tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28883148259364656282024-03-13T23:32:12.195-07:00townncrierThe townncrier is a news hunter,especially the weird stuff;breaks it down to make it even more interesting (story story!),and....well,you never know !townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-69621702923988584492010-07-19T22:51:00.000-07:002010-07-19T22:51:02.617-07:00A VERY INTERESTING CONVERSATION !<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Enjoy this conversation between a N1000 and a N10 note (as narrated to be by a colleaque).</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;"></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: orange;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">A One Thousand Naira note and a Ten Naira note arrived at the Central Bank to be retired. As they moved along the conveyor belt to be burnt, they struck up a conversation. The One Thousand Naira note reminiscenced about his travels all over the county: "I've had a pretty good life,you know ", he proclaimed ;"Why? I've been to Lagos, Port Harcourt ,Abuja and all the major cities; attended five-star performances at Muson Centre and Tera Kulture; danced at the hottest nite clubs all over the country; and dined regularly at the Moorhouse, Transcorp Hilton,Kingsize, Sheraton,St. Elmos,you name it !"</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">"Wow" said the Ten Naira note: "You've really had an exciting life!"</span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">"So tell me," said the One Thousand note: "where have you been in your lifetime?"</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The Ten Naira note replied: "Oh, I've been to the Apostolic Church, Methodist Church, the Redeemed Christian Church, Deeper Life Bible Church, Baptist Church, Anglican Church, The Roman Catholic Church, Household of God....." </span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The One Thousand Naira note exclaimed,<span style="color: blue;"> "Hey,what's a Church ? !"</span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: orange;"><br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: orange; font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">My dear friends,please let's help the N1,000 note know what a Church is.Beginning from next Sunday, endeavour to add at least one N1000 note to your Church offering.May God enrich us with the spirit of giving,in Jesus' name.</span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: orange;"><br />
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</div>townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-13443968904054744662010-05-02T19:23:00.000-07:002010-05-02T19:23:41.172-07:00MODENINE,OBIWON AND OTHER NEW DISCS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLApT1x0vExUsUBfQLgoEGzzWpQ9NBNAy-eeLAwhdoIkKdrohECMQE3br46efZ8dGu77ceEtsvFpw8NQXsCM7p7orgBHollmGcL52JPqctrqcnrF6VtCJt1Km3k4WB0eJYUb8VulNjV0/s320/scan0001.jpg" tt="true" /></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Modenine's Da Vinci Mode truly deserves the Da Vinci analogy</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: right;">I was back at my favorite Ojuelegba 'shops' to update myself on what's hot on the music scene,and as usual I was not dissappointed at all.After the commercial embarassment that was Unstoppable,Tuface Idibia appears to have found favour again as his latest single Implication is being played all over and can be found in most of the pirated 'selection' CDs in the market.But there's much more going on right now.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">Paul Play,recuperating from a rather serious medical problem has a CD out.It's titled Hero, and I couldn't resist falling for the rnb ditty Delicious. Lord of Ajasa prefers to be simply Ajasa on his new work,where he teams up with Pasuma to produce another street rocker in Bo Se Nlo (Igboro) and the really goovy Movin On.It is key to always remember that Ajasa's Lefenuso opened the doors for Yoruba rap as a mainstream genre in this country.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">Soulful crooner Obiwon will also now like us to know that he is really Obiora. So, Obiora Obiwon then !Despite his dexterity as a dancer (he easily rates with P Square and Sound Sultan) his new CD, The Rebirth is loaded with ballads and mid-tempo rnb stuff. Obviously you've heard Obi Mu O by now, but what an infectious ballad it is ! And where on this planet did he discover that immaculate femme voice, Guchi Young ?</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">Now to the big one.The last time I blogged about Modenine, it wasn't such a sweet tale - I was really pissed off with the whole Ruggedman beef thing, but what a turnaround this is. Modenine's Da Vinci Mode is a masterpiece well worthy of the Da Vinci analogy (Leonardo Da Vinci remains one of the world's greatest Artists ever).</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">I've always questioned our hiphop artistes why they have to load their CDs with 10,13,sometimes even 15 tracks when only 1 or at most 3 of the tracks will attract any meaningful public attention. Well, Da Vinci Mode has all of 22 tracks, but believe me this is some one hour or so of pure excitement.Every track stands out;every track has a life of its own.The production quality is second to none,even by yankee standards (even Will.I.Am's voice is on it,you see !),while mode takes on a variety of issues you can easily identify with.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">Of course the obligatory collab with Tuface is there - We Dey Vex. But for the first time, Mode can boast of authentic commercial songs:What U Want,We At It Again and Black Rap Messiah will thrill anybody any day.In Okokomaiko he takes us through his growing up years,while admonishing his fellow stars on the responsibilties of mentoring in Tears of Pain.In Top Eleven,it is about the Super Eagles and Mode's greatest players ever,while Ali Baba,Julius Agwu and other comedians are made to 'face the music' in Taking Comedy Money.</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">Loke is all about ambition,while Blaise puts on an impressive rap performance on Down. See,Modenine even remembers to confess his sins and seek God's forgiveness on the track Soul To Keep.Isn't that cute ?</div><div style="text-align: right;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: right;">When Naeto C brought out Kini Big Deal,I knew people were going to sit up. Frankly, I could have paid double the price to buy this CD. Mode; now we're friends,hope we remain so.</div>townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-19904869285923650032010-05-02T17:17:00.000-07:002010-05-02T17:17:50.143-07:00DAGRIN : NOT HOW LONG BUT HOW WELL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDUuAkUnTucvfxYnflnNYEJmu3AqDdZNBXBEUSiveLrTPQpHKk9zq7qM1wFUBLk1TcyxCajQiGV6Oz1aNznUehJhRNJ6xsSJRwO67aaPbkSe6sHKyofs-d7JTBbJXWmRSW5_bQFXWj-Q/s1600/1adagrin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizDUuAkUnTucvfxYnflnNYEJmu3AqDdZNBXBEUSiveLrTPQpHKk9zq7qM1wFUBLk1TcyxCajQiGV6Oz1aNznUehJhRNJ6xsSJRwO67aaPbkSe6sHKyofs-d7JTBbJXWmRSW5_bQFXWj-Q/s320/1adagrin.jpg" tt="true" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> This fascinating picture of DaGrin (left) 'dining' with other artistes is courtesy of lindaikeji's blog</span><br />
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If America's Billboard magazine were to be in Nigeria,their statistics for this outgoing week would have been something like this:<br />
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No.1 Album - C.E.O - DaGrin<br />
No.1 Single - Pon Pon Pon - DaGrin<br />
Hottest Songs On Radio - Pon Pon Pon, - DaGrin<br />
- My Pain ( Tribute To DaGrin) - Sheyman and All Stars <br />
- Kondo - DaGrin<br />
- Ghetto Dreams - DaGrin<br />
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When I wrote in October last year on ipledge2nigeria.com about the impressive quality of DaGrin's CEO album ,I very frankly never imagined that the work was going to be anywhere as commeecially successful as it turned out to be:Reason of course being that rap was still struggling to break into the big money spinning category here.But following on the footsteps of Lord of Ajasa's Lefenuso,DaGrin's Kondo and Pon Pon Pon broke the commercial barriers very quickly to shoot the guy - making only his second album (like 9ice,his debut was quiet) - to the top of the hiphop scene.<br />
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His sad demise should be a wake up call to some of the fundamental ills of this society.We have a very stinking self-centerred attitude to most things that we do.Did the person that parked that vehicle on<br />
the highway ever spare a thought about the possible implications of his action ? I have also been quite bemused about how very little has been said,even by Laitan's sympathisers about this aspect of the whole sad event.In Nigeria,we take the little but most important things for granted,of course because most of us would do the same thing if faced with the same situation.Very sad.<br />
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It is also a wake up call to our artistes to temper their fast-paced lifestyles with moderation.It should be a blessing that God has opened the doors to immense wealth for many of them.Their response should not be to live like tommorrow will never come.Go to VI's upscale clubs at night and see how these guys gulp hennessy like water.Many artistes have been victims of road accidents in the past.Just a few months ago, Ruggedman survived one only by the grace of God.Sorry I'm not condemning you guys, but always remember that you have a whole life to live - or better still,remember you now have millions of fans who have become your family and who derive joy only in seeing you alive.<br />
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DaGrin's father has been exceptionally strong and composed in mourning.He should be cosoled by the immense positive legacy his son has left behind.The only time I remember the Nigerian music scene being enveloped with such unifying emotional atmosphere was when Fela passed on in 1997.It is not how well a man lives that counts,but how many lives he touched positively in his lifetime.May God grant DaGrin's family the fortitude to bear this loss.<br />
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townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-65813643965902013982010-04-11T13:57:00.000-07:002010-04-11T13:57:17.299-07:00CHANGING PARADIGMS: AN OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPROVED RESOURCE ALLOCATION<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjW7bLRWbHM7l1kUAUenzXOzLR2a-WcJbuZr_XZ35EFeWPTTJwL9YVKudoPV6s51oisccFCTmHWnaUf36jw9XQKnMTpum5za1e8WWdBsTGRvWyA3eGpS9wUuBWOPSgjB5I52xgXy0qd0g/s1600/1aganga.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjW7bLRWbHM7l1kUAUenzXOzLR2a-WcJbuZr_XZ35EFeWPTTJwL9YVKudoPV6s51oisccFCTmHWnaUf36jw9XQKnMTpum5za1e8WWdBsTGRvWyA3eGpS9wUuBWOPSgjB5I52xgXy0qd0g/s320/1aganga.jpg" wt="true" /></a>The first quarter of this year witnessed interesting reverse shifts in the directions of the money and capital markets.In less than three months,interest rates crashed to unbelievable levels (as low as 1%p.a for deposits),while the capital market, which secondary arm lost over 70% in the last two years, recouped a massive 25% (and is still gaining).From a narrow perspective,investors in the stock market would be happy for this much needed reprieve,but the regulators cannot afford to merely watch with a passive sense of satisfaction.As a matter of fact the government itself must look very seriously into the current situation and capitalise on the veritable opportunity it presents for creating a more efficient resource allocation mechanism.</div><br />
I've always maintaned that despite the pains,the last meltdown afforded our policy initiators a golden opportunity to identify the weaknesses in our economic and financial structures.I find a lot of interesting analogies between the market surge of late 2007/early 2008 with the experience of the last two months.<br />
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First,the financial system was awash with cash way beyond what the Banks could cope with in terms of secured lending.Of course this was money raised in a large part from investors in the Capital Market.What did the Banks do with the money ? Lend to oil and gas projects and speculate in the capital market.Small and medium scale enterprises and other indegenous real sector ventures received only an intangible fraction of the Banks' loans.Secondly,there was a huge inflow of foreign short-term investment in the stock market,as a result of the boom in the financial markets in Europe and the US. Meanwhile the CBN's monetary policies on their part succeeded in keeping interest rates low and relatively stable.The stock market was overstretched, and prices rose beyond the fundamentals.Whereas what the capital market needed was long term investments,what it was actually thriving on was short-term speculative money.<br />
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Fast forward to Feb/March 2010,the CBN was again a major factor.With stricter regulatory risk management requirements,Banks have found themselves at crossroads in terms of who to lend to.Without margin loans and the largely mismatched oil and gas outlets,the common phrase these days is 'Banks are not lending'. If 'Banks are not lending',it is only natural to be curious about what they are doing with their customers' deposits.Secondly,I recall that the Nigerian meltdown was preceded by the European/American meltdown months earlier.Our stock market resurgence in 2010 was interestingly also preceded by the recovery of the foreign markets.Simple logic suggests that foreign speculative money is finding its way back into our stock market.It is not a crime,and we may therefore be tempted to conclude that the Nigerian stock market is having its second chance at 'hot' money.But have we learnt any lessons from the unpalatable outcome of the last experience ? More importantly,is the economy now better structured to derive tangible and lasting benefits from this liquidity situation?<br />
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We can only truly say the capital market has recoverred when the primary market is revived and we start seeing fully subscribed Public Offers again.That will only happen if the recovery in the secondary market is maintained and kept stable.The major test, which the market failed woefully in 2007, was knowing when to apply the breaks.After over 30% leap in a little over three months,do we continue flying,running,walking or crawling ? For me,any of the four options is welcome,but what the market cannot afford in the next few years is another massive crash.<br />
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One point to note is that our capital market has its limits in terms of available instruments at any point in time.If every avalaible cash in the system is pushed into the stock market,there will be a problem.If too little,there will also be a problem. At the macro-economic level,there is clearly a resource allocation problem in the country.Key economic drivers in the manufacturing,agriculture and small-scale sectors are begging for funding,yet Banks and the secondary market are awash with 'excess' liquidity.This has been the pattern for years,so let's not trivialise it by ascribing it to 'Sanusi's policies'.<br />
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The CBN,SEC and NSE can only do so much if the fundamental economic structures are not put in place to enable an efficient and development-oriented resource allocation process in Nigeria.The initiative therefore has to come from the Government at the centre,and the current state of both the money and capital markets presents a veritable opportunity to start addressing this issue.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Photo shows Finance Minister Olusegun Aganga)</span>townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-16426549466803921402010-04-05T23:35:00.000-07:002010-04-05T23:35:58.817-07:00THE RESURGENT STOCK MARKET<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Over the last one month I've been made to feel like a celebrity sort of, simply because I told television viewers in early January what I thought was very obvious - that the Nigerian Stock Market will rebound during the quarter.By end of March the NSE Index had notched up 25 % and didn't seem to be relaxing at all,and everybody suddenly thinks I'm the nostrademus. Am I flatterd ? Big time ! Am I impressed ? No !</span></div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well,it's possible that I'm crying over spilt milk.In early march,when the gain hit 14%, I took the decision to sell down all my short-term portfolios irrespective of the fact that things were still looking up.That decision of course means I have missed out of the extra 10% that followed,but I have no regrets whatsoever.Any human being that makes the same mistake twice must have to search his soul thoroughly.</span></div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">In 2008 the stock market crashed flat on our faces, and is only just reviving after two very painful years. What caused it ? Did we learn anything from that experience ? Well I'm afraid many of us do not seem to have learnt any lessons at all.In 2006/2007/early 2008 the market was awash with liquidity - ie hot cash - from the banks,institutionals and foreign speculators.That is precisely the same situation we have found ourselves in today.Interest rates have crashed miserably in the money market and in reaction,depositors are moving their funds massively from the banks to the stock market.</span></div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">In early 2008 the market was so enveloped with the 'greed' factor that we simply did not know when to apply the breaks - until of course the vehicle crashed ! Regretably that is the same situation that we are pushing ourselves into today."The money is there, just buy for me - at any price !". In December most stocks were technically underpriced;today many are already over the roof,and still no signs of restraint ! It is so sweet to watch your investments grow,but always remember the pains that come when you lose - and always remember that in the stock market,what goes up will always come down (and vice versa).</span></div><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #444444; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now to all my friends who have been asking me for another 'big prediction': The market is still good for investments,but at this point resist the urge to buy at significantly higher prices.The market urgently needs to cool off,even if for a few days or weeks - it's in our own interest.Let's keep things stable.</span></div>townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-70616972903409357542010-04-05T23:21:00.000-07:002010-04-05T23:21:09.913-07:00THE APPLAUSE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzo-6xM8UZBPki80v6gqTUQV8jJtw8oSEPHBRdpr8MVmOJ007jmVNX12_jPnP0b4bltnMX_qfkRs_LfT6tonip-FZ8mGCSwpo9XwHf7JurvfVkKmpocLbGD5Qw-VQ_cHprJM09g6wZ2k/s1600/1applauseok.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzo-6xM8UZBPki80v6gqTUQV8jJtw8oSEPHBRdpr8MVmOJ007jmVNX12_jPnP0b4bltnMX_qfkRs_LfT6tonip-FZ8mGCSwpo9XwHf7JurvfVkKmpocLbGD5Qw-VQ_cHprJM09g6wZ2k/s320/1applauseok.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;"> That's Debo in the middle</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About ten years ago when I was much younger and still very 'adventurous', the University of Lagos campus was like a second home ( for reasons I'm sure should be pretty obvious ! ) One positve fallout though of that phase of my life was my coming in contact with a certain young man named Adebowale Folorunsho,then a student of Architecture at the university.He was very passionate about his then fledging campus magazine, Drag On,and through him I met his other partners in progress ;Mila,Mayowa and much later the'oyinbo man' Michael Kotun who seemed even more passionate about the project than Debo himself.</span></div><span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For a while I enjoyed very close and mutually fulfilling comraderie with Debo and his crew,and I was privileged to witness the metamorhosis of the magazine from Drag On to The Applause,what has now become one of the biggest brands in campus journalism in Nigeria - "the international magazine of the Nigerian youth".It was also through the motivation I got from the Applause guys that I was able to finally actualise the publication of my own magazine Style Africa,a project that I had been planning for over five years ! </span></div><span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Unfortunately, higher responsibilities at the Bank where I worked meant I had less and less time to spend with my friends,and eventually we completely lost contact.That notwithstanding, I've always bought every edition of the magazine whenever I see one, and a few weeks ago,while at Terra Kulture I saw the latest edition of the magazine and like you will expect,snapped it up immediately (and by the way, I received a much cherished autograph from Prof Wole Soyinka on the same day ! ) .It turned out that the edition was a special issue of the magazine.And you really didn't need to be told:The layout was splendid;the colours simply enticing.The lead story was on Tuface Idibia.The interview was done in the states ( I mean US,not Abia ! ),and on the cover was a remarkable photo of Tuface and Mary J Blige together.</span></div><span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Debo's message was very moving, and I'm very happy for him.Apparently he and Michael are now in-laws which makes the story even more exciting.It's also great to know that the respected journalist Femi Oke will also teem up with The Applause crew.Surely the sky must be the limit for these guys.Next time you meet a bald-headed twenty-something year old man,you better take him very serious.Debo is a genius.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: #cccccc; color: purple; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Photo courtesy TINU)</span></div>townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-65764170057675575102010-04-05T13:16:00.000-07:002010-04-05T13:16:19.543-07:00BIMBO - SOLA CONNECT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAvwSSskAH5MPPYmHmcl1wr3ksjYrQtxp40c7cOn_NVOM8DA0BILGnjzJCufptSTSJX9atCj_If7uW2tIJuxNPpWpK2qO878HSieON3daaaBN6b06RK7AUmS2cuKn54Ssv2mSYFGrrPg/s1600/1Salako%5B1%5D.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglAvwSSskAH5MPPYmHmcl1wr3ksjYrQtxp40c7cOn_NVOM8DA0BILGnjzJCufptSTSJX9atCj_If7uW2tIJuxNPpWpK2qO878HSieON3daaaBN6b06RK7AUmS2cuKn54Ssv2mSYFGrrPg/s320/1Salako%5B1%5D.gif" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've heard many of my friends comment on how beautiful Sola Salako is,and they always find it strange that I don't seem to be as excited as they are whenever the topic comes up.And I will say to them,'if you are so excited about Sola now,what would you have done if you had seen the Sola at our NYSC camp years ago,the indefatigable platoon commander (better believe it) with the curves so definitive even with the heavy khaki apparel !' .Indeed Sola must be the most beautiful Miss Nigeria Nigeria never had ! But physical beauty is only just one of the fascinating aspects of Sola's person.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some years ago I was compelled to buy a particular newspaper every week just to read Sola's very courageous column on consumer protection.And I must say I was very dissappointed when that column was rested .That dissappointment was however assuaged a few weeks ago when par coincidence I happened to find myself watching LTV at about midnight,and found Laolu Akins,Fatai Rollig Dollar and others provocking sweet nostalgia as they recollected the glorious musical pedigree of Lagos.The sheer depth and graphic details of the events were the reasons I found myself unconsciously glued to my seat for about an hour,entirely forgetting that I was actually searching for another programme before being 'arrested'.Subsequent editions have been no less interesting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have become a big fan of the programme, Bimbo - Sola Connect ever since.I may not know much about Bimbo Manuel other than his acting,but I do appreciate his contributions.For those of us with Las Gidi passport,this programme is an essential.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(Photo courtesy sunnewsonline.)</span>townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-11179752083214341092010-04-05T12:48:00.000-07:002010-04-05T22:16:32.490-07:00INSINCERITY AS BANE OF NIGERIAN FOOTBALL<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybY9dq6Dn77uVWmrU-qMZxzu7DpPc9oTaGh_oU9u3btDPX41LvBdYo31xGwC-twi9qJEoH388TjGjHSsDjYhxAcknK61wODJFdS8Q7dMYakh-dwkSXVVFPKkzhaCa3TAVG7jo7SQP0Kw/s1600/1lagerbach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjybY9dq6Dn77uVWmrU-qMZxzu7DpPc9oTaGh_oU9u3btDPX41LvBdYo31xGwC-twi9qJEoH388TjGjHSsDjYhxAcknK61wODJFdS8Q7dMYakh-dwkSXVVFPKkzhaCa3TAVG7jo7SQP0Kw/s320/1lagerbach.jpg" /></a></div>It is so sad that the problem of Nigerian football continue to be compounded by the day,as we move from innefficiency to insincerity.While the innefficiency could be narrowed down to the shoulders of the Football Association,the bigger and much more threatening problem of insincerity has become a potentially cancerous disease which symptoms are manifesting daily among so many of the thousands of self-acclaimed football 'gurus' amongst us.The FA of course do not hesitate to latch on these 'populist' sentiments to propagate their own agenda.<br />
<br />
<br />
A few weeks ago,the world's football governing body had to pronounce a ruling compelling the Nigerian FA to pay former Nigerian National Coach Berti Vogts about $150,000 owed amount.Some shameless FA official was reported by a sports daily to have 'clarified' that the amount was not compensation but some unpaid allowance.Why did the FA need a FIFA pronouncement to pay its former employee his entitlements ? This was a scandalous incident that has further dragged the image of this country into the mud.Yet it was avoidable.Up till a few months ago,ex-coach Christian Chukwu was crying out regularly about his unpaid entitlements from four years ago !<br />
<br />
Today,the current Chief Coach of the National Team,Amodu Shaibu has lodged a complaint with the international Court of Arbitration,asking for justice over his unceremonious demotion to the so-called Team B.The man worked his socks off to qualify the country for the World Cup.He will be somewhere in Abuja,Ijebu Ode or Kano knocking our home-based Eagles into shape for the next, next CHAN ,while the FA officials enjoy the limelight in South Africa.<br />
<br />
But I said this is not just an FA problem.In the past few weeks since Lars Lagerbach was appointed I have been apalled to read various press comments by several of the prominent soccer gurus that heaped pressure on the FA to remove Amodu just a month earlier.They are now claiming that Lagerbach does not have the time to mould a formidable World Cup team.Of course the FIFA calendar which does not permit any more international match free days before the close of the European season in May had been there since last year.And these same people knew it.The only free day after the Nations Cup (March 3) was deliberately and consciously wasted by Nigeria,and conveniently overlooked by the 'experts'.<br />
<br />
Until Adokiye took the ultra-courageous decision to expose our last Under-17 captain,the age-group competitions have been a grand conspiracy between the players,the FA, and soccer fans across the country.Today,Fortune Chukwudi who did nothing to refute Adokiye's allegations of being 29 has been invited to the Under-20 team,and the 'gurus' are ok with it.<br />
<br />
One of the major issues used in deriding Amodu was his refusal to take any home-based player to the Nations Cup.Yet the man had made a very honest and factual explanation about the psychological weakness of the home-based players.Thank goodness he was smart enough to book his leave on time,otherwise the disgraceful outing against Niger would have (as usual) been lazily explained away by the legion of radio phone-in callers as yet another manifestation of Amodu's ineptitude.And the NFA would have said 'of course we know'.Even as I write, a lot of otherwise enlightened 'analysts' are still heaping the blame on Daniel Amokachi.Very sad.<br />
<br />
And I must state here that my first impressions of Lars Lagerbach himself have been far from impressive.He told us a couple of weeks back that he has submitted a tentative list of players for the World Cup.The names have remained secret ever since.He said he would be announcing his final list of 23 players by mid May.Yet all the friendly matches being mentioned are coming up in late May.On what basis will the final selection be made ? Is this not a re-enactment of Amodu's Durban blunder? Remember too that our players will hardly have any rest between their regular season and the World Cup,because they need the early camping to familiarise themselves with the new coach.In any case,Mr lagerbach has just jumped from about $350,000 a year (according to a respected sports paper) to a massive $1million plus pay check for five months' work,and therefore has every right to see himself as a hercules.No problems:The Super Eagles is my National Team, and I will always support them.<br />
<br />
But if Nigerian football is to be revived,we must all have to be far more sincere in our analysis of our present situation.It's not enough to put our heart and soul in the English Premiership and continue to blame every coach for the woes of the Nigerian National Team.On another day,I will share my thoughts on the real problems of Nigerian football.townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-56435118386931864502010-04-05T12:29:00.000-07:002010-04-05T12:29:56.566-07:00THE JOY OF EASTER<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHTmP88EvbXDE_X75Gk7iwFIIy9krk4RxFBDN-qJL2exr92NamW9dhVnh9t7KtfrN4I07ncJFb17xVl2iTBRtheZ993nE7NvNwATq14U1EzcJTAa59CT5CgTvkDe0Rki3Z48J5XKUBgU/s1600/1easter.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" nt="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHTmP88EvbXDE_X75Gk7iwFIIy9krk4RxFBDN-qJL2exr92NamW9dhVnh9t7KtfrN4I07ncJFb17xVl2iTBRtheZ993nE7NvNwATq14U1EzcJTAa59CT5CgTvkDe0Rki3Z48J5XKUBgU/s320/1easter.gif" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">I have over the years come to appreciate the importance of the Lenten experience as an important prelude to Easter.It helps significantly to put us in a very conducive spiritual state to feel,rather than merely observing the Easter experience.The Easter experience itself is joy in abundance;it brings peace in its glorious manifestation.It therefore creates the perfect environment to demonstrate love to one another.Happy Easter</span> !</div>townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-30139601121921940882010-02-28T07:46:00.000-08:002010-02-28T07:46:47.396-08:00INTRODUCING ipledge2nigeria<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="background-color: #ffe599; color: purple; font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;">I've been following the site ipledge2nigeria,and have found it very informative and entertaining so far.Like townncrier they're out to project Nigeria in very positive light, and I'll go for that any time,any day.That's why I'm encouraging you to also visit and contribute to ipledge2nigeria today,....and...well,thank me later !</span></div>townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-56839213010021466682010-02-21T15:02:00.000-08:002010-02-21T15:02:21.343-08:00THE GOOD,THE BAD AND THE UGLY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2S77Unkc-p_vCVPEvDMuAeixubxXoKxGvTi_pUo0PgSwT4aWimx_nZiXEcEA2FCbKDrusS2mdaoeuzGtsSCXK6awJ0dsLidHco9d7KJTFp2uB4ApumUn3fgkmNPB2Xb0w0uszXF8ydg/s1600-h/1JonatAdua.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2S77Unkc-p_vCVPEvDMuAeixubxXoKxGvTi_pUo0PgSwT4aWimx_nZiXEcEA2FCbKDrusS2mdaoeuzGtsSCXK6awJ0dsLidHco9d7KJTFp2uB4ApumUn3fgkmNPB2Xb0w0uszXF8ydg/s320/1JonatAdua.jpg" /></a></div>Wow ! It's been quite a while isn't it ? I'm so sorry,but really I couldn't help it.I thank God nevertheless that I'm back blogging and enjoying it.The last two months or so have been full of interesting events on the Naija side,and I'll simply proceed to serve you with the good,the bad and (oooh !) the ugly bits.<br />
<br />
THE GOOD<br />
<br />
The obvious tickler has to be the emergence, at long last, of an <strong>acting President</strong> for our country after two months or so of an uncomfortable vacuum at the topmost position of government.The big heroes at this period,for me, have to be our military people who resisted the very juicy temptation of another 'fellow Nigerians...'(and I hope our brothers up there in Niger Rep. can a learn a useful lesson from us in this regard).With all due respect and personal sympathies to our President,Umaru Yar'Adua,it was clear that we were faced with a situation that the authors of our constitution did not foresee,and after what seemed like an eternity the National Assembly finally took the bull by the horns to create a solution from a no-solution.<br />
<br />
After two years of 'meltdown' the <strong>Nigerian Stock Market</strong> opened the year on a blistering positive note,notching up a 10% gain in one month.At this rate,the losses of the deression may be recouped in less than one year ! Congratulations Ndi Okereke-Onyuike,Daisy Ekineh and Lamido Sanusi who's banking reforms is now yielding fruit from the foreign investors' side.Hopefully,everybody - regulators,operators,and investors alike have learnt their lessons from the meltdown.<br />
<br />
THE BAD<br />
<br />
I feel so sad at the loss of super athlete and super athetics administrator,<strong>Abdul Karim Ohimai Amu</strong>,former Nigerian athletics captain and best African athlete of his time.At King's College,Lagos we were ever inspired by the rich folklore of Amu's achievements during his time as a pupil.He went on to represent and win laurels for Nigeria at African,Commonwealth and Olympics events.His period as the head of the Nigerian athletics federation was unarguably Nigeria's golden period as the country produced several world class athletes (Onyali,Egbunike,Alli,Ogunkoya..an endless list really) and thoroughly dominated the sport in Africa.I was blessed to have a personal interaction with Amu in the mid 1990s when as a fledging investment analyst I assisted him in preparing fund-raising documents for his factory (I mean real industrial factory) located in a remote area of Lagos.I always looked forward to every meeting because there was always something new to learn from the man.Floreat,great A.K. ! Rest in Peace.<br />
<br />
The other sad event has to be the sustained campaign to tarnish the image of BRF ,i.e Governor <strong>Babatunde Raji Fashola</strong> from agents seemingly from within his own party.Now this is one politician that has succeeded in winning over the love and confidence of his citizens - irrespective of origin or political stance - with practical and meaningful programmes.These detractors have also tried to drag the respected name of BRF's mentor Asiwaju Bola Tinubu into their game,but that definitely cannot work,because for obvious reasons,BRF's achievements are clearly also Asiwaju's achievements.Please let Fashola be oh !<br />
<br />
THE UGLY<br />
<br />
What else ? Ever since the <strong>Super Eagles</strong> qualified for the 2010 World Cup,our football authorities have,for reasons that only ecclesiastical powers can explain, been trying to rewrite all known sporting, nationalistic and moral conventions with their extremely desperate resolve to remove the Head Coach Amodu Shaibu and replace him with a 'foreign coach' at the mundial.The third place finish at the last African Nations Cup (which in actual fact represented a significant improvement from our previous second round exit under a 'foriegn coach') , the fact that we finished ahead of all but one of the other African World Cup qualifiers,and Nigeria's rise,in two years to the no. 2 postion in Africa,were all deemed a failure by the same football federation that had resolved before the Nations Cup that a semi-final finish would be good enough.Rather than sit with Amodu to properly analyse and find solutions to the team's loopholes,the name and image of the country is being battered as one 'foreign coach' after the other continue to distance themselves from the Nigerian National Team in response to the NFA's careless namedropping.And for the records,the World Cup starts early June,while the only free day allowed by FIFA for friendly matches is two weeks away,precisely March 3 2010.Can someone please explain to me what this new 'foreign coach' will do before the mundial ?<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(photo courtesy thesourceng.com)</span>townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-59123305084900362912009-12-27T11:13:00.000-08:002009-12-27T11:13:33.058-08:00FOR YOU,MY CHRISTMAS GIFT<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>"My soul magnifies the Lord,</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour.</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>For he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden:</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>For behold,</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>From henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>For he that is mighty has done great things for me;</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And holy is his name.</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And his mercy is on them that fear him </strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>From generation to generation.</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>He has shown strength with his arm;</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>He has put down the mighty from their thrones,</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And exalted the lowly.</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>He has filled the hungry with good things;and the rich he has sent empty away.</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>He has helped his servant Israel,in remembrance of his mercy;</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>As he spoke to our fathers,to Abraham,</strong><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>And to his seed for ever."</strong><br />
</div><br />
Words of Mary, Mother of Jesus.Words that never cease to nourish my soul,strenghten me in any situation, and enliven my spirit. At Christmas, I offer you these same words as my gift to you, and pray that God will be in total control of your lives in the new year and for ever.<br />
<br />
Merry Christmas and a happy new year !townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-4331809433502969852009-11-08T15:26:00.000-08:002009-11-08T15:26:08.572-08:00NIGERIAN BANKS NAKEDIn the aftermath of the CBN's special examination of Nigerian Banks the regulatory body compelled all Nigerian Banks to make public their financial accounts as at 30th September 2009. Given that all the Banks will have to close their books for the year on the 31st December,I found the results quite interesting, as the following after-provisions profit-after-tax figures of the Banks would show:<br />
<br />
UBA - N7b loss, First Bank - N2b profit, Skye Bank - N13b loss, Zenith - N16b profit<br />
Access - N12b loss, IBTC - N4b profit, FCMB - N0.5b loss, Sterling - N5b loss, Ecobank - N8b loss, GTBank - N18b profit, Fidelity - N2b profit. Unity and Wema (not available).Union Bank,Afribank,<br />
Intercontinental,Finbank,Oceanic,ETB,PHB,and Spring Bank have already been declared unhealthy by the CBN and are currently on 'intensive care'.<br />
<br />
Now the trivia: Which of the Banks listed above is<br />
a. Big,Strong,Reliable ?<br />
b. Truly The First ?townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-23885808151272724292009-11-08T14:02:00.000-08:002009-11-08T14:02:51.930-08:00LETTER TO AKUNYILI : Nigeria's Rebranding Under Threat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigimdZAtMAUZpCOosGBE6G8sspPWbnpJe3UfpZTvouRzjBaL-_VkgwZ_EO-qVozLLIGil_2C3b2LLWQqxdHZUnT1yEuF3fJz-s5EKJvmL5DsEfOFdGvtcnjXrl7tiKCN2I2ek0Qh_qfXg/s1600-h/1a+ealets+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigimdZAtMAUZpCOosGBE6G8sspPWbnpJe3UfpZTvouRzjBaL-_VkgwZ_EO-qVozLLIGil_2C3b2LLWQqxdHZUnT1yEuF3fJz-s5EKJvmL5DsEfOFdGvtcnjXrl7tiKCN2I2ek0Qh_qfXg/s320/1a+ealets+3.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<br />
Dear Honorable Minister, Prof.(Mrs) Dora Akunyili (OFR),<br />
<br />
Let me start by<span style="font-size: small;"> expressing my gratitude to God for making it possible for someone of your moral leaning to have a place in our government.At NAFDAC you risked your life to cleanse our society of the menace of fake drugs, and when you </span>were elevated to the status of Minister,you immediately started the noble campaign of changing the image of our country for good through rebranding: The pay off "Good People, Great Nation" can hardly be better phrased.Unfortunately, some segments of our society do not seem to be working in tandem with your vision - as events in our football sector,for instance, would suggest.<br />
<br />
Last week,a Nigerian Mr Adokiye Amiesimaka wrote in a national daily that the captain of our current Under-17 team,the Golden Eaglets, was a player in his team Sharks Football Club of Port-Harcourt (feeder team) as far back as 2003 and at that time had given his age as 18.The player even featured in a match against our national Under-20 team the Flying Eagles at that time.This implies that the player cannot possibly be an under 17 boy in 2009.Many other people who do not have the courage of Adokiye to go public have made similar insinuations on some other members of the Eaglets team.<br />
<br />
Honorable Minister,this allegation was made right in the course of the current FIFA Under-17 tournament which Nigeria is hosting.This means all the participating countries are aware of it,and consequently our dear country is now under the spotlight. The whole world is watching to see what the response of our authorities will be. Madam, your noble rebranding effort is, on account of this case, under the scrutiny of the entire international community! It therefore cannot be swept under the carpet.<br />
<br />
I can hear you say that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is there to deal with it, and I agree. Only that the initial response from the Federation's head of technical department Mr Taiwo Ogunjobi got me even more worried.He completely ignored the very specific allegations made by Adokiye, preferring rather to pour invectives on the former Chief Justice of Rivers State, while hiding under the alibi of FIFA's MRI test. I fervently pray that this does not mirror the official position of the Federation.<br />
<br />
For the avoidance of doubt Ma', the primary responsibility of ensuring that players used in this and other age-grade tournaments is not FIFA's, but that of the home FAs (in the case the NFF). FIFA only conducts secondary tests to try and ensure that the home FA has done her job well. The MRI is therefore not an excuse for the NFF to abandon her responsibilities.The Nigerian government voted over N8 billion of taxpayers' money for this tournament aimed at exposing the best kid footballers under the age of 17,and the NFF had the responsibility of picking Nigeria's best kids to benefit from this exposure.<br />
<br />
Secondly Ma', I have realised that some of our compatriots either do not understand what patriotism is, or deliberately twist its meaning to suit their selfish ends (you may wish to refer to the various arguements on the CBN's cleansing of the Banking sector as an example). I affirm that the point of patriotism in this case is not whether Adokiye made his revelations while the FIFA tournament was ongoing or not, but whether it is indeed true that we are using overaged players and causing public funds to be wasted on the wrong targets.<br />
<br />
And thirdly,I wish to remind you Ma' that the suspected widespread use of overaged players in this competition in the past has denied Nigeria the benefits of the huge financial investments that government has made since 1985: We continue to win and win at under 17 level,yet less than 1% of these players ever progress to make a lasting impact in our senior National Team.The true under 17 boys continue to be denied their rightful opportunities year after year, while our senior National Team is today constantly struggling (remember that Adokiye combined football with academics and excelled in both with flying colours - which means genuine under-17s can excel if given the opportunity).<br />
<br />
Good People do not cheat, and a Nation of liers cannot be Great.<br />
<br />
The NFF is therefore duty-bound to speedily investigate Adokiye's allegations, and follow up with either of two actions: Admit that they (NFF) were incompetent and apologise to Nigerians and the whole world, or sue Adokiye for tarnishing the image of this country if his allegations were found to be false. If within the next two weeks,there is no visible action by the NFF, I will have to count on you Madam, to defend the Nigeria brand by doing everything within your powers to get the NFF to do the right thing.<br />
<br />
Thank you, and God Bless Nigeria.<br />
<br />
I remain the,<br />
Townncrier<br />
<br />
cc: Hon.Minister of Youth and Sportstownncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-49978067138883796682009-10-14T18:40:00.000-07:002009-10-14T18:51:12.195-07:00NOW THIS MUST STOP !<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnLzd8YkH4iMqXwvnN6-o8sxQ88JmZLIO55oJVMG1awVwnEudbBuRHYrb0Z_Ga-vVWiO7pvu4ahclpnyJQPR_EYTrJXG0hRgwvugii9Bt0_-6s0zb7QIebCDY94Xei4kJ2VhdFWzp07E/s1600-h/1a+flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPnLzd8YkH4iMqXwvnN6-o8sxQ88JmZLIO55oJVMG1awVwnEudbBuRHYrb0Z_Ga-vVWiO7pvu4ahclpnyJQPR_EYTrJXG0hRgwvugii9Bt0_-6s0zb7QIebCDY94Xei4kJ2VhdFWzp07E/s320/1a+flag.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
It is bad enough to boo your country's National Team in a game against another nation, but to boo your own National Anthem ? That is most despicable and unacceptable. Yet that is exactly what Nigerian football fans did at the Abuja National Stadium last saturday.<br />
<br />
It still beats my imagination how the Super Eagles players got through what must have been a most harrowing experience for them - and right on their own home soil - to win that particular game. I have been doing an intensive soul searching to unravel the real problem of Nigerian football, and honestly I'm no longer so sure if it's the NFF,our coach or even the players. In the last year at least,I can testify confidently that these group have done what is expected of them. I am now more inclined to believe that the real problem might just be us - the so-called fans who do not realise that we also have responsibilites in supporting our teams from the stands.<br />
<br />
Under no circumstances,least of all a football game, should we boo or show disrespect to our National Anthem.The event of last saturday must never repeat itself in our national life.<br />
<br />
Nigeria will not be the first country to suffer a slump in her football fortunes.Brazil,England and Ghana,amongst many others have at various points suffered the same fate.With two matches to go,the World Cup ticket was still within our grasp.If the players had succumbed to the unexplainable intimidation from their own compatriots and lost that game,the whole party would have been over by now.With the crucial last game now approaching,it amazes me that some people who should know better,are actually threatening the coaches with sack.Now, what a way to motivate your team.<br />
<br />
THE FLYING EAGLES IN EGYPT<br />
<br />
The happenings in Egypt must have taught us some vital lessons.<br />
*There are no short cuts in football; even if you have a Samson Siasia.<br />
*Nigerian football is stagnating:We are simply not producing world class players anymore.<br />
*Those who heaped blames on coach Amodu for the quick equalisers conceded against Tunisia should now realise how wrong they were.Our players are also short of world class mentality.<br />
<br />
I cannot fault coach Siasia at all in the Egypt disaster.That was the best collection he could have made under the circumstances.If our strikers had taken just a quarter of the chances they created, we probably would have cruised to the final of that tournament. In goalkeeper Uche Okafor and defender Obiora Nwankwo, I believe we have good Super Eagles prospects.<br />
<br />
The NFF must address issues bordering on the mental strength and alertness of our footballers at all levels.That is our current problem, and the solution is not in firing and insulting our coaches at will.townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-56627268550189590062009-10-14T17:46:00.000-07:002009-10-14T17:46:11.923-07:00FELABRATION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcIOWmM54_1NrOR6QgoaAIuQWqyyh5R4YtElK0EREIx_PFFs7ilUCux8jSDm0AcYnnEtRSoFBOg4ZtmaKiqk0Xht37AjKPV890JEY80EytIYVpZAeBSfLJNatnZ_E1DU4ZabkFsDT7FE/s1600-h/1a+femi+made+bbc.co.uk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijcIOWmM54_1NrOR6QgoaAIuQWqyyh5R4YtElK0EREIx_PFFs7ilUCux8jSDm0AcYnnEtRSoFBOg4ZtmaKiqk0Xht37AjKPV890JEY80EytIYVpZAeBSfLJNatnZ_E1DU4ZabkFsDT7FE/s320/1a+femi+made+bbc.co.uk.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQve5yTK9v-UgChZeam7u0BUEu9cTeSJ_2TgSO9_HDQTSrFxpprh2xVF87mYDerr-nraRaEVtqNcxHSs-RdQlseAfe0VnWW1VJNpxw5pWpkDTSiFDaPh8v2JXRJ6MkuGecXRoV7Jvg3ZE/s1600-h/1a+seun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQve5yTK9v-UgChZeam7u0BUEu9cTeSJ_2TgSO9_HDQTSrFxpprh2xVF87mYDerr-nraRaEVtqNcxHSs-RdQlseAfe0VnWW1VJNpxw5pWpkDTSiFDaPh8v2JXRJ6MkuGecXRoV7Jvg3ZE/s320/1a+seun.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Femi,Made and Seun : Future of afrobeat</span><br />
</div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once again its carnival time at the New Afrika Shrine as afrobeat fans worldwide converge to celebrate the life and works of Nigerian music legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.The event tagged Felabration has been on for quite a few years,and this year has even extended to the United States where a Broadway musical is said to be in the offing.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">My expectation this year is to see Femi and Seun Kuti jam together on stage, and top it with a rendition of BBC ('big blind country').However a thrilling week is already assured,with the confirmed participation of King Sunny Ade,Lagbaja, SSP,amongst others.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana;">Let's have fun celebrating our icon.</span>townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-63357046583339255282009-10-03T13:56:00.000-07:002009-10-04T09:08:39.900-07:00NIGERIA AT 49<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuxHzBdKqeqBetam0r_totf5tYHYdD52dJIoHQOJ2QiCJf2BN9MSc6nzz3MwznwXKzzhN2dSlBwJOZee1C1VugOvG3dgic8zbtgLAOaZEm_ABXlGOrhOEIpgKf4Fy-yLLj768Hc8-ykw/s1600-h/1a+nigeria_linguistic_1979.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuxHzBdKqeqBetam0r_totf5tYHYdD52dJIoHQOJ2QiCJf2BN9MSc6nzz3MwznwXKzzhN2dSlBwJOZee1C1VugOvG3dgic8zbtgLAOaZEm_ABXlGOrhOEIpgKf4Fy-yLLj768Hc8-ykw/s320/1a+nigeria_linguistic_1979.jpg" /></a>courtesy:learn nc<br />
</div><br />
I'm a Nigerian.I believe in Nigeria.And deep in my heart I believe that Nigeria is a great country, and us a great people.However I will be frank enough to say that at 49 our country has not come any close to fulfilling her potentials.Why do I say so ?<br />
<br />
OUR STRENGTHS<br />
*Large population, matched by equally vast and endowed land mass.Low incidence of natural disasters<br />
*Very generous endowment of natural resources<br />
*Highly creative ,friendly and hardworking people (a 'good people','happiest in the world',yes)<br />
*Multi-ethnic cultures,diverse skills and economic endowments.<br />
*Great history of excellence in the arts till date.<br />
<br />
WEAKNESSES<br />
*Lack of influential leadership<br />
*Corruption<br />
*Rotting education sector; a serious obstacle to future self-dependence<br />
*Excessive dependence on oil<br />
*Low electricity generation.<br />
<br />
Undeniably,Nigeria is abundantly blessed with all the ingredients necessary to be a great nation: One of the best places in the world to live and do business.How do we achieve greatness ?<br />
<br />
SOLUTIONS<br />
1.Keep the faith and sustain democracy<br />
2.Genuine political reforms that will enable emergence of an influential leadership that,in turn will mobilise and harness the aspirations and energies of the people towards a common goal.<br />
3.Fix electricity (NEPA,PHCN,whatever) so that businesses can grow<br />
<br />
It is really as simple as that.townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-80430997310386625352009-09-13T18:16:00.000-07:002009-12-06T22:44:59.580-08:00NIGERIAN COACHES AS VICTIMS OF THE NEW AGE IMPERIALISM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywIMMsqArMG8Eb_OWAFbBm0OyvLmt1P1mJ_LqE3UTsniRfsMAKe_0yKjrij-YYxPkGjf3seEOc6QSRsaM1HeH8JAH7ZYLcTrtWRd4XMq9Atl2VhZN_nShzi7cPzF6Ppn356yz8k5qKi0/s1600-h/1+amodu+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhywIMMsqArMG8Eb_OWAFbBm0OyvLmt1P1mJ_LqE3UTsniRfsMAKe_0yKjrij-YYxPkGjf3seEOc6QSRsaM1HeH8JAH7ZYLcTrtWRd4XMq9Atl2VhZN_nShzi7cPzF6Ppn356yz8k5qKi0/s320/1+amodu+3.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;">According to the respected American, Andrew Young ;"Unfortunately all (Nigerians) know 'what is wrong with Nigeria', and that is what is wrong with Nigeria....We can always find what is wrong with us.It is when we start seeing what is right with our brothers and sisters and work as a team that we will move on".</span><br />
</div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: large;">Since the early 1970s I have followed the game long enough to know that football is a very sentimental sport. That is why people entrusted with administering or regulating the game, and who should be seen to make fair judgements, have no choice other than to always use objective and measurable criteria in their decision-making.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Nigerian football has slumped to an all-time low today, not just for the much trumpeted 'administrative' problems: First, and thanks to the light shown to us by some of our previous 'world class',mercantilist-minded foreign coaches, no player of any tangible substance stays at home long enough to be noticed by the fans before they are shipped to some obscure club mostly in Asia or the Middle East.As if that was not bad enough, the cominng of satellite television has ensured that the heart and soul of the average Nigerian fan has been completely sold to the European leaques.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The result is that we have,today lost every sense of patriotism as far as football is concerned.The few fans that,probably for lack of electricity, sacrifice their English premiership menu to go to the stadium, vent their anger by booing their National Team, and more pitiably their National Anthem. It couldn't therefore have been a surprise that on the day the Super Eagles qualified for the 2010 World Cup most of their compatriots found it difficult ( really difficult ) to celebrate; for long before then, they had written the team off and withdrawn their support.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Today Nigeria has become the laughing stock of the football world who cannot comprehend why,in a matter of days after qualfying - and in such magnificient form too, as the records clearly show - Nigerian officials will be going cap in hand begging any coach with a white skin to 'come lead us to South Africa !'.On the day the World Cup draws was held, with Nigeria's coach Amodu Shaibu probably the only visible black man among the elite tacticians, the near-forgotten Italian, Roberto Mancini was back in the news: Nigeria had just offered him Amodu's job !</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If after winning every domestic title in Nigeria,and winning the African Cup, then a Champions leaque final,before lifting his motherland twice from the lowest depths of her football (courtesy of uncommited foreign coaches) to World Cup qualification, Amodu has not convinced our officials that he deserves respect at the very least, I will have to feel very sorry indeed for Keshi,Siasia and every other Nigerian coach coming up.They are the first victims of the new age (football) imperialism.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">But for the records,Amodu Shaibu is a true symbol of the Nigerian spirit that we desire: patriotic,achieving results, and never say die. </span><br />
<br />
Let me close by repeating this article earlier published in this blog after Nigeria's match with Tunisia in Abuja.There are potent lessons to be learnt therein.<br />
<br />
To the legion of 'experts' who have concluded that the 2-2 draw recorded against Tunisia last week meant that the Nigerian National team have crashed out of the 2010 World Cup race,I have these to say;<br />
<br />
1.You are no sportsmen.The underlying spirit of sportsmanship says that the battle is not over until it is over.With 6 precious points to play for and Tunisia only having a 2-point lead,the race is not only open,but wide open.Understand too that even if we had beaten Tunisia our qualification would still have been far from assured.<br />
2.You are no patriots.Yes,true patriots do not abandon their country in the middle of a battle,no matter the excuses.Every patriotic Nigerian is duty bound to support the National Team until the very last second of the last match.<br />
<br />
Let me start by saying that I find it incredulous that a player who has played football up to the National Team level needs a coach to tell him that when you take the lead with five minutes left to play you should seal up your territory and prevent your opponents from having possession.That is football 101 that we all learnt on the streets.You can blame Amodu Shaibu for anything,but certainly not Tunisia's second equalizer.<br />
<br />
Nigeria is passing through a low phase in her football development.Other countries like Brazil,England,and Ghana who are all doing well today,have also passed through their rough spells.It is obvious even from the European leaques that our current crop of players are not among the best in the world,so let's put our expectations in perspective.Eneramo,our foriegn-based centre-forward plays where? In Tunisia !<br />
<br />
Mozambique and Kenya are hungry for the Nations Cup and know one of them will have to be eliminated,so they are both going to take their remaining matches very seriously.The most crunching will be Tunisia's last away tie to Mozambique.Nigeria therefore has every reason to aim at winning her two remaining matches,which means we all should actually be motivating the team right now,not talking of sacking the coach.<br />
<br />
Mr Shaibu came on a rescue mission when the confidence and performance of the team was at its lowest possible level.In one year he has lifted the team several levels above where he met it.Let's imbibe and display the spirits of sporstmanship and patriotism when it is most needed.At a time like this.townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-58578630675220628682009-09-13T17:00:00.000-07:002009-09-13T17:00:29.642-07:00RIBADU DOES A WHODINI ?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUj48WRZ5AQw19fmkc42QSem7tILI5WVdjyNOLPf427O9_Bmz76I1kUAqbzw4EBf1B-T5OhJPKhBYx45O-6s1O3sm8giQd_JM5I9UrmUjAjCKD1GcS1J7iwUrev78rpo8gNZS4Ge6KPU/s1600-h/ribadu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinUj48WRZ5AQw19fmkc42QSem7tILI5WVdjyNOLPf427O9_Bmz76I1kUAqbzw4EBf1B-T5OhJPKhBYx45O-6s1O3sm8giQd_JM5I9UrmUjAjCKD1GcS1J7iwUrev78rpo8gNZS4Ge6KPU/s320/ribadu.jpg" /></a></div><br />
By far the biggest news last week was the reports of former EFCC boss Nuhu Ribadu's visit to the home of the late Gani Fawehinmi to console with the departed luminary's family.In fact it was further reported that he even visited the mortuary were he paid his last respects in a more direct,physical and intimate manner.<br />
<br />
Considering the fondness Gani had for Nuhu,the extreme emotions dispayed by the former EFCC man should not surprise anybody.However,the point also is that most of us actually thought Nuhu was on exile to escape from some imminent danger or answer to certain issues raised by his primary employers.<br />
<br />
When the news of Nuhu's visit first broke,the initial report was that the security agencies were on the look out for him,but that has since changed.Today's papers now report that nobody was ever interested in arresting him since he was never declared wanted in the first place.<br />
<br />
When confronted by journalists about his bold actions,Nuhu was qoted as saying,'I am fearless,but not reckless'.townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-70806320015581984402009-09-13T16:24:00.000-07:002009-09-13T16:24:24.713-07:00IST'S LANDMARK JUDGEMENT ON NOVA SECURITIESLast week some newspapers reported on the landmark judgement of the Investment and Securities Tribunal quashing the earlier indictment of Nova Securities by both The Nigerian Stock Exchange and the Securities and Exchange Commision for price manipulation and creating a false market in the shares of African Petroleum Plc.This is already generating heated debates as the case was previously thought of as straight forward and easy to discern.<br />
<br />
As a recap,earlier in the year,in the heat of the Dangote/Otedola crossfire,it was reported that Nova Securities was deliberately causing the price of Otedola's AP to decline sharply by crossing on a daily basis some units of the stock between some in-house accounts belonging to both their firm and Dangote.In the ensuing investigation,Aliko Dangote was cleared of any wrongdoing by the two regulatory bodies,while Nova was indicted and penalised severely.The stockbrokerage firm,as law abiding citizens took their case to court.<br />
<br />
However from newspaper reports of the IST judgement,the court completely upturned the regulators' decisions and cleared Nova of any wrongdoing.I therefore congratulate Nova and their their CEO Eugene Anenih,a very humble and pleasant fellow.<br />
<br />
But I wont deceive myself,this judgement is going to raise up several sticky issues with respect to the regulation of the Nigerian capital market.I mean let's face it ,somebody's professional reputation was on the brink of total destruction, while a whole company would have been run out of business.So,was Nova unduely punished in the first place or was it the court that was not furnished with sufficient facts ?townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-19900315740141693272009-09-13T15:43:00.000-07:002009-09-13T15:43:03.470-07:00IS IT A CRIME TO BORROW ?Is it a crime to borrow?<br />
Is it a crime to borrow?<br />
Is it a crime to borrow?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZgECepIh6snCRdr-mPsg32-N-e1DIUESDGDsyWfKnVzyB-8jUVGudH0h6zg4hd7zNNmA2dliw3QGazVhpU6Kj2_X8JHlJMgP3A3RggT6bD_ma72fWYES6ha032TsJZB4IVu47Gxva2E/s1600-h/Businessman_cries.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGZgECepIh6snCRdr-mPsg32-N-e1DIUESDGDsyWfKnVzyB-8jUVGudH0h6zg4hd7zNNmA2dliw3QGazVhpU6Kj2_X8JHlJMgP3A3RggT6bD_ma72fWYES6ha032TsJZB4IVu47Gxva2E/s320/Businessman_cries.gif" /></a></div><br />
Every year and season a new catch-phrase is unleashed on us by the learned and mighty.This time around it is actually a question,'Is it a crime to borrow ?'.Ever since Sanusi's bombshell on the banks,every listed non-performing debtor who cannot muster enough explanations to take up a full page advertorial (are the newspapers making a kill ?Ask me.) now resorts to the question,'is it a crime to borrow?'.<br />
<br />
My fervent prayer is that both the CBN and EFCC will allow the rule of law to prevail so that we can know from the judgements if indeed it is a crime to borrow!townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-65261972293368659542009-09-13T15:15:00.000-07:002009-09-13T15:15:14.973-07:00KC CELEBRATES CENTENARYWhile I will not diclose my educational background in this forum (I'm a very private person,you see!),I however am always fascinated by the products of some of the older secondary schools in Nigeria,one of which is King's College,Lagos.If you know the likes of Philip Asiodu,A.K. Amu,Sunny Kuku,Atedo Peterside,'His Excellency' Egbarogene Okumagba and similar species,you will agree that they have something in common - they cherish chivalry and truth.This trait unfortunately is misunderstood as arrogance to many who are not familiar with their background.<br />
<br />
Well KC,with their white shirts and blue jackets is 100 years old,and their centenary year finds their old boys firmly entrusted with the supervision of Nigeria's money and capital markets: Udoma Udo Udoma is Chairman of SEC while Lamido Sanusi Lamido is Governor of the CBN.Enough said.The call was sounded;they answerred.townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-1067854405457541772009-09-13T14:37:00.000-07:002009-09-13T14:37:23.817-07:00RIOLA IN NAIJA SINGSI was one of the critics of Idol and similar projects,because I thought it was dumb asking African-bred boys and girls to be aping American songs to determine their potential as commercial artistes.As if responding to my thoughts, a new programme has been introduced by Mnet called Naija Sings.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FCKN-vYjycLT1zxnJb5oiFd5WfLaOGVB-lf6EbwZ2FizevRHXplX77whHNbhZL2Gp8QZxFR9bnC0K_vxrTBtMOv5Fb7jbTqjHx8xCrVOts8PLaJOO97CxIKgxZtaDfklBe4iAJUzhT8/s1600-h/a+rriola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7FCKN-vYjycLT1zxnJb5oiFd5WfLaOGVB-lf6EbwZ2FizevRHXplX77whHNbhZL2Gp8QZxFR9bnC0K_vxrTBtMOv5Fb7jbTqjHx8xCrVOts8PLaJOO97CxIKgxZtaDfklBe4iAJUzhT8/s320/a+rriola.jpg" /></a></div>Last week the contestants were taken to the Anikulapo-Kutis' Afrika Shrine and each made to sing the legend,Fela's song of their choice.As you would expect there was so much to keep one's ribs cracking all through !<br />
One lady however stood out from the pack.She was Riola, and her rendition of Water No Get Enemy was spot on. Irrespective of her position in the competition, I will be so happy if Femi can give her permission to release that song in the near future.At least they are sure of my patronage.<br />
Big up,Naija Sings !townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-82082986117486058112009-09-13T13:57:00.000-07:002009-09-13T13:57:27.510-07:00MICHAEL JACKSON,KING OF POP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlD1Q1uk8r-13_Z_lZ_LMCmXW-OW9ZpzbNX5xxvHRbq4YTa65Z_MadsuMPrcAIFasqqJ3lejAAzAyRP3PDb0fxiJCnsgoWBWzy-RfeqoiU7n6KGCviXK8Z3hkNn_I1qfWWjXChWJ_rCSw/s1600-h/amichael.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlD1Q1uk8r-13_Z_lZ_LMCmXW-OW9ZpzbNX5xxvHRbq4YTa65Z_MadsuMPrcAIFasqqJ3lejAAzAyRP3PDb0fxiJCnsgoWBWzy-RfeqoiU7n6KGCviXK8Z3hkNn_I1qfWWjXChWJ_rCSw/s320/amichael.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Michael Jackson was buried,just as official pronoucement linked his death to a gross overdose of medication.Very sad indeed,but having digested the massive dose of information and events since his death, I find myself more confused than ever on who the man really was !<br />
For instance,was he<br />
<br />
black or white ?<br />
rich or poor ?<br />
straight or gay ?<br />
father or adopter ?<br />
Christian or Muslim ?<br />
Michael or Mikaeel ?<br />
<br />
He was truly an amazing person.Happily nothing has been said so far to question his endowment as a genius - the most popular musician ever on planet earth.In songwriting,singing and dancing,nothing short of the very best.<br />
<br />
Now that was a great man.townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2888314825936465628.post-7818317003947246472009-09-05T03:10:00.000-07:002009-09-05T03:10:21.656-07:00CRY! CRY! CRY ! GANI FAWEHINMI IS GONE !<div style="text-align: center;"></div>The very sad news just hit me from TVC that the erstwhile living legend of the Nigerian bar, Gani Fawehinmi is gone. Long before he was belatedly conferred with the garb of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the vast majority of Nigerians had long conferred on Gani the honour of 'Senior Advocate of the Masses (SAM)', on account of his unflinching fight for the basic rights of the people.<br />
At this time that the lobsided moral values in the country has been brought to the fore once again with the banking crisis,the priceless value of men like Gani,who lived sacrificially, spoke sincerely and fearlessly, and<br />
showed that genuine hardwork pays, cannot but be appreciated.<br />
<div align="justify" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclRz8lVu9vuw-DLaRlUmmkdWuS3HE1fGSZJbcQgrBeKTAk2OczZSLJ0Wk5Te-s42YSXtTG5ly4zSOpzaDzYWlFol3AOBWQjc0o_Koqtn6EF4LEFuQ37CvdGPz4OuTctoOb4y501a5QQ4/s1600-h/gani6-300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" lk="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclRz8lVu9vuw-DLaRlUmmkdWuS3HE1fGSZJbcQgrBeKTAk2OczZSLJ0Wk5Te-s42YSXtTG5ly4zSOpzaDzYWlFol3AOBWQjc0o_Koqtn6EF4LEFuQ37CvdGPz4OuTctoOb4y501a5QQ4/s320/gani6-300.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">If we genuinely want Nigeria to progress,our leaders and indeed our people must learn to emulate Gani's principles and lifestyle.</div><div style="text-align: center;">May his soul rest in peace.</div>townncrierhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11691821216828101467noreply@blogger.com0