The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Musician

  • Why I became a musician

    Why I became a musician

    Livinus Ikechukwu Orakwe is a priest of the Catholic Church. A former parish priest of Saint Augustine Catholic Church,Ikorodu,Lagos,Father Orakwe is also a member of the Association of Nigerian Authors, ANA. A  prolific and consummate writer who has authored many books including a biography,has now chosen to go into gospel musical production as well.He hopes to use gospel lyrics and compositions for evangelism and evangelisation. He bares it all in this encounter with Edozie Udeze.

    You are widely known as a prolific author. You have suddenly switched over to music, why?               Thanks so much Sir for asking this vital question. Yes, I have been writing  books. I still write. And I will never stop. Writing is a creative art and an intellectual exercise. I see music also as a creative art. But I entered into music in a rare fashion. I didn’t switch over to music instead music arrested me. It started as a dream encounter.  It became constant and I was losing good night sleep. I had no option but to download an App which helps me to record them.

    I prayed over it.  I only believe that God is preparing me for a music evangelism.

    How do you combine your pastoral activities with music production?

    Thanks so much Sir. In our seminary days,  we were formed with a slogan,  ” Every Claretian is capable of ten tasks at the same time “. Again, as a pastor and an administrator of a big parish like St. Augustine Catholic church Ikorodu Lagos, I had been organising a music festival which is the second biggest musical praise in Lagos Archdiocese called ” Light-a-million-candles”. I also became the first to sponsor another musical praise with a new musical initiative, an arm of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN ) Ikorodu branch called ONE CROSS. So, being used to working as a workaholic, it turns out to be part of our calling to double up if need be. Its actually part of our sacrifices as missionaries.

    Does your new music activities involve your stage performances?

    Every musical event finds it’s setting on a stage or a podium. It also has to function and impact on lives using a very professional sound system. Gospel music does not have the type of setting that secular music has in terms of monetized, commercial and business music. Gospel music is for spiritual upliftment and praise onto God. Therefore, stage performances are involved, based on musical evangelism, musical retreat and animation of the youths. So, stage performance is intrinsic. As a musical project that gets distributed online,  it has its stage name as “Livo Jyke”.

    How do you compose your music?

    I was never a chorister or a member of any choir. I don’t know Staff and Solfa notations. But I have ears for music. It will still be a surprise to my natural family members, Claretian family members and  those who know me, listening to my music. I believe I would be the least expected to become a musical artist.

    Read Also: GAC members meet Lagos speaker over proposed Lagos electricity law

    This music started in my dreams. Shortly before I left St. Augustine Catholic church Ikorodu Lagos, I started celebrating Mass and singing with the worshippers in my dreams. I didn’t pay attention to it in the beginning. The strange encounter became regular and started denying me hours of normal sleep. I then knew that it’s  no longer a joke. I had to download an App. After my dream encounter, I would wake up to record the songs before falling back to sleep. This is how it started. I went online to research on music and artists. I got the information that I have to take advantage of the inspiration to write as many songs as possible before it will wind down. Since April 2023 to today, I have recorded a little above 200 songs.

    What messages do you pass across through your music?

    My music is as a type, a Gospel music. It has a lot of songs that pass message of hope,  songs that pass message love,  songs that pass message of praise onto God, songs that pass message of encouragement, songs that pass message of repentance, songs that pass message of spiritual warfare, songs  that pass message of celebration, songs that pass message of joy and songs that pass message of pilgrimage on thisearth. St. Augustine states that whoever sings well, prays twice. Music is a prayer as well. We pray and praise God through the music we make. 

    What is the title of your latest release and what does it embody?

    I am a debutant in music. I have just worked on my debut EP.  I title it “Gosife”. In Igbo language,  it means, ” Show the light”. Its an EP of seven tracks. The tracks are:  His will, Laughter, Like You, Only You, On the Table, Mmiri (water), My Candle.

    When are we expecting a new book from you apart from music?

    Thank you Sir. I have two preoccupations now.

    One is to stabilise my music project. To get ready for what God wills to use me for. Since the inception of this music, it has not allowed me to face other things.

    Second preoccupation is my new mission. I have been configured for a mission to South Africa.

    Missionary work has always taken all of my life experience.

    My missionary experiences in Haiti, Tchad, Zimbabwe and within some dioceses in Nigeria, my encounters in Rome, Spain, Dominican Republic, Cameroun and USA serve as a pool of creative wealth for me.

    My reading and writing books will resume when I settle down in South Africa. I have some I started already before this music came.  And I am sure that I will write plenty books as from next year 2025. Thank God South Africa is a spectacular sea of creative life.

    I believe that the creative arts of writing and making music will occupy the rest of my life till death.

    Father, do you really need special permission from your Clarecian superiors to combine your calling with another career?

    As a missionary and a religious, permission is required for everything I have to do. However, Gospel music is another vehicle for conveying the good news and sharing love. Music is a universal language. Music goes straight to the  people’s soul that’s why it is   called, ” the food of the soul ” and ” a sure therapy for a distressed mind “. It is still within the calling in general. 

  • ‘I could have been an astronaut, musician’

    Chukwuebuka Ogbodo was first called ‘The Law’ in primary school. But several factors made him to contemplate other career paths. The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) alumnus and First Class Law School graduate shares his story with ROBERT EGBE.

    A chief’s son

    My name is Chukwuebuka Christian Ogbodo. I am a lawyer currently employed as an Associate in the Energy, Project Finance and Technology Practice Group at Templars, a leading Nigerian Law firm.

    I was born in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State as the last son of Chief Ogbodo Eze and Lolo Ndidiamaka. I have two older siblings, a brother and a sister. I had a twin sister who passed away when we were five, following which I relocated to Lagos to live with my Uncle.

    Fondest childhood memory

    I attended God’s Delightsome Land Nursery and Primary School. My fondest memory was an evening when the Head Teacher visited my uncle and informed him that the school intended to give me a double promotion from Primary 2 to 4 in light of my academic skills.

    When I was in primary 4, we had something akin to a career fare at school and I remember everyone shouting “The Law” when it was my turn to speak – apparently I argued and talked too much and they attributed those traits to lawyers (Laughs).

    History and Young Lawyers Club pioneer

    I had my junior secondary school at the Immaculate Hearts Comprehensive Junior High School, Maryland, Lagos and lost my father shortly upon completing Junior Secondary School (JSS3). I moved on to The Apostolic Church Grammar School, Ketu, Lagos for senior secondary education, and my love for both the Law and the Arts was sparked during my three years at this fantastic school. Mrs Olutola and Mrs Bilewu (English and History teachers, respectively) were like mothers to me during this period. While there, I pioneered the formation of the History and Young Lawyers Club, which I believe still exists at the school till date.

    First undergraduate to be awarded the Google Policy

    Fellowship in Africa

    I attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) where I obtained my L.L.B (Hons) and graduated with a Second Class Upper Division degree in 2017. During my fourth year at the university and shortly after I turned 20, I emerged as the first undergraduate to be awarded the Google Policy Fellowship in Africa. As a result, I was given a grant of $7,500 to research around that elusive intersection where Law, Technology and Public Policy meet for coffee. I was hosted by Paradigm Initiative ICT Policy Office and one of the key highlights was contributing to the research and drafting of the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill. Subsequently, the Bill was successfully passed in both houses of the National Assembly. It was a remarkable experience.

    At the Nigerian Law School, I was one of the five to obtain a First Class from the Yola Campus in that session, graduating in the top 2 per cent of the full 5800+ cohort of students of the Nigerian Law School for the 2018 academic session. I remember my disappointment upon discovering I had been posted to Yola, Adamawa State, notwithstanding my selection of Lagos and Abuja campuses as my alternatives for the Law School programme.  Today, I am grateful for the experience in Yola.

    What I tell people who say lawyers  are buried face down

    As I mentioned earlier, due to my argumentative streak and my fondness for logic games, I had long suspected that Law would provide a great career path for me (this is not to say that lawyers are argumentative!). Nevertheless, there was ample discouragement from studying Law while I was growing up. This was due in part to the perceived dishonesty of lawyers and the quite ridiculous urban myth that when lawyers pass on to the other side, they will typically be buried face down. My response to the myth was always that “why would a dead person care?”.  Nevertheless, I explored becoming an astronaut, but realised this would entail years spent traveling, missing out on my favourite dishes, etc. This was therefore an easy one to dismiss. I also contemplated becoming a musician, but I also withdrew given that success isn’t as guaranteed in this field as pursuit of a white collar career can be. I eventually reverted to my first love and proceeded to select Law on my Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) form.

    I started studying from the weekend before lectures commenced

    Attending Law School was one of the most challenging things I have ever done. Simply because I did not graduate with a First Class from university, I was determined to “redeem” myself at the Law School and, as a result, from the weekend before lectures commenced, I started studying and did not stop until the final examination.

    Call to Bar

    My Law School and undergraduate studies were sponsored by a family friend, Mr. Edet. As a result, I completely dedicated the ceremony to him. My Call to Bar had my family and closest friends present in a grand reunion in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Awards

    At the Call to the Bar Ceremony, I was awarded the Director-General’s Award for First Class and the Chief Ernest Shonekan G.C.F.R Prize in Property Law by the Nigerian Law School and the Council of Legal Education.

    How to solve young lawyers’  remuneration problem

    I am fortunate to be working at one of the largest and most prestigious corporate law firms in Nigeria, and one of the benefits of this is that everything from remuneration to career progression is structured in a transparent manner that aims to reflect fairness across ranks.

    Nevertheless, I am not unaware that this experience is unusual for most practitioners.

    My “radical” propositions on the subject of remuneration are as follows:

    • Foreign law firms should be allowed to practice in Nigeria with Nigerian qualified attorneys as this will give room for healthy competition with local chambers/firms for the best talent;
    • Compensation policies should be made a key metric in evaluating “top tier” law firms as is the case in other jurisdictions;
    • Lawyer remuneration should form a key metric for the evaluation of the conferment of the award of Senior Advocates of Nigeria by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee; and
    • There should be a transparent publication of entry level lawyers’ remuneration, which should form part of the reporting obligations of law firms/chambers to the Nigerian Bar Association with due recognition given to those pioneering the #fairpayforworkdone mantra.

    Marrying a lawyer?

    Why shouldn’t I?! I don’t believe anyone’s profession defines them, so, this is not consequential for me in choosing “The One”.

    What I would change about the legal profession

    I would remove the restrictions in the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) that prevent foreign law firms from practicing law in Nigeria. Perhaps the newly established Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) could look into levelling the competition field in the legal market in this regard.

    On a lighter note, I would ban wigs and gowns in the courtrooms and banish them to ceremonial bar functions.

    Mentors

    I am grateful to Mr. Desmond Ogba, a Partner at my firm, who has opened my mind to a broader dimension of legal practice than I would have thought possible. Mrs Ona Oshen, a Templars alumnus and international practitioner, has also been an enabler, providing mentorship and lessons on strategy.

    There are also persons whose consistent advice and follow up have assisted in shaping the trajectory of my legal career. These include Dr. Nkem Itanyi (as she will soon be), Ms. Afiong Ibio, Professor Nnona Chukuemeka (SJD, Harvard) who taught me Company Law at university, and Professor Ireh Iyioha (Ph.D.), whose foundation the PEIF Fund Inc., was instrumental in providing me with much needed guidance during my final year at university.

    SAN, Professor or Judge?

    Becoming a SAN. You know why (laughs).

    The future

    I plan to continue gaining quality practice experience, recognising that I have only seen the tip of the iceberg and that so much remains to be discovered.

  • ‘I considered being an astronaut, musician’

    Chukwuebuka Christian Ogbodo was first called ‘The Law’ in primary four. But several factors made him to contemplate other career paths. The Second Class Upper University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) alumnus and First Class Law School graduate shares his story with ROBERT EGBE.

    A chief’s son

    My name is Chukwuebuka Christian Ogbodo. I am a lawyer currently employed as an Associate in the Energy, Project Finance and Technology Practice Group at Templars, a leading Nigerian Law firm.

    I was born in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State as the last son of Chief Ogbodo-Eze and Lolo Ndidiamaka. I have two older siblings, a brother and a sister. I initially had a twin sister who passed away when we were five-year-olds, following which I relocated to Lagos to live with my Uncle. This move marked the beginning of my academic journey.

     

    Fondest childhood memory

    I attended God’s Delightsome Land Nursery and Primary School. My fondest memory was an evening when the Head Teacher visited my uncle and informed him that the school intended to give me a double promotion from Primary 2 to 4 in light of my academic skills.

    When I was in primary 4, we had something akin to a career fare at school and I remember everyone shouting “The Law” when it was my turn to speak – apparently I argued and talked too much and they attributed those traits to lawyers (Laughs).

     

    History and Young Lawyers Club pioneer

    I had my junior secondary school at the Immaculate Hearts Comprehensive Junior High School, Maryland, Lagos and lost my father shortly upon completing Junior Secondary School (JSS3).

    I moved on to The Apostolic Church Grammar School, Ketu, Lagos for senior secondary education, and my love for both the Law and the Arts was sparked during my three years at this fantastic school. Mrs Olutola and Mrs Bilewu (English and History teachers, respectively) were like mothers to me during this period. While there, I pioneered the formation of the History and Young Lawyers Club, which I believe still exists at the school till date.

     

    First undergraduate to be awarded the Google Policy Fellowship in Africa

    I attended the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) where I obtained my L.L.B (Hons) and graduated with a Second Class Upper Division degree in 2017. During my fourth year at the university and shortly after I turned 20, I emerged as the first undergraduate to be awarded the Google Policy Fellowship in Africa. As a result, I was given a grant of $7,500 to research around that elusive intersection where Law, Technology and Public Policy meet for coffee. I was hosted by Paradigm Initiative ICT Policy Office and one of the key highlights was contributing to the research and drafting of the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill. Subsequently, the Bill was successfully passed in both houses of the National Assembly. It was a remarkable experience.

    After graduating from UNN, I proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, where I was one of the five to have obtained a First Class from the Yola Campus in that session, graduating in the top 2 per cent of the full 5800+ cohort of students of the Nigerian Law School for the 2018 academic session. I remember my disappointment upon discovering I had been posted to Yola, Adamawa State, notwithstanding my selection of Lagos and Abuja campuses as my alternatives for the Law School programme.  Today, I am grateful for the experience in Yola, which boasts of a beautiful campus with personable staff and an ideal environment for intense study with minimal distraction.

     

    What I tell people who say lawyers

    are buried face down

    As I mentioned earlier, due to my argumentative streak and my fondness for logic games, I had long suspected that Law would provide a great career path for me (this is not to say that lawyers are argumentative!). Nevertheless, there was ample discouragement from studying Law while I was growing up. This was due in part to the perceived dishonesty of lawyers and the quite ridiculous urban myth that when lawyers pass on to the other side, they will typically be buried face down. My response to the myth was always that “why would a dead person care?”.  Nevertheless, I explored becoming an astronaut, but realised this would entail years spent traveling, missing out on my favourite dishes, etc. This was therefore an easy one to dismiss. I also contemplated becoming a musician, but I also withdrew given that success isn’t as guaranteed in this field as pursuit of a white collar career can be. I eventually reverted to my first love and proceeded to select Law on my Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) form.

     

    I started studying from the weekend before lectures commenced

    Attending Law School was one of the most challenging things I have ever done. Simply because I did not graduate with a first class from university, I was determined to “redeem” myself at the Law School and, as a result, from the weekend before lectures commenced, I started studying and did not stop until the final examination.

    As for recreation, because I was in a new city where I did not understand the language, my movements were somewhat limited and this helped me stay committed to my goal. However, I ensured to make out time for my favourite sitcoms which I typically watched on my phone as a treat for meeting my study targets.

     

    Call to Bar

    My Law School and undergraduate studies were sponsored by a family friend, Mr. Edet. As a result, I completely dedicated the ceremony to him. My Call to Bar had my family and closest friends present in a grand reunion in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

     

    Awards

    At the Call to the Bar Ceremony, I was awarded the Director-General’s Award for First Class and the Chief Ernest Shonekan G.C.F.R Prize in Property Law by the Nigerian Law School and the Council of Legal Education.

     

    How to solve young lawyers’ remuneration problem

    I am fortunate to be working at one of the largest and most prestigious corporate law firms in Nigeria, and one of the benefits of this is that everything from remuneration to career progression is structured in a transparent manner that aims to reflect fairness across ranks.

    Nevertheless, I am not unaware that this experience is unusual for most practitioners. I am impressed by the increasing clamour for better remuneration for young lawyers and I am optimistic that with time this will become some sort of norm for most new wigs.

    My “radical” propositions on the subject of remuneration are as follows:

    • Foreign law firms should be allowed to practice in Nigeria with Nigerian qualified attorneys as this will give room for healthy competition with local chambers/firms for the best talent;
    • Compensation policies should be made a key metric in evaluating “top tier” law firms as is the case in other jurisdictions;
    • Lawyer remuneration should form a key metric for the evaluation of the conferment of the award of Senior Advocates of Nigeria by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee; and
    • There should be a transparent publication of entry level lawyers’ remuneration, which should form part of the reporting obligations of law firms/chambers to the Nigerian Bar Association with due recognition given to those pioneering the #fairpayforworkdone mantra.

     

    Marrying a lawyer?

    Why shouldn’t I?! I don’t believe anyone’s profession defines them, so, this is not consequential for me in choosing “The One”.

     

    What I would change about the legal

    profession

    I would remove the restrictions in the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) that prevent foreign law firms from practicing law in Nigeria. Perhaps the newly established Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) could look into levelling the competition field in the legal market in this regard. Interestingly, the RPC was issued pursuant to the Legal Practitioners Act and the FCCPC Act makes it clear that the FCCPC has supremacy over any industry-specific Act in relation to competition in Nigeria. Therefore, if the NBA will not remove these restrictions, the FCCPC can choose to do so (Chuckles).

    On a lighter note, I would ban wigs and gowns in the courtrooms and banish them to ceremonial bar functions.

     

    Mentors

    I have quite a few mentors, both formal and informal, and my academic and professional successes have been vastly aided by mentorship and inspiration from so many. I will dwell here on the heroes I have seen and dealt with more frequently in the course of my journey so far.

    I am grateful to Mr. Desmond Ogba, a Partner at my firm, who has opened my mind to a broader dimension of legal practice than I would have thought possible. He makes me believe that anything is possible, and that excellence is key. Working with him has been a privilege and a blessing. Mrs Ona Oshen, a Templars alumnus and international practitioner, has also been an enabler, providing mentorship and lessons on strategy that predate my admission to the Nigerian Law School.

    There are also persons whose consistent advice and follow up have assisted in shaping the trajectory of my legal career. These include Dr. Nkem Itanyi (as she will soon be), Ms. Afiong Ibio, Professor Nnona Chukuemeka (SJD, Harvard) who taught me Company Law at university, and Professor Ireh Iyioha (Ph.D.), whose foundation the PEIF Fund Inc., was instrumental in providing me with much needed guidance during my final year at university.

     

    SAN, Professor or Judge?

    Becoming a SAN. You know why (laughs).

     

    The future

    I plan to continue gaining quality practice experience, recognising that I have only seen the tip of the iceberg and that so much remains to be discovered. Along the line, I intend to pursue a specialised LLM in a leading university with hopes for additional learning and experiencing that will enhance the value I can deliver to the legal profession.

    In the interim, I plan to take each day at a time and continue giving my very best in my profession and in life generally.

     

     

  • Sound Sultan’s ‘Jungle Story’ musical attracts top celebrities

    Popular musician, Lanre Fasasi, aka Sound Sultan has unveiled details of his coming star-studded Broadway-styled musical tagged Jungle Story.

    The live stage show, which features many of Nigeria’s most prominent actors and musicians, also marks the 18th anniversary  of the singer, songwriter cum actor who became a public sensation after he made a debut with the popular song, Mathematics (Jagbajantis).

    Jungle Story is scheduled to hold October 12 to 14th at Terra Kulture, Tiamiyu Savage, Victoria Island with the weekend events showing twice, 3pm and 6pm respectively. It is produced by his Naija Ninja productions in collaboration with creative talent agency, Temple Management Company.

    Sound Sultan is pulling all stops by forcing legendary actor of the ‘Storyland’ fame, Jimi Sholanke out of ‘retirement’ to play his traditional role as narrator’ in the drama-packed stage production. Also teaming up with the musician is his long-time collaborator, Segun Adefila and his drama troupe.

    Other A-list celebrities on the line-up include Richard Mofe-Damijo, Wale Ojo, Ali Baba, Mr Ibu, Helen Paul, Kunle Afolayan, Reekado Banks, Seyi Shay, 2baba, Simi, Niniola, kate henshaw, Basketmouth, Harrysong, Gbenga Adeyinka, Emmanuella, Ramsey Nouah, Bovi, Lasisi Elenu, MC Lively, Broda Shaggi, Segun Adefila, Fals, Okey Bakassi, Olamide and Baba Dee among others.

  • After 40 years, my family finally forgave me for becoming a musician – KSA

    After 40 years, my family finally forgave me for becoming a musician – KSA

    Juju music maestro, King Sunny Ade, has revealed how his family discouraged him from becoming a musician.
    The Grammy award nominee who comes from a royal family in Ondo state said in an interview on Accelerate TV’s The Maverick show, that his family thought that royalties should be praised in songs and not praising others.
    KSA as he is fondly called by his fans, also said he wanted to become an engineer and a doctor when he was younger because he wanted to help people.
    In April, KSA will be performing alongside top international pop acts such as Beyonce, Kendrick Lamar, and others at the Coachella Music Festival in the US.

  • Pastor, banker, musician battle for Edo Govt. House

    Pastor, banker, musician battle for Edo Govt. House

    The stage is set for the governorship election in Edo State. The All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the United Peoples Party (UPP) are the major parties. Correspondent OSAGIE OTABOR writes on the three-horse race.

    Who occupies Osadebey Avenue, the seat of power in Edo State, after the expiration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole’ tenure in November 12? Three political parties have picked their flag bearers in primaries that were free, fair and transparent. It is now up to the people to decide the candidates that would get the plum job.

    The parties that have elected their candidates are the United Progressive Party (UPP), the Peoples Democratic party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), which  picked Shedrack Nowamagbe, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Godwin Obaseki respectively.

    According to the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Sam Olumekun, nine political parties had indicated interest in the September 10 election.

    But, the UPP, the PDP and the APC appear to be the main contenders. The other parties are said to be waiting for aggrieved aspirants to run on their platforms.

    The three candidates are men who claim to have excelled in their chosen careers and professions. Nowamagbe is a musician, Ize-Iyamu is a pastor, and Obaseki is a financial expert. It is, however, up to the electorate to decide whether the musician, the pastor or the financial expert will be their governor.

    The candidates would have to rely on the structures of their parties across the state. none of them has contested for elective position before. They are marketing themselves to the electorate for the first time. Nowamagbe is the only candidate that has not worked with any ruling party or government before. Both Ize-Iyamu and Obaseki are seen as the brain behind the successes and failures of the different administrations they served. Their parents were palace chiefs that served the Oba of Benin at different era. Nowamagbe is of low parentage. Obaseki and Pastor Ize-Iyamu are graduates of prestigious universities and Nowamagbe attended a secondary school.

     

    Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu

    He rose to prominence when he served as the Secretary to the Edo State Government under former Governor Lucky Igbinedion. Before he was appointed as the SSG, Pastor Ize-Iyamu served as the Chief of Staff. Many said he was the engine-room of the Igbinedion administration. He studies law at the University of Benin. He was called to Nigerian Bar in 1987.

    According to his profile published online, Pastor Ize-Iyamu gave his life to the service of God in 1985 when he was miraculously healed after a fatal accident. He joined the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), and in 1998. He was made a Pastor of the Upper Room Parish on Adesuwa Road, G.R.A, Benin City.

    He is today the District Pastor, in charge of the zonal, area and parishes of the RCCG in Edo State and the Provincial Regional Headquarters in Benin City. Ize-Iyamu is the only politician among the three candidates. Apart from his records of political appointments,  there is nothing in the profile about his past working experience. He established the I.O farms. He has said that he should not be held responsible for the failure of what is now regarded as the years of the locust in Edo State. Ize-Iyamu started nursing the ambition to rule the state during the Igbinedion administration.

     

    Godwin Obaseki

    Very little was known of him until his name propped up as the anointed candidate even though he had worked with Governor Oshiomhole. Obaseki served as the Chairman of the Edo State Economic Team, a position he held since 2008.

    He attended the University of Ibadan where he obtained a BA in Classics and proceeded to the Columbia University and Pace University in New York where he obtained an MBA in Finance and International Business. He is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Stock Brokers, Nigeria and an alumnus of the Lagos Business School Chief Executive Programme. Obaseki’s career in Investment Banking, Asset Management, Securities Trading and the Public Sector spanned over 30 years. He took off as stockbroker in 1983 with Capital Trust Brokers Limited, Lagos before joining the International Merchant Bank (an affiliate of First Chicago Bank). In 1988, he joined AVC Funds Limited, Lagos, where he was a Project Manager and led the core team that set up two of the new generation banks. Between 1993 and 1995, he worked in New York as a principal of Equatorial Finance Co, a financial advisory firm with a focus on Africa and providing Structured Trade Finance for African related transactions through credit, financial advisory and risk insurance.

    He founded Afrinvest West Africa Limited in 1995 before working with the Edo State Government. The successes of the Oshiomhole administration is largely due to Obaseki’s expertise in financial matters – it is widely believed.

     

    Shedrack Nowamagbe

    He tagged himself the ‘masses chairman’. Nowamagbe is a social critic and a household name in the music industry. He became famous when he drew attention to the failings of government through music, especially during the Igbinedion administration. Nowamagbe was once beaten when he took canoe to the Dumez junction to shoot music on the flooding in the area. He was not a member of any political party before, but he has made the UPP popular in the state. About 400 delegates participated in the party’s primary that saw the emergence of Nowamagbe as the flag bearer. He struggled through thick and thin to establish himself in the music industry.  His mother died when he was 12 days old and his father died when he was 12 years. Unlike his contenders that were born and bred in Benin City, Nowamagbe was a farmer and a rubber tapper in his Ugha village and he learned music from his in-law. It was an antelope he sold for N220 that  he used to get freedom from his master in 1990.

    The UPP candidate said: “I am happy with everything I made through music. I am proud to be a musician. I did music till I became a professor like other professors in various fields. Music gives inspiration you will not understand because it is controlled by a certain spirit. There is a spirit that controls music, especially if you are born to be a musician. There must be an angel that controls you and give you pattern. I started with calypso and I became a social critic, which made some people not to like me. but, I didn’t care because I was looking up to God. That was why God came now to say I should go and put smiles on the faces of the people. I said how? He said I should declare myself the next governor of Edo State. God has given me all it takes to be the governor of Edo.”

    On how he hoped to contend with political heavy weights, Nowamagbe said: “You call them heavy weights, but they are political recyclers. They have squeezed themselves into one party like cockroaches. If they are heavy weights, they should go to Abuja, bring a new party and make it popular like I did. If they know they have a name, they could have joined other political parties. Some of them have stolen money to spend. They should sponsor a new party and make it popular. Many of them have the tendency to squander our money and they want to come and do it again. I am coming to shift the focus.”

  • School fee angers Fuji musician, K-1

    School fee angers Fuji musician, K-1

    As schools across the country resume for the second term, and parents make effort to pay their children’s fees, one person who is vexed by the exorbitant levies is Fuji musician, Wasiu Ayinde, aka K-1 de Ultimate.

    Infuriated with the demand of N1million by an unnamed school for his three-year-old child, the musician described the situation as a ‘rape’ and denial of the child’s fundamental right to quality education.

    “How can a three year old be given a school fee of N1million, just because you want the child to have an early foundation? If this is applicable in other countries, then there is problem in the world, because nobody will have access to good education,” he said.

    Brandishing the document which described the fee as Development Levy, the musician expressed his anger in the presence of his manager, Bayo Olasoju and a few guests at the R&A, Lamex, Ikeja, Lagos last week, saying: “Honestly, the Nigerian leaders have failed in their social responsibility. What kind of development levy do you ask for a child that will be three years old in February – such outrageous fee. I have informed her (his wife) that we are going to court. I will fight that case; I have also informed her that I will sponsor and champion that cause in the press and internet.”

    When told that he has a choice to public schools, the musician said irrespective of choices, education should be affordable by all. “We will take this up with the federal government. This is total denial to good education for citizens. No public school is functioning; the National Assembly should be called to order to make pronouncements that says all private schools should be banned. They are talking about corruption but corruption starts from the grassroots and if you do not stop this nonsense then corruption will continue. How can somebody being paid N2 million per annum afford to send children to school? That’s nonsense, you are earning N2 million per annum and you have two kids, how do you get them to good school? How do you pay for your living? I’m going to take it up, I am going to make a serious touch on education and the leadership.

    “It is a rape. We want to raise a better society. If President Muhammadu Buhari must score points, then he needs to go into the educational sector and handle it.”

    Asked why he has not considered an elective position despite his long involvement in partisan politics, he said: “Must everybody come out to serve? Must everybody come out to take elective office? Very many people you see today in politics are there for different reasons. Some are there because of their self benefits, some are there simply because they want to register their names in the book as a member of House of Representatives or House of Assembly or as Commissioner. But what about millions of others who add great values to the political party they choose by serving their constituencies in personal capacity and making sure that people around them benefit good services from the government.”

    K-1 said of his type of person in politics: “There are many people there who are mobilisers whom people seeking political offices can’t afford to joke with because of their good standing in the community. I prefer to be one who has a good standing in the community and constituency that will be of great value for anybody coming around.”

  • I never smoked or drank alcohol in my 30 yrs as a musician, says Ras Kimono

    I never smoked or drank alcohol in my 30 yrs as a musician, says Ras Kimono

    Veteran reggae artiste, Ras Kimono has decried the heavy use of drugs and alcohol by young Nigerian entertainers. Speaking to The Nation, the root reggae crooner said, “With the rate at which our young entertainers are abusing drugs, and alcohol, many of them will be raving mad, in asylums, or rehab in the next 10 years”.

    He opined that many youngsters fail to heed the fact that so many lives have been wasted by the twin evils of alcoholism, and drug addiction in different parts of the world over the years from Canada, to Europe, Africa, and the United States.

    The practicing Rastafarian who is a vegetarian, and  neither smokes nor drinks stated that contrary to the Ganja (Marijuana) smoking culture associated with reggae music, which has its roots in the Jamaican culture, “I have never smoked ,nor drank alcohol in my over thirty years as a musician. There are a number of reggae musicians who do not abuse drugs, nor drink alcohol.”

    Speaking further, he urged aspiring musicians to focus on improving their music craftsmanship, and learn how to play musical instruments rather than seeking cheap popularity to acquire many women.

    Although an Asaba, Delta State indigene, the father of five prefers to be identified as an African, following the ideological footsteps of African statesmen like Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe of Nigeria, and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana; who believed in the unity of the African continent.

  • Dayo Amusa turns musician

    Dayo Amusa turns musician

    Gradually, Nollywood actress, Dayo Amusa, is breaking new grounds as she adds singing to her portfolio with the recent release of her second single.

    Dayo made her debut as a musician with the release of Unforgiveable, the soundtrack of her movie of the same title, starring Nollywood actors Mike Ezeruonye and Desmond Elliot.

    Many would have thought that Dayo’sUnforgiveable was a flash in the pan, but the actress as surprised her fans as she follows up with another single, Blow my Mind.

    Produced by PsalmJazzy and mixed by Teepiano, the single which was released on the internet a few days ago, has been receiving heavy download.

    The crossover actress also runs a school called PayDad, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

  • Farmer, musician, others get N1m in Glo promo

    Farmer, musician, others get N1m in Glo promo

    A 50-year-old farmer  who just came out of detention for a minor traffic offence and a musician, are among the 20 winners that were presented with their N1million cheque  each at the on-going N120 million Glo Overload promo.

    The N120 million Glo Overload promo is one of the five mega promotions running on the Globacom network to make the Yuletide and New Year season even happier for the company’s subscribers.

    Under the N120 million Glo Overload promo, subscribers are to be dazzled with an overload of benefits including mouth-watering bonus call credits, SMS and data volumes, as well as, cash prizes of N1 million for 120 subscribers.

    The lucky farmer, Mr. Toyin Adeshina narrated that he was arrested recently after a police car crushed his cow and the vehicle was damaged.  “Thereafter, I was remanded in Kirikiri prisons for 17 days and I have so far spent all I have on the case. It was in the midst of all these that Globacom called to inform me that I had won one million naira,” Adeshina narrated to reporters.

    Mr. Oluwatosin Alade a producer and guitarist also went home on Monday with N1m cash prize which he plans to invest in his music career.