The Nation Newspaper

Tag: personality

  • The state, personality and leadership

    A  State  governor, Samuel Ortom   of  Benue  Satae  is being vilified all  over Nigeria for saying that if the  Nigerian  president is sick  the nation too is sick. Also    two  African  leaders and incumbent presidents are  seeking   reelection  this month based  on their personal merit  as strong leaders  of their  nations  against all  odds at  the beginning of their tenure  of office. On  the global  scene the  US  president  signed  into  law new sanctions against  Russia for  hacking that  nation’ s 2016  presidential  elections and   for  invading Ukraine  during  the Obama  era  characterized  by the personality  clash  between  Obama  and Russian  strong man   and  president, Vladmir  Putin. Without  mincing words  my contention  here  is that the state  of health of a leader matters  in any  field  of human endeavor  more so in politics.   Furthermore   there  is nothing  wrong  in equating that state  with the   health  of the state  as the  incumbent president in  any presidential  system  is the embodiment  of the state and his personal  health affects  that  of the state  over   which    he presides,  for good  or  bad. That  is the premise  of my arguments today  on the leaders and  personalities  I want  to discuss     in tandem  with  the topic  of   the  day.

    I    start  with  the  state governor who  was  one of  those  lucky  governors  who visited  the president recently and  was talking empirically  on the state  of   the   health  of the  president in absolute  good  faith ,  which was misconstrued as mischievous  by his attackers  when  indeed  these  attackers  were  the culprit  of mischief  on the matter. The   governor  said  the president was sick  and people should pray  for him  to be well  so  that he  can perform  his duties  because if  he is sick  the nation is sick.  But  he  also  said in his absence the Acting President is performing well. That is a statement  of fact and  that   means that the state in terms  of governance is not in shambles  and confusion and  a state in that  condition  cannot  be said  to be sick.  So  what  is wrong in what  the governor has  said? Nothing  in  my  view.  What  I am  saying in effect  is that the good  governor  has been  quoted  out of context  by mischief  makers  now  mocking his genuine  concern  on not only the state of health  of  our president but more  cynically  that of  the Nigerian  state . It  is as if these strange interpreters are now invoking the  historical  phrase of  arrogance of power that permeated  French  history when  the Church  and the state struggled  for power    and  supremacy  and the’ Sun  King ‘ of France  Louis XIV    famously proclaimed –  L’etat, C’ est  moi. Which  means ‘ I,  am the state’. That    arrogance  culminated  in the French  Revolution  of  1789   when  the poor  of France rose in fury  against  the rich  and that was the genesis of the democracy   and human  dignity the world enjoys today. Certainly  the governor  never  meant that in the way  he expressed  his  concern  on the state  of health  of our president and his attackers  on the matter  should  quietly  lay  down their  arms  and go to  sleep  on the matter.

    Let  us now  go to other nations and  climes  whose  presidents are  not sick  but  whose  leadership  is equally  subjected to stranger interpretations and  mischief  than  what we are witnessing at home.  First  is Rwanda  whose  president  Paul  Kigame  is seeking  a  third  term  in this month’s  election  after  he  amended  the constitution  in  2015  to enable him be in power  till  2034. Second is President Uhuru   Kenyatta   of   Kenya  also  seeking re election  after  being cleared  by the International  Criminal  Court  of Justice  for  violence  committed  in the after math of the 2007  elections  for  lack  of evidence. Third  is the unlikely  duo  of the US President Donald  Trump  and Russian President Vladmir  Putin  and  the signing of new  sanctions against Russia  for hacking US elections, which  the Russian  strongman  has called an act of  an impotent leader  by the American  president. In  all  these  three examples we see rare  elements  of strong leadership and  willingness to  claim economic  success as  proof    of performance, although these  can  be criticized  by their  opponents who  see them  as autocrats  and leaders not ready  to  brook  any  opposition  on any  matters  of state  in their nations.

    Starting with  Rwanda  we  know  that globally  Paul  Kigame  is well  known  for bringing stability and  economic  wonders  to his nation after the genocide  that left  millions of Tutsis and  Hutus dead  in  that  nation.  His  strong leadership  has  been  supported  by France and  the EU  but  he  now seems  to see himself   as irreplaceable  in terms of leadership  and whilst  that  can  be debatable  there  is no  doubt that  he is very  much  in control  of events  in his land locked  nation. It  is  easy  to accuse  him of tenacity  of office and call  that  the bane of African  leadership but he  has a reputation  for discipline as a former  military  leader and as long as he keeps  control of his army  base,  elections will  just foregone  conclusions  of his victory  at  such  rituals. That   to me is commendable  and better  than situations  in Nigeria  where  elected representatives  see  themselves  as  elected  to fend for themselves, their  relatives  and cohorts at  the expense  of the larger public  or the general  electorate . Kigame’s  claim  to stability  and economic  progress  in his   tenure  should  see him through his reelection for a third term as  the   horror   and    memory     of the Rwandan  genocide  make it difficult  to  see  him  out of power,  perhaps  to  be replaced  by those  who  are untested  and therefore  untrusted  to sustain  the political  and economic stability  he has put in place in his nation.

    Next  is Kenya’s president, Uhuru  Kenyatta  who  was elected in  2013 and is seeking a second  term which  he  has  not taken  for granted  even though his opponent Raula  Odinga has  lost   the   three  last presidentiall  elections . Kenyatta  has a proud pedigree  being the son  of Kenya’s  first president Jomo  Kenyatta  who led his nation  to independence. The  elder  and dead Kenyatta  was much  loved and left  his family wealthy,  some say  from rampant corruption .He  was  also not well  disposed  to criticism  and once   famously  threatened  Kenyan  Parliamentarians heckling him that  ‘the hawk ‘  was in the skies ready  to swoop  and carry   ‘chickens’  to their  death. The  son  too was to  be in the Hague  for election  violence   but was elected  president  with  his Vice  President wanted  for  the same  offence and it was thought he would not complete  his  tenure  but he has,  and is now  seeking re election. He  has definitely played his card  well  both at home  where  media reports say he is fondly referred  to as the ‘digital  president‘  and abroad  where  he has  led  the  regional   global  war  on terror especially  as Kenya borders Somalia, a failed state   whose  refugees  are in Kenya in large  numbers creating tension  like Boko  Haram  is doing in Nigeria  killing  innocent people with 15  year old girls  as suicide  bombers . Kenyatta  has gotten huge  loans from China for  infrastructure  and benefited  from the fact that Barak  Obama  is from  Kenya  and the US is  not party  to the  ICC  charter  or  else  he would  be facing trial  at the Hague  for election  violence  and  would probably be in  jail  by now. But Providence  has been  kind to him  and he has secured his freedom  by bringing development and growth  to  Kenya and that  seems to  have been  sufficient  insurance  for his first  and pending electability.  Provided, of   course   that   the election is free  and fair  and not marred by violence  as typical  of  Kenya’s elections since  Independence.

    Thirdly,  we     look at  the dicey diplomatic tango  between  the two  most powerful  nations in the world outside China and  the EU  and  the furore  the 2016  US  presidential  elections  have generated in both. These  are the US and  Russia  and the charge by the US media, opposition Democratic  Party  and bi  partisan US  Congress that  Russia  meddled in the 2016 US presidential  election won by Donald Trump. Of  course  Trump  has insisted  that Russia  had nothing to do with his famous and  most unexpected  victory   as that  would question his mandate and legitimacy. He  instead feels it was a case of sour grapes on the Democratic  Party’s loss of the election and insisted  that his Attorney General ,new FBI Director, Special  Counsel, all  appointed by him  should instead   probe the findings of the FBI  that his opponent Hillary  Clinton be  tried   for destroying thousands of e mails as Secretary  of  State, an act described  as reckless by the then FBI  boss.

    It  was well known  during and after  2016   presidential  the election  that Putin  and Trump  had a soft  spot for each other.  Just as it   was  also quite clear  that there  was no love lost  between Trump’s predecessor Barak   Obama   and      Putin      throughout    Obama’s  8 year   tenure. The      reason   for this was   presumed      to  be   the US  ‘intervention in  ‘Putin’s reelection of 2011  when  Hillary  Clinton  was  Secretary  of  State   and   the present   furore  on Russian  hacking      germinated  from  that.  Obama  retaliated  for the hacking on  his departure   from  office and  the  US  Congress has approved another set of sanctions  as the Russian Hacking charge has gathered  momentum  after  election  to the chagrin  of the  new US  president  who claimed that he and  his campaign  team  never  colluded  with the Russians . He  has signed the sanctions deal  obviously  against  his ‘ personal  wishes  and desire ‘ like our former military ruler on assuming power,   but  really it   was   to avert  the humiliation  of   having his veto  overridden  by Congress if he refused  to sign the bill. His  friend  Putin  has branded  him impotent for that. It  remains to be seen how long the two  strong men  can  remain  chummy  diplomatically  given  the obsession  of the US media  to nail Trump  on the Russian  hacking and impeach  him at the same time. Yet  the same  Trump  antagonists  admit  that those who  elected Trump  are  still  in love with him in spite  of his present administrative  and political  blunders.   However  time  will  tell,  sooner  than later, what  the result will   be and how that will  affect the political  health  and stability  of the US polity, which  has  always  been taken for granted  as   vibrant  and never  sick, at  any time  compared  with other  global  democracies . Once again, long  live the Federal  Republic  of Nigeria.

  • Engineer is Ondo Personality of the Year

    The Ondo State Hallmark of Labour Award has chosen the Executive Director, Engineering and Technical Services, Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Ife Oyedele, an engineer, as the Ondo State Personality of the Year. The event packaged by Omoluwabi Leadership Reporters is scheduled for Sunday, August 13 at the Ondo State International Event Center, in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

    According to the Awards’ Governing Board under the chairmanship of Prof. David Adeyemo, the purpose of the award was to pay tribute to distinguished personalities who have made real and valuable contributions to the society.

    A statement by the project coordinator, Omoba Adekunle Ayegbe, yesterday reads: “The Personality of the Year category is the flagship award and the ultimate honour bestowed on that man of excellence, a chart-topper whose peerless actions and priceless contributions to the state or national development have inspired high hopes for a better society.

    “The award is very significant more so, in this age when genuine role-models with sincerity of purpose, uncommon vision, focus and Olympian fortitude are bred less frequently. It is imperative to identify and celebrate those that are making their visible marks in the task of collective transformation even if only to create a sense of desire for others to emulate their noble deeds.

    “The selection panel for this prestigious award comprises of well-meaning professionals drawn from all walks of life who objectively considered without bias or favoritism, the public recommendations of Nominees, through a fair and transparent process.

    “Engineer Ife Oyedele’s public spirited standpoint, his public and private comportments which typified the ethos of OMOLÚWÀBÍ (well behaved Yoruba son) and more recently his continuous and unparalleled humanitarian service which has gone a long way in putting smile permanently on the faces of the people, were all painstakingly considered.

  • WIZKID SLUGS IT OUT WITH LINDA IKEJI FOR MAMA ‘PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR’

    WIZKID SLUGS IT OUT WITH LINDA IKEJI FOR MAMA ‘PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR’

    NIGERIAN superstar, Ayo Balogun, aka Wizkid, will be going against sensational blogger, Linda Ikeji in the lifestyle category, Personality of the Year, at the forthcoming MTV Africa Music Awards. Other contenders in the category are Pearl Thusi, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), and middle distance runner and Olympic gold medalist Caster Semenya.

    Wizkid, Cassper Nyovest, AKA and Sauti Sol lead the pack in the first round of nominations with an impressive nine nominations between them.

    Fifty MAMA nominees including artists and achievers from 18 countries were revealed in nine key music and lifestyle award categories by Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa and MTV Base (DStv channel 322) at a star-studded reception at Constitution Hill, Johannesburg, South Africa.

    At the front of the field is Nigerian star Wizkid with three nominations including nods in Best Male, Best Collaboration and Personality of the Year. Next in line with two nominations each are AKA (South Africa),Cassper Nyovest (South Africa) and Sauti Sol (Kenya).

    The keenly contested Best Hip Hop category sees MAMA nominations for Emtee and Riky Rick of South Africa, who’ll be going head to head against Nigeria’s Olamide and Ycee, and Kiff No Beat (Ivory Coast).

    An epic battle of the bands is in store in the Best Group category where Ghana’s R2bees face off against Kenya’sSauti Sol, South Africa’s Mi Casa, Navy Kenzo from Tanzania and Togolese duo, Toofan.

    Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa stated; “MAMA celebrates Africa’s incredible young musicians and trailblazers by breaking down barriers, driving engagement, and highlighting the continent’s rich and abundant talent.”

    The MTV Africa Music Awards Johannesburg 2016 is sponsored to by Joburg Tourism in partnership with Absolut Vodka and Google and in association with MTN and DStv.

  • Muhammad Ali, an iconic personality

    Every one of my generation cannot but be sad about the final exit of the greatest athlete of the 20th century. I grew up watching the magnificent Ali upgrading boxing from sport to an art, more like ballet. To see a big man do what was called the Ali shuffle was simply unbelievable. I was introduced to boxing by a certain Sugar Ray Johnson who was my late brother, Chief OduolaOsuntokun’s driver and personal assistant who at one time was the light weight champion of Nigeria. Through him I got to meet a couple of great Nigerian boxers who were campaigning for world laurels in Europe.

    Boxing in the United States in the time of Ali provided young and energetic black boys avenue for self-development and rapid upward mobility. To white America, the best place for blacks was the prison where blacks spent the better parts of their lives. To avoid this fate, blacks generally suffered in silence. This was the United States Muhammad Ali grew up in. After leaving high school, his talent as a boxer was soon recognized by a white do-gooder.Boxing soon brought him into America’s notice when he represented the country as a light heavyweight boxer in the Rome Olympics of 1960 and won a gold medal.He was so excited by this victory at a young age of 19 that according to Wilma Rudolph, the black woman Olympic gold medallist in the sprints in the same games, that he wore his medal throughout the two weeks of the games.

    On returning home, a syndicate of white businessmen soon formed around him in Louisville to promote his boxing career. From one victory to another, the brash young man began to promote himself by boasting about what round he would knock out his opponent. In an uncanny fashion, his predictions always came true. He was nicknamed the Louisville Lip among other names. He began to call attention to himself as the greatest as well as asking people how beautiful not handsome he was. No doubt he was a beauty of a man to behold, tall, well-proportioned and with fair skin. By this time he had heard about the black Muslims,the followers of Elijah Mohammed in Chicago with their doctrine of separatism and virtually throwing at the white manthat black people too rejected integration. He liked their celebration of black women as queens to be treasured and respected unlike the beating his own dad and black men generally inflicted on his mother and black women generally.He however did not yet come out until after the fight against Sonny Liston the then reigning champion.

    Sonny Liston was a hard man who had killer instinct and was backed by the mobsters and many of the white folks secretly wished this ex-convict black dude would put an end to the boasting of the young Cassius Clay. Some even hoped Liston would kill Clay and put an end to this uppity nigger! But on the night of the fight against Liston, Clay turned the tables against the fearsome pugilist by not only beating him but knocking him out. The whole world was surprised and from that time on everyone wanted to know the trajectory of this handsome man. A couple of fights later including a second knockout in a rematch with Liston, Cassius Marcellus Clay jnr declared to the world that he had converted to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. No one is sure why he took the name Muhammad Ali. But it is safe to guess that he took the name of a major figure in the history of Egypt. Muhammad Ali was the khedive or ruler of Egypt early in the 19th century contemporaneous with the Meiji restoration in Japan and a modernizer like his counterpart in Japan.

    The moment Clay announced his conversion to Islam he drew the ire of white American establishment to himself. Even his father complained about the black Muslims taking away his son from him. But Ali stood his ground.

    The 1960s was a period of political and social ferment in the black world in the USA and in Africa. This was at the height of independent movements in Africa and the civil rights movement in the USA and each movement somehow fed on each other. This was also the period of American military campaign in Vietnam necessitating sending hundreds of thousands of young American soldiers to fight, killand be killed in the jungle of South-eastAsia. These young men were draftees who had to go to Vietnam as part of their citizen responsibility. Most of the draftees were usually the children of the poor and most were not university students like children of the affluent who either deferred serving in the military or escaped to Canada and Europe to avoid going to Vietnam.

    The radical wing of the so-called Negro rebellion included young academics like the beautiful young philosophy professor in university of California at Berkley, Angela Davis, one of the products of Hebert Marcuse a radical left wing professor. Others formed what was called the Black Panther Party led by Hugh Newton based mostly in the west coast of the USA with public declaration to resist police brutality by fighting back.One of their thinkers was the famous Eldridge Cleaver who wrote a successful book, Soul on Ice, depicting the plight of black men in America while in prison.On the east coast the likes of Stockley Carmichael and Rap Brown were raising hell.Young blacks were rioting from coast to coast burning down shops and shouting burn baby burn!The coming of Ali into the maelstrom confused white Americans. The reaction of most was that these niggers should be made to know who was boss.

    Muhammad Ali was drafted and was asked to report for posting to Vietnam. He of course refused that the Vietcong were not his enemies. But that the blue eyed Devils as the Nation of Islam called the whites were his enemies! He famously declared I ain’t got no problem with them Vietcong! He said Vietcong never called him nigger and if he must fight it will be in the USA.This brought anger and hatred to him. He was stripped of his title and sentenced to jail for three years. He appealed to the Supreme Court as a conscientious opponent of the war. It took the court three long years to deliver a judgement in his favour. This was at the height of his career as a boxer. The more he was persecuted, the more he attracted the attention and affection of the world outside the USA. When he tried to get his title back by fighting Joe Frazier the new champion, he met his Waterloo when he was defeated. The three years absence had had his toll. But Ali was an indomitable competitor. He later beat Frazier on two gruelling occasions including the so-called Thrilla in Manilla when these two black men nearly killed each other in order to assert superiority of  one over the other in an acrimonious relation that went way beyond the sport of boxing. Even though Ali tended to see his verbal abuse and teasing of Frazier as part of promotional tricks for their matches calling Frazier Uncle Tom and Gorilla,  it went beyond the pale and Frazier took it so personal that he said he wished Ali dead while watching the shaking and quivering Ali light the Olympic flames in Atlanta in 1996. The fight with Joe Frazier and the dramatic defeat of George Forman the giant from Atlanta by Muhammad Ali in the fight named Rumble in the jungle took a lot out of Ali. In spite of advice to stop fighting, he continued fighting and receiving blows unnecessarily to the head. I personally watched his fight in 1979, I believe in Bethesda Maryland where his former sparring partner and the then world champion Larry Holmes gave him the whipping of his life. The 61 fights he had must have contributed to the Parkinson’s disease that finally killed him after suffering for 32 years.

    To me it is not Ali’s skill as a boxer that is important. Of course he was the greatest athlete that ever lived. But besides that and most importantly he gave the black people of America a voice. He spoke truth to power and it is people like him that made the civil rights act of 1965 possible. Yes Martin Luther King jnr. was the eloquent preacher and mobilizer of the masses but it is Ali who epitomized the freedom sought by black youth. I must also not forget to mention the contribution of Malcom X to Ali’s psychological development as well as his own contribution to the African American liberation? Muhammad Ali’s appeal transcended race eventually appealing to the whole world to the extent that Oxford University wanted to elect him their poet laureate. To us in Africa he was a brother and to the Muslim world he was an iconic figure. It is fitting that the president of Turkey and the King of Jordan will be among many dignitaries who will be present at his burial today. What a pity that no African president will be at his funeral. To my generation Ali represents pride in our African personality and heritage which does not defer to the arrogance of racists who put Africans and other non-white people down.May God accept him and grant him  AljanatFirdaus

  • Okewale named Africa’s best healthcare personality

    The Chairman of WFM 91.7 and owner of St. Ives Hospital, Dr. Babatunde Okewale, is a man of many accomplishments. The popular medical practitioner recently attained another feat with his award as Africa’s best healthcare personality of the year in reproductive medicine at the Fifth African Development Magazine International Conference on Development in Accra, Ghana.

    Okewale is being acknowledged for his impact on women and reproductive health. The awards ceremony took place at the Novotel Hotel, Accra, Ghana.

  • HOW FELA’S PERSONALITY AFFECTED MY RELATIONSHIPS –FEMI KUTI

    HOW FELA’S PERSONALITY AFFECTED MY RELATIONSHIPS –FEMI KUTI

    Femi Kuti, the eldest son of music icon, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, and Crown Prince of Afrobeat music, speaks to JANE KOLADE about growing up as Fela’s son, his music, his background and beliefs.

    HOW has life as Fela’s son been?

    I keep getting asked the same question, and I keep giving the same answer; I would not even know the difference, since I have never been anyone else’s son, and do not intend to be.

    Has it been a plus or a minus, considering that you will always be compared to him?

    It depends on which side you look at it from. I don’t see it that way. I loved my father, and I am happy about my life. You could say it’s a minus that it was hard to have close relationships when we were young, when we were introduced to the families, people would say things like, ‘Ehhh! Won fe mu omo Fela wale?’ (he/she wants to bring a Fela offspring home). Then your boyfriend or girlfriend will say don’t come to my house again, because my parents don’t see you as the right kind of person. But that made us, Fela’s kids, stronger. We walk on the streets; the masses see us and love us. Sometimes you are in a taxi, and because you are Fela’s kid, sometimes people take you for free. Others might overcharge you because some will say Omo olowo leleyi, Fela lowo (this is Fela’s son; Fela is rich). For me, however, I would rather just live my life. I don’t have any complaints, as I love my father.

    How do you feel when people compare you to him?

    I don’t see any basis for comparison. I will give you a brief anecdote. When my father first got me to listen to Jazz, and when I got into it, and understood what Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie were about, I realised that I could not be those guys, knowing that I could never play like them. So I was at a crossroad. It was either I stopped playing music, or continue playing. Having identified that I could not be Dizzy Gillespie, or Charlie Parker, at least I could be Femi Kuti.

    That is the same way I have dealt with those who compare me to my father. I can never be Fela, it is not possible. But if I don’t look like him, sound like him, and play like him; you would have to ask my mother who my father is? I loved my father so I have never seen a basis for competition. I have always known that I would have to work ten times harder to live up to the expectations.

    There is no competition. He will always be my father, especially because he was a professional to the core. You could not make a mistake on the stage, so you had to be right. If you were not, he would not mince words. I remember showing him my first composition, and he said, “If you are going to compose a song, make sure people can dance to it.”

    You perform more abroad than in Nigeria.

    Not these days, I perform more at the shrine. I have cut down on my tours a lot.

    Could you relate your background to your career success?

    Only one thing is responsible; hard work. I did not say because I am Fela’s son, I would use my father as leverage to become what I am. As I earlier said, I quickly identified that I could never be my father. I did not want to be my father. I fought against the resemblance, or copying my father, which at the beginning worked against me, as there were people who did not like the fact that I kicked against it.

    There were people who wanted me to just be exactly, or do exactly what my father was doing. Many critics condemned me. Even when I wrote my hit album, Wonder, Wonder, people claimed it was Fela that wrote the album for me. But, luckily for me, after Fela passed on, I had my international hit, Bang, Bang, Bang. At least, nobody could say Fela wrote the song for me.

    Since Fela’s demise, some claim that the following of Afrobeat has declined. Do you agree?

    That is not true. There is a Fela play, a Fela documentary.  Many people have been coming out to say that they have been fanatics of Fela; the likes of Jay Z, Beyonce, Paul McCartney. There are so many people who say that they have been inspired by listening to Fela’s music. In the Nigerian music scene, there is no hip-hop singer that doesn’t say that they listened to Fela. Felabration is getting bigger. That does not even arise at all. There are people who say Fela was a prophet.

    Some people believe that marijuana should be legalized. What is your take on that?

    Let me put it this way; there are more dangerous things that should be banned, ahead of marijuana, for instance, alcohol. It is worse than Marijuana. If America, and many countries that were against marijuana, are now legalising it, as Africans, shouldn’t we be rethinking it as well? The colonialists, from whom we got the ten year jail sentence, by their law; are now legalising it.

    My father used to say that when you ban something, you make the demand more, and the price goes up in the market. When you legalise it, people will quickly realise whether or not it is good for them, and the price will come down in the market. Another instance is, at a certain time my father said that people were taking a certain drug called Gbana, and they were dying.

    But it was because it was hidden, my father said that if it were out/ exposed, everybody would know its effects, and shy away from it. When you ban it, you make it very attractive, and young people will go there. It is like saying that people should not watch porn, but when you understand what goes on in them, you will realise that it’s really not a sexual trip at all.

    Have you ever used marijuana?

    I have used Marijuana. I won’t say I really liked it, but probably because everyone around me was doing it. As I grew older, I didn’t like it, so when I developed the will power to stop, I quit. I didn’t need it to perform. I thought it was even more of a downer for me. I prefer to perform when I’m totally attentive in my mind. With marijuana, sometimes you are paranoid, worried about what the audience is thinking. You really cannot control your thoughts, or lose it.

    And then, different people react to it differently. I don’t think my father would agree with my sentiments, were he alive though. And when I used to smoke, I seemed very unfriendly because I was in deep thought all the time. I worry a lot and smoking made me worry ten times more. I could worry about the most inconsequential thing; Marijuana had that kind of negative effect on me. I am not saying it has the same effect on other people. Other people take it, and they are happy, and cool with it. So I don’t see the sense in jailing someone for ten years for taking marijuana. I mean, you should jail people for committing a crime. For instance, alcohol is worse; when you are under the influence, you can beat up your wife, and say stupid things.

    Is it true that you no longer believe in marriage?

    I never believed in it.

    But you were married.

    I loved my wife and got carried away. I am happy with the experience. However, we got married for so many reasons at the time. Now, we are great friends,

    Does that preclude marriage, meaning you will never get married again?

    Yes, again, these are my personal views. I would never influence any of my children not to get married. My eldest son, for instance believes in marriage, and in one man one wife. I would never say good, or bad, or use my life to influence him in any way. I would even support him, if that is what he wants.

    Don’t you think that what you grew up seeing are things that you have to do?

    Yes, I grew up watching films and all that, but then I grew up with my mother. I was very into love, marriage; but then I moved to Kalakuta, and saw a different side of life with my father. And I weighed my father’s side, and the other side, and I felt that my father had majority of the vote in my mind; even if not a hundred percent. Because I saw many married couple who broke up, and many of the actors, and actresses I was watching could not keep their marriages. But they were acting films in which they tried to influence the world that you had to be married as that was what society expected of you, and all that. Yet the people who were urging me to get married, or even swear me into it were never married themselves; those who are not even allowed to be married because they have made vows, or claim to have given their lives to Christ.

    So many things are wrong with the institution, and I’m wondering that the person saying “I pronounce you man and wife” has never been married. So how can a person who never experienced it talk about it, quoting a book well over two thousand years old to me? The film, actors, and everything around me was a failure. Even amongst my friends, their fathers were cheating on their wives, and pretending about it. Even the wives were cheating on their husbands. Everything just seemed upside down. So why would I want to get involved in it? And I asked myself, “Do I like women? Yes. Will I ever be faithful to one woman? No. So why get married? ” So, even before I got married to my wife, she knew I would not be faithful.

    If fame hadn’t happened, do you think the marriage would have continued?

    I don’t know. The fame got completely beyond me. I had wanted to be famous, and all that, but the album was so huge. Using my father’s life as an example, at the time my father hit stardom, Nigeria could not handle it; having never seen such a phenomenon prior to that. He also could not handle it; he had to grow into it. In America, stardom is an institution, such that they are ready for when the star fails, and when they get back on their feet. If the star gets addicted to drugs, they are ready with rehabs for them. They understand what stardom does to you.

    During Fela’s time, Fela was huge; Nigeria was not ready for it, there was no way Nigeria was ready for that kind of stardom. If Fela’s car passed along the street, (he might not even be in it), it would be like the president was passing, and they would be shouting his name. Fela could not just show up on the street, the only peace he ever had in his life was when he was in his room. There were hundreds of people waiting to see him, and the minute he just opened that door, Fela, Fela, Fela, and would only end when he got back into the room. The pressure for a human being was probably too much.

    What was it like, living with such a person?

    As children, we just acclimatized. It seemed like fun. I am sure that my children don’t understand my stress. It seems like a big party to them, they can’t wait to visit the Shrine. For kids, it is very different, but for mine, they are lucky that they have a father that will be grooming them for it; telling them the truth along the way. I did not have that kind of father. I had to learn along the way, by just watching and listening. But because of my experience, being his son, I can now let my children be. This is why I will not be judgmental with my kids, or say things like “Don’t get married! It’s wrong.” If however, they choose to get married, I will support them, and give them advice on how it can work. As to their careers, if one of my kids wants to be a musician, I would say, you need to practice six hours every day. But I would not be judgmental with respect to their personal lives, and of whom they choose to marry.

    Benson Kuti, is he your brother?

    No.

    How is he related to you?

    I don’t know him.

    There is another Fela son, by a white woman. Have you met him?

    Fela told us he had a child by an Australian in 1964. I met him, and it’s very likely he is Fela’s son because he looks very much like Fela. He is very friendly, and has a dimple like Fela and a black spot Fela had on his face. Funny enough, he doesn’t even want to be known; he only reached out to us because his child wanted to know who his father was. His mother had put him into a foster home, so he had to find out who his mother was, and later on his father. The young man googled who Fela Ransome Kuti was, and on discovering told his father the status of his natural father. That was how they looked for us on Facebook, and got in touch with my sister. When I went to Australia, I paid them a visit, and we have been friends ever since.

    Growing up, what kind of relationship did you and your siblings have?

    From my mother, we are very close. My brother, Kunle and I got very close after our father’s death. As to the others, Seun and others, we did not start out very close, but now we are. When Seun was younger, he was manipulated, but we are now very close. You could say the family is quite close, but you can’t compare the closeness with one’s mother’s kids to those from one’s father.  My elder sister and I are very close, she is only thirteen months older than I am, and we grew up together through thick and thin. I am twelve years older than Kunle, and I am well over twenty years older than Seun. I am old enough to be his father. But the respect and relationship I share with my sister is different. My sister has always been someone I share everything I do with, doing nothing without telling her first. She has Fela’s mentality; I don’t. I look more like Fela, but she has his mind, and has a way of taking global perspective, and give you good advice based on it. She is street smart.

    I know that your mum was a black Briton, could that be why you are not a chauvinist?

    My mother is black American, Red Indian and English.

    Any chances of a reunion with your ex wife?

    Not at all, we are friends; that is all. And I have a partner, we stay together, and she understands the fact that it will be very hard for me to be faithful. That does not mean that I am promiscuous, but she understands that my profession does not permit me to do certain things.

    For instance, can you imagine a man married to Madonna not wanting men to throw themselves at her? There would be a problem, because they will. First, accept the fact that she is a superstar and men will throw themselves at her, whether you like it or not. So if you want to be jealous, you would probably die of it.

    Look at Jay Z married to Beyonce, showing off her sexy body, and think that men will not drool. So the partner will have to find a way to work his/her mind to accommodate being with a much desired partner. The same way she has to understand that fine girls will like me, and they are the ones that make the star tick.

    If not, my career would be over. Even the Americans are yet to perfect a means to manage the expression of freedom of the star persona, because the star needs that freedom to express his/her art. This is why they break down. The star needs the freedom to express his/her art, even though they are not drawing, but drawing a bigger picture in the world.

     

     

  • Cutting away a young woman’s right to personal pride, privacy, pleasure, personality and possibly reproduction

    Sex and reproduction:

    In a busy outpatient Gynaecology clinic, a Professor asked  a young lady that had been  investigated exhaustively  for primary infertility a few questions concerning sex with her husband ; was sex  more frequent around mid cycle, and regular? She answered in the affirmative. When asked  if she enjoyed sex with him, she said there were no problems, but  asked to recall two three times she experienced orgasm, she claimed such things only happened  between  couples who are not born again. With controlled anger, the Consultant Gynaecologist  referred her to the counselling unit .

    Inability to reach orgasm during penovaginal sex(aorgasmic coitus) has been found to be associated with certain cases of infertility.  Particularly in women married to men with borderline or low sperm count, the little sperm cells produced (normal ejaculate should fill up a teaspoon) may also have problems with morphology as well as with motility. Ability of the couple to achieve pregnancy may in that situation depend on the ability of the woman to create enough negative(sucking )pressure in the endo cervix, uterus and up to the outer fallopian tube so sperm cells can swim up stream and fertilize ovum.  Without adequate counselling the chances of this occurring are lower in conditions of persistent aorgasmic coitus.

    Infection in the genitor urinary tract introduced during genital manipulation , cutting or mutilation is  capable of blocking the fallopian tubes, the inner walls of which are liable to become organised and plastic in the growing female child. When that happens, even the uterus could become underdeveloped.  The result is infertility or abortions(miscarriages) during the life of the woman

    During pregnancy, nearly all organs of the body are increased in size; some more than others.  The clitoris and the adjoining small lips of the vagina are no exemption; the observed changes are physiological and  except in the case of the breast and other major organs, will come back to pre pregnancy status. During the third(last) stage of normal  labour , baby’s head stretches every thing in the opening of the birth canal . For large babies(normal birth weight of Nigerian babies on the average=3.5kg), a mother may suffer lacerations or bruises in the areas at the top, bottom and sides of the vagina. These may involve significant bleeding when they involve prominent blood vessels. Doctors prevent these by giving neat surgical cuts and repairing them almost immediately after. In women that have had genital cutting, the protective cushion offered by the structures that are removed is taken away.  Back of baby’s head comes into direct contact with the under surface of the pubic bone and because the pain felt in this region is different from the pain felt as a result of contraction of the uterus(womb), the woman pushes baby out even at the risk of having the cervix torn to pieces and bleeding to death because she is simply unable to bear the agonizing pain.  Post partum pain is also more severe for the same reasons

    Conclusion

    In spite of  the efforts by governments, individuals and organizations to  remove the falsehood and myth about female genital cutting ,inform and educate  the public about the dangers associated with the practice , many communities in Nigeria have refused to break with tradition and embrace change. Ignorance , poverty and failure of Governments to enforce rights of the child are responsible for the situation and must be reasonably considered if the resistance to change can be overcome.

    It is clear from what has been discussed in this article that removing the clitoris does not dampen a woman’s appetite for sex  because other parts of the body are designed by the creator to behave  in exactly the same way as the clitoris. Cutting away the clitoris  in some women creates instead, situations where it becomes difficult to understand and define sexual arousal in terms of commencement, peak etc.  The wound that is caused heals with scar formation and the resulting distortion brings about chronic pain and mixed sensations that do not respond to treatment. The bottom line is that  once in an atmosphere of sex, the woman with an amputated clitoris finds her emotions oscillating ; if it manages to ascend, it might reach a level where it hangs and then it may take days to stabilize. The clitoris like other organs of the body affects emotional health and vice versa. It should therefore be left undisturbed so that the body remains emotionally balanced.

    Recommendations

    It is time governments and legislators organized an update on the rights of children

    Many of our Moms and Dads are not aware of the child right acts ,and so children die every day from circumstances that are avoidable from neglect to acts of omission and others that could have directly or indirectly caused death.

    Emphasis should be on educating the  girl child and the illiterate woman.

    When a  child is dying and a mother refuses to sign consent for the child to have a unit of blood transfused for reason the church forbids it, and the child goes on to die, there should be an aspect of the child rights act  strong  enough to hold the parents  accountable

    As soon as the bag containing non sterile equipment was opened, Shanice  the  five year old girl mentioned in the first part of this article sensed danger. She was not ill,  and could not have seen any reason why any one would want  to do  anything drastic to make her well. She made to rise but was held down, as could be observed in the accompanying photograph; and so helplessly the little girl, went  through trauma to have  a part of her body cut off and thrown away against her will. Shanice is alive, but a very angry woman; a Prophet  in the Holy Bible stood and faced four hundred men, but when challenged by one angry woman, he fled the city. Details of what went between the parents whose responsibility it was to protect Shanice  could not possibly be known, but usually, these issues are forced down on husbands. Except for  a small number of educated men and women,  it is much easier for a man to break with traditional practices considered harmful, compared with women. The current government  must therefore do all that is humanly possible to ensure that  education for the girl child is placed on the priority list. With the quality  of education  in this country persistently  on the decline, it is time the Federal government  did a review of the current policy on education  to capture the poor who unfortunately are the majority. Let there be free education for all at least up to secondary school level .

    Health education should be given a pride of place by governments at all levels . It is unfortunate that in churches, mosques and other religious places of worship where families congregate, topics on human sexuality are considered taboo. It is my opinion that  these places where individuals are likely to take matters seriously, basic and relevant aspects of  male and female sexuality and where and when necessary sexual health should be discussed.

    Also, Schools and institutions of higher learning should  be allowed to provide information on sexual health ,provided such information is strictly age appropriate and delivered under  the supervision of equally appropriate and relevant authorities.

    Health education must in this matter be made to cover a wide range of subjects including the fact that  female genital cutting in addition to producing a sexually dysfunctional woman

    does the exact opposite of what is generally  intended;  syndrome of ever burning desire .

  • Why man needs deep personality analysis

    Why man needs deep personality analysis

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as a complete state of physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and not mere absence of a disease. This underscores the tripartite nature of man. Man is made up of spirit, soul and body, according to the Bible.

    For a proper and lasting solution to the various health challenges, it is imperative that man’s overall composition be taken into account.

    Man is very complex, and as such can be described as ‘complicated’. To maintain harmony or optimum health, man should look beyond the physical for solutions his problems.

    Man has passed through several civilisations, with each age developing its own level of sophistication as to how best to survive in different, unique environment, situation or circumstances, however primitive. With the advent of modernity, scientific knowledge, especially the so-called primitive ideas were jettisoned in every sphere, including health care delivery systems.

    Ironically, the more man tries to put aside ancient ideas, the more problems he confronts. The solutions, however, remain elusive. It is difficult to deal decisively with diseases, such as breast cancer, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, renal failure, prostate cancer, stroke, HIV/AIDS, even malaria, these days.

    There is drug abuse/dependence, which often leads to impaired reasoning, violent crimes, prostitution, and even mental illness. All these take their toll on countries across the world (socially, economically and politically)

    Although conventional allopathic approach to health care recognises certain inadequacies, with the theory of psychosomatic factor; this unfortunately has not been far reaching. Attempts in the area of astrology, tarot and others, have their drawbacks, compounded by individual prejudices or religious or spiritual beliefs.

    Deep personality analysis (DPA) is a therapy. It is an all–encompassing one at that. It is specially developed by me, taking into cognisance, the frailties of other schools of thought, and one that breaks religious, spiritual and cultural barriers. This therapy sets to address the following:

     

    Life path

    Nobody was born by accident. Man must be traced right from the very point of pre-existence, getting into the womb, and being born. Having been born, what is the purpose of coming into this earth?. So, there is the need to look at the course of his sojourn, necessary accomplishment, before eventual departure. These are meticulously outlined, spelt out in this therapy, without any ambiguity whatsoever.

     

    Career

    Against the backdrop of the tendencies by man to copy others hook–line-and-sinker in career choices, ultimately leading to frustration and even avoidable death. This therapy is able to deftly identify what career suits the individual, bringing fulfillment, joy, necessary pecuniary rewards, and social recognition – leaving one’s footprints on the sands of time. This also applies in choosing candidates for positions in corporate, diplomatic, defence and even leaders at various strata of governance for peace and progress.

     

    Marriage

    Every man is expected at a certain stage in life to have a spouse. The timing may vary from person to person. A lot of people undoubtedly encounter or have difficulty in even coming to a decision or realisation, not to talk of being able to make the proper choice. This therapy would help guide the subject as to the right spouse, with the right temperament, and hence compatibility, not mere facial appearance as many  want to do, ignorantly of course. This leads to series of problems sooner or later, sometimes resulting in irreversible damage (socially, emotionally and economically).

     

    Disease pre–disposition

    No two individuals, even twins can be the same. There would always be that uniqueness in the workings of the internal organs/systems. As the engine of a car does not break down, without first issuing warnings on the dashboard (however subtle) so is the human body prone to disease conditions. This therapy helps to guide the individual, based on his peculiar make up as to which specific health challenges lie ahead, and necessary measures outlined to avoid or prevent same.

     

    Diet

    You are what you eat. This therapy designs tailor–made diet plan to suit the subject’s unique genetic composition. This way, the individual maintains optimum health, thus avoid expensive medical bills, on diseased conditions that would ordinarily have been addressed through diet alone.

     

    Colour therapy

    Colours without doubt, abound in nature around us. God made the colours, with each of them peculiar for a purpose. This therapy ipso facto carefully identifies the most, specific, homogenous colour in harmony with the subject, as colours affect our moods, behaviour, attitude and actions, under different situations or circumstances. Whether we are talking of the right colours in our dresses, offices, homes, even cars, this therapy comes very handy.

    Deep personality analysis erases the cross road experience that many are going through across the world. Man is not created to grope aimlessly.

  • Female artists explore design as personality

    Female artists explore design as personality

    The concept of design as personality of an idea and that of the designer took centre stage at a group art exhibition by eight female artists at the Ford Foundation, Banana Island, Ikoyi Lagos. All the female participants at the show used diverse media to interrogate design as personality of idea, using individual beliefs, histories, experiences, interactions, societies and dreams to design our own reality.

    The group show tagged: Design is the personality of an Idea; opened penultimate Sunday featuring Joana Choumali (Côte d’Ivoire); Nkechi Ebubedike (Nigeria-America); Akwaeke Emezi (Nigeria); Modupeola Fadugba (Nigeria); Selly Raby Kane (Senegal); Nkiruka Oparah (Nigeria); Moonchild Sanelly (South Africa) and The Venus Bushfires (Nigeria).

    The exhibition, which will run till August 3, is organised by African Artists Foundation (AAF) under the Female Artists Platform and supported by the Ford Foundation, Lagos. It highlights among others, the most beautiful ways and the most banal and benign ways ‘we all exist in a world of our own design, our own creation, our own filter. Built with our beliefs, our histories, our traumas, our consumption, our interactions, our societies, our habits, our opportunities and dreams, we design our own reality.’

    A statement by the organisers described art as an expression of ‘our reality and design is the personality of our ideas. The artists brought together use diverse media – film, fashion, paint, photography, digital collage, and sound – to create full worlds with the precision and intentionality inherent in the concept of design.’

    It added that ‘yet all of us, with our unique delusions, perceptions and experiences, exist in the same physical world. The exhibition is an exploration of this kaleidoscopic amalgamation of our individualities. Through their works, the artists show the diversity and complexity of each of our worldviews: complete, distinct, nuanced and fantastical. They design and manifest their own distinct realities.

    The Female Artists project was launched in 2010 as an annual initiative to promote a more gender equal creative industry. Each year, artists are chosen to work on a project relating to a theme and provided with production stipends to complete their work. Along with the final exhibition, mentorship programmes for young girls and public discussions expand the dialogue to a larger community.

    The Female Artists’ Platform aims to draw attention to female artists and designers living and working in Africa, unearth and develop new talent, introduce new art forms, and highlight the diversity of women, who are exploring ways to express themselves through visual art. It also hopes to challenge these artists to take bold steps in their creative concepts and processes, so they may have the freedom to create and exhibit works that are communicative, provocative and relevant. It seeks to shed light on the role of the artist in African society, to create awareness around female creative expression, and address her underrepresentation in the Nigerian contemporary art community.

     

  • Style, inner expression of a woman’s personality—YEMISI SUSWAM

    Style, inner expression of a woman’s personality—YEMISI SUSWAM

    In the current political dispensation, Yemisi Suswam, architect and First Lady of Benue State, has etched her name on people’s consciousness on account of her charitable works and distinct style. She speaks on these and more in this interview with REMI ADELOWO

    How do you feel on the award conferred on you by the Sun Newspapers?

    Of course I feel very grateful to God Almighty and the organisers of the award. I also feel very humbled. I’ve watched a few of the past awards with admiration with no expectation that I would one day be honoured by the organisation. And the good thing about it all is that the award is not price tagged. I just saw my name like every other winner and that is quite humbling and heartwarming. Of course, my humble contributions to ensuring that my husband’s administration is endeared to the people of Benue State have not gone unnoticed and I give God all the glory.

    You have won many awards in the past, so which one would you consider as the most remarkable?

    The truth is that I’m always very skeptical when it comes to people or organisations conferring me with awards. The greatest award one can have in life is serving God and humanity. If I could recall, the first award I got was shortly after I got married; that was around 1996 before my husband became the governor. I also got an award from the National Council for Women Society (NCWS). Then I also cherish the award conferred on me by my professional body and all these did not come with any monetary condition. Of course, that is not to say that the awards I’ve received as a governor’s wife are not appreciated. These awards too are very important. In 2008, the European Market Women Union based in Belgium conferred an award on me alongside the former National Chairman of PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, in France. Then there is also the African Leadership Award which was organised by the European Research Marketing Company, African Achievers Award which held in Kenya. Other awardees include a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and former Minister of Petroleum Resources, the late Alhaji Rilwan Lukman of blessed memory.  No doubt, I appreciate all of these awards.

    Not a few Nigerians have described you as, unarguably, Nigeria’s most stylish first lady. Is that something you consciously set out to achieve?

    I feel shy and humbled if people say that about me, but, honestly, it’s not something that is deliberate. I don’t even think about it; I just do things as directed by God. I believe that I’m a vessel that God uses for certain purposes and that is all that matters to me. What has also helped me is that because my husband is a governor, a lot is expected of him and the time he spends with me is quite minimal…

    (Cuts in) I’m sure that is a huge sacrifice for you

    Of course it’s a big sacrifice, because as a married woman, you expect your husband to stand by you when the situation demands it. But I can understand, because he must attend to public calling. So, what I do is to spend my time on charitable works which I find very rewarding.

    Still talking about style; is it a virtue that is innate or something you imbibed along the line?

    My belief is that style is an inner expression of a woman’s personality. My mum is quite a stylish person and she is now 86. We learnt a lot from her. If you also meet my siblings, you see that in them. But above all, looking stylish is all about the glory of God.

    Your NGO has done a lot in the areas of empowering women and tackling the scourge of HIV and AIDS in Benue State. So, what has been your most significant achievement as Benue’s First Lady in the last eight years?

    In terms of our intervention in HIV and AIDS prevention in Benue State, I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to achieve. Some years ago, many people in the state were dying in huge numbers, but the situation is different today, because of the awareness and sensitisation we have done in the 23 local governments in Benue State. Now, people are equipped with adequate knowledge on how to know their status and live a positive and productive life. This is quite heartwarming for me. The first baby that we had in one of our HIV clinics, who tested negative, is the biggest excitement for me. That child is about four years now and still tests negative. The fact that we are getting rid of HIV among the next generation, for me, is something to cheer about. Before our intervention and in collaboration with Action Committee on AIDS and other agencies, Benue State, which recorded 12.8 percent in 2010, has dropped dramatically to 5.7 percent in prevalence scale. So, instead of being first on the prevalence scale, Benue State now ranks number nine. I’m so excited about this, because that simply shows that all our humble efforts have not been in vain.

    Your tenure as Benue first lady would be winding down come May 28, what has been the most impactful lesson you’ve learnt in the last eight years?

    The popular adage that says all that glitters is not gold is very true at least from my personal experience. People erroneously believe life is all rosy for elected public officials and leaders…

    (Cuts in) but is it not all rosy?

    I tell it’s not rosy at all. There are a lot of sacrifices to make; there are a lot of risks to take on behalf of the people you lead. Before you get into public office, you dream of doing so many things, but when you get there, you are confronted with severe limitations that would constrain you from making things happen. As a leader, there are some circumstances that are just beyond your powers to change or influence. And that is why we have to educate our people on making unnecessary demands, because the truth is some of their requests are just ridiculous that you wonder whether they think you are God. The expectations are just so many. In public office, I’ve also learnt a lot about people, because it gives you the opportunity to see the good, the bad and the ugly. As a public office holder, you learn every day.

    Do you sometimes get sulked in or carried away with all the fawning and sycophancy of people around you?

    I don’t ever get carried away and that is the truth. I’m always a bit jittery when people say nice things about me and always on guard. I’m not God, and so when you say nice things about me to my face, I cannot see your heart, so you have to be very discerning and also be imbued with a lot of wisdom to really read people’s motive.

    Your husband’s status as governor has denied you of his full attention, now he is going to the Senate. How do you feel?

    I rest my case (general laughter).

    Are you returning to your architectural field once you are done with public service?

    Do you know how long it took me to get qualified as an architect? Will you now advice me to abandon all of that? That is impossible. A professional remains a professional any day. Up till today, I still design for people…

    (Cuts in) Do you get paid for that?

    Sometimes, a few people are magnanimous to pay me, while others feel I don’t need the money. But by and large, architecture is a very rewarding profession.

    What is you most cherished possession?

    The Holy Bible! If you don’t dwell in that word, you will regret any step you take.

    I know you have two boys, any plan of adding a girl?

    (Laughs) I have a daughter and by God’s grace, I will have more.