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Houston Texans hire Lovie Smith as head coach

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2 years ago

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The Houston Texans have hired Lovie Smith as their next head coach, the team announced Monday. Smith was the Texans’ associate head coach and defensive coordinator this past season. “Smith is one of the most respected coaches in the NFL and an established leader,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said in a statement released by the team. “A proven winner, Lovie has shown the ability to develop players both on and off the field for years. We had numerous discussions with countless coaches, executives, and players, and what revealed itself is that Lovie has both the leadership and people skills it takes to lead us forward. We both understand how much work is in front of us, but we embrace the responsibility and look forward to continuing to build a program that can have sustained success.”

Smith replaces David Culley, who was fired by the Texans in mid-January, less than one year after he was hired. Under Smith, Houston’s defense ranked 23rd in Football Outsiders’ defense-adjusted value over average but had 25 takeaways in 2021.

“I’m humbled to be the next head coach of the Houston Texans and incredibly excited to continue to work with Nick,” Smith said in a statement. “I have so many friends, family, teammates and coaches to thank for supporting me and helping me continue to do what I love, which is teaching and developing players. I understand the responsibility I have to this organization and this city to develop a championship-level program. I’m ready to get to work and build it together.”

Smith was previously an NFL head coach with the Chicago Bears (2004 to 2012) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2014 to 2015). He joined Culley’s staff after being fired after five seasons as head coach at the University of Illinois.

Smith has an 89-87 record as an NFL head coach and was the 2005 AP Coach of the Year.

Smith, who is Black, joins the Miami Dolphins‘ Mike McDaniel, New York Jets‘ Robert Saleh, Pittsburgh Steelers‘ Mike Tomlin and Washington Commanders‘ Ron Rivera as the league’s only minority head coaches.

The Texans’ selection of Smith and the Dolphins’ hiring of McDaniel came after former Miami head coach Brian Flores filed a racial-discrimination lawsuit against the NFL, Dolphins, New York Giants and Denver Broncos last week over the interview processes in New York and Denver and his firing by Miami.

Seven of the nine head-coach openings this hiring cycle have been or are expected to be filled by white candidates.

The attorneys for Flores, who interviewed twice and was a finalist for the Texans’ job, released a statement after the announcement of Smith’s hiring.

“Mr. Flores is happy to hear that the Texans have hired a Black head coach, Lovie Smith, as Mr. Flores’ goal in bringing his case is to provide real opportunities for Black and minority candidates to be considered for coaching and executive positions within the NFL,” Douglas H. Wigdor and John Elefterakis said. “However, we would be remiss not to mention that Mr. Flores was one of three finalists for the Texans’ head coach position and, after a great interview and mutual interest, it is obvious that the only reason Mr. Flores was not selected was his decision to stand up against racial inequality across the NFL.”

The Texans will not receive compensatory draft picks through the Smith hire. Under the league’s Rooney Rule, teams receive two third-round picks for developing a minority assistant who is hired for a head-coaching job. However, because Smith is not leaving for another team and has not been on Houston’s staff for two years, the Texans will not receive compensation.

Houston also announced it has promoted Pep Hamilton from quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator to offensive coordinator, and that it has retained Frank Ross as special teams coordinator.

“The last couple of seasons have been disappointing, but I believe in the vision Nick Caserio has for our football team moving forward and I see the pieces coming together,” Texans chair and chief executive officer Cal McNair said in a statement. “Our goal here is to create an environment that’s conducive to winning on a day-to-day basis and compete for championships. I’ve had an extreme amount of respect for Lovie for years now and that only grew with the work he did last season and throughout this process.”

Caserio decided to move on from Culley after the Texans won four games — the same number the team did in 2020 under interim coach Romeo Crennel — and did it without quarterback Deshaun Watson. Watson was on the Texans’ active roster but was a healthy scratch for all 17 games. Watson, who requested a trade in January 2021, is facing 22 lawsuits alleging sexual assault and inappropriate conduct during massage sessions.

Even without trading Watson, the Texans have their highest draft pick since they drafted Jadeveon Clowney with the No. 1 pick in 2014. Houston’s 4-13 record in 2021 netted the team the No. 3 pick, its first pick in the first round since 2019.

Houston interviewed seven candidates for its opening at head coach: Smith, Flores, former NFL quarterback Josh McCown, Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, and former Steelers wide receiver and current Florida Atlantic receivers coach Hines Ward.

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Okwesilieze Holds 20th Anniversary & Induction in Houston

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8 months ago

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August 24, 2023

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The Okwesilieze Women’s Club of Nigeria International Inc., Houston, Texas will be hosting its 20th anniversary and induction ceremony on October 7, 2023, at the Igbo Catholic Community Hall on 825 Creekbend Drive in Houston. The event starts at 8.00 pm. According to the Founder, CEO, and National President, Dr. Mrs. Gboliwe Chukwu (Ochiora), the event will highlight a thread of historical moments relevant to the group as well as pay tribute to the departed members.

“This is a great moment for our group if you recall how we started and how far we have gone. Also, do not forget that the Houston Chapter is the very first in North America to be fully registered and incorporated. So celebrating this in Houston, which by the way is the headquarters means so much to us,” Dr. Chukwu said.
Group leaders and members from all over the world are expected. In addition, many Houston community and political leaders are on the guest list. Guests will also witness the induction of new members.

The Okwesilieze Women’s Club of Nigeria was founded in 1976 by the wives of the original People’s Club of Nigeria in Enugu. The First induction took place on April 1, 1978, in Enugu-Nigeria. Today, the club has grown extensively with numerous chapters around the world. On January 21, 2003, the Texas Chapter was founded and officially inaugurated by Dr. Mrs. Chukwu
On October 11, 2003, the Lifetime National President, Chief Mrs. Alice Nwandu led a delegation of original group leaders, founders, and members from Nigeria to preside over the launching of the Houston Chapter. It was launched as a non-profit organization designed for women of substance and means. The goal according to Dr. Mrs. Chukwu was to “Sufficiently address issues that affect the quality of life of the Nigerian Women, their families, and the society in both the United States and Back home.”

She continued, “Our mission is to keep promoting family values and harness our members for wellness, economic opportunities, and other activities; helping less fortunate women, abused, and the homeless through our influence and operations.”
For more information about this event, please contact 281-772-5548 or 832-746-4988.

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Houston’s Church Partners with Christian Association of Nigeria to host National Bible Quiz Competition

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8 months ago

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August 22, 2023

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The Voice of Evangelism International (VOEI) in Houston, Texas in partnership with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) will be hosting the 2023 Champion of Champions National Bible Quiz Competition in Abuja Nigeria. The event themed “The Word in a Fragile World” has commenced with a Bloc Competition that would end this month.  The Grand Finale will be held on September 20, 2023 at the National Christian Center, Abuja – starting at 10.00 am.

  • Theme: “The Word in a Fragile World”
  • Date: Bloc Competition, June – August 2023
  • Grand Finale: 20th September 2023
  • Venue: National Christian Center, Abuja
  • Time: 10.00 am

The competition is categorized into three age grades, Adult, Youth, and Teen. Three winners will emerge from each category during the Grand Finale. All winners will receive trophies, including ministerial support, donations, and consolation prizes.

Left: His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel C. Okoh, President of the Christian Association of Nigeria; Archbishop Dr. Emeka & Dr. Mrs. Chizoba Agwu, General Overseas of the Voice of Evangelism

Sponsored by Archbishop Dr. Emeka & Dr. Mrs. Chizoba Agwu, General Overseas of the Voice of Evangelism based in Houston, Texas, this event serves as the foundation and basis for evangelism, and serving God. According to Archbishop Dr. Agwu, the quiz affords children a better opportunity to read and understand the Bible. It offers them the spiritual values to abide by the tenets of the Bible.”

CAN under the leadership of His Eminence, Archbishop Daniel C. Okoh serves as a basis for response to the unity of the church and promotes understanding, peace, and unity among the various people and strata of society in Nigeria through the propagation of the gospel.

The VOEI is a nondenominational worship center established in 2006 to spread the word, unite persons, families, and businesses, as well as galvanize souls for Jesus Christ. The ministry has over the years, illustrated the retention of traditional Christian family standards consistent with the preaching and values of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

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Book Launch & Thanksgiving Bash Hosted on Behalf of Mrs. Henrietta Okoro

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9 months ago

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July 12, 2023

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Book Launch & Thanksgiving event was hosted on behalf of  Dr. Mrs. Henrietta Okoro at Crown Plaza Hotels & Resorts on 6050 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross GA. The event took place on July 2, 2023

Dr. Henrietta M. Okoro is an adjunct professor of computer information systems and business studies at the Colorado Technical University, National University, and the University of Cumberland.

The book titled Organizational Culture and Performance: The Practice of Sustaining Higher Performance in Business Merger & Acquisition Paperback. In the book, Dr. Okoro integrates organizational culture traits with insights from research to provide readers with distinctive strategies to improve and sustain employee retention, job satisfaction, and higher organizational performance. Emphases were made on distressed banks, global bank mergers, acquisition trends, and implications for sustainability.

Recommendations were provided to leaders in various industries and future research prospects. The book highlights the factors of job satisfaction, employee commitment, thinking beyond financial gain in mergers and acquisitions, failure as a learning tool, and the cultural traits necessary to sustain creativity and higher organizational performance.

The event was attended by who-is-who in the governmental, community, business, and academic communities.

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