The Nation Newspaper

Category: Weekend Treat

  • Celebs who engage IN OTHER VOCATIONS

    Kehinde OLULEYE

     

    Actors, artistes, On Air Personalities (OAPs) and athletes are some of the most diverse investors and side hustlers that you are likely to come across. Piracy, our poor economy and the general disposition of most people to be entertained for free are some of the reasons artistes look beyond the screen for extra income and athletes also look beyond the field.

    From fashion labels, drink shops to night club businesses, quite a number of our beloved celebs and Nollywood A-listers are using their spare time away from the camera, film locations, sporting fields, television and radio studios to make the extra buck while also building successful careers in their first love.

    One major advantage that these celebs have over other side hustlers and entrepreneurs is that, unlike their lesser-known contemporaries on the screen, in sports and politics, their visibility and popularity can always come handy as a useful marketing tool.

    With strong social media presence, they come across as likeable, familiar and trustworthy; the masses feel like they know them better and are already friends with them. With a penchant for attention and widespread name recognition, celebrities have a unique advantage in business, where simply getting noticed is the first step towards a successful business venture.

    Some of the best known celeb entrepreneurs and business persons include Dr Kola Oyewo , Sola Sofudo, Mikel Obi, Genevieve Nnaji, Wiz Kid, Yemi Alade, Burna boy, 2Face Idibia, DBanj, Chika Ike, , Yul Edochie, Agbani Darego, Rugged Man, AY Makun and others. We are sure that the number of celebs with side businesses is likely to become bigger and bigger as we go on.

    Read also: Male Nollywood celebrities unmarried at 40 and above

     

    Wiz Kid (Starboy Jersey)

    Popular Nigerian artiste, Wizkid, launched his jersey line in collaboration with international sportswear brand, NIKE, in 2018 and Amsterdam-based menswear brand Daily Paper in 2019. His line includes a limited edition collection of special clothings and accessories.

     

    Burna Boy (Space Puff cereal)

    In 2018, Nigerian Afro singer, songwriter and rave of the moment, Burna Boy, successfully launched his limited edition Space Puff Cereal during his sold-out concert at the O2 Brixton Academy in London. The limit cereal has only 50 of its kind in the world.

     

    Dr Kola Oyewo (lecturer)

    Veteran Nigerian actor, dramatist and scholar, Dr. Kola Oyewo, in 1996, joined the services of Obafemi Awolowo University, where he rose to the rank of senior lecturer before retiring in September 2011. After his retirement from the Obafemi Awolowo University, he joined the services of Redeemer’s University, where he served as Head of the Department of Dramatic Art. He is currently working at Elizade University Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, as a performing arts lecturer.

     

    Emmanuel Emenike (E-29 Records)

    Sources say ex-Eagles striker,Emmanuel Emenike, is a very wise investor with hands in several economic pies. Emenike also owns E-29 Records and he has been deeply investing in real estate.

     

    Genevieve Nnaji (St Genevieve clothing brand)

    Gorgeous Nollywood actress, producer, and director, Genevieve Nnaji, has a clothing line, St Genevieve, a clothing line named after her very famous name. It was launched in 2014.

     

    Yemi Alade (The Yemi Alade Collection-Jewellery line)

    Beautiful from whatever angle you look at her, Yemi Alade, sexy, smart and highly talented Nigerian Afropop singer and songwriter is one of Nigeria’s best musical ‘ambassadors’.  Yemi Alade, in partnership with an online jewellery retailer, Bland2Glam, launched jewellery collection in 2015.

     

    2Face Idibia (Night clubs)

    Innocent Idibia, fondly called 2Baba by fans, owns two very successful night clubs in Lagos and has his hands in other pies apart from producing music.

     

    Ruggedman (20th September Wears)

    Michael Ugochukwu Stephens, known professionally as Ruggedman, is a Nigerian rapper and UN peace ambassador. Ruggedman launched his clothing line, which produces sporty shirts and footwear in 2016.

     

    AY ( MVP night club)

    AY is one of the most enterprising and talked-about celebrity CEOs in Nigeria, from the A.Y show to A.Y’s Crib. In 2014, he diversified into an unusual line of business, something different from what he has always done, to set up the first non-smoking nightclub in Lagos, MVP in 2014.

     

    Agbani Darego (AD by Agbani Darego)

    Beautiful 31-year-old  ex-beauty queen has moved on to greater heights after winning the Miss World Beauty pageant in 2001. She has been a model for several local and international fashion brands and in 2014, she launched her own denim range called AD by Agbani Darego, offering jeans, dresses, sunglasses and bags.

     

    DBanj (Koko garri)

    The Nigerian international music superstar is quite business savvy. Apart from founding DB Records, Dbanj also dabbled into reality shows and has investment in agriculture. He is said to own, among others, a garri processing plant.

     

    Annie Idibia (Be Olive Hair collections)

    The gorgeous Annie Idibia is not merely the better half of Nigeria’s R n B superstar, Tu Face Idibia. Annie, an actress, also runs Be Olive Hair collections where she sells human hair. She also runs a salon located in Atlanta, USA, BeOlive Hair Studio.

     

    Yul Edochie (Politics & Film Academy)

    Actor and politician is an efficient businessman, along with being a great actor and politician.  He has a film academy which goes by the name Yul Edochie Academy.

     

    Rita Dominic (BK Unique Hair)

    In addition to films, the bold and beautiful Rita Dominic is a businesswoman.  She owns BK Unique Hair, which was launched in 2016.

     

    Mike Obi (Transport & record label business)

    Apart from the transport company run by his father in Jos, Nigerian professional footballer,John Mikel Obi, who plays as a midfielder for Turkish club, Trabzonspor, also bankrolls the record label, MMM record.

     

    Sola Fosudo (lecturer)

    Veteran Nollywood prolific dramatist, scholar, critic, film actor and director, Sola  Fosudo, is the head of the Department of Theatre Art, Lagos State University and the university’s Director of Information.

  • My battles with randy, gay lecturers

    Prof. Edward Olorunsola Olanipekun was recently appointed the eighth Vice Chancellor of Ekiti State University (EKSU). In this interview with ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA, the professor of Industrial Chemistry speaks on his plans for the 37-year-old institution, the challenges ahead and why some projects are delayed, among other issues.

     

    What was your biggest challenge when you assumed duty as the Vice Chancellor of EKSU?

    The greatest challenge was that the university is largely non-residential. This is not a good thing for any 21st Century institution that aims to be world class. Besides, there is no staff quarters on the campus. Even the Vice Chancellor’s Lodge is non-existent. However, we shall soon have a befitting VC Lodge.

     

    ‘My challenge is that sexually abused students are too scared to speak up’

     

    Two, we have genuine investors desirous of partnering with us. So, we will be signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with some of them. Interestingly, there is an investor willing to provide accommodation for at least 5,000 students on campus. He has assured us that the project would be ready in a year. I have the proposal and the drawing. As soon as I go through it, we shall invite them for a meeting.

    You seem to be very concerned about lodging for principal officers and students…

    As scholars, living on campus has many advantages. I have a study room in my personal house. However, once it comes to real research, you cannot compare such study room with the amount of research you will carry out in an academic environment. For instance, I am a professor of Chemistry. There are certain experiments one might need to carry out for 14 hours non-stop. That’s the essence of undertaking such experiment in an academic environment.

    As regards accommodation, it is a pity that once it is about 4 pm, this university becomes virtually empty. I am believing in God that within a year, we are going to change the face of this institution.

    Considering that EKSU has a population of over 24,000 students, don’t you think a hostel accommodating only 5000 students is like a drop in the ocean?

    Do not forget that this is the starting point. If we can have at least 5000 students on campus, this will automatically change the face of EKSU. Not up to 200 students and no staff member lives on campus. Another investor came here to provide hostel accommodation for about 200 students, but I disagreed that we will only accommodate an investor providing hostel accommodation for no fewer than 2000. Our plan is that new and final year students should stay on campus. Thereafter, we can extend to other levels as facilities increase.

    We also saw generators littering the corridors of some offices. That shows there is a challenge of power, right?

    Your observation is in order. However, let me say some investors have also shown interest to erect power plant for us. We have two of them and we hope to enter into an agreement with them within the next few weeks. Interestingly, their investment will not cost the university a dime. They will be providing the services just like a DisCo (distribution company) and we will just be paying. One of the investors told me it would take just three months’ gestational period to have 24-hour power supply on the campus. Once everything is fine-tuned, they immediately mobilise equipment to site.

     

    There was a video on the social media about one of our lecturers in alleged sexual misconduct. You know the outcome of that matter. That tells you and others the direction this administration is heading. But let me tell you that my challenge is that some of the (victimised) students are scared to speak up.

     

    A university runs on committee system. Much as I would have loved certain things executed at my speed, respect must be accorded due process; so this might delay some of the projects.

    Is it true that your administration inherited huge outstanding bills?

    It is correct. However, let me thank our Visitor (Ekiti State) Governor (Kayode) Fayemi. Without him, our College of Medicine would have, perhaps, become history by now. That college (of Medicine) took off years back but was abolished at a point. The same situation would have repeated itself but for the governor’s kind intervention. Thankfully, EKSU has produced its first set of medical doctors and all thanks to him.

    We are about to have our accreditation next (this) week, and the governor has also assisted us financially. As someone from the academia, he understands the modus operandi of the university system. It is on record that during his (Fayemi) first term in office, he gave this university millions of naira which were used to complement funds from intervening agencies. Unfortunately, not a single penny has come to the university since he left.

    Let me tell you that the governor has also approved almost N1 billion as capital vote for this university; and it will be released any moment from now. We actually inherited a number of unsettled bills, but since the governor came on board, he has been releasing our subvention as and when due.

    Are there ways the university’s leadership has been reciprocating the government’s gesture?

    We have been cutting our coat according to available resources. We are trying to be prudent as well as block all forms of financial haemorrhage in the system. We have introduced what I can described as austerity measures. I want to thank the workers across board for showing a great deal of understanding, especially on some tough measures we have introduced in order to conserve resources.

    Did you have a blueprint before assuming the leadership?

    I have not yet put my vision in black and white. I hope to do that before the year runs out. Nonetheless, my vision is to propel EKSU as a 21st Century institution that is globally competitive. The institution shall be dedicated to cutting-edge research and training of entrepreneurial-minded graduates. I want a university that would be less-dependent on subvention; to make EKSU one of the foremost universities on the continent, with international recognition.

    As an insider, what are the gaps you noticed in terms of indiscipline among the staff and students?

    Let me first acknowledge that no system all over the world is perfect. Nevertheless, I want to say that our staff and students are people anybody can be proud of any time. The university is still owing them and they could have used that opportunity to frustrate this interview. They have shown us understanding and given me a great deal of support since I assumed office. Above all, they are committed to realising the dreams and vision of this new administration.

    But that will not take away the fact that indiscipline still exists…

    I agree with you. There are pockets of issues here and there, but they know I’m not a pretender. Any moment from now, we shall erect a billboard at the entrance of EKSU to warn everybody not to run foul of the rules. Secondly, we are going to install a centrally-controlled complaint box where students and workers can drop their complaints. This administration will not tolerate any staff or students found to have contravened the law of the university. We will not be afraid to implement the decision taken by any disciplinary committee in respect of infractions, however high or low such a person is.

    We do hear of allegations of sexual harassment and other misconducts in EKSU. Can your administration handle them?

    There was a video on the social media about one of our lecturers in alleged sexual misconduct. You know the outcome of that matter. That tells you and others the direction this administration is heading. But let me tell you that my challenge is that some of the (victimised) students are scared to speak up.

    But students will remain voiceless because we all know that in most universities in Nigeria, the system does not protect them…

    That might be right anyway. But there is another case of sexual harassment we have just set up a committee to look into. We are awaiting the report of that committee. Nonetheless, what we often realise is that majority of students are afraid. Based on my antecedents, I won’t tolerate indiscipline. I have said it at various fora that whoever violates any of the rules will face the music.

    Last week, an NGO visited me, supposedly to partner with EKSU on gender-based violence (GBV). I took its proposal to the management

  • My fears about level of education, displacement in the North

    Hon. Muhammad Jega is the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on IDPs, Refugees and North East Initiatives. In this interview with  INNOCENT DURU , the lawmaker representing Gwandu/Aliero/Jega Federal Constituency, Kebbi State, speaks about his fears about the level of education and displacement of people in the country, the North in particular. Excerpts:

     

    Could you tell us a bit about your background?                                       

    I was born in Jega village. There is a town called Jega in Kebbi State. That was where I had my early education. I was born in 1959. I went to Jega Primary School between 1967 and 1972.  Thereafter, I went to Government College, Sokoto, for my secondary school education. After finishing my secondary school in 1977, I went to Uthman Dan Fodio University. We were the pioneer students of Usman Danfodio University, where I did a two-year  pre-degree course before I was admitted into a full degree course.  The university wasn’t offering the courses we wanted to do; so I alongside other students who offered to study medicine, architecture engineering, and agriculture, were transferred. I was one of those who were transferred to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where I read architecture. I graduated in 1982. After my first degree, I proceeded for my postgraduate in the same course and finished in 1984.  After my masters, I went for National Youth Corps Service, which took me to the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus, in the old Anambra State. I finished that in 1985.

    What next did you do after your youth service?

    After that, I took up an appointment with the defunct  Sokoto State Ministry of Works as an architect.  I was there up till 1991 when Kebbi State was created and we went back to our state.  Working in the state civil service, I rose through the ranks  to the position of a permanent secretary. I was with the women affairs, Ministry of Works, as Permanent Secretary  and  also Water Resources before I resigned and joined politics. I resigned in 2005 and was given a commissionership, a member of the state’s executive council in  charge of local government affairs.  I was there from 2005 to 2007 before I contested for the House of Representatives. I won the election  and was in the House from 2007 to 2011.

    In 2011, I re-contested and lost my seat to the PDP candidate. I contested then under the All Nigeria People’s Party ( ANPP). IN 2015, I contested under the APC and won the election and returned to the House again. In 2019 also, I won and continued to represent my people in the House of Representatives.

    Before this interview, I did  a search on you and found that even when education had not been widely accepted in the North, you had gone very far…

    (Cuts in) What I just told you was a summary of the education I went through because I have master’s degree  in Business Administration. I did PostGraduate Diploma in  Management; then I did my MBA.

    Is it that your parents are rich or educated that made them to give you that level of education?

    No.  My parents were moderate; they were not poor.  I was the pioneer student in my family.  I am from a polygamous home.  Those days, we enjoyed scholarship and that is why it is one of my priorities to ensure that we reach the grassroots to educate them by paying for their school fees. We encourage them to go to school.

    The situation has drastically changed. I am sure many of us at the helm of affairs enjoyed scholarship and could not have gone to the university if not for the scholarship. At that time, Mohammad Adamu Aliero(former Kebbi governor) was one year ahead of me in the university. Usman Dankingari, who succeeded him, was in the same class with me. The present governor of Kebbi State was one year behind me in the university.  They were the second set of the Uthman Danfodio University.  Things were much better then. We had scholarship. That is why when we look at what is happening now, it bleeds our heart because the situation has changed.

    What exactly are you talking about when you say ‘what is happening now’?

    In terms of access to education across the whole country and especially in the North.  The situation is worse in the North.  All those in control of the affairs of the North enjoyed free education. Mention names; governors, all those representing the state in the North, in ministerial and whichever positions must have enjoyed free education.

     What is the implication of this now that scholarship is no longer there?

    That is why we are in this trouble.  The standard has fallen because people are just after the certificate. The quality is not there and all the noise some governors are making in respect of education, some of them are not actually providing good quality education, the structures, the conditions of these  schools and even the quality teachers are nothing to write home about.

     

    Remember that I told you I started university education from the Uthman Danfodio University where I did my A levels. I was transferred to another university and we met students from all over the country and competed  with them.

     What,  in you view, is  the solution because we have had the Almajiri school but I am not sure it is a solution?

    The way out is to face education squarely.  We are just window-dressing for now.  Education, health and agriculture, these are the most important sectors that can rescue most of the states in the North.

    When these sectors are established, then you can go for industrial development.  But where people are not educated, where health facilities are not accessible, where agriculture is just a lip service, how do you expect to have progress?

    Talking about agriculture, the North supplies  a large percent of the food in the South  and the country in general.

    It could have been better if better attention is given to that area than what is being done now.

    What do you think is not being well done?

    So many things are not going straight the way they should go. So many programmes, like the CBN Anchor Borrowers Programme and a lot of things. There should be some  study so that you can improve.

    What do you think is wrong with the Anchor Borrowers Programme?

    Some of the real farmers are not involved. We have a pyramid shelve type of hierarchy. The best of the pyramid is where you have these subsistent farmers. Most of them do not have access to finance and mechanisation.  If attention is given to them, they can feed the nation easily. The food security we are talking about would be achieved easily and by now we would have been exporting agricultural products to all other African countries and even to Europe.

     As the House Committee chair on IDPs, Refugees and North East Initiatives, how do you feel that many people in the country, the North in particular, are displaced?

    It is sad, very,  very sad because most of these people left their homes as a result of conflict, either armed conflict, banditry and or some disasters.  The irony of this is that when people are forced out of their homes, they don’t know where to go. Sometimes the sons, daughters and their fathers are separated. You will see the father go to the left and the mother and the children to the right and they will never be together again. It is very, very sad. We commend the federal government for the establishment of the humanitarian ministry because the humanitarian concern of this country is very serious. Starting from the Boko Haram in the North East to the North West where you have the bandits. In  Kaduna, Katsina and Zamfara, people are seriously displaced from their homes.  There are some places you cannot even travel to even now. Security issues are serious matters in this country and without security, you cannot talk of any development.

    I read that the number of displaced people would rise in the future. Does this in any way disturb you?

    It means that in the years to come, there would be more turbulence. With no end to insurgency, the crisis would be expanded and it is serious if we cannot control this at this time. The financing of the security template now is taking so much of our developmental programmes because it is competing with other needs.  By the time it expands, then forget about development, forget about peace and that will displace more people.  This is why we have to come together to see how best we can tackle this. Otherwise , we would be in trouble.

    There is so much unemployment in the country. The basic needs of the people are no longer accessible. What is the price of rice today? It is serious.

    Normally in this kind of situation, women and children are the worst hit. Children cannot run to a safer place. Mothers would be victims of rape and victims to accessibility to basic needs.

    Let us get a bit personal. You are 60 years but you don’t look it. What do you do maintain a younger look?

    Laughs. I just work hard and don’t bother with unnecesaary things. I give service to my people and by so doing, I have less stress.

    Since you have been in the National Assembly, how much would you say you have touched your people?

    Many of my people. I can’t even mention their number.

    In which areas?

    In the area of education, health and agriculture because these are the basic needs of the people.

    When you look at the country at large, would you say we are making progress or moving backward?

    There is some progress but we could have reached a higher level than where we are. Nigeria has what it takes to be great. We have diverse people. Only in my village, we have more than 15 professors. There is the need to redefine our position so that the country can be better.

    I read that some constituency projects you pushed for were not executed. What is you take on that?

    That is politics.  If you are in politics, people will make series of allegations but the truth will always prevail.  Some of the people who contested with me wanted to blackmail me but they could not succeed because they had ulterior motives.  They are not sincere. That is what it is.

    How would you describe your journey into politics?

    It is up and down. I told you I was in the House before I was ousted.  Even then I won the election but the mighty PDP then used their power. It is service to the people.

    How do you relax?

    Relaxation? I have installed Samsung Health App. Every day, I walk. There is a number of walk I have to do every day. When I get home now, I have to complete it to make sure I have attained my daily steps.  This monitors almost everything- the oxygen in the body, the blood pressure, heart rate, stress level and sugar level.

  • FOLUKE DARAMOLA-SALAKO: I briefly left acting when it became monotonous

    She is not just an award-winning veteran actress, or an excellent movie director and producer, but also the founder of a nongovernmental organisation, Passion Against Rape and Abuse in Africa (PARAA). In 1998, she made her film debut in a series titled Palace. Ever since then she has featured in several Yoruba movies. In 2013, her film, Cobweb, which she produced and starred in, got her Africa Movie Academy Awards best-supporting actress nomination. Her prominence in that sector of the movie industry has earned her a reputable status.
    The Nollywood actress has now also gained credence in the political sector of Nigeria. In an exclusive interview with Omolara Akintoye, Foluke Daramola-Salako talks about her career, marriage, challenges facing veteran actors in the industry, why government needs to invest more into entertainment industry, among others.

     

    Who and what inspired you to go into acting?

    Well, three people inspired me to go into acting while I was growing up. The first person is Uncle Tunji Bamishigbin, second is Ralph Nwadike and the third person is Charles Omiyele. I started with a talk show at DBN. I was in secondary school then. I would go after school and later when I finished school and we were invited for an audition on AIT ‘Our Time’, it was during the shooting that I met my mentors.  If you span back, it’s over twenty-five years; but the truth of the matter is over time I have been able to climb the ground at my own pace. I have gone through audition and I was not given any role. I have paid my dues; I was not just paying my dues alone, I was also combining it with education. So I always had a choice outside acting. I would be doing some other things. I always had my hands full at each point in time and I took acting as a career not as a lifestyle. A lot of celebrities do not understand being an actor or actress is a career and not a lifestyle and as a career, you shouldn’t start infusing that into your life because it is not easy to sustain that kind of life. If you are struggling and you start seeing yourself as a celebrity and living that life, you cannot sustain it. So, I saw acting as a career.

    How was your growing up like?

    My growing up was filled with love, though not in abundance because I lost my father at a tender age (three years); so we really didn’t have the privilege of knowing a father but my mum played both the role of the father and mother while I was growing up. One thing that was predominant in our lives as a family was being contented with what we had, coupled with love and hard work. That was what I knew while I was growing up.

    Fond memories while growing up

    One major significant thing I can remember is that whatever we had, we shared together in love and any form of dishonesty was never accommodated in my family. We didn’t have a choice than to be hardworking.

    Your educational background

    I hold a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile Ife and a Master’s degree in International Law and Diplomacy from the prestigious University of Lagos (Unilag) among other qualifications in executive, leadership and filmmaking professional courses. I am a mother and responsibly married to Olukayode Salako, the Head of National Secretariat, Buhari/Osinbajo Mandate Group in Abuja. I have always worked with my husband on credible social and political projects.

    What are some of your achievements in life?

    My greatest achievement is that of my family, husband and children; my career is secondary. My greatest joy is seeing people around me to love me. Achievement is being alive, then my family. The fact that you see people around you to love you, that is the greatest achievement of anyone.

    When was the turning point for you?

    I started acting at a very young age. I’m still very active in the acting industry; it’s just that I’ve tried to streamline it to other things such as management, producing, directing. What made me to digress a bit was the fact that acting became too monotonous for me. For me, I was finicky about scripts so I needed to do something more challenging and more interesting by going into the managerial part of making the play.

    It wasn’t quite challenging for me any longer and for me I needed to do things that were more challenging.  That was why I decided to add more feathers in my cap. So I went into the managerial part of a play by becoming a movie producer.

    Tell us some of the plays that you acted in or directed

    Well I have a whole lot of them but for the ones I did for others or the ones that I acted, the one I did for Saheed Balogun – Obanla; for Lekan – Aiyekan; for myself and the one I produced Cobwebs and the recent one My Blood. I have a whole lot of them.

    What are the challenges you encountered and how were you able to overcome them?

    Well, for me, I won’t call them challenges per se, because life itself is a challenge. Coming from where I was in the industry and getting to where I’m today is not a child’s play; it takes a lot of consistency, hard work and prayers. For anything you want to do in life, nothing good comes easy. All these actually toughened me to be able to work hard to achieve the set goals that I wanted to achieve in life.

    Let’s compare when you started acting and now, what has changed?

    When I started acting, my parents didn’t want me to go into it. My mum would say “you want to go and meet those people acting and coming from my background.” For my mum being a widow, it was not easy at all. I could remember taking some of my mentors to my mum to be able to convince her to allow me go into acting. I had to assure her that I was going to represent the family name well, so I had to sign an undertaking with my mum then that I was going to be a graduate and represent my family name well by not doing anything detrimental or derogatory to my family. That is why I did my best after my first degree. I also did my masters before I started acting and I try as much as possible to keep my home as well. Unlike now that most of our young actors just go into acting without the consent of their parents and they are doing exceedingly well.

    In what ways has acting changed your lifestyle?

    I would say it has made me to be careful in what I do. There is an adage that says ‘someone that people are looking up to is not looking elsewhere’. You that people are looking up to as a role model or a mentor, you have to set the right pace so that you don’t give the wrong impression about yourself. For me, this mindset has made me to be more careful in whatever I do in life because I don’t know who is watching. First impression, people say, always lasts longer. As much as possible, this has moulded me to watch my ways and what I do in life.

    What changes would you like to see in the entertainment industry?

    Having better structures being put in place by government, that is why I’m happy doing what I’m doing.

    I’m not so happy with most of our veteran actors now. These people had made positive impact in my life one way or the other and I always look up to them, now it’s sad to say that some of them are now sick. It’s only very few of them that are doing well, not all of them. I want a situation whereby these people can be proud to say that they have served their country and their country is taking care of them by impacting back into their lives and not for them to be living in misery and penury. That was why I set up a nongovernmental organisation in order to take care of our ailing actors, because a lot of my older colleagues are undergoing health challenges. So, for me, the changes I would like to see in the industry are structures that will cater for actors by the current administration. The reason is that Nollywood is the third in the world, and for the entertainment industry to make our country that proud, and then the industry deserves better attention. With all sense of humility, apart from corruption, one good thing Nigeria is known for is Nollywood. I for one with some others are afraid and don’t pray to experience what some of our older colleagues are going through now, that is why we are somehow making preparations for our retirement because there is no structure of provision in place by government. This is not obtainable in the developed countries at all.

    You were recently nominated as Brand Ambassador to Eliezer Properties, what impact has this made on you as a person?

    Well, apart from Eliezer Properties, I was also a brand ambassador for Suru Group Investment; the contract just got expired. Now to me as a brand ambassador, I’m not just there as a figure head but rather to see how to make the company to move forward. So, basically, as their brand ambassador I try as much as possible to bring in new initiative, innovative ideas for the company to move forward. This automatically will elongate my ambassadorial appointment with them. My being their ambassador implies that I must add value to them coupled with the fact that their market has a touch of the elitist class and that of grassroots. What my managing director of the company wanted was a mixture of both and someone coming from my background of someone that is well read and I relate well with the middle class and the grassroots. My being the brand ambassador fits in properly. He told me that I can fulfil the three classes perfectly well, hence I was nominated.

    Let’s talk about your upcoming event, what is it all about?

    The event will hold at Anchor Centre. We don’t want a situation whereby we will organise a seminar and people will not attend. It’s our fifth anniversary and I started Passion Against Rape and Abuse in Africa (PARAA) five years ago. Every year, I try as much as possible to give back to the industry and my community. Last year, I sponsored four young women that were involved in unwanted pregnancies by empowering them financially and materially and today that are doing well. This year, I want to reach out to my veteran colleagues in the industry. A lot of them have done so well for Nigeria and they deserve more.

    So in my own little way, I said to myself what can I do to bridge the gap between the actors and the people out there as a representation of Nollywood? So I’m organising a pension scheme through which PARA will be supporting about 10 veteran actors financially. Aside this, we will also be giving them stipend every month for their upkeep, all on November 29th.

     But for other veteran actors, we’ll be celebrating them,giving them awards. The aim is for people to understand that we are doing serious business and are having fun at the same time and we are celebrating life. Apart from the veteran project for this year, I’m also unveiling my clothing line on that day and it’s majorly for male. Most times I’m the one that styles my husband and this is how I developed passion for male clothing line and accessories, so I’m launching the clothing line on that day.

    What is your definition of style?

    My definition of style is to wear or use whatever I’m comfortable in and what makes me feel good. For me, style is not something that has to be elaborate or expensive, but something that makes me look good.

    What do you treasure most in life?

    My family: husband, children, my mother. My career is secondary.

    How do you relax?

    I read a lot, play games. I prefer to be indoors or I travel out of the country (at least three-four times a year) whenever I want to relax, because I spend most of my time outside.

    Do you believe in mentorship?

    Yes, of course, I do.

    Who are your mentors?

    My mother is my mentor; she represents true value of womanhood. My husband is my greatest critic. I was someone that was very impatient, but my husband has taught me to be patient. In America, Anita Baker represents entertainment and family. She is doing well in the industry and her home is intact. Celine Dion is also my mentor. In Nigeria, Aunty Joke Jacobs: she represents someone that has been able to combine the corporate world with Nollywood industry. Shola Shobowale represents motherhood’s true definition of professionalism, doggedness and determination. They all have what they represent in my life. To every individual I met I try as much as possible to learn or gain some things from them.

    What kind of person is your husband and how did you meet?

    My husband is Mr. Kayode Salako. He is a human rights activist. There was this programme he was doing at that time; that was how we met. We started as friends and today we are married. It’s been five years that we are married and I give God all the glory.

    Describe him in one word

    He is dogged and patient.

    How have you been able to joggle your marriage, career, humanitarian work together and are still sane?

    I place everything on a scale of priority; my family comes first. I will not jeopardise my family for anything in this world. Followed by my career, then others. I’ve been acting now for over 25 years; at a point it became monotonous to me,  that was when I started the humanitarian work.

    What is your assessment of women in the entertainment industry?

    I say kudos to the women in the entertainment industry. Every individual in the industry has a message to pass. You can’t take anybody for granted; we all have our calling in the industry. For women that struggle to bring out stories in the industry, I say kudos to them.

    Any plan to go into politics?

    Yes, of course. I’m first of all a celebrity before I became a politician. All my life I’ve been a card-carrying member, and I try as much as possible to be involved now because if you are not involved, you cannot complain.

    What is your philosophy about life?

    Live well, try and impact positively into humanity make a difference.

  • Virgins are rare gems!

    Dear Ma,

    Although I’m a boy, I love the articles you write and can’t wait to read them every weekend! May God bless and reward you!

    Akinola

     

    Dear Temi,

    I must confess you are amazing! I just love the way you go about your Chastity work. Thanks so much for what you are doing for girls. You are a powerful source of inspiration to many! May you continue to grow in God in Jesus name!

    Mani Queen (Cameroon)

     

    Dear Ma,

    I just want to tell you that I love you because you always inspire me with all your words and I must confess although we’ve never met or spoken, you are my second mum. My question is- “Do people really value virginity nowadays and being a virgin can you dress classy? Guys keep chasing me and whenever I rebuff their advances because I want to keep my virginity, they tell me it’s no big deal engaging in sex in my teens. I can’t love you less and I can’t wait to give you a tight hug whenever we meet. Thank you!

    Anonymous, 16+

     

    My sweet, sweet Anonymous,

    While you may be correct that people may no longer value virginity because of the depraved world we are today, I can also tell you for sure that anyone who is a virgin in this day and age is not only extra-ordinary and priceless, if not a super-human and would be deeply treasured by his/her spouse! This is Girls Club so let me concentrate on girls!

    Believe me; to start with, an average guy out there knows that one of the cheapest things to get is a female to satisfy his sexual urge. I can tell you a lot of guys/men are sleeping with girls, ladies and women they would never wish to marry or have their sons cleave with. Yes! Most males don’t want to imagine how many men have slept with who they want to keep for life, so finding a virgin who has most of the qualities they want in a lady is a treasure for life because they may not be expecting one to start with! Now, if I may ask- which would you prefer, a fairly-used car or a brand new one? I’m not condemning anyone who’s no longer a virgin but trying to guide the steps of upcoming girls and also re-direct the steps of those who have made mistakes to become secondary virgins and have the very best of life. TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT, ONCE YOU START ENGAGING IN PREMARITAL SEX IN YOUR TEENS, LIFE IS NEVER THE SAME AGAIN. JUST ONE SINGLE INTERCOURSE COULD RE-DIRECT YOUR LIFE’S TRAJECTORY AND TURN IT UPSIDE DOWN!

    Okay, please check out 10 reasons you are better off a virgin till marriage!

    1. Freedom from unwanted pregnancy/Abortion, STDs, Multiple Heartbreaks/depression etc.
    2. Freedom from transference of spirits from multiple sex partners which disintegrates and pollutes one’s life and could actually destroy it.
    3. Freedom from ungodly soul ties which could redesign your life.
    4. Freedom from choice of an entirely wrong or inappropriate marriage partner.
    5. Freedom from satanic diversion of your priceless virtues/what God has deposited in you to make you comfortable/shine in life.
    6. Sexual purity illuminates your soul and makes you spiritually-intelligent.
    7. Sexual purity could make you exceptionally brilliant because your soul is carrying a huge dose of God who knows all things.
    8. Sexual purity attracts goodness into your life because you are not bombarded by demons which flow from one sexual partner to the other.
    9. Sexual purity stands you out and makes you highly sought-after by men!
    10. Sexual purity makes you a power generator and too hot for the devil to handle!

    And most IMPORTANTLY- righteousness exalts while sin is a reproach! You just never can tell the type of destiny you carry and what it would require to manifest. Imagine if biblical Esther the slave girl was not a virgin; would she have become a queen in a foreign land? NO! Same for Joseph who became a prime minister in a foreign land at age 30 even after he was sold into slavery! Who knows what your sexual purity could fetch you?

    If you have long been engaging in premarital sex and you are reading, it would be in your best interest to become a Secondary Virgin i.e. abstain from sex till you get married. You will be amazed at what could become of your life if you totally abstain and let God flush you and give you a spiritual over-hauling! Mark my words; you will experience a rebirth that will shock even you as your spirit would shine like sparkling crystal!

    • To be continued

    I invite you to follow me on Facebook –TEMILOLU OKEOWO Instagram @ Okeowo Temilolu.

     

    FINAL WORD

     

    Chastity does not belong to the past. It saves you a lot of trouble, preserves your beautiful destiny and stands you out from the crowd. You are better off not engaging in pre-marital and extra-marital sex. Stay chaste!
    Evangelist Temilolu O. Okeowo is the founder and Head girl of The Girls Apostolic Ministry of All Nations, an apostolic ministry for girls in their teens and twenties, and Girls Club of Nigeria, an NGO for Nigerian girls aimed at influencing a positive change. She published her debut-book for girls – THE BEAUTY OF LIFE – as an undergraduate and has other books and publications. She was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2003 and is a Certified Forensics Examiner.

  • ISAAC OLADIPUPO: Why i resigned to co-found Afrilearn

    Isaac Oladipupo fell in love with books at a pretty early age. A graduate of Management Technology, who wrote his first book, Success Power, at the age of 21, and a former journalist at Genevieve Magazine, Oladipupo, in this interview with Dupe Ayinla-Olasunkanmi, speaks on his passion, Afrilearn, an EdTech company working to provide world-class education for Africans and ‘Success Stories Africa’ and mobilising to empower young Africans in developing communities across Nigeria.

     

    HOW was life after completion of your first degree?

    In 2012, I graduated from the Lagos State University and did my National Youth Service Corps in Obubra, Cross River, Nigeria. It was an interesting experience; story for another day! Shortly after my service year, I founded Mediawise Digital Agency to meet the increasing demands of media services from celebrities and organisations.

    In May 2013, I joined Daystar Christian Centre as a media executive.  Between 2014 and 2015, I completed my masters degree in public and international affairs at the University of Lagos.

    I eventually resigned my role at Daystar in 2019 to co-found Afrilearn, an EdTech company actively working to provide world-class education for Africans anywhere, alongside my resourceful friend, Gabriel Olatunji-Legend.

    What inspired founding Afrilearn, and what’s it all about?

    Afrilearn was inspired by the burning desire to fill a critical need which is fast becoming a menace across our continent. You see, nothing empowers like knowledge and with over 200 million youths in Africa, this continent’s future success is largely dependent on its ability to hone the skills of its youth population through quality education.

    As we speak, over 20 million young Nigerians are out of school. As a nation, we have only about 150 universities to cater for a country with over 200 million people. More sadly, we have over 263 million young people globally whose educational hopes are completely dashed.

    To solve this problem, Afrilearn was born to provide quality education for Africans anywhere through personalised online video classes that cover the educational curriculum from primary to tertiary levels.

    This means, as a student, you can now study at your pace on Afrilearn ahead of your class and ace your school examinations successfully. For schools, it means teachers can now have their students learn on the Afrilearn online platform to make their physical teaching experience far more seamless.

    Also, to reduce the over 80% WASSCE failure rate, Afrilearn also offers computer-based free past-questions and solutions for WASSCE, UTME, GCE, ICAN and other African examinations. This also means discerning schools can now partner with us to have their students gain access to use the Afrilearn platform when preparing for exams like WASSCE, as this would drastically increase the success rate of their students.

    All of these are accessible at myafrilearn.com, and we are open to collaborations with schools, relevant organisations and partners towards delivering this revolutionary project for the transformation of Africa’s educational sector.

    How challenging has it been building Afrilearn for Africans?

    To be candid, it’s a whole lot of work but we’re loving every bit of it not just because Africa is in dire need of this solution but also because young Africans deserve education at its best. It has been pretty challenging as we have had to bootstrap so far. We’ve enjoyed the support of a great team so far but we’re currently looking for audacious software developers who are genuinely passionate about building the future of Africa’s educational technology with Afrilearn.

    What stage would you say the Afrilearn project is currently at?

    Currently, we have over 10 years of computer-based free past questions and answers on the platform, and people have started making use of them. We are at the video classes content production phase and we have quite a long way to go. We are converting the entire education curriculum for primary, secondary and tertiary education into engaging video content. We want people to fall in love with learning, so we are delivering these contents with fun such that Africans anywhere can log on to the Afrilearn platform and have an exciting time learning irrespective of their level.

    We are also forming a coalition of the best teachers across the continent to help deliver these quality educational contents in a timelier manner.

    Tell us about ‘Success Stories Africa’

    Prior to now, alongside a solid team, I used to organise the ‘Success Stories Africa’, widely regarded as the most impactful gathering of young Africans in developing communities. At ‘Success Stories Africa’, we mobilise free conferences and life-changing skill acquisition training in Agriculture, Graphics Design, Fashion Designing, Make-up Artistry, Broadcasting, etc, to developing communities across the country.

    Several beneficiaries of our skill acquisition trainings have become budding entrepreneurs building on the valuable lessons and opportunities received at the conference. Many of them even began to train others with overwhelming feedback of changed lives.

    So far, we have held six editions of the annual ‘Success Stories Africa’ and empowered over 7000 youths across Nigeria. We, however, realised that model of empowerment wasn’t sustainable as people were asking for more, and the conference only held annually. These demands coupled with personal experiences and the disturbing discoveries made by my co-founder and I contributed to building what is now known as Afrilearn, which would include practical skill acquisition video contents, delivered online via technology.

  • Famous, long lasting monogamous MARRIAGES

     By Kehinde OLULEYE

     

    In this era where famous celebrity and other marriages are known to fall apart quickly, ending in acrimonious separations or bitter divorce, there are some couples who deserve special mention for keeping the marital flags flying.

    The challenges that marriages go through can be quite similar despite obvious differences. Money, trust, religious differences and sicknesses  are some of the issues. Some marriages end quickly in divorce and some in bitter separations.

    Generally, it’s not easy keeping a relationship. The turns and tides of life happen to all couples whether they are celebrities or not, but celebrity marriages come under greater strain. Most celeb marriages are formed under our watchful eyes and they grow under the scrutiny of fans. Every step orv misstep is analysed, praised and criticised, as the case may be.

    Maybe, that is the reason many famous marriages often come to infamous ends. This week, we look at the famous couples that have been together with their lovers for decades, giving us several relationship goals.

    It seems like only yesterday that these hot performers, academicians, leaders and nobles tied the knot.  Today, decades later, they are still at it and waxing stronger than ever.

    Here are some famous couples who have been in a monogamous marriage for several (two to over six) decades:

     

    Otunba Adekunle & Ojuolape Ojora

    These two have been together for over six decades.  They got married at very young ages of 25 and 22 respectively.  While Otunba Adekunle Ojora is 87, his wife,Ojuolape, the Erelu Oodua’a, is 80. In times past, their society shindigs were the talk of the town and graced the society pages of major newspapers for many years. In a society where marriages of famous people (celebrities) pack up barely months after lavish weddings, theirs is still growing stronger every day at over 60 years.

    Otunba Adekunle & Ojuolape Ojora
    Otunba Adekunle & Ojuolape Ojora

    While speaking with a national daily some time ago, the Erelu Oodu’a, Ojuolape Ojoraz gave a hint about the secret of the success of her marriage: “We have been married for close to 60 years. We got married at very young ages and this is because we love each other dearly. We have our ups and downs but we sort things out before they get out of hand. The secret that has helped our marriage is that we both give more than we take. Young couples of today should know that just as life is full of ups and downs, so also is marriage.”

     

    Yakubu & Victoria Gowon

    The former head of state  from 1966 to 1975, General Yakubu Gowon, married his sweetheart, Victoria (Nee Zakari), a trained nurse, at a ceremony held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Lagos, in 1969. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in April, this year.

    Yakubu & Victoria Gowon
    Yakubu & Victoria Gowon

     

    Femi & Funmi Falana

    Renowned lawyers, Femi and Funmi Falana’s names are synonymous with human rights activism and the law. And they are parents to the multi-talented Nigerian artist, Falz. Their marriage has been on for over 30 years.  Talking about their love in an interview with The Nation Newspaper in 2015, Funmi, one of Nigeria’s leading female lawyers, said: “The marriage has been over 30 years. I can only say that it was something designed by God. And that is why we are still together till today.”

    Femi & Funmi Falana
    Femi & Funmi Falana

     

    Olu Jacobs & Joke Silva

    They got married after meeting and hitting it off in 1981 at the Lagos National Theatre during a rehearsal for Wole Soyinka’s Jero’s Metamorphosis. The theater veterans are absolutely adorable. They are one of Nollywood’s finest and their union is an example of what true love can achieve against all odds. They have been together for over three decades.

    Olu Jacobs & Joke Silva
    Olu Jacobs & Joke Silva

     

    Ngozi Okojie-Iweala & Ikemba Iweala

    Dr Okonji-Iweala, is the former Nigeria’s Finance Minister,the first female to hold the position. She is married to Dr. Ikemba Iweala, a neurosurgeon. And they have been together for over four decades.

    Ngozi Okojie-Iweala & Ikemba Iweala
    Ngozi Okojie-Iweala & Ikemba Iweala

     

    Pete & Josephine Edochie

    Veteran actor and the dominant face in several epic movies, Pete Edochie, who became famous for his perfect translation of the protagonist of Chinua Achebe’s “Things Fall Apart”, which has been adjudged many times as one of Africa’s greatest novels; and wife-Josephine, have been together for 46years.

     

    Read Also: Famous divorced celebrities yet to remarry

     

    Eze Herbert & Kema Chikwe

    Chief (Mrs) Kema Chikwe, the former Minister of Transport, and then Aviation, during former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration and hubby, Eze Herbert Chikwe, celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, April 8, this year.The Chikwes are the parents of Nigerian rapper, Naeto C.

    Eze Herbert & Kema Chikwe
    Eze Herbert & Kema Chikwe

     

    Emeka & Olubunmi Anyaoku

    Former Commonwealth Secretary General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku,and wife, Olubunmi, have been married for 57 years. Precisely, in December, 1961, Anyaoku, then a CDC Executive Officer, came in contact with a 20- year-old lady, Ebunola Olubunmi Solanke, at a bachelor’s eve party, which he and his flatmate hosted for a friend of theirs in Lagos; and they got wedded a year later at the Anglican Cathedral Church in Lagos on  November,1962.

    Emeka & Olubunmi Anyaoku
    Emeka & Olubunmi Anyaoku

     

    Peter & Mary Odili

    Former Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, and his lovely wife, Justice Mary Odili, got married in 1979. They have been together for 40 years and are waxing stronger.

     

    Donald & Onari Duke

    The ex-Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, and Institutions, first met at the Ahmadu Bello University, where they were students. Donald was a year ahead of Onari, and he met her while campaigning for the elections to the student union. They got married in 1986 (33years).

     

    Omotola  & Captain Matthew Ekeinde

    Sexy Nigerian actress, singer, philanthropist and former model, Omotolaz met hubby when she was just 16 years and they got married when she was 18 years of age. They have been together for 23 years.

    Omotola  & Captain Matthew Ekeinde
    Omotola  & Captain Matthew Ekeinde

     

    Nkiru and Willy Anumudu

    When you talk about powerful society couples in Nigeria, the names of high society couple, Willy of Globe Motors  and socialite wife, Nkiru, will pop up. They got married in December, 1986 and they have remained prominent in the social and business cycles.

     

    Soni Irabor and Betty Irabor

    Ace broadcaster, Soni Irabor, and wife,Betty, Nigerian columnist, philanthropist, writer, publisher and founder of Genevieve magazine, have been together for 36 years and waxing strong.

     

    Soni Irabor and Betty Irabor
    Soni Irabor and Betty Irabor

  • How I escaped the war front as 16-yr-old Biafran soldier — Senator Nimi Amange

    Senator Nimi Amange former represented Bayelsa East in the upper chamber of the National Assembly. Recently, he threw the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party into distress when he suddenly defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with his supporters. The lawyer and petroleum engineer spoke with PAUL UKPABIO on the reasons for his action, his lifestyle and other issues of interest.

     

    You trained as a lawyer. Are you still into legal practice? It is difficult to marry politics with other things unless you are just a political appointee. But if you want to hold an elective office, it is difficult to marry that with law practice. You cannot be going to court and contesting election. So I hardly practice these days because I’m still in politics.

     You look trim and fit. What is your fitness secret?

    (Laughs) I have always looked fit and trim. I try to keep fit. I always check the state of my health. I try not to eat more than two times a day.

     You stay more in your Nembe home town these days. Why do you prefer staying there to living in the city?

    Yes, I live more in the village. I actually don’t leave the village unless I have a very important thing to do or attend to outside the village. I rarely go to the city because I like to be with my people. I am a politician, and as the leader of my people, I could need their votes at any time. So I have to live with them and identify with their daily issues and challenges so that when I am representing them, I would not be a stranger to their needs. That is why I live here in the village.

     You studied Petroleum Engineering and Law. If you were a youth, what would you prefer doing for livelihood in the Nigeria of today?

    Initially, I wanted to study Medicine after reading law, just to keep my brain alive, but I could not because of political activities. When I left employment as a petroleum engineer, I decided to concentrate on politics. I was good in the sciences, and that was why I was able to study petroleum engineering. As a matter of fact, except for Religions Knowledge and English, I did not do any other arts subject. I had a good focus on the science subjects.

    After Petroleum Engineering, I wanted to read Law because I was always pushed to leadership positions. At that time also, I wanted to study Law because I wanted to be on my own. I didn’t want to continue to work for the government or work for some other organisations, so I started thinking of a profession that I could go into and be on my own. I also studied Law because I took it as a challenge to excel even in the arts despite being a science major.

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan said he grew up not wearing shoes. What was your own condition like in your early years?

    (Laughs) Well, in my own case, I went to school during the day and fished at night. It was from the proceeds of fishing that I was able to pay for my school fees throughout secondary school.

    Who were your role models as a youth?

    I don’t really think I had a role model when I was much younger. But something kept me going, and that was the fact that I was in Biafra during the civil war. I saw the industry that was being exhibited by the Igbo then. Though I was still going for fishing at night to sustain myself, I took to trading early in life. That is why when I was in secondary school I didn’t find life so difficult. I had grown up fishing and engaging in small trading. That was the beginning of my business activities.

    I remember that after secondary school I went to teach. My salary then was N125. I started business with my first salary. I didn’t even buy any personal thing for myself; not even bathroom slippers. I went to Aba to buy articles, returned to Nembe and sell. My stay in Igbo land helped me because I started speaking Igbo language and I was able to trade with them.

     As a child, what inspired you to seek education?

    After Biafra, I returned to Nembe and finished primary school. My mother was happy and she encouraged me to go find a teaching job. But I believed in education. And before I left for Igbo land, a secondary school had already been established in Nembe by the Catholic Church in 1965, and I saw how nicely they dressed in white shorts, shirt, canvass and socks and I was in love with it and wanted to be one of them. So I did my secondary school in Nembe, moved to Warri and then to Port Harcourt. But I attended the Law School in Lagos.

     What was your experience in Biafra?

    I am already working on a book about my Biafra experience. It was quite an experience. I was conscripted into Biafra army at age 16 and had three weeks training. Thereafter, we were to go to the war front and fight. But luckily enough for me, my aunt who I was staying with had a discussion with a colonel in the Biafra army who was a man from Nembe. The Colonel drafted me to S&T (Supply and Transport) and that was how I escaped going to the war front.

     When was the turning point in your life?

    At the end of my studies, I worked at Elf Petroleum, now Total. And after 15 years, I decided that I was leaving the services of Elf Petroleum. Some people thought I was mad to have taken such a decision because I was in a good position and earning a good salary. But I just decided that I would leave, even as the Chairman of the Elf branch of PENGASSAN. I regard that as my turning point because at that time, I was not ripe for retirement. My age was not up to retirement, but I felt I had to leave.

    When I left the employment of Elf Nigeria Limited, which is now Total E&P, I did not go home with any money, because after my gratuity and all other outstandings, I was in the negative by N366,000 because I had taken a loan to build a house and another loan to buy a vehicle. Knowing that the following month I was not going to receive salary, I still took the bold step to leave regular employment, moved to Abuja and went straight into politics in March 1998, during the formation of PDP as a party.

     

    ” I was conscripted into the Biafra army at age 16 and had three weeks training. Thereafter, we were to go to the war front and fight. But luckily enough for me, my aunt who I was staying with had a discussion with a colonel in the Biafra army who was a man from Nembe. “

     

     Is it really true that you have left the Peoples Democratic Party?

    I have left the PDP. I left the party when I found that an individual had decided to take over the party. This is not the way it was when we brought the party to Yenogoa. Party leaders were meeting regularly then to take decisions that affected the party. Party leaders allowed primaries and supported winners after general contest. But now, an individual, because he has been elected governor, decided that all the councilors must be his boys, all the eight chairmen of local governments must be his boys. Annoyingly, the person he picks to be his deputy governor is from the same local government with him. I looked at it and noticed that the national body did not do anything about it, so I had to leave for where I can be useful to my people. That was why I left to join APC. Definitely by the grace of God, APC will win the gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State.

     You said somewhere that your hometown Nembe did not have a secondary school until 1965. Are you happy with the state of education in Nembe today?

    This is one of the problems I have with the incumbent governor of the state. Former Governor Sylva, who is from Nembe, established a college of education before any higher institution in the whole area. But when the incumbent governor came, the first thing he did was to move that College of Education to his village. Have you ever heard of that? After that, he has established two other higher institutions within his own area. Does he expect us to be happy with his action?

    If you were given the opportunity to go to the Senate again, what do you think you would add?

    I am always working for my people. I joined politics because I wanted my place to develop the way the other places are developing. I am also worried about the 13 per cent derivation money. We are the major oil producing community but we are not getting anything out of it. We are getting nothing because the governor believes that the money is a windfall and he uses it the way he likes. It is unlike other states like Abia, Imo, Edo and Delta where they have created oil producing area development committees. Once money comes from the

    federation account, that is the 13% derivation, it is shared between the state and the oil producing area development committees, which uses its portion to develop the same communities. But in Bayelsa, it is the other way around.

    I think that Bayelsa is one of the states where that kind of committee does not exist, meaning that here, the producing areas do not have any development. You can see that the road from Secretariat to Nembe was constructed by NDDC and STDC. The governor did not do anything. If I am back in the Senate, I will try to see that the money can be channeled directly to the oil producing communities, maybe not by way of cash, but by way of projects. Also the Petroleum Industry Bill that has been lingering for so many years, I would try to ensure that the bill sees the light of day so that the nation can benefit from that if the bill is passed.

    For some time now, it seems the agitation in the creeks has subsided almost to zero point. What would you adduce that to?

    The success goes to the combined effort of the communities and the Nigerian security forces. They have indeed done a good job. The amnesty programme has helped too. Most of the boys were moved, some went for training abroad, and some have been back and are now working as entrepreneurs. From the analysis given by NNPC, pipeline vandalism is still there but not as high as it was some years ago. But they are still working hard to see that it is pushed to the barest minimum.

    You paid your way through school through fishing in the coastal waters of Bayelsa State. How is the business of fishing now in the state? Is it growing compared to the time you were growing up?

    It is not the way it was in those days. Then, you could fish and move out of your community. Paddle for just 10 minutes outside your community and you would get a whole lot of fishes. But now, you must move very far into the sea before you can get fish because of the pollution of the water. So we are not enjoying the fishing activities like we used to do in those days.

     Your hometown Nembe is about 15 kilometres away from Oloibiri where oil was first found in Nigeria. It is surrounded by about 200 oil wells. How rich is the average person in your hometown? What is the average standard of living in your place?

    Well the community is in the hands of the chiefs. I don’t know what takes place in other communities in the whole of Bayelsa State because I have not visited all. But I can say that this is the only community in Bayelsa state where the government is not doing anything in terms of development, because the electricity that we are enjoying is an understanding between the oil producing companies and the community. They gave us generators and gave us diesel to run them. Government does not care whether you have electricity or not. Then the portable water we enjoy in the community was given to us in the early 70s when Elder Spiff was the governor. We service the water system. The community chiefs do the regulation. If there is pump failure, it is the community chiefs that see to it. We don’t have local government activities here because the local government chairman lives in Yenegoa. He visits once in a while to come and pay salaries and returns to his place. Those are the issues.

     You have not contested an election in a long while. Do you have a plan to do so?

    If I have a space, I will try my best. But power belongs to God. I still have the interest of my people and I believe that they too believe in me; that I can represent them effectively. So if there’s a chance to go back to the Senate, I will do that.

    Do you really miss the Senate?

    Not exactly, but I am not interested in executive positions. I prefer the Senate because law making is about the development of one’s area and community. Some people may think that executive positions are better, but for me, I know I can contribute to the development of my people more from the Senate.

  • Six things every man wants in a relationship

    Praise Olowe

    Psychologists and relationship experts say men are from Mars and women from Jupiter, meaning they are so very different.

    This might be the reason why two people can be in love, but can’t seem to live together or relate to each other in harmony.

    Men and women are human beings, but their needs are very different.

    As women, therefore, it is important to learn how to relate with the special man in your life to get the best from him, and be a fulfilled woman.

    Respect:
    Men are wired in a peculiar way, what do I mean by this? Every man wants to be treated with respect from his woman. For men, their ego is of utmost importance.

    As such, the wise woman will treat her man with utmost respect.

    How do I show respect? Some ladies ask, by deferring to him, in all things, by not criticizing him to anyone, by treating him like your man.

    Why? Because in every man there is a king, and a boy, treat him like a king and he will treat you like a queen.

    Love:
    Every man wants his woman to love him. How? Give unconditional love. Show him affection. Be nice to him, especially when times are rough or he is feeling down.

    Treat him with kindness always, not only when he buys you things or is nice to you. As human beings, we need love the most when we deserve it the least. So treat your man with the kindness you would extend to your baby, spouse, or dearest relative, come what may and he will show you the same.

    Feed him with his love language, for some its acts of service, for others, words of affirmation, or touch. Whatever it is, find out what your man likes or wants.

    Commitment:
    Committing to a relationship is a big step for any man, so when you have a man who has made a commitment to you, either in marriage or relationship, pay him the same compliment.

    No games, please. Be transparent in your commitment.

    For some reasons, many ladies think it is okay to keep more than one man, but it is really not worth it.

    Integrity:
    Every man wants a woman he can trust. Not one who says one thing in the morning and another thing at night. But one who is so reliable. So ladies, no lies, no tricks.

    Don’t be in Lagos and say you are in Abuja, the truth can never be hidden for long, and a lie will always be exposed. Also, honesty; which is an integral part of integrity builds trust and sustains a relationship.

    Be the type of woman your man can trust.

    Industriousness:
    An industrious woman is hardworking, whether in keeping the home or maintaining the equilibrium in the relationship, or her workplace.

    There are ladies today who can’t cook, clean, wash or keep their environments clean.

    Also, the reality of the financial situation in the country demands that women work, if not outside the home, but at least do something to supplement the family income.

    The truth is that most guys today are not ready to commit themselves to women who don’t have a means of livelihood as they are seen as liabilities.

    Read Also: Six messages you should never send to your ex after break up

    Homeliness:
    Every man wants a woman who is homely, one that will make a house into a home.

    No man wants a woman about town, one who goes everywhere, never remaining at home. There is an art to this, and it must be learned at all costs.

    This trait was taught and cherished in traditional African societies that have been thrown out of the window in the name of civilization.

    You should always find time out of your busy schedule to spend moments with your man and family.

  • Behold celebs who married colleagues on the job

    By Kehinde OLULEYE

     

    They came into the industry looking for a source of livelihood but also found love along the line. That is the story of an array of Nigerian actors, actresses, singers and sports men and women who found their better halves while shooting films, interpreting roles, belting out great hits or taking part in sporting activities.

    Love, as the saying goes, knows no bounds. Emotions can run riot while people spend weeks away from everyone else trying shooting movies, cooking musical hits or even advocating for the rights of others as it is the case with the following couples.

    Olu Jacobs & Joke Silva

    The theatre veterans are absolutely adorable. They are one of Nollywood’s finest and their union is an example of what true love can achieve against all odds. They have been together for more than three decades. They had met in 1981 at the Lagos National Theatre during a rehearsal for Wole Soyinka’s “The Trials of Brother Jero”.

    Explains how they met in an interview with a newspaper in 2017, Jacobs, one of Nigeria’s living screen legends, said: “ I was living in England at that time. I was to play lead in Wole Soyinka’s ‘The Trials of Brother Jero’.  We were having the production when the door opened and this lady walked in and said: ‘Sorry, we are ready’. When she walked in, I said: ‘Excuse me ladies and gentlemen, this is the lady I am going to marry’. You know bodies can attract and bodies can repel. I saw her and I was attracted…she was stunned even though she gave me up and down.”

    Norbert and Gloria Young

    These two Nollywood veterans have been married for almost two decades. Theirs is one of Nollywood’s oldest and very successful marriages. Norbert clocked 60 in July and his wife serenaded him with kind, loving words on social media.

    Wunmi and Tunde Obey

    These veteran showbiz couple wear similar clothes and their bond is obviously strengthened by years of working together. They were best friends for many years before they decided to tie the knot and their love for each other is waxing stronger every day. The couple, who have been together for many decades, first met as undergraduates and pursued a common interest in music.

    Read Also: How celebrity marriages can work, by Omotola Jalade

    Sunday Omobolanle & Peju Ogunmola

    When it comes to Yoruba movies, Omobolanle, popularly known as Papi Luwe, and Ogunmola are no new faces. They are some of  Nollywood’s biggest acts. Papi Luwe is a cross-generational artist who has featured in several movies and quite a few with his wife.

    Patrick and Ireti Doyle

    Veteran broadcaster-cum-actor and Nollywood actress,Patrick  and Ireti Doyle, are a lovely couple who got married after the former lost his first wife. Both are accomplished celebs in their own right. Ireti has been quite active of recent featuring in some of Nollywood’s biggest hits.

    Ladi & Betty (Dibiah) Akeredolu-Ale

    Channels Television fans will know that Ladi and sweet voice and eloquent Betty met when they were both staff of the popular TV station, Channels TV;  and apparently all kinds of sparks flew because they dated and got married some years later.

    Funke Akindele & JJC Skillz

    Abdulrasheed Bello, known professionally as JJC Skillz, is a Nigerian actor, songwriter, rapper, record, television producer and former producer for the British hip-hop record company and musical group Big Brovaz. Actress and producer, and exquisite dander, Funke Akindele of the Jenifa fame, is the other half of this beautiful celeb couple. They got married in 2016.

    Banky W & Adesua  Etomi

    What a sweet, good-looking and adorable pair that these two make and you just can’t help but love them. This couple after the make-believe marriage on set of ‘Wedding party’, turned their on-screen love wedding into a real-life relationship.

    Adekunle Gold & Simi

    Nigerian highlife singer, songwriter and graphic designer, Adekunle Kosoko, professionally known as  Adekunle Gold, and singer and songwriter wife, Simisola Ogunleye, who is very well-known as Simi,  are a very low-key and private couple, which is what makes them so sweet. They don’t need to flaunt their love nor prove anything to anyone. The couple, who are both successful singers, were lovers for a very long time before they got married.

    Isaac & Nneka Moses

    The founders of Goge Africa( a pan-African cultural project with aim of promoting African culture, music, food and her ways of life through television, radio and magazines), the duo of Isaac and Nneka Moses, worked together at a point and got married along the line.

    2Baba & Annie Idibia

    Nollywood actress, Annie Idibia, is married to Nigerian singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, Innocent Idibia, or as he’s more commonly known, 2Face Idibia or 2baba. The pair were friends first but had started dating officially by the time they shot the ‘African Queen’ video in 2004. They got married in Dubai on March 23, 2013. These two sexy entertainers make one hot couple! Whether they are posing for a quick photo or walking on the red carpet, their sweet chemistry is ever so obvious.

    Ibrahim Suleiman & Linda Ejiofor

    Nollywood actor and actress, Ibrahim and Linda, met on set of TV series, ‘Tinsel’, and became fast friends. These two took their relationship to the next level and last year, they both tied the knot.

    Mide Martins & Afeez Owo Abiodun

    These Nollywood actors and producers  fell for each other after the death of Mide’s mother, the late veteran actress, Funmi Martins. The two quietly started dating and formalised the relationship in a private ceremony. We learnt Afeez reportedly had a crush on Mide for years.

    Aruna & Ganiyat Quadri

    Nigerian table tennis player, Aruna Quadri, competed for Nigeria at the 2012 Summer Olympics and 2016 Summer Olympics, reaching the quarter-finals in the latter competition. He plays for the senior men’s team while his wife, Ganiyat, plays for the junior National Team. They met, fell in love and got married while playing tennis.