The Nation Newspaper

Tag: regrets

  • Regrets

    ON TUESDAY, the cream of society gathered in Abuja for the presentation of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s book: My Transition Hours to mark his 61st birthday. The much-awaited book tells us about his days in office, especially towards the end of his tenure in 2015. It is understandable that the book dwells a lot on the 2015 election which he lost to President Muhammadu Buhari.

    It is clear from his offering that he has not forgotten the roles of some people in his defeat in that election. The election, as elections go in this part of the world, was Jonathan’s to win. As an incumbent he had everything at his disposal to win the election. Though his chances of winning were slim because the people were disenchanted with him. He could have used what we call in this clime ‘’incumbency power’’ to weave his way back to office.

    He tried to do that subtly using the state of security and what his administration termed as the lack of preparation by the electoral umpire to shift the poll. By the way, Jonathan, it was said, would have loved to return to power in 2015 because that would have given him an opportunity to celebrate his 60th birthday last year as the sitting president. His loyalists, say sources, were already looking towards November 20, 2017 for the grand celebration of his birthday in Aso Rock.

    Such things, which do not count among ordinary folks, are seen as big deals in the circle of power. They give aides a chance to fawn over their principal and tell him lies about the situation in the country. So, the aides paint a picture of a people happy with their leader when the reverse is the case. They know the truth but they prefer to lie because the leader himself, who should check on things through other means like moving about in the night incognito as some leaders do, has chosen not to face reality.

    If the leader is ready to face reality, he would devise means of double checking what his aides say and not swallow everything they tell him hook, line and sinker. Jonathan is a favoured being. From a humble background he became president in fortuitous circumstance. The death of President Umoru Yar’Adua in office in 2010 paved the way for him to step into that exalted office. As if that was not enough, barely a year after, he won election in his own right in 2011 as president.

    Read also: Jonathan book: elementary book of tales, says Borno Governor

    Four years after, the issue of whether or not he could seek a second term reared its head within his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as many members from the north felt that since the late Yar’Adua did not complete his two-term of eight years before he died, the region should still fill the post. That was the genesis of the crisis over whether or not he should contest the 2015 election. The intra-PDP crisis was Jonathan’s greatest undoing in the countdown to that election. Every other thing that followed, as the Yoruba would say, was the fiery thunder that aided the bomb of the intra-party feud.

    The protracted Boko Haram insurgency, the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls (oh that!), the defection of some PDP governors and the plundering of the country by top government officials made things worse for Jonathan. Foreigners, as he wants us to now believe, were not the cause of his problems. The United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK) did not make him to lose the election. He lost the election because Nigerians were fed up with PDP.

    There was no way the US and UK won’t have interfered (that is if we can call it that) in our electoral process at the time they did. But can we really call that interference as Jonathan did in his book? That was no interference but an advice to the government to ensure that nothing was done to truncate the process. Was there any justifiable reason for the government to have shifted the poll from February 14 to March 28, 2015? Well, based on information at its disposal, the government cited security for the shift. It said it needed three weeks to rein in Boko Haram, but the sect kept on wreaking havoc on some parts of the country till even the new date for that election.

    The only thing the government gained from the shift was the delivery of some of the equipment for waging the insurgency war. From what we are hearing today, part of the money meant for the acquisition of those equipment ended in the pockets of some top military officers, who are today standing trial for corruption. Thus, there was no way the US and UK would not have shouted foul, especially with the main opposition party then, the All Progressives Congress (APC), raising hell over the shift. That the Council of State (CoS) endorsed the postponement is not enough justification for the shift. Anyway, the CoS could not have had any other choice than to back the president’s position since it is constitutionally only an advisory organ.

    There was nothing the US and UK said that diminished our status as a sovereign nation. Is it because they called for free and fair elections that we now want to assert our sovereignty? This is the corner to which we have boxed ourselves in Africa. Since we need these countries, they will continue to have a say on how we conduct our elections. If Jonathan had won that election, his narrative will be different today. He wrote the way he did because he lost to Buhari.

    What is Jonathan’s proof that the US, especially, ‘’meddled’’ in the election? He is offended that former US President Barack Obama, in a video message, urged Nigerians to open the ‘’next chapter’’ by their votes. “Those who understood subliminal language”, he added, “deciphered that he was prodding the electorate to vote for the opposition”. Another evidence is that Obama said ‘’all Nigerians must be able to cast their votes without intimidation or fear’’. So, what is wrong in that advice? Did the Jonathan administration plan to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation before the election?

    Jonathan has played his part on the Nigerian stage and signed off in an enviable manner by conceding defeat in that election and not doing anything to truncate the emergence of President Buhari as Elder Godsday Orubebe attempted to do. With what Orubebe did while votes were being collated after the election, can we honestly say today that the US and UK were not right in calling for a credible and transparent poll?

    Jonathan has run the race and kept faith with Nigerians through a smooth transition and for that posterity will remember him.

  • In Imo, regrets for ignoring flood warnings

    Despite repeated dire warnings of flooding, seven communities in Imo State have been submerged. Now, they regret not evacuating, reports OKODILI NDIDI

    Just as Noah’s  warning of an impending flood went unheeded by the inhabitants of the earth, the National Emergency Management Agency’s  dire forecast in seven flood-prone communities in Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta Local Government of Imo State was also ignored.

    Residents of Ossemoto, Oguta, Eziorsu, Orsuobodo, Opuowa, Mmahu and Etekwuru dismissed the timely warning. They had derided NEMA for the prediction, preferring to stay back in their ancestral communities and face whatever fate would bring their way.

    Some of them even took to appeasing the gods of the sea to prevent the sea from surging. Others argued that they have not committed any abomination to warrant the wrath of the sea.

    But today, the predictions of NEMA have painfully come to pass, the communities have been flooded after the sea overflowed its bankS.

    Homes and farmlands have been submerged. The people were not prepared despite several warnings.

    The agency had severally warned the communities to quit over unusual rise in the sea level, which it had observed.

    It predicted that farmlands in the seven communities will be submerged by the overflowing rivers in the area, noting that the Orachi River and Oguta Lake have both risen to alarming levels.

    Mr. Evans Ugoh, Head of Imo/Abia Operations Office of NEMA who led officials of the agency to assess sea level in the flood-prone communities observed then that both Oguta Lake and Orashi River have risen above normal levels and portends great threat to the communities but

    the warning was not heeded.

    He had submitted that following the persistent rise in the sea level, a possible flooding may occur.

    “You must continue to monitor the movement of the sea constantly and report to us where necessary for immediate action,” he said. “NEMA has already strategised with other disaster stakeholders on the development for immediate response in case of any emergency.

    “Prone communities must be alert and always monitor the movement of sea in their area and report same to the agency promptly for immediate action”.

    He added that the Oguta Lake,  a tributary of Orashi River has strong connection with the River Niger and has in recent times posed serious danger to  residents along the river bank.

    He said NEMA was taking serious measures to avoid a reoccurrence of the 2012 flooding, saying, “Residents in the area must be ready to quit to avoid major casualties, should there be any flooding”.

    In a similar vein, the Director General of National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Mr. Mustapha Maihaja had warned that movement of sea must be constantly monitored by flood prone communities.

    He said cases of unusual rise in the sea level should be immediately reported to disaster outfits for immediate action.

    Maihaja said the advice to monitor sea level became necessary, following the recent flood alert raised by Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).

    The NEMA boss assured his readiness to strengthen the agency and disaster management to meet international standard.

    He said he has introduced new approach to disaster management, adding that disaster management should be seen as every body’s business.

    He urged government agencies to improve on the sensitization of Nigerians on the recent flood alert by NIMET.

    Meanwhile, the victims are counting their loses, for Mr. Iwueze Chibuzor, who narrated how his family of four narrowly escaped being drowned by the flood, the damage is irreversible.

    He regretted not heeding the timely warning by NEMA, adding that, “if I had known I should have relocated my family before the flood but we all thought that it was not going to happen but that fateful night, we had already gone to bed when I heard a usual sound as water gushed

    into our house through every available space and within a twinkle of an eye, the entire house was flooded.

    “I had to wake my wife and we carried our children and waded through the flooded streets, we could not take our property, so we came out with nothing and now we are starting life from the beginning. My crops were destroyed after my farm was submerged”.

    Madam Ceicilia Ikoku, a petty trader, lost all her merchandise in the flood, “if I had known, I should have left the village after we were warned that the flood was coming but part of the reason I did not leave was because I don’t have any other place to go and I was also

    wondering what will become of my farm and business if I leave my community”.

     

  • Growing mall phenomenon and regrets

    Since the debut of The Palms Mall in Oniru, Victoria Island over some ten years ago, the frenzy over the Mall culture has become quite a phenomenon. It has gone wide and wild but how wise?

    The first sets of South African malls were very successful, because they came with inbuilt traffic generators, or foot falls, such as games, film houses. Most especially, the Shoprite chains of retail shops were very, very successful .The success rate was phenomenal. Like most businesses from South Africa in the last 15 years, they all went home reaping bountifully and turned our envious eyes, all into spectators game, safe alone for few local investors who equally smiled to the banks.

    But the feat is yet to be replicated locally, either in neither sales nor duplications but thanks to Senator Ben Murray Bruce’s pioneering efforts and Prince Ebeano who have carved a niche in our neighbourhoods. Nigerians are usually copycats, always imitating in all businesses but hardly original. It was easier for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye than for you to secure a space in The Palms. Shoprite, their major anchor tenant that guaranties foot falls, became so successful that it has become the generic name for shopping malls in Nigeria.

    Mall and shopping complexes are indeed Western culture, introduced to Nigeria from South Africa, which completely changed our traditional shopping cultures from local stores and socialising culture became infectious and profitable.

    The Galleria Mall and Mega Plaza debuted first and they grew very successful overnight and it was contagious, sporadically and steadily growing copycats all over successfully until the bubbles bust lately. The phenomenon crashed but not until every building in Lekki Phase 1 and other neighbourhoods got converted to serve the growing needs of the affluent residences with no shopping spaces in the masterplan now reeling in an economy in the throes of recession. No! It feels more like depression actually, nationwide.

    The South African Malls were built on syndicated foreign funds with very stringent and demanding built in surveys, measures   and due diligent processing with absolutely no room for sentiments but success in retail was a prime ace. We are talking hard earned foreign currency here folks, funds to be repaid with heavy interest loans, which leaves no room for upstarts. The number of rejected applicants for spaces was incredibly very high and the built in safety net for failed enterprises were full-proof and insured. No sentiments!!! If you fail, their built in safety net sends you packing.

    In 2007, I alerted the Lagos State government that, Lekki Phase 1 will outgrow its residential status and that Lekki phase 1 is the new downtown in Lagos State; that it will be serving the Lekki-Epe axis, one of the most rapidly developing construction sites in the world. From Mobil House at Oniru, to Epe, hundreds of developments and estates were springing up in dizzying pace and that it will definitely outgrow hi-streets shopping culture. Lekki is a town, not an estate. In fact, there are several estates inside Lekki Phase 1. A mayoral seat should be in the offing.

    The vision of the construction of Ajah toll road and Ikoyi Link Bridge added to the growing commercial demands; all these conspired to create growth unprecedented. The equation completely changed forever. Great foresight on the part of Lagos State governments, spanning three administrations; Ambode is topping the ante in infrastructures, particularly on boulevards and steady power supply. He is growing and focused on hi-streets and night life is coming back. He has reined in incessant local government harassments and double taxations; that is in the best interests of all stakeholders.

    There are no magic wands in recession times than raw hard processed thinking, let alone in depression as things now appear. Before you venture into shopping malls, be very, very careful. There is a massive glut in spaces to let and letted spaces are in deep recession in the continuously growing mega Lagos State. Don’t be fooled by glittering edifices and Hollywood showcases. Your landlord is no miracle maker, he has bills to pay. There are acute shortages of foot falls in malls these days. An average family can’t make ends meet today. These are the times of bare necessities and not luxury of wants and inconsequential goods and services are waning in our vainglorious society now hung on realty notes.

    Most malls’ in Lekki Phase 1 and more are still being built as of this present moment; not to worry, the state government will reap bountifully tomorrow but should consider tax holidays. Most of such investments are all in limbo. No sales or patronages. Running malls on generator and very high electricity tariffs, taxation and other services creates nothing but enemies in these days of our economy in recession. Nigerians are loathful of service charges culture. This is the worst time to try that new business you are coveting or prayerfully in anticipation of debuting; it could ruin your hard earned money faster than anticipated .The gestation period in mall these days is minimal: three years or more! Leave your enemies out of this reality show. It just doesn’t tally right in this recession sinking our economy deeper in seeming depression, coupled with bad political leadership; we are in for a very long night. It will wipe out your investment like in gambling casinos. Be warned!

    These are the worst of economic times. Don’t be lured by elegant windows and finishes; it’s not a money making alternative you supposed it to be today. Keep and fight on a bad but steady job on hand now, but you are about to set up on borrowed funds. If you know little or nothing about that business, you are an upstart, you are plunging yourself into regrets and your money into waste; capital suicide! No refunds in malls, bills are very high, most are built or retrofitted on borrowed funds, and landlords are under intense pressures too. Besides, most businesses are replicated, thousand times all over Lagos uncensored.

    The growing lounge crazy culture is in now in every nooks and corners of Lekki Phase 1.There used to be in the good old days a novel business created as a traffic generator for my upper-crust furniture business. Headmasters Salon and only few others in Lagos State, you can count on the tips of your fingers. Today there are millions of salons nationwide. No more quick money and quick fixes folks.

    In 1990 when Headmasters Salon debuted on Allen Avenue, Ikeja, haircuts were between N2 and N5 and we debuted at between N10 and N50. A bag of cement was selling then for N2-3. In the first six months, we stabilised at N50/100 for haircuts. A bag of cement sold around, but still steadied at N5 a bag! Now thousands are in the business of beauty salons and haircuts hovering between N500 and N2500; none can buy a bag of cement. Economic hard realities you should know in simple logic. Blame not your landlords; curse not your stars but the economy and your lazy mind projections and wishful thinking.

    The bitter truth and question to ask about these new ventures today: Are you trying to impress your family and friends or venturing into uncharted waters which will drown your savings and borrowed funds in a multiple taxation in government consolidated fund drives, leaving you writhing in pains, debts and regrets? If you failed to plan, you will fail miserably in any mall. Your first intake of tenants might be your last card. Don’t touch that dial; they hardly renew! Caveat emptor! My Xmas presents to all and sundry. Merry Xmas.

     

    • Prince Omisore sent in this piece from Lekki, Lagos.
  • Thriving without regrets

    Thriving without regrets

    Book: If I Had Known
    Author: Modestus Igbosofulu
    Publishers:  Cape Publishers Int’l Ltd, Abuja
    Year of publication: 2016
    Number of pages: 95
    Reviewer: Joe Agbro Jr

    Had many humans been blessed with the power of foresight, perhaps, many goals would have been achieved. And that is essentially the focus of a 95-page book with seven chapters, ‘If I Had Known’ written by Modestus Igbosofulu.

    The story begins in Duke Town, where the ruler, King Donatus Paul, is largely viewed as the stumbling block in the progress of the town. While the king surrounded himself with trusted aides as chiefs, he particularly loved and trusted his brother-in-law, Jones, who is also a chief, more than others. Jones had turned out to be educated because while education had been thought to be for weaklings, Jones, had acquired an education from the Christian missionaries. And blessed with leadership qualities, Jones emerged president of the Christian Union by age 15.

    However, upon hearing news from his cousin, Zacky, that his father was preparing to marry a second wife, Jones’ life became somewhat disrupted. The development even made him to miss an address he was supposed to deliver during a convention. He saw as worthless his stay with missionaries and wondered why his father sent him there. He thereafter left the missionaries and returned home.

    Troubled, Jones explains his confusion to his father, Chief Jeremiah. And his father responds by telling Jones a story about a great man named Nicholas, who died. According to him, Nicholas was a philanthropist. However, it turned out that not everybody liked him and some people actually wished for his death. It would take several years before Nicholas’ family regained their wealth and status.

    “Son, from this story, you can see that it is necessary to listen to your heart before you take a decision,” advised Chief Jeremiah.

    “Do not do what others are doing, but do what your soul considers appropriate  and answerable to the demand of the time and situation in question.”

    The next day, the pastor visited and Jones returned to the missionaries. Jeremiah was known as a man of peace but at home, he found himself at loggerheads with his wife, Rose. And with time, his relationship with his wife deteriorated. He also fell ill and on his death bed, he advised his son.

    “Finally, never for once think of becoming a priest,” Jeremiah advised his son, Jones.

    “You know I am a Christian, and I love Christianity; but my love for Christianity doesn’t mean that my only son should become a priest; instead, be a staunch Christian.” Jeremiah’s funeral which the Christian missionaries supported gave Christianity an appeal and some people in the village converted to Christianity.

    Jones continued excelling and won a scholarship for foreign study. While Jones was away, the missionaries in Duke Town flourished and performed miracles such as healing a man who was blind from birth. This threw the people of Duke Town into turmoil as many of them discarded their charms and embraced Christianity.

    Meanwhile, Jones in America, initially was welcome by the students in the university; after two years, the life became tough for him as he was thought to want to overthrow the white students. He stayed on however, and eventually graduated with a first class, with his white girlfriend, Franklet. And with the help of Franklet’s family, he became successful in America.

    Back home, preparations were in top gear to receive him but fears of Jones posing a threat to the throne made King Donatus want to dissuade him from returning. And upon learning that Jones returned with a white wife, Jones’ mother fainted and died.

    Some months after his return, Jones visited an old man who advised him on life. And as Jones entered politics, various intrigues involving madness and deaths started happening. Amidst the tussle, King Donatus was murdered and the father of John, one of Jones’ political opponent, Abraham, was installed as King of Duke. However, because of his involvement in the occult, he too died. And with his spirit roaming around, King Abraham reflected on the vanities of life.  In fact, it would be for a long time – eternity.

    And as it turns out, John lost while Jones won elections to become the state governor, living a prosperous life.

    With a simple writing style, good use of illustrations, the author takes the reader through the story. He also deploys appropriate proverbs to drive home the morals of the story, making ‘If I Had Known’ a worthy read.

  • Emenike: No regrets playing for Eagles

    Emenike: No regrets playing for Eagles

    …Apologises to Eagles fans

    Retired Super Eagles striker Emmanuel Emenike has apologised to Nigeria football lovers following his shocking retirement from the national team.

    Emenike quit the Eagles after four years and some fans as well as Nigeria football federation officials were not happy with his decision.

    The AFCON 2013 top scorer has pleaded with the unhappy fans that he will remain a faithful supporter of the team adding that his decision was to allow younger players to try their luck and give their best for the team.

    “I am aware that some fans are not happy with my decision, I felt bad either but I insisted that it was a right decision. I am really sorry to have shocked the fans, I wanted to do it long ago but I thought things could change,” said Emenike.

    “I owe the fans millions of apology in whatever ways I might have hurt them due to my decision to quit the team. Super Eagles is bigger than anybody and its all about coming and going.

    “As human beings, we are bound to hurt each other in different ways, my decision might not be right to many people but to the few who knows me will understand why I did it. Ever since my debut day, I played with my heart, I fought hard because I love the badge, I love the country and I love the fans and I don’t want my decision to be seen as disrespectful to the fans as it was claimed. I know what it means to represent my country and I can categorically say it that it’s a big pleasure for me to read the national anthem and be proud of the colours. So I am really apologising to the fans because they make the Super Eagles team to be interesting for players.”

    “I don’t have any regret playing for Nigeria even though I turned it down several times but I was emotional after scoring against Argentina,” he added.

  • ‘My regrets as a theatre artiste’

    ‘My regrets as a theatre artiste’

    He was scolded for choosing to study Theatre Arts. The tides soon turned and the profession earned him fame and glory. He not only became a celebrity in his days, but a culture ambassador and former Executive Director of Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture. With over 30 years’ experience in the entertainment industry, Dr Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma has remained true to his calling and an inspiration to many in the industry. Now the Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Ayakoroma is promoting a fusion of culture, theatre and the film industry, christened Nollywood, for cultural development and national diplomacy. He speaks with EVELYN OSAGIE.
    biodata

    Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma attended L.A. School and St. Enda’s College (now Agbarho Grammar School) all in Agbarho in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Calabar, Cross River State, graduating with a second class honours (upper) division. This was followed with a Masters from the University of Ibadan, and a Doctorate from the University of Port Harcourt, also in Theatre Arts. His area of specialisation is Directing/Film Studies.

    Ayakoroma had a stint at Prof. J. P. Clark-Bekederemo’s PEC Repertory Theatre, Lagos in 1985 before moving over to the Rivers State Television (RSTV Channel 22 UHF), Port Harcourt, Rivers State (1986-1992), where he held various positions, such as Operations Supervisor, Head of Programmes, and Head of News and Current Affairs. He has written, acted in, and directed many plays on stage and TV.

    He is the author of Dance on his Grave, A Matter of Honour, A Chance to Survive & other plays, Castles in the Air, Once Upon a Dream, and A Scar for Life. His other works include, Strangers in the Land, The Chief Engineer, A Night Out, One Wife Two Husbands, and The Odi Saga. His screenplays include, Master in the House, Castles in the Air, Hidden Agenda, No Hiding Place, Ikemefuna, and From Grace to Grass.

    Ayakoroma, until recently, a Lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, was a Consultant with the Living Earth Nigeria Foundation (LENF), where he pioneered the Bayelsa Community Theatre Programme. His collaboration with Arikpo Arikpo, formerly of LENF, produced three collections of plays: All for a Canoe & other plays, The Golden Goose & other plays and Our Forest, Our Future & other plays.

    He was appointed the Executive Director of the Bayelsa State Council for Arts & Culture in August 2000.

    Ayakoroma was the leader of the Bayelsa State delegation when the Egbelegbele Cultural Troupe of Amassoma participated in the 2002 edition of the International Children’s Festival of Culture & Art in Tianjin, China. The troupe also had performance engagements in Beijing and Yanbian before returning home. He had also led the Bayelsa State Troupe in performance tours to London, Paris, and Algiers.

    Ayakoroma is a member of many professional bodies, which include the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Society of Nigerian Theatre Artists (SONTA), Institute of Corporate Administrators of Nigeria (ICA), Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM), and Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), among others. One of his plays, The Rejected Ones, in A Chance to Survive & other plays, took the second prize in the 2003 edition of the ANA organised NDDC/J. P. Clark Prize for Drama.

    Ayakoroma was appointed the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Abuja, on November 3, 2009, and has positively changed the fortunes of the Institute. He is a member of the Governing Board, National Orientation Agency (NOA) and Visiting Senior Lecturer, Department of Theatre & Cultural Studies, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State.

     

     

    Theatre practice vis-à-vis
    the Nollywood experience

    Professional Theatre practice is not what we used to know in those days. For now, the theatre profession is in a flux. The way forward is for professionals to really go in and practise what they were trained for.

    After my youths service in 1984, I freelanced at the National Theatre in Anansa Playhouse by the late Bassey Effiong. I was his Assistant Director then. I later worked with Prof J.P. Clark-Bekederemo in his PEC Repertory Theatre in 1985. Unfortunately, all those theatres are no more. But, we are happy that we have young men with great prospects of going to the next level, like Patrick-Jude Oteh who runs the Jos Repertory Theatre that has survived for more than 10 years.

    Theatre productions are very expensive. Maybe why we are not getting it right is because we have not got the money to do the kind of production that would attract the kind of large audience that we want. The redeeming thing is that Nollywood is thriving. It provides a platform for young Nigerians to ply their trade. Unfortunately, theatre artistes have been bystanders, watching, thereby, giving room for people who do not have the requisite training to take over the industry. But I am glad the awareness is there now that theatre artistes should take the bulls by the horn and ensure the profession thrives.

     

    The industry’s teething challenges

     

    Some name insecurity and lack of funding as challenges, it is possible for us to cultivate our own theatre audience no matter the environment we find ourselves. It is also possible for us to do productions and get people to look forward to watching our plays – everything boils down to packaging. I’d often point at the example of the cinema culture. The cinema tradition that was once dead is now resuscitated by Silverbird Galleria. Now, there are others; and every weekend, the cinemas are full of people. If cinemas are thriving in this same in security environment, it means the ball is in our court. If we package good shows, people would come and watch. Another example for theatre professionals to borrow from is that of the stand comedy. Don’t people go to watch Ali Baba, AY Live, Basket Mouth and so on. If these sectors in the entertainment industry are thriving, why can’t theatre?

    Others may complain about venues. I don’t think that is an excuse. There are various venues that can be used for presentations. The local government councils have halls that can be used. In those days at Anasa Playhouse, we used to hold schools’ drama. We produced plays, such as Ola Rotimi’s The Gods Are Not to Blame and hold day-time performances in various secondary schools. And even if professional theatre practice is not thriving outside, the university can perform plays every month because they have a ready audience. Also, most arts councils have halls like that of the Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture; so it is possible for the councils to cultivate theatre audience. In Rivers State Arts Council, where I once worked, we used to have productions every month end. When I left for Bayelsa State, we attempted to do that but realised people wanted something free.

     

    My journey in to the world

    of the Theatre

     

    From my childhood days, I’ve had this love for drama. I’ve had that dramatic flair in me right from my primary school days. I used to perform in concerts and school’s drama sketches. I remember acting as one of the witches in William Shakespeare’s Macbeth in secondary school. After my secondary school’s education, I went to Lagos and was working in P & T (Post and Telegraph). Then I used to go to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) to be part of some live programmes. That was where I encountered people like Comish Ekiye (Chief Odunuga), Melville Obriango (Teacher Ogene), who were part of the cast for The Village Headmaster of old, and from Bayelsa. I felt proud that they were from my place; and I wanted be like them and appear on TV for people to watch me too. That was the deciding point for me. But at first, I had wanted to study Business Administration, Accounting or Law, that contact with television changed my mind.

    When I made up my mind, I was told the only way I could do that was to study Theatre Arts. I didn’t know what ‘theatre’ meant at the time, but I filled in Theatre Arts in JAMB form anyway, wrote the examination and was eventually admitted to study the course in the University of Calabar (UNICAL).

     

    My dilemma at

    the choice of study

     

    When I got admission, an uncle first congratulated me and later scolded me on my choice. That made me wonder then if I had made the right decision. That question crossed my mind again after I graduated, when one year after graduating, I had no job. My anxiety was heighten by the constant scolding by my uncle: anytime I went to see him, he’d say: ‘You see, I told you to go and study courses like Law and Accounting; and you said you wanted to study Theatre Arts. Now, see how you are suffering’. And each time, I’d have no answer to give him. I remember advising my young sister who had dropped out of school after being pregnant, to return to school. And she replied: ‘Is it the school you went and can’t even find a job that you want me to go back to. What kind of school is that?’ Of course, I couldn’t find words with which to reply her, because I wasn’t a good role model to her at the time – there I was without any job a year after leaving the university. But, soon things changed through Rowland Henshaw, a producer at Nigeria Television Authority (NTA). We did a drama series called the Fault is not in our Stars by the late Effiong. At that time, there were not many TV dramas; and so they kept repeating the episodes. Before I knew it, I had become a star. And by the time I went back to that my uncle’s place, women and children were hailing me on the streets, saying ‘See that brother wey dey appear for television’. They followed me and gathered at his compound. While I entered people were asking him of me and he kept telling them, ‘he is my sister’s son; he studied Theatre Arts’. Before I went to study Theatre Arts, he used to offer me Coca Cola drink, but it stopped when he got to know what I was studying. And by time he saw how people were admiring me, instead of Coke, I was promoted to Maltina!

     

    My experience over

    30 years after

     

    It was not easy; but I am happy I study Theatre Arts. I have no regrets studying Theatre Arts because it is that decision that has made me the director of Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture. It is this theatre profession that lifted me to Abuja to become the Executive Secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), . It is this same theatre that makes me visit Nassarawa State University regularly where I am an Associate Professor. And I don’t see those who went to university and study something else same time as I did as better off. From after I featured in that TV drama, things started working out. I later joined Puppet Playhouse. But because people kept telling me I needed a regular job; that I won’t always have money, I went to work in Rivers State Television. And when some of us were not comfortable with the political environment under which we found ourselves then, I left Rivers State Television (RSTV Channel 22 UHF) in (1986 to 1992) for the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) – the academic provided ready shelter for us. Precisely on November 10, 1992, I left for UNIPORT to teach and have been teaching since then. I have eight published plays, 12 co-authored plays and many unpublished plays. I have also published works on Theatre Management; my recent work is Trends in Nollywood.

     

    My days as Director of Bayelsa State Council for Arts and Culture

     

    During my time with the Bayelsa State government, we were fortunate because we had the support of the state. I served under former governors: Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and Governor Timipere Sylva. They all gave me their support during their tenures. In fact, I was challenged by Sylva to write a play in my next set of plays to be published. And I’d say I had the best of environment to express my talents. That also explains why today Bayelsa State has the best Cultural Centre –built under my watch – that hosts AMAA Awards yearly. I came in and saw the skeleton and made recommendation and things were done.

     

    Plays political class watch

     

    It wasn’t in their place to decide what plays we’d presented. As the Executive Director, it was left for me to look at the occasion and chose a play. Every leader wants to relax and enjoy himself. The type of plays government officials watch depends how well-package they are. If you have good and well-packaged plays, people will want to read and watch them. Alamieyeseigha once implored me that he’d often go from home to office and back, saying: ‘To help me relax the only thing you can do for me is to have productions’. So, whether it is tragedy or comedy once the productions are well-done, they’d watch and enjoy them, no matter who they are. I’ll say the bulk stops at the table of the playwrights. The onus is on playwrights to write good plays and theatre professionals to stage quality production.

    At the council, we used to stage a production during major national holidays, such as Arm Forces Remembrance Day and Independence Day. My play, Castle in the Air, an adaptation of East African play that was recently staged by the Jos Repertory Theatre, was inspired by the fact that we needed to show a play that highlights the north-south dichotomy during a certain Independence Day celebration.

    I remember staging Pepper Soup, a play by Elechi Amadi, a retired army officer, during the Arm Forces Remembrance Day   in January, 2001; and Alamieyeseigha rewarded us with N660, 000 an amount which was later shared among the 66-cast. He also directed that the guest-artistes be given automatic employment. Later that same year, when we staged Dance on his Grave, he was so impressed that he hosted the persons that acted king and queen to lunch at government House. I remember they were overjoyed because that was their first time they were hosted. They were later given N50, 000 each and automatic promotion.

     

    My inspiration

     

    The need to contribute to knowledge is what inspires me. For instance, my latest work on Nollywood was inspired by the need to contribute to that area of study. I realised that there were not many authoritative works on the subject. With the publication, people can now read and learn things they didn’t know about the industry.

     

    Promoting culture

    through film industry

     

    Nollywood is critical as far as Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy is concerned. On the list of Nigeria’s cultural ambassadors, Nollywood is next in line to football. Outside the shores of country, many, with African descent, may not know the name of Nigeria’s president but once you say you from here, they’d ask about Nollywood celebrities and certain places they’d seen on movies.

    Knowing its importance to cultural development and national diplomacy, we, at NICO, have hinged this year’s edition of SONTA, which would be held in Abuja next month, on the essence of Nollywood with a mind of attracting interests support and collaborations of the industry key-players. Hence, the theme is Repositioning Nollywood for the Promotion of Nigeria’s Cultural Diplomacy and National Security.

     

    Promoting culture,

    indigenous languages

     

    The challenge, in harnessing these diverse cultures, is having to contend with over 500 languages and over 250 ethnic groups is no small task. But then, we can only move at the pace at which we can move. Funding is a major issue. I have since realised that the performance of any government office is very much dependent on the leverage given to it by government: if the government does not fund a sector, there is no way it can perform very well.

    On the promotion of indigenous languages, we insist that all trainees at the NICO Training School must compulsorily offer a Nigerian indigenous language other than their own. If the institutions of higher learning will adopt such as part of general studies where students can learn the languages of their immediate environments, it would reduce communication gaps in local communities. I remember while studying in Calabar, Cross River one of us learnt the language the wrong way and got some slaps when instead of asking for food from a caterer, he asked for something else. I am happy that former president Goodluck Jonathan, as an academic, restored history to the secondary school’s curriculum because it is very essential that our children are taught the history of the land.

  • No regrets going into comedy

    No regrets going into comedy

    Nigerian comedian, Julius Akinlami, aka Elenu, is currently exploring new frontiers. His present job as a presenter with Cool FM, he says, is a new aspect of his career he is excited about. He speaks with OVWE MEDEME on career, love, family and other issues.

    IT has been a couple of years since we last spoke. What has been happening to Elenu?

    Elenu is fine. He is married now. He has a son and he now works in an office.

    You recently veered from comedy to being an on-air-personality. How has that been going?

    We are coping. I am using my free time to do some other things for myself and also in a way; I am trying to make the brand name more known than it already is.

    Does working in an office not interfere with your career as a stand-up comedian?

    It does interfere but like I said, I am using my spare time when I am not doing anything. I also work at We TV. There are two TV stations launched on November 1. We are already test transmitting on Startimes.

    So far, have you been caught between stand-up comedy and radio comedy?

    For stand-up comedy, I go to the event on the day it is happening, an hour to when I am supposed to climb the stage. Working in an office is different in the sense that I have to wake up by five and get to the office by eight and then close by 5:30pm. That is the only difference. Basically they are the same thing and it all boils down to me putting a smile on the faces of my audience.

    Did you have to go through any adjustment process?

    Of course, it is not quite easy. I am still adjusting as it is.

    For how long have you been presenting on radio?

    I have been here since March. It has been nine months and I would say the ride has been smooth. It has been fine. It has been fun. I work with a whole lot of crazy and fun loving people. Trust me, with my colleagues, I don’t get bored.

    So many years down the line, would you say you have had any regret since you picked up comedy as a career?

    Never! I have never regretted going into comedy. It has been fulfilling and it has been a success all the way, through the help of God.

    How would you compare where you started from to where you are now?

    There has been a massive difference. If I am to rate it, I would say that I have moved from level 2 to level infinity, because I am still going up

    What is your opinion about stand-up comedy in Nigeria?

    Comedy is here to stay and people have come to accept it as a way of life, a way of relaxation. A lot of people now want to come out to laugh and enjoy themselves as a form of letting off steam. They find it more relaxing than going to parties to dance. To most Nigerians, comedy is a better way of unwinding.

    Some people are of the opinion that it is hard to find original jokes…

    Everybody is entitled to his or her own opinion. In a way, it is true but sometimes, it is not about the copying other people’s jokes. It is about the person who is handling the joke. Some people would do a copy of a comedian’s joke and they will damage it in the sense that they are not able to deliver it the same way.

    But there are some people that are so gifted, they will deliver your joke even in your presence and you will clap for them until you realise that it is actually your work. On the whole, comedians need to be more creative.

    A lot of people are now going into the industry. How do you intend to hold your own?

    I have never had it in my mind that I wanted to be like somebody. I have always seen people who are above me, who have been there before me as milestones; as the place I need to get to and then cross it. I never used somebody as a bus stop, to say that this is where I am going to. I always see them as mentors and use them as guidelines. I have always known myself to be unique.

    Nobody can be like Elenu. If you are not Elenu, you are not me. I am not using myself to compare anybody. You start to limit yourself when you start saying that you want to be like one established comedian or the other. What is wrong in surpassing them? That is what makes me different. I am me. I don’t behave like anybody else.

    Most of your colleagues in the industry are putting up shows. Do you hope to follow that trend?

    Of course, I will. But for me, what I am doing is that I am looking at the society where I grew up. I started in the gospel sector. I am not hoping to do a show where there will be gate takings. It is more like a thanksgiving. I intend to bring my comedian friends, visit different churches from Ajegunle, Apapa and do concerts there for free.

    How do you marry all these with your family?

    It is simple when you marry a woman who is your friend. Your friend knows your routine. She knows what you do and what you don’t. She is my friend. She knows I am a comedian and I am bound to want to go into anything that has to do with the media. So she understands. She is able to help me package myself and conserve my time. In fact, I would say she is my packaging manager. I am not a good person when it comes to time management, though I have never been late for a function. Punctuality is a key thing for me if I am doing anything. I don’t go to events late. Throughout my record, from 2006 till date, I have never gone to an event late but she helps me to manage between home, family, work and stand-up comedy. She understands and she has come to accept that this is the person she is married to, this is what he does and all she needs to do is encourage me and help me go higher.

    There is this glow in your face when you talk about her…

    (Laughs) She is my sunshine.

    How did you meet? Was it love at first sight?

    Yes, it was. I met her in her school. She was a student then at Benson Idahosa University, Benin. I was there to entertain students on one of their Suya Nights and she was one of the protocol officers that were assigned to me. From there, we started talking, we exchanged numbers and we talked some more. We became friends, we started dating, became lovers, became husband and wife and then we became friends again.

    How long did this process take?

    It took the whole of four years. We meet in 2009 and got married in 2013.

    You have a son now

    Yes, I do have a son. He is American.

    Would you let your son go into stand-up comedy?

    With my kind of person, I can’t force my son into doing something. I can only encourage him to do what he has chosen so that he can bring out the best of him.

    What is next for Elenu?

    That is a good question. I don’t know where I am going from here. Only God can answer that question (laughs).

  • BBA Hotshots: No regrets being massaged by Luis, says Lillian Afegbai

    BBA Hotshots: No regrets being massaged by Luis, says Lillian Afegbai

    A few days after her celebrated eviction from the ongoing Big Brother Africa (BBA) Hotshots, Lilian Afegbai, Nigeria’s female representative, was hosted by MultiChoice Nigeria last Friday at an event tagged “ Homecoming party/ Media reception” in Lagos, where she opened up on her experience in the house, warts and all.

    With great composure, the 22-year-old actress and model, who was all smiles during the evening of fun and glitz, said she didn’t have any regrets over all her actions, including the controversial scene, where she was massaged by Namibia’s representative, Luis.

    During a brief media interactive session, Afegbai, who entertained the housemates with her twerk moves during her two-week stay in the house, faulted her critics over the widely reported “physical therapy” with Luis, saying she would have done same with any male friend outside the house. “I have no regrets for all I did in the house. I will and can do the same thing outside the BBA house. After I came out, I watched myself while in the house and I was excited. In the real world, I can ask a friend to give me a massage. I had no ulterior motive; I didn’t have anything negative in my mind and it didn’t lead anywhere. When he was giving me that massage, I was relaxed. That is the most important thing. As far as you don’t have any negative thoughts in your mind, you will feel free to go wherever you want and even do whatever you want to do as far as you know what you did was right,” she said.

    When asked what she would have done with the $300,000 prize money, Afegbai, also a presenter, said she would have invested it in her talk show, while also expanding her business. “I would have also got a house for myself, so that when my parents and family come, they will have a bigger place to stay, compared to where I live at the moment,” she added.

    Like many of her fans, she also disclosed that she received the news of her eviction with shock. In an attempt to explain the seeming riddle surrounding her eviction, she said: “I can’t really tell you what happened because I wasn’t outside. Tayo and I were up for eviction; so, I knew it was going to be hard on you guys out there. When I came out, I found out that Tayo had a lot of nominations than me. Maybe Nigerians just felt they should focus more on Tayo, believing that I wasn’t going anywhere. But I tried my best and tried to represent my country very well.”

    Now that she is back to the real world where she will continue to compete for the attention of individuals and corporate organisations as an actress, model and presenter, the question on the lips of many is: won’t her two-week stay in the house, the shortest so far by any Nigerian representative at the BBA, jeopardize her chances in the industry? However, Afegbai, a graduate of Accounting, said the experience would not in any way prevent her from realising her dreams.

    “I am in the real world now and I am going to make the best out of it.”

    In attendance at the event were Chioma Afe, Marketing Manager, DStv; Caroline Oghuma, PR Manager, DStv and Efe Obiomah, PR Manager, Gotv.

  • CONGO DR ABSENCE: I’ve no regrets – Enyeama

    CONGO DR ABSENCE: I’ve no regrets – Enyeama

    Super Eagles captain Vincent Enyeama has insisted that he does not feel guilty staying away from the last two Africa Nations Cup qualifier against Congo and South Africa in which the Eagles struggled to get only one point, and losing at home after over two decades.

    According to the Lille of France goalkeeper, those matches now are in the history books “I am one of those that don’t talk about history because I don’t believe in them. I don’t feel guilty about the result God gave us in those matches, and I don’t feel guilty staying out of the matches. All that is now history, we should all focus on the task ahead, and look forward to getting good results in the two matches” he said.

    The former Enyimba of Aba goalkeeper, maintained that they are under any pressure , but could not imagine the Super Eagles not been part of AFCON in Morocco next January ” We are not under any pressure whatsoever, but as players, we would do our best to ensure that we win the two matches, and by the grace of God we would not disappoint Nigerians. I don’t want to imagine that we would not qualify for the competition next year, because I would not feel happy. I don’t want to think about that, because it is not in my calendar at all. I am very optimistic that we would be in Morocco to defend the trophy we won last year”.

    He dismissed any threat from the weather saying that as players, they are used to all the weather conditions “I don’t know what the weather is like, but I know very well that it would be very hot, but as footballers, we strive in all weather conditions, and that should not be an excuse. We have to play, even if it is not what we want, we don’t have a choice” he concluded

  • We have no cause to regret – Swedish duo

    Swedish pair, Elias Andersson and Valmir Berisha have stressed that they do not have anything to be worried about despite their inability to qualify for the final of the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

    Sweden were debutants and thus dark horse to proceed from a tough Group F which has Nigeria, Mexico and Iraq. The first two countries have five titles between them while Iraq are also a stubborn side.

    The Blagult as they are fondly called not only qualified for the second round but they almost caused an upset against Nigeria before pulling a deserved 3-3 draw during the group matches. They eventually got to the semi-final before they were stopped by the rampant Eaglets who gained a measure of revenge with a 3-0 spanking in Dubai on Tuesday.

    Speaking with SportingLife in Dubai on Tuesday night, Sweden’s captain, Elias Andersson said the team has no regrets at all losing to a better side like Nigeria adding that they were powerless against the Eaglets’ fireworks.

    He praised the Eaglets for raising the level of their game and has tipped them to go ahead to Abu Dhabi and lift the cup if they can maintain same consistency as they did against them in Dubai’s Rashid Stadium.

    “We lost to a better side. I don’t need to disturb myself or to start crying. We were without match against Nigeria and I am tipping them for the title because no other country has done what they did in this competition,” Andersson said.

    Berisha, another quality midfielder, also corroborated the comments of Andersson but he added that Sweden would recover from this setback and go on to achieve honours together.