TRULY FAB

Meet Toni Iwobi, The First Black Man to be Elected as a Senator In Italy

Published

6 years ago

March 9, 2018

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Toni Iwobi, The First Black Man to be Elected as a Senator In Italy

At the age of 22, Toni Iwobi left Nigeria for Europe on a student visa. 40 years down the line, he emerged as the first black man elected to the upper legislative house in Italy. Before him, two blacks – Jean-Leonard Touadi and Cecilie Kyenge – were elected lawmakers but in the lower chamber. This means that Iwobi shattered the glass ceiling in the words of Hillary Clinton.

Iwobi’s journey to the top did not happen all of a sudden. He held his first political office as far back as 1995. Back then he was elected a municipal councillor and he kept climbing the rungs of the ladder.

A TRIP TO NIGERIA

At a press conference organised in Abuja when he came to Nigeria three years ago, Iwobi delivered a cheery news to those in the gathering.

“My party has ruled Italy in the past in alliance with other parties in different Times. Today, we are one of the major Italian important parties in the country and I was recently appointed as the federal head of security and immigration of the party by the European parliamentarian and the national chairman of my party: Mr. Matteo Salvini,” he had said.

Salvini, whom he thanked exceptionally on Tuesday, gave him the opportunity to contest the senatorial race and he was able to write a new chapter in his political history.

Having a Nigerian heritage could be seen as a relief for citizens of the most populous black nation on earth who believe in searching for greener pasture abroad, some through illegal means but wait for it; Iwobi is an anti-immigrant campaigner.

TOUGH STANCE ON MIGRATION

As head of Salvini’s national committee on immigration, he helped write the League’s anti-migration platform, in which it proposed among other things to make it easier to deport migrants, to use economic incentives to get countries to agree to repatriate their nationals from Italy, to refuse to take in migrants rescued by NGOs from the Mediterranean, to renegotiate EU agreements that oblige Italy to house migrants that arrive here while their application to stay is processed, to threaten withdrawal of the right to seek asylum or benefits if migrants commit a crime or break the rules of the reception centre where they’re housed, and to stiffen existing requirements for the children of immigrants applying for citizenship to include a test on Italian language, culture and traditions.

DEMANDED REVOLUTION AGAINST MIGRANTS

In an interview he granted four years ago, Iwobi said: “Ten thousand fake refugees arriving in just a few days — our president Matteo Salvini is right once more. The Partito Democratico has transformed Italy into an immense refugee camp, with a trite litany that Europe is going to help us, but in fact does not give a damn. Basta! [Enough.] What is needed is a popular revolt to get rid of this government, even using rough methods.”

Defending his hardline stance, Iwobi said he is not opposed to immigrants who – like himself – come to Italy legally and seek to integrate; instead, he his problem is with “the clandestine invasion”: people who seek to stay in Italy illegally.

At the Abuja conference, Iwobi said he wouldn’t want to discourage his people from travelling but he would rather advise them to stay at home where it is more secure.

He said that the aim of the conference was to promote their new immigration campaign and willingness to enhance a further mutual cooperation with Nigeria.

“We are also looking on future immigration regulations and to create further commercial, trade and industrial opportunities between some imminent Italian businessmen, industrialists and their Nigerian counterparts for our respective people of Nigeria and Italy,” he had said.

Iwobi noted that the challenge posed by illegal immigrants who arrive from Africa had raised serious debates in Italy and Europe, which his party was leading the way towards seeking solution based on partnership with African countries, including Nigeria.

He lamented that Nigerians travelling to Europe using illegal routes and illegitimate means “face series of dangers both in the Libyan desert towards the Mediterranean borders and from the same borders to European countries mainly through Italy”.

An IT entrepreneur, Iwobi is married to an Italian woman.

Being the first black senator in the history of the Italian Republic, his party defined him as the face of anti-racism, even as the party is tagged racist in its policies. Among its policies announced in the 2018 election campaign, the League has called for a flat tax at 15 percent; legalisation and taxation of prostitution; free state-funded daycare; rejection of a bill that would grant Italian citizenship to those born and schooled in Italy with foreign parents; and tighter controls on immigration.

SOURCE

Related Topics:Italy Toni Iwobi TSenator

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Nigerian Toni Iwobi elected as Italy’s first ever Black Senator

BUSINESS

Watch! Mitsubishi Motors Presents Drive Your Ambition – Under 40 CEOs Featuring Olaotan Towry-Coker

Published

5 years ago

August 5, 2019

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Who else is as excited about getting into the 5th gear in Week 5 of Under 40 CEOs – Drive Your Ambition? Forget August Visitors as we have lined up an amazing set of August Riders who will be taking a ride with Mr FAB as usual. This week he drives the Chief Executive Officer at Afritickets to work in the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. We know you’re itching to watch, but who exactly is Olaotan Towry-Coker?

Olaotan Towry-Coker is a passionate entrepreneur with over 14 years experience in incubating and growing early-stage businesses. His professional background spans multiple sectors including Oil and gas, publishing, advertising, technology and real estate. Driven by a continual search for excellence and a passionate desire and drive to solve problems and impact people across many divides, Olaotan Towry-Coker exemplifies what it means to be a young African professional and entrepreneur on a journey of conceiving ideas, creating solutions and delivering change that gives greater meaning to lives. Olaotan Towry-Coker is the founder and CEO of Afritickets.

Watch the video below

More About Massilia Motors
Massilia Motors is the joint venture of the CFAO group and the Chanrai group uniting forces to deliver customer satisfaction. With operations run by the CFAO group, Massilia Motors is the sole distributor of Mitsubishi Motors in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Line-up includes: ASX, Eclipse Cross, Outlander, Pajero, Pajero Sport and the L200 pick-up.

Visit the official website for more information.

More About Under 40 CEOs
Under 40 CEOs launched on TVC Entertainment and TVC News on the 9th of October, 2015 and subsequently launched on Silverbird Television Network on the 13th of January, 2016 and has spotlighted inspiring young business leaders aged 40 and under from Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda and South Africa. Business leaders that have been featured on the show include Adebola Williams of Red Media; Audu Maikori of Chocolate City Group; Noble Igwe of 360 Group; Bola Ray of EIB Networks; Alex Brahm of SMSGH; Oluyomi Ojo of Printivo whilst discovering inspiring CEOs like lawyer Aderemi Oguntoye of Oguntoye and Oguntoye; Senyo Hosi of Ghana Chambers of Bulk Oil Distributors;Farida Bedwei of Logiciel; Ukinebo Dare of Poise; Abiola Adekoya of RMB Stockbrokers; Ran Neu-Ner, Co-CEO at The Creative Counsel; Shukri Toefy, CEO at creative adverting agency, Fort and Ade Adegoke of Oando Foundation amongst others.
With over 100 episodes till date, and serial entrepreneur, Familusi Akin Babajide, Mr FAB as the host, Under 40 CEOs has since gone on to inspire and motivate millions of would-be young business leaders across Africa to take action and join in the rebuilding and re-shaping of the African continent. Under 40 CEOs currently reaches an odd 875,000 viewers every week with a social media following of over 170,000 and growing with a cumulative social media content reach of over 9million.

Follow Massilia Motors on social media:
Instagram: @mitsubishi_motors_nigeria
Facebook: Mitsubishi Motors Nigeria
LinkedIn: Mitsubishi Motors Nigeria
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Follow Under 40 CEOs on social media:
Facebook: @under40ceosafrica
Instagram: @under40ceos
Twitter: @under40ceosng

COMEDY

Nigerian Singer Davido Claims His Gateman Has Two Houses And 3 Cars

Published

5 years ago

July 30, 2019

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Nigerian singer Davido has always cultivated a culture of sharing is caring in all aspects of his life.

The Nigerian star Davido shares his heart equally with three women: two baby mamas who gave birth to his daughters and his girlfriend Chioma.
And that is not enough. The musician has always been praised for always helping the people around him despite their status in the community.

Now, the 26-year-old father of two has caused a stir on Twitter after casually saying his watchman owns two houses and three cars.

Yes, as you struggle to at least get free rides on Mr sponsor’s car, Davido is busy elevating his employees.
It all started when a tweep named Obong Roviel shared his excitement over news that the musician was working with upcoming act, Lyta.

Obong praised Davido for always supporting everyone who approaches him either in terms of growing their music brand or elevating their businesses.
A proud and happy Davido then said on top of helping Lyta, he has made sure his watchman has cars and houses.

Scrolling through the comment section, nearly everyone agreed with Obong and echoed his sentiments.

Despite the singer being riddled with controversy in the past, he has managed to show he has a heart of gold.

#TAKETHELEADINSTYLE

Watch! Mitsubishi Motors Presents Drive Your Ambition – Under 40 CEOs Featuring Wunmi Williams

Published

5 years ago

July 30, 2019

FAB.NG

We are positive you are wondering how many miles we have covered thus far driving around with young business leaders who inspire and motivate you. The truth however is that we have not been paying attention to the mileage, however what we are interested in is going that extra mile to Drive Your Ambition. It is week four on Under 40 CEOs,

Drive Your Ambition and this week Mr FAB drives the Chief Executive Officer at Nakenohs Boulevard to work in the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. Watch and catch a few nuggets to help further motivate you but firstly get familiar with Wunmi Williams.
Wunmi Williams grew up in Lagos, Nigeria from where she would eventually leave for the University of Surrey where she bagged her bachelors degree. She would later return to Nigeria to start a fashion retail business which launched from out of the boot of her car. Over 10 years later her portfolio of businesses has grown to include a premium upscale mall sitting on prime real estate in Ikoyi, Lagos. Wunmi Williams is the Founder and CEO at Nakenohs Boulevard.