The Nation Newspaper

Category: Entertainment

  • Hitting 60 in style

    Hitting 60 in style

    WHAT is it like to be 60? Who else to ask this question if not one of the latest entrants into the Diamond Club, Mrs Yemisi Ogunleye? The Lagos businesswoman, who turned 60 on April 30, says the age signifies “maturity”.

    Her Lekki Phase 1, Lagos home was thronged by dignitaries that day. It began with a thanksgiving at the All Saints Anglican Church, The Diocese of Lagos Church of Nigeria, Lekki Phase 1.

    The Ogunleyes were joined by family members and friends to give thanks to God for His mercies.

    The choir ensured that the gathering had a good time.

    The music was irresistible for the Ogunleyes and their guests danced and danced.

    It was complemented with a soul-stirring sermon and prayers by the officiating ministers.

    Shortly after the church service, guests moved to the Ogunleyes’ Lekki home for the reception.

    A caterer, Hot and Spicy, took care of the guests.

    Reverend Olusola Ajayi said the opening prayer.

    Some big and small greeting cards stood on a table, surrounding a cake.

    The celebrator moved from table to table, exchanging pleasantries with her guests.

    Mrs Ogunleye’s long-time friends were everywhere; ensuring guests had a nice time.

    Two of them, Mrs Laide Akinrinmade and Mrs Bosede Banjo, spoke with The Nation.

    Mrs Akinrimade said she and Mrs Ogunleye had been friends for over 40 years.

    Their friendship became intimate because of Mrs Ogunleye’s father’s accommodative nature.

    “We usually went to their house to play and Yemisi’s dad took us like his daughters; he was free with everyone and even allowed us to play inside his room,” she said.

    Mrs Banjo described the celebrator as a caring woman.

    Mrs Banjo, who alongside Mrs Ogunleye attended the United Christian Secondary School in Apapa, Lagos, said they had fun when they were young.

    “Mrs Ogunleye is highly generous and hardworking. I am happy for her and wish her best in her future endeavours,” she said.

    Mrs Ogunleye’s elder sister, Mrs Esther Oyinlola, described her as one in a million.

    “I wish her many more prosperous years. I am so happy for her. She takes good care of the family,” she said.

    Mrs Ogunleye gave God the glory.

    God, she said, has been wonderful, gracious and marvellous in her life. “I don’t know how to thank God for his mercies in my life.”

    She also thanked her husband, Chief Lawrence Ogunleye, an engineer and businessman, saying:

    “I pray my daughter is blessed with a wonderful man like my husband. He is very kind and disciplined. If I return to this world one million times, I will re-marry him.”

  • All for the needy

    All for the needy

    The sixth annual convention of the Ambassadors of Christ International Ministries was not just a gathering of pious men and women; it was an avenue to touch lives. The programme did not only cater for the spiritual needs of the people but also their material needs.

    The theme of the convention was “Open Heaven 2013” and, indeed, for many, the heavens literally opened. The church took the convention beyond the walls of the auditorium. It held a one-day free medical care for members and others. The convention began with a night of music and drama, put together by the youth of the church. It featured dramas and several sessions of praise and worship.

    The night ended with the edifying words from the General Overseer, Pastor Akinola Ajayi, who challenged the youth to rise and take their rightful place in the society, and be a success.

    Moving on to the next phase, the church organised a one-day free medical care session. Consultancy to test, drug prescription and drug dispensation were offered. Qualified doctors and pharmacists attended to the endless flow of patients.

    In attendance was also the Vice-Chairman of Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area, Mrs Opeyemi Akindele. She praised the effort of the church saying it is a good example for other religious groups to emulate. According to her, doing this will reduce the burden of the government and save lives.

    The grand finale was held on Sunday. All was set for the ceremony that took the planning committee one year of preparation.

    With no regard for the proverbial African time, the service started on time with guests arriving shortly before the service commenced.

    The guest speaker, Bishop Olabisi Bankole of the Triumphant Word Christian Global Ministry also arrived on time. When it was time for the word, Bishop Olabisi delivered his message in a blend of humour and stories. He narrated his life ordeal, how he rose from grass to grace.

    He said: “When the heaven of a man is opened, he does not labour, he begins to enjoy favour. For me when I was growing up, poverty was a friend, but when my heavens opened, I ceased to struggle.”

    This edifying message lifted so many spirits; it moved some to tears and others it gave hope of a better tomorrow.

    Chairman of the planning committee, Deacon Emmanuel Orororo, thanked God for the success of the convention.

    Pastor Ajayi also gave all glory to God for the success of the convention and particularly for the lives that were touched and saved.

    He said: “Nothing compares to the joy of seeing men saved, and turned to God, that is our greatest commission.”

     

     

  • A diplomat’s ‘love story’

    A diplomat’s ‘love story’

    SPEAKER after speaker eulogised him. They described him as a man of character and repute. Such a man, they said, is rare to find in public service. Ambassador Dapo Fafowora was in public service for 20 years and he distinguished himself as a career diplomat. Last Thursday in Lagos, the high and mighty gathered to share in the joy of the public presentation of this exemplary public servant’s book entitled: Lest I forget: Memoirs of a Nigerian career diplomat.

    The expansive hall of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos was filled to capacity, with people from all strata of society.

    Renowned essayist Prof Adebayo Williams reviewed the 617-page, 24-chapter book.

    He described the book as rich, noting that the author painted well his encounters with “saints and sadists of powers”.

    Prof Williams gave a rundown of the early life of the diplomat, whose mother died in 1952 when he was 13. The mother’s death influenced the author’s early maturity, he said. The reviewer recalled that the diplomat’s wedding fell on the day of the first coup.Because of this, he said, Fafowora and his wife were whisked to the airport in an ambulance.

    Describing the book as a bold and courageous intervention, Prof Willaims said it wasn’t just a memoir but a love story coming at a time of “national cholera”.

    Former governor of Lagos State Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, represented by National Publicity Secretary of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Alhaji Lai Muhammed said the book was a collector’s item. He said: “The book is a rare enrichment of our essence as Nigerians with our collective institutional memory; a rare enrichment of a career ambassador and a most distinct patriot. One of the heroes of Nigeria’s unity.”

    “He is one of my mentors,” said Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, who was represented by his Commissioner for Integration and Civic Orientation Hon Funminiyi Afuye.

    The occasion was chaired by the doyen of Accountancy, Pa Akintola Williams (94), who represented former Head of State Gen Yakubu Gowon.

    In his vote of thanks, Ambassador Fafowora mentioned some of the bright diplomats he worked with while in the United Nations (UN).

    He thanked his publishers, NIIA and the Director-General, Prof Bola Akinterinwa, who he said has been his friend for 30 years.

    He thanked his wife, Bose, for always standing by him through the 47 years of what he calls their challenging and eventful marriage.” While thanking her for their five grown children, he broke down in tears. In a moving scene, Mrs Fafowora left her seat on the high table to give him an assuring hug. She handed him a handkerchief to wipe his face.

    Saying that he has found solace in writing, he noted that he has over the years written seven books. His age, he said, demands that he writes things as they are. The book, tells the history and experiences he has gone through.

    He said: “I have always looked forward to writing my memoirs. I derive comfort and solace in writing. I derive pleasure in reading and writing and at my age, I write things as they are and not fabrication.” So, this is a direct primary source of information.

    In attendance were Oba of Lagos Oba Rilwan Akiolu; the Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran, a classmate of the author at the university; Erelu Abiola Dosumu, who led an entourage of white cap chiefs; Ambassador Remi Esan; former Federal Commissioner for Works Alhaji Femi Okunnu (SAN); former Commissioner, Federal Character Commission Chief Tunde Oshobi; Managing Director of Vintage Press Limited, publishers of The Nation Mr Victor Ifijeh; its Editor Mr Gbenga Omotoso; Mr Adekunle Abimbola; Mr Sanya Oni; Chief Henry Coker (SAN); Prof Kofi Duncan; former ambassadors and some boys from the CMS Grammar School, Lagos.

    Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Oluranti Adebule. Also in attendance were former Chief Economic Adviser, Chief Philip Asiodu and renowned banker Mr Fola Adeola.

    Ambassador Fafowora studied at the University College, Ibadan (now University of Ibadan). Having obtained a Masters Degree from the University of London in 1966 and a Ph.D from the Oxford University in 1972, he served as secretary to the Nigerian High Commission in London from 1966 to 1968.

    He served as Nigerian High Commissioner to Uganda from 1973-1975; he was between 1981 and 1984 the Deputy Permanent Representative at the United Nations.

  • Informative speech (2)

    Welcome again. Last week we explored the concept of informative speech. We defined the term and also said that an informative speech is one that is directed at enlightening the listeners. It is designed in such a way that valuable information is passed across to the audience either for the first time or to provide a fresh perspective. Among the requirements for an informative speech that we examined were that the speaker must be knowledgeable, the presentation must be systematic, and that audience’s knowledge must equal the speaker’s knowledge at the end of the speech.

    Today, we shall consider some strategies that will help you to deliver your informative speech effectively. The strategies are as follows:

    •Determine your Objectives: it is not enough to want to inform your audience, you must tell us what about. Unless you know what exactly you intend to achieve, it will be difficult to measure your success. Your objectives must be clear, realistic and measurable. Consider these examples and select the one you believe is clearer, more realistic and more measurable; a) At the end of this lecture, my audience should know about HIV/AIDS. b) At the end of this lecture, my audience should be able to explain the causes, treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS. Obviously, “b” is better. While it will be a problem to determine what “know” means in the first example, it will be easy to tell when the audience can explain the elements stated in the second one. If you state your objectives clearly, they will guide your focus.

    •Research your Topic: we call this an informative speech right? Then we cannot possibly deliver it without proper research. Imagine a teacher coming to class without having a clue about the subject! Imagine an elementary school English teacher attempting to teach higher institution students physics! The moment your listeners perceive that they know more than you do, you will lose your initial respect and attention. Remember that you must have earned a right to talk on the subject. Have you noticed that before a speaker is invited to the podium, proper introduction is made, which may include the speaker’s credentials, former speaking opportunities, places travelled to, practice in relevant fields, etc? All those are done to gain credibility. The person you don’t respect you won’t listen to. All these mean that you must know about the subject more than your audience does, or you must have a deeper insight to present than they already know. When you find a speaker making a presentation and members of the audience are chatting, reading or drawing trees and houses in their notebooks, there is something terribly wrong.

    •Outline your Points: one way to make sure that your message is simple enough for your audience to relate with is to outline your points. I have heard it said several times, and I have experienced it too, that any time you are addressing an audience and you make a statement like, “There are three major types of …” people pick up their pen and start to write. The psychology of this is that people attach importance to clearly defined points. This strategy helps to simplify information. Everybody knows that making money can be a lot of work, but whenever we encounter books with titles such as, “Five Secrets of Wealth,” “10 Steps to Becoming a Millionaire,” and other similar ones, we go for them. Why is that so? It is because we appreciate it when someone else has already conceptualized the process and provides us with the abridged version. On the other hand, if a speaker goes on and on without any major point for us to hold unto, you see notebooks empty. The question on our minds will be, “How does he expect us to understand all that?” The human mind is systematic in its operation. The mind is always looking for connections and relationships between things. Therefore, to be an effective speaker, we must learn to provide simple points that our audience can relate with. I’m sure you would have noticed that I am using the same principle in this article.

    These are some basic strategies that you can use to make your informative speech more effective. There are, of course, several others but we will leave them till a later date. Last week, I mentioned that we will explore what some refer to as “Demonstrative Speech,” but which I believe need not be separated from informative speech. Next week, we will focus on this, look forward to it.

     

     

  • Filmmakers reject new film agency boss

    Filmmakers reject new film agency boss

    -Presidency insists on choice

    The appointment of Engineer Danjuma ‘Dabo’, as the new Managing Director of Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), by the Federal Government last Thursday, has continued to generate mixed reactions from filmmakers, even as the identity of the new man remains sketchy.

    Dabo who was named among six other appointees, has created much anxiety at the Jos Headquarters of the Corporation, since no one seems to have a clue about him. Many had expected the acting MD; Mr. Tekena Benibo to succeed his former boss, Afolabi Adesanya, whose tenure expired last year. Staff of the Corporation had waited since Friday last week for the resumption of the new man, who is yet to show up.

    A statement by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim said the new officers are expected to resume immediately.

    Since the announcement last Thursday, some stakeholders in the film industry have continued to criticise Federal Government’s choice of an Engineers for the apex film regulatory body. A three-page petition to President Goodluck Jonathan by some guild heads, stated that “the film Industry does not need a political appointee, with no experience  whatsoever in film making, broadcasting, performing Arts or any creative expression, to administer the apex regulatory agency.” The industry, they said “requires an administrator with passion, zeal and total dedication to the development of the film Industry. Industry requires an administrator who knows and feels the pains of the Nigerian Film maker, who knows where the shoe pinches, who knows the whys and the hows of the challenges of production, who knows the practicability’s of the vast potentials of Nollywood.”

    Thus, the group said it is rejecting the appointment of Dabo, describing it as a putting a round peg in a square hole.  They said the appointment of an administrator outside the industry is an inglorious disregard for the experienced filmmakers, some of whom have put over 20 years of their creative life into the film Industry.

    But notable filmmaker, Amaka Igwe sues for caution, pending the time that the full identity of the new MD is revealed. Igwe noted that the appointee’s engineering background could be related to film or broadcasting. The filmmaker who is indifferent about the issue, urged her colleagues to crave anyone who can bring positive change to the film industry irrespective of the person’s background. She said the film sector did not achieve much success even when its kinds were at the helms of affairs.

    Veteran filmmaker, Eddie Ugboma was also of the opinion that past Managing Directors of the Corporation did not achieve much success with the film industry. He however noted with disdain, the Federal Government’s choice, pointing out political undertone as one of the reasons the film sector is not progressive.

    But strong indications emerged yesterday that the Presidency is calling the protesters’ bluff and insisting on its choice of the new man, and that he may resume today.

    Unconfirmed report however says the correct name of the appointee is Danjuma Wurim Dadu, a Lecturer 2, at the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria since 2010. Dadu, also an old student of the institution was of the Class of 1981. He attended Baptist High School, Jos from where he graduated in1977.

    A Phd degree holder, Dadu is of the Department of Building, Faculty of Environmental Design at the University and hails from Riyon Local Government Area of Plateau State.

    Dadu’s thesis include: An Evaluation of Bassa Volcanic Deposit as Potential Natural Pozzolan: Report on Chemical Characteristics 2010; Effect of Jos Plateau Volcanic Deposits on the Physical and Mechanical The Professional Builder 2012 and Properties of Non Cohesive soils Stabilised with Cassava Starch. 2009.

    Among the conference and seminar papers delivered by the lecturer are: ‘An Evaluation of the Pozzolanic Characteristics of Jos Plateau Volcanic Deposits for the Production of Blended Cement. Presented at 41st Annual General Meeting/ Conference of NIOB organized by Nigerian Institute of Building , 2010’; ‘Evaluation of the Pozzolanic Activity of Kajuru Pumice Tuff As Sustainable Cementitious Materials For Cement Blending Presented at 4th West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference organized by Laryea,S., Agyepong, S.A., Leiringer, R. and Hughes, W., 2012’; ‘Investigations into the Pozzolanic Activities of Volcanic Deposits from the Jos Plateau: Interim Report on Chemical Characteristics. Presented at 4th West Africa Built Environment Research (WABER) Conference. organized by Laryea,S., Agyepong, S.A., Leiringer, R. and Hughes, W., 2010’ and ‘Jos Plateau Volcanic Deposits as Sustainable Cementitious Materials for Partial Replacement of Portland Cement In Concrete Mixtures Presented at 4th West Africa Built Environment Research(WABER)Conference organized by Laryea,S., Agyepong, S.A., Leiringer, R. and Hughes, W., 2011

  • KSA’s guitarist gets three-year sentence for drug trafficking

    KSA’s guitarist gets three-year sentence for drug trafficking

    Justice S. Seidu of the Federal High Court, Lagos,on Tuesday sentenced a veteran guitarist Fatoke Abiodun to three years imprisonment for drug trafficking.

    The convict pleaded guilty to one count charge of unlawful exportation of 1.575kg of cocaine on February 26 while ruling was reserved till this month.

    The defence counsel, Mr. Bayo Onifade, had pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy since the convict is 62 years old, a husband of three wives with 12 children.

    In his ruling, Justice Seidu sentenced the convict to three years imprisonment with effect from the date of arrest.

    He noted that the appeal of the defence counsel and the fact that the convict pleaded guilty as charged without wasting the time of the court was carefully considered.

    Meanwhile, the Chairman/Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Ahmadu Giade has reiterated his call for stiffer penalty for drug offenders.

    According to Giade, “punishment must be commensurate to serve as a deterrent to others. The drug is worth several millions of naira and the damage to humanity cannot be quantified.”

    Abiodun was apprehended by NDLEA operatives on January 1 at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

     

  • Angelina Jolie has double mastectomy

    Angelina Jolie has double mastectomy

    Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie has undergone a double mastectomy to reduce her chances of getting breast cancer.

    The 37-year-old mother of six has explained her reasons for having the surgery in the New York Times.

    She said her doctors estimated she had an 87 per cent risk of breast cancer and a 50 per cent risk of ovarian cancer. “I decided to be proactive and to minimise the risk as much I could,” she wrote.

    She said the process began in February and was completed by the end of April.

    BBC reports that in an article entitled “My Medical Choice,” Ms Jolie explained that her mother fought cancer for nearly a decade and died at the age of 56.

    She said she had sought to reassure her children that the same illness would not take her away from them, “but the truth is I carry a ‘faulty’ gene, BRCA1, which sharply increases my risk of developing breast cancer and ovarian cancer.”

    She said that once she “knew that this was my reality”, she had taken the decision to undergo the nine weeks of complex surgery required to have a double mastectomy.

    Her chances of developing breast cancer have now dropped from 87 per cent to under five per cent, she said.

     

  • ‘Mr. Incredible’ releases new album’s video

    ‘Mr. Incredible’ releases new album’s video

    Nigeria rap maestro, Jude Abaga, popularly known as Mr. Incredible released the much awaited video of his new hit, “Mr. Chairman” on Monday.
    The Chocolate City Vice President and Loopy Music CEO made the announcement via his twitter handle @MI_Abaga.

    He said, “Noting that tell you’re neighbour to tell his neighbour and his neighbour’s neighbour that #Chairman Video came out today.
    His elated followers on the social media network quickly took to the platform to express their happiness at the announcement and at the last count there are over 100 retweets on the message, barely five hours after it was made known to the public.

    Abaga has won several awards including the MTV Africa Music Awards 2009 and was nominated for BET 2010 Awards for the Best International Act Category. He was recently announced as one of the judges of the Glo-sponsored X-Factor music competition.

  • British-Nigerian Femi Oke to host Al Jazeera’s ‘The Stream’

    British-Nigerian Femi Oke to host Al Jazeera’s ‘The Stream’

    INTERNATIONAL broadcaster Femi Oke has been revealed as the new host of Al Jazeera English’s hit social media show, The Stream. The former BBC, Sky and CNN journalist took over presenting duties from 6 May.

    The Stream is designed as a social media community with its own television show. It has received critical acclaim since its launch in 2011, winning the Royal Television Society’s award for Innovation, a Webby People’s Choice Award for News and Politics, and a Gracie for Outstanding News Talk-show and also received an Emmy nomination last year for New Approach to News and Documentary Programming.

    Paul Eedle, Director of Programmes at Al Jazeera English, said: “The Stream continues to be a great success for us, and is pulling in ever greater audiences online and on air. Femi’s style is warm and inclusive so she’s perfect for the interactivity of the show.”

    Femi describes herself as British-Nigerian, born in London to Nigerian parents. Commenting on her new role, Femi says that she has been watching The Stream since it first came on air, because it was so different from anything else on international television. “I loved how it responded to the explosion of social media, used Skype and Google Hangouts not just as back-ups like a lot of programmes do, but as a genuine way to connect with viewers. I must admit watching from my laptop in New York I was amazed and a little jealous. Here was a show that ‘got’ social media, had a young engaged audience, covered the news, and a broad range of topics in way that made current affairs fresh and exciting,” she stated.

  • DJ Sose evolves

    DJ Sose evolves

    TATTOO-FACED DJ Sose has continually evolved ever since he made his debut on the scene some years back. His evolution is about to take a new turn with the premiere of his new video titled “Obulu” (meaning Thank You), created by RZ Animations.

    DJ Sose recently embarked on a project to release collaborative singles comprising various artistes. The project which started in October, 2012 has featured artistes like General Pype, Mr. Raw, Ade Piper, Deolu Shogon on a series of successful fusions of African Percussion and Euro-House themed beats.

    Dj Sose has a degree in Business Information Systems, and a diploma in Film & Video Production. The dream to turn his passion to a profession was innate and has helped him reach his path of self-actualisation within and outside the music business.

    Currently signed to the management of Gray Tiger Entertainment, DJ Sose is probably the only Nigerian DJ who bears his identity on his face. He was born to a musically gifted Nigerian father and Hungarian mother in the 80s.

    The tattoo-faced DJ has churned out cameo appearances in major music videos that have enjoyed massive airplay such as “Something About You” by Dr. Sid, “Gaga Crazy” by Chuddy K, “Oleku” by Ice Prince, “Body N Soul” by Ash Hamman and “Say My Name” by the late Goldie.

    The origin of his moniker ‘Sose’ is from his Esan (Edo State) tribal name – ‘Soseneyayi’ (meaning ‘Bear Witness’), while his alias ‘Tattooed Face DJ’ is fast making him a house hold brand on the scene today.