The Nation Newspaper

Tag: New Year

  • And as we ring in the New Year…

    I rather think that Nigeria is still the way it is because people are praying too much and doing too little to effect good governance wherever they find themselves

    I give you very hearty New Year greetings!

    I read a story in some book not long ago about the pastor of a village church, somewhere in England, who had accosted one of his supposed parishioners, known to be an avid farmer, and accused him of not coming to church. The parishioner indifferently replied that he would be seen in the church as soon as it was known that crop pests could be killed by praying rather than spraying.

    I was a little amused when I read the news report about how the president of our country, while speaking at a church service, credited the peace experienced over the recent holidays across the land to the prayers of the Nigerian people and the work of the government. Wonderful, I thought; wondering if the president really put it in that order. If he did, then he must be wanting to say something to the congregation, and by extension, the entire Nigerian praying public. I thought he might really be saying that prayers could not only kill slugs and pests but could sling enough anti-terror deterrents to discourage the activities of boko haram devotees, armed robbers, kidnappers, ritualists, and other sundry silent terrorists.

    Now, I think that’s saying something. Here we have been all this while, thinking that successful governance was all about maximally employing all state apparatuses to ensure peace at all times. This means engaging the army, police, guards and all armed and unarmed forces to do their job to keep the peace. In the process, they may, of course, catapult a few pounds of warning bullets at the foes. Somewhere in the background, the unengaged but serious Nigerian populace can stay on its knees and deftly direct some well-aimed and well-armed prayers at the good heavens as support. Then we would have peace. Now, it seems our eyes are being opened, according to that story, to the possibility that those prayers may very well have been our main armoury. What then does that make of our state forces: supporting actors?

    Don’t get me wrong. I know for a fact that there is no Nigerian who embarks on a journey now without first of all invoking all the heavenly powers to ban all destructive forces and loose all protective ones. Many there are who examine and re-examine all the possible cowries combinations at home to be sure the interpretation on their prospective journey is correct; not to talk of the ones who first visit their secret shrines backwards and front-wards before setting out, all just to travel on Nigerian roads. The reason is simple: it is in order to ensure that boko haram devotees, armed robbers, kidnappers, ritualists and other sundry silent terrorists do not have their own prayers answered so that you can return from your journey. Oh yes, I understand that even armed robbers pray for a successful outing before they set out…

    Truly, if you understand something of the Nigerian situation, you will be tempted to do all three before you set off on a journey, sit down to a meal, enter your car to drive to work, take a walk on the road, talk over the fence with your neighbour, see your friend off after a good visit… It seems life in Nigeria has become so dangerous that we require prayers at every turn. The other day, I heard a story about how a man was visited by his friend and he decided to see him off in the evening twilight time zone. That was the last his family saw of him and all enquiries led to nothing. His friend insisted that the man turned back after he got into a taxi. Anyways, he was found weeks later in a place very far from home, barely alive. Obviously, you also need prayers to visit your friend and when you are visited by your friend. So, I know all about prayers; you really should hear me pray.

    However, in the operatives of governance, the people do not want to be told that their prayers are holding the state afloat. When that happens, it is a quarter to disaster, because it admits to the helplessness of the state. Then, the people probably would not need elected officials: they would elect to pray all day and all night; and angels would come down and take over the reins of government.

    Rather, the people want to be told that the state has deployed this number of arsenals against the foes, this number of secret operatives to perform this action, this number of paid road troopers to perform that action. The people want a demonstration that the government is truly on top of the situation, not just figuratively so or because they say so. Then, the people would support the state with their prayers.

    As it is, there is no doubt that Nigeria is a praying nation. Oh yes, Nigeria prays, sir! Yet, I do not believe there is any nation of people on earth who are more corrupt, wicked, unserious, insensitive or uncaring than Nigerians. Just recently, I read of an army officer who was denied his entitlements for fourteen years by the army. Disabled by illness, he cried out and he was promptly upbraided by the army for going to the press. Presumably, they also pray.

    So, let’s talk about the efficacy or otherwise of some action or the other please and let’s have less of prayers. It is only in Nigeria that people use prayers to keep others awake all through the night in the name of night vigil! Only Nigerians head to praying grounds at seven a.m. before going to the jobs where they are expected to resume at half-past seven. But, let’s not go into all that again. I rather think that actually, Nigeria is still the way it is because people are praying too much and doing too little to effect good governance wherever they find themselves.

    As we ring in the New Year, let us reflect deeply. I am not throwing out the usefulness of prayers. I pray. It is, however, more important to first execute an expected right action in order to ensure others do not suffer as a result of our inaction or wrong action. It is more important to always practice putting ourselves in the position of the receivers of our actions. Above all, it is important to always remember that every action always comes back or boomerangs, good or bad. There is no exception to that rule.

    As you go through the year, I wish you everything I wish myself. I wish you more vibrancy than that of the famed tortoise whose instincts for self preservation made him one of the most interesting characters in fiction. Indeed, his vibrancy was such that if you hemmed your throat and mumbled ‘Story, Story’ to a group of children, you would immediately be asked, ‘Is it about Tortoise?’ He is the only four-legged animal known to have somehow contrived to fly in the sky (what has his not having feathers got to do with it?), survived the sulphur of pit latrines for over ten years, made a king bow to him, and what else not.

    I also wish you a sharper instinct than last year’s so that you’ll be able to step nimbly out of the way of the new, over-speeding, baby oil sheiks; or come up with the right and most appropriate repartee in every situation, again like the tortoise. Then, you will not be like me who only comes up with the wittiest thing to say after the situation has passed. Above all, I wish you the ability to carry out 365+ acts of kindness this year. Your life may depend on it.

  • How to avoid counterfeit products in the New Year

    How to avoid counterfeit products in the New Year

    As the curtains finally fell on 2014, there is no doubt that there is a rise in the influx of counterfeit products in the country. To quote Dr. Joseph Odumodu, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) Director General, “80% of electronic products in Lagos are fake while 40% of other commodities in Nigerian market are counterfeit.” People fall victims to fake products every day. If you are in this country and have not experienced it, then you are a rare specie.

    Just recently, on the 29th of December, 2014, I went to a corner shop near my house and purchased the popular Always pad at the price of N220.00. Being a product I am used to, when the seller handed it to me, I observed immediately that it weighed very little which prompted me to have a second look at it. I saw the manufacturer’s name, ‘Procter & Gamble’ and walked out of the store still brooding on how light the product had become.

    However, when I tore the blue nylon wrapping and brought out the single product, again I was surprised how thin and light it was. The wrapping was in a light pink cellophane instead of the purplish pink coloured cellophane the original product comes in.  I tore the pink wrapping and noticed that the content was just plain soft thin rubber.

    So angry, I wondered if there is anything in this country that does not have a counterfeit. I went back to a bigger shop and asked for the same product. Just seeing that one, I knew it was the original. It looked bigger and holding it, it weighed heavier. At a closer look, there was a lot of difference between the fake one and the original. Though the two had the same manufacturer’s address and name, the packaging and the prints on the fake one looked quite inferior.

    The contents of the original one also were full unlike the fake one. Meanwhile, I paid less for the original one. While I paid N220 for the counterfeit, I paid N190 for the original one.

    Confirming the rise in the importation and local production of counterfeit and substandard products in Nigeria, the National Co-ordinator, Anti-Counterfeiting and Piracy Initiative [ACAPI], Mr. Hanson Maduagwu, said that the degree has grown tremendously such that even brand owners are finding it difficult to distinguish between their original brand products and the fakes.

    “In 2015, it will be harder for consumers to tell the difference between the original brand products and their fakes except the issue of consumer education even at the grassroots is given more attention,” he noted

    Throwing more light on the issue, Hanson Maduagwu said that the two major concerns will come from imported and locally manufactured products.

    “Due to the high dollar exchange rate, most importers of finished goods would begin to order lower quality goods so as to hedge against the high dollar exchange rate,” he said.

    Subsequently for local manufacturers, he added: “the higher cost of imported raw materials will induce the production of more substandard products so as not to increase prices or just slightly.”

    Basically, he stressed, “we will see the influx of cheap counterfeits as well as substandard locally made products.”

    Warning consumers, Maduagwu said consumers should pay particular attention when buying automobile spare parts, accessories, electronic and electrical accessories.

    Also, he advised consumers to be mindful when purchasing home appliances, building materials, foreign and local cash/financial instruments, among other things.

    According to Dr. Ndukaeze Nwabueze of the Department of Sociology University of Lagos, “counterfeit products are products which the constituents, weight, relevant measures, characteristics, qualities fall below national and international standards. So because of these short comings, their effectiveness, potency or fitness for purpose is criminally undermined and deliberately compromised.”

    There is virtually no popular product that is not faked. Nobody wants to fake a product which has no market. You want a product which you can sell quickly.

    A wide range of products involved are intellectual and creative works, processed and manufactured goods, drugs, equipments, chemicals, cell phones and accessories, computer software, perfumes, etcetera.

    If it is a popular product, it is bound to have counterfeit ones. Mrs. Aina Adesina said she went to the Computer Village, Ikeja, recently to buy HP laptop. The seller being an old friend of hers advised her in confidence to go for another brand especially a less popular one as the adulterated HP laptop and accessories had infiltrated the market.

    As she insisted on an HP product, the seller directed her to HP major offices, insisting that the only way she can buy original HP products in the Computer Village was buying the second hand ones imported from the UK or US.

    The Anti-piracy Manager, Microsoft Nig., Temofe Ugbona, said quite a number of resellers abound in the country that are in possession of high quality counterfeit software that is packaged like genuine software, “a trend resulting in many consumers who believe they are purchasing software from a reliable source, unknowingly becoming victims of software piracy.”

    While reiterating the need to play it safe, Microsoft urges consumers to ask questions, investigate the packaging, watch out for ‘too good-to-be-true’ prices and demand genuine software to ensure what is paid for and to protect families and businesses from the threat of malware associated with pirated or counterfeit software.

    Just as piracy has eaten deep into the fabric of Nigeria’s entertainment industry, Vitafoam, one of Nigeria’s oldest foam manufacturing companies in Nigeria, has said that counterfeiting and imitation of its products are the major challenges facing the organisation and the industry at large.

    The company said the imitation of its products is a major obstacle, especially in the north and that complaints keep coming in.

    NAFDAC has severally intercepted packaging materials imported with the intention of faking drugs, especially codeine syrup. In one interception recently at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, 20,000 units of packaging for codeine syrup worth over N10million were seized.

    The Association of Industrial Pharmacists of Nigeria (NAIP) has called for a proper regulation and monitoring of pharmaceutical industry and for stricter laws and policies to be enacted with full implementation and enforcement in order to stem out the menace of drug counterfeiting in the country.

    A man in possession of 10,000 labels of assorted drinks was also recently arrested in Enugu by officials of NAFDAC, while officials of the Lagos State Task force sealed off 40 illegal drug stores in Alapere, Magodo, Ikosi-Isheri environs in Kosofe.

    What to do.

    While it is virtually impossible to ensure that all of the products you buy are the genuine ones, a few easy steps can help you reduce the chances of being duped.

    *Learn to spot a fake. Do not rely on retailers or the government to protect you from counterfeit products as the people and the products involved are so numerous. If the deal is too-good-to-be-true, the product is probably a fake.

    *Shop at reputable retailers. Consumer goods do make their way in to the shelves of even the largest most established stores but less reputable retailers are far more likely to sell counterfeit products.

    *Do not patronise traders selling along the high ways as they have no permanent addresses. If you are duped, you cannot trace them.

    *Be particularly careful when buying online. Online auction sites are rife with counterfeits and since you cannot inspect the goods first, it is hard to tell what you are buying.

    *While you shop around, research the price of the item you want at different stores. A deal that is too good-to-be-true, almost always is.

    *Quality of the counterfeit item. Even if the item looks genuine on the surface, a close look at the details will tell you if the item is of a low quality.

    Lastly, report suspected counterfeits. If you see or have purchased a product you think may be fake, contact the authorities so they can investigate. If you do not know where to go, contact Consumer Watch through the email address on top.

    As we thank God for keeping us through last year and bringing us into another wonderful year, I pray you will enjoy a prosperous and fruitful year. Happy New Year.

  • Celebrities state their New Year resolutions

    Celebrities state their New Year resolutions

    At the turn of every New Year, most people all over the world take stock and re-examine their lives, celebrities inclusive. MERCY MICHAEL met some entertainers who spoke about their New Year resolutions   

    ORITSE FEMI – Music artiste

    To ensure all the packages I have planned for my people get to them.

    TIMI DAKOLO – Music artiste

    My New Year resolution is pretty simple; to stop working harder and start working smarter and to also get closer to God.

    BRYMO  – Music artiste

    To keep going against mediocrity in the music industry. Secondly, to work first and let success find me.

    SILVIA EDEM -Nollywood actress

    It is my belief that the New Year will be great; that it will bring about me doing great, big budget movies and making headlines, but all these desire can only be granted by God, hence my New Year resolution is to be more prayerful.

    OJB JEZREEL – Music producer

    My New Year resolution is to stay focused and do what I have been known for, you know as an entertainer we also get carried away with showing off, I want to do less of that. I want to keep it really simple. And the most important thing is to ensure my album is released by 2015.

    EFE OMOREGBE- Artiste relations manager

    I want to pay a bit more attention to myself. For years, I have been caring for others except me. So, in 2015, I will pay attention to me.

    ESSENCE – Singer

    I don’t do that at all, but if I were to make one, I would say it is to make more money.

    ALARIWO – Singer

    I want to get closer to God. A lot of people are singing rubbish and making money, but I will never join the bandwagon. In terms of work, there will be an album from me next year.

    SHOLA FAJOBI- Showbiz entrepreneur

    One New Year resolution I don’t want to make is about my smoking habit, because I have not been able to keep to it for over 10 years. But I know it has to do with will power and I pray God help me with all my desires this year.

    BIODUN KUPOLUYI- Publisher

    To be more hard-working and re-dedicate my life to doing good for man, my nation and my calling. I will also ensure that I vote in the coming elections in order to make a change, so that we can get out of this mess we are in. My weight is one thing I must also work.

  • New Year: IGP orders tight security nationwide

    The Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has directed zonal Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners in the various commands nationwide to ensure effective and efficient deployment of operational manpower during the New Year celebrations.

    Abba has also directed the AIG in charge of border patrol to ensure that the nation’s borders are effectively manned to prevent cross-border crime. The AIG in charge of police air wing has also been directed to provide aerial patrol for the Federal Capital Territory and other states.

    A statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the directives were to ensure a secure and hitch-free celebration across the federation.

    In view of the current security challenges, the IGP similarly urged worshippers both at Jummat and Church services to take adequate measures to reduce the number of vehicles around their worship places.

    Operators of motor parks, shopping malls and recreational centres were also advised to work very closely with the police and other security agencies as they strive to strengthen general security in their various facilities.

    “The Inspector-General of Police, on behalf of the entire officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force, heartily felicitates with good people of Nigeria as we celebrate the New Year 2015.

    “While saluting the courage and gallantry of officers and men of the Force for their tireless services in protecting lives and property during the year, the IGP charges police personnel to continue to be civil in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.

    “He, however, warns that officers found acting contrary to the Force’s vision and mission will be appropriately sanctioned.

    “The Inspector-General of Police, while wishing all Nigerians a very blissful and peaceful New Year celebration, assures Nigerians of the Nigeria Police Force readiness and commitment towards ensuring a free and fair 2015 general elections,” the statement added.

     

  • Three suspected rapists to spend Christmas, New Year in prison

    Three boys suspected to have raped two teenagers and dispossessed them of their property in Oje area of Ibadan, Oyo State will be spending their Christmas and New Year celebrations in the prison custody.

    The suspected randy boys,  Akintunde, 24, Olalekan, 19, and Aderemi, 23, were arraigned by the police before an Ibadan Magistrate court on Friday on a four-count charge ranging from conspiracy and rape to stealing.

    The prosecuting police officer, Mr. Philip Amusan told the court that the trio and others at large on November 30, 2014, at about 10 am at Oje area of Ibadan conspired to commit felony to wit rape and stealing and thereby committed an offence.

    The second-count charge against the accused stated that they also had unlawful carnal knowledge of two teenagers (names withheld by us), who are aged 18 and 19 years. The prosecutor said the accused persons had committed an offence.

    A Blackberry Curve Two phone, valued at N15,000, a property of one of the victims was also stolen by the suspects. Also, they were accused to have stolen items such as I-Phone valued at N18,000, Asha phone valued at N12,000, and a cash sum of N55,000 belonging to the second girl that was raped by the accused persons.

    The plea of the suspects was not taken for counts one and two. But they pleaded not guilty to the third and fourth counts preferred against them.

    The presiding magistrate, Olaide Amzat, ordered that the suspects be remanded in the prison custody. He adjourned the case to third week of January 2015.

  • Why Ilase-Ijesa had sober Christmas, New Year

    Why Ilase-Ijesa had sober Christmas, New Year

    The indigenes of Ilase-Ijesa in Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State are yet to get over the shock of the tragic death of their monarch, Oba Adesina Alobijuwon.

    The 80-year-old monarch was on November 20, 2013, strangled to death and his palace set ablaze by unknown men after reportedly visiting him around 7.30 pm on the fateful day.

    The community residents wore sober mood last Christmas and New Year as their neighbours were indulged in festivities.

    When The Nation visited the community during the Christmas season the residents were still mourning as there was nothing to reflect the joyous and festive celebration of the season.

    Apart from the tragic manner of the monarch’s death, the people are not happy that the killers of Oba Alobijuwon, who lost his sight twelve years after he came on throne in 1992, are yet to be apprehended. A prominent indigene of the town, Chief Jumoke Ogunkeyede aka JMK, who is a Director, the Odu’a Group, said the present time calls for sober reflection. His statement truly reflects the mood of an average resident of the rustic and agrarian but peaceful community following the tragedy.

    The people see what happened as an abomination and that which had never happened in the long history of the town. They are still wondering what could have informed the killing of the aged blind monarch, who was already bereaved for losing his wife and three sons at intervals some years back. At the time he was killed, the monarch was living in the palace with a maid and her two children.

    During the preliminary police investigation, the maid, whom the killers met in the palace before committing the dastardly act and about eight traditional chiefs, including some kingmakers were summoned by the Criminal Investigation Department of the state Police Command for clues into the incident.

    In the wake of the incident, the state governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs. Dorothy Gimba, had visited the bereaved community to commiserate with them with an assurance that the culprits would be brought to book.

    A traditional chief of the town, Oluwagbemiga Oke, explained how the five guests came in a pink Mazda 232 car before the incident happened, adding that “from what we were told, the house got burnt shortly after the people had left.” He also explained that the killers came back to set ablaze the car they brought and removed its registration number plate after it had broken down in order not to leave any trace linking them to the incident.

    An officer of the State Fire Service, Mr. Michael Ogundipe, however, ruled out the possibility of power surge, saying that findings by his men have revealed that the case was arson.

    Also, two traditional rulers in the state, the Akinrun of Ikirun, Oba Rauf Olawale, and Aragbiji of Iragbiji, have condemned the tragic murder of the Onilase of Ilase-Ijesha, saying it was a signal of grave danger and insecurity in the country.

    The two first class monarchs called on the government to beef up security around the traditional rulers and their palaces. They insisted that thorough investigations must be conducted on the matter and the culprits fished out and punished to deter future occurrence.

    “To curtail spread of violence to other palaces, those behind this gruesome murder of the monarch must be brought to book. If they are allowed to go scot free it may encourage others like them to do worse than they had done in Ilase-Ijesa,” the Aragbiji said.

    Meanwhile, preparations have commenced for the burial of the monarch, According Chief Ogunkeyede and the Omu-Owode Ijesha, High Chief Adejumo Operinde, there had been series of meetings from ward to ward and among traditional chiefs on how to give the late monarch a befitting burial. He disclosed that necessary rituals would need to be done, however, to return peace to the community and to forestall untoward consequences of the tragedy.

    Ogunkeyede said in spite of the incident, the indigenes are still proud of their town. “We are still waiting for the autopsy report before going into full final burial rite,” JMK said.

     

  • Robes with special effect

    Robes with special effect

    THE best thing that can happen to you as you step into the New Year is to look fantastic and be the toast of everyone. There are times when you just want to feel free and attractive. At such moments long flowing robes readily come to mind. A number of our designers have outfits that connote panache and elegance.

    In Ejiro Amos Tafiri’s collection you find a variety of styles when it comes to flowing robes. Here, the designer’s creative ability in stretching beyond a singular structure and design makes the flowing robe a must-have. “I love to design clothes for upwardly mobile young women. These are women who are comfortable in their style and what they wear.”

    Getting the right accessories to complement your flowing gown can be a delight. You can make this happen by matching it with shades of the colour or contrasting colours for that special effect. When it comes to choosing accessories with panache, the gold, silver and costume ornaments come to mind. They all connote elegance, high fashion and more.

  • Have a great New Year!

    This year, learn to take things in your stride with a good slice of humour

    I see you made it into this New Year. Congratulations. I know you had no intention of missing this event but going by the myriads of problems we had confronting us last year, you must agree that for a minute there, there were doubts. We had so much to contend with during that year – national fiscal rascality, governmental roguery, epistolaric confrontations, a permanently disappointed populace, a near-disenchanted writer here (that’s me!). Add to that list insufficient housekeeping allowances given by husbands who whistle off-key, children more interested in their social network profiles than any school or career progress, and north Korea threatening to literally rain fire and brimstone on the world. Why, I bet even the Almighty himself was beginning to wonder why he thought the Garden of Eden needed a human to tend it. The animals would have done better than man is doing right now. What’s more; no animal would ever have thought of eating that blasted fruit.

    In spite all that, the beat must go on; so, welcome to the New Year. I do not pretend to be a prophet. I restrict my prophetic utterances to the kitchen. For instance, when the powers have come on me, I have often found myself predicting to the head of the house that if money does not flow in the direction of the pots, there would be no food coming out of them within a day or two. The power of prophesy is such that it gets results, well, not always. For instance, when the children were young, I had often shouted my prediction that if they did not clean their rooms, there would be no supper. They had often looked up long enough to digest that information before going on with their task of causing more havoc. I had also forgotten that they did not want any food anyway and had had to be forced to eat. However, I will still take a good look into my crystal glass and make a prediction or two on this land.

    I think I can safely predict that Nigerians are in for a bumpier ride this year. For example, look at the level of the nonchalance of our aviation minister to public censure against the strange purchases of armoured vehicles by her ministry, and the indifference of her boss to the entire matter. Perhaps, it could be that her boss has remained mum over the matter because he is also planning to buy yet another jet for the presidency, maybe one that can safely fly over the boko-haram territory. Anyway, even as we speak, we are told that the good lady is planning to purchase more vehicles. Actually, when I heard that, I did laugh a bit and wondered aloud if the woman was not going at it a bit strong. I mean, really, is the business of the ministry of aviation to purchase vehicles or to make planes fly more safely? Sorry, I’m stating the obvious. So, folks, we might need to buckle our seat belts; for this ride of governance is likely to have to dash through some more rough weather.

    My crystal glass also tells me that as the nation’s two major political parties inch towards 2015, their measures would become more desperate and their tactics would become less subtle or refined, and either one would be more ready to throw the baby out with the bathwater. It would be true to say of them at that time that they could not care less. Reader, you and I must prepare to resist being thrown out by those who have no idea of how to bathe babies. I do not want to be like one of my students who once wrote that to be fore-warned is to be fore-harmed, I would rather say that we must arm ourselves to absorb or repel the year’s bumps.

    First, let your armoury consist of quivers filled with endless arrows of humour. GEJ talks when he should not talk, and does not talk when he should? Just laugh it off. The man is probably missing home. It’s not easy to be away from the home you were born into and grew up in for close to eight years now; and goodness knows how many more if the nation succeeds in foisting the 2015 presidency on him. You know how it is with politicians. They never desire to serve; their people always desire them to serve.

    APC and PDP dancing naked? Just laugh. I have always known APC to be a form of aspirin; and any aspirin must contain a little bit of alcohol so what do you expect? It’s PDP I have never been sure of. Does it sound like an insecticide, a pesticide or just a plain suicide giver? Anyhow, I think it stands for death and that is why they have systematically been killing the country since their train got into Aso Rock. I admit that is not very funny, but if you consider that all suicide missioners first kill themselves, I think you will see the funny side.

    Is your police force going against the law? Just laugh and console yourself with the fact that your Nigeria Police has always been cross-eyed anyway. You know what happens to those ones, don’t you, I mean cross-eyed folks? When they are looking at evil, they see good; when they are looking at good, they see evil, and that’s exactly what is going on in the country. Not very funny, I guess, but if you remember that your police may ask you to arrest your own criminal and bring him/her in for questioning, you may see the funny side.

    You also need to arm yourself with a large slice of love this year. Ah! But this is one thing that is sorely lacking in this country. For instance, have you taken a good look at your average Nigerian trader? When next you make a purchase, take a good look at the measuring tool or his/her eyes for that matter. Chances are that the tool is shorter than the law allows. Every single trader is doing it because no one can stop him/her. Well, that’s one reason. The other is that really, the buyer is nothing to them but a piece of money; this is why traders tend to have these vacant eyes. They do not see their clients or anyone else but lucre, filthy lucre. So, if you are a client reading this, I assure you that you are nothing more than money walking around in various forms of currency waiting to be plucked. When you are well dressed, you are the highest currency and they tell you ‘you look a million dollars’. When you are in your kitchen wears, however, you just ‘ain’t worth a dime’. Nevertheless, this year, learn to love your fellow Nigerians – trader, politician, police, GEJ, neighbour, thief, etc. – for love begets love, respect begets respect and, conversely, hatred begets hatred. We already have enough of that last one coming at us from the government, so don’t add to it.

    Then, arm yourself with a very positive attitude this year. Just believe that in the end, all manner of things will be well. That is what I usually tell myself when things slide off the handle worse than a snail having a soapy bath. Let’s face it; you cannot help yourself, anymore than our aviation minister can help herself when it comes to buying cars; or GEJ from wanting to stay on in office or buying jets; or Obj. from writing letters or talking. They are things that happen to us, so we must take them in our stride with a good slice of humour. Just believe that we the people will laugh last because the country belongs to us, not to them. HAVE A GREAT NEW YEAR!

  • What to expect in New Year

    What to expect in New Year

    THERE was so much enthusiasm in the fashion scene by old and new designers in 2013. It is only natural that these designers are going to sustain the moment and come up with classic designs for men and women of class.

    When it comes to casual and corporate wear, there would be new designs and creations from the archives with some moderations here and there. Some fabrics that are making waves at the moment are likely to continue to dominate, while new ones would be discovered too.

    At the moment, there are so many choices when it comes to the ankara fabric. The fabric has taken the minimalist outlook with the blend with other fabric that gives it the international flavour. Accessories like bags, shoes and belts would come with details that are more exciting and adventurous.

    Like the ankara, one other fabric that is equally going to get more competitive is the velvet and suede. It is also very flexible, and it would be used for outfits and the design of a number of accessories that are must-haves. The French lace and dry lace would also continue to be explored for styles that are cute and creative by designers who know their onions.

  • Xmas, New Year: 280 killed, 1,600 injured in auto crashes

    Two hundred and eight Nigerians were killed in auto crashes across the country during the just-concluded Christmas/New Year festivities,the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), said yesterday.

    One thousand, six hundred road users were injured during the period.

    The Corps Marshal, Mr. Osita Chidoka, said in Abuja that the situation could have been worse, but for the 2012 Operation Zero Offences introduced by the corps to ease traffic flow.

    He said the death rate from auto accidents has declined in the last 10 years, especially during Christmas period.

    Mr. Chidoka, who spoke at the completion of the FRSC Aerial Traffic Monitoring exercise carried out in a few locations across the country, said: “From December 19, 2012 to today, we have had over 480 crashes.

    “It’s an improvement on the previous year. We had about 1,600 people injured and 280 deaths arising from these crashes.”

    Apart from the improvement on road networks, he maintained that the commission’s effort in managing the traffic has been improving. The current operation, he said, will continue for the next four days.

    Explaining how air surveillance has helped to check traffic on the road, he noted that they had better view of the road and were able to give appropriate directives.

    “We went through Enugu, Lokoja, Gwagwalada and Abuja traffic is moving clearly. We landed in Onitsha, Lokoja and we were able to give ideas on what was happening because you can have a better view of the road,” he added.

    According to him, about 36, 972 vehicles were stopped in the last sixteen days across the country while 13, 122 of them were booked and 23, 850 were cautioned and permitted to continue their journey.

    One person, he said, was sent to prison by the mobile court as a result of the operation.

    He also attributed the successes being recorded in the country to improvement in data collection, monitoring mechanism as well as increase in staff strength.