Posted by 9jabook.com on October 27, 2009 at 2:23am
Golden Effects & DJAMEDIA in conjunction with
Africa At The Pictures
Presents
My first encounter with Mr Kunle Afolayan‘s work was during the build up to his debut as a Producer/Director with the movie “Irapada”. I attended the premiere and managed to sit all the way through the movie without getting up for extra pop corn refills or toilet breaks. To me this was the first sign that something about the talent behind the movie caught the attention of many. The indications that the director was on his way to higher ground was clearly visible.
I had heard things in the wind about this new project that Mr Afolayan was working on and had great anticipation to see the movie. This anticipation gave me fear; we all know that high expectation most times could lead to immense disappointment. The question that rang through in my head was would he be able to maintain the quality he had introduced the Nigerian movie industry to? or would he be a one hit wonder and fade into the back ground like many producers today.
Finally on Wed 23 Sept 09, I had the privilege to attend a private media screening of the movie
“THE FIGURINE - ARAROMIRE”.
The screening was held at the Odeon cinema in Greenwich London and was attended by a few members of the cast and crew including Mr Afolayan himself and members of the UK / Nigerian media such as DJ Abass (DJA Media), Mr Femi Okutubo (Trumpet Newspaper), Mr Olu (Gbedu Magazine), Myself (Vivacity PR), (Masino Magazine), DJ Ali, Tokunbo Tejuoso, Damola, Tunde Ayodele, Olamide Ayodele, Sola Ayodele, Tutu Atekoja, Shola Bee, Roberta Mayasi, Lola Maja (The Fantastic Make Up Artiste For The Movie) and many more.
Kunle describes the movie itself as multicultural and contemporary highlighting essence and efficacy of tradition, friendship, betrayal and love; that transcends both the ancient and modern day.
The synopsis of Figurine (Araromire) shows that it is a story of two buddies and a girl…all down on their luck have their lives changed when one of them discovers 'Araromire' a mysterious figurine in an abandoned shrine which, according to legend bestows seven years of good luck. But no one told them about the next seven years.
Stars in the movie include Ramsey Nouah Jnr, Kunle Afolayan, Omoni Oboli, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi in lead roles, with Wale Adebayo (Sango), Chief Muraina Oyelami, Jide Kosoko in supporting lead roles.
According to Kunle “it is a story I have been working on for over four years now; even before we shot “Irapada” and I think it’s high time we started showing better movies. For me, “Irapada” was an experiment and we thank God it was well received at home and abroad but now “The Figurine” is a better story and it’s a much bigger, better project in terms of picture, budget, storyline, and everything”.
The Figurine is the English name of the statue-like object that he uses to represent the goddess he portrays in the film. Araromire is the indigenous name of the goddess and the town from which she hailed. Kunle took his time to explain that the film is a fictional story, with no town in existence being called “ARAROMIRE” and as such, nobody can say we are telling a wrong story about his or her heritage.
Another part I loved about this film was the rhythmic traditional soundtrack. Although I found myself singing along by a quarter way through the movie, due to the catchy hook. I was eventually informed that as “ARAROMIRE” was fictional, so was the language in which the soundtrack was sung. So I was singing......?
It is a film that tries to highlight the fact that we are the cause of our own situation without ascribing too much to the gods or God, like we always do. It is a film that deals with the human belief, the human nature and it is going to generate a lot of debate. At the end, it is either you are on one side of the divide or the other.”
Despite the difficulty in getting financial assistance for the kind of project, Kunle brought commendable dynamism into it by collaborating with corporate organisations and individuals to realise his goals. He further adds “There is a way you work around such collaborations”.
The total cost of the movie lies in the realm of 50 million naira and is targeted to be part of about three major film festivals.
When he was asked how good his equipments are, although it is an open secret in the media and movie circles that he owns the best shooting/movie device in town, he said:
“The film was shot using 35mm not celluloid but digital, HD using 35mm adaptors and film prime lenses. All these together give you the same feel, same look of celluloid.
The Figurine has cost a fortune; millions but it will definitely pay because it is not going to be released on DVD/VCD until it has gone to the cinemas all around the world.”
Just as he harbours no doubt in his mind about the fact that the film will definitely sell out, primarily because it is a better story with better input, so does he believe that what the film is all about and its thematic preoccupation represents a deviation from the norm.
Since coming to limelight through “Saworo Ide” in 1998 and eventually quitting his banking job in 2005 to concentrate on where his heart lies, the handsome young man has broken records in Nollywood.
He is the son of the late Ade Love, one of the pioneers of movie production in Nigeria. Kunle is obsessed with the art of filmmaking. With Saworoide, Kunle steadily and steeply climbed to become a recognisable acting spirit. He later confirmed his status with an appearance in the sequel 'Agogo Eewo' and in other critically acclaimed works like 'Dark Days' featuring Zack Orji. Kunle was also a major part of one of the episodes of the popular Super Story series on Television. That episode was titled 'For the love of you' and Kunle lived delightfully the role of Tony Jnr.
An actor who has somewhat remained in the consciousness of most movie lovers, Kunle hops from one location to another and his major artistic contribution entitled 'Irapada' was voted the best indigenous language film in the 2008 edition of the African Movie Academy Award (AMAA).
I wonder what awards “THE FIGURINE - ARAROMIRE” has in store for Kunle.
The Movie premieres in the UK @ Odeon cinema Greenwich London on 31st OCt 2009.
RSVP to the event here.... http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/event.php?eid=138595888731&ref=mf
EVENT: The UK ‘Red Carpet’ Movie Premiere Of ‘THE FIGURINE’ (Araromire)
DATE: Saturday, 31, October, 2009
VENUE: ODEON, (Greenwich)
Bugsby's Way, Greenwich, London, SE10 0QJ
(Next to Holiday Inn Express)
MOVIE TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZpxH15DTejo&feature=related
CONFIRMED INVITED GUESTS
Kunle Afolayan, Ramsey Nouah, Funlola Awofiyebi – Raimi, Lola Maja
+ UK based celebrities from the Film & Music industry
+ Media personalities from TV, Magazines & Newspapers.
TIME:
Doors open 9pm, Red Carpet & Photo Ops 9.30pm,
Premiere starts 10.30pm prompt
TICKETS: Standard £10, Premier £15.
TICKET OUTLETS: Available from October 13th.
E: Tomi’s Kitchen 020 89866226 (Hackney)
E: Bronze Bar 020 7511 4252 (Barking rd, Canning Town)
SE: Tomi's Kitchen 020 8694 9352 (Deptford),
SE: Presidential 020 7708 4491 (Old Kent rd),
SE: Tasty's 020 8854 2171 (Woolwich),
W: Mama Calabar 020 8902 2277 (Wembley Park)
NW: D'Den 020 8830 5000 (Cricklewood)
24HR TICKET HOTLINES: 07956374473, 07859926100, 07932424175.
INFO: 07946811253
WEB: www.figurinemovie.com
AFTER PARTY:
Follows immediately @ PLANET NOLLYWOOD with DJ ABASS. TIME: 10pm – 4.30am
With cast & crew and all invited celebs on 2 Floors of Music..
DJ’s: Shola-B, Whateva & Mc Data
MEDIA PARTNERS:
HITV (Sky 204)
Nollywood Movies (Sky 329)
Trumpet Newpapers
Check Out Magazine
Vivacity PR
Masino Magazine
M&M Magazine
Gbedu Magazine
_______________________________
THE FIGURINE (Araromire) - PRODUCTION CREW
Producer/Director: Kunle Afolayan.
Story Concept: Jovi Babs
Art Director: Pat Nebo.
Special FX/Make Up: Lola Maja
Director of Photography: Yinka Edward. Costumes/Wardrope: Obieje Eru
Editor: Steve Sodiya & Kayode Adeleke.
Production Manager: Bose Oshin
Screenplay / Treatment: Kemi Adesoye
Graphics & Web: James ‘Abinibi’ Alabi.
Grading & Colour Correction: Soji Ogunaike
Read more…
Posted by 9jabook.com on October 1, 2009 at 12:04am
In the name of God, the Beneficent and Merciful.
Your Excellency, The President of Nigeria. Peace and the mercy and blessings of God be with you.
Dear Umaru Yar’adua
First congratulations on your nation’s 49th Independence Day Celebrations, I am writing you this letter on behalf of the loving people of Saudi Arabia and myself. I need not emphasis to you the place of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, not just on you as a person but the fact that we represent the ground for billions of faithful and peace-seeking Muslims.
The next few lines I pen to you would be painful—the reason being that it is the truth and I dare say, you and I know that the truth hurts. I have been told and warned by my kinsmen that I am not saying anything new but I will still say it. Let me start with your recent visit to my domain. Your countrymen are sickened and cannot fathom the reason why you would abandon the UN General Assembly for the second time just to come for a University commissioning.
As it regards that I will skip for now. Do you know reasons why you were welcomed by a governor…well let us leave that to local gossip? Your absence is sad because it is one of the many reasons that you and your countrymen and women are not taken serious. If you recall early in the year you had complained to them and the world that it was unfortunate that the world did not reckon with you and your nation during the G-8 summit in London. Here was an opportunity to try and remedy the serious image problems you have with other nations by confronting their leaders face to face. This I think you missed…and your citizens I believe feel same. You told me that you minister for foreign affairs would handle the UN but I disagree with you.
The minister I am told flew to the US from Brazil where he had gone for negotiations on how the nation can achieve the 6,000MW power generation by December. It is sad that at 49 years and with a population of approximately 150milliion you are still battling with generating a mere 6,000 MGW. I gathered that no part of Nigeria has a one-hour uninterrupted power supply for a seven-day week. Since your assumption of office you have been on hijra to my domain on three occasions and this excludes the hajj you have come to perform. Can’t recall when we suffered a power outage last.
One of your revered writers a certain Wole Soyinka's said that "the man (Yar'Adua) is on permanent sabbatical". "… A permanent sabbatical from critical national duty,”. This I see as an insult because no one in my domain dares insinuate that of me. Your nation is adrift and all is not well and citizenry do not see any concerted effort at solving these issues. You came to commission a university, and mysteriously some 90 public universities are shut down in your country. Most of your states are battling with primary school teachers’ strike.
At 49 years you do not have a University in the top 1000 Universities listing, none of your public schools can be certified as first class. And I hear that most of your lieutenants are products of these schools that you and past governments have allowed to decay. On your other visits, you have been treated and attended to by some of the best the medical field has to offer in my domain, and each time I wonder to myself…why can you not build such in your country. Do you think if I was sick I would come to Nigeria for healthcare.. .? (subhannallah) Allah forbid that much you know. I am told that nothing works in your land and despite all the opportunities. You have continued to remain a nation of misplaced priorities and dashed hopes.
The Kingdom of Saudi is faced with its own troubles which are peculiar to us and some problems which you are familiar with. However we continue to tackle them. But I gathered that you are massaging your issues rather than deal with them headlong. In my domain we deal with corruption too, but be rest assured that our tolerance level is low. We do not hesitate to cut with sword the erring part, hand, eye, or ‘that part of the body’.
This results in serious human rights questions but we do not murder or assassinate journalists or opposition people either. Many people I have spoken to from your land say they had hope in you, but that after just two years…they called you go-slow, later it was snail, now they have resigned themselves to fate. I have my integrity and that of my people to protect; besides it is not in my place to say, yet I will ask. What is the place of your wife in government …is she a feminist, is she the only wife you have? I have no problem with all these but if she is indeed the de-facto president…then there is a problem? On a scale of preference we have long shifted our attention to the likes of South Africa, Ghana, and Egypt and recently tiny nations like Namibia, Mozambique are not left out. I do not envy the enormous problems you face but I am saddened that you have not solved any. You have not improved on a faulty electoral system that brought you to power. Your banking sector we hear just underwent partial oncology but the real cancer is still there.
Some of your elites now build helipads and move around in helicopters in cities like Port Harcourt, Onitsha to avoid kidnap and your roads remain hellish and all we hear is that the Federal and state governments are perpetually engaged on whether it’s a federal or a state road while people die on these roads. You have at 49 years some of the best brains in various fields but you have not been able to harness their potentials. There are several policy somersaults by various functionaries of your government and these paints you in bad light. You rule of law mantra has been questioned by the lawlessness of those underneath you and then people find out you are in the know. Your citizens are suffering loss of appetite, fatigue and memory slip at what best government practices are.
Infact I am told that citizens rejoice when government officials do what they are supposed to do because the reverse is the case. I am even told that there is a phrase used…’the man stole but he worked too’. Even in hitherto familiar terrain like soccer I hate to say that soon boys from my kingdom will beat your team whether super eagles or gentle doves. I gathered you never plan for anything in your nation anymore and the inevitable happens…you all fail. I have not proffered any solution to you in this Independence letter, so also have I left out many other issues and my reason is that I do not intend to insult you but awaken you. You have the manpower, the resources.
You can if you want to, my fear is, a doubt that you and your people want to. Leaders in the past have refused to take counsel and have never bothered about any legacies, I do not know if you want to be any different or will be different. I do not know if you will read this or an aide will browse through it as usual. Bisalam King Abdullah bin Abdel-Aziz
NB: As at press time it could not be ascertained if indeed the 85 year old royal father wrote this letter, but the contents are very correct. And our sources say that the Villa is not taking it lightly.
Read more…
Posted by 9jabook.com on November 2, 2009 at 11:16pm
MOST of the major highways in Lagos metropolis and other cities on Sunday, recorded an unusually low vehicular traffic, as fuel scarcity bit harder across the country.
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In Lagos, most fillings stations closed their gates to customers with the few selling recording long queues of motorists.
As usual, illegal petrol hawkers have resurfaced at some strategic locations, some close to the filling stations, where miscreants extort as much as N100 from each motorist before allowing them access to buy fuel.
While the illegal hawkers sold the commodity for N1000 for 10 litres, neighbourhood retailers sold a litre for N104.
There was pandemonium at the Total retail outlet at Ogba, about 2 p.m. when some motorists tried to resist some boys at the College Bus-stop gate end, who insisted on the being tipped before allowing the customers into the filling station. They eventually had their way as the customers paid the N100.
However, most motorists expressed frustration over what they described as an artificial scarcity, alleging that many of the outlets had fuel but refused to open to customers for two days running.
There was palpable fear that the scarcity could worsen today, when most workers are expected to resume for duty after the weekend.
Nigerian Tribune observed that only one out of the 10 filling stations on the Isolo-Ikotun Road offered skeletal service to customers, who spent more than two hours on the queue.
Virtually all the filling stations on Oshodi-Apapa expressway as well as from Anthony to Maryland and Bank-Anthony Way did not open to customers.
But it was a rowdy situation at the two stations on Agege Motor Road in Mushin that sold fuel to customers.
The current fuel scarcity was triggered by speculations that the Federal Government would make good its plan to deregulate the oil sector from November 1 (Sunday).
But the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) have tried to ally public fears on the matter, with the latter warning against the ongoing panic buying of fuel.
The spokesman for the Department of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Paul Osu, told the Nigerian Tribune on Saturady that there was no disruption in supply, as there was fuel in most filling stations.
He said, “ I think people are just scared of possible fuel scarcity because of the Federal Government’s former intention to start deregulation tomorrow. People are just involved in panic buying, we are not really foreseeing any scarcity, I think people just want to be prepared in case of possible scarcity.
Investigations by the Nigerian Tribune also revealed that some filling stations around Ikorodu took advantage of the situation to sell petrol at N80 and above per litre, while some hoarded the product in anticipation of scarcity tomorrow.
People also bought the product in various containers in order to store it in their homes to beat the scarcity.
The NNPC said in October that it had enough fuel that could last for six months should marketers refuse to import.
The spokesman for NNPC was not available for comments when one of our correspondents called him on the phone on Saturday.
As tension continues to mount over the planned deregulation of the downstream of the oil industry by the Federal Government which has led the long queue at filling stations in some part of the country, the Speaker of House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole, on Sunday described the government’s position as a challenge Nigerians would have to face.
Bankole in a brief interview with airport journalists on arrival from Johannesburg, South Africa, said the challenge posed by the planned deregulation was a bitter pill Nigerians would have to swallow.
His words: “Well, whether we like it or not, there are some challenges in the oil industry we must face. If we do not face it today, we will have to face it in the future. And the challenge is raising revenue for government, which by extension is for the country, to enable government to develop its many projects accordingly.”
The speaker, who condemned the current panic buying by some people, said it would not bring solution to the problem.
He said the National Assembly would continue to work hard to ensure that those that would be adversely affected by the deregulation were looked out for and looked after.
The Speaker declared: “We have to sit with labour, sit with the executive arm of government, the minister of petroleum, and civil servants as well as other stakeholders to work out a plan to make sure that things at least go on well.”
Asked on how he felt in the two years of his leading the nation’s lower house, the Speaker only said; “we thank God for everything,” as he went straight to board the presidential aircraft which took him to Abuja.
Meanwhile, the price of the product has gone up from N65 per litre to between N100 and N150 litre in some filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to the Nigerian Tribune’s investigation, black marketers have taken over the distribution and supply of fuel in some places visited by our corespondent.
While major marketers are still selling their product at N65 per litre in Abuja metropolis, the Nigerian Tribune investigation showed that some independent marketers sell their product at between N100 and N150 per litre.
In all the fuel stations visited by our correspondent, it was apparent that fuel was being hoarded. Instead of them selling fuel from all the selling points, it was observed that fuel was being dispensed in one or two selling points leading to long queues in all the fuel stations.
A motorist, who simply identified himself as Mr. John, said he had been at the Conoil filling station located on the Airport road since his return from church but could not get fuel as of 5.30 p.m. when he spoke with the Nigerian Tribune.
At Kuje, headquarters of Kuje Local Government Area, black marketers and roadside fuel hawkers were having a field day as only one out of the five fuel stations located in the area had fuel to sell to the people.
The manager of the station, Mr. Musa Haruna, told the Nigerian Tribune that the Federal Government had stopped those who used to supply them fuel from fuel importation in anticipation of the proposed deregulation of the downstream oil sector of the economy.
Because of the limited supply from the NNPC, Haruna said there was no way there would not be fuel scarcity as demand for fuel was now higher than supply.
Though the NNPC is yet to make statement on the latest of scarcity, the Nigerian Tribune source, however, accused the fuel marketers of hoarding, adding that the corporation had enough supply to distribute till the end of the year.
Also, hike in the prizes of petroleum products is still biting hard in Enugu the Enugu State capital, investigation by the Nigerian Tribune has revealed.
While a litre of fuel sells for as much as N90, kerosene is sold at N150 per litre depending on the consumer’s place of residence.
It was learnt that while major marketers are selling a litre of fuel for N65, independent marketers were selling for N80 per litre, making motorists to queue up before can purchasing the product at fuel filling stations owned by independent marketers.
Away far from the state capital, the prizes are higher with a litre of fuel selling for between N90 and N100.
Read more…
I love it when people have confidence in me. I love when my family has confidence in me. It gives me strength and empowers me. We may not always have confidence in ourselves, but somehow, when there are people around who believe in us, we can draw from their confidence. That’s why it’s so important that we surround ourselves with the right people. When you position yourself in quality places with quality people, it’s going to bring out the best in you.
Most people are familiar with world-famous boxer, Muhammad Ali and his renowned trainer, Angelo Dundee. But many people don’t know that just before every boxing match, Dundee would write a number on a small slip of paper and place it inside Ali’s glove. That may sound like a strange thing to give a boxer right before a fight, but Dundee had a reason for what he did. The number that Dundee would write on that slip of paper was the number of the round in which he predicted that Ali would knock out his opponent. Dundee was so confident in Ali’s ability that he didn’t consider “if,” he only considered “when”—and Ali knew it!
I love that story because it shows the confidence Ali’s trainer had in him, and it shows the positive effect it had on Muhammad Ali. I believe that confidence played a tremendous part in “the champ’s” amazing success as one of the greatest boxers that ever lived.
In the same way, do you know who is certain of your ability to succeed? God is. After all, He knows what’s inside you because He placed it there. Even when you’re not certain of the outcome, God has confidence in you. Let that sink down into your heart today—the God who holds the universe in the palm of His hand has faith in you! He’s not wondering if you’re going to overcome, He has confidence in you because He knows it’s just a matter of time before those things that would try to hold you back are broken off so that you can embrace the victory He has in store for you!
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The recent death of Lekan Benson Adelaja and others in boats mishap in a Lagos community, just seven days after his wedding, has generated many controversies between his family and his wife’s. Adewale Ajayi reports.
When the family of Benson Adelaja gathered on August 1 to consummate the marriage of their son, Lekan to Sunbo in Ikenne, Ogun State, they never knew that the joy of their son getting married would be short-lived .
The family never had any inkling that the husband would die a week after his wedding, although there was a spiritual warning handed over to Lekan’s mother that his son should not travel out of his town Sagamu, Ogun State, some days after his wedding, a warning which his mother was said to have repeated to him.
On August 7, a Friday , Lekan was said to have left Sagamu to attend a party organised by his boss somewhere in Ajah , Eti Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
He was said to have travelled in company of his wife, younger sister, two of his friends , and his boss’s wife, who was said to have been picked up in Ikorodu for the trip. They drove to Baiyeku, in Ikorodu Local Government Area, and decided to make the rest of the trip by canoe , which transports people from that area to Ajah and Langbasa.
Lekan parked his car, a metallic colour Honda Accord with registration number KC 906 KJA by the shore of the river, and off they went. Less than 10 minutes after, the canoe left the shore and, still within the vicinity of the shore, capsized , it ran into strong ocean waves , which damaged the steering of the boat engine. The canoe capsized, , throwing its about 26 passengers overboard.
The sailor of another canoe, which had six passengers had, on the scene of the accident, attempted to rescue the passengers of the capsized canoe. But that also capsized, and the passengers in the two canoes were discharged into the lagoon.
With the assistance of fishermen, divers and marine policemen that came on board, some passengers were rescued, among whom was Lekan. He, however, took a plunge into the lagoon when his wife, Sunbo, was not found. Eventually, his wife was rescued, and a search for him and others continued.
On that day, five people were said to have been rescued alive, out of whom two dropped dead before medical aid could reach them, while five corpses were also said to have been brought out of the lagoon, including that of a woman with a baby strapped to her back. The baby was still alive. Of the three rescued, one survivor was said to have swam to the shore.
The rescue operation was put on hold till the next day , which was a Saturday, exactly a week after Lekan consummated his marriage to Sunbo.
The salvage operation was put on hold because it was assumed that the victims would have died, as they had not been found three hours after the incident, and that their corpses would be found floating on the river by the next day.
On Saturday, the environment became tense; the entire community was in a mournful mood, as friends and relatives of those who came in search of their loved ones bewailed their loss.
Friends of Lekan from Ijagba, in Sagamu, Ogun State, besieged the town, demanding for explanations on why such a thing should happen to their pal, and blaming the boat operators for failing to provide safety measures like life jackets for their passengers .
They wondered why such a thing should happen to him barely a week after his marriage. While some wailed to register their displeasure, others threatened to set ablaze, the houses in the community. Though they were prevented from doing that, the canoe operators’ office was not spared. It was vandalised, and the locally-made life jackets hung on the wall were destroyed and thrown into the lagoon.
Those whose relatives were yet to be found were seen moving up and down the shore of the lagoon with drawn faces, while others glued their eyes to the lagoon, perhaps probing it for swallowing their loved ones.
On the third day of the incident, a Sunday, six swollen corpses were found. Among them was Lekan’s, his friend’s and his sister-in-law’s. The atmosphere became charged, as members of his family became enraged, blaming his wife for contributing to his death, arguing that if he had not taken the risk of plunging into the lagoon , in search of the wife, he would probably have been alive today.
The two families that had, a week earlier, exchanged pleasantries when giving out their children in marriage , suddenly became enemies , and Lekan’s friends threatened to beat them up. It took the intervention of members of Baiyeku community and the policemen drafted to the town to restore order.
In line with the Yoruba tradition , to the effect that anyone who dies in a river , lagoon , sea or brook should be buried at its bank , it was unanimously agreed that the corpses be buried at the bank of the lagoon .
In other to scare the women and other lily-livered men away from the burial site, the Oro (traditional ritual which women were forbidden to watch) was invoked, while the corpses were ferried to the portion earmarked for their burial with a boat, and the corpses floated on the lagoon, tied to the canoe.
It was an emotion-laden event, as relatives of the deceased wept , as the corpses were being pulled from the lagoon into their grave.
Commenting on the incident, Mr Kunle Jegede, who claimed to have been traveling to Ajah on boat en route Baiyeku in the last seven years, said the boat operators should be blamed for the incident, because many of them usually overloaded their boats and failed to provide life jackets for their passengers.
He explained that government should also share part of the blame , explaining that despite the approval given to the boat operators by the government, they were not being properly monitored. He explained further that the boat in question had once been involved in an accident at Majidun, near Ikorodu town, and that this was why it was barred from loading in the area, and was eventually taken to Baiyeku .
Another boat operator in Baiyeku, Mr. Segun Omogunle, said officials of the Lagos State Water Traffic Management Authority (LASTWA) had, on many occasions, arrested the boat operators, and that in the last one year, they have been arrested more than 20 times for failing to comply with laid-down regulations for operation.
He explained that on one occasion, the marine police impounded three of the boats because they lacked the necessary facilities, and they had to bribe the police with N60,000 before the boats were released .
Speaking on the development, the head of the community, Chief Kehinde Ogunyera, said such a sad incident had never occurred in the past 70 years of his existence. He explained that the council of chiefs in the community usually took time off to monitor the activities of the boat operators, and that they usually complied with the conditions and rules given to them.
He said they never overloaded their boats, as claimed by some people, and that the life jackets they used were the brand recommended for them, and were not inferior as claimed .
Chief Ogunyera stated that, many times , the passengers refused to wear life jacket given to them , giving the excuse that they might contact disease by wearing it , because people afflicted with a disease might have worn it before.
A spiritual dimension was, however, introduced by some people, who blamed the community for failing to make sacrifices to the water goddess, arguing that the river goddess was probably angry. Some blamed Lekan for refusing to abide by the spiritual instruction given to him through his mother, which forbade him from going out of his town, Sagamu, for some days.
Buttressing that fact, Lekan’s boss, Chief Muyideen Oladegun, said although Lekan had been travelling on that lagoon for over seven years, and that he and Lekan used that route many times, he had warned him against attending the ill-fated party, having earlier on reminded him of the spiritual message which forbade him from going out of his town for some days after his wedding.
While those who lost their loved ones are bemoaning their ill-fortune, it is necessary for the state government, which has made known its intention to popularize water transportation, to make sure that most of the private boat operators who are given approval are closely monitored, to prevent tragedies such as the one that claimed passengers.
Read more…
Posted by 9jabook.com on September 6, 2009 at 9:56pm
History will be made in the Nigerian telecommunication industry as Glo-1, the world’s first submarine optic fibre cable to be built by a single individual company, lands in Lagos.
The 9,800 km long cable which stretched from the United Kingdom across all the West African countries, will be anchored to its landing station at Alpha Beach, Lagos, this morning.Paddy and Otunba Mike Adenuga
The trend in the global telecommunication industry is for a consortium of companies or even nations to combine resources to build submarine cables as was the case with the SAT Submarine three Cable which was built by a consortium of 36 countries.
The Group Chief Operating Officer, Globacom Limited, Muhammed Jameel, said Glo-1 would deliver transmission capacity that would change Nigeria and West Africa’s economic landscape by linking 17 countries to the rest of the world.
Jameel said the landing of Glo-1 was another milestone in the history of Nigeria’s communications industry, adding that the cable would provide high speed internet services and make telecom services much faster, more reliable and cheaper for consumers.
Explaining the seeming delay in Glo-1’s arrival, the Globacom boss said that implementing submarine cable projects, particularly one spanning about 10,000 km from London to Lagos is an initiative that usually takes between two and a half years to complete.
He said further that because the cable passed through various territorial waters and jurisdictions of several African countries, Globacom had to contend with lengthy approval processes.
“We needed permissions at many levels from all those countries to pass the cable through their territorial waters. We needed approval from security agencies, approvals from oil companies and from various bodies,” he said.
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WANTED leader of the Ijaw Youths Leadership Forum, Government Ekpomupolo, nicknamed Tompolo, who reportedly fled Nigeria to escape arrest by the Joint Military Task Force (JTF) has sneaked into Ukraine, according to latest findings by the Nigerian Tribune.
His escape to the eastern European country was said to have been facilitated by Ukrainians with whom he had been engaging in arms deal in exchange for bunkered crude oil. South Africa was listed among the countries he had planned to escape to the moment military forces began to comb the militants’ hideouts in Niger Delta.
Tompolo’s exit from Nigeria, according to information from the militants’ camp, was made possible through the combined help of Ukrainians and South Africans who trade in arms and crude oil and with whom he had been engaged in business activities for some time.
Nigerian Tribune learnt that the security operatives were still combing the specific locations in the Niger Delta where Tompolo was believed to be hiding, while not foreclosing the possibility that he might still be in the country.
The leader of the militants was said to have vowed to return to Nigeria to relaunch the struggle for the control of the South-South, while he was said to have said that the struggle for the emancipation of the Niger Delta would be more sophisticated and properly coordinated when he returned.
It was learnt also that the JTF, despite being able to contain the excesses of the militants in some Niger Delta states, still had a lot of work to do in breaking the militants’ base of operations following hint that the military men had not been able to recover one-tenth of the arms stockpiled by the militants.
Sources close to the militants told Nigerian Tribune that the inability of the JTF to arrest Tompolo and other major leaders of the militants might leave room for their regrouping since their network of secret operation was said to be intact.
Further investigations revealed that the militants had tactically been retreating towards Brass and Akassa, the coastal fringes of Bayelsa State, with a view to regrouping and relaunching their struggle, this time by disturbing maritime trade along the axis.
Reports indicated that their main links are still within the Niger Delta states, even as they have been noted to be consulting for some of the oil companies on security matters, whereas only a few, according to sources, could suspect that they are agents of the militants.
Meanwhile, the seeming silence on the part of President Umaru Yar’Adua and security operatives on the much-talked- about list of backers of Tompolo further heightened anxiety and suspense as the President on Saturday refused to receive a South-South governor.
This development came as emissaries reportedly sent to the Presidency by the governor to verify the contents of the list of backers made fruitless efforts to get details of the list submitted to the president by the JTF last week.
President Yar’Adua is said to have commenced a process of scrutinising the said list with a view to separating those who had “genuine and official contacts with the militants” from those who actually engaged in illegal deals with them, the Nigerian Tribune learnt.
Nigerian Tribune on Friday exclusively reported that a serving South-South governor, a retired army general, as well as several politicians from the Niger Delta region were among those said to be having links with the wanted militants leader.
Although the report did not mention any particular governor, efforts have been made in the last three days by officials of two core Niger Delta states to confirm whether or not their principals’ names were on the list. The two governors were still in Abuja as at the time of filing this report.
But disturbed by the secrecy surrounding the list and the failure of his team to get meaningful results, the governor was said to have personally attempted to see the president but failed in the bid.
Said a source in the Villa: “I don’t know why your paper is putting these men on a high jump; did you mention anybody’s name in that report? As of Saturday morning, no fewer than two respectable persons had come around to see what the so-called list contained, but little did they know that it was purely a security matter, so not many people can have access to that kind of information here.
But disturbed by the secrecy surrounding the list and the failure of his team to get meaningful results, the governor was said to have personally attempted to see the president but failed in the bid.
Said a source in the Villa: “I don’t know why your paper is putting these men on a high jump; did you mention anybody’s name in that report? As of Saturday morning, no fewer than two respectable persons had come around to see what the so-called list contained, but little did they know that it was purely a security matter, so not many people can have access to that kind of information here.
“For those of them who had genuine and official contacts with the militants, either on behalf of government or oil companies, they should have nothing to worry about; only those who played some fast games on government and oil companies, all in the name of liaising with them to protect their workers or bring about peace have cause to entertain fears.
“For such individuals, most of whom are from the region, the situation in the region before now was an avenue for them to enrich themselves and deceive government agencies to part with so much money; unknown to such persons, government has a list of all such persons parading as go between; funny enough, there is no kobo any oil company parts with that the government does not know.
“So if they claim the region is not developed and they are gaining at the expense of their people, then they should be brought to book; that is Mr. President has instructed a thorough study of the said list so as to know who did what and for what purpose.”
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Segun Adeniyi, could not be reached for comments. Meanwhile, spokesman for the JTF, Colonel Rabe Abubakar, has expressed the readiness of the outfit to continue with the cordon and search operation to dislodge militants in the region, saying, however, that the JTF had no business with any list submitted to any quarters.
“It is not in our character to discuss such things, what we are doing is routine, and in the course of our operations, we stumbled on certain things, it is only appropriate that we defer to the authorities, what is done with such things is not our business; all we are doing is to ensure we do not go beyond the rules of JTF’s engagement; good enough, we have not done.
“The cordon and search will continue until we rid the region of militants and make it free and conducive once again, for economic activities; in the course of doing this, we are alive to our responsibilities, we are alert and we will not lose focus,” he said.
In another development, Niger Delta militants have threatened to blow up a $13 billion (about N1.917 trillion) gas pipeline project being undertaken by Nigeria and Algeria.
Algeria Mines and Energy Minister, Chakib Kheli, speaking to Reuters in Algiers at the weekend disclosed that the signing of the multibillion pipeline project which will see Nigeria exporting its gas had reached an advanced stage.
“We have reached the deal and we may sign it shortly as all the problems have been solved. Nigerian Oil Minister Rilwan Lukman and myself will sign it,” Chakib Khelil told Algerian state television.
The project, with capital costs estimated at $10 billion for the pipeline and $3 billion for gathering centres, would send up to 30 billion cubic metres a year of gas to Europe via a 4,128 km (2,580 mile) pipeline from Nigeria via Niger and Algeria.
“We would not have any problem to finance the project,” he added. Russian gas monopoly Gazprom, France‘s Total and Anglo-Dutch energy giant Royal Dutch Shell are among the international firms to have expressed interest in taking part in the project.
Despite the advantage of this project, the news agency reported that the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), which has shut down more than a fifth of Nigeria’s oil output since launching attacks on the industry three years ago, had warned that the planned project would be a target.
Nigeria has estimated natural gas reserves of 180 trillion cubic feet, the seventh largest in the world. Its liquefied natural gas company, Nigeria LNG, says it already provides 10 per cent of world supply, much of it to Europe and North America.
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Genevieve Nnaji has paid her dues as a top-rated actress in Nollywood. She has also delved into music, modelling and fashion. Despite attaining the age 30, the single mother of one says she is not under any pressure to get married. She spoke with Senior Correspondent, Temitope David-Adegboye, on her absence from the screen and the things that have been taken her time.What does hitting 30 feel like?I feel as always. Age is just a number.You've been acting for close to 11 years. What have you gained from your exposure?It has open doors and given me a sense of fulfilment. I'm glad I've been able to do what I have done so far. It has kept me grounded and I must say it's been fun. I'm grateful for it.You started with acting; then, moved to music, and then modelling. Now, another creative part of you is about to be brought to the fore in fashion. How does all these come together? Where do you get your inspiration from, or is it a case of doing what others are doing?No, not at all. I'll say it's always been there. What happens is that I unveil them one at a time. I believe there is time for everything. There is still more I am capable of that you are unaware of, but with time, you'd probably know or you may never know.Acting came first. It's not really my major talent, but it was the first thing that I did. I love music too. Well, the album came, but that's not my stuff. That's not the best I can do. Fashion, I love. I've been designing since I was in primary school. For me, fashion is fun. It's a way of relaxing for me. I enjoy it. And it's more of a hobby than work. I'm taking my time doing it. I'm relaxed doing my own design for my clients and people who have similar taste and mindset with me.About a year ago you collaborated with a well-known designer to launch St. Genevieve clothing line. Now, you and another very famous designer are collaborating and coming up with another thing. What is it all about?It's the same thing. St Genevieve is a brand. The brand is just about my designs and me. Anybody can make my outfits as long as you have the talents for sewing and I believe I've worked with the best so far, and I'm sure I'm going to work with a lot more people. All I'm doing here is selling my creative designs.Yes, I'm coming out with Zizi Cardow now. Apart from the fact that I love her as a person, she is a very creative person. I love her finishing as well, and I must also add that Iconola, whom I worked with last year, also has finishing. I'm glad to be collaborating with Zizi this year and we are moving on.Is that the end of your relationship with Iconola then?For now yes. If anything is to come up in the future, you'll know. Now, I'm with Zizi. It's refreshing to be doing this with Zizi because she is extremely creative. The way she grasps everything is amazing.What inspires your designs?They come to me. I sit and come up with something and then I give it to her to sew. I can't sew a button to save my life.Lets go back to acting, what's responsible for your absence from the screen?I'm still in the industry. I'm just a bit stricter in the selection of scripts. I think everybody needs to grow to that point where they have to make up their mind what they want, especially from their job.What I want is creativity and professionalism. I think that should reflect in the kind of movies I appear in. I'm very selective; I'm now into so many things that a script must be really good for me to take part in it?Are you working on any movie now?I'm not working now. I've been reading some scripts, trying to settle for something. If I don't see any one that I like, then I won't work.When was the last time you did a job?That was April last year. It's called Bursting Lose.What will get you working like before?Creativity. It doesn't have to stress me. It could be a simple story, simple character. Creativity from the person that is writing is key. I like a complete work, something that has a beginning, middle and end. Even if it's been done before, the thing is how differently can you make it your own.One of the major complaints of Nollywood viewers is lack of content and sometimes, unprofessionalism on the part of the artistes. Now that Ghanaians are gradually taking over the industry, what are you and your colleagues doing to improve your movies?I don't think Ghana is moving in. We are the ones inviting them to be a part of what we are doing here. I see actors as contractors. If I'm here and Ghana calls me to come and do a movie, I don't see that as anybody's business. It is the business of the producer and me. And I think actors should have the right to work wherever they choose to, whether Nollywood, Bollywood, Hollywood or whatever wood. It's an open market. We all have one thing in common, and that is acting.Actors from other African countries cornered this year's AMAA. How do you feel about this?It's not about me as a practitioner; we have to be practical here. I haven't seen some of those movies that were awarded, and so I am not in the best position to judge. I don't see anything wrong in bringing in other markets as long as they are within Africa. This is my own take. Being a nominee is already an award. You are already recognised for your good works. When it comes to who takes the cake, I think we have to be professional, honest and truthful and give honour to whom it is due. Bias shouldn't come to play here. I'm not saying it did at AMAA, but that is how it should be treated. I have no qualms with AMAA inviting other peopleWhat about the issue of interference of marketers?I don't know what they are doing. I'm not a marketer or producer. I'm an actor. My own is to be called when the whole production has been put together, but still, I still try to give my honest advice wherever necessary. I also pray that all works well. There is nothing more I can do until I am ready to go behind the scene, which I am not ready to do for now.People believe being a producer is where the money is.I didn't come into this profession for the money in the first place. The money came to me. I'm here for the passion and that is still what drives me. For me, when I'm bored with the passion, maybe I'll move in for the money.Can you name one actor or actress that have the same passion with you?I can't name any now. I don't really know these people.How would you describe a professional?A professional is someone who puts his/her job first. Every other thing is then negotiated. I think if you love your job, it will love you back in some way without you losing a finger.Last year, there were rumours about you collecting money from a Ghanaian movie producer and not going for the job.I don't even want to talk about it because I think just having my name attached to that production has given it enough publicity. So, I will not want to honour it more, by speaking about it again. It's in the past. It's like every other business. There is nothing to resolve. There was no deal or contract. It's like every other script. It's either I like it or not. And if I don't like it, I drop it. Whatever you go to tell the world is your business. The point is if you couldn't get me on your job you are the loser.You are 30, but looks younger. What's the secret?I guess its good genes?Good genes from dad or mum?From both of them.Did your parents support your acting from the outset?Well, I won't say it was immediately. With time, they realised that it was something I really loved and was passionate about. Right now, they are my best fans.Being someone from the Eastern part of the country, it is common knowledge that once you are 30, there will be pressure that you should get married. Has the pressure been mounting up yet?No. My parents have other children to focus on. I'm only one out of eight. For me if marriage comes, fine. It's not a priority. It's never been, but it a good thing every woman wants. So, I'm not shying away from it. But then, I'm going to go in with my head straight. I will go into marriage for the right reasons. Not for money, not for fame, not for name and not to satisfy the world. I don't want any sort of peer pressure getting involved in my settling down, or trying to prove a point that I can settle down. I don't need that. I'm here to please my God and myself, and as long as my parents have no issues with it, I'm fine. When I find the right person, I'm sure I'll settle down.What's that fashion accessory that you can do anything to get?Diamond and handbags.How many handbags do you have?I can't count them.How much is the most expensive one you own?I won't tell you that. But I can tell you the cheapest, which is the one I got from Zara. There are other cheap ones that are unique that I also have. I just love handbags.
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-Military investigates
A Ukrainian plane loaded with weapons was, on Tuesday night, impounded by Air Force intelligence at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
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Four people; two pilots and two other foreign nationals, who were on board, were arrested, while some Nigerians who attempted to clear the weapons were also arrested.
A competent airport source, who confirmed the arrests, told journalists that the Air Force men, who impounded the plane, were on duty at the airport.
The plane, painted red and marked UR-CAK, according to sources, was impounded on the arrival terminal at the airport, based on intelligence report.
The impounded plane was seen parked at the airport, when the Nigerian Tribune visited the place, with security operatives mounting surveillance while sources said that investigations were on to know the mission and why such weapons were brought into Nigeria.
Nigerian Tribune also gathered that security chiefs at the airport were meeting to ensure that the pilot gave details of their mission in Nigeria.
Sources at the airport revealed that the plane was going to Malabo, Equitorial Guinea and that it only stopped in Kano to refuel.
Those who spoke on the appearance of the plane and its crew gave kudos to the officers at the airport, adding that the flying in of the weapons was a big security threat to Nigeria.
The airport workers, while commenting on the development, said that the apprehension of the Ukrainian cargo plane was a job well done by the Nigerian security men.
All efforts to speak with the airport commandant of the Nigerian Air Force were unsuccessful. A top officer said he could not speak on the issue at that moment. “You pressmen have to wait till tomorrow or preferably when the investigation might have been completed,” he said.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Emmanuel Ojukwu, confirmed the story and informed that the military was investigating the circumstances and the owners of the arms on the plane.
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naija's film industry is garnering global attention as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, yesterday declared Nollywood the second world film producer.A global cinema survey conducted by the world body's Institute of Statistics and released at the UN head office in New York and UNESCO office in Paris yesterday, India kept the first position, but naija has edged out the United States from the second position. The US is now number 3 after India and naija, according to an Empowered Newswire report.The survey ranks countries based on the number of films produced in a year, and not on the quality or on the turn-over of the films from those countries.Global attention on Nollywood has been mounting in recent times, especially as naija films have become hot commodity among African-Americans in the US and blacks from the Caribbean countries. Only last month, a daily US government bulletin described Nollywood as a rising star in the world of film production, paying tribute to the acumen of naija actors and film producers.Visits of famous naija actors from naija to the US is often a celebrity event with US-based naijas taking autographs from the Nollywood stars.While the Indian film industry is known as Bollywood, the American industry is known as Hollywood and naija's known as Nollywood. Both India and naija coined their industry appellations from Hollywood.The UNESCO survey which tallied 2006 figures revealed that Bollywood produced 1,091 feature-length films in 2006 compared to 872 productions (in video format) from naija's film industry. The United States produced 485 major films. The report quoted naija, US and India as the three heavyweights in global film production.The report actually spotlighted Nollywood further, noting what the UN statement called "the explosive growth of Nollywood" which is now attracting "considerable attention, especially in developing countries looking for alternatives to the U.S. or European models of film production and distribution, which require considerable investment."Said the report, "To begin with, naija filmmakers rely on video instead of film to reduce production costs," adding that naija has virtually no formal cinemas. About 99 per cent of screenings occur in informal settings, such as "home theatre."The UNESCO survey further reveals "another key element of the naija success story: multilingualism. About 56 per cent of Nollywood films are produced in naija's local languages, namely Yoruba (31per cent), Hausa (24 per cent) and Igbo (1 per cent). English remains a prominent language, accounting for 44 per cent, which may contribute to naija's success in exporting its films."The UNESCO findings were collected through a new international survey launched by the UIS in 2007 with financing from the Government of Québec. Overall, the survey yielded data from 99 countries.After the three 'heavyweights', there were eight other countries that produced more than 100 films: Japan (417), China (330), France (203), Germany (174), Spain (150), Italy (116), South Korea (110) and the United Kingdom (104)."Film and video production are shining examples of how cultural industries - as vehicles of identity, values and meanings - can open the door to dialogue and understanding between peoples, but also to economic growth and development. This conviction underpins the UNESCO Convention on Cultural Diversity," the Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, said. "And this new data on film and video production provides yet more proof of the need to rethink the place of culture on the international political agenda," he added.Despite its limited coverage, the survey provides a unique perspective on how different countries and regions are transforming traditional approaches to the art and industry of filmmaking, especially in video and digital formats.The survey also revealed considerable linguistic diversity in film production in Spain and Canada. In Spain, almost 69% of films were produced in Spanish, 12% in Catalan, about 9% in English, 4% in Basque, almost 3% in French and 4% in other languages. In Canada, 67% of films were produced in English and 31% in French in 2006.Despite these results, English remains the dominant language in filmmaking globally. In total, 36% of films produced in 2006 were shot in English, according to the survey.US films continue to dominate admissions globally. Although the survey is not exhaustive, a clear trend seems to have emerged when considering the provenance of the top 10 films viewed in diverse countriesAll of the top 10 films seen in Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Namibia, Romania, and Slovenia were made in the U.S., according to the survey. There were however some notable exceptions.Bollywood productions were the obvious favourite in India. In France, seven out of the top 10 films were French. And in Japan and Morocco, domestic productions accounted for five out of the 10 most widely viewed films.
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THE continued fall of naira against international currencies, particularly the dollar and pound sterling is having a serious consequence on Nigerians living in Dubai, United Arab Emirate.A survey carried out by TTH in Dubai and other Emirates of the UAE, recently, showed that Nigerians are migrating out of Dubai to other Asian countries in their thousands "because the fall of naira has been making mince meat of our efforts here".Investigation revealed that Nigerians were having a rosy time in Dubai, until June 2008, when the value of a dollar was being exchanged for N118, “since then, we have never have peace for the naira continued to slide while the dollar continued to wax strong and stronger.”Speaking with TTH, Abiodun Taiwo, a Nigerian and an HND, Marketing graduate of The Polytechnic, Ibadan “I came to Dubai in 1999 and because the naira was strong then, I had good reason to thank God. And so with many of us. But since June last year our stories have changed from better to worse."Most of us have started migrating back home. Some of us have left for China, Bangkok, Malaysia, USA.“In fact, the fall of naira is not having its consequences on Nigerians in Dubai alone, but on Dubai government too because as a Cargo Manager, the volume of trade between Nigeria and Dubai has dropped drastically. Just because the profit margin of goods and services is no longer encouraging.”Another Nigerian, Christopher Okey, who operates an African Kitchen at the back of a mosque at Deira District in Dubai, was full of lamentation about the fortunes of the naira. "My brother, (covering his head with his palm) we are suffering here. Our suffering is not in the hand of the Dubai Authority or their policy or police, no. We are crying under the yoke of the free fall of naira at the foreign market."Most of us are closing our shops and heading somewhere else. I am looking for a buyer for this place. Immediately I get a buyer, I am off, either to Nigeria or Japan."Last year when you were here, you saw how busy I was. This place, (pointing to the upper floor of his restaurant) was always full. I always have hectic time attending to thousands of customers, but you can see for yourself now. How many customers have been here since?"Our fortune is dwindling because less people are coming from Nigeria to trade here".He appealed to the Federal Government to do “some arithmetics and tinker with the value of the naira and prevent its further slide at the international market.”
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When some moviemakers used her father's hotel in Ibadan as a location in 1998, little did many realise that Olaide Bakare was catching a glimpse of life vocation as she inquisitively followed actions of the actors and their directors. Mistakenly considered the daughter of veteran actor, Olumide Bakare, Olaide got hooked on the thrills of the make-believe world and decided to cut her teeth in the entertainment industry.That one chance encounter with film making by the mother of one completely changed her life, and engendered in her, the desire to be a screen siren. "It all started when I had a chance meeting with some moviemakers who came to shoot a film in my father's hotel in Ibadan. That day was coincidentally my father's birthday and house warming ceremony. And since that day, I desired and longed to be like them. "Meanwhile, I had already gained admission to study Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan, which was really an anti-climax," she said.Having her first incursion 2001, Laide starred in a flick entitled Eru Ju Omi later 11:45. For the young lady, her desire to be recognised in her chosen field was responsible for her rapid rise to recognition. "I think my desire to be recognised in whatever I find myself doing is responsible for my achievements. I want to succeed in whatever I do. I never liked to fail even while I was a child, so I put all I had into it and I thank God for the result," Laide said.Laide's experience in Nollywood has become a success story, as she has been able to rise through the ranks, which to her, "is a thing of joy to see myself where I am today, because it is not everyone who started with me that is still relevant in the industry. Some fell by the wayside, while some are still trying to find their feet. So, I would say that it has been fun, as you tend to meet a lot of people everyday. "I can't really say this moment is the most challenging in my career! Perhaps it was while I was in school. It wasn't easy combining schooling with acting. You had to juggle being on location with several other things, but I am grateful to God that I was able to pull through."However, the sultry actress maintained that despite her love for the art, she has never been desperate over it. "Yes I love acting and the art, but for me, it wasn't a do-or-die affair. I could remember when I was in school; I rejected lot of roles that clashed with important school activities. So, when people say some actress use sex to get roles, I wonder why anybody would want to, and since it hasn't happened to me, I can't say much. "The fact that I am an actress does not mean that I have to play all the roles that are thrown at me and I have the right to say yes or no to any role."For an actress whose first fee was quite small, Laide believes making a name was of paramount importance, and as such, placed little or no relevance on the monetary gains, believing this might quickly stymie her future. "I think my level of understanding of what it takes to be an actress and a moviemaker is my unique selling point. You see, capacity building is very important in whatever we do in Nollywood, and I'm not ignorant of the happenings in the industry, so, that is why I make my productions stand out from the various movies that are being churned out on a monthly basis. "My personality is something I always believe I can improve upon. I'm not deceived that I am the best or one of the best, I believe I can always improve on whatever I have been able to achieve. "I am a very simple person, level headed, intelligent, and appreciative of my friends and easy going," Laide said on her uniqueness and personality in the make-believe world.With the regular challenges that many married actresses face whenever they remain on the spotlight, how has she been able to withstand the heat? "When you are always busy and do not have time for your loved ones, there are bound to be complaints from them. It's even very bad when the person concerned is not as understanding as you would have wanted or expected. "I am glad that I have someone that is very understanding and loves me for who I am, and he is coping because he knew what he was doing when he proposed to me. "He understands me so well and the kind of job I do is not a problem to him. I strongly believe he saw in me someone he wanted and not the regular actress or Laide the actress!" In describing herself, Laide said, "You might find this quite unbelievable, but outside the screen, I'm a very shy person; I don't talk too much and I am still hoping to be a better actress and moviemaker. This is because the future holds so much for those who dare dream and believe in themselves, and I believe I want to be part of that special people." Said to be very respectful and polite, Laide, whose hubby lives in far away United States of America, where he works with the U.S. Customs, maintains that she is involved in other things like selling cars and running a boutique, apart from acting.
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PROMINENT Ijaw elders and youth leaders in Warri went into hiding on Monday as soldiers embarked on the arrest of some known Ijaw youths that had links with known militants in the state.
The fully armed soldiers were sighted at a five-star hotel in Effurun, in search of known militants in the town and suspected commanders of Government Ekpomukpolo, the leader of the recently destroyed Camp 5 in Oporoza in Warri South-West Local Government Area of the state.
Former militant leader, Alhaji Mujahideen Dokubo-Asari, narrowly escaped arrest on Sunday at the hotel, where he organised an event, when undercover security agents stormed the place to allegedly effect his arrest.
Soldiers continued the bombardment of the riverside communities in Gbaramatu Kingdom in search of the remnants of Ekpomukpolo and his boys in the area in line with the directive by the Presidency to “fish him out, dead or alive.”
Monday’s onslaught led to the destruction of Iroko militants’ camp, located close to the former camp 5 in Oporoza at about 6.00 a.m. after a heavy gun batlle between the soldiers and hoodlums.
Co-ordinator of Joint Media Campaign Centre, Colonel Rabe Abubakar revealed that fierce resistance by the militants resulted in the gun-duel between the JTF’s troops and the miscreants, adding that this led “ to the killing of a majority of them, even as others fled with gunshot wounds. There was no casualty on JTF’s side.”
He disclosed that large quantity of arms and ammunition and other military accessories were recovered from the thick forest areas dump of the camp.
Security has been beefed around Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, following text messages being circulated and credited to Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, alleging that he was behind the ordeal of Ijaw.
But Izon traditional rulers from the Ijaw communities in the state, in a communique read to journalists in Warri, did not only dissociate the governor from the crisis but also commended him for what they called his relentless effort and display of high sense of responsibility towards ensuring an amicable resolution of the crisis in Gbaramatu Kingdom.
While expressing deep shock and dismay at the destruction of life and property, the traditional rulers appealed to President Umaru Yar’Adua to put an end to the continued use of military force in the search for a workable solution to the problems in the waterways.
In a related development, there are indications that the ongoing assault on militants in Gbaramatu Kingdom by the troops of the Joint Task Force might be extended to the neighbouring Bayelsa State following security reports that some of the fleeing militants were converging on the state.
Security sources told the Nigerian Tribune that intelligence reports indicated that the remnants of militants dislodged from the various camps in Delta State were regrouping in Bayelsa State with the intention of dragging the crisis to the state.
“They realised that they have lost all their camps and suspected hideouts in Delta State because of our continued onslaught, so they have decided to regroup in Bayelsa State to further drag us to the area. We are ready for them, anywhere they are, we will get them,” the security source said.
Colonel Abubakar, confirmed the development. He said the “ JTF, through its credible source, has confirmed that the remnants from destroyed militants camps, are regrouping in Bayelsa State with the intention of unleashing terror on the innocent citizens in that area.”
In another development, the main militant group, the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has asked Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan to quit his position over the continued bombardment of Ijaw communities by federal troops.
This is just as Ijaw National Congress (INC) has condemned the use of force to resolve the crisis in the region, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
“Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has an opportunity to quit a government that has no iota of respect for him. If the president can snub him after the genocide over his people, then the post of vice-president is not worth it,” MEND spokesman Jomo Gbomo said in a statement issued on Monday.
The militants, Gbomo warned, had been ordered to block key waterway channels to oil industry vessels both for the export of crude and gas and importation of refined petroleum products.
Meanwhile, Action Congress (AC) chieftain, Prince Tonye Princewill, on Monday tendered his resignation as the Chairman of the Niger Delta sub-committee on the Federal Government’s Vision 2020 Technical Group over the killing and displacement of civilians in the current crisis in the Niger Delta.
Princewill said in a statement issued in Port Harcourt that the current fighting was an indictment of leadership of the President Umaru Yar’Adua and showed Presidency’s lack of interest and commitment to the Niger Delta issue.
He stated in his letter that military onslaught was not the best option as the Niger Delta Technical Committee, of which he was a member, had made recommendations and suggestions on how to address the Niger Delta problem.
Part of his resignation letter reads, “After reading and monitoring of the ongoing carnage perpetrated by the military of the Federal Government and with the obvious connivance of the Presidency against my people in the Niger Delta region and with pronounced lack of interest and commitment towards addressing the Niger Delta issue, I, Prince Tonye TJT Princewill, after due consultation with my family and political associates consider it wise to hereby tender my resignation letter as the Chairman of the Sub Committee on Niger Delta of FG Vision 2020.”
Meanwhile, the military high command on Monday told what it called the criminal elements in the Niger Delta that enough was enough and that it would fish them all out and bring them to book.
Defence spokesman, Colonel Chris Jemitola, who gave the warning at a media briefing on the current security situation in the Niger Delta, accused the militants of deliberate and repeated unprovoked attacks on Joint Task Force troops, and the sabotage of oil and gas facilities, kidnapping for ransom of people and killing of innocent citizens of the society, including children, clergy men and very old citizens.
The Director of Defence Information denied that no communities were razed down as collateral damage was kept to the barest minimum during the operation.
Tracing the genesis of the current onslaught against the militants, Jemitola said that last Wednesday members of the JTF “Operation Restore Hope” on routine escort duties around Chanomi creek were ambushed by a militant group leading to the unfortunate and painful loss of some military personnel.
According to him, prior to this an NNPC-chartered tanker CM Spirit had been hijacked with its foreign crew and some Nigerians on board.
He disclosed that the vessel was run aground by the militants who also stole some of the cargoes while the crew members were tortured leading to the death of some of them and the rest held hostage.
The Defence spokesman said that the JTF’s search and rescue team sent to free the hostages was attacked again by the militants, while the search led to the discovery of a large cache of illegal arms and ammunition used for acts of criminality.
He noted that at no time were members of the JTF the aggressors, adding, “in fact, the JTF is only allowed the use of force in self defence or where arrest of a criminal is being resisted; extra care is taken to reduce collateral damage to the barest.”
Colonel Jemitola said that Nigerians had also seen the kidnapping and harassment of site workers and contractors carrying out socio-economic development of the area.
“These are all acts of criminality that cannot be condoned by any government and no responsible military leadership will fold its arms and watch its personnel attacked and killed on official assignment by any criminal gangs hence the military was left with no choice than to go after these criminals in order to bring them to book.”
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Lanre Adewole, Abuja
Wednesday, April 23, 2009
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arrested billionaire-businessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, over his alleged involvement in the African Petroleum (AP) shares trading scandal.
A source in the commission confirmed that he was quizzed in Abuja by the operatives of the anti-graft agency.
AP Chairman, Femi Otedola, and the company’s shareholders had reportedly petitioned the commission over the alleged indictment of Dangote over the shares scandal, which had seen the Securities and Exchange Commission sanctioning Nova Securities, owned by a son of Chief Tony Anenih, former chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Nova Securities and Dangote’s company had been reportedly involved in the alleged illegal sale of AP shares causing a free fall in the stock’s value. Otedola who is ranked behind Dangote as the second richest in Nigeria had accused his erstwhile friend of plots to ruin his business empire, an allegation which had been denied by Dangote’s camp.
Dangote is the vice-chairman of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and had been reportedly planning to succeed the incumbent chairman, Mr. Obadele Otudeko.
Another source, however, said that Dangote surrendered himself to the commission in Abuja, following a summons sent to him by the commission over the alleged scam.
Another source, however, said that Dangote surrendered himself to the commission in Abuja, following a summons sent to him by the commission over the alleged scam.
As of press time, he was said to still be undergoing interrogation. However, there were indications that he was released on administrative bail last night.
Meanwhile, the trial of the chairman of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) chairman, Dr. Ransome Owan, and six other commissioners of the agency will commence before Justice Salisu Garba of the Abuja High Court today.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that a 121-count charge had been slammed on the accused over an alleged N1.5 billion scam. The accused were re-arrested by the commission yesterday preparatory to their arraignment today.
The affected commissioners are Alimi Abdulrazaq, the commissioner in charge of Legal Licensing and Enforcement; Mallam Abdulrahman Ado, Commissioner, Market Competition and Rates; M.B.G. Bunu, Commissioner, Finance and Management Services; Grace Eyoma, Commissioner, Government and Consumer Affairs.
Others are: O.C. Iloeje, Commissioner, Research and Development and Abimbola Odubiyi, Commissioner, Engineering Standard and Safety. A source said that the commission, in an attempt to avoid returning unspent fund to the treasury, bought 54 vehicles valued at N350 million between December 22 and 29, 2008 without due authorisation.
The commission was also alleged to have moved N500 million to a mortgage finance bank, also without authorisation. The money was meant for staff housing financing since April 2008.
The commission, which was funded 100 per cent by the government, collects from the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) N70 million every month, amounting to N840 million for last year, which allegedly could not be accounted for.
Its budget for 2008 was N2 billion, but “as a matter of fact, government gave it N5 billion” for that fiscal year, the source revealed. The commission also allegedly awarded contracts to companies that were not registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
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Brown Sugaz entertainment and 2winz entertainment Presents……….. “Sexy Saturdays “Launch Nite Saturday 27th december 2008 & every last saturday of the month. @ Club 266 (live and let live) 264-266 Romford Road forest gate E7 9HZ. (3mins from Barclays bank).Time :10pm-5amLadies free b4 11PM, £5 thereafter gents £5 b4 1 more thereafterGroup of 5 ladies £20 all nightGroup of dancerLaunch nite celebrating 1 year anniversary of brown sugazCD giveaways, T-shirt, Goodies bag, prizes to won and much more.Music policy: Bashment, funky house, RnB, Hip hop, old skool garage and SocaDJ's: Andy famous, 2 Rascals, DJ clem and roblife,Guest DJ Valentine (ALPHA JUNIOR)info numbers 07940092614,08000828723,07737563897,07826515123Dress code: SEXY n’ SMART. NO HOODS, HAT, CAP & SPORTWEAR.AGE: OVER 18’s .ID may be required.Booking welcome: Birthdays & Private parties.
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