The American way of life or simply the American way is the unique lifestyle of the people of the United States of America. It refers to a nationalist ethos that adheres to the principle of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. At the center of the American way is the American Dream that upward mobility is achievable by any American through hard work. This concept is intertwined with the concept of American exceptionalism, the belief in the unique culture of the nation.
Author William Herberg offers the following definition:[1]
1937 Louisville, Kentucky. Margaret Bourke-White.[2] There’s no way like the American Way
The American Way of life is individualistic, dynamic, and pragmatic. It affirms the supreme value and dignity of the individual; it stresses incessant activity on his part, for he is never to rest but is always to be striving to “get ahead”; it defines an ethic of self-reliance, merit, and character, and judges by achievement: “deeds, not creeds” are what count. The “American Way of Life” is humanitarian, “forward-looking”, optimistic. Americans are easily the most generous and philanthropic people in the world, in terms of their ready and unstinting response to suffering anywhere on the globe. The American believes in progress, in self-improvement, and quite fanatically in education. But above all, the American is idealistic. Americans cannot go on making money or achieving worldly success simply on its own merits; such “materialistic” things must, in the American mind, be justified in “higher” terms, in terms of “service” or “stewardship” or “general welfare”… And because they are so idealistic, Americans tend to be moralistic; they are inclined to see all issues as plain and simple, black and white, issues of morality.
— William Herberg, Protestant, Catholic, Jew: an Essay in American religious sociology
Further information: individualism, dignity, humanitarianism, philanthropism, self-improvement, economic materialism, general welfare, moralism, and black and white thinking
One commentator notes, “The first half of Herberg’s statement still holds true nearly half a century after he first formulated it”, even though “Herberg’s latter claims have been severely if not completely undermined… materialism no longer needs to be justified in high-sounding terms”.[3]
In the National Archives and Records Administration’s 1999 Annual Report, National Archivist John W. Carlin writes, “We are different because our government and our way of life are not based on the divine right of kings, the hereditary privileges of elites, or the enforcement of deference to dictators. They are based on pieces of paper, the Charters of Freedom – the Declaration that asserted our independence, the Constitution that created our government, and the Bill of Rights that established our liberties.”[4]
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Ogun state gubernatorial aspirant, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka finally resolved differences with Ogun State former governor and political leader, Otunba Gbenga Daniel.
Sources confirmed that GNI as fondly called has returned back to the political camp of the former governor.This was after he was sent packing from Buruji Kashamu’s camp by the Ijebu senator.
Newsheadline247 understands that “ he was part of a meeting held with the ex governor to form a alliance in bid to wrest power from incumbent governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and All Progressives Congress, the ruling party in the state.
The meeting staged at Conference Hotel, Sagamu witnessed attendance of other gubernatorial aspirants Ladi Adebutu and Senator Solomo Adeola (Yayi) and other political power brokers in the state.
This development comes after Isiaka fell out with Senator Kashamu Buruji, the man who provided him with People’s Democratic Party’s platform to contest for governor of Ogun state in the 2015 general elections.
Isiaka tried to stop the re election bid of Governor Amosun but failed. It was his second attempt to get at the gateway state’s highest political position.
While campaigning and prosecuting the election, he reportedly shunned Otunba Gbenga Daniel – the man who brought him to political limelight.
He was extraordinarily close to Buruji at that time.
But after the election, things fell apart between them and indications have it – Isiaka is back in the camp of his ex governor Gbenga Daniel as he plots way to have another chance at becoming governor of Ogun state.
Agency Reports>>> A battery charger, Adedayo Ajiboye, on Friday filed a petition for the dissolution of his 18-year-old marriage to his wife, Taye Ajiboye.
The 38-year-old man filed the petition at a Customary Court sitting in Ayedun-Ekiti in Ikole Local Government area of Ekiti State.
The petitioner alleged that the wife was found of destroying his properties whenever there was misunderstanding between them, saying he could no longer cope with the woman’s destructive attitude.
“My wife has an attitude of raining curses on our children whenever they misbehaved and if I tried to caution her, she would lock up my shirt, go berserk by scattering my clothes on the roads for vehicles to march on them.
“In 2015, I was sick and I went to sleep in the car outside the house and when I woke up, I discovered that the light in the house were still switched-on, so I scolded the children for not switching it off.
“My wife picked quarrel over that to the extent that she broke my windscreen. I later sold the car at a cheaper price because I could not withstand seeing the car in its damaged state.
“Sometimes in February 2017, my wife asked me to pay up the N37, 000 I borrowed from her.
“I told her I will only pay her money after I have forgiven her because the damage she did to my car was more than what I owed her; she picked quarrel again.
“She destroyed the window in my room and my generator, this time I felt my life was in danger and I can no longer tolerate her,” the husband said.
The petitioner, who admitted that he had not paid the wife’s dowry, said he was also seeking divorce on the ground that his wife had become adulterous.
He sought custody of the children, saying he did not want them to take after their mother’s bad attitude.
When the claims for divorce were read to the defendant by the court, she said if the husband wanted divorce, so be it and that she destroyed those properties due to some reasons.
The President of the three-man panel, Mrs Yemisi Ojo, adjourned the case until July 17 for continuation of hearing.
I met Prince Ned Nwoko 18 years ago as a wide-eyed young man freshly out of NYSC. He was then a member of the House of Representatives. Within a few days of our meeting it was obvious to me that here was a special character. It wasn’t his academic or professional CV, as impressive as they were (Law & History Bachelor’s, Keele University London, LLM Kings College,4 London, Crown Prosecutor, Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England & Wales etc.), that got me believing. What got me tripping were his extraordinary vision, intense drive, self-confidence, acute intelligence, insight, compassion, and his special love of people, especially the people of his hometown Idumuje-Ugboko and Anioma people in general.
Prince Ned Nwoko arrived at the House of Representatives in 1999 as a bustling young man of 38 and instead of being content and grateful for just being a member, as many people would have been, he straightaway set himself the ambition of becoming the deputy speaker. Although he was ultimately unsuccessful in that bid, nevertheless, he had distinguished himself amongst his colleagues, the presidency and the national public. This gave him the platform to begin the fight for what he believes in: a better and more equitable society for all, whether rich or poor. And he especially believes that good education is the gateway to achieving this better life. Accordingly, one of the dearest subjects to him was and still is the establishment of a federal university in Asaba, as well as the building of other infrastructures in the general Anioma area. To amplify his requests to the Obasanjo administration, in the year 2000, Prince Ned Nwoko in his capacity as the then member representing Aniocha/Oshimili Federal Constituency, organized a visit of the leaders of the constituency to Aso Rock. Amongst the members of this delegation were the Asagba of Asaba, Obi (Prof) Chike Edozien; the Ide Ahaba, Chief Sunny Odogwu; Prof Demas Nwoko; Chief Adora Giwa-Amu; former Biafrian warload, Colonel Joe Achuzia; Chief Ukadike; Architect Uzor; Chairman of UBA, Mr Tony Elumelu; Chairman Chrismatel Shipping Company; Chief Peter Eloka Okocha, Chairman of Kakasa Engineering Company, Chief Hyacinth Enuha; The late Obis of Idumuje Unor, Issele Uku, Ubulu Uku and Idumuje Ugboko and the then four local government chairmen of Aniocha North, Aniocha South, Oshimili North and Oshimili South amongst other distinguished Anioma leaders. I remember very clearly that the night before the meeting with President Obasanjo at the Villa, Prince Ned Nwoko conducted these Anioma leaders around Abuja, visiting important government officials like the then PDP chairman, Chief B. Gemade; the then minister of Health, Prof Tim Menakaya and the then minister of works Chief Tony Anenih, with whom he directly pleaded for the completion of the Benin/Asaba dual carriageway, as well as the award of the contract for the construction of the Ewohimi/Idumuje Ugboko/Onicha Ugbo highway (both now accomplished projects).
At the meeting with President Olusegun Obasanjo in the State Room of Aso Rock the next day, the demands made on the government ministers the previous evening were reiterated. For the sake of clarity the principle requests in the memorandum presented were as follows: the establishment of a federal university of agriculture in Asaba, the construction of Ewohimi/Idumuje Ugboko/Onicha Ugbo link road, the completion of the Benin Asaba dual carriageway (this project had dragged on for many years and was then in a state of abandonment), and the building of a dam in Aniofu, which was later sited in Ogwashi Uku. It is instructive to note that many years after, the people of Anioma and other Nigerians who cross Anioma are still enjoying the benefits of that visit. Apart from these major projects, Prince Ned Nwoko also worked tirelessly for the construction of the NTA station Asaba, the Delta state Police headquarters also in Asaba and he was also heavily involved, as House of Representatives Committee chairman on Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, in influencing the granting of the licence for the Asaba Airport. He was also instrumental, through the Universal Basic Education Scheme, in the reconstruction and provision of excellent facilities in many primary schools in Anioma area, notably Ani-shi Primary School, Ogwashi Uku; Abuedo Primary School, Ubulu Uku; Egbune Primary School, Issele Uku; Asagba Primary School, Asaba and others too numerous to enumerate.
On the floor of the House of Representatives, Prince Ned Nwoko was a very effective member, of a radical-liberal-progressive inclination; he delivered his positions with insight and vision unparalleled amongst his peers. He was one of the earliest voices for the establishment of an investigative and prosecutorial agency to handle cases of corruption in Nigeria. And some of the bills he introduced on the floor of the House of Representatives were a bill for an Act to establish Public Funds Recovery and Reward Commission (whistle blower), A bill for an Act to Prohibit Expensive Burial in Nigeria, a bill for an Act to establish a National Sports University, a bill for an Act to Standardize Allowances and Fringe Benefits payable to Government Officials (Monetization) and many others.
However, the establishment of a federal university in Anioma remained elusive. But instead of losing faith in this dream, Prince Ned Nwoko decided to bring the mountain to Mohammed. In November 2015, he began the process for the establishment of an international standard private university for academic and sports excellence in Anioma. Star University, he elected to name it. Luckily for his kiths and kin, he ignored more commercially viable locations to choose his hometown Idumuje Ugboko for this privilege. Through observation of recent developmental history in Nigeria it can very easily be seen that the siting of a university or other institution of higher education is one of the easiest ways to bring development to a community. Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Okoh Polytechnic, Okoh; Madonna University, Okija; Ogwashi Uku, Polytechnic, Ogwashi Uku etc. easily come to mind. And so it is with consternation that many observers are hearing and reading about the opposition to this laudable project in national newspapers and social media, by a section of Idumuje Ugboko elites, due to disagreement about land allocation. The billion naira question is – why are they really opposing this developmental initiative? Could it be out of spite or jealousy? Surely nobody believes that land, an imperishable resource could be packaged and carted away irretrievably by Prince Ned Nwoko.
Surely, Idumuje Ugboko, with one of the highest percentage of educated elites in the area must be aware that a private university in the town will boost the local economy by up to two billion naira per annum, provide up to 500 well-paid permanent and more than 1000 temporary construction jobs to locals, bring in ancillary service providers like banks, real estate developers, hotels, restaurants, cybercafés etc., boost the value of land astronomically and advertise the name of the town nationally and even internationally and transform Idumuje Ugboko overnight, even giving it a status above and beyond the local government headquarters, Issele Uku.
May I humbly use this medium to urge everybody involved in this internecine opposition to reconsider their position and support this commendable project. May I also urge the Obis and peoples of my home town Idumuje Unor and Onicha Ugbo, two communities within 500 metres of Idumuje Ugboko and the proposed Star University site, to stand ready to provide land for this private institution if some persons in Idumuje Ugboko persist in opposing this initiative. On no account should this dream be allowed to die or the project sited outside Aniocha North Local Government. It is not a fluke or accident that Prince Ned Nwoko is involved in this massive developmental project.
He has always been a man driven by the passion for public service and philanthropy. He made national headlines in 1999 when he announced that he was donating his salary and allowances, including the much-heralded furniture allowance to members of his constituency. And he regularly gifts money to groups like churches, social and civil societies and indigent members of the society. His passion for public service has been the only reason he participates in politics. He is just not a man to sit idly and watch while the society suffers. And somehow the people of Delta North have recognized this quality in him and that was why they massively supported him in the 2011 senatorial election, which he won handsomely before the mandate was callously stolen by forces beyond his control.
Now as the 2019 General Elections are approaching, Anioma people, having witnessed the selfish, shameful and criminal scandal-hit performance of the incumbent, are once again clamouring for Prince Ned Nwoko to become their senator and champion their course in Abuja. Prince Ned Nwoko, the philanthropist, the altruist, the international lawyer and negotiator, a worthy scion of the throne of Nwoko, the public servant and legislator per excellence will answer this call. And this time Anioma people will not be cheated.
Onyeka Ibe is the Executive Secretary of Asaba Arts & Literary Society & a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). He is the author of two novels; Grandmother Caroline & This Is how We Do It and winner of the 2010 Living Earth/DFID National Short Story Prize. He was Chief Legislative Assistant to Prince Ned Nwoko at the National Assembly from 1999 to 2000
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) said it would comply with the order of the Federal High Court, Abuja that temporarily suspended the recall of Senator Dino Melaye from the Senate.
Melaye represents the Kogi West Senatorial District at the Upper Chamber.
The Commission disclosed this in a statement issued by Prince Adedeji Soyebi, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee on Thursday in Abuja.
Soyebi said the commission reached the decision after considering the court order dated July 6, 2017, at its regular weekly meeting held on Thursday.
The court order had directed all parties listed in the suit filed by Melaye to maintain the status quo till the determination of the motion on notice.
Melaye was seeking order of injunction against the commission to stop it from acting on the petition by registered voters of Kogi west senatorial district.
“As a responsible, law-abiding institution, INEC will comply with the order.
“However, the commission has also decided to take immediate steps to vacate the court order for the matter to be heard and determined expeditiously.
“Whereas the court had adjourned hearing of the Motion on Notice till Sept. 29, the commission by law has 90 days to complete the process,’’ he said.
Soyebi further said: “section 69 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) sets a limit of 90 days from the date of the presentation of the petition (21st June, 2017) for the exercise to be completed.’’
The national commissioner however, said the commission did draw the attention of the Chief Justice of Nigeria to the order.
Soyebi said this was in view of the negative effect the order had on the performance of the commission’s constitutional duty.
In another development, Soyebi said the commission had approved a policy of comprehensive audit after all elections.
“This is in line with its commitment of ensuring transparency and overall improvement of the electoral process,’’ he said.
(dpa/NAN) Aviation Authority of the Indian Ocean archipelago said on Thursday possible debris from a Malaysia Airlines jet that disappeared in 2014 has been found on the Seychelles.
The Seychelles Islands Development Company (IDC), said, rangers found two pieces of debris suspected to be from an aircraft while tagging turtles and birds on North Island.
The Boeing 777 disappeared on March 8, 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board.
Pieces of wreckage believed to have come from the plane have been found off African coasts.
IDC spokesperson Michael Payet said that the largest piece of debris, measuring 30 x 120 cm and apparently made from aluminium and carbon fibre, could be part of an engine cover.
Investigators from the Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority (SCAA) would be sent to North Island in the Farquhar Atoll to retrieve the debris.
The aviation authority in a statement said it is “already in contact with the Malaysian authorities, who have shown an interest, and with whom we expect to work closely.’’
If it is confirmed that the debris is from an aircraft, Australia would also be contacted, the statement added.
The official search effort for the doomed flight MH370, led by Malaysia, Australia and China, was suspended in January after an underwater sweep of some 120,000 square km turned up no signs of the plane’s main body.
President Muhammadu Buhari is getting better and will soon be back, going by his wife Aisha’s statement yesterday in London.
The President’s wife last week travelled to London to be with her husband, who is undergoing treatment for an undisclosed ailment. She has also been carrying out other assignments.
President Buhari left the country on May 7 for another round of treatment. He spent more than 50 days during his first medical vaction in London.
On his return, he told the nation that he had never been that sick in his life adding that he underwent blood transfusion. But he did not disclose his ailment.
On her facebook page yesterday, Mrs Buhari, in a response to the July 6 post by Senator Shehu Sani, expressed herself in a figurative manner, using the animal imagery like the senator did.
She wrote: “God has answered the prayers of the weaker animals. The hyenas and the jackals will soon be sent out of the kingdom. We strongly believe in the prayers and support of the weaker animals.
“Long live the weaker animals. Long live Nigeria.”
Director of Press in Mrs Buhari’s office Mr. Suleiman Haruna, said yesterday that the post was on the president’s wife’s “verified facebook page”.
As at 10pm, about 257 people had made comments on the post, most of which were wishing President Buhari quick recovery.
Senator Sani (Kaduna Central) wrote on his facebook page on July 6.
“Prayer for the absent Lion King has waned; until he’s back then they will fall over each other to be on the front row of the palace temple.
“Now the hyenas and the jackals are scheming and talking to each other in whispers; still doubting whether the Lion King will be back or not.
“Now the Lion king is asleep and no other dare to confirm if he will wake up or not. It’s the wish of the hyenas that the Lion King never wakes or comes back so that they can be kings. It’s the prayers of the weaker animals that the Lion King comes back to save the Kingdom from the hyenas,the wolves and other predators.”
The senator is believed to be referring to those who are scheming to become president in 2019, criss-crossing the country in moves to taking advantage of the president’s absence.
Some people who are holding political positions are also believed to be undermining the system to position themselves in the president’s absence.
The President’s wife also yesterday posted her photograph speaking at an event in London.
She wrote under the photograph: “Today I attended the Babatunde Osotimehin Memorial Lecture at County Hall, London.
“It was an honour to have spoken about his achievements at all levels and his commitment towards women and children all over the world.”
Osotimehin was the Exective Director of the United Nations Fund for Population Activitiies (UNFPA) and a former minister of health, who died last month.
Veteran tennis star, Venus Williams has ended the fairy tale run of Britain’s Johanna Konta, beating her 6-4, 6-2 to reach her first final since 2009.
Venus, who is bidding for her eighth Grand Slam, broke Konta when the scoreline was 4-4 in the first set and then held serve to clinch the set.
The second set was easier as she raced to a 4-1 lead, after breaking Konta again. She closed the match 6-2.
Venus, who is in Wimbledon without her younger sister, Serena, will meet Garbine Muguruza in the final on Saturday.
“It’s usually her [Serena] in these finals so I’m just trying to represent Williams as best I can,” Venus said.
At 37, Venus is the oldest woman at the tournament. Her opponent on Saturday is 14 years her junior.
Today’s match was Venus’s 87 singles wins at the Wimbledon, the most by any active female player. She was all smiles as she waved to the crowd after the match.
A few weeks ago, Mubadala Group, the major investor from the United Arab Emirates, pulled out of Nigeria’s fourth largest mobile operator, due to a N541 billion debt.
On July 4, 2017, a new board was appointed at Etisalat Nigeria, to handle the smooth transition of the telecommunications company after a reallocation of shares.
Boye Olusanya, former deputy managing director of Celtel Nigeria (now Airtel Nigeria), was appointed as the chief executive officer of Etisalat Nigeria to over see the transition.
It was gathered that Olusanya was appointed to oversee the transition of the company due to his experience in the smooth transition of Celtel to Airtel.
The transition of the telcom, with 21 million subscribers, was brokered with the aid of the Central Bank of NIGERIA (CBN) and National Communications Commission (NCC).
NCC has warned the creditors that the licence awarded to Etisalat Nigeria is not transferable, effectively stopping the banks from taking ownership of the company.
A few weeks ago, Mubadala Group, the major investor from the United Arab Emirates, pulled out of Nigeria’s fourth largest mobile operator, due to a N541 billion debt.