The Nation Newspaper

Tag: night

  • A night to remember

    A night to remember

    It was an evening to remember. The runway came alive with 22 designers and graduates of Rhoda Micheals Academy showcasing their latest collection with the theme Unleash, taking you into a peep into what to expect this year.

    The list of creative young designers includes Olatundun, Smart Alli, Teddy James, Adebiyi Daramola, Tolulope Adebayo, and Akinyemiju Olawunmi splash of colors, versatile outfits and accessories.

    The choice of fabrics was also fascinating. The list includes damask, chiffon, sequence, lace, adire, satin, and vibrant print designs. The output was also fascinating and each designer held the audience spellbound in outfits with great finishing that can compete favourably in the Nigerian market and for export.

    Read Also: How Tinubu ended ‘overnight oil billionaires regime’ – Oshiomole

    Skirts, trousers, jumpsuits, spaghetti dresses, culottes, and shorts in different shapes and sizes were also part of the thrill.

    According to the founder of the Academy, Rhoda Agbeyo this show is just the beginning of so many things to come. “Every year we have always graduated students as entrepreneurs but this year we were very intentional because of the situation in the country. It is not everybody that can Japa. Japa is not that interesting anymore”.

    Agbeyo added: “ This year we were intentional. We have to make entrepreneurship work. If you are not going to be the best entrepreneur, we have to make you the best employee. But truly, if you cannot serve, you cannot even lead. First, we created employees from all our students and then turned them into budding entrepreneurs”.  

  • Set forth at night

    •Bus drivers around the country should follow strict safety standards to avert fatal crashes

    Given the virtual absence of a modern and efficient rail transport network to link diverse parts of Nigeria’s sprawling territory, the non-existence of a water transportation system in any meaningful sense of the word and an ailing, largely unaffordable as well as precarious aviation sector, it is not surprising that road transportation is the most common means of moving people and goods across the country.

    Against the background of an incredibly poor road infrastructure throughout the length and breadth of the country, a situation worsened by a dangerous driving culture and deplorable vehicle maintenance habits, it is also inevitable that road accidents, according to the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) is the second highest source of death in Nigeria after the now severely weakened Boko Haram insurgency.

    Statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that one out of every four road accidents in Africa occur in Nigeria, making her roads one of the most dangerous on the continent. The grim data on road accident fatalities in Nigeria reveal that they cost a total of 30,435 casualties between 2009 and 2013. This does not include the 183, 531 persons injured in road mishaps on Nigerian roads within the same period. While the country recorded 5,400 deaths from 12, 077 road crashes in 2015, this figure had witnessed a reduction of nearly 15% in road crashes and 25% in fatality rate to 4,005 deaths in 7, 657 crashes on our roads nationwide as at the end of week of 47 of 2016.

    Although accurate statistics are not available, transport authorities have observed that a sizable number of these fatal road accidents in Nigeria occur during night trips and the reasons should not be difficult to fathom. The factors responsible for road accidents in the country include poor, narrow and badly lit roads littered with pot holes, dangerous driving, poorly maintained vehicles and insecurity. All these problems are accentuated at night as a result of poor visibility, which make drivers prone to fatal mistakes. Again, most drivers are tempted at night to resort to intoxicating, disorienting and ultimately futile concoctions to ward of fatigue caused by driving for several hours without rest.

    In a similar vein, drivers are more likely to overload their vehicles, contravene road rules and exceed speed limits at night all in a bid to maximize their profit margins. They seek to take advantage in this regard of the paucity of traffic control and law enforcement agents on the roads at night. And it only stands to reason that criminal elements, including armed robbers and kidnappers, find it easier to take advantage of the cover of darkness to perpetrate their atrocities on our highways.

    We commend the efforts of the present administration in stepping up the rehabilitation of long neglected highways as well as continuing with its predecessor’ s plans for modern rail transport in different parts of the country. This will address the problems of safe and efficient road transportation in the medium to long term. In the short run, however, we urge the relevant authorities to take immediate steps to immediately upgrade, regulate and more effectively supervise night trips.

    This will involve ensuring that drivers are medically and mentally fit to undertake trips, that they are not visually impaired and that they do not drive for more than a specified number of miles before handing over to fresh and well-rested replacements on their routes. Equally important is the need for conducive, functional and safe rest areas on night routes for the convenience of drivers and passengers. It is equally critical for the FRSC to engage in intensive public enlightenment campaigns at least for now to discourage people from setting forth on night trips except for absolutely unavoidable reasons.

  • A night of humour

    Last Wednesday night was for the immediate past Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and outgoing Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko. It was also a night of laughter. Both were honoured by the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) at a lavish ceremony at the old Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja.

    The occasion, termed ‘NGF Valedictory/Dinner in Honour of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko’ was graced by Acting President Yemi Osinbajo. Many serving and past state governors also attended.

    While all the seats in the hall were occupied by the guests, some persons could not find a place to sit in the well decorated hall. They had to stand for a better part of the ceremony.

    Oshiomhole and Mimiko were honoured for their outstanding achievements during their eight – years tenures in their states, their contributions at the national level and during their times in the private sector.

    The significant roles they played at the NGF and the National Economic Council (NEC), during their tenures, were also highlighted by their colleagues at the occasion.

    It wasn’t only the two of them that will remember that night for a long time to come. The guests that attend the occasion almost laughed their hearts out of their chests as they were thrilled by various humours at the occasion.

    One of the outstanding jokes that night was the one about the short heights of Oshiomhole, Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai and other short politicians in the government.

    Speaking at the occasion, el-Rufai jokingly said: “Oshiomhole and I are both short people. We started the Nigerian association of short people. Stella Obasanjo was our first chairman. We started in the Villa and we are still because Osinbajo is the current chairman. Adams was President and I succeeded him when he became governor.

    “Those who make jokes about short people should be careful. We are in power, we are in charge. The Acting President is looking at you with matured eyes.

    “Myself and Ribadu attended Adams fundraising. Obasanjo called me and said you went there, I said yes. He said why, I said because I am a short person. Nuhu did not have a defence because he is much taller than us.

    Switching to Mimiko, who is taller than his group, el-Rufai said: “Mimiko and I served in 2003 to 2007 cabinet of Obasanjo. He contributed well. He promised to contribute to my campaign which he did not because he was sympathetic to PDP. It is a debt I know I will collect one day and I will not stop reminding him that he owes me money.

    “He is not a member of our association because he is too tall but his achievement makes us very proud of him. Iroko has remained an Iroko. When he said he wanted to run for governorship, Obasanjo was not pleased with that decision. But a few of us went and confronted Obasanjo to allow him develop himself to the fullest.

    “Mimiko was one of the best ministers that time and we felt we must stand by him. Obasanjo will shout at us and send us out of the room. Obasanjo is very proud of you and what you have achieved. We are Obasanjo Class of 2003 to 2007 have turned out to be good leaders.

    “I have a grudge against both of them (Oshiomhole and Mimiko) because they did not warn me that being a governor is a difficult job. If they had told me, I would have taken cover and got another job. I will forgive Oshiomhole because he contributed money to my campaign but Mimiko, until you pay the money, I will not forgive,” he said jokingly

    When Oshiomhole got to the podium to make his own remarks, he also joked about his height challenge.

    He said, “Not every governor has the privilege to be honored like this. I am surprised that people have good things to say about me because I have troubled people just like people like troubling me because of my small size. Now I am unemployed and you know that in Nigeria, pensioners are the ones paid last.

    “My Oga is here (referring to current Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki) and I know he will pay on time and if he does not, I will join Nigeria union of pensioners and we will block the ring road.” he said

    Cracking another joke concerning the party through which he won his governorship election in Edo State, the Action Congress (AC), Oshiomhole said: “It is interesting that Mimiko and I are sharing this platform tonight. God has a way of putting us together. Mimiko joined the Labour Party and as he was coming to the party, I left it for him so that he will have absolute control and I went to AC. The environment is warm and I felt we needed AC, he went to labour and I felt he laboured enough.

    “Only him can explain why after labour it and delivery, he left labour for where he is now. We were both victims of the system of people voting and a few deciding. We are both beneficiaries of courageous judiciary and competent lawyers. He is still owing El-Rufia.

    “The only different between us is that when he chose to return, his luck ended. I handed over to a man of my own party. I have a strategy for him. I will give him APC membership card this night and when he will be handing over to Akeredolu, he will say he is handing over to his party man. In this business, you have to be smart.

    Also joking about the Paris Club refund,  Oshiomhole said: “I have a grudge against Mimiko like el-Rufai. The last time we had a meeting here, you prayed that the Paris Club refund will not come until the end of my tenure. I thought you were joking.

    “You went home to iroko tree, tied red cloth around it that this money must not come until the departure of comrade and as soon as I left, the money came. On that one, we shall settle out of court. When he wants to contribute, they will pretend not to see him because he is dark, when he stands, they will pretend not to see him because he is short.” he said

    Going back to the jokes on short height, he said: “Uduaghan claimed he is taller than me. It is an argument we will not be able to resolve. It is the difference between dot and comma, which is longer?”

    When it was his turn to make his remarks, Mimiko also joked about Oshiomhole’s short height.

    He said: “When Adams talked about his height, yourba proverb said that if you are bald, God compensates you with beard. I can see Rotimi nodding in approval. Oshiomhole is vertically challenged but over compensated with a mouth. You can’t have it all.

    “Can you imagine a vertically endowed Oshiomhole with his kind of mouth? The whole of Nigeria will not rest.” he added jokingly

    Replying Oshiomhole on the Paris Club refund, Mimiko said jokingly: “Talking of Paris Club refund, I have not been paid and I now know where my problem is coming from, by some incredible arrangements of man’s oppression against man, I won’t talk more but I think I will look beyond the surface and research about the role Adams played.

    Osinbajo went further with the jokes on their heights when it was his turn to speak at the occasion.

    He said: “Mimiko is a brethren. We even attend the same church. Oshiomhole is also one of my brethren as he belongs to the elite club that has been eloquently described by el-Rufai. The club as he said, is one that comprises Ngige, el-Rufai, Oshiomhole, and my humble self.

    “It is an elite club but people tend to take the matter to a great extreme. A certain gentleman by name Babachir Lawal, he is the SGF. He told the President one afternoon that all of us that I have mentioned have reduced the average height of the leadership of the APC.

    “Looking at both Mimiko and Oshiomhole standing next to each other, it struck me that this is the long and short of the matter.” he said jokingly with the guests bursting out laughing.

    Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of giant portraits to Oshiomhole and Mimiko.

    Oshiomhole’s portrait has the aerial view of Oruku Rock in Ososo, Akoko-edo in Edo State.

    The portrait presented to Mimiko has the aerial view of Idunrin Hill in Idunrin village in Ondo State.

    They also posed for snapshots with the Acting President and the serving and ex-governors that graced the occasion.

  • A’RESE dazzles in ‘A Night at the Kazbah’

    A’RESE dazzles in ‘A Night at the Kazbah’

    Having built up anticipation for its three-band concerts, A Night at the Kazbah, Smooth FM, last Saturday, shut down the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos as it delivered on its promise. Prior to the show, Nigeria’s Agharese Emokpae, aka A’rese, expressed enthusiasm especially as she will be performing on her first big stage since winning the maiden edition of The Voice Nigeria.

    True to her expectations, the vocalist opened the show to a packed house. “I couldn’t have asked for a better debut concert experience. It was an honour and a privilege to open for Mi Casa and Jonathan Butler. I was inspired watching them perform. I hope A Night At The Kazbah becomes a Lagos institution. I can’t wait for next year,” she enthused.

    Speaking backstage after his performance, headliner – South African guitarist, singer-songwriter, Jonathan Butler could not hide his excitement.

    “I had an awesome time in Lagos at Smooth FM’s A Night at the Kazbah. It was amazing, I can’t wait for another opportunity to come back and do it all over again,” Butler stated.

    Presented by Smooth 98.1FM, A Night at the Kazbah has been described as a cultural exploration designed to bring good Nigerian, African and World music to the forefront of our consciousness and promote indigenous artistry.

  • Night market

    Hardball would have described it as ‘night business’, but it is more appropriately night market for that conjures up its full ominousness. But even that does not capture the thought and idea needed to be purveyed here on a matter that touches deep down to the very soul of our country. Yoruba seem to have a better hang of it. They call it oja okunkun – meaning to trade in the dark.

    So why would you transact under the cover of the night? And if you elect to, you cannot but be willing to accept all the vile and vices that come with it.

    Night market is transacted under very opaque lights and lightings. This portends two immediate dangers: you cannot see clearly the faces of buyers and sellers. Second, you cannot be sure of the exact hues and coloration of the articles of trade. For instance, you may have bargained for isi ewu (head of a he-goat, used for that sumptuous delicacy of same name), only to get home and find that you had paid for a bearded skull, and so on!

    But even more portentous is the fact that night market is the fare of everyone – including spirits, witches, wizards and ghosts. You are bound to encounter strange things if they don’t encounter you. Be careful not to look too closely or mope or gawk. Of course the more you look, the less you are bound to see. In fact looking too closely is liable to earn you a cold chill or a fainting spell. The kind of feeling you get when you look too closely at a passerby and swear that that must be Uncle John going. Then you remember Uncle John had passed on last year. You instinctively seek to take a confirmatory look and you are not sure whether the fellow suddenly vanished or mixed with the night crowd. Such is the thing with night market

    Such is verisimilitude of a certain document known as the Report of the Auditor-General of the Federation. And such is the source of Hardball’s gripe today. The all-important Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation (OAGF) is charged with producing the all-important annual report and accounts of all financial transactions in Nigeria.

    Now the OAGF and the so-called report have become like transacting in a night market; or dark market if you like. The crucial document which has the singular capacity of reducing official corruption by half if properly done, like article for night trade, is hardly seen by Nigerians. The document, if and when produced, is passed to the Public Accounts Committee of the Senate as is required by law. The PAC is supposed to stage public hearing on the report but they do nothing of such. In fact, they simply bury the report.

    In this Internet age, you would think the report would be posted up somewhere, but zilch. You will never find it. Between the OAGF and the Senate, the public never finds a copy.

    Bottomline: the OAGF which is the fulcrum of the fight against corruption is a night market where corruption is cleverly concealed under the dark covers of officialdom. To think that the OAGF spends about N3 billion of tax-payers’ money in annual budget for its pointless annual ritual.

     

  • Why we fixed night game – Salihu Abubakar

    Why we fixed night game – Salihu Abubakar

    Warri Wolves and Akwa United have been drawn to kick-off the first round of the 2016 NPFL Super 4 Tournament at the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna.The first leg of the Super 4 tournament will get underway on January 20  and end on the 24th; with the second round to be played at the Akwa Ibom International Stadium, Uyo, from February 1 to  5.

    In the draws for the first-leg released by the Office of the Chief Operating Officer of the League Management Company, (LMC), NPFL champions, Enyimba FC will take on Nasarawa United for the second fixture of the first day.

    The clubs will observe a rest day on January 21 and return to action again on Friday, with a late kick-off by 5pm when Akwa United tackles Enyimba FC in the first game while Warri Wolves and Nasarawa United file out in a night game from 7pm.

    The LMC’s Chief Operating Officer, Salihu Abubakar spoke about the late fixture.

    He said: “We have scheduled the late kick-off on that Friday to enable Nigerians watch the Super Eagles play their Tunisian counterparts in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Rwanda. We consider it as part of the development of the league for players in the NPFL to watch their team mates represent the country in international competitions.

    “Seeing their mates will fire up their own aspiration to up their game and also be in a position to make the national team.”

    On the last day of the tournament, Nasarawa United and Akwa United will play in the first game at 2pm while the closing fixture will be between Enyimba FC and Warri Wolves play the last game of the tournament.

  • Night of EMCOAN with stakeholders

    Night of EMCOAN with stakeholders

    The night began with guests dotting the red carpet of R & A City Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos; while guests being ushered into its beautifully lit hall by delectable young ladies became common sight as the night proceed into a joint welcome address given by the President of Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria (EMCOAN), Mrs. Debbie Odutayo and Mr. Wale Adenuga (Chairman, Board of Trustee, EMCOAN).  Mrs. Odutayo stated in her welcome remark that the night was aimed at networking and unwinding with a view to moving the industry forward while narrating the events of the birthplace of EMCOAN at a content owners forum in Ghana some years ago.

    She was quick to praise her members, the media content owners by saying “media content owners are a vital part of the entertainment industry because without them there would be no interest in the mass media”. She also put in a word on digitalization saying, “as our nation gears up for the giant stride of digitalization, it is of utmost importance that we come together to ensure the most successful transition”.

    The representative of the Registrar of Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) Alhaji Garba Kankarofi in his speech also commented on digitalization stated that, “Digital broadcasting has become an issue following the proposal by the government to grant migration from analogue to digital broadcasting. This must be seen as a challenge by EMCOAN. This body has to brace up to technological demands of the system as well as be prepared to cope with increase in content as may be required. I have no doubt that you will meet the challenges of digital broadcasting”.

    In between both speeches, guests were treated to musical renditions as well as the master compere YAW cracking up the guests to make the hall come alive. Also, the event had EMCOAN present a special birthday gift to the Managing Director, Mediareach OMD (Mr. Tolu Ogunkoya) who was represented by Mr. Yinka Adebayo and Mr.Alaba Fadero respectively.

    Also, Mr. Emeka Mba, the Director General of National Broadcasting Commission(NBC)  who was represented said in his opening remarks that “a lot of efforts has been put in place to ensure that Nigeria meets up with the set target date for Digitization, calling for support and the need for all hands to be on deck to ensuring a successful transition from analogue to Digitization.”

    During the course of the evening, wine and expertly catered cuisine were served while comedians like Baba De Baba, the Still Ringing team; a hilarious duo that mimic clergy men and give funny interpretations in Yoruba language etc and musicians like the petite but powerful YEMMY (The soul singer), R n B Sensational, Jason Blue, Dance Group called Born 2 Succeed all thrilled the audience endlessly.

    The dinner was supported by Lifemate, STAR Times, Mediareach OMD, Our Daily Manna, OSTEO while media supports came from WAPTV, R2TV, RAVE TV, BETV, Primetime Entertainment, REEL E Magazine and programmes of all members.

  • EXMAN holds Trustees’ Night

    The Experential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN), will tomorrow hold a special dinner to fete and unveil its Board of Trustees and formally introduce the association and its newly inaugurated management team to stakeholders within the marketing communications industry at the upscale Federal Palace Hotel.

    According to Dr. Rotimi Olaniyan, President, EXMAN, “The Trustees’ Night will avail our new executive team to outline the association’s vision and strategic plan over the next two years in a bid to solicit collaboration and support from other sectoral groups within the marketing communications industry.” A strictly by invitation event, Dr Olaniyan disclosed that other heads of related sectoral groups will be in attendance.

    Last July, the EXMAN elected a new executive to steer the course of the two-year old association. The election, which held on the second day of the association’s 2nd Annual General Meeting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, produced Dr. Olaniyan as the new President while Wole Olagundoye, Kayode Idowu, Abiodun Oshinibosi and Kehinde Salami as Vice President, Financial Secretary, Publicity Secretary and General Secretary respectively.

    Olaniyan, who is also the MD/CEO of Advantage, a uniquely African consortium of independently owned marketing and communications services companies, agencies and consultancies, was elected unopposed. In his post-election speech, the newly elected president stressed that the agenda of the new exco is pretty clear-cut; to grow profitability and market size, saying that his projected 25 per cent growth rate is realistic given the six critical goal areas he has set up to drive the process.

    “First is basically protecting the industry from non-professionals, and secondly, is about thought leadership, which is putting in place initiatives that would ensure that we maintain cutting edge as a practice,” he said. Dr Olaniyan disclosed that the Trustees’ Night is one of such unique initiatives by the EXMAN leadership to achieve its objectives.

  • Poem: All in one night

     

    – The snow goes down

    his dreamz now drown

    all in one night

    was it never bright

    -His life frowns

    for he no longer wears the crown

    all in one night

    because of a fight

    -His future is a raided town

    painted terracotta brown

    all in one night

    there was no longer light   Answer the following questions.

    Can you explain the poem Ain your own words?

    How many ryhming words can you see?

    Do you see other figures of speech?

  • Freshers’ night

    Freshers’ night

    Students’ Union Government of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Akoka, Lagos has organised a Freshers’ Night for new intakes. OMOLARA OGUNWALE (ND II Journalism, Nigerian Institute of Journalism) reports.

    Though it ended before midnight, it was a long night celebration for fresh students of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Akoka, Yaba Lagos. It was the welcome party for new intakes. It also featured talent hunt and beauty pageant where Mr and Miss Jambite were crowned.

    During the pageant, the female contestants, in elegant dinner gowns, cat walked to the admiration of their colleagues. The boys wore well-tailored dark suits with Jeans to match. They all danced to the music of Woju O, the song of the moment by Kiss Daniel.

    On the aim of the event, President of Students’ Union Government (SUG), Tolulope Bolumade, a final year student of Building Technology Education, said the party was a ritual to initiate new students to be members of the college community.

    Tolulope advised the freshers not to forget their purpose in school, urging them to work hard to achieve success.

    To make the event memorable, the union invited upcoming hip-hop artistes and dancers to entertain the students. The atmosphere was animated by the musical performances.

    The contestants were asked to display their singing and dancing prowess. Seven of the female contestants played talking drums to the admiration of the audience and panel of judges.

    Afterwards, they appeared in traditional attires, with the judges assessing their sense of culture. The judges asked the contestants questions to assess their Intelligence Quotient (IQ).

    At the end of the session, Frank Etim, a Fine and Applied Arts student, was announced as Mr Jambite.

    “I was shocked when the judges announced my name as the winner,” Frank, who is also a model, said. Asked of his pet project during his reign, Frank said: “I want to improve the social life on campus by organising concert for upcoming artistes. I will also empower the physically-challenged among us and ensure they take part in social and academic activities to the fullest.”

    Adelapo Adeola, a Primary Education Studies student, was announced Miss Jambite, promising to wage a war on campus prostitution and examination malpractice. Ruth Ogunkoya, the first runner up, became Miss Model.

    Chidimma Nwosu, also a Primary Education Studies student, won Miss Photogenic, saying: “I feel great and I need to show good behaviour, so that bad students can turn a new leave.”

    Other winners are Demilade Waye (Mr Model) and Samuel Adeosun (Mr Photogenic). The winners were presented with prizes and gifts, including school bag, iron, fan and kitchen utensils, among others.

    The union Social Director, Quadri Ajibola, a final year Computer Physics student, praised the sponsors of the show, which include Tecno Mobile, Panda Consultant, Gidi Culture and Olofofo City.

    Some of the freshers, who spoke to CAMPUSLIFE, described the show as the best event they attended after their matriculation, hailing the union officials for the party.