Ababoy Part 2

Blowing an uncertain trumpet

2010-10-05T12:49:00.000Z

There are times when an office as lofty as that of the President demands constraint and intelligibility. Statements credited to our president and to a lesser extent - the directors of our SSS, IBB’s campaign managers etc in the past few days have mostly disappointed.

In loutish conducts - pandering to what they deem a largely unsophisticated electorate – ‘official’ statements have been made that could perhaps prompt more chaos than the bombs planted around Eagle Square on Friday, 1st of October.

Nigerians – just like citizens of other nations - are not noted for their loathing for rumours and conspiracy theories. I was at the 805 restaurant over the weekend – a gathering for all sorts - and the place was buzzing with all kinds of anecdotes.

Regrettably, GEJ has set off a trend that seems to be (precariously) gathering speed by the day. I just read a tweet that said Henry Okah was pressurised by GEJ to deny involvement in the bombing so that it could be placed at the doorsteps of those perceived to be ‘Northern’ opponents!

In a few words, a few hours after the incident, GEJ recklessly tried to rewrite events and ‘known’ facts to suit his …... People as expected have latched onto his ill-timed words and are building huge webs of dangerous assumptions (Not that we really need any prompting!).

To a ‘government’ that still hasn’t paid any respect to the fatalities of the bombing; it will be unkind if they continuously ‘muddy’ their memories with tactless statements (Aunty Dora’s “It was a success..” statement noted). It is also revoltingly unfortunate that one of the alleged ‘conspirators’ - some figures are pointing at him - General Babangida sounded more ‘presidential’ in his statement yesterday than our own president!

Let’s give the ‘investigators’ a chance, let’s stop blowing uncertain trumpets! The politics can come later!

50

2010-10-01T10:08:00.005Z

A fool at 50 is a fool for life - @AsaAsika.

This is my second go at this, a bit rusty I guess. I hurriedly drafted a piece late last night and then the news broke this morning that the kids who were forcefully seized by criminals on Monday had been ‘rescued’ unharmed. I have an emotional attachment to the town and as I have discovered one or two of the families.

Thank God the kids (some as young as 3!) have been ‘rescued’ and will soon be reunited with their folks. As expected, I wouldn’t hold out for any form of aftercare for the kids. We don’t do things that way. The kids will have the routine photographs with the Governor; the security forces will pat themselves on the back and leave. It will be business as usual until the next newsworthy kidnap occurs. In Abuja, the celebrations will continue, ‘Dame’ Patience will continue distributing rice (making a bundle in the process) while GEJ extols all that is good and great about Nigeria. Thereafter they will devour the celebration cake – which allegedly cost =N=72 million (£288,000). I will be praying and hoping that they choke on it.

Others will sit back and ask - what are we celebrating? The (incomplete and official) Nigeria @50 web site boldly states that we are celebrating greatness! The BBC reckons, more correctly, that we should be celebrating 50 years of freedom (from the British). The Wall Street Journal posted a tweet asking for a word that defines the past 50 years in Nigeria.

My views? Stay tuned, let’s not spoil the amusement of the hoodlums that parade themselves as ‘leaders’. Today, just like every day, I celebrate most Nigerians, not Nigeria.

I leave you with links to some of the best posts of the day while I reflect on events of the past few hours.

Nigeria at 50: Looking into the feature

Now that we’re 50, will Jonathan stop dancing and start thinking?

Women and the nation

Happy Birthday Nigeria, but what are we celebrating?

Return of the ....

2010-09-30T14:21:00.003Z

I never intended to return to this space. I am not even sure how long this ‘return’ will last. One thing I am pretty certain though, I will be sticking around and playing my part until the declaration of next year’s (Nigerian) election results.

Like most people, I can’t make light of the importance of next year’s general elections. Another four years like the 4 years before it will only presage disaster.

I was also slightly unenthusiastic about using my blog name – Aba Boy. The fact that I am no longer a boy counts, but more importantly the forlorn and heart-rending condition of that town dispirits me by the day.

Aba Boy is back, if only for a while…..

[Thanks to Akin….]

Signing off

2008-12-22T12:29:00.002Z

Not just for Xmas, but possibly for good. At some point one has to evaluate the usefulness of one’s activities and make decisions. I love the blogging community; my RSS reader is made up close to two and a half thousand blogs. As a greenhorn writer, I have remarked mainly on Nigerian politics. From time to time, I add a few posts on my number 2 love – Soul/Funk music of the 80s, but generally speaking, my searchlight as been aimed at the hideously inept leadership we have in Nigeria. My irritation towards this failing state was finally marked with the recent judgements handed out in favour of Igbinedion and Ibori.

I don’t really want to rabble on. I will reflect over the Xmas period and make a decision thereafter. There are a number of projects I seriously want to work on. I will still be in this game in some other guise. It might just be the right time to move on, and thanks guys - it’s been great. I must apologies though for one thing - my blog etiquette – which was been slightly atrocious. I didn’t communicate well with my readers – respond to comments made on my blog. I however DID visit and will continue to visit your blogs - I never got ahead of myself.

I wish everyone a Merry Xmas and a happy new year.

xxx

FCT

2008-12-18T06:15:00.005Z

Can anyone please tell me what the Federal Capital Territory stands for? Is it a state? Does it belong to all Nigerians?

Yesterday, Senator Adamu Aliero, a former governor of Kebbi State and an alleged Treasury looter, was handpicked by Yardy as the new minister of the Federal Capital Territory. My memory may be failing me, but I cant remember the last time we had a non-northern minister of this region.

Are non-northerners excluded from this office?

Nkiruka

2008-12-17T09:51:00.004Z

In Igbo it means that what is in front is bigger (sorry to disappoint those who expected me to add Azuka). This was how Mike Ahamba (SAN), a legal luminary and General Buhari's lead counsel, summed up the Supreme Court’s judgement on President Umaru Yar'Adua's April 2007 election victory.

According to him it was a close call – 4/3 in favour of Yardy. Three judges ‘apparently’ didn’t believe there was a fair and free election. In Ahamba’s assessment therefore, the fact that there were three disloyal voices out of seven means tomorrow is brighter. I don’t quite buy that logic; I think it was a handy ruling, very convenient – The type that gets worked out in smoky rooms. A unanimous verdict would have conclusively picked holes in our faith in justice.

Now that Yardy has won - in boxing jargon - a majority decision, I guess the expected call will be to allow him maintain his clueless headship to nowhere. Nevertheless a day before the judgment, Yardy astounded me. He called for the removal of immunity from most serving officials. Yardy, the EFCC, Ibori and our other rulers have this recurring style of trying to make one believe that they have our interests at heart. It’s an orthodox misleading ploy - the fanfare about the rule of law and due process, the periodic press statements decrying corrupt etc quickly string to mind.

But on this day, our ailing President seemed genuine, and if he can pull this off he would have us on the right part. I couldn’t quite say the same about Ms Waziri, her assault on her chewing gum during the EFCC organised conference would have made Sir Alex Ferguson wince. I guess that doesn't matter, she might just be a fan of Bazooka Joe.

I don’t want to belabour this; I just wonder - Is what is in front bigger and possibly better? Does this judgement mean that in future we could see a sitting president toppled by judges of the Supreme Court? Why can’t we get all appeals out of the way before anyone is allowed to assume office?

Questions?

He's back with his family.

2008-12-16T07:02:00.004Z

Doja's Nephew is back!

Thank God for that.....

Anyway, lets celebrate with the family. My vigil is over....time to start blogging again.

Whose child is next?

:-(

Praying For the Safe Return of ...

2008-12-02T11:26:00.005Z

Doja's nephew.

Moments like this put everything into some sort of perspective. When a 6 year old is kidnapped you hate to think about how scared the kid is, what is going thru the minds of the kid's parents and close ones.

This is not the time to rant and curse. This is the time for our blog family to set other prayers aside ask God to ensure that this kid is returned safely.

God please.

Some week!

2008-12-01T13:35:00.003Z

The fiasco between the enemies of our state and Ribadu sort of kicked off the week. While this hero (my interpretation) was being ‘shamed’ by a set of hired thugs, the people of Thailand were trying to force the prime minister's resignation. Something you wonder why we aren’t doing now. I guess life is too sweet and the idea of wasting time sleeping rough @ the airport isn’t a ‘Nigerian’ thing.

Then there was the ghoulish incident in Mumbai. I still haven’t heard from a couple of my colleagues who I know are in Mumbai, but I am not assuming the worst. Politics and blame trading seems to have taken over an opportunity to knock this one on the head. I just get the feeling that the guys I see on Sky News and Fox are hoping for a war between India and Pakistan.

Meanwhile @ Arsenal, Gallas and the armband did finally part ways. A young Spaniard was made captain – Cesc we can! Yesterday, the changeable season that Arsenal have had saw them see of a mediocre Chelski side 2-1. It was like the good old days when a victory at the bridge was a ‘given’

Back to Nigeria there was the news about baby teething mixture contaminated with diethylene glycol called My Pickin. Diethylene glycol is a toxic substance normally used in engine coolant! About 29 babies are now dead, and many more in hospital.

Armed Robbers are holding the fort in Ibadan taking no notice of the police. Who knows they may send Ridabu there to make haste his absolute disappearance.

And then on Thursday after a lull, religious riots kicked off in Jos, all under the cover of politics – vote rigging by the PDP (another enemy of the state). States as far from Plateau as Anambra, Abia and Imo are on alert – Revenge killings.

Is Yardy awake, you hope so…..

PLS. SPARE A MINUTE TO OBSERVE WORLD AIDS DAY

Just one Family

2008-11-25T07:28:00.004Z

“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed” - Mahatma Gandhi

It is alleged (by The Source magazine) that the following houses were ‘acquired’ by Lucky Igbinedion's Family in London (2002-2008).

SIX YEARS!

WOW!

A Run-Down of Igbinedion’s London Houses

Name of Registered Owner Address and Date of Purchase

1. Lucky Igbinedion 29, Sheldon Avenue, London ,N64JP (2002).
2. Hope Igbinedion 31, Voce Road, London, 5E 182 LW (2005).
3. Hope Igbinedion 5, Glebe House, Rectory Place, London, SE 185 RW (2005).
4. Ighiwiyisi Igbinedion 4, Ryder Drive, London, SE 163 BB (2002).
5. Imose Igbinedion 27, Cottingham Road, Manchester ,M124 BN (2002).
6. Irene S. Igbinedion 10, Station Road, Wallingford Oxfordshire, Ox100HU (2005).
7. Ivie N. Igbinedion 74, Winnington Road, London, N2 OTX (2005).
8. Kenneth Igbinedion 19, Boundary House, Bethwin Road, London, SE 50 YB (2002).
9. Kenneth Igbinedion 13, Lime Row, Erith Kent, DA 184 HW (2004).
10. Larry Igbinedion 1020, Peckham Hill Street, London, SE 155JT (2003).
11. Linda E. Igbinedion Flat 560, Egmont Road, Sutton Surrey, SM2 5J6 (2004).
12. Lucky Igbinedion 29, Sheldon Avenue, London, N6 4JP (2003).
13. Mabel E. Igbinedion 74, Winnington Road, London, N2 OTX (2002).
14. Mark Igbinedion Ashford Barnet, Road Barnet, Hertford Shire, EN5 3HR (2006).
15. Mark Igbinedion 11, Grafton Road, London, W3 6PB (2002).
16. Martin Igbinedion 8, Norway Gate, London, SE 167 TR (2005).
17. Maurice Igbinedion 50, Bankfield Avenue, Manchester, M13 OZP (2004)
18. Maxine Igbinedion 25, Redcliffe Court, Nightingale Estate, London, E5 8TX (2002).
19. Michael Igbinedion 3, Elsinore Gardens, London, NW2 1SS (2006).
20. Moses B. Igbinedion Second Floor ,Flat 76, Plumstead Common Road, London, SE 183 RD (2007).
21. Sandra O. Igbinedion Flat 6, Bathurst House, White City Estate, London, W12 7AG (2007).
22. Sandra O. Igbinedion 6 ,Bathurst House, White City Estate, London, W12 7AG (2004).
23. Odeon Igbinedion 50, Bank Field Avenue, Manchester, M13 OZP (2004).
24. Odion P. Igbinedion 7, Brodrick Grove, London, SE 2 OSR (2005).
25. Omorodion Igbinedion Flat 25, Centurion House, 69 Station Road, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7JQ (2007).
26. Omosede Igbinedion 4E, Marley Court ,the University of Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7UU (2002).
27. Omosede Igbinedion 74, Winnington Road, London, N2 OTX (2005).
28. Orhue F. Igbinedion 9, Rodborough Road, London, NW1 185A (2002).
29. Osagie Sunday Igbinedion 5, Strode Road, London, E7 ODU (2006).
30. Osahon Igbinedion Flat 13, Spalding House, Turnham Road, London, SE4 2HT (2007).
31. Osawe Igbinedion Flat 216, Charlton Road, London, NW 118 SA (2005).
32. Osawe Igbinedion 9, Rodborough Road, London ,NW 118 SA (2002).
33. Otasowie Igbinedion 42, Harlech Tower Park, Road, East London, W3 8TZ (2002)
34. Peter Igbinedion 18, Compton Close ,London, NW1 18SX (2004).
35. Princely Igbinedion 120, Guinness Trust, Kennington, Park Road, London ,SE 114 JE (2003).
36. Princely Igbinedion 38, Melrose Close, London, SE 120 AL (2006).
37. Princely Igbinedion 47, Guinness Trust, Kennington Park Road, London, SE 114 JF (2002).
38. Promise Igbinedion 81, Denbigh Road, London, E63LF (2002).
39. Robinson Igbinedion 180, Norwood Road, London, SE 279AU (2005).
40. Roice E. Igbinedion 12, ST Matthews, House, Phelp Street, London, SE172 PJ (2003).
41. Stella Igbinedion 4, Ryder Drive, London, SE 163BB (2002).
42. Stephen Igbinedion 4, Ryder Drive, London, SE 163 BB (2002).
43. Sunday Igbinedion 8, Norway Gate, London, SE 167 TR (2002).
44. Sunin Igbinedion 4, Ryder Drive, London, SE 163 BB (2002).
45. Sussan Igbinedion 42, Harlech Tower, Park Road, East London ,W3 8TZ (2002).
46. Slyvester Igbinedion 11, Grafton Road, London, W3 6PB (2002).
47. Uyiekpen Igbinedion 4, Ryder Drive, London, SE 163 BB (2003).
48. Uyiekpen N. Igbinedion Mill Hall, Topping Lane, UX Bridge, Middlesex, UB82 TL (2006).
49. Victor Igbinedion 27, Shawcroft View, Off Crompton Way, Bolton, BL18UU (2007).
50. Victor O. Igbinedion 20, Mudie House, Forster Road, London, SW 2 4UX (2005). 51. Vivian Igbinedion 19, Boundary House ,Betwin Road, London, SE 5 OYB
(2002).
52. Agbon Igbinedion Flat 25, Centurion House, 69 Station Road, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7JQ (2007).
53. Albert Igbinedion 89, Becket House, Tabard Street, London, SE 1 4XZ (2002).
54. Amenze P. Igbinedion 74, Winnington Road, London, N2 OTX (2005).
55. Bamidele Igbinedion 31, Voce Road, London, SE 182 LW (2005).
56. Bamidele Igbinedion 5 ,Glebe House, Rectory Place, London, SE 185RW (2005).
57. Ben Igbinedion 6, Bathurst House, City Estate ,London, W12 7AG (2007).
58. Ben Igbinedion 6, Bathurst House, City Estate, London, W12 7AG (2002).
59. Benita Igbinedion Ashford Barnet Road, Barnet Hertfordshire, EN5 3HB (2004).
60. Bridget Igbinedion 81, Denbigh Road, London, E6 3LF (2002).
61. Cherry Igbinedion 74, Winnington Road, London, N2 OTX (2002).
62. David Igbinedion Flat 15, Ross Court 3, Napoleon Road, London, E58TE (2003).
63. Edith Igbinedion 50, Bankfied Avenue,Manchester, M13 OZP (2004).
64. Edith Igbinedion 83, Fraser Road, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 7AL (2002).
65. Egbe L. Igbinedion 9, Rodborough Road, London, NW118SA (2007).
66. Ekpen Igbinedion Flat 25, Centurion House, 69 Station Road, Edgware, Middlesex HAB 7 JQ (2007).
67. Emmanuel Igbinedion 4, Apric Close, London, W7 3HF (2003).
68. Emmanuel Igbinedion 174, Greenford Avenue, London, W7 3QT (2002).
69. Esohe A. Igbinedion 9, Rodborough Road, London, NW118SA (2002).
70. Etiosa Igbinedion Ashford Barnet Road, Barnet Hertfordshire, EN5 3HB (2006).
71. Etiosa E. Igbinedion Fuschia House, LF W Hall, Canute Road, Southampton, S0143 ZP (2007).
72. Evamaria Igbinedion Ashford Barnet, Road Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN5 3HB (2002).
73. Eyagbon Igbinedion 4, Ryder Drive, London ,SE 163 BB (2002).
74. Florence Igbinedion 25, Redcliffe Court, Nightingale Estate ,London, E58 TX (2002).
75. Gabriel O. Igbinedion 74, Winnington Road, London, N2 OTX (2007).
76. Galatian Igbinedion 4, Ryder Drive, London, SE 163 BB (2003).
77. Grace O. Igbinedion 11, Grafton Road, London, W36PB (2002).
78. Helen Igbinedion 8, Norway Gate, London, SE167 TR (2002).
79. Henry Igbinedion Flat 4, Heversham House, ILderton Road, London, SE 151 EJ (2007).
80. Henry A. Igbinedion 64, Harrington Road, London ,SE 254LY (2006).
81. Agbon Igbinedion Flat 25, Centurion House, 69 Station Road ,Edgware, Middlesex 11A8 7JQ (2008).
82. Amenze P. Igbinedion 74, Winningtion Road, London, N2 OTX (2008).
83. Bamidele Igbinedion 31, Voce Road, London, SE 182 LW (2008).
84. Ben Igbinedion Flat 6, Bathurst House, White City Estate, London, W12 7AG (2008).
85. Benita Igbinedion Ashford Barnet Road, Barnet Hertfordshire ,EN5 3HB (2008).
86. Agbon Igbinedion Flat 25, Centurion House, 69 Station Road, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7JQ (2007).
87. Albert Igbinedion 89, Becket House, Tabard Street, London, SE1 4XZ (2002).
88. Bamidele Igbinedion 31, Voce Road, London, SE 182 LW (2005).
89. Amenze P. Igbinedion 74, Winnington Road, London, N2 OTX (2005).
90. Bamidele Igbinedion 5, Glebe House, Rectory Place, London ,185 RW (2005).

For 3 quid (£) per property, this accusation can be established. I have just spent a tenner on 3 randomly picked properties ….guess what?

Wow...once again!!

BNP Near Me

2008-11-20T06:11:00.003Z

Surprisingly none on my street, I was a bit suspicious of a couple - never judge a book by its cover.

However there are 4 that live within my mansions. Funny how you want to put faces to names, feel like parking up in front of their houses and...

Its a big list, It will take a while to clear my work colleagues (about 3000 of them), the priest, the doctor, school teachers, all folks I (my family) come in contact with.

Something for an idle mind.

A lethal Mix

2008-11-17T11:18:00.003Z

Like many others I watched Channel 4’s programme Saving Africa's Witch Children. All that needs to be said about the harrowing scenes in the programme has already been said. I have also followed calls to banish Liberty Gospel Church and possibly cage its ‘overseer’ one Helen Ukpabio. At the risk of offending some of my readers, I don’t think the chorus of disapproval by concerned bloggers and the world community goes far enough. Let me start by saying that the Liberty Gospel Church isn’t the only ‘church’ in Nigeria that mixes this poisonous brew of religion and voodoo.

I have had the regrettable pleasure of attending a couple of other ‘churches’ who excel in such bastardisation of the Christian religion. One was the tarnished cult called UKCG and the other - MFM. I can not speak for other Pentecostal sects in Nigeria but it wouldn’t surprise me if there are many others who preach the gospel of prosperity, fear, voodoo and incessantly fabricate invisible enemies for members of their congregation. Every adversity - divorce, disease, accidents, death, miscarriages, poverty, job losses etc - is traced back to someone within the family who is purportedly holding back their progress via witchcraft. This mindset which is frankly held amongst many Nigerians is one considerable reason why advancement falters in our society. It has also set off an exceedingly lucrative 'deliverance' business for many false ‘pastors and prophetesses’ who live large at the expense of their easy to fleece followers.

The time I think has now come to suspend for the foreseeable future all religious activities in Nigeria. Anyone who needs to pray can do so within the confines of their home. God will still hear such prayers. While that ban is effective, all identifiable religious leaders should be locked up until they can give good reasons why they should be set free. All their funds and assets should be frozen worldwide.

Am I trivialising this issue? One isn't silly enough to think that Witchcraft/Witch hunts is of African origin. It had a noticeable presence in Europe many centuries ago. , Maybe there is something to learn from history. We are always late to the party!

Flashback: Soul/Funk of the 80s (1)

2008-11-14T11:41:00.025Z

The Sleeveface phenomenon has taken the world by storm so what better way for me to get into the act than by revisiting some of the top soul/funk acts of the 80s.

One Way - YouTube

52nd Street - Youtube

After 7 - YouTube

Al B Sure - YouTube

Alicia Myers - YouTube

Alisha - YouTube

Alphonse Mouzon - YouTube

Alyson Williams - YouTube

Angela Bofill - YouTube

Anita Ward - YouTube [OK 70s]

Apollonia 6 - YouTube

Atlantic Starr - YouTube

Aurra - YouTube

Bar Kays - YouTube

BB & Q Band - YouTube [One of my all time favourites]

Bernard Wright - YouTube

Billy Ocean - YouTube

Bobby Brown - YouTube

Bobby Nunn - YouTube

Donna Summer - YouTube

To be continued.....

This Naija Thing Sef

2008-11-11T07:40:00.004Z

Last week Friday I tried to book a flight to Nigeria. It was pretty spontaneous – one of those ‘they will like to see you calls’. I was only going to be there for 72 hours. Get in on the 13th, leave (if I am not detained by the SSS) on the 16th. Normally, and with enough time to play around with, I would have gone via a travel agent - even though I sometimes find them tedious and infuriating.

I hit the NET, and the best direct flight deal I could get (price and availability) was BA. They had a couple of economy seats free. Missing out would have meant business or even first class. Unless someone can convince me that those who sit in First and Business class survive plane crashes, I don’t really see the point, didn’t even have that sort of dosh to waste anyways (plus my bad belle).

So I went onto the BA site to book online, put all my info in, only for the final page to inform me that I had to pay offline! I was running a bit late, so I asked wifey to call and do the stuff offline while I got ready. BA’s response to her – they wouldn’t take card details offline, she needed to go to one of their offices in person and present your card…

I thought it was one of wifey’s tricks. She didn’t want to pay with her card…So I got out of the bath and called the same number. I told them I needed to pay for a flight I had just booked/reserved on their site. The lady at the other end asked me if I had my card details ready, I said yes. (Giving wifey the (daggers) eye). The BA lady then asked what the reference number was from the booking. When I gave it to her, she said sorry, you will need to visit one of our offices to make the payment. I asked whether that was a new BA procedure sarcastically mocking their 92% fall in profits. She said no, it only applied to Nigeria and maybe one other unnamed country. It simply had to do with high levels of card fraud. “Do you want to know the closest office to you”, she asked. I asked her to cancel the booking.

I went back online, this time to lastminute.com, did the usual search and BA came up again as the only available deal for the dates I needed. I could pay online…hurray. I did all that, and I was told a confirmation will be sent to my mailbox. I had used lastminute.com earlier in the month to book flights to the US for wifey and kids for Xmas, and the confirmation came almost immediately.

I hit gmail, and there was a message from lastminute.com but it wasn’t a confirmation.

Thank you for your booking request. This email acknowledges receipt of your order.

Security checks are currently being performed on your order to help protect your identity and potential unauthorized use of your card. The order is not confirmed until we send you an e-mail notifying that your order has been processed successfully. You should receive this within 24 hours, but we aim to do this within 4 hours.

This time I couldn’t be bothered that I was running late. I called up LM dot com -guess what – same answer. I cancelled.

A few hours later, I was told that the ‘boss’ I was meant to see in Abuja was off to somewhere, the meeting has been postponed. It’s back to the trusty travel agent. Then I thought, why do they (TA’s) ask you to pay money into a bank account before they confirm your booking? Same reason?

And as if that is not enough, one is greeted this morning with the following headlines:

Facebook 'infiltrated by Nigerian fraudsters'

Facebook hit by Nigerian 419 scam

Cyber criminals target Facebook users

and more...

What is wrong with our people biko nu! Wetin!!

Goodbye Miriam Makeba

2008-11-10T07:43:00.002Z

South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba, whose music was banned under apartheid, has died at age 76 after a performance in Italy, ANSA news agency reported Monday. Makeba collapsed at the concert and was taken to hospital, where she died of a heart attack overnight, it said. Nicknamed "Mama Africa," she became one of the best-known symbols in the long and bitter struggle against her country's apartheid regime, which for decades enforced racial segregation. South Africa revoked her citizenship in 1960 when she wanted to return home for her mother's funeral, and she then spent more than three decades in exile, living in the United States and Guinea. Makeba, who won a Grammy award for Best Folk Recording with US singer Harry Belafonte in 1965, also saw her music outlawed in her homeland after she appeared in an anti-apartheid film.

Source: IC Publications

She will sorely be missed! An African Legend....The Queen is gone.

A Letter From Jonathan Elendu

2008-11-06T07:30:00.000Z

Published 30/10/08

On the evening of October 18, 2006, I arrived Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja aboard a KLM flight. I had left my base, Lansing, Michigan for Nigeria the previous day. I was looking forward to coming home and finishing some projects I had started some months earlier. These projects are 2 documentary films I had started working on some months earlier and a stage show to celebrate the one year anniversary of Gov. Chibuike Amaechi.

I got to the Immigration counter at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and handed my passport to the officers there. This is something I had done several times in the past and I had no reason to suspect that this day will be any different. The Immigration officer took a glance at my passport and handed it over to another officer in plain clothes. The officer turned around and beckoned on another man in white caftan. The man, who later introduced himself as the director of the State Security Service (SSS) airport division, told me that he needed to chat with me and would wait until I picked up my luggage.

After picking up my stuff I headed to the Customs unit where they assessed duty and after I paid released my luggage to me. I had asked those who were waiting for me to take my luggage with them while I went to see the SSS officers. The director of SSS insisted that my luggage had to follow me to Yellow House, their headquarters near the Aso Rock Villa.

The SSS officers hired a van to convey one of their officers, my luggage and I to their headquarters from the airport. The driver of the van drove like a man who had an appointment to keep in hell. The road to town was not lighted and his headlights barely showed. I celebrated our getting to the offices of the SSS in one piece.

We got to the offices of the SSS at about 10:45 PM and that is how my 12 days in lock up began. It was the most harrowing experience of my life. On the 10th day I had access to my lawyers for the first time. This was after I was transferred from the SSS cell, where I was held in solitary confinement for 7 days, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) cell. My lawyer told me about the outpouring of love and support for me from all over the world. I broke down and cried.

I cried because I had been told by the SSS that I was abandoned by my lawyers and family. I knew that to be false. I cried because I did not know that my plight was known to the world. I cried because I was just overwhelmed by the support and wondered if I had earned your love. And I cried for my country…

Words are not enough to tell you how grateful I am to each and every one of you. Many times I had doubted the wisdom of the path I had chosen for myself. Now I know it was the right path for me. I had tried to refocus and reposition my practice as a journalist. This led to my slowing down in reporting. This experience and your response to my plight have shown me that I was wrong.

I wish I could find stronger words to tell you how grateful I am. What better words can I come up with to better express my feelings for what you have done for me? Hard as I have searched, I can only come up with these two words: Thank you.

There have been stories and speculations as to what led to my arrest by the SSS and later the EFCC. The speculations continue even now that I have been released. There were also speculations as to what happened while I was in lock up. I even heard that I “sang” while in captivity. I have asked what tone I sang, what song I sang.

I am writing this note on a borrowed computer as my laptop, flash drives, cell phones, clothes, wallet, green card, credit and bank cards are still in the custody of the SSS. In fact, everything I came with from the States, apart from the clothes on my back are in the custody of the SSS.

When my stuff is released and after due consultations with my family and lawyers, I will tell the world what actions or inactions will follow. I have seen a doctor after my release on Wednesday. I am hoping to see my doctors in the United States soon. However, as soon as I get my laptop and get some little rest, I intend to give a full account of what transpired while I was in lock up.

This much I can tell you: They tried but did not succeed in breaking my will. If the idea was to cow me, I want you to know that I do not walk on all fours. If the intention was to use me as a scapegoat, please note that I do not bleat and I do not eat grass. If what I went through was to teach me a lesson. This much I have learnt. The servant leader has adorned the robes of a wicked Emperor. Ill-fitting as the clothes may be, he appears comfortable in the role.

These words are few and simple and yet mean so much to me: Thank you.

Email: jonathan@elendureports.com

What an astonishing night!

2008-11-05T07:04:00.004Z

It was one of those nights that you tend to remember for the rest of your life. One of those ‘where were you when…’ moments.

My night started early, I had programmed myself to wake up by 12 midnight. The results were meant to come in by that time so an early night was called for. I missed Chelsea getting hammered by Roma, and there was also that Stevie G dive.

I got up at about 1am, a couple of results were in, all for the Mac. I started wondering whether the party in Chicago was going to fall flat. I was switching channels – CNN, ITV, BBC, Scum sorry Fox News, Al J…any thing covering the election, I even had Talksport Radio on. George Galloway was in top form. I finally settled for ITV and then came the first screw-up of the night. ITV had The Mac on 103 and Obama on 34! Were my worst fears coming true? Where the polls wrong? Did the white folk suddenly wake up to the horror of voting for a black dude? I quickly switched over to the BBC, they had almost the same numbers, but the names were reversed. That was it for ITV. At some point, I couldn’t stand the tension, so I decided to finish off a film I had started in the morning – The Great White Hope (A boxing film)

A few minutes before 4am UK time came the Breaking News “Obama is the new President of the United States”.

It’s pretty hard to put the whole night/experience in context, to explain ones feelings and to wonder what happens next. I never thought I would witness this in my life time. I never thought it would happen.

Last night was a defining moment.

Off to bed.

Just one more thing. It took less than half a day to announce the results of more than 140 million voters!

One Moment In Tme

2008-11-04T10:08:00.002Z

The significance of today’s election can not be understated. The scenario of the son of a Kenyan immigrant becoming the next President of the world’s most powerful nation is colossal.

Today I feel American even though I am not one, today I feel proud to be African just because Obama’s immediate roots can be traced to the Dark Continent.

Then again indignity envelops me; I wonder why I am not this excited about elections in my home country Nigeria. I think of the leaders we have had– Balewa, Gowon, Mohammed, OBJ, Shagari, Buhari, IBB, Abacha, Abubakar, Yar’adua and I don’t see an Obama rather I see intellectual midgets.

Obama hasn’t won yet, and you just never know. But if as many as 140 million Americans who step inside the polling booth make the right private decision, the future of not only the US, but Africa will most certainly change for the best.

Ababoy endorses McCain

2008-11-03T12:32:00.003Z

FREE JONATHAN ELENDU NOW

2008-10-31T05:49:00.005Z

Elendu is a Nigerian Blogger that was detained. He is now under medical care but is not free to return to his family in America.

Fellow Bloggers,

Don't forget to join us in the online rally this Friday October 31st. Just use "FREE JONATHAN ELENDU NOW!" as the title of your blog post and FaceBook Status. Visit the Facebook page here or stop by Nigerian Curiosity.

BREAKING NEWS
Another online publisher, Mr. Emeka Asiwe of huhuonline.com was on Tuesday picked up at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos by officials of the State Security Services, SSS.
Asiwe who had arrived Nigeria from the United State to visit his sick mother was arrested shortly after arriving the country on charges that he is among online publishers declared wanted by the Government of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.
Source: Pointblank News

Dishonourable Members

2008-10-30T09:52:00.000Z

I am a big fan of Gbenga Aruleba’s AIT programme – Focus Africa. This morning he played clips of yesterday’s stormy session between Lagos lawyer - Festus Keyamo and our ‘elected lawmakers’. This was the public hearing on Keyamo’s allegation that the N2.3 billion car deal in the House of Representatives was fraudulent.

To say that the behaviour of these status poor lawmakers was dishonourable will be giving the word a bad name. However one particular ‘legislator’ stood out. This fellow who wore a black suit with a red tie was crude, vicious, vulgar, coarse, loud and as physically ugly as it’s possible to be – and that’s just viewing him on TV.

The drama could have been faintly amusing if it wasn’t for the fact that these people were supposedly members House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

It was reported in some of the online publications I read later that one Warman Ogoriba (PDP, Bayelsa) got up and declared: "I will kill him (Keyamo). I am a street boy from Port Harcourt."

Which kin wahala be dis Biko nu? What have we gotten ourselves into? How many more area boys are masquerading as lawmakers?

I tire. Gbenga please keep up the good work jare. You have a fan here.

It’s reported somewhere that Jonathan Elendu has been released. Assuming this is true, and that this isn’t to set him up for another ‘chat’, we shouldn’t discount the part played by bloggers all around the world.

Will there ever be another ‘brother’ bond movie?

2008-10-29T08:22:00.003Z

Quantum of Solace premiere’s today and the star-studded event is scheduled to kick-off around 7:00pm London-time this evening at London’s Odeon Cinema, Leicester Square.

Back in the day, Bond films were big. One’s film experience was gauged on the number of Bond films you had seen. There was Dr No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You only live twice, On her majesty’s secret service, Diamonds are forever (The 1st bond movie I watched), The man with the golden gun, The spy who loved me, Moonraker, For your eyes only, Octopussy, A view to a kill (The last bond movie I watched)…and so on.

Nonetheless one Bond movie stood out for me and it wasn’t even a classic - Live and Let die.

A genuine ‘brother’ movie released during the blaxploitation era, with clichéd black folks, all in massive afros, ‘bongo’ trousers, heeled shoes, talking smack and drug dealing their way to ….

This film was shot in predominantly black spots like Harlem, New Orleans and Jamaica and starred – arguably - the first African American Bond girl – Gloria Hendry (Rosie Carver). It was also Roger Moore’s first bond movie.

It was a film filled with classic one-liners and backed up by an unforgettable rock and roll theme written by Paul and his wife Linda McCartney.

It featured leading black faces like Yaphet Kotto who later on starred in Roots, Raid on Entebbe, Running Man and the TV series – Homicide: Life on the Street; The late Julius Harris - Capt. Bollin in Shaft's Big Score, Ugandan President Idi Amin in the TV movie Victory at Entebbe. He also appeared in Trouble Man, King Kong, Black Caesar and in guest-starring roles on Sanford and Son, Good Times, and Love Boat; and the towering Geoffrey Holder well known for his heavily accented deep voice and energetic laugh.

While a few rednecks throttled this film, it was a box office success and also holds the record for the most viewed broadcast film on television in the United Kingdom - attracting 23.5 million viewers when premiered on ITV on 20 January 1980

This film was released 35 years ago and one wonders, will there ever be another ‘brother’ Bond movie. Hmmm, I guess not.

The Hostage

2008-10-24T09:39:00.002Z

Spot the President

The incompetent with nothing to do can still make a mess of it - Laurence J. Peter

I am beginning to feel sorry for our President. It appears that this little known ex-governor of the remote northern state of Katsina has lost control of the country he is meant to lead.

This week’s edition of the Economist magazine has the headline “Please hurry up”. The substance of the article is that more and more people are grumbling that his unhurried style is failing to move the machinery of Africa’s biggest and most boisterous nation. Fair point, but how can a sick man held hostage by so many political bag carriers move Nigeria forward?

Even without the load of his hostage takers, it is apparent that the man is beleaguered by the task that confronts him. Some say he is out of his depth, and it’s hard not to agree. I thought rather idiotically that the Supreme Court would put him out of his misery and rescind his less than plausible election into office – fat chance.

His declaration to apply the rule of law and be a servant master has been usurped by those who brought him to power. Ex-Wickes employee, Mr Ibori who purportedly bankrolled his presidential campaign, now appears to be in charge of his ‘anti’ anti corruption outfit.

Those who disapprove of his leadership or expose the disreputable deeds of his agents are banged up by those claiming to act on his behalf. He also isn’t helped in anyway by the PDP, his partner who many claim is the actual president of Nigeria or his VP - Jonathan who quite frankly is merely part of Aso Rock’s furniture.

Our country has been taken over by a gang of yobbos who profit by having an ineffectual man at the helm.

Set Yardy free.

Spooky or sheer Coincidence?

2008-10-22T15:54:00.003Z

On my way back from work yesterday, at the junction where the M4 meets the A312, I was waiting for the traffic light to turn to green.

On my car (what’s it called) stereo, I was blasting Michael Jackson’s PYT. I had my window rolled down a bit. Funny how its always warmer inside the car, when there is a bit of sun, but cooler outside….discuss…(duh).

I kinda noticed – corner of my eye - that there was someone in the car – outer lane - peeping into my car. I turned and guess who it was

JERMAINE JACKSON.

Crackdown

2008-10-21T07:00:00.006Z

The closure of Channels TV wasn’t a one-off, it was an signal of things to come. Yardy's henchmen on Saturday arrested Mr Jonathan Elendu – online publisher of Elendu Reports. According to PM news, the United States-based publisher, who was arrested on arrival in Nigeria, was allegedly linked to Saharareporters, another online Nigerian news agency.

Yardy has a long running battle with the Sahara guys. It appears that someone close to Yardy is leaking sensitive info and pictures to these guys.

Young Yardy

Yardy

Their latest headline “Crude Oil Lifting Contracts As Yar’adua’s Cash Cow” wouldn’t make comfy reading for Yardy and his praise singers. It looks like the cultish secrecy oath thing /ban on certain ministers visiting Yardy isn’t working.

Yardy, this is a combat you and your thugs will find quite taxing to win. Its online baby….no fixed addresses. Ask your guys to stop being ‘tossers’. Ask them to release this man. I dont think he is in the mood to chat...not to the SSS Boss.

Rule of law, my .....

Good Governance Pays

2008-10-20T14:12:00.004Z

Festus Mogae is this year's winner of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for achievement in African Leadership.

Mr Mogae is the former President of Botswana. He stepped down in April after serving two terms in office. Let me repeat the last sentence - He stepped down in office after serving two terms in office. He wasn't forced out, he didn't go to some shrine or temple to consult any gods. He respected the constitution of his country and stepped down.

He will pocket $5m (for his troubles) and additionally get $200k a year for the rest of his life.

Pocket money I guess to the some other leaders who wouldnt win or want to win this price....the likes of.....

The question is: Will a price like this encourage good governance?

Headlines

2008-10-16T08:33:00.002Z

There were all sorts of headlines yesterday.

Nigeria's oil windfall account depleted — Soludo.

No surprises there. N1.723 trillion has been shared by the three tiers of government from the excess crude oil account, and is there anything to show for it? Don’t know.

There were also puzzling headlines from Ms Waziri’s War on War on Corruption agency (Don’t delete repeated words).

EFCC: No Case against Obasanjo, 31 Ex-Govs, screamed ThisDay.
Files on ex-governors missing, says EFCC, reported the Nigerian Punch.

A day later, another set of headlines hit the newspapers. EFCC Clarifies Position on Ex- Govs reported ThisDay. The game being played here is pretty clear.

Whenever I think of Waziri, and all the chitchat about Ibori’s role in getting her the job, I can't seem to get this image of a cashier in Wickes out of my head (No insult to checkout guys at Wickes)…

Anyway, the headline that really caught my full attention was this one in The Nigerian Sun

I was humiliated over 419 – Pastor Adeboye

Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye is the General Overseer (whatever that means) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God,

Quotes from the great man

“The moment they heard that I am a pastor, that’s when they decided that the search must be thorough. In fact, they told me that I must preach a sermon! They asked me the last time I preached; I said last Sunday. They asked for the topic, I gave them. What was the theme? I gave them. What was the Bible passage? I gave them.

“At the end, they apologized, saying, ‘in your case, you are genuine. We have caught Nigerians who say they are pastors but who are fake. We have seen people who travelled with what is supposed to be a Bible and inside they had cut off a portion of it and put in drugs.’ In a situation like that you find the innocent suffering because of the misdeeds of a handful of people.”

In the same article he linked the alarming growth of corruption in the Nigerian society to “the collapse of family ethos as well as the debasement of teachers by the government”.

It’s funny how these ‘men of God’ fail to appreciate the association linking the surge of Pentecostalism (Gospel of materialism some call it) to the foundation of greed and social discontent in our society. This man once infamously likened Aremu Obasanjo to the Prophet Elisha!

More from him.

“When we talk about the family also failing, in the olden days, many a time the father would earn enough to feed the entire family. Now, papa would work, mama must work, so there is little time left for parents to look after their children. So when we are looking at corruption as a very big monster, it has several roots and we must go to the root of it, not just cut off the branches and expect that the end of the story will come. We must go deep.”

These men of God sef…

Chokers?

2008-10-13T13:29:00.006Z

Maybe I am being a bit unfair on Samuel Peter (despite all the mouth ….. ) and Lewis Hamilton who will surely be labeled one if he fails to win the F1 championship this year.

Back to Samuel Peter, I am waiting for his excuse. Was he ‘jazzed’ by the Ukrainian giant? I have seen Samuel box a few times, and while he wouldn’t be remembered as one of the great Heavyweight champions, his surrender right from the minute the bell rang was scandalous. OK, he ate as one report put it, a steady diet of stiff jabs, hard right hands, and painful combinations served by Dr Iron Fist, still as a Naija bros, he should (at worst) have either taken a drop and be counted out. Boxing can be very unforgiving to those who quit on their stool. Anyway, the man with two Christian names took a pounding. He was virtually a swaying punch bag that made a guy who had been out of the ring for 4 years look good.

Tough Times ahead?

2008-10-07T06:57:00.002Z

I couldn’t get into the office this morning. My proximity card wouldn’t get me thru. I tried the biometric option – fingerprints, but that didn’t work either. I walked down to the security post, and was told in no uncertain terms that I have been thrown off the project. “No one told me”, I said, totally pissed off that I didn’t spend a few more hours in bed. I work pretty close to Reading, and commute from East London. I leave home by about 5.30am, so that I can beat the traffic. The good points are that I leave early (b/w 2-3pm), and I work from home on Thursdays and Fridays.

I put a call thru to HR, and it’s all a big misunderstanding, Access restored, and all is well again.

This isn’t a good time to lose one’s job. There are tough times ahead. When the growth figures come out soon, we will officially be in recession. These days everyone is cutting back, you can drive a car thru some of the aisles in Sainsbury’s. It’s also a good time for bargains; everyone wants your loose change. I paid my first visit to waitrose in 10 years and they are doing Tesco prices!

Capitalism is on its knees, if not almost buried. Socialism/nationalisation/interventionism has made it thru that backdoor, but it’s not called any of those nasty names. The 700 billion bailout hasn’t dampened fears. Germany or Angela Merkel tried to score cheap political points over the weekend and unintentionally threw a disunited EU off course. Banking shares are taking a hammering. This could be time for the Ababoy household to own a bank. One wonders what the effects will be on Nigerian banks. Most of them, I guess have some sort of partnerships with foreign entities. The near collapse of the Nigeria Stock market has been blamed on foreign capital flight. Personally, I hold the Central Banks in the Western world responsible. Their response to any little shift in the market over the past two years was to cut interest rates and flood the market with cheap funds. The irony however is that the only way I could see this crisis abetting is to have more interest rates cuts, get folks spending borrowed money again. Get the vicious cycle back up again.

The price of crude is dropping like a stone, not that you will notice it if you go to fill up. Asda, the cheapest I have come across are selling unleaded for 105p a litre. Scandalous! You wonder how Yardy will cope with a shortfall in funds, just like you wonder what they did with the surplus over the past few months.

Lemme grab a coffee, its 2 for the price of one…Costa.

p.s. If anyone has got Abigbo music on mp3...please... (Mbaise folks will understand)

48

2008-10-01T04:20:00.002Z

Rockcorps

2008-09-26T08:59:00.000Z

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)

2008-09-25T13:19:00.002Z

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

2008-09-24T06:14:00.002Z

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

2008-09-22T09:46:00.003Z

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...

2008-09-16T04:58:00.003Z

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.

Goodbye Dad

2008-07-23T11:22:00.002Z

My Dad passed away over the weekend. May his lovely soul rest in peace.

I love you dad, my hero. I will see you when I see you....Till then, I will miss you loads

Personal responsibility

2008-07-18T09:13:00.006Z

Its not unique to our community, we just do it a little better. Obama has had his say, Jesse Jackson has had his say about Obama’s say – Telling brothers how to behave. David Cameron, the leader of the UK’s main opposition party has also had his say.as. How dare a white broda tell us what to do? And then what?

Too many fathers are going missing, PERIOD. It should be of deep concern among many black folks, and shouldn’t really matter who the messenger is.

Kids are killing kids, kids are underachieving @ school, kids are hanging out in corners – up to no good, Sisters are so quick to turf out their guys, Guys are not behaving - we are topping all tables. Lets get real.

To Lester Holloway, editor of the New Nation, it is right to lecture black people about 'taking responsibility'. Lets not forget to credit and highlight the good ones...

Yardy’s responsibities

At a time when teachers are on strike, when Nigeria is literarily in Darkness, guess where our servant-leader is? Busy gallivanting in the UK - acting as if he is someone -even though the local media has hardly noticed his presence.

He is seeking military assistance to fight his people or the criminals that populate the Niger Delta while at the same time asking his spineless lapdog Jonathan Badluck to keep talking about some fictitious summit.

Finally, the Nigerian Independent Newspaper’s web site has something on Nigerians who live in luxury. I guess if you don’t make this list, and its not a forbes list, you are living in penury. And from the count, it means many of us.

Part I
Part II

Negatively in the news ….again!

2008-07-15T10:44:00.004Z

Driving into work this morning with the radio tuned on to BBC 5 Live, our beloved country was headlining Victoria Derbyshire’s excellent show.

This time it was about an undercover BBC investigation that exposed how young African footballers are being conned out of thousands of dollars by Nigerian fraudsters. It was one of those familiar yet depressing tales, so click here for the rest of the gist. Once more the image of the country has been sold down…..(what image?).

Nduka Obaigbena (God bless him) has a vision that partying will clean up our battered image - Maybe I am being a bit unfair by using the word partying, but my drift is in check.

Whichever way, this is something he strongly believes in, so please stop calling him an a#*clown. He has been accused on other blogs as massaging his insatiable ego, but he is still sinking millions of his money into a project that might gives us Nigerians and himself 15 minutes of positive attention.

Some folks say he is just a front and not a financial giant, others say there is a bit of money laundering going on here – do we ever give up? I am directed to his quote - ‘I like to live modestly and discreetly’. Stop the hating!

I tried to catch up on the party/event last weekend. My cousin was hosting the Lagos leg and I always try to keep up with his work. It wasn’t on TV, so I tried the ThisDay online site. They had a sketchy report and my guess is that they must have sold the rights to cover the show to Ovation or some other news outlet.

I then tried Google News because some headline before the event read “Thisday Festival - 60 International Journalists Storm Country”, but guess what was mainly reported?

A brawl at Usher’s concert.

Two guys who seriously need to belt up

2008-07-10T17:08:00.006Z

Gordon Brown
The Prime Minister of Great Britain. This out of favour PM was quoted recently as telling told journalists at the G8 summit in Japan that the UK would help Nigeria "deal with lawlessness" in the Niger Delta region. Lawlessness? Is this man, like his predecessors in the past, taking lessons from the Arewa mob? Mr Brown needs to focus on his declining fortunes. He has so many issues back home to deal with – knife crime, 10% tax fiasco, leading the most unpopular labour party in history, impending recession, record fuel prices, rising unemployment, road tax increases ….. where do I stop. Brown, swim or sink, call an election!

‘Rev’ Jesse Jackson
I may not be alone on this, but I have always wondered how ‘Rev’ Jackson attained such a high profile in American politics. I know Jackson was with Martin L. King in Memphis in 1968 when the civil rights leader was assassinated, but is that enough? The man has never come across to me as eloquent, and if I am honest, intelligent - but I know so many folks who see him as passionate, a guy who delivers inspirational speeches and a long-time campaigner for equal rights. Well, maybe.

By threatening to cut off Obama’s grapefruits’ he might have inadvertently done him a favour amongst white voters. That said, the man’s time has gone. His rhetoric has become ancient and monotonous. Personally I think he is now showing himself as a crude, prejudiced and self serving opportunist.

And finally Fox News, a network that lacks ethics – Airing an overheard conversation/off-air comments by a guest? But then..

Kevin Pietersen getting 100+ against South Africa (cricket) really sucks!

Lost Nationality

2008-07-07T09:11:00.009Z

For those residing in the UK, you must have been under some sort of rock if the name Laura Robson means nothing to you. On Saturday she became the junior Wimbledon champion, by Sunday morning, 14-year-old Laura Robson was on the front pages of almost every single newspaper in this country. Not Venus Williams, who also won the more prestigious women's singles title on the same day, Laura Robson.

But that is half of the gist; the real fireworks seem bordered around her nationality. While the Brits, well the media in general are frantic to claim her as one of theirs, some others are not so sure.

According to Wikipedia, Laura was born in Australia to Australian parents. She and her family moved from Melbourne to Singapore with her father's work when she was eighteen months old, and then to England when she was six. How that makes her British sort of baffles me. However there is a consistent argument there; Lennox Lewis was never really considered English even though he spent the first 12 years of his life here. Some say there was more to it, but I wouldn’t even touch that.

Nationality is defined as the status of belonging to a particular nation by origin, birth, or naturalization. That is where the confusion is. We have three parameters –

Nationality (origin, birth, naturalization)
{
Return (my nationality);
}

Personally, I will stick with the one missing selection – lineage {Parental}. That defines it for me.

Laura in my opinion is Australian first/Last. Unlike her, I was born in this country and have spent more time here that any other place. I love this country and ‘may’ even die for it, but I still don’t consider myself English/British and never will. I don’t even consider two little boys who were also born here British. We are all NIGERIANS, albeit British passport holders.

Some say it’s a safe bet because the indigenous people will never consider me one of theirs in the first place. Others say it’s cool to enjoy the convenience of being a national of a supposedly advanced nation. To both I say – quite rightly so, but that isn’t why I take this stand. I just think it makes it easier, easier to define me and my descendants.

I once told my boys that any day they were good enough to play international football it would either be the Super Eagles or a search for another dad. The choice more seriously will be theirs. This is mine.

Jay-Jay Okocha

2008-06-26T15:24:00.003Z

As the Bolton fans always remind us - JJ was so good his parents named him twice.

In a few minutes time (the kick-off has been delayed! - knowing our folks, it might start just before midnight) Nigerians at the Warri township stadium will bid JJ a befitting farewell from international football and maybe the game on the whole.

Thanks for the memories JJ, Thanks

Unrepresentative

2008-06-23T10:45:00.002Z

Where are the northerners?

Sitting back on Saturday and doing something I haven’t done for such a long time was pretty pleasant. It was watching the Super Eagles live on AIT over a cold tipple and rediscovering the beauty of Nigerian commentary. The Super Eagles, for the record, beat some pub team from Equatorial Guinea 2 nil. The second goal by Ike Uche would grace any ‘goal of the season’ competition.

After the game, I wondered what the head honcho of Nigeria would have made of it. Is Yardy a football fan? Maybe not, but that wasn’t what I was thinking of. The Yard man’s post match analysis to be honest wouldn’t interest me. I just wondered if like me and all other Nigerians he felt there weren’t enough Northerners in the team.

Personally I think it is a scandal that the team that represents our great nation started on Saturday with possibly no northerners. I think it calls for a Senate/House of Reps panel or probe. The wave of current appointments in Nigeria dictates otherwise. Not having at least 7 northerners (whatever their abilities) starting any matches involving the Super Eagles should be considered a criminal offence.

It is therefore important that Shaibu Amodu (I thought he was a northerner before I discovered he was born in Edo State. Still doesn’t mean he isn’t from the North) gets, discovers, or manufactures more Northerners and gets them into our national team ASAP or face the prospect of getting his P45.

The Southern players on their own part should volunteer to stand down and make room for more northerners. They can go into the villages in Zamfara state and enlist any able bodied person they find. It wouldn’t matter if the team is successful or not. What matters is that our masters are properly represented in our national team.

;-)

No Knickers on Show

2008-06-17T07:00:00.005Z

Royal Ascot, the posh horse racing event starts today and women attending the event have been told they must wear knickers (some don’t), but not show them off (So how can you tell that they are wearing knickers?)

Bosses have been forced (by the Queen and her ‘player’ husband allegedly) to launch an illustrated guide to the rules for the increasing numbers of ‘chavs’ who are going to the races. The queen wants the ‘fillies’ to cover up, Prince Philip is getting on, and she doesn’t want his 'ticker' racing more than it should.

For the ladies going to Ascot this week, the dress code is as follows: You can’t wear skirts that are more than two inches above the knee; off-the-shoulder dresses; anything showing off your midriffs and streaky fake tan (The last code doesn’t apply to many of the Nigerian ladies that go to Ascot each year)

This madness brings me swiftly back to Naij and the ‘controversy’ surrounding Eucharia Anunobi’s highly revealing dressing at the recently concluded Nigerian Music Award (NMA) in Owerri. She seems to have incurred the annoyance of some people, particularly one Chief Ifeanyi Dike, Chairman Board of trustee, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN). In an interview I read online, this man described Eucharia’s mode of dressing at NMA in Imo State as embarrassing. “Nollywood is not a platform for nasty acts. Millions of people are looking up to us as role models and we are not going to let them down” I am not sure I caught his drift, but this is my take on it. The dress wasn’t at fault. Eucharia - a fine ‘Nollywood’ actor - just couldn’t carry that dress.

The wahala didn’t stop there. One Chioma Toplis – an actress - also seemed to cause some storm by wearing a dress that exposed her ‘airbags’. This was her defence - “I couldn’t have thrown that dress away, it’s expensive. I brought it from Australia, so I must wear it. Because I am big-sized, I should not be left out and wear only iro and buba. I must wear what slim people wear as well.” According to Chief Zeburudaya – told them!

While travelling back from Nigeria the other week, I witnessed a scene that I thought was totally uncalled for. A couple of customs guys in Lagos were determined to stop a lady from travelling because in their eyes she was indecently dressed! When I tried to intervene they pounced on me. “Would you allow your sister or wife to dress like that?”

See me trouble!

What do we (some of us) have against with the way some women dress? And should we?

Lekki - Is it all that?

2008-06-11T10:05:00.002Z

OK, Lagos isn’t my favourite hunting ground. I wouldn’t live in Lagos even if I got paid to do so. The town is too hyper for me, too quick, too crowded and still the best spot in Nigeria. Just like London, Lagos is one of those places where the inhabitants don’t want to live anywhere else. I know that feeling which makes my aversion of Lagos a contradiction. I haven’t inhaled Lagos air for about 8 years, its Abuja or PH for me anytime I come in. The custom officers there give less grief.

Anyway, out of no choice of mine, or should I say the special offers thrown in by KLM, I had to fly into Lagos during my spur-of-the-moment visit to Nigeria 2 weeks ago. I spent the night at some humble but nice hotel near the local airport called Skyline. It’s understated, has no signposts and is so close to both airports. I came in so late and didn’t want to put anyone’s life in danger. The next day I was on a plane to Aba via PH. I must say, Arik looks the business despite its alleged questionable ownership.

On my return from Aba/PH heading back to the UK, I spent my last 3 days in Lagos. I was nicely offered a number of roofs, a few places to stay, all in a place called Lekki. Most of my friends and their friends live there. Ensuring I didn’t get in the way, I opted for a B&B like hotel in Lekki called Aristo. It was conveniently a couple of doors from my cousin.

Lekki

Before this time, I had heard so much about Lekki, but hadn’t been to the place. There was always the odd picture, spam mail about new developments and a number of blogs, but what I knew about the place one could write on a postage stamp. I was also aware of the fact that most ‘relocatees’ (sic) seem to either own or rent a house there. My friend - who later on turned out to be my guide- rents a house there. He is also building something quite immense in an area called Lekki Phase 2 or did he say Nicon?

Taking me on an unplanned tour of Lekki a day later (we were actually out to see some friends); I was to some extent impressed with what I saw. I still had Aba images firmly stored in my brain, but I don’t think that had anything (or much) to do with it. It was fairly notable even if it looked like work in progress or a building site. I inquisitively asked how much a reasonable plot of land would cost, and my friend said something around the 50 mil mark. Its easy to note how the word million has been devalued in Naij.

And then I thought, hang on!

The roads are shite (excuse my Welsh), the generator had been on all thru my stay (i.e. no light), a little rainfall seemed to flood the place, folks seemed to be putting up some building that were so ugly they (the owners) should be thrown in jail (The house in front of the Aritso is an example, it has this huge eagle sculptor). There are some ugly houses, and I am not just talking about the blue roofs. It looked like you needed a car to get around; unless you were willing to jump an Okada (They seemed to have uniforms!). There was little supporting infrastructure/amenities, so why the 50mil plus for a piece of land. And then my mental calculator got to work. How much was it in sterling. About 200K, I kept my counsel. If there are ‘mugs’ willing to pay that much for it, so be it. My cousin told me she got her piece for close to =N=2m just about 8-9 years ago. So one could safely say that such price hikes cant be sustained.

One of the places my friend took me to was a modest shopping centre called The Palms. My friend in his unflattering way said it wasn’t any better or bigger than Selborne Walk in Walthamstow. Selborne Walk! OK he wasn’t too far off the mark, but I wouldn’t go that far. It seems a pretty neat and maybe small shopping mall. I expected to see top brands/names, but I was so delighted to see so many Nigerian branded shops with nice Window displays. That did it for me. It was a first for me.

My friend informed me that most of the people that visited the mall wanted to be noticed as being there. I guess that included us. Unlike other shopping malls were you see most folks with loads of shopping bags, majority of the people here had free hands. It was more like they were on an outing, visiting some tourist attraction rather than shopping – cameras in hand – everyone feeling cool, and giving the impression that they were not doing their first shopping mall thing. How hilarious! I told my guy that I did the same when Bluewater opened, only to be reminded that it was an unfair match. The Palms is supposedly the biggest shopping centre in Nigeria. It is a single floor shopping centre with 69 odd shops, and covers 10 acres of land. It has a total retail floor area of 20,000m² and parking space for about 1000 cars. Bluewater on the other hand has a couple of floors, is built on 240 acres of land, has more than 350 different shops, with a total retail floor area of 155,700 m² and parking spaces for 13,000 cars and 100 coaches. I wasn’t getting carried away, I was just happy to see what I will term a proper shopping centre in Nigeria.

After a bite at Nandos, we headed back to the car. The car park reemphasized that well known fact/myth, that there are cars in Nigeria that you wouldn’t find on the streets of London. OK, maybe it’s not true, but you always see the single or few top range cars in Nigeria - maybe not in the same numbers as one sees elsewhere.

We saw a few more spots during my stay, but it all happens away from Lekki. Lekki is an uncompleted dream (gated community?) that we shouldn’t get carried away with. It isn’t yet all that, but its heading that way, or is it.

Don’t be weak, Obama

2008-06-04T06:54:00.001Z

I never knew I would dislike the Clintons this much. Before now I had so much respect for them, what they stood for and what they fought for in the past. Which is, was, thinking about it = Nothing.

The Clintons, especially Nnanyi Bill added so much weight to the adage that politics is a dirty (mugs) game. Race/Sex/Lazy you name it; they tried each one in equal measure. That said, nothing annoyed me more than a specific act Hilary Clinton consistently pulled each time she was about to make a speech after a victory. It is a trivial act - something one cant accuse her of being the only perpetrator - but for some reason, it just gets me going. It’s the bit were she walks up to the podium, points to an imaginary friend in the crowd and beams into some ‘fake’ snooty smirk.

Anyway, it’s been reported that Hilary, while not admitting defeat, is now setting her sights on the VP spot in Obama’s team. Can you beat that? After all the trash talk from her and Mr ‘I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky’, she now wants to be his VP? Obama will be well advised to stay as far away from the Clinton’s as he can. Hillary Rodham’s reference to the Kennedy assassination during this campaign should be enough warning. And even if the Clintons would go as far as hiring a professional hit man to take him out, it would be a sign of weakness if he accedes to such pressure from her or her supporters.

Be your own man, Obama, don’t let the desperate Clintons railroad you.

Obama, Obama, Obama ka anyi ge so, mo na ejeje mo na alala, Obama ka anyi ge so

The Prat @ the Lagoon

2008-06-03T09:08:00.002Z

I was at ‘The Lagoon’ in VI on Saturday evening. It’s the first time I’ve been to this spot, and my need for a cold beer (I haven’t had one for 4 months) took me into a bar in the compound overlooking the lagoon. Not a bad bar by most standards - seemed neat but pretty quiet. I was the only one in there and it was already 5pm. {possibly too early}.

After my second bottle of Heineken I noticed that I had run out of Glo credits. I asked the barman if he knew where I could get some credit. In his bid to make the place look more upmarket than he needed to, he dismissively informed me that ‘they’ didn’t do that sort of business there. He advised me to head towards Lekki if I was that desperate. I was, so I started stepping. As I approached the gates I asked again and some dude turned up with a bundle of cards. I got what I needed and went back to my position in the bar. As I sat down, I noticed that the telly I was watching had been turned off. While asking the bar man to turn it back on, another worker joined us in the bar. “Yawa don burst, Oga don dey vex again”, he told his colleague. Before he could say more, some pony-tailed guy turned up beside a set of doors that I think led to a kitchen. Not sure if he was Italian, Brazilian or Lebanese - didn’t really matter – he appeared calm. He stood there for a little while and ten clicked his figures – twice or so.

From all angles of the bar and from the inside, members of staff that I didn’t know existed started dashing towards him. My fascination meant that I took my eyes off my third bottle of beer and solely focused on this show of utter ridicule. Le boss stood there, disdainfully looking at members of his staff for a few seconds, and then went on to put into practice a full exhibition of the lack of respect that can exist between a boss and his/her employees. In my presence, the boss glided into a noisy tirade. Every sentence that I could discern seemed to start and end with an expletive. Grown men and women were being belittled and they seemed powerless to do anything about it. The one folk that showed a bit of bottle was told in no uncertain terms to keep quiet or…. In all this show of strength, I couldn’t figure out what the original problem was. All I could see was a vulgar show of control. When he finished, he told them to ‘f’ off. Like little kids who had been spared a more severe punishment, they all went back to their positions submissively. He stood there like an emperor as I eyeballed him with scorn. An evil voice in my head wanted to confront him; another one just told me to stick with eyeballing him. After a while, I drank up, paid up and left

Recounting the story to my pals who I later met with, the consensus seemed to have racial conclusions. I didn’t think so. Over the past few days I had seen a few Nigerian bosses do the same. It seems to be the way. This guy for all I know may be such a great guy who was just having a very bad day. I just feel he could easily have been less of a ‘prat’ (at the time) if he didn’t have to let me into his art of bad people management. He could have shown them a little respect.

p.s. They have some great looking food and excellent Latin Music

Sorry {been away}

2008-06-02T14:35:00.002Z

Family illness and a short visit to Nigeria. That is what has kept me away.

I am back - Thanks Wienna.

Spare me your bread crumbs.

2008-05-07T11:29:00.002Z

The donor

Senator Bello Maitama Yusuf gives 15 sacks of rice a day to people at his home.

This picture on the BBC web site reminded me of my NYSC days in Kpaki, a dot somewhere in Niger State. This hamlet, full of the most wonderful and poorly treated people you will ever meet, had in their midst a mini god. This guy- a politician of some sort - whom I later learnt almost got to the top of his profession, was the main man in the village. While everyone else lacked – he had it all. Every morning, the early worms’ folks lined up in front of his gate for their daily handout. They never got past it, they weren’t worthy.

He fed the village (to his credit. He didn’t have to) with the same ole, same ole grub. He gave them enough to make them want to come back each day for more. I wondered why they never tried to do more for themselves. I never asked. They all appeared to be submissive and at the same time very grateful.

It was a trait I discovered was fairly common amongst my brethren up north. It is slowly becoming the ‘way’ down south.

It’s a crumbs and table story.

Leaning towards 'Bonkers' Boris

2008-04-29T11:41:00.003Z

(London Mayoral Candidates : L-R Boris Johnson, 'Red' Ken Livingston, Brian Paddick)

I need a health check, something tells me my vote on Thursday should go to Boris Johnson rather than Red Ken. I kinda made my mind up after watching (twice on iplayer) BBC’s Question time.

His record on race relations leaves a lot to be desired. I still remember his infamous tackle during a charity match a couple of years ago, and I know he is bonkers, but somehow this man seems to be winning my vote. Weird!

Londoners go to the polls on Thursday

Facts about London:

Capital of the England/United Kingdom
Population – 7.5m (Official); throw in another million for ….
Nigerians are 7^th largest ethnic group(?) in London after the Brits, Indians, the Irish, Pakistanis, Bangladeshis and Jamaicans (officially)
London is divided into 32 boroughs
The West End is London's main entertainment and shopping district, with locations such as Oxford Street, Leicester Square, Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus acting as tourist magnets. The West London area is known for fashionable and expensive residential areas such as Notting Hill, Knightsbridge and Chelsea, where properties can sell for tens of millions of pounds. The average price for all properties in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea is £894,000 with similar average outlay in most of Central London.
The tallest building in London is One Canada Square (235 metres), it will soon be overtaken by The Shard London Bridge (310 metres).
London is the 6th largest city economy in the world after Tokyo, New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Paris. It generates approximately 30% of UK's GDP (or an estimated $669 billion in 2005.). London has over 480 overseas banks, more than any other city in the world
The largest religious groupings in London are Christian (57.8%), No Religion (15.5%), Muslim (7.9%), Hindu (4.1%), Jewish (3.1%), and Sikh (1.5%).
The London Underground ( The Tube) is the oldest, longest, and most expensive metro system in the world, dating from 1863. London's bus network is also one of the biggest in the world, running 24 hours, with 8,000 buses, 700 bus routes, and over 6 million passenger journeys made every weekday. London Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in the world for international traffic with a plan landing every 30 seconds.
London is also the home of two of the top ten ranked universities in the world - Imperial College and UCL. The London School of Economics is considered the world‘s leading social science institution for teaching and research.
Europe's busiest shopping area is Oxford Street. It is the longest shopping street in the world, and home to many shops and department stores including Selfridges. The adjoining Bond Street in Mayfair is home to fashion, jewellery, and accessories design houses. Knightsbridge, home to the Harrods department store, lies just to the southwest. Together with these, the fashionable shopping areas of Sloane Street, and Kings Road represent London's prestigious role in the world of fashion.
London offers a great variety of cuisine as a result of its ethnically diverse population. In a nutshell you can eat your way around the world in this city. From the Bangladeshi restaurants of Brick Lane to the Chinese food restaurants of Chinatown, to the Nigerian Restaurants in Peckham and Camberwell there is something for everyone.
London is home to the colourful Notting hill carnival, which attracts about 2 million people yearly.
London has been the setting for many works of literature, films and music.
London has hosted the Summer Olympics twice, in 1908 and 1948. It will host the 2012 Olympics. It is home to the most expensive stadium ever built (Wembley - £793 million), to Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea, West Ham and Fulham FC)

Lets hope Boris doesn't get in.

A plug for my cousin

2008-04-24T08:58:00.003Z

Kashmere aka Obiesie Adibua is my cousin and a plug from me wouldn’t be out of place.

Anyone pretty familiar with the underground hip-hop scene in the UK and across Western Europe should have heard of this dude. Obiesie has ‘collabed’ with just about everyone in the UK - from cameos on Breakin Bread to tracks with Foreign Beggars, Kashmere consistently comes up with mad lyrics & ill flows...

Obiesie has a launch party at The Rhythm Factory on Whitechapel Road tonight (see poster below). If you ‘happen’ around the area and love keeping hip-hop real, please ‘drop’, it’s a giveaway £5 at the door.

Obieisie hails from Onitsha and is the younger brother of Olisa Adibua (C.E.O - Storm Records, Host - Big Brother Nigeria)

Obiesie on MySpace
http://www.myspace.com/kashmereiguana

Odd Tech

2008-04-23T11:22:00.009Z

A 4 in one guitar.

Just in case NEPA does the usual and you need to hang a shelf @ night

Lego mp3 player - looks pretty cute

Shoe vending machine in London - great idea for clubbers.

Rubiks cube clock - no sure about this one!

Dell's eco-friendly Bamboo PC

Lip stick stun gun - capable of delivering 350,000 volts to the #@*& of just about anyone you don’t like.

Sourced from Gizmodo/Engadget

Cricket meets Bollywood

2008-04-18T11:18:00.003Z

I am looking forward to the opening match of the Indian Premier League (Cricket). Before I found myself here, I never knew ‘twe’ about cricket. I know a few ‘aje butters’ played it in my uni - UNN - just to belong, some said. I also have it on good authority that it has been played in Kings College Lagos for a long time, but my sec. school, FGC Ikot Ekpene didn’t give (you know) about it.

I got into Cricket when I dropped into the UK. Like most guys from Nigeria wanting to identify with a cricket team, I adopted the West Indian side. I wasn’t fortunate to watch the great West Indies side of the 70s and 80s, but I did see (on TV) the fading side of great careers like those of Sir Viv Richards, Michael Holding, the late Malcolm Marshall, Curtly Ambrose, Ian Bishop, Jeff Dujon, Carl Hooper, Richie Richardson, Courtney Walsh and so on.

My main man though was Brian Lara. What a player!!

The controversial IPL season starts today. Some of the guys will be getting about $1m for 5-6 weeks work. The format (20-20) is shorter than the boring 5 day game, it’s all wrapped up in 3 hours. It’s all showbiz – teams owned by Bollywood and big business, TV rights snapped up for $1 billion, a worldwide audience.

Watch out, it will be a big HIT!

UK viewers can follow the

IPL can be seen on Setanta Sports.

Finally, I hope ‘the executioner’ Bernard Hopkins teaches that ‘slapper’ Joe Calzaghe a boxing lesson. Also on Setanta Sports.

Men of 'God'

2008-04-15T07:01:00.006Z

"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." - George Orwell

Pastor offered me R10 000 to sit in a wheelchair.... stand up and walk

"Nigerian preacher and healer Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has been accused by a member of his own church of staging miracle healing sessions.

Some of his followers have said that he has been hiring people to pretend to be sick and disabled and then “be healed” during his television shows and public prayer meetings...."

(Source: Sowetan)

Full story

This is an allegation that hasn’t been substantiated - YET, but personally I have no reason not to believe it. I have observed some of these ‘god’ or should it be con men from a distance, and to say that they are nothing short of modern day crooks will be understating the obvious.

It’s not my aim to tar everyone of them with the same brush, but I have always wondered how a nation like Nigeria that is blessed with so many men of God is still a few fries short of a Happy Meal.

I am sure Pastor Bishop Pope Chris will have an appropriate response to this allegation. He has a prevailing ‘spin’ machinery behind him.

“It’s the devil at work”, I can already hear some of his uncompromising followers say. Not to their revered Pastor, but to the misguided member of his own church who accused him of staging miracle healing sessions.

Its Pastor Chris today...its could be the head honcho of MFM tomorrow. It was KICC & UCKG (Edir Macedo) yesterday.

Another related story: This whole thing is a lie

The Dream is Over

2008-04-14T06:12:00.004Z

It all started out with little or no hope. The ‘so-called’ experts said that a top 6 finish was out of reach. We had just lost one of our greats to a Spanish Giant. Unpredictably we got off to a good start, and game after game the conviction grew. We no longer missed the great one, the debated wasn’t when but how we will end the season. The thoughts of going undefeated for the whole season passed by a few lips, but we slipped up, up north. Realism slowly started to set in, but we were still on top. A couple of undignified exits from some of the cup competitions questioned the depth of our squad, but the boss still had the maximum belief in his team.

And then…

Up in Birmingham we lost one of our artists. A horrendous injury. With seconds to go, a careless mistake meant that we dropped a couple of points. Our leader spat out his dummy, and it has been downhill ever since. We had our day in Milan, only to be knocked out in the next round by refereeing decisions that my 5 year old wouldn’t have made.

Yesterday, the final nail came down. We lost gallantly, the boys gave their all. But as in recent times, our celebrations were once again short-lived. The boss needs to go back to the drawing board; we have played some lovely stuff this season, but we need a few changes. Le Boss shouldn’t dash into expensive buys; we don’t purchase titles at the Emirates. A keeper, top draw central defender and a clinical finisher - is in my opinion - all we need.

Arsenal will be back…In Wenger we trust

BEING AN ARSENAL FAN NEEDS TO COME WITH A HEALTH WARNING!

Reunited

2008-04-10T06:05:00.002Z

She was always dignified. She didn’t court brazenly the publicity that her son’s death caused. When the kids responsible for her son’s death were given what many considered to be very lenient sentences, she never publicly displayed her resentment.

She was just a grieving mother who never recovered from her son’s death.

Gloria Taylor died following a suspected heart attack on Tuesday night aged 57. She was the mother of Damilola Taylor, the 10-year old Nigerian boy who was viciously attacked and left to die on the North Peckham Estate in November 2000.

Celebrating Sade Adu

2008-04-03T11:19:00.003Z

TRIBUTE SERIES

....
sade | The official Site
Wikipedia
Personal Ratings: 9/10
Best Track: Nothing Can Come Between Us

Next: Cameo

Marvin Gaye

2008-04-02T10:46:00.002Z

Marvin Gaye would have been 69 today had his father not shot and killed him a day before his forty-fifth birthday. Like all April fool jokes, I am sure it would have been seen as one in 1984, but sadly it wasn’t.

At a time when the word legend or icon is used to describe ‘every and any’ run of the mill performer, Marvin Gaye is considerately remembered by those who loved his work as a superstar of our times. He will be fondly remembered for hits like "Let's Get It On", "Got to Give It Up", and, in the early 1980s monster hit, "Sexual Healing".

Thanks and God Bless you Marvin

(April 2, 1939 – April 1, 1984)

Another Levert passes on

2008-04-01T11:26:00.002Z

US R&B star Sean Levert - one third of 1980s trio LeVert - has died at the age of 39 after falling ill in jail in Cleveland, Ohio.

Levert, the son of O'Jays vocalist Eddie Levert, was sentenced last week to one year and 10 months in prison for failing to pay child maintenance.

A coroner's spokesman said an autopsy was inconclusive, but added that foul play had been ruled out.

Grammy-nominated band LeVert had a UK top 10 hit with Casanova.

Levert died at Lutheran Hospital on Sunday, less than an hour after he was taken there from jail.

The coroner's spokesman said that Levert suffered from high blood pressure and had been hallucinating in jail.

Toxicology reports could take four to six weeks, he added.

'No indication'

Jail warden Kevin McDonough said that Levert had been sick and guards monitored him because he was acting strangely.

Levert had pleaded guilty to failing to pay $89,025 (£45,085) in child support payments.

He was sentenced by Judge Nancy Margaret Russo who said on Monday that he had given no indication of any health problems.

She said court reports indicated he had been addicted to marijuana from the age of 14 until recently.

His brother Gerald, a fellow member of LeVert, died in 2006 after taking prescription drugs.

The official cause of death was acute intoxication and ruled to be accidental.

Sean and Gerald Levert formed their band LeVert in 1986 with childhood friend Marc Gordon.

The trio had two gold albums in the US in 1987 and 1988.

Gerald Levert went on pursue a career as a solo artist, working with soul legends such as Anita Baker, Barry White and Patti LaBelle.

Story sourced from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7323978.stm

Rocky 7 Day

2008-03-31T11:31:00.003Z

Today marks the 7th anniversary of David Rocastle’s passing. David died on 31 March 2001 of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, an aggressive form of cancer which attacks the immune system. He was 33 and was survived by his wife Janet, son Ryan and daughters Sasha, Melissa and Monique

Rocky as he was fondly called is the solitary reason why I became and still am an Arsenal fan.

Peace Rocky.

Links
Rocky 7 Day
Wiki Entry
Memories David Rocastle [Photos - BBC]

Yahoozee

2008-03-27T13:49:00.001Z

This weekend we were guests at an Aunty’s 50^th. A nice evening out, apart from the weather and this new trend of hiring church halls and by implication refusing to serve alcohol. I don’t drink, or drink that much, but I would love the choice.

This lady, like most of her friends, has kids in their lower and upper teens, a few past the teen mark {early 20s}. Most of them seem to follow the footsteps of their parents when it comes to religion (at least in their presence). It was a bit bizarre to sit back and watch during the many prayer interruptions perform some act that wifey called ‘manifesting’.

Kai! It was meant to be a birthday party.

In a way, I was kinda pleased to see most of these kids show some Religious understanding. Most kids here are labelled yobs, so its good to see some of them show a different side. But that was until a song called Yahoozee was slammed on by the DJ. Up till that point, I had never heard the song. I had read about it, but never heard it. Boy, did this song fill the dance floor with kids, teens and a few ‘we have passed it but we still dey’ adults. I looked across and my little ones had joined. Before I could say What the Freddy they were belting out the tune ….had my boys heard this song before and I hadn’t?

Here I was looking at a number of young people who had never been to Nigeria in their lives, rocking to a song by a Nigerian artist in a way that likes of Estelle couldn’t make them do. I was impressed, and as I found out later on, they are into Nigerian music in a big way. And while they are not overtly critical like a few of us, they have an “I prefer Olu Maintain to P-Square mentality”. They are exposed to all genre of music anyway from all parts of the world, and they know a cheap imitation if they see one.

I also wanted to know how they get to know about such tracks cos I know it wasn’t from MTV, Capital Radio or from some of the top London DJs. The answers varied. Source: International Students. They pick these jams from them, check them out on youtube, play them to their younger ones, grab them from Limewire, cos HMV aren’t stocking. And the message spreads. Others from clubs with Nigerian born DJ’s and so on.

There is a bigger following of out here, the folks back home need to get their act hooked on, there is a lot of sterling that isn’t been picked up.

And then there was ASA. Lying under a rock isn’t so great. Is she Tracy Chapman Part 2 or what?

Anyway, if you are like me and you havent heard of Olu Maintain, here’s a you tube clip.

The man they called bomber Barry

2008-03-24T16:20:00.001Z

That was the cover headline of yesterday’s Sunday Times Magazine. The cover page has a smiling face of Barack Obama, in some sort of jigsaw. My first impression – oh dear, The Sunday Times magazine is onto something that will finally nail Obama. A damning headline I thought - surely one that is caching my attention - time to see what was inside.

The full story is on Page 58 of the magazine. And it headlines conversely as follows: The Ascent of Mr Charisma. Hidden somewhere in the 6-7 page article, as an obscure reference to a picture of Obama playing basket ball is an explanation of why he was called ‘Bomber Barry’. He earned the nickname Barry O’ Bomber because he loved doing long shots.

Just in case you missed it, Barack Obama was nicknamed Barry O’Bomber because as a basketball player in high school he loved taking long shots. He was called Barry because obviously Barack was too complicated for his fellow students to pronounce, and O’Bomber instead of Obama.

What a fitting headline! Maybe one of the guys that came up with the name pencilled Fox News’s screw-up story Obama-the-jihadist and was responsible for this headline.

Still on politics, Mugabe and Zimbabweans go to the polls this weekend. The ‘Nigerian’ in me wouldn’t dare cal for fair and free elections. I read somewhere (it must have been in the Sunday Times!) that there is a web site in The Hague that is promising $5,000 for the first 40 whistleblowers -I guess - who report election malpractices during this election. As noble an act as this may be, I don’t think it would change anything. A more effective change instrument would be to use the $200,000 on offer to hire a hit man. It would be a reasonably priced means of putting this barmy man out of his misery. He will still get a state burial out of it.

Numbers

2008-03-18T07:02:00.002Z

Energo Nigeria Limited which, in 2003, got a N19 billion transmission substation contract, collected N13 billion of the contract sum and achieved less than five per cent implementation.– RESULT

JPMorgan Chase & Co, one of the world’s leading investment banks, acquired troubled rival Bear Stearns for a bargain-basement price of 236.2 million U.S. dollars, or just 2 dollars a share. A share was worth about $80 a week ago. - RESULT

Lady Mucca - Heather Mills awarded a divorce pay-off worth £24million after 4 years of ‘marriage’ - RESULT

Naija Jamaicans - Way Back

2008-03-14T13:22:00.005Z

Playlist
1. Majek Fashek - Send down the rain
2. Peterside Ottong - Where are the prophets (eh oh...lol)
3. Ras Kimono - Rumbar Stylee
4. Sonny Okosun(s) - Fire in Soweto

Have a nice weekend ..

Non Smoking Day

2008-03-12T07:28:00.003Z

My dad was once a 40 a day man. The only time he never smoked was when he was asleep. I picked up the habit at a very young age; I must have been 11 when I had my first puff. In secondary school, I carried on – all thru University and later life. I never smoked in front of my parents; I guess it was seen as being disrespectful. They must have known I smoked, but never said anything.

A few months ago, I quit. Just like my father did so many years ago. I didn’t go thru any NHS sponsored routines, I was made to quit.

I didn’t quit because of any known health concerns. I quit after asking my 5 year old what he would really want me to do for him. He could have picked a new game, the latest trainers…. whatever. He just wanted me to give up the evil weed. “Dad, the teacher said people who smoke will die, we don’t want our daddy to die”.

I have been clean for 5 months.

Links:

The Great Non-Smoking Day Challenge

Stop Smoking, Start living

Tips to give up smoking

Another Friday

2008-03-07T11:37:00.004Z

Decided to try out this format. Nigerian music back in the day.
p.s. We thank God for his mercies this week and ask him to keep on protecting us from the evil in our society. Stay strong and have a peaceful weekend.

SOULBIBLE (My Other Blog) Updated with videos from Mary Jane Girls, Major Harris, The Mac Band, Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam, Leon Haywood, Lakeside Jonathan Butler (Thanks to Ijebuman), Indeep and Imagination. I am pretty pleased with the blog, I am currently getting about 200 unique hits a day.

In Wenger we trust

2008-03-05T07:35:00.001Z

Last night was a big night for a couple of people – Wenger and Obama. In Wenger’s instance, he has witnessed over the past 2 weeks a dip in the form of his young Arsenal Side. After the hiding we took at Man Utd in the FA Cup, Arsenal drew 0-0 at home against the mighty (but aging) Milan. They also dropped 4 crucial points in the league, against sides you wouldn’t normally expect them to beat Birmingham City & The Villa. Getting a result last night was therefore very imperative on so many fronts. A defeat could have effectively ended our season.

Arrivederci Milan

Last night the boys did the business. Goals by Cesc and the Togonator, wrapped up a convincing win against Milan. A 4-0 victory wouldn’t have flattered the 49ers (49 league games unbeaten - ManUSA and CSKA Chelski fans....lol, just joking). The whole team to a man (including our perceived weak link Senderos) stood up to the test. It was in my opinion, the best I have seen Arsenal play this season. ‘Dr’ Wenger made the right noises before the game, and his smile at the end confirmed what we Gooners already know – In Wenger we trust

Hilary

For me there were two results I was hoping for @ about 7.45pm last night. 1. Arsenal beating Milan 2. Obama stretching his lead against the Clintons. But I always knew the chances of both happening were a bit slim, so I opted for an Arsenal result. Martin Luther Obama, I felt had a bit of leeway to withstand a slight wobble, and so it turned out to be. Behind all the hype, and Mrs. Clinton’s irritating victory speech in Ohio, BO still has more of what counts – Delegates.

I don’t dislike the Clintons. Nnanyi Bill was once referred to as the first black President. Aunty Hilary is someone I really don’t know so much about. I am sometimes not sure what to make of her or anyone who forgives their partners’ infidelity, especially when it has been played out in front of the world. Are they the sort of folks that ask God to forgive them their trespasses as they forgive those who trespass against them or are they running along the lines of – you owe me big time, and I will make sure you never forget it (Trust me you never will). And then they get back at you in a big way. Imagine Hilary on TV saying I didn’t have sexual relations with that young intern Mr ….., and all the while she has been smoking his cigar..

Until next time folks…

Come on Arsenal. Next stop Wigan.

Friday 290208

2008-02-29T09:34:00.005Z

Freebies

Soul/Funk/R&B
Skyy - Call Me

Homeland
Prince Nico Mbarga - Sweet Mother
[Happy Mothers day to all the mothers out there]
God could not be everywhere, so he created mothers. ~Jewish Proverb

Slow Jamz
Betty Wright - Tonight Is The Night

Reggae
Gregory Isaacs- Night nurse

Gospel
Sounds of Blackness - Be Optimistic

p.s I need a better way to share my music. Some of the images on zShare are - should we say, inappropriate. Any ideas, please drop me a line

Site of the week
LifeHacker

Rant of the week
Superhero T.Y. Danjuma describing the assassinated former Head of State, Aguiyi-Ironsi as "a useless, desk-clerk Head of State". Its alleged that he murdered the aforementioned.

Gadget of the week - useful or useless
BeerTracker - For every bottle you pop with this is recorded on the display so that when you’ve had enough, you can stop

Photo of the week

Yulong River - China

Habiba Garba

2008-02-28T07:19:00.003Z

After a week during which we have been subjected to some of the most horrendous recitations of murderous violence against women here in the UK, it is desperately discouraging to read about this event in Kano.

A few days, a woman politician, Mrs Habiba Garba was ‘allegedly’ beaten black and blue and left to die by some beast, ‘dishonourable’ labaran abdu madari. This animal - a ‘politician’ from Kano - supposedly carried out this brutal attack in a police station (of all places) in front of many witnesses. The swine was been arrested, and is in custody.

Days after the attack, a Nigerian Newspaper (state owned) published a picture showing Mrs Garba's injuries. The picture is said to have shown part of her naked torso (I haven’t seen it yet). This in itself has led to an uproar. It appears that some mysterious and nameless women's rights group has complained to the Kano State Government about Mrs Garba’s rights been infringed by the publication. Apparently publishing nudity is forbidden under Sharia law because it violates rights to privacy! One wonders how you can show such injuries with your clothes on - A question for the rocket scientists out there.

Mrs Garba wants these pictures published. She wants to highlight the reality of violence against women in northern Nigeria, and I guess the rest of Nigeria. Violence against women is a big problem in Nigeria. It is a cowardly act, and an act that shouldn’t be condoned at all. I have written on this before.

Anyway, the ‘Mullahs’ in Kano, are putting pressure on the Editor of the newspaper to resign. They seem bent on hoodwinking people in the state into believing that this violation of Sharia laws (i.e. the nude picture) is of greater consequence than the aggression on Mrs Garba.

As Expected....

2008-02-26T13:03:00.002Z

Once again, Sahara Reporters were ‘bang’ on the money. A Nigerian ‘judge’ today dismissed both opposition petitions asking that President Umaru Yar'Adua's election last year be annulled.

I really can’t be bothered writing on this. As of now, I simply don’t give a French Connection UK.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7263534.stm

Albeit a Nigerian 25

2008-02-25T07:50:00.002Z

As remarks go, these ones attributed to David Moyes, the Everton manager about Yakubu Aiyegbeni, has stirred some controversy. After his team’s victory over FC Brann last week, Moyes was quoted as saying “What people don't appreciate is that he’s only 25, albeit a Nigerian 25, and so if that is his age he’s still got a good few years ahead of him.”

What has led to all hell falling apart; well some of it is his sarcastic comment “albeit a Nigerian 25”.

These remarks have caused the Nigerian FA to respond as follows.
“His statement is insulting to the Nigerian nation and unbecoming of a Premiership manager. We don’t take kindly to snide remarks about our players, or our nation, and we will be lodging a strongly-worded complaint to the English FA to sanction him." Some Nigerian commentators have gone a bit further and called Moyes a racist.

One might think there is an overreaction here. For the NFA it’s a bit of a tough call to make. Paying no attention to the comment could be seen as an acknowledgment that Mr Moyes is probably spot on. Responding the way they did may put the spotlight back on what most people consider to be true in Nigerian/African sport – Age falsification. They may look ridiculous in the long run (some say they already are) if a single case can be proven.

Many of us have taken part in arguments that had a lot to do with the ages of countless Nigerian players. In almost all cases, we have dissimilar opinions of the subject’s age. Statements akin to “Kanu is 42, I know someone who went to Primary School with him” or “Obafemi is 23 - really? let him come and suck breast now” are pretty common. We however seem to all agree on one thing - that the person is definitely older than he claims he is. So we are not really out of step with Mr Moyes, we (well the NFA in this case) just don’t seem to like the fact he said it. We should, not him. Its more along the lines of a white person shouldn’t use the ‘N’ word. It’s insulting, but it’s only OK if we (black people) use it.

Suspended

2008-02-22T12:08:00.002Z

Some killjoy said I was encouraging piracy. Another folk suggested that I slice the mp3’s I post. Why don’t you host a player on your blog asked another.

I tire - freebie Friday is suspended this week. It will be back in some form next Friday.

In the meantime, if you enjoy my work (lol), then please visit my other blogs.

Soul Bible

Slow Jams

There is a lot out there…

Our Super Tuesday

2008-02-22T05:58:00.004Z

The Presidential Elections Petitions Tribunal may deliver its verdict on Tuesday next week. It will be an apprehensive and expensive weekend, some people will make a tidy mint on the back of all this, others may not live to tell the tale – It’s the naija way. The famed 'rule of law' principle will be put to test.

Yardy at the start stated that if is he was sacked by the tribunal he would pack his bags and head back to rural Zamfara. That tune has now changed; Yardy is not immune to the infection of politics and the corruption of power.

A lot rests on the judgment that may be delivered on Tuesday. Tuesday may possibly be a very significant date for Nigeria and her future.

My Prediction: Yardy to hang on.

Old School Freebies (2)

2008-02-15T09:55:00.003Z

Grab & Enjoy

150208

Soul/Funk/R&B
Gwen Guthrie - Getting Hot

Homeland
Felix Libarty (or Liberty) - Ifeoma

Slow Jamz
Anita Baker - Lead Me Into Love

Country
Dolly Parton - You are

Reggae
Third World - Lagos Jump

Gospel
Tramaine - Fall Down

There comes a time when....

2008-02-14T12:50:00.006Z

Aretha Franklin 'The Queen of Soul (get that Beyonce Knowles)' is a LEGEND. She is arguably the greatest female singer of all time. She is free to wear whatever she likes, wherever she likes… Hell, she can afford to wear whatever she likes.

Still….

@ the 2008 Grammy Awards - Courtesy of Yazmar

Back in the day....

Oops - Happy Valentine's Day everyone

February 13th 1976

2008-02-13T07:46:00.004Z

32 years ago, Murtala Mohammed was killed in an abortive coup attempt led by Lt.Col B. S. Dimka. He was only 37, and was the Head of the Federal Military Government of Nigeria.

His death gave Nigeria its first taste of a then hesitant Olusegun Obasanjo. A number of top officers, including his predecessor and at the time, Yakubu Gowon, were accused of planning his demise.

On a personal level, I am not an admirer of Murtala Mohammed. I still see him, based on what I have read and heard, as a perpetrator of various war crimes during the Nigerian Civil War.

That said - there are many Nigerians who unwaveringly believe that given a chance this man would have transformed Nigeria. Like most Nigerian dictators, he had a good start. But he was cut short 7 months into his reign.

Who knows....

November 8, 1938 - February 13, 1976

Old School Freebies (1)

2008-02-08T10:18:00.000Z

Every Friday (with a bit of luck), I will drop a few old school tracks from a wide range of genres.

Grab & Enjoy

080208

Soul/Funk/R&B
52nd Street - Tell Me How It Feels

Homeland
African Rhythm Messengers - Suzanna Kpango

Slow Jamz
Chaka Khan - Through The Fire

Country
Juice Newton - The Sweetest Thing

Reggae
Peter Tosh - Johnny be good

Tanzanian PM to resign over graft

2008-02-08T06:46:00.000Z

Tanzania's Prime Minister Edward Lowassa has tendered his resignation after being implicated in an energy deal corruption scandal.

Unparalleled!!!

Full Story

Sky: Channel 331

2008-02-06T09:26:00.000Z

Until quite recently, I wasn’t a big aficionado of the Nigerian entertainment industry; to a certain extent I almost detested it. OK, it wasn’t at the same levels of loathing that I have for the countless commercial and misleading Christian organisations that flourish in our country and abroad, but it was close.

In Nollywood I saw yet another occasion where mediocrity was about to take centre stage in our lives. Corners were being cut, the industry was saturated with folks that quite frankly couldn’t get a walk-on role in a second rate soap opera. Professionalism played second fiddle. Musical videos were produced on the back of watching a clip on MTV. We had people shamelessly copying mannerisms, accents, dress sense, intellectual properties, and just about anything they could get on the cheap. I have a couple of cousins who are ‘prominent’ figures in Nollywood, my step cousin is one of the guys that runs Storm Records. I also have a few of friends that hedge big money on Nollywood. In conversations, I have always maintained this position – not good enough + lacks crossover appeal + amateurish.

Watching the output from this industry at the time was a bit uncomfortable, and that is being kind.

That was then..

I started taking a closer interest in this industry when I sampled some of the work done by Storm. Posts from experienced entertainment bloggers like Bella, Naija Vixen, Linda Ikeji and Adaure helped in giving me a proper insight into what was what. My friend’s FilmAFRICA’s Premiere – Across the Niger - last year in Leicester Square, London also helped. One has to acknowledge that it’s all changed. The lazy copy-cats are gradually having a shorter relevance span. The folks running the industry were now well travelled, properly trained and exposed to the basics and hard work required in this industry. Gone are the days when an usher in the Odeon @ Lee Valley went back home to become a Nollywood Executive Producer. There is a more professional feel to the industry. It’s simply better quality, PERIOD.

So just like many easy to fleece Nigerians, I have seen the light, I am now converted – not to KICC, MFM or any of the many {I better not say what I think, lets just say they are too many to mention} - to Channel 331 on Sky [Nollywood Movies]. My tithe is £5.99 per month (Sounds high, but its £4 cheaper than what I shell for Setanta Sports). It’s currently free till the end of this month. Also note that unlike Ben TV, they don’t cut programs half way to link up with NTA Nigeria. In line with spreading the word, (I should be getting paid for this) there is a buy one month, get another month free offer. Not sure if I got that right. Check their web site (If you can, it appears that they haven’t thought thru the whole process) for more details

That Stephanie Okereke girl, she sabi act oh! She was quite good in…………..

Another Reality Check

2008-02-04T08:00:00.001Z

We lost. We were beaten by a better side, a side that wanted it more – The home side. I am not in low spirits (Its weird, but an Arsenal loss will put me in a worse mood than a Nigerian defeat – Strange!); I believe it’s a good thing for the tournament, for Ghana and ironically for Nigeria.

In Nigeria’s case, it is yet another dose of reality. Most Nigerian fans I know have a lot in common with our English counterparts. Before any football tournament commences we already establish ourselves as favourites. In our heads we already work out who we will play on the final and what the score will be. On paper, I am told, player for player we have the best team in Africa. Sadly, football isn’t played on paper. We have ‘stars’ that play for some of the biggest teams in Europe. On our day, we will beat any team put in front of us. Unfortunately, we haven’t had many ‘on our day’ moments. And like the English, we don’t have enough trophies to back up this illusion.

Nigeria didn’t qualify for the last world cup if I remember. I watched this team get ‘hammered’ by Ghana @ Griffin Park last year. And to be honest, nothing has changed. In the next few days, we will adopt the lazy option, the one that serves our clear delusion. We will blame the coach and a couple of scapegoats, the so-called Super Eagles Mafia, the lack of Federal Character in the team, everything and everyone apart from the obvious – The fact that perhaps we are not good enough.

P.S. It was good to see our ex captain - Sunday Oliseh on BBC 3 TV last night. I haven’t heard him speak before, so it was comforting to listen to such an eloquent and intelligent guy.

SoulBible Updates: Feels So Good [Midnight Star]; Do Me Right [Dynasty]; Walking into Sunshine [Central Line]; Back and Forth [Cameo]; Who do you love [Bernard Wright]

Countdown to Super Bowl XLII

2008-01-31T16:56:00.000Z

Back in Time:1991 – The Queen herself – Whitney Houston {The best vocal performance ever}

White Tuesday

2008-01-23T07:09:00.000Z

Spurs 5 Arsenal 1

GUTTED! Forget about the meltdown in the financial markets, the rate cuts by the Yanks, talk of recession in the western world. Spurs have finally beaten Arsenal. The run had to end at some point, and if one is being honest, we rode our luck in some of the games this season. Well done Sp*&rs, you finally managed to figure out how to beat our reserves. It has taken you 9 years and 20 odd games, but you have at long last done it. Enjoy it while it lasts! Watching your celebrations after the game last night one would have thought you had just won the Champions league. {bad belle - small club mentality}

And a word of advice for Nicklas Bendtner - don’t mess with a boy with nyja blood. Don’t mess with Adebayor again or a broken nose will be the less of your worries. This season he is the main man…The togonator is the reason why we are sitting up there with United. So don’t start to believe your own press. You are still Dr Wenger’s 4^th choice striker.

I tire. By the way, Is Fabianski a goalkeeper by trade?

P.S. Sad news about Hollywood actor Heath Ledger. I never got a chance to watch the film Brokeback Mountain, but I am told that its quality and importance can not be overstated.

No Panic Stations…Yet

2008-01-22T07:33:00.000Z

OK, we lost last night; we lost to the best team in the competition in my opinion, so I am not panicking yet. We played well in patches, but it was a comfortable win for the Ivorians. You always felt that they still had a higher gear to engage if required.

Berti appeared to pick a team to accommodate all his big names. The team lacked shape and ideas. Kanu looked very slow and possibly unfit. Utaka wasn’t any better. Apam started off nervously, but got better as the game went on. Yakubu and Martins gave the impression that they had just met for the first time, while Mikel did what he always does for CSKA Chelski, he broke up play and placed the simple pass - An effective ploy that works if you have a creative midfielder like JJ. I can’t blame the lad. The rest of the guys were OK.

The game against Mali - no mugs - now has added significance. Mali will see a draw as a decent recent result. For us, its win or bust.

My Rating

Ejide 6

Taiwo 6

Apam 5

Martins 6

(Makinwa 79 - 5)

Yobo 7

Olofinjana 6

Obi 7

Shittu 6

Yakubu 5

Utaka 5

(Odemwingie 73 - 7)

Kanu 4

(Okonkwo 56 - 5)

Africa Cup of Nations

2008-01-18T08:19:00.000Z

Who are your favourites to win the tournament?
My heart says Nigeria; my head says either Ghana (as hosts) or Côte d'Ivoire.

Are there any surprise packages to look out for?
Mali and Angola

Which players should we keep an eye on?
A lot - Toure, Diarra, Drogba, Obi Mikel, Yobo, Kanoute, Keita, Eto’o, Kameni, Agab, Diouf, Pienaar, Essien (Is he not Nigerian?) and Goncalves

What are you most looking forward to about the tournament?
An end to European commentators describing African teams as 'technically (especially defensively) naïve'.

Official Site: Ghana 2008

Coverage: [UK] BBCi, EuroSport

Question format: BBC Sport.

P.S. WHILE WE ENJOY THE FOOTBALL SERVED IN GHANA (FOOTBALL HAS A STRANGE WAY OF MAKING US TEMPORARILY FORGET OUR PROBLEMS), LETS NOT FORGET OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN KENYA WHO ARE FIGHTING TO ENSURE THAT THEIR MANDATE IS NOT STOLEN BY THE SORT OF LEADERS WE HAVE UNFORTUNATELY BEEN SADDLED WITH.

Please visit Ushahidi for up-to-date news