Author: ARM

Abu’s journey (5) – Tomorrow is looking good

In Episode one, Abu was just passing out from the compulsory 3-weeks orientation camp. Episode two sees him counting the days until NYSC is finished. In Episode three, Abu goes full mode job seeker. In episode 4, the job market tide turns favourably for Abu. Now in this final episode, we go through with Abu to see what his future becomes. Read on…

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Life was smiling at Abu and he was smiling right back. He was living the dream he had from way back in the university. Judging by his colleagues from school and their progress, he wasn’t doing badly.

With 6 years spent at DKY Oil and Gas, Abu had gained some financial muscle and a befitting title. But knowing Abu and his hunger for success, satisfaction was still not gained. He needed more. He was a realistic guy who understood that life wasn’t all smiles. He knew to expect the unexpected and this thought always had him constantly searching for ways to bulk up his financial strength so that the twins will have the life he desired for them.

As he thought of possible ways to do this, life had other plans.

When Abu got to work the following week, the atmosphere was apprehensive. Abu dropped his bag in his office, slammed the door and went straight to his superior’s office.

“Good Morning Razaq sir. How is the family?” he asked. “Mehn, family is fine o. I’m just worried about my family here at work” Mr. Razaq responded.

The hairs on the back of Abu’s neck stood as he pressed on, “Ah ah, boss what could the problem be”. “Haven’t you heard? Because of that issue of crude oil’s depreciating value, we have orders from above to start downsizing. Omo, even my hands are tied on this one. I don’t know who the bullet will hit.”

After the discussion with Razaq, Abu went to his office and put on his thinking cap. Perhaps this news was the push he needed to launch forward with his plan.

Abu quickly dialed Stoneface. “Hey my guy, how far? How’s wifey and the boys? Baba, we need to meet asap. Remember that importing and exporting business we spoke about the last time?” Stoneface responded in the affirmative. And Abu continued “I think it’s time to flesh out that skeleton.”

—-

Yinka had always wanted security both financially and otherwise, so when Abu told her of the shake in all the oil companies and how this could affect him, she also went into thinking mode.

With the twins seven years old and in Primary school, Yinka had changed jobs three times. Now, she had joined forces with Felix, her friend from secondary school who was skilled at creative and graphic designs to float IDEAZ. While she managed Copy as the Copy chief with her network of freelance writers, Felix did the design bit.

This helped Yinka have some flexibility with her various roles as parent, wife and business owner. She had followed their savings culture always putting away something monthly. Their two houses were bringing in decent income too, but she knew they couldn’t relax into that comfort. There was more work to be done.

With this in mind, Yinka threw her full support behind Abu and despite the stiff competition in the Importing and Exporting business, Abu and StoneFace managed to dine with the movers and shakers in the industry. Soon, jobs started coming in and Abu founded ABKA Import and Export company.

With each contract he delivered, Abu knew he could do better and, so he did. While the uncertainty in the sector remained, Abu built his company doggedly while making sure to deliver on his duty at DKY Oil and gas. But a miracle happened.

The sector soon became stable and some staff got promoted. Abu was one of the lucky ones.

He got the best hands to manage ABKA while he worked hard to prove to his bosses that he deserved the promotion.

—-

This all seemed like it was happening a lifetime ago as Abu and Yinka gave away their only daughter Hadizat in marriage to Jeffery Daniels, the son of the Lagos state governor.

While the couples danced, Yinka poked at Abu “Hey handsome, have a dance with me na”. Abu came back from his journey down memory lane, grabbed the wife of his youth by the waist and swung her around to the amazement of those watching.

“Now that our work with the children is done, and the business is growing stronger, we should make the best of our retirement and go on that world tour we planned. Our Pension Fund Account with ARM Pensions is juicy enough to handle it. What say you, babe?” Yinka laughed, threw her head back to catch a glimpse of her daughter dancing now with her twin brother Ahmed and responded “Yes sure. After all these years, I think it’s time too. The tomorrow we’ve prepared for is finally here and it’s looking really good.”

Before Abu could affirm, Ahmed swept his mother away to the dance floor “Come with me, pretty lady. I want to introduce you to the babe that rocks my world, second to you of course.” Yinka laughed and pinched his face.

 The end…

 

 

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In the news: Buhari presents N8.612tn budget

Punch FG’ll prosecute tax defaulters who shun VAIDS – Adeosun The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, on Tuesday said that the Federal Government would prosecute tax defaulters who fail to take advantage of the nine-month amnesty period offered under the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme. NSE announces changes in executive management The Nigerian Stock Exchange, on Tuesday, confirmed that its Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, Mr. Ade Bajomo, had resigned his appointment effective December 31, 2017 to pursue other challenges. 2018: Buhari bans recruitment by MDAs, presents N8.612tn budget President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday banned fresh recruitment by all Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, except by presidential approval. Jersey Island gives FG condition for returning $300m Abacha loot The government of Jersey Island says the $300m stashed within its territory by the late military dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha, will only be released to the Nigerian Government directly, not through any third party. Dufil Prima Foods lists N10bn bond on FMDQ Dufil Prima Foods Plc, following the approval granted by the FMDQ Board Listings, Markets and Technology Committee, on Tuesday listed the Dufil Prima Foods N10bn Series 1 Fixed Rate Bond under its N40bn Bond Issuance Programme (the Dufil Prima Bond) on the OTC Exchange. There won’t be fuel queues in December – NNPC The country will not experience fuel queues this end of year festive season, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation has assured the citizens. Thisday Banks to Adopt Basel IV Regulation from 2019 Banks in Africa, Nigeria banks inclusive, will from January 2019 be expected to adopt the Basel IV regulation, which is expected to place them at par with other global operators. CBN Boosts Forex Supply with $195m The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Tuesday intervened in the interbank foreign exchange market with the injection of another $195 million. Adeosun: Offshore Tax Havens, Avoidance Schemes Not Illegal As revelations from the Paradise Papers continue to make waves globally, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has clarified that offshore tax havens are not illegal insofar as Nigerian taxpayers using such shelters have paid the applicable taxes locally before the transfer of funds or assets to the tax shelters. FG to Launch First African Sovereign Green Bond in December President Muhammadu Buhari has said the Federal Government will launch the first African Sovereign Green Bond in December 2017, to finance renewable energy projects. FG Releases $200m Local Content Fund to BoI The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Mr. Simbi Wabote, has stated that the federal government has released the $200 million Nigerian Content Development Fund (NCDF) to the Bank of Industry (BoI) for Nigerian oil and gas service providers. Recovered Loots Yet to Be Used to Fund Budget, Says BudgIT CEO The chief executive of BudgIT, a civic organisation, Mr. Seun Onigbinde tuesday revealed that contrary to statements by some government officials that some of the recovered funds by the federal government had been used to fund the 2017 budget, findings by his organisation showed otherwise. Guardian NSE’s market capitalisation up by N29b The bulls upstaged the bears on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday, as most blue chip stocks appreciated in price, causing market capitalization to rise by N29billion. Nigeria’s refineries lose N4.54b in one month The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has put the losses made by Nigeria’s three refineries in the month of August at N4.54 billion. Restrictions on foreign banks affect growth, says World Bank The rising level of restrictions imposed on foreign banks operating in developing countries has been assessed as an impediment to growth in those countries, the World Bank Group has said. Government explains delay in clearing EEG backlogs The Federal Government has attributed the delay in clearing the backlog of the revived Export Expansion Grant (EEG) payments to prolonged approvals from the National Assembly, adding that efforts are underway to commence the programme soon. The Nation Senate seeks abolition of excess crude account The Senate yesterday resolved to ask President Muhammadu Buhari to abolish the operation of the controversial Excess Crude Account (ECA). Fed Govt saves N24.7b from TSA, others monthly President Muhammadu Buhari says Federal Government’s leveraging  Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and the enforcement of Bank Verification Number (BVN) has saved the nation of N24.7 billion monthly. Fed Govt, others share N9.9b solid minerals revenue Minister for Mines and Steel Development and Chairman, National Stakeholders’ Working Group (NSWG) of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives (NEITI), Kayode Fayemi, has said the N9.9billion revenue generated directly from solid minerals was shared among the three tiers of government in July, 2017. Ghana seeks more trade with Nigeria The Honourable Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry in Ghana, Hon Carlos Kingsley Ahenkorah has called on the federal government of Nigeria to allow more intra trade between Ghana and Nigeria as being done by the French speaking West African nations. Business Day Buhari seeks oil JV restructuring to fund 2018 budget President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday outlined plans to largely fund next year’s budget with revenues from non-oil sources including an ambitious plan to restructure the nation’s shareholdings in Joint Venture (JV) companies that pump most of the oil produced by Africa’s largest oil producer. Double edged oil rally revives petrol subsidy controversy Nigeria claims it no longer incurs petrol subsidy costs, yet the renewed rally in oil prices make a N145 per litre price template set in May 2016 obsolete. Reuters Moody’s downgrades Nigeria’s sovereign issuer rating Moody’s downgrades Nigeria’s sovereign issuer rating to B2 with a stable outlook.

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A ring is a ring, Innit?

Bola is the love of my life. I struck gold the day I found her. Refreshingly goofy and down-to-earth, from our very first date, I knew I was going to put a ring on it. She was not afraid to be herself and I could not wait to leave my heart in her beautiful hands. Two years of adventure, silliness and fierce loyalty and I was ready to take the leap.

It had to be lit, the proposal, completely dope. I wanted the kind of proposal that would bring tears to her eyes every time she recounted it. I wanted to give her a story she would not get tired of telling. So, I set to work. First off, ambience. Hmmmm, petals, candles, soft music, basically our own little paradise on the beach. A phone call from her favourite OAP telling her what time to be ready; have a complete outfit for our beach night delivered to her;arrange for her to be chauffeured to our date. Woah, the plan was coming together nice. I couldn’t wait to tell our friends.

Everyone agreed, my plan was air tight. I was pleased and sure she would be too. It took over half of my savings to put it all together, but I cared less. There was only one hitch, the Instagram vendor I had contacted for a ring sent me something that was not so great. A classic case of ‘see what I ordered, see what I got’. And it arrived late, like a few hours to action time. My babe deserved better, but I had already blown my budget and it was too late to make a hurried replacement. I would just have to be really careful when picking out our wedding rings.

Bola was blown away. The tears started flowing from the moment she arrived. She looked like a dream and I could not be more pleased. We had a pleasant time and she said yes. She said yes! But that is not where the story ended.

Early the next morning, she showed up at my door, the ring I gave her last night on her palm. Shocked beyond words, I stared on as she made her speech.

‘Hey hubby in waiting, I know I said yes but that’s cos it’s you and I want to marry you. But not with this ring. Nah, get me another ring abeg. One I can show off on social media. This our engagement is just between us o, till you get me a proper ring’. Done with her speech, she sashayed into my apartment.

‘Wait babe, it’s just a ring. A ring is a ring, abi?’

That is how I ended up buying two rings for my proposal to Bola. Two! The emergency ring bled my Money Market Fund account and left me broke. But my babe was happy, she flooded her Instagram timeline with picture after picture and the cutest captions ever. There was even a video of her flaunting the ring and singing- marriage fall on me.

A couple of months have gone by and we’ve started discussing the wedding. This time, Bola is not taking any chances, she wants to pick out the rings herself. I know an investment in love can never cost too much but I can’t stop myself from wondering; do I really have to buy her another ring? Can’t I wed her with the expeeensssive proposal ring? I mean, what will happen to that ring, does the engagement ring expire on the wedding day? What’s even in a ring sef, is it not our love that matters?

By the way, please tell that IG ring vendor not to cross my path. Thanks.

 

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But I don’t smoke!

“Oh, I don’t smoke so I can’t get lung cancer.”

Do you think like this? Well, get ready for a shocker.

You don’t need to be a smoker to develop lung cancer. It is true that smokers are most susceptible to Lung Cancer, but even as a non-smoker, other risk factors make you a target for this disease.

Some of them are:

Second-hand smoke:

While smoking is responsible for about 90% of all cases of lung cancer, your constant presence around people that smoke can expose you to this disease. The longer you hang around your guys that smoke, inhaling their smoke, the more your risk of developing lung cancer. Now that you know this, be careful how long you stick around your unapologetic smoker friends when the cigarette is lit.

Asbestos and diesel exhaust:

Do you work in an industrial environment where the use of asbestos is common or where you constantly inhale diesel exhaust? Then you must know that long exposure to asbestos and diesel exhaust puts you at a risk for lung cancer. If you smoke and work with asbestos, that is double jeopardy. To cut down this risk, you may consider quitting cigarette smoking altogether and avoiding too much exposure to asbestos.

Age:

Lung cancer is most severe as you age. 81% of those living with lung cancer are over the age 60. This makes it possible for someone with lung cancer to live somewhat free of lung cancer symptoms until they are much older.

Inherited genes:

According to cancer.org, a small percentage of people inherit DNA mutations from their parents that put them at a greater risk of developing certain cancers like Lung cancer. So, when next you see a family with a history of lung cancer, don’t be quick to assume they are all smokers. It might just be genes bringing forward the habits of their older ones to the younger generation.

 

And just in case you are wondering why the sudden emphasis on Lung cancer, it is because November is Lung Cancer Awareness month!

 

 

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In the news: CBN injects 5m into FX Market

Punch We’ll consider Nigeria’s $400m loan request, says AfDB The African Development Bank on Tuesday said it could consider Nigeria for an additional $400m loan if such a request was approved by its Board. Nigeria jumps 24 places in ease of doing business The World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Report for 2018 has placed Nigeria in the 145th position. This is 24 positions better than the 169th position the nation was ranked in the 2017 report. Shell, Eni may face trial over $1.3bn Nigerian deal An Italian judge is expected to decide on December 20 whether to send two oil majors, Eni and Shell, to trial over alleged corruption in Nigeria, two legal sources said on Tuesday. N797bn VAT revenue recorded in 10 months – Adeosun The Federation Account recorded a revenue inflow of N797.51bn from Value Added Tax between January and October this year, the Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, has said. Oil price rises to $61 per barrel Global oil benchmark, Brent crude, rose above $61 per barrels on Tuesday after a week of gains as the prospect of increasing United States exports dampened bullish sentiment that has driven Brent crude to more than two-year highs above $60 per barrel. This Day Again, Nigeria’s Manufacturing Index Sustains Expansion The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) stood at 55 index points in October 2017, indicating an expansion in the manufacturing sector for the seventh consecutive month. CBN Pumps Another $195m into Forex Market The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Tuesday injected another $195 million into the interbank foreign exchange market. Oando Records N7.1 Billion Profit After Tax in Q3 The prospects are getting brighter for Oando Plc as the company has reported a profit after tax of N7.1 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared with a loss of N35.886 billion in the corresponding period of 2016. NNPC: Why We Went Back to Oil Exploration in Benue Trough The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has given reasons why it went back to search for oil in the Benue trough, saying that Total, Chevron and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO) which had previously explored the region did not drill deep enough in their search for oil. Guardian Nigeria loses 2,648.7mw to gas, line constraint The Nigeria’s power sector lost 2,648.7 megawatts (mw) on the October 29 to line and gas constraints, according to the daily electricity generation report by the Federal Ministry of Power Works and Housing. Investors’ wealth appreciates by 3.2% in one month Following price gains recorded by many blue chip companies, trading on the Nigerian Stock Exchange maintained an upward trend yesterday, as investors’ wealth soared by 3.2 per cent in one month. Submarine cable system underused after $1b investment After several investments worth over $1 billion (N306 billion), the nation’s submarine cable system is still hampered by gross underutilization. The Nation Paris/London Club loan: Firms oppose temporary forfeiture of N1.4b Three firms have raised objections to the temporary forfeiture of N1.4bilion, being part of Paris/London Club loan, to the Federal Government Business Day FG fails to meet deadline for 2018 budget proposal The Federal Government has failed to fulfil its promise of submitting the 2018 budget proposal in October to the National Assembly.

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