger but it was clothes. I had imagined owning a clothing line but that has not happened yet. I started designing bags mainly because I randomly drew a bag one day and instantly loved what it looked like on paper. I really could not wait to see the reality of it. So as usual, my fearless self decided to make it happen. I risked trusting a manufacturer I knew nothing about to make the bag. It did not come out as I imagined the first time, so I basically lost the money I put into it *laughs*. But I believed in it and wanted to try again. I went back, made a few material and size changes, and there it was. That bag turned out to be the Timabee Classic which is the 

3. What is Unique about your bags and brand? 

My brand identity is what makes my brand unique. *smiles* As far as I know, there is only one Timabee and I believe its logo speaks for it. In terms of design, I believe the aesthetic (i.e styles, shapes, materials, hardware etc) of our handbags makes them unique. Every collection revolves around the Timabee aesthetic. 

4. What are the challenges you face in your business 

*laughs* One challenge for sure is having to juggle school and Timabee at the same time. I am a full time student and sometimes I just don't have the time to work on a collection which means it might end up coming out later than it should. I am learning to manage both and the beauty of it is, I have learned it is not as difficult as it seemed. It gets better *smile*. Another challenge is shipping. The cost is just too much especially because a lot of our customers are outside Canada. Trying to keep the shipping costs as reasonable as possible is the most challenging part because one can lose a client over shipping prices *laughs*. I could go on and on talking about challenges. Sometimes it is as little as deciding the quantity of bags to produce for a collection. 

5. What is your main Goal?

My main goal is to get the brand name Timabee out there. I want people to be able to recognize the brand.

6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years to come.

I see Timabee being bigger than what it is obviously. I hope to have at least one flagship store here in Canada and possibly, Nigeria. I see Timabee Homme in the picture as well. I also hope to introduce the clothing line I am currently working on *smiles*

7 where did you draw your inspiration from.

laughs* like I said earlier, starting Timabee just happened. I can't place a finger on one particular thing that inspired me. But one thing for sure that drove me into starting the business was the response I got from people, especially the ones I met randomly at the mall who told me they liked the bag because they had never seen anything like it. 

8 who is your Role Model? 

I adore Lisa Folawiyo! There is just something about her and the way she manages her brand that I admire.I think I have watched every Lisa Folawiyo interview out there *laughs*. The advice Lisa gave me for Timabee is something I will forever stick to. 

9 What advise do you have for other young Nigerians like you who are willing to become the next top entrepreneurs . 

laughs* I am not yet there to be honest, so I feel weird answering this question because I still go around asking for advice. But one thing I know is, you have to believe in whatever it is you want to venture in. Believing also means that you have to perfectly understand what your business is about in a way that you can explain to anyone enough to convince them or at least get their attention. Because truth is, in the beginning, not everyone would understand what you are trying to sell and some might even put you down. You have to push yourself!

Organic food store and Health bar

Organic food store and Health bar!!! For info, tips on healthy living and ordering your 100% organic, natural, amazing healing and miracle whole foods visit... 

#rootsandorigins 

Roots & Origins. 
No.4c Lake Chad Crescent 
Maitama, Abuja

Tel: +234 909 764 1944 
BBM Pin: 5592AD8A 

IG @rootsandorigins 

Twitter @rootsandorigins 

Love and gratitude to our source, you and all.

The president Elect, his traffic wish, his protocols and his safety

   It was a news in all the major newspapers and online sites that the President-Elect General Muhammad Buhari has directed his  protocol officers and his team that traffic rules should be observed and respected. A picture was also made available showing the President-Elect observing the rules. This is a gigantic and unprecedented effort by the President-Elect. In a country where the the children  of government officials do not respect traffic laws, in fact many of them don't even have drivers licence, and suddenly a President-Elect has shown his commitment to respect each and every law in the country is both commendable and a sign of good things to come.
    The directive to follow traffic laws by by Muhammad Buhari can be considered his personal wish. But what about his protocols and his safety? It is also the duty of the Presidential security detail and advance teams to ensure that President is protected and transported to any place he wants to go right on time. As a President-Elect, that is quite possible. But as a substantive President, that will be some how difficult. A President visiting a particular place while on the road and suddenly the light turned red while his advance team has already passed is a source of security concern. Or is it that the traffic control center will monitor the President's movement and timely turning the light green as he come? The safety of the President is not his choice, it is a national security matter.
    Security has always been a great source of concern to all countries around the world. That is why even in so called developed countries the roads are made open to their leaders and they don't necessarily wait for the green light. Nigeria should be on its highest security alert now and months after swearing In of General Muhammad Buhari. This is not just because of the transition or visiting foreign leaders, but because of the potential terrorist threats. Already there is insurgency in Northeast, militancy in South south, terror groups and kidnappings in Southwest and Southeast, herdsmen-farmers clashes in Northwest and North central, etc. Everybody can be a targeted the President included. 
    A lot of tragedies and attacks have occurred to many leaders from around the world while they are on the road. Murtala Muhammad was assassinated in a car while he was in his car waiting for the green light. President Mubarak's car was attacked in Ethiopia while he was in the country for a visit. President Kennedy was assassinated in a car in Dallas in 1963. The road is the weakest security place for a leader. The President-Elect cannot not afford to play with the red and green lights at a wrong time like this. His security is a national affairs that must be taken very serious.
   May Allah make the transition Smooth and hitch free. May a new and a changed  Nigeria start and the leaders try their best to fulfil the promises they have made. May Allah protect the President-Elect and our dear country Nigeria, ameen.

Comrade Abdulbaqi Jari
@littafi
08035424321

Jelani Aliyu , Nigerian Born Car Designer

Jelani Aliyu, hails from Sokoto State, Nigeria and is General Motors Lead Exterior Designer and the designer of the ChevyJelani Aliyu, hails from Sokoto State, Nigeria and is General Motors Lead Exterior Designer and the designer of the Chevy Volt. General Motors is the world’s largest automobile maker. The car has been described as an American Revolution and one of the hottest concepts in the design line.

Jelani was born in 1966 in Kaduna, to Alhaji Aliya Haidara and Sharifiya Hauwa’u Aliyu. The fifth of seven children, theirs is a very close-knit family. For him, it was an amazing experience growing up in Sokoto, surrounded by the rich culture of the people and the state and enjoying excellent access to the latest and international information 

From 1971 to 1978, he attended Capital School, Sokoto, an excellent school and this served as a very productive educational experience for him. In 1978, he gainedadmission into Federal Government College, Sokoto, from where he graduated in 1983 with an award as the best in Technical Drawing.

Jelani was privileged to meet and make many good friends from all parts of thecountry and beyond during this time. He had tremendous encouragement and mentoring from his family and friends and his creative art develop the ed. He drew a lot, designed his own cars, and even built scale models of them, complete with exteriors and interiors.

After FGC, he got admission into the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to study Architecture, but soon discovered that curriculum did not support his future vision and plans.

After considering other institutions in Nigeria and their academic programmes, he concluded that only one of them had the study criteria that would support his future goals. The institution in which he chose to pursue his education was one he felt offered the best creative programmes and had experience that would give him the best foundation required to study Automobile Design abroad. That institution was the Birnin Kebbi Polytechnic. He was there from 1986 to 1988 and earned an associate degree in Architecture, with an award as Best All-Round Student. While there, he did some in depth research into home design and construction, looking into materials and structures that would be most compatible with our environment and climate; buildings that would stay cool in a hot environment with little, or no artificial electrical air conditioning. Upon graduation from the polytechnic, Jelani worked for a while at the Ministry of Works, Sokoto.

In 1990, Aliyu moved to Detroit, Michigan to enroll at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit under a Sokoto Schorlarship board sponsorship. Having always wanted to study Automobile Design, this was a dream come true and an absolutely fascinating experience. The course was very practical and emphasis was put on creativity and the development of new designs to provide solutions . He received his degree in automobile design in 1994.

In 1994 he began his career with the design staff of General Motors. He worked on the Buick Rendezvous and was the lead exterior designer of the Pontiac G6. He also worked on the Astra with General Motors’ Opel Division.

With his brilliant work on the design of the Chevrolet Volt, which was unveiled in 2007, Jelani Aliyu is considered by many to be the super star of the General Motors renaissance.

Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque Buried.

The Chief Imam of Abuja National Mosque, late Sheikh Musa Muhammad, was on Sunday buried at the Gudu Cemetery in FCT amid tears and prayers from families and well wishers.

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the burial, which was conducted under tight security, was attended by the Kano state Governor-elect, Alhaji Umar Ganduje.

 

Other dignitaries included the FCT Minister, Mr Bala Mohammed; former deputy Senate Presidnt, Sen. Ibrahim Mantu; Sen. Adamu Aleiro, and Sen. Ali Ndume.

 

Fielding questions from newsmen after the burial, Mantu expressed shock over the incident.

 

“When I got the news yesterday, I was shocked but I know that life was in the hands of God and Allah can take one’s at anytime He so wish because He is the custodian of life,” he said.

 

Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Al-Habibiya Mosque, Sheikh Imam Abdulganiu, said that the deceased was a detribalised Nigerian who works tirelessly to ensure unity among the Muslim community.

 

Abdulganiu prayed Almighty Allah to grant the deceased paradise and give the family the fortitude to bear the lost.

 

On his part, the Deputy Chief Imam of the National Mosque, Sheikh Ahmad Onilewura, prayed Almighty Allah to grant the deceased Aljannatul Firdaus.

 

However, Malam Musa Babangida, the eldest son of the deceased, declined comments as he told NAN that he was not in the mood to speak with the press.

 

NAN also reports that Vice President Namadi Sambo; former secretary to the government of the federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed; INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, and the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, were some of the personalities that attended the funeral prayers offered for the deceased at the National Mosque. (NAN). 

Culled from Leadership.ng 

"Haruna the Feminist Trekker"

Meet Haruna a final year Student of Bayero University Kano State. As you all know Haruna is fighting for Hajiya Jummai Alhassan against the rigging of elections in Taraba State. Haruna is not fighting for only Jummai Alhassan. He is fighting for all women against abuse and oppression .

We met Haruna in Kaduna state earlier today on his way to Abuja from Kano.  here are some pictures of him.