The latest exhibit at the Pop Cult Museum at PD's Hot Shop in Qualicum Beach follows skateboarding through the decades, from early homemade boards in the 1930s right to the present day. traces the evolution of skate culture, as well as the boards themselves — and how new technology influences the activity and vice versa. While the first commercial boards began to appear in stores in the late 1950s, children had already been making their own skateboards for decades. “A kid, usually the boy in the family, would get into some trouble because he would essentially steal the sister’s roller skates, or take his own roller skates,” said owner Peter Ducommun, better known as PD. “What you would do is disassemble the roller skate and reassemble some of the components onto a wooden piece.” Skateboarding evolved by mimicking surfing and was referred to as "sidewalk surfing" for a time, but by the mid-60s it had begun to step out of the shadow of surfing, with Patti McGee appearing on the cover of magazine in 1965 (the exhibit includes a copy). For a lot of children, a skateboard or bicycle offers that first taste of freedom — being able to venture further from home without mom and dad. But with that freedom also came derision from the public — people angry at skateboarders for riding on the sidewalk or trespassing and skating up and down the sloped walls of an empty pool. “In the early days we were told it was wrong and we were bad,” said Ducommun, who began skateboarding in the early 1970s. “When you’re trying to tell somebody, and particularly a young person, that they’re doing something bad and they know they’re not, well that just makes you do it twice as much.” Wider skateboards found popularity in the 70s to provide more stability as skaters became more interested in riding up and down the sides empty pools. “We knew that a swimming pool would be like riding a wave because you’re going up the wall and coming down," Ducommun said. "That was the inspiration for what would become half pipes and then skate park bowls and all of that.” Ducommun's very first board from 1976 is part of the exhibit and can be spotted by a yin yang decal — this was the logo for Great North Country Skateboards, before the name change to Skull Skates, Canada's oldest skateboard company. Humour, irreverence and mockery all became a big part of skater culture, Ducommun said, and one way that was expressed was through skateboard decals. “Skateboarders, we like to mock,” he added. “Happy faces and bright colours, but it was all kind of mockery.” One piece in the exhibit takes aim at the idea of skateboarders competing for awards, including the recent inclusion into the Summer Olympics. Ducommun mounted the body of a decapitated doll onto a football trophy, with a skateboard wheel in place of a head. “It’s more like an art form or a lifestyle,” he said. Skateboarding continues to change and evolve as new generations of skaters are introduced to it. “Every time you think it can’t get any crazier, as far as tricks and techniques and styles of riding, it does," Ducommun said. "But the reason it does is that people are not starting from zero, they’re starting from that whole thing that’s been built.” With work set to begin soon on a new skatepark in Qualicum Beach, Ducommun is optimistic the activity will continue to grow and even attract people to visit the town and check out the new facility. “There’s a whole group of people ready to just come up and really embrace it.” will be at the Pop Cult Museum until March. PD's Hot Shop is located at 164 Second Ave.ATLANTA — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said in a statement that Carter's "tremendous faith was equaled by his sense of moral courage." "In his youth, few probably ever fathomed the lasting imprint this son of Plains, Georgia would leave on the world. He proved that good people, wanting nothing more than to do good, can excel in politics and life. And, as he leaves us, we are forever grateful," Murphy said. A president from Plains A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. And then, the world Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors . He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” ‘An epic American life’ Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners . He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. A small-town start James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian , would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. “My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. 'Jimmy Who?' His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Accomplishments, and ‘malaise’ Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. 'A wonderful life' At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015 . “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” Report a correction 👈 | 👉 Contact our newsroom LOOK: 79 of the Most 1970s Photos You've Ever Seen Step back into the wild, rebellious 1970s with 79 unforgettable photos that capture the era's bold fashions, entertainment and everyday life. Gallery Credit: Stephen LenzThe record will show that tight end Trey McBride had a great season, Marvin Harrison Jr. has a promising future, the Cardinals' defense played over its head for much of the year and Arizona was almost a good football team in 2024. Key word — almost. A frustrating stretch continued on Saturday when the Cardinals (7-9) lost 13-9 to the host Los Angeles Rams . Arizona was pushing for a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute, but Kyler Murray's pass took an unlucky bounce off McBride's helmet and LA's Ahkello Witherspoon made a spectacular grab for the interception, snagging the ball just before it hit the turf. “I think we can compete with anybody, but again, that doesn’t count,” second-year coach Jonathan Gannon said. “It’s about winning and losing, you what I mean? I just got to do a better job, but I know they’re doing the right things.” The Cardinals did a lot of things right against the Rams. Despite being eliminated from the postseason, Arizona competed hard. Murray completed 33 of 48 passes for 321 yards and a touchdown — but also had two interceptions. McBride caught 12 passes for 123 yards, including his first TD catch of the year. Harrison had one of his best games with six catches for 96 yards. “I’m going to choose to be positive about it,” Murray said. “I see a light at the end of that tunnel. I think we’re a couple plays away, a couple of plays away from being a 10-win team or right where we want to be, going to the playoffs or winning the division.” The Cardinals' defense played well for most of the game, limiting the Rams to 257 yards. But in the end, it was another loss. The Cardinals have dropped five of six after starting 6-4. “I know we’re close, man, and I know it’s hard to see that,” Gannon said. “For me, that’s hard to take on the chin but we’ll get better from it. We’ll get better.” The Murray-to-Harrison connection was much better on Saturday, producing several big plays. Gannon challenged Harrison to be more physical against opposing defensive backs last week, and the receiver responded, looking much more like the player the Cardinals expected when they selected him with the No. 4 overall pick. “I think the physicality of it, coming from college to the league, guys don’t realize how physical you can be when you get to the league,” Murray said. “He's going to be big time.” After doing a great job of taking care of the ball over the first 11 games, Murray has thrown seven interceptions over the past five. A few of those came in late-game situations when he had to take a chance and force a pass, but it's still not a good trend. McBride had his third 100-yard game of the season, showing sure hands and fighting through contact for extra yards. The third-year player has 1,081 yards receiving this season, becoming just the second tight end in franchise history to exceed 1,000 yards. The other was Hall of Famer Jackie Smith, who had 1,205 yards in 1967. He has 104 catches and is just the 10th tight end in NFL history to top 100 in a season. Arizona's special teams have been very good for most of the year, but Los Angeles' block of an extra point attempt by Chad Ryland in the third quarter proved costly. If the Cardinals had trailed by three points on the final drive instead of four, they would have had the option of kicking a tying field goal in the final minute. RB James Conner tried to battle through a knee injury against the Rams, but gained just 4 yards on the ground. His status for the season's final game is uncertain. LB Joey Blount (ribs) and CB Elijah Jones (ankle) were inactive. 822 — Harrison's receiving yards on the season. That ranks third for a rookie in franchise history behind Anquan Boldin (1,377 in 2003) and Frank Sanders (883 in 1995). Arizona's final game will be at home on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, who are also eliminated from the playoff race. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfllucky king 。

In this rapidly growing digital era, development for cloud computing disaster recovery, a revolutionary approach combining artificial intelligence with Kubernetes container orchestration has achieved remarkable system reliability and cost efficiency improvements. The research, published in the International Journal of Computer Engineering and Technology by Varun Tamminedi , demonstrates significant advancements in protecting cloud infrastructure from failures and outages in modern computing environments. Smart Systems, Faster Recovery The innovative framework leverages deep learning-based predictive analytics and automated recovery mechanisms to enhance system resilience. By implementing intelligent resource optimization algorithms, the system achieved a 73% reduction in Recovery Time Objective (RTO). It maintained Recovery Point Objective (RPO) under 10 seconds for critical workloads, ensuring maximum business continuity for enterprises. Preventing Failures Before They Happen The hybrid AI approach, combining supervised and unsupervised learning techniques, demonstrated 89% accuracy in failure prediction with a 15-minute warning window. This predictive capability, coupled with automated response mechanisms, resulted in a 94% reduction in false positive failure predictions and a 78% increase in successful automated recoveries across distributed systems. Cost-Effective Innovation The implementation resulted in a 45% reduction in operational costs over 12 months through reduced manual intervention requirements. The system demonstrated particular effectiveness in financial services, healthcare systems, and e-commerce platforms where minimal downtime is crucial. These cost savings were achieved while maintaining superior performance and reliability standards across all deployment scenarios. Self-Learning and Adaptation The framework's self-learning capabilities improved continuously over time, adapting to new patterns and potential threats. The multi-layered architecture combines real-time monitoring with dynamic resource allocation, ensuring optimal performance even during recovery operations. It maintains an impressive 99.999% system uptime across all test scenarios. Advanced Anomaly Detection The system employs sophisticated isolation forests, autoencoders, and Long-Short-Term Memory networks to process real-time metrics and identify potential system anomalies. The continuous learning mechanism ensures detection accuracy improves over time, adapting to new patterns and emerging threats in complex cloud environments. Resource Management Excellence The framework implements a multi-objective optimization approach balancing recovery speed with resource efficiency. This dynamic allocation system considers both current system state and predicted future demands, ensuring optimal resource utilization during operations and recovery scenarios across distributed clusters. Testing and Validation The system's effectiveness was validated through comprehensive testing across three geographically distributed Kubernetes clusters operating on different cloud providers. The testing environment included microservices-based applications with varying resource requirements and traffic patterns, providing realistic disaster scenarios and recovery metrics. Performance Impact For different workload types, improvements were consistently high across various services: database services and file storage showed 77.1% improvement, web applications achieved 76.7% enhancement, and streaming services demonstrated 75.9% better performance than traditional approaches. Future-Ready Infrastructure The testing environment incorporates simulated failure injection mechanisms to validate system resilience under various conditions. The architecture's base layer consists of Kubernetes infrastructure, including master and worker nodes, while the middle layer implements AI processing units and data collectors. The top layer comprises the intelligent decision-making system and user interface. Training and Implementation The framework employs distributed TensorFlow implementations for model training and inference, synchronizing model updates across clusters using a federated learning approach. Each Kubernetes cluster is monitored by dedicated AI agents that collect and process metrics in real-time. The system incorporates redundant AI processing units to ensure continuous operation during partial system failures. In conclusion, as Varun Tamminedi reported in his research, the system represents a significant advancement in cloud infrastructure resilience. While implementation requires expertise in AI and Kubernetes, the benefits of improved recovery times and enhanced predictive capabilities substantially outweigh these limitations. The framework's success in reducing downtime and operational costs while improving system reliability marks a significant milestone in cloud computing disaster recovery.Apple plans three-year modem rollout to compete with Qualcomm

Jerry Jones credits Cowboys coach for team's effort, performanceThis is the time of the year that Lawyers wind down, temporarily close shop, and rest from the herculean and dauntless task of lawyering in a challenging environment like ours. Christmas Day is tomorrow. How will Nigerian Lawyers spend this season of thanksgiving and celebration? Your guess is as good as ours. In spite of the inclement economic atmosphere that presently pervades the country, most Lawyers positively state that the season will be joyous, if only to show gratitude to God for seeing us through the year. THISDAY LAWYER Team sampled the views of some senior Lawyers NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN – A time for Introspection, evaluation, and decision-making For me, Christmas is a joyous celebration of God’s unconditional love, demonstrated through the gift of His child. It is a season when we commemorate the extraordinary act of God’s kindness and love to us all. It is also a reminder of the importance of extending love, compassion, and empathy to those around us. This special season offers a unique opportunity to reconnect with loved ones, foster meaningful relationships, and create lasting memories. Also, as the year draws to a close, the beginning of the new year also invites us to reflect on our experiences, accomplishments, and challenges. I equally use the time for introspection, evaluation, and decision-making, allowing me to set new goals and aspirations for the upcoming year. May this Christmas season be a time of joy, love, and renewal for you and your loved ones. Dame Priscilla Kuye, First Female NBA President (17th) – A time for spiritual examination This is a time when we should examine ourselves spiritually and prepare to receive Jesus, the newborn baby, worthily, in our hearts. It teaches me detachment from the world in certain ways, as Jesus was born in a shamble in Bethlehem. I will spend time with my family. I shall attend all the relevant Masses, worship, and thank God. I wish you all a Merry Christmas, and a happy and prosperous 2025 and beyond. O.C.J. Okocha, OFR, SAN, the 19th/Millennium NBA President – It’s a time for love and joy Christmas is the Christian Celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, which was foretold by the Prophet Isaiah. Even though a Christian Feast, it is celebrated worldwide by all. For me, Christmas is a time for joy, love and goodwill to all, especially family and friends. I always try to celebrate Christmas at home with my family, and we all celebrate the love of God. And, at this time, I wish all my fellow citizens of Nigeria, and all of our humanity, joy, love and peace. Funke Aboyade, SAN – I’ll be exploring new places Christmas/New Year for me, is a period to shut down physically and mentally, then to take stock of the year, with gratitude for God’s mercy. It’s also a time for poignant memories of my Dad, Professor Ojetunji Aboyade, who passed away in 1994 on New Year’s Eve. I’m an adventurous traveller and love exploring new places, so, I’ll spend the period doing just that. Aare Muyiwa Akinboro, SAN, former NBA General Secretary – I’ll spread and show love Apart from the religious aspect of Christmas, which is the celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, Christmas is a time for personal assessment of the year, a period to count your wins, and also areas that call for improvement. It is a period to refocus in preparation for the new year. Also, it’s a time for Thanksgiving. It is a period to spread love and show love, to not only our friends and neighbours, but also to the needy and the less privileged. To me, Christmas is a period when we should put on our best clothes of kindness and gratitude to God, because it’s only by Grace that we are counted among those who are celebrating. I have travelled a lot this year, and I definitely will be spending the Christmas in the company of my family and my loved ones, taking it slow in a fun filled way. I have a lot to thank God for. Sam Zibiri, SAN – A reminder of the Greatest Gift Christmas is a celebration of the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, a time to reflect on God’s boundless love and the hope He brought to the world. It’s a season to express gratitude, share His love with others, and spread joy through acts of kindness and compassion. For me, Christmas is a reminder of the greatest gift we’ve received, and the call to give selflessly in return. This year, I’ll be celebrating with family, focusing on fellowship, worship, and thanksgiving. As we step into the New Year, I look forward to embracing God’s purpose with renewed faith and hope for the future. Ricky Tarfa, SAN – I’ll engage in acts of charity The true essence of Christmas is the celebration of the incarnation of God’s love, Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. It is a festive season and time to commemorate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who brought hope, redemption, and salvation to humanity. Christmas is a reminder of God’s unconditional love, mercy, and grace, and the gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. As we exchange gifts, spend time with family, loved ones, and engage in acts of charity, we are called to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas: the selfless love of God, manifested in the person of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour, and the transformative power of faith, hope, and love in our lives. We shall be spending the Christmas and New Year in celebration with family, loved ones, clients, friends, colleagues, well-wishers and praying that God almighty, in his infinite mercy, will continue to bless and prosper us in the new and blessed year 2025. Dr Olisa Agbakoba, SAN – It’s a time to be with my brood of Grandchildren I will spend my Christmas with my large brood of lovely grandchildren, nine in number, both girls and boys. I look forward to them giving my wife and I special Joy of the Christmas season, as we remember our Lord and Saviour whose Birth almost 2000 years ago, is the most revolutionary spiritual event of all time. I wish everyone an opportunity to enjoy this great season, in spite of the great challenges. My advice is be happy and grateful to God, for everything. Temitope Abiodun – A time to share and be merry Christmas means a time for me to celebrate Our Lord Jesus Christ with family, friends and loved ones; offer praises and thanksgiving to God and reflect on the significance of the birth of Christ. It means a time to share, a time to be merry, a time to show good will and forgiveness, a time to reach out to the needy and generally put smiles on the faces. I will be spending my Christmas and New Year with my family, friends and loved ones. Uche Val Obi, SAN – Despite hard times, we’ll do something for the Vulnerable Christmas is a season that gives us joy, love, and hope. It is a special festive season among Christians to spend time with family and loved ones, share special meals, exchange gifts, and adorn our homes and premises with Christmas decorations such as trees, lights, and sing Christmas carols. Apart from these secular connections to Christmas as a joyful period of merriment typified by the generous, happy and entertaining Santa Clause, we also connect to Christmas celebration spiritually reflecting on Jesus’ mission of salvation, identifying him as the Light of the World, and his role as the Prince of Peace, Servant King and the source of eternal life. It is therefore, a season to demonstrate patience, love and generosity. Obviously times are hard, but we could do something little that could still impact the vulnerable ones amongst us. Wishing all Christians a joyful Christmas season and holidays. Augustine Alegeh, CON, SAN FCIArb [UK], 27th NBA President – Christmas means everything to me Christmas is a period to celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, who saved us all from condemnation and offered himself as the supreme sacrifice to cleanse our sins, so that all who believe in him can enjoy everlasting life in heaven. In celebrating his birth, we also celebrate the unique opportunity he has given us to enjoy everlasting life. Christmas means everything to me, as a Christian. Christmas and New Year holidays, will be spent with family and friends. It’s a time to celebrate the blessings and grace of God in our lives in 2024 and to pray for more grace, protection and blessings in the New Year. Pauline Abulimen, SAN – We should prepare our hearts to receive Jesus Christmas is an annual Christian festival, commemorating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. As Christians, we should prepare our hearts to receive Jesus, putting smiles on the faces of those less privileged and reaching out to our neighbours, families and friends. But, regrettably, we are all preparing for the fun fair, and neglecting to do the needful most times. We think it is all about buying new clothing, and eating jollof rice and chicken. Let’s use this season to prepare our hearts, and make sure they are clean and sacred enough for our Lord’s coming and dwelling. I will be having a quiet Christmas with my family and friends, while we all strive to prepare our hearts to receive Jesus, and keeping him in our hearts always. Sebastine Hon, SAN – I will mingle with the local folks It is the tradition of my Church to have an annual retreat during the Christmas period, so, I do not necessarily celebrate it. I normally travel home to mingle with the local folks, after the retreat. I have also, for the past nine years, organised the S.T. Hon Unity Football Cup Competition in Gboko. Thereafter, I wait for and participate in the Crossover Night, on the eve of new year till the early hours of new year. I then receive visitors in my house for celebrations, which is at times done in my mother’s residence. Charles Ajuyah, SAN, former Delta State A-G – I will share goodies with neighbours To me, Christmas signifies a time of joy, marking the fulfilment of God’s promise of redemption and love for mankind. It is celebrated in remembrance, much like any significant event in a person’s life, and it embodies the very essence of the season. By the grace of God, I will be celebrating Christmas with love, prayer, and by sharing with my neighbours. These acts reflect the spirit and expectations of this special time. As we approach the new year, 2025, Christmas also fills us with hope, a hope for a better and more fulfilling year ahead. I aspire for Nigeria to become a better place, where the government genuinely supports the less privileged. I pray for safety in our communities, impactful power supply, accessible medical care, effective educational policies, and increased employment opportunities for our youth. Mike Igbokwe, SAN – I will spend time thanking God for His mercies, goodness and faithfulness Christmas means to me the time to celebrate the birth of my Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ and appreciate Him for saving my soul, and for the work of redemption on the cross that I have been enjoying. I will be spending Christmas with my family and friends. On New Year’s Eve into the New Year, I will be attending an event called Open Heavens that is organised by the House of Praise Church, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Artists such as Joe Mettle, Don Moen, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Todd Delaney and Ryan Ofei will be performing, whilst Pastors Wale Akinsiku and Tope Akinsiku will be ministering too. Admission is free and attendance is both in person and virtual at open heavenstoronto.com . It promises to be a great event, that I don’t want to miss. During the day I will spend time thanking God for His mercies, goodness, faithfulness, love and for all He has done for us, and for letting my family and I see 2025. Thereafter, I will spend time with family and friends. Prof Roland Otaru, SAN – Time for sober reflection Christmas symbolises peace, grace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a time for sober reflection, and for us to leverage on the sacrifices of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. To all Nigerians, a Merry Xmas and a prosperous New Year in advance Omoruyi Omonuwa, SAN, former Edo State Attorney-General – I will be praying for peace in Edo State This is a season of love, joy, and togetherness. It is a period of sharing. It reminds us of the beauty of giving, the hope of new beginnings, and the light that shines even in the darkest times. This Christmas for me, will afford another opportunity to be with family and share good times with loved ones. I will also use the time to pray for peace in my State, Edo State given the political tension that is palpable there. It’s a time to celebrate the gift of life, reflect on my blessings, and share peace and kindness with everyone around me. Ayo Akintunde, SAN – Embracing joy and warmth of the season Christmas is a time of reflection, gratitude, and joy. It is a season to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a season to spend quality time with my loved ones, create lasting memories, and show appreciation. For me, it is also a time to spread kindness and generosity to the less privileged, and sharing the joy of the season. This Christmas and New Year, I plan to spend quality time with my family, embracing the joy and warmth of the season. We will exchange thoughtful gifts, extend kindness to others, and participate in activities that bring happiness to those around us. Our celebrations will also include attending charity events, gatherings, and special occasions. We will visit loved ones, reflect on the past year, and plan for the year ahead. Deacon Dele Adesina, SAN – I will be sending prayerful greetings to friends Christmas is a season of joy, peace, happiness, goodwill towards all men, and a period of rejoicing among families, friends and acquaintances. It is a season that significantly demonstrates the love of God for humanity. Hence, He sent His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, who was named Emmanuel because God sent Him to save and to reconcile man back to Him. That is why we say, Jesus is the reason for the season. I recognise that, the period is a time for rest and renewed Grace. So, I take my rest during this period. I renew my vow of love and worship with God, acknowledging His Grace to see the season once again, of course, with members of the family. I will send as I usually do, season’s and prayerful greetings to my friends and loved ones. I also know as I do, that it is a season to give and be a blessing to others, as the Lord enables one to do. Prof Ernest Ojukwu, SAN – It will be extra special for my family, as one of my daughters is getting married Christmas is a season of profound significance to me. It embodies love, hope, and renewal—a time to reflect on the blessings of the year, to give thanks, and to extend kindness and generosity to those around us. As a Christian, the celebration of Christ’s birth reminds me of God’s ultimate gift and calls me to embrace humility, service, and compassion. This season is also about fostering unity and strengthening relationships with family and friends, cherishing the bonds that sustain us throughout the year. It is a time to pursue peace, and celebrate life in its fullness. This Christmas is extra special for my family and me, as one of my daughters will be getting married. The occasion adds a deeper sense of joy and gratitude, to the season. It will be a time of family togetherness and celebration, blending the beauty of Christmas with the joy of a wedding. Alongside this, I also plan to engage in moments of spiritual reflection and thanksgiving, appreciating the privilege of witnessing such significant milestones. I hope to find ways to give back to the community, and share this spirit of joy and love with others around me. This Christmas promises to be one of unforgettable memories, a celebration of love in its many forms—faith, family, and the union of hearts. Boma Alabi, SAN, former President of Commonwealth Lawyers Association – A time of thanksgiving I know it has become fashionable to have “happy holidays” instead of a “merry Christmas “. In this case, I actually can have my cake and eat it. Christmas is the reason for the season, and very central in my Christmas. I make every effort to follow HIS injunctions, as conveyed to us in the Holy Bible. The fact that advent also marks the end of the year means that, it is additionally for me, a time of Thanksgiving. I love Lagos during this period. There is so much to do. Musicals, concerts, plays, and of course, the beaches. Most enjoyably, spending quality time with family and friends. Emeka Obegolu, SAN, Past NBA General Secretary – I will spend time with kith and kin in the village Christmas for me is a period of celebration of the birth of our Lord and Saviour, but, the Christmas season or period is also a period of stock taking and review of performance targets that I set for myself for the year in review. It is a season of reflection, a season of thanksgiving and love. As a family, we will travel down to the village to spend time with kith and kin, participate in community activities and development programmes, and generally engage the grassroots with a view to share knowledge and perspectives. Jean Chiazor-Anishere, SAN – I will be cooking and sharing meals For me, Christmas is a time to reflect on themes of hope, love, joy and peace. Beyond its religious significance, Christmas is characterised by gift-giving, festive meals, family gatherings, parties and acts of kindness. I love Christmas Season, because it also symbolises togetherness, gratitude and the spirit of generosity. I will spend it with my loved ones, cooking, sharing my meals and wines. I also love to decorate my huge Christmas tree with friends and loved ones, and it is a time I give out gifts to my clients in appreciation of their patronage over the year and exchange gifts with friends and loved ones. I look forward to visiting the Jazz club with friends. Its merry making with my son, who will be visiting from England. Well, it’s not only party all the way, but I will also have some personal reflection by attending Church service and carol nights because its only at Christmas, that one gets to listen to and sing the evergreen and melodious Christmas carols. For the New Year, 2025, I look forward to the exciting fireworks and the New Year’s Eve gathering to count down to midnight. I look forward to writing meaningful and achievable resolutions and goals for the New Year. I hope to use the first days of the New Year to relax, reset and focus on self-care.Then as the New Year settles in, make plans with my son on his work in England and other projects. The New Year celebrations to me, is not complete without going to the beach for a good picnic with my son and some old friends of his and mine. Paul Harris Ogbole, SAN – I will visit the Motherless Babies Home Christmas is a time to renew our minds, with the knowledge of God’s love for mankind. It is a time to remind ourselves of the Jesus Christ who came into world, to demonstrate the love of God in salvation. I will spend the Christmas and New Year with family and friends, visit the Motherless Babies Home and attend Christmas Carols. Epilogue For Nigerian Lawyers, there will obviously be little work and plenty play, this Christmas and New Year Season. Letting down our hair this week and the next, resting from court appearances and our busy schedules, it will be Lawyers merry-making in the cities and their villages, in the spirit of the Yuletide. Despite the economic hardship that Nigerians have faced this year, this season is always a time of joy and thanksgiving to God. THISDAY LAWYER Team wishes all Lawyers an extremely Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous 2025 and beyond.