The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Win

  • Dolphins new boy, Obinze excited over Sunshine win

    Dolphins new boy, Obinze excited over Sunshine win

    Dolphins’ new boy, Godwin Obinze could not   hide his excitement after Wednesday’s 1-0 win in Port Harcourt against Sunshine Stars.

    Dolphins laboured and finally got their breakthrough in the 55th minute when full back, Jonathan Zikiye curled a free kick over the wall and beyond the reach of the goalkeeper.

    “I am happy with this win because I see my football career as starting with Dolphins,” the former Yobo Academy player said.

    “I have had three games so far, a draw, a loss and this win so I cannot hide my excitement. In fact I feel like taking off my shirt screaming and running away,” Obinze exclaimed.

    But Godbless Asamoah got the first clear cut chance to put Dolphins up as early as the 16th minute when he rose highest to head a cross from Chigozie Ihunda but missed the target by inches.

    At the half hour mark, Oghogho Oduokpe was freed by an Isiaka Olawale pass but his shot sailed wide off the mark.

    It was not all about Dolphins in the first half as the visitors had a chance to open scores in the 38th minute when a seemingly harmless attempt was spilled by Sunday Rotimi but Musa Newman blasted the rebound wide off the mark.

    In the last 10 minutes, it was all about Sunshine Stars but a mixture of profligacy, clumsy attacking and luck ensured that the score line remained 1-0.

    Sunshine Stars coach, Kennedy Boboye said after the game that his side came to Port Harcourt to get a win or draw but were unlucky.

    “Dolphins did well, but we came here for a win or draw. We missed some chances but that’s football,” Boboye said.

  • AAG 2015 WRESTLING: We want to win all gold medals, says Purity

    AAG 2015 WRESTLING: We want to win all gold medals, says Purity

     

    National female wrestling coach, Purity Akuh has revealed that his mission at this year’s edition of the All Africa Games (AAG) scheduled to hold in Brazzaville, Congo between September 4  and 19 is to win all the gold medals.

    Nigerian athletes are  in camp at the National stadium package B ahead of the 11th edition of the Games.

    Purity said with the programme put in place for the female athletes, they are fit and will defeat any opponent in their various categories.

    “The morale of the girls are high in camp and they are ready to maintain their various spots on the continent at the All Africa Games”, asserted Purity.

    “As usual, Nigeria has been performing well at African championships, but this time around our target is to win every available gold in each of the categories.

    “So it is operation ‘win them all’ and we are not settling for less than gold medals in Congo.

    “Most of the athletes such as Aminat Adeniyi, Blessing Oborodudu, Blessing Onyebuchi and Odunayo Adekuoroye at their peak and I see nothing stopping them at Congo while others have proved not to be pushovers”, Purity said.

    The head coach advised the wrestlers not to depend solely on their strengths as technicalities should be applied during bouts.

    Purity thanked the Nigeria Wrestling Federation led by Daniel Igali for putting up programmes that helped discovered other athletes stressing that the team will make Nigeria proud at the All Africa Games.

  • Anambra APC vows to win in 2017

    Anambra APC vows to win in 2017

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) forum of lawmakers in the Anambra State of House of Assembly has vowed to strengthen the party to enable it win the 2017 governorship election.

    The forum spoke yesterday at the party’s secretariat in Awka when members met the chairman, Emeka Ibe.

    Coordinator Chief Uche Anakor said the forum was set up to articulate the challenges facing the party.

    “We have come together to provide a platform where, as flag bearers of our great party, we can articulate on matters affecting the party and channel them to the necessary quarters.

    “The APC must be strengthened to enable us win the governorship elections in 2017 as well as support the Federal Government in meeting its promises to the people.

    “Of a truth, the APC should have won half of the seats in the assembly but for the unfortunate developments which saw the unscrupulous edge out the scrupulous,” Anakor said.

    Ibe hailed the forum for their initiative, urging them to strengthen the party at their constituency levels. He noted that the party needed such hands at such a critical time.

  • Siasia targets 4-0 win over Congo

    Siasia targets 4-0 win over Congo

    • Gets Umar Aminu boost 

    Nigeria’s U23 team coach Samson Siasia has predicted a convincing 4-0 home win over Congo on Sunday when they clash in the first leg of a CAF U23 Championship qualifier in Port Harcourt.

    ‘SiaOne’, as he is fondly called, said his team, nicknamed Dream Team VI, is fully prepared for victory as it takes another step towards featuring at next year’s Olympics in Rio Janeiro, Brazil.

    “We have been preparing hard for the game and I am sure we are going to win the game convincingly, I am looking at us getting like a 4-0 win, but victory is what we will play for,” said Siasia.

    “We are making efforts to get their match tapes to know them better.

    “The boys are in high spirits and ready for the task.”

    Siasia will be without several of his foreign-based call-ups, like Musa Mohammed, Kelechi Iheanacho and Moses Simon, but Turkey-based forward Umar Aminu, Taiwo Awoniyi and Godwin Saviour will be available for selection.

    The effective combination of Awoniyi and Saviour was evident at last month’s FIFA U20 World Cup in New Zealand after they had also combined to eliminate Zambia in a 2015 All Africa Games qualifier.

    However, Congo coach Claude Leroy is equally bullish ahead of this showdown after they eliminated highly-fancied Ghana in the previous round of the qualifiers.

    “We have a huge chance of not only eliminating Nigeria, but qualifying for the Olympics. There is no reason why we should fear them,” said the much travelled Frenchman, who last year led Congo full international team to shock the Super Eagles 3-2 in a 2015 AFCON qualifier.

    Congo has invited a dozen foreign pros and will parade several full internationals including goalkeeper Christoffer Mafoumbi, who was outstanding at this year’s AFCON as the Congo Red Devils reached the last eight in Equatorial Guinea.

    The CAF U23 Championship will be staged by Senegal later this year and will serve as the qualifier for the 2016 Olympic football event.

    However, Siasia has received a massive boost with the arrival of Turkey-based striker Umar Aminu for Sunday’s CAF U23 Championship qualifier against Congo in Port Harcourt.

    “Aminu has joined the team after he was released by his club from their pre-season training. It’s a bit late, but we will see how it goes,” Siasia disclosed.

    Aminu was stand-out star for Nigeria at the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey after he emerged Goal King at the 2013 AYC in Algeria and he is now playing regularly in Turkey for Osmanlispor after a stint at Samsunspor.

    Siasia will be without several Europe-based call-ups like Musa Mohammed, Moses Simon, Wilfred Ndidi and Kelechi Iheanacho as they are engaged in pre-season with their clubs.

    Enyimba midfielder Kingsley Sokari is also ruled out after reporting late to training camp on account of his transfer talks in Tunisia with Esperance.

    Siasia is therefore expected to stick with the core of the team who eliminated Gabon and Zambia from the 2015 All Africa Games.

  • Udoji wants to win Keshi’s heart

    Udoji wants to win Keshi’s heart

    Enyimba captain, Chinedu Udoji, has said he’s looking to win the heart of Stephen Keshi with his performances and thereby seal a regular place in the Super Eagles side.

    The central defender was only recently called to the Super Eagles after years of being one of the best defenders in the domestic league, and he said he’s looking forward to making the best use of the opportunity.

    “It feels great being here with the National Team and I would love to continue and I know the only way I can do that is to show the coach my quality.

    “I have to keep proving myself in training and show him my ability and I believe if I can do that I will make the team more regularly.

    “The other guys are also good and everybody is putting in their best to ensure they catch the attention of the coaches. I also have to do my best and win their hearts in the process,” he said.

    The Enyimba skipper also relieves his experience of being in the national camp.

    “It’s a good feeling I must confess. The feeling of knowing you’re working to represent your country is great. Of course it’s still the same football, but here I’m serving my country.”

  • Why Ambode will win, by Oki

    Why Ambode will win, by Oki

    Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Vice Chairman (Lagos Central) Hon. Fuad Oki spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU on the chances of the party in tomorrow’s poll and other partisan issues. 

    What were the mistakes made by the Independent National Electoral Commission ((INEC) at the presidential election, which should be avoided in Saturday’s governorship poll?

    We must take cognisance of the fact that we are still transiting, in terms of getting it right. The card reader is novel. We must experience challenges here and there. I thank the INEC for the initiative and for allowing those whose Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) to go through manual accreditation. We should encourage INEC to do better. Some party agents complained that they could not get identification tags. I think they will get over that in the Saturday’s election. Other issues are administrative. INEC is setting a standard for a credible, free, fair and violence-free election. We should also thank Nigerians for coming out to vote.  They defied the harsh weather in some areas, especially the heavy downpour. We should commend Nigerians for being steadfast.

    What are the issues that will shape the governorship election in Lagos?

    We want continuity in Lagos. We want the good work to continue. We cannot be experimenting with the next governor. In the last 16 years, Lagos has been progressively moving forward, in terms of development. The state government has embarked on major infrastructural development and moved the local economy from dormancy in 1999 to something that is growing and becoming buoyant. The election will be determined by the desire of Lagosians to continue to enjoy developmental projects and programmes or whether they want to experiment. PDP has not been able to give to Nigerians what they want, in terms of service delivery, accountability and best practices. These are what will shape the April 11 election.

    What are the specific challenges that will confront the next governor of Lagos State?

    The challenges that will confront the in-coming governor, by the grace of God, Akinwumi Ambode, will be the challenge of wanting to do much and not having enough. It is not for fun that we call Akinwumi Ambode the consolidator. In 1999, we decided that we will take Lagos to the Victorian era that it used to be in the forties and fifties, sixties and during the civil war. We have been doing that consistently. Even, PDP leaders have come out to say that Lagos is working. We want to keep it working. We want to do much, but, we have less. As a result, we have embarked on serious financial engineering and re-engineering in making the state a Triple A in the reckoning of international financial institutions. Lagos State government is reputed for best practices in terms of prudence and financial management. We have financial blueprint for the management of resources. In terms of service delivery, mega city status, Lagos is becoming the third. We are reviving the abandoned rail line project. But, there has been lack of understanding by the Federal Government. We are developing our waterways. We must promote our eco system in this state of Aquatic Splendour. We want to continue to add value to the lives of the people.

    In terms of antecedent, professional calling and other personal attributes, what gives you an impression that Akinwumi Ambode will be a better governor than Jimi Agbaje?

    There is a saying in Yoruba: eni to fe daso fun yan, torun e la koko maa wo. We are talking about a man whose career path has been in the public sector. But, there is also an candidate whose career path has been a monologue, even in the private sector. We are looking at two different things. Akinwumi Ambode’s career path was in the civil service. He rose through the ranks, earning promotion and becoming all that he became in his career. He has seen it all in terms of project initiation, formulation and implementation. He has been part of this administration in the last 16 years. He knows where Lagos is going. He has all these benefits, experience and goodwill of successive Lagos State governments. On the other hand, the candidate in the opposing camp is coming for experimentation. For a green horn coming into office, he will spend the first 16 months learning the ropes. He will spend another 16 months to add value. So. he has few time to really work. Lagos deserves a succession  plan, where from onset, we will start looking for people who will succeed Akinwumi Ambode in eight years; who will also learn the ropes and be integrated into the process of governance and public service. You cannot experiment with Lagos. It will hurt all of us.

    PDP is more determined to capture Lagos, using financial inducement. Are you saying that will not swing the votes towards the direction of the PDP candidate?

    Lagosians are wiser. Let them spend all tax payers’ money. It will not sway Lagosians from doing that which is right. We are used to their shenanigans and the slogan of capture as if we are in a war situation. Let them continue to induce. We will continue to remind Lagos on the need to keep it working.

    What is the bone of contention between APC and Ndigbo in Lagos, to the extent that the Igbo are thinking of ditching the party, which has given the ethnic group a sense of belonging in the last 16 years?

    I refuse to accept that there is a quarrel between the APC and our brothers from the East. I don’t want to believe so. We have held several meetings with our brothers from the East and one thing they always say is that there is no place like Lagos, in terms of security of life and property, economic opportunities and privileges. Only in Lagos you see Ezes in every community, thus affirming their right to cultural expression and integration. PDP is trying to incite brothers against brothers by playing ethnic and religious cards. But, APC and our brothers from the East are wiser and those things cannot create tension between them. In terms of accommodation, cultural expression, integration and security, they have always said that there is no place like Lagos. The Publicity Secretary of the APC, Engineer Joe Igbokwe, is an Igbo. The man they call the headmaster, the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Pastor Ben Akabueze, is an Igbo. We are brothers in Lagos. That is the spirit of Lagos where I grew up.

    In specific terms, what are the new things that the APC candidate will do for Lagosians?

    Akinwumi Ambode will implement the APC manifestos. He is a party man who subscribes to the party manifestos. He will continue to b he build on the legacies of the Tinubu and Fashola administrations. He will take Lagos to a higher level. He will create jobs and defend all the sectors. He will implement our manifestos.

  • ‘APC will win in Lagos’

    ‘APC will win in Lagos’

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Lateef Raji, is sure that the party will win Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    Raji, who is the Special Adviser to the Governor on Information and Strategy, attributed the party’s “slim” victory during the presidential election to low turnout of voters, violence and the police who turned back APC party agents at the polling booths.

    “All these factors we have taken note of. The leadership of the APC in Lagos has been brainstorming on the outcome of the presidential election in the state to ensure massive turn-out of our supporters on Saturday for the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    “We underestimated the desperation of the PDP and overconfidence was our undoing. They have shown their hands, we will amputate them. We cannot allow them to destroy the state we have been building since.

    “Now that APC has won the seat of power at the centre, we will never allow an opposition party to take over Lagos State. This is the finest hour for us in Lagos. A Federal Government under Muhammadu Buhari will bring a lot of fortune to Lagos State.”

  • ‘ Jonathan can‘t win in Southwest’

    ‘ Jonathan can‘t win in Southwest’

    Former Ondo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Prince ‘Diran Iyantan is the Leader of Yoruba Ronu. He spoke with Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN on the marginalisation of the Yoruba, the purported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, the future of Ondo politics and other issues. 

    Do you agree that the Jonathan Administration has marginalised the Yoruba people?

    Yes, it is obvious. The Yoruba contributed to the emergence of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011. The Yoruba people singled him out of the crowd to become president, it follows that he should be fair to the race in political patronage, but he failed to do that. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo almost singlehandedly picked Jonathan and ensured he became President of Nigeria. He is an ingrate. He has short changed the Yoruba race.

    The Yorubas are the most liberal people in Nigeria. When Obasanjo was in power, he incorporated every ethnic group into his government. There was no Yoruba man in his kitchen cabinet made up of people like Nuhu Ribadu, Nasir El-Rufai and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. It is opposite under Jonathan. This development made some Yoruba to indict Obasanjo that he sold off his tribe when he was in power.

    What is your reaction to the purported endorsement of Dr. Jonathan by Afenifere?

    The Afenifere leaders didn’t take the generality of the Yoruba interest into consideration before they took that decision. My father ( now 93 ) is the oldest Afenifere member. He was disappointed by the decision of his colleagues. There was no forum for discussion they just allowed the external forces to influence their parochial interest. It is unfortunate that most of these Afenifere leaders lack electoral value. They can’t win election in their wards. For instance, Olu Falae who was the leader of Peoples Democratic Alliance (PDA) lost in his ward in 2011. The Yorubas are not with them. We know our leaders. Jonathan will lose in Southwest, no amount of bribe he offers his promoters.

    In my discussion with some of them, one problem they have is the meteoric rise of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to political leadership in the Southwest and in Nigeria as a whole. Tinubu achieved this through political evolution. His contribution to the Yoruba race made him the undisputable leader. If not for his steadfastness, Nigeria would have been in disarray. When the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dislodged Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the Southwest in 2003, it was only Lagos State under Tinubu that survived the PDP onslaught. With only one state, he was able to build Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) into a formidable party in the Southwest and Edo State. In 2007, ACN reclaimed some of the states and swept out PDP from the Southwest in 2011.

    Will you say the Afenifere group are keeping to Awolowo’s political philosophy?

    They have gone in the direct opposite of Awo’s political thought, an embodiment of egalitarianism and welfarism. Awo detest corruption in his life time. But the Afenifere leaders have been induced to promote corrupt government and leaders. In Yoruba tradition, when you attain certain age or when you become an elder, you retire from active participation in certain things like business and politics. Most of these Afenifere leaders are in their 80’s or above, they should quit the stage for the younger elements.

    Are you surprised that former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba has returned to Afenifere fold?

    I don’t think he was the closest to Awo while on earth as he claimed. Awo never jumped ship throughout his political career. Time was not auspicious for him to opt out of the progressive family. I feel sad for him for doing that at the twilight of his political career. At a time when the progressives are struggling to liberate themselves from the shackles of conservative elements, it is disappointing that a leader like Osoba decided to join the oppressors.

    The Afenifere leaders hinged their endorsement of Jonathan on his commitment to implement the National Conference report. What is your comment?

    I considered the national conference as a deliberate ploy to buy time for Jonathan. The progressives first mooted the idea of national conference which was rebuffed by Jonathn. When he became very unpopular, he believed he can use the convocation of national conference as bait. He is now giving an absurd condition that re-elect me first before I can start implementing the report. The time the report was submitted before now was sufficient for the President to implement the report if he was truly committed to its implementation. Jonathan knew what some Yoruba like his polemic. He wanted to keep them busy and engaged the likes of Femi Okunrounmu. He has also induced the Afenifere leaders to collaborate with the South-south in order to win the presidential election. They want to use creation of new states to justify the national confab report. Jonathan has been promising people that he will create new states if he was re-elected. What is the rationale of creating new states when most of the existing ones are not viable?

    Are you surprised that the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) capitulated from his earlier decision not to endorse Jonathan?

    We are pained that the Yoruba Council of Elders is now hob-nobbing with the oppressors of their race. The YCE is supposed to be apolitical. For them now to join the fray of politics of inducement and commercialisation, we are not bothered. Yoruba are united; Yoruba have identified with the general change; we want Nigeria to be rescued from the pangs of desperados. I know their off-shoots are not supporting what they (YCE) leaders are doing. Look at Chief Niyi Adebayo, he is one of those advocating change in the country.

    The Afenifere leaders have described the merger of ACN with other parties from the North as a sell-out. Do you agree?

    It is a belated and jaundiced argument. The little time we have stability in this country was when there was co-operation between the Southwest and the north. We believe the interest of the Southwest will be better protected by working with the north. The Yoruba in the Federal Civil Service are being marginalised and victimised. We cannot endure this sad experience for another four years. God willing, with Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as Vice President, the interest of Yoruba will be properly taken care of. We don’t want Yoruba children to be given dirty jobs like those assigned Femi Fani-Kayode, Doyin Okupe and Reuben Abati anymore. It is not in our tradition and culture to talk carelessly about our elders. Can you imagine Fani-Kayode casting aspersion on Tinubu who resuscitated the integrity of already bruised Yoruba race. Fani-Kayode should temper his problems with common sense and stop making unguarded statements because he wanted to satisfy his pay masters.

    What is the political situation in Ondo State now?

    The emergence of Governor Olusegun Mimiko in 2007 was a result of revolution in Ondo State. What happened in the state is a miniature of what will happen in Nigeria this year. Mimiko was a political orphan. He only had affiliation with the people who provided the arsenal to prosecute that revolution.

    Mimiko started well but suddenly he deviated from the norms of good governance. He betrayed his benefactors including Asiwaju Tinubu and even engaged in unhealthy rivalry with Tinubu. The economy of Ondo State was not strong enough to cope with his inordinate ambition. The state has suffered because of it. There is poverty everywhere. Mimiko is now a political pariah. He is now the most unpopular government in the country. The wind of change is blowing across the state seriously. Mimiko is in a big problem. He has been rejected. His party-PDP will lose in the forthcoming elections.

  • Dream Team eye big win against Zambia

    Dream Team eye big win against Zambia

    The Nigeria U-23  players and officials are calm about the prospect of playing the Zambia U-23 team on Saturday and they are scheduled to play a final warm up game today in Abuja against yet-to-be-named opponents.

    The Dream Team VI defeated Gabon’s U-23 team 6-1 on aggregate in the last round and they are to face Zambia in the country this weekend before the deciding leg in Lusaka in a fortnight.

    The Media Officer of the team,Timi Ebikagboro told SportingLife that 22 players are presently sweating it out in Abuja and that they are expecting one or two foreign-based players to arrive before the Saturday tie to beef up the home-based players.

    He confirmed that the emphasis of the team’s head coach, Samson Siasia is to raise a formidable team that will be able to beat the Zambians well here in Nigeria before contemplating the return leg in the Southern African nation.

  • I will win if I contest election

    I will win if I contest election

    Indigenous rapper, Remilekun Abdulkalid, better known as Reminisce, hasn’t seen anyone working effectively on copyright issue in the Nigerian music industry. In this chat with FAMUYIWA DAMILARE, the artiste, who will be releasing his album soon, declines the rumour that he sings to promote prostitution, his political ambition, among other issues.

    It has been very hard to get in touch with you these days, what have you been up to?

    Basically, I have been working on my album, my third album titled Baba Afusa. We’ve been trying to lay our hands on certain things, but a lot has been suspended because of the election. Apparently, it appears that I have to spend six extra weeks to work, get it done and put it out; as you know I represent a couple of brand as well, recording, doing photo shot, and a bit of campaign for them as well.

    You’ve been involved in campaigning, for what reason would you have done that?

    When I mean campaign, I’m talking about brands; Samsung, Orijin, and many more. I have also been with Enough Is Enough for a while. I represent them as well, it is an independent group, non-partisan organisation; the whole idea is just to get people to vote, and it is not sponsored by any party.

    How has it been for you to be part of the whole process?

    I feel good, I am a man with two children, so I should be able to stand up to situation that can make a better turn around. You know I can’t just sit down and say I’m a musician. Yes, fine I am. But I do pay my taxes as well. It is just something I have to do. I live in this country, and my kids also school here. I am just a Nigerian, that is all; and there is every reason for me to participate in what can make Nigeria a better place.

    How did you come up with your stage name, Reminisce?

    When I started, I was going to use MC Kalid, Kalid is my Muslim name. There are so many people using their Muslim names as their stage names, and I was like I needed to look for something very close to my name. You know Remilekun and Reminisce are reflections of each other. As at that time, Nass was my major source of inspiration. Reminisce reflects Nass as well in terms of lyrics and all of that.

    The Reminisce everyone is talking about today, what was coming up like?

    For me, it was a learning process, because it was actually I, 9ice, and Jahbless. I was the only rapper then, and there was a time I wanted to do English rap. I did it and it didn’t work out. People actually accepted the Yoruba. I can make music with any language I can speak

    As an artiste, what have been the challenges in your career so far?

    The major challenge is finance, as it is in every other business. Looking beyond that, I will say we have no structure for the industry here in Nigeria; it makes it difficult for people in the industry, and there is no distribution structure.

    You are talking about structure; can you emphasis more on it?

    I will want a place whereby I know how many copies I sold exactly and a place where I can interact with my fans. When there is a proper distribution system, where the government is in support of what we are doing, where we have finance; for example, I want to dabble on a very big project, as we know business involves a lot of risk. It is not easy, we have some situations where you see artistes like Beyonce releasing an album and shooting the video the same day; it is not easy she’s got backup. We have a lot of creative people and if that system is what we have here, it will help us go a long way.

    Will you say anybody hasn’t taken any step to make these things happen?

    Nobody is trying to work towards it, all man for himself lawa nibi bayi (is the situation here). Anyone that comes out and say they are trying to do anything; it is a normal Nigerian system they are just struggling for themselves.

    How have you in particular been able to cope with finance?

    I have been able to put whatever it is that I started making as early as I got to stardom to good use. One of the steps I took was that when I started making money, I didn’t look at it like I needed to get a big car. All the money I needed for myself to get a new car was spent on shooting videos.

    I kept developing myself, getting songs out, shooting videos in order to register my brand and my face. These are things the young ones fail to do; they don’t invest in themselves. Once they have a hit song, going to shows and the money keeps coming, they don’t tend to develop themselves, they wait for people or label to sponsor or finance them. From the little money I started making, I did it myself. For as low as 100k, we keep rolling till it got to millions. I saved that rather than buy a car. I shoot video and thank God here we are.

    Brief us on your educational background

    I started my primary school around Abule Egba, Queens and Kings International Schools. From there, I went to Comprehensive High School, Ayetoro, Ogun State, and I studied purchasing and supply at Kwara State Polytechnic.

    If not music, what would you have been doing?

    I would have been a businessman, and I will later be a politician. You see, I’m still going into politics when the time comes and trust me I will win.

    What makes you so sure?

    I’m not saying this because I am a popular musician but I am telling you this as a grassroots person. I know what the people want; what they like, what they want to become, what they aspire to be, and the things they want to see, the kind of people they want to see represent them as well. So, I believe I will win once I’m ready.

    What have you done at the grassroots level as at now?

    I do little things individually. It is not that I have a registered charity organisation, I don’t have that because I believe it is not by registering, or making noise.  When you give, it should be between you and whoever you’ve assisted. It is not necessary for you to let the whole world know what you are doing; I believe in that principle so much. I support those that want to further their education; I give assistance to those that want to play football. I know a lot of people in Europe that are football agents and I recommend them; I push them without dabbling with their money. I assist people in all forms; a lot of people come to my doorstep where I live at Ojota. I don’t live in a posh area, and I don’t push them away, really.

    You started rap with English, what transpired?

    That is what the people prefer. As I told you, I’m someone who has to do what the people want, and that has made me more successful; so why not do what the people want?

    Does that make you feel comfortable?

    I feel comfortable with whatever fits me. I speak English, mo de le so Yoruba naa (I speak Yoruba fluently). I speak both languages fine. But, majorly, my fans are mostly Yorubas.

    As someone trying to break into the industry, how did people react to your style back then?

    It is a normal reaction when people get what they want. I am going to apply what I applied in music to politics; I know what the people want, I will prove myself worthy. Even when I started, they still compared me with a lot of people, like Olamide. The point is, if you compare me with Olamide, we are both successful. I feel very fine that you are comparing me to successful people. I have been able to prove myself letting people know what I’m up to.

    It is not just me doing this thing, we have a lot of people out there as well; there is Seriki, Base1, me and Olamide, there are a lot of people.

    Is there competition at all?

    Of course there’s competition. And if you look at it, we are competitors, we are rappers, local rappers like you people will like to put it. Definitely, local rappers are competitors, but the point is we are cool with each other. We do good songs together, and we support one another. In fact, whenever Olamide is doing something I go there. I don’t even invite him to anything I’m doing but he will definitely show up. I don’t remember him calling me as well that anything is going on like Egbon mofe se nkaan, (my brother, something is happening), but when I’m aware I go. It all boils down to respecting each other’s act and you know we should probably realise that it took a while to getting here. We should rather spend our time wisely and bring in more people and start helping each other.

    There is a lot to do rather than wasting time on unnecessary things; I have got money, he’s got that, I’ve got endorsement he’s got some as well. It doesn’t change anything; we don’t see ourselves that way, we enjoy making music, when you guys see us together you will be surprised with all these talks. We gist about past experiences, laugh, spend quality time in doing good music and we go home.

    What song brought you to the limelight?

    It is Kako bi chicken, and it is very obvious.

    Be honest, do you smoke?

    That is my personal life. I will just tell you I don’t take anything illegal.

    When you sang about prostitutes, which seems you’re trying to promote them. Do you promote prostitution with your song?

    I wasn’t promoting prostitution; they are humans like us, and that was done to like ‘they are part of us and we are part of them.’

    Can you recall the most harassing moment you’ve had since you started music?

    I have had many to be sincere with you, but I think I can recall one at the Lagos Countdown three years ago or there about. I was performing and it was like they weren’t catching the feeling with me; they started throwing bottles and stuffs at me while performing.

    Who is Sojay to you?

    Sojay is an artiste I have under my label, and he’s doing well. I am really glad to add such a talent to my brand, and you know there are much expectations in this regard, but I pray we both meet up to that someday.

    It is like you don’t have many artistes under your label…

    Yes and that is because I want to see things successfully done first before jumping to others. I have Sojay and we’ve been cool on pushing him, definitely we might be bringing more talented artistes as such, but we aren’t looking at that, not anytime from now.