FRAUD ALERT; BARRISTER GEORGE MUKAMBA’S $60 MILLION BAIT

By; Al Humphrey Onyanabo, 234 80 2320 1073

I received this stupidly tempting letter from a Barrister George Mukamba. I wonder how he got my email. If you believe in miracles, it sounds like one dropped on my lap from the heavenlies. But it is scam.This style of scamming has been around for some years, they only change the names, sometimes it might be the Abacha loot or the Samuel Doe billion. It seems right now like they wish to do me a favour but as it proceeds, I will be the victim of the scam. This is usually the first of many such letters. I will pretend to play along while I publish their responses. Let’s see how it goes. If you want to hijack the business from me..ha ha ha .. no problem…enjoy the game. Read on……
With due respect: I am Barrister George Mukamba, financial attorney to the Late Mr. Morris Thompson an America citizen who died in a plane crash with his entire family, you can read more news about the crash by visiting this website; http://www.alaskajournal.com/stories/081301/foc_native_corps.shtml
I respectfully insist you read this letter carefully as I am optimistic it will be open door for unimaginable financial rewards for both of us.
Before the sudden death of Mr. Morris Thompson and his entire family, my late client has a Dormant Account with Bank Sahelo Saharienner for Investment and Commercial Burkina Faso (B.S.I.C).
His dormant account contains huge sum of $60 Million USD (Sixty Million Dollars Only.
I crave your indulgence as I contact you in such a surprising manner; I have desired to have his abandoned sum of $60 Million dollars in B.S.I.C Bank Burkina Faso to be claimed by both of us legally as he left nobody alive to claim this fund.
If your are interested to run this deal with me by accepting to stand as the deceased next of kin, kindly get back to me for more details.
Very important remark , be informed that while participating in this project, 50% of this total amount will be for you as my co-operative partner while 50% will be for me as the initiator of the deal.
I wait for your rapid response if you are interested, to enable me provide more details to you.
My humble regards
Yours Hon. Barrister George Mukamba.

SOCIETY WATCH ;TUNDE OSHINOWO , CLOSE PALS IN COLD WAR

By; Al Humphrey Onyanabo, 234 80 2320 1073

Friends, in this town are easy to make but hard to maintain and keep. In the early 90’s as a young society reporter, I met the rich and handsome Tunde Oshinowo, husband of Hon. Folake Oshinowo, he is also known as Teddy Shine. The core guys around him were Dotun Aderigbigbe aka Lobito disco, Segun Alawaye, Biodun Owoyele, aka Eko Round City, the socialite, Juwon Adetona, who I have not seen in over a decade and a few others.
They were always together at parties and stopped by to visit each other’s offices, with time the fortunes of some of them rose while that of others fell. Teddy’s has steadily grown and today his close friends are locked in a cold war with him because they claim he does not reach out to his friends in distress.. this war has been going on for some time, they have all stopped going to his office or home to visit, or even calling his phone because they claim he avoids calls thinking it is people seeking assistance,
Said a source,
‘Teddy is very wealthy but he is a stingy person. You will hardly see him spraying at parties, perhaps that is why he has lasted so much on the scene.
But it came out in the open at the Shitta Bey party, for starters, Teddy sat far away from his friends, he sat in the corner of Funlola and Abayomi Jolaoso which had more vintage wines and champagne than anywhere else that evening.
A source said,
‘You could see that Teddy was lonely, he sat in the midst of some women. They were flowing, but it was clear something was amiss; the real slight was to come when Lobito who returned from South Africa, the day before took two bundles of N100 notes to spray Obey. In the good old days, Teddy would have been listed amongst his friends while he was praising him, but on this occasion Teddy was not mentioned while others were listed. Most of the young folks were shocked,
An insider revealed,
‘ it touched him, but his face was passive. Teddy knows how to cloud his emotions so well. But everybody else knew things had changed between teddy and his pals’.
That evening Teddy sat with Tunji Dokunmu, Social Secretary Lagos Island Club. Among Teddy’s new friends I hear is Ola Kukoyi, a business man who operates out of London and Ayo Fayose, who needs no introduction.

SOCIETY WATCH;ALHAJI (SENATOR) SIKIRU AYODEJI SHITTA BEY, OFR, AN OUTPOURING OF ENCOMIUMS FOR A GREAT MAN

By; Al Humphrey Onyanabo, 234 80 2320 1073

I never met the colossus, Alhaji (Senator) Sikiru Ayodeji Shitta Bey, OFR, Seriki Muslimi V1 of Lagos in his lifetime but after listening to his children Uthman, Imran, Shamsideen, Sikiru, Mohammed, and daughter Abisoye and grand daughter, Titilayo and even Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu , his brother, Hon Rasheed Adewale Shitta Bey, Hon . Justice George Olusola Oguntade, J.S.C, all talked about him with so much passion and gusto, I couldn’t help but fall in love with the memory of this great man, who excelled in both politics and his core calling, law.
Alhaji Shitta Bey, has always been one of the godfathers of Lagos politics, a true lagosian, he is one of those people who stay behind the scenes and pull political strings that determine the shift of power - and for over forty years he ruled his domain with fairness and integrity.
Sunday, 20th june, 2010 , venue the main bowl of the Tafawa Balewa square was where the whole of lagos and beyond gathered for the 40th day final burial ceremony of this great gentleman. Multi linguist Bisi Olatinlo, was compere. The opening prayer was offered by Alhaji Garuba Akintola Ibrahim, Chief Imam of Lagos, which was followed by the welcome and key note address by Chief Tunde Oshodi, MON, past president and trustee King’s College Old Boys’ Association. We went through the motions patiently till the party proper rolled off when Commander Ebenezer Fabiyi Obey took the stage.
Take my word, there are parties and indeed there are parties. There are some that you will attend and you thank your stars if you walk away grudgingly with a plate of rice. This gig will go down as one of the very few where everything was plenteous available if you were able to get past the fierce looking bouncers at the gate and entrance into the air-conditioned tents. I was a guest of Funlola and Abayomi Jolaoso and I had great fun for a Sunday afternoon bash.
I was informed, not by the family, that Asiwaju Tinubu sent five cows and over 30 bags of rice as did Gov Raji Fashola and other good people of Lagos state.

SOCIETY WATCH INTERVIEW; JIMOH IBRAHIM IS AN INFANTILE NOISE MAKER- Barr Kayode Ajulo

- by Al Humphrey Onyanabo. 234 80 2320 1073

You have been saying lofty things about Ondo state lately, but while the State boasts of "individual giants," this pool of human resource seems not to have rubbed off on the status of the State in Nigeria, especially in terms of economic contribution. Is it right to say the State is a sleeping giant and what has been responsible for this?

A million thanks for your thoughtfulness and frankness, apart from the fact that I am from Ondo State, I passionately say lofty things about the State because of the State’s extant fortune, which came as a result of the people of the State’s courage, resilience, principle and progressiveness in ensuring that change eventually come to Ondo State. It is a tortuous journey though, but it eventually came and the State is librated.

I am therefore so proud of my State for its peculiarities, not only that Ondo State is made up of men and women of timber and caliber but with people of finest character and great courage save for former governor Agagu’s years of locusts which ineptitude of state-craftiness and parochial management of the State’s resources nearly run the state aground.

Nevertheless, the present governor, from what we are hearing, seeing and from his dance step is changing the trend to make the State an industrialised states that will attract private investors with the provision of a conducive atmosphere for business to thrive.

I am also glad to reiterate it through this interview that irrespective of the initial incompetence of past administration, the State is a foremost contributor to Nigeria economy, the State is presently the largest producer of natural resources in Nigeria, please forgets about the political permutations going on in Abuja purposeful for derivation revenues and allocations, I stand by the on-the-spot assessment, unassailable forensic statistics and if you must know Ondo State has the longest coastal line in Nigeria, couple with the fact that the State is the most peaceful state in Niger Delta Region.

Not only these, Ondo State has the second largest deposit of bitumen in the world, half of the cocoa money that was used to develop Western Region by Baba Awolowo and Ladoke Akintola came from Ondo State and the State still has Cocoa, palm oil, rice, timber and cassava in abundance for export.

Imagine the full operation of Olokola Free Zone (FTZ) the kaolin, salt, cement production, tourism/culture (Idanre Hills and Ebomi Lake in my town) and all those strategic partnership in mass housing, food processing, the facilitation of a technology village, automobile engineering, Ondo State Gas Master Plan, Ore Sunshine City, Gani Fawehinmi Diagnostic Centre, tourism village, cement production, oil palm revolution, commercial rice production and processing.

Mind you, the State has Oil Blocks which its full exploration will soon commenced and so don’t mind me if I submit that Ondo State is an economy giant not only in Nigeria but in the world that is being waken up with the support of the good, courageous and industrious people of the State.

Ondo State, is indeed a gift to the Nation in terms of human, natural, mineral and agricultural resources, I am sure you’ve heard about the Ganis (Gani Fawehinmi), Ajasins, Fashorantis, Gbonigis, Falaes, Giwas, Elizades, Akinkugbes, Olutoyes, Olagbegis, Akinolas, Akinyeles, Fasehuns, Adams, Fajemirokuns, Adegokes, Oladunnis, Tofowomos, Sunny Ades, Agunloyes, Agudas, Jegedes, Joses, Alabis, Sanusis, Orimolades, Joshuas etc these are legal, religious, investments, industrial and political captains in Nigeria.

As you are mentioning the names of giants and captains from Ondo State, I expected that you will mention Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, the Harvard trained lawyer too, is this oversight or deliberate?

Excuse me, Jimoh who? honestly, this is my simple opinion, which I am entitled to, within my modest but eventful years of existence, I have been privileged to meet several great sons and daughters of Ondo State who are worthy of mention, of emulation, Jimoh Ibrahim is not one of them, tell me, in all and with due respect, what has he done than the usual “gra gra”.

With his utterances, he has no modicum of respect for the State, and in Ondo State we have a name for such attitude … omo ako ti ile ta”

But how do you feel about Jimoh Ibrahim’s recent takeover of Virgin Nigeria?


Jimoh, like every other Nigerians has every right to partake in the opportunity available in our free market economy; this is what we have been agitating for.

However, I am concerned about what his real intentions are for embarking on a spending spree of this nature when banks are on his trail over unpaid loan facilities.

You see, there is no sentiment attached to his so called takeover, apart from my continuous patriotic interest particularly upon the realization that Nigeria as a country has equitable interests in Virgin Nigeria, the company is even a public company. The mere mentioning of Nigeria in the name of the Airline is even enough to raise sentiments of any right thinking and patriotic Nigerians in the fortune and otherwise of the Airline.

And here we are talking about its takeover, interestingly, my Master of Law degree’s thesis is on Comparative Analysis of Takeovers, Mergers, Acquisitions and Winding Up of Companies in Nigeria & the US, one of the things I found so intriguing in the whole takeovers scheme is the seemingly secrecy of the process, takeovers of company is not a tea party, we need to know whether the requisite procedures were followed, we need to know, what happen to Delta Airlines, Nigerians and others shareholders and their agreements but if you ask any question they will quickly tell you that it is their company business. This is unethical.

Another issue is that Jimoh needs to know that a takeover is sine qua non to turnaround and my fear is on the future of the airline particularly when it is one of our national patrimonies.

My apprehension is as a result of the motionless position of other companies taken over by Jimoh. Virgin Nigeria will not be the first Airline Jimoh Ibrahim is taking over, what happened to the previous one? NICON insurance is virtually non-existent, NICON Luxury is behind my office here just take a peep from the window or visit there, National Mirror has continued to postpone its launch date, the proposed oil and gas business in Sao Tome and its university project has remained on the drawing board. Jimoh Ibrahim in my opinion is only full of grand standing as he is yet to prove skeptics wrong about his ability to turnaround dramatically so far in every sector he has interest outside retail selling of oil that my grandmother without seeing any four wall of classroom is well noted for.

Even his retail selling of oil and it‘s export ought to be point of interest to our law enforcement agencies and Oil industry’s regulators.

In takeovers there is no need to be dominating, no need to show off; the focus should not be on me or you but the fortune of the company by allowing the company’s brand to run independently.

Jimoh said he made Gov. Mimiko and can unmake him?

To be sincere with you, I need not bother myself with the two people, Dr. Mimiko, I believe can speak for himself or has those that can say his own side of the story. I will not say what I did not see or know.

But one thing that is so crystal clear to me is that, Jimoh Ibrahim hawked lies and unqualified falsehood targeted at uninitiated members of the Nigerian public who are great in numbers to massage his over bloated ego as some of us and discerning public laughed over his impudence.

In as much as I have tried to ignore him, I, however cannot but be enthused over his recklessness on my state and our collective pride, as this did not only disturbs my sensibility but is a greater affront to me and others.

Everywhere I found myself, it’s always a soothing relief for me to be associated with my state positively and you can then imagine ones feeling to see someone running the entire state and its good people down to massage a self-important hallucination.

Whereas, Jimoh’s case is a case of healer heals thyself first, Jimoh has every opportunity to make himself Governor in 2003, despite his noise here and there, what happened at the end of the exercise he failed woefully, even in his ward in Igbotako, he lost.

Can you see irony of his claim, somebody that cannot make himself Governor now saying I made someone else Governor, anyway that is his headache with Mimiko and I pray, don’t let us reduce this discourse to glorification of one individual against another.

But, honestly we have to out grown this mentality of “I made you or you made me”, it’s too pedestal and it is mean and cheap, by the way, is he God? Let him read his Quran and learn what the Holy Prophet says, on who gives power, power belongs to God Almighty, it is also there in the Bible as I was told that he is now claiming to be a Christian.

What is your take on his recent defection to PDP?

He is free to defect as he is exercising his rights of choice but this shouldn’t be at instance of quest for grabbing power at all cost.

It’s unfortunate that those that play partisan politics have turned the game into business exploration and investments speculation, those that only rely on selfish political permutations, those without ideologies, with no principles, they will be in white party today, tomorrow in black party to them it’s the exigency of their mouth that dictates where they belong.

What else can we call this practice than political prostitution of the highest order?

He promises to capture the Government House?

The whole world knows Jimoh to be an infantile noise maker and we must caution ourselves against this inflammatory statement coming from these people, Obasanjo first use it, now it is Jimoh’s turn to re-echo it, but, I sympathize with them for their lack of knowledge of fundamentals of Ondo State politics, what the 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 claims 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 few personalities for the likes of Jimoh Ibrahim to understand the fundamentals of the state, our industries, Ondo people are independent, courageous, resolute, intelligent and principled and they cannot be led by nose as Mr. Jimoh is insinuating.

In fact I consider this statement as an insult on us and just imagine he wanted to capture the State without knowing the population of the state and in a reckless impudence and his usual verbal diarrhea he said “Ondo State is a small State of about 2 million people”, what a freaky and unskilled so called war-general!

Imagine that from someone that wanted to capture the State not knowing exact population of the State, in a better society he would have been sued for de-branding the state and this is the state he wanted to come for votes.

React to the allegation that Mimiko’s government is not investment friendly-

As I said earlier, the governor and his people are in better position to tell us what they are doing to bring investors to the state.

But as a lawyer, I see this allegation as a tainted testimony coming from an interested party of a desperate maniac like Jimoh, he is notorious of making bogus judgment and that’s his style; remember he did something of this nature to Dangote and Femi Otedola.

It is part of the diatribe of our uncontrolled son to disparage the State and his scheme to capture the state at all cost and this has revealed how very intelligent the so-called Harvard trained lawyer is, had it been he faced only Mimiko, his beloved friend, my likes wouldn’t have bother a response to his recklessness. The state is bigger than any individual, bigger than Jimoh Ibrahim. He should face Mimiko and leave the state out of it.

And lets read between the lines as narrated by Jimoh himself of what make the government an investments-unfriendly state, we will see that Jimoh’s definition of investment friendly government is for you to have State’s fund in your account under the pretence of executing one bogus PPP agreement and without you doing your part of the bargain only for you to turn around when the government ask for her money, to made noise.

If the truth must be told, I recently attended an economic summit held at Civic Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, with my friends and many investors, the summit was part of the state government’s determination to turn around the fortunes of Ondo State and attract investors, the State government used the summit to flag off the Friends of the State Gathering, which is a public- private sector-led initiative that would facilitate rapid socio-economic transformation of the State.

That he can sell Virgin Nigeria to fight Mimiko?

Where did he get the information that Ondo State is for sale? And is he the sole owner of the airline?

That is what we are saying, Jimoh is too lousy, very proud to a point of turning it into an embarrassment and at times he make me wonder if actually he is from where he claimed in Ondo State such attitude is alien to our culture, we are modest, respectful and moderate in thought and in deed but what did we have in Jimoh, empty barrel, he boasted that he will depose the King of his town, what an insult on the traditional institution, is he the one that installed the revered Kabiyesi? As a lawyer he should be aware of the law and procedures of doing certain things, doing it the other way he should know will lead to chaos and insecurity, maybe that’s his aim. God Almighty will not allow him to achieve this.

Making people to believe that you have money should not be by force, the other day he gleefully published names of those he invited for jobs interview in thousands, the question is how many did he eventually employed among them, we cannot be fooled, simple enquiries at his companies’ pension agents have revealed the real total number of his staff; very minimal despite his noise, he boasted that he has made money, fine, bravo and goodluck to him but help me to ask him of how much he pays on tax.

And why is he fighting the Governor?

Only Jimoh can explain that, but rumour travels fast, the other day a paper narrated how the Ondo State government’s political and economic masterstroke of full payment of the pension arrears in Ondo State has turned into calamity for Jimoh Ibrahim, according to the publication before the full payment, several pensioners died while queuing to be paid for the monthly stipends called pension but that is the things of the past in Ondo State.

Read and watch the news of how pensioners/sacked workers in droves have been protesting and carrying placards in front of Nicon Plaza against Jimoh for non-payment of their pension/benefit and here a government that decided to pay all the pension at a go, every home in Nigeria at least has one or two pensioners, just imagine smiles in every home due to Ondo State government’s innovative idea.


Do you see him as your Governor someday?

Look, power belongs to God; only he can give power. So I am not God but this I am very sure of, my people will not accommodate a brat, pompous, lousy and rude fellow. He tried to be governor in 2003 but failed, an intelligent man would have asked himself why did I fail in the election? Ondo State needs an “omoluabi” as Governor and Jimoh from every ramification is not, and when it is expected that Jimoh would take the present period as a good time for sober reflection of his life and glory of God in his life, he however for the umpteenth time started to insult and castigate corporate existence of people of Ondo State, saying the State population is too small and can be captured easily, tell Jimoh to think first before opening his mouth, change his character and attitude and surely, it shall be well with him.

He should also be advised that no one can be a Governor in Ondo State by deceiving people, the other day he was in Akure with Obasanjo, all in the name of having a grand rally, he abandoned the stadium already provided for him and designated for political rally, because of the few crowds that came with him.

He, with the organizers of the rally then quickly moved the rally to the commercial hub of Akure Township, between Erekesan market and Lagos motor park, a very clever man by half, knowing fully well that even if he alone starts to cry, crowd and passer-by to the market and the park will come out and ask: what’s wrong with him and he quickly called that, a well attended rally, whereas the market women and commercial transporters are bitterly complaining that Jimoh, Obasanjo, Agagu & Co. disrupted their businesses, my legal assistance was even sought to sue them and their cohorts for criminal trespass, disruption of business and economic loss.

Presently, we are looking for him to serve him with our clients’ claims.

What do you have against him or are you just envious of him?

Haba, I have nothing against him and I have no reason to be envious of him, at the Bar, he is my senior and I will forever extend my utmost respect to him on that basis, even he is at least 10 years older than me, so where will the envy come from.

I am a lawyer and I have no other business than this legal practice, in our Abuja office alone, we have nothing less than 17 lawyers, while we have offices in other cities and towns in Nigeria and abroad as our primary focus is to be the biggest legal solution firm in Africa, this is our dream and I hope I am not already sounding like Jimoh Ibrahim too, but this is verifiable fact, so I am in no contest with Jimoh Ibrahim.

Wittingly and unwittingly, I found my voice raised in the political and social circle which can be dated back to my undergraduate days in the late 90’s, first, being a Student’s Union leaders then.

These instances however should not be misconstrued as having interest in partisan politics or an attempt to vie for political post which may politically or economically put me in competition with Jimoh Ibrahim.

I am more preoccupied with the completion of my doctorate degree in law as well as ensuring flourishing supervision of my law firm, KAYODE AJULO & CO. and her international virtual affiliate, CASTLE OF LAW while I continue to use my God given endowments and resources to help those around me. I also dreamt of turning the whole Africa into egalitarian society, the reason why I founded and financing Egalitarian Mission, Africa, a non-governmental organization.

You see, Jimoh Ibrahim suppose to be our mentor, somebody to look up to but he missed this honour by his cheer insolence and megalomania delusion; this is tragedy of Jimoh Ibrahim.

Until Fortune Magazine brought Harry Akande into our conscience, nobody knows that Harry Akande is the richest person in Nigeria in the 90s, Aliko Dangote, Mike Adenuga and Femi Otedola are humility personified despite the fact that their next-of-kin is ostentatious opulence, Nigerian is blessed with great people Yinka Folawiyo, Wole Soyinka, Tunde Bakare, Adekunle Ojora, Okoya-Thomas, Afe Babalola, Femi Falana, E. K. Clark, Lulu-Briggs, Akintola Williams, Ishiyaku Rabiu, Bamanga Tukur and others these are great people, but did you see them insulting their state or turning themselves to rooftop millionaires, real money and good tidings speak for its owner not the other way round. Jimoh only speaks for his supposed money, all in the bid to be seen as being credit worthy by his bankers and targets.

And if care is not taken, he may end up in jail. There are several issues of dishonoured cheques drawn by him.

Let me round this interview up with this interesting true life story, some years back I was invited by OAU law students to join in honouring our Prof. Wole Soyinka, Jimoh was there too and during his usual boast, he regaled us with how he has been trailing Prof. Wole Soyinka with planes all over the world to receive the Prof.’s handshake and at the end of the speech as usual he made his huge donation by presenting a bank cheque, when it was our Wole Soyinka’s turn he spoke against deceit and warned his audience against the issuance of cheque at donations which may not turned to cash and after explaining that he is not that rich he brought out few amount of English pounds as his own donation, the hall erupted with standing ovation to the Prof, ironically even there in Ile-Ife, Jimoh was denied the so sought handshake and like a prophet which the Wole Soyinka is, of course, the students are yet to cash Jimoh Ibrahim’s mega cheque till this day.
...END

SOCIETY WATCH;THE RISING PROFILE OF CHRIS ATAMATA, THE PRESIDENTS' BROTHER

- AL HUMPHREY ONYANABO-0802320 1073
Nigeria is a funny country, people like, whether you wish or not to associate you with your great and successful relatives. My friend Chris Atamata’s profile has been rising and changing constantly in the past five years at a rate that is alarming.

Chris is an entertainment personality and gospel artiste cum businessman and sometimes preacher cum pastor… take your pick.

His dad, as the story goes raised Dr Jonathan and they have maintained strong family ties. Why not?
Anyway, back in time when Chief Alamieyesiegha was Governor of Bayelsa state and Dr. Jonathan his deputy, Chris was known in Yenagoa as DEGOV’S brother. When Lucky Joe took over Alams’ job, his status changed to Governors brother. With unhindered access into Yenagoa Government House.

Not long after luck again smiled on Dr Jonathan he became Vice President. Chris moved with him to Aso Rock and became the VEE PEE’s brother.
Twenty eight months after, Chris’ status has changed yet again. He has now become the President’s brother. I pray his luck continues to hold.

SOCIETY WATCH; BOO BOO- CHIEF JAMES IBORI, A FUGITIVE FROM THE LAW

-AL HUMPHREY ONYANABO

There was a time when people who are knowledgeable about the power matrix at Aso Rock described James Ibori as one of the most powerful Nigerians. They claimed he had lunch with late President Yar Adua daily. He had the president’s ear and was also a member of the kitchen cabinet. His trial with the EFCC was window dressing. Despite his ongoing trial for money laundering, he was still attending parties and spraying money. I recall at Lulu Onabaifo’s mums burial in Benin City, Ibori came with a bus load of Naval security men. Mopol and soldiers had become two for one naira…. He was showing his power.
It seems such a long time ago because that pharaoh is no more and a new one sits on the thrown. The same guy, I hear he once called a traitor.
Today, Ibori has become a fugitive from the law, skipping town like a common thief and showing up in Dubai with arrogance and applying for asylum. Tonight I heard his bail has been revoked, and he will spend his days in jail until extradicted to the United Kingdom. A lot of international arm twisting would have been done to come to achieve this victory. The U.A.E government knew it was wise to give up a petty criminal than face the wrath of the U.K, U.S.A and Nigeria.
I knew it would come to this. I have been putting off this piece for weeks. I had wanted to advice Lucky Joe to play hard ball with the Arabs until they let Ibori go. I advised him to stop their planes from coming here and our traders from going to buy stuff from them. We are the biggest money spenders there.
I am glad Ibori, who my good friend Kayode Ajulo described as a serial convict will go and answer criminal charges against him in London any day now. He will soon join his girl friend and sister in jail. Perhaps get 10 years, come out after 5 years for good behavior and be deported home to answer and serve another stretch at Kiri Kiri. It’s a warning to all such corrupt scumbags that the game is up. Payback time is rolling in.

SOCIETY WATCH; THE RIGMAROLE TO REMOVE DIMEJI BANKOLE AS SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPS STARTS AGAIN

- AL HUMPHREY ONYANABO

Just when you think there is peace in the House of Reps, wahala comes knocking. I had a feeling it would come because of the gathering storms over the refusal of the Hon Speaker to approve the increment in the allowances of members from about N27 million to N45 million.
Some members led by Dino Melaye are rooting for his impeachment. They claim he is high handed and corrupt. I was told at press time that Baba is behind it. This is going to be a messy press war. Both sides seem prepared to do as much damage as possible to win public sympathy. Divulging information to smear the other camp. Early in the week, I read reports that Dino melaye’s home folks had told him to forget tenure in the House. This is war, and I am tempted to say, may the better side win, but I will not because this is a big distraction.
Some might not agree with me, but I believe Dimeji Bankole has provided conscientious leadership for the House. He might be a little high handed, he might fly off the handle often, but he is still the best so far. He has style that you cannot dispute. He maddens some guys who believe they put him there and he should listen to their whims, but they forget he is the boss man. Small boy of yesterday or not. With all due respect, those honourables are sometimes a rowdy bunch, and the need a cane welding head teacher o put them in line and get the business of over sighting and law making going.
Soon, I believe, it will be another round of horse trading. Tempers will rise, late meetings will be called, a few feathers will be ruffled , some guys will smile, pat each other I the back and it will be back to business as usual….. Sickening if you ask me, but that’s the kind of democracy that flourishes here. God help our dear country.

ZAIN FAILS ME AGAIN; PACK UP OR SHAPE IN.
I love my zain line to death. That’s why I have not thrown it away despite the attraction from other networks. I pride myself in being a loyalist, from the days of econet. Bartel or Zain, I am hooked . my grouse, they always kill my spirit each time I have something to be thankful about the network.
Recently Zain introduce free calls from 10.00pm to 4.00 am. It was part of a reward program for loyal customers. I enrolled because they said its for free. I don’t trust them that much. Anyway, I enjoyed the free calls for a few days. Now you can’t make a call on zain once it is 10.00am. This sucks. Why did they open up that scheme if they did not have enough space on their network. MTN has been giving their subscribers this free call service for years. Why can’t Zain maintain there’s only after a few weeks?
Thanks you guys at Zain for letting me down again.

FEMI OTEDOLA TAKES A DIVE OUT OF THE SOCIAL CIRCUIT.
I am worried that Mr. Femi Otedola, one of Nigeria’s richest men and chairman of AP PLC has taken a dive out of th social scene for some months. He has not been seen at any of the high profile parties of late and nobody seems to know just where he is. Every man has a right to keep to himself, but his is starting to worry me.
Also he is a close and personal friend to Dr. goodluck Jonathan. He is one of the wise men who befriended Lucky Joe while others were saying , who is that guy. That friendship can get him anything he desires from Aso Rock. So why is he not cashing those chips. Is there something he is not telling us? His lovely wife Nana has been distant from the media too. I just pray they are in excellent health.

SOCIETY WATCH; JIM IYKE AND HIS APPETITE FOR SCANDALS

BY; AL HUMPHREY ONYANABO; 234 80 2320 1073

Top Nolly wood actor and model has a good thing going for him. The public loves his face and producers fall over themselves to pay good cash to have him feature in their movies. In these hard times when Nollywood producers have complained to me about dwindling sales of movies, a guy, who pays you n1.3 million has don you a favour. He could have picked any body else. But Jim Iyke thinks he is a super man and does not honour engagements. He walks into set at will and drives away to frollick with little girls and drink when shooting is not concluded, abandoning others on set and making the producers to incur bills and delay production.
If you ask me Jim is an irresponsible oaf, who should be sanctioned by the Actor Guild of Nigeria. He should also be placed on a two year ban. He acts the same childish roles in all his movies; an insolent, insultive super brat. Big deal for an actor. Many swollen headed artists have fallen from grace to grace and they are begging with tears for a chance to get back on main street. Jim iyke should go seek out Edrees Abdulkareem. At one time that fellow thought without him, there will be no music in Nigeria. The Indian hemp he smoke gave him grand illusions of his super stardom and he decided to try the American super star 50 CENTS for size. His act cost Nigerian Breweries organizers of the show hundreds of millions and they lost face. They took their revenge on the stupid Edrees and shut down the fool. In four years plus, he has not been invited to a concert and his career is in the refuse dump. That is where Jim Iyke is striving to be. I wish him luck.

THUMBS UP.
GANI FAWEHINMI TOOK CARE OF HIS AFFAIRS PROPERLY.

People usually expects a bundle of law suits to flow after the death of fire brands like chief Gani Fawehinmi. He has put them all to shame. In life Gani was meticulous to a fault. In death he also put his affairs together so tidily that he will become the bench mark by which the rich dead will be judged regarding who will they planned for their posterity.

In death and in life , he was generous to those around him. He made provisions for all his people ensuring that none will suffer lack or one big brother will not sit on the property and claim sole heir. Gani put every body in their places. Some prominent lawyers we know have died and their families are shameless in court fighting over their estate. In Gani’s case his family is at peace. The recipients of his generosity have started collecting their cheques. That’s a real big man. Not the penny pinchers who claim they are rich.

INTERVIEW; DR. PETER OBAFEMI DECLARES; I WANT TO SAVE EKITI PEOPLE FROM POVERTY AND BACKWARDNESS

- By Al Humphrey Onyanabo
Some people are born into wealth and position and all their lives to maintain the status quo. There are a few others who are born on the other side of the track but who through strict Christian parental upbringing, hard work, diligence and faith build themselves into men of immense wealth and industry whose contributions will resonate through eternity.
Often times because they chose not to blow their trumpets, they remain unsung, like prophets in their homesteads. Hiding in the background, doing their thing until they are pushed up by circumstances or faith or service to their homeland and forced to shed their toga of invisibility.
One of such is the astute international businessman and humanist, Otunba (Dr.) Peter Obafemi, who continues to be a pathfinder and shining light to millions of Nigerian youth both at home and in the Diaspora. A beacon of hope, a true ambassador of the ‘can do’ spirit, as he daily espouses the Nigerian dream and our in built ability as a people to rise above adversity and tough times, to climb mountains, and achieve our ambitions.

Dr. Peter Obafemi was born into the strong Christian family of Mr. and Mrs. Obafemi Ogunlaye in the little town of Ikole-Ekiti on August 5. His dad was a railway worker and he spent part of his growing up years in Port Harcourt.

The doggedness which is intrinsic in all Ekiti and a personal desire to throw off the restraints of his environment crystallized when he was able to obtain a student visa to study Cinematography and Film Production in Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Illinois in 1980. He attended the New York University Summer Film Production program in Summer of 1981. He later on moved to Essex County College, Newark, New Jersey, where he specialized in Cinematography and Television Productions between 1982 and 1984. As a student he was the resident videographer for the Nigerian Consulate in New York for each of President Shehu Shagari’s visits to New York. The young cineaste went on to produce many documentaries and features films including that of President Shehu Shagari entitled President and Power in Nigeria. He later obtained his BA from Upsala College, East Orange, New Jersey in 1986.

Young Peter Obafemi’s business skills were honed very early in life . He went through a variety of business projects, acquiring shareholding very rapidly. He started his first business enterprise in 1985, named Budget TV and Appliances Rental Service Store on Central Avenue in East Orange, New Jersey and was a consultant in the opening of Heritage Spas on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, NY which became the place of choice for discerning customers. It is also on record that between 1985 and 1988, he owned one of the largest Western Union franchises in the state of New Jersey.
It was in recognition of his varied contributions that, Peter Obafemi was appointed to the Mayor’s Economic Council in East Orange.
He sheds more light on his business philosophy,
“I have always believed in hard work. I always see opportunities where others don’t. I believe in creating wealth while making others.”

The increase in material prosperity did not affect his Christianity; it pulled him closer to God. In spite of all these, Peter’s Christian upbringing continuously stirred within him. It is said that when God has a call on your life, you have no choice but to answer that call.
In 1997, Obafemi was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Divinity Degree and given a Pastoral licence by the World Christianship Ministry Training Center, Fresno, California. From this point onward, Peter threw himself into the Lord’s work and won many souls for Christ. His propensity for doing God’s work had drawn him into the study of evangelism at the Billy Graham School of Evangelism, Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1996. This naturally led him on to the Billy Graham Advanced School of Evangelism, Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois in 1998. Peter served God as the pastor of Seal of Life Christian Center, Norcross, Georgia from 1990 to 1999. In recognition of the oneness of faith before the Almighty.

The American political system has recognized and vastly utilized the political and financial wizardry of Dr. Peter Obafemi; he was Chairman, Business Advisory Council from the state of Georgia to the United States Republican Senate from 2003 to 2004. So profound were his contributions that the US Senate Republican Congress bestowed on him the United States Senate Republican Medal of Freedom Award.
Dr. Peter Obafemi continues to play a support role as a genuine democrat and a prime mover of democratic principles. He is a Lifetime Member of the Republican Party of the United States of America (Eisenhower Commission). He was also a Member of the United States Presidential Roundtable 2002-2004 and Member Black American Business Council since 2003. He also received the 2003 Businessman of the Year Award of the Nigerian Foundation in Houston, Texas. Leadership Award by American Express Community Leadership in Calloway Georgia and a commendation by the City of Atlanta in 2003 for bridging the bridge between two sister cities of Lagos and Atlanta.

He has always excelled under challenges. Preferring to thread where the terrain is toughest and the challenges seemingly insurmountable. It is on record that Dr. Obafemi successfully operated direct flights from the US to Nigeria when no one on either continent felt it was possible. The spectacular financial returns that enabled him to liquidate his bank loans in record time and the ultimate sabotage by his partners would have destroyed a lesser man. Dr. Peter Obafemi was undaunted and is poised to achieve even greater heights in the aviation industry.
He says of that experience,
“It was a painful moment for me; it shook me to my foundations. I could not understand why humans will go to such lengths to bring down another person over money. I thank God for strengthening me and seeing me through that dark patch. It was planned to destroy me, but God raised me up and eventually vindicated me.”
Otunba Peter Obafemi’s entrepreneurial expertise is evidenced by his vast and growing business empire. His interests span into farming, health spa, tourism, hospitality, and aviation, engineering and construction, real estate, energy as well as international finance. These businesses are scattered over several continents providing employment to thousands of people


He believes in responsibilities; governments must display fiscal responsibility with public finances, individuals taking personal responsibility for their actions, and social responsibility towards one another. He remains an advocate and a believer in enterprise and aspiration. His fundamental tenet is that power should be devolved from politicians to people, from the centre to the grassroots.
He sums it up thus:
“Personal ambition should be set as high as is humanly possible, with no barriers put in its way by the state. I believe we are all in this together.”

Dr. Peter Obafemi’s ambition to contest the gubernatorial position for the 2011 election in Ekiti State on the platform of PDP, he confides is based on his desire to serve the people and make a difference in their lives.
Hear him,
“As an individual and businessman I am fulfilled. I am financially secure by all means, all glory be to God. My ambition is now to serve my people. I look around and see poverty and hunger in Ekiti. I see lack of infrastructural development. I see the youths of my state without jobs. I see our women abandoned and without hope. I see a state with great future wallowing in misdirection and I tell myself that I can make a difference. I can use my international friends and connections to bring prosperity and swift development to Ekiti State.”
For Ekiti State, his vision is all encompassing. This is borne out of the fact that he has taken time to study the fundamental problems of the people and how to solve those problems. For example, he believes the key to tackling youth restiveness and crime is the provision of jobs.
He says,
“My plan if elected as Governor come 2011 is to provide 3,000 jobs for Ekiti youths within six months or I will resign. The idle mind is the Devil’s workshop. I weep when I see our youths who are out of school walking the streets without jobs. We shall keep them engaged. They are our future. We shall encourage those who want to go to school to do so. Every hand must be put on deck to help in the development of Ekiti State and make Ekiti first.”
In his typical fashion he plans to boost night life in Ekiti State as an avenue to extend the economic life -wire of the state and for economic activity to continue long after government business closes at 4.00p.m.
In his words,
“It is said that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, it would be bad if you go out all day to work and you can’t come home and have something to relax with. There must be a night life; a place where there is no night life is like a ghost town. In Ekiti, 7p.m.-8p.m. the city is dead. However, in recreating this in the city we have to be socially responsible.
“We should have amphitheatres for stage shows; build a movie house, that’s where contacts and resources come in. If you create theatre atmosphere, you will be shocked at how well people will receive you, a good example is when Dagrin came to Ekiti, the show was sold out, and people had to be sent back. This pinpoints the usefulness of a good night life.”
Dr. Peter Obafemi’s plan for Nollywood is mind blowing. He is looking at partnering with international film producers to build film villages and studios in Ekiti so that it will be transformed into the hub of movie production in Nigeria and the West African sub region.
He adds,
“I want to put Ekiti State on the entertainment map of the world. We will build film villages like it is done Hollywood, our people will be usefully engaged through all of this and the state will generate revenue thereby. It will also open up tourism and such ancillary services such as hotels, transportation, restaurants, and amusement parks”.
For this race his motto is that ‘Everybody should put Ekiti first,’ that’s why he says he has put his vast business empire on the back burner so he can effectively see to the business of grabbing the ticket.
He laughs at potshots that his ambition to be governor is for personal gains.
“How much can I make as Governor? I could make ten times that in my business without stress. I have been exposed to wealth at a very early age. And now, I tell myself what I need to do is to help my people. I see my state being backward; our women are living and dying in poverty; nobody is reaching out to them. Through government, I can empower them successfully, alleviate their poverty. I have realized that I can do more being in Government House than being outside. As a private business man, I help a lot of people who come to me with various problems, but I as Governor, by the grace of God, I will be able to touch everybody, and to transform Ekiti into a paradise”.
It’s a huge dream, one he is willing to stake everything and pull all stops, with God on his side and the people of Ekiti state backing him, to bring to fruition.
All he is asking for is the support of the people and a level playing ground so that he can put Ekiti First.

SOCIETY WATCH; S.O.S; TINAPA LIES WASTE AND UNUSED

One of the great benefits of having a president from the South South is that he can be appealed upon with passion when it concerns his brothers. In case the matter has not been brought forward by Gov liyel Imoke of Cross River State, I humbly wish to appeal to Lucky Joe to use fiat to approve Tinapa as a tax free trading zone which was the original concept of the planners of that wonderful tourism and business destination.
Tinapa is not just for sight seeing. Its also planned to be Nigeria’s answer to shopping in Dubai. The vision of Mr. Donald Duke was that it would be Africa’s main shopping hub, with all the big fashion designers owning oulets there, from where they can service the African market. The Customs have been sitting on granting approval for its take off. Presently only a few pubs operate in Tinapa. The place is practically dead because of petty politics.
I have heard it whispered that the U.A.E people could be behind the refusal of the appropriate authorities to make Tinapa functional. No smoke without fire. Those guys have everything to lose. First will be there yeye airline Emirates, which is so expensive and rubs the nose of Nigerian passengers , who keep them profitable, in the mud. The run daily flights into our air space, but have no respect for our people. Lucky Joe has just got to do something or should we rather tender the appeal through, Her Excellency, Madam Patience?

JIM IYKE AND HIS APPETITE FOR SCANDALS.
Top Nolly wood actor and model has a good thing going for him. The public loves his face and producers fall over themselves to pay good cash to have him feature in their movies. In these hard times when Nollywood producers have complained to me about dwindling sales of movies, a guy, who pays you n1.3 million has don you a favour. He could have picked any body else. But Jim Iyke thinks he is a super man and does not honour engagements. He walks into set at will and drives away to frollick with little girls and drink when shooting is not concluded, abandoning others on set and making the producers to incur bills and delay production.
If you ask me Jim is an irresponsible oaf, who should be sanctioned by the Actor Guild of Nigeria. He should also be placed on a two year ban. He acts the same childish roles in all his movies; an insolent, insultive super brat. Big deal for an actor. Many swollen headed artists have fallen from grace to grace and they are begging with tears for a chance to get back on main street. Jim iyke should go seek out Edrees Abdulkareem. At one time that fellow thought without him, there will be no music in Nigeria. The Indian hemp he smoke gave him grand illusions of his super stardom and he decided to try the American super star 50 CENTS for size. His act cost Nigerian Breweries organizers of the show hundreds of millions and they lost face. They took their revenge on the stupid Edrees and shut down the fool. In four years plus, he has not been invited to a concert and his career is in the refuse dump. That is where Jim Iyke is striving to be. I wish him luck.

SOCIETY WATCH; OLUBODE FAKEYE, SUPOL O.C, ANTI FRAUD, THE NEW FACE OF THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE

OLUBODE FAKEYE, SUPOL, O.C. ANTI FRAUD, ZONE 2;
THE NEW FACE OF THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE.

There are bad eggs in every profession. Be it journalism, law, medicine or even the police. I had course recently to be at zone 2, Onikan because one of my ex staff, at the National Weekender, let’s leave out his name for the moment, was apprehended by operatives of the unit while trying to blackmail and extort money from a Bishop, I will also respectfully honour this man of the cloth by not identifying him.
It was in the process of the investigation and resolution of this matter that I met Mr. Olubode Fakeye, superintendent of Police and O.C. in charge of Anti Fraud. I found him without reservation to be different in word, demeanor and thinking from tons of policemen; I have met over the years. For starters, the last thing he looks like is a cop. He has a chubby face, dons suits and wears a permanent smile. Wait till you hear him talk. That’s where the real charm lies. He has the cool, soothing voice of a preacher and the message from his mouth flows towards reconciliation, peace and people living in harmony.
I was in his office for about 45 minutes and after watching and listening to him yarn, I said yes. This is the new face of The Nigerian Police Force. He is the kind of cop you will meet and say yes indeed the Police is your friend. I have heard that police men collect bribes to grant bail in their stations but under his unit, I can confirm that it does not happen. How will his boys walk up to him and say, Oga, this is your share… I am sure they will spend the night in underground cell. Ha ha ha..
I was impressed by what I saw. We need more people like Mr. Bode Fakeye. We need officers like him who are committed to the job. Men who have not made money their Lord and Master. We need in our new police men who love their jobs with their lives. There were two other of his men I met who are taking after him Inspector Sola and Inspector Ralph. Their boss, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kola Shopido who incidentally I have known for over 10 years under another capacity, is also a fantastic gentleman and an officer. These men are trying to re write years of bad image of the Nigerian police and I wholeheartedly salute them.

society watch, THE INSPIRING HEART TOUCHING STORY OF RONKE BAMMAKE, G.M. OPERATIONS, FIRST BANK PLC

Her story, if you get close enough to her to hear it first hand is the stuff of which best selling christian books are made.
Ronke joined GT Bank two days after her wedding and remained there for 19 years. In that time she rose to become Deputy General Manager, IT and later Managing director of GT BANK LONDON. She spent 18 months in London setting up the branch, but according to those that were close to her , though Ronke Bammake was jovial, very pleasant, cheerful and straight forward, deep down , she hurt- her marriage was child less. . she did the un thinkable. She dedcided one glorious morning after putting in 19 years of her life into GT BANK to call it quits. That same year she got pregnant and was delivered of triplets, all boys. In a London hospital. You would think she has had her day with banking. Big lie. She has resumed at First Bank plc as General Manager, Operations, at the head quarters. Should you hop over there on business any time soon and hear a pretty, pleasant lady humming some glorious tunes, it just might be Ronke Bammake , do join in the singing…You never know….

society watch; SENATOR IYIOLA OMISORE'S TALK OF THE TOWN BIRTHDAY PARTY ABUJA

Birthday parties come and go, but the talk of the town birthday party in Abuja was the gig given by Senator Iyiola Omisore who represents Ife Central in the Senate. The party was held at the Sheraton Hotel, Abuja. I hear all the four board rooms of the Abuja Sheraton were collapsed to provide enough space for his guests to dance and wine all night long.
I was reliably informed that there were 16 buffet spots for the over 4200 guests in attendance who were fetted at N5,000 per head. Drinks and beverages cost N1,600 per head . I hear champagne was flowing like water with quality spirits and wine to cause all to be merry. My source did not reveal how much the budget for bubbling.
You can do the calculation of how much the party cost yourself. Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are very rich men.


Boo boo
Liyel Imole, the limits of pettiness

Governor Liyel Imole is a man of my generation, a new breed. He has my sympathies as he battles to run a state with little finances. He also has a very temperamental wife who takes everything so personal, sorry about that madam
Anyway Liyel Imoke handling of issues has always left me panting. In his first year in office, some guys came, I heard form Abuja, on boundary adjustment issues . Liyel was too busy to see them or take them around personally. I heard he sent the committee #50,000 for Logistics. They were thankful. When they got to Akwa Ibom, the Governor and the state exco were waiting, they had them attended to like kings with lots of goodies and took them around the disputed territories . When they got back to Abuja they made their reports and the boundaries were adjusted in favor of Akwa Ibom along with most of the oil wells that qualified Cross River as an oil producing state. That singular action made Cross River a beggarly state.

Two years ago Liyel’s wife Obioma, I hear told Donald and his wife, that there was no accommodation for them at Government house during the annual Calabar Carnival which Donald built into a world class event. They had to go rest their tired bones elsewhere. It is that bad.
Liyel and Donald are childhood friends-their parents were friends- but it seems politics and pettiness is tearing them apart.
Recently, Donald Duke knowing that there is no opening for his presidential ambition in the PDP, he moved to another party, and Liyel took it personal. He waited for him to come to Calabar to embarrass him.
Recently, Police men with a Jankara court order attempted to disrupt the launch of a children’s hospital in Calabar being put together by Donald’s wife, Onari. That’s not all. Liyel cancelled the conferment of a doctorate degree by the state owned CRUTECH on Donald further deepening the already frosty relationship between them; in throwing the baby out with the wash water, he also stopped the conferment of a doctorate degree also on Alhaji Aliko Dangote , who is the single, highest investor in the state. And made an enemy of him. Again I ask, what is with politics that turns gentlemen to monsters.


FARIDA WAZIRI FIGHTS TO KEEP HER JOB

EFCC boss, the likeable Mrs. Farida Waziri is fighting to keep her job despite all the talk about the eventual return of Ribadu as Jonathan’s special assistant on anti corruption. Nobody likes to be out of a job, and not one with a high profile as that of EFCC chairman.
Madam Farida has changed the ground rules. Everything is now by the books, no more raiding of suspects homes and offices with TV cameras; no more grand standing. Condemning suspects before they have their day in court. Come to think of it she has been doing her work slowly and steadily. Her conviction rate is rising. One thing she has to work on is the EFCC being used as a debt collection agency to harass and intimidate debtors by banks who are also thieves themselves who bloat customers with excess charges to increase the banks profit status. That is not what the EFCC is for.
She has suddenly found that the press can be her ally in this battle, she does regularly press briefings and updates. I think she deserves to be given a chance to furnish her tenure. The cowboy Ribadu can step in when she is done.

BEWARE ABOUT TAKING YOUR WIFE TO LONDON

This is a warning to randy rich Nigerian politicians who will marry a wife in Nigeria and another in London or relocate the one in Nigeria to London, run back home to divorce her and only share a few assets with her-the story does not end there anymore.
London courts are now sharing rich Nigerians who have divorced their wives in Nigeria when they apply for redress in London courts. The courts are giving as much as half the estate of the husband to the ex-wives. Be warned , yes you can take your wife to London but you will pay dearly when you decide to dump her for another Nigerian woman or yellow sisi.
OSA DIRECTOR PREPARES FOR SENATE.

Frontline no none sense journalist and lawyer Osa Director is preparing for the senate. I hear he has joined A.C which is the reigning party in Edo State to contest for the position currently held by Senator Uzamere, who we are told made the bulk of his money through Gov Alams but turned his back on him when the going was tough. They are all up for the Edo South Senatorial district which has seven local governments.
Osa’s opponet is a serial contestant Mr Mattew Urhoghide who has been in the race for various political offices albeit unsuccessfully since 1992. He contested for senate under the SDP platform in 1992, in 1999, he switched to ANPP to try his hands at the governorship. in 2007 he dumped the PDP for AC to run for senate, again he lost his deposit.
Osa is believed to be a formidable candidate though new on the turf. He is putting together a hefty war chest to finance this battle which political watchers say will be keen. Already we hear the poster war has begun in Benin City; the latest salvo from Osa Director’s camp runs thus “beware of desperate politicians and serial contestants. They are like failed motor brakes. support the defender of democracy- Osa Director.
it will be interesting. i will keep you posted.

CONCERNING THE BP OIL SPILL ; WARRI BOYS CAN HELP

I wonder what all this fuss is about the inability of BP to combat the oil spill that has polluted the Atlantic ocean and caused the world powers to panic. I saw the photographs on Yahoo that they could not block the leaking pipes. What a shame. I can recommend boys from Warri who are experts in tapping into pipelines and repairing same when they are done. These are boys with basic welding skills who have mastered the art of stealing oil from secure pipelines and selling same to bunkerers in the Niger Delta.
I can assure you that these boys will stop that spill in no time. And they will not charge much. A visa to America to start a new life with cash or not will be enough. I know them.

HARP’S LACK OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY.

CRS is a term coined by multinational corporations to show the world they have the interest of communities where they do business at heart. Call it professional do going. But I believe the brand managers of the HAPR factory in Ogba do not have in it their lexicon. Driving through the road in front of the factory is a night mare. It is full of pot holes and what have you. These are caused principally by the lack of drainage on both sides of the road and the heavy duty trailers that file in and out of the factory daily ferrying raw material and finished products.
The road is less than 200 meters long and I know it wont cost a bomb for Guiness to show a little CRS by paying for the redesign and reconstruction of that road. I am sure Gov Fashola will be happy to attend the commissioning and of course the press will be there tell the world how jolly , the HARP guys are. Its something to sleep over.

CADBURY NIGERIA PLC GETS NEW PAINT JOB.

Cadbury’ plc’s Agidingbi factory has received a new paint job. The whole factory is looking spanking new. After the spate of bad press and financial scandals that rock the industrial giant and the attendant fall in share prices. I pray the new splash of paint will usher in a new lease of life for Cadbury.
Stakeholders of the company I spoke to are hopeful the arrival of the accomplished banker and technocrat, Mr. Atedo Peterside as chairman of the board will do the magic…I hope so too.

THE INSPIRING , HEART TOUCHING STORY OF RONKE BAMAKE, G.M OPERATIONS, FIRST BANK PLC.

Her story, if you get close enough to her to hear it first hand is the stuff of which best selling christain books are made.
Ronke joined GT Bank two days after her wedding and remained there for 19 years. In that time she rose to become Deputy General Manager, IT and later Managing director of GT BANK LONDON. She spent 18 months in London setting up the branch, but according to those that were close to her , though Ronke Bammake was jovial, very pleasant, cheerful and straight forward, deep down , she hurt- her marriage was child less. . she did the un thinkable. She dedcided one glorious morning after putting in 19 years of her life into GT BANK to call it quits. That same year she got pregnant and was delivered of triplets, all boys. In a London hospital. You would think she has had her day with banking. Big lie. She has refused at First Banl plc as General Manager, Operations, at the head quarters. Should you hop over there on business any time soon and her a pretty, pleasant lady humming some glorious tunes, it just might be Ronke Bammake , if you know her, do join in the singing…You never know….


REV. JOHN KOME- PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF GNLD ALL OVER THE WORLD.

I remember Rev Dr. john Kome from a long way back in the late 90’s when he came to pioneer the Ikeja branch of the Christain Pentecostal Mission ,CPM. The fellowship started in my uncles house somewhere off Toyin street. He was a lanky, dark fired brand evangelist. All fired up for the gospel. The church was just getting off the ground and he did a good job of building up the congregation, young as he was then .
The last I heard Dr kome has left the CPM family to set up his own church, but that’s not where I am going too. He has become a ten million naira a month salary earner . the source of his wealth is not from the church. He is a five star diamond director of GNLD, the multi level marketing company that sells food supplements and all kinds of natural drugs .
Dr Kome , I hear now travels all over the world on the speaking circuit preaching the benefits of selling to men and women all over the world.. it might seem like replacing one gospel for another, what to me ia paramount is that he is preaching freedom from poverty, an opportunity our youth need today.

WHAT MANNER OF MICRO FINANCE BANKING AT ROYAL EXCHANGE MICRO FINANCE BANK

Some people might get mad when I come down hard on them for doing bad things, but I don’t really care as long as they change. My sledge hammer falls this week on ROYAL EXCHANGE MICRO FINANCE BANK, run by Mrs Lizzy Elogche.
From reports I have heard these guys have turned the book concerning micro finance banking upside down and need to go take some tutorials on the subject to get them back on track. I have had complaints concerning their modus operandi. I am told that normally, when some one applies for a loan from a micro finance bank, the bank gives you approval and there after requests that you put that down your equity participation fee which ranges between 10% to 30 % and a management fee.
At ROYAL EXCHANGE MICROFINANCE BANK, their system is the reverse. They ask you to pay the equity and management fee up from, before the long is approved, to I believe make their books look healthy. Most often that not, they do not approve the amount you apply for, but they still expect the applicants to pay the processing fee for the original amount applied for and to retrieve your collateral becomes a tug of war.

These banks, I appreciate are trying to be careful about the safety of their funds. But they should equally bear I mind that they were set up to bring succor to small time business and not load them with stress.