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Tag: passion

  • ‘I have passion for my people’s welfare’

    ‘I have passion for my people’s welfare’

    Though from the famous Gambari royal family of Ilorin Emirate, Princess Tinuola Bilikisu Gambari derives joy in identifying with people at the grassroots who she serves with passion. She also fights for the well-being of the downtrodden.

    What attracted her to the murky waters of Nigerian politics still remains a puzzle. Explaining why she ventured into politics, she said: “The dilemma of my people in Kwara State as regards the political structure that we’ve had since 1979 gave me the impression that democracy is all about the right of every citizen to participate in as against a particular group of people imposing themselves on the people against their will. I realised that it will pay me to be on the side of the masses that yearn for change.”

    Going down memory lane, Gambari said the political terrain is not a jolly ride but that which has a lot of challenges and disappointment.

    “Actually, it hasn’t been easy. The first time I ventured into politics was just to support my sister who contested for the House of Representatives in 1999. “Watching her and her campaign and every other thing, I saw a lot of things that I thought could be done differently. But unfortunately, after the elections, she got a job with the United Nations and she left the country. So, she wasn’t able to continue.

    “I knew what to expect. What happened were things I did not envisage would have happened. For me, it wasn’t about winning election but more about making a statement. That we would aspire, campaign and might not win didn’t matter. What mattered was that a statement has been made. That statement you have the right to aspire and contest any election and it is your right to drive round the city, telling them about what you want to do for them. But all the resistance I received actually made me stronger.”

    On her criticisms of the Saraki Dynasty she said: “As much as I criticise Saraki and his style of democracy and politics, there are still certain aspects that I notice are good. I have imbibed those good ones and also tried to put them to use. One thing that he did over the years is to gather caterers to cook for ordinary people who are hungry.

    “People would get together in his house to eat. Then, when they are going, they get transport money too. Anybody coming from outside would see it as political strength and not just that they are being fed.

    “That was a good one and so, I copied it. For me, it is not the feeding that matters but the joy I derive from it. By so doing, I started having more people around me and the Saraki’s Dynasty saw it as an affront and a reason to also attack.”

    Twice, Gambari had contested for the Kwara Central Senatorial District elections without any success. She still would want to take a shot at it whenever the opportunity comes, even as she alleged she was rigged out.

    “The problem is that we have not really had anybody to oppose the Saraki dominance in the past. Most of the people that had challenged him are people that passed through his ‘school’. In my own case, I have never been to Saraki for anything before. I came out on my own and joined the party that I wanted.

    “Regarding my chances, I contested in 2007 and did so well that even the Saraki family had to start campaigning. They never were used to campaigning; it was just a question of ‘Oloye has endorsed this person and everybody would just be going to congratulate him.’

    “I know that if they had allowed a situation of one man, one vote, they knew it was over. That was why they rigged the election.”

    She explained that if there is free and fair election in her senatorial district today she is sure of victory because she has what it takes to win.

    “If we have an election as free as those of Ekiti and Osun where military men were on ground to make sure everything is done correctly; INEC is ready to do it right, the police that they usually use are not participating, then, I know I have a very good chance.

    Still on her chances, Gambari pointed out that the game is still open for any contender.

    “You have to remember that today in Nigeria; all political parties preach the same thing: education for all, water for all, road, health. The difference that you get is the individuals that form the party; their drive, ideology and principles.

    “So, the 2015 is not going to be about the party but about the people in Kwara State,” she said.

  • A passion for photography

    In an age when many people look to new technology, it is difficult to get people to patronise photographers with less sophisticated cameras. But for Lagos entrepreneur, Kehinde Olagbenjo, starting photography business is not expensive. One only needs photography skills, clients and a digital camera.

    Precisely, Olagbenjo started nurturing the dream for the business in 2009. He started the business with zero capital. He went through up times and down times, and some days, he just wanted to throw in the towel, but the urge to be a successful photographer kept propelling him to succeed.

    While he has passion for beautiful photographs, but he has since realised that there’s more to being a successful photographer than taking good pictures. For him, running a business is hard work. Sometimes, he had to sacrifice the money he would have being getting from certain jobs to create future business relationships. Over the years, his business has  grown out of the initial base photography to encompass wedding and corporate work.. Now at the helm of a bigger operation that employs other photographers, he hasn’t forgotten the pleasure that led him to start a business around his personal passion.

    Beyond the artistic and vintage photos actions that abounds, Olagbenjo said, perseverance, desire to grow, and flexibility are critical success factors. As a photographer and an entrepreneur, he  kept striving to improve his work.  For him, the most successful photographers are the ones who see the tides changing and study how they can turn this change into a competitive advantage for their businesses.

    Becoming successful for him requires time.  Though one can work part-time, it require full-time job to grow the business faster.

  • Lady cobbler finds her passion

    Elizabeth Ojelua is the up-and-coming entrepreneur behind shoemaking startup firm, SureLift Tranx. The company, which was launched in 2010 with eight staff, has been developing a name for itself in the  fashion industry for its boutique, handmade shoe and handbag designs.

    Ojelua found time to answer questions from “How we made it in Africa” on her inspiration behind Surelift Tranx, and what it takes to be a first-time entrepreneur in Nigeria.

    What inspired you to start Surelift Tranx?

    I first conceived the idea in 2008 but officially started in November 2010. The name Surelift Tranx is a combination of my childhood nickname “Surely”, ‘lift’ inspired by God and ‘tranx’ from transformation. What actually inspired me was my creativity and the fact that I have always loved to work with my hands. I learnt bead making and some other skills after I graduated from school and before I found a job. I started to make the beads but couldn’t sell them because a lot of people, even my friends and family, were already making beads too. I couldn’t sell my beads, but it got me thinking and I finally arrived at the concept of putting the beads on easy-to-wear slippers.

    A lot of people loved the concept but complained about the finish because I initially used roadside shoemakers to help me fix my beautiful knitted beads onto the slippers. But their finishing was poor. So I was encouraged to learn the skill…. And just like that I found my passion in shoemaking. Today I still make shoes with my hands and train people and groups to do the same.

    How did you go about financing your startup?

    I actually started with as little as N8, 000 ($49) cash that I gathered from the sale of cosmetics immediately after my time at the National Youth Service Corp because I hate idleness.

    Who are your customers?

    Middle and upper class men and women; people with a taste for quality and unique products in a variety of designs.

    Describe the potential in Nigeria’s clothing and fashion market.

    Nigerians love fashion and wearing beautiful clothes. Nigerians are always striving to be outstanding and are really good at keeping updated on trends… So with constant and creative work on colour combinations and designs, the fashion industry will never run dry.

     What are some of the biggest challenges you face in business and how do you plan to overcome them?

    Power supply is a big issue but we are overcoming that by using a generator. Another challenge is the constant non-availability of some materials, sometimes when demand is high on a particular product design… I have to tell the clients we may have to alter the materials.

     The best part of being an entrepreneur?

    I am a happy entrepreneur because I love my line of business as a shoemaker. I also have control of my time (even though I work around the clock some days).

    In your opinion, what qualities must an entrepreneur have to be successful in Nigeria?

    Entrepreneurs in Nigeria need to be focused… and passionate about what they do.

     What entrepreneurial qualities come naturally to you?

    The ability to keep on learning, creative thinking and planning, and, of course, being very friendly.

     Do you think more can be done in Nigeria to encourage young entrepreneurs and foster a supportive environment for startups?

    Yeah, sure. A lot should be put in place to assist young entrepreneurs, especially to tackle the high rate of unemployment. Grants and loans should be more readily available to them and, of course, the power supply should be more regular. Also, more forums should be organised for them on entrepreneurial matters to help them improve their business and achieve faster growth.

    Do you have any advice for first time entrepreneurs?

    Put God first, follow your passion only, and be consistent in giving your best. The sky is your starting place and together we will improve our world.

    Culled from how we made it in africa

  • ‘If you have passion for your country, you’ll never rest’

    ‘If you have passion for your country, you’ll never rest’

    Dr. Ibrahim Emokpae, apart from being a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) in the United Kingdom, he is a businessman with interest in real estate and consultancy.

    He started fending for himself at a tender age. He lost his father when he was just learning to differentiate his left hand from his right hand.

    “I was an adult before I became an adult because I actually lost my dad at a tender age. As a teenager, before travelling abroad for my education, I went straight into the civil service immediately after I finished my secondary school education,”he said.

    Emokpae grew up in Nigeria when things were better. Looking back, he is not happy that the country has retrogressed to this level.

    “In the UK, obviously, if you are a civil servant and you put in your best, you will get rewards because you given targets. But in Nigeria, I probably don’t see that at all. You can’t compare the two settings,”he said.

    According to him, there is a system in the UK that allows you to run your business without any hindrance He said: “In the UK, when it comes to business, you run it with comfort.There are no problems at all.But in Nigeria, you run your business with hardships. In the UK, the atmosphere in running business is different entirely from what obtains in Nigeria .”

    To the Edo- born businessman, leisure is a scarce commodity, but he is of the opinion that business executive should devise a way to balance work and leisure. “You just have to have a way of balancing your life , but if you have passion for your country, you will never rest. I just pray that every Nigerian will have that passion to say that this is the country we belong and we must ensure that it works,”he said.

    While he will not discourage Nigerians from doing business in Nigeria, he insists that business climate in the UK is very good. “There, it is difficult to cut corners. If you look at the business you run in the UK, you will account for everything you do, including being able to pay up your bills, making your tax returns and at the same time give the best service.

    “But when it comes to Nigeria, you can work hard , but the environment is not suitable. You have the power outage problem, you have the movement of goods problem, you have problems with customs papers. But in the UK, you are guaranteed of an atmosphere conducive to business activities.

    “If you want to do business in Nigeria, you must be vigilant. You have to be careful in order not to make mistakes. The advantage of coming to do business in Nigeria is that it is cheaper. But it is also expensive because productivity is low.”

    Emokpae is looking forward to the day he would return to Nigeria where he would have the opportunity of participating in national development.

    ‘I’m a Nigerian. I live in the UK, but I don’t want to live there forever, “ he said..

     

  • My passion drives my business

    My passion drives my business

    Kike Ajibade is a top class beauty entrepreneur. She runs Ann Marie Health and Beauty Spa beside Jade Chinese Restaurant at GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. The youthful CEO has upgraded the profession to a height where applause trails everywhere she goes. At the recent 16th City People Award for Excellence, Kikelomo Ajibade emerged The Female Entrepreneur of the Year. Yet Kikelomo, as friends call her, says, “this is just the beginning!”

    Since she returned to Nigeria a few years ago from the United Kingdom, success has continuously smiled her way, as she passionately tackles her job of making Nigerians and foreigners look beautiful and healthy. Kikelomo, who is happily married to Dr. Owolabi Ajibade a London-trained Chemical Engineer, admits that, “I, however, did not start out being a beautician. No, I had my early education at Yaba College of Technology. I later gained admission to the University of Middlesex in the United Kingdom where I bagged a first degree in Computer Science and a Master’s degree in Housing Management from the same institution.”

    So how did Kikelomo turn the table around and excel in the beauty profession? “I had passion! Yes,” she said and nodded, “it was due to my passion for making people look and feel good that later urged me on to take up short courses in beauty therapy and health management at some of the best institutions across the United Kingdom.”

    Kikelomo seized the opportunity of living with her husband and children in London to study all about being a professional beautician. By the time the family re-located to Nigeria, Kikelomo was set for business. It was at a time too, that it seems the environment was also ready for her. This is because no sooner she started out than her business became a success story.

    “As soon as I got back to Nigeria, I established Ann Marie Health and Beauty spa. I was pleased that, it immediately struck a cord with high profile Nigerians who besieged my new office then.” But what made them to keep coming to Kikelomo? What impressed upon her clientele about her services? We asked her.

    “When they started coming,” replied Kikelomo, “we made sure they found exceptionality in the area of beauty therapy, body massage and general health fitness.” Kikelomo believed she gave her clients more than what they bargained for. “For me, it was not just enough that the customers were coming, I wanted to give more. I believe in the Nigerian dream, in the beauty of a woman, I mean the total beauty of a woman.”

    The passionate entrepreneur, therefore, introduced choice beauty products into the market which, according to her, have changed the face of beauty generally. One of such products is the Ann Marie anti-fungal Natural Soap. Kikelomo describes this particular product as ‘a child of necessity in the ever demanding beauty industry of Nigeria.’ “We produced this brand originally as a low scale hand-made product for the consumption of a meager number of Spa-treat-seeking clients who initially were coming to us for their numerous body and facial treatment.

    “But a large scale demand soon arose due to its outstanding results, courtesy of the natural ingredients used in the production process of the soap. Testimonies of clients who got unfalteringly healed of their acnes, pimples, rashes and other stubborn skin irritations soon spread around the world for us. Hence, we commenced a gradual rise in production and hit a high scale as its popularity continued to grow. We created the Ann Marie anti-fungal Natural Soap from the finest of natural African herbs and fruit enzymes that nourish and moisturise skin”. Watching Kikelomo speak, one is instantly fully convinced of her passion for making women beautiful.

    The British-trained beautician recalls her growing up years: “Growing up for me was lovely. I am an only child, so I can’t ask for more. My parents did their best and I was actually well looked after. I grew up like any other child. I was a bit energetic and I wasn’t behind in any way. In most things, I was a very active, enterprising and forceful person by nature.”

    As the only child of her parents, there could have been the possibility of Kikelomo growing up badly due to much pampering? But Kikelomo pushed that idea aside. “My mum (late Madam Modupe Fawehinmi) would do anything to ensure I am good. She would even lay her life down to make sure that I am fine. And on the other hand, as much as my father loves me, I am sure he loves me but he didn’t show it much. So he was able to put a bit of control, checks and balances to make sure that I turn out to be someone that is worth showing off. It is normal that you would probably just want to do your own thing, get spoilt a bit and live your life that way, but thank God for what I have turned out to be. Kudos to my father’s disciplinary demeanour.”

    Kikelomo, who by virtue of birth, is the niece of the late popular human rights lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, says she is proud of her family’s lineage in Ondo State. “The Fawehinmi family is one and it is like an institution. My dad’s father and late Chief Fawehinmi’s father are of the same father. So, he (Gani Fawhinmi) is my great uncle. I had quite a lot of childhood dreams but the most important one was to be a force in life to be reckoned with. I didn’t want to be a bench warmer or someone that was just there. I dreamt of being someone that will be well recognised for a good purpose.”

    However, it has not been all bed of roses for the young entrepreneur, the CEO has had her own fair share of woes concerning the challenges facing entrepreneurs in Nigeria and the general management of business. Kikelomo tells it all. “The biggest challenge on our hand is that of a very cynical labour force where hard work is no longer the hallmark of duty but what I call ‘smart work’. People are no more ready to be loyal any longer, all they care for is what I call ‘wealth lifting’ or ‘wealth pilfering’.

  • Crime of passion (1)

    As I write this, I’m behind bars in a sordid prison somewhere in the country. I had to beg one of the wardens for some paper and biro to enable me write my tale.

    What is my purpose? To let the world know why I did what I did to Jake. Those who knew us and our relationship, our friendship that dated back to our campus days, had been shocked when they heard what had happened between us.

    That with my own hand, I had killed my best friend, my confidante and the only person apart from my mother that I trusted most in the world. Well, my wife used to be on that list. But not anymore. You will know the reason as my story unfolds.

    They say opposites attract. This was quite true in my relationship with Jake. Both physically and personality wise, we were very different. Jake was tall, slim built with good looks that could pass for those of a movie star. He also had a vibrant, outgoing personality. I, on the other hand was the quiet type who did not mix much and preferred studying to going out to parties. Despite these differences, Jake and I hit it off as soon as we met. This was how it happened. It was my second year in school and I was having problems securing accommodation. Then, a friend told me about a student who was looking for flat mates to share the apartment his family had rented for him off campus.

    I contacted him a few days later and luckily he agreed to give me one of the rooms at a reasonable amount. It was a three bedroom flat a short distance from campus. Shortly after I moved in, another student George joined us. That was how Jake and I became friends. We lived together for the rest of our stay in school in that flat and with time, we became very close. Though quite intelligent, Jake was not the studious type. Infact, he hardly bothered with classes, assignments and tests like I did. He often used to tease me about my serious attitude.

    “Guy, you are a real effico; too serious with your books. You should take it easy, sometimes. Learn to relax,” he told me one evening as I sat in my room reading for a test I had the next day.

    I looked up at him. He was dressed to go out in a nice T shirt and a pair of designer jeans. He looked great and I complimented him.

    “Thanks. I have a new ‘catch’ I’m taking out tonight,” he stated with a smirk, adjusting the collar of his top in the small mirror on the wall in my room.

    “What about Trish?” I asked. She was his girlfriend of about six months and I thought he loved her.

    Jake shrugged.

    “She’s out of town. Besides, she’s becoming too possessive. I need a break,” he noted. Knowing him so well, it was Jake’s way of saying he was tired of a relationship. That was another point of difference between us. His attitude to girls. “Love them and leave them,” he often said, with that mischievous grin of his.

    I didn’t share his views and I made that clear.

    “I don’t think its fair on the girls. I have sisters too and I won’t want any guy to mess up with them,” I told him. Yet, despite the way he treated them, girls still flocked around him like moths to a flame.

    “Well, is it my fault if the girls can’t resist me? I be fine boy now!” he would say, grinning broadly.

    “Why don’t you leave those books and come with us tonight? Catch some fun, you know,” he now said, as he made for the door.

    I shook my head.

    “I need to study for the test tomorrow. You know how tough that lecturer’s questions can be,” I stated, turning to resume reading.

    “Alright. See you later then,” he stated as he left.

    ‘You are lucky. You have rich parents so you can afford to fool around. As for me, I know where I’m coming from,’ I thought as I turned a page in my notebook. Both my parents were teachers and as the first son, they looked up to me to do well so I could help the family later. Thus I had no time for frivolities. I had to succeed in life for my family’s sake.

     

    * * * * *

    Finally, school was over and we left for the mandatory youth service programme. Jake and I were posted to different states. It was the first time in years that we were separated. By this time, we were so close, more like brothers rather than mere friends. Jake, who didn’t like the idea of my going so far away tried to influence my posting.

    “I will talk to my dad. He knows people at the headquarters and they will have you reposted to Lagos so we can be together again,” he told me one day when I called from my base in Niger State where I was serving.

    “Don’t bother, Jake. I like it here. The people are friendly and nice. Besides, it’s just for a year. It will be over soon and I will be back home before long,” I pointed.

    He reluctantly agreed and there was no more talk of my being reposted down South.

    Jake’s father, who was a business man had a lot of contacts in the business circles in the country. With his influence, he was able to get a job for his son even before the service year ended.

    I was happy and a bit envious as well when he called to give me the good news.

    “It’s a big company. They are into all kinds of stuff- manufacturing, food processing, construction,” he disclosed.

    “Lucky you. At least, you won’t be among the thousands of jobless graduates roaming the streets,” I said.

    He laughed then said:

    “You know what, Ray? I will like us to work in the same place. I will speak to my dad if he can fix you up in the company. Once he returns from his trip abroad, I’ll talk to him.”

    I liked the idea of our working together but I didn’t have much faith in my getting a job in such a big firm.

    ‘Afterall, jobs don’t grow on trees these days,’ I thought to myself as the call ended.

    So, you can imagine my surprise and excitement when he called to tell me two months later that I had been invited for an interview in the company.

    I was speechless for a while before I exclaimed:

    “But I didn’t apply! How come they are…”

    Jake laughed at my confusion.

    “Is this not Nigeria? With the right connection, you can get anything you want.”

    The job, he explained was for the post of a sales representative. “It comes with a car as you will be moving around a lot,” he stated.

    “A car? That’s great! But Jake, you talk as if I already have the job. I’ve not even done the interview yet,” I noted.

    He laughed again.

    “That, my friend is just a formality. The job is already yours!”

    We had just a month to go before we passed out as corpers. The thought of starting work as soon as we finished the youth service filled me with great joy. No endless job applications and rejections, no roaming the streets searching endlessly for jobs that did not exist with its attendant frustrations and sufferings…

    I silently thanked God for giving me a great friend like Jake. And I promised myself that I would work really hard at the job so that I would not disappoint him and his dad that had so much faith in me.

    Two months after our passing out, I resumed work at the company. Everyone, including my parents were surprised that I got a job so quickly after graduation.

    I told them about Jake’s role in it and they were very impressed.

    “He’s a good friend. Such friendship is rare these days so don’t take it lightly,” my father said. He promised to call Jake and his father and thank them for all their support.

     

    * * * * *

    My job involved marketing some of the company’s products. I had to move around a lot and the official car I was given helped in that regard. With time, I began to travel outside Lagos to other states where we had distributors of our products. I loved the job as it enabled me travel and see new places, meet new people. I preferred it to an office job where I would be sitting at a desk all day.

    It was during this period that I met Grace. She was the younger sister of one of our biggest distributors in the city. She was a final year student at the university and had come to spend the long vacation with her sister.

    I liked the girl as soon as I set eyes on her. It wasn’t just her obvious beauty alone. There was just something about her that I found so alluring.

    But despite the way I felt about her, I had not been able to speak to her about my feelings. It wasn’t that I was shy with girls or something. I just felt the time was not right.

    I always looked forward to going to the sister’s shop on business as I knew I would see Grace.

    Just seeing and looking at her made me happy.

    I was on my way there late one afternoon when I ran into Jake at the car park in the office. We were in different departments so we didn’t see that much at work. But we made up for it at weekends when we hung out together.

    He had closed for the day and was heading home.

    “My car suddenly developed problems. Battery problem likely. Guess I will have to take a cab home,” he said after we greeted.

    “No need for that,” I said. I intended closing as well once I had finished meeting Madam Betty, Grace’s sister.

    “Come with me and I will take you home later,” I offered.

    Grace was alone in the store when we arrived.

    “Sister just stepped out. She will be back shortly,” she explained.

    She served us drinks while we waited. I noticed Jake looking at her in a speculative way and my heart fell. I knew that look quite well. It was the sort of look he had whenever he saw a girl he fancied and wanted to sleep with.

    ‘Please, not this one,’ I thought as I looked at Grace. She had a new braided hairstyle which made her look even more pretty.

    When the woman returned, we sat to discuss business. I could not concentrate though. My eyes kept drifting to the front of the store. Jake was there, standing and chatting with Grace. I saw her laughing at a point and I became worried. What if she fell for Jake’s charms? Very few ladies could resist him. He was my friend but I didn’t want her to get involved with him as she would only get hurt in the end.

    We left shortly after. On the way, Jake kept talking about Grace.

    “Such a pretty girl. I’m thinking of inviting her out next weekend,” he announced.

    “What?” I exclaimed, turning from the road to glare at him.

    “Why do you look so surprised. You should know me by now. Once I see something I like, I go for it,” he said.

    I could not bear it any longer and I decided to be blunt with him

    “Jake, leave her alone,” I blurted out.

    He turned to me, surprised.

    “Why? Don’t tell me you like her too!” he said.

    “Jake, that’s not the issue now. Just don’t mess with her, that’s all I’m saying,” I implored.

    “Well, it’s too late for that. I want her. And I’m going to have her no matter what you or anyone says,” he stated firmly.

    I grew angry at his words. For the first time since we became friends, I wanted to punch him in the face…

     

    Will Grace become a source of conflict between the two friends? Watch out for the exciting details next Saturday!

     

    •Names have been changed to protect the narrator’s identity.

    Send comments/suggestions to 08023201831(sms only) or psaduwa@yahoo.com

  • The passion for music makes me cry—Bright Gain

    The passion for music makes me cry—Bright Gain

    Bass guitar player, jazz composer and music academy Director, Bright Gain Sagbamah says that he loves the genre of music to death. Married with three kids, Gain is the director of the Academy of Jazz and Contemporary Music under the Society for Performing Art in Nigeria (SPAN). In this interview with OVWE MEDEME, the singer recounts what he terms a death experience which influenced the titled of his latest album. He also talks the importance of music education, his fears about the Nigerian music industry and how he chanced upon music instruments.

     

    HOW long have you been active in the music industry?

    I have been professional for about twenty five years and I am currently working on my fifth album.

    Why do you choose to leave so much space between your albums?

    I think funding is the major problem. As we all know, especially in this part of Lagos, art music, which is what we call jazz music, is not much appreciated. It costs more to actually record art music than it takes to do commercial music. After recording, we put it out there and the sales just trickles in. Someone has to do an alternative job to raise the funds to record.

    What kept you going despite that scenario?

    Purpose kept me going. I was born to do what I am doing right now. This is my purpose on earth. I wouldn’t because of money betray my purpose. Generally in life, some people’s purpose change but mine is constant. What makes me tick is art music as it is done properly. I have also come to a point where definition of creativity and excellence is so subjective.

    What some people call excellence might not be acceptable by others. I would rather say everybody in his own terrain. Commercialism is also relative. I want to see a Nigeria that has space for every form of expression musically.

    In a nutshell, how would you describe these 25 years?

    It has been sweet and bitter but in percentage, I would say it has been sweeter because the bitterness itself is like Bitter Kola. After you finish chewing, at the end of the day, it becomes sweet.

    What are you working on right now?

    I just finished making an album in South Africa. It is a six tracker which I titled In The Name Of Jesus. Some people say it is so religious but it is not borne out of religion. It is borne out of practical experience of spirituality. I just had to give it that title because of a near death experience that was reverted through the name of Christ.

    Is it something you would like to share with us?

    Of course I would gladly share it. About two years ago, my nephew came to live with me. He was about 26 years old. Three days after he came, I woke up early to pray with my family. I told one of my kids to go call my nephew. He went inside and didn’t come out. So I shouted from the palour and my son came out to say Japheth is not answering. I sent the others in succession. Somehow, I said Japheth must pray with us before we leave for work so that we will all have that family communion. I decided to go call him myself. I got to the room to meet him smiling.

    So when I touched him, I saw that he was stiff. He was already dead. I was afraid because I am Isoko and my fear was that back home, they would say I used him for money rituals. I am describing it in a serene manner now but it was crazy. The whole of my estate was held transfixed. I know when someone was dead and he was dead. He wasn’t in coma. We prayed for over 30 minutes and all of a sudden, he started coming back to life. Unaware to me, a lot of people were in my compound. So we rushed him to the hospital and he became okay.

    They tested him for typhoid and it was 1,350. That brought me to a different reality of Christ, not the religious Christ but the Christ of relationships who is able to come through for you. That incident could have put me in big trouble. Not every member of my family is a Christian. Some who visit Babalawos would have said I should come and drink water from the shrine and which I would not want to do. Japheth is still alive and he is the evidence of it. The title of my album is not borne out of religion. It is borne out of a practical, experiential power of Christ I have seen.

    \How did you end up lecturing with SPAN?

    They called upon me about a year and a half ago to start the music academy. They have a dance academy; they have a drama academy so I actually founded the music academy and named it the Span Academy of Jazz And Contemporary Music because jazz is the mother music that powers other forms other than classical music. Contemporary music embraces other genres. Music has two dimensions and one is usually more pronounced than the other parts.

    There is the academic dimension of it and there is the practical dimension. Nigeria has dwelt much on the talent side which is okay, but it is not good enough in the sense that people can do things in the wrong way. It has taken years of study to bring out concept and ideas of sound logic and harmony. A lot of things about music education have been spelt out but someone with talent might not totally be complete . It helps to make the artiste balance.

    From the stand point of a lecturer, where would you say lies the future of Jazz music?

    I am an optimistic person so I want to stick with that. Right now, I think it is a general thing with Nigerians. People don’t want to learn. There is too much quest for money, as if money gives you the satisfaction that humans crave for. I have seen a lot of people with too much wealth and they are angry. They are sad even with all the wealth. Money doesn’t really conceal that hunger.

    Right now, people don’t want to learn, people don’t want to improve their gains, they don’t want to develop their critical skills. Music would be good for the nation because of the economy. I am aware that there is a new economy of Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria and Turkey. According to the papers our GDP was really high. Our economy blossomed though we didn’t see it practically but I know investors are coming but in a globalised world, once there is a movement like that, art and culture moves as well. I am seeing a time that if our people are not careful, we might have to start selling foreigners again like we once did when the Camerounians and the Ghanaians were the ones playing the music here. It is almost getting there, it you notice.

    Right now a lot of South Africans are coming here to perform. They respect me in South Africa but I don’t have shows in Nigeria. There is a trend that is beginning to happen that if we don’t try to catch up, we will become slaves. I want to be optimistic that Nigerians would up their game.

    Do you have any of your children following your footsteps?

    My second child is a music genius. He plays drums. He is nine years old. I have a liberal view about life. I don’t force people to do things. I taught my senior son to play bass guitar. He can play it averagely but he is not crazy about music. He is crazy about football. I was a footballer before but I stopped when I broke my leg.

    If that hadn’t happened, do you think you would have played professionally?

    I am not sure but the passion for music swallows every other passion I have. When I am performing on stage, it is as if I’m on coke because the passion in me is strong. It makes me cry when nobody has done anything. Whatever my son chooses to do, I just want him to go to Harvard.

    Why the attraction for bass guitar.

    Honestly, I don’t know. I was forced to learn music by the way. The music talent was evident from a young age but I was forced to learn music in my church. I was attending CAC in delta state so the Music Director noticed I was very stubborn so he dragged me to learn music. Unfortunately, they were doing audition for those who want to learn how to play instruments. I actually went for guitar and the person teaching it said I should hold the C major chord and he showed me how to do it but nothing sounded so he said I didn’t have the brain for music.

    But something had ignited the passion in me so I went to piano and they said it was filled up. I went to drums, it was filled up too. We were nine of us and I was the only one who did not get assigned to any department. I couldn’t go home. I had to watch by the window. They didn’t know I was watching by the window but something happened. God just gave me the grace. While I watched from the window, I understood what they were being taught but the students were not grasping it. So when they were through, I went to where they keep the instruments to practice. They were shocked when they caught me playing one day. I eventually joined the class. Against all odds, I left the church. My parents were going to kill me but I left for a church where I could have guitars to play. The rest is history.

  • ‘Amaechi’s passion has elevated education’

    ‘Amaechi’s passion has elevated education’

    The Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB), Chairman, Sir Alli Oruitemeka, has said Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s passion for education has improved the sector in the state.

    Oruitemeka, who said this during a send-forth/award ceremony for some retired members of the board in Port Harcourt, also pointed out that the Amaechi- led government has invested a lot of resources into education, especially in equipping the teachers.

    “Amaechi’s passion for education is enormous. He has put so much resources into education, which includes soft ware equipment for teachers”, Oruitemeka noted.

    The RSUBEB boss, who congratulated the awardees for their efforts in building better education system in the state, also said that the reason for the event was to appreciate their effective years in service.

    While appealing to them to continue to contribute to the success of the sector, he also assured of the continuity of the award programme.

    In her speech, the Commissioner of Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi, thanked the board for giving the retirees and other awardees the well-deserved opportunity.

    The commissioner, who was represented by the Director of Education, May Solomon, also said they should be grateful for divine grace to be alive to receive the awards, adding that many of their colleagues had left the planet earth for years.

    In his vote of thanks, the Permanent Board Member I, Sir Lucky Worlu, whose team organised the event commended Oruitemeka for setting a landmark in RSUBEB.

  • Your passion should give you money and joy

    Your passion should give you money and joy

    Ochee Bambgoye is a development consultant and CEO of Oye Dynamix. Over the years she has helped to train a number of entrepreneurs on how to develop business models that are indigenous. The co-founder of Oye Institute speaks to Yetunde Oladeinde on how the institute was set up to facilitate African models of excellence looking at issues like goal-setting, time management, performance monitoring and developing excellence, as well as her personal life-experience.

     

    WHAT is your organisation all about?

    We are a human capital growth consultancy organisation. We concentrate on growth aspect of life like talent management, learning and development strategies, human resource audit and we are particular about research and leading thoughts on attitudinal change and basic transformation that is relevant to developing people in Nigeria and Africa. We work with several partner organisations in Nigeria and outside the country. We also make sure that the interventions are home-grown and targeted at Africa.

    Can you tell us also about your antecedents?

    I started out as a lawyer and trained in Nigeria and the United Kingdom. I worked with government in the UK and while I was in government I realised that there was a lot of emphasis on monitoring performance for improving and developing excellence. All the systems and structures are used for a continuous appraisal system.

    It is quite different from what we have here, where people just take from areas that do not concern them and apply it. I also worked at the local governments in the London Bureau of Camden, Harrow and the Citizens Advise Bureau.

    What was the experience you gained from these organisations?

    The experience helped me to develop a multiple approach to problem solving. I came with my values from Africa and it made me gain from others too. As a person, you need to always add to yourself and be refined.

    What projects did you handle then?

    I have done a lot of human capacity building for government. I was involved in the transformation project for the Ministry of Education under Oby Ezekwesili. Our achievement was in diagnosing and developing a rapid assessment into the capacity issues of the public service. It made us to realise that there were poor stakeholder’s management, and information sharing was the key problem. We tried our best but it wasn’t easy to change the process totally. I wish that I could have changed the attitudes of the personnel. What I noticed was that there were lots of public officers who were working hard but because of the promotion system in the service they were discouraged.

    People with competence felt cheated and discouraged because those who didn’t contribute got promoted. So what happened was that those who could deliver decided to down tools. There was no incentive, and a competency-based promotion system would have solved that. At that point, Oronsanye was in the civil service and he tried to change the statuesque but there were a lot of protests. Most of the things he did were part of our diagnosis.

    What was it like working with Oby Ezekwesili then?

    Oby was and is still a fantastic woman to work with. She is one person who is not afraid to say her emotions the way it is. When she is happy or sad you will know. She is also not afraid to tell you how she feels about something, whether it’s black or white. For me, Oby is integrity personified, and unfortunately for her, she was dropped in a 99 per cent corrupt environment. She is also a highly spiritual woman and she has been able to balance both.

    As a wife of a pastor, some people thought that they could use this to massage her ego to get what they wanted but it didn’t work. She is transparent and if you tell her something about me, she would call the two of us and throw it open. It was a great experience working under her. Then I was the team leader for capacity building.

    How would you describe women and leadership in Nigeria today?

    For this, I would say that we have come a long way. Right from the outset when women started looking for a paradigm shift, they understood that they couldn’t do without men. So they worked hand in hand with the men and they empowered a lot of women in the process. Also the political parties have seen the value of women too. At that point, they were asking for 35 per cent of women and they got it during the last elections. People like Kema Chikwe is working towards 50 per cent and women in the different parties are doing well.

    What do you expect from women during the 2015 elections?

    A strong evidence of women’s inclusion. It would be nice to have a female senate president or vice president. We have a programme for women coming up on the 25th of April and the objective is to help women develop a healthy balance between their professional success and personal fulfillment. It is called the Oye Women’s conference and it would take place at the Metropolitan Club in Lagos. Other partners include ACCA, an accounting firm, Ifeoma Williams, Nkiru Asika and Ndidi Nwunelli who will be talking about the success story of her organisation, a food processing company. It is actually a social responsibility programme and our contribution to society. It is our own way of creating awareness with practical case studies on how people made it in their businesses. You have a number of people who have a job and they are making money elsewhere. But you should be making money where you work. So why is there a disconnect? Why can’t your passion give you money and joy? The truth is that a lot of people are not satisfied with their jobs.

  • Alison-Madueke: A minister and her passion

    Alison-Madueke: A minister and her passion

    Vilified and often attacked for being responsible for the rot in the nation’s oil and gas industry, the minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, has borne everything with strong equanimity and an unwavering determination to deliver the goods. In this report, a look is taken at those areas where the minister has acquitted herself well in the face of daunting challenges and limitations.

    While ‘bashing’ public officials seems to be the pastime of Nigeria’s criticising public, only very few public officers have been subjected to attacks, both personal and official, like Diezani Alison-Madueke. While some had said she is the most corrupt minister, some said she is so powerful to the extent that she dictates to the president. She has also been accused of being behind the recent crisis that has bedeviled the oil and gas sector in the last few years. Recently, she was accused of being behind the ugly drama that characterised the submission of the report of the committee set up in the wake of last year’s subsidy protests and headed by former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. But come to think of it, what have they not accused her of since she joined government? Some members of the committee had openly disagreed with the version of the report being presented to the President. Critics said Diezani and some Presidency officials actually colluded with the ‘disgruntled’ members of the committee to discredit the report so as to protect some friends of the president.

    While these and other such debilitating criticisms have been made against the woman, they have not in any way prevented her from recording some modest achievement which even her staunchest critics could not deny her. In fact, observers of the oil and gas sector have singled her and her Aviation counterpart, Stella Oduah, another female minister, as two ministers who are really executing President Jonathan’s transformation agenda

    The local content champion…

    Determined to ensure that there is greater participation of Nigerians in the oil and gas sector, the minister has been pushing for creating the enabling environment for more Nigerians to come in into the capital intensive but lucrative upstream sector of the petroleum industry. Diezani is said to be so passionate about this that she is more or less a lone soldier pushing the Petroleum Industry Bill, PIB. Though the bill has faced a lot of opposition both from politicians and some foreign oil interests, sources said this has not deterred the woman from trudging on. Observers also state no past oil minister has helped local indigenous companies like the current minister who always jumps at any opportunity to help any indigenous company in the sector to succeed.

    That the nation may have adequate fuel.

    One of the reasons adduced for the rise of oil subsidy thieves and the attendant fleecing of the country that went with it was the fact that the federal government did not have adequate storage facility and even when the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, imported fuel at times, it had to rely on private tank firms to store the commodity. But the minister of petroleum resources seemed to have noticed this when she initiated the refurbishment of the Benin Depot of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, which was commissioned last week. The facility was first constructed in 1978 and was commissioned the following year. But since 2005, the facility has been dormant due to lack of adequate maintenance. The depot has a combined capacity of over a hundred and twenty thousand litres of petrol, kerosene and auto mobile gas oil. Apart from this, the facility has nine loading arms which make it easy for trailers to come in and take products simultaneously. The depot was meant to serve the evacuation of products from the Warri refinery through a gas pipeline that spans almost ninety kilometres. Speaking at the re-commissioning of the depot, an elated Alison-Madueke said she was delighted that government of President Jonathan was living up to its promise of ensuring adequate fuel supply. “I am delighted that under the administration of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the depot has been put back in operation and able to deliver products to the good people of Edo State and its teaming consumers. Also, I am pleased that through the concerted effort of NNPC Management and Staff, under my leadership, we are steadily yielding the desired outcomes.” Not done yet, the minister informed her audience that “the Depot we are re-commissioning today has the capacity to hold 59 million litres of PMS, 32 million litres of DPK, and 28 million litres of AGO. The resumption of commercial activities to this very important facility is a major milestone towards the restoration of steady products supply to Benin and its environs.”

    Alluding to the menace pipeline vandalism had become in the country, the wife of the former military governor of old Imo State, Rear Admiral Alison Madueke said it was worrisome “that the menace of pipeline vandalism has now become a national security challenge with the latest example being the incident in Arepo, Ogun State which forced the shut-down of an entire line segment that serves as the gateway for petroleum products supply and distribution of over 60% of national requirement. Furthermore, the cost of products losses and repairs due to vandalism has continued to grow to an alarming level. In addition, the consequential cost of environmental remediation from the resulting spillage associated with vandalism and the loss of lives and properties of innocent Nigerians are unnecessary burdens we should not have to bear as a nation.”

    An obviously impressed former Labour leader and incumbent governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, said he was impressed by the re-commissioning of the depot in Benin, the Edo State capital. He said he was now sure that the trips he usually made to Warri to solicit for the supply of petroleum products to Edo State was no over with the commissioning of the depot.

    “The honourable minister has demonstrated that indeed good things can come from the petroleum industry as well as the NNPC. I thank God that I don’t have to make such long walk to Warri again because the Benin depot is back to service,” he said. Another major milestone in the minister’s stewardship was the commissioning of the Oredo Gas Handling Plant last week. Speaking at the event, Alison-Madueke said the facility, its construction and commissioning were an indication that the nation has arrived in the production of gas and allied products.

    “It is of interest to note that NPDC is now the major gas supplier to the nation’s domestic market, with a current supply of approximately 400MMscfd and an expected growth to 600MMscfd by year end. Today’s commissioning of the Oredo Early first gas phase, which is currently delivering 65MMscfd to the domestic market clearly demonstrates this growing capability of NPDC to take a leading role in the Federal Government’s quest to rapidly increase gas supply, and it is my hope that by the end of this year, the complete Integrated Gas Handling Facility (IGHF) which will deliver 100MMscfd of lean gas, and about 330 tons of LPG per annum to domestic consumers will have been completed.”

    The announcement by PPMC Managing Director, that the Maiduguri Depot will be rehabilitated in the next 60 days is another cheery news for people of that zone. A it will significantly ease the fuel challenge the people of that zone face daily.

    Jobs for teeming youths.

    As earlier stated, one of the things dear to the heart of the petroleum minister was greater participation of Nigerians in the oil and gas sector. While she has pursued this vigorously, little did critics of the government know that as at today, the participation level of Nigerian-owned companies in the oil and gas sector has moved up to an impressive eighty-seven percent. While this might not mean so much to the man on the street, the fall-out of this is that about thirty thousand jobs have been created out of this. Speaking at a meeting, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Diezani said by asking companies to do the ‘right thing’, they have succeeded in getting more and more Nigerians to be involved in the oil and gas industry “just by insisting on using Nigerians in the industry, we have deepened the local supply chain.”

    The minister said the jobs were generated in the engineering, fabrication, marine transportation, logistics and exploration and production sub-sectors of the oil and gas industry, and expressed optimism that the job growth would be sustained.

    “I have no doubt that more jobs will be created in 2013 and we shall achieve greater localisation of the industry services, manufacturing and fabrication in 2013,” she said.

    Alison-Madueke noted that the Nigerian content implementation had increased the level of participation of Nigerians in oil and gas contracts to 87 per cent. “The board has to a large extent achieved consensus in most aspects of Nigerian Content implementation to the extent that there has been no major dispute amongst stakeholders on interpretation of provisions of the Nigerian Content Law.”

    Suddenly everything seems to be coming together under her leadership for the good of country. Now there is no denying the fact that she has done quite well; especially in the area of ensuring more local participation in the oil gas industry. Even if critics would never give her the credit.

     

    Affia wrote in from London