The Nation Newspaper

Category: Weekend Treat

  • The return of Roli George

    The return of Roli George

    Roli, the beautiful wife of controversial Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Olabode George, is back in her groove. The delectable former House of Representatives aspirant is again taking her place in the social firmament.

    The former friend of Pastor Chris Okotie had slowed her roll when her loving husband landed in the big mess concerning his role in the alleged multi-billion naira contract scam at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), where he held sway as the chairman a few years ago. This coupled with the uproar that greeted her appointment as a member of board of the National Population Commission (NPC) forced her to become a scarce commodity in the social arena.

    Today, her husband is back from prison into her warm embrace and she is one of the 23 commissioners appointed for NPC. She has cast away her gloomy attires for colorful ones that express her joyous mood. The former Ankara model has now re-entered the social scene she once bestrode like a colossus.

    Many who had gossiped about her in her trying moments are trying to worm themselves back into her embrace. How times change.

  • Your K-legs and your bow legs

    I grew up not even knowing some of my greatest physical assets. Just like every kid of my age then, I could take my Granny’s powder and rub on my face. I could never do it right because I always ended up looking like a clown with my face caked in brown. I enjoyed smile at myself in the mirror anyway and that to me was a lot of fun.

    It wasn’t until I got to secondary school (St. Teresa’s College, Ibadan) that things like hips and busts shape began to crop into my sub-consciousness. For a girl of 10 plus going to eleven, I must have come with a perfect shape because the few girls I had as friends talked about it. I must confess that things like that didn’t make any sense to me then because I was never found without my cardigan, anyway. That was until I became the Agric Prefect and our then vice-principal, the sophisticated Mrs. Oyelade took an interest in my cardigan-wearing nature even in the hottest weather. That is a story for another day.

    Anyway, I almost went through secondary school without bothering about curves and such other girlish stuff but trust girls, those were (and are still) important matters. Woe betide you if you were flat-chested or lacked appropriate hips, you would be asked if you were a boy dressed in our proud brown pinafore and white blouse topped with the brown beret.

    If you escaped the boy-look lashing, you might not be so lucky with your legs. We had girls with hot legs and I still remember all of them in my set. And we had those with K-legs or bow-legs. It was a form of ridicule to be identified with K-legs and bow-legs. I doubt if I fell into any of the good or bad categories. It didn’t matter to me though. Years later, I have come to realize that whatever the shape of your legs – if you like, have the hottest legs – it still won’t matter in the way of progress. Bow legs or K-legs would not determine how far you go in life. One thing I know about legs is if your ways are straight and hot with God, you may just find yourself in the corridors of power.

    What are the shapes of your legs with God? Common, straighten them!

  • Touch of Fate (1)

    Somewhere on a Nigerian campus- 2002

    The four friends in the black Jeep had had a great time at the party and were on their way back to their campus in the early hours of the morning. They had written their last papers the previous day and in a few days, they would all be leaving school for the last time. The party had been their way of ‘cooling off’ from all the stress of their final exams as well as hanging out together for the last time.

    Except for the one driving, the others were slightly drunk. As they drove along, they spoke in slurred tones of some of the things that had gone down at the party. The main topic was the fight that had broken out between one of their classmates and another boy over a girl.

    “Men, that Derek is a fool. Why would he fight over a girl when there are so many out there,” one of them at the back remarked.

    “Do you blame him? That babe is really hot! Is it her mesmerizing eyes? Or those ‘killer’ curves of hers?” said his back seat mate.

    “Don’t tell me you’ve been ‘scoping’ her all this while,” the one in the passenger seat in front stated, turning round to look at his friends at the back.

    This led to much teasing of the one at the back seat who had made the remark.

    They had just driven past the library sometime later when it happened. As the driver turned into the road that led to their hall of residence, he ran into a dark figure that had run across the road. It was a dark spot as there were no street lights there.

    “What was that?” the guy in the passenger seat asked the driver. Their friends at the back had fallen asleep and were dead to the world.

    They both got down and rushed to the figure on the ground. It was too dark to see properly but they could tell by the dress it was a female. She lay still, not making any sound.

    “Is she dead?” he asked his friend.

    “I don’t know,” he replied as he bent down. He shook her gently on the shoulder but got no response. “Maybe we should take her to the clinic,” he stated.

    “We can’t. What if she’s dead? We will be charged for murder,” he said, a frightened tone in his voice. “Let’s go. There’s nothing we can do for her.”

    The other guy reluctantly got up and they went into the car and drove away. As they left, the prone figure on the ground groaned a little then lay still once more…

    Ten years later…

    The banking hall was crowded as usual that Friday morning. Don, a tall, slim man in a blue shirt and black trousers, stood at the entrance, wondering how long it would take him to transact the business he had come for. He made his way to one of the queues and was taking his place behind the last person on the line when he heard his name.

    He saw a young lady sitting at a desk in the open space behind the counter waving at him.

    He went over and stood by the counter. She looked strangely familiar though he couldn’t remember where he had seen her before.

    “Come inside,” she invited him, pointing to the small opening near the wall.

    The lady called Helen turned out to be a school mate of Don at the university. She had in fact been a course-mate and a friend of his cousin Tasha who had been two years his junior.

    “Sorry, I didn’t recognize you. You look so different,” he stated, looking at her closely. He could remember her as a somewhat skinny girl with a pimply face who always wore her hair in braids. That student of many years ago was in sharp contrast to the pretty-looking, confident lady in a dark suit with her hair in a long, sleek weave. She had put on some weight which suited her.

    “I understand what you mean. Sometimes I hardly recognize myself when I look at my old pictures,” she noted with a smile.

    “You are looking really fine,” he stated in an admiring tone. “You work in this bank?” he asked, looking round the office.

    “Yes. I’ve been here for about four years.”

    “That’s good. Hope you are enjoying the job…”

    They sat chatting about school days and old friends they had not seen for years.

    “What about Tasha? I’ve not seen or heard from her for a long time,” she stated. Don told her she was based abroad and was married with kids.

    Later, after she had assisted him in his transaction at the bank, she saw him off to his car.

    That was when he noticed the limp. She walked as if one of her legs was shorter than the other and it affected her gait. Since it could not have been caused by high heeled shoes as she was in a pair of flat pumps, he wondered what could be responsible. He could not remember her walking that way back in school. He got into the car and before starting the engine he glanced at her legs then up at her face. She noticed him staring and sighed.

    “I know you must be wondering about my leg. It’s a long story, something I will tell you some other time,” she said.

    “Let’s meet up for lunch one of these days then,” he stated. They exchanged numbers before he left.

    Shortly after, Don travelled out of town on official business. It was on his return that he got a call from her.

    “Oh! I’m so sorry! I know I should have called but I’ve been really busy at work. You know how it is,” he said apologetically.

    “Is it just work or it’s something else?” she asked in a teasing tone.

    “Like what?” he asked, sounding puzzled.

    “Like girls, perhaps. You used to have quite a reputation of being a ladies’ man back in school,” she said.

    He laughed at that.

    “That was then. I’m a changed person now,” he said. They chatted for a while and before hanging up, Don invited her for dinner.

    “Who were you talking to that has put such a big smile on your face, Helen? That is making you look so happy,” asked Tina, a colleague who sat close to her.

    “I’m always happy,” she replied.

    “I know. But today, you are glowing. Tell me the secret,” she persisted. “Or is it that tall, fine bros that came the other day? Is he your new boyfriend? Gist me now!” Tina asked again.

    “Mind your business!” Helen said, getting up and walking towards the restroom.

    “Hmm. Stingy girl. What’s wrong in giving me a little gist about the guy? Na wa oh!” Tina said to herself before resuming her work. Some days later, they went for dinner at a nice restaurant not far from her office.

    “Why are you smiling?” Helen queried, looking across the table at him after they had placed their orders.

    “I’m comparing that skinny little girl on campus all those years ago with the beauty I’m looking at now,” he said, smiling at her. “Whatever happened to her?” he asked.

    “Well, she grew up. I was in my teens back then. And teenagers grow up,” she pointed out.

    “You are right. It’s a good thing you didn’t look like this back then. You wouldn’t have escaped,” he stated.

    “Escaped what?” she said, taking a sip of her drink.

    He pointed at his chest.

    “Me,” he said, grinning broadly.

    “So, I was right then. About your bad boy reputation,” she said.

    “Yeah. We did a lot of crazy stuff in those days. We were young then…” he said, his mind going to a certain incident that happened on a dark, moonless night all those years ago.

    It was about a week later when they met up for drinks that she told him about the accident that broke her leg.

    “It was exam period and I had two more papers to write so that evening I had gone to the library with a friend of mine. She had however, left just before midnight, saying she was feeling sleepy. I stayed for another hour or so before deciding to return to my room,” she stated. It was on the way to her hall that the accident occurred.

    “Everything happened so fast. I was close to the library and I remember crossing the road when a car came on high speed round the corner and knocked me down. It was dark at that place. Anyway, I must have been unconscious for I woke up the following day at the school clinic. I had a lot of bruises all over my body and my right leg was broken as well.” She added that her parents later came and took her to another hospital where they tried to set the bones on her leg. “They really tried. But the damage to the bone was much. So, by the time the leg healed, I ended up with a limp,” she said.

    “I’m really sorry to hear about this. It must been terrible for you. Can you remember the day this incident happened?” asked Don curiously.

    “Of course. It’s a day I can never forget,” Helen stated, telling him the date.

    “And the car that hit you? Can you remember it and the person driving it?” he asked earnestly.

    “I told you it was dark. I never saw the driver of the car. But I remember the car looked big, like a jeep…”

    At her words, a cold chill like the type that descends on one about to have a fever, came upon him. He stared at her, looking dazed.

    “It can’t be. No way…” he kept muttering to himself.

    “Don! What’s the matter? You look as if you’ve seen a ghost!” Helen said, looking worriedly at him…

    To be continued

    What caused Don to react that way to Helen’s tale? Find out next Saturday!

    Names have been changed to protect the characters’ identities

    Send comments/suggestions to psaduwa@yahoo.com or 08023201831

  • Is it a must to have money before you can woo a lady?

    Good day ma, first of all, I will love to say well done on your job. Please ma, is it a must that you must have money before you can woo a lady? Also ladies don’t love me for whom I am. Help.

    •My brother, it may surprise you that you’re not alone in the wilderness of loneliness all because you haven’t made money. Many Nigerian girls are beginning to size men up by the weight of their pockets as against the sincerity of their hearts. No wonder Sir Shina Peters in one of his songs, said, “Baby wan ride beautiful car, even sef, baby wan stay inside beautiful duplex, all these things, na ego go cost.”

    As a hardworking woman though, I don’t support women who look out for rich men before they can start a relationship. It is sad that most of these girls waste their time looking for money bags and they have a total disdain for the young men who are wooing them left, right and center. Then when they have missed the boat, they start running to pastors and alfas and babalawos for solution to their husbandless status after some years.

    If you like a girl and she makes you feel that you’re less than a man because you don’t have money, just let her go. There are still many good girls out there who will accept you for whom you are.

    Work hard at whatever you’re doing now and pray for God’s blessings. Maybe by the time some of these girls doing yanga today have lost their time, you may be in a position to hire their brothers and sisters for them to have food on their table. Bet it, the beauty they are parading today won’t be so tight in a few years to come. When that time comes, you won’t even want to touch them. Go on, work!

  • Medical tourism and our sick health sector

    In the past, India was a country largely known round the world for one thing- its thriving film industry called Bollywood. In fact, for most people, their first idea of what the country looked like, its way of life, culture, beliefs and values, was through its movies which are quite popular in different countries including Nigeria. Indeed, what Bollywood has done in promoting India is a testament to the power of popular culture and the arts, something our own movie industry-Nollywood- should take note of.

    Anyway, these days, India is also becoming well known for something entirely different from movie production and that is medical tourism. Its a growing phenomenon whereby patients move from one country to another for medical care. India’s medical tourism sector is a thriving industry estimated to be worth $2 billion annually. It attracts patients from all over the world (including Westerners with top class health facilities in their own countries) who are attracted by low-priced healthcare procedures, availability of latest medical technologies, lack of long waiting lists and a growing compliance on international quality standards. An estimated 150,000 of these travel to India yearly for treatment for various ailments.

    India’s achievements in this sector for a developing nation, is truly commendable, something we need to emulate in this country. For too long, our health care system has been in a shambolic and sick state. The public hospitals and other health centers are ill-equipped and staffed with workers that are poorly paid and with little motivation. Thus its no wonder that many avoid these places like a bad dream. Instead, those who can afford it opt for treatment in private hospitals when they fall in. While this is more expensive, at least, the good ones are better equipped and you get better treatment from the staff.

    However, since a vast majority of the citizens are too poor to afford expensive private healthcare, it’s thus necessary for the public health sector to be revamped. Like many other aspects of our national life, this vital sector has been neglected by successive governments over the years.

    Besides corruption, one reason adduced for this neglect, is because most of our leaders and top government functionaries and their families don’t use these local health facilities. When they fall ill, they jet out of the country to Germany, the U.S, U.K, France and other Western nations with good quality healthcare.

    But recent events in the country indicate that our leaders need to have a rethink about their attitude towards our healthcare system. With some public officials like governors being afflicted

    with serious ailments and are missing from their duty posts and others involved in road accidents and other crashes, does it not occur to them that the time has come for our health sector to be fixed? As they might need its services one of these days? For one important aspect of treatment especially for accident victims is time- if treatment gets to the patient on time, his life or maybe a limb could be saved.

    This might not be the case for instance, when the patient has to be flown abroad for treatment. While he is waiting for an air-ambulance to be procured, foreign currencies raised and other things one needs for a foreign trip, his health could deteriorate and become untreatable and maybe result in death.

    Does it not therefore make sense to have these facilities locally so treatment can be easily got without all the stress and delay of foreign travel?

    These leaders indifferent attitude in providing good healthcare facilities for the nation’s citizens is encapsulated in an African proverb which states: “Those who throw stones in the market place don’t realize that it could fall on their relative!”

    Well, that says it all.

  • I don’t have feelings for her but I haven’t found anyone who can replace her

    Morning ma, my name is Abbey, I’m 32 year old dating a girl of 21 years. She loves me so much she calls me everyday. My family and her family show love to themselves but I don’t have feelings for her and I try to look for other girls but I haven’t found anyone who can replace her and I want to settle down. We’re 3 years already in this relationship. Please help me.

    Dear Abbey, only a few men are true to their feelings the way you are being true to yourself. Love is very essential in a relationship and if after three years, you still don’t have feelings for this girl, then it is wise to let her go. Love is that ingredient in every relationship that makes you overlook mistakes. Love is what makes you come back home to a sweet hug. Love is what makes you lie down in bed and hold hands without talking, yet passing secret messages across the room. If your heart is not thumping for this girl, marriage to her is unlikely to be happy.

    You’re still dating, yet your eyes are roving, looking for a perfect match. That means something vital is lacking. Most married men cheat, but some love their wives so much that they won’t allow her find out. If even as a single but attached man, you are still searching, you will cheat in your marriage to this girl and you won’t mind the consequences. That may lead to a sad divorce. So, don’t even go there.

    And never marry her out of pity or the fact that your families are in sync. It’s not worth it.

    Sit her down and let her know that you both need a little space to see what could happen in that time. She might not understand what you’re saying, but let her know that it is for her own good. Encourage her to mix with other guys and who knows, she may find somebody who loves her. If she’s wise, by now, she should have noticed that your affection is not similar to the thing she must have been fantasizing about. So, if she finds the real thing, she may be the first to bide you farewell. Use the period of your separation to work out your emotions. You may even love her without knowing because she might be chocking you now. Distance makes the heart grow fonder. Good luck.

  • She keeps too many male friends but tells me not to worry

    Good day my dear columnist. I just read your article on page 50. Please and please, I need a simple solution to this my protracted problem with my fiancé (wife-to-be); my problem with her is that she keeps too many male friends and whenever I complain, she tells me not to worry that she is with me and not planning to betray me. Please what shall I do?

    •In a recent survey I did on this topic some weeks ago on this page, majority of the men were of the opinion that a woman can have male friends so far she is faithful and gives her man his own time. My own opinion has always been that once her male friends are aware of your existence and they respect you, then there is no harm here. It is even better if she hangs out with them when you’re there. When my friend, Abel Ameh got married some years ago, I was one of the groomsmen! Yes. I used a silk scarf on my neck to match his tie and the ties of the other groomsmen. I’m one of his closest friends and he is known to my family too. That’s to tell you that I have male friends and my husband knows them all, and we all go out every now and then when time permits. They come visiting and vice versa and my partner is always involved.

  • From you to me

    •Adeola my dear, wishing you a prosperous new year. How are you? God bless so much for your column. You have touched my life and I’m sure quite a number of people too have been touched positively by your column. Please don’t stop; continue your good work. God will always give you the wisdom and knowledge to write.

    May your pen never get dry. May ideas and vision always flow. May God grant you all desires. May you move 20 steps ahead of your colleagues. Each time I read, I tend to learn a lot. Keep it up. Please I am 37 plus, from Anambra, a Christian, tall, dark and female who lives in the South East. I need a male between 45yrs and 52 who is Godfearing, humble, from Anambra State and a Chritian who lives in the South East. Have a nice day—Oonyi. 08028260208.

    •Sister Adeola, may God bless your home for your efforts in The Nation publication. I’m Moussa, 42, Yoruba, Muslim, employed graduate and need an employed graduate, Muslim, Yoruba lady aged between 30yrs and 35 for a serious relationship. I could be reached via this number, 08152948164. Thanks indeed Ma

    •God will edify, modify, beautify, sanctify, satisfy, fortify, magnify, dignify and identify you in this New Year: rejoice God has done it in your life. HAPY NEW YEAR – Oliver, 08105384986.

    •Imeba Davis Olayi wishes you a happy blessed and prosperous 2013. The glory of GOD is upon you. His banner over us is Love. God bless you limitlessly. 2013 shall be your year of peace, joy, abundance, sound health, good success, prosperity, divine security, all-round favour filled with signs and wonders of GOD the Almighty- Ola Bakare oloyede’s family wish u happy, historical, prosperous new 2013. 07069451834.

    •Happy New Year and I wish you, your family good health and prosperouslife. Nasir 08102449482.

    •Baby you make me to be happy just your face I am in love. 08037863138. Your hope, your dream, your ambition, your aspiration, your goals and your expectations can’t be cut short. God’s plan in your life must be fulfilled. Good morning ma.

  • I’m always having sex in my dream

    My name is Stamina, I’m 22 years old. I’m always having sex with a girl in my dream.

    •Dear Stamina, as your name implies, you should have enough stamina to tackle your sexual needs in and out of dreams; don’t you think? Jokes apart, there are many reason why people dream of having sex in their dreams. It could be psychological, it could be spiritual and it could just be the physical need for sex that is being presented in the dream.

    According to a recent study by psychologist, Jennie Parker of the University of the West of England, women’s sex dreams tend to include lots of kissing and fantasies about other dream characters, while men report more actual intercourse. The University of Montreal in Canada found women’s dreams include romantic storylines and celebrities, while men’s include multiple partners. Boys can dream! This research shows genders conform to their stereotypes even when they are deep in their own personal kaleidoscope of images and colours.

    Sex dreams are so common that some people have them as often as once a week. Such dreams sometimes tell us a lot about ourselves, particularly our unfulfilled desires and fears. Surprisingly, some dreams aren’t even about sex – no matter how saucy they might be and if in your own case you don’t even know the particular girl(s) you have been having sex with, you may need to pray against some spiritual manipulations and desires.

  • Borderless West Africa, USAID Information Center promote seamless trade at Seme

    A new information centre, opened at the Seme border in Nigeria and Krake border in Benin Republic by the Borderless West Africa and USAID, is promoting seamless trade across the two borders, OLUKAYODE THOMAS reports

    KNOWLEDGE is power goes the saying and nothing illustrates this better than the success recorded by the Borderless West Africa and USAID when they opened two information centres across West Africa to assist in seamless movement of goods and people across the region.

    The success, recorded with the first established at Aflao, Ghana in August 2011 and the second at the Burkina Faso-Ghana border with offices in Paga and Dakola respectively, motivated the Borderless West Africa and USAID to open the Seme and Krake Border Information Centre, the third in the region recently. And since then, the centre has been a beehive of activity as traders and tourists are assisted with vital information that is facilitating better trade across the region.

    Impediments to trade across West Africa, mostly caused by official and unofficial bureaucracy, have led to loss of many lives, property and billions of dollars in revenue. A general survey of traders across the region conducted by the USAID shows that West Africans could do more business, if delays and cost of doing business were reduced.

    With population of about 400 million people, West Africa, according to a USAID survey, is a huge market. However, barriers to trade effectively make it challenging for a company to take advantage of a single market. Many companies compete locally, foregoing regional sales because of the barriers.

    Seme and Krake Border Information Centre, an initiative of the USAID West Africa Trade Hub, is partnering the Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Benin National Shippers’ Council.

    The centre is sponsored by the USAID Business Environment for Agile Markets (BEAM) project. The Borderless Alliance is a broad coalition of public sector partners committed to increasing trade in West Africa. The new centre provides practical information to traders where they need it most at the border. The new centre is now open Monday through Friday, 9a.m to 5 p.m.

    Speaking during the inauguration, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria stated that economic growth is a key pillar to the U.S. Government’s African development policy. Rolf Olson, U.S. Embassy Political-Economics Counsellor, who represented the ambassador at the event, said: “The Border Information Centre initiative, launched with the ECOWAS and other partners, represents our commitment to working alongside African countries to promote and advance sustained economic development and growth”.

    Olson noted that the delays and cost of doing business in West Africa are a serious impediment to the region’s economic growth and development, and the costs incurred are preventing businesses from expanding. As a result, businesses are unable to create jobs that reduce poverty.

    Said Olson: “The U.S Government has a strong interest in seeing trade succeed and businesses expand in West Africa. As much as any business is the sum of its employees, it is important that we recognize that each job in a factory or workshop, in a restaurant or hotel, is a death knell to poverty. Further, jobs give people dignity and lay the foundation necessary for stability and progress in every society.”

    He revealed that West Africa has entered a new era and the most commonly cited indicator is the annual increase in GDP. On average, the region has experienced an expansion of GDP by four per cent annually over the last decade. This, he said, has set up a dynamic and virtuous cycle. Now a strong middle class is emerging across West Africa which attracts even more investment and further business expansion.

    “GDP growth is not the only indicator. As economies have strengthened, the number of conflicts witnessed in West Africa has decreased. Conflict is bad for business and should motivate us to pursue other initiatives that facilitate trade,” he said.

    Olson said President Barack Osama’s strong interest in Africa has led to its development as one of the U.S.Government’s top foreign policy priorities.

    “Working alongside African countries to promote and advance sustained economic development and growth is important to the continent’s future success and its global importance. Africa has made measurable inroads to increase prosperity. Yet it remains the poorest and most vulnerable continent on the globe.

    ”In addition to the African Growth and Opportunity Act which eliminates tariffs on import to the U.S. from eligible African countries, President Obama has made the expansion of small and medium enterprises in Africa a key objective of U.S Government policy in Africa. The initiative we have inaugurated represents a commitment to that objective and also reflects the commitment to strong partnership. The Border Information Centre idea actually began here in Nigeria at a meeting between the USAID and ECOWAS in Abuja and was based on a comprehensive study of regional trade policy embodied in the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme. That study identified access to information as a key gap in the implementation of the Scheme,” he said.

    Quoting President Obama to conclude, Olson said: ”I want to close with a quote from President Obama’s speech in June 2011, when he visited Africa. “We believe in Africa’s potential and promise. We remain committed to Africa’s future. We will be strong partners with the African people. Africa is essential to our interconnected world, and our alliance with one another must be rooted in mutual respect and accountability.’’