governance. In the alliance between the NCNC and the Northern People Congress (NPC), he became the Finance Minister, the office he held until the 1966 coup.

His reform programme in the Finance Ministry gave a new lease to the Nigerian Customs. He delegated responsibilities to the unit, instead of asking the ports to collect duties. He established the Preventive Services Unit to confront, combat and prevent smuggling, and protect local industries.

Okotie-Eboh insisted that Nigeria should issue her own currency and have her own Central Bank instead of epending on the then West African Currency Board, which was responsible for issuing currencies for the colonies. This was how the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) was established in 1958. Chief Okotie-Eboh, could therefore, be rightly described as the founding father of the CBN.

He always displayed the noble characteristics of a statesman and patriot. When the country was still grappling with post-independence challenges, and the government wanted to build the Eko Bridge, he personally sought the assistance of Britain and America for grants to execute the project, but they refused.As a diplomat, his passionate appeal received favourable consideration from the German government which paid Julius Berger for

the project.

His benevolence was enjoyed by his party, the NCNC. He sourced for grants for the party when it was broke. His colleague, Chief Richard Akinjide recalled: “In the NCNC days, Okotie-Eboh was richer than the party and everybody. He had made his money before coming into politics and whenever the governance. In the alliance between the NCNC and the Northern People Congress

(NPC), he became the Finance Minister, the office he held until the 1966 coup.

His reform programme in the Finance Ministry gave a new lease to the Nigerian Customs. He delegated responsibilities to the unit, instead of asking the ports to collect duties. He established the Preventive Services Unit to confront, combat and prevent smuggling, and protect local industries.

since we are here

Editorial

Kechi Duru

Suite A, Atinuke Plaza, Okota By Cele Express Bustop After Rain Oil Filling Station Okota, Isolo, Lagos.

Tel: 08034046229, 08023940872 www.smoothng.com

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for daily updates and freebies

NGOZI EZEONU

Stainless DIVAThe

Ve t e r a n N o l l y w o o d actress,Ngozi Ezeonu is over 50 years old. Apparently not a

hidden face in the Nigerian Film Industry(Nollywood).Her acting prowess can be dated back to the early 90’s,when she made her official debut with Nneka, The Pretty Serpent and Glamour Gir ls ' a longside Liz Benson, Gloria Anozie and others.

Ever since, she has never looked back on her skills and expertise having featured in over 150 movies and still c o u n t i n g . N g o z i E z e o n u h a d maintained a clear slate of integrity,

ingenuity ,hardworking and humility. She is one of the few Nollywood top

actress that has been able to maintain high degree of SCANDAL FREE personality in an industry where scandals and make up stories are the order of the

game.

O u r t e a m o f c o r r e s p o n d e n t s

caught up and she s h a r e d t h e

secret behind her staying

prowess.Enjoy!

Career Interviews HiztoryBoxTour

1. How would you describe yourself?

Ngozi: Humble, friendly and disciplined.

2. What does the journey to stardom mean to you?

Ngozi: The journey to stardom taught me hard work, patience and helped me build my never give up personality that I possess. It's not just all glitz and razmatazz. It comes with a lot of responsibilities. It's a medium of evangelism and rebranding the nation.

3. Who were your mentors while growing up in the industry?

Ngozi: I never really had mentors in the industry.

4. Do you remember your first audition?

I can't really remember my first audition because I attended a lot of them. Passed some, failed some. Some of the movies and tv soaps I shot never saw the market nor aired on any station.

5. Before a celebrity, what life experience would you say had the most profound effect on you?

Ngozi: The day I had my first child remains the happiest day of my life. It was an experience that changed my perception of life.

6. Which movie scenes almost got you into trouble with both your family and fans?

Ngozi:- None because i choose the roles I play bearing in mind what I have set out to achieve as an actor--- wining souls.

7. What has been your staying power all these years?

Ngozi: My staying power is the grace of God. It's neither my power nor might. Patience and humility have helped me.

8. Balancing your family and career, what is the secret?

Ngozi: My family has been very supportive.

advertise with us gain ground in the nigeria market and beyond

......preserving our heritage9jaMentors

space available

9. As an industry Legend, what is your assessment of Nollywood?

Ngozi: Nollywood has come to stay. It's like a child that grows everyday. Needs support to stand firmly. Trays so had to solve it's teething problems. An industry that has created job opportunities for both young and old should be adequately supported. Nollywood is growing bigger and better by the day.

10. Te l l us about o ther projects outside movies?

Ngozi: There are other things that I will not want to mention here.

11. What is your advice to your upcoming actress on staying scandal free?

Ngozi:- You cannot do it without God. Never be desperate.

“I never really

had mentors in the industry.”

e x c e l l e d i n t h e a r t o f governance. In the alliance between the NCNC and the Northern People Congress (NPC), he became the Finance Minister, the office he held until the 1966 coup.

His reform programme in the Finance Ministry gave a new lease to the Nigerian Customs. He delegated responsibilities to the unit, instead of asking the ports to collect duties. He established the Preventive Services Unit to confront, c o m b a t a n d p r e v e n t smuggling, and protect local industries.

Okotie-Eboh insisted that Nigeria should issue her own currency and have her own Centra l Bank ins tead of depending on the then West African Currency Board, which was responsible for issuing currencies for the colonies. This was how the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) was established in 1958. Chief Okotie-Eboh, could therefore, be rightly described as the founding father of the CBN.

He always displayed the noble characteristics of a statesman and patriot. When the country was still grappling with post-independence challenges, and the government wanted to build the Eko Bridge, he p e r s o n a l l y s o u g h t t h e assistance of Britain and America for grants to execute the project, but they refused.As a diplomat, his passionate appeal received favourable consideration from the German government which paid Julius Berger for the project.

His benevolence was enjoyed by his party, the NCNC. He sourced for grants for the party when i t was b roke . His colleague, Chief Richard Akinjide recalled: “In the NCNC days, Okotie-Eboh was richer than the party and everybody. He had made his money before coming into politics and whenever the party was broke, it was to him we went to collect some money for party activities. Nigerians should be grateful for having somebody like him; he was generous to a fault and did not discriminate against tribe or tongue”.

His Travel experience:

A well-travelled man, Okotie-Eboh was a personal friend of the late United States President John Kennedy in the sixties. His visit to the Papacy, where he met Pope John XX111 twice, became his greatest religious voyage. He also visited the Israeli statesman, Mr. David Ben Gurion.

“He always displayed the

noble characteristics of a statesman and patriot.”

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The former minister was not happy because of the lingering crisis in the Western Region. He believed that it would engulf the country.

He warned that the crisis was spreading to Lagos and its repercussions were being felt throughout Nigeria.

At the time of his death, Okotie-Eboh, was survived by a wife and 14 children. They now keep his memory as a loving father and a patriot who paid the supreme price for his country and died as a “victim of circumstance”.

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9jaMentors

holds a historical masterpieceAs one of the oldest building in Nigeria, Havingstayed over 130 years.The building was erected

in 1886 by Royal Nigeria company.in the name of British explorer, Mungo Park.Ngozi Ezeonu led our team of tourists to visit this architectural monument located in Asaba.

MungoPARK

house

Box9jaHiztoryWith Ngozi Ezeonu

GALLERY

#HiztoryBoxTour

Box9jaHiztoryWith Ngozi Ezeonu

GALLERY Prt 2

#HiztoryBoxTour

Owerri Carnival

Owerri

carnival

December 2015

December 2015

#HiztoryBoxTour

BONUS

1. Nigeria, with a 2013 estimated population of 174,507,539 is the most populous Black nation and the 7th most populated nation in the entire w o r l d , t r a i l i n g a f t e r — f r o m l e a s t t o most—Pakistan, Brazil, Indonesia, USA, India and China (1.3bn).

2. Nigerians are 1/5th the total population of Black Africa.

3. Nigeria, with 521 languages has the fourth most in the world. This includes 510 living languages, two second languages without native speakers and 9 extinct languages.

4. The Portuguese reached Nigeria in 1472. In 1880 the British began conquering Nigeria’s south. The north was conquered by 1903.

8. The 2006 Census found Nigerians to be the highest educated ethnic or racial group in America.

9. The Northern knot, Arewa insignia has Christian origins, investigation by Ibraheem A. Waziri revealed. It is adapted from the Church Celtic knot.

10. Pre-tribalism: Malam Umaru Altine, a northern Fulani man was the first elected Mayor of Enugu, in the east, and was even re-elected for a second term.

Source:- http://www.ends.ng

Ingredients For Making Abacha (african Salad)

· 3 handfuls abacha

· 2 cups ugba / ukpaka

· 30 cl red palm oil

· 2 tablespoons Powdered Potash (food tenderizer)

· Fish | Mackerel/Dry Fish/Stockfish

· 1 large Onion

· Salt and dry pepper (to taste)

· 4 tablespoons ground crayfish

· 2 stock cubes (Maggi/Knorr)

· 1 teaspoon ground Eehu Seeds (Calabash Nutmeg)

Other seasoning you can add to the Abacha

· 1 teaspoon Ogiri / Iru (traditional Nigerian seasoning that smells)

Other meat and vegetables for the Abacha

· 3 Fresh Utazi leaves (Gongronema latifolium)

· Ponmo / kanda (cow skin)

· Garden Eggs | As much as you can eat

· Garden Egg leaves | 1 medium bunch

· 1 medium onion (for serving)1

How To Prepare Africa Salad

Before to Make Your African Salad

1. Prepare the ehu seeds by roasting, peeling and grinding them with a dry mill.

2. If you will use kanda (cow skin), cook till done and cut into small pieces.

3. Depending on your choice of fish (you can also use all of them), fry or roast the mackerel, soak the stockfish in water and debone the dry fish.

4. Wash and cut the vegetables into tiny pieces. Cut the big bulb of onion into tiny pieces and cut the medium one in circles. Wash the garden egges and set aside, no need to cut these.

5. Grind the crayfish and pepper

6. Soak the Abacha in cold water and rinse the Ugba with lukewarm water.

7. Once the Abacha has softened, put in a sieve to drain.

8. Put the powdered potash in a cup or bowl and pour about 1 cup of cold water. Stir well and you are ready to start making the African Salad.

Making the African Salad 1. Pour the palm oil into a sizeable pot.

2. Stir very well and you'll see the oil turn into a yellow paste.

3. Add the ground pepper, ground ehu, crushed stock cubes, crayfish, diced onions and ugba (ukpaka), then stir very well. Please not that we are doing everything off the stove.

4. Add the iru/ogiri and make sure it is mixed very well. Add the diced kanda/pomo and stir very well.

5. Now add the soaked and drained Abacha and stir till it is well-incorporated in the palm oil paste.

6. Add the sliced Utazi and salt to taste and stir well. You can also use dry Utazi if the fresh one is not available where you live. It is important that you add salt last because after adding all that seasoning, your Abacha may not even need salt any more.

7. I like my Abacha warm. If you like yours that way too, transfer to a stove at this point and heat it up to your desired temperature at medium heat. When done, turn off the heat and add the sliced garden egg leaves, stir very well and serve.

8. If you like your Abacha cold, after step 6, add the sliced garden egg leaves, stir and serve with garden eggs, fish and onions.

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Outstanding Nigerian MusiciansIn Diaspora5

ithout any doubt, WNigeria has some of the most talented

musicians in diaspora.

Most artistes in diaspora are good, but you hardly hear new songs from them. And by so doing, they find it difficult hitting the Nigeria market. This article reveals some of the most consistent Nigerian acts in diaspora.

Nigerian Music Has grown in leaps and bounds over the years, with emphasis and focus on music created within the geographical boundaries of the West African nation. But music in itself, as a form of expression and means of communication has no boundaries. With Nigeria being the most populous black nation on Earth, we decided to provide for our readers a carefully selected crop of Nigerian Musicians based abroad or as we call them diaspora. We looked at various factors from their music artistry to their mater ia ls /oeuvre (number of studio albums) to their latency (how long they've been active and successful) to international acclaim and recognition. This list is not a bible hence, all the names on this list are based on our research and personal opinion. We hope these talented crops of singers further add color to your playlist. NEXT PAGE>>>

9jamentors magazine February/March Edition

Nneka Lucia Egbuna was born in Enugu, southeast of N i g e r i a . S h e h o w e v e r relocated to Germany at a young age. Nneka came to lime-light with her ska-groove single 'Heartbeat'. The single was a world-wide hit and was the reason for tours in North-America and Europe. Nneka has five studio albums in total, Victim of Truth(2005), No longer at E a s e ( 2 0 0 8 ) , C o n c r e t e J u n g l e ( 2 0 1 0 ) , S o u l i s H e a v y ( 2 0 1 2 ) , a n d M y Fairytales(2015). She was a former coach on local music t a len t d i scovery show, Nigerin Idols. Her music has heavy influences of afrobeat, reggae, and ska(a slower version of reggae).

M U Y I W A M u y i w a Olarewaju is a british gospel singer-songwriter whose band Muyiwa and the Riversongz have sold more that two hundred thousand copies

w o r l d w i d e . T h e y h a v e released a total of four albums (Muyiwa and Riversongz: L i v e a t A p o l l o 2 0 1 2 , Declaring his name all around the world 2011, Declaring his love, Declaring his power, and Restoration). Muyiwa and the Riversongz are known for theircatchy hooks and sweet harmonies; a good number of their original songs have gone on to become staples in Nigerian Pentecostal Praise and Worship services. They have won various Gospel Awards like the GMA Award for Most Contribution to UK Gospel, Oraclez Best Music.

S A D EHelen Fo lashade Adu known popularly as Sade is an English born Nigerian S i n g e r - S o n g w r i t e r , Composer and Arranger. She's the lead singer for the Downbeat Soul British band, Sade. Sade has sold close to fi f t y m i l l i o n r e c o r d s worldwide and she has been described by the Sunday Times as the most successful female british solo act in history. She's known for her soft voice, and lyrics which dwell mostly on love and social commentary. In an era known for the rise of hip-hop and the total dominance of Micheal Jackson's bold pop, Sade's music was the jewel of pure soul and the soothing

Seal Known for his worldwide Batman Forever theme song, 'Kiss from a rose', Seal was born Henry Olusegun Adeola Samuel. Seal is knownfor the heavy prevalence of Soul in his music and depth of his lyrics. He was married to supermodel, Heidi Klum before they separated recently. Seal has sold more than thirty million albums worldwide and has released a total of nine studio albums (a greatest hits compilation included), these are Seal(1991),

Seal II(1994),Human Being(1998), Togetherland(2001), Seal IV(2003), Greatest Hits Album, System(2007), Soul(2008), and Commitment and Soul(2010). With a baritone and craggy voice, Seal was a foremost british-nigerian soul singer in the nineties. His vocal talent was a prime reason why he was chosen to be a coach on The Voice(Australia).

Tokunbo Akinro was the lead v o c a l i s t o f t h e G e r m a n Acoustic Soul band, Tok Tok Tok. The band were active from 1998-2013. There music was a beautiful flower stripped of all unnecessary colors. She has toured all over the world from Paris, Berlin, Madrid, The Hague, Kiev, Tel Aviv, and Sao Paulo.

As the lead singer of the band Tok Tok Tok, fifteen studio a l b u m s w e r e r e l e a s e d (inclusive of a greatest hits compilation and a live dvd album)of which the recent one w a s ' G e r s h w i n w i t h Strings'(2012).The band have won various European Music Awards like the German Jazz Award, French Grand Prix Sacem etc.

ARTISTEPROFILEName: EBS

Musical Ar�steOccupa�on: Urban Highlife, Afro Pop, RnBGenre:

AnambraState of Origin: Business Management (RDI)Educa�on:

SingleMarital Status: www.soundcloud.com/ebssingswebsite:

@ebssings facebook.com/ebsmusic

Tok performing her songs

LASSA FEVERHEALTHWiSE

Persons at risk

Those most at risk include health workers, families and friends of an infected person in the course of feeding, holding and caring for them

Transmission

The disease can be contacted by ingestion of foods and drinks contaminated by the saliva, urine and faeces of infected rats. Others include catching and preparing infected rats as food, inhaling tiny particles in the air contaminated with infected rat urine or droppings, and direct contact with a sick person’s blood or body fluids, through mucous membranes, like eyes, nose, or mouth.

* Store foods in rat proof containers and cook all foods thoroughly before eating.

* Discourage rodents from entering the house by blocking all possible entry points

* Food manufacturers and handlers should not spread food where rats can have access to it.

* Report any cases of above symptoms or persistent high fever not responding to standard treatment for malaria and typhoid fever to the nearest health centre.

* All fluids from an infected person are extremely dangerous.

Health workers are also advised to be at alert, wear personal protective equipment, observe universal basic precautions, nu r se suspec ted cases in isolation and report same to the LGA or Ministry of Health immediately.

For more information,contact the Directorate of Disease Control, Lagos State Ministry of H e a l t h o n 0 8 0 3 7 1 7 0 6 1 4 , 08023169485.

Treatment

Antiviral drugs can successfully treat Lassa fever. The earlier a person presents, the better the o u t c o m e o f t r e a t m e n t . Prevention and control The general public is advised to take note of the following:

* Avoid contact between rats and human beings.

* Observe good persona l hygiene including hand washing with soap and running water regularly

* Dispose of your waste properly and clean the environment so that rats are not attracted.

* Store foods in rat proof

“Lassa Fever has been with us since 1969 and is still regrettably being talked about with more frenzy today with a case fatality rate almost thrice the 15% that WHO considers a very bad situation. The reason could be that old and current strategies deployed have been the same and ineffective.

During 2012 and 2013, more than 2900 cases were reported in widespread outbreaks that occurred across many states. Reports of the outbreak of Lassa Fever in at least 10 states including the FCT leaving 43 dead and at least 100 hospitalized, has necessitated the need f o r p u b l i c e n l i g h t e n m e n t a n d appropriate information as to protect lives. Lassa fever is caused by infection with the Lassa virus which is spread by wild multimammate rats (Mastomys species), which shed the virus in their urine and droppings. These are common in rural areas of tropical Africa, and often live in or around homes. Once infected, rodents shed virus throughout their life.

They carry the virus in their urine and faeces and live in homes and areas where food is stored.

Source: Vanguardonline.com

modern ways to remain traditionalFASHION

atterns have proven to be an Pextremely important trend across everything we do today as

Nigerians, giving Ankara an opportunity to flourish. But now, It is definitely not your mama's traditional skirt and blouse ensemble. We are now seeing it in cropped tops, high waist shorts, Peplum tops, pleated skirts etc.

Both new and established designers are now transforming modern pieces into Nigerian traditional attire.

And you should too.

Check out some style inspiration from yours truly on how you can rock new trends of ankara all year long