Posted by 9jabook.com on September 22, 2009 at 3:57am
Forty-one year-old Bayo Ohu, an assistant political editor of The Guardian was shot in the early hours of Sunday by gunmen suspected to be assasins.
Police sources said the bandits stormed the journalist’s No 9, Oyeniyi Street, Odukoya estate residence at the about 7.00 a.m. and forced their way into his apartment. They were said to had demanded for cash and other valuables which the journalist readily obliged.
After collecting the cash he had, they picked his lap-top before releasing some bullets into his stomach. He was said to had slumped and died almost immediately.
According to witnesses, men dressed in white jalabia (flowing gowns) and wearing caps, arrived in a white Toyota camry at 6.53am, and stormed Mr. Ohu’s residence. When they eventually found him with a wrapper tied around his waist, one of the armed men began to shoot at him. The assailants allegedly followed him as he stumbled back and kept pumping bullets into him.
Neighbours say during this attack, the deceased’s wife, Ochuko, had gone to church with her sister who lived in with them, leaving the late Ohu, his daughters and one other relative at home. None of them was however around the compound when the killers entered.
According to his daughter, 15-year-old Omolara Ohu, “We were coming from where we had gone to fetch water, when we heard the gun-shots and ran back. Later, we came to the compound and found blood everywhere. The neighbours now came and brought out his body. There was blood everywhere,” she said, crying.
She said a neighbour who saw the shooting told her that the initial hail of bullets left Ohu shouting: “E gba mi o! E gba mi o! (Please save me, please save me). Afterwards, she said one of the armed men was heard saying: “Olori buruku yen ti lo” (That idiot is gone).
Miss Patience, the late journalist’s sister said nothing was taken apart from his laptop and his cell phone.
“They took the laptop he uses at home, but they left his office laptop and midget recorder,” she said.
However, reports said while the attack was going on, a neighbour had put a call to the police, but the bandits had successfully made good their escape before the police arrived.
But a team of anti-robbery squad on routine patrol in the area were reported to have given the armed gang a hot chase, forcing them to abandon their get away vehicle and fled.
Ochuko, wife of the late Bayo Ohu. The deceased inset.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba, confirmed the incident but said it might be a case of assassination. Mba said the police had recovered the vehicle, an unmarked Toyota Camry used for the attack, assuring that a manhunt for the perpetrators had since begun.
In a related development, a team of anti- robbery squad from the Area E Command, Festac town Lagos has arrested two armed robbers in the area.
The suspects identified as Andrew Ilouere and Chinedu Nwokolie were arrested along the Lagos-Badagry expressway moments after they had successfully robbed one Paschal Anyawu.
They were said to have collected an un specified amount of money and other valuables from the victim but ran into the waiting hands of the patrol team.
Reports said when they were searched, a locally made Guardian Newspapers with some live cartridges were recovered from them.
The police image maker also confirmed the arrest, adding that the suspects would be transferred to the SCID Panti, Yaba, Lagos for further investigation.
This is the third time in as many years that a Nigerian newspaper journalist has been shot dead in similar circumstances.
In 2007 and 2008, Godwin Agbroko and Abayomi Ogundeji, both of the private Thisday Newspaper, were also shot dead by unknown gunmen in Lagos.
The two deaths have yet to be unravelled. Bullet hole at Bayo Ohu's house
Mr. Ohu joined The Guardian in 1993 after completing his national youth service in Katsina State. He was the correspondent of the paper in Katsina until 2002 when he became assistant news editor and was recalled to the head office in Lagos. He was seconded to the politics desk in 2008. He is survived by a wife and children.
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Alaba Can’t Be Shut Down! Onyeka Onwenu and Tony Okoroji are expired artistes! The Coalition of Nigerian artiste are fighting for the shutdown of Alaba, believed to be a pirate haven.They presented a letter to Governor of Lagos, Babatunde Fashola, informing him of “an urgent need to address the debilitating effect of piracy in Lagos State especially the infamous situation in Alaba International Market which has gained the world wide notoriety of being an international hotbed of piracy” and that was what was needed to nail it and get a response from the occupants of Alaba kicking off with an accusation of the musicians being the problem.The president of the Alaba Marketers Association stated that Alaba International market cannot be shut down because “The market is 99.5 per cent known for electronics, electrical and industrial parts, and not for music and home video only.We want to debunk the talk that Alaba market is the capital of pirated, counterfeited and sub-standard products. Precisely on 29th of July 2009, we signed here an MOU with the Federal Ministry of Trade and Commerce, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, the Consumer Protection Council and the National Environmental Protection Agency, NIRA as well as the Nigeria Police Force. I use this medium to tell our numerous costumers that Alaba market is safe for your business; we are assuring you that whenever any product is bought here in Alaba and if it is found wanting, please come back to the association, you have the right to derive utility from any product you bought. Alaba is saying NO to all the negative vices associated with the market including piracy.Big Artistes such as 2face Idibia, 9ice, Timaya, Psquare, Ruggedman, M.I, Face, Olu Maintain, Idris Abdukareem, 2Short, Terry G to mention but a few, all market their works in Alaba market. Also, top comedy stars market their works here. So, who is fooling who? Is it Onyeka Onwenu and Tony Okoroji who are expired artistes? Okoroji sang last in 1983. In fact, the musicians are the real pirates of their works because they come everyday begging us to include their songs in illegal compilation CDs.Truly I am not saying that Alaba is totally free from piracy, what we are saying is that even if it is only one per cent of piracy that exists in Alaba, in unison we are saying NO to that one per cent.The government of Alaba International Market including myself and other executive chairmen like Chief Wilson Ozoemena; Chairman, Fancy and Furniture Dealers Association, Chief Ezeani Celestine; Vice Chairman Electronic Sections And Chief Ogonna Nkemdilim, Chairman, CD Dealers Association, all say NO to piracy.”
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ASSU AND STUDENT LET’S FORCE OUR GOVERNMENT TO DO SOMETHINGIT’S TIME FOR US TO MOVE IF GOVERNMENT IS NOT READY FOR ASSUIt’s time to make the federal government understand our pain,Our government is not ready to call off the strike so if we fold our handsTo this situation Nigeria will not move forward, Come to think of it there ownChildren are studding abroad so they do not care If we go to school or not,And many of us are suppose to write one Exam or the other, many of us are waitingFor school to open for us to collect our certificate, for how long can we wait?Please I beg all students and ASSU to Come out and let’s force ourGovernment to do some thing about this issue,What can we do?Fine, all we need to do on Wednesday work resume let’s gather togetherVery early and block the main road like for us resident in Lagos oshodiAnd CMS so that those in power will not be able to go to their office or work place since we can’tGo to school, they too should go to work. Then they will no we are very serious.Please add your comment if you think this will help us go back to school toDaniel.john15@yahoo.com or callMe on 08030771868 DANIEL JOHN
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IT’S TIME FOR US TO MOVE IF GOVERNMENT IS NOT READY FOR ASSUIt’s time to make the federal government understand our pain,Our government is not ready to call off the strike so if we fold our handsTo this situation Nigeria will not move forward, Come to think of it there ownChildren are studding abroad so they do not care If we go to school or not,And many of us are suppose to write one Exam or the other, many of us are waitingFor school to open for us to collect our certificate, for how long can we wait?Please I beg all students and ASSU to Come out and let’s force ourGovernment to do some thing about this issue,What can we do?Fine, all we need to do on Wednesday work resume let’s gather togetherVery early and block the main road like for us resident in Lagos oshodiAnd CMS so that those in power will not be able to go to their office or work place since we can’tGo to school, they too should go to work. Then they will no we are very serious.Please add your comment if you think this will help us go back to school toDaniel.john15@yahoo.com or callMe on 08030771868 DANIEL JOHN
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Manchester City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has shown little remorse for the stamp on Arsenal's Robin van Persie for which he received a three-game, claiming that he can't feel sorry for something he did not intend to do.He has also asserted that the abuse he received from Gunners players and supporters had pushed him to the limit of his self-control, contributing to the 90 metre sprint to celebrate his goal in front of the Arsenal fans for which he received an additional charge of improper conduct which is yet to be judged."I am sorry Robin got hurt, but I can't regret something I did not mean to do," Adebayor told The Sun."Anybody who knows me knows I would not set out to hurt anybody and I would especially not mean to hurt an old team-mate."I really am glad Robin was OK because I know my stud was close to his eye, but there was really nothing I could have done - there was no way I could have got out of the way in time."As for his celebration, the Togolese asserts that he felt justified simply because of the sheer volume of invective which had been directed his way over the course of the game. He added: "People talk about us as being football players and the money we earn, but just because we are fortunate it does not mean we need to take abuse."If you were to abuse a man in the street for over an hour he would react and it would be a worse reaction than a goal celebration!"There is only so much abuse a man can take until he reaches breaking point. I was being abused by people who six months ago were singing my name and the abuse was for no reason."I scored and I wanted to show people it is not a good idea to abuse me. I really didn't understand it at all. I was running on pure emotion and when you take emotion out of football we are going to have a big problem."People say I had time to think because I ran the length of the pitch, but that is not true. I was abused all match and scored a goal I knew would win the game for us. Ten seconds is nothing. Your emotion is going to last a lot longer than that."Adebayor also claims that some of his former colleagues at Arsenal were less than civil with him ahead of the game, refusing to shake his hand before kick-off."There were players from Arsenal who refused to shake my hand before the match," he explained."I don't want to give you their names - that is not my style - but there's more than one of them."My friends, like Eboue, were fine with me. They are decent people. But I could not understand some of the Arsenal players being disrespectful towards me."Thierry HenriBarca forward surprised by Adebayor's actions.Former Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has been the latest player to slate Emmanuel Adebayor for his behaviour in the 4-2 win over the Gunners last weekend.Henry, now at Barcelona, condemned Adebayor for showing a lack of respect to Arsenal fans and players, but most of all, to manager Arsene Wenger. The French striker also reminded Adebayor that he would not be where he is today if not for the Gunners manager.“You have to remember, no matter where you end up, the people who helped make you along the way and gave you the chance,” Henry said, according to The Daily Mirror.“I won the treble with Barcelona last year, but I know if it wasn’t for Arsene Wenger and Arsenal I would not be the player I am today.“I think the same has to be true of Adebayor. He might be one of the world’s top strikers today, but he wasn’t before Arsene got hold of him and gave him that chance.“When he came from Monaco he wasn’t even getting games back in France and then within two seasons he was a player who was wanted by a lot of top clubs in Europe.“Arsene puts a lot of investment in you when he sees talent and I don’t think it would hurt for Adebayor to show him, the club and the fans a little more respect.”Adebayor was suspended for three games for violent conduct after making contact with Robin van Persie’s head with his boot. He will miss today's Manchester derby and may also face further repercussions after being charged with improper conduct for sprinting the full length of the pitch to celebrate his goal in front of a vocal visiting Arsenal contingent.Henry said that he had never seen such a furious response provoked from the Gunners faithful, and felt that Adebayor would have earned a lot more respect had he chose to keep his celebrations in check.He said: “The fans at Arsenal were great. They were and always will be my family. I never saw them behave badly so to react like they did at the weekend shows just how angry and upset they were.”“They will show you love and respect, but like any relationship they will ask for that love and respect back.“No matter what Adebayor’s emotions were, he could have earned himself a lot of respect by not celebrating the goal.“That would have shown real class, and that to be honest is what most players choose to do when they score against their old clubs. I don’t really understand why he didn’t do that.”
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Have you ever been mad at God? Certainly, everyone has had anger rise up against a person. And there are a lot of people who are angry with themselves. Anger is a problem all of us have to deal with.
Many people come from backgrounds where strife was just normal. Our culture is so full of envy and strife that it's become part of life. We don't realize how deadly it is. But realize it or not, strife will kill you. Listen to what James had to say about envy and strife:
"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." (James 3:16)
Think about what this verse is saying for a moment. Envy and strife bring EVERY evil work. That is quite a revelation! You could be giving tithes and offerings and trusting God in the area of your finances, but if you're living in strife, you are opening the door to poverty. You could be trying to take care of your body and meditating on healing scriptures, yet envy and strife will negate all of that and bring sickness and disease. No one who is trusting God for victory in any area of their life can ignore dealing with anger and expect to succeed. It's that important.
This doesn't mean we are supposed to be emotionless or totally passive people. There is a proper use of anger. If we don't understand this and try to completely do away with anger, we will not succeed, and we will become passive in a way that allows Satan to run over us. There is a godly purpose for anger.
GODLY ANGER
Think of this: Every person on the planet has a temper. Why do you think that is? Do you think the devil created anger? No way! Satan never created anything. He doesn't have the power to create. All he does is pervert the godly things God created.
It's God who gave us the capacity to get angry. Anger has a godly function. But with most of us, it's been perverted. We don't need to get delivered of a temper; we need to learn how to manage that anger and direct it the way God intended — not toward people, but toward the devil and evil.
There is a well-known passage of Scripture that talks about a positive use of anger. Yet this passage is most often interpreted in a way that loses the true intent of what Paul was saying. Ephesians 4:26-27 says,
"Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil".
This is usually interpreted as, "God knows you are only human, and you will sometimes get angry. That just happens. But it doesn't become sin unless you let it persist. So make sure you confess and forsake your anger every night before you go to bed."
There is no doubt that getting over anger quickly has great benefit. Confessing and forsaking anger before you go to bed every night is a good thing to do. But that is not what this verse is teaching. It's nearly the opposite.
Paul is saying there is a godly anger that is not sin. God gives us a command to get angry with a righteous anger. Then he says, "Let not the sun go down on your wrath". What happens when the sun goes down? Typically we stop working. The day winds down, and we rest and go to sleep. Paul is saying, "Don't let this godly anger ever stop working. Keep it awake. Stir it up and keep it active!" Then verse 27 continues, "Neither give place to the devil". If we don't keep a godly anger active within us, we are giving place to the devil. What a revelation!
There is a righteous use of anger. Not understanding this has rendered many Christians so passive, they don't get mad at the evil in this world. Therefore, Satan is having a free shot at everything we hold dear and holy. Our society is under attack, and our righteous anger that God has given us as a weapon is kept in its sheath and not used. This needs to change.
Look at what the Word of God has to say about a right use of anger:
"Ye that love the LORD, hate evil". (Psalm 97:10)
"The fear of the LORD [is] to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate". (Prov. 8:13)
"The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom". (Psalm 111:10)
"The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge". (Prov. 1:7)
"Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good". (Rom. 12:9)
These are just a few of the scriptures that speak of a righteous use of hate and anger. Look again at Proverbs 8:13: "Pride and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward [literally, perverse] mouth, do I hate". Do we really hate those things? We should, but Christians as a whole do not hate evil. We don't like evil, but few would argue that we literally hate these things. Some Christians don't believe that we are supposed to hate anything, but that's not what God's Word says.
Jesus was sinless, but He had hate and anger. In John 2:14-17, which took place at the beginning of Jesus' earthly ministry, and then in Mark 11:15-17, which took place the last week of Jesus' earthly ministry, Jesus drove the money changers out of the temple. He didn't approach them meekly and say, "Guys, I'm sorry. I don't want to hurt any of you, but I have to do this to obey my Father." NO! He made a whip and beat the people and animals and turned over their tables. He was mad.
Where were the temple guards? I'm sure they were there, but Jesus was in a holy rage that paralyzed them from action. It's certain that Jesus never sinned, but it's also certain that He got very angry to the point of action. Therefore, there is a righteous anger. We need to discover the righteous use of anger and channel all of our aggression in the proper way. So, there is a right place for anger. But what about the wrong use of anger? All of us have to deal with getting mad at people. How do we overcome our unforgiveness and anger toward people?
UNGODLY ANGER
Have you ever prayed that the Lord would remove someone from your life who makes you angry? Have you ever prayed that your circumstances would change so that you would be delivered from those things that make you mad? If you have, you are not alone. But it's not what others do to you that makes you angry. You will never be able to remove all aggravating things and people from your path. That's unrealistic. Satan has more than enough people under his control to keep an endless parade of annoying people coming across your path.
You can't always change circumstances, and you don't have the authority to change others. But you can change what's on the inside of you that makes you angry. That's right. Our anger comes from the inside, not the outside. I know most people don't like that. At first, it's comforting to think that it's what someone else did that made you angry, but that's not true. If what other people do makes you angry, then you will always be angry because there will always be someone that treats you wrong. That makes you a victim and not a victor.
Accepting responsibility for your ungodly anger puts you in the driver's seat. You only have total authority over yourself. You are the only one that you can really change. If you are trying to remove all the people and things that make you mad from your path, you will never win. But if you deal with the things inside you that cause your anger, you will never lose, regardless of what others do. That's the example that Jesus gave us. He was able to look at the very ones who crucified and mocked Him and say,
"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do". (Luke 23:34)
Jesus not only suffered more than any of us ever have, He suffered more unjustly than we have. As God, He could have come off the cross at any time and wiped all of His accusers out. Yet He humbled Himself and even forgave His enemies. Some people think, "Well that was Jesus. I'm certainly not Jesus." But Jesus wasn't the only one who forgave those who wronged him. Stephen acted just like Jesus in Acts 7:60. As he was being stoned to death, he knelt down and cried with a loud voice,
"Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep".
Paul commanded us to do the same thing in Ephesians 4:32:
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you".
Not only are we supposed to resist anger, but we are commanded to forgive those who trespass against us. We can't control others, but we can control what's inside of us that makes us angry. The key is found in Proverbs 13:10:
"Only by pride cometh contention".
It's not what others do to us that makes us angry; it's the pride inside of us that causes us to get mad. I know that's not what most people believe, but that's what God's Word says. This verse doesn't say that pride is one of the major reasons for anger — it's the only reason. What a statement!
I ministered this in Pueblo, Colorado, many years ago, and a man came up to me after the meeting and said, "I've got a lot of problems, but pride isn't one of them. If anything, I have such low self-esteem that I hate myself. Yet I have a lot of anger. I just don't understand how my pride is the source of my anger." What this man was missing was a proper definition of pride.
Many people think of pride only as arrogance. But that's only one manifestation of pride. Timidity and shyness are extreme manifestations of pride. Pride, at it's core, is simply self-centeredness or selfishness. Timid and shy people are extremely self-centered people. I know this to be true because I was an introvert. I couldn't look at people in the face and talk to them. I was so consumed with me that I was always thinking, "What are they going to think of me? Am I going to make a mistake and look foolish?" That self-centeredness made me shy.
If you have a testimony about what the Lord has done for you that could help someone, yet you would be timid about getting on radio or television and sharing it because everyone would be looking at you, then you have some pride issues that haven't been settled. You may not be called to broadcast on radio or television the way I am, but we are all called to, "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." (1 Pet. 3:15)
So, pride is not only thinking we are better than others; pride can be thinking we are worse than others or just being self-conscious. It doesn't matter if self is always exalting itself or if it's debasing itself. It's all self-centeredness, which is pride. Like it or not, understand it or not, pride is the source of all of our anger. As we deal with our own self-love, anger toward others will be defused. The only reason we are so easily offended is because we love ourselves so much. As we die to ourselves, we will be able to love others the way that Jesus did.
I have a lot more to share on this than what I was able to put into this article. I have a teaching entitled Anger Management. This is a three-part album that deals with truths I've never heard anyone else teach. I'm sure others teach this, but it's certainly not common. The first teaching, entitled "Godly Anger," will show you the proper use of anger. This is necessary in resisting Satan and his evil. The second teaching, entitled "Ungodly Anger's Source," will explain how self-love is the root of all of our ungodly anger. This is a must for anyone who struggles with a temper (all of us). The third teaching is entitled "Anger Toward God, Others, and Self."
by Andrew Wommack http://www.awmi.net
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Posted by Danladi Usman on September 20, 2009 at 1:47am
Today is Sallah
The month-long fasting period of Ramadan ended yesterday with the announcement of the sighting of the moon of Shawwal by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, at 10.15 pm yesterday.
The Sultan said he got information of the sighting of the moon from the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, at Kwanduga and Maiduguri. The Shehu of Dikwa, Alhaji Kyari El-Kanemi, also reported sighting the moon at Bama, also in Borno State. The Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmuminu Kabir Usman reported sighting it in Katsina State. Others reported to have got the reports of sighting the moon in their areas include the Emir of Birnin Gwari, Alhaji Zubairu Jibrin Mai Gwari, the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Mohammed Sanusi, and the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, who reported sighting it at Makarfi in Kaduna State.
The Sultan said: “Consequent upon this information and in line with laid down Islamic injunction, I declare tomorrow the first day of the month of Shawwal, 1430 after Hijrah of our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Mecca to Medina which is equivalent to September 20, 2009. I congratulate all Muslims for the successful completion of the month of Ramadan. May Allah accept all our religious deeds, and may He give us the courage to live in peace with one another.”
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Posted by prosper on September 19, 2009 at 12:05am
Love is so Great.. and Feels good...But Love can make you sick, if you store so much Love in you, without letting it out...it Pains to Love, and not being Loved in return.. Trust me, i know how painful it is..so save your Loved ones the pain of not being Loved in return..Show them Love... Let them know that they have your Love....give them the assurance... Make them know what it feels like to be Loved...Love is a bird... and needs to fly.But remember.. that you can not give what you dont have...this means that you cant give Love if you dont have love inside you...all you need to do to have Love inside you.. is to Believe in Love...Cause Love comes to those who believe it...So all i say is SHOW SOME LOVEhave this to say to the Ladies.. : Don't Say "NO" to a guy, when you know your heart wants to say "YES"don't pretend not to Love Him. when you know your Hearth Longs for Him...dont make him go through hell before he gets you.. cause that is not a grantee that he will respect you...dont Struggle to Get respect, but Let Respect come to you... all you need is to show it.. and it will come to you..i'd always say : Dont try to get in the Game.. but let the Game come to youTKIARead more…
Posted by Politics X on September 18, 2009 at 11:43pm
Washington has rejected the appointment of Tunde Adeniran as Nigeria's Ambassador to the United States, nearly five weeks after his son, Adedamola, was arrested in Baltimore for gang rape.News of the rejection broke on Thursday, two months after U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, visited Abuja and pledged a tough stance against the inconsistencies of Aso Rock functionaries.Adedamola was arrested last month alongside two other Nigerians for the offence highly loathed in civilised societies, including the U.S, where sexual immorality costs Americans their political aspirations.The arrest was reported on August 25.Neither Adeniran nor Foreign Ministry officials could be reached for comment on Thursday.He was appointed to replace Oluwole Olurotimi, whose racial row with Foreign Minister, Ojo Maduekwe, ended his sojourn in the U.S.It was learnt on Thursday night that Washington has communicated its decision to Abuja.Aso Rock sources said the decision puts the government in a quandary, and efforts are being made to see if the U.S. Government could be persuaded to rescind it.The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria neither confirmed nor denied the rejection story.But what is known is that police arrested Adedamola, 20, resident in Halethorpe, and others and charged them with gang raping three women in separate incidents that took place in the parking lot of Seton Keough High School in Southwest Baltimore.The attacks occurred two weeks apart and shared similar characteristics.Detectives determined the attackers' identities after the most recent victim remembered the tag number on the vehicle of one of the suspects.Charged alongside Adedamola are Anthony Oisediamen Edoror Jr., 19, and Opeyemi Adigun, 20, both of Gwynn Oak.Police responded at 6:45 a.m. on July 27 to Mercy Hospital, where two girls said they had been raped by three unknown males, according to charging documents posted online.The girls narrated that they were walking on Fayette Street downtown when they were approached by two men. After a conversation, the men agreed to give them a ride.But the ride quickly turned frightening, according to court records.The driver got onto Interstate 95 South, and when one of the girls told the driver he was going the wrong way and asked to be let out, the man in the passenger seat told her to be quiet.He brandished a hunting-style knife and threatened to "stab her up."The men drove them to the 1200 block of S. Caton Avenue and parked in the rear of Seton Keough High, a private, all-girls Catholic school, where a second car pulled up.One of the girls tried to run away but was caught by the hair and thrown to the ground.The men then took turns raping them over the course of about an hour, according to charging documents.Afterward, the men took one girl's shorts and both girls' purses, shoes, and cell phones, and left.The victims flagged down a driver, who called police.Police received another report of a rape on August 8 that shared the same characteristics of the first incident.The victim in that case, a 26-year-old woman, said she was leaving The Block and asked for a ride home from two men she had spoken with earlier.She was picked up at North Calvert and East Fayette Streets and said the men spoke in an African dialect to each other as they drove her to Southwest Baltimore.She was taken to an area behind the high school, where she was dragged onto a field and raped, according to court records.She collected two of the men's condoms and took down a tag number, which police traced to Edoror. The police report indicates that at least part of the incident was captured on the school's surveillance cameras.Edoror, who was working at a Home Depot in Baltimore County when he was taken into custody, gave a full confession and identified his accomplices as Adigun and Adedamola.He said in the August 8 incident, the men were looking for a prostitute to have sex with without paying and that the victim willingly went with them to have sex for money.But he also acknowledged that they raped her after refusing to pay her.After the suspects' identities were established, the women picked all three men out of photo arrays.The suspects were arrested on August 13 and have been ordered held without bond.A preliminary hearing was scheduled for September 15.According to electronic court records, only Adedamola has a prior criminal record.He was charged in Howard County with car theft, and in Baltimore County with identity theft and fraud. Both charges were thrown out by prosecutors.Adeniran, a native of Ekiti State, was Nigeria's Ambassador to Germany under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.He has a diplomatic experience spanning decades, including membership of the Nigerian delegation to the 40th Session of the United Nations in 1985.He was Education Minister between 1999 and 2001.
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Posted by 9jabook.com on September 18, 2009 at 11:35pm
Dumped in dirty gutter, now Baby Fashola
The birth of a new baby usually evokes joy in the proud parents who sometimes roll out the drums to celebrate the happy event, especially if the baby is coming after a long wait by the couple following their wedding. Among some families, the celebration may entail them barricading an entire street, especially if they are well-to-do and the baby is the first child of that union.
At such an event, the celebrants and their guests may be seen donning fashionable uniformed wears as is usually the case with Nigerians in the South West who often settle for their trademark Aso ebi. Also a party of this nature can never be complete without abundance of food and assorted drinks with enough music to tease all present to the dancing floor.
Children, the Christian Holy Book says, are blessings from God and therefore should be treasured and treated with care and love. In fact, Jesus Christ, the Biblically acclaimed son of God, had cause to rebuke his disciples for scolding those bringing little children to Him for blessing.
But it will appear that one woman’s bundle of joy is another woman’s burden of pain. For instance, a certain mother somewhere in the sprawling slum community of Tolu in Ajeromo Ifelodun Local Government obviously did not believe in the Biblical statement that a child is a special blessing from God when she decided to dumped her newly born baby rather than celebrate her birth like some happy parents are doing.
In fact, it came as a big shock to some residents in the area when they stumbled on a black polythene bag dumped inside a dirty gutter which on close examination was found to contain a baby girl with a cellotape across its mouth, apparently to prevent it from crying.
A middle age man was the first to recover from the shock and subsequently took the ‘strange package’ to the Tolu Police Station
When Policemen at the station later freed the baby from the bag it was discovered that its umbilical cord had not been cut. According to a Vanguard Metro source, the baby was taken to the nearby Tolu Medical Centre for attention 30 minutes later. The hospital took custody of the child.
Vanguard Metro’s initial efforts to see the baby ran into a brick wall as the Police were not initially forthcoming on its whereabout. A senior Police officer at the Station declined information pertaining to the baby and referred all enquiries to the Police Public Relations Office, Ikeja.
When our reporter visited the Tolu Medical Centre, the Medical Director, Dr. Sodipo Gbolahan, confirmed the story that an abandoned baby was brought to the hospital in the morning by policemen from the Tolu station, with the umbilical cord still intact. He later led Vanguard Metro to the ward where nurses taking care of the baby assured that she was doing well.
The card with which the baby was registered read: Fashola Joy Tolu. According to Dr. Gbolahan, the baby was christened after Fashola because he is doing well as the Governor of Lagos State. Speaking to Vanguard Metro the midwife saddled with the responsibility of taking care of Joy said: “From my own experience as a midwife, the baby was delivered that very day she was thrown away, because we separated the umbilical cord and treated it as usual.
We also pierced her ears and fixed earrings in them. But up till now nobody has come forward to lay claim as the mother”. She also informed that the baby was not on breast milk, which exposes her to risk. She, however, assured that since she was in hospital there was no problem.
But the State Command Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, an Assistant Superintendent of Police(ASP), Chris Onyeisi told Vanguard Metro that Baby Fashola was later transferred to the Juvenile Welfare Centre(JWC) at Alakara, Munshi. Vanguard Metro learnt that she was later taken to an undisclosed orphanage homer.
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All seem not to be well for the Togolese superlative striker, Emmanuel Adebayor just as FA confirmed recently that Manchester City striker is facing two charges after his controversial behavior during the Citizens' 4-2 victory over Arsenal (Adebayor’s former club) at the weekend.Adebayor faces a charge of violent conduct for his alleged kick to the face of Gunners forward Robin van Persie. A statement on the FA's official website explains: "The Football Association today issued two charges against Manchester City's Emmanuel Adebayor following Saturday's Premier League fixture between Manchester City and Arsenal.""Under the fast-track disciplinary process, Adebayor has been charged with violent conduct following an incident with Robin van Persie, which resulted in the Arsenal player receiving facial injuries. "Referee Mark Clattenburg has advised The FA that he did not see this incident, but has confirmed that had he done so, he would have sent Adebayor off for violent conduct. The player has until 6pm on Wednesday evening to respond to the charge."The Togolese striker is also facing a charge of improper conduct, for sprinting 90 metres to taunt Arsenal's fans after scoring City's third goal in the Eastlands win. This caused outrage in the away section, with a steward being knocked unconscious in the ensuing melee in the stand."Adebayor has also been charged with improper conduct following his actions when turning and running the full length of the pitch to celebrate in front of the Arsenal supporters after scoring," the FA statement continues."The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have written to The FA with their views on this incident. A separate date will now be arranged for a commission to consider Adebayor's goal celebration."We have also asked the GMP and the clubs to identify those supporters involved in any violent and aggravating behaviour. The FA would like to see anyone found guilty of such behaviour face action through the legal system and banning orders from football."The FA would like to thank the Manchester City FC stewards for the way they managed a very difficult situation and to pass on sincere best wishes to the steward who was injured during the game."We will continue to work with the LMA and PFA in particular to help remind players of their responsibilities, especially in highly charged situations."However, the teeming fans of the Togolese striker especially those in United Kingdom have been crying foul over what they called ‘‘cruel decision’’ made by the FA officials, saying they over publicized and over blown the little error committed by their man owing to the fact that he left Arsenal for Manchester City and because of racial background. But they consoled themselves with the hope that no matter what the seeming travails could be presently will soon come to an end.
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About 80 Nigerians on Wednesday left for several universities in the United Kingdom as part of Overseas Scholarship Scheme of the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) aimed at improving local participation in the oil and gas sector.
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Another 320 are expected to depart the country in the coming days to bring the total of those being sent out on overseas scholarship this year to 500.
Assistant General Manager, Training and Education Division of the PTDF, Aminu Galadima, disclosed this to Daily Independent during an interview in Abuja.
He said the scholars are being sent to top 20 universities in the UK with excellent training facilities on oil and gas related fields.
Galadima explained that while 60 of the scholars would study for their PhD, the remaining 340 would be in the UK for their master's programme.
He added that the scholars who are expected to be in the UK for 12 to 36 months would upon completion of studies boost the country's quest for increased participation of its citizens in the oil and gas industry.
He stated that PTDF has a Memorandum of Understanding with several universities in the UK such as the University of Aberdeen, University College, London, University of Newcastle, University of Leeds and Crown Field University, among others that allow it to send up to 50 Nigerians to each intituction.
While saying that the universities were not arbitrarily selected, Galadima disclosed that their facilities and programmes were inspected by officials of PTDF led by its Executive Secretary, Muttagha Rabe Darma to ascertain their suitability to handle the students.
He said the beneficiaries were selected to meet specific gaps discovered by PTDF in the oil and gas industry where Nigeria does not have prerequisite training to man such positions.
To this end, he noted, the beneficiaries would specialise in process engineering, sub-sea engineering, reservoir engineering among others.
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Posted by 9jabook.com on September 17, 2009 at 6:30am
Beware! The handset being used by the man sitting next to you in the bus may be a weapon of destruction – gun.
The mobile that calls you only once: Mafia gun was disguised as a phone
Beware! The handset being used by the man sitting next to you in the bus may be a weapon of destruction – gun.
The mobile that calls you only once: Mafia gun was disguised as a phone
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The invention of the mobile gun phone is already causing some ripples in the security circle, because of its propensity to increase crime rate such as armed robbery and murder/assassination.
The gun phone was discovered recently by the Italian Police Force.
The mobile phone was said to have been seized in an operation against the Camorra, the Naples-based mafia. It is described as a .22 calibre weapon, which is capable of firing four shots in quick succession through the antenna, using buttons on the keypad as the trigger.
What is the implication of this deadly product to Nigeria and Nigerians? This is against the backdrop of Nigerians’ taste for ostentatious products and flamboyant life style.
Another major source of worry is the increasing crime wave in the country, ranging from armed robbery, kidnappings, assassinations, political thuggery, among others.
The pistol, which carries four bullets, can be fired from a button on the phone's keypad
Killer call: A policeman demonstrates how the bullets were loaded
Some people said if the Federal Government doesn’t take steps to prevent the importation of the killer-phone, the country is going to witness crime explosion. Those spoken to by Daily Sun are, however, pessimistic about the ability of the government to stop the deadly phone from finding its way into the country.
Their reasons are as follows; Nigeria, being a large market and target of foreign investors and manufacturers, the producers of the gun would like to target Nigerian market. Second, like car manufacturers, who target Nigerian market for sale of very expensive and posh cars, the manufacturers of the killer-phone would like to penetrate Nigerian market because of high taste of its citizens, for expensive products.
Third, the increase in crime wave is another reason the government should be concerned about the gun phone.
Fourth, the porous nature of Nigerian borders and the corruption among the security agencies, especially, the Nigerian Customs, which was supposed to check the importation and exportation of goods into or out of the country. Products that were banned in the country, including arms and ammunition still find their way into the country on daily basis, because of corrupt securitymen who make fortunes from importers and allow any manner of product to come into the country.
Recently, the Cross River State Police Commissioner, Mallam Mohammed Bala, alerted members of the public on the presence of the gun phone in the country. There is allegation that some of the militants already have gun phone in their possession.
Bala Ahmed told Daily Sun in his office that intelligence reports have revealed that the deadly phone were manufactured in America and some countries in Europe.
The Police Commissioner said the European law enforcement agencies, had condemned Global System Mobile phone manufacturers for inventing the decoy, which he said, security operatives were still battling to stop its production and distribution.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Police Command, Mr. Etim Dickson, who took his turn to comment on the phone, said there was need for members of the public to be vigilant, in order to report any person found with the phone in Nigeria, to the nearest police station or any other security agency.
Worried about the situation, Mr. Dickson said the Nigeria Police had already taken steps to check the distribution of the phones in the country, as security activities were said to have been beefed up at various airports, sea ports and other entry points, to screen every mobile phone that may be imported into the country.
According to the police image maker, the keypad of the phone has digits number 5 to 8 as the trigger, with high destructive power.
At first sight, he said, the gun appeared to be like normal cell phone, but has extra weight when handled, explaining that the weapon has an in-built bullet magazine.
He said: “We want to draw the attention of members of the public to the existence of the mobile phone gun that is now being sold to armed robbers and other men of the under world. We are calling on members of the public to cooperate with the police in our stop-and-search operations at various checkpoints, in order to fish out those who may have acquired the deadly weapon.”
He said another feature of the phones was, short barrels, which appeared like camera, phone lens, as well as short antenna, which was said to be one of the components of the gun.
Mr. Charles Fakrogha, who also spoke with Daily Sun, however, said the gun phone would be useful to security operatives. He said if allowed to be imported into the country, its use should be restricted to the security agents. He said even if government wants to allow people to have access to the gun, it should be given to those who have licence.
“Allowing such product into the country now is like making mess of the amnesty programme. The Customs should take full charge to prevent the item from getting into wrong hands.
Also Pius Agbamukoro said it would be dangerous to allow such phone to get into the country.
“Why will they tell militants in the Niger Delta to lay down their arms and still encourage the importation of such items,” he queried.
To Chidi Chukwudubem, government should not give the product any chance to be imported into the counrty.
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The invention of the mobile gun phone is already causing some ripples in the security circle, because of its propensity to increase crime rate such as armed robbery and murder/assassination.
The gun phone was discovered recently by the Italian Police Force.
The mobile phone was said to have been seized in an operation against the Camorra, the Naples-based mafia. It is described as a .22 calibre weapon, which is capable of firing four shots in quick succession through the antenna, using buttons on the keypad as the trigger.
What is the implication of this deadly product to Nigeria and Nigerians? This is against the backdrop of Nigerians’ taste for ostentatious products and flamboyant life style.
Another major source of worry is the increasing crime wave in the country, ranging from armed robbery, kidnappings, assassinations, political thuggery, among others.
The pistol, which carries four bullets, can be fired from a button on the phone's keypad
Killer call: A policeman demonstrates how the bullets were loaded
Some people said if the Federal Government doesn’t take steps to prevent the importation of the killer-phone, the country is going to witness crime explosion. Those spoken to by Daily Sun are, however, pessimistic about the ability of the government to stop the deadly phone from finding its way into the country.
Their reasons are as follows; Nigeria, being a large market and target of foreign investors and manufacturers, the producers of the gun would like to target Nigerian market. Second, like car manufacturers, who target Nigerian market for sale of very expensive and posh cars, the manufacturers of the killer-phone would like to penetrate Nigerian market because of high taste of its citizens, for expensive products.
Third, the increase in crime wave is another reason the government should be concerned about the gun phone.
Fourth, the porous nature of Nigerian borders and the corruption among the security agencies, especially, the Nigerian Customs, which was supposed to check the importation and exportation of goods into or out of the country. Products that were banned in the country, including arms and ammunition still find their way into the country on daily basis, because of corrupt securitymen who make fortunes from importers and allow any manner of product to come into the country.
Recently, the Cross River State Police Commissioner, Mallam Mohammed Bala, alerted members of the public on the presence of the gun phone in the country. There is allegation that some of the militants already have gun phone in their possession.
Bala Ahmed told Daily Sun in his office that intelligence reports have revealed that the deadly phone were manufactured in America and some countries in Europe.
The Police Commissioner said the European law enforcement agencies, had condemned Global System Mobile phone manufacturers for inventing the decoy, which he said, security operatives were still battling to stop its production and distribution.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Cross River State Police Command, Mr. Etim Dickson, who took his turn to comment on the phone, said there was need for members of the public to be vigilant, in order to report any person found with the phone in Nigeria, to the nearest police station or any other security agency.
Worried about the situation, Mr. Dickson said the Nigeria Police had already taken steps to check the distribution of the phones in the country, as security activities were said to have been beefed up at various airports, sea ports and other entry points, to screen every mobile phone that may be imported into the country.
According to the police image maker, the keypad of the phone has digits number 5 to 8 as the trigger, with high destructive power.
At first sight, he said, the gun appeared to be like normal cell phone, but has extra weight when handled, explaining that the weapon has an in-built bullet magazine.
He said: “We want to draw the attention of members of the public to the existence of the mobile phone gun that is now being sold to armed robbers and other men of the under world. We are calling on members of the public to cooperate with the police in our stop-and-search operations at various checkpoints, in order to fish out those who may have acquired the deadly weapon.”
He said another feature of the phones was, short barrels, which appeared like camera, phone lens, as well as short antenna, which was said to be one of the components of the gun.
Mr. Charles Fakrogha, who also spoke with Daily Sun, however, said the gun phone would be useful to security operatives. He said if allowed to be imported into the country, its use should be restricted to the security agents. He said even if government wants to allow people to have access to the gun, it should be given to those who have licence.
“Allowing such product into the country now is like making mess of the amnesty programme. The Customs should take full charge to prevent the item from getting into wrong hands.
Also Pius Agbamukoro said it would be dangerous to allow such phone to get into the country.
“Why will they tell militants in the Niger Delta to lay down their arms and still encourage the importation of such items,” he queried.
To Chidi Chukwudubem, government should not give the product any chance to be imported into the counrty.
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Name: Yetunde Onasesan
9 - 5: Student
Age: Undisclosed
“I’m an Accounting student of the Federal College of Technology, Akoka. I’ll describe myself as a short, easy going person that likes making friends. I’m the second child from a family of three and we all live together in Lagos. Living with my brother and sister is fun, except for the little quarrels I frequently have with my younger sister but it is nothing out of the ordinary.
I like music a lot but I don’t go to parties, especially the all night ones. I believe some of these parties cause bad influences that can lead to raping, so I try to avoid parties in general.
Although I’ll love to be an accountant someday, I also have a passion for trading. My mum is a trader and I used to help out at her store a lot, so I have developed a passion for trading. My mum deals in clothing material and the proceeds from it encourages me, so I’m studying hard and at the same time trying to accustom myself to trading while helping my mum and hopefully I will be able to achieve at least one of these dreams someday.
Right now I’m into two different relationships. I’m keeping two boyfriends just to be able to compare and know which is the best. I love both of them though they are totally different. One, we quarrel a lot, while with the other, it’s less quarrels. Anytime I’m with one, I either delete the other’s number or change the name with which I’ve saved it on my phone. They are not aware of the existence of each other but one of them is getting (suspicious) that I may be into another relationship but I always deny it. I think it’s possible to love two people at the same time!”
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Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Imo State Police Command, Owerri are working assiduously to unravel the mysterious death of Miss Mary Oguchukwu of Ime Owerre in Isu Njaba Local Government Area of the state.The late Mary, a hair stylist based in Onitsha, was reported to have gone to see off a male friend, one Christian Mmereukwu of Uburu Ekwe in the same council area who was alleged to have come to see her on August 21, 2009.But she could not return to her house as she was found dead in a nearby bush with blood gushing out from her private part with her clothes torn.Narrating the ugly incident to Daily Sun, the immediate younger brother to the late Mary, Mr Nnorom Oguchukwu, a former judiciary correspondent of Business Day, Abuja, said that his late sister had come back to the village from Onitsha hail and hearty to see him on learning that he was coming home from aboard.According to him, the suspect, Mr Mmereukwu, had been severally warned by members of their family to steer clear from his late sister as he had continuously been proposing marriage to her.“My sister, Miss Mary Oguchukwu was healthy. She came back from Onitsha, Anambra State. She returned home to see me when she heard that I was coming back from abroad, unfortunately, she was hacked to death on August 21, 2009.According to my younger ones, who alerted me on what had happened, they said that on the fateful day of August 21, 2009 evening at about 4 p.m. to 6p.m. one man from Uburu Ekwe, Mr Christian Mmereukwu, came to our compound.On that fateful day, my late sister was with my younger ones and according to them, Christian arrived at our compound and the first person that saw him was my aunty, Agnes Nnanna, who confronted him. She reminded him that he has been warned not to be visiting our compound, but he allegedly ignored her and went straight where my sister was staying.They said that he stayed for a longer period and when he was about going home he beckoned on my sister Mary Oguchukwu to escort him after much pressure and my sister now followed him.She escorted him not knowing that would be her last day on earth.Explaining further, Mr Nnorom alleged that Christian dragged her inside the bush and raped her after which he hacked her to death.He tore her brazier, left it somewhere, killed her and left her in her pool of blood. While I was at Enugu where I took my son for medical treatment I didn’t know that this thing was happening. I only heard a telephone call the following day that one Christian Mmereukwu had killed my elder sister.Any misunderstanding with both families ?Not at all; not to the best of my knowledge. We are good neighbours even where he had his maternal home. We were never in enmity with them. They visit us and we visit them. I don’t actually know what had gone wrong. I don’t really know why the man should come to our place, picked my sister to go and killed her.Marriage proposalI don’t think that my sister was bluffing him, but from his character she may have seen somebody, you cannot attest to his character. She may start distancing herself from such request. The said Christian has that tendency of fighting when he was growing up in his maternal home.My sister’s professionShe is a hair dresser and she wanted to start her own business again in Onitsha, but she heard that I was coming back from abroad and she came back home to stay with me.AppealThe matter was first reported at the Umudugba Divisional Police station. It has now been transferred to State Police Command, Owerri. I believe that this is not a matter that should be swept under the carpet. My humble request is that my sister has been raped, and killed for nothing sake. I am calling on the police and international organizations on anti-rape to take over this matter and see to the last point of it. I want the security agencies to conduct proper investigations on this matter to see that justice is done in this matter. It will be the only way the soul of my sister will have rest. I am also appealing to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ogbonnaya Onovo and human rights organizations to come to my rescue. I am shedding tears in my heart.our sourceslearnt that the suspect Mr Mmereukwu is now held at the state CID where he has been telling the police all he knows about the death of Mary.The police spokesman, ASP Linus Nwaiwu who confirmed the incident said that, investigations are still going on.
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President Barack Obama called Kanye West a “jackass” for hijacking Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech during the VMAs.The audio was recorded just before Obama went on camera to do an interview with CNBC. Before the interview began, Obama referring to Kanye’s antics on stage saidWe have the audio of President Barack Obama calling Kanye West a jackass. President Barack Obama called Kanye West a “jackass” for hijacking Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech during the VMAs.The audio was recorded just before Obama went on camera to do an interview with CNBC. Before the interview began, Obama — referring to Kanye’s antics on stage — said “I thought that was really inappropriate,” then adding, “He’s a jackass.”After making the remarks, Obama said “Where’s the pool?” Presumably, he was worried the joke would go wide. He noted the last time that happened, he got burned for killing a fly.Obama said, “Cut the President some slack.”
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Posted by Jane Okinedo on September 15, 2009 at 9:08pm
Leggy and pretty Matilda Obaseki is one of the newly discovered actresses currently serenading on the set of MNET’s intrigues-filled soap, Tinsel. At 23, the Edo State-born emerging screen diva is so optimistic that acting will definitely take her to the next level, in the next couple of years.Obaseki, who is also an aspiring writer, aside wave-making Tinsel, has in the time past proved her acting prowess in a few hit Nollywood movies and soaps. Despite her intimidating height, Obaseki, has refused to combine her fledging acting career with that of modeling. In fact, she openly confessed that the stress that comes with modeling scares her much.Proudly single and not keen on settling down for now, the soft-spoken and sultry thespian, in this her first major interview, told Daily Sun the story of her chequered life and blossoming career. Obaseki also spoke on her reasons for dropping out of the university, a couple of years ago, the sad demise of her loving dad, coming on board of Tinsel, men, romance and many more in this enchanting encounter that took place at a high brow joint in the heart of Surulere, Lagos.You’re no doubt a damsel; let’s meet you officially?Thanks, my name is Matilda Obaseki, I’m from Benin City, Edo State. I grew up in Benin where I was also born on March 19, 1986, but lost my dad when I was eight years old. I’m also the last child in a family of seven. However, as the baby of the house, I was not pampered, I was only loved and shown love by my parents and siblings.You’re currently one of the hottest faces on Tinsel, the wave making soap on DSTV, how has it been so far?I’ve been with them for more than a year now. I play the character of Angela, a personal assistant working in a production studio in the soap. The role of Angela is such that you can’t put her in a box. Her strongest point is her ability to compartmentalize, meaning, she can live two lives, she is two-faced as a Janus, the Roman god.How did you come about the role on the set of Tinsel?I got information about the audition and reluctantly went on the last day.And on getting there, I discovered there was no more form to fill. I was eventually forced to get a torn sheet of paper to write my name and other details, which I did. I was later invited for the casting, after which I went back to school in Benin. In fact, while all these were happening, I did not have a phone. Luckily for me, I was finally taken, thus making the whole thing to be fun.And I’m so happy because this is my first major job with MNET.Officially, when did you go into acting?I started two years ago on TV and later a few Nollywood movies, but nothing major.As a rising actress, what would you say are the major challenges since your arrival in the industry, especially on the set of Tinsel?Well, at Tinsel, they do not look at how long you’ve been acting, but how well you’re doing. The challenges are there, but I wasn’t trying to compare myself with anybody on set and that helped to make my job easy. It was like a baby learning how to talk, the producer made things easy for me and all the other acts on set. Truth is that I was very scared when we first started.I was even jittery and said to myself that God didn’t actually ask me to act. But as we progressed, I realized that art is life and acting is the greatest form of art. That was when I also accepted the fact that acting is what I want to do. I have shot more than 50 fascinating and challenging episodes with the cast and crew of Tinsel.What thrills and fascinates you most about being on the set of Tinsel?The way everybody comes to the table with their A-Game, its like a fight, and we all strive to be the best and biggest. It’s like a family thing too, very fun and intriguing.So, how is your relationship with the other members of the cast?I cope with them very well; the relationship is very okay and cordial. We tell ourselves the truth always. In fact, we have all realized that if one of us is not doing well, it means Tinsel is not doing well. So, in essence, we always work like a team.In a nutshell, what is Tinsel all about?Tinsel is basically a reflection of what the Nigerian film industry will be or look like in the next couple of years. It is our visualization of what the industry will be. The intrigues and power plays, inside the companies that made up Tinsel, we have cheating husbands and wives, those cutting corners and several other shocking events.Your take home for the two seasons plus that you’ve been on Tinsel, has it been financially rewarding?Sincerely, it’s been good, the pay is good but I can’t disclose it here. I never dreamt of getting to where I am now courtesy of Tinsel, so soon. I’m really grateful to my bosses at Tinsel.After Tinsel, what’s the next level for Matilda Obaseki?The next level for me is much more than Tinsel, Tinsel is just the stepping-stone, I want to be in my own comfort zones and do things that will outlive me. Aside acting, which is my first love, I also write scripts and do other creative stuffs.Are you a model, because you’ve got the height?No, I’m not a model because I just do not have the strength.You lost your darling dad almost 15 years ago, any fond memories of him?Sure! It was a big house and we all had fun while he was alive. I truly miss everything about him even till date. He was and remains a hero to me. My dad never hit me while alive. I have stepsiblings but my dad was always bringing all of us together under his love and care without any rancour, under one roof.Are you married?No! Not-at-all.Are you in any relationship currently?No, I’m single, happy and not searching. And the reason is simple and straight; I’m putting all my strength into Tinsel and my blossoming acting career. I also do not have time to trade my acting career for any relationship now.So, when exactly do you intend having time for a man or serious and steady relationship in your life?Is not as if I’m scared of men, in fact, I had a few affairs, but it was not something serious. I became fully single when I started Tinsel. Truth is that I didn’t choose to be single, it just happened like that and I found out that I also like it that way.Are you keen on getting married soon?I’m not itching to be married in the next couple of years. When the time comes, I will be looking for a confident and God fearing man. But for now, I’m okay being single. I always say that you can’t lose what you never had. I believe in love so much. For me, there is no time frame on when I will be getting married; there are a whole lot of things that I want to accomplish before settling down.Why not share some of the things with us?First and foremost, I want to set up a foundation that will cater for kids, women and single parents. I was going home one day and it was very late, I saw a woman and her two kids sleeping on the road. I felt bad but there was nothing I could do, but that was not right. Those children I saw that night did not do anything bad to deserve that kind of treatment and rejection from the society. And my foundation will strive to help such people when it becomes fully operational soon.Back to Tinsel, as a major member of the cast on set, what would you say makes you and your character unique?I kept asking why me for the role of Angela. Truth is that I do not know anybody prior to joining the cast and crew of Tinsel. I also never lobbied to be part of Tinsel. A day before they called me, I was in school, very broke and could not pay my school fees. I sat down and was crying and asking God why he has chosen to abandon me. I was thinking of what to do when my sister called me the next morning and told me about the Tinsel invitation. I’ve always believed in God and have so much faith in him.As a single, popular and dashing damsel, how are you coping and handling pressures from men, especially the stubborn ones?Of course, you don’t expect me to say to men, hey! I’m here, come get me. I just cope somehow, but do not dwell on it. Besides, I work most time and do not have the space and time too. That does not mean I do not come in contact with them, even the stubborn ones.Having come on board Tinsel, what does stardom mean to you?Sincerely, I don’t think I consider myself a star. Not until I can prove myself to not only Nigerians but, the rest of the world, that is when I can call myself a star.Can you pay your bills now?Yes, I can pay my bills very well now and I’m so happy and thanking God always for making that possible, all thanks to Tinsel.So, how rich are you now?I’m not hungry and do not think I will ever be hungry.Now, tell us, why did you drop out of school?I left school because of so many pressures, that was in my 100 level, at the University of Benin, Edo State. Now, that I’m working and have enough money, I intend to get myself back to school soon. I’m going back to University of Lagos, to continue with English, a course I love so much.In a nutshell, how would you describe yourself?Most people generally misunderstand me, because I hate to be hypocritical and hate hypocrites with a passion. Above all, I have a good heart and very focused.Can anything make you quit the set of Tinsel?I don’t know how to answer that, but not anything I know of for now.What are the circumstances that could easily move you to fears?I cry when I watch touchy scenes in movies or read emotional parts of a novel. I also cry when I see people, especially kids suffering or when people talk to me anyhow.Have you ever cried for love?Not for me, but for other people’s ugly love stories and heart breaks. I want to also thank all the cast and crew members of Tinsel for their love and team spirit.
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Posted by 9jabook.com on September 15, 2009 at 8:58pm
At 3:25pm on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, the man who famously said of himself - “I am not a middle of the road man” - finally came to the end of his road, six feet beneath the earth, in his Oka, Ondo hometown, next to his mother.
The journey to the final resting place for Gani Fawehinmi, fondly called ‘Gani’, had commenced earlier in the day, with a lying-in-state at the Oba Adesanoye Civic Center in Ondo Town.
The roll call
Tuesday turned out to be a day government officials fell over themselves to identify with the late lawyer, to be seen by his side as the world bade him goodbye. Three state governors: Edo’s Adams Oshiomhole, Jigawa’s Sule Lamido and the host governor, Olusegun Mimiko were in attendance. The Osemawe of Ondo, Victor Kiladejo was represented by his wife.
Also present were former presidential aspirant, Olu Falae; Reuben Fasoranti, Frederick Fasheun and Gani Adams of the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC); Ledum Mitee, President of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP); former Kano State governor, Abubakar Rimi; Publicity Secretary of the Action Congress (Lagos State), Joe Igbokwe and human rights lawyer Femi Falana. Former Head of State, Muhammadu Buhari was represented by Yomi Tokoya.
Gani’s body arrived the Civic Center at 10:34am, in a procession of students, labour activists, National Conscience Party members, lawyers, musicians and family members.
Ten minutes later, Mr Mimiko arrived in an unmarked bus, along with his wife and former minister, Olu Agunloye. Mr Lamido arrived at 11am, closely followed by the flag-waving MOSOP contingent who started a dance procession around the Center.
Homily
At the Ondo Central mosque where some of the funeral rites were held, the Chief Imam, Basiru Alimi advised Nigerians to emulate the commendable life Gani led.
In his words; “Gani has done his own part on earth, let us all be courageous enough to stand against injustice and oppression which was Gani’s hallmark.
“We should all endeavour to always say the truth at any point in our lives, so that people will be able to say good things after our exit.”
Day of tributes
It was essentially a day of tributes, from the Civic Center to the graveside, as all those present paid homage to the departed lawyer, politician and human rights activist.
Adams Oshiomhole, describing himself as a “beneficiary of Gani’s services,” said: “Gani left us with an unfinished business, the business of building a country; one that can provide for all its citizens, one in which the University system cannot be shut down for twenty-four hours because that is locking out the future; one in which no one will throw excess food in the dustbin when there are millions who are starving; one in which no one will be denied justice, merely on account of the fact that he cannot afford legal fees.” Deebari Gbaranor Keeper, spokesperson for MOSOP was profuse in his appreciation of the late Gani’s contributions to the Niger Delta struggle. “This man came, fought for the Ogoni people, stood by us in the time of trauma, when the military under Abacha wanted to crush the Ogoni people... after the death of Ken he continued to support us, till today, so we’ve come all the way from Ogoni to pay him [our] last respects, and we are praying that more people like this who are not hindered by boundaries , who are not limited by their tribes,
who see human beings as human beings, no matter where you come from, more of these should come in Nigeria...” According to him, the relationship between the late Ken Saro Wiwa and Gani was essentially of “a star here [recognising] a star in Ogoniland.”
A rejected leader
Omosolape Fawehinmi, son of the late activist’s elder brother, described his Uncle as “a leader that Nigeria rejected.” “I was at the Akure Township Stadium yesterday (Monday), those people that were fighting him, that did not see any good thing in what he was doing, were the same ones sitting down [in] the VIP [stands]. Shame on them!” He told NEXT of his wish to see people “come up and continue” his uncle’s struggles, adding ruefully, “but a lot of people are cowards, they will not do it...” Against the backdrop of the fact that Gani spent his life fighting the failings of Nigeria’s successive governments, few could resist the temptation to lash out at the current crop of leaders. Constitutional lawyer and professor of law, Itse Sagay, speaking about the ongoing University teachers’ strike described Nigeria’s leaders as “insensitive” and “unreasonable.” “Our present leaders are barbarians and they really have to be compelled to accept the view that without education there is no development. Everything will turn out well - at the end; because the struggle that ASUU is engaged in now is like a do-or-die battle for the survival of education in this country.”
Future of activism
Regarding the future of activism, he was also hopeful. “I remember that when Chief Awolowo died, we were all very depressed, but see what has happened. Great people have come up after him, inspired by him and I think Gani too was one of them. So he has created a spirit of activism, of resistance to injustice, and that spirit lives on. There are many young people who will pick up the fight from where he stopped, I have no doubt about it.” Frederick Fasheun, founder of the Oodua People’s Congress, said: “Every Nigerian knows about the death of Gani Fawehinmi, every Nigerian knows what Gani Fawehinmi was and I’m sure there is a bit of Gani Fawehinmi in every Nigerian by now.”
Buried in tiled grave
The torrent of tributes didn’t cease even as the golden casket lay in the tiled grave, moments away from being sealed.
Gani’s fellow activist and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana assured him that “we shall never betray you. All your dreams shall come to pass...” From the USA, Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka sent a wreath and a poetic tribute, AFTER GANI, read on his behalf by Joe Okei Odumakin of the Campaign for Democracy (CD).
“Weighed beneath loss, the people moan: “Who next?” Alas, the streets and pavings cry: Who’s left?” Hours earlier, as though in pre-emptive answer to Soyinka’s fitting query, Adams Oshiomhole had declared, at the Civic Center: “Gani cannot die for as long as a Nigerian lives, because when [a] man lives in the hearts of the people, [for] as long as those people are alive, the man is alive.”
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Posted by Oladipupo on September 15, 2009 at 3:23am
I have a very good Pure white colour, pitbull female puppy for sale. It's going for a give away price of =N=40,000.Order now while stock last.
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Posted by 9jabook.com on September 15, 2009 at 3:00am
Not a few Nigerians were incensed with Oprah Winfrey when she maligned Nigeria and Nigerians in a TV discussion about the global scourge of cyber crimes. In an attempt to lend credence to her inflammatory pronouncement, Oprah purportedly played the video clip of a popular Nigerian hit-track that celebrates cybercrimes (Yahoo-Yahoo) to millions of viewers hooked on to her Oprah Winfrey Talk Show worldwide. Whatever that meant, I believe Oprah is entitled to her own opinion.
Only last week, Sony Corporation issued an apology to Nigeria over a TV commercial for its latest PlayStation which attacks with innuendo, the reputation of Nigerians. The Sony apology came shortly after Nigeria’s official image maker, Information and Communications Minister, Prof. Dora Akunyili issued a release condemning and demanding an unreserved apology from Sony Corporation. Good for Nigeria and kudos to Madam Dora, Sony has withdrawn the commercial, but not before it had been posted on YouTube, entrenching our global reputation in the liminal limbo between death and dying.
And just as Nigerians were still smarting from the attack delivered by the Sony advert came a new assault, this time from the world’s movie capital – Hollywood. In District 9, a 2009 science fiction directed by Neill Blomkamp, written by Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, and released on August 14, 2009, Nigerians are portrayed as voodoo experts, gangsters, drug dealers, pimps, prostitutes, cannibals and an unintelligent bunch of weapon traffickers. For the sake of our cinemas, let me avoid a sheepish regurgitation of the plot within this discourse.
I saw District 9 on the evening of September 9, 2009. Shot on location in Chiawelo Soweto, South Africa, District 9, apparently another Hollywood sell-abroad in the league of movies like the famed Indian Slumdog Millionaire, grossed $US 37 million on the weekend of its release and has been attracting reviews some of which have critiqued it for its apparent selection and demonization of the Nigerian people. This is where I have a problem. Whether the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Sony and now Neill Blomkamp acted in good faith or whether they were right in their assertions about Nigeria is first, not as important, as telling ourselves the truth about Nigeria and the need for us to do something serious about it. Before we be begin to roar in outrage, before we begin to call for the heads of those who amplify our national notoriety, let’s do a bit of introspection here. Are we truly not what they say we are?
Talking about cyber crimes (Yahoo-Yahoo), we rank third globally. Corruption nko? Until Nuhu Ribadu appeared on the scene in 2004, Nigeria was globally reputed as one of the most corrupt nations of this world. Sadly, in the last one year, Nigeria has begun a steady relapse into the dark days of the past. Or is it prostitution? Let us leave Italy out of this matter. Our electoral process is reality stranger than fiction! Since independence, our leaders have been powerless about the power issue plunging the entire nation, particularly our manufacturing sector into the recklessness of fruitless darkness. Our terrible roads are probably too long an issue to discuss here. Or is it our sharply declining per capita income or lazy theories of seven sleeping agendas? Maybe we should talk about the deprived communities of the Niger-Delta and the resultant carnage unleashed upon us by militant youths who should be in school to make their families and our nation proud. Tell me; where else in the world do people get slaughtered over cartoons they know absolutely nothing about?
It is this same Nigeria of rock star bankers in shiny suits and armoured car convoys dishing out may-God-forgive-them loans in billions of dollars to their friends, families and well-wishers. It is this same Nigeria where people live and die to understand that the police who ought to protect them could indeed, be their worst enemy. Can we just wake up from this lame sentimental slumber and picture a country whose Minister of Education wasted over 150 million naira on his birthday and wedding anniversary party at the Transcorp Hilton in Abuja while millions of Nigerian undergraduates are wasting away at home over government’s inability to provide better welfare for university lecturers? And then, when some overfed over-inspired overseas buffoon begins the lame game of name-calling, we cry blue murder! Are we not worse than what they even call us? Has our own Nollywood not portrayed Nigeria and Nigerians in far more injurious perspectives than this Hollywood flick we have made so popular by our untamed crocodile tears?
More worrisome is how far all these will go to validate the doctrine of rebranding Nigeria. These are perhaps some of Madam Dora’s brightest moments. And for all the self-styled consultants and apostles of branding and rebranding Nigeria, this is one glorious opportunity to step up their game; sell new ideas to the government, and get paid the Abuja way – all at the expense of taxpayers’ money. “Why I dey vex? Is it my money?”
If Nigerians can devote the same amount of energy and attention they expend on ignoble distractions like District 9, Nigeria will have moved a few more miles away from Hades. Our worst enemies are not the Oprahs, the Sonys or Blomkamps of this world. We are our own greatest enemies, and interestingly too, our greatest messiahs.
Regardless of the foregoing, for whatever it is worth, I am averse to the creative recklessness of Neill Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, director and writer of the movie District 9, respectively. If it was contemptuous labelling the gang of neighbourhood terrorists in District 9, Nigerians, it was far more distressing calling their leader ‘Obasanjo’. At its best, this was creativity debased and by all means a demonization of our cultural dignity and identity.
By singling out Nigerians and the immediate past president of the country for such undesirably bizarre and stereotypical castings, District 9 comes crashing down the pedestal of ‘great’ science fictions placing the movie at the very heights of self-conceited racial prejudice. Coming from a South African director, and viewed from the lens of prevailing socio-political and cultural realities in the African continent, one can hardly deracinate its thematic preoccupation from its hideous xenophobic expression. Whatever good, satirical or allegorical outcome the makers of this movie planned to achieve, they rubbished with their audacity of slanted imagination.
By daring to depict the world’s largest conglomerate of black souls in such despicable candour, Neill Blomkamp plunges his audiences globally, into the paradox of distorted worldviews of not just Nigeria, but South Africa and the African continent as a whole. Let somebody remind the young South African director that this same Nigeria produced Africa’s first Nobel Laureate for Literature, the legendary Prof. Wole Soyinka. Philip Emeagwali, regarded as one of the fathers of the Internet, is a Nigerian. The Chinua Achebes, Emeka Anyaokus, Gamaliel Onosodes, Nuhu Ribadus, Chimamanda Adichies, and the Asas of recent memories are not from space like Blomkamp’s aliens in District 9. They are all Nigerians. Ikponmwosan ‘IK’ Osakioduwa, current host of the Big Brother Africa TV show ongoing in South Africa, is a young Nigerian. It is also on record that a Nigerian university, the University of Ibadan emerged winner of the recently concluded Zain African Schools Challenge. But all these are facts, the Oprah Winfreys, Sonys and Neill Blomkamps of this world chose to ignore because the good among us have allowed the bad and the ugly to take prime positions in our fatherland. Perhaps, more instructively, this is a lesson to future filmmakers.
For us as Nigerians, we have a long way to go. We are the embodiment of aspiration, audacity, ability and achievement in the entire African continent but we have this constantly nagging challenge of good governance which has brought the nation to its very knees since independence. Today, the way out may not be etched in a bloody revolution. No, maybe not yet. But before us, especially my generation of young people lies a formidable opportunity to kick out our bad leaders using the ballot box. If we can get it right with the quality of candidates that emerge as our leaders; if we can identify our potential leaders as candidates and begin to mobilise for them; if we can register to vote at the polls; if we can stay with our votes to ensure that they count, then the good men can have a chance to emerge and clean up decades of rot and rubbish in both high and low places. Then we will have no need for rebranding; we will begin to receive befitting welcomes in airports world over; we will have good, great movies named after us. Then, our story will become an inspiration to the world.
Ohimai Godwin Amaize
September, 2009
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