The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

  • ‘We reject the repression of a party’

    ‘We reject the repression of a party’

     

    Do you still feel safe here in the USA? The Turkish government demands your extradition of Barack Obama.

    The USA is a democratic state of law. Nobody can be convicted without any statutory regulations and there is no space for despotism here. There is no legal basis for the Turkish president’s extradition request. In this way international law is being violated and Turkey’s reputation in the world is being damaged.

    Once you have been a supporter of RecepTayyip Erdogan’s conservative-Islamic AKP. What has changed?

    When the AKP had been founded they promised democracy, human rights, the EU-membership, an end of corruption and stigmatization of dissidents, and economic upturn. In the first years all these promises were kept. That’s why participants of our movement supported them. However, after the AKP had come into power for the third time in 2011, they made a radical U-turn. Today we recognize political pressure on the media, sprawling authorisations for the intelligence agency MIT, profiling of citizens, contempt of judicial decisions, and mistreatment of protesters. Currently the government is trying to characterise me as public enemy in order to hide their corruptions and to form an authoritarian system. However we have got the saying: A liar’s candle only burns until sunset.

    Together with Erdogan you have forced back the influence of the army on the Turkish politics. Is this all forgotten?

    In the past Turkey has experienced four different military coups. Governments have been brought down, ten thousands of people have been interrogated and arrested, and many of them got tortured. In Turkey terrible things have happened which are not imaginable in the EU (which we want to join). In a 2010 referendum 58% of the Turkish population voted for a change in the law. This constitutional change allowed bringing officers who had attempted a military coup to a civil court. If the AKP hadn’t politicized the referendum so much, maybe 70% would have approved it. For the first time in my life I had voiced a recommendation back then. I had said, even the dead should raise and take part in this referendum. After the country had been freed from the repression by the military, the AKP consolidated all powers for the executive branch. They neutralised supervisory authorities and tried to eliminate the independence of judiciary. Earlier we had rejected the repression of the military. Today, in the same way, we reject the repression of a party. That’s why we are slandered as traitors.

    Where is Turkey heading for?

    Currently, the Turkish Republic conveys the impression that it is no longer a social, secular and constitutional democracy. It has rather become a one-party state and even a one-man state. The separation of powers has been suppressed except for the constitutional court which is still putting up resistance. Today, Turkey is experiencing a national polarisation and is losing its international reputation. Turkey is getting lonelier. My country’s situation makes me sad.

    Erdogan claims he wanted to bring up a religious generation. Don’t you want the same?

    It is not the task of a government to raise a religious generation. Such a policy gives rise to pressure on dissidents. Freedom of faith is part of the fundamental human rights. The state has to assure all individuals of the right to learn and to teach their beliefs – no matter which religion it is. In twelve years of government people have expected Erdogan to ensure these rights legally, making no discrimination among religious minorities. It’s open to dispute to which extend these goals have been achieved. Yet, a devout person should observe the law. With this in mind I wish a religious generation that has both deep spirituality and respects the rights and freedoms of all human beings. But if you mean a generation which has depth of understanding of its own religion, which discriminates and easily spreads hatred, then I say: No. And we don’t call such a generation religious in the first place.

    Recently you have taken a stand against the Islamic State in five major US newspapers. How dangerous is IS?

    In the history of Islam radical groups have repeatedly come up. In fact, these groups suppressed other peoples, murdered humans and hereby betrayed their religion. A few years ago there was Al-Qaida. Now there is IS; that’s all we needed! IS defiles the image of Islam. This is nothing but barbarism. Whoever was prejudiced against Islam feels vindicated now. This situation won’t let you sleep. Unfortunately, scholars in the Islamic World did not take an unequivocal stand in this matter, neither in Mecca and Medina, nor in Egypt and Turkey.

    Had you wished more protests on the streets?

    Sadly I haven’t seen any large demonstrations. Furthermore it is alleged that the IS is being supported from other countries with weaponry and logistics. If these claims are true, world peace and the future of Islam are in danger.

    Are IS fighters Muslims?

    They are victims of a mass psychosis. In Europe this phenomenon is well known. People had followed movements which later were responsible for massacres. The IS members are ignorant people who don’t know their own religion in the least. They make up a holy war. It is a system of madness.

    How can young Europeans be protected from this madness?

    Endangered youngsters should be better observed, although this might contradict the ideals of freedom in the Western world. One should enlighten them, provide workshops and conferences. In addition, young foreigners’ home countries should not escape their responsibilities.

    What do you recommend to the politicians of the Turkish government in this subject?

    I cannot recommend them anything. They will not listen to me. They have brilliant minds and know everything.

    How do you like Erdogan’s palace?

    Every state needs buildings that serve its needs. However, instead of erecting a palace with 1000 rooms, one could have renewed the existing buildings. A court had even decided to stop the new construction. The Prime Minister ignored it. Such a behavior shakes the citizens’ respect for the justice. In the Ottoman Empire the most splendid palaces were built during the time of their decadence. Today many heads of powerful states work in modest buildings. That’s why this magnificent building did harm to Turkey’s reputation. 60% of the Turks regard it as wastefulness. From a religious perspective this is waste, and waste is a sin.

    Erdogan accuses your movement of infiltrating justice and police.

    A citizen does not infiltrate the institutions of his own country, but he can take his rightful place in them. Everybody who provides the necessary qualifications can be a civil servant. Is it possible that they feel threatened because many people did not bow to the power? The current political system does not only stigmatise people who sincerely support our movement, but almost everybody who doesn’t stay close to their power and who doesn’t cooperate. They see us as harmful elements in the state. Such a thing is called witch-hunting.

    Thousands of civil servants have been moved and dismissed. How many of them were Hizmet-members?

    I don’t even know a tenth of the people who feel connected to this movement. After a certain time one will recognise that many of the concerned prosecutors, police officers and teachers have nothing to do with us. On the one hand, they try to present us as a big danger by stigmatizing so many people. On the other hand they want to get rid of everybody who doesn’t pledge complete allegiance to them. Most recently a vice-chairman of the AKP even admitted this strategy.

    The officials had collected corruption allegations against sons of ministers and pro-government businessmen. What do you think about these allegations?

    Despite concrete evidence that was publicised, the corruption proceedings have been closed. Because of that to this day, nobody knows what really has happened. In the West, governments would have resigned, if there were such charges. Ankara went so far to portray the investigations as an international conspiracy – again, a typical strategy in authoritarian regimes.

    Is your movement weakened?

    Indeed, it is hard to deny the effect of the propaganda by the state-controlled media. People who send their children to our schools and support us with donations are being threatened. But some day this propaganda,which relies on a web of lies,will eventually turn against their producers.

    The government plans to close down all your schools in Turkey.

    Our schools won high praise and several awards. If Turkey is a state of law, we expect that nothing bad will happen to them. Otherwise Turkey will lose.

    Recently Gülen-Schools have been closed down in Central Asia. Is the Turkish government’s influence responsible for that?

    The Turkish government tries to find different arguments against us in each country. In the republics of the former Soviet Union they say we were American spies. In the USA they call us religious fundamentalists and in Islamic countries they allege we were alluring their children from the religion. In fact, that is a very pragmatic strategy. Yet, in this way Turkey is breaking down bridges of friendship and is harming its international relations. Hereby the Turkish paranoia is being transported abroad.

    A former US ambassador once described you as second most powerful man in Turkey. How do you see yourself?

    I seek refuge in God from any such claim! Everybody who slightly knows me can confirm that I had never wanted to be famous. I have never tried to obtain spiritual or material benefits. My life of 76 years is a witness to this. If the successes of this movement deserve any praise, it is due to the many volunteers.

    Will this movement exist without Fethullah Gülen?

    People supported us who didn’t even share one percent of our worldview. But we shared universal values. In Africa people who I had never met, have co-financed schools and hospitals. They were rich people and you hadn’t expected their support. Every night when I go to bed I think for myself, maybe I won’t wake up again. But I am not worried in the least about the future of this movement.

    Do you think about returning to Turkey?

    I miss my country very much. I am an emotional person. I have got family and friends. And I did not come to this world out of nowhere. I was born to a family. Recently my brother passed away and I wasn’t able to attend his funeral. This was also the case with other relatives. I have spent 60 years of my life in Turkey. I easily attach to places and even to objects. The village I was born in, the graves of my father and my grandparents, the neighborhood in Izmir where I have lived for years, the books in my library there… All these are in my mind’s eye and I can’t hold back my tears. If I returned to Turkey today, some people working in the highest departments of the state would abuse this for their dark purposes.

    Can you imagine reconciliation with Erdogan?

    We didn’t start this fight. That’s why they have to make the first move for reconciliation. If some day Erdogan confesses to all his bald lies and slander he disseminated in rallies and in media, I will be ready to make my peace with him.

    Is there anything which makes you happy nowadays despite all difficulties?

    I have never been happy for a long time. After each military coup I was being persecuted. But what I experience today is even worse. Still, the bright side is that coal and diamonds get separated (Turkish saying). The world is recognizing the meaning of this movement.

    Many in America were amused about Erdogan’s recent statement that Muslims had discovered America before Christopher Columbus. What do you think about that?

    Scientists of different disciplines should decide what was discovered by whom first. Some people might say: “Who is Einstein anyway? And who is this Edison? We Muslims knew all this already in the fifth century, even the nuclear fusion.” It is absurd to say that these discoveries were only made by Muslims.

     

  • Behold ‘Mother Theresa’ of our day

    Behold ‘Mother Theresa’ of our day

    But for the sitting arrangement, the mood of guests and the decorations in the hall, the 50th birthday celebration of the Director-General to the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs Sally Uwechue-Mbanefo, at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos last Sunday would have been mistaken for an art exhibition or auction. Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME was there. 

    About 10 large size-mounting boards on each side of the walls accentuate the all-purple coloured blinds. Displayed on them were over 150 paintings ranging from abstract to realism, impressionism, surrealism and landscape. The artworks done by Sally in over two decades were also rendered in small, medium and large size-formats. Complementing the arts were a three-volume coffee-table books on Sally and her daughter, Solange: The portrait of an artist; Life and Work and Introducing Solange-the architect and the photographer that were being presented to the public. Flanking the book stands to the right was a giant birthday cake, which symbolised the essence of the gathering. Banquet Hall, Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos was the venue of the celebration anchored by former newscaster at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mr. Patrick Oke.

    Like an appetizer, guests were treated to large screening of The Sally Mbanefo Foundation vision, testimonials, goodwill messages and felicitations from friends and relations who showered encomiums on the celebrator who many described as kind-hearted and warm mother.

    The evening also provided opportunity for Sally’s close associates especially her brethrens from different Catholic Church Parishes across the country to appreciate and celebrate one of their own.

    Among the guests that attended the celebration included delegations from Holy Cross Cathedral (Catholic Church) Lagos, business mogul Chief Mike Inegbese, Mary Inegbese, Mr. George Uwechue, Jimi Agbaje, Mr. Victor Osibodu, Mr. JK Randle, Otunba Gani Adams, Oscar Onyema, Chief Ekesi, Mr. Wande Akinboboye, ABC Ojiako and Tonye Cole. Others were Atedo Peterside, Nike Akande, Alfred Okumagba, Nkiru Animodu, Mimi Akinkugbe, Joe Obiago, Greg Mbadiwe and Dr. Mrs A. Abakada.

    Rev. Father Anthony Oyeniyi of Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos congratulated Sally on her 50th birthday anniversary saying ‘as you celebrate the gift of life, we ask the Giver of all life to bless you, keep you, guide you, guard you and shield you from all harm and may He multiply your days on the face of the earth. More so, I wish to thank you most sincerely for the great work you have been doing with the youths of Holy Cross Cathedral especially in the area of youth development and empowerment and the regular support you give to indigent students.’

    Proprietor St Paul’s School, Lessel, Oshungo local government area, Benue State, Rev. Father Okoro Onyebuchi Basil recalled that ever since meeting Sally in 2010, she has lifted the burden of running the school away from him. “She has consistently provided for the running of the school on monthly basis. That notwithstanding, she has reached out in many other charitable works that I am involved in. Sally, your power of love is contagious! Your ‘Christ-likeness’ is Eucharistic! Your Christianity is practical! Let me borrow the words of the Psalmist. ‘He wiped away our tears and taken our sorrows away’. You have literarily wiped away our tears and taken away our sorrows. Ride on daughter of Zion! …Mother Theresa of our day! Your lies are rare,” he said.

    To the celebrator, the 50th birthday anniversary is not a merrymaking event per se, but a time to give back to the society, especially putting smiles to the less privileged peoples’ faces. According to Sally, her  birthday celebration is designed to raise funds through art in order to give back to Southwest where she spent about three decades of her amazing career life. This, she said, would be through Youth Education Fund, supports to charities and empowerment programmes.

    “For over eight years in Delta State, we have been lending monthly support to two charities in building Refugee Homes for Widows, Rehabilitation Homes for the Mentaly ill and the empowerment of the youth. On a much smaller scale, we continue to support on a monthly basis eight other institutions and churches with charitable aspirations in Lagos, Abuja and Rivers States…

    “The proceeds from the sales of the books will be used to build schools for vocational skills acquisition for the under-privileged, starting with Lagos State. Subsequently, it is intended that the school will be run from proceeds of the annual auction of my paintings and sculptures,” she said of the foundation’s contributions.

  • Grassroots’ Heroes gets new queen

    Grassroots’ Heroes gets new queen

    After months of searching for culture advocates, winners have emerged in the culture-based reality show, tagged: Heroes: Back To The Roots.

    At the end of 60 days of co-habitation among other activities, Ms Happiness Udodang from Akwa Ibom State, has emerged queen and winner out of the 37 culture gladiators that the show began with.

    The 37 contestants, according to the organisers, were picked after 104-day of painstakingly traversing many states, adding that Ms Udodang won due to her in-depth understanding of her culture.

    Ms Udodang said she was more than happy she won, adding that emerging winner was more than a dream-come-true. According to her, in addition to having her dream of becoming a movie star, she went home with a car, N2million and a role in a film that will be shot with 10 finalists of the show.

    But Ms Udodang was not alone. Like her, the second and third place finalists – Luther Emmanuel Ikyobo from Benue State and Chelsea Chinenye Oguejiofor from Anambra State – each got N1.5million and N1million alongside roles in the film.

    The show, which was aired on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), is produced by Chinyere Ogbukagu, who also heads Plateau-based Havilla Timeless Production; and directed by famed filmmaker Ifeanyi Onyeabor.

    According to Ogbukagu, the folk reality TV show aims at promoting peace and inter-ethnic understanding, adding that it also highlight the various tourism potential abundant across the country.

    She said: “Apart from re-awakening the interest in our culture the show also highlights the various tourism potential abundant in the various states where the cast and crew of the show are visiting. After auditions, five persons were selected from each of the states and FCT for the final screening to arrive at the 37 finalists – one from each state and FCT- to compete in the house where they would co-habit for 60 days. Contestants who have great understanding of their culture are usually on an advantageous pedestal to emerge victorious.”

    The 2014 edition of the TV show also culminated in an award’s event to recognise individuals and institutions that have contributed in no small measure to a better understanding of our cultural legacies in Nigeria, with great emphasis on cultural tolerance.

    Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu  was honoured as the “Best Supporting Governor”; Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio as” Best Governor”; Cross River State got the “Cleanest State” award and Niger State was “Most Culture-Friendly State”

    “We award is our appreciation of their support. We also got support from other individuals and organisations and governments for this project to come to fruition. We especially thankful to Niger State for being a great host, IMO state for seeing the vision.

     

     

  • Sure Steps Towards Making Millions In Business

     

    Nations are made by individuals who believe. Mrs. Adenike Obayemi, the CEO of Her Excellency, a skills development centre at 8 Owodunni Street, off Allen Avenue, in the Ikeja area of Lagos State is one Nigerian who believes in the drive to make Nigeria great through the grooming of young entrepreneurs. She has just published the well-packaged book, Make The Millions In New Businesses, an exquisite guide specially put together for children and teenagers in junior and senior secondary schools, students and undergraduates in sundry tertiary institutions and universities, and indeed all who want to excel in life. The book is a treasure-trove aimed at enabling the reader to acquire the relevant skills, domestic values and the necessary sense of responsibility to make it through life.

    An English Language Education graduate of the esteemed University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Adenike Obayemi is a teacher, master trainer, mentor, motivational speaker and consultant. Through the publication of Make The Millions In New Businesses, Adenike puts on the front burner her abiding mission to empower and develop the inner potentials of Nigerian children and youths for positive results. The added dimension is to promote self-employment and entrepreneurial culture in the wider society. On the practical front, there is the pivotal mission to teach the young female children the art and skills of baking, cookery and the production of drinks.

    The essence of the book Make The Millions In New Businesses takes pride of place as it has been discovered that most of the vices and challenges today’s youths are faced with in terms of gross unemployment, under-employment, prostitution, fraudulent practices, idleness, lack of self-esteem, and self-worth are due to the fact they have not been properly exposed to a complete form of education. Adenike Obayemi strongly makes the case that for a child to completely fit into the present world, there is the need to include into the school curriculum some form of handworks and skills acquisition programmes. She stresses that the best time to do this is from the early years in school.

    Written in simple, straightforward language and unique style with a step-by-step procedure which makes it very practical and easy to follow, Make The Millions In New Businesses is designed to help the students and their parents alike. The author knows that the busy lifestyles of the present-age parents have not helped matters for the young children because a lot of the roles the parents are supposed to play have been neglected or completely transferred to the school. She avers that it will therefore be in the best interest of all concerned for the schools to take the bull by the horn and ensure that this aspect of the child’s development is properly addressed. Adenike knows the heart of the matter through direct personal experience because, in the past few years, several parents have during the long vacations brought their children to Her Excellency centre to be trained in cooking and food preparation, cakes and bread making, pastries and beads making. She feels fulfilled that these acquired skills form an addition to their educational qualification, therefore making these children to have an all-round education.

    Make The Millions In New Businesses is meant to serve several purposes such as wealth creation, youth and women empowerment, poverty eradication and skills acquisition in different areas; and “it is not gender biased”. It smacks of ignorance for supposedly educated people to underestimate handworks because they feel it is only meant for the uneducated and school dropouts. The book makes the crucial point that the days of education for white collar jobs are gone.

    It is meet to adopt the words of Akinniyi I. Sowunmi, Leader/CEO of Popeman, Lagos in his Foreword to Make The Millions In New Businesses, to wit: “Since March 27, 1944 when Asa Griggs Candler registered the Coca Cola patent and used his entrepreneurial skills to launch the Coke, a drink originally meant to be patient medicine by its inventor, John Pemberton, into the most valuable global brand available at all nooks and crannies internationally… the challenge is to get fired by the ideas in the book to launch a business bigger than the Coca Cola onto our tables very soon with the guiding designs here provided.”

    With spiraling unemployment, there is no escape for the young Nigerian who does not embrace the step-by-step methods made for practical use in Make The Millions In New Businesses. There is the shining example of Tolani who “graduated from one of the best universities in South West region of Nigeria” who was frustrated during years of unemployment and under-employment only to eventually become a very successful employer of labour after undergoing training in Cakes Baking and Decoration at Her Excellency Centre.

    Adenike Obayemi undertakes a hands-on step-by-step procedure in Make The Millions In New Businesses. One gets to learn how to prepare Small Chops such as Puff Puff, Vegetable Springroll and Asun (Goat Meat Barbeque). Cocktail Drinks like Chapman, Tropical Sunset, Pineapple on the Rocks, and Strawberry Sensation are ready grist to the author’s mill. Nigerian Indigenous Soups, notably Edikang Ikong, Egusi, Efo Riro, Afang, Banga and Oha Soup, are picturesquely featured. The richly illustrated chapters encompass Bread Making, Snacks & Pastries, Cake Baking, and Desserts.

    In all, by studying the recipes adroitly set out in Make The Millions In New Businesses and going ahead to practice and master the productions one will definitely be on the success-laden road of starting a fulfilling business that will help move Nigeria forward economically. I wholeheartedly recommend that Make The Millions In New Businesses be adopted as a textbook for junior and secondary school students across all the states of Nigeria.

     

     

  • Museum as an agent of change, innovation

     

    Museum has been defined differently by scholars. It is a place where heritage materials are kept for display, learning and relaxation and have been seen as a non-profitable institution where people view and enjoy the display of cultural heritage. In 1979, ICOM defines museum as a non-profitable permanent institution in the service of the society and its developments, opened to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits for the purpose of study, education and enjoyment, material evidence of man and his environment.

    In 2004, as a rejoinder at the Curators’ seminar in Calabar, Cross Rivers State, museum curators countered the non-profitable ICOM definition of museum since museums are now generating funds for their upkeep.

    Changerefers to outcomes, results, accomplishments or preconditions. It can also be defined as a passing from one phase to another thus making a variety. Innovation on the other hand means, a new way of doing something: incremental, radical and revolutionary, changes in thinking, products, processes or organizations. Innovations are ideas applied successfully: in organizational context; it is linked to performance and growth through improvement in efficiency, productivity, quality, competitive, positioning, market shares. All organizations try to be innovative in their operations: hospitals, universities, governments etc. As individuals, innovation occurs when someone uses an idea or invention to change the world outlook;how people organize and conduct themselves. Innovation is distinct from improvement in that it permeates society and causes reorganization. It is also distinct from problem solving but may cause problems, in this view, it has positive or negative results but it is generally understood as a successful introduction of a new thing or method.

    Innovation is therefore an embodiment of combinations, or synthesis of original knowledge, relevant, valued as new products, processes or services which begins with creative ideas. Innovation can fail if it is seen as an organizational process whose success stems from a mechanistic approach because it has an emphasis on control, enforcement and structure, but it is the only partial truth in achieving development and can be used to counter an organization’s orthodoxy. However, space for fair hearing of innovative ideas is required to balance the potential of auto-immune-exclusion that quells an infant innovative culture.

    A newly born child in Africa, Asia, America or Europe is born without knowledge or culture. Education is designed to guide such a child in learning a particular culture, model his/her behavior towards his eventual role in the society. In pre-literate societies with no formal learning system the entire environment the activities served as school while the adults served as teachers.

    As societies grow more complex the quality and quantum of knowledge to be passed on from one generation to another hence, the more selective means and efficient means of cultural transmission. The outcome of this is formal education: the school and the specialists called teachers. Overtime, societies grew more complex and schools became institutionalized, experiences gained therefore became far less directly related to daily life: less a matter of showing and learning in the context of the work a day world, abstraction from practices, distilling, telling and learning things out of contexts.

    The concentration of learning in formal atmosphere allows the child to learn his/her culture through observation and imitation. The society attaches more importance to education, in that it also began to formulate the overall objectives, content, organization and strategies for education giving birth to education as a distinguished discipline that is constantly being refined and redefined in various countries to meet national goals and aspirations.

    The museum has as part of its roles to the society the duty of transmitting cultural roles from generation to the other; therefore museum education is the transmission of cultural information of a given society from one generation to another using the platform of museum exhibitions. From museum inceptions, one of the fundamental objectives of the museum is to educate by using its collections and exhibits. Therefore, it follows that museum education is an in-depth transfer of pertinent “cult” information using museum exhibits, this process should not be evaluated in terms of what is imparted, but also on how it received and further transferred. Therefore, the aim of the museum education to foster contact between people (children or adults) and its exhibits, not to teach the facts alone but to sow a seed of interest and a spark of inspiration.

    Purposes of museum education are many, among which are: promotion of public awareness, developing the creative capabilities of the visitors, interpreting museum collections to all categories of people; promoting the museum institution as a centre of public learning. Museum’s educational role therefore is to liaise with formal education authorities when school curriculum and scheme are prepared. Museum education liaises with formal education authorities to enhancing the planning of school curriculum. It can also provide space for teaching groups of people within museum premises. In this wise, it help the informal learning system. It is the function of museum education to improve the provision of facilities for visitors particularly for schools, families and even disabled people.

    The museum is an educational resource centre that aids in the field of human learning. A Chinese proverbs says “a look is worth a thousand words”, illustrates the values of viewing, teaching and learning. Having resource materials at hand results in a more effective learning process of facts, information and skills in a short period of time than verbalization. When properly used, resource materials can facilitate the following supplying of a concrete basis for conceptual thinking they making learning more permanent through reality of experience and self-activity thereby developing continuity. Resources like motion pictures, museum objects etc contribute to the growth of meaning and concepts. First hand experiences not easily obtained elsewhere are gotten from the museum resources and display. Museums all over the world are replete with many resource materials ranging from educational, archeological, ethnological, architectural, and natural history materials. The museum is a vital element in establishing a national cultural identity and the transmission of cultural heritage. The museum is a repository for many kinds of research, and in most cases it has a well equipped libraries, life specimen manuscripts, research results often very useful as educational materials.

     

     

  • Errors, omissions, blunders

    Errors, omissions, blunders

    For your Sunday amusement, Taiwo Abiodun profiles some mind-boggling errors as committed on signboards, billboards, banners and even vehicles, and also prescribes punishment for offenders.

    Call it comedy of errors and you might just be right on point. We are talking about the crimes of errors of spelling, as committed by the litany of amateur sign writers that characterise our society.

    Some call it printer’s devil; others label it oversight errors, but some out-rightly call it what it is, blunders. And yet, no one seems left out. And yet they all defend themselves; be it in the academics, the military, government ministries, churches, banking institutions; and of course the artisans who, many agree may make excuses of their poor education.

    For the refined or educated mind, seeing some of these words wrongly or ignorantly inscribed on vehicles, billboards, walls, stickers, banners among others can be disgusting. For those who have a reasonable dose of sense of humour, these spectacles are opportunities for a good laugh. Many a times, you burst into laughter, especially because of the ignorance of the ‘culprits’. Grim-minded readers may however be drawn to tears, as they consider such calamitous errors tell-tales of the deplorable state of Nigeria’s education.

    While some may argue that it is due to the poor teaching of English in our schools, some would say it is due to the lackadaisical attitude of some sign writers or proof readers, who fail to spot the mistakes and correct them.

    This story took roots as this reporter and other passengers in a public transport on his way to Ilorin, Kwara State, argued over the correct version of a wrongly written expression on a 911 Mercedes Benz lorry. On it was inscribed “SHAVE ME OH GOD.” Of course the first reaction to this was to have a good laugh. Some of the passengers attempted to argue for the blunder, saying the writer meant ‘shave’ in the real sense of it; others who are used to the expression but who are compassionate argued that it is the devil’s printer and should have been ‘SAVE ME OH GOD’.

    Curious, this reporter caught up with the driver of the vehicle and made efforts to point out the very conspicuous error to him. But alas, he was quite adamant and replied full of confidence that “My oga don see am, he sabi book, it is correct.’ Things however turned a bit dangerous when this reporter made to take a shot of the inscription. ‘Sege barawo!’ He screamed in Hausa language, reaching simultaneously for is dagger and giving the reporter who had already taken to his heals a hot chase.

    While traveling from Owo to Benin, this writer also beheld another expression “SHAME UNTO ME ENEMIES,” as against “SHAME UNTO MY ENEMIES” on a vehicle. Again when this reporter confronted the driver, he got a big frown and a tell-off: “Go away. It is not your business.”

    Other instances on stickers include “JESUS IS LOD” (letter ‘R’ is missing from LORD); “REPARE YOUR TELEPHONE HERE” (as against “REPAIR YOUR TELEPHONE HERE”).

    A sign post at mechanic workshop in Ogbomosho in Oyo State read ‘MERCEDISE’ BENZ, instead of MERCEDES. For this error, someone suggested that the mechanic should be fined 200,000 naira.

    WE SELL ‘BEAR’ HERE. This was a part of a notice on an informal sign post that read WE SELL ‘BEAR’ AND SOFT DRINKS HERE (The key word of course should have read BEER rather than ‘BEAR.’ Bear is a wild animal that lives in the forest, while Beer is an alcoholic drink.

    ORILE ‘RAOD’ 107. This was part of the address on a sign board of a school located on Orile Road, Agege, Lagos. Note that the spelling of ROAD here has been twisted. Therefore the school has committed a big blunder and the proprietor is here by fined 250,000 naira. The money should be paid into The Nation’s Newspaper’s account today.

    ‘TECHER’

    WE NEED A PRIVATE ‘TECHER’ HERE (note that TEACHER is wrongly spelt.)

    What manner of teacher or school manager would like to be employed in this school? In fact, his school should be shut down!

    ‘BEUATY SALON IS HERE

    The word ‘BEUATY’ here has been murdered. The correct spelling should have been BEAUTY. The owner of this salon should be arrested and her salon shut down. She can commit graver errors on customers’ hair.

    ‘LOWYER’

    WE WANT A ‘LOWYER’ HERE, (The principal word here should have been LAWYER and ‘O’ has erroneously replaced ‘A’.) This was found at a sign-writer’s workshop, but one would expect the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to move in and arrest the sign-writer.

    ‘MEKANIC’ – THERE IS A ‘MEKANIC’ HERE

    This was captured on a wall at Ikeja Along bus stop. This wall should be pulled down as this big blunder is causing it to vibrating even as you read this.

    Churches, educational institutions not left out

    If one would excuse the mechanic, what becomes of churches, government ministries and the academic environment? Many lay the blame on the sign writers,’ accusing them of poor education; but what were those who commissioned the jobs doing? Didn’t they go through the finished work before hoisting or pasting them?

    Blunder at University of Ibadan!

    The big banner conspicuously hung on the University of Ibadan library in honour of  wait for it- Professor Wole Soyinka, winner of the prestigious Nobel Laureate in Literature. Two major errors: ‘UNIVERSITRY’ and ‘WEDNESSDAY’ stood out on the banner meant to announce the celebration of Prof. Wole Soyinka at 80. “ABADINA RESOURCE CENTRE celebrates Professor WOLE SOYINKA @80  VENUE: TRENCHARD HALL, UNVERSITRY  OF IBADAN, DATE: WEDNESSDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 2014, TIME: 3PM.

    These blunders reminded this writer of the Biblical verse, John 3:3; and the questions they evoked were: Does it mean no student or lecturer saw this blunders? Or were they spotted but overlooked because of cost of reproduction? How will Professor Soyinka himself feel seeing this blunders? We think Abadina Resource Centre should be fined 5,000 dollars!

    On a College of Education form

    At Oba-Akoko Junction, on the way to Imeri, this reporter witnessed multiple blunders on an advertisement of College of Education, Ikere-Ekiti.

    2. Education (‘Secretariat’ Studies option) – as against ‘ Secretarial.

    3. Computer Science/Intergrated (the second word should be Integrated’ not Intergrated.

    12. Mathematics/Computer (the second word should be ‘Computer Science, ‘ which is a course, and not Computer.

    17. Agriculture Education (wrong)

    20. Economics/Politics’Science (the second phrase should read: Political Science.

    With all these blunders on a college’s form, the Acting Registrar who signed this admission advertisement should pay a fine of 500,000 naira.

    Bank premises

    At the entrance of Skye Bank, Owo, Ondo State are about six handbills pasted on the walls .The handbills read:

    ‘ENROLEMENT! ENROLEMENT!! ENROLEMENT!!!’

    BANK CERTIFICATION NUMBER (BVN) ‘ENROLEMENT’ EXERCISE IS IN PROGRESS IN THE BANK…

    Observation: the bank repeated the wrongly spelt word ‘ENROLEMENT’ five times, but it should have been spelt ‘ENROLLMENT.’ Note that this notice has spent over three months on the wall

    Verdict: The Bank Manager should pay 100,000 naira as fine for blunder.

    DEVELOMENT’

    At the Oyo State Secretariat is an official van meant for the MINISTRY OF PHYSICAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT, but the last word was spelt DEVELOMENT, with the letter P conspicuously missing. Oyo State Government should please correct this as it paints the state government in bad light. In the interim, the commissioner in charge should ask for a refund from the sign-writer and also pay a fine of 120,000 naira to The Nation, for helping them spot this error!

    AIR FORCE ‘BA2E’

    At the entrance of SAM ETHNAN AIR FORCE BASE IKEJA is this unpardonable error boldly embossed: ‘SAM ETHNAN ‘BA2E’, IKEJA.

    The letter S in BASE is erroneously written as BA2E, with figure 2 standing in for the S. This has been there for a very long time and we think the Air Force Officer responsible for this error should come to The Nation newspaper and pay a fine of 500,000,naira for helping to spot this long standing error.

    Churches- ‘ISREAL’ and ‘SHEPHARD’

    Church of ‘Isreal’, and ‘The Lord’s ‘Shephard,’  were both found at Adeyipo village in Ibadan and Toll Gate, Lagos – Abeokuta Road, Ogun State respectively.

    The correct words are ‘Israel’ and ‘Shepherd’.

    ‘People’ Democratic Party

    A Commercial Danfo bus has a poster of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) on it, and what was written on the poster is; ‘People’ Democratic Party’, with the writer omitting the very vital letter ‘s’.

    ‘SHOPING’ MALL

    Welcome to GSM VILLAGE, IHL ‘SHOPING MALL, IKEJA AIRPORT BUS STOP. The second ‘P’ in SHOPPING is missing.

    Verdict: All the workers at this mall should be made to trek 30 kilometres as punishment and gift this reporter an IPhone 6.

    ‘ACCOMODATION’

    ‘She second ‘m’ is missing. It should read Accommodation’. This error was spotted in Ipesi Akoko’ Guest House.

    Verdict: For spotting this error, this reporter should be allowed to spend two weeks as special guest at the guest house free of charge.

    No ‘PACKING’ here!

    It should be No ‘Parking’ (the letter ‘r’ was erroneously replaced with letter ‘c’).The company should be fined.

    ‘POUDED’ Yam instead of (Pounded yam)

    EXPAND YOUR SHOES NEATLY WITH ‘MARCHINE

    This blunder was spotted at a cobbler’s shop at Ajegunle bus stop. The sign writer obviously meant to write ‘Machine.’ The cobbler is sentenced to 10days of community work. And please correct the error!

    NO PEACE FOR THE ‘WEKIED’

    This was the graffiti on the bumper of a Lagos commercial bus. He definitely meant to write: ‘NO PEACE FOR THE WICKED.

    ‘GOD’ and SILVER

    Come and buy your ‘GOD’ and SILVER here read the amateur advert. The first word obviously should have been GOLD and not GOD, but the L is erroneously omitted.

    COME AND DO YOUR ‘HEIR’ IN THIS ‘BAEUTY’ SALON

    HAIR is wrongly spelt as HEIR. Please correct.

    WAIT & GET ‘DITITAL’ PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPH

    Note the big error in the word DIGITAL. This was spotted by Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos – Abeokuta Toll gate expressway.

    Verdict: This photographer should be sentenced to two weeks imprisonment!

    ‘BABOONING’SALON is here

    This of course ought to be BARBING Salon, not ‘BABOONING’ salon. We all know that Baboon is an animal. What an insult on humanity! All effort to correct the Barber was futile, as he argued that his elder brother wrote it.

    SLOW DOWN, ‘BOMB’ AHEAD

    The word BOMB was mistakenly substituted for BUMP, which is the right word. The above was boldly written and placed as a sign by a roadside. Surely if there was a BOMB ahead, people will not just have to slow down, they will turn and run.

    Who’s to blame?

    Mr. Niyi Satimehin, a Computer Graphics designer said “the sign writers are not at fault, but the owners of the jobs because they are supposed to cross check.” He added that sign writers “commit errors not blunders.” He also said they “sometimes correct mistakes that emanated from customers.”

    Mr. Yemi Ajayi a Senior Graphic Artists said “Yes, there could be typographical errors or printers’ devil but when discovered the job should be returned to its owner. It is difficult to make such mistakes because with the advent of computer, you don’t need to make such grave mistakes because it will immediately underline the error; but the road sign writers should have their dictionaries by their sides to check out spellings. “

    Continuing, Ajayi said “Many of the so-called roadside graphics artists are not trained. They simply jumped into the profession. Imagine if Professor Wole Soyinka’s 80th birthday banner could have errors and the banner was still placed in the University environment for everybody to see. What message was it passing?”

    Akinyele Kehinde, the Director of Isaiah and Company who deals in painting and decoration said “The Professor Soyinka’s error really pissed me off. I can’t imagine what the old man would say.”

    A school teacher who begs for anonymity said “This simply shows the lackadaisical attitude towards one’s job. If you give out a job and you find errors in it on delivery, naturally the job should be returned. But it is like the owners of the jobs don’t care, as long as the occasion holds. Some also don’t want to spend money to effect the corrections while some would even use corrective fluid. Above all you will hardly see any corporate organisation with such damaging errors.”

    It should also be noted that this reporter was chased with cutlasses, abused and threatened while taking some of these pictures.

  • An ex-policeman’s undying hope on a death bed

    An ex-policeman’s undying hope on a death bed

    With half of his body decaying, many expect ex-police officer, Hassan Fatai Olisagho, to be long dead, but he has survived for nine years and now calls for help to live again. Taiwo Abiodun reports

    The mere sight of ex-policeman, Hassan Fatai Olisagho, evokes pity. As he lay on the bare, dirty mattress, his limbs, decayed, dried and immovable, you’re moved to tears, and almost want to imagine what he is going through. The feeling especially heightens when you learn that he’s been bed-ridden for nine years. Thankfully, he can still move the upper half of his body, and his sharp voice still rings loud and clear and could be heard at a sizable distance.

    According to Francis Ladi Akinwale, a journalist, who has known him for sometime, the news of Olisagho’s half dead situation has spread around Owo town, Ondo State and many people come over to see for themselves and sympathise with him. “Some actually come to see for themselves the miracle of the man whose lower part has decayed but who nevertheless remains healthy from his waist upwards. And some simply come to pray for a miraculous healing for a man, whose predicament is truly pathetic.”

    Another group, however is of the opinion that death had better come to the aid of the 45 year-old whom they believe has suffered enough. Families have long deserted him, and even his wife and children have stopped coming to check up on him, said Olisagho, who also said he has lost both parents. By his bedside lie his cooking utensils; stove, plastic cups et al. Not far from these is a potty, plastic rubber and cellophane bags, with which he defecates.

    Settling down for more discussion, Olisagho placed his decayed legs on a pillow. The legs have turned dark with holes in them while the bones are now visible to the naked eyes. To make matters worse, the room stinks to high heavens. To lighten up the atmosphere, this reporter threw a joke on whether the ex-policeman was looking for his rifle, to which he retorted: “For where? I can’t even remember what it looks like. I have not seen the sun for nine years. I only know the days and time by listening to the radio and thanks to the table clock over there.”

    His odyssey

    Narrating his story, he said “My name is Hassan Fatai Olisagho. I am 45 years of age and I have lost both my parents. I was enlisted in the Police Force some years ago. I rose to the position of Sergeant Corporal and I worked in Lagos and Ondo states; my duty was doing postings of officers to obas’ palaces. It was also my responsibility to report officers on their daily activities like absenteeism or punctuality at work. I once worked at Ikeja Area 5 under the Area Commander, right opposite the Police College. I was later posted to Oba Ile, Oka in Akoko, Ondo State. In 2006 I had an accident along Benin – Owo road, while coming from the office. I had just closed from patrol and was going to submit my riffle when a car hit me and I became unconscious.

    I was taken to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo from where I was transferred to the Ife Teaching Hospital. But my family had no money to pay for my stay there and I was soon taken to a traditional bone-setter, where it was wrongly set and the situation deteriorated. My legs were becoming stiff, and bent; again, I was referred to Ife Teaching hospital for correction. I also went to Akure, courtesy of Princess Ebiseeni, a Regent of Apoi land, who assisted me through her NGO. I underwent three operations at Ife. When they removed the Plaster of Paris (POP), it was discovered that the two legs had decayed. Thereafter, I went to General Hospital Akure, where l spent one and a half years; and again to Ife Teaching Hospital, where I spent another two years, without solution. Not to forget, I went to Ife Teaching Hospital again in 2012. Overall, I have been lying down like this since 2006. Even my wife Ige Janet – she’s from Akoko in Ondo State, has deserted me with my five children.

    Converted to Christianity on his sick bed

    Originally a Muslim, Olisagho’s unyielding situation has also made him convert to Christianity. “I was a Muslim before but I became born again when I saw death. During my trying period, I wrote letters for financial assistance to the mosque, where I worshipped, but got no response. Believe it or not, this condition is worse than death, but I believe God has a purpose for me. I confessed my sins, repented and became a born again on my sick bed. There is nothing you can compare God with; He is real.” Momentarily, he picked his radio to listen to a Christian sermon.

    When he was done, he continued. “Once a pastor insisted on coming to pray for me from Akure; but when she got here, she could not enter as the horrible sight of me was too shocking for her. So she stood by the door and greeted me. She later sent me some money, apologizing for her behavior. She said she just couldn’t withstand my condition, and I reason with her. Even you can see that half my body is gone and really stinking. I actually consider it a miracle that a miracle.”

    Wants his legs amputated

    I want the two legs amputated. I am living in pains and I can’t even lift them. In fact there was a time when maggots were coming out from the legs. You can also see that they have dried up like bush meat. I cook here, use potty for toilet here; thanks to the kids who assist me. “

    He disclosed that he has also taken the legs to an old man in Idanre, who specialises in conditions like his, but without success. In a way, he blames the decaying conditions of his legs on the Plaster of Paris (POP) placed on it at the Ife University Teaching Hospital. “While in Ife, the physiotherapist suggested that my legs should be operated upon, but the doctor objected, saying they would be straightened. It was the Plaster of Paris (POP ) moulded on the legs at Ife in 2012 that caused all these decaying. “

    Life savings gone!

    Even though his situation may now seem irredeemable, Olisagho said he once had high hopes and struggled to make it in life. “I was using a Mercedes Benz Car 200, and even had a Station Wagon Passat car and a house under construction.”

    He, however lamented that all these are gone. “I sold the house in 2012,” he said with a dint of regret and pain.

    But how was he able to amass such huge possessions as an ordinary police sergeant? We asked.

    Sensing some kind of accusation, Olisagho said “I didn’t defraud anybody and I did not steal either. I got a loan from the People’s Bank and occasionally I traveled to Cotonou to purchase tokunbo (used) cars and resell.”

    Could his situation be a result of a curse from someone he might have offended, we prodded further, but he said, “Jesus is my living witness, I did not defraud anybody. I am not like that.”

    Neglected by the Police

    Despite his pathetic condition, Hassan Fatai Olisagho said he has neither been paid his pension by the Nigerian Police Force nor compensated. He said he contacted the PRO in Abuja immediately after the accident and an officer was sent to appraise his condition in 2009, but said he has not heard from the force since then. The state police command (CP) promised to assist but nothing has come out of that as well. My Force number is 172955.”

    Gratitude

    Olisagho is grateful for the support by some well-meaning Nigerians who have stood by him in spite of everything.  He singled out Mr. .Francis Akinwale Sadibo, a journalist, whom he said has been assisting with the little he has. Same for the Regent of Akpoiland, Princess Ebiseeni, whom he said “has been assisting me by giving me some stipend to feed.”

    As if to testify to Olisagho’s good character, a pastor, who came in to visit him on the occasion of this interview, Pastor David Odutale, said “I know this man, he is a very nice man; please don’t let him die. I have never seen a man whom half of his body is gone like this and still living.”

    Odutade spoke of how he met Olisagho, “We were in the same room at the General Hospital in Ile-Ife. I also had an accident then. He (Hassan) assisted me financially when I was admitted in the same hospital with him. I spent nine months in the hospital; I was taken to theatre four times for surgical operations and at a point, I had no money again. But this police officer, Hassan lent me 20, 000 naira for the operation. I can never forget him. This is my first time of coming to Owo. I had wanted his family to bring him to stay in my house in Ile Ife, but since I don’t know his relations, I found this a bit difficult. After I was discharged from the hospital, I used to go to his ward to spend two days with him at the hospital, and help him with cleaning. Even my wife wanted to come here (Owo) to see how he is faring. I hope he will get help before it is too late.”

    In company of Pastor Odutale was Temitayo Bolarinwa, a cripple, who said he heard the story of the ex-police officer in far away Modakeke in Ife and decided to come and see for himself. “As you can see, I have no legs, but I had to come with Pastor Odutade who has always spoken glowingly of this police officer.

    Now as he lay on his sick bed, all Olisagho is praying for is assistance.”It is not money, but I want my two legs removed, so I can be able to use a wheelchair, and live again. I am begging anybody who has the milk of kindness in them to contact me before I die. You can contact me directly if you live in Owo, Ondo State or through this reporter at The Nation’s office in Lagos.”

  • Widows and one woman’s uncommon passion

    Widows and one woman’s uncommon passion

    Three widows share their experience of uncommon love, care and passion for the needy in the hands of one fellow woman. Medinat Kanabe who took a trip to their world reports 

    Nigerian woman, especially housewives, the fear of widowhood is the beginning of wisdom. More of the time, the fear is not in losing their husbands per se, but more in the unpalatable experiences and drama that usually ensue. These include abandonment, betrayal, victimisation, deprivation, and other such horrors. Notably the cruelty some women are subjected to in some parts of the country after their husbands’ death resonates and is now legendary. Some are even baselessly accused of being responsible for their husbands’ death, while others are made to forcefully marry their husbands’ relatives or strip them of their inheritance as punishment.

    This and several other reasons were what propelled Ifeoma Igbokwe to establish Grace CIIFEK Initiative, an NGO to cater for the needs of widows and orphaned children, despite not having any form of income outside her husband’s support. The Nation encountered some of the widows under her care who took turns to share their experiences since joining her NGO.

    Cordelia Azuine

    When her husband died 10 years ago, Mrs Cordelia Azuine who was 42 years-old at the time felt the day had become dark for her.  Now 52, the primary school teacher has paddled the canoe on her own without the support of any family member.

    According to her, when it became too difficult for her to cope at a time in those years, she opted tore marry; but her mother in-law discouraged her saying she was the reason she had not died after her son’s death.

    According to the mother of six, it wasn’t easy for her, but she has survived it. “I felt it so much because nobody can fill the vacuum. When I remember the way he pampered me and the children, I feel bad. The worst is that my husband’s younger brother gave out the portion of land, which was the only property he left us.

    Consequently, things became so difficult that her children could not continue their education, she revealed. “Only one managed to enrol for part-time studies in a university and graduated. My second daughter did National Certificate Examination, NCE before she got married and left. The others didn’t further after their secondary school education.”

    The Imo State-born Azuine who would be retiring from teaching after 35 years is however grateful that she encountered and joined the Grace CIIFEK Initiative.

    She said: “I joined the NGO two years-ago and it has really helped me and other widows. When we go there people come to talk to us, encouraging us through preaching. We also get money from the NGO many times. There is no time we meet that we don’t get something to take home. During the last Christmas, she gave a chicken each to all of us and money to prepare the chicken. I also remember when I was sick and had no money for treatment, she came and took me to the hospital and paid my bills.”

    Mrs Azuine also revealed that the whole gesture has been entirely at the instance of Mrs Igbokwe, with the support of her husband Mr Casmir Igbokwe, Editor-In-Chief, The Union newspapers. She therefore calls on the governors of Lagos and Anambra, two states where the NGO operates, to come to their assistance as Mrs Igbokwe cannot do it alone.

    Abigail Samuel

    For Abigail Samuel, another widow, losing her beloved husband ten years ago was to say the least, unbearable. According to her, it is something she can never forget, because it created a very great vacuum in her life that nobody can fill, except God.

    The 45 years-old mother of four also said it has not been easy at all, adding that it wasn’t even easy for them when her husband was alive. The widow who now works as a cleaner also revealed that she has had ugly experiences at the hands of NGOs in the past before joining Grace CIIFEK Initiative.

    “I have registered with many NGOs in the past but nothing came out of it. They were only using our pictures and children’s pictures to do business; but this one is not like that. The lady (Mrs. Igbokwe) has been very helpful; out of nothing she gives us something.

    “Every time we go to her house, she gives us something. She does not do any other work but cater for us. And to think that and she has never got any support from the government! We go for prayers once every month and we can approach her for favour at anytime.  Last December she gave us a lot of things. She even gave us cloths, which she had bought for her own use.”

    Nnadi Dorothy

    For Nnadi Dorothy, a 41 year-old mother of five, who became widowed at 32, losing one’s husband is a very painful experience.

    According to her, “It was as if the world has come to an end for me. I didn’t know what to do. To tell the truth, I don’t even know how I have been surviving because I work for a government ministry and sell cooking stuffs like Melon in Oyingbo Market, Lagos during my spare time. But there is little to show as profit.

    “However, since I joined Grace CIIFEK initiative, Mrs Ifeoma (Igbokwe) has paid my house rent and children’s school fees on a number of occasions, which is the greatest challenge I faced before joining the NGO.  Even now, she cannot do it alone,” she said because she

    Asked if her husband left her any inheritance and if she faced any harassment from her husband’s family after his death, Dorothy said her late husband didn’t leave them much, as he had cleared his account to build a house in the village. “He cleared his account in June 2006 to build a house that he intended to open in December 2006 but he died that same month.”

    She also said “My in-laws fought me very well. They broke my things and seized my properties in the house, saying I don’t have a right there. When I was leaving the house, I locked our two rooms and left the room they use and the living room for them; but when I travelled home to remove the clothes that I used to mourn my husband, I discovered that they had burgled the rooms and carried lot of my belongings. And when I asked, they all claimed not to know anything about it.”

     “I had to change the locks, locked the rooms again and took the key away. My husband’s ender sister who is leading others to take negative actions against me went to my mother to fight her, saying she is the one advising me. Somehow, I ignored them.”

    She however gives thanks to God for meeting Mrs Igbokwe, whom she says has helped her find an accommodation in Egbeda area of Lagos and paid the rent.

     Interestingly, she revealed that her husband’s family called her three years ago to apologise for their behaviour. “They said they have not treated me well and begged that I forgive them. They also said they were scared that I might never come back to the village. I have travelled once with my children after that, but we have never travelled together since then because I don’t have the money to travel with everybody.”

    Asked how she met Mrs. Igbokwe, she said it was through prayers. “God connected us. I was working with Jesus the Saviour Ministry, Lagos before my husband died where I prayed for people. We met and I prayed for her too; so when I lost my husband, she remembered me and came to assist me.”

    Igbokwe’s call for support

    Mrs Igbokwe on her part is calling on Governors Babatunde Fashola and Willie Obiano of Lagos and Anambra states respectively to come to her aid in this good work. She revealed that she has made several entreaties and visits to government offices without any success.

    Undeterred, the mother of three, who is in her early 40s said she has a land in Anambra, on which she intends to build an orphanage home, and possibly a village for orphans and widows.

    “The orphanage I want to build is not for only people that don’t have parents, but also for those whose parents cannot take care of them due to one reason or the other.”

    She spoke of her encounter a young mother who is finding it hard to take proper care of her children. “She is living with them in a very unhygienic condition. I have spoken with her and will take the children by the end of the month to my house. I have some of them in my house already but all of them have parents. Some of them go and come but I am responsible for their up-keep.”

    Asked how many the widows are in her care, she said she has 60 in Lagos and 20 in Anambra. She also said she has not really started taking in orphans because of the delicate nature. Hence she is waiting to build the orphanage home.

    Her inspiration

    The graduate of Business Education/Accounting from Nmandi Azikiwe University, Awka also revealed that her desire to always make people happy gave vent to the NGO. “I don’t like seeing people going through pains and difficulties.

    “When I was very little my mother would give me food and instead of eating alone, I would share with people in my neighbourhood. I didn’t know that it would turn out to be like this  a call for me.”

    Continuing, she said “It really started about 6 years ago, when I tried my hands in different businesses and jobs but all failed. I wanted to work and get some money to start up an NGO for widows and orphans. I got a contract to supply a company some goods; but on the verge of carrying out the supply, they stopped me, even though I had spent a lot of money on the business. I went on my knees and asked God why I was going through such difficulties; and He spoke to me. He told me to go and liberate his people  widows and orphans.

    “I asked how I could do this without money, but he insisted that I should go and start and that he would be with me. At a point I got frustrated and heeded the call. One thing I know is that he always made my husband prosper in whatever he chooses to do, so I felt he was blessing me through my husband.”

    When she started the NGO, Mrs Igbokwe realised that it isn’t just about money but showing the widows, love and support. “The women and children need to be given hope and encouragement; they need to be counselled and spiritually uplifted. So I started with the little money I had then and my husband’s support.” She said.

     So far, she said she has groomed many people who can handle their programmes when she is not around and train new members. “We teach them how to make soap, liquid antiseptic, snacks and some other things that they can do to survive.

    “Our programmes also include breakfast with widows, held once every month. During this programme, I invite people to come and assist them; they bring things for the widows.  I always encourage people to come for our programme, so they could relate with them and give them the gifts directly. They need the love and attention. ”

    Talking about her relationship with the widows, she said she is so close to them that they can come to her anytime for counselling. “They come when they need assistance to pay their children’s school fees and house rent. Apart from the money and gift items, they are lonely, they need friends and people to relate with and listen to them.”

    She also said that “Some come to my house to chat with me, while some even sleep over – especially when they are not feeling too well. I also try to find jobs for them and their children. Sometimes when I buy something for myself, I am instructed by God to give it to the women. It is not easy to buy something for yourself and give it to another person. But when I obey, I get rewarded in bigger ways.”

    Speaking on why widows seem to suffer so much in Nigeria, she said many of them are affected by culture. “The culture that doesn’t treat widows well is also a part of it. They are abandoned and looked down upon. Some family members will accuse the women of killing their husbands and take all the properties the man left behind, and then throw the women and their children out on the streets.”

    On how she copes with the NGO without a job of her own, she said it is through her husband and few caring friends.

    “My husband has been so supportive even till now. I know what he passed through when I started. Friends have called him to discourage him from supporting me. They even called me a lazy woman who doesn’t want to work, but he has kept on supporting me out of the little he has.”

    Asked if she is not scared that the women could be tempting to her husband, she said she trusts her husband and knows that he cannot fall for such.

    “My husband is a very good man and very accommodating. He doesn’t womanise. My house is also very big, so I have made sure that I don’t disturb the family with my programmes. We use one part of the house for the programme while my family use the other part of the house.

    “Apart from that, I take my time to admit women into the NGO, since we are still using my house. God is also on my side and I am a prayer warrior. He shows me things before they happen.

    “Before admitting them to the NGO, I do some screening. If I discover they are not good women, I don’t take them. I also make sure they are in good terms with their in-laws.

    Advising widows generally, she said widowhood isn’t a sickness and called them to come out of their shells and socialise. “There are some people that are not married at all. It is not a curse. Encourage yourself, don’t allow people see you as are a burden; don’t keep crying everyday because it will not solve anything. Rise up and continue living.”

  • Activist gives 100 reasons why Jonathan must go

    Activist gives 100 reasons why Jonathan must go

    THE growing animosity against the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) led by President Goodluck Jonathan is yet to abate as many critics have done everything humanly possible to show their seething dislike for the ruling party.

    One of such efforts is the public presentation of a book titled: ‘Two-Faced Jonathan’ authored by Blessing Agbomhere.

    At the presentation tagged: ‘100 Reason why Goodluck Jonathan must go’, held at Lagos NUJ, Lagos, South West, recently, speakers after speakers were unsparing in their criticisms of President Goodluck Jonathan, whom they described in the most unkind words, especially for his errors of omission and commission in delivering good governance.

    While addressing the packed audience, the author, who also doubles as the Executive Director, Gatekeepers Foundation as well as Director-General, Change Ambassadors on Nigeria, CAN, gave plausible reasons why he embarked on the onerous task of penning a book against the political interest of the ruling party.

    The book, he said, “analyses the errors and crimes committed by Goodluck Jonathan-led administration from when he was deputy governor till date as president. This book posits that Goodluck Jonathan is an unpatriotic president, who does not care about the unity and progress of Nigeria.”

    Expatiating, he said, “The book mirrors Jonathan as a president of the cabal, Tompolo, Asaridokubo and a few other corrupt elements who are sponsoring Boko Haram to destroy Nigeria Unity.  The book says Good luck Jonathan has failed to defend the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria and as such Goodluck Jonathan should not seek re-election or ask for a job he know he does not has the capacity to do.

    “We dare Mr. President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, to act on NNPC forensic audit report conducted by the PriceWaterHouseCoopers which indicted Diezani’s NNPC of unaccounted $1.48billion, if he is not corrupt or if he can defend our constitution.

    “The same report which further indicted the Minister of Petroleum of running the NNPC without the Board, and with the aid of family members viz: Bernard Otti, GED, Finance and Accounts, Diezani’s Husband’s brother, Anthony Muoneke, Managing Director, NPDC, sponsored by Timi Agama, Diezani’s brother, NPC’S Secretary, sponsored by Timi Agama, Diezani’s brother, prince Haruna Momoh, Managing Director, PPMC, a family friend of Diezani, who lived in her house during his NYSC in Port Hacourt, Mr. Komolafe, General Manager, Crude Marketing was sponsored by Mr. Haruna Momoh.”

    The author further reiterated that judging from the foregoing discourse, “Jonathan is not fit to be a president of Nigeria not to talk of seeking re-election.”

  • Artistes and politics of endorsement

    Artistes and politics of endorsement

    Gboyega Alaka takes a look at the new trend of artistes open romance and endorsement of politicians and political parties.

    Between the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM1), it may be difficult to determined who braced the trail in publicly endorsing and waxing records for politicians during campaigns. Both fuji musicians waxed an album each for the then Lagos state governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the countdown to his second term campaign in 2003. Since then, KWAM1 especially has pitched his support wherever the Lagos political juggernaut pitched his tent, although he somehow took it too far in 2007, when he also publicly sang support songs for the opposition Musiliu Obanikoro and was publicly condemned.

    No thanks to the cold hands of death, we can never tell if Barrister himself would have gone the same way, although it is important to note here that Barrister never publicly supported any politician or party during the second republic, when he was at the peak of his stardom. The best, he and his contemporary, Kollington Ayinla did was to celebrate positive government policies from time to time, and condemn dereliction in government, whenever the need arose.

    Even their precursors in the hi-life and other genres like Sir Victor Olaiya, Eddie Okonta, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey and the late Sonny Okosun hardly dabbled into politics, as they felt safe outside partisan politics. That way, they also were never consumed by the passion that usually followed.

    The story is however different today. With that flag-off by the fuji musicians, D-banj, openly romanced and flocked around the then ‘breath of fresh air, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, as he campaigned for election, after seeing through his late boss’ tenure. The fracas that heralded his assuming the mantle of leadership after the Late Umaru Yar’adua’s death also threw up lots of supporters for Jonathan. Chief amongst them were pop singer, Onyeka Onwenu, Sammy Okposo, and Nollywood actors like Chidi Mokeme, Kate Hensahw-Nuttal et al.

    Justifiable, their advent was to enforce the constitution, which was then being undermined, as a few cabal seemed hell-bent on preventing Jonathan from becoming president after his principal’s death. But somehow, it seems they have had a taste or the juicy apple, and like the biblical progenitors of mankind, their eyes had become opened to the sweetness inherent in flocking with power politicians.

    To mention a few, Onyeka Onwenu has reaped from that open support for President Jonathan, as she was subsequently appointed Executive Director/CEO of National Centre for Women Development (NCWD), a federal government agency with office in Abuja. Some artistes of Nollywood extraction have also begun enjoying the ‘fruit of their labour,’ as the president’s largesse purportedly for the development of Nollywood has started trickling to them. Never mind the widespread complaint that accessing the loan is tantamount to the proverbial camel passing through a needle’s eye.

    But while the romance and bias for politicians have largely been sublimated by the artistes in the past, such is no longer the case, as they now come out in droves to sing in adverts, mount podiums with politicians and follow their campaign train all over the country.

    Many have also wondered why they have suddenly thrown cautions to the wind. Could it be because of the sudden boost in the music and movies industry that has thrown up multiple stars and pseudo-stars? Could it be a case of too many artistes looking to make a living and the politicians simply catching in on a cheap opportunity? Never before has Nigeria boasted of so many celebrities, who also enjoy huge followership across the nation’s demography.

    Many have also wondered at how safe this adventure is for the artistes? Would it not impact on their followership if it turned out that they had jumped on the wrong train? What happens if the camp they log on to loses out and they also lose out of big shows and concerts that may subsequently emanate from the government in power?

    Ganiyu Olowu, a public relations practitioner with Lagos-based PR Redline says it is not a crime for artistes to openly endorse or show support for politicians or political parties, since no law forbids them in this regard. “To start with, there is no universal rule that prevents celebrities, sportsmen and women, actor and actresses and musicians from endorsing political parties or politicians of their choice.”

    What he however considers dangerous for their professional existence is the fact that they may be toying with the emotions of their huge followership, which may in turn have dire consequences for their careers.

    Olowu again speaks: “In brand building, you don’t toy with your huge followership by hurting their feeling with either religion or politics. This trend I must observe is dangerous and many of them may not gain their followers back after the jamboree.”

    This may thus explain why older artistes have chosen wisely to stand aloof, when it comes to partisan politics. Even the late Ayinde barrister only joined the fray in the twilight of his career, when he probably thought it was safe.

    Wasiu Ayinde however makes no excuses for his partisanship, declaring unequivocally in an interview in another medium that “Majority of the people are not truly enjoying good governance and we should not shut our mouth to this.”

    He Nigeria is not enjoying the benefit of good governance, and said that his encounters with Nigerians abroad have shown that this is the main reason Nigerians have been moving out of the country in droves in the last 30 years. He also disclosed that his involvement in politics is not new and that he has always been involved in partisan politics and is thus not afraid of any consequences. He also revealed in that interview that he has been a party member for a long time, and was even voted as an executive of the youth wing of a party in Nigeria as a 17-year old.

    This response may however not suffice with some people, who have already concluded that the fuji star has been smiling to the bank all the way. Some even say that he gets paid as much of five million naira for every APC show or record he waxes.

    Kwam1’s response to that allegation however is that he is blessed with his job and that as a 58 year-old, he does not need to be financially induced to take a position in the political dispensation, as a Nigerian.

    However, while it might be said that people like KWAM1 have reached the climax of their career and therefore have no reason to be scared, this may not be said of the younger stars, as they or their careers may be consumed in the fallout, should their favourite party or candidate lose out.

    Ganiyu Olowu again responds to this danger, “The day a Musician or Sportsman becomes an icon that is loved and cherished by cult of followers, he or she must not think like a faceless citizen. His destiny is hung to the neck of his followers. So he must not equally toy with the mutual love by declaring open relationship with a particular politician or political party.”

    Indeed, some say this was why, people like Eedris Abdulkareem lost out in many corporate and government shows after his ‘Nigeria jagajaga” song, while artistes like Tony Tetuila reaped massively with his song, E go beta.’

    Recall also that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had to personally express his anger and distaste for the ‘jagajaga’ song, saying it was most unpatriotic and irresponsible to so refer to your own country.

    It is on the backdrop of this that artistes need to beware of what might be their portion the morning after.