Rockcorps

The detention of Busta Rhymes got me hooked to this group, but it isn’t Busta’s problems that I am interested in. It’s the concept behind the idea that I like. Orange UK has surely boosted their corporate social responsibility credentials in my book with this. The concept is simple - young adults take an active role in volunteer work (4 hours I think), make a difference in their local community and in return they get free tickets to see some of the hottest shows of the year.

This is a concept that some of our (nja) big companies could ‘tap’. It’s a win-win concept.

Orange | Rockcorps

Keep your money in your pocket(s)

This is free advice, I should be charging for it, but I am not. At first I thought it was a joke, but it now looks serious. There is apparently a bid from a horde of Nigerian folks to take over Newcastle United FC. The figures being mentioned range between £250m - £400m, a lot of money! Now I see the trip these guys are on, some say I missed out the word ego. It could be business, it could be an advert of some sort – surely it wouldn’t be about cleaning up Nigeria’s image, but it’s an expensive business, Mike Ashley could tell them that. Some of the crap on some football forums and in the media makes me wish these guys pumped their money into Nigerian football. The jokes and abuse is no longer funny, and I am getting fed with having to answer whether this is not another 419 scheme from Nigeria. That apart, I personally don’t think they really understand what they are getting into – these unnamed Nigerians.

They will find at a considerable cost that they will be out of their comfort zone if Mike Ashley is willing to take their money. A friend that I discussed this takeover with wanted to know whether any Nigerians, based in Nigeria, had successfully run a successful multi-million business outside Africa. As trivial as this may sound, it seems a valid point that needs to be considered.

In any case - pros and cons inclusive, I think these guys should seriously think about this. It has nothing to do with Newcastle being my second favourite side, I just see it all ending in tears and further soiling an already soiled name – Nigeria.

The Exit of a fine man - Yinka Craig

Official Family Statement
September 23rd, 2008

It is with a heavy heart, and joy at God’s perfect will that I announce the passing on to Glory of my father, teacher, mentor and friend, Mr. Olayinka Babasanya Craig, who went to be with the Lord at 6.00am this morning at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

He was a pioneer radio and television broadcaster, sports journalist extraordinaire and a national icon.

He is survived by his wife, Dr. Kehinde Craig, his sons, Mr. Olayinka Craig and Dr. Olamide Craig and his “one and only” Miss Temilola Craig.

Dr. David Olamide Craig
for and on behalf of the family

http://yinkacraig.org/blog/

Sick Note

I read this morning that Yardy will skip an intended trip to the United Nations in New York this week.
Reason: Some twaddle about picking new ‘ministers’.

In some wacky way one could be swayed to admire his handlers. Hey, they think we are all idiots – that is an admirable quality – thinking that the folks you serve all share a single brain. Then there is the bit about synch’ing the timing of events surrounding Yardy.

Let’s ‘quarterback’ this for a moment. Yardy is hastily rushed back home from some spiritual ceremony/treatment in Saudi Arabia to nail rumours that he was deceased. He isn’t just shown on the steps of his plane in Abuja - oh no no no- to show that he is as fit as a fiddle and can go 12 rounds with our boxing champion Samuel Peter, he decorates in his latest bunch of henchmen {cameras flashing}.

The customary group of Otimkpus pay the predictable visits to the villa and on leaving narrate the same script – Oga is hale and hearty. Oga says he needs a couple of weeks – not for more medical treatments, or to convince Madam First Lady to donate a bodily organ. He needs to time to sort out his new ministers. Einstein realises that the current bunch need to be slowed down before they take Nigeria to heights unknown. He buys time away from the public’s snooping eyes, but in between he, or the many hands running government on his behalf, close down Channels TV for giving him an exit strategy. With a bit of pressure and a bold show of indecisiveness, ‘he’ reverses the closure, and all is well again. For those who thought we were returning to the sunny days of IBB/Abacha/Aremu – you can all ‘chillax’. Unlike the preceding military yobs, this servant leader from Katsina believes in the rule of law. And yes, during this period, he also legalised bunkering (JTF) – oops sets up a Ministry for the Niger Delta and is supposedly shopping for technocrats…lol.


But then this New York trip comes up to put sand-sand in his eba. How does he squirm out of this, knowing that in madam’s case, missing a trip to NY, as president, sorry first lady is something she wouldn’t find funny. There is also the small matter of those silly boys from Sahara Reporters turning up to the UN with their Saliva/Urine/Blood test kits.

He can’t afford to leave himself exposed, so he sends Ojo and Mike in his place, and tells us that he needs to appoint new ministers.

The game moves on to the next event - October 1st which is just a few days away. Lets see which one dem go try. I expect Yardy’s handlers to come up with yet another mind-boggling untruth. These boys are really working hard for their £$.

Yardy isn’t an El-Cid, and doesn’t need to be strapped to a horse after death and sent back to battle. Yardy needs someone to listen to him. Sick note needs to be given a break. Mrs Yardy, your husband needs to call it quits and undergo proper medical treatment. I know he is being held hostage by many folks, but his health should come first – kai!

Back...

It’s been a hectic 6 weeks or so, and I am glad it’s over. There is no advice one can give an only son who is faced with the task of burying ones father especially if he is a mini royal, comes from a village where everyone sees the death as a business opportunity and if you have to balance traditional beliefs with religion. More importantly, if like Lehman Brothers you are caught up with the current credit crunch, and holed up in Nyja for a long period; it could be pretty dicey most times.


Everything went well, and one can only thank God for making most things possible. One also had the opportunity to also explore Nigeria in more details…again. More of that later on, but I wasn't part of the deluded crowd this weekend at Asokoro roundabout, Abuja that called themselves Nigerians praying for Obama. I was only in the area because I discovered a rundown spot called the 'Barracks' where they sell the most wonderful fish and chicken.

More to come, but I am back…

Thanks for your support and lovely thoughts.