The winners will be flown in and paired with knowledgeable trainers to help them develop a balanced lifestyle that fosters “happiness the Finnish way.”

Six-time world’s happiest country Finland is opening up the world’s first masterclass on happiness to “find your inner fin.”

The Nordic country is offering free global trips to 10 people to take part in its four-day master class on happiness, which will be held in the Finnish Lakeland region from June 12 to 15, 2023, at Kuru Resort.

Hosted by visit Finland, participants will not have to pay a dime, while people who do not qualify can participate in a free masterclass available online later this summer.

The Finns believe Finnish happiness is a skill that can be taught, and citizens from all countries are welcome to apply until April 2, 2023. 

The two-phase application includes filling out a sign-up form and completing the social media challenge.

The winners will be flown in and paired with knowledgeable trainers to help them develop a balanced lifestyle that fosters “happiness the Finnish way.” 

Winners will learn about themes such as nature crafts, food for the soul and body, exercise in forests and lakes, calming sounds and music and the Finnish way of life.

“Their Babalawos are well grounded in the teachings of Ifa and can render the Odu-Ifa and its panegyrics like our Ifa priests do in Nigeria”.

The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ọjájá II), has proclaimed the Brazilian city Quilombola a Yoruba territory

It means Quilombola is the first city outside Africa to receive a certificate of Yoruba territory.

The monarch delivered the title in recognition of Quilombola territory in Brazil on Sunday, the 19th of March.

The epoch-making ceremony took place in the Quingoma community, in Lauro de Freitas, in the Metropolitan Region of Salvador, Brazil

The move, he said, is geared towards bridging the gap between the Yoruba race and the rest of the world.

They will achieve this through cultural integration and globalising Yoruba culture across the shores of Nigeria.

The Ooni, who arrived in Bahia, Brazil, with his Nigerian entourage, was welcomed by an orchestra of Atabaques (Afro-Brazilian hand drum) and Berimbaus (musical bow)

Cultural preservation

Delivering his address, the Ooni said the rich and robust history of the Brazilians and the Yoruba people dates back immemorial.

He said the development would not only strengthen cultural preservation but also give Brazilians a sense of belonging and boost the Yoruba heritage globally.

“This event is a need for me because I am passionate about preserving the Yorubas culture and values. You can see the excitement on their faces.

“Their Babalawos are well grounded in the teachings of Ifa and can render the Odu-Ifa and its panegyrics like our Ifa priests do in Nigeria. They hold our gods like Sango, Ogun, Yemoja, and Obatala in high esteem,” he said.

He revealed that the people of Quilombola have designated days to celebrate these gods with colourful displays infused with plenty of aesthetics.

“They also speak Yoruba, which is one thing I love about them. It’s essential to harmonise them and show solidarity that we are part of them, are part of us. This will foster good bilateral trade between Brazil and Nigeria, and it will also put the Yoruba culture at an advantage,” Oba Adeyeye added.

According to reports, the residents of Quilombola could not hold their joy as they celebrated the delivery of the title of Yoruba territory.

Quilombola

History has it that Quilombola was recognised for receiving and welcoming Yoruba people, who were enslaved and forcibly removed from their base in Nigeria during the era of the slave trade in Africa.

The history of the Quilombo dates back to the 17th century.

Currently, around 580 families live in the area covering approximately 1,200 hectares. Quingoma has been recognised as a Quilombola territory by the Palmares Foundation since 2013.

The recognition of Quilombola as a Yoruba territory is regarded as another step in the fight for respect for African history.

…the smuggler was sentenced on Tuesday.

Maryland Resident Sentenced to Over Five Years in Federal Prison for Illegally Transporting Firearms with Obliterated Serial Numbers and Smuggling Firearms to Nigeria

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett today sentenced Eric Fru Nji, age 42, of Fort Washington, Maryland, to 63 months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release, for conspiracy, for transporting firearms with obliterated serial numbers, and for smuggling firearms and ammunition from the United States to Nigeria. Judge Bennett also ordered Nji to pay a fine of $25,000. Nji was convicted of those charges on May 6, 2022, along with co-defendants Wilson Nuyila Tita, age 47, of Owings Mills, Maryland and Wilson Che Fonguh, age 41, of Bowie, Maryland, after a two-week trial.

The sentence was announced by Erek L. Barron, United States Attorney for the District of Maryland; Special Agent in Charge James C. Harris of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Baltimore; and Special Agent in Charge Toni M. Crosby of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Baltimore Field Division.

According to the evidence presented at trial, from at least November 2017 through July 19, 2019, Nji and his co-defendants conspired with each other and with others to export firearms, ammunition and other military-typed items from the United States to Nigeria. Specifically, the evidence at trial established that Nji and his co-conspirators secreted 38 firearms, 28 of which had the obliterated serial numbers in a shipping container that they sent out of the Port of Baltimore in January of 2019. The guns included sniper rifles, SKS assault rifles (some with bayonets), other rifles and several handguns. There were 44 high-capacity magazines, two rifle scopes and over 35,000 rounds of ammunition. As detailed in trial testimony, Nji and his co-conspirators contributed funds for the purchase of firearms, ammunition, reloading materials and other equipment for shipping overseas to separatists fighting against the Government of Cameroon. The evidence proved that Nji and his co-conspirators concealed the firearms, ammunition, rifle scopes, and other items in duffle bags and heavily wrapped packages inside sealed compressor units, placing those items into a shipping container destined for Nigeria. Nji and his co-conspirators communicated about their efforts and plans to ship weapons and ammunitions using an on-line encrypted messaging application and code words in order to conceal their activities.

Fonguh, Tita and seven defendants charged in related cases are awaiting sentencing.

United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended HSI and the ATF for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron recognized the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement; U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Service; Department of Defense Office of Inspector General, Defense Criminal Investigative Service; the Naval Criminal Investigative Service; and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service for their contributions to the investigation. U.S. Attorney Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Kathleen O. Gavin, who is prosecuting the case.