Waziri to Obasanjo: “Respect your age or I’ll expose you.”

Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo



Mrs Farida Waziri

A  former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mrs. Farida Waziri, on Wednesday described as “blatant falsehood,” the claim by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo that she was recommended for the EFCC job by convicted former Delta State Governor, James Ibori.

Expressing surprise that a man who has been twice a Nigerian  leader would “descend so low to peddle falsehood,” Waziri warned Obasanjo to respect his age or else she would  “open up on him.”

Ok. This is probably not another back and forth like the ones we are familiar with. There are a few scents I picked up from this statement. Apparently, god-fatherism is no longer news around here so I'd skip the analysis in respect of that. What I want to know is: why didn't she "open up on" the ex-President way earlier as EFCC Chairman? How come he is about to become an enemy all of a sudden, in the days of the breaking apart of PDP? Why the general mudslinging by the way? What don't we know here?

Well, by the way, madam Waziri: an elderly, Yoruba, former President cannot "peddle falsehood" o. Ah! Odindin President aye igba kan (a 'whole' former President).

FG Orders 53 Gold-Plated iPhones



Gold Plated iPhone 5

 The Chief Executive Officer, Gold and Co., United Kingdom, Amjad Ali, has told a United Kingdom newspaper, The Independent, that the Federal Government has ordered 53 gold-plated iPhone 5S mobile handsets from his firm as part of the memorabilia for the nation’s 53rd Independence anniversary on October 1, 2013.

The gold iPhones are said to be worth £2.65m (about N682m).

Each of the gold-plated iPhones costs up to £50,000, said The Independent, in its report on Wednesday.

The minimum cost of basic models of iPhone in gold or rose gold is £3,000.

                                                               -The Punch

Can someone tell what the rationale behind this is? How does this help anything at all, with regards to the issues at hand? These are what I would consider sensible as memorabilia for the 53rd Anniversary: a new Nigeria Police, the commissioning of 6000 megawatts, new public schools up North, agricultural equipments for our farmers, and any other thing noble enough to suggest our public officials have been working in the first place. (sighs)

Kate Henshaw Lauds The Progress of Nollywood

Kate Henshaw

Veteran actor, Kate Henshaw has said that the progress achieved in the movie making industry in Nigeria is as a result of the ‘Nigerian spirit’

Um, I do like the newfound fervor and patriotism for the Nigerian arts in general, I am particularly impressed with the music industry (applauding). Also, I appreciate the fact that our actors have found it safe to call acting in Nigeria a career. Its a sign of hope actually. If you doubt me, go listen to "Mi O Sha Ko Mo" by Remedies, especially the rap verse by Eedris Abdulkareem later made incredibly famous by Ruggedman's diss track. This is using the music industry as an example in making the point that we are evolving fast in the arts. 

Back to Nollywood. I do agree with Kate Henshaw on the relative improvement of our film quality, especially with the fact that minor details are now being considered in most plots, settings, etcetera. Please note: I said "most"; because I sometimes, see the reflection of the entire film crew in sun shades worn by actors. I will not mention any movie name here. I saw a movie not too long ago, in which I could hear the foot steps of the camera man as he tried to move the camera along. We weren't even given the respect and honor of the camera rail rig, which is designed to avoid such annoyance. What about another one in which the camera man actually stretches out his hands to open a door, with the hand clearly visible in the movie?

One of my favorite websites is moviemistakes.com, where certain mistakes in popular Hollywood movies are identified and analyzed but I do observe that for you to have noticed those mistakes in the first place, your attention to detail would either be above average or your profession belongs in the movie business.

Don't get it twisted, I have my favorites here: "T'oluwa N'ile", "Abiku", "Things Fall Apart", "Saworo Ide"; the more recent ones: "Phone Swap", "Figurine", and most works by Tunde Kelani. The alluring traits with these movies for me are originality, the richer texture and feel for the audio and video. The bottomline is: we need originality, depth and overall quality. Being able to tell the end of the movie plot right from the onset, as is usually the case, is not a sign of a good movie. Let's start from there.

Fani-Kayode vs Bianca : The Possible Tribal Undertone

I have followed the news of Femi Fani-Kayode's claim to have dated Bianca and the outburst this as created in certain circles. As a matter of fact, the statements made by Ms Kemi Omololu-Olunloyo confirming that the two actually dated years back has probably, only heated the arguments further.

In my observation, this all started from the very moment Mr Femi Fani-Kayode publicly backed Governor Fashola's extradition of a number of Igbo citizens back to Onitsha- a development many found unsavory, especially among the wider tribal circle of the 'deportees'. As much as I, personally, do not like to delve into tribal notions of the most inconspicous nature (just so I dont incur the wrath of the majority concerned), I dare say a lot of Igbo citizens have since taken offence and, as it is, the actual motive of the criticisms meted and the dust raised is most likely tribal in nature. This is from my first-hand observation.

In my opinion, the Nigerian (especially the youth) needs to show independence of thought and ideas about certain socio-political factors. Let these thoughts and opinions be void of any tribal favoritism whatsoever. Some may say: "If only you know how Biafra affected us". Fine; but did you yourself fight the war? What is the rationale for the transfer of aggression or the negative sectarian values from one generation to the next? How can we then say there is a newness ahead when, for whatever reasons, in the closet of our hearts, we have held on to the hurt of the past? When will it be, that anyone of us would introduce himself as "Nigerian" and not "Ibo", "Yoruba" or "Hausa"? I personally believe that is the day when we can all say we are ready for that turn-around.

Police Biometric Registration: A Development Long Overdue




 Nigeria Police Force has commenced the biometric registration of all vehicles nationwide, in a bid to effectively check insecurity in the Country. The Biometric Central Motor Registration (BCMR) comes against the backdrop of contemporary security challenges bordering on terrorism, high incidence of car theft, carjacking, kidnappings and other acts of crime and criminality in our society...

We all love to talk about the police. I am particularly interested in whatever they have to offer. When I got this news, I was inclined towards confusion at first then, just to be sure, I looked up the word "Biometric".Thereafter came a big sigh. Apparently, the information I have in one of those documents in the car glove compartments, are now just about to be entered in a computer, in the year 2013. What a milestone! I am sure we will all have to queue for that, while wondering (and not complaining as usual) what happened to all the information submitted earlier. Also, what on earth were all those routine police stops for?

Here it is, Biometrics is and has been a way of life for many years now. I hope someone, somewhere in the government does not see this exercise as a career boost or a leverage for popularity because as far as I am concerned, we ought to have come too far to see incidences such as these as newsworthy. Next time, just so because we have to catch up with the rest of the world, let projects such as these be carried out discreetly and swiftly. Thumbs up all the same to the Inspector General. Let's get on with it.  

" Badagry Town, Door of Civilization..."

It's hard to think of any other place in Lagos that gives me sweet memories of my exuberant teenage. I was in boarding school, far away from home and loved ones. In the ancient town of Badagry, I had a blast, coupled with several bouts of that adrenaline rush fueled by the constant overdose of teenage testosterone. High school was boot camp.

The town of Badagry is one place that whispers bitter-sweet tales of civilization, adventure and inhumanity.On the other hand, the palms sing ballads of fair mother nature. A town almost unruffled by the character of Lagos itself, Badagry exudes a subtle aura of tranquility and reservedness. Not too long ago, I took a trip down to the Brazilian Barracoon, to see ancient slave trade relics and journey the slave route up to the Point of No Return. I remember, I kept thinking what it must have been like for the slaves; not knowing what was coming to them or how they'd survive the unknown; the heaviness that thought must have brought could have been likened to having six bags of sand piled on one's chest.

Despite all, I still ask myself: why did our own people do that to one another? Why did the chief decide to sell hundreds of his own people in exchange for mirrors, umbrellas and chinaware? Looking at the trend in world politics, governance and economics, has slavery really been abolished or has it only worn another face? With the killing of Ifechukwude by Badagry locals, can we say this barbaric and cannibalistic inhumanity has been fettered for good?

By the way, if you walked down that road in the first picture, in my time, you had a great education. Up BGS.

P.S: This post is dedicated to the memory of my good friend Moses Solesi, who was the 11 year old that stood by me in high school, shared his meals and didn't judge. Continue to Rest in Peace.

Nigeria On The "Swag" Scale

                                       

L-R. Banky W, TuFace Idibia, PSquare and D'Banj

It is now common knowledge that Nigeria rules the African society. We have,literally, commandeered the social scene and steered it around to face our stage where we rock. All thanks to the ever vibrant media, we enjoy this well deserved bliss in our popular culture, encompassing music, movies, reality TV, to name a few.

Have you seen Forbes Top 10 Bankable African Musicians? It's not only a welcome development, it is recognition well deserved considering the efforts our musicians have put into their work, in the past years. Just a while ago, I saw D'Banj's "Why Me" and PSquare's "Senorita" music videos, and I can't help but say: "Don't despise the days of little beginning". As it is, be it Big Brother Africa, Mavin Records, EME Records, Square Records or Hypertek Records, we have come up strong despite the hostile terrain. These guys have become a beacon of hope for the future Nigeria, where ingenuity, individuality and uniqueness will be defining attributes in shaping the future.    

Despite whatever perceived negativity, we have come across to the global society as a uniquely talented and resilient part of the human race altogether. Thus, we create a world of order and bliss, even amidst the chaos. A world of sweet escape.             

...SO I ATE THAT FROG

                                                  

...SO I ATE THAT FROG

     

 "Eat a live frog first thing in the morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day"-

 Mark Twain

Ok (sighs), here it is.

I did hesitate a lot, I should admit. Almost drowned in the insistent sermons of loved ones to give this a try, I did find that tiny spark of inspiration and, maybe, the need to overcome that inertia.

 By nature, I am the kind of guy who would notice the golden sunset in a frustrating traffic jam on the Third Mainland; or tell straight away if a woman has the singing voice just by hearing her chat on. If personalities really had colors, I'd be bluish-green or some weird hue like that.

Blogging in itself, for me, was a tough idea at first. I mean, look at the lovely people on the scene already. They have got all the sweet contacts, all the time in the world for it; and some are known solely for it. Yet, every time, I feel this void; more like that need to talk about some really vital stuff; the need to see beyond the glam, pomp and pageantry of individuals in the society; the need to take off those masks and see the soul that enlivens all that breathes and even some that don't. Take a deep breath, take a seat and count the evening stars.

Here you will love life just the way you should.

Welcome home.