Tag: University of Lagos

  • UNILAG Student fight hostel guard over clearance

    UNILAG Student fight hostel guard over clearance

    A female 100 Level student was on Thursday arrested at a hostel of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and taken to the alpha base for assaulting the hostel security woman.

    The girl, simply identified as Wunmi, was said to have engaged in a physical combat with Mrs White, the hostel security personnel around six in the evening.
    According to eyewitness account, Mrs White asked the young woman for her hostel clearance and an argument ensued between the duo which made the girl lock the security by the collar.

    Eventually a physical battle started and Wunmi made her way into the hostel only for more security men from the alpha base to later come for her arrest.

    She reportedly hid in the room, giving the security guards an assignment of searching the room thoroughly before she was found and escorted to the alpha base.

  • Photos: Aftermath of UNILAG protest

    Photos: Aftermath of UNILAG protest

    Aftermath

     

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    Students seeking escape routes
    RRS on ground
    Operatives of the Rapid Response Squared of the Nigeria Police Force

     

    SUG Press Conference

    Executives of the Students Union Government during a Press conference on Friday – Photo by Alexandra Njemanze

  • UNILAG ‘killer’ cable still hanging precariously

    UNILAG ‘killer’ cable still hanging precariously

    Several weeks after Oluchi Anekwe, a 300 level student of the Department of Accounting at University of Lagos (UNILAG), was killed by a high tension cable in front of her Sodeinde Hall residence, the same killer cable is still hanging precariously by a pole in front of the hall.

    At the time of filing this report, the electric cable which crisscross each other is still tucked inside a drainage directly adjacent to a branch of Access Bank on the campus.

    Following the uproar that trailed Oluchi’s death, it was expected that the authorities would take the necessary precaution to avoid another needless death.

  • Parenting internet savvy kids

    Parenting internet savvy kids

    Parents in Nigeria have been advised on ways of parenting technology savvy children for good of the society.

    This advice was given on Monday during the celebration of the Global Day of Parents at the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Lagos.

    At the Panel Discussion programme organised to mark the day in Lagos, parents were urged to keep abreast of their children and be social media smart themselves.

    Speaking on ‘Contemporary Parenting and the Social Media’, Dr Ifeoma Amobi of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, warned that interaction of young people on social media platforms should no longer be dismissed as a ‘waste of time’, but must be acknowledged by parents as a part of contemporary communication.

    “The new way of life, brought on by the spread and development of communication technology, demands different ways of parenting due to the altered fabrics of parent-child relationships,” Dr. Amobi contended.

    According to her: “Parents should be their children’s best friends and should do so by becoming ‘social media smart’.”

    She further noted that in order to fulfil parents’ duty of protecting their children, online activity should be treated with the same diligence as offline activities.

    Welcoming the participants, Mr Ronald Kayanja, Director of UNIC Lagos, highlighted the importance of parents to the development of the child, the community and the nation.

    He observed that the success of the United Nations’ mission to promote international peace and security, ensuring a world free from war and conflict, was dependent on the direction parents provided for their children and the society.

    Quoting from the preamble of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Kayanja observed that “Since wars begin in the minds of men and women, it is in the minds of men and women that the defences of peace must be constructed”. He added that parents played an integral role in peace building through teaching values of tolerance, respect for one another, hard work and integrity among others.

    Similarly, Dr. Ebun Sonaiya, Chief Medical Director and Director of Total Health Trust, observed that peer pressure from an early age, the excessive use of technology and gadgets, being subjected to bullying, a sense of entitlement, drugs and substance abuse, sexual experimentation as well as sibling rivalry were the challenges children and parents face at this time in the global development.

    Dr. Ebun who spoke on topic: ‘Critical Issues and Challenges with Parenting in Nigeria’, maintained that “The parenting skills needed to tackle these sort challenges are not taught in schools or homes rather parents need to devise a more practical approach to navigate the challenges.

    In her remarks, the Executive Director of TWYEF, Mrs Stephany Nwanma, re-emphasised the importance of education and restoration of values through parenting and urged parents to rise up to the challenges of contemporary parenting.

    Her Royal Highness addressed the issue of gender equality and women’s empowerment stating that fathers and mothers should be equally responsible for parenting, as “women have always been working side by side to create a happy home for children”.

    In her ‘Testimony of a Parent’, Mrs Chinyere Anokwuru, the former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Lagos state on women ethnic groups, recounted how her parents upheld integrity and values in the face of hardship and poverty to raise her. She added that the values handed down to her by her parents had brought her to where she was at the moment.

    The Panel Discussion programme chaired by the Erelu of Lagos, Her Royal Highness, Abiola Dosunmu, attracted men and women with varying education background, from all walks of life who gathered just to commemorate the Day3 in Nigeria.

  • A family of First Class graduates

    A family of First Class graduates

    Atinuke Adigun was one of the First Class graduates at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) convocation. This achievement may have stunned many who do not know her family history. She was only following in the footsteps of the father and brother. JOSEPH ESHANOKPE writes.

    •Son, daughter follow dad’s footsteps

    For members of Adiguns family in Osogbo Local Government Area of Osun State, academic excellence runs in their genes. About 31 years ago, the family head, Mr Supo Adigun, was the best graduating student in the Economics Department of former University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State. He made a First Class.

    Last year, Adigun’s son, Olanrewaju, finished from the Computer Engineering Department of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) with a First Class. This year, Olanrewaju’s sister, Atinuke, 21, followed in their footsteps. She graduated with a First Class in Economics at UNILAG convocation about two weeks ago.

    Atinuke was among the 10 First Class graduates in the  Economics Department. Her Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) was 4.68.

    At the convocation held at the Multipurpose Hall, Atinuke, along with other First Class graduates, received the school honour for excellence. She was also given a presidential handshake by the representative of President Goodluck Jonathan, Prof Jerry Gana, who chairs of the UNILAG Governing Council.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Rahamon Bello, described the First Class graduates as the institution’s shining stars. Atinuke said she felt on top of the world by the discription.

    She recalled her encounter with the VC: “It was nice; it was the first time I would meet the VC. This makes me happy that my achievements could take me far. Hearing those words of encouragement from the head of the school, I was touched and felt on top of the world.”

    The feat, Atinuke said, is humbling. Her inspiration, she said, is her father, adding that her journey to  academic excellence started in 2010 when she was admitted into the university. She was 16 and the only thing she could hope for was excellence.

    “I prayed to God to give me the grace to finish on top of my class. I worked towards it by studying hard for it,” she said.

    But did she burn the proverbial midnight candle? “No,” she said, adding: “I made a First Class by prioritising my time for reading and other engagements. But I dedicated more time during the day for reading. I also attended professional seminars. They made me to be more focused and helped me in achieving my goals.”

    For Atinuke, the feat was not easy to come by. She faced challenges like her colleagues, especially in final year when she was under pressure to complete her project and participate in class work. Besides, a newly-introduced course, Econometrics, was a tough subject she had to pass.

    What is Atinuke’s plan after Bachelor’s degree? She said marriage is not on her cards for now, hoping to build a career in either academics or investment banking to take after her father, who recently retired from First Bank.

    Mr Adigun, who is now in private practice, gave glory to God for his children’s feats. He said the achievement made him to remember his days at OAU, saying the blood of academic brilliance runs in the family.

    His wife, Toyin, was all smiles during Atinuke’s graduation. She gave thanks to God, saying: “It is a thing of joy for me to turn out two graduates in succession and all of them made a First Class. I am so blessed. All glory be to God. Today is the best day of my life.”

    Adigun’s former classmate in the secondary school and Manager of UNILAG branch of Ecobank, Tunji Jayeola, said: “We are proud of Adigun’s family. I am happy that Atinuke has repeated the father’s feat. She knew what she wanted and went for it. This also shows anyone can achieve his dream in life if he is focused and have the right attitude. This is what Atinuke’s achievement indicates.”

  • Don kickers against proliferation of varsities

    Don kickers against proliferation of varsities

    Emeritus Professor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Isaac Oluwole Agbede has criticized  the proliferation of universities across the country without accompanying facilities to improve education.

    Agbede spoke to The Nation at the public presentation of a book: Law and its Leeway, written in his honour by some of the students he has taught in the course of his 49 years career.

    He stated that if nothing was done to stop the ‘mushrooming’ of universities, the country’s educational standard will get worse, just as he advised the government to ensure that quality equipment-laboratories and libraries- were put in place in public institutions.

    Agbede decried the current rating of universities across the world in which no university in the country was among the best 50.

    “It calls for serious thinking. We need to provide the facility and competent staff for our universities. What is going on now will get worst if nothing is done to stop these mushrooming of universities without providing quality equipment in the laboratories and libraries,” he said.

    Asked if he supported the call for the extension of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to private universities, he said only to non-profit making private institutions.

    “It can be extended to missionary private universities, which are established to build education not to those established for the purpose of making profit. It will look odd for government to give universities established for the purpose of making profit money, while these schools will take all their generated profit,” he said.

    Agbede, who is a Professor of International Law and Jurisprudence attributed the mass failure at the Nigerian Law School was not an indictment on the universities, noting that students are accessed in the law school based on practice.

    “What I think happened is that the law school is raising the Bar and trying to ensure that the level of competence and ability of people who go into practice are higher than what it has been recently.

    “They are starting and things will continue to move up. You are not going to have such performance in the future. I know they are trying to produce the best for Nigeria, but I think they should have given the students notice before commencing so that the students will work harder to meet the new standard.

    “The performance is not an indictment on the universities because students are examined on academic performance while at the law school; it is on practice and procedure. You can make a first class in the university and make a lower honour at the law school.

    “It is not the same kind of thing that is required to soar high in the university. Some people who have the patience and industry will do better in the law school than students who made first class in the university,” he said.

    According to Agbede, the unsettling security situation in the country was also affecting learning, just as he recommended that a special facility be provided for those who failed to have refresher courses few weeks to the examination.

    On the honour done to him by his studentsm, Agbede said he was overwhelmed as the event also provided him opportunity to see some of the students he taught several years ago.

    The book, which was reviewed  by Mrs. Adefunke Adekoya (SAN) is a compilation of 21 essays published by GEM Communications Limited.

  • Playing village girl  is my dream role–Nollywood actress, Kiki Omeili

    Playing village girl is my dream role–Nollywood actress, Kiki Omeili

    Beautiful and lithe Kiki Omeili, a graduate of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, took a glide from medicine to acting in 2011. Since she took that bold step, the Anambra State-born medical doctor, TV presenter and actress has left no one in doubt that she is dynamite. In 2011 when she played Debbie in the popular TV series, Behind the Smile, she wowed not a few. Again, in 2012, she proved to movie critics that she is the bomb with her captivating performance in her debut feature movie, Married but Living Single. And then, she was a delight when she played Lovette in the highly successful series, Lekki Wives. The award-winning actress recently took BABATUNDE SULAIMAN on an exciting voyage around her world.

    IT is barely three years that you started acting professionally, but it is as if you have been around in the industry for much longer. Certainly, you are doing some things right. So, could you talk about your winning streak?

    It is not three years! I started acting professionally in August, 2011 and I guess it is a combination of God’s favour and being good at what one does.

    What were you doing before you started acting?

    Before I started acting, I was practising my profession as a medical doctor.

    But were you not fulfilled as a medical doctor?

    I kept having that nagging feeling to follow my passion, so that was what I did. Well, let me say there are two sides to me: the medical side and the entertainment side. So, it was a case of another side struggling for expression.

    At what point did you begin to realise these two sides of you and which of the two first manifested in you?

    The entertainment side of me had always been there. In the secondary school, I was very involved in stage plays and I was a Literature-in-English prize winner. But then, I still went for a professional course. It was during the course of studying medicine that I realised it was still very much there. I was always doing MC jobs in various school events while in the university. So, I guess I eventually found my way back.

    So, in what circumstance did you end up studying medicine?

    I’d always wanted to study a ‘professional’ course; and as far as I was concerned, medicine was it.

    Was there any parental influence in your studying medicine?

    No, the decision was totally mine. But then, I was very young.

    Okay, what were your parents into?

    My dad was a general manager in First Bank Plc and my mum was a comptroller of prisons.

    You come from a privileged background; so, what was your growing up like?

    I grew up with three siblings: an older sister and two younger brothers. I have wonderful childhood memories and my parents raised us to be independent and God-fearing.

    So, you said earlier that you were still engaging in some creative works like master of ceremonies jobs, even as a medical student in the university. But didn’t that affect your study in anyway?

    No, it didn’t. In fact, I’m proud to say that in all my years in the medical school, I never sat for any examination twice.

    That is nice! So, between 2007 when you finished your national youth service and 2011 when you started acting, where were you?

    I did my housemanship in 2007 at the University College Hospital, Ibadan; and in 2008, I did my NYSC at Ajeromi Ifelodun LGA. Thereafter, in 2009, I worked for Pathcare International as a business manager.

    Could you share with me your most unforgettable experience while you worked there?

    Nothing comes to mind right now.

    Would you say it was a tough decision for you when you wanted to dump medicine for acting?

    Why do journalists like that word ‘dump’? I didn’t dump it; I’m still very much involved in medicine and I still write health articles for online blogs. It wasn’t tough; I just followed my passion and here I am.

    So, can you recall the immediate reactions of your parents, particularly your dad, when you wanted to start your journey into acting?

    My parents are the best and they have been so supportive. I think they suspected it would happen because they could see my interest in the arts. Parents just want to know that their kids will be fine in whatever field they choose to be in. And I think that’s why parents are skeptical about their kids going into entertainment.

    So, how did you get your first acting role and how much were you paid?

    I auditioned for my first role. It was a lead role in a series titled Behind the Smile. As for how much I was paid, no actor will tell you that.

    Oh! A few actors have told me how much they received for their first acting jobs. It is just to know their humble beginning.

    I’m still humble!

    How did you fare the first time you were on set?

    I knew that I would do a good job, but I thought I’d receive a lot of corrections from the director.

    So, after every scene, I’d look at the director, expecting him to complain, but he would say, “Next scene”. So, I was quite confused; I wasn’t sure what to think.

    Why were you confused?

    I was confused because I wasn’t sure why the director wasn’t stopping me. I later realised that it was because he was getting what he wanted.

    How did you fare in the midst of the heavy weights on the set then?

    It is a series called Behind the smile and I was opposite the likes of Femi Brainard, Rachael Oniga and Olumide Bakare. Femi Brainard was very encouraging and helpful, so I fared well.

    Did you think you would get the role in the first place when you attended the audition?

    When you attend an audition, you hope for the best. But you are up against so many people who are equally good; so, all you do is hope.

    And then your prayers were eventually answered when you got the role?

    I guess so.

    Would you say your performance in that series subsequently opened the door of other big roles for you?

    Yes, I would say so. For one thing, I got to work again with the director, Tunde Olaoye, on a feature film project called Married but living single.

    I wanted to mention that because when your name is mentioned, what comes to mind is that movie. How did you get the role and how was it like on the set of that movie?

    I auditioned for the role; but as I said, I’d worked with the director before and he knew my acting capabilities. It went very well on set. Everybody was very professional with a very good rapport.

    So, how many movies have you featured in till date and which has been the most challenging?

    So far, I’ve done 12 movies and five TV series.

    The most challenging was a film called Sting, where I played a rape victim. The physical violence was real and it was also a very emotional role.

    How did you get into that character?

    I had to enter into the character completely. I did my research about rape victims and lived the character. I had my co-actor beat me for real because I wanted it to be real.

    Could this be true, and who was the co-actor in question?

    It’s very true. My co-actor was Oyekunle Oluwaremi, who is also the producer of the movie.

    Which role has brought out the best in you so far and what role are you looking forward to playing?

    Every role comes with its own challenges and rewards, so I can’t pinpoint any one in particular. But I’ve always said that I look forward to playing the role of a ‘village girl’.

    You will like to play a village girl?

    Yes, I always look forward to a challenge, so I’ll like to do something that’s so far removed from my actual self. It’s always fun to stretch yourself.

    Have you had to turn down a script? If yes, why?

    Hmm! I think every actor at some point or the other has had to do that, either because of conflicting schedules or because it’s too similar to something that one had done before. And as an actor, you must have a range and vary it from production to production, so that you don’t get stereotyped.

    You have lived a scandal-free life since you came into the industry. Could it be because you have not been romantically linked to any guy in the industry or because you have not had an issue with any of your colleagues?

    Well, it’s true that I’ve not been romantically linked to anyone in the industry; but then, I guess that everyone usually starts out with a clean slate; and sometimes, through no fault of the artiste, scandals arise. Some people take it upon themselves to make up and spread malicious stories about artistes. So, I can only hope that I stay scandal-free.

    But don’t forget that there is no smoke without fire.

    That’s not always true in this industry. There’s enough smoke to choke you without any fire.

    Can you sacrifice acting for love; that is, if your fiancé says you should quit?

    I will cross that bridge if I ever come to it. I always say that it’s important that a partner shares and believes in your vision and your dreams; otherwise, it’s a huge problem, one that I hope that I’ll never have to face – that’s not a dilemma that I wish to ever face.

    So far, your boyfriend doesn’t mind you kissing and acting romantic roles, does he?

    Let’s leave boyfriend talk o!

    Who do you consider your role models in the industry?

    There are so many of them.

    Okay, could you mention a few?

    I admire different people for different reasons.

    Could you expatiate?

    I admire some people because they don’t hold back; they completely let go on screen. Also, I admire some people because they take what they do seriously and are so professional. Acting is about believability. So, if, as an actor, you hold back, your performance may not come across as believable.

    Have you found yourself in any embarrassing moment since you started acting?

    There is none that I can recall; I’m not easily embarrassed.

    How many awards have you won so far?:

    Last year, I received the “African Film Award” in London for the Best Actress in a Supporting Role for my role in the movie, Married but living Single

  • I have a  crush on FLAVOUR—Singer Yemi Alade

    I have a crush on FLAVOUR—Singer Yemi Alade

    Yemi Alade, a graduate of Geography from the University of Lagos, Akoka, is a fast-rising Afro-pop and RnB singer. The beautiful songstress first served Nigerians and, indeed, the world her rich musical menu when she contested and emerged the winner in the 2009 edition of Peak Talent Hunt Show. Interestingly, she has not looked back ever since. In this recent encounter with BABATUNDE SULAIMAN, she talks about her rise in the music industry, love life and idiosyncrasy, among other interesting issues.

    YOU were once in a group called Naughty Spices, where your stage name was Ginger. Could you tell me what really happened to the group and why you quit?

    Yes, you are very correct. We formed that group when we were in the secondary schools. Really, we were all in different secondary schools then. We were partially signed on by Storm Records at that time and we started recording. But the split happened when we gained admission into different universities. As a result, we were in four different parts of Nigeria. It just took a natural dive; so, it is not as if we said we were not going to do it anymore.

    Are you from a music-inclined background?

    Yes, I can say so because I was surrounded by music. My mum was always singing, my dad was always dancing to Sunny Ade’s music and my elder ones were always grooving to the latest music. Apart from this, I used to be a chorister in the church.

    In most of your past interviews, you spoke mostly about your mum. Could there be any special reason why you rarely mention your dad in your interviews?

    That is a good question. But honestly, it is not for any particular reason that I don’t talk about my dad in my interviews. It could simply be because my dad is a more relaxed person than my mum. I guess I got the gra, gra from my mum. My dad is from Ondo State and you know how the Ondo men are; they are very calm. However, I love them equally.

    You started your musical career while you were still in the university, but didn’t your academic suffer in anyway?

    It was not funny because they were two big masters. The school needs all your concentration and time. Those four years were a very difficult time for me. At a point after I had entered for the Peak Talent Hunt Show, I thought of applying for deferment of my examination, so that I could participate in the grand finale. I just had this conviction that I might win. But luckily, it happened that the grand finale was moved forward, so I was able to sit for my examination. It was a tough time for me because a lot of people condemned my action. But I tried to be strong because I knew what I was doing. Really, I didn’t expect anything less from them because they were not the ones wearing the shoes. Though it wasn’t a difficult time for me, I will encourage anybody who has a musical career to still obtain his or her degree. To me, it makes a lot of sense.

    Did you see yourself winning in the Peak Talent Hunt Show?

    Not at all! We were five that partook in the grand finale. But there was a guy, Flingo, who was a very strong competitor. In fact, the entire audience loved him. After the first round, I told him that he had already won and that he should tell the organizers to just give him his money. But as I was praising him, I just heard, from the stage, “And the winner is Yemi Alade…” I couldn’t believe it. It was a breath of fresh air and I really appreciate the opportunity that Peak gave me.

    What did you do with the money?

    The money? 80 percent of the money went into my career. I started attending aerobic classes; I went into vocal training under one of the best coaches around (he trained the MTN’s Project Fame contestants) and I also shot my video, Fimisile. I am sure you know it is no small money to feature a great artiste like El- Dee. Apart from all this, I also recorded some songs then. So, I didn’t really spend much on myself.

    What have you been up to lately?

    I have been up to a whole lot. I just got back from a nation-wide media tour. I got a whole lot of acceptance and I am really very grateful to everybody I met during the tour. I also released a mix single called Johnny with Solebobo and the acceptance has been unbelievable. After this chat, I will be heading for Clarence Peter’s studio, where we intend to shoot the video with him. I am also doing something for Peak because I am one of its ambassadors. Also, we are doing the Go-back-to school programme for kids. As I said before, it is important to have your career at heart, but you still need to stay in school. I am also involved in an awareness campaign for women against cervical cancer and HIV / AIDS.

    But you were supposed to have done that with Uti Nwachukwu since December 20?

    No, Uti’s project was for the less privileged, but I couldn’t make it because I went to Calabar. The cervical cancer and HIV/AID campaign is my own pet project.

    Why did you embark on the media tour?

    As at that time, I had only released both Birthday song and My head. Those were the new songs, so we thought of a different way to promote them and we actually thank our fans. Some know the name, but they don’t know the face and vice-versa. Some even know the song, but they don’t know who sang it. Also, at that time in the industry, there was really much going on, so we had time on our hand to go on the tour. We had some shows in the process and we just killed two birds with one stone. The acceptance was unbelievable and I thank God I was able to release Johnny during the tour.

    Johnny has come under a lot of reviews since it was released. So, what really inspired it because you sang about a cheating and lying man?

    Yes, you are correct.

    Are you talking from some personal experience?

    Certainly, all my songs are borne from some experiences.

    Okay, tell me about the song.

    I think the song already says it all. The song says Johnny leaves me follow Cynthia/ he give Uche belle/ he go marry Nene. Of course, I have been in a situation, where I was dating someone seriously and he gave me the impression that he cared for me, but he still had interests in some other ladies. When I was recording that song, I had no intention of talking about that topic. I was going to record good music and the lyrics just came from nowhere. After two weeks of the tour, people started asking me about who Johnny is. And then, I realised that the song is actually from inside of me. You know how music just wells up in you and when you get the opportunity to voice it out, you don’t know what comes out; so, that was what happened.

    Will I be right to say you are very much relieved now from whatever you must have suffered after the breakup, having got the song out of you?

    Yes, I am. I can laugh at the situation now. Before now, it wasn’t funny. It is a big relief and the fact that people are laughing at the situation even makes me laugh more; so, I say, ‘Johnny, your loss, not mine.’

    Was that the first time any man would dump you?

    You see, I just realised that the relationship was cancerous to me; it wasn’t working for me because I wasn’t doing what he was doing. That was the first time I had found myself in that kind of relationship, where the guy just ran off.

    What have you learnt from that experience and how will you guide against such a thing in your future relationship?

    Well, the truth is that these things are not written on people’s foreheads. You can’t tell by mere looking at someone that he is a liar or a cheat. But over time, you get to find out. I have, however, made up my mind that whatever relationship I find myself in, personal or business, I will not hesitate to bring out whatever bothers me to the open. It is good to confront your issue. I didn’t confront my issues in most of my past relationships.

    How?

    In Johnny’s case, I didn’t have proper closure. During the period of these relationships, I saw these things happening, but I didn’t know how to confront them. I didn’t what to spoil what I knew was already getting spoilt. I think we should all be real with ourselves. There is more out there. If someone doesn’t appreciate you today, another person will surely do some other time.

    Were you heartbroken at that time?

    Before nko? Johnny broke my heart!

    Is Johnny the guy’s real name?

    No, I couldn’t have used his name. As I said, I didn’t plan to do the song; otherwise, I would have used his name.

    Now that Johnny is longer in the picture, it is being rumoured that you are having a sizzling affair with your manager…

    (Cuts in) Everybody says it. But I keep asking that if my manager were a female, would they ask me the same question?

    Of course, nobody will say such a thing.

    Certainly, you are right. So, I just ‘chill (pauses).

    I am sure you are aware of some female acts who were saying the same thing until it came to the open that they were getting married to their managers.

    You see, immediately my ‘sister’, Tiwa Savage, got married, that was when people started pointing fingers. All eyes now seem to be on female artistes who have male managers. I guess it is a phase and it will soon pass by. I am still looking for my Johnny( general laughter).

    How have you been promoting your new song?

    At the moment, the song seems to be promoting itself and I appreciate people for this. We are doing a lot of radio push and we will soon release a competition for DJs. It is called the Johnny DJ Match-up Battle. What you have to do is to just get the Johnny song and match it up with any of your favourite instrumentalist. You stand the chance of winning N500 and a new DJ turn-table. The judges will be Olisa Adibua who has great ear for good music and DJ Jimmy Jatt. Many other things are going to be rolled out in 2014.

    Recently, it was reported that you kissed the poster of Flavour and that set tongues wagging.

    (Laughs)You know what, that picture was at Dream FM in Enugu and I did it after my interview. I cannot explain why I kissed the poster; it was very spontaneous. But the truth of the matter is that I have always had a crunch on Flavour. If people ask me who my crunch is, I say it is Flavour. You know what, you have a crush on someone and after a while, you get over it. I don’t know who else I will have a crush on. I was just having fun. But really, the kiss was very sincere!

    Really?

    Yes, but I was just having fun.

    Did you envisage the kind of reactions it would generate?

    I was so surprised when I saw it on some blogs.

    You seem to love the guy so much?

    I think his genre of music is very interesting. I like the way he dances and he is a good-looking.

    Have you ever had the opportunity of telling him you love him?

    No, I have met him at several shows, but I have never told him so. No, I am a girl and he is supposed to come and tell me and not the other way.

    If he walks up to you and says he loves you, will you accept?

    Ha! Good for him now…

    I am asking you a yes-or-no question?

    I don’t know. Maybe when it happens, I will have an idea. You know, I am very spontaneous

    Can you date him?

    That is a little too much and I have not thought of that. I just have a crush on him, but I have not thought of dating him.

    Is that a possibility of that happening?

    Well, my mum is Ibo and I can always speak Igbo to the guy. I know he is a very good Igbo-speaking guy. I don’t know if we can date each other because I don’t know him personally. But what I see now is awesome.

    What do you want in a man?

    It has to do more with his personality. He must have a great sense of humour; he must be a god-fearing person; he must be clean and I don’t like men who have body odour. You must have a sense of direction.

    Why do you keep changing your style?

    You can call me a fashion Chameleon. I don’t like to bore myself or my fans and I dress based on my emotion and environment. At the moment, I just want to be graceful with my style. I am also working on my album and it is titled King of Queen. It is a man’s world and the only way to succeed is to do it like a man; and the way to do this is to also look like a woman because you are a woman. So, I am trying to bring out the feminine side of me as well as my masculine side.

  • UNILAG VC, Folawiyo, others for MSSN conference

    The Annual conference of the Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN) Lagos State Area Unit will hold on Sunday at the Main Auditorium of the University of Lagos, Akoka, Yaba.

    The conference is expected to usher in a new administration that will pilot the affairs of the organization for the next two years.

    The theme of the conference, ‘Sustainable Development, Nigeria as a Case Study, according to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Sulaimon Alamutu, is aimed at calling the attention of policy makers in the country to act for the benefit of Nigerians.

    The Dean, Faculty of Arts, Lagos State University Prof Lakin Akintola will be guest speaker while Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Rahaman Bello, will chair the event.

    Other guests include the Giwa Olori Giwa of Lagos Central Mosque, Alhaji Tijani Tunde Folawiyo; Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Lagos, Alhaja Gbolahan Dawodu, among others.

  • Photo: Unilag Mass Comm students visit The Nation

    Photo: Unilag Mass Comm students visit The Nation

    First year Mass Communication students of University of Lagos on Friday visited The Nation on study excursion organised by the Mass Communication Students Association (MCSA) of the institution.

    During the visit they were received by The Nation’s Editor, Online, Lekan Otufodunrin who briefed them on the operations of the company and conducted them round the various departments.