Jonathan shuns Aso Rock food, drinks - Beware of ‘Abiola treatment’ - Groups warn VP - Yar’Adua dragged to UN - Nigeria’s challenges not beyond God - Jonathan
Donald Ojogo, Bureau Chief, South-South - 04.01.2010
THE raging succession battle arising from the long absence of President Umaru Yar’Adua due to ill-health appears to have taken a new twist, as the Vice-President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, has refrained from taking food and drinks served in the State House, Abuja.
Nigerian Tribune learnt authoritatively that the nation’s number two man has only been taking food prepared by his wife, Patience, in the last three weeks.
This development is coming on the heels of a warning from the Ijaw Monitoring Group (IMG), as well as the Ijaw National Congress (INC), that any attempt to hurt Jonathan would spell doom for the country.
The vice-president has maintained a dignified silence amidst calls for his resignation four weeks ago by some northern politicians, even as he has refused to be dragged in as pressure heightens that President Yar’Adua should resign to pave the way for Jonathan to take over in acting capacity.
Only three days ago, Jonathan, who spoke at the New Year Service in Abuja, maintained that the ship of state was sailing with Yar’Adua still in charge.
But the Nigerian Tribune learnt that behind the public show of statesmanship by the vice-president are very serious issues bothering him to the extent that he has resolved “not to take anything for granted.”
According to a highly-placed source in the Presidency, the vice-president’s determination to avoid food and drinks prepared in the Villa became manifest at a state function which was held quietly in the Villa without the prying eye of the press.
The event was the visit of a VIP from a tiny African country sharing some common economic links with Nigeria. Jonathan was said to have quietly turned down the request that he should be served food and drink at the event.
That, according to the source, was about the fifth time the vice-president would turn down such a request. Also at a political rally in one of the South-East states, Jonathan refused to eat and drink throughout the programme.
“ The only thing sure about Oga (Jonathan) is that, he will remain loyal to the president no matter the temptation and pressures from so many quarters; he can never betray him by falling for the temptation of those making moves to spite him and his office.
“I can tell you that they know what they are up to and the VP knows this much too, because whatever thing he does in reaction to their actions are capable of so many meanings.
“But the man has really decided that nothing should be taken for granted at all; that is why he has refrained from taking anything prepared in the Villa, at least for now till the return of the president, insha Allah, because nothing is impossible in this country and politicians can go to any length to stop anybody from becoming something. It has happened in this country before.”
Asked if the action of the vice-president did not have serious implications for mutual distrust, the source said: “Whatever that amounts to I do not know. But I can tell you too that it was distrust and an attempt to ridicule the vice-president that some hawks had to tell to the nation that the president, who they had not seen for over 40 days, had signed the nation’s budget.
“It will be in the interest of the nation if the same persons can show us the specimen signature of the president and then present to him again, the National Merit and Honours List for signature too.
Meanwhle, the IMG, in a statement by its coordinator, Comrade Joseph Evah, expressed fears that the vice-president’s life could be in danger.
“We have said this before and we will continue to say it that the life of the vice-president is in danger, because of the way and manner some powerful politicians are bent on subverting the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“IMG is fervently praying for the president to return home in good health and continue his efforts to change the face of the Niger Delta; but events in the last three weeks show that Jonathan is not wanted by some very influential politicians, who try to do anything to twist the constitution against the collective wish of the people of the country.
“In fact, we cannot be oblivious of the fact that this people can go to any extent, including giving Jonathan the infamous (MKO) Abiola treatment, just to have their way. But we must warn that events that will follow such an action will not be in the interest of the nation,” the statement said in part.
Meanwhile, Vice-President Jonathan has expressed optimism that Nigeria’s challenges as a nation are not beyond God.
Speaking at the Sunday service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Central Parish, Abuja, on Sunday, Dr. Jonathan said the challenges “we may go through as children of God and as a nation signify that God is in charge of our lives.”
He clarified that when the nation was confronted with the challenge of the swearing-in of the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, God averted the confusion that the country might have found itself.
He also disclosed that the provision of the Oath Act, which empowers the sitting Chief Justice of Nigeria to swear in his successor, was evidence of God’s intervention.
Dr. Jonathan commended all Nigerians – both Christians and Muslims –– for their tremendous support and prayers for President Yar’Adua and all leaders at different levels and the country in general.
In his sermon, Pastor Elijah Daramola, whose message centred on grace, identified seven key roles which he said grace played in the life of Christians. He urged Christians to shun unrighteousness in order to enjoy the sufficient grace, which, according to him, God had provided in 2010.
Those with the Vice-President included the Minister of Aviation, Mr. Babatunde Omotoba; former deputy speaker House of Representatives, Chief Chibudom Nwuche, and some other government functionaries.
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By SAMUEL OLATUNJISome of them were as active as the word itself in 2009 while others were as invisible as the air. But one thing binds the active and the invisible together here: they are on our watch list for 2010. ShowbizNow submits that 2010 would be a make or mar year for the following NollywoodersJeta Amata: Not much was heard of the boy from the Amata clan in 2009. After the release of his 35mm movie, Amazing Grace, he apparently disappeared. Even his effort with Mary Slessor’s movie did not yield the desired effect. But from all indications, 2010 might be the year for the dread lock-spotting Jeta as he is said to be working on a big budget movie with Akeem Kae-Kazim, the Hollywood based Nigerian who has proven his mettle in movies of international repute such as GI Joe and 24 Hours. ShowbizNow learnt that, Jeta will be releasing the movie to the cinemas before the year runs out.Funke Akindele: If you thought the best of Miss Funke Akindele was Jenifa, you just might be wrong. Funke is said to have a lot up her sleeves to make the 12 calendar months look short. She is going all the way to turn the Jenifa brand into a huge franchise that will keep us on the queue at the supermarket. 2010 will be the year Jenifa merchandise ranging from shoes to household goods will start showing up in our houses. She is also said to be working on a movie that would make Jenifa look like child’s play. Can thunder strike twice at the same spot for this dark-skinned actress? 2010 will tell. Funke has done close to a dozen English movies, which would be released in 2010 and the market reception will determine if that is the direction she can explore.Rita Dominic: Even before the year ticks off , Rita Dominic’s cup seems to have been full. She is planning to shoot two movies with her manager, Mildred Okwo. She is also set to become the first major Nollywood actress that would publish her autobiography, a task she is undertaking with Joy Isi Bewaji. Of course, she will still do movies, but her plan is to do only top-rate movies. 2010 will give us a peep into the other sides of Rita… a writer, a producer and only God knows what.Stella Damasus: Forget the bad press, Stella Damasus has sowed enough seed to make 2010 her year of harvest. She left the limelight to retool and re-strategize and her sacrifice seems to be paying off. She is about to launch a major lifestyle publication, and has finished work on her television show, which will go on air soon. Her music album was said to have been done since forever. Who knows 2010 might be the year it would drop. She is said to be planning to come back to active movie roles with vengeance. 2010 will witness a new Stella.Jim Iyke: In 2009, he was the busiest actor in the whole of West Africa. His management company said he did about 45 movies. In other climes, that is enough to last an actor a lifetime but not in Nollywood. Jim Iyke is planning not to slow down in the next 12 months. In 2010 he will be releasing two of his movies and plans to work more on the promotion of his album, Who am I? Of course, he still plans being a bad boy because the role seems to be paying off especially when you have a good cause.Saidi Balogun: 2010 might be the year Saidi Balogun will finally get his much deserved accolade and his rightful place among Nollywood elite. In 2009 he was in South Africa for about a month shooting a movie titled Reflection, which is another two-cast blockbuster with a Spanish lady. We have seen some clips and if the whole movie is almost about what we saw, then Saidi will cement his name in gold in the industry.Omotola Ekeinde: This diva has broken all the rules in Nollywood and she is not letting-up. She made nonsense of the talk that it is only a particular tribe that thrives in Nollywood, and that once you are married with kids, you are almost as good as done in the business. After marriage with four kids within a decade, Omosexy is still on the scene. In 2010, two major movies she featured in, Ije and Mind Games, would be released and those that have seen them say they are world class. We’ve also heard her yet to be released album. Omotola will definitely go global with it. There is also a hush-hush talk on an international deal she is working on. If the talk goes through, Omot’s name will be cast in gold among true international stars.Genevieve Nnaji: Not much was heard of her in 2009 except for her role in Tango with me, a Mahmoud Balogun movie. But those who have their ears to the ground said Genevieve already signed a major deal with Warner Bros to shoot a movie with the company in 2010. If that is true, Genny will be rubbing shoulders with Hollywood greats and will probably be inches away from the highly coveted Oscar. 2010 will be this drama queen’s year.Ope Banwo and his team: He has made a lot of promises and has come through with some of them and on others he is yet to deliver. Late last year, he launched one of his music stars and in 2010 he says he is ready to go all the way with entertainment. He will be doing strategic stuff with his Nollywood stars like Omoni Oboli, Funke Akindele, Fred Amata, Segun Arinze and the likes. 2010 will determine whether Mr Banwo is here to stay or just another flash in the pan.Dakore Egbuson: Yes, she’s been missing since forever in Nollywood but 2010 will be Dakore Egbuson comeback year. She might not be coming back fully to movies but she is going to be playing big in the entertainment circle. She is said to have concluded work on her musical album and is working round the clock on a TV show. She is only in a dilemma on which to launch first. In 2010 we will definitely see more than enough of Miss Egbuson.Emem Isong: This accomplished movie producer is gathering sweat on her movie school, Royal Arts Academy, and is still planning on more collaborative deals to produce out of the world movies. First in line is her movie with Ini Edo, which will hit the cinemas before the end of the first quarter of 2010. If Emem’s antecedence is anything to go by, she is one of the stars to watch.Stephanie Okereke: Stephanie, who is still basking in the accolades Through the glass brought her way in 2009, is said to be planning something that will dwarf the success of that movie. She is already a partner in the New York Film Academy that is opening in Lagos and Abuja. Aside that, she is set to prove that her directorial success with Through the glass was not a fluke as she would be taking on more directorial responsibilities.Omoni Oboli: She gradually wormed her way to our hearts. Those who matter in the industry now take note of this diva. Her role in Guilty Pleasure and The Figurine shot her straight to the top of the ladder, and if information reaching us is anything to go by, Omoni is not planning to leave. So she’s got quite a number of surprises up her sleeves.Peace Fiberesima: Love or hate her, Peace Fiberesima has succeeded in putting Nollywood on the global map. After the success and complaints that greeted last year’s event, all eyes are on Madam Peace and her team. People are watching to see what the organizers would make of the 2010 AMAA awards, which is one of the events many are looking forward this year.Ego Boyo: Though she now has her hands in equipment rental services, Ego Boyo is said to be eyeing movie making. Whether she goes through with the plan or not, Ego will be one of those that will shape things in the industry in 2010.Tade Ogidan: 2010 is the year the master of movie making would return. He is working on a compilation of music to be sang by Nollywood stars and working on another trademark blockbuster movie. Who knows; we might see a repeat of Madam Dearest and Dangerous Twins.Tunde Kelani: The cinematographer is also one of the people to watch as he is said to be working on a blockbuster movie with a Nollywood actress. According to our crystal ball, Kelani has concluded work on the script and he is just working on some other things before he hits location in a matter of weeks.Oby Edozien: Oby Edozien has produced two movies with which she wants to rock 2010 in her own way. We have not seen the movies, but if talk and her efforts are anything to go by,Oby will make her mark in the next 12 calendar months.Ramsey Nouah: Mr Handsome of Nollywood is finally back to where he belongs and that is the very top of movie making. Ramsey stole the show in The Figurine and Guilty Pleasure and he is said to have done and planning to do strictly movies of such standard in 2010. For Ramsey, quality is his own way of shaping 2010.Desmond Elliot: With his new found love for directing, Desmond Olusola Elliot is one Nollywooder to watch in 2010. Though still very much active as an actor, he is planning to do more work producing and directing movies; the side of Nollywood he wishes to retire to when he is no longer getting the roles.
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Super Eagles Vice Captain, Joseph Yobo, on New Year day, got married to former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), Adaeze Igwe, at the Evangelical Bible Outreach Ministries International (EBOMI) Prayer City, Jos, Plateau State.advertisement hereYobo, who flew into the country for the low-key wedding, took many by surprise, as most of the guests at the Exodus Night Meeting at the EBOMI Prayer City were not aware of his presence at the gathering.General Overseer of EBOMI Prayer City, Prophet Isah El Buba, while officiating at the early morning wedding, which was witnessed by Governor Jonah Jang and top government officials, described Yobo and his wife as new born again Christians who gave their lives to Jesus Christ during their recent encounter with him in London.According to him, the solemnisation of the wedding became necessary as the duo have left their past behind and embraced God, urging them to always remember God first in all they do.He described marriage as something ordained by God, and as such, whoever finds a wife has found a good thing in the sight of the Lord.Buba called on the couple to take marriage with all the seriousness it deserves, insisting that marriage is a glorious thing that calls for tolerance from each spouse.He told Yobo that since he is going to lead his colleagues to South Africa this year for the World Cup tournament, and for the African Cup of Nations in Angola, his wedding has prepared him to go for these two football fiestas with God’s anointed golden legs.In the same vein, Governor Jang, who is an ordained minister at the EBOMI Prayer City, told the couple to show love to each other.Jang advised Yobo to remain steadfast in the Lord with his wife since there are trials in marriage, but assured him that God will see them through.The couple exchanged vows at 3.30 a.m. on January 1 at the prayer meeting amid cheers from well-wishers and relations, who stormed Jos for the wedding despite the timing.The couple had private reception in their hotel room immediately after the wedding.Attempts to speak with Yobo proved abortive as he refused to speak with journalists over his choice of Jos for the wedding.Yobo, born September 6, 1980 in Kano, but grew up in Port Harcourt, is a Super Eagles defender currently playing with the English Premier League (EPL) club Everton.He is the younger brother of former Nigeria international Albert Yobo.Yobo left Nigeria for Belgium to join Standard Liège in 1998. He made his first team appearance in 2000, and went on to appear 46 times for the Jupiler League club. In 2001, he was bought by French club, Olympique Marseille. Soon after making his debut, Yobo was loaned to CD Tenerife in Spain. After nine months Yobo retuned to Marseille, before joining English club Everton, again on loan, in July 2002. A £1million fee was required to register the player, and he became the first signing of new manager David Moyes. An option to make the move permanent was taken up and completed in 2003 after a dispute between Yobo and Marseille was settled, with Everton agreeing a fixed additional fee of £4 million.Yobo became one of the most consistent players in the Everton squad, and was one of only seven players in the entire league to play every minute of every game throughout the 2006/2007 Premier League season.The delay, in 2006, in signing a new contract with Everton led to rumours of a move to Arsenal, but on July 22, Yobo committed himself to Goodison Park until 2010. As of 15 April 2007 Yobo is the record appearance holder for an overseas player at Everton.In 2007, he set up the Joseph Yobo Charity Foundation, to help under-privileged children in Nigeria. As of July 18, 2007 he has handed out over 300 scholarship awards ranging from primary to university level. Yobo has started a football academy in the Ogoni region of Nigeria. He also runs football camps in Lagos, in conjunction with Everton Lagos F.C.Igwe was a student at the University of Abuja, before she became Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria. She pursued her childhood dream by representing Anambra in the pageant with 29 other girls.Apart from winning N5 million, a Hyundai car and endorsement deals, Anambra-born Igwe represented Nigeria at Miss World 2008 in South Africa. She made the top 20 in Miss World Talent, and placed second in Miss World Sports.During her reign, Igwe established her own charity, The Adaeze Igwe Foundation, an organisation, which promotes AIDS and breast cancer awareness and raises funds towards similar causes, including malaria and tuberculosis.She was quoted to have said of her relationship with Yobo: “We are in a relationship and it is not one of those frivolous ones. It is a serious one that my mum even knows about. This is for real.”She is currently attending the New York Film Academy and was at Vivian Fowler Memorial College before the University of Abuja, which she did not return to after she won the MBGN crown.Naija Gays Increase http://tinyurl.com/Gaylifestlyeskidnapping baby on plane http://tinyurl.com/BabyNapperhttp://www.9jamovies.comhttp://www.ask9ja.comRead more…
A woman suspected to be a child-trafficker was yesterday caught in a Chanchangi flight 137 from Owerri to Lagos, by passengers who became suspicious when they noticed the lack of bonding and hostility of a five-month-old baby boy to the woman who was pretending to be its mother.
The behaviour of the woman aroused suspicion of the passengers when she could not breastfeed the child or provide a feeding bottle which she was supposed to be feeding it with; rather, she tried to spoon-feed it amid the child's resistance, which heightened the passengers' suspicion that the child might have been stolen.
According to eye-witness account, when the now infuriated passengers literally bombarded her with questions, she confessed that the baby was not hers and admitted that she was into child trafficking racket.
“This baby was stolen by a woman who confessed openly she was into the racket and was identified by Chachangi airline officials. On landing, the woman further confessed she had a man as an accomplice but the man could not be found even after all the passengers had been identified”, an eye-witness told THISDAY.
The flight left Owerri, Imo State at about 3.00 pm and landed at the new domestic terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMA2, at about 4.00 pm.
Spokesman of the airline, Ibrahim Adamu, confirmed the attempted kidnapping and according to the senior cabin crew on board the aircraft, Mr. Suma Inyang, the baby was crying profusely throughout the flight and after disembarkation, prompting the passengers to continue harassing the woman who later confessed to the crime.
The baby, on arrival in Lagos, was handed over to a Chanchangi crew member, Anwal Rufai. But Adamu later explained to THISDAY, “A female lawyer from the United States wanted to adopt the child and asked the younger sister to bring the baby from Owerri to Lagos, but the girl did not know how to handle it and when she was arrested at arrival in Lagos, her sister came with all necessary adoption documents. The matter was handed over to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).”
But the General Manager, Public Affairs, FAAN, Akin Olukunle could not confirm that the baby was handed over to the agency and the management of Bi-Courtney, the operators of MMA2 refused to comment on the matter as its head of communications, Olugbenga Adegbesan told THISDAY he was on leave.
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PHOTO: GOVERNOR BUKOLA SARAKI, CHAIRMAN OF THE GOVERNORS' FORUM.
Investigations has revealed that the Governors of the 36 states will meet on Tuesday to deliberate on the current health and continued absence of the ailing Nigerian President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and its implications on their political lives should the military intervene.
Nigerian President Umaru Yar’Adua has been incapacitated for more than 40 days at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center in Jeddah for various complications resulting from Churg Strauss Syndrome and has refused to transfer power to the Vice President, Mr. Goodluck Jonathan.
The President’s refusal to formally notify the National Assembly of his hospitalization as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution has polarized the electorate that some talk of the possibility of a military coup de tat has started to gain credence.
Last week, the Governors Forum, a group consisting of all the governors, scheduled a meeting at the Kwara State Governor’s Lodge in Abuja but could not hold any deliberations because they couldn’t form a quorum apparently because of the sudden death and funeral of former first lady, Hajiya Maryam Babangida.
our sources gathered that top on the agenda for discussion at the Tuesday meeting will be the President’s continued illness, the lack of access to him or credible information on his health, the implications of his refusal to hand over to the Vice President and also the need to calm the country so that the probability of a military intervention is reduced to zero.
An inside source informed our sources that some governors intend to spell it out to their colleagues that they will not let the selfish actions of the President or a clique ruin their political careers as a result of a military intervention. Some of the governors we gather have already informed their respective members at the National Assembly to begin to make moves towards reviewing the relevant sections in the constitution to enable Vice President Goodluck Jonathan assume Presidential powers.
The list of people calling on the ailing President to either resign or temporarily hand over to the Vice President continues to grow by the day.
The National Assembly is expected to resume this week after the Christmas and New Year break. No one is certain whether the leadership of the National Assembly have had a change of heart considering they had blocked every attempt at debating the President’s absence on the floor of the house. Some legislators have openly criticized the President for heating up the polity over his refusal to hand over to Goodluck Jonathan.
The Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Femi Falana, and some politicians have gone to court to compel the ailing President to cede power. Falana particularly also wants the court to declare every action that the FEC has taken since the President’s hospitalization illegal.
On Wednesday, December 30, 2009, Eight Supreme Court Judges were absent at the controversial swearing-in of Nigeria’s new CJN, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu by Justice Idris Kutigi, who retired a couple of hours later. The NBA also stayed away from the ceremony calling it an “act of illegality.”
The alleged signing of the 2009 Supplementary Budget by the President on his hospital bed has drawn comments and criticisms from a wide range of audience. Many believe the President’s signature may have been forged by some desperados in his ‘kitchen cabinet’. There have been calls for the Presidency to show photo proof that the ailing President actually signed the document himself.
Forgery is a felony in Nigeria punishable by imprisonment under Chapter 44 section 467 of the Criminal Code Act of 1990 which states that:
“Any person who forges any document, writing, or seal, is guilty of an offence which, unless otherwise stated, is a felony, and he is liable, if no other punishment is provided, to imprisonment for three years.”
‘Punishment in special Cases’
(1) If the thing forged-
(a) Purports to be, or is intended by the offender to be understood to be or to be used as, the public seal of Nigeria or of any State of Nigeria or the great or privy seal of any country of the Commonwealth or under the protection of a Commonwealth country, or seal of the President, or a Governor of a State; or
(b) Is a document having on it or affixed to it any such seal, signet, or sign manual, or anything which purports to be, or is intended by the offender to be understood to be, any such seal, signet, or sign manual;
The offender is liable to imprisonment for life.”
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Police in Nigeria have arrested a doctor suspected of impregnating girls and selling their babies.
The police said they found five pregnant girls aged between 12 and 17 at the doctor's clinic in the Southeastern town of Enugu.
The police said the man had confessed to getting the girls pregnant and selling their children. He is to face charges in court.
Trafficking is common in Nigeria, with children sold for labour and sex work.
In 2008, police raided a private hospital in Enugu, which they said was a "baby farm".
Seven pregnant young women were found.
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By Chude Jideonwo
The senators probably didn't know that there were homosexuals in their midst. But by the time Rashidi Williams, who works with a sexual rights organisation, was through with his presentation against the Assembly's bill against gays in 2007, they had met one openly gay man.
"There was no decision to speak at the National Assembly in the first place," he said in an interview with NEXT. "But on getting there, I felt that submitting a memorandum and not presenting it will be worthless. To be candid I was scared at first, but after the presentation it was just a tap of my fingers in the air. I had done what was to me the most noble of all things."
Nobility might indeed have been a factor in that courageous step, but part of it must have been a certain comfort with the fact that, for all the talk of Nigeria being a homophobic nation, we are far more tolerant than we are ready to accept.
No different
Take Ifeanyi Orazulike, who runs a non-governmental organisation called Alliance Rights, for instance. "I am an out gay man," he said in an exclusive interview in October. He paints a picture of normalcy. He has been interviewed more than once by the Nigerian Television Authority. He also works closely with the National Action Committee on Aids (NACA) and the UNFPA in Nigeria, organisations that have made it possible to bring gay issues into the medical and social mainstream.
It is indeed a long way from the situation in 2004. At the time, Bisi Alimi, then a student of the University of Lagos, was invited on Funmi Iyanda's national TV show (this writer was producer of the show at the time, and invited Mr. Alimi) - the first openly gay person to be interviewed on a Nigerian TV.
And the reaction was swift. Hate mail was sent to both of them, he was thrown out of his home and his job, and New Dawn's Friday edition was cancelled by the NTA. He eventually had to seek asylum in the United Kingdom.
One of his friends, Chinedu (not his real name) who was also in the same university, had to leave the country as well, for Central Switzerland where he now lives with a boyfriend. "In Nigeria, I had to act straight," he said. "Thank God I don't live in Nigeria, but if I did, I'd certainly lead a double life else I commit suicide."
Toyin (not her real name), who lives in the United States, called the life of a gay Nigerian "stressed and sad". The reaction from family and friends who know is uniformly negative. "Their reactions vary from shock," she said, "to condemnation to pity to the urge to get religious deliverance because the fanatical Christians call you demon-possessed."
Still, Chinedu reveals that gays (known in Nigeria as ‘TiBi' - coined from ‘Top' and ‘Bottom', the two gay sexual roles) in Nigeria are able to "have sex, do parties, clubs, lazy talk and every other thing that is having fun."
And he is absolutely right. Over a period of almost six months, a NEXT investigation revealed that in Lagos and Abuja at the very least, despite the stigma, gays are able to meet and interact through three major media: clubs, private parties and the internet.
Thriving nightlife
There are two major clubs in Lagos. One, a popular hangout for both gays and heterosexuals, is located in Victoria Island. The other, which has a monthly gay party, is located in Surulere; though it is important to note that they are not really gay bars, but "gay friendly".
At the former, according to a number of respondents, it appears that professionals and otherwise moneyed men go there to meet with younger men. Kenneth (not his real name), barely in his 20s, is one of them. "They go to the bathroom to talk," he said. "Because most of the younger dudes are effeminate and these men don't want to be seen interacting with them. Sometimes they have sex there."
The secret of coordination
"Word always spreads," a friend of Kenneth's said in a telephone interview. "Gay people everywhere are always conscious about parties since they don't have such opportunities regularly. I have seen at these parties 40-something year old men, some of them married. And they invite guys to their homes all the time."
Private parties still remain the most popular means of socialisation. "Just recently, there was a truth and dare party of about 24 people in Surulere, in the flat of a gay guy who is a bank manager," he continued. "There was alcohol, smoking of ‘weed', loud music, oral sex - overnight."
Major malls like the Silverbird Galleria, The Palms and the E-Centre are also popular hangouts. At a famous Ikeja hotel young boys go swimming with friends, hoping to get picked up by older guys. "For a gay person, everyday is a day to meet someone new," Kenneth said.
In Abuja, an uncorroborated article from the United Nations (UN) Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) also notes the existence of a few clubs that accept gays. Mr. Orazulike confirmed this; that there are gay clubs - mostly for the rich and mighty - all over the capital city.
The L-word
Things are slightly different for lesbians though. According to Toyin: "There are underground gay networks where some of us meet to talk and share our problems and experiences. We try to assist those of us who may be in danger or who may have problems - from emotional to social. We assure and console one another."
Apparently, this is no fringe lifestyle. Even celebrities play a huge role: at parties and in magazines, the list of "alleged" gay celebrities have included A-list musicians, actors and TV presenters. Some names are repeated so frequently that, just like with Hollywood and PerezHilton.com, everyone seems to know who's gay and who's not.
The internet is also a sprawling estate of freedom for gays. Websites like manjam.com and globalgayz.com are a big meeting point. A visit to the sites is revealing. Nigerians with pictures, profiles, addresses and phone numbers meet daily for sex and relationships.
However, it is the social networking site, Facebook, that provides the ultimate opportunity for gay expression. It is also not unusual these days to find Facebook names such as Tolu Gay, Chineye Gay, or other suggestive names usually with pictures of body parts, openly soliciting for partners. One, called Long John, born 1985, had a belly down picture of him in underwear and described himself as "Young. Handsome. Dynamic. Gay. Nigerian."
In a Facebook conversation with him, he said: "My orientation is bi (sexual). I'm a Lagos dude trying to make ends meet. Schooling in Polytechnic, Ibadan, living in Festac."
"So where are the pictures with your face - why aren't you showing that?"
He responded in Pidgin. "Show face ke? Make my papa catch me abi?"
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All of us are who we are today because others invested in us. I think about all the people in my family that have invested in me. My grandfather was very disciplined. He had a very strong work ethic. He taught me by example the importance of being diligent and giving every job my very best. My grandmother was so full of joy. I never saw her upset. She constantly had a song of praise coming up out of her heart. She is a big part of who I am today. She's one of the main reasons why I smile practically all the time.
Growing up, my mother not only loved and cared for us children, but every day before we left for school she would say, "Father, thank You that my children have Your favor wherever they go." I learned to expect God's favor from my mother. You know what I'm doing today? Telling other people to believe for God's favor.
My father was constantly telling me how great he thought I was and how I could do anything. He took time to mentor me. He was busy, but he still gave me his attention. As a little boy, he used to go up to the hospital to visit people that were sick. He would always take me with him. He would have me join hands with the family when we prayed.
As a teenager, I would come down to the church during the summer and sit in meetings with him at the office. Half the time I didn't know what was going on. But on the way home, he'd always explain it. "Joel, this is what we were doing. This is the reason we were doing it." He didn't have to. He had a lot going on, but he understood that he had a responsibility to pass on everything he possibly could. My father did his best to teach me everything he knew and sometimes things he didn't know.
I think about how in Victoria's family they've had a special recipe that's been in the family line for four or five generations. It's called Senator Russell's Sweet Potatoes. They are the best sweet potatoes in the world. They've got a crust of cinnamon, sugar and nuts. We don't even like the sweet potatoes. We just like the crust! But what happened is that somebody came up with that great recipe generations back. They could have thought, "This is my special dish. I'm just going to keep it to myself." No, they were living with the mindset that "I've got to pass down everything good I possibly can." So one day that mother taught her daughter the recipe and that daughter taught her daughter. Eventually, it got down to Georgine, my mother–in–law. She taught her daughter, Victoria. Now, every Thanksgiving, Victoria and our daughter are in the kitchen making Senator Russell's Sweet Potatoes.
Let me ask you, are you transferring your wisdom, your experiences, your shortcuts, your recipes down to the next generation so they can start ahead of you?
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Posted by 9jabook.com on December 31, 2009 at 11:31pm
Dear 9jabooker,
Hope you are enjoying the fireworks/Bangers in Naija !
2010 is here and I like to take this chance to share with
you our commitment to make your favourite social network Better than last Year
A peek to coming attractions on 9jabook
1.Bulk SMS at reduced prices for members.
2.Complimentary Personal A.d.v.er.ti.s.i.n.g for all members (Terms & Condtions Apply)
3.Make money by becoming an A.d.v.e.r.t/Web Solution Contractor You get 45percent for each Job you bring in ! ! ! email shakara@systemini.net
4.The formal Launching of our market place 9jabay.com, The Sellers and Buyers Paradise.Purchase Goods Abroad like you were there at same prices . Sellers interested email 9jabay@systemini.net
5.Launching of our Independent Movie Production Channel and Animated Studios 9jax on 9jamovies.com write your script,send it to us, We will Produce/Direct it for you ! contact 9jamovies@systemini.net
And Much more .... like 9jawiki.com the 9ja wikipedia foundation project, ojoojoo.com searching the top 9ja sites powered by google .Volunteer and become a part of this. With Glo1 Broadband internet costs are expected to drop drastically ! join these projects now ! email 9jawiki@systemini.net with your contact details !
Once Again
To your Success and ..
Happy New Year ! ! !
from Us all @ GSM
Glo:070.5.8.8.8.8.3.9.4
Mtn:08064950565
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