The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Controversial South African film stirs debate in Nigeria

    Controversial South African film stirs debate in Nigeria

    Controversial South African film, Of Good Report, opened a debate on artistic expression in the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), taking place in Calabar, Cross River State. The movie was banned in July by the Film and Publications Board (FPB) of South Africa on the account that a sex scene between a school teacher and a pupil amounted to child pornography.

    Although the ban was later overturned by the Board’s appeal tribunal and a 28 million Rand damages suit against the FPB, the profile of the movie has been on the rise, with its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September and now, in Nigeria.

    The producers of the South African film are claiming for alleged damages suffered and lost potential earnings for “incorrectly” associating the film with child pornography.

    The movie’s plot revolves around a small-town school where a predatory teacher, Parker Sithole (played by Mothusi Magano) begins an obsessive affair with a 16-year-old student Nolitha, played by 23-year-old actress Petronella Tshuma.

    The decision to open AFRIFF with the embattled movie came after high-budget Nigerian movie, Half of a Yellow Sun, initially advertised by organisers of the festival, was withdrawn. Although AFRIFF officials did not disclose the reason they fell out with the producers of the Nigeria/Biafra war themed story, feelers have it that they were asking for N50 million from AFRIFF. Critics suspect it was a clever way of dodging further negative reviews before the film is released into the market. Half of a Yellow Sun was run down by film critics after its world premiere in Toronto.

    Directed by Jahmil XT Qubeka, the film which was later given an ‘R’ rating, by the FPB stimulated further debate in AFRIFF, highlighting important issues in South African society and others like it.

    The Nigerian government in April prohibited the airing and distribution of the documentary, Fueling Poverty, a 30-minute film which portrays massive poverty in Nigeria and advocates against corruption and greed in the country.

    National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) posited that contents of the film ‘are highly provocative and likely to incite or encourage public disorder and undermine national security.’

    The documentary was produced by young filmmaker, Ishaya Bako, in partnership with the Open Society for West Africa (OSIWA).

    With the outcome of Of Good Report, Qubeka appears undaunted. The pedophilia theme notwithstanding, the filmmaker said he agreed that child pornography should be banned, but argued his film is “making an indictment… For teenagers this is a horror film. I want kids, particularly girls, to watch this and I want to scare them.”

    Notable filmmaker, Mahmood Ali-Balogun who is the festival’s Programme Adviser noted that the curator was well within his rights to have opened the festival with Of a Good Report. Ali-Balogun’s assertion followed a question about why the festival was not opened with a Nigerian film.

  • Lagos restates govt’s support for creative industry

    Lagos restates govt’s support for creative industry

    Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Inter- Governmental Relations, Mr Disun Holloway has restated the administration’s determination to provide support for the creative industry.

    The commissioner spoke at the closing ceremony of the Festival of Nigerian Plays (FESINA 2013) and the Investiture of Sir Uche Nwokedi (SAN) as FESTINA Ambassador at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos.

    According to the commissioner, the creative industry, if properly harnessed, would be a major employer of labour, adding that government would support any initiative to reduce unemployment.

    Stressing that the industry was the “soul of any city”, he said the Governor Fashola administration would bring night life back to Lagos.

    He added that plans were underway to build a film city in the state.

    Acknowledging that government could not do it alone, the commissioner called on the organised private sector to invest in the sector to empower the youth.

    On the Investiture of Sir Nwokedi as FESTINA ambassador, Holloway explained that it was a reward for hard work, stressing that the writer and creative producer of “Kakadu, the Musical” had contributed so much to the creative industry in Nigeria.

    The highpoint of the night was the command performance of “kakadu” by Playhouse Initiative. Over six groups were awarded certificate of participation during the weeklong festival.

  • Onye Ozi reawakens Igbo language film

    Silverbird Cinema, in the popular Ikeja City Mall was filled up on Tuesday, November 12, when multiple award-winning movie director Obi Emelonye unveiled his latest work, Onye Ozi (The Messenger) to the press. It was his first comic Igbo language film.

    The movie could be aptly described as another attempt to reawaken the Igbo language genre. The movie has men and women with painted bodies and fabric wrapped across their waists and chests, dictating the unique style the filmmaker has put into the work.

    The director revealed how it was possible for the white men he featured in the movie to learn how to speak the Igbo language. “It took a lot of time for us to introduce our language to them and to get a good result at the end. My son, who played Osita, was also taught the language within a short period of time, to be able to fit into the role. I discovered that I may want to speak to my son in a public place in a language that I do not want people to understand what we are communicating,” he stated.

    Asked why he decided to use just one A-list star, Emelonye explained, “the movie is actually a small project that along the line became a big one. I did Mirror Boy and Last Flight to Abuja and used A-list stars.

  • Wedding that shook Lagos

    Wedding that shook Lagos

    •Uncle Sam’s son marries in style

    Eyituoyo, son of Vanguard Publisher Mr Sam Amuka-Pemu, and his lovebird, Oladepe, daughter of a lawyer, Mrs Jumoke Funmi-Adeshina, walked down the aisle last Saturday at the Yaba Baptist Church in Lagos. TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO was there

    It had all the trappings of a society wedding. A well appointed venue; couple from rich background and influential guests, Yaba in Lagos Mainland virtually stood still for the fairstyle wedding of Eyituoyo, son of Vanguard Publisher, Mr Sam Amuka-Pemu, and his beau, Oladepe, daughter of a lawyer, Mrs Jumoke Funmi-Adeshina, last Saturday.

    Security operatives battled from morning till noon to control traffic within Yaba.

    Many sought alternative parking space, leaving the adjoining streets and roads jampacked. As news of the wedding spread, residents trooped out of their houses, watching.

    Some of them followed the A-list personalities into the Yaba Baptist Church. At the entrance were photographers, taking shots of guests as they arrive for the wedding.

    The church’s circular auditorium was a wonder to behold.

    It could be mistaken for an ultra-modern cinema. The chairs were well arranged; the programme with a silver cover was placed on guests’ seats, the leading priests sat in the middle of the church facing the crowd; the choir was on the left side. Some family members of the celebrators sat on the right of the upper side of the church behind a bevy of beautiful women dressed in the same attire and handsome looking men, smiling to the cameras.

    On the front row facing the priests were parents of the celebrators. With them were President Goodluck Jonathan’s representative and some governors.

    Behind them were political stalwarts, captains of industry, business tycoons and some elderstatemen.

    Some traditional rulers were there too.

    It was before this throng that Eyituoyo and Oladepe vowed to be “one forever”. They were declared man and wife by the Minister-in-Charge, Revd Gabriel Adebayo.

    This was followed with special prayers for the couple, scripture reading and special song by the choir.

    Shortly after, Very Revd Yinka Omololu; the retired Provost of the Cathedral Church of Christ, mounted the podium for the sermon. He told the couple to love each other “till death do them part”.

    “You must renew that love everyday and complement each other; remember God is love… always consult each other before taking a decision,” he said.

    He enjoined the guests to imbibe the lesson of the lengthy sermon to strengthen their own marriages.

    Turning to Eyituoyo, the cleric said: “As you rise, make sure your wife rises with you; you must move together. It is till death do us (you) part.”

    After the soul-inspiring message, the marriage certificate was signed before the Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos and Bishop of Mainland Diocese (Anglican Communion), the Most Revd Adebayo Akinde, presented it to the couple.

    Thanksgiving and offering followed.

    After the service, guests headed to The Haven Events Centre, GRA, Ikeja for the reception.

    Chief Tunde Savage said the opening prayer. There was a minute silence for the bride’s father, the late Mr Olufunmilade Adesina.

    Dr Ebi Omatsola, who chaired the occasion, described the bride’s family as “my family because we are good friends.”

    The marriage, he said, was blessed from the first day.

    Omatsola supervised the cutting of the cake. The couple fed each other with a piece of cake and then took to the dance floor. Anne Chinwere picked the bouquet which was thrown by the bride.

    The couple and their parents mounted the dance floor and were joined by the guests.

    At the event were Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; Governors of Lagos, Edo, Rivers, and Ogun states, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Adams Oshiomhole; Rotimi Amaechi and Ibikunle Amosun; Awujale of Ijebuland Oba Sikiru Adetona; All Progressives Congress (APC) leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu; elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark; ThisDay Publisher, Mr Nduka Obaigbena; Chairman, Honeywell Group Oba Otudeko; Mr Jim Ovia; Ogun State Deputy Governor, Prince Segun Adesegun; former Ekiti State Governor, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, his Ogun State counterparts Aremo Olusegun Osoba and wife Derin and Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Gen Ike Nwachukwu; Chairman, Eleganza Group of Companies, Alhaji Rasak Okoya and wife Sade; Chief Nike Akande; Mrs Kuforiji Olubi; Princess Adesola Areago-Elegbede; former Oceanic Bank chief Mrs Cecilia Ibru; Maiden Ibru; former Punch Nigeria Limited Chairman Chief Ajibola Ogunsola; Erelu Abiola Dosunmu; Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa; Prof Johnson Clark; Chief Kofi Edonmi Kartey; Chief Brown Mene; Dagburewe of Idowa Oba Yinusa Adekola; Akija of Ikija of Ijebu Oba Kayode Alakija; Oliworo of Iworo Oba Adebisi Onafuwa; Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye Oba AbdurRasaq Adenugba; Alakan of Aiyepe-Ijebu Oba Musibau Dawudu Oseni; Oba Kolapo Ibiyemi; Oba Abimbola Akinyele; Mrs. Tobi Odunaya; Chief Obafemi Olopade; Chief Pius Akinyelure; Prof Ralph Akinfeleye; Oloris Oladunni and Adedolapo Sijuwade; Henry Odukomaiya; The Nation Editorial Board Chairman, Sam Omatseye; Chief Fassy Yusuf; Chief John Oduyemi; Mr Nosa Igiebor; Punch Nigeria Limited Managing Director Mr Demola Osinubi; Mr Marvel Akpoyibo; Erelu Abiola Dosunmu; Niteshift Guv’nor Ken Caleb Olumese; Chief Ominimini Obi; Chief Godwin Ogbeto; Chike Ogeah; Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Information, Mr Akeem Bello; Edo State Commissioner for Information Mr Louis Odion; The Nation columnist Mr Mohammed Haruna; Prof Pat Utomi; Mr John Sebanjo; Chief Phillip Asiodu; President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) Mr Femi Adesina; advert guru Biodun Shobanjo; Tunde Oladele among others.

  • Their culture, their pride

    Their culture, their pride

    Seven sons of Ekiti were honoured by a socio-cultural group, Ekiti Parapo, Lagos Chapter, last Saturday with Icon of Corporate Nigeria Award for their service to humanity. The event was held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

    The yearly Ekiti Day organised by a socio-cultural group, Ekiti Parapo, Lagos chapter, held last Saturday at the Oranmiyan Hall, Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

    For Ekiti indigenes in Lagos, the event was a homecoming and a time to commemorate their cultural heritage and to bring together those of living in Lagos.

    The event also featured a fundraiser for the development.

    Ekiti Parapo is a non-political but socio-cultural group, for Ekiti indigenes in Lagos.

    The Oranmiyan Hall sparkled. It was decorated in red and green. Chairs were stylishly set round the rectangle shaped tables which had various designs that enhanced the beauty of the hall.

    The ushers, in their green Ankara tops on black trousers, happily led guests in traditional attires into the hall.

    Ekiti dialect and English were the languages of the day.

    As soon as the guests sat, the event began with the recitation of the national anthem. It was followed by a prayer.

    The President of Ekiti Parapo, Lagos, Chief Kola Akomolede, thanked the guests for honouring their invitation.

    A live band entertained guests with various Ekiti songs.

    The duo of Chief Ojo Erugale and Tolu Oguntoyinbo anchored the event.

    The award, Akomolede said, was to recognise the achievements of those who have contributed to the development of the state.

    ‘’Ekiti people should come together for the purpose of developing our state, nobody can do it for us, and we have to do it ourselves.

    “We are rich in human resources and we have great numbers of professors and professionals in the country but we must translate it to the development of our state, because Ekiti State receives the second least allocation from the Federation Account,” he said.

    He urged the awardees not to relent in their good gestures.

    In his keynote address, Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi thanked the group for its support to the state.

    Represented by his deputy, Prof Modupe Adelabu, Fayemi spoke on the eight-point agenda of the state, which are: governance; infrastructure development; agriculture; education and human capital development; healthcare service; industrial development; tourism development; and gender equality and empowerment.

    He told the group to get involved in issues affecting the state.

    “Let us not continue to fold our hands. It is high time we as individual citizens of Ekiti State, Ekiti social groups and all stakeholders got committed to the development of our dear state and start to see government as ours and not just about the governor, or the deputy governor, or the political office holders,” he said.

    Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the day, former Ogun State governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba, hailed the organiser for the colourful event.

    The event continued with donations for the development of the state and the completion of a cassava processing factory which was started three years ago.

    The chief launcher, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, urged Ekiti investors in Lagos to also invest in their own town – Ekiti. He made his donation after which others followed.

    Atiku congratulated the awardees, urging them not to rest on their oars.

    The awardees were; Chief Sam Bolarinde; Chief Oladeji Fasuan; Rt Revd Peter Awelewa; Otunba Kunle Olasope; Mrs Funke Fatogbe; Dr Ola Orekunrin and Mr Folu Ayeni and wife Bose, who were represented by Mr Olumide Ale.

    After receiving the plaques, an Ekiti indigene and graduate of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Tayo Oyeniyi, presented a big card to the governor.

    One of the awardees, Chief Oladeji Fasuan, described the award as unique.

    “It is coming on the heels of many others but I cherish this completely because of the fact that the people recognised what is happening.

    “Ekiti is worth struggling for, you cannot be isolation, and you must be able to elevate your society and make your contributions to the development of your community. The award tells us to be more committed and contribute more to our environment, Fasuan said.

    Chief Sam Bolarinde said he felt honoured being among the recipients.

    ‘’I don’t know what I have done to deserve this award. I love the recognition and its going to make me work harder and do better things for Ekiti,’’ he said.

    Mrs Funke Fatogbe said she was grateful to the organisation.

    ‘’It encourages me to do much more for my state and I am proud to be an undiluted daughter of Ekiti,’’ she said.

    Present at the event were former Governor of Ekiti State Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo; the Chairman of Island Club, Prince Ademola Dada; patron and immediate past president, Sir Remi Omotosho; Prof Babalola Borishade; Shina Awolewa, Jumoke Akintoye; human rights lawyer Femi Falana; Prof Afolayan Ojo; Dr Gbenga Owojaye; Chief Ayodele Otitoju; Mr Kehinde Olaitan; Prince Toyin Ajibade; Mr Ayo Obilana; Tosin Okosi; Omotayo Olotiji and Bola Omoniyi, among others.

  • communicate your ideas

    communicate your ideas

    Aids Statistics

    Last week, we examined how multimedia can be used as an aid for technical speech delivery. We described multimedia as containing a combination of text, audio, still images, animation, video and interactive content forms. We also focused on the use of PowerPoint presentation.

    This week, we shall be taking a step further by discussing how statistics can be used in technical speech. Believe me; our topic for today is not as boring as it sounds. I’m aware that a lot of people tend to shy away from anything that is mathematics inclined. It’s alright if you feel that way too because I do sometimes. You can breathe easy though, because we will not be doing any major calculation here. We only want to find out how statistics can help simplify our presentations.

    In a very simplified form, let’s define statistics as a branch of applied mathematics that focuses on gathering quantitative information and interpreting it for easy understanding. The major aim of statistics is to count the number of items in a particular group and to classify those items into smaller groups according to specific characteristics. For instance, if you are a salesperson and you are given 20 bags of rice to sell in three months, at the end of the period, you will be expected to give a report (an account) of your sales. Let’s assume you soldfive bags in the first month, five bags in the second month and 10 bags in the last month, what will your report be like? The way you present your information can determine the kind of attention you get. Compare these:

    “In the first month, five bags of rice were sold; five more bags were sold in the second month and the remaining 10 bags were sold in the last month.”

    And

    “In the first month, 25 per cent of the total stock was sold. The same percentage was also sold in the second month. In the third month, however, sales increased by 100 per cent because we sold double what we had sold in each of the previous two months.”

    What do you think is the difference between the two examples above? I’m sure most people will prefer the first one because it is simple enough. Nevertheless, considering that we are discussing technical speech, the second example is more appropriate. Why? It is in a more professional language. Going back to our description of statistic (to count the number of items in a particular group and to classify those items into smaller groups according to specific characteristics), the name of the group here is “Bags of Rice.” The number of items in the group is 20. The smaller groups we are classifying them into are the months of sales and the specific characteristic that qualifies an item to belong in any of those groups is the month it was sold.

    The simple information above was presented in percentages, but there are several other basic statistics that you may find useful such as Mean, Median and Mode. There are also more advanced ones like ANOVA, analysis of variance, multiple regression, etc. Our task, today, is to examine the importance of statistics to technical speech and not to teach the subject itself. Hence, I suggest that you do a little more work to determine the specific statistics that is most applicable to your presentation.

    Statistics involves processing and presenting information in a way that is useful to the person who needs it for decision making. In the example given above, for instance, the rice company may find it interesting that sales increased by 100 per cent in the third month after consistent sales in the previous two months. The information may not seem so serious if we simply say that 10 bags were sold. Statistics helps us to see the relationship between “parts” and “whole.” Now, let us consider a few reasons we need to process information through the use of statistics:

    •Information is usually so much that managing it becomes difficult. By grouping such information, it is easier to deal with. Also, the recipients of such information may not have the time to wade through an ocean of figures to make meaning out of them. Simple statistics such as percentage tables or charts will help communicate the message.

    •There is hardly enough space to provide all the information available for a report in a single document. Hence, there is need to compress the information. If you want to report on the growth of your organisation over the past one year, you cannot present all the information in raw figures. Sometimes, simple tables and diagrams will take care of lengthy texts.

    •Most times, information may not make sense to its recipients unless it has been processed. It doesn’t matter how professional the audience is, if the information is poorly presented, the message will be lost. When you package information with simple statistics, you will make it attractive to your audience.

    Statistics is, without any doubt, one of the most valuable aids needed for successful technical speech making. Make sure you explore it further as much as you can.

  • Sisi Lawyer goes home

    Sisi Lawyer goes home

    “She was a woman like man”, so said those who knew her. This has turned out to be the epitaph of a bussinesswoman, the late Mrs Olabisi Aduke Akinhanmi whose remains were buried in Lagos last Friday OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

    For three days, family members and friends celebrated the exit of Mrs Olabisi Aduke Akinhanmi, who died in Lagos on September 13. She was 70. The funeral rites began last Wednesday, with a Commendation Service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Christ. The Lord Peace Parish in Ilasamaja, Lagos. A wake keep followed the next day at the Ajeabo/Igbehin Primary School, Ilasamaja.

    On Friday, her remains were buried at the Vaults and Garden in Ikoyi Cemetery, after a funeral service at the Cathedral of St Jude (Anglican Communion) in Ebute Meta, Lagos. It was soul stirring service, with Canon Enoch Adetona, ministering. The church auditorium was decorated in gold and purple. The priests and choir wore white robes.

    Many of the guests were in traditional attires. Some wore the orange Ankara fabric chosen for the event. The children and in-laws wore lace.

    The grandchildren were in uniformed traditional attire.

    In his sermon, Canon Adetona, quoting from 2 Corinthians 6:2, said God had taken Mama home, adding that everyone would go some day.

    He said: “Our salvation is key, because you may never know the last opportunity you will have to give your life to Christ before you die.

    “Any time and any day, death would come and it would all be over. Therefore, anything you want to do today, do it now because when death comes, it would be too late.”

    Canon Adetona went on: “Mama’s activities in the Cathedral of St. Jude were good and she was a prominent and active member.

    “She served God with all she had; she was the captain of Girls Brigade of the church. On many occasions, she led the Brigade on parade, singing, drumming and dancing to the delight of passers-by on the streets of Lagos.”

    Mrs Akinhanmi’s remains were laid in a brown casket with gold design. An orange, cream and green wreath in a Cross shape was placed on it.

    As the casket was brought out of the church, M.I.C pall bearers carried it aloft around the church entrance, amid songs by the Brigade.

    At the cemetery, some wept as Mrs Akinhanmi’s body was lowered into the grave around 1pm.

    Reception followed at the Nikoms Events Centre, Yaba, Lagos Mainland.

    The hall was filled. The Victory Band led by Oyebanjo ‘Segun electrified the hall. Mrs Akinhanmi’s son-in-law Yomi Scott said his mother-in-law was always there to encourage all. ‘’I loved her so much and would miss her,” he said. His wife Bisi said: “We called her Sisi Lawyer though she was our mother. She was our friend and confidant.” The eldest daughter, Mrs Yinka Afonja said: “Mummy was a woman of virtue. She was our all in all.”

    The first son, Dapo Akinhanmi said he was yet to come to terms with his mother’s death. The pain is still deep; she was the best mother anyone could ever have.

    ‘’She added to everybody’s life, encouraged and inspired us. She was a great woman and I believe everyone benefited from her,’’ he said.

    Another daughter, Mrs Mojisola Ogienagbon, described Sisi Lawyer “as a mother in a million.”

    ‘’She was always there; she was a mother and nothing was impossible with her. She believed that closed doors could be opened’’.

    Mrs Ogienagbon said she would miss her mother because “She was my counsellor, adviser and director.”

    Her younger sister, Mrs Olamide Alao, described their mother was “a strong woman.”

    “There was nothing she could not do. I never saw her weep one day, not even when her father died. She was the family’s live wire.”

  • A soccer buff at 60

    A soccer buff at 60

    The Managing Director of Integrated Consultancy Management Accounting Services (ICMA) and former captain of the Ikeja Golf Club, Dr Abdul Wahab Awa Ibraheem, is 60. A reception was held for him at the club to usher him into the sexagenarian club. NNEKA NWANERI reports.

    Although a reception was being held to mark his 60th birthday, one thing engaged the mind of Managing Director of Integrated Consultancy Management Accountants Services (ICMA) Dr Abdul Wahab Awa Ibraheem, last Saturday. That is last Sunday’s Manchester United vs Arsenal FC match. Though one week away, he was already talking about the game.

    As a staunch fan of Man U (the Red Devils), Ibraheem was looking forward to his team whipping arch rival Arsenal (the Gunners). MAN U’s victory, he said, would been his best birthday gift.

    Among an array of gifts presented to him at the Ikeja Golf Club, Lagos, venue of the reception, the one he cherished most was the first-class ticket to the United Kingdom to watch the match at Old Trafford presented to him by two of his children, Mrs Temitope Ajanaku and Muiz Ibraheem. To them, it was difficult choosing a gift for a man who virtually has it all.

    “I have never been there (Old Trafford), he said, amid banters and boos from the Gunners’ supporters.

    Dr Ibraheem (aka AWA), clocked 60 on October 19.

    Though the celebration was earlier billed to hold on the exact date, he left for Mecca a week before on pilgrimage to escape the celebration. His wives and children had it all planned but he chose to spend that day praying in the holy land.

    “He actually did pray all day because I called his number several times on that day to wish him a happy birthday to no avail,” Mrs Ajanaku told The Nation.

    The walkway of the lounge of the club was lined with a red carpet. The roofing and wall were embellished with gold fabric, same as the chair overlays. Each table took 10 guests, who turned out as resplendent as they could.

    The guests were entertained by the Alayande ‘Wole-led Prince Dance Band, while the members chatted and made new friends until the arrival of the birthday ‘boy’.

    They comprised his friends and associates from four states and neighbouring Ghana. The turn-out was a testimony to the character of the man they came to celebrate.

    It was a simple but classy gathering.

    They referred to him in superlative terms: a detribalised Nigerian, a golfer, philanthropist, first-class graduate, chatered accountant, lecturer, stockbroker, manager, consultant, mentor and entrepreneur to mention but a few.

    The first to take the microphone was the captain of the club, Adewole Showole, who described the celebrator as an unassuming philanthropist who is dear to his heart.

    “At 60, which he doesn’t look, he is an epitome of success. I have known him to be a gentleman for a long time; we have not seen as much benevolence from anyone as we have seen in him. Despite being an honorary member, he takes the responsibility for 50 per cent of the members of the Ikeja Gold Club, thus, the decision to honour him.”

    Showole said a short prayer asking God to keep him for many more years.

    For the Secretary to the Delta State Government Hon Ovuozourie Macauly, the older he is, the more handsome he becomes.

    Macaulay recalled some conversations and meetings he had with Ibraheem. He Ibraheem believes we are all sourjourners and the legacies we leave behind count. Hence, his many services to humanity, devotion to community and kindness to mankind. He promised to host another birthday celebration for Ibraheem in Asaba soon.

    There was a golf tournament in honour of Ibraheem. Prizes were presented to winners; they went home with prizes, such as gas cookers, microwave ovens, freezers and refrigerators, blenders and other household electrical gadgets.

    The height of the presentation was the celebrator’s announcement that he would start a workshop, fully equipped with all the necessary appliances for one of the young winner who is an apprentice of a profession.

    The guests went wild in jubilation, stretching their necks to know who the lucky chap was.

    Members of the staff of the golf club as well as the pros (professionals) presented him with gifts in appreciation of what God has used him to do for them.

    Mrs Ajanaku described her father as temperamental but great, adding that he gave them all they needed to become successful in life. She said sending him to Old Trafford is for him to meet two players of the club and, hopefully, the Coach, Sir David Moyes.

    The celebrator thanked his friends for the party, adding that he did not contribute a dime to host the event. He also thanked his wives and children for standing by him all these years.

    The Offa-born celebrator recalled some of his days at the CMS Anglican Primary School, Offa, Kwara State, particularly the white and green rice they were given on October 1, 1960 when he was seven.

    Afterwards, he took to the dance floor with his family while friends sprayed him with crisp naira notes.

    AWA graduated with first class in Accounting from the University of Lagos in 1982, after which he assisted in setting up the Department of Accounting and Finance in the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) the same year. He bagged a Ph.D in Management Science from UNILORIN in 2003.

    In recognition of his leadership qualities and his contributions to the society, he was awarded the Hubert Humphrey Fellowship by the government of the United States.

    His alma mater, UNILAG, honoured him with the Golden Jubilee Distinguished Award in 2012.

    He has served on the boards of New Africa Merchant Bank, Lagos; Arewa Hotels, Kaduna; Nigeria Hotels, Lagos; Zaranda Hotels, Bauchi; Festac 77 Hotels, Lagos; Shiroro Hotels, Minna; Kwara Hotels, Ilorin.

    At present, he is the Chairman, Oak Pension Funds Administrators, Oceanic Health Management Organisation, Prime Metro Properties and Express Portfolio Services, among other blue-chip organisations.

    At the event were: Delta State Head of Service Mr Okey Ofili; Chairman, Henry George Group of Companies, Ilorin, Sir Oladimeji Thomson and its Managing Director Nelson Supo; Director-General, Bureau of Lands, Kwara State, Alhaji Yusuf Abdul Wahab; Oseni Aliyu of the Nigerian Customs Service; the Ooye of Omu-Aran Ooye Ademola Bamidele, among others.

     

  • NIGERIAN BLOG (TNC) WINS 3 WEBLOG AWARDS, USA

    NIGERIAN BLOG (TNC) WINS 3 WEBLOG AWARDS, USA

    Nigeria dominates again on the international scene as The Naked Convos (TNC) a Nigerian blog, wins 3 awards at the Black Weblog Awards which took place at The Ensemble Theatre, Houston, Texas, USA, on Saturday 2nd November, 2013.

    Out of 35 categories, TNC was nominated for 5 separate categories which include: Best Relationship Blog, Best Blog Post Series, Best Group Blog, Best Writing in a Blog, Best International Blog. Out of 5 nominations, TNC proudly walked home with three awards, namely best Relationship Blog, Best Blog Post Series and the most desirable award being; Best International Blog.

    Olawale Adetula, founder of the site, said in a brief interview that winning the awards indicates a movement in the right direction not just for the TNC team but bloggers in Africa generally.

    “I’d just like to say a big thank you to all the members of the TNC team and our amazing readers for making this happen. This wasn’t as a result of anyone’s individual effort. For the past three years, we’ve been writing some awesome stories; we shared great art on Tuesdays, we wrote some amazing relationship posts on Mondays and Wednesdays, we had exciting series on Thursdays, did some thought-provoking polls on Fridays, helped other young people like us on Saturdays and Sundays and made everyone laugh with our fantastic humour packed news roundup on Saturdays. All of this boils down to the collective effort of a very young, very dynamic and very hardworking team,” He said, in a brief interview.

    The Naked Convos is an interactive initiative designed to create safe spaces where young men and women engage in open and honest conversations about anything and everything as driven by thought-provoking articles by young writers. The platform, which has been running since August 2010, celebrated its 3rd Anniversary recently with upgrades to its user interface and the launch of its mini-social networking engine.

    On the recent improvements on the site, Wole Talabi, Online Editor at TNC stated that it was about time TNC took the big step to accommodate its ever-growing audience.

    “After two years of pushing out some of the best original content in the African web space, we decided to take things one step further and, fully exploring our ‘express you’ payoff line. We modified the site into a micro-social network,” Wole said. “No, it’s not Facebook! No, it’s not Twitter. It’s just TNC.”

    According to him, visitors are now able to register as members, build their own profile, send and receive private messages from other members and also start their own conversations under different groups.

    With their success at the Black Weblog Awards and the exciting new features of TNC 3.0, The Naked Convos is making a statement in the blogging world that it is here to stay.

    The Black Weblog Awards was founded in 2005 to give recognition to Black bloggers (and those of the African diaspora) who have been previously overlooked by other Internet award events online. The Awards has been featured in several mainstream and online media outlets, including NPR, CNN, and others with winners also appearing in other media outlets such as MSNBC, the Huffington Post and BET.

    The Naked Convos Website (www.thenakedconvos.com)

  • Sex tape: Chidinma says she’s a virgin

    Sex tape: Chidinma says she’s a virgin

    First female winner of MTN Project Fame West Africa, Chidinma Ekile has debunked that she is the person in a purported sex video making the rounds on social media platforms.

    The short video, which has since been pulled down from YouTube showed a lady, with a striking resemblance of the singer.

    Reacting to the issue, the petite-frame singer said she isn’t the lady in the video and wondered why anyone could go to that extent to attempt to damage her reputation. She has vowed to sue anyone who chooses to retain the video on their blogs.

    “I didn’t make any sex tape. I have no idea where that tape is from and I am still a virgin.” Chidinma said.

    Fans think Chidinma’s case is not unusual, indicating that stardom comes with some pains. Only recently, the singer was rumoured to have been rusticated from her choice because of her new sense of dressing.

    The 24-year-old Project Fame reputed singer is breaking large grounds.