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Tag: experience

  • EXPERIENCE HAS TAUGHT ME NOT TO SATISFY ANYONE –YORUBA ACTRESS ABIOLA ADEBAYO AKA ‘EYIN OKA’

    EXPERIENCE HAS TAUGHT ME NOT TO SATISFY ANYONE –YORUBA ACTRESS ABIOLA ADEBAYO AKA ‘EYIN OKA’

    Popular Yoruba actress, Abiola Adebayo, widely known as ‘Eyin Oka’, is presently back on the scene after a break. She speaks with DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI on her broken marriage, career and future plans.

    YOU seem to have cut down on your appearance in movies. Why?

    I was not around for a while but I’m very much around now, so you’ll definitely start seeing more of me.

    Is it because you also have other engagements aside filming?

    Yes, a lot. That’s me. I have a lot I’m into. I’m still a TV presenter and also into buying and selling. I’m into cosmetics and beauty products too.

    Acting is something that doesn’t give you the time to do other things. I’ve not acted for a while because I had to do other things. If you truly want to do other things, it would certainly affect your acting career.

    Acting is jealous. Because of the other things that I had to do, I stayed off the scene for a while. But I’m back, and now I present a TV programme called Identical. I presented a Yoruba programme about seven years ago. Most people think Yoruba actresses cannot speak good English, but when the producer of Identical watched me perform in the Super Story drama series, she was impressed.

    Do you feel your background has also contributed to your quiet lifestyle as a celebrity?

    ‎Experience has taught me not to satisfy anyone at the expense of my happiness because no matter how you try, you can never please people. I’ve learnt to please God and myself.

    What are your expectations this year?

    ‎I’ve learnt to trust solemnly in God, because what God doesn’t give you, you can’t get anywhere. ‎Life has taught me to be honest with people regardless, because no matter what, the truth will always prevail.

    What is your present relationship status?

    I’m single but not searching.

    I’m aware you got married some years back. Do you mind clearing the air on what happened?

    Nothing happened, we just had to part ways because of some sensitive issues, but we’re very good friends. He’s a nice guy.

    Are you saying you opted out of the marriage?

    I didn’t opt out. We sat down and we agreed and decided to move on. So, it was between the two of us because we found ourselves in a situation that was beyond our control. So we had to let go, regardless of all that we shared.

    A quick flash to your rise to stardom

    I’m from a very humble background. I had to hawk different stuffs to survive but I thank God for His mercies. I’m a graduate of History/International Relations, Lagos State University. Actually, I started my acting career with Wale Adenuga Productions. I have appeared in some editions of Super Story and Papa Ajasco TV drama series. Also, I played a role in Family Affairs, a TV soap.

    My first appearance in a Yoruba movie titled, Eyin-Oka brought me to the limelight. It was produced by Ademola Adelakun. People still call me Biola ‘Eyin-Oka.’ It is not my surname. My name is Abiola Adebayo. People don’t even know my surname. I’ve not been able to detach myself from that title. But it is okay. After the movie, I have played lead roles in many other movies.

    How would you relate your personal experience as one who has been in the business of hawking to that of Olajumoke, the former ‘Agege bread’ seller?

    Her story is just reminding us that God is still a miracle worker. God can turn any situation around in a second. He doesn’t need anybody’s opinion or approval, He doesn’t even need qualifications or connection to bless anyone. I see God at work in her life. I pray God will perfect that which he started and I also pray for grace for her, grace to hold on to God, grace not to misbehave, grace to always return all the glory to giver of fame, money and life (God Almighty).

    You sound quite religious… are you in the real sense religious or a moralist?

    I’m a devout Christian. I love God.

    How have you been able to sustain your strong belief as a Christian through the years, irrespective of being an actress?

    Being an actress does not have anything to do with my belief. Acting is a profession. That’s what I do to earn a living. I’m saved by his grace and his grace has been sustaining me. I’m not perfect but God’s mercies are new every day. I don’t joke with my spiritual life. That’s all that made me and that’s me. I enjoy His presence, I enjoy being in the gathering of His people. I’m proud to be a Child of God.

    Do you like associating yourself to a particular church?

    Anyway, I’m a lover of good church, as long as it’s a bible believing church; a church were they worship God in truth and in spirit, a church where the true gospel is preached.

    Is it true that you don’t like the name Eyin Oka?

    Well, I don’t like being called Eyin Oka because it’s not my name, it’s a name of a movie. I have more beautiful names than that. Does Eyin Oka sounds as beautiful as Abiola, Abiodun, Ayomide? Does it? I can pardon anyone who wants to talk to me but doesn’t know my real name but not a friend. If you call me Eyin Oka, you’re not a friend but a fan.

    Okay… let’s say I’m a friend and a fan and I call you Eyin-Oka in public (apologies)… what would you do?

    I’ll greet you but there might not be much familiarity as much as someone who addresses by my name. I’ll understand if you don’t know my name but if you do, I don’t expect you to but nevertheless, I’ll still greet you well.

    What is your philosophy about life?

    In whatever you do, put God first; be determined and stay focused. Even if it’s not looking like it now, just hold on to God, He’ll bring it to pass.

  • ‘My experience as a naturopathic doctor’

    •Continued from last next week.

    The treatments offered by Naturopathic doctors like myself are simple, inexpensive, none invasive, causes no harm to the body and they are designed to treat the root causes of diseases. A naturopath takes time to find out what is causing the problem in his patient’s body.

    He patiently goes through the patient’s lifestyle, elimination history, eating and drinking habits, sexuality, work ethics, relationships, spiritual realities, etc. in order to form a big picture of the whole essence of this individual in his diagnosis, before deciding on what form of treatment to embark on. This is because we treat the body as a whole, we practise what we call total healing.

    As Naturopaths, we also use the best of today’s technology to help the body heal itself and this is called electro-medicine. In nature, everything vibrates at unique frequencies. Plants, physical objects, cells of the body, all body organs, pathogens like viruses and bacteria, all have their unique frequencies. These frequencies are all known for a long time now and are programmed into machines called frequency generators. Frequency generators have been around for decades. A scientist called Royal Rife researched and used frequencies to cure cancer in the 1920s and 1930s. When the frequency of your disease has been neutralised, the disease miraculously disappear from your system. We use these high-tech machines in our treatments today in my practice to destroy pathogens that cause diseases in the human body like HIV, hepatitis, ulcers, cancer, etc. This is a very fast, painless, effective and inexpensive treatment and it helps the body rid itself of even the most malignant of diseases.

    Naturopathy is a highly developed medical system and naturopathic doctors are at the fore-front of healing as we have it today. We Naturopaths firmly believe that, “there are no incurable diseases, there are only people who think they are incurable”, according to Dr. John R. Christopher. Most medical experts today have already concluded that what modern medicine is excellent at today is treatment of acute problems as in emergency medicine, such as all manner of accidents, broken bones, resuscitation, heart attacks,  infections, etc., where well trained doctors and surgeons can actually save your life in the emergency room.

    However, if I’m unlucky enough to develop a chronic disease like cancer, HIV, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis or stroke, I will stay well away from allopathic doctors and instead look for a competent Naturopath for help. This is because modern allopathic medicine have already publicly declared numerous times that it has not yet found a “cure” for such diseases, so why would I offer myself to so called “modern medicine” as a guinea pig or as one of their cash cows, so they can keep milking me and making money off my misery till I eventually pass away, a broken man! Instead I will be looking for real cures with medical practitioners who have been having successes upon successes treating these types of malignant diseases since the time of Hippocrates the father of medicine.

    The treatments offered by Naturopathic doctors like myself are simple, inexpensive, none invasive, causes no harm to the body and they are designed to treat the root causes of diseases. A naturopath takes time to find out what is causing the problem in his patient’s body.

    • To contact Dr Afolabi, call 07068230475, 08121206541, 07061360029 or 09056407384. Email- bafolabi@hotmail.com
    • To be concluded next week.
  • UBA customer relives Dubai experience

    UBA customer relives Dubai experience

    Customers, who recently visited Dubai courtesy UBA Awoof promo, have described their experience an exciting journey that would continue to sustain their bond with the bank.

    According to the bank, the 20 lucky customers on the trip had emerged as winners in the Remittance Awoof Promotion organised by the bank to reward customers that had received remittances through MoneyGram and Western Union from any UBA business office across the country.  Sixty other customers were rewarded with beautiful other gift items.

    “The trip is part of the bank’s efforts to reward loyalty, give back to the society and impact the lives of individuals that carry out business with the bank,” the bank said.

    One of the lucky customers, Benita Ojeh, Asaba, Delta State, said: “This is more like a miracle to me. I never believed this would ever happen to me. I am immensely grateful to UBA and most importantly very proud that a bank could reward a customer with a dream trip like this”.

    Ojeh excitement was occasioned by the five-star treatment enjoyed in the prestigious J5 Rimal Rotana Apartments, with each customer allocated a own room each; opportunity to take photographs at various tourism sites in Dubai including the Burj Khalifa, the tallest man made structure in the world.

    Directorate Head, Public Sector Group, Marketing, Mr. Oliver Alawuba, said UBA is more than happy to reward loyal customers because UBA believes that loyal customers deserve to be rewarded.

    He assured that UBA will continue to “reward customers who remain loyal to the bank and do repeat business with us”.

    Already, UBA says plans are at an advanced stage to roll out another Awoof promotion next  January.

  • Nigerite opens Kalsi Experience centre

    Nigerite opens Kalsi Experience centre

    Nigerite Limited has inaugurated a Kalsi Experience Centre at its corporate headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos.

    The structure, a storey, offers a glimpse into the dry construction system compared with the traditional brick and mortar (wet) process.

    Apart from the foundation of the building, which was done with the wet process, the other parts comprising the floors, claddings, partitions, along with the internal and external walls and ceilings, comprise the Kalsi building boards.

    “Let’s journey to the future of the country,” Frank Le Bris, Nigerite’s managing director, said adding that the use of Kalsi board solutions is a step in the right direction.

    He said the board solution is the future of Nigerite and the building industry in Nigeria.

    While insisting that the Kalsi boards are not intended to displace the wet methods but to complement and create an alternative for builders, the company, however, stressed that the advantages of the boards over the traditional methods are endless, as it can save up to 70 per cent of construction time.

  • ‘Ministering at EXPERIENCE inspired me to do more’

    ‘Ministering at EXPERIENCE inspired me to do more’

    You run into Onos Ariyo, a gospel sensation, at the Wise Women’s Awards on Sunday at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Lagos, clinching the award in the music category. Happily, she talks about what the award means to her and how it would spur her to do more. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, she reveals how it all started, life as a French graduate, inspiration, challenges and memorable moments

    HOW did it all start? Music started for me very early. That was in my church in Delta State, called Jesus Dominion Mission. I have been in the choir all my life. I actually started from a tender age at about eight years old in Warri. When I finished at the university, Delta State University, things began to take shape.

    I studied French and when I was done with my exams, I came to Lagos for my National Youths Service programme. I was actually posted to work with American Wireless Company which was new at that time. Then I wasn’t really doing anything related to French which I studied.

    It was after my youth service that I did a little bit of French translation for a couple of individuals. When I left that, I worked with Eko Hotels and Suites for a while. At the Eko Hotels, I was under the guests’ relations unit. That was a beautiful experience for me, and I did this for a couple of years. I learnt a number of things there, and, for me, no knowledge is lost.

    Why did you study French?

    I would say that I stumbled into it. I actually wanted to study Law. Then I entered the university through pre-degree and along the line getting admission for Law wasn’t working and I had to switch over. Interestingly, I fell in love with French along the line and I am grateful that the opportunity came my way. I have done a couple of translations while I was still recording my first album, which was in 2010. My debut album is titled ‘Keep Moving’ and it had ten tracks. The second is titled, ‘No Limits’, and it is my sophomore album. It had songs like Alagbara.

    What are the things that inspire you?

    Different things. The things I see around me, things that happen to other people as well as things that have messages to convey to others. For instance, my first song was called, ‘Have your way, Lord,’ a worship song. And the latest song is titled Ogheneme, meaning my God, my God.

    The music industry is very competitive at the moment; there are lots of people doing great songs. What do you think would make you stand out?

    I believe that it is the God in me that is making me stand out. The truth about the kind of music that we do is that people love to worship and for those that love to worship, they would always love the kind of music that we do.

    Is there anyone else who does music in your family?

    No, it’s just me.

    So, we can say it doesn’t run in the family?

    No, it’s not like it doesn’t run in the family. A lot of my siblings like to sing but I am the only one doing music professionally.

    What are the challenges?

    There are a number of challenges, like trying to get your songs out there. It is not always easy, but now things are changing. It’s a lot easier now because we now have the social media, a platform where you are discovered. There are lots of blogs and people now push out their songs with the internet. That is actually helping to market our songs. It is getting better but we are not yet there.

    Apart from the recent Wise Women award which you got recently, what are the other recognitions in your kitty?

    I have been nominated for a couple of awards. I’ve won the Nigerian Gospel Music Award 2011, Crystal Awards 2012 and this year I was nominated for the Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA) in the United Kingdom under the gospel category. My nominations are numerous.

    Let’s talk about some of your memorable moments

    I have had a couple of memorable moments that actually inspire me to do more. One of them was the first time that I ministered at the EXPERIENCE, which was in 2010. There, I did a remix of my song ‘Dance’ and it was awesome. Another memorable moment was when I ministered last year also at the EXPERIENCE at the Tafawa Balewa Square. These are things that I look back at and I am grateful to God for doing what I am doing.

    For a lot of our musicians, they start very well, but after a while, you do not get to hear about them anymore. What do you think is wrong?

    I do not see myself switching to other areas because I know where I am going. When I started music, I wasn’t married but now I am married, I can tell you that marriage is not going to be a problem. So, I do not fall into that category at all. My husband is very supportive, he supports what I do. I thank God for meeting someone like him.

    Is he also in the entertainment line?

    Kunmi Ariyo is the CEO of Mirus Event. He is into event management and he understands what I do. When I saw him, I saw a man who would release me and allow God to use me for what He has called me to do. That, for me, was heavenly. That, I have seen him do regularly. He is very supportive and I mean it. He gives me maximum support. In him, I saw a man with a vision, a loving vision.

    Was it love at first sight?

    No, I won’t say it was love at first sight. I think it was love that was seen.

    What advice do you have for young people?

    I think they should be dedicated and hardworking. As a young person, it is important to follow your dreams, don’t let it die. Keep your vision alive because God had given you something unique. He has given you something that is your gift and you should do everything to make it a reality. Don’t let it die. Sadly, if you kill it, nothing is ever going to come out of it.

    What about the people you admire; your role models?

    Of course, it has to be my mentor, Pastor Paul Adefarasin of House of the Rock and his lovely wife. God bless them for blessing and nurturing me. Being in that choir is a beautiful experience, a wonderful place to be right now.

    Do you do anything else, apart from music?

    Right now, music is my life. I put everything into it and I enjoy what I am doing.

  • Artist shares his experience in the other world

    Artist shares his experience in the other world

    Everybody who lives in Lagos is aware that Lagos is a busy place. The morning and evening traffics make it unbearable for those who live on the mainland and work on the island, a contemporary topic which makes Lagos more of a suffering and smiling place for many, even though the place is called the Centre of Excellency.

    Chika Idu, a contemporary Nigerian artist who lives and does his painting in Ikorodu but goes to the island to market his artworks, said the traffic in Lagos forced him to abandon his car for boat. The artist said he was struck by the activities that go on in the water when he started using the route

    He said: “Lagos is a very busy city with a very poor road network. A 20 minutes trip can turn into a three hours journey, so I sought an alternative to driving; a friend introduced me to the ferry terminal, what a relief….now I can reduce a four hours journey by three hour thirty minutes. A ferry ride is quick and relaxing; from the lagoon, I began to see Lagos from a whole new angle but the peace is quickly disturbed when I sight the dredging that goes daily on hourly basis”

    In order to create awareness and draw attention towards these activities, Idu said during a press session last week in Lagos that 20 of his recent watercolour and oil paintings will be on display on Saturday, May 23, at Alexix Gallery, Victoria Island, Lagos, which he is using to campaign against this. The exhibition with a theme: The Other World; will run until May 30. “The Other World is more of environmental awareness campaign due to my experience on the water from Ikorodu to Victoria Island.

    “The water is calm, the boat ride gives a different view of Lagos but you cannot totally ignore the rate of environmental liquidation and pollution that goes on in the water and the boat ride is not very safe because of the high buildings creating a caution over the waters. There are signs that say this part of the water is safe or unsafe,” said the Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State, graduate.

    He is of the view that there is an urgent need for the government to check what goes on in the lagoon. “The last time I counted eight dredging companies scattered from Ikorodu to Victoria Island, tons and tons of plastics and unidentified objects submerged floating in the waters, families living by the river banks defecating, dumping, washing and at the same moment fetching water for cooking and children swimming in the waters, I mourn for the life that is supposed to be underneath these surfaces, the waters look dead,” he pointed out.

    With Idu’s emerging awareness for environmental pollution, natural disaster and health hazard, he fears what will happen if the storm should strike. He believes natural disaster could occur if the sand excavators are not controlled. Also, he pointed out that the waste and defecation, which the inhabitants discharge into the lagoon, could lead to health catastrophe.

    “Through my works, I have tried to draw attention to the subject, how it should not be necessary, how it is, with the intension to open a dialogue on our endangered marine,”he said.

    His works are characterised by its heavy texture and hazy rendition. Idu calls this technique “light against visual distortion”, a technique he has used for 16years, inspired by observing the behaviour of light striking against visual imperatives like dust and misty fog.

    His themes are women and children. He sees himself as an activist and his work as the beginning of a dialogue, and not the centre of the dialogue or the end of it. “My work is around children because they also have problems such as child abuse, child trafficking; children becoming the breadwinners of their families, the negligence and the abuse, which children are forced to endure. I know this has been banned in Lagos but do you know what goes on after a law is enacted?”

    You may say Idu is a painter who changes your mood about life when you look at his paintings; this you will see in works such as Task, Dept, Descend, which will also be on display.

    Idu specialises in oil and watercolour and he works with pallet knives for oil and sable brushes, tooth-brush for water colour. His works have his footprints at the back of the canvas. He is from Delta State.

    He had his early childhood education in Lagos. In the year 2000, he in conjunction with eight other painters opened a studio in Ebute-Meta, Lagos, called Defactori Studio, where he was elected coordinator. In the same year, he created the first ever watercolour society of artists called Sables. He is currently an art teacher at the French International School Lagos. He has participated in over ten group exhibitions and many solos.

    The exhibition is being curated by Mrs. Patty Mastrogiannis. She said: Chika’s work can diversify very low key paintings and vibrant colours. He actually can switch moods as he paints.

    “His work is very nicely palliated and he uses the media which is not very easy to copy. You will immediately know Idu’s work when you see it. His style is unique and I have been dealing with Chika for the past three years and we have been doing well in terms of sales. We are very proud to show him in Alexis Gallery even though he is not signed under us.”

     

  • Similitude Of The African Experience

    The romantic theme in the anthology can be seen in the following poems, Greeting Moon, November In Dakar, Sipi, On this Mount Elgon and Co-existence. Greeting Moon is a poem on the moon when it was at its best. November in Dakar can be likened to the experience of cold in the Northern region of Nigeria in places like Maiduguri, Borno State or Jos, Plateau State. The effect of the harmattan is described as blowing hot in our faces, skins turn into fish scales, lips chapped like crocodile hide, eyes teary from allergies and the nose rocks with sneezing spells. When the night become cool, couples get together to welcome the change in season. Sipi is a poem in which the poet queries the relationship of the fall with River Mississippi, the poet extols the greatness feature of this waterfall. The fall is described as “loud, will in your falls” line 20. In order to understand the beauty of this river, I googled and found out that it is one of the tourist sites in Uganda. On This Mount Elgon is a poem on the expedition of the mountain with a team of explorers. The beauty of nature on the hills and forests is seen in this poem. The poem Co-existence is still about the coexistence of man and different elements of nature still on the same Mt Elgon.

    There are themes that pungently reflect the African experience such as HIV/AIDS which is in the poem, At the River’s Edge. This phenomenon has wiped out many people of African descent. The poem opens with a feeling of neutrality by 2 groups of people: Africans who are not affected and the International community. The scourge has turned many children into bread winners. The port implores that Africans should reach out and share love with those affected. Africans care for one another till death. The poem Dear Trevor is about the untimely death of Trevor, a jolly good fellow who had a willing heart to help. However, it is gratifying to know that his life was short but purposeful. Trevor is one of the many victims of election violence and other heinous crimes that are in abundance in Africa. Ears is a poem on internally displaced people’s camp like we currently have it in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria. The people in the camp had to keep mum regardless of the experience in the camp notwithstanding the bombing around the camp.

    As typical to Africans who constantly call for revolution, a poem tagged Revolutionaries, is about the efforts of the youths to save Africa after the Darfur crisis and the Rwandan genocide. After a while, factions came up, some leaders died and some were “settled”. This has made the continent to waste on because of lies and betrayal by those that lead and were trusted. Also, the poem, Thief, is the revolution that is expected in the liberation of the language of Africans. The colonialists substituted the language at their advent. Every African nation has been systematically colonized linguistically since their advent. Some school of thought might argue that it is for global intelligibility but the truth remains that many beautiful thoughts in our languages that cannot be contextualized in English and French languages are gradually fading off. The poet vehemently requested for the restoration of language so as to convey her thoughts in her own mother-tongue.

    Another group of poems that I want to sum up can be grounded under the theme of Urbanized Africa. Living Out of a Suitcase is a description of the lifestyle of a lady who lived with 8 families in 3 months. The lady is quite helpless because she does not have a steady job. Unfortunately, she loses more than expected because her originality, her creativity and freewill is being traded in an attempt to eke a living. The poet summed it up that it is the way of people who keep walking the streets of life. Skipping is a way of correcting the assumption of youngster about generations that have gone ahead. She made it known that the prevalent challenges of today, namely, marriage, injustice, joblessness, was also experienced by the previous generation. However, at the demise of the older generation, the current generation thinks the past was favoured. Monday Morning is a poem that describes the aftermath of Sunday’s fun. Monday is never easy because it comes with a lot of bodily weaknesses which include indigestion, constipation, exhaustion, hang-ups and hangovers. The joy of an average man is full when it is a public holiday, where there is rainstorm, the roads are impassable and normal routine disrupted. People see it as a gift and they remain in bed on a Monday morning. A Wish is a poem that speaks of one of the issues of urbanized Africa which is depression. The poet wishes that depression has a cure. Many people are suffering from depression. The poet as a female might have suffered a heart-break that lead to depression and other socio-economic problems.

    I would want to end this review by showing a myth and proverb that is closely related to that of Yoruba culture in the anthology. In the poem titled, Grandma and I, it was raining and there was sunshine simultaneously, in the poet’s culture, it means the hyena is getting wedded but in Yoruba culture, it is called, “Ekun n bimo” which means the Tiger is giving birth. Also in Ears, the mother cautioned her children making them know that walls have ears and this is similar to a Yoruba adage of the same meaning “Ogiri leti”. The thought pattern of Africans is identical.

    The anthology Give Me Room To Move My Feet has a very rich content both that shows that the themes that unify the African cosmology. Barya has shown that it is possible to write in simple English and still give profound description of happenings around Africa. Barya has got a larger room by writing these poems in her own unique way.

  • The Orisirishi experience

    The Orisirishi experience

    The board and management of CMC Connect (perception managers) unveiled its brand and at a cocktail in Ikeja where it announced its flagship business and global affiliation with Burson Marsteller. NNEKA NWANERI was there. 

    It was a night of variety and the event was aptly tagged: Orishsirishi. Cars were packed on both sides of Oduduwa Cresent in GRA Ikeja, Lagos that night when CMC Connect (Perception Managers) announced its global affiliation with Burson Marsteller, a South African firm which does advertorials for some multinational companies.

    The Bridgehouse, which houses CMC Connect, was filled.

    At the entrance, was diversely culturally dressed men and women ushers from the three major ethnic groups. For guests, the dress code was Orishirishi. The theme was chosen to showcase Nigeria’s diversity.

    In Yoruba language, Orishirishi means different things or variety, all sorts of things and diverse assorted things.

    To culinary experts, it means assorted beef such as roundabout, ponmo, shaki, bokoto, ahan, abodi, fuku and more.

    Whether in traditional attire, suit or other English wears, guests made a fashion statement and they looked at one another in admiration. At a point, they moved to the poolside and stood under coconut trees that shielded them from the moonlight. A well lit projector displayed historical pictures that are almost going into extinction. It also showcased many African delicacies peculiar to Nigeria.

    A female Master of Ceremony, Mrs Laolu Thomas, informed the guests why they were there. She ushered in the Chairman of Burson Marsteller, Robyn DeVilliers to a raised platform to address the gathering.

    She said her relationship with the Nigerian Public Relations (PR) industry dated back to a long time. She said she has been in PR business as far back as 26 years ago when she became an entrepreneur by starting her own  consultancy in South Africa.

    Managing Director of CMC, Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, said he began the outfit 23 years ago to entrench the practice of PR in Nigeria and provide value for its clients.

    He announced that the company has just launched into a single entity called CMC Connect Burson Marsteller, and that the name was chosen to show their different way of doing things.

    He paid homage to Lagos, where the company started, calling it the most Orishirishi city in Africa.

    “Lagos is the quintessential melting pot. There is nothing and nothing that you will not see in Lagos. You will see different things, all sorts of things, diverse things. And more often than not; for good or for bad, in Lagos, you will see things done differently,” Badejo-Okusanya said.

    Though glasses were filled with drinks and guests ready to clink them, but they placed them on side stools to give Badejo-Okusanya a rousing applause after the speech.

    There were different kinds of drinks. Some sipped palmwine, a local drink tapped from Palm Trees, from local calabashes as they watched the poetic Akeem Lasisi perform a version of Orishirishi from his poetic collection. He also did another recital-Elele Ture.

    Instead of the conventional snacks served at corporate events, bean balls (akara) fried yams and other local delicacies were served to the delight of guests who kept demanding for more rounds for the waiters who went about the gathering with the meal.

    The DJ dished out many old Nigerian songs that are almost forgotten, as guests danced into the night.

  • Enyimba: We count on our experience

    Enyimba: We count on our experience

    Enyimba have vowed to scale  through the hurdle called Smouha SC of Egypt despite heading to the CAF Champions League First Round, Second Leg tie with 1-0 slim advantage.

    The Chairman of the club, Felix Anyansi Agwu told SportingLife that the Egyptian side came to Aba with a strategy to defend and hit them on the counter attack but that with the fact that they must score a goal to at least even the tie in Alexandria, they will be forced to come out.

    He said: “The major thing now is that we will qualify because that is what Nigerians expect of us. It is also what we are going to do. Qualification is more important to us than anything. By the time we get to Alexandria, they need to cancel the goal and they must come out to play. It is when they come out, with what we have seen them play that we will nail them. We are going there not to defend. We are going to Alexandria as if we have not scored any goal.”

    He praised the performance of his boys: “They played very well and all they need to do now is to calm down in front of goal. We know the anxiety will be there because it is a big match. We will do all what we can to qualify.”

  • APC rally shootings victims recount experience

    APC rally shootings victims recount experience

    Ex-Head of State, Odigie-Oyegun: we’re worried

    Victims of Tuesday’s shootings at Okrika, the Rivers State hometown of First Lady Patience Jonathan yesterday relived their ordeal.

    The campaign rally of Rivers All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Dakuku Peterside, was truncated by explosions and gunshots fired by thugs suspected to be sympathetic to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    One policeman was killed while more than 50 people were injured.

    Among the injured were four soldiers, who were being treated at the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital (BMH) in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    Some reporters including Channels Television man Charles Eruka were injured. Eruka was stabbed on the head and neck.

    Speaking at the hospital, a Soldier, who simply gave his name as Matthew, said, “I was posted to Okrika on election duty. You can see me here, we are about four soldiers rushed to this hospital. You can see wound all over my body,   I thank God that I am alive to tell my story.

    Other soldiers at the hospital refused to speak.

    Okechukwu, Ibe, an eyewitness, who lives in Okrika, said “ There was  tight security in and around the venue of the rally, Okrika Grammar School, but the first dynamite explosion occurred at about 1:20pm on the field.

    “The explosion attracted the attention of Anti-Bomb Disposal Unit, Counter-Terrorism Unit and other security operatives to carry out search behind one of the school buildings. Shortly, an announcement was made from the podium, ordering everybody in the VIP stand irrespective of status, to vacate the area for security reasons.

    “While the people on the VIP stand were about heeding the order, the second explosion occurred inside the school classroom at about 1:31pm, while the third explosion happened five minutes later. The venue became tensed up, and there was pandemonium. Security agencies arrested a young man allegedly in connection with the explosions.

    “Barely 20 minutes after, the APC  governorship candidate and his campaign team arrived, and the programme continued. In the midst of solidarity speeches, sporadic shootings came behind the Okrika Grammar School and the Cemetery.

    “People scampered for safety, while the shootings increased. The hoodlums attacked the Public Address System (PAS) and other facilities with explosives. At this stage, it was difficult to ascertain the number of people.”

    Police spokesman Ahmed Mohammad denied that another policeman had died in the hospital. The Commissioner of Police (CP), Dan Bature and I were at the hospital to see them. They are stable and recuperating,” he said.

    Mr. Joseph Amachree, one of the victims whose legs were bandaged, said: “my brother, all I could say is that God gave me another chance on earth.  I was at the venue. After the second explosions, we thought it was over. I went back thinking normalcy had returned.

    But I was surprised when some people came with all kinds of weapons, shooting, I heard a gunshot, but I cannot say what happened. Only to see myself at the hospital bed the next day. I thank God I am getting better now.

    Philip Williams, another victim, said he saw people running for dear lives and he joined them.

    When they rushed me here I was bleeding on my head and I couldn’t talk. I thank God that I can talk to you now and I can recognize you.

    Anayo Onukwugha of Leadership said: “Immediately the sounds of the guns and dynamites started coming closer, I made for an alternative route to connect to the ATC road, knowing full well that the road leading to the Saint Peter’s Cathedral had been taken over by the armed youths, who were exchanging gunfire with security agents.