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SOCIETY WATCH; NIGERIAN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS BOARD: A DAY WITH EDITORS

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Accounting is normally a boring subject. That is if you do not like figures like me. On Tuesday, May 11, 2011, Godson Nnadi, chief executive who lives and breathes figures, made a deep impression on everybody present at the NASB Day with Editors at the Sheraton Hotels. It was a quarterly interactive session with business editors.
Godson Nnadi is a hard boiled professional who has steered the affairs of NASB with a dedicated and futuristic executives, all committed to transforming and creating world class standards in accounting procedures for Nigerian companies.
He has been head boy since 1992 when the Federal Government took over NASB and he has been privileged to work with 16 ministers.
NASB is not usually talked about in the media but I was impressed with the quality assemblage of business editors and the various programmes put forward by the board to educate stakeholders in the financial reporting work-place about the need to adhere to world approved best practices in accounting.
The session was stormy, the questions where thrown with fervour. Nnadi Godson took a swing at all the questions with convincing answers.
He talked about why the board did not make public its sanctions on defaulting banks over accounting standards. He said it was because of the sensitive nature of banking.
He stressed: But we passed information to the apex regulating agency of banks, the Central bank of Nigeria and we are sure it helped them in taking decisions about the status of the banks.”
Answering the last question on inadequate regulation in accounting practice, he said that “the problem is not the issue of inadequate standards, but managers wanting to make their business look good.”

Why Senator Ahmed Markafi was dropped as Vice President nomination
Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Markafi, born August 8th, 1956, former governor of Kaduna State and now a serving senator representing Kaduna North, was dropped from the list of vice presidential nominees because of his health condition.
Informed sources revealed that Markafi was one of the most viable candidates put forward by the governors forum and during last minute screening of his health certificates, it was discovered that he had been suffering from sickle cell anemia; “he’s an SS patient,” SocietyWatch was told. The screening committee and security operatives were taken aback by this information and it was decided from the higher echelons that he be dropped based on that destabilizing fact. “They all said not again! Nobody wants another sickly person as vice president or eventually president,” our source revealed.
And that put paid his dream to be vice president.

DORA AKINYULI’ S CHILLING SILENCE
This might be part of her personal re-branding strategy and who knows, it might be working for her. In the past two weeks Information Minister, Dora Akinyuli has been chillingly silent in the affairs of the nation. Cleverly she has not allowed herself to be dragged into any controversies, refusing to makde any policy statements on Jonathan’s administration.

I do not want to believe she has been ordered to shut her trap. Some people have said she has talked two much in recent times for her own good and therefore needs to let the storms settle after her speech concerning the cabal who seized the president.

Whatever the game plan is, we need to move forward; Nigerians need her back on stream. We admire her new candour and honesty; perhaps she can help us sell President Jonathan to the public. I will never know why the Yar ‘Adua administration decided to sideline her when she could have been an asset. Anyway, let’s see how it goes.

Thumbs Up!
DELE MOMODU FOR PRESIDENT 2011
The question people have thrown at me in the past concerning the personal decision of my brother, Chief Dele Momodu to contest the presidency has been legion. Some have asked under which party platform? Where will he find the money? Who are his god-fathers? what has he achieved? Why does he not start with a lesser office? What state of origin will he front, Edo or Osun? Bla bla bla.
Policitics, I believe, and I have told a few I spoke o on this matter, should not be all about money and god-fathers. It should be about individuals and their genuine desire to serve, having spelt out a programme for the electorate, bearing in mind that majority of those who have ruled us thus far had it thrust upon them by others. I welcome Dele Momodu’s decision to contest the presidency in 2011.
I have known Dele Momodu for about 20 years and I know he does not think like professional politicians who are cunning and hard to pin down on a promise.
Dele is a guy with a heart of gold. He is a humanist who lives up to his word and responsibility. What he brings to the plate is personal integrity; he might not have N400 billion like the Minna General to fritter on his ambition, but I know he is a good candidate. He is the kind of man Nigeria needs. A man who knows what suffering, poverty and hunger are all about. A man who remembers his roots and friends. Dele Momodu is not the kind of guy that will make the presidential election a do or die affair. So while some might jeer and sneer, and ask who the hell Dele Momodu thinks he is, I pledge my support, bells, whistles and all.



IPALIBO HARRY ON EXILE IN ABUJA
Former special assistant to governors Peter Odili and Celestine Omehia of Rivers State, Ipalibo Harry has joined his bosses in exile in Abuja.
Ipalibo, an adopted son of late political god-father of Niger Delta politics , Chief Marshal Harry of blessed memory, was allegedly implicated in the build-up to the murder of the late political torch bearer of the Kalabari people.
Marshall Harry it was, who singlehandedly installed Peter Odili as governor on the strength of which Ipalibo got into government and became stupendiously wealthy.
Sources say when Marshall Harry fell out with Odili, Ipalibo remained and became even closer with him (Odili) eventually becoming a member of the kitchen cabinet, a privilege he also enjoyed during the brief tenure of chief Celestine Omehia.
Following the publication of the Eso Panel white paper, Obuama youths declared Ipalibo persona non grata. The youths claim he is a foreigner to their community as his mother was a domestic help who came to Obuama in search of greener pastures through which he came under the wings of Chief Marshall Harry. So far nobody has come to Ipalibo’s defence to clear his name.
Said a source, “Ipalibo was very stingy when in office. It was street knowledge that he and Dr. Abiye Sekibo owned the companies that cleared refuse from Port Harcourt streets throughout Odili’s tenure for which they were paid about N10 million monthly. But he helped not his kinsmen.”
How sad! Chop alone….

STRANGE FACTS
1. In Tokyo a bicycle is faster than a car for most trips of less than 50 minutes.
2. The human body creates and kills 15 million red blood cells per second.
3. There are no clocks in Las Vegas casinos.
4. The King of hearts is the only King without a moustache on a standard playing card.
5. There is one slot machine in Las Vegas for every eight inhabitants.
6. Prince Charles and his son Prince Williams never travel on the same plane as a precaution against an air crash.
7. The Mona Lisa has no eye-brow. It was the Fashion in Renaissance France to shave them off.



ADULT JOKES;

A man bumps into a woman in a hotel lobby and as he does,
his elbow goes into her breast.
They are both quite startled.

The man turns to her and says, “Ma'am, if your heart is as soft as your breast,
I know you'll forgive me.”
She replies, “If your penis is as hard as your elbow, I'm in room 221.”
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ORJI UZOR KALU BLOCKS OFF INTERNET COVERAGE ON HIS NEGATIVE PAST

Have you tried accessing the Internet in search of ex-Governor Orji Uzor Kalu’s alleged criminal past, don’t bother. They no more exist on the internet. I spent hours last week looking for information on ex-governors who might be on Nuhu Ribadu’s watch list when he returns as Jonathan’s anti-corruption czar. His matter is no more available to nosy parkers.
I hear he has paid out good money to an Internet whizz to expunge anything uncomplimentary about him online. Can you imagine that nothing on The Sun newspaper acquisition exists anywhere on the world-wide web. Orji Uzor Kalu is being tried by EFCC for using funds belonging to Abia State to set up the publishing company and Slok Airlines. Smart? Na wa oh.

LKJ SELLS OFF JOHN WEST BUILDING TO PM NEWS
I got corrected on my piece about the resurrection of Alhaji Lateef Jakande’s publishing empire, because of the massive construction work going on at the site.
I have been reliably informed that the premises has been acquired by PMNEWS group who are expanding their operations to that facility. PMNews also has a press further down Acme Road where the new property is cited. It’s good to know that even in this meltdown economic businesses run by journalists are prospering and expanding.

DAAR COM INVESTORS WAITING FOR DOKPESI TO DECLARE YEAR END RESULTS SINCE 2008

Investors who bought into the IFO of Raymond Dokpesi’s DAAR Communications Plc are crying foul play and it might go into crisis mode anytime from now.
I hear they are screaming blue murder over High Chief Alegho Raymond Dopkesi’s refusal to declare year end results since 2008. What this means is that investors and shareholders are in the dark about the financial performances of the company and their returns.
Said source, “Can you imagine that we have not received any dividends since 2008.”
Need I say more?

HDV PLANS 250 ROOM HOTEL ON TOYIN STREET , IKEJA.

I am looking forward with excitement to when this new IBIS Hotel franchise opens its doors for business next door to Austin Eruotor’s White House Hotel on Toyin Street, Ikeja. I am still searching for the young Turks who own HDV and are planning a 250 room hotel. I hear they bought the franchise for 165,000 Euros.
My source revealed that all the rooms will be standard.
“They are targeting the business travel market. Busy executives who breeze in and out of town on with a concise budget looking for a comfortable accommodation in the Ikeja business district with close proximity to the airports “.
Work has started on site. I am reliably informed that the group brought in their own heavy duty construction equipments. I am still seeking information on how much the total project is worth. This is all very interesting.



Kill the anti-tobacco bill
I support Senator Kamorudeen Adedibu’s opposition to the passage of The National Tobacco Control Bill. His argument is that it will escalate unemployment in the country. According to statistics, over 600,000 are employed by tobacco farmers and ancillary services providers.

People are just trying to play politics with cigarettes. What is wrong if they are produced here and shipped all over the world, providing jobs for our people and taxes to oil our economy. Consumption taxes can be introduced but not an outright ban on production. Americans can afford to discourage cigarette producing companies because of the huge liability suits American courts have slammed on them. We are an economy that needs their business. For those who argue, and passionately too, that smoking causes lung cancer; I leave them with what Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti told Chief Gani Fawehinmi: “Something must kill a man.”

FIDELIS ANOSIKE SELLS DAILY TIMES EDITORS QUATERS FOR N600 MILLION

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Fidelis Anosike, the controversial chairman of Folio communications ltd present owners of the Daily Times Group is stripping and selling the assets of the company to solve his personal problems. His latest excursion is the selling of the Editors quarters of the company situated at Ashogbon Close, off Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja to Mikano Nigeria Ltd for a staggering N6oo million. The property consists of three blocks and has 24 flats. Mikano intends to remodel the apartment block into a swanky refuge for its expartraite staff.
This is despite a subsisting court order barring him from disposing of the assets of the Daily Times group.
Informed sources revealed that Anosike has so far sold off over nine prime real estate assets belonging to the company without recourse to other stakeholders in the company the funds we were told are diverted by Anosike to solve his personal probles while the creditors and staff of the compny wallow in lack.
In 2006, Anosike sold off the company’s 60 percent holding in the Nigerian Stock Exchange building for N700 MILLION. Insiders revealed that N500 million was deposited in an escrow account while he squandered N200 MILLION on his personal needs.The NDIC later seized the N500 million to offset his personal loan from the distressed HallMark Bank plc.
Described as sharp witted and friendly, nobody took Anosike serious , most especially his friend on the island, when he announced his bid fot the Daily Times Group.
A source revealed,
‘he was a laughing stock in many watering holes”.
Unknown to them he had a few aces up his sleeves and perceived the landmine waiting to be tapped while many others saw a dead publishing giant that would require a miracle to revive.he apparently saw the over N30 billion in prime real estate owned by the company.
To raise the N1.2 billion shelf price placed on the company by BPE, He took the biggest gamble of his life. He went cap in hand to his kinsman, the boisterious money man of yesterday, chief Marc Wagbara who ran the now distressd HALLMARK BANK for a personal loan of N500 million and another N700 million from Dr. Ben Obi a silent billionaire businessman and government contractor who has his fingers in more juicy pies than he can count..
Nobody has been able to ascertain what collateral Anosike put down to secure these massive personal loans. A source added,
‘ this was the opportunity Anosike had sought all his life. He plunged headlong knowing it was one deal that was capable of redeeming him from poverty forever’.

Said a source,
‘its apparent that when Anosike bidded for DTN, it was not for the love of publishing. He had his sights on stripping and selling the groups assets which were undervalued’.
Our investigations revealed that since 2010, the Daily Times have not been on the newsstands for lack of funds in the firms coffers to finance production and pay its staff.
An insider revealed,
“Anosike has promised that we will publish numerous times. But each time he has pushed forward the date by a few months when the time expires”.
In 2005, when Fidelis Anosike’s Folio Communications ltd won the bid for the TIMES PRESS LTD, its staff heaved a sigh of relief that a messiah had come. A few months into his regime, their mora;ls sank when he announced he was jettisioning terminal benefits and the funding of the workersinsurance welfare scheme which had been an agelong tradition.
The battle for the soul of Daily Times of Nigeria has been long drawn and bloody. Workers and ex staff and other concerned stakeholders who feel aggrieved have taken him to the cleaners.various cases are in the courts.
On May 4th 2010,A Federal High Court in Lagos, restrained Fidelis Anosike, his brothers , Noel, Charles and their company, Folio Communications Limited, including their agents from running, operating or carrying on business in the name of the 1st October and Times Press Limited, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
The court, presided over by Justice Charles Archibong, also restrained two commercial banks, Diamond Bank Plc and Union Bank Plc who are the 11th and 12th defendants respectively in the suit, and their agents from recognising, accepting or honouring cheques or other financial instruments signed or executed on behalf of 1st October and Times Press Limited by the Anosike brothers and Folio Communications Ltd.
He adjourned the case to May 24, 2010.
While researching this story, We saw a litany of allegations against made against Anosike by concerned ex staff of DTN, they make an interesting read,
They alleged on www.saharareporters.com,
‘’All the buzz words used such as reviving, rebuilding, resuscitate are all merely words used in a game to bring the best master minds together to make it look like the owners Folio Communications, with Fidelis Anosike at its leadership are actually trying to do something but all the while are only interested in robbery.
The Daily Times of Nigeria has only been used as a mask by Folio Communications to defraud innocent people who want to make a better change to the face of journalism in Nigeria.
What further saddens me is the fact that we all seem to be sitting back and watching all of this happen in silence. What is it? Are we paralyzed to talk? Or is it this nonchalant attitude that seems to be sweeping us away? Or are we just simply not aware of what is going on?
Should it be a case of a lack of information, please note the following:

Folio Communications with Fidelis Anosike as its chairman controversially bought The Daily Times of Nigeria (DTN) five years ago and what do they have to show for it?
A. 6 Managing Directors in 5 years.
B. Nonpayment of salaries. There is not one single person that has been engaged by The Daily Times of Nigeria with Fidelis Anosike at its leadership that is not owed money. This disquieting list ranges from drivers, journalists, sales team, office executives, hotels, marketers, graphic designers, printers, cleaning services, and advertising agencies. Please observe that this list is not restricted to Nigeria alone but cuts across South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Europe.
C. Folio Communications under the leadership of Fidelis Anosike, used The Daily Times of Nigeria to take over 700,000,000m Naira in bank loans under the false pretense of paying salaries. This money sorrowfully was never used to benefit DTN. There was always extra for a regular bottle of Dom Perignon for its Chairman Fidelis Anosike at nightclubs on Fridays and high priced prostitutes as trophies.
D. Fidelis Anosike as chairman of DTN has managed to quarrel with every single executive, managing director, accountant, financial consultant, and human resource manager that have been hired at DTN and this always resulted in a speedy resignation each time.
E. The Daily Times of Nigeria with Fidelis Anosike at its helm has sold key properties in Nigeria and London.
F. Fidelis Anosike craftily, used a publication called 1st.October to collect large sums of money from the state governments and private sector but did not honor any of its agreements to the states or its executives and journalists. They promised subscribers that they would receive 100 copies complementary, they promised subscribers that the book would be distributed all over the world, they promised subscribers that they would print over 50,000 copies and not a single promise has been met till date after pocketing millions of Naira in profit.
G. The South African company that Fidelis Anosike contracted to put the production of 1st.October together from start to finish was not paid anything after he collected over 400,000 000m Naira in profit as a result of all the hard work and efforts the company put in.
H. The supposing printing press that Fidelis Anosike is proudly talking about worth 5million Euros is just another scam to try and collect more loans from the banks, private investors and to try and deceive the Bureau of Public Enterprises into believing that he is actually trying to revive the company.
I. The emotional and sexual harassment-taking place in the company is alarming. Fidelis Anosike and his team bring in female employees from other countries, and then they make sexual advances at them and if they do not respond he does not pay them salaries and leaves them stranded in Nigeria because he believes as foreigners they do not have rights.
J. Constant verbal and physical abuse of staff.
K. Illegal alteration of contracts of employment, reducing salaries and benefits.
L. No governance structure. Absolutely no financial transparency, absolutely no corporate structure. Fidelis Anosike the chairman, at any given time will change an employee’s job title and description and decide at his own judgment whether to pay them or not.



THE KAYODE AJULO INTERVIEW; CHIEF JAMES IBORI IS A SERIAL CONVICT.

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-KAYODE AJULO, LEAD COUNSEL TO DELTA ELDERS VS. JAMES IBORI

Barrister Kayode Ajulo knows a lot more than most Nigerians about Chief James Ibori, ex governor of Delta State and for good reasons. He has spent quality time tracking his criminal proclivities all over the world as lead counsel to a concerned group of delta elders who are collectively prosecuting James Ibori for fraud in his eight years of captaining the ship of state. In his opinion he has no business being elected Governor because of his criminal tendencies.

It was based on the petition by his clients that James Ibori was declared wanted by the EFCC. We sought him for an interview to talk about Ibori and the allegation that the suit has political considerations. We also had a rare privilege of having him talk about his private life and rumours that he has a senatorial ambition which though he did not out rightly deny, kept hanging. A way of saying, ‘let’s see how it goes.’

He is presently a supporter of the Dr. Olusegun Mimiko administration in Ondo state. He has many nice words about the good job he is doing, and he prays and hopes he wont disappoint him tomorrow otherwise he will be the first to shout for his head.

Kayode Ajulo’s life is like a story book filled with childhood dreams and heroes. Most of those dreams happily have come true, with a few thrown unto his laps by providence. At 36, he has achieved more than men twice his age. To him it’s no big deal; he just shrugs off and throws in a biblical quote which says when a man is diligent in his work, he will sit before kings and princes.
Interview by ; Al Humphrey Onyanabo


YOU ARE NOT A VERY POPULAR PERSON, BUT THOSE WHO KNOW YOU DESCRIBE YOU AS A MYSTERY MAN WHO WALKS IN THE CORRIDORS OF POWER AND AMONGST THE POWERFUL. HOW DO YOU DO IT?

By my training as a lawyer, the issue of being a popular person should not be an issue, as efforts gear toward being a popular person may be construed to be an advertisement; the noble profession forbids this, with severe sanctions. Personally as a lawyer, I did not need to be popular in your context, I am supposed to be sober and serious at all times, and every lawyer’s popularity ought to be within the confines of the courts where he practises by his erudition and grasp of law.

Legally speaking, as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, commissioned and whose name is on the Roll of Legal Practitioners pursuant to the provisions of the Laws of Federation of Nigeria, every lawyer is well known. That is why judicial notice of every lawyer is taken.

On your second line of the question, how did I do it to be among powerful people and in corridors of power? While I have reservation on the nomenclature; “powerful” and “corridor of power”, the secret to achieve this feat is in the Holy Bible but it is not a pastor that showed me this, but Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, when I had a stint at his Abuja law office as a pupil lawyer.

The secret is just a sentence but very spiritual, great and potent one; “seeth thou a man diligent in his work, he will stand before kings and not mean men,” if you’re good, industrious, detailed, steadfast, energetic and focused in your profession, our modern day kings - the rich, mighty and those in corridors of power - would seek for your service.


WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WTH DR. OLUSEGUN MIMIKO?

I am from Ondo State and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko is the governor of the state. I am exceedingly proud to tell you that he is the governor of my own state. I said this with every sense of responsibility, I said this having taken into consideration my background, what the Ondo State stands for, what the people of the state are known for, their attitudes, their unique way of politicking. Remember, Ondo State is the cradle of progressivism in Nigeria, yes, the home of progressives, Afenifere, hotbed of intellectuals. Recall the roles late Olowo of Owo, Oba Olateru-Olagbegi I and the progenitor of Free Education in Nigeria and former governor of the state, Chief Michael Adekunle Ajasin, played in the formation of Action Group.

I am a student of history, don’t let us be deceived by what the Egbas and Ijebus have been peddling, laying claim to the fact that Chief Obafemi Awolowo is the eldorado of the progressives, while I recognize the great work of the late sage, Awolowo only emerged through the synergy of great personalities of Ondo State. Action Group was not only formed in Owo, Ondo State but in the Chamber of Olowo’s palace.

Chief Reuben Fashoranti, the Afenifere kingpin is also from Ondo State, Chief Olu Yemi Falae, one time presidential candidate, Chief Shehinde Arogbofa, Comrade Baba Omojola, Dr. Frederick Fasehun, Gani Adams, they are irrepressible progressives. Remember also that the most successful legal practitioner, the defender of the people and greatest crusader in Nigeria that I know, Chief Ganiyu Oyesola Fawehinmi was a proud citizen of the state.

I mentioned these personalities for you to appreciate the fundamentals of the state, our industries, Ondo people are independent, courageous, resolute, intelligent and principled and when you have a governor that is an embodiment of these attributes as well as reinforces the people’s aspiration, we will continue to be proud of that person.

This is a governor that can be said that his ascendancy is so bona fide, that after the final judgment of the Court of Appeal in Benin even his so called opposition never raised any contrary view and have been congratulating him and lobbying him till today, I am not a politician in Nigeria context but have my ears to the ground and we have contacts everywhere.

Dr. Olusegun Mimiko is yet to disappoint like others as we pray that he never does such a thing. He is amiable, feels and goes with the pulse of the people; he chose the right party, Labour party, which has now turned to be fastest growing party in Nigeria.

According to John Maxwell, one of the qualities of a good leader is the ability to inspire his people, Dr. Mimiko inspires the people of Ondo State, many of my friends who are not Yorubas have been asking me what is the meaning of “Takun Takun”, it took some while before I understood that they are referring to Mimiko’s new battle cry for productivity in Ondo State. “Ise takun takun, ibukun repete,” which literarily mean that bountiful harvest can only be achieved through true hard work.

Tell me what a better way to inspire your people than with physical result that can be seen and even touched.

Unfortunately, it not fashionable for me to praise any one, but if you find someone doing something great, please, let us give it to such a person! We praise our learned governor of Lagos, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, not because he speaks good English, neither because of his gorgeous wife, but because even the blind can see that the present Lagos State of Fashola is better than before, Dr. Aliyu Banbangida of Niger State is dear to the people, not because of his self styled title; Servant Leader but because he sees to the needs of his people, same too goes for Olusegun Rahman Mimiko, not because he is a Christian but bears a Moslem name, but because he came with innovative ideas. Recall the full payment of the pension arears in Ondo State, before several died while queuing to be paid for the monthly stipends called pension. That is now the thing of the past, every home in Nigeria at least has one or two pensioners, just imagine smiles in every home, some of my friends in Diaspora even called me that the pressure of asking for transfer of pounds and dollars have reduced in Ondo State. Please, you are free to make your independent assessment of this fact, visit Western Union office.

Please, go to Ondo State and ask about the first specialist hospital only for Mother and Child brought about by the governor, ask them the meaning of Abiye Project. Find out the Volunteer Scheme that is fashioned out to enable the unemployed in the state to receive a little stipend of about N10, 000 as social benefit, about 4, 000 of them have graduated from being beneficiaries to full employed citizens in the state, recently over 120 of the beneficiaries were employed by the government as Traffic Wardens.

Please, come to Ondo State to find out, the public model school scheme that no private school despite the exorbitant fees paid can rival? Find out the new scheme of ensuring that the people of the state have access to lawyers with no cost to them. My state is turning to the state of my dream; egalitarian society, for the past six years I formed Egalitarian Mission, Africa and I have been campaigning to entrench egalitarian values in Africa, if I am seeing a state turning to the state of my dream, the governor that’s making the dream possible must be my friend.

I am not a relation of Dr. Mimiko, I am not a member of his party; I am not a contractor but a lawyer, practising in accordance to the dictate of my professional rules and ethics.

You see, after the years of locust, we are in dire need of good leadership and if we find one in Dr. Mimiko we must encourage him.

IS IT TRUE THAT YOU HAVE SENATORIAL AMBITION IN 2011?

Haba! Who is saying that? I am sure it must be a joke.

Let me recall an event, recently during my last birthday anniversary, to mark the day which turned out to be Saturday I called some associates and other respected member of the society together for a talkshop on good leadership and in my opening address I posited that one of our problems is the recycling of old politicians that have nothing to offer, before the end of the occasion, one of the old politicians in our midst rose up to remind me that the reason for the talkshop in my anniversary and asked me to tell them my age. When I told them I am 36 they proceeded in unison to exclaim that I am qualified to be a senator in Nigeria and I should stop blaming old politicians as the young people of Nigeria that should be blamed for failing to come out to aspire to serve our people.

You see, having senatorial ambition should not be the focal discourse but the flair and passion to serve the people irrespective of the capacity and position.


WHAT’S THE PROGRESS REPORT ON YOUR CASE AGAINST MR JAMES IBORI INSTITUITED BY SOME ELDERS IN DELTA STATE

The entire report on my clients, Delta State Elders, Leaders and Stakeholders Forum’s case against their son, Chief James Ibori is in public domain and I don’t think it will be modest on my part to add or remove from what now constitutes an open secret and very well known to the whole world.

The allegations of my clients against Ibori is monumental, its investigation traversed all the four corners of the World. I marvel and salute the courage of Chief E. K. Clark and other statesmen. It shows that all Nigerians are not corrupt, it shows that all Nigerians are not bad as many may be thinking. Nigerians abhor fraud, deceit and corruption, these bad qualities are not in our characters, we are God fearing people, it’s just that we still have some lousy Judas Iscariots among us.

There are lots of allegations against Ibori, he was a serial convict, even with his wife, but he went ahead to present himself to be elected as governor of a state contrary to the provisions of our sacred constitution. In a better clime his rights and privileges as a former governor would have been restrained while a declaration made that he was never a governor.

I say this with full understanding that if my clients are not justified, Chief James Ibori is at full liberty to bring a libel and other legal proceeding against them but good enough he acknowledges his convictions.

All what my clients were doing is to let us know that there is what is called accountability in Nigeria, it has no political colouration, did you do it or not? Their constitutional obligation as citizens is to provide the allegations with forensic and genuine facts and figures and same will be investigated and charged to court where probable.

Ibori was declared wanted based on my client’s petition to EFCC, it is a new allegation which came to full knowledge of Delta State Elders from the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido’s comprehensive reports on the ailing banks wherein it was discovered that Oceanic Bank’s shares belonging to Delta State Government the under the leadership of James Ibori were used to secure a loan from Intercontinental Bank for a private company.

The EFCC has approached some of my clients like Chief E. K. Clark to write statements and others have done same, with invitation to Ibori to come to write his, then why is he hiding?

Let him come out of his hide out, it is only the guilty that is afraid.

He may be running but will never escape justice, nobody is persecuting Ibori. If EFCC tries that, my clients as his kinsmen will be the first to go to court on his behalf to protect his fundamental rights, I won’t even allow Ibori to be treated unjustly without the instrumentality of the law.

Please, recall that when Ibori was initially arrested at Abuja, we made a press release that Ibori’s fundamental rights must not be breached.

HOW DID YOU GET THAT BRIEF?

I got the brief the same way every lawyer gets brief, but I later understood that Chief E. K. Clark did his own research from many of his associates before contacting me.

Chief E. K. Clark is a lawyer, a very intelligent one that puts you on your toes every time; he used to regale me with his escapades in court rooms during his hey days.

He is very abreast with the practice and virtually knew all lawyers that’s why he is a leader, he booked an appointment with me and at the end of the day he informed me that I’ll be handling some briefs for his group.

Here, he made the offer and I accepted, with term and conditions of course.

HOW CAN CITIZENS CHECKMATE THE CORRUPT TENDENCIES OF ELECTED RULERS?

Through transparency and full activation of instrumentality of our law!

Ordinarily, it is against my nature to elaborate on theories except when it is necessary. I have observed that not more than one million out of 150 million Nigerians have seen a copy of the Nigerian Constitution. I further observed that even less than 500, 000 out of one million have ever bothered themselves to read through the constitution and even when read through less than 100, 000 Nigerians have the requisite knowledge to understand the spirit of individual letters of the constitution.

Even among learned men, lawyers, I have observed they have wittingly and unwittingly not understood the Constitution.

I have inquired into why our leaders find it difficult to explore the sacred routes laid down by these provisions to salvage the country form corrupt tendencies of our leaders.

I have listened to some arguments that without the passing of the Freedom of Information Bill into Law by the National Assembly, our much-cherished press would not be capacitated to have sufficient access to some information thereby granting the much cherished transparency.

I have good news for you.

I have had the privilege of going through the so-called FOI Bill. While I commend the effort of the sponsor of the bill I would not mince words to quickly express my opinion that several of our laws have covered virtually all what the FOI bill purports to cover. As I saw a need to unify these laws, I have failed to see how non-passage of the FOI Bill as a clog in the wheel of the duties of the public including the press to checkmate the corrupt leaders in the society. Let me remind you of the provision of Section 22 of the Constitution which states thus:

The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the government to the people.

Bearing this in mind, it is fundamental that press can request for information or make inquiry into any events if need be.


DO YOU THINK ICPC AND EFCC ARE DOING ENOUGH TO FIGHT CORRUPTION AND DETER CROOKS IN GOVERNMENT?


They are not, the will power to fight corruption is not there, they are subsumed by the Nigerian factors; political permutations, lack of capital and human resources, processes of appointment, etc.

For result, anti-corruption agencies should be insulated from politics, even if the personnel should come from Congo, we don’t care, the basis is that Nigerians abhor these crimes and want results, nobody should be above the law, the very week Chief Bode George was convicted you needed to visit some government establishments, everybody sat up, how I wish we continue to have such convictions, there will be sanity in our polity, but these agencies are deliberately incompetent, investigations are done half-heartedly just for the purpose of grandstanding thereby turning some of our respected Senior Advocates to charge and bail lawyers.

Whereas financial crimes are the simplest crimes to investigate, it involves a lot of money that are not physical cash, which transaction could be easily traced.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE PATH OF ACTIVISM?

Every living thing is an activist, once there is life there must be a tendency to activate, it now depends on the degree or the intensity of one’s reaction to actions and developments around him.

Wittingly and unwittingly I found myself being called an activist, maybe because the way I reacted to some issues in our polity, I just can’t help myself from reacting in some ways with reason guided by the provisions of our law, conventions, practice, customs, protocols, etc.

I am sincerely influenced by the nature of my being and how I was nurtured from birth till date, my mother is a no-nonsense woman, very agile and well informed despite, she was an authority on Awolowo/Akintola crisis, my mother’s bookshop in Ilesha was well stocked with books written by Wole Soyinka, T.M. Aluko, Ngugi, Achebe, etc.

I knew about Karl Max, Steve Biko, Luther King and Mandela before I was 11 years old, I even won a poetry competition organized by a US based Luther King Foundation at Aquinas College, Akure in class 2, then we used to write letters to US for books and Bibles, now somebody told me what we were doing then was mini-yahoo-yahoo.

I am also an Anglican from birth, when I was young I looked forward to every Sunday to listen to our Bishop, Bishop Bolanle Gbonigi, he has a peculiar style of doing his critique, he fascinated me that I always prayed to be like him. When I won the Martins Luther King poetry award, Wole Soyinka same month won the Nobel prize and some few days after Dele Giwa was bombed. I was so devastated because it was from Dele Giwa’s article that I got the inspiration for my award winning poem. I became frustrated that as a teenager I could not do anything to avenge his murder. That was when Gani Fawehinmi stole my heart, he was a fighter, very fearless and articulated, there and then, I knew I have found the path to take.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACK GROUND, SCHOOLS ATTENDED, CHILDHOOD, GROWING UP YEARS, ETC

I was born in Ibadan into the family of Solomon and Christiana Ajulo, my father was a salesman at a prestigious bookshop company with offices all over the country. My mother trained as a tailor, that is, fashion designer but later ventured into selling of books and stationery, and she had bookshops in Ibadan, Ilesha and Akure then.

Because of my parents’ line of business I was exposed to books at early age, in fact, books happened to be what I could first recognize. As a toddler, I can’t really say I had toys, but books and books.

I started my primary education at St. James’s Anglican Primary School, Oke-Bola in Ibadan, I also schooled in Ilesha, I went to Aquinas College, Akure and left when I was 14 years after I sat and passed my GCE “O” Level Exams, I attended University of Jos and graduated with law degree in 1999, I then immediately proceeded to Nigerian Law School where I was called to Nigerian Bar in 2001. I have a Master degree in law and I am currently a law doctorate degree candidate.


WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO STUDY LAW?


As earlier mentioned, I was so consumed with Gani Fawehinmi style of advocacy, I also loved to read about one Chief in Benin in Tribune Newspaper then, Chief Nosa something, a Chief Priest of Benin, when I was schooling in Ilesha my headmistress, Mrs. Ogunmokun used to called me Kayode Esho, G.O.K Ajayi, SAN then was the hero of the 1983 electoral petition, I so much desired to be like them but late Kanmi Ishola-Oshobu, a fire-brand lawyer who I met at Sheraton Hotel, Abuja actually made me to study law while Brigadier Benjamin Adekunle, (Black Scorpion) and Prof. Abdulkadir (the then Executive Secretary of National University Commission ensured that I attended University of Jos.

WHY DO YOU CONDUCT YOUR BUSINESS MOST OF THE TIME FROM AIRPORTS?

I have only one business which is law practice, law is versatile, litigation is just what everybody identified me with, whereas, I majored in corporate and commercial practice, oil & gas, real estate and conveyance, arbitration and mediation, these aspects of law require that I travel here and there for meetings by air to meet up client demands and sometimes to save time some of these meetings were fixed at the airports particularly in Lagos where commuting by road is a serious issue.

HOW DO YOU COMBINE HUMAN RIGHTS WITH REPRESENTING HIGH NET WORTH CLIENTS?

I consider my engagements in human rights as part of my social responsibilities, representing high net worth clients funds my human rights engagements, most of human rights victims are indigent citizen, you cannot hardly come across a big man complaining that his human rights have been breach, Atiku’s case is just a few example of the rich also cry.

That’s why we set aside 15% of our firm income less tax to fund our human rights and promotion of egalitarian activities.

I have never request for grants from any quarter before, this is our own way to remain focus on our set goals.

WHATS YOUR LIFE’S GUIDING PRINCIPLE?
All life activities are gear toward achieving success, measurement of success for me is not the numbers of exotic cars, houses etc that one has, but the number of life one can touch in a positive way.

WILL YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF AS WEALTHY?

Wealthy? I can only be wealthy if that is what I set out to achieve in life, and mind you wealth is virtual but what sort of wealth, I am wealthy in terms of goodwill, in terms of accomplishment I derived upon completion of each project and brief I engaged in. However, I am not wealthy in terms of what is in my bank account or physical properties. I measure my wealth in terms of the number of people I have been a blessing to.

I am a product of benevolence from others, my fist reading glasses was procured for me by members of our church, and it is such a soothing relief to count the number of those I got frames and reading glasses for, nothing can be measured as ones wealth than the number of those that you bring smiles to their faces.


YOU ARE ALWAYS ON THE ROAD OR IN THE AIR; DO YOU HAVE TIME FOR SOCIALIZING?


There is no better way of socializing than what I am doing, tell me how many hours did a man need in attending a party? An hour is enough to greet people, socialize, network and hop to another event, averagely I received nothing less than ten invitations to party at weekends and the reason is that, the celebrants wanted me to come to his/her event, it is an honour for my company to be so desired but not that I get there and turn the place to my rally and sleep there, I visit those I am able to visit, give my hosts what I have for them if necessary and excuse myself to another engagements either social and business, after all I don’t smoke and don’t drink and I have enviable marital bliss.

ARE YOU MARRIED? ANY KIDS? HOW DO THEY COPE WITH YOUR LONG ABSENCE? HOW DO YOU BALANCE IT.?


Of course I am married that is why I am focused to do what I am doing, I have many children both natural and adopted, and how they cope with my long absence? No! not at all, interestingly for the past 7 years I have not being out of the country for more than 5 days, that’s why I found it difficult of going to the US, the trip is too long and several issues are begging attention here in Nigeria.

If my engagement requires that I must be away for more than a week my family always travel with me, I enjoy being with people, that’s why I have extra large family and two weeks ago I was a guest of a State governor for Easter break, I went with my wife, children and others, my host even marvelled that such a young man could have such big family, these to me is wealth.


DO YOU BELIEVE IN ZONING THE PRESIDENCY ON ETHNIC LINES?

I stand with the our constitutional provisions on this, anybody irrespective of the place, religion etc can be the President of Nigeria, ethnicity is one of our major problems, that’s why we always have leadership problem, any serious issue like issue of the highest office of a country must not be given ethnic colouration to it, it’s bad. Nigeria as a nation cannot grow with such practice.

NIGERIA WILL BE 50 IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS. WHAT CHANGES WOULD YOU ADVOCATE IN HOW WE ARE PRESENTLY CONSTITUITED?


The past fifty years has made it crystal clear that Nigeria cannot make any significant progress the way we are presently constituted.

Check your files and you will notice that the only time we made significant change was when each region governs themselves, our cultural backgrounds are entirely different, recently I had a cause to have audience with Emir of Kano, before I could be allowed to see these Emir a cap was procure for me so that I must wear it while speaking to the Emir whereas I must remove my cap whenever I am talking to Alaafin of Oyo or the Ooni of Ife and other Yoruba Obas.

I am not saying we must break Nigeria but there must be a way where each group must be allow to develop at its own pace, with a weak centre.


ARE YOU IMPRESSED WITH ACTING PRESIDENT SO FAR? IF NO, WHAT ARE THE ACTIONS YOU ARE AGAINST?


Honestly, it will be too early to assess him. I am presently compiling data on his activities since the disappearance of President YarÁdua, every statement made is given consideration in relationship with action taken and the resultant effects.
Our assessment will soon be out but in the interim he needs to act fast, firm and decisive to bring respect to the office of the President of Nigeria.
WHAT ARE THE THINGS YOU WILL WISH HIM TO FOCUS ON?
His extant term is very short, so he should concentrate on two areas; Electoral reform for credible electoral process and work on the power sector toward adequate power generation in making things work in Nigeria. By doing these two he will be making history as electoral reform will be a window to refix our cracked political foundation and reforming power generation will kick-start our amoebic economy, if our Lucky Joe can fixed these two problems of Nigeria, it ll be a new dawn for us.

Our leadership problem came as a result of bad leadership as we are yet to get the process of electing our leaders right, it has been universally acknowledge that there is no alternative to democracy which is solidify by credible election, election itself is exercising one of the fundamental rights, if we can get our electoral process right our elected not selected leaders will go with the people and be accountable to us not those that form a cabal somewhere under the platform of godfatherism or family affairs.

Then to power generation, once this too is fixed, Nigeria economy will blossom, go to anywhere in Nigeria everything is in comatose, without light many business concerns has packed up, that alone is the recipe for unemployement in any given society.

Jonathan should not bite more than what he cannot shew at a time, Yaradua's train load agenda should be a lesson for him, Yaradua's 7 points agenda is too much that alone can kill an ailing president even one of his appointees, Lamido Sanusi made a mess of the agenda before the Senate.

Acting President Jonathan has few month to round up this administration term, almighty God has bless him enough, all eyes are on him and good enough he is a graduate who understand the true meaning of virtue, classic and posterity, we can excused others Presidents or Heads of State before him for being uninformed and of prosaic personalities but he like Yaradua is a graduate like Abegunde Shonekan who Abacha did not allow to function ironically sickness too has stifled YarAdua.

So Acting President must justify these common but rare quality in Nigerian presidency and defend his degree, if he can do this, cross my heart I will close my bank account to buy his Presidntial nomination form (laughs)

- by Al Humphrey Onyanabo
080 2320 1073
email; alhumphreyo@yahoo.com
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SOCIETY WATCH
BELLA ADENUGA, JAMEEL DISU 'S CLASSIC PRE-WEDDING DINNER

The classy pre-event wedding dinner was held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday night with top international and Nigerian music stars lighting up the graceful evening. Ace comedian, Basket Mouth officially kick-started the proceeding at about 7.45pm when he ushered the mercurial bride, Bella and her jewel, Jameel, the groom into the elegantly decorated hall.

Yemi Sax set the tone for the evening as he serenade the premium gathering with sonorous jazzy vibes right from the foyer where the cocktail was held to the main auditorium. A 16-man orchestra collaborated with Simon, the pianist and Chidynma, the rising star of Nigerian music, to serve the guests a delicious buffet of classical tunes.

Once dinner was served, a documentary chronicling the details of how the various wedding events up to the pre-wedding dinner were planned and executed was played to the immense delight of the audience. The bride was intensely involved in all the arrangements.

In quick succession, three acts from across the Nigerian shores, the Mystique, a magical duo from South Africa, Garin Bader, a pianist cum magician from Los Angeles and the Penny Whistlers, a flute-blowing group from South Africa, dazzled the audience.

Chidynma was back on stage in a solo effort to render a special track, "I have nothing without you", for the couple with a rich and powerful voice that reverberated beyond the walls of Civic Centre.

Major Nigerian acts including Klever J, DJ. Zeez, Jesse Jags, 9ice, Banky W and P-Square, subsequently took to the stage to electrify the hall and show-cased why they are the rave of Nigerian music.

Waves after waves of melodious tunes rent the airwaves, culminating in a brilliant performance by Psquare.

MAYOR AKINPELU’S SUPERB 50TH ROCKS LAGOS.
Mayor Akinpelu’s 50th last Sunday, at 100 degrees, a party place on billingsway, oregun, lagos, was one hell of a party. It was another Bafana bafana, the boys came out in great number to rejoice with one of their own. Mayor is a society reporter who made good and eventually became a society personage. He is a constant at most big society gigs supporting friends and generally having a good time, nobody therefore expected that his 50th would be any thing but swanky. Lagos society showed he is one of their own. No hard feelings, you either belong or you dont
It was an early afternoon bash, expectedly, the turn up initially was slow, and the throng was at Odogbolu for KB’S dad 40th day party. The hall was beautifully done up and KWAM 1 and his ultimate band supplied music while Gbenga Adeyinka And Alariwo were masters of ceremony. As the evening progressed, majority of those at Odogbolu ‘showed face’, they had transformed from the black and white Ankara into the all white ensemble - the dress code for Mayor’s gig.
Society watchers believe Mayor used his 50th to make a statement that he had arrived and nobody could grudge him that. Choice wine, limitless bottles of bubbling and the top of the range grubs were piled on guests. How they coped after KB’s was a wonder,
In the crowd I saw the flamboyant olorogun Oscar Ibru and his beautiful wife, they were both in white from head to toe, with matching bowler hat and head gear, the Niger Delta style. Chief Eso Jinadu, the businessman who is pulling stunts in Ogun Politics, Tunde oshinowo strolled in with Ola kukoyi, who is fond of appearing and disappearing.(as if that is anybody’s business) Captain Chris Najomo, left his wings at home and had a great time as did Hon Kayode Amusan, Akin Adelegan.Dotun Aderigbigbe a.k.a Lobito Disco was in the swing with his soul brother Biodun Owoyele, a.k.a Eko round city, financial services whiz, Femi Ayoyemi, ceo, proshare was bubbling, I see him at most big parties these days, was in the front row. Quietly enjoying himself with his pretty wife was my big brother Tony Onyima, executive Director, Sun Newspapers, who has become so big a masquerade he hardly dances anymore.

Etisalat’s Yinka Akande stood out with his black bowler hat, Akin Adeoya, the p/r consultant and entrepreneur was at both gigs, how can I forget that Chief Mrs. kemi Nelson was prominent. Ex Ekiti Governor, Ayo Fayose was one of the early callers. He did not talk politics on this day, he came to unwind, Senator Olorunbe Mamora, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, also put aside the business of law making and over sight functions to have a jolly time.

KUNLE BAKARE SHIFTS THE MEDIA AND CELEBRITIES TO ODOGBOLU TO HONOUR DAD

Style officiancando Kunle Bakare, publisher of National Encomium, brought in a different colour of visitors to the serene town of Odogbolu known more prominently for the Federal Government College it plays host to.
Celebs , entertainers and key players in corporate communications and the media to the massive Odogbolu town hall which had been turned into a showpiece party venue as would befit only a guy with eyes for detail like Kunle Bakare. Security was on two levels. Those who had no business being there were screened out. The hall was a sea of dainty folks in the official black and white Ankara.
It was not a day for speeches. Bonsue Fuji King, Adewale Ayuba was on the band stand dishing out melodious tunes. Guests were expected to flow into the torrent and enjoy the surplus KB and his ever smiling wife, Desola, had arrayed.
For me it was more like a networking event for those in the society and art media. It was a constellation of the old and new stars in society and entertainment reporting; some of the guys I had not seen in ten years, in many ways it was a mark of acknowledgement of KB by members of his core constituency, the media.
There were two big parties, and people wre beezing in and out of town for fear of being caught up in traffic. Every where you looked there were top rated celebrities and entertainers. I saw Alibaba, TEE A, Basket Mouth, D ONE, Bisi Olatinlo,chico and joy ejiro,opa Williams, steve ayorinde, kunle Afolayan Yemi shodimu, Goddy Mekwuye, Dele Momodu, who was the official brother for both parties, Ogbonna Amadi, Ricky Akhaze,Wwho now lectures at UNILAG, chief Gani Adams, Lord Gboye Okegbenro, Dele Olokoju, Barrister Festus Keyamu, brand strategist Charles Otudor . Niteshif Guv’nor, Ken Calebs Olumese was also there with an entourage that included his buddy, Alhaji Sule Abiola, Ehi’foxy’ Braimah, Mike Osagie and four others. It was difficult keeping track. It was a very fluid bash.

THE POLITICS OF ALIKO DANGOTE’S SHOW UP AT MAYOR’S 50TH


Nigeria’s flagship industrialist Alhaji Aliko Dangote’s arrival at Mayor AKINPELU’S 50th was the icing on the cake. Aliko attends only the parties of kings and crown princes. in this country everything is political, and right there people read all kinds of congent meanings and political undertones to his presence. Some people said Aliko came because he had been informed that his ‘enemy’, Femi Otedola, an old friend of Mayor would not be available, and so he rushed in to prove to the avalanche of media guys that were sure to be available that he is a guy , though wealthy, with a human face. Whatever his reasons for coming, it was good to have him there.





SIR SHINA PETERS IN BODY, SPIRIT AND SOUL
Sir Shina Peters. SSP, is one heck of a slippery guy to track down for a chat. He was present t both parties. The history of KB and Mayor will not be complete with mentioning SSP. He was properly attired at both parties. He was his usual jovial self; hugging and back slapping old chums. Many reporters were glad to see him. SSP has almost turned himself into a recluse. His phones are always switched off. The only place to catch him these days is on FACEBOOK. Where youths bombard him with questions about his hit albums of the past. He had a competition running recently and he posted a phone number for winners to call and collect prizes. SSP still has many more years of service to the industry. We need to see his face more frequently. Lest I forget, I did not see his better half, SAMMIE…she was missed.

IYALODE ADUNNI BANKOLE’S BAG OF MONEY.

Chief Mrs. Aduni Bankole who is also , in society circles refered to as Iyalode or Chief Mrs and very recently as the step mother to the honourable speaker of the house of Reps, made a bundle of cash at both parties. She did not market anything. She was reaping goodwill. She was one of the first people to stand up to dance at KB’s party. A cluster of young girls and guys plastering cash all over her face. When she went back to her seat minutes later she was holding a black and white nylon bag half filled with cash. Later that evening at Mayors, I noticed another Naira rain. Being a step mum to a powerful man must have its advantages.

OTUNBA FEYI WINFUNKE AND HIS TWO FRIENDS IN ONE CORNER.
Perched far away from the action at Mayor’s was the un –put-down-able Otunba Feyi Winfunke, chairman of Waterparks, the events and tourist centre on Toyin Street, Ikeja. He has been in and out of the courts lately over a land deal gone south with Intercontinental Bank plc.
He was not celebrated or recognized, I went over to say hello because our friendship goes a long way back, long before he built Waterparks. Then he was solely into the business of pool construction from a tiny two story office in Ebutte Metta, lagos.
He was not looking too well to me. The stress of the post CBN reforms can wear anybody out, even strong men like Otunba Feyi Winfunke. He, I know will ride through the storm.

JUDE NWAZOR ADDS WEIGHT
One of those happy go lucky guys whether it rains or shines is Jude Nwaozor; ex Sunday Times, ex Daily Independent art writer. It was great seeing him at KB’s Party after over five years. Jude recently took up a posh job as Corporate Affairs Manager at Spring Bank Plc. Jude noticeably has put on some weight and looks a lot fairer than the last time I saw him. Spring Bank must be refreshing his orchard. He got down with his folks in the art world. It’s not easy to forget guys you burnt leather with for over a decade.

KOLA OYEYEMI IGNITES LAGOS
Kola oyeyemi, humble and soft spoken is a man with dual personalities. Week days he sells the gospel of MTN as General Manager, Marketing and sponsorship and on Sundays, he mounts the pulpit as pastor and chief shepherd of Chapel Of Uncommon Grace to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Last Saturday, April 17th, he ignited youths in Lagos with an ideas exhibition that also featured inspirational speeches, comedy and music. Venue was the Teslim Balogun stadium, Suru lere, Lagos.
The event was well packaged and beautifully executed. Key speaker was the internationally renowned motivational speaker Dr. Myles Munroe. Others included fast rising Dele Durotoye and Charles Olaoye. Wave making gospel acts Buchi and M1 supplied music. There was a N500,000 freebie for the best idea exhibited.
Kola sheds some light on the vision.
“ a chat with some of this generation of young folks raises fundamental concerns about our future as a nation. Many have no sense of purpose or clear reason for being. Many have warped understanding of life and have chosen the path of destruction with the attendant consequences on the future”.
He added,
“Ignite is focused on inspiring the youths and giving them a reason to believe in themselves, a clearly envisioned future and they entity called Nigeria”.
It’s a grand vision, clearly what our youths need today. Mr Oyeyemi and his crew need to work a lot harder to sell and spread the program to more youths who supposed to be the benefactors of this project. The venue should be bursting at the seams. A pretty penny went into this year’s effort and I am impressed.
OGOGO CELEBRATES @ FIFTY.
Top running, likeable Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, known to all as OGOGO

ENG. BAYO BANJO’S ANTI CORRUPTION VACCINE; ‘GIVE 10% OF STOLEN LOOT TO POLICE PROSECUTOR AND INFORMANT’.

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Engineer Bayo Banjo is passionate about the

Nigerian project. Wake him up at 2.00a.m and he is comfortable discussing the problems of Nigeria and the solutions. He operates a Cable TV channel, Disc.
His love for Nigeria and his optimism about her future is infectious. He is an electrical engineer by training but he probably is in the wrong vocation. He should have been a social scientist. He spends most of his waking moments thinking solution. And he seems to have come up with a vaccine to rid our country of corruption. It’s a long shot it will cause a Lot of uproar, corrupt politicians will be mad but given a chance, it just might work and at least reduce corruption to its barest or as he likes to say behind closed doors. Below are excepts of his interview with Al Humphrey Onyanabo



What are the constraints the broadcast industry in Nigeria faces?

The biggest problem of all is power. There is the issue of copyright. Programming, power takes too much money .sometimes power accounts for about forty percent of the expenditure.


How do you cope with the problems of copyright?
coughs in,
it depends on what copyright you are talking about , be it musical or otherwise, look I have seen people going in the name of government agents collecting money from people on your behalf. It is just like empowering a group of tenants to collect rent on behalf of their landlord. Or are you telling me that you can tell all the landlords for instance in Lagos that they must appoint one estate agent. The point is that I have my own right and I don’t want to give it to any collecting agent.
The point is that each time people talk about collecting royalties, the ministry refers to his appointed agents. I am surprised that such things are allowed. It is wrong, it is criminal. You can not collect rent for a landlord if you are not his appointed agent. This is one of the criminal things that government is doing because of some people in government want to corner the business which they will never corner. You don’t give your right to the people who are part of the people they wants to collect from.

Most of such agencies have as some of their member people who own recording companies look no one is going to give you such right in the civilized world people don’t look at what is on paper, they look at what ii is inside. This is why I said that the issue is not about copying, the issue is that some one owns the right, then goes and pays him for it. Why a person using collecting agencies is because it is convirent, otherwise if you want to collect your self you can.

What do you make of the plan to rebrand Nigeria?

Look all these talk about re-branding Nigeria outside Nigeria is all bullshit. Why is Nigeria considered what it is today? It is not because of the people, it is because of the government. The Bolivian and Columbian governments are not looked upon as bad governments. You see their people are people who do drugs but their governments are not looked upon as bad .Their governments do not have long cases or history of corruption, but what do we have here? Nigeria Airways refuses to pay its maintenance fees and our aircrafts were seized. The reason Nigeria has a bad name is because of the behavior of the officials, not the population. Every population has criminals ,before you will talk of re-branding Nigeria , let the country meet it’s own obligations, pay it foreign bills, pay outstanding bills to foreign contractors. It you want to re-brand this country first behaves yourselves else we will not achieve it.

Do you think we can end corruption in Nigeria?

Oh, very simple. Corruption is the simplest to end. I have prepared a small paper which I want to distribute among government. Let the informant, and the prosecutor share 25 or 10 percent of what was recovered. That will end corruption. If you do this you will see some very serious competition, people waiting to make money out of it. You can imagine when a governor steals billions of naira and the man who exposed it will get some percentage of the billions, I tell you people will embrace it and in no time corruption will become less fashionable.

Don’t you think this might cause some bad belle amongst people?

What kind of bad belle are you talking about? In England, when a man buys a new car, his neighbor phones the police to inform them that his neighbor has just bought a new car. So why don’t they see it as bad belle. this was how corruption was sanitized in some of the western countries .Even a driver working for you if he suspects your movement or that you are living above your means, he calls, to inform the police He doesn’t say because, he is my Oga, let me keep quiet, he knows that at the end he will get rewarded for it.



-AL HUMPHREY ONYANABO
234 080 2320 1073
email; alhumphreyo@yahoo.com


END