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Tag: ladies

  • ‘Ladies, don’t be scared of new beginnings’

    ‘Ladies, don’t be scared of new beginnings’

    Wife of Nigeria’s immediate past Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Mrs. Tina Itegboje, is a passionate believer in new beginnings. Mrs. Itegboje, a businesswoman and trained journalist, has continued to inspire younger women on startups. She speaks to EVELYN OSAGIE, on her 25 year-long experience as an ambassador’s wife, love story and more.

       What defines me as a woman

    Integrity and respect for people has always been my watchword. If I give you my word, I try as much as I can to stick by it. Right from my journalism days till date that has being my byword over the years. I am still that person.

     My passion

    I am passionate about God. That is number one for me. I am also very passionate about family life. I am equally passionate about and my career. I like to do everything administration wherever I am. I have a master’s in public administration. I love reading and writing as well. My passion for writing led me into journalism. I have a diploma in journalism and a BA in English language. My journalism background brings out my passion for writing and self-expression which I do as part time. Incidentally, I freelanced for Daily Times and the then Classic Magazine. It was my journalism skill then that drove me into the business world in which I own a mini mart. I used to report entertainment and business.

     My thought on beauty

    For me, beauty is being calm, clean, natural and presentable. Beauty is not being loud (i.e. elaborate) and fake. Beauty means just being myself and as simple as I can. It is being presentable at every point in time and to represent in every capacity, anywhere I find myself. I try to be true to myself. I don’t want to be clumsy or fake.

     My fashion secret

    I think it’s more of looking good and presentable at all times which gives me that inner satisfaction. My style is moderate, modest and comfortable. I am most interested in the African and English attires. 

     Fashion item I can’t do without

    My perfumes.

     My belief in love

    I believe in love. My life’s story is a testament that love truly exists and a lesson to young ladies to believe in humble beginnings. I come from a very humble background. I’m the first of six children: my primary and secondary education was in Delta State. I met my husband in journalism school and we have been together for 30 years. When I met my husband as a young man, he was not a diplomat then. We were both purely students together in the Times Journalism Institute in 1992. I’ve known him as a calm, easygoing person. My husband is somebody that believes so much in hard work, perseverance and determination – that was what endeared him to me. Look at us today – God has blessed us with three kids.

     My experience as a diplomat’s wife

    I can tell you that being a diplomat’s wife, particularly, an Ambassador’s wife was quite interesting. My husband’s first posting was in 1998 at Venezuela. From Venezuela, we moved to Addis Ababa and then to Philippines to New York, and then back again to New York, where he served as Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations. I love every bit of it. I’m excited about experiencing other countries, new people, cultures and all. I love the suspense that comes with each assignment. It afforded me the opportunity of interacting with other countries’ ambassadors, their spouses and also learning new cultures and values of other countries and continents.

    As I’ve said being an Ambassador’s wife is a process. You are introduced to the routine of going on postings with your spouse, go for other functions and watch how things are done; you’d learn on the go. There is always induction course that is usually organised by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for ambassador upon your arrival at your place of posting. It is equally compulsory that all their spouses attend that induction course. That is where one learns a lot of what is expected of one as the spouse to an ambassador. And although you’re actually not allowed to work because there are other functions or official assignments that you’ll be saddled with; there are things that’ll keep you busy. But due to a recent Bill signed between some countries ambassadors and other diplomats’ spouses are allowed to work in countries like the USA, Canada and UK. While in the US with my husband, I worked in the health sector. I was a healthcare administrator at some point and worked as a consultant with the United Nations African Economic Commission. And when I’m not being an ambassador’s wife, I attend to my family full time and am into business (laughs).

      Challenges of being diplomat’s wife

    I must say that it is also challenging and very demanding. Being an ambassador’s wife also comes with its own challenges. And the challenges include having to pack, relocate and make new friends during and after each diplomatic posting. And to an extent, hosting and entertaining of numerous guests also comes with its own challenges.  

  • Welcome Ladies, to Panty Liner Vogue

    What may be described as another revolution in hygienic care of a woman’s secret place is sweeping quietly through Nigeria. Gone for good are those days when the 20th Century grandmother caught her monthly period with rags or some other awful stuff. For good are also gone that time when tissue (toilet) paper replaced grandma’s menstrual para phenalia. Hardly is today’s smart women caught unaware by the onslaught of the Chinese or the Red Army, as we called a women’s monthly visitor in my high school days. In those days, boys did not realise women were to be honoured and protected for all they do to bring us humans to this earth, and to nurture us until, mature, we can hop about on our own. They bear a pregnancy for nine good months, have their babies under excruciating pain, breastfeed them for as long as is necessary, see them through school or early life and, in the case of men, pass them on, with both eyes wide open like eagles, to another woman, a wife this time, who is to continue the breastfeeding and nurture of this gentleman along with her other chores as a woman.

    Boys of my boyhood days cared less or thought less about all these, perhaps from inexperience. They were so eager to hunt down a careless girl in the class or school. A careless girl was one who did not adequately prepare for her period and got her clothes blood stained. It was too bad for her if the school uniform was satin white gown. A careless girl may be another who contracted a vaginal infection which smelled so badly during her period that only a person with nasal blockage would take no notice. These infections were easy to contract. Often, the toilets were pit toilets where germs could ride in the methane gas oozing from the dung into the vagina. They could perch on the buttocks and find their way later into the secret place. Even where water closets were available in those days, these were not food proof protection against germ assault. For scores of people would use it every day, each person depositing in them and on the seat plate something for the next careless user to pick up. If a girl escaped these germs and infection snares, would she not wash her panty and spread it on the clothes line outdoor? On the clothes line outdoor, germs blown up and down by the wind, like pollen travelling in the wind, may perch in the pantie. The ideal thing for a woman to do to safeguard the health of her vagina in this case was to iron the brief to kill the germs and pollen before wearing it. But there were hardly electric irons in the boarding houses of those days. In any case, most of the panties were rayon or nylon stuff. To add salt on injury, as we say in Nigeria, these panties hardly allowed the vagina to breathe, creating moisture and a favourable environment for germs to anchor and grow and create foulness.

    To cut a long story short, the school boy of those days knew a girl had been hit if she didn’t get up from her seat after the class rose, or if she tied her Cardigan or some other material around her waist and over her buttocks, surrounded by her friends as they walked towards the sick bay or the girls hostels. Today, woman is not as easily hit by her period as the school of old. She has read the book EVERY WOMAN, which I read at 18, is smart on the calendar, knows about the early warning system of her ovulation and kits up two or three days before the Reds appear, just to make assurance doubly sure. But she still hasn’t got it all right with infections, perhaps because of today’s culture of wearing trousers. I become friends when I show them the way out of this trouble. Often, they had been searching for an answer but had been running into brick walls. I met one at a corporate dinner. She sat almost opposite me. I noticed one of her hands was hardly on the table. Like the proverbial reporters “long nose news”, I have the gift of smelling a rat where many men do not when it comes to these matters. Maybe it’s because I take a lot of Zinc as food supplement and Zinc enhances the sense of smell. I invited her out of the hall and told her what I thought was going on. She melted. Who would not, who has been suffering for long and, on a platter of gold, finds the possibility of help? Indeed, she was itching. If I remember the prescription right, she was to mix Golden seal root powder with propolis Cream or egg white and spread it deep inside at bedtime for seven days. Thereafter, she was to insert a capsule of porobiotics (friendly bacteria) for another seven days. If she liked, she may insert a Vitamin E soft gel for seven days likewise before the course of probiotics. This formula helped a bank executive sometime last year. The suitor had been away abroad for some years, and was returning home in about four months for their engagement. She was itching and bleeding from Bacterial Vaginosis. The vault was sore and inflamed. She was frightened this could ruin a relationship she had laboriously built up and for which she had kept herself away from other men. Today, she is the proud mother of a bouncing baby

    A teenage girl who hears me talk to her parents on their health questions called me aside one day. She learned from her auntie that Mango seed Extract worked for her. Had learned from H.K.Books Fruits that HEAL, that Indian women use this extract as a spermicide. Before sexual intercourse, they massage it generously into the Vagina and, sure enough, it serves them as a contraceptive. What kills sperm would kill germs. This extract may be peppery if is not moderated by a gender cream. It worked for this teenage girl who soon forgot about the itch and the discharge and the smell.

    When I say, what may pass as a revolution is creeping in, in the way Nigeria women are now taking care of the secret places, what I have in mind is the widespread use of the Panty Liner to complement previous and other current efforts to keep this place clean, germ-free, odourless and fresh. It isn’t anything new in Europe, Asia and in the United States. In these places, the panty liner has been worn by women for decades with accolades as well as criticisms. While some women say they have worn it almost all their adult life with good results, others say it caused them some troubles. But the balance of opinion appears to be in favour of the panty Liner. There are many reasons the Panty Liner is in vogue world–wide. Some of these are:

     

    Urinary continence

    This is a condition in which the bladder leaks. This may be caused by pressure on the sphincter muscle which tightened the neck of the bladder, thereby preventing involuntary Urine exit from the bladder. Sometimes, the problem comes from infection in the bladder which predisposes its stretch muscles to give way before they should. In some other cases, sitting for too long or holding urine when it should have been voided are behind this trouble. Another predisposing cause may be nutritional deficiency of such important nutrients, such as Vitamin E, which strengthen muscles throughout the body.

    There are about four types of urinary incontinences.

    1. Urge incontinences: caused by over – active bladder.
    2. Stretch incontinence: caused by a poor closure of the bladder as explained
    3. Overflow incontinence arising from either “poor bladder contraction” or blockage of the urethra, the tube which brings urine from the bladder for voiding
    4. Functional incontinence due to “medications or health problems.

    Whatever the type urinary incontinence may make the sufferer void urine on the pant before she reaches the rest room. This would be embarrassing, as no doubt, as the dress would be wet and urea smell strongly on the body. Panty Liner would absorb the incontinence flow and prevent those hazards. The Panty Liner will thereafter be removed in the bathroom and replaced with another. They are so cheap that they hardly inflict unbearable holes in the budget. The predisposing factors of incontinences have to be treated. Among the major causes are yeast or infections. Infections may be caused by lower immunity. Immunity may drop from over exposure to sex. It does not matter if the over exposure is between a woman and her husband. The vaginal is likely acidic to kill germs. The semen is alkaline and carries antibodies to suppress antibody in the vaginal which would have destroyed sperm in the semen as it destroys other foreign bodies. The semen antibodies enable the sperm to live for about four days and travel to the egg to fertilise it. Frequent injection of semen in the vagina, even if from the same man, will alkalise the vagina, lower its immunity and make it a playground or refuse dump of germs.

     

    Vaginal discharge

     Many women experience vaginal discharge which may be corrosive and damage their panties, apart from making their other inner wear wet and font-smelling. The discharge may occur when a woman responds with heart laughter to a funny joke, or when she coughs in. M.idiva.com/…..health…panty-liner Divya Dwaraknath says:

    “I am always reminded of how I need to increase my kegel exercise while I have a good laughing session and realise I wet my pant. The panty liner does a great job when you continue to laugh harder and do not mind a little flow it makes for a great running buddy. It is great to hydrate often when you are on a run, for there are those moments when you are running and notice you’ve lost a bit of bladder control. Panty Liner to the rescue.

    Unexpected flow

     As stated earlier, the monthly period may catch a woman by surprise at work in the office or in the street or on a bus. It can be quite an embarrassing experience in this day and age. Panty liner in your bag is a great idea, on days when your period appears unannounced you can’t get hold of a pad in time,” says Divya Dwaraknath.

     

    Menstrual spotting

     Some women bleed slightly in-between two periods or at the tail end of one period. Menstrual spotting may not request a full pad. Panty Liners are smaller and more flexible and comfortable to carry about and to wear over a panty.

     

    Flaming Juliet

    When a woman and her Romeo get really randy outdoor, say at a picnic or a party, there is a tendency that the Juliet may overflow in her emotions and become wet. A Panty Liner worn in expectation may save the day.

     

    Postpartum flow

    After a baby is born, it is possible for the mother to bleed slightly for a few days. This is called postpartum hemorrhage. Wearing a menstrual pad may be inconvenient at this time, unless the flow is heavy. A Panty Liner comes to the rescue. Denise Baptiste say in www.boldsky.com:

    “Moms of new babies might use daily Liners for the management of postpartum flow a few weeks after giving birth. This is saviour to a lot of new moms.”

    Baptist goes on to advocate the wearing of Panty Liners on the last day of a period, saying: “it is one of the best pads a woman can use at the end of her period. Since it is thin in nature, it gives you a comfortable feeling. It is also less expensive to a sanitary napkin, so make panty Liner a part of your life.”

     

    Ovulation and infections

     The Panty Liner can be used to absorb ovulation discharge and sperm reflux or other discharge which may follow sexual intercourse. Many Alternative Medicine marketing networks in Nigeria sell medicated menstrual pads and medicated Panty Liners today. Some of their networks say their products not only prevent re-infection by germs in the discharges, which the old-fashioned menstrual pads may not do, by killing off these germs once they are deposited on the pads or Liners. This is possible through these mechanisms. Mechanisms are discussed by www.lovemooncares.blogspot.com:

    “Panty Liner is an absorbent piece of material used for feminine hygiene. Also known as Panty Shield, the uses of Panty Liner absorbance for daily vaginal, discharge light menstrual flow, post-intercourse discharge and slight urine leaks.” Panty Liner is related to sanitary napkin in their basic construction usually tinier and narrower than pads. Panty Liner absorbs much less liquid than normal sanitary napkin. Panty Liners are ideal for light discharge, every day cleanliness and personal hygiene. Panty liner is unsuitable for menstrual flow or medium to heavy incontinence.

    “Each piece of anion panty liner consist of Anion chip that is able to release up to 5,800-6070 Negative Ion <Anion> per cubic cm. Helps women to prevent bacterial multiplication. Vaginal infection/discharge, eliminates odour and promotes comfort. We strongly encourage women who have vaginal infection/discharge to use Anion Panty Liner every day to overcome their problem. Anion (negative Ion) released is able to help them to fight with the bacterial infection at their Vaginal.

    Vaginal infections or vaginitis is an inflammation of the vagina that creates discharges, odour, irritation or itching. Three vaginal infections are the most common. Their causes are quite different, their symptoms similar, and treatment varies.

    1. Bacterial Vaginosis
    2. Vaginal yeast infection
    3. Trichomoniasis

    Vaginal discharge, itching and burning are common symptoms of the various forms of vaginitis. Although the symptoms of these infections to look for is the colour and smell of the discharge. Vaginal discharge is normal and varies during menstruation cycle. Before ovulation (the release of the egg) there is a lot of mucous produced, up to 30 times more than after ovulation. It is also more watery and elastic during that phase of your cycle. You may need to wear panty liners during that time. The things to be worried about include if the discharge has a yellow or green colour, is dumpy like cottage cheese, or has a bad odour.”

    For the different types of discharge and what they mean, the website has more information.  Through their Anion strips, Panty Liners fight infections and odour. The infra-red mechanism oxygenates the vagina and the bio magnetism mechanism stimulates the healing process. Choosing a panty liner, the one in which the strip is made of plastic is to be avoided, as this is said to limit or prevent the breathing of the vagina, and this may cause trouble. So, ladies, welcome to the panty liner vogue.

  • How ladies tried to lure me into marriage with money after losing my wife –Trado-medical practitioner Olayemi Lateef a.k.a. Kolaq

    How ladies tried to lure me into marriage with money after losing my wife –Trado-medical practitioner Olayemi Lateef a.k.a. Kolaq

    Alhaji  Olayemi Atunda Lateef, popularly known in social circles as Kolaq, has been a trado-medicine practitioner for over two decades. According to him, the growth of that health sub sector has been remarkable and shows that Africans indeed have a divine gift to share with the rest of the world. He came into limelight back in the late 90s and was embraced by society folks, who he says were overwhelmed by his herbal products and patronised him. But more importantly also was the role of his late amiable wife, Afisat Olamide, who was well loved, as both of them were usually, favourite faces at parties. But after the death of his wife, Kolaq, seemed to have taken a leave of absence from the society scene. In this interview with Paul Ukpabio, he shares with us the passion for his work, memories of his late wife and the joy of re-marriage.

    Some time ago, you lost your wife. She was very endearing in society circles. And after that, it’s like you receded from society circles…

    Yes, the death of my wife affected me because she was supportive in many ways when she was alive. But then I thank God that the family was able to move on after that. Her death didn’t mean that I had to close down the business, though she played a major role with me while she was alive. Her death was painful.

    When was that?

    That was about 10 years ago. Hmm, Yoruba people say, ‘Olorun a fi igbagbe si’  (meaning may God give us the grace to forget.)

    At what point did you decide to re-marry?

    I re-married five years ago. If you recall, my late wife and I were very close. Her death indeed affected me because she was a humble woman. She was very supportive. A major part of my business was handled by her. I felt free to involve her in my business. I enjoyed her enthusiasm in the business. Her interest and good performance made me to gain lot of confidence in her. All that made her death to be painful when it took place.

    After waiting for five years without your late wife, you ended up marrying a much younger woman. How have you been coping with a much younger woman?

    (Laughs) But I am still young too. For me, marrying a younger woman was not much of the attraction to beauty and so on, but it was more of prayer. I particularly prayed to God to give me a good wife, my ‘own’ wife. I prayed that God should give me my best friend. And when my present wife, popularly known as ewa Islam, came, I found out that she was okay. As it is today, she is more of a friend to me. We are best friends. If you do not see your wife as your best friend and your wife does not see you as her best friend, then the marriage cannot work out well.

    Is your new wife taking part in your business?

    She is trying. She is presently involved. She is not actually the only one that is involved; my children are now well involved. There is one over here handling the business, and then there is another one in America in charge of the office there. He is handling that side of the business. He has been in America for more than 10 years now. He studied pharmacy over there.

    How have your children been coping with your young new wife?

    My children have really been good to me. I am grateful that the investments that I have made over them over the years have started paying off. I am lucky I have four boys.

    Are you expecting more children?

    Yoruba people say, ‘won ki nka omo fun olomo (meaning you don’t count children).’ If children decide to come, then they have come (Laughs). So whether I am expecting right now or not expecting, I am sure that when a child arrives, the sound will be heard and the sound of celebration will be heard too.

    Your new wife is an artiste. What kind of music does she sing?

    She sings gospel music. She has actually just finished a collabo with popular fuji musician Saheed Osupa. She was already an artiste before I met her. So I was not involved in her decision to be an artiste. And when I met her, there was nothing I could do but to support her. I had to encourage her because i didn’t want to kill the talent or discourage her. Right now she already has two albums in the market. The one she just finished will be the third one.

    What is life like living with a wife who is an artiste?

    She sings a lot around the house. It is normal being that she is an entertainer. I am comfortable with the kind of music she plays since it is religious. Her kind of music allows her to be homely as well.

    But after you lost your first wife, did ladies look out for your interest in marriage?

    (Laughs) Yes, a lot of ladies came around with interest for marriage. Some actually bribed people close to me, in order to come closer to me themselves and suggest it. There were actually two other cases that left me shocked. One lady called and said she heard about the death of my late wife and will gladly put N10m in the bank. I gladly accepted. But when she said that we should make it a joint account, I had to think twice about it. Three times she called at different times to ask for that joint account. But I declined. There were also women from America who tried to talk me into it.

    What is your style?

    I love shoes. I love my shoes to be neat, clean and attractive. So I wear stylish shoes. I believe that someone’s shoes stand the person out. I value shoes more than clothing and even jewellery. But I must tell you that shoes tell much about a person. People take more interest in clothing but shoes show more of a person’s class and taste.

    You have been in the trado-medicine world for quite some time, what is the feeling like, being one of the few successful ones?

    When I started in 1986, it was a shameful thing to call oneself a trado- medicine practitioner. But I was determined because I admired the traditions of my forebears. In those good, old days, there was herbal medicine and then there was also a religion which was largely based on traditions. So these two were perceived to work together. For instance, in those days, before medications were given to a sick person, some of the time, the medicine man had to first consult  the oracle.

    Then there wasn’t really any difference between the medicine man and the spiritual or religious head of the community. Also, most often in some cultures or traditions, the two were not found separated. That was one of the major challenges that I faced when I started the work on herbal medicine. It took some time before people could separate herbal medicine from the work of herbalists of those days. But now people know better. They now know there is a difference.

    How did you start out?

    I started out poorly. That was at Bariga area of Lagos. It was through dint of handwork and much determination. I rented a place at a sawmill and gradually started operating from there. I can say that my initial success came about through advertisement. At that time, herbal medicine practitioners used to be  located at hidden places and were only known to those who were close to them, or those who lived around them. But that changed when I met a journalist, who convinced me that I should advertise if I could vouch for my herbal therapies. I told him that I was sure of my products. So I went public. There after, I experienced an unusual patronage. People came to verify if my products were okay and from then on, I became popular among society people.

    Does that mean that high society folks patronise herbal medicine?

    Yes, they do. Even when herbal medicine was not very popular, they were patronising it. The truth is that herbal medicine is traditional to us. As Africans, we have known about it and it has  been a part of us. Also what has helped the growth of herbal medicine in the country is the increase in diseases and the inability of orthodox medicine to meet up with the demands and challenges of lasting cure for diseases and ailments. And then the high cost, non- affordability and lack of easy access to orthodox medicine; that gave us space for growth.

    You ask if high society folks  patronise herbal medicine, my reply is that since they are human and they fall sick too, then they are likely to look for cure to their sickness. You will be surprised about the large number of high society people that have benefited from the use of herbal medicine over the years. I will not be able to mention names, but suffice to say that I was a nobody until high society folks began to enjoy good patronage from me. As a matter of fact, it is the rich folks that made me.

    You mentioned that sicknesses and diseases have been increasing over the years, why is it so?

    It is unfortunate that despite the increase in the wealth in our society, the lifestyle of today’s people  has remained unhealthy. Most of the foods that people eat are either unhealthy or not properly eaten. Sometimes people eat food at the wrong time or eat greedily. All these lead to sickness and illness. Then also, multiple sexual relationships and the increase in promiscuity have led to various diseases. Take for instance, young people who drink half carton of beer at a sitting or drink three bottles of red wine at a sitting. Some people do such regularly. There is no way that such persons will not have one illness or another in the long run.

    Today for instance, young people do not sleep at night. Even the middle aged too. They stay awake most nights phone-pinging one another. Those kinds of lifestyle lead to health issues.  Some people wake at 4am and they are never back home till 11pm. These are some of the complex lifestyles of today. So for people who do not sleep properly, by the time they are 35 or 40 years old, they are definitely likely to develop hypertension. And that leads to other diseases. That is definitely not how God said that we should be using our bodies.

    So are you saying that the way we use the body determines how long one lives?

    What I am saying is that, it goes a long way to determine how long one lives. For instance, if you buy two brand new cars today, two years later, the wear and tear of each of the cars will be determined by their use. That is how the body is too. If you use your body poorly by throwing in all sorts of junk, it is likely that you will be affected in later life with illnesses.

    So how do you take care of your own body?

    I take care of my body. Anyone that does not pay attention to his body will end up being older than his actual age. I do not copy anybody and I am not envious of other people’s lifestyles. I am always contented with what I have and with what God has given me. I drink and eat in moderation. I live a free life because I do not ask God for what I cannot handle or control. People  who are rich in wrong ways cannot sleep. They end up worrying so much, age and develop illness and diseases. I live by the day!

    Then more importantly, I treat myself with natural herbs. I use my products. Anyway, before I approve a product for the public, I make sure that I have used it myself. That way I ensure that I live a healthy lifestyle. I eat what my system needs or requires. In those days, when a child wakes up in the morning, they are given ‘bitters’ which cleanse their systems. But today, you hardly see such things happening. These days what you are likely to see are children who are woken up with large sized chicken, meat-pie, carbonated drinks of various colours and so on. This happens day in and day out. That lifestyle is not healthy.

    It’s an open joke that herbal products lay spurious claims to cure. one product for instance, could be said to be able to cure a variety of diseases. Why is this so?

    No, I think that is the problem of marketing. Take for instance the orthodox medicine, analgesics cure more than one ailment; so also some products of herbal medicine may cure more than one ailment but when it is said to cure several, it may be superfluous.

    Is any of your children taking after you in your line of business?

    Funny enough, all my children are already involved in it. I live an open life and one way or the other, the children have been learning. They have been having opportunity to watch and learn under me and therefore got involved. The knowledge has been interesting and the children ignited passion and interest in it early in life. Don’t forget that I learnt from my parents. But I didn’t stop there, I got into formal education as well. However, unlike my home then when I was the only one that got the knowledge from my father among all his children, my own children are very much interested in learning and knowing from me the secrets of herbal treasures.

    Which were your boom years in your business?

    (Laughs) Every year has been my boom year. Though herbal medicine is everywhere now and much accessible. at the level that I am, there are only a few of us there, nonetheless, herbal medicine is always around the corner. Our products are sold openly in pharmacies and health wellness centres these days. Herbs which are locally called ‘agbo’ are now everywhere. They are right there in your face. I am actually proud of the distributive network that we have been able to achieve with herbal medicine. This area has become a money generating source for many in Nigeria. A lot of people are living and surviving through the production network of herbal medicine. I believe that it is time that the government should take advantage and encourage more circulation and export.

    Your most embarrassing moment?

    Can’t really remember a particular case but I recalled that in my earlier days as a herbal practitioner, there was a complaint by somebody who purchased my herbal medicine that it was used and it didn’t work. From then on, I strove harder to ensure that such a thing never occurs again. I still remember that it was painful to me because such report kills brands. So over the years I have endeavoured to ensure that such a thing never happens. It hurts. The joy of a product is to see it work.

    What has motivated you over the years?

    It is God. I cannot say that it has been my wife. I cannot even say it has been my staff. It is God that has motivated and sustained me over the years.

    Your most challenging moment?

    There have been challenges but I must tell you that there is no time that you look up in the sky in the afternoon that there won’t be a black lining in the sky. And at the same time, there is no time at night when you look up in the sky that you won’t see a white lining there. That means that there are different times and seasons in the world. There definitely will be times when things will be well, but even then, there will be challenges. There is no way a vehicle will move from one distance to another with the same speed. So for me, I do not see challenges, instead what i see is a beautiful life with ups and downs.

  • WHY I DON’T mingle WITH LADIES…

    WHY I DON’T mingle WITH LADIES…

    Rising Yoruba actress, Mosunmola Adeleye, who is set to get married soon, speaks to DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI on the challenges of being a producer, her relationship of 12 years which led to marriage, among other issues. 

    CONGRATS on your forthcoming wedding.

    Thank you

    How are the preparation going?

    Fine and I thank God for everything, because I never expected it?

    How do you mean?

    Well, we have been dating for the past 12 years. It was more like an on and off thing. He is based abroad and only calls when he feels it’s necessary. And you know most Nigerian men are scared of actresses and usually give them the option of quitting the job.

    But did he ask you to?

    No, and I am thankful to God and also to my husband-to-be. He’s been back for more than two weeks now and I have only been home for few days. But he understands the nature of my job.

    Is 12 years not too long a time to spend in a relationship?

    Let me first say that he is a good friend. We had known each other even before he travelled abroad. But like I said earlier, I never took him seriously because we only see and meet whenever he comes home. Most times, he would only call, maybe once in three months or more than that. Knowing the story of men based abroad,

    I didn’t see the relationship as a serious one. But when he came home, two years ago and insisted on my meeting with his parent, I still had my doubts. But I went. After that, he travelled again and last year, he started making moves towards the wedding preparation. I didn’t see it working out. I am so grateful and happy too because it is where my joy and happiness lies.

    With the both of you based in different countries, how do you plan to make your marriage work?

    Since I also have access to travel and meet him, I don’t see it as a challenge. He will be coming home frequently too, since he has a home here in Nigeria.

    Tell us your experience as a young producer?

    I must tell you, producing movies is not really encouraging here. As I am speaking to you, I’m yet to recover the money for the cost of producing my first two movies. At least if you don’t get any profit, you should be able to recoup your investment. But my third movie is a bit better because I was able to get both my production cost and profit. Although, it was marketed by a different marketer. Piracy is also another factor that needs to be tackled in order for us to make a living too.

    Is that experience not enough for you to stop producing movies?

    It is, but that is the only way you can be approached and given good jobs to do, especially when you have been able to produce a movie for people to see what you can do. Though there was a time I wanted to stop and focus on my acting career. I have friends who have done very well in their different fields by engaging in buying and selling. Producing movies scares me a lot, but I have a new one I am working on. It is in its post-production stage.

    As an actress, is it compulsory that you produce movies?

    You have to produce for people to recognise and respect you. It is only when God sends someone to you that you can be featured in movies more. Because we are large in number, especially the women. The competition is high. One has to take the bold step and promote oneself. That is where you can make yourself known in any aspect you are good in. It could be comedy and other genres, because these people are not ready to take risks and invest their money in you without first seeing  what you are capable of.

    Did you also join a caucus to stay in the industry?

    Yes. Presently I am with Owolabi Film Productions. That is because if you don’t join a faction, you can’t make it on your own. When you join a faction, it is easier for you when you want to produce because the money you will pay your own set of people, will be different from the charges you will be given from another group.

    How do you get funds for your production?

    Thank God for my husband-to-be. He has been very supportive financially. Anytime I want to produce a movie, I just call him to explain and whatever he has, he sends to me.

    Aside that, I was also a worker at the Ministry Of Finance in Ogun State. So out of my salary, I would save a certain amount. Whenever I have a production, I would take a loan from the co-operative and use. Presently, I am still paying the money I collected for my second movie, and I’m yet to collect a dime from the marketer of the movie.

    Why did you quit your job?

    I didn’t quit my job with Ogun State. When the present governor took over in 2012, he asked every worker to re-apply. During the exercise, I was not around so I could not participate. Aside that, I just felt it was time for me to fully focus on my career as an actress. I want to be able to create a name and brand for myself, after which I can go back to corporate job.

    Do you see yourself quitting if pressured by your husband?

    Well, I can’t really say what can happen. What I can tell you is that most times when he is around, we usually go to location together. Presently he is very supportive of my career.

    During your courtship, was there a time when he doubted your fidelity?

    Yes, many times. There was a period he stopped calling me for almost a year. During that period, he also changed his numbers. I didn’t get to hear from him until the day he called with another number and said he was on his way and would want to see me, so that we can talk. Like I said earlier, I never knew we would end up married. Because all those times, I just felt he must have settled down with someone else.

    Is it something of a trend for Yoruba actresses to get married to men based abroad?

    For others, I can’t say. I can only speak for myself. He has been abroad for 15 years, but we met during one of his visits. We remained friends for long before the intimacy started. So I wouldn’t say I’m getting married to him because he is based abroad. It is just all about feelings.

    Lesbianism is the new rave in the industry. Have you been approached too?

    No, I have not come across such. That is because I don’t mingle with the ladies in the industry.

    Why is that?

    I am not being proud but I am also conscious of the fact that when you get too close to a particular person, you start getting roped into issues that you many know nothing about. I don’t want that for my career. I am a very quiet person. We talk while shooting but I don’t get intimate with any of them. It is when you are too close, that the issue of ‘don’t call me by my name’ will occur too. So what I do is go on set, get in my car with my script and go and play my role when it is my scene.

    Did you have to sleep your way like some of you colleagues are said to do?

    No, I’m not saying I am a saint. But what I am saying is, they will come, but when they see that you have everything to succeed in the industry, it will be limited. I have my money, I don’t have to beg anybody for roles, so I can’t be pressurised into such things. When you have your money, you can achieve anything and be who you what to be in the industry. It is only those that believe they can’t not get to their goal that pass through the back door. When I was coming into the industry, I came in through my coach. I was a tennis player while in school, and I played across the country. My coach, Rasak Oladiran Baroka, is also an actor. He was the one I walked up to and informed of my intention to be an actress. He told me what to do and that was how it all started.

  • I LOVE LADIES WHO ARE WELL- ENDOWED –FEMI ADAMS

    I LOVE LADIES WHO ARE WELL- ENDOWED –FEMI ADAMS

    Femi Adams, better known as FM Music, is one of the new artistes signed on by Dannys Record. The young and vibrant artiste who loves fashion also owns a recording studio where he had the opportunity to master songs from top Nigerian musicians. He speaks to DUPE AYINLA-OLASUNKANMI on his plans for the Nigerian music industry, among other issues.  

    Tell us your experience as an artiste?

    I never choose a song that I can’t relate to in some ways, shape or form. This isn’t just a dream of mine, it’s a goal I’m determined to achieve and I won’t give up. Everyone has dreams and goals. I am just going to the extreme. As an artiste, I have had a West African Music Tour with international performances in Ghana and Kenya in the year 2009.I have also performed alongside fellow artistes like Olamide, Adol, Skally mental, Bigiano and Z-World Terry G among others.

    As a graduate of Business Administration, why did you opt for music?

    I was told while growing up that my ways had always being like that of an artiste. So the inspiration actually came from what my mom told me. I won’t say I regret taking that decision because it is like a dream I have achieved.

    So you are saying your mother made you go into music?

    Yes, that is what I am saying.

    What genre of music do you play?

    I am very versatile. I can go on any beat. So I won’t say I am doing a particular genre. Though I select the music, I know I can do well with it.

    As an aspiring artiste, have you dropped any song?

    Yes,I did one in 2008 titled Aye. It features De Rank. He was signed to D Tunes, under ID Cabasa. I have released other singles too but the one presently making waves is titled Aminatu. I didn’t believe the song would gain such wide acceptance.

    What inspired the song?

    I have a girlfriend who has all the assets. I as a person, I love ladies who are well-endowed, and my girl has it. So I decided to do a song for her, to praise her. And as a young child, I remember that my mother usually sing a song to a crying girl Aminatu, idi to dun. That also inspired me. All that put together made up the song.

    Why do artistes focus their lyrics on women?

    I really can’t say. I have other songs that are inspirational too. But I think it is because doing songs on ladies sell more than doing any other song.

    Unlike many artistes who find it difficult to find sponsors, you have been promoting yourself. How did you get funds?

    It hasn’t been easy, I must be true to you. Butthrough hardwork, I have been able to achieve my goals. Producing my songs has not been difficult because I have had the opportunity to work with different producers. Though, some had scammed me on the job but I thank God.

    As one who has been scammed, what kept you going?

    Like I said, I am pursuing my dream and believing that I will get to where I want to be. I didn’t let that discourage me or stand as a barrier. I am focused and determined.

    Aside your music career, what else do you do?

    I have a standard recording studio and I have lots of producers and artistes that come in to master their works. Someone like Adol and other popular artiste’s songs have been brought in for mastering.

    Tell us your experience as a studio owner?

    It has been great working with some of these artistes. The excitement of meeting with them on a daily basis is like a dream come true. It is just that I have not done any work with any of them.

    Why is that?

    It is not a challenge walking up to them, and having collaborations with them. But I am not just ready. As an artiste, you have to be ready before you do a collaboration. I just don’t want to do collaboration for the sake of it. I want to be able to make my name and make a stand for myself before doing any duet with a popular artiste.

    You are wearing a big chain. What does that signify?

    It signifies that I am an artiste. When people see someone with such accessory, it is easy for them to tell who you are. It is just like you sagging. It is also a fashion statement. For me, I have always sagged my trousers from day one, so it is not as if I copied it from a particular person. I just love it.

    What picture would you be portraying when you start raising kids?

    (Laughs) I will cross that bridge when I get there. But I know there are some things that I will have to do away with when that time comes. I will adjust.

    Aside your girlfriend that you dedicated Aminatu to, how many other ladies are on your list?

    I am not a womaniser. And right now, I don’t have time for women. After school, I went ahead to study music. That is to show that I am determined to make sure that I succeed in my career as an artiste. The decision to go to music school is because I can’t just focus on a particular key. That is one of the reasons I need to know how to play instruments too. Presently I play the guitar.

    But most artistes don’t know that they have to attend music school…

    If you are born to be a musician, you will know that you have to go to a music school where you learn the necessary things that will guide you in the line you have chosen. You don’t need anybody to tell you what to do. I listen to music a lot, so I know that I have to improve.

    Artistes usually spend their money as it comes. Do you have plans to secure your future?

    By his grace, I pray I don’t misuse my income. I have lot of plans for my future and I am ready to do anything it takes to make sure I don’t begin to beg in the future by mismanaging funds. I can’t use my 10 fingers to eat. I have a lot to do for myself and other young and upcoming artistes too.

    Aside releasing singles, what plans do you have for an album?

    I will be releasing one soon, though I will be pushing more singles out first. I am also working on my album. With Aminatu making waves now, I have nothing to wait for again than to push out my album. And with the help of my brother, who is a popular producer, I am sure it will be well done for the delight of my fans.

    Why is your record label promoting you first?

    Well, that is the way it is done. They promote an artiste first and then others follow. Another reason is that I have been doing music before so I already have the experience.

  • Ladies dazzle guests on the instrument

    Ladies dazzle guests on the instrument

    It was not the usual evening affair when men are known to handle instruments. It was an all-women thing last Friday when Topsticks Female Band took the stage at Southern Sun, Ikoyi, Lagos,entertaining guests with their skills on musical instruments.

    It was an evening to relax with music. The event also featured a business session, organised by the band.

    The ladies ensured their guests had no dull moment as they produced highlife, reggae and contemporary music to the admiration of the gathering, which had many dancing and singing along with them.

    The women, dressed in beautiful evening wears, played an instrument each; the drum set, key board, base and lead guitar. There was also a singer.

    According to the host and Chief Executive of Topsticks Female Band, Temitope Odebiyi, the evening was a time for people to enjoy cool music in a relaxed environment. She said the unique thing about the musical performance was that it came from an all-female band.

    “This shows that we are different; we are doing what is special and uncommon, especially in this part of the world.

    “Our band is an all-female band because we want to be an inspiration to young women out there. We want women to be independent and stand out for what God has called them to do.

    “Though, it has not been easy, moving in a field that is men-dominated but God’s grace has kept us through. It requires extra practice and exercises to build energy and stand out.”

    She said;”Getting regular platform to perform, funds to finance the band and have our own instruments are some of the challenges we face, but then, we have plans to work on our album and video and to become internationally recognised,” she added.

  • Ladies to undergo ‘Ignite Spark’ test by Lux tomorrow

    One of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century, Coco Chanel, once said “A woman should wear perfume wherever she wants to be kissed”.

    Translation – smell irresistible! This is what Lux will be working with tomorrow in Lagos where it will teach young ladies how to ignite the love between them and their spouse by using the Lux range of products. The fragrance of this product they say is exhilarating and very inviting, as such will tighten the bond between them and their spouse.

    Lux beauty soap thinks it is time for ladies to ignite the spark between them and their spouse as many marriages and relationships suffer because of lack of romance, love and care. According to Lux, with the passage of time, things are bound to get comfortable, fraternal even with the consistent use of the Lux kit. The firm said the purpose of this event is to enlighten ladies by letting them know that no matter how much in love they remain, their relationship needs a little freshening up from time to time, as well as a reboot. Producers of this product say with the soap, ladies will experience that elating feeling of being closer than close to their man and they will see his eyes reflect that passionate fire in theirs.

    The global brand developed by Unilever has thus, decided to put ladies in the Lagos metropolis through some love test. At the event, ladies would be asked to think back to the first few weeks of meeting their spouse. They will be asked to remember the giddy feeling whenever they thought of their spouses when they just met him. They will be asked to recall those heady days when the flame of love was burning bright. Those endless hours spent in passionate embrace. And finally, they will be asked to compare their relationship now to what it used to be.

    The teachings will include having favorite fragrance on one’s skin to boost self-confidence miles high, wearing a sassy outfit, stylishly-coiffed hair and perhaps a beloved accessory or two create the perfect equation for igniting the spark

    Others are: how to increase chances of time together with that special one, how to have a long soaking bath to soften and elegantly scents the ladies skin, therefore, transforming ladies into the right kind of magnet to their man.

    They will also be taught to cultivate the simple habit of leaving out one evening just for  her and her spouse, void of distractions, these among others, they promise would revive the spark between spouses.

  • Ladies, ladies…

    It is possible for a woman to transmute to an elegant lady if she remembers that the measure of a woman is still the health of her family

    Today is the International Women’s Day. Hooray! I don’t know what it means exactly but I think it has something to do with me abandoning all my womanly duties, kicking off my shoes and just going altogether harrobarahoo! What’s that word? Honestly I don’t know, but I don’t care. This is the day that women are not allowed by law to care about anything. So what if the rest of the house does not eat, or joins the world body of the great unwashed, or even goes hoorabarroha? So, let them! If you are a woman and are reading this, you are covered by the international law not to care. If you are a man and are reading this, well, you are doing so at your own blessed risk!

    Actually, I think it’s a good thing they have not declared today as the international ladies’ day. I would have had a lot to say on the matter. As it is, I still have somewhat to say to us women because it seems to me that many have already thrown many cares to the wind on the matter of their womanhood. When I look at them, I despair very deeply of any hope of their transmuting to ladies any time soon. Nope, not in this century; because it appears they have already transmuted into something close to the intermediary stage of the mutant family, something like X-Women. Let me show you a few slides (more or less) of what I mean.

    During this recent fuel scarcity which God alone knows how we’ll get out of, many frighteningly long queues occurred. And you know how rowdy the pump areas can be with everyone, car and Okada owners, wanting to buy fuel for their cars, bikes, generators and maybe to drink. Well, you know how those queues are enough to stretch a woman’s ladyship qualities to the limit. As I heard it, when this woman saw that queue, she determined that she wasn’t having any of it. So, she determined to use every ounce of womanly wiles in her puny possession to get fuel at all costs without paying the price of queuing up. Taking a deep breath, she reached down into her bag of artillery and bellowed at the sellers: don’t you know, she said, don’t you know I belong to the nation’s armed forces? I think she thought that should immediately throw everyone into the quakes and scramble to serve her, but she was mistaken as only an angry, frustrated silence greeted her. Retreating like a dog with a tucked-in tail, she muttered something to the effect that people should begin to learn how to value women.

    I also think, a woman should be valued by the society. A woman should not be subjected to the many insane horrors that go for the Nigerian story such as struggling for jobs, customs style; struggling to ensure that the house has enough electricity; or struggling to keep the cars fuelled up. I tell you, these are enough to turn any woman into a fangs-baring fiend. Whenever I have had to use the generator and there has been no man around to undertake the sweaty job of turning it on, I have found myself transmuting, I will not tell you into what; the children may be listening. Ok, ok, it’s nothing too sinister.

    When the public light fails (more often than it does not), first, I turn into something like a barking dog: is anyone at home to help me? I need to get this blessed document out of the printer. No answer. That’s when I become a moaning seal: Ooooooooh, what is wrong with these people that they can’t do the most basic thing, give one light? I move to the generator anyway, like any well tuned Nigerian. Then I move to the changeover, where, I suspect, I am getting these wrestler’s arm muscles as I need to wrench the stick up and down with all the grunt I am capable of. Now, as soon as I get the whirr of the generator going, what do you think happens? The public nuisances restore the electricity. Then it’s the whole process all over again in reverse order. As soon as I turn off the generator though, the electricity company strikes again, and shaking my head, I repeat the process like a fetch-it dog. On a particular day, I found myself doing the yoyo dance four good times. I was that desperate, but not as desperate as I was to strangulate someone belonging to the electricity company.

    That is not a very ladylike sentiment I agree, but who can help it? Not you, I’m sure. I believe that desperation prompted our lady of the armed forces to ignore the general, pervading mood in the country and declare what she took to be a potential advantage: force. I believe it is this force that many women are now displaying on the road when they drive. I tell you, many women drivers leave me feeling shame for the entire woman-race. They weave in and out and cut other drivers off indecently, display rugged stubbornness on the road, swing right and left and refuse to acknowledge other people’s rights on the road, and generally carry on as if it were the bronco era of the Wild, Wild West again.

    I get it; women are now living the life their great, great, great grandmothers wished they could have lived. Women now get to work and have a family. That is some serious advantage I tell you. Unfortunately though, trying to juggle the two advantages has left many women not knowing where or what they are any more. They need to be men to survive in a male dominated workplace with all the intrigues, rivalries, scrambles for posts, underhand cuttings, and other unsavoury survival things. On the other hand, they need to be women to bring up well-rounded children and provide the needed human sentimentals to counter-balance the absolute male aggression coming from the males.

    Someone stirred up a controversy the other day by writing an article titled something to the effect that women can have it all. In a logic-filled treatise, the writer tried to show how women are trying to balance the art of child or family rearing with the intricacies and demands of the work place. Her conclusion? Women can have it all but not today, not just yet. And that got people really talking.

    In the same way, I believe that women’s attempt to have it all is killing them mainly because their needs are diametrically opposed to each other. Family needs require that women stay in tune with their naturally endowed qualities of gentleness, patience, kindness, and love. Workplace demands require that women acquire unnatural and unsavoury qualities of harshness, rudeness, hatred and self-advancement, all of which kill the woman in a woman. So, I would say, the evolutionary process in women is at a cross-road just now when a woman puts forward her force of occupation over and above her for force of nature.

    Perhaps, a woman can have it all in this century, I don’t know. I do know that it is possible for a woman to decide just how much of the ‘all’ she wants to have and how much she is willing to pay for it. If she decides to get it all, then of course she must give all and transmute into a mutant of her race. I think it is possible for a woman to transmute to an elegant lady though if she remembers that when all is said and done, the measure of a woman is still the physical, psychological and social health of her family. So, ladies, ladies, kick off those shoes gently now…

  • We grind human heads to make powder for ladies in search of husbands- Native doctor

    We grind human heads to make powder for ladies in search of husbands- Native doctor

    A native doctor and suspected ritual killer arrested by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Lagos State Police Command has said that he grinds human heads into powder as charm for ladies who are looking for choice husbands and big contracts. Olasunkanmi Owolabi, a 43-year-old native of Oyo town, said the concoction is also used as cure for stubborn sores, mental illness, sickle cell anaemia and epilepsy. He also said had planned to establish a specialist native hospital if government gave him the approval.

    Arrested with Owolabi were his two co-travellers, Clement Omodijie and Usman Saliu a.k.a. Alfa. Omodijie, a 54-year-old indigene of Ekpoma, Edo State, says he is married with three children. A grave digger at Gbogbo Cemetery, Ikorodu, Lagos on a monthly salary of N22,000, he said he had worked at the cemetery for five years before he was arrested by SARS operatives.

    Saliu, a 31-year-old native doctor from Ilisa town in Osun State and Owolabi’s ally, said he trained as an alfa (Islamic cleric) at Ralwu Islamic School, Ikewu, Osun State where he claimed he spent nine years learning native medicine. A police source said the three had been charged with unlawful possession of human parts.

    Owolabi (43), who was arrested on June 22 this year, was said to have requested a human head from Omodijie, saying that he needed the skull to prepare a medicine for his patients. Omodijie obliged Owolabi by exhuming a corpse from one of the graves in the cemetery where he worked and delivering the head to Owolabi.

    Upon a tip-off from a member of the public, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, was said to have directed the officer in charge of SARS, Abba Kyari, a Superintendent of Police, to fish out the ritual killers.

    Kyari immediately swung into action with his team. He put a call through to Saliu, saying that a human head was urgently needed to save the life of a wealthy patient whose illness had defied orthodox medicine. Saliu asked the detectives to come to Ikorodu for the transaction. But he was arrested as soon as he showed up at the agreed place. The human head he came with was recovered and put in a polythene bag as an exhibit.

     

    confessing his role in the saga omodijie said, “i was content with being a grave digger before i met owolabi in a restaurant in front of the cemetery in gbogbo area of ikorodu. since i met owolabi, my life has not been the same again. I have moved from one problem into another. i was enjoying my n15,000 monthly salary as a grave digger before i met him and he lured me into supplying human heads to him at n4,000 each. “The naked truth is that there is nothing reasonable i have done with the n4,000 per human head that he has been paying me. i used it to drink gin or smoke cigarettes with it. it is the devil’s money. “i hardly fell sick since i was born. but after selling human heads to him, my health has been deteriorating.

    I buy drugs as if it is food, making me to spend more money than before. “i was moulding blocks before i secured a job in the cemetery as a grave digger. we were paid on a daily basis. we used wooden or machine moulder. but whichever moulder we used, we charged the owner n500 per bag of cement, which can give one about 40 blocks. if we did three bags, we collected n1,500. “when i got a job in the cemetery, i was happy because it is not as hard as moulding blocks.

    The salary was small but i was enjoying it. the grave was shallow or deep, depending on the owner of the corpse and the way he or she wants it to be buried. “my trouble started a day i went to buy food opposite the cemetery. that was where i met owolabi and he said there was something he had wanted to tell me. He asked whether i was a worker in the cemetery and i said yes. he said i should give him a human head and i asked him what he meant. he said the head of a corpse already buried. “we have cemetery rules which forbid us from doing such a thing. i told him that i would not be able to do that, and he left. but thereafter, each day i went to the restaurant to buy food, he would accost me with the same request. i insisted that i would not do it because i did not want to lose my job, but he said it was better to sell human parts to him than allowing them to waste. “I summoned courage to ask him what he wanted to do with human heads and other parts. he said he was a native doctor and alfa, and that he wanted to use it to make medicine.

    He said he would grind it into powder and mix it with certain herbs for pregnant women to drink in order to deliver their babies without complications or operation. he also said that he grinds human heads and mixes them with the powders some ladies carry in their handbags, saying that it helps those that are looking for choice husbands and big government contracts or companies’ lpos to secure them without stress. he also said that it can cure sickle cell anemia, among other ailments. “I told him that i didn’t have any but if i got one, i would call him.

    A few days later, i called him on the phone and told him that i had got some. he asked me where i kept it and i told him that i kept one in a nearby bush. he asked me to bring it to my house so that he would come later to collect it. “he knows my house because he had followed me to my house several times after we met and became friends. he gave me n4,000 for the first head he came to collect from my house. the following day, he bought another one for n4,000.” asked how he obtained the heads he sold to owolabi, omodijie said: “The graves where i normally bring out the skulls from are shallow, and coffins are not used for the corpses brought there because of religion or financial status of the owners. it is cheaper to bury a corpse in a shallow grave than to do so in a deep, cemented or marbled one. “most burials done in shallow graves are temporary. that is why that section of the cemetery is called the temporary site. after some months, the corpses buried in shallow graves are excavated and burnt. that was why owolabi i should not allow the skulls to waste and that i should sell them to him instead.” “four of us work in the cemetery, but the other workers did not know that i was smuggling out human skulls and other parts to sell to native doctors. it was only two heads i had sold before detectives from sars arrested me. “there is no useful thing i can say i did with the money.

    I was deceived by the devil. i am pleading for forgiveness because i did not kill a l anyone to sell their heads. i sold the skulls of corpses already buried and had decayed. i did not know that it would land me in this trouble.” owolabi on his part said: “i am an alfa and a native doctor. but i am not yet registered. i finished my arabic studies in kwara state about 13 years ago and relocated to ikorodu to work as a native doctor. i have the ambition of building a native hospital if the government gives me an approval. “I started by praying for sick people. last year, i met this cemetery worker (omodijie) and told him about the products (human parts) they were wasting. i learnt about using human skull to do powerful charms and medicine after travelling to kano, kaduna and other parts of the north. “in kano, i met a yoruba native doctor who told me that if i mixed ground human bones with soap and some herbs, it would bring luck for my clients or patients.

    He said it could also cure chronic and stubborn sores and help pregnant women to deliver without complications or operation. it can also cure madness and other terrible diseases that defy orthodox solution. “women who are looking for husbands can also mix the ground bones with their powder. when they see a man they like, especially if they want a husband, they would rob the powder and talk to the man and the man will fall for them. it can also bring good luck and help job seekers to secure employment. “it can make somebody to become rich. it can cure epilepsy. a woman can also bath with it and men will be begging her to marry them. i sell a tablet of the soap for n2,000. it depends on the pocket of the buyer. some buy it for n1,000. I sell it around ikorodu and ajah in lagos. “saliu had told me to help him to get a human head and i collected one for him from the cemetery worker. he gave me n4,000 and i gave it to the cemetery worker that supplied the products. “when sars operatives arrested him, he led them to my house and i was also arrested. i knew the grave digger to be a worker in gbogbo cemetery at ikorodu. when he wanted to throw away some (human) parts, i told him that i needed them. i normally gave him n4,000 per skull.” saliu said: “i am a native doctor. i also spent nine years in ralwu islamic school, ikewu, osun state. i pray for women who are looking for husbands. i collected whatever amount they gave me. when the prayer worked for them, they would come to thank me with anything they liked. “i usually lock myself up to pray for my clients for between seven and 21 days, depending on the personality involved. they paid whatever amount they liked.

    The only money they were required to deposit with me was the one to buy certain things that i would use to prepare the things i would use for the prayers.” asked why he had to use human skulls for his prayers, he said: “i had not used it before. one of my brothers came and met me in the house one day and told me that he went to ila-orangun in osun state to do rituals for money but the person he met told him that it would require a human skull and certain leaves. “when i met my brother, owolabi, we talked about how to get the human head. he told me that he himself used to do the same medicine with human heads and some herbs and even made medicinal soap with it. he asked me to go and bring money and he would help me get a human skull. “i asked owolabi where he would get it from and he said he had a link at the gbogbo cemetery in ikorodu. after six to seven months, my brother called me while i was still in bed and asked whether the human head was ready. i told him to let me ask owolabi about it. when i asked owolabi, he told me to come and meet him. when i met him, he said it would cost n18,000, saying that he bought it for n12,000 from the cemetery man. “a friend of shina came and gave him n15,000. owolabi took n10,000 and gave me n2,000 only, and told me that he would use the remaining n3,000 to pay for the transportation of the human head to the final destination.

  • Stay trendy in suits!

    Stay trendy in suits!

    LADIES now go the extra mile to look good and trendy. Nowadays, women are spending a fortune on looking good. The shape, design, style and colours of your suit matter a lot. Women’s suits have moved from the modest two pieces style to more complex fittings and smart designs. Suits by the likes of Next, Versace and Valentino are well designed and they enjoy great patronage.

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    Wearing an ill-fitting suit can damage the effect of your image, so, getting the right fit in a suit and tailoring it according your shape is rather important. This goes a long way in impressing your client as well as your peers. So, when going shopping for your suit, have these in mind:

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