November 2012 - Nigerian Watch

Transcription

E
E
FR
GÈLÈPOQUE
AFROBEATS
The rise and
rise of our
crowning
glory
‘The Story So
Far’ featuring
DJ Abrantee
Page 36
YOUR FATHER
The CANUK
chairman in
his own words
Page 20
Page 22
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
Issue No 007
moNthly
to Inspire, Inform and Entertain
The book
that has
rocked
Nigeria
nigerianwatch.com
INSIDE
News
2 Nigerians among the
world’s most optimistic
5 MKO Abiola’s daughter
wins in the Den
8 Why Carnival was
cancelled
Features
15 Nigerian Bassey named
supreme justice campaigner
16 Labour robbed us of our
entrepreneurial spirit
Life & Style
33 Seun Kuti wows America
and heads to the Forum
34 Film Africa Festival
35 Your unmissable guide to
this year’s Pantomimes
Business & Property
A Personal History of Biafra
EXCLUSIVE EXTRACTS
PAGE 17-19
24 Diaspora is ‘catalyst’ for
growth in bilateral trade
Education
42 Free resources to help
your child succeed in school
Sport
48 Eagles AFCON pledge
2
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
Difficult questions
I
n this edition of Nigerian Watch we publish extracts from Chinua
Achebe’s hugely controversial memoir, There Was A Country, A
Personal History of Biafra. It is not a decision we have taken lightly,
as we know it has the power to offend just as many as it delights.
But when someone of mr Achebe's standing, with a luminous record
of writing on behalf of the powerless, speaks, then we must listen.
that does not mean we have to agree with everything he says.
But at the end of a year that has been dominated by talk of a New
Nigeria rising mr Achebe has done us a service.
he has made it impossible for us not to look at the issue of tribalism
that has been festering since Independence, which has led to
compromises like equitable zoning in Presidential elections, when our
leaders should be there on merit.
this is a difficult debate that raises many difficult questions for all of
us, but if we want to reform the economy we need to review and
rectify the mistakes of the past. And that means we have to talk about
the past, with as little recrimination as possible.
Nelson mandela must be our role model here.
mr Achebe has had the first word. It won't
be the last. We can only hope the outcome of
this critical debate helps our nation to move on
and achieve its great potential.
maryanne Jemide, mD
NIGERIAN WATCH
Publishers
tevin Jemide
Victor omosevwerha
Publisher/Managing Director
maryanne Jemide
PR Director
Ilonka omosevwerha
Managing Editor
Jon hughes
Art Editor
Cathy Constable
Contributors
obah Iyamu
harriet ogbeide
AJ James
olubunmi otuyemi
lorenzo Banfii
Diana Agunbiade-Kolawole
Juliana oladipo
Ayo Akinfe
Chief Cartoonist
harold ogbeide
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Nigerian Watch is a monthly newspaper owned by Green
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Views expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the
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ISSN 2051-4670
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NEWSWATCH
Young Nigerians amongst the
world’s most ‘optimistic’
young Nigerians are among the most
confident and optimistic about the
future, according to a survey of 5,600
16-34-year olds across six countries.
the report from mobile research
company on Device Research, entitled “young People’s Consumer Confidence”, reveals stark differences
about how confident young Britons
are about the economy, personal finances, employment prospects and
purchase intentions compared to
their counterparts in growth markets
such as Nigeria.
young Chinese consumers have
the overall highest confidence levels,
indexing at 39, closely followed by
Brazil (38), Nigeria (37) then India
(32). In comparison, Britain’s index is
just 10.
overall, young British consumers
are five times less optimistic about
By AJ JAMES
the future than the four growth markets as a whole. Britons are 15 times
less confident than the growth markets (4 vs. 57) about how the general
economic situation will change in
their own country over the next year.
they are also three times less confident (21 vs. 64) about their employment prospects over the same
period.
Brazilians are the most confident
about both the future economic situation (72) and employment (76) followed by Nigerians (68 and 73,
respectively). young Brazilian and
Nigerian consumers are six times
more confident about the future
than their British counterparts.
on Device’s managing Director,
Alistair hill said, “the doom and
gloom amongst the UK’s ‘lost generation’ about their job prospects and
the economy is in stark contrast to
the unbridled optimism in the
growth markets.
“take Brazil,” mr hill continued,
“where this optimism could be
shaped by the impact on the country’s infrastructure of hosting the
world’s two biggest sporting events
in the next four years — the World
Cup and olympics.
“Consequently, there’s a real danger for the UK that this cauldron of
optimism fosters innovation and a
drive to succeed that results in these
markets overtaking ours as a place to
be for investment and that their
economy grows to bright new levels
as ours sinks back in the festering
gloom.”
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NEWSWATCH
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
3
YEARS OF HARD WORK PAY OFF
FOR DETERMINED WOMEN
AFWL TAKES ITS STYLE TO LAGOS
MAXINE
SHOWS
‘MORAL’
COURAGE
It has been a great year for
Ronke Ademiluyi, who over
the past decade has done
more than most to bring
African fashion to the attention of the world.
The one-time retail guru
and brains behind the label
Rukkies became so frustrated with the lack of coverage for African designers
working on the continent
and in London she launched
African Fashion Week London. This year’s event attracted over 20,000 people.
And now Ronke has
opened a boutique shop in
Lagos, inspired by New
York clubbing, Selfridges
designer floor and Rough
Trade records regular gigs,
to provide a cutting edge
For film director, writer and
producer Maxine Chantel,
her first feature film Moral
Conflict has been a long
time coming. Four years to
be exact.
With a degree in scriptwriting, Maxine worked in the
housing sector to pay the bills
while building her screenwriting and directing career.
“It was through my work as
a resident liaison officer that I
met various tenants with talents”, she says. “Some were
unemployed singers, actors,
artists who were discouraged
as there was no platform for
their talent to be seen.”
Her tenants also provided
her with the inspiration for
Moral Conflict when they told
her about their issues with
their community.
With the film, Maxine
wanted “to create opportunities for talented actors and
artists” and “to meet the demand for audiences who desire
to see inspirational family
comedy films, stories that reflect us from the ethnic minority in a positive light.”
So Moral Conflict was
born, but the road to completion was strewn with challenges, not least financial ones.
And this is when we can see
Maxine’s true character.
Her bubbly personality
mixed with a sheer determination to complete the project
caught the interest of her local
print ink supplier, who subsequently became a major investor, thus guaranteeing the
film’s future.
That same passion is likely
responsible for bringing in the
big names, such as Linda Robson (Birds of a Feather),
Shana Swash (EastEnders)
and Mica Paris (soul singer)
who provided the film’s Born
Again soundtrack and also
guest starred in the film itself.
It may have been four years
in the making with numerous
professional and personal trials and tribulations along the
way, but Maxine’s persistence
has paid off.
The film has received three
nominations in the BEFFTAs,
including Best Film, Best
Script/Screen Writer and Best
Actor, for leading man Ken
Smart and whatever the
awards’ outcome at the end of
October, no one can take that
away from her.
To give the final word to
Maxine, “Without any of [the
cast and production team]
Moral Conflict would still just
be a dream.”
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space for designers to display their lines.
Located on one of the
busiest streets of Mainland
Lagos, at 29 Opebi Road,
Ikeja, Studio 29 is the next
step in “making designers
both at home and abroad accessible to their Nigerian
clientele by providing a one‐stop shop, a chic boutique
catering for designers’ retail
requirements and the evergrowing fashion-conscious
Nigerian clients’ demand for
a rich variety of designs by
both brand new and established labels in one sophisticated retail space,” Ronke
told Nigerian Watch.
Studio 29 will feature designer brands from different
cultural backgrounds across
Africa and beyond, including
the UK diaspora.
The boutique is set to become a magnet for Nigeria’s
glitterati, with plans to hold
launches, media briefings
and conferences. Studio 29
is set to use the facility to
further promote African
fashion to the international
media.
4
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
@NigerianWatch
NEWSWATCH
11,000 reasons to relinquish
money and power to the States
Opportunity knocks for
Naija teachers in the UK
The concentration of power in the
hands of the Federal Government
(FG) is stunting growth and
innovation, and raises a question
mark over the possibility of free
and fair elections taking place in
the country, writes AJ James.
UK based recruitment consultants Anthony millard have joined forces with
Nigerian philanthropist Jim ovia – CoFounder of Zenith Bank PlC – to find
Nigerian teachers to front a new state
of the art school currently being built
in the Delta, writes Juliana oladipo.
A member of the Governing Council of lagos State University mr ovia is
building the James hope College for
11-16 year olds and has hopes of providing a world class education system
that will combine the richness of the
distinct Nigerian culture with international flair.
highlighting the importance of
having key staff members that currently work in the UK but are from a
Nigerian background the institution
will use the ethos of the British education curriculum alongside celebrating
That is what needs urgently remedying said Oyo State governor Abiola
Ajimobi when addressing the issue of
Review and Reform: Key elements and
implications of Nigeria’s Constitution
Review Process at Chatham House in
October. The former oil industry chief
made a compelling argument for
greater devolution of powers. “The
federal government is too powerful
and too big for the efficient delivery of
services, such as roads, refuse collection, health and education,” he said.
He cited the convoluted bureaucracy needed to fix a hole in the road
by way of example. “If there is a pothole on a federal road in my state the
controller of works has to report to the
zonal director, who reports to Abuja,
who carries out due diligence and then
processes the works. All 36 states have
to do this. It can take months or years
for works to be actioned by which time
the pothole is a crater,” Mr Ajimobi ex-
plained. It was just one example of the
FG “biting off more than it can
chew”.
A recent audit report revealed the
FG has 11,000 projects outstanding,
worth more than 8trn Naira. “This is
clearly not efficient,” said Mr Ajimobi.
He said the FG controls nearly 60%
of all revenues, leaving “the States impoverished while the FG has a surfeit”.
Not only would there be less large scale
corruption if the States were given
control of resources in their domain,
there would be greater innovation.
The Governor described a lengthy
list of programmes his state wanted to
pursue – including a light railway, airport and ring road, to position Oyo
state as the ‘destination of choice’ for
‘overcrowded’ Lagosians.
Yet he warned, this was not possible
because 92% of the revenues we are left
with is spent on the workforce. “We believe we can generate more money if
the constitution is reviewed so the
States get control of what are now
taken as federal resources,” he said.
Another area where FG control
had to be relinquished was over the police. Federal police respond to federal
priorities and not local priorities, he
said.
Another fundamental change the
Governor called for was a constitutional provision to empower the chief
justice of Nigeria to appoint the chairman of the Independent National
Electoral Commission (Inec).
Mr Ajimobi said, “Existing constitutional provisions allow the president
to appoint the INEC board that will
superintend the election in which he is
likely to be a candidate. INEC reports
to the president and its funding relies
on the disposition of the president as
well. “All these have serious implications for the independence of INEC
and the possibility of having free and
fair elections in the country,” he said.
the country’s traditions and culture.
Anthony millard Recruitment Director Angela Forsyth told Nigerian
Watch it is a great move for an institution with such pedigree to seek employment from fellow Nigerians – a
move that is rarely seen in the country’s schools.
“Although there will be some vacancies open to all ethnicities, we fully
support the institution’s plans to employ Nigerian teachers living and
working in the UK, to come over to the
Delta and join the team of staff at the
James hope College.” She continued;
“there is a growing programme of
scholarships and for the school to succeed Nigerian teachers need to be a
part of its foundation.”
the school will be officially opened
in September 2013.
Do you know Christian Nwegwu?
Nigerian Watch reader Mr Christain Nwegwu has asked us to help reunite him with an old friend Denis
Udejiofor, who he believes lives in
north or east London.
If you know Denis or can assist
in helping to connect these gentlemen with each other, please call the
newsdesk on 020 8588 9640 and we
will forward the details on.
Like us on Facebook
Inspired by MKO,
Dupsy wins in Den
the daughter of the celebrated
mKo Abiola is set to follow in
her father’s footsteps and become an entrepreneur – having
secured a £100,000 investment
in her company from the Dragons’ Den.
Dupsy Abiola made an emotional appearance on the BBC2
show during october, looking
for someone to invest in her online recruitment site, Intern Avenue.
Everything was going swimmingly as the former barrister,
who had studied law at oxford
University, outlined her business plan and detailed how her
site was a matchmaking site
rather than a standard search
engine.
But she had to bite back the
tears when Dragon hilary
Devey asked what had led her
to give up law to pursue her
business dream.
“Eh, my father,” Dupsy responded haltingly. “my father
was a very, very successful entrepreneur and philanthropist in
Africa.”
Wanting to know more
about her father and his business, ms Devey pressed the
budding entrepreneur, who
showed great courage in telling
her story.
“my father was very passionate about democracy and at
the time in Nigeria there was a
military dictatorship and he
fought against that,” she said.
“he was detained when I was
about 12 and my family were
terrorised and most of his businesses were shut down.
“We lost effectively every-
thing. my mother had to look
after six of us by herself. When
I was 16 we thought they
would
release
him
and
wouldn’t hurt him,” she said,
“but... he died.”
her father was, of course,
the internationally acclaimed
mKo Abiola, who was elected
president of Nigeria in the
aborted election of 1993.
he was perhaps Nigeria’s
mandela, loved across the country; June 12 remains a “bank
holiday” in lagos and ogun
state in his memory. And during
his lifetime he was awarded 197
traditional titles by 68 different
communities in Nigeria, in response to the fact that his financial assistance resulted in
the construction of 63 secondary schools, 121 mosques and
churches, 41 libraries, 21 water
projects in 24 states, and was
grand patron to 149 societies or
associations in Nigeria.
Pausing to compose herself
and receiving sympathy from
ms Devey, Dupsy recovered
and said, “he’s an inspiration to
me. When something this difficult happens to you, it tests
your mettle. Whatever life has
to throw at me now, I know I
have got the stuff to get
through and make it happen.
And I know my Dad’s somewhere going, ‘yeah!’”
As did Peter Jones, who invested £100,000 in Dupsy’s venture.
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6
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
@NigerianWatch
NEWSWATCH
Chief hospitalised over Carnival cancellation
For the second time in its short history
Nigerian Carnival UK failed to take
place as planned, on Saturday october
20, causing founder and chief Kashif
Jones-laguda to be hospitalised, writes
AJ James.
the exact cause of the cancellation
of the event that was scheduled to be
held at Kennington Park is not known
but lambeth Council told Nigerian
Watch that they had safety concerns.
A press spokesman said, “the organisers failed to turn up to oversee
the set-up of the event, which meant
we couldn’t guarantee the safety of
visitors and we had no choice but to
recommend cancelling it. We realise
this may be disappointing for people
who planned to attend, but the safety
and wellbeing of the public has to be
our overriding concern.”
A statement from the organisers did
not specify why they had to cancel Carnival at the 11th hour – with the lucky
ones only receiving notification at
around 10pm on the eve of the event.
As a result a great many celebrants
turned up at Kennington Park on Sat-
urday to find it deserted, which resulted in many venting their anger
across social networking sites.
however on monday Sammy
omotese, media manager for NCUK,
issued a statement apologising to the
community.
It goes on to say, “We had to cancel
the biggest event of the year at the
eleventh hour. the decision was onerous but the best we could muster
given the stringent and unwholesome
response we got at the last minute.”
to what is not specified.
It continues, “We did not anticipate
this would be the case; even a couple
of days prior to the event. otherwise,
we would have contacted you earlier
than now to make the whole case
clearer to you.”
It continues to thank sponsors and
volunteers for all their hard work and
support before addressing the health
of mr Jones-laguda.
“our leader, mr. Kashif Joneslaguda has been hospitalised since Friday and is currently undergoing
treatment because of the shock of hav-
ing to cancel the event at the very last
minute. It would not be far-fetched to
say that himself and his team have together suffered a monumental loss in
multiple stratum as a result.”
the statement asks for patience and
while they recover when a more fulsome explanation as to what went
wrong will be released. Nigerian Carnival was launched in 2007 and was previously cancelled in 2010, leaving the
organisers with “five figure debts”.
mr Jones-laguda is understood to
be recovering well.
Legal eagles air concerns over Petroleum bill’s ‘superman’
Some of the best legal minds
in the oil and gas industry
undertook
a
forensic
examination of Nigeria’s
Petroleum Investment Bill
(PIB) at the annual meeting
of the British Nigerian Law
Forum (BNLF) toward the
end of October – and found it
to be suffering from a number
of chronic conditions that
require emergency treatment.
Yet they were essentially
optimistic and quietly confident the timetable for delivery
would be met, with legislation
being enacted by April next
year.
The international community has made it clear that a
successful outcome is a “gamechanger” for Nigeria, “a real
opportunity for Nigeria to
demonstrate that it is ready
and willing to embrace and
protect new investments”.
This was quantified by the
editor of Nigeria Oil and Gas
Intelligence newsletter and former BNLF vice chair Remi
Aiyela, who told the gathering
that “£104bn worth of investment is waiting on PIB being
passed,” but warned that this
would decrease by around 50%
if the bill was passed in its
present form.
What investors want is stability and confidence and
presently the bill does little to
offer that, as keynote speaker
of the evening, pre-eminent
Nigerian lawyer Gbenga Oyebode (above) made clear.
The critical issue is that the
bill creates an all-powerful minister, who, as it stands, “will
issue regulations and prescribe
royalties after the bill is
passed”, which only serves to
create uncertainty. “This will
have a chilling effect on inward
investment,” said Mr Oyebode.
“How can one factor in the
cost of doing business in Nigeria on such open-ended terms?”
The powers gifted to the
minister in the bill extend from
formulating government policy,
to the awarding of licenses and
choosing the chief executives
of the various institutions to be
created under the bill, making
him an industry superman.
“Despite the aim for openness and transparency one person is in charge,” Mr Oyebode
observed ruefully.
A robust institutional
framework would be required
to oversee such a department
and ensure reform of the sector, in the manner has been
achieved in the banking sector
by the reforms of finance minister Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
Running to over 300 pages
the Bill first surfaced in 2000
and was rejected by the National Assembly in 2007, since
when “there has been stagnation in the sector and the only
beneficiary of Nigeria’s indecision has been Angola”.
“Do we need it?” Mr Oyebode asked rhetorically. “Yes.
But maybe we’ve tried to do
too much in one piece of legislation; everyone is ready for a
fight.”
Alluding to the North, he
said, “Certain regions are of
the view that the Bill is a play
to deny them benefits accruing
from the oil and gas industry.”
Hence the Northern Governors Forum is seeking guaran-
tees to be added.
In the oil producing regions
of the South the population is
“aggrieved” by a clause which
states “the cost of repairing
damage to petroleum facilities
through vandalism, sabotage
or civil unrest within a host
community will be paid for out
of the relevant community’s
entitlement fund.”
It was also felt that the proposed fiscal regime was
stacked too in favour of the
Nigerian Government and
would be a disincentive to investors.
As is the proposal for unincorporated joint ventures between the government and
private sector, which mean private companies would be
forced to make short-term decisions as they will be reliant
on annual budget decisions –
notoriously fractious and subject to delay.
All these areas would need
to be addressed if the bill is to
pass into law.
8
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
@NigerianWatch
NEWSWATCH
KALAKUTA MUSEUM OPENS
PRESIDENT IN FAVOUR OF
DIASPORA VOTE IN 2015
President Goodluck Jonathan has given a clear
indication that Nigerians in diaspora may get to
vote in the 2015 general elections.
the President made the declaration in Niamey, when he addressed Nigerians living in
Niger Republic during his working visit to the
West African nation in october.
Nigeria’s National Assembly is presently looking at amending the 1999 constitution and the
President says the final decision on diaspora
voting would be decided in 2013, when the
amendment process is expected to be completed.
According to the President, a proposal from
Seun and Femi Kuti (right) led the celebrations when their father Fela’s former compound re-opened as a
museum in his honour.
Femi voiced the sentiment that his
father would have endorsed. “more
people are aware about what my father stood for and the plight of the ordinary African. that’s why we have to
keep fighting for a just society for
everybody,” he told the gathering.
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the Presidency is already before the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to enable it to study and look at the possibilities of
making it happen.
the President said he proposed diaspora voting for Presidential and Governorship elections
only because it would be easier to manage.
"I have asked INEC to work towards it by
2015,” President Jonathan said. “Diaspora voting is realistic even if it will not be possible in all
elections at least we will work towards the presidential and governorship elections. But for the
parliamentary, because of the complications involved, it may be difficult," he stated.
ECo BloGGERS IN loNDoN
FoR ‘PoSt-oIl FUtURE’ tAlK
Three of Nigeria’s most
influential
environmental
bloggers and activists are
heading to London to discuss
the country’s “post oil
future”, writes AJ James.
Japeth Omojuwa, of the
book of revolution blog, Mercy
Abang, whose blog is abangmercy, and Azeenarh Mohammed, who blogs on I Love
Nigeria, have been invited by
Green Party MEP for London
Jean Lambert, to take part in
the “Green Deal Nigeria” meeting.
One of the pressing questions to be addressed is “What
will Nigeria look like when the
oil has been used up?”
With Nigeria currently
pumping out more than two
million barrels a day this might
seem far-fetched. But the World
Bank warned at the beginning
of October that Nigeria’s reserves will be depleted in 41
years, at the current rate of exploitation. That means the oil
will be gone shortly after 2050.
The forecast is contained in
the World Bank’s twice yearly
analysis of issues shaping
Africa’s economic prospects,
called Africa’s Pulse.
Speaking
to
Nigerian
Watch, Jean Lambert said,
“Nigeria is Africa’s largest oil
producer, but how are the proceeds from Nigerian oil revenues being spent and what will
happen when the oil runs out?
“Planning Nigeria’s post-oil
future needs to start now, which
is why I’ve organised this meeting, where Nigerians based in
London will be able to discuss
how to build a more sustainable
future with activists from a
Green organisation based
in Nigeria.” The Green Deal Nigeria
project aims to build support
for better use of energy resources, to develop a fairer,
greener Nigeria, which avoids
conflict over scare resources.
10
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
NEWSWATCH
@NigerianWatch
IMPERIAL COLLEGE NIGERIAN SOCIETY SYMPOSIUM
Students
demand
answers
on Nigeria’s
future…
and their
place in it
the First Imperial College Nigerian Society Annual Symposium was held in the Great hall of
the college on october 12.
the event was a triumph, attracting more
than 200 students and a luminous cast of
speakers; Dr
Shamsudeen
Usman, minister of National
Planning; Professor
Pat
Utomi, presidential candidate at the last
election and a
political economist of international renown, and Caroline
harper Jantuah, executive director of hR consultancy Diversity Practice UK. Also in attendance
to take part in what proved to be a lively panel
debate were Dr larry-Izamoje, CEo Brila Fm, mr
Babatunde loye, executive manager of metlife
Insurance, Bimbo Roberts, chairman of Canuk, Dr
olu obaro, the former head of radiology at King
George hospital who left his post to lead an international team of health experts intent on establishing hospitals in Nigeria, and mrs Remi
Aiyela, co-founder of Cavendish law.
the day had started with a “careers fair” with
around 20 exhibitors, including lebara, Arik,
oh!tV and Global Career Company among them.
the combined effect was to offer both practical
insight and political analysis.
Addressing the rationale behind the event
Gbeminiyi onabanjo, President of ICNS (left), explained, “Nigeria is encountering what can be
termed as a generational shift, with an estimated youth population of more than 32 million
between the ages of 15-24, according to the ImF,
and many more in the diaspora. this enormous
resource is waiting to be exploited to lift the
country out of the doldrums of underdevelopment.
“A paradigm shift is needed, however,
among the Nigerian youths who have come to
view government policies with so much disdain
and mistrust. We need to continually believe in
ourselves and see taking Nigeria to the next
level as a task that must be accomplished despite all the challenges that abound.”
ICNS aims to motivate those especially in the
diaspora “to contribute their quota to the nation’s developmental efforts”.
“It is then that the brain drain syndrome can
be turned into brain gain, to complement the efforts of the government in truly making Nigeria
one of the most developed economies in the
world,” said mr onabanjo.
to explore how this could be realised the students had set searching questions for the
keynote speakers.
Vision 20:2020 – myth or reality?
Before taking office as the minister for
national planning – which means he sets the
strategic masterplan for the development of
Nigeria outside the political process – Dr
Shamsudeen Usman became the first
Nigerian minister to publicly declare his
assets, an act considered as a sign of
accountability and transparency. As such he
is seen as an “honest broker”.
At the ICNS conference Dr Usman was
asked whether the strategic plan to make Nigeria a top 20 global economy by 2020 was “a
myth or reality?” The implications of the question were clear; is this more hot air and cooked
books set against a backdrop of increasing uncertainty caused by security issues - most notably Boko Haram’s killing spree? Dr Usman
was categoric in his response. “Vision 2020 is
not a myth – we’re trying to make it a reality.”
Exemplifying how, he cited the recent introduction of Freedom of Information legislation,
the fact that each ministry has targets and a performance contract to ensure greater transparency, plans to produce a country report for
Nigeria toward the end of next year, and the appointment of a technocrat – headhunted from
the diaspora – to set out terms and deliver a definitive population census by 2016.
Confidence in the country from the international business and political communities was
growing fast. “The temperature in Nigeria is rising and people aren’t noticing,” he said.
The mining and steel sectors are set to be
greater than the oil and gas industry. The plan
in agriculture is to make the country self-sufficient in five years. “We have no excuse to import
one grain of rice, we should be a net exporter,”
he said.
The ITC sector is enjoying “astronomical
growth”, the privatisation of the power sector
is underway, the necessary infrastructure –
roads, rail air and inland waterways – are being
rehabilitated, as are plans for hospitals to be
built under public private partnerships; and a
memorandum of understanding has been
signed with General Electric.
Resources are being put into education and
human capital development; Nigeria is expected to spend 7% of GDP on education in
2015, and 8% by 2020, above the current 5.4%
average for developed nations.
“Yes,” Dr Usman admitted, “Several challenges exist, security, inadequate infrastructure
and institutions.” This was the terrible legacy
of 30 years of military rule, “the planlessness,
the planless economy”, which the country was
now addressing.
The threat of Boko Haram was retreating,
said Dr Usman. “I come from Kanu and I can
tell you life is beginning to return to normal because our security forces are penetrating their
networks.”
This is the true vision of Nigeria; a confident
country, beginning to get the fundamentals
right in terms of democracy, rule of law and robust institutions and transparency. But the road
to maturity would not be easy, he warned.
“If you want a quiet, uneventful life, go to
Switzerland,” he said. “It is undeniably nice, but
so boring. Nigeria, however, is so exciting, from
minute to minute, and the challenges we face
present opportunities for you.”
Alluding to the big bulwark against progress
that is Boko Haram and the legacy of military
rule he signed off with a flourish, “Who remembers Tiananmen Square? No one. When you
mention China people think of economic
power. In a few years Nigeria will be seen differently also. 2020 is not a myth.”
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NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
11
IMPERIAL COLLEGE NIGERIAN SOCIETY SYMPOSIUM
Utomi calls for change in culture TIME TO GO HOME?
Public policy expert and author of the
award-winning Managing Uncertainty:
Competition and Strategy in Emerging
Economies,
former
presidential
candidate Professor Pat Utomi was
asked to address the issue of Effective
Leadership and its Impact on
Economic Transformation.
Great cheers greeted his first remark,
“Let’s get this straight,” he declared, “You
are not leaders of tomorrow, you are leaders of today.”
This was no crowd pleasing flattery but
an incisive way to identify what he sees as
the fundamental driver of change. “Leaders shape culture, not politics, and it is culture that changes society,” he said.
“Culture and values shape human
progress. We in Nigeria have an entitlement culture and until we can change that
the progress we desire won’t come.
“Who shapes culture? Leaders. Not by
what we say but what we do.” Hence the
students were leaders of today, in their desire to engage with Nigeria and shape
their and their country’s future.
He cited Singapore, Malaysia, Brazil,
Indonesia and South Korea as places that
had successfully changed their culture and
had transformed their countries as a result.
“Our institutions have decayed and are
not strong,” Prof Utomi said. “Nigeria re-
lies on strong men when what we need is
strong institutions. Progress could be further and faster with strong institutions.”
Identifying a key role for civic society
he said “institutions evolve from interested groups”. Weak institutions over the
past 30 years meant for every two steps
forward, Nigeria takes four steps backward.
The collapse of Federalism has taken
“competitive communalism” away from
us, he argued, meaning that where states
vied to “keep up with their neighbours”
and invest in development they had fallen
for “bureaucratic prebendalism” – waiting
for handouts from the Federal Government, which serves to fuel irresponsibility.
“We must change that – a lottery effect
has kicked in.” In its place we need entrepreneurship – “creative destruction” – or
constant renewal.
Yet he was positive about the future;
“It is so bright we will all need sunglasses.”
“Get in there,” he urged the students.
“Take your country, make it what it is
meant to be, one of the greatest.”
During the panel debate a key
question from the students
was whether they could best
help advance Nigeria by staying and working in the UK, or
returning home.
this led to some lively exchanges. Dr Shamsudeen
Usman teased Canuk chairman
mr Roberts by saying of course
he wanted the students to stay
in the UK, or else he’d be out
of a job.
mr Roberts responded robustly, saying that like himself,
any entrepreneur that established themselves in the UK
can assist in the development
of small and medium enterprises back home.
Dr Shamsudeen, however,
told the students the economy
in the UK is flatlining, he said,
whereas in Nigeria it is soaring
and on all predictions set to do
so for the foreseeable future.
“Nigeria is the land of opportunity for you,” he said.
Behind the banter lurks a serious and increasingly important question for the students;
one that is to be the subject of
a conference and networking
event at Downing College,
Cambridge University, on 30
Nov. the let’s talk Africa conference will address “the role of
the student, graduate and professional in the diaspora in the
development of the continent”,
addressing the “challenges and
opportunities” and how to turn
ideas “into effective actions”.
Confirmed Speakers include
CEos: Kennedy Bungane,
Africa
Barclays;
Ndidi
okonkwo Nwuneli, Sahel Capital; Ini onuk, thistle Praxis
Consulting; supermodel and
educational
philanthropist
Noella Courasis musunka and
Fergus marupen, hR executive
of the Absa Group.
the event is free to attend
but registration is required, via
www.letstalkafrica.org
12
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
@NigerianWatch
GISTWATCH
Madam Amebo
A GOD-SENT GIRLFRIEND
thERE is a popular saying that even in ruins
there is architecture, meaning that no matter
how woeful the tragedy, one will always find
one small crumb of comfort in it somewhere.
Nowhere was this more evident that with a
recent development involving a tragic air
disaster in Nigeria.
A certain gentleman from south-east london
went to Nigeria to see his family and after a
one-week visit was due to fly back to the UK via
lagos. his wife dropped him off at the airport
and bid him farewell but unknown to her, he
had other plans.
our london friend had arranged with his
girlfriend to spend one more night with her and
had secretly changed his flight plans accordingly. After his wife left the airport, he promptly
boarded a taxi and dashed off to his girlfriend’s
pad for one more night of passion.
As it happened, the plane in which he was
due to fly to lagos was involved in a fatal crash.
When news of the accident broke, his wife was
distraught but alas, she soon found out she was
not a widow. the pleasure of seeing her husband still alive allowed her to turn a blind eye
to his misdemeanor.
When asked by friends why she was so forgiving, she said: “God knows what he is doing.
he sent that girlfriend to us to save his life.”
LONG DISTANCE WAHALA
NothING enhances infidelity like long distance
relationships in which the spouses are living in
different countries. living and working apart is a
reality for a substantial part of Nigeria’s UK
diaspora community, so it is no surprise that
extra-marital affairs are a part of our lives.
however, no matter how understanding or
reasonable one is, there must be a limit to one’s
endurance. A certain gentleman from Kent was
asked by a UK charity to help with a project in the
Niger Delta, given his expertise of the area, and
he agreed to be of assistance.
three days into the project, it was decided
that to be able to proceed with it properly, a quick
trip to Nigeria was required. thanks to the recent
improvements in efficiency at the Nigerian high
Commission in london, visas were sorted out
within 48 hours and flights were subsequently
booked through a travel agent, who also sorted
out hotel accommodation in Port harcourt.
Arriving late in the night, our friend from Kent
asked the taxi he took from the airport to pass by
his house so he could see his wife and tell her he
was around. he got the shock of his life when his
neighbour opened the door to him, wearing his
dressing gown.
WHO TO BLAME?
Who do you blame when your boyfriend and
one of your best friends decide to have an affair
behind your back? A Nigerian civil servant
recently had this dilemma after a recent trip to
the UK with her boyfriend, who she works with.
In a rather complicated case, her boyfriend is
actually married, so their office affair is
mischievous in itself; but a few weeks ago, they
decided to travel to the UK together for a brief
holiday. While in london, they stayed with their
respective families and visited each other daily.
It was during one such visit to his girlfriend
that our male civil servant met one of her
friends, who also came to see her. they got
chatting socially and he got her number. Before
he left back for Naija, he managed to eat the
forbidden fruit with her. his girlfriend found out
and understandably ended the relationship.
Who is the biggest sinner in this debacle?
DON’T FORGET TO LOG OUT
A Nigerian lady from East london recently made
the terrible mistake of logging on to Facebook
at her boyfriend’s home when she visited him.
She just wanted to check her updates and engage in innocent banter but as fate had it, a
chap who she was flirting with happened to be
online when she logged on.
they had their usual naughty talk and discussed how to meet up at a later date. Unfortunately, our lady friend failed to log out after the
conversation, as, after a heated evening of passion with her boyfriend, she left his house, forgetting to go back online as she had planned.
No doubt, all hell erupted when he logged
on later that evening and saw the conversation
that took place. he jumped into his car immediately and visited her where heated words were
exchanged. Whatever you do, always remember to log out of social networking sites!
Everyday for the
thief, one day for
the owner – part 6
how the tables have turned. mr G, who had
done so much to rid his life of mrs G, has unexpectedly fallen back in love with her,
thanks to the loyalty she showed in going
to prison for him. But the fire of revenge still
burns in mrs G, even at the lavish 40th birthday party mR G has staged in her honour
A
s she watched the guests roll up from
her bedroom window, mrs G dismissed
any second thoughts she was having,
and steeled herself to wreak the kind of revenge only a woman wronged can wreak.
her plan was already in motion. little did
mr G know; she controlled most of his money
off shore. he wouldn’t even know where to
start from. She planned to hit him with three
blows and in three different stages.
She had set the ball in motion for the second blow but she didn’t yet know how she
would strike the first blow. Without the first
blow her plan would not work and mr G
would be able to come after her and she
knew her life would be finished if he had the
opportunity to strike back.
Deep in thought, she was brought back to
reality by her daughter calling her. It was
time to meet and greet her guests. Now, mrs
G’s outfit was tailor-made by one of Nigeria’s
best designers. the dress had 10 different
shades of white, with beautiful pearls on the
edges of the V-neck dress, showing a touch
of cleavage. her bag and shoes matched.
She looked glamorous and as she walked
down the stairs she thought to herself, she is
going to be put on stage like a prized Christmas guinea fowl for all to see how lucky she
is to have a super rich husband. little do they
know what’s on her mind.
To be continued…
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November 2012
13
Letters to the Editor
We’d love to hear from you. You can make sure Nigerian Watch is your kind of paper by letting us
know what you think, what you want to see in these pages and equally important what you don’t.
So put pen to paper and send your letters to:
the Editor, Nigerian Watch, Chartwell house, 292 hale lane, Edgware,
middlesex hA8 8NP
or click away on your keyboard and email us at: editor@nigerianwatch.com
Letters to be included in the next issue must be received by no later than November 20. The Editor
regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published. Please include your full name, postal address
and contact telephone number. Names and addresses can be withheld, if preferred.
Letters may be edited for publication.
STOP SENSELESS KILLINGS
The Central Association of Nigerians in the
United Kingdom (CANUK) notes with alarm
the upsurge of senseless killings in Nigeria. The
killing spree in different parts of Nigeria has
turned the attention of the rest of the civilised
world on our country for the wrong reasons.
Only recently, four University students were
killed by a mob in Aluu, Rivers State for reasons that have not been clearly specified. On independence day, over 30 Nigerian university
students were brutally murdered in Mubi,
Adamawa State, and news have just reached us
of massacres in Plateau State and Kaduna
amongst several others too numerous to mention. We hope all of the victims of these killings
will get justice. It will be a big shame indeed if
the perpetrators of these crimes are allowed to
go unpunished. The eye of the rest of the world
is on us.
We commiserate with those that have lost
loved ones and property in the course of these
senseless killings of defenceless citizens and call
on the government of Nigeria to do more to
provide security for lives and property. If urgent
steps are not taken, Nigeria will become a land
where ‘anything goes’.
There are deep rooted issues of corruption,
poverty, policing, law and order, unemployment
and crime that is leading to the complete breakdown of the social fabric of the Nigerian society. These problems need to be tackled head on,
in order to bring order back to our country.
CANUK, as the umbrella body representing
the interests of about three million Nigerians,
and Nigeria-related organisations in the UK,
AFRICA TIME
has been at the forefront of polishing Nigeria’s
image and attracting investors into the Nigerian
economy. The news from Nigeria is very discouraging and negates the image our organisation seeks to paint to the international
community. No serious investor will like to invest in an unstable environment characterised
by strife and mob actions.
While we condemn the senseless, criminal,
disgraceful and mindless killings in Nigeria in
the strongest possible terms, we also call on the
government at all levels; Local and State governments, Houses of Assemblies, House of Representatives, the Senate and the Federal
government, to wake up to their responsibilities
and boldly confront the social issues that lead to
anger, mob action and anti social behaviour.
We repeat, Nigerians in the UK, through
some of CANUK member associations and
specially trained experts, are available as a ready
resource to advise and to help government in
Nigeria find solutions to the numerous problems confronting us as a nation. These UK
based Nigerians already do the same in the UK
and there is no reason why they cannot do this
for their original motherland.
An open letter issued on behalf of CANUK executive council and Nigerians in the UK by: Bimbo
Councillor Kate Anolue, the Mayor of Enfield's cogent and well reasoned article Time to
Change (October) is a clarion call to us to optimise our time and value the time of others.
There are of course some who may choose
to dismiss the horological slavery of the
British, a nation that has a clock tower as one
of its most precious icons, but respect for time
is integral to respect for others.
As someone who is fortunate to travel internationally, especially to much of Africa, on a
regular basis I recognise that we all must do
our utmost to recalibrate to local conditions.
The notion of African Time is certainly one
that warrants reflection. Making time for people, especially our family and friends is integral to African Time, and is something
Africans and the African Diaspora can share
with the wider world.
When it comes to business and professional
relationships, we must be prepared to acknowledge that punctuality and time management can
make all the difference in the world. It is heartening to see that a civic leader such as Cllr.
Anolue appreciates the value of an occasional
need to change attitudes; for tempus fugit is an
old adage that is indeed a universal truth.
Roberts Folayan, Chairman, Chima Olugh, Vice
Chair, Dr Biodun Fakokunde, General Secretary
Mark T Jones, Executive Director, Horn of
Africa Business Association (HABA)
14
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
WORLDWATCH
@NigerianWatch
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WORLDWATCH
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
15
Bassey recognised as supreme human
rights campaigner
Nigeria falls in
‘governance’ Index
Pioneering human rights and
environmental campaigner Nnimo
Bassey has been named the Rafto
Laureate 2012 – an international
award that is seen as being the
precursor to winning the Nobel
Peace Prize.
The Rafto Prize is a human rights
award, established in memory of Professor Thorolf Rafto, a champion of
the “oppressed and persecuted”.
In naming Mr Bassey the recipient
of this year’s award the Rafto Foundation highlighted his campaigning to
promote “climate justice”.
“Nnimo Bassey links human
rights to the climate by demonstrating
how climate change has the greatest
effect on the world’s most vulnerable
people, the very people who have contributed least to the problem in the
first place,” the citation states.
“By awarding its prize to Mr
Bassey the Rafto foundation underlines how the challenges we face regarding climate and the environment
also have a human rights aspect. Such
a reminder is necessary following the
loss of focus on these issues.”
Nnimmo Bassey (born in 1958)
was an architect who worked in the
public sector until the 1980s when, as
a member of the board of Nigeria’s
Civil Liberties Organization, he became involved in human rights.
In 1990, he witnessed the Nigerian
military’s attack on the village of
Umuechem, following a peaceful
demonstration against the environmental destruction caused by the oil
industry. The fight to keep a natural
and traditional way of life ended with
two days of violent attacks, which led
to many tens of people being killed
and a village being burned to the
ground. This was a turning point for
Bassey.
Together with his colleagues he
took a clear stand, and in 1993 the
Environmental Rights Action (ERA)
was formed to fight for human rights
in Nigeria. The citation continues,
“Bassey is a practical demonstration
of what the slogan ‘Think global, act
local’ is worth. He travels the world to
motivate others to help in this global
fight for human rights. In addition, he
spends much of his time at the grassroots level in his own country, to listen
and to learn from the local population’s thoughts and stories, and shares
his knowledge of their rights and how
they can improve their situation.”
Aside from his work in the Niger
Delta and with Eraction, in 1996
Bassey launched Oilwatch Africa to
help local communities in Nigeria,
Chad, Cameroon, Congo, Ghana
and Uganda to “mobilise and fight
damaging activities linked to oil and
gas extraction”. In 2006 this initiative
was embraced in South America and
South East Asia and became Oilwatch International. In 2008 Mr
Bassey became Chair of Friends of
the Earth International.
On receiving the ward Mr Bassey
told Nigerian Watch, “I am honoured
and humbled by this announcement.
I hold the Rafto Foundation in high
esteem for its commitment to human
rights defenders. I have campaigned
on oil pollution and human rights in
Nigeria for decades. Standing with
impacted communities we continually
demand justice. We press on, convinced that truth will prevail.”
He said that he expected justice to
be done very soon, after a major
court case hearing against AngloDutch oil giant Shell in The Netherlands.
“Shell’s
incredible
contamination in Nigeria will be
under scrutiny at a court hearing in
The Hague, “ he said.
A verdict on that case is expected
in early 2013.
human rights, political freedom, transparency and accountability have deteriorated in four African countries over the
past six years, according to the Ibrahim
Index of African Governance.
Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya and
Egypt dropped in the rankings in two of
the four categories used to assess good
governance across the continent – safety
and rule of law, and participation and
human rights. the other two categories
are sustainable economic opportunity
and human development.
Nigeria was singled out as the worst
performer, dropping into the bottom 10
countries in for the first time. the country was ranked 14th out of the 16 countries in west Africa and 43rd out of the
52 countries listed overall. Nigeria was
41st last year and 37th in 2006.
“What we need in Africa is balanced
development. Economic success cannot
be a replacement for human rights or
participation, or democracy … it doesn’t
work,” the multimillionaire philanthropist behind the index mo Ibrahim told
the Guardian newspaper.
16
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
KASUMUWATCH
@NigerianWatch
The SAMUEL KASUMU Column
Our entrepreneurial spirit
was robbed by Labour
November is the month that has
Global Enterprise Week as one of
its key annual fixtures. People
across the world come together in
different ways to celebrate the role
that enterprise plays within their
communities. For most countries it
is a no-brainer to support such an
initiative, as it is entrepreneurs that
have the capacity to help build new
industries and ultimately increase
employment. Entrepreneurs are
self-starters with great vision and
a sense of purpose that does not
wait for anyone before taking
risks.
Of course many politicians will
use this as an opportunity to increase
their own personal standings. We will
all see people, including Nigerian
Chuka Ummana, the Shadow Business Secretary, and the leader of the
Labour Party, Ed Miliband, attend
various events in celebration of UK
enterprise.
But I reckon this November is an
opportunity for us to also remember
the role that Labour played in the
slow economic empowerment of
black people, including Nigerians. All
we tend to remember was that
Labour put up less of a fight initially
when we first arrived on these shores
over the last 60 years. But they are
also responsible for the present state
of play. Currently 75% of all Africans
and Caribbeans live in 88 of the poorest wards in the country. We must ask
ourselves why is it that such an enterprising people are still quite behind
when comparing ourselves to the
prosperity that many Asian and Jewish migrants have managed to acquire
nance to transport themselves to the
UK with the hope of creating a better
future for both themselves and their
families. They did not come over here
with the intentions of becoming marginalised or dependent on the state.
But Labour managed to convince so
many that their excessive spending
and tax busting ideas were the only
response to dealing with inequalities.
Yes, Labour should be praised for
passing various equality laws, but
“These are not just policies for
the rich, but also policies for
anyone that dares to dream big”
since they migrated.
It was Labour’s focus on increasing welfare provision and making
new migrants live in high rise ghettos
that helped to encourage the present
state of play. Our parents were people
who were naturally entrepreneurial.
They managed to save up sufficient fi-
they did little to empower black aspiring entrepreneurs across the land.
Fast-forward to today and we have
a Conservative Party that is still
struggling to communicate just why
they should be the natural home for
so many entrepreneurial black people. We all know that these are diffi-
A rare display of power
by the black church
THE REDEEMED CHRISTIAN Church of God
(RCCG) hosts the largest bi-annual Christian meeting
in Europe this month at the Excel Centre in Docklands.
Festival of Life is a meeting of 10,000s of RCCG
congregation members from across the UK, including
many Nigerians. Whilst I must admit I am not a regular
attendee, due to my dislike of large crowds, it is inspiring to know that such a large festival takes place. It is a
rare display of the potential power that faith groups
can have if their collective energy and resources are put
together for a common goal.
The Christian church as a whole is a sleeping giant,
and the black church in particular is yet to exercise its
potential strength when it comes to building economic
and political influence. I was once told that 40% of
London’s regular church goers are black. This is a phenomenal figure when we consider the fact that black
people make up as little as 3% of the UK population.
To be fair many people have tried unsuccessfully
over the years to develop the much needed power base
that will be the voice of those of faith. As the Archbishop of Canterbury recently mentioned, we need
Christians to put their hands to the plough and get
more involved in the political system.
We then need them to be backed by their fellow
Christians in every way possible, as it is only then that
we shall have the voice that all Christians would want
to have. Faith communities need to be heard when policy decisions are made, when planning applications are
being passed, and when social justice matters are discussed.
This is key to ensuring that the right things are being
done and that the faith community’s ability to function
independently is preserved.
cult economic times for
the global economy, and
that Labour cannot be
trusted with the public
finances. But most of us
remain to be convinced
of the merits of voting
for anyone but Labour.
This is not because Conservative policies are not
what we would like them
to be, but because the
Party still struggles to
build productive relationships with various
communities.
To give you an example, since the 2010 elections the Conservatives
have created a £10 million fund to invest in
young people with a
business idea, which will
rise to over £30 million
if the initiative proves
successful. Labour did
no such thing.
The Conservatives are also due to
debate a new Enterprise & Regulatory Reform Bill, where they will help
businesses to employ staff more easily, and are also launching a new
Green Investment Bank. I could go
on and on about how the Conservatives are supporting the development
of enterprise in the UK today. These
are not just policies for the rich, but
also policies for anyone that dares to
dream big.
These are ideas that appeal to people like me, who from a young age
wanted to be their own boss, and
needed that little bit of extra support.
Being from a working class background, my teachers advised that I
simply get an apprenticeship and settle for a life where I didn’t dream too
big. When I graduated from university I was told to sign onto Job Seekers Allowance, but I refused.
I wasn’t going to let the state trap
me into a false sense of security. It
wasn’t like I had a wife and kids; I
was a young man that could still live
at home with parents so there was no
need to get trapped into a cycle. I battled for two years to get established in
my field and wouldn’t have had it any
other way. This is the type of resolve
that was stolen by Labour, who
would rather give you a small fish to
ensure you remain dependent, than
give you a fishing net that will ensure
you are able to feed your whole family.... with a little extra to support
your community.
But all is not lost. We are making
progress as a community, and the
spirit of enterprise is being reborn as
Nigerians begin to think global. I
would encourage everyone to attend
a Global Enterprise Week event and
start to carve out your future. We
must not let any politician deceive us
into thinking that we need them to
survive. No one has ever changed the
world by relying on a politician. Together we will rise as individuals and
as a collective.
the national debate tour that I
chair will this month enter its
second phase. We will be in
Aberdeen, Cambridge, and many
other places discussing issues
relevant to the black community.
I’ll also be touring churches with
my new book Winning the Race.
to book your church drop me an
email at:
info@elevationnetworks.org
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NEWSFEATUREWATCH
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
17
The Achebe firestorm
Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images
Acclaimed writer Chinua Achebe has lifted the lid on the simmering tensions that have held Nigeria back.
his book There Was A Country, A Personal History of Biafra has caused a huge controversy and firestorm
of protest in parts of Nigeria. here, by kind permission of mr Achebe and his publisher Allen lane, we
print some extracts in which mr Achebe addresses how he views his responsibility as a writer, his analysis
of ‘Nigeria’s’ war and poses the difficult questions we need to ask ourselves to move forward. however
painful the book, and it is painful, with ethnic cleansing and genocide at its heart, it signals the start of a
new chapter in Nigeria’s growing maturity, as it endeavours to become a more free and fair society.
thE WRItER’S RolE
I
believe that it is impossible to write anything in Africa
without some kind of commitment, some kind of message, some kind of protest.
In my definition I am a protest writer, with restraint.
Even those early novels that look like very gentle re-creations of the past – what they were saying, in effect, was
that we had a past. that was the protest, because there
were people who thought we didn’t have a past. What I
was doing was to say politely that we did – here it is. So
commitment is nothing new. Commitment runs through
my work. In fact, I should say that all of our writers,
whether they’re aware of it or not, are committed writers.
the whole pattern of life demanded that one should
protest, that you should put in a word for your history,
your traditions, your religion, and so on. the question of
involvement in politics is really a matter of definition. I
think it is quite often misunderstood. I have never proposed that every artist become an activist in the way we
have always understood political activity. Some will, because that’s the way they are. others will not, and we
must not ask anyone to do more than is necessary for them
to perform their task.
At the same time it is important to state that words
have the power to hurt, even to denigrate and oppress
others. Before I am accused of prescribing a way in which a
writer should write, let me say that I do think that decency
and civilization would insist that the writer take sides with
the powerless.
Clearly there is no moral obligation to write in any particular way. But there is a moral obligation, I think, not to
ally oneself with power against the powerless. An artist, in
‘I do think decency would
insist that the writer takes
side with the powerless’
my definition of the word, would not be someone who
takes sides with the emperor against his powerless subjects. If one didn’t realise the world was complex, vast, and
diverse, one would write as if the world were one little
county, and this would make us poor, and we would have
impoverished the novel and our stories.
the reality of today, different as it is from the reality of
my society one hundred years ago, is and can be important
if we have the energy and the inclination to challenge it, to
go out and engage with its peculiarities, with the things
that we do not understand.
the real danger is the tendency to retreat into the obvious, the tendency to be frightened by the richness of the
world and to clutch what we always have understood. the
writer is often faced with two choices – turn away from
the reality of life’s intimidating complexity or conquer its
mystery by battling with it. the writer who chooses the
former soon runs out of energy and produces elegantly
tired fiction.
the Igbo believe that art, religion, everything, the
whole of life are embodied in the art of the masquerade. It
is dynamic. It is not allowed to remain stationary. For instance, museums are unknown among the Igbo people.
they do not even contemplate the idea of having something like a canon with the postulate: “this is how this
sculpture should be made, and once it’s made it should be
venerated.”
No, the Igbo people want to create these things again
and again, and every generation has a chance to execute
its own model of art.
So there’s no undue respect for what the last generation
did, because if you do that too much it means that there is
no need for me to do anything, because it’s already been
done.
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
thE CASE AGAINSt NIGERIA
I
t is important to point out that most Nigerians were against the war and abhorred
the senseless violence that ensued as a result of the conflict. Gowon’s wartime cabinet, it should also be remembered, was full
of intellectuals like obafemi Awolowo and
Anthony Enahoro and super permanent secretaries like Allison Akene Ayida among others who came up with a boatload of
infamous and regrettable policies. A statement credited to Chief obafemi Awolowo
and echoed by his cohorts is the most callous
and unfortunate: “All is fair in war, and
starvation is one of the weapons of war.
I don’t see why we should feed our enemies fat in order for them to fight
harder.”
It is my impression that Chief obafemi
Awolowo was driven by an overriding ambition for power, for himself in particular and
for the advancement of his yoruba people in
general. And let it be said that there is, on
the surface, at least, nothing wrong with
those aspirations. however, Awolowo saw
the dominant Igbos at the time as the obstacles to that goal, and when the opportunity
arose – the Nigeria-Biafra War – his ambition
drove him into a frenzy to go to every length
to achieve his dreams. In the Biafran case it
meant hatching up a diabolical policy to reduce the numbers of his enemies significantly through starvation – eliminating over
two million people, mainly members of future generations.
If Gowon was the “Nigerian Abraham lincoln”, as [UK Prime minister] lord Wilson
would have us believe, why did he not put a
stop to such an evil policy, or at least temper
it, particularly when there was international
outcry? Setting aside for the moment the
fact that Gowon as head of state bears the
final responsibility of his subordinates, and
that Awolowo has been much maligned by
many an intellectual for this unfortunate policy and his statements, why, I wonder, would
other “thinkers,” such as Ayida and Enahoro,
not question such a policy but advance it?
the federal government’s actions soon
after the war could be seen not as conciliatory but as outright hostile. After the conflict
ended “the same hard-liners in the Federal government of Nigeria cast Igbos in
the role of treasonable felons and
wreckers of the nation and got the
regime to adopt a banking policy which
nullified any bank account which had
been operated during the war by the Biafrans. A flat sum of twenty pounds was
approved for each Igbo depositor of the
Nigerian currency, regardless of the
amount of deposit.”
If there was ever a measure put in place
to stunt, or even obliterate, the economy of
a people, this was it. After that outrageous
charade, the leaders of the federal government of Nigeria sought to devastate the resilient and emerging Eastern commercial
sector even further by banning the importation of secondhand clothing and stockfish –
two trade items that they knew the burgeoning market towns of onitsha, Aba, and
Nnewi needed to re-emerge. their fear was
that these communities, fully reconstituted,
would then serve as the economic engines
for the reconstruction of the entire Eastern
Region.
@NigerianWatch
NEWSFEATUREWATCH
the Enterprises Promotion Decree of 1974,
also known as the Indigenisation Decree,
was ostensibly pushed through by the leaders of the federal government in order to
force foreign holders of majority shares of
companies operating in Nigeria to hand over
the preponderance of stocks, bonds, and
shares to local Nigerian business interests.
the move was sold to the public as some
sort of “pro-African liberation strategy” to
empower Nigerian businesses and shareholders.
the chicanery of the entire scheme of
course was quite evident. having stripped a
third of the Nigerian population of the
means to acquire capital, the leaders of the
government of Nigeria knew that the former
Biafrans, by and large, would not have the
financial muscle to participate in this plot.
the end result, they hoped, would be a permanent shifting of the balance of economic
power away from the East to other constituencies. Consequently, very few Igbos
participated, and many of the jobs and positions in most of the sectors of the economy
previously occupied by Easterners went to
those from other parts of the country.
…………………………………………
or those who would defend Gowon’s
cabinet, suggesting that at times of war
measures of all kinds are taken to ensure victory, I will counter by stating that the
Geneva Conventions were instituted after
the holocaust to make sure that human
rights are still protected in times of conflict.
there are many international observers
who believe that Gowon’s actions after the
war were magnanimous and laudable. there
are tons of treatises that talk about how the
Igbo were wonderfully integrated into Nigeria. Well, I have news for them: the Igbo
were not and continue not to be reintegrated into Nigeria, one of the main reasons
for the country’s continued backwardness, in
my estimation.
Borrowing a large leaf from the American
marshal Plan that followed World War II and
resulted in the reconstruction of Europe, the
federal government of Nigeria launched an
elaborate scheme highlighted by three Rs –
for Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Reconciliation. the only difference is that, unlike the Americans who actually carried out
all three prongs of the strategy, Nigeria’s
federal government did not. the administrator of East Central state, mr. Ukpabi Asika,
announced that Eastern Nigeria required
close to half a billion pounds to complete
the reconstruction effort. None of us recall
that he received anything close to a fraction
of the request. What has consistently escaped most Nigerians in this entire travesty
is the fact that mediocrity destroys the very
fabric of a country as surely as a war – ushering in all sorts of banality, ineptitude, corruption, and debauchery.
Nations enshrine mediocrity as their
modus operandi, and create the fertile
ground for the rise of tyrants and other base
elements of the society, by silently assenting
to the dismantling of systems of excellence
because they do not immediately benefit
one specific ethnic, racial, political, or special-interest group. that, in my humble opinion, is precisely where Nigeria finds itself
today!
F
Getty Images
18
FROM L-R:
Jeremiah Obafemi
Awolowo,
General Olusegun
Obasanjo, General
Yakubu Gowon,
Nelson Mandela
RESUSCItAtIoN AND RECoVERy
[the] road to a remedy of Nigeria’s political
problems will not come easily. the key, as I
see it, lies in the manner in which the leadership of the country is selected. When I
refer to leadership I am really talking about
leaders at every level of government and
sphere of society, from the local government council and governors right up to the
presidency. What I am calling for is for Nigeria to develop a version of campaign election and campaign finance reform, so that
the country can transform its political system from the grassroots level right through
to the national party structures at the federal level. Nigerians will have to find a way
to do away with the present system of godfatherism – an archaic, corrupt practice in
which individuals with lots of money and
time to spare (many of them half-baked,
poorly educated thugs) sponsor their chosen candidates and push them right through
to the desired political position, bribing,
threatening, and, on occasion, murdering
any opposition in the process.
We will have to make sure that the electoral body overseeing elections is run by
widely respected and competent officials
chosen by a nonpartisan group free of governmental influence or interference. Finally,
we have to find a way to open up the political process to every Nigerian citizen. today
we have a system where only those individuals with the means of capital and who can
both pay the exorbitant application fee and
fund a political campaign can vie for the
presidency. It would not surprise any close
observer to discover that in this inane system, the same unsavory characters who
have destroyed the country and looted the
treasury and the nation blind are the ones
able to run for the presidency!
the question of choice in selecting a
leader in Nigeria is often an academic exercise, due to the election rigging, violence,
and intimidation of the general public, particularly by those in power, but also by
those with the means – the rich and influential. there is also the unpleasant factor of
the violence associated with partisan politics that is often designed to keep balanced,
well-educated, fair-minded Nigerians away.
So it can be said that the masses – the followership we are concerned about – don’t
really have a choice of leadership, because
there’s not a true democratic process. I am
asked, “Why don’t the people fight back?”
Well, once a people have been dispossessed
and subjugated by dictatorships for such a
long time as in Nigeria’s case, the oppressive
process also effectively strips away from the
minds of the people the knowledge that
they have rights. Restoring flawed democratic systems will not make the country a
success overnight .
…………………………………………
many pundits see a direct link between
crude oil and the corruption in Nigeria, that
putting in place an elaborate system preventing politicians or civilians from having
access to petrodollars is probably a major
part of a series of fixes needed to reduce
large-scale corruption. For most people the
solution is straightforward: If you commit a
crime, you should be brought to book. hold
people responsible for misconduct and punish them if they are guilty. In a country such
as Nigeria, where there are no easy fixes,
one must examine the issue of accountability, which has to be a strong component of
the fight against corruption.
Every Nigerian knows that there should
be accountability… But if the president –
the person running the whole show – has
all of the power and resources of the country in his control, and he is also the one who
selects who should be probed or not, clearly
we will have an uneven system in which
those who are favoured by the emperor
have free rein to loot the treasury with reckless abandon, while those who are disliked
or tell the emperor that he is not wearing
any clothes get marched to the guillotine!
Nigeria’s story has not been, entirely, one
long, unrelieved history of despair. Fifty
years after independence Nigerians have
begun to ask themselves the hard questions: How can the state of anarchy be
reversed? What are the measures that
can be taken to prevent corrupt candidates from recycling themselves into
positions of leadership? young Nigerians
have often come to me desperately seeking
solutions to several conundrums: How do
we begin to solve these problems in
Nigeria, where the structures are present but there is no accountability?
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COMMENTWATCH
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
19
WAS THERE EVER A COUNTRY?
Chinua Achebe has done us a service, says Ufuoma Anoho. Whether
we agree with his analysis of the Biafra war or not, he has started the
debate we need to have and asked the questions we need to answer
I am Nigerian.
I am not Igbo,
yoruba, hausa,
Ibibio, Fulani or tiv.
I am Nigerian.
other pressing questions include: How
does Nigeria bring all the human and
material resources it has to bear on
its development? How do we clean
up the Niger Delta? What do we need
to do to bring an end to organized
ethnic bigotry? How can we place the
necessary checks and balances in
place that will reduce the decadence,
corruption, and debauchery of the
past several decades? How can we ensure even and sustained development? And that would be a big debate
to keep Nigeria busy for a long time.
the Sovereign National Conference
that was held a couple of years ago was a
good idea. I believe the concept was right
– a platform to discuss Nigeria’s problems
and challenges and pave a path forward –
however, the execution was not. Debate
about a nation’s future should not turn
into an excuse for politicians to drink or
feast on meals in Abuja. It should continue for decades, in small forums, in
schools, offices, on the radio, on tV, in
markets, in our newspapers, and on the
streets, until we get things right. most
advanced nations in the world constantly
appraise and reappraise their countries’
paths and destinies.
I foresee the Nigerian solution will
come in stages. First we have to nurture
and strengthen our democratic institutions – and strive for the freest and fairest
elections possible. that will place the true
candidates of the people in office. Under
the rubric of a democracy, a free press can
thrive and a strong justice system can
flourish. the checks and balances … and
the laws needed to curb corruption will
then naturally find a footing. A new patriotic consciousness has to be developed,
not one based simply on the well-worn
notion of the unity of Nigeria or faith in
Nigeria often touted by our corrupt leaders, but one based on an awareness of
the responsibility of leaders to the led –
on the sacredness of their anointment to
lead – and disseminated by civil society,
schools, and intellectuals. It is from this
kind of environment that a leader, humbled by the trust placed upon him by the
people, will emerge, willing to use the
power given to him for the good of the
people.
I start this article in this way as despite 52 years of independence, struggle, nepotism, corruption, love, hate,
war and peace, we still cannot truly
identify ourselves as firstly Nigerian
and secondly belonging to a tribe.
And we wonder why, after 52
years of self-governance, we might
as well not have bothered. It is one
thing to be shackled by a foreigner,
it is an entirely different matter to be
shackled by one’s own.
It is against this backdrop that a
firestorm has erupted, harkening
back to a blood stained, unfortunate
saga in our nation’s history, the Biafra War. The catalyst is Chinua
Achebe’s book There Was A Country. An important work from one of
our literary heavyweights, of Igbo
extraction, it examines the first televised war in history from the author’s perspective.
Achebe examines the war from a
variety of angles, ranging from personal memory of some events to
neutral analysis of others. But the
problem with a Nigerian writing a
book on Nigeria’s worst case of ethnic conflict is that, regardless of the
viewpoints raised, or how objectively the intention in writing them,
at some point the author’s own
tribal leanings tend to look as
though they have a bearing on his or
her view of events. Especially when
the author was a minister for the Biafran government. After all, we are
only human.
If a westerner had written this
book we would be shaking our fists
in the air at the impudence of an
“oyibo” to write such dastardly
things about our “great” nation.
But this is a fellow Nigerian, speaking out for his tribe and what he
perceives to be unsettled injustices
perpetrated by those on the opposing side that remain to be resolved.
In itself there is absolutely nothing
wrong with that.
In a key episode in the book
Achebe states that Obafemi
Awolowo, a statesman from the
Yoruba tribe and effectively the then
deputy head of state, sanctioned the
use of starvation as a tactic during
the conflict, causing the death of between 1-3 million Igbo, the majority
children, a tactic that has been described as genocide. Casualties on
the Federal side numbered 100,000.
Now, unless the world has
changed overnight, free speech is
still a preserve of every civilized society. But communication in any
shape or form can either build or destroy the very thing it sets out to harness. It is too early to say what this
book will do for an already struggling country, battling with its politics that precariously rests on a
flimsy foundation of paternalism
and patriarchy.
This article is not saying that either Achebe or Awolowo is promoting or promoted tribalism. But it is
often the works of great men such as
these that are used by the weak to
push causes that are not as noble as
those in whose name they speak.
Just ask a Muslim that is true to
their faith and they will tell you in a
split second that the terrorist campaigns being carried out in the name
of Islam have absolutely nothing to
do with their religion or its teachings
in any way, shape or form.
commence but in a manner that says
a Nigerian feels wronged by a fellow
Nigerian and not an Igbo feels
wronged by a Yoruba.
As a nation with a political history steeped in violence isn’t it time
to change the script and look at
peaceful, non-confrontational solutions to the problems tearing our nation apart at the seams?
As with most things, violence
perpetuated decades ago has its own
lasting legacy. Maybe, the legacy of
that very first coup in 1966 is the
deepening of distrust between the
major tribes. The North viewed this
first coup as an Igbo attempt to subjugate the North, as all bar one of
the coup leaders were Igbo.
Ever since, the big three tribes
have contested for governance of
Nigeria in all manners; peaceful,
violent, subversive, overtly. Another legacy of this coup was the
loss of many a leader, some considered great.
The number of articles read on
‘There is no place for tribalism
in our country if we are to
have a free and fair society’
So, a word of caution to anybody
adding fuel to the fire currently raging; intentionally or unintentionally
fanning the flames of tribalism will
do absolutely nothing for Nigeria. It
never has done and never will. As
the saying goes, when you point one
finger, three point back at you.
But at the same time justice deserves a voice and that has to be
done in a reconciliatory manner.
Amongst the many questions here is,
can our nation move forward without certain perceived injustices having been openly discussed?
This discussion should not be
tabled with any of the parties’ tribes
having a bearing on things. The war
ended in 1970, just 42 years ago,
and the psyche of our nation still
suffers from it.
But within that nation there is a
New Nigerian emerging. A Nigerian
that speaks multiple languages from
the different tribes; that intermarries, not just Nigerians but people
from other countries; that isn’t perturbed by the language their friends’
parents spoke and is intent on seeing
their country progress.
So surely, we must let the debate
this, where each tribe referred to
themselves as a race shows that, regardless of intention, there is an underlying tone of superiority to those
who do not speak the same language or wear the same clothes as
them, despite being from the same
country. But in a country with such
a myriad of complexities sometimes
people want to focus on a single
cause for their misfortune. This is
the bedrock of any kind of prejudice the world over.
Disappointingly some “diasporans” have not left these non-progressive and archaic sentiments at
Murtala Mohammed Airport. They
travelled with them and didn’t declare their backward views to the
UK Border Agency. For example, a
business owner from a smaller tribe
was recently told by a fellow Nigerian from one of the major tribes that
their business was “full of your own
people” just because none of the
names of the board members were
from said major tribe. What backward thinking in the middle of one
of the world’s most modern and
progressive cities!
Why could this person not just
think of the business owners as
“Nigerian” instead of concentrating on the tribe implied by their
names? What if these business owners had parents from different
tribes, one of which could have
been that of the protesting “tribalist”? Tradition and culture are important and must be retained. But
so is and must nationality.
Our predecessors fought a greatly
devastating war for our great country and we disgrace the memory of
the millions gone every time we promote and condone tribalism. If the
British and the Americans had all
stuck so intently to their tribes they
would not be where they are now.
In the case of the US, their nation rose from the embers of a war
with an enemy common to all of its
citizens, the British, a then sprawling
empire that treated its subject territories not as fellow citizens but as a
means of earnings and an outlet for
contempt. So to the Americans the
enemy was an outsider.
In Nigeria’s case the enemy is internal. It isn’t even human. It is
merely greed. And greed has many
disguises and motivations amongst
which one is prejudice. So, Nigeria’s history has seen many instances where individual greed has
been cloaked with one’s wanting to
do good for their tribe, whereas the
real motivation was to divert funds
to a source more local to and
within their control.
This has stark similarities to
colonialism. They both purport the
aggregation of a group’s resources
for the benefit of a totally different
group that had no direct influence
on the generation of these resources.
Any such system is by sheer dint of
its presence unjust and Nigerians deserve a fair and just nation. This
simply leaves no place for tribalism
in our country if we are to have a
free and fair society.
So ask yourself this simple question. What are you? Are you Nigerian?
There Was a Country:
A Personal History of Biafra .
by Chinua Achebe
Published by Allen lane rrp £20
20
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
PEOPLEWATCH
@NigerianWatch
‘THE FATHER OF THE
Fresh from being called the “father of all Nigerians in the UK” by Ambassador Dr Sarki
Tafida, Nigerian Watch caught up with the tireless campaigner for Nigeria and Nigerians in
the diaspora, Canuk chairman Chief Abimbola Folayan Roberts
throughout 2012, the man commonly
known as ‘Bimbo’ Roberts has been
here, there and everywhere promoting the cause of the diaspora, Nigerians and Nigeria, whether hosting,
orchestrating, supporting or championing causes as varied as the olympic
welcome dinner, Nigeria Carnival and
I-day International.
In early october, you would have
thought he would be easing down a
bit. But, after two morning meetings
at the high Commission and a third
set for 2pm that afternoon, Jon
hughes grabbed 30 minutes with the
man on a clear mission, and the first
question was obvious…
What drives you to commit yourself at
this level?
I genuinely have a passion for good causes, which
comes from my childhood. I come from the kind
of family that would fight on behalf of other
people, my mum in particular. Today, she would
probably be called a community activist or
leader.
Way back, in Kaduna, Ibadan and Lagos, the
places where I grew up in Nigeria, you could easily find a neighbour who was in trouble or having
trouble, and my mother would intervene and
help to resolve the situation. So I grew up in that
kind of background and because of that I know
own business and mind their own business, while
the community is running astray. I try to rally
people around because I believe when people
work together, you work together to produce
something that is better than when we work individually, because in the end it will be very difficult for us as individuals to produce something
that has enough force, or carries enough weight,
“This has been the best, the very
best Olympics for Nigeria”
the good that can come from community, and so
I have always seen the benefits that come from
helping to bring order and harmony to the community. That desire to help is what fires me and
gives me the courage and the passion to go out
and work on behalf of the community.
We Nigerians are very individualistic; because
everyone wants to survive, they tend to do their
to make effective change.
In the run up and during London 2012 you
were incredibly active and successful in
galvanising the community. In the end,
and away from the arena, were the
Olympics good for Nigeria?
This was actually the best Olympics for Nigeria,
the very best Olympics for us, in the sense that it
has opened our eyes to the mantra that if you
want to succeed, you have to prepare hard.
For example, if you have a child who is always
passing exams, neither failing, nor excelling, just
muddling along; you wouldn’t know you had a
problem. The day she or he
fails in every single subject is the day you know
you have a problem. So that’s what has come out
of the Olympics for Nigeria and there is no lesson, nothing we could have taken from the
Games at this time that is as good as that.
Our paralympians, however, showed us the
way. The reason they excelled is, sadly, because
handicapped people in Nigeria are not like the
same handicapped people in the UK. Our handicapped people practise every day. And do you
know how they practise? Through necessity.
They don’t have wheelchairs and other equipment that is taken for granted here in the UK, so
the way they get around is literally using their
arms as their legs, which is like exercise. Because
of that these guys have been exercising their muscles all their lives. So when it came to carrying the
weights they outshone everybody. This has
shown us that if you practise very hard in anything you do and prepare very well you come out
tops and that is exactly what happened.
So I think the message is very clear; you have
to plan, prepare and practise to excel. I’ve discussed this with the NOC (Nigeria Olympic
Committee) and the lesson seems to have been
learnt. The information coming to me from
Nigeria now is that already
BIoGRAPhy
Currently an idependent It specialist throughout Europe, mr Roberts started out in the
banking sector with the People’s Bank of Nigeria and has subsequently encompassed numerous blue chip companies in the banking,
supermarket and telecoms sectors, such as
IBm, tesco, m&S, RBS, Bank of England and Virgin. he is the senior partner of ABN ltd. in the
UK.
mr Roberts was the Chairman of the Ekiti
Economic and Investment Forum (EEIF), an Eco-
nomic and Development think tank, President
of the Association of Nigerian It Professionals
in the UK (ANItP), member of the National
think tank in Nigeria, Diaspora UK nominee to
the Nigeria Vision 20:2020 board and was the
Chairman of the main Events task Force of the
Nigeria @ 50 celebrations in london and is now
the Executive Director, PlatformNIG: the National Reorientation project and has just been
unveiled as Arik Air International ‘Brand Ambassador’.
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NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
21
DIASPORA’
for the 2016 Rio Olympics the planning is underway, to make sure Nigeria performs very well.
Another thing we can take from the Games is
that for the first time in the history of Nigeria
competing, there has never been a time where the
community of the host country has come together as we did. So we were able to prove that
Nigerians are very united in the UK, and despite
the negative stories we have about ethnicity and
religious disharmony in Nigeria, we brought in
everybody to give them dinner. So that’s what
needs to be explored, to be exported back, to
show the people and government that if we plan
very well we can unite our communities.
In terms of Nigeria House and New World
Nigeria, how do you think those cultural
celebrations benefited Nigeria?
Nigeria House brought in some of the best
brains from Nigeria, authors, artists, musicians
Nollywood actors, and a Nobel laureate, to
showcase Nigeria. I think it was successful in that
for many it changed the perception that some
people have about Nigeria as a country that is
full of 419 scammers.
A few people were able to learn that in actual
fact we have great thinkers, like Professor
Soyenke, artists, film makers, and very good musicians; that was the advantage. It has shown the
other side, the true face of Nigeria.
us what was meant by that?
I was invited to the London’s Mayor’s office a few
months ago and they told me that the community was not getting involved in London activities
and I was advised to start looking at how to get
the community more involved with things going
on here.
The problem we have is the community is too
inward looking, so we’re trying to stimulate interest, to take community leadership roles, to get
Nigerians to come out during the elections and
vote, because if you live here it is our responsibility to get involved in these kind of activities of
this country.
Canuk has put its weight behind the international call for the right of diasporans to
vote in Nigeria’s elections. Why is it so important that the diaspora has a say in
Nigeria’s elections?
Diasporans believe we live in a very developed
democracy and that we have a lot to contribute
to Nigeria. This is not how Nigerians see us,
mind you; they see us as a brain drain, a loss to
the economy. But we look at it differently. Nigerians that left Nigeria and are living in this or
similar countries are a very big asset.
London, for example, is a world city, and one
of the most civilised cities in the world. Here you
have Chinese, Indians, all nationalities from all
over the world, and it’s easier to gain and learn
and develop your perception of life when you live
with people from all different backgrounds, so the
concept of democracy – and Britain is the seat
of democracy – is strong, and that in itself is an
asset. The right to vote would allow Nigerians
here to add their voice to the development of
Nigeria. And that will start to change things in
Nigeria for the better. We would start to influence the technological development of the
country and if people wanted to get elected
they could get elected, then when the diaspora speaks the government will be forced
to listen because they will know that we can
also influence the people in Nigeria.
Do you think that’s a two-way
street? The ability to vote in Nigeria will give the diaspora more influence with the UK government and
its outlook to the country?
The Games offered an unrivalled
platform; how are you going to keep the
positive face of Nigeria to the fore?
We have several plans at Canuk. We have huge
programs that we are working on to keep the momentum going. Also Canuk is developing strategies to support the member associations and
organisations when they come in with projects –
and there are quite a few that are being planned.
One of the things Canuk is exploring is to
bring in all the major bands in Africa, and how
to develop partnerships with some organisations
in the UK that will help African music grow.
That’s just one example. We have so many programmes that were inspired by the Olympics that
we are now brainstorming and will be coming to
fruition over the coming months.
The London Mayor’s office has said the
Nigerian community in the UK needs to be
more vociferous and visible. Can you tell
I think if we vote here we will be able to influence
them more. If we vote over there we will have
more influence there. At the moment there re-
get to a level where we have to get people out of
their shell to say it could be you if you don’t get
involved.
MPs recently described the diaspora as a
‘great resource’ and called on the government to utilise and support its activities in
Nigeria more. Is that welcome?
At the moment Canuk is lending its voice to who
should become the next power minister in Nigeria. We have been at the forefront of lobbying for
the government to appoint a technocrat and not
a politician. We believe that because we live here,
we know how things work as part of the world,
and we want to transport our skills and experience back to Nigeria, just as the Israelis who live
in London support Israel. So the MPs are correct
and we welcome their offer of support.
At the Independence dinner on Saturday
you were called the Father of all Nigerians
in the UK by Dr Tafida. That must have
made you immensely proud?
It’s a challenge. I’m very happy about it, of
course, and that’s the way I see my role. But Dr
“A lot of us are saying enough is
enough. My children don’t want to be
tarnished by what has gone on before”
mains this characteristic of acting individually, so
we have little influence in either place, and that’s
why Canuk is trying to bring people together. At
the moment if something happened next door
you’d have about 5-10 people calling the police;
that wouldn’t happen in Nigeria. If there’s an attack next door they’d close the window and thank
God it wasn’t happening to them. So we need to
Tafida remains the grandfather, the wisdom.
How would you describe your year?
Very challenging, very busy. It’s effected my business but I feel very happy because I’m impacting
lives. In the past 18 months, I’ve received about 8
awards – it shows that the community really appreciate people working on their behalf.
The Canuk elections are looming. Will you
be standing again?
I hope to be elected again, but the power is in
the hands of the delegates. The greatest achievement of the past two years has been that we’ve
created more awareness in the community.
When I came in Canuk represented 100 organisations, now we represent more than 300. A lot
of people didn’t know there was an umbrella organisation. That is a major achievement – getting more people involved in and committed to
supporting the community.
A lot of people are coming in with new initiatives; the future belongs to us honestly. I see
a very bright future where the only Nigerians
you will see on the streets of London will be the
professional ones and those who are contributing not just to the UK but to Nigeria. You’re
just going to be seeing very upright Nigerians
because people want to identify and be associated with very successful things and Nigerians
are increasingly successful in all walks of life.
Do you think this generation has said
enough is enough and want Nigeria to accept more international standards?
I think so. A lot of us are saying enough is
enough. My children don’t want to hear about
corruption and making a fast buck; they are not
part of it, and they don’t want to be tarnished by
the reputation. Whenever I had to attend parents
evening my children would ring me up and tell me
to park properly and act properly and I asked why
did they do this, and they told me of a father who
had driven in, parked in an anti-social manner
and swaggered around being rude and offensive,
and they suffered harassment as a result. My children wanted me to show respect so they would be
respected and that is a growing feeling among the
young in the diaspora. That is good for Nigeria,
that aspiration for excellence and we want to encourage that by launching a “Junior Canuk”, to
bring in the youth to start talking to each other
about the future.
22
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
GELEWATCH
@NigerianWatch
The glorious butterfly design from
Clariscia Gill
GÈLÈPOQUE
– a new
dawn for
the gèlè
Gèlè, the traditional headwear for Nigerians,
is fast becoming a fashion statement. From
the glorious Lobho to the butterfly collection,
glorianna and majesty, yinka Sunmonu,
re-introduces us to our crowning glory
G
èlè is the Yoruba word for a headtie
Gèlè is embedded in Yoruba culture
or head wrap, which is worn
through proverbs, history and song and it is
throughout Africa although known
said that traditional outfits are incomplete
by other names and worn in differwithout a gèlè.
ent styles. The Yorubas are famed for the elabPopular musician Lagbaja in Skentele skonorate and intricate ways gèlè are tied with the
tolo gives a brief history of the traditional
use of starched materials, especially for ceremoheadwear and Wizkid, in Pakuromo, shows how
nial occasions.
it is being fused with western style clothing.
Gèlès are the crowning glory of an ancient
However they are worn, pride is on show
culture and heritage. In Yorubaland gèlès were
and it is the gèlè sophisticate, unique to
at one time used to denote a woman’s marital
Yorubas, that are seen by many as the crown of
status; it is said that if one end pointed up to
headties. But it’s the urban style gèlè that is all
the right, she was married, and to the left, still
the rage at the moment.
single. They also denoted social standing, noSinger India Irie wears them, and they were
ticeable by the type and quality of material
a trademark for singer Erykah Badu. American
used, and the fulness
stylist June Ambrose
of the style. Royalty
rocks them with her
favoured them, and it
signature turban line
is even said that one
and literary icon Dr
could tell the town a
Maya Angelou has
woman
originated
often been seen wearfrom by the type of
ing the informal gèlè.
gèlè she wore. In Ijebu
We are yet to see a
(south western Nigeglobal explosion for
ria) it was common
gèlè sophisticate, which
practice for grandhas maintained its
mothers to wear a speroots while evolving
cially starched gèlè,
over time. Beyoncé
dyed purple, to signify
wore some spectacular
the birth of a child.
gèlès to coincide with
Today, just as it
the launch of musical
seemed the ancient culFela on Broadway, but
ture and traditions assadly the ‘skin darkensociated with gèlè were
ing issue’ got the attenreceding into the past,
tion, and the Nigerian
Yemi Osunkoya of Kosibah with international model
the art form is enjoying Rosemary Chileshe, who wears Gelepoque
Olympic team lamentasomething of a renaisbly missed a great opsance. There are two predominant styles inportunity to promote gèlè as our designer
creasingly evident on the streets: the everyday
moment at London 2012.
gèlè that women wear, very often using adire
There is, however, every indication that gèlè
prints, that has become very popular with
is becoming a fashion statement. Over the past
young women who knot and tie it in various
few years an event called Gèlè Tea has proways; and the gèlè sophisticate that is based on
moted the artform.
the traditional gèlè, which uses stiffer material
This year’s event in September pushed
for rites of passage and parties.
boundaries with the talents of Juliet Esiri, Lara
Extravaganza, Bolanle Okunsanya Feyita and
Juliet ‘Onyeka’ Osodi – recognised as top UK
stylists and ‘Hat Lady’ to royalty – and Lyze
Bamigbola Silas, who launched the Bedazzled
collection of hats and fascinators and donated
a wonderful fascinator for auction.
Co-hosted by celebrity couture designer
and fashion icon Adebayo Jones and presenter
Esther Alade, Gèlè Tea included exclusive designs from the brilliant Remi Osunkoya of
Kosibah, one of 15 international designers
chosen to produce a limited collection for
Porsche Nigeria; Mayfair Couturier Clarisica
Gill, who drew inspiration from the ‘wrapper’
for her collection; and rising star Evelyn Nwajagu, of Ijeve Designs, described by Fab Magazine Editor Sinem Bilen Onabanjo as “a
woman to watch”.
It is said that Gèlè Tea is setting the standards for Gèlè couture and taking it to new
heights. We say that it has always been there.
Gorgeous gèlès go to church every Sunday, to
parties every weekend, even to Egba national
convention meetings in the United States. We
are saying it’s time for Gèlèpoque – a new
dawn for gèlè.
Gèlè Tea was held in September. The annual celebration of traditional headware is used to raise
awareness of Alzheimer’s and raise funds for research into the condition.
above: A Sinem gèlè, especially designed for FAB editor
Sinem Bilen Onabanjo. Below: Lady in red, modelled and
wore an outfit specially created for her by Ijeve Designs,
using a very traditional fabric from Abekouta.
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GELEWATCH
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
FROM L-R: Examples of Magnifica;
the towering Lobho; Yemi
Osunkoya’s models, preparing to
feature in a section called Posh;
and below, a Lyze Bamigbola
fascinator
ANNoUNCING
23
24
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
@NigerianWatch
BUSINESSWATCH
LAGOS AIRPORT SET TO
ENJOY GREATER TRADE
Nigeria and the UK are
optimistic about achieving
their joint aim to double
bilateral trade to £8 billion
by 2014.
AVIAtIoN industry experts are
expecting to see a significant
rise in the volume of trade
passing through the murtala
mohammed Airport in lagos,
following the refurbishment of
the facility.
It is expected that the renovation will attract a substantial number of more airlines.
Edward olarerin, the regional
manager the airport, said that
passenger volumes should increase to 8.5m by 2016.
According to mr olarerin,
in 2011, there were 96,599
flights through the airport,
carrying some 6.7m passengers and over 162m kg of
cargo. he added that by 2016,
apart from the fact that pas-
To meet the trade target,
Nigeria’s Minister of Trade
and Investment, Olusegun
Aganga and the UK Secretary
for Business, Innovation and
Skills, Vince Cable said at a
joint press conference in October that hurdles obstructing
trade between the two countries had been identified and
were being addressed.
Minister Aganga said particular attention would be paid
to both the Small and Medium
Enterprise (SME) sector and
diaspora.
“Nigeria is leveraging on
the large Diaspora population
we have in the UK, who can
actually be the catalyst – those
agents for trade between the
senger volumes are expected
to rise to 8.5m, the number of
flights through the airport
should increase to 124,601.
mr olarerin said there
would be a continuing programme of development at
the airport until 2016, which
would be innovative and customer-focused.
he added that with improved infrastructure and
services, the airport would not
only be investor-friendly but
also serve as a key player in
Nigeria’s economic development.
An immediate positive effect would be a boost to the
retail sector associated with
the airport.
British High Commision, Abuja
Diaspora is ‘catalyst’
for improved trade
PRESS CONFERENCE Dr Olusegun Aganga, Vince Cable and British Deputy
High Commissioner, Peter West
two countries. They don’t have
to relocate, but can do a lot
from the SME side of it, and
can also do a lot on trade,” he
was reported as saying by the
News Agency of Nigeria.
“By 2014 to 2015, things
will change because we are
working seriously to change the
environment in terms of infrastructure and power generation
in particular,” he added.
Aganga noted that the decision to double trade between
the countries was a follow up
on the agreement struck between Nigeria’s President
Goodluck Jonathan and
Britain’s Prime Minister,
David Cameron.
“There is no shortage of interest in investment in Nigeria.
We have all it takes to attract
investment. Our environment
looks great. We have fertile
land, good weather conditions,
34 solid minerals in commercial quantity all of which make
Nigeria an investment destination of choice,” he stated.
Aganga said that Nigeria is
passionate about creating an
enabling environment for Foreign
Direct
Investments
(FDIs).
Vince Cable endorsed the
ambitious target and said that
the focus of the UK in its
trade relations with Nigeria is
not about which country leads
in the volume of trade, but an
assurance of trade growth in
both countries.
“We do not worry if there is
an imbalance against the
United Kingdom. If we do not
import crude oil from Nigeria,
we could import from other
countries. The important thing
is that trade is growing in both
directions. That is the key because it is mutually beneficial.
We want to see barriers being
removed.”
He declared that the UK “is
also committed to working
with Nigerian authorities to
make the business climate
more attractive to investors.
“Improvements in power supply, transportation and legislation that protects business
investment can make a real difference to Nigeria’s already impressive growth rates,” he said.
Beside the plan to improve
bilateral trade with Nigeria,
Britain has also promised to
work with Nigerian authorities
to ensure a more friendly business climate for investors
which he said will warm political, cultural and economic ties
between the two countries.
MOSS GROUP SEEK FIRST MOVER
ADVANTAGE WITH DELTA FACILITY
BRITISH oil and gas company the Moss
Group plans to build six oil tank farms in
Delta State, as part of a major community
developmental project that will include
leisure, sporting and health centres.
Under an ambitious programme, the Moss
Group plans to construct the facility at Koko
town, with Steven Igbinose, Moss’s chairman,
highlighting that his firm would sanitise the
Nigerian oil and gas sector by introducing a
transparent and people-oriented business.
Apart from introducing best business practices,
the investment will include the construction of
wellness, medical, sporting and leisure centres.
Mr Igbinose said, “It is an oil and gas project
that we are about to establish in Koko, Delta
State, where we are building six mega ultramodern oil tank farms in that oil rich community. The main purpose here is that we are trying
to establish a business that would be based on
pure transparency, which is what will stand us
out from other existing firms in the oil and gas
industry in the country.
“The ultimate purpose for our investment in
Nigeria is for us to introduce a different business brand that is out of the norm in Nigeria.
Having stayed in England for many years and
considering the efforts of the Nigerian government in addressing certain anomalies in various
sectors, I was inspired to come home and contribute to the economy of our great country.”
He pointed out that Moss would be involved
in bulk sales and brokerage, as well as developing a network of retail service stations. Mr Igbinose added that the project would provide
jobs for many and bring development, social
welfare and innovative healthcare to the people.
Describing the proposed facility, Mr Igbinose
said, “There will be a loading gantry with six
product pumps that have the capacity to dispense 150,000 litres of petroleum product every
hour. The oil tanker fleet is ready, which will facilitate ship-to-ship bulk transfer.
“We are also planning to establish a Moss
leisure and wellness centre, a medical centre as
well as a boxing centre where our youths will be
offered international standard training alongside the normal national curricular. We shall
also provide the best fire safety system and
equipment within the Koko community and
also intend to go global with our subsidiary
firm in UK.”
Fashion
Winter’s all
about the
bling thing
Page 29
PANTO
The indispensible guide to beauty, fashion, music,
theatre, and much more
WATCH
The ultimate
guide to the
best in town
Page 35
&
Life, Style
Entertainments
SEUN KUTI
PAGE 33
26
Community Watch
52nd Independence
celebrations and Amina
Film Premiere
30
Health & Beauty
Flu advice & the 10
best beauty products
for under £10
33
The best listings
Featuring the Film
Africa Festival and
Woolwich Boys
26
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
COMMUNITYWATCH
NIGERIA’S 52ND INDEPENDENCE
On the eve of Nigeria Independence Day (Oct 1), there were
two grand occasions to celebrate the event. The first was a
formal affair at the High Commission on Northumberland Avenue where diplomats and ambassadors from across the
African continent turned up to toast Nigeria. Ambassador Dr
Sarki Tafida told the gathering that despite facing challenges
“we Nigerians still have good cause to celebrate our independence, as nothing can replace self-determination and selfgovernance”. He concluded with a pan-African embrace, “In
togetherness, I am convinced we can forge a better world.”
The following night more than a 1,000 revellers attended a
spectacular party at Abuja House, the Ambassador’s residence.
It was here that Dr Tafida declared Canuk chairman Bimbo
Roberts “the father of all Nigerians in the UK”. The entertainments were fantastic, none more so than “white” Nigerian
Chukwuma Onli-Okeke, who nearly brought the marquee
down with his ‘pidgin’ tales of visits back home.
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COMMUNITYWATCH
DR JOHNSON played by Wil Johnson
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
27
ACTOR Wale Ojo
AMINA PREMIERE
LEADING LADY Omotola Jalade
Forget the more recent premiere of
the latest outing of 007 in Skyfall,
the more historic premiere came on
17 October when thousands
flocked to the Empire Leicester
Square to see Amina – and hundreds lined the red carpet to see
the stars arriving. It was a momentous occasion as Amina is a hybrid
film; the film’s director Christian
Ashaiku describes it as a “British
film with Nollywood sensibilities”.
‘Amina’ tells the story of a
young woman who, devastated by
a series of life-changing events, especially teenage pregnancy, suffers
a breakdown and finds herself in a
mental hospital.
The themes of love, loss and redemption are sharply observed, to
make for a taught, psychological
drama, with outstanding performances from its stars, Omotola Jalade
Ekeinde, in the title role, and (also
co-producer) Wil Johnson (as her
psychologist).
Sync PHOTOS/www.syncPHOTOSonline.com
NOLLYWOOD ACTRESS Fatima Jabbe
ACTORS Chizzy Akudolu and Jimmy Akingbola
NOLLYWOOD DIRECTOR Ruke
Amata
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event here call
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ACTOR Segun Arinze enjoying the occasion!
COMEDIAN President Obonjo
28
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
@NigerianWatch
COMMUNITYWATCH
ANNOUNCEMENTS
To place your announcements call 0208 5889640 Email: announcements@nigerianwatch.com
Or post to: Nigerian Watch, Announcements, Chartwell House, 292 Hale Lane, Edgware, HA8 8NP
BIRTHDAYS
WENDy HUGHES (November 21st)
happy Birthday. you are and have
always been the best mum in the
world and we wouldn’t be where we
are without your support. love Jon,
Cathy & the 3Bs
ELIzA PETERS, (November 19th)
BIRTHS
LUCy EHIOROBO, (November
10th)
happy birthday Lucy! We wish
you a lovely day and lots of love,
happiness and prosperity for the
future. lots of love from Harriet
you are the joy of my days, you are my love more true,
you make me feel so happy,
I'm so very proud of you. Wishing the sweetest girl the
sweetest birthday.
love mum
ELIzABETH PETERS, (November
19th)
happy birthday to our darling
Elizabeth. We hope you have a
wonderful day. may you continue
to grow up to be God fearing,
obedient and intelligent in Jesus
name Amen. With love and kisses
from your Godparents Mr and
Mrs Jemide.
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Over 80% discount from regular price.
OFFER ENDS MONDAY 26TH NOVEMBER 2012
Call 0208 5889640 to discuss or book
Or email sales@nigerianwatch.com
OBIAGELI
the vice chair of the Central
Association of Nigerians in the UK
(CANUK), Chima Olugh, having
recently married his sweetheart
Bonita Ikoku, has been blessed
with the birth of a baby girl who
he has named obiageli.
Born at a central london
hospital on the 6th october and
weighing 3.250kg Chima describes
the arrival of Obiageli as a
memorable time in his life, and
thanks God for his guidance.
CHANGE OF NAME
EMMANUEL KALE (November
11th)
happy Birthday Emmanuel, We all
wish you a great day with lots of
joy and happiness. From the
Nigerian Watch Team.
NIKKy ADEBAyO
(November 13th)
happy Birthday
Nikky, I wish you
all the best for the
day and the rest of
the year! you are a
blessing to
everybody that
knows you! Keep
smiling! happy
Birthday, lots of
love from
Emmanuel x
LAWAL
I formerly known and addressed as
George Adebayo Lawal now wish
to be known as Adebayo GeorgeLawal. members of the public, home
office and Nigerian high Commission,
london should please take notice.
OLUBUNMI
I formerly known and addressed as
Olubunmi Odumosu now wish to
be known as Olubunmi Opeodu .
members of the public, home office
and Nigerian high Commission,
GBADAMOSI
I formerly and addressed as Anire
Olaitan Gbadamosi now wish to be
known as Anike olaitan Gbadamosi. my
correct date of birth is 27th of June
1957. members of the public, home
office and Nigerian high Commission,
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NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
FASHIONWATCH
MAKE YOUR WINTER STYLES
SING WITH ADDED BLING
By Obah Iyamu
As the nights draw in and to chill means feel the cold, it’s time
to get hot with old faithfuls and brighten up the gloom
Ornate denim Jeans are experiencing a
major makeover this season, with the
traditional working man’s clothing being
spruced up with gold and silver, textured and
printed fabric. Pick up a statement pair of jeans
earring. Gone are the days when bling meant “I have got more
money than sense”. the only way to bring sunshine to your
ensemble this winter is to go for an accessory overkill. Stack up
your wrist with luxe bracelets or
to showcase this season’s decadent trend. In
choose a bold, eye-catching
the past, embellishment was exclusively for
earring. Keep the styling simple
evening soirées, but not any more – so
brighten up your day. Soften the texture with a
silk or satin blouse and pull together with an
equally elegant pair of heels. For me its all
about the printed denim in decorative baroque
motif; think the Queen’s wallpaper.
Plaid Just when you thought the kilt couldn’t get any more
popular it rears its head again in ever more fabulous
and chic. A
more modest
way to pull
off the bling
is to pick up a
brooch or two
and enliven a plain coat or blazer.
I am off to h&m to shake up my
ways. tartan is making big waves again this winter
treasure box with their new
and it’s surely here to stay. the spotlight is on less
collection by ms Dello Russo.
traditional tartan grids, as they are the coolest way
TARTAN PEPLUM TOP
ASOS £30
Winter bling Wake up a tired wardrobe with a bold necklace or
to work this winter’s printed trend. A tartan skater
dress layered with a black or
white shirt is the perfect way to
play out this look. For those
that find the plaid print a bit
over-powering, a lovely
collar or scarf takes the weight off.
Androgyny Add a powerful touch to your wardrobe with a
strong masculine silhouette. Although the androgynous look
never really goes out of fashion, it has really taken off this season
and for no apparent reason
other than it’s super sexy to
see a woman in a lady-tux.
Play around with accessories
to step it up a notch and for
more dedication add a
slouchy tie. my love at first
sight falls on a surreal pair of
tassled brogues, so if you are
not good in heels then this is
the way forward.
Velvet Can be worn before
the holiday season, very
sparingly for daytime and full on for evening;
dare to show your personality in a velvet dress
and pair with semi opaque tights. the richness of
a velvet jacket instantly hits the eye but you have
to be careful when you buy because not all velvetlooking fabric is velvet. Cotton and silk velvets are
the bombs. on the other hand, stay
away from velveteen; this is a low pile
velvet that always looks tacky on clothes.
Embellished velvet flats do it all for me.
BLAZER & TUXEDO SHIRT
Teal ‘Rezurez’ crepe blazer
£90 Label Lab, White
tuxedo shirt £50/ Label Lab,
House of Fraser
29
30
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
@NigerianWatch
HEALTHWATCH
This is Flu Season
By Dr Chisolum Chukwuma, GP, London
t
he cold months of winter bring with
them a lot of ‘coughs and sneezes’, that
many sufferers mistakenly call flu. the
term has become a modern-day shorthand for
a whole host of complaints but most of these
self-proclaimed episodes are not what health
professionals would diagnose as flu. many
viruses can cause flu-like illness but flu is
caused by the influenza virus. there are three
types – A, B and C. Influenza A and B are responsible for most of the cases of the flu.
Every winter a different type of influenza
will cause a flu outbreak – which would affect
many people, including children, pregnant
women and others listed below. It is against
this virus, the one which is expected to be
prevalent, that the flu vaccine is developed
each year. In other words, flu vaccination in one
year cannot protect against flu in the following
year, because the strain is constantly changing.
If you have been invited to have the vaccination it means that you fall into the high risk
group and are entitled to receive the vaccine
free of charge. Please, consider taking up this
invitation as it may be life saving.
the symptoms at any
given episode.
washing habits and use of a tissue/handkerchief to catch the droplets are some of the
ways in which the spread can be curtailed.
These symptoms include
l Fever
l Cough
l Runny nose
l Sneezing
l General aches and
pains ( you wake up
feeling like you’ve
been in a fight )
l headache
l Sore throat
l Nausea
l loss of appetite
tREAtmENt
FlU SymPtomS
hoW Do yoU CAtCh thE FlU?
Flu-like symptoms develop gradually and you
start feeling really unwell after a day or two.
these symptoms generally resolve within
seven days but may take longer if it becomes
complicated. A person may have all or some of
the virus is spread from person to person
through droplets from sneezing and coughing.
It may also be spread by contact with a contaminated surface. this is why good personal
hygiene is extremely important. Good hand
General measures (symptomatic treatment)
this may be all that is required. As mentioned
above, the symptoms usually resolve within
seven days and so treatment is directed at the
symptoms which the person has. Flu can be
managed at home with paracetamol, nurofen,
rest, fluids and over-the-counter flu remedies.
Parents and guardians should avoid giving
their children over-the-counter cough and cold
remedies. I would suggest that if you are worried about your child and fear he or she has
the flu, you should contact your GP either by
telephone or by making an appointment. the
doctor would examine the child to exclude
any complications, like chest infection, ear infection, sinusitis and so forth.
Anti-viral treatment
Patients who are at risk of developing serious
complications from the flu may be given antiviral medication. this does not kill the virus
but helps to reduce the severity of the illness.
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
FOCUS ON GLAUCOMA IN AFRICANS
G
laucoma is a disease where the pressure inside the eye is
too high. This high pressure damages the nerve which carries the vision to the brain. If the damage is severe then
blindness can result. Black people get glaucoma more often, at a
younger age and it is frequently more severe and difficult to control.
Treatment is directed at lowering the pressure down to normal
thus preventing the vision being damaged.
In the normal eye a fluid called aqueous is produced in a specialised area at the root of the iris (the coloured part of the eye).
It is a clear watery fluid and its function is to carry nutrients to
the tissues at the front of the eye.
After it has done its job it drains out through a small canal and
back into the bloodstream. The rate of fluid production and
drainage is carefully balanced so that the pressure of the fluid is
kept within certain limits.
In glaucoma this balance is disturbed and the pressure in the
eye begins to increase. This puts stress on the blood vessels of
the nerve carrying the vision to the brain.
If this situation is allowed to continue untreated then gradually
the vision in damaged. This glaucoma damage is irreversible and
permanent.
TYPES OF GLAUCOMA
There are several types of glaucoma. The most common one is
Open Angle Glaucoma (OAG). Other types include Narrow or
Closed angle glaucoma, Congenital glaucoma (in children), Secondary glaucoma - after injury to the eye and Pigmentary glaucoma
DETECTING GLAUCOMA
Because open angle glaucoma is painless it can go undetected for
a long time unless a routine eye examination is performed regularly. Most people would visit their optician for the first time when
they start to need reading glasses at around the age of 40. At this
visit most good opticians will check the eye pressure and examine
the nerve at the back of the eye (the Optic Nerve). If the result of
the test is not normal, the patient is referred to the ophthalmologist where more detailed tests and eye examinations are performed.
In Africans unfortunately, severe glaucoma can damage the
eye as early as the mid 20s. If you have a close relative who has
the disease you have a slightly increased chance of developing it.
So it is advisable that you get your pressures checked by an optician or eye doctor (ophthalmologist) at your earliest opportunity.
DIAGNOSING GLAUCOMA
Modern devices and examinations now allow us to detect the
onset of glaucoma much earlier than was previously the case.
The earliest damage is detected using a laser- measuring device
called OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography). It measures the
thickness of the layer of nerve fibres which carry the vision to the
optic nerve. This allows us to diagnose and treat glaucoma far
earlier than before. If this early damage is allowed to continue it
begins to affect the vision. The first signs of vision being damaged are usually the development of blindspots above and below
the line of vision. Untreated these enlarge and join together and
eventually only the central field remains. Ultimately this too disappears and the eye is completely and irretrievably blind.
TREATMENT OF GLAUCOMA
The treatment of glaucoma is much better now than it was even
5 years ago. Most patients are treated only with drops. The drops
work by lowering the pressure to the “target pressure” for that
eye. The target pressure is the pressure below which the doctor
believes no further significant damage will occur. It is different for
different eyes. Your ophthalmologist will tell you what your target
pressure is and whether your treatment has achieved it yet.
When drops fail then surgery may have to be considered. The surgery involves passing a very fine fibre around the drainage canal
and tying it so that the canal drains more effectively. This opera-
tion is called a canaloplasty. However, increasingly, surgery is
being performed much earlier in the disease as the results are
better with early surgery.
MONITORING YOUR DISEASE
There are three very important tests which are carried out, 1: intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, 2: OCT examination which
examines the parts of the retina and optic nerve which are damaged before the vision is affected and 3: field of vision test. The
IOP test is done by pressing a probe lightly on the eye to see how
hard it is (just like a referee testing the ball at the beginning of a
match). It is painless and completely safe for the eye. The probe
in calibrated for each eye by measuring the thickness of the
cornea. The OCT examination is done simply by asking the patient
to look at a blue dot while a laser beam scans the eye for possible
damage. It is harmless and painless. The field of vision test is
done on a specialised machine where a white light is shone onto
a bowl in front of the patient and the patient presses a switch
each time they see the spot of light. In this way any blind spots
are picked up and the machine can see if they are getting bigger.
Typically these tests are carried out every nine or twelve months.
SUMMARY
Glaucoma is for life. Once you have been diagnosed as having
glaucoma you will need to have the disease monitored for the
rest of your life. Most patients with glaucoma retain good vision
indefinitely. Modern treatment is easy and very effective. Only a
small number of patients lose significant vision.
Author:
Miss Bola Odufuwa. M.B.B.S., D.O., F.R.C.S.(Ed), F.R.C.Ophth. M.Sc.
Consultant Ophthalmologist Royal Free Hospital. London
Consultant Ophthalmologist Whittington Hospital. London
Consultant Ophthalmologist My-iClinic
If you wish to consult with Miss Odufuwa about glaucoma or about
any other eye problems she can be contacted at My-iClinic, 960 High
Like us on Facebook
t
he cold months of winter bring with
them a lot of ‘coughs and sneezes’, that
many sufferers mistakenly call flu. the
term has become a modern-day shorthand for
a whole host of complaints but most of these
self-proclaimed episodes are not what health
professionals would diagnose as flu. many
viruses can cause flu-like illness but flu is
caused by the influenza virus. there are three
types – A, B and C. Influenza A and B are responsible for most of the cases of the flu.
Every winter a different type of influenza
will cause a flu outbreak – which would affect
many people, including children, pregnant
women and others listed below. It is against
this virus, the one which is expected to be
prevalent, that the flu vaccine is developed
each year. In other words, flu vaccination in one
year cannot protect against flu in the following
year, because the strain is constantly changing.
If you have been invited to have the vaccination it means that you fall into the high risk
group and are entitled to receive the vaccine
free of charge. Please, consider taking up this
invitation as it may be life saving.
FlU SymPtomS
Flu-like symptoms develop gradually and you
start feeling really unwell after a day or two.
these symptoms generally resolve within
seven days but may take longer if it becomes
complicated. A person may have all or some of
the symptoms at any given episode.
These symptoms include
l Fever
l Cough
l Runny nose
l Sneezing
l General aches and pains ( you wake up feeling like you’ve been in a fight )
l headache
l Sore throat
l Nausea
l loss of appetite
hoW Do yoU CAtCh thE FlU?
the virus is spread from person to person
through droplets from sneezing and coughing.
It may also be spread by contact with a contaminated surface. this is why good personal
hygiene is extremely important. Good hand
washing habits and use of a tissue/handkerchief to catch the droplets are some of the
ways in which the spread can be curtailed.
tREAtmENt
General measures (symptomatic treatment)
this may be all that is required. As mentioned
above, the symptoms usually resolve within
seven days and so treatment is directed at the
symptoms which the person has. Flu can be
managed at home with paracetamol, nurofen,
rest, fluids and over-the-counter flu remedies.
Parents and guardians should avoid giving
their children over-the-counter cough and cold
remedies. I would suggest that if you are worried about your child and fear he or she has
the flu, you should contact your GP either by
telephone or by making an appointment. the
doctor would examine the child to exclude
any complications, like chest infection, ear infection, sinusitis and so forth.
Anti-viral treatment
Patients who are at risk of developing serious
complications from the flu may be given antiviral medication. this does not kill the virus
but helps to reduce the severity of the illness.
If you fall into the group detailed below
(under Flu Vaccine), please contact your GP if
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
BEAUTYWATCH
31
10 ESSENtIAlS FoR UNDER £10
At times, the millions of beauty products out there make it difficult for us to determine which is suitable for our
needs. The current economic situation doesn’t help, as we don’t want to spend a lot of money on a product that
turns out to be unsuitable. Worry not (it’s not worth the extra wrinkle)! Our beauty team has identified the 10
must have beauty buys, which satisfy key requirements of essential beauty products without breaking the bank
2
9
4
1
10
5
6
7
8
3
1
4
2
5
Lip gloss one of the most essential
items in a lady’s hand bag, when it comes
to lip gloss, the general rule is non-sticky.
Sticky lip gloss is a hindrance when your hair
gets on your lips, and can ruin a really good
kiss. l’oreal Glam shine lip gloss (£7.69) will
make your lips look glam without stickiness.
Lipstick Red lipsticks make your teeth
look whiter and add an extra oomph to
your look. they are the one item that could
turn a subtle daytime office look into a night
time party-ready look. A good choice would
be max Factor Colour Elixir lipstick 715 Ruby
tuesday (£7.99); it has super stay and is long
lasting so won’t require regular touch up.
Nail Polish the looming chills of winter
mean we have to hide our toes to keep
warm. Why not compensate by treating your
nails to Revlon nail enamel in Vixen (£6.49).
the deep Plum red would go with any outfit,
so, no fear of colour clashing nails.
3
Eye Liner Smoky eyes hold a certain
mystery and allure; they make your gaze
intense in a feminine way and the guys can’t
resist a mysterious woman. Use maybelline
master smoky long wearing shadow pencil
(£5.99). It’s easy to apply for those who
struggle with liquid liners, and lasts all day.
Mascara Rimmel volume flash waterproof mascara (£5.99) does exactly what
it says on the tin. It gives your eye lashes
volume in a flash. And now you can shed a
tear at that long awaited Rom-Com scene,
with no worry of Panda eyes.
Blusher Sleek blush in Sahara (£4.29) if
applied correctly, makes your cheekbones
more defined and gives your face a vibrant
look. Its also long-lasting.
Eye Shadow make your eyes dazzle
with No7 Stay Perfect eye shadow trio in
good earth (£9.50). It contains three different
colours, with something for a different occa-
6
7
sion, or for the daring, all three colours can
be used at once for colour combination eyes.
Foundation the perfect foundation
should give your face a smooth look and
feel. Sleek makeUP Creme to Powder Foundation (£7.99) has a smooth finish and comes
in different shades for different skin tones.
Wipes Every girl should have cleansing
wipes in her beauty box, to wash your
face properly after a long day or a night out.
Witch Cleansing and toning Wipes (£1.49),
would ensure your make up comes off to let
your skin breathe, before you hit the sack.
Moisturiser A good moisturiser
keeps your skin looking hydrated
without an oily sheen, and prevents your
forehead from looking like something to fry
an egg on. Garnier Skin Naturals Pure Shine
Control moisturiser (£4.05) has long-lasting
shine control action and keeps skin hydrated.
It can also be used as a base for make up.
8
9
10
TOWNWATCH
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NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
33
ON THE TOWN
With Toni
SEUN KUtI thE mAN Not thE SoN ComES to thE FoRUm
Seun Kuti’s impending concert at the Forum promises
to be one of the gigs of the
year, writes AJ James.
okay, the prospect of a
jam session involving some
of the original members of
Egypt 80 and the legendary
Brian Eno, Damon Albarn,
Courtnay Pine and tony
Allen amongst others is
enough to get any jazzer’s
juices flowing.
Knowing that there’ll be
a celebratory atmosphere
following the opening of
the Kalakuta museum on
the site of the compound
where Seun grew up and in
honour of his father Fela – a hugely symbolic
act of contrition by the authorities, who previously tore it down in a bloody ‘coup’ against
the Afrobeat empire – is another equally good
reason.
But by far and away the most enticing reason is that when Seun takes the stage, musi-
cally it will be as his own man and no longer
simply the son of his father.
Seun has been on the road for most of the
year touring the world and promoting his new
album From Africa With Fury: RISE. As is evident
from the title, he is furthering his father’s legacy
of political activism through his music and has
lent his support to the occupy
Nigeria movement. Some have
said his lyrics lack the sly wit
that was evident in Fela’s work
but different times demand different approaches and Seun
doesn’t pull his punches.
For example the lyrics to
Rise go straight for the jugular:
“I decry for Africa when I see
‘em in the hands of these people…/the business that they
do,/them, they sell our continent away./them, they sell
them every day/then they
bring the people down…/We
must rise up one day,/We must
rise up, I say/We must rise
against the petroleum companies…/We must rise against the diamond companies/they use our brothers as slaves for their
stones/We must rise up against all the African
rulers…/We must rise up against companies
like montsanto/And halliburton/them, they
use their tricks to make my people hungry.”
this is the voice of a new generation and
THEATRE
Black T-shirt Collection
Burning Birds
FOR CHILDREN
Blackta
Welcome to the world’s most unusual talent contest. Behind the
scenes, competitors are laughing
and brawling, parading their
hopes and fears in front of each
other, their loves and losses. But
there’s a bigger fight to be had on
stage: who’s going to win? The
black, the yellow or the brown
guy? This biting satire exposes the
highs and lows of making it as a
black actor – a ‘blackta’.
young Vic, the Cut, Waterloo,
SE1 8lZ, until 17 Nov, from £10
From Fringe First winner Inua Ellams comes a new story about two
foster brothers building a global tshirt brand. On their journey from
a market in Nigeria to a sweatshop
in
China,
Matthew
and
Muhammed discover the consequences of success. Born in Nigeria, Ellams merges visual art,
poetry and theatre telling stories
with iconic imagery, humour and
beauty.
tara theatre, 356 Garratt
lane, Earlsfield, SW18 4ES
19-20 Nov, from £9
Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
www.youngvic.org
http://tara-arts.com
By the time Daisy gets home,
everything will have changed.
Everything will be different. That
I guarantee you.
The height of Summer. It’s
Daisy’s fifteenth birthday and
trouble is brewing – there’s a curfew in place, school is suspended
and the city is changing. But Daisy
has an important delivery to make
across town.
So when Morell offers her a
ride in his uncle’s car, she sets off
down a road from which there
might be no turning back.
Set against the backdrop of the
London riots, Burning Bird questions the decisions we make and
explores the freedoms we find
when authority goes missing.
the Unicorn, 147 tooley
Street, SE1 2hZ, Age 13+,
14-17 Nov, from £10
Feast (booking now)
http://unicorntheatre.com
I, Malvolio
On their way to a family dinner, three sisters are divided at a
crossroads. From Nigeria in the 1700s through Brazil, Cuba and the
USA to London in 2013, the sisters survive by their spirits – spirits
of courage, mischief and incredible resilience.
This epic production is a vibrant exploration of the magnificent
Yoruba culture. Written by Yunior Garcia, Rotimi Babatunde,
Marcos Barbosa, Tanya Barfield and Gbolahan Obisesan, it is
brought to life with dazzling music and choreography.
young Vic, 66 the Cut, Waterloo, london, SE1 8lZ
25 Jan-23 Feb
From £10
www.youngvic.org
Tim Crouch re-imagines Twelfth
Night in a brilliant one-man show
that unlocks Shakespeare’s play
for new audiences and tells a timeless story of bullying, prudery and
practical jokes.
A charged, hilarious and sometimes unsettling rant from a man
adrift in front of a cruel audience.
Part abject clown, part theatrehating disciplinarian, Malvolio
asks his audience to explore the
pleasure we take in other people’s
suffering.
This is a show for anyone who
has ever been told off, called a
name or fallen in love with the
wrong person.
the Unicorn, as above. Age
13+, until 11 Nov, £10 (under
21), £16 (over 21)
The annual winter extravaganza
is back with the magical ice rink
set around the Victorian bandstand and illuminated with over
100,000 pea-lights. Other attractions include the new magical ice
kingdom, an awe-inspiring experience through a fantastical world
of real ice and snow unique to the
UK; Zippo Circus; a giant observation wheel; more rides than you
can shake a stick at; and of
course Santa Land with Santa’s
Grotto.
hyde Park, london W2 2Uh
23 Nov-6 Jan, FREE to enter;
attraction prices vary.
hydeparkwinterwonderland.co
m
The Prince and The Pauper
You are a Prince, not a pauper.
And before too long the whole of
England will be in your hands...
Set in a Tudor London, poor
Tom Canty has a chance meeting
with the young heir to the throne,
Prince Edward – and by pure coincidence they find they look almost identical. Mark Twain’s
classic tale of confused identities
tells the story of what happens
when the one is mistaken for the
other.
the Unicorn, as above. Age
6+, 25 Nov-13 Jan, from £15
A Winter’s Tale
Based on Shakespeare’s late comedy, this hilarious new production turns the world of The
Winter’s Tale on its head. It’s a
play within a play, in which four
performers present Shakespeare’s
story of Kings and Queens and
the music has developed to accommodate it.
the Afrobeat is still there, with the brash blend
of polyrhythmic layering, funky horn lines, and
soaring melodies that Fela created. But now
Seun, generally considered to be a better sax
man than his dad, has funked up the rhythm
section grooves and ferocious walls of sound.
the band includes the typical Afrobeat instrumentation: set drummer and hand drummer, two hand percussionists, a four-person
horn section, electric bass and guitar, two female singer/dancers, and of course, Seun on
vocals and alto sax. lekan Animasahun, Fela’s
long-serving musical director, continues the
role in this band, also playing keyboard.
the band has scored rave reviews in the US
and elsewhere. you’d be a fool to miss it.
Seun Kuti & Fela’s Egypt 80, with support from Jazzanova ft Paul Randolph,
and Matthew Halsall, and very special
guests, appear the the Forum on Nov 23;
doors 8pm ‘til 2am.
Tickets: £12.50 Early Birds; £19.50 Advance; £22.50 Late Buyers; some reserved
for sale on the door, via www.soundcrashmusic.com/seun-kuti-jazzanova/
bears in the forest – a
world of petty jealousies
and playground rites, in
which it’s always the servants who draw the short
straw.
This brilliant play explores the politics of the
playground with a humour that will appeal to
all ages.
the Unicorn, as above.
Age 7-10, until 16 Nov,
from £10
Film Africa Family Events
A day of family entertainment with The
African Market (12-4pm), a children’s
session with storytelling (with Helen
McDonald), African drumming and
dance and mask-making (2-5pm), and
an adult African drumming workshop
(5-6pm)
hackney Picturehouse, 270 mare
Street, hackney, london, E8 1hE
4 Nov
FREE (children’s session); from £3
(adults)
www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/hackney_picturehouse
Potato needs a bath
Live Events
A light-hearted, gentle
And make sure you catch one of the
and highly visual treat feamany world music gigs that are being
turing fruit, vegetables
held as part of the film festival, featurand original music. There
ing stars from across the continent, inis going to be a party and
cluding the likes of London’s best kept
everyone is ready – except
blues secret, Juju, and Sabar Dance with
Potato. Onion is practicDiene Waaw Waaw Sagna.
ing his guitar, Aubergine is
See www.filmafrica.org.uk “Live
wearing her new necklace
events” for more details.
and Peach is bouncing on
Film festival highlights, p34.
the bed with excitement.
Potato needs a bath, but
he has other ideas because
Potato loves mud!
space. It might get crowded, but it
Southbank Centre, Blue
will delight!
Room, Spirit level, Belvedere
Polka theatre, 240 the BroadRoad, SE1 8XX, until 2 Nov,
way, Wimbledon, SW19 1SB,
Age 2-5, £12
www.southbankcentre.co.uk
Age 3-4, 17 oct-16 Feb, £10
Separate toddler versions (age 1-2)
CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES
will be shown from 20 Oct–14 Feb
Too many penguins
How many penguins are too many
penguins? Polar bear thinks one is
more than enough, thank you very
much! But Penguina has other
ideas... she wants someone to play
with. Just one friend...well, maybe
two... or three...
Squeeze into this fun theatrical
experience and find out just how
many penguins we can get into one
Liminal
Liminal invites families into a
physical, material and social experience of sculpture through touch,
interaction and collaboration.
Supported by a changing artist devised programme.
tate Britain, millbank, SW1P
4RG. All ages, FREE
Every Sat & Sun, 11am-3pm
34
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
born Andrew Ukoko, The Assassin’s
Practice represents a new step for
Nigerian film, combining snappy,
intelligent scriptwriting and brilliant
acting to create a highly engaging and
unusual thriller.
FILM AFRICA
Film Africa, the UK’s largest
annual festival of African cinema
and culture, is back in November
2012 with 10 days of 70 amazing
African films, 35 leading filmmakers offering Q&As, free
professional workshops, and 9
African music nights. See the
website for the full list of films on
offer.
Various venues
1-11 Nov
hackney Picturehouse, 4 Nov, 8.45pm,
from £8, as above
The Education of Auma Obama (12)
– Film and Q&A
If you think you understand US President
Barack Obama’s Kenyan heritage, watch
this film and think again. Nigerian-Welsh
director Branwen Okpako lovingly
reveals one of the key women living in
the shadows of Obama’s success – his
fascinating, sophisticated Kenyan halfsister, Auma Obama – a woman who
introduced President Obama to his
Kenyan roots.
www.filmafrica.org.uk
United States of Africa (PG)
African hip hop pioneer Didier Awadi is
on a quest to pay tribute to the
revolutionary African leaders, their
struggle for self-determination, and their
dream of a united, independent Africa.
As he crafts his new album, Awadi visits
some 40 countries to collaborate with
hip hop activist artists, including the
outspoken Smockey (Burkina Faso), M-1
of Dead Prez (United States) and
ZuluBoy (South Africa). Beyond music,
this is a hopeful and compelling portrait
of a continent whose politically aware
youth is refusing to accept the role of
victim.
South london Gallery, 65-67 Peckham
Road, london, SE5 8Uh
2 Nov, 7pm, FREE
MAAMI Through revisiting his past Nigerian footballer Kashimawo has to make some serious
decisions for the future, featuring a stellar cast, showing at Hackney Picturehouse, see below
only two of every 10 soldiers were white.
On discovering Isaac’s amazing personal
account in the Imperial War Museum, Al
Jazeera journalist Barnaby Phillips
follows an obscure lead to try to find
Isaac in Nigeria. A true tale of
tremendous courage, generosity and
emotion.
from £8, as above
www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/hackney_picturehouse
The Assassin’s Practice (18)
Man On Ground (18) – Premiere and
Q&A
Nigerian veteran Isaac Fadoyebo is one
of the forgotten heroes of WWII.
Alongside 100,000 other African soldiers,
he fought in the 1943 Burma campaign
led by the British, a campaign in which
Femi, a Nigerian political radical who has
been imprisoned and tortured, is now on
the run, last seen on the streets of
Johannesburg. Amidst the xenophobic
tensions that have erupted in South
EyeOpener Gallery Tours:
Africa at The British Museum
The diverse cultural life of Africa
has been expressed through everyday objects and unique works of art
since ancient times. The Museum’s
collection of over 200,000 African
items encompasses archaeological
and contemporary material from
across the continent. Highlights on
display in Room 25 include a magnificent brass head of a Yoruba
ruler from Ife in Nigeria, the Tree of
Life (a sculpture made out of guns)
and some objects from the Torday
collection of Central African sculpture, textiles and weaponry.
British museum, Great Russell
Street, WC1B 3DG, daily, FREE
www.britishmuseum.org
A 100 Years of Collecting
The gallery tells the story of the
Hornimans collections and how
This witty Nollywood thriller tells the
story of failed stock investor Eviano Esiri,
who hires an assassin to stage his suicide
and make it look like a botched robbery,
so that his wife and daughter can live off
his life insurance. But the assassin brings
along with her far more than Eviano
bargained for ... Directed by Nigerian-
they were viewed by different collectors over the last 100 years. The
exhibition includes beautiful anddiverse objects collected from
places such as Nigeria, the American Southwest and Nepal. Highlights include the Annang puppets
from Nigeria depicting the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady
Diana and a papier maché figure
of Kali from Calcutta.
horniman museum & Gardens, 100 london Road, SE23
3PQ, daily, FREE
ing for Transwonderland about rediscovering the country her father
loved has been widely reviewed.
Chibundo’s novel The Spider
King’s Daughter is a modern-day
Romeo and Juliet set against the
backdrop of a changing Lagos.
Deptford lounge, 9 Giffin
Street, Deptford, SE8 4RJ, 8
Nov, 7pm, FREE, booking essential
www.horniman.ac.uk
The spirit of the British Empire remains part of our national consciousness but historian Kwasi
Kwarteng attributes much of the
negative legacy of empire to “anarchic individualism” – chaos and
disorder created by officials who
were ill-suited to the omnipotence
and dire lack of accountability imposed on them. Kwasi’s book,
Ghosts of Empire focuses in
particular on Iraq, Kashmir, Sudan,
Nigeria, Burma and Hong Kong
and the individualistic nature of imperial rule. It is a well-researched
and highly praised account of the
continuing impact of the British
Empire’s failings and shortcomings
on the modern world.
Staines library, Friends Walk,
Staines, Surrey, tW18 4PG
23 Nov, 7.30pm, £5
LITERATURE
Chibundo onuzo and Noo
Saro-Wiwa
Join Nigerian authors Chibundo
Onuzo and Noo Saro-Wiwa as
they share the platform at Deptford Lounge to discuss their new
books. Noo’s father, activist Ken
Saro-Wiwa, was murdered in
Nigeria and her travelogue Look-
African Worlds
The first permanent
exhibition in Britain
dedicated to African art
and culture, African
Worlds celebrates the
continent’s diversity,
history and creativity. It
brings together a rich
mixture of sculpture and
decorative arts explained
through the voices of
elders, maskers, drummers, diviners, artists, exiles, curators and
anthropologists. Objects from across Africa are displayed from
Egypt to Zimbabwe, and from African related cultures including
Brazil and Trinidad. Highlights include masterpieces of the bronze
casters art from Benin, which depict the arrival of the first
Europeans to Africa.
horniman museum & Gardens, 100 london Road, london,
SE23 3PQ. Daily. FREE
www.horniman.ac.uk
Africa’s townships, Femi’s brother Ade –
a banker living in London – goes on a
desperate search for his missing brother.
This noir thriller is gritty, passionate and
emotionally charged, equal parts elegy
and call to action, inspired by the 2008
burning of Ernesto Nhamuave, a
Mozambican immigrant living in an
settlement outside Johannesburg.
hackney Picturehouse, 270 mare
Street, hackney, london, E8 1hE
2-8 Nov, from £9,
Her Majesty’s Sergeant and Burma
Boy
MUSEUMS
@NigerianWatch
TOWNWATCH
www.thealbany.org.uk
Ghosts of the British Empire
www.surreycc.gov.uk
COMEDY
The Top Secret Comedy Club
The best in African & Caribbean
comedy from the UK and beyond.
Featuring Paul Ricketts, Jason
Patterson, Joe K and Josephine
Lacey.
the Africa Centre, 38 King St,
WC2E 8Jt, Every Sun, 8pm,
From £5
www.africacentre.org.uk
Rich mix, 35 - 47 Bethnal Green Road,
E1 6lA, 6 Nov, 8pm, from £6.50,
www.richmix.org.uk
The Beautiful Game (U) – Film and
Q&A
Football is, quite simply, Africa’s
favourite sport. This uplifting and
stunningly shot documentary tells the
inspirational tales of ordinary Africans
such as Francis, who, despite his polio,
coaches disabled children in Nairobi; and
Suzanne, who, with her football
supporters’ group in Ivory Coast, dances
not only for sport but for democracy.
Charting several individual stories in its
exploration of the impact of football on
people’s lives across six African countries
– Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya,
Nigeria and South Africa, the film plays
out against a fabric of interviews with
famous Africans, including Desmond
Tutu, Kofi Annan and Femi Kuti, to
create a portrait of the transcendent
EXHIBITIONS
power of football in Africa today.
from £6, as above
Also half-term screening for young
people at South london Gallery, 65-67
Peckham Road, london, SE5 8Uh
1 Nov, FREE, booking essential
www.southlondongallery.org
Maami (15) – Film and Q&A
Nigerian footballer Kashimawo returns
home days before the final selections for
Nigeria’s World Cup team, and through
revisiting his past – his hardscrabble
childhood in the town of Abeokuta,
where his single mother struggled to
raise him – has to make some serious
decisions. With a stellar cast, and based
on a well-known Nigerian novel, Maami
sees veteran Nigerian director Kelani
fuse the energy of Nollywood with the
seriousness of Yoruba cultural heritage.
from £10, as above
Phone Swap – Film and Q&A
Kunle Afolayan, director of the awardwinning The Figurine, returns with a
lively comedy in which two people from
completely different walks of life
accidentally exchange phones and as a
result must walk in the other’s shoes for
a day. Here, Afolayan breaks out of the
low-budget, fast-track production cycle
of Nollywood drama and combines high
production values with carefully scripted
drama, resulting in an exciting film full
of excellent performances from its allstar cast. Followed by a Q&A with
director Kunle Afolayan and lead actor
Wale Ojo.
BFI Southbank, South Bank, Waterloo,
london, SE1 8Xt, 10 Nov, 5pm, from
£5.25
http://www.bfi.org.uk
www.thesilverbullet.co.uk
Bronze
MAV – Music Audio Visual
Bronze features over 150 of the
finest bronzes from Asia, Africa
and Europe and includes important discoveries as well as archaeological excavations. Many of the
pieces have never been seen in the
UK. Different sections will focus
on the Human figure, Animals,
Groups, Objects, Reliefs, Gods,
and Heads & Busts.
Royal Academy of Arts,
Burlington house, Piccadilly,
W1J 9BD. £14 (adult), from £3
(child), Under 7s FREE, Concs.
available, until 9 Dec
Femi Temowo
www.royalacademy.org.uk
The Body Adorned: Dressing
London
The exhibition features hundreds
of stunning objects, including
adorned figures, early tattooing instruments and headdresses, a film
installation by The Light Surgeons, several wardrobes of London residents, exploring why they
wear what they wear and urban
street portraits
taken
by
young people.
the horniman museum, SE23
3PQ. Until 6 Jan, 2013, FREE
MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS
Jazz Jam Session
Every Tuesday evening at The Silver Bullet we welcome jazz musicians to the stage for a live jazz jam
with local legend and one-time
Gilles Peterson signee, Bukky Leo
and his quartet. Players of all levels and styles are welcome to join
in, or simply lay back and soak up
the scintillating afro beats, acid
jazz and swing vibes.
the Silver Bullet, 4-5 Station
Place, Finsbury Park, N4 2Dh,
Every tuesday, FREE
CLUBS
Europe’s first monthly all Audio
Visual party will give you a full
multi sensory sensation. The incredible line up of VJs will be mixing videos new and old to create
the all new party experience that is
a feast for the eyes, ears and feet!
With resident VJs DJ Woody, Spin
Doctor, DJ Rags, CWD and special guests.
@ Plan B, 418 Brixton Road,
london SW9 7Ay
3rd Sat of every month
Electric Jalaba
Silk City
Gnawa fusion
Sat 3, 8pm
Seye
Afropolitan pop
Thursday 8
Seyi Shyne Entz & Niroko Onyx
presents Silk Fridays. RNB,
Hiphop, Funky House, Old Skool
Garage,
Bashment,
Soca,
Afrobeats, 70s/80s/90s party classics. With DJ Sean and DJ Era.
Guvnor Bar, Bell lane, off
Dock Road, E16 2AB
Every 2nd & last Fri, 10pm4am
Guitarist and composer Femi
Temowo leads a workshop on
learning to play jazz music without
scores, focusing in particular on
listening and communication.
Young people need to bring their
own instruments.
Royal Festival hall, level 5
Function Room, Belvedere
Road, london, SE1 8XX
11 Nov, 11am, £5, ages 11-16
Sidi Toure
Songhai folk from Gao, Mali
Tuesday 13, 7pm
All £10, all at
momo, heddon Street, W1
020 7434 4040
www.momoresto.com
Bukky Leo and Black Egypt
+ DJ Commander Yaaba
hackney Attic, 270 mare
Street, london, E8 1hE
tickets: £7.00
Saturday 17 November
8.00pm
www.hackneyattic.co.uk
The Ray lema Trio
Ray Lema, piano Franky Moulet,
double bass Jean Emule, drums
Purcell Room at the Queen
Elizabeth hall, Southbank
Centre, london, SE1 8XX
From £20
Wednesday 21 November
7.30pm
The Social Elite Party
The Social Elite Party for professionals and socialites. Old Skool
Classics, RNB, Bashment, Funky,
and Afrobeats with DJ Bigyem,
DJ Ladi and DJ A-Star (Amour).
Steam Bar hilton, 146 Praed
Street, Paddington, W2 1EE
Very 3rd Fri, 10pm-3.30am
Pulsations Night
The most prolific throwback night
to end the month in style. 100%
Old Skool Music with DJ
Lawrence, DJ Andre and DJ Am.
the Railway telegraph, 19
Brigstock Road, CR7 7JJ
Every last Sat, 10pm-3am
Afro-Carnival Nite
It’s most anticipated afro-centric
themed night with R&B,
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TOWNWATCH
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
35
PANTOMIME SPECIAL
It’s that time of year again, when the
audience gets to be a star of the show. Oh
yes you can. Aside from the fun and
games, panto is often many children’s first
experience of live theatre and there is no
better introduction than panto.
great gags, catchy tunes, stunning scenery,
colourful costumes and LOTS of audience
participation, this is traditional family
entertainment at its BEST!
the Queen's theatre, Billet lane, hornchurch,
Rm11 1Qt, 1 Dec-12 Jan, From £14.50
www.queens-theatre.co.uk
EAST LONDON
Cinderella
Aladdin
Cinderella is arguably the most popular panto story
of them all. Most of us may know how it ends, but
of course the magic of the story is in the telling and
Cinderella at the Broadway promises to be magical.
the Broadway theatre, Broadway, Barking,
IG11 7lS, 1 Dec-2 Jan, From £12
www.thebroadwaybarking.com
TV bad-guy Steve McFadden (Eastenders) leads the
cast of this year’s pantomime as the wicked
Abanazar. Aladdin is a wish come true – packed
with all the traditional ingredients, and plenty of
audience participation.
the orchard theatre, home Gardens, Dartford,
Kent, DA1 1ED, 8 Dec-6 Jan, From £19.50
http://orchardtheatre.co.uk/
Dick Whittington and his Cat
The Hackney Empire panto has become legendary
in recent years, finding the right blend between
traditional and modern, with the irrepressible Kat
B – of MTV fame and more – and celebrated Dame
(Clive Rowe) leading proceedings (pictured).
Presumably we can expect lots of jokes at Boris
Johnson’s expense? Oh yes we can.
Cinderella
Traditional take, as handsome princes only happen
in fairy tales ... don’t they? With a wave of the
magic wand, you arrive in the most popular and
enchanting pantomime of them all.
Kenneth more theatre, oakfield Road, Ilford,
Essex, IG1 1Bt, 13 Dec-19 Jan, From £10.50
hackney Empire theatre, 291 mare Street,
hackney, london, E8 1EJ, 1 Dec-7 Jan, From
£9.50 www.hackneyempire.co.uk
www.kmtheatre.co.uk
Jack and the Beanstalk
Traditional panto eggs-trava-gander! Join Mother
Goose, her family and Priscilla, the Goose that lays
the golden eggs, on a flight of fantasy.
Grab a handful of magic beans and venture into a
world of magic, wonder, and angry giants! This
year's panto features all the laughs and sing-along
tunes you'd expect.
theatre Royal Stratford East, Gerry Raffles
Square, london, E15 1BN, 1 Dec-19 Jan, From
£8.50 www.stratfordeast.com
Join our brave hero Jack on a thrilling adventure as
he climbs the magic beanstalk to save the day. With
NORTH LONDON
Mother Goose
millfield Arts Centre, Silver Street, Edmonton,
N18 1PJ, 29 Nov-12 Jan, From £11
www.millfieldtheatre.co.uk
The Three Musketiers
It's all for fun and fun for all, as Charles Court
Opera swash and buckle their way through their
6th boutique panto, a tour de force of music, jokes
and utter silliness.
Rosemary Branch theatre, 2 Shepperton Road,
london, N1 3Dt, From £14 (adult), £5 (Child)
7 Dec-15 Jan www.rosemarybranch.co.uk
Cinderella
Left at home by the ugliest of sisters, Cinders
cannot go to the ball. But with help from her
magical Fairy Godmother and some brilliant
buffoonery from Buttons, the most exciting night
of her life is about to begin....
Wyllyotts theatre, Darkes lane, Potters Bar,
EN6 2hN, 15 Dec-6 Jan, from £14.50
SOUTH LONDON
Aladdin: A Wish Come True
The Nextmen at On The Real
Deliquence
To complete their
first year of their
only London
residency The
Nextmen are back
once with 4 hours
and 4 decks to
wow the crowd.
With a floor filling
selection that
includes Hip-Hop,
House, Disco,
Jungle and beyond they are sure to once again set the place
alight. With Spin Doctor, Mr Thing, Chris P Cuts and host MC
Prankster.
RnB, HipHop, Funky House, Soca,
Afro Beat and many more with DJ
Wiley, DJ MVP, DJ Guzzle.
legacy Nite Club, 135 Finchley
Road, NW3 6Jh
Every first Sat, 10pm-4am
9 Nov, 10pm-3am, From £7
Prince Paul
Able to lay claim to directly influencing everyone from Jay-Z & Wu
Tang to The Roots & Tribe Called Quest,
few have done as much to shape the
sound and style of Hip-Hop as the
mighty Prince Paul. Hitting London for
the first time in over three years his
exclusive DJ set for The Doctor’s Orders
will take in a host of the classics he
produced, influenced and those that
influenced him.
A mixture of style event with DJ
Kigz Romeo, DJ Ladi, DJ Elvin
and DJ Yemi.
Steam Bar hilton, 146 Praed
F.A.M.E.
Street, Paddington, W2 1EE
Every Fri, 10pm-late
Paparazzi
City Life London
RnB, HipHop, Funky House, Old
Skool Garage, Bashment,
Soca, Afro Beats 70s/80s/90s Party
Classics with DJ Era, DJ MVP
and DJ Nyari.
Dock Road, E16 2AB
Every second Friday, 10pm4am
RnB, Hip Hop, Funky House,
Bashment, AfroBeats, Hiplife and
many more. With DJ Era, DJ
French Kiss, DJ Sawman, DJ
Sharf.
Club 2AD, 2 Crutched Friars,
EC3N 2ht
Every last Friday, 10pm4.30am
East Village, 89 Great Eastern Street,
london, EC2A 3hX
Xhale Fridays
BANTU brings you the best of
urban contemporary jams with a
selection of hits from across the
African continent. Every BANTU
night includes at least one segment of the evening dedicated to
a wide selection of contemporary
African music along with the best
selection of Old Skool and the latest Hip Hop and RnB. With DJ
Que, MC & DJ Goodie and DJ
Clem.
APt BAR, Aldermary house,
10-15 Queen Street, EC4N 1tX
Every first Sat, 10pm-4am
We guarantee a night of pure entertainment & fun in a mature and
sophisticated Environment. RnB,
Hip Hop, Funky House, Old
Skool Garage, Bashment, Soca,
Afro Beats, Slow Jams, 70s/80s/90s
Party Classics,
Hiplife. With DJ Era and DJ
Wavey J.
legacy Nite Club, 135 Finchley
Road, NW3 6Jh
Every 2nd Sat, 10pm-4am
29 Nov, 9pm-2am, From £10
HipHop, Afro Beats, Dancehall
Club Bangers; promoting multiculturalism in style, fashion,
glamour & afro-swag like never
seen before.
Every first Sat
BANTU Saturdays
Premium Fridays
Lily Savage will dust down her theatrical muses and
throw on the guise of Widow Twankey for a rare
and unique stage appearance in a strictly limited
season.
the theatre at the o2, the o2, Greenwich
Peninsula, london, SE10 0UX, 7 Dec-5 Jan, From
£23.50 www.theo2.co.uk
Cinderella
Celebrating its 80th anniversary year, with a cast of
West End stars, fabulous costumes, and a show
packed with laughter and fun. Featuring Floella
Benjamin as the Fairy Godmother, Andrew Haydn
Smith (CBBC) as Buttons and John Lyons (Frost) as
Baron Hardup.
the Broadway theatre, Catford Broadway, Catford, SE6 4RU, 15 Dec-6 Jan, From £15
www.broadwaytheatre.org.uk
Peter Pan
Join Peter, Wendy, The Lost Boys and Tinker Bell,
and the infamous Captain Hook. Starring Jennifer
Ellison (Dancing On Ice) as Peter, Ace Bhatti
(EastEnders) as Hook, Andrew Agnew (Balamory) as
Smee and Gemma Hunt (CBBC) as Tinker Bell.
Churchill theatre, high Street, Bromley,
BR1 1hA, 30 Nov-6 Jan, From £14
Robin Hood – A Pantomime Adventure
Packed with high-energy music and dance,
razor sharp comedy, a riveting story and a
star turn as Marian's nanny from
pantomime writer and director
Andrew Pollard himself.
Greenwich theatre, Crooms
hill, london, SE10 8ES, From
£8, 22 Nov-6 Jan
www.greenwichtheatre.org.uk
Snow White & The Seven
Dwarfs
This pantomime has Priscilla
Presley making her pantomime
and London stage debut as The
Wicked Queen, and TV star
Warwick Davis as Prof. and funny
man Jarred Christmas as Herman.
New Wimbledon theatre, the
Broadway, Wimbledon, london,
SW19 1QG, 7 Dec-13 Jan, From £10 www.ambassadortickets.com/wimbledon
The 12th Annual Battersea Barge Panto
The Battersea Barge Panto is a very dirty, very adult
pantomime starring some of London’s top cabaret
artists.
Battersea Barge, Riverside Walk, Nine Elms,
london, SW8 5BP, 2-12 Dec, From £12.95
ADUltS oNly
Laila Morse (Eastenders) heads the cast as the
Fairy with CBeebies presenter Sid Sloane, as hero
Jack. Europe’s tallest man Neil Fingleton plays the
mighty giant and Quinn Patrick, Dame Trott.
the Fairfield halls & Ashcroft theatre, Park
lane, Croydon, CR9 1DG, 7 Dec-6 Jan, From
£16.50 www.fairfield.co.uk
WEST LONDON
Aladdin
Starring Suzanne Shaw as The Genie, comedian Tim
Vine as Wishee Washee, and back by popular
demand Graham Hoadly, as Widow Twanky.
Traditional and classy.
Richmond theatre, the Green, Richmond, tW9
1QJ, 7 Dec-13 Jan, From £10
www.ambassadortickets.com
Cinderella
Starring the Great Biritsh Bake Off’s Mel Giedroyc
as the wicked stepmother and West End star Julie
Atherton as Cinderella. Prepare ye for sly, witty
hilariousness with the Hardups.
lyric hammersmith, lyric Square, King St, london W6 0Ql, 24 Nov-5 Jan, Age 6+, From £12.50
www.lyric.co.uk
Peter Pan – The Swashbuckling Pantomime Adventure
The swashbuckling, laugh-packed
adventure stars Adam Woodyatt (Ian
Beale, Eastenders) as Captain
Hook and features
magnificent scenery,
beautiful costumes, an
abundance of comedy and
flying!
the Beck theatre, Grange
Road, hayes, UB3 2UE, 15
Dec-6 Jan, From £17.50
http://becktheatre.org.uk
CENTRAL LONDON
Beauty and The Beast
Traditional telling combines all the
ingredients of pantomime and
guarantees to raise the roof.
the Shaw theatre, 100 -110 Euston Road, london, NW1 2AJ,
6-30 Dec, From £21.50
www.shaw-theatre.com
36
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
@NigerianWatch
TOWNWATCH
EXClUSIVE KING oF AFRoBEAtS DJ ABRANtEE to FEAtURE
IN oUR DoCUmENtARy CElEBRAtING thE GENRE’S RISE
AFRoBEAtS; thE StoRy So FAR
Sitting in Choice FM’s plush
Leicester Square offices speaking
to the enigmatic young DJ Abrantee is a curious thing. Initially, you
are taken aback at how well
grounded he is, and then you get
consumed by the sheer scale of the
organisation.
This combination of humility at
his achievements and the corporate
behemoth that is the Capital group
could perturb many, but we were
RnB, Hip Hop, Funky House, Old
Skool Garage, Bashment, Soca,
Afro Beats,
70s/80s/90s Party Classics. With
DJ Ice, DJ Kofi Amah, DJ Express, DJ Selecta Aff, Commander
B, PnP Family, and DJ Hardy.
the Alabar lounge, 807 high
Road, N17 8ER
Every Fri
Purple Kiss Fridays
RnB, Hiphop, Bashment, Afro
Beat, Club Bangers, Lovers Rock,
Oldies,
Floor Fillers. With DJ Collo, DJ
Ritchie Ranx, DJ Soljah, Benzo,
Kat (Watford Finest), MC Kenny
(Ghana Finest).
Solar Nightclub, 2 linton
Road, Barking, IG11 8hG
Every Fri
VIP Fridays
RnB, Hiphop, Smoochy Music,
Funky House, Old Skool Garage,
Party Classics, Bashment, Soca,
Afro Beats, African Music. With
DJ Wiley and DJ Vjoj.
Club laface, 169-171 Fore
Street, Edmonton, N18 2XB
Every Fri, 10pm-3.30am
there to do a job with flair and finesse, and do that job we will. So
we set about the normal introductory pleasantries and if Abrantee
had made us feel any more
comfortable I would have
walked into a studio and
started presenting an
evening show.
We were there for a
dual purpose. First (and
foremost it must be added,
before the NW Editor
starts
looking
over
sternly) we were to write a
profile piece for this newspaper and second (erm, so
our MD doesn’t look over sternly)
to film Afrobeats’ best known DJ
for Green World Music’s forthcoming documentary on the genre,
titled Afrobeats, The Story So Far
(out online in December, it’s gonna
be quite something).
So after setting up camera,
Diamond Noir Model Party
RnB, Hiphop, Funky House,
Bashment, New Jack Swing
Garage, Soul, Rare Groove.
tamarai Bar, 167 Drury lane,
Covent Garden, WC2B 5PG
Sexy Sundays
RnB, Hiphop, Old Afro Beats,
Smoochy Music, Funky House,
Old Skool Garage, Party Classics,
African Music, Bashment, Soca.
Dock Road, E16 2AB
Every Sun, 10pm-3am
let people know
where you’re at so
they know where
it’s at with listings
in
Nigerian Watch
Call 020 8588 9640
or email
listings@nigerianwatch.com
lights and Abrantee letting us know
that his “best side” was actually
face on to the camera, we proceeded with much gusto to belt out
the questions.
I asked him what his top 5 great
Afrobeats moments of the year
were. His response was animated
as he spoke enthusiastically about
and thanked Choice FM for backing the Afrobeats Show (broadcast
at 10pm every Saturday) and the
immense impact it has had, with it
trending on Twitter and bringing
legions of new fans to the genre.
Afrobeats Sundays at Proud2 was
another great moment amongst
others.
I asked him whether he thought
Afrobeats was sexualising women
with songs such as The Thing and
its seemingly strong sense of innuendo and raunchy videos.
He chortled “Atumpan was
talking about school subjects such
(whoa FM 90.4), 4Play Sound
(Flames FM), Mista Style (Lightning FM 90.8), DJ Drama (Dramatik Entz), DJ Crazie (Crazy
Sexy Cool), DJ San, DJ Crazy (DSquard Ents).
Club 791, 791 london Road,
thornton heath, CR0 6AW
Every Fri, 10pm-5am
Hype Party
RnB, Hiphop, Smoochy Music,
Funky House, Old Skool Garage,
Party Classics, African Music,
Bashment,
Soca, Afro Beat. With DJ Kigz
Romeo and DJ Darren.
Club 1853, tottenham lane,
N8 9DJ
Every Fri, 9.30pm-3am
Black Velvet
RNB, Hiphop, Funky House,
Soca, Reggae, Afro Beats, Dancehall, 80s&90s Party Classics. With
Roblife, DJ Spark’s, DJ Andy
Blixx.
Global Bar, 333 high Road Ilford, Essex, IG1 1tE
Every thu, 10pm-5am
Subsoul
Pulsations Night
My Desire
The most prolific throwback night
to end the month in style. 100%
Old Skool Music. With DJ
Lawrence, DJ Andre and DJ Am.
RnB, Hip hop, Reggae, Afrobeats
(Hiplife, Kwaito, Bongo, UG
Jams, Lingala), Dance and Funky
House, Old School Club Classics.
With 2Shy Entertainment, DJ Pee,
DJ Que.
Dock Road, E16 2AB
Every 2nd thu, 10pm-3am
Smooth Thursdays
Old Skool Classics, RnB, Hip
Hop, Club Classics, Afro Beats,
Soul Ragga, Lovers Rock, Club
Bangerz. With DJ Mac Pro, DJ
Ritchie Ranx, and DJ Soljah.
live and let live, 264-266
Romford Road, E7 9hZ
Every thu, 7pm-3am
Certified Fridays
RnB, Hiphop, Funky House, Old
Skool Garage, Bashment, Club
Classics. With DJ Que, DJ Talent
B2B, DJ Blitzo (Keep it Blitzo),
MC & DJ Goodie, City Vybez
Since their days rocking the Africa
Centre with Soul II Soul and at
Funkin’ Pussy respectively, Jazzie
B and Spin Doctor have always
seen the West End as the epicenter
of the capital’s party scene. To reinstate that fact, they’re setting up
shop in this central club’s basement, spinning on rotation
(they’ve often got other DJs filling
in, so check beforehand) with soul
and disco to hip hop and house
and help from the likes of Chris P
Cuts, Aitch B, DJ Lok and more.
the Social, 5 little Portland
Street, W1W 7JD
Every Sat
as sociology when he says ‘the
thing’. I don’t know what ‘thing’
you are talking about” as he bursts
into another fit of laughter. I could
not help but join in nearly losing
track of the interview in the
process.
When asked about the furore
caused when he was attributed as
creating the moniker Afrobeats
(with an ‘s’ people) he smiled and
responded with “at least it got people talking about Afrobeats”.
He acknowledged that people
love a good story, when that particular story was leaked there were
certain things that were correctly
or incorrectly attributed to him but
so far as they pushed the genre forward.
Watch out for the full documentary “Afrobeats The Story So Far”
out at the beginning of December
to find out what else DJ Abrantee
said.
Hip Hop Karaoke
Putting a fresh twist on the ancient art of karaoke, HHK Lets
you get on the mic and act out
your rap fantasies to the fullest,
whether that includes teaming
up with friends to rock through
a Wu-Tang jam, living the lyrical
highlife like Jay-Z or Drake,
bawsin it like Rick Ross, celebrating summertime with The
Fresh Prince or acting all crazy
like Nicki Minaj or Ol Dirty
Bastard.
Street, london, W1W 7JD
Every thu
Madd Raff
Bashment is taking over the London club scene and The Heatwave
are leading the way with their
crazy Hot Wuk parties and Sunday night show on Rinse FM.
Madd Raff is the new weekly
Heatwave affair at The Social
(near Oxford Circus) and it’s all
about dancing!
Every week, Madd Raff kicks
off with an exclusive dance session
by top dancehall instructor
Safwaan Shoshoni of Pineapple
Studios. Plus the very best in bashment from The Heatwave alongside a whole heap of guest DJs,
live showcases and performances,
free nail art and a few other surprises too...
Madd Raff is all about dancehall and dancing - so whether you
come for the music, or to get down
for a weekly workout, have your
whistles and your horns at the
ready.
Street, london, W1W 7JD
Solar Nightclub, 2 linton
Road, Barking, IG11 8hG
Every Wed
REVIEW MORAL CONFLICT
moral Conflict has been making
waves ahead of its release (expected in December), racking
up nominations for Best Film,
Best male Actor (Ken Smart)
and Best Script/Screen Writer
(maxine Chantel) in the Black
Entertainment Film Fashion television Arts Awards (BEFFtAs)
and it’s clear to see why, writes
Ilonka Omos.
the comedy drama has an
attractive plot and a more than
capable line up. Ken Smart
otukuya plays Pastor Chuck
who struggles to grow his congregation. With the church at
risk, he organises an audition
for a new British Gospel Choir,
which attracts only hapless
singers.
to make matters worse, his
personal life is in turmoil with
the arrival of his mother tope
(olivia Nana Adu), who clashes
with his English wife Denise
(Rachel mason). only loyal
church member lucinda (Anita
Bellamy) can help but she is in
love with him. Pastor Chuck
faces moral conflict on all
fronts.
the film’s appeal lies in the
way it tackles the financial,
marital, emotional and racial
conflicts experienced by the
characters. the film is laced
with scenes and utterings that
the audience can identify with
– laugh out loud recognition
from the audience is guaranteed.
Ken Smart, the naïve pastor
who tries so hard to do right by
his family and congregation,
leads the excellent cast. Anita
Bellamy is superb as the flamboyant lucinda, who will do
anything to get her way, while
linda Robson as Bev acts as her
moral compass but treads on
some toes herself.
the film makes numerous
references to positive thinking
(you can do anything if you put
your mind to it), but its real
message is that love has no
colour.
this is not better shown
than mama tope’s journey from
stubborn, visiting relative, unwilling to accept the cultural
background of her daughter-inlaw to the mother who decides
to put her own son’s happiness
first. Whatever message you
take out, you will leave the theatre with a spring in your step.
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MUSICWATCH
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
37
ON THE Dj DECKS
AFROBEATS TOP 20 CHART
TOP
20 AFROBEATS
This is where we bring you the
latest cuts from the African music
scene, expect random but
AFROBREAKERS stunning music. If you hear
anything whilst out and about that
make you moves let us know at
chart@nigerianwatch.com and it
might just get featured in this section.
No. title
1
2
CONFAM By
BLACKMAGIC
FEATURING SASHA P
Bar the guy wearing an Arsenal jersey in the video
(Chelsea! Chelsea!), this track and video show a
more humble side to the Afrobeats genre. Fun and
playful, the characters are extremely endearing.
Well done to Blackmagic and this shows that
Afrobeats doesn’t always have to be about vanity
and material wealth. Shot from the point of view of
a seemingly very devoted boyfriend following his
adorable leading lady (and her cackle of friends) on
a variety of chores. NW are fans of Syndic8 Records
and this shows the label as an emerging leading
light for African music.
BOUNCER By SLEDGE
SINGLES
AFEFE by Dr Sid
Don Jazzy has done it again. this is a
monster of a tune and the Doctor is definitely in the house on this track. Aféfé is
going to literally set dance
floors alight
as the friction caused
by feet moving on the
dance floor
should be
slapped with a
hazard warning. oh, and the
video. the
VIDEo. Absolutely humongous. this is
where Afrobeats is going people. Fasten
your seatbelts.
IFE WA GBONA by Tiwa Savage
AFROBREAKERS
Kennis Music has in Sledge’s new track offering,
titled Bouncer, a track with a combination of odd
antics and humour. It’s not certain how well this
will do but it definitely has something about it.
It’s actually great to see a different side to the
plethora of tunes being released from the African
scene. Not trying to impress with designer gear or
fresh whips, this track tells the trials and tribulations of Sledge on a night out, his style being
cramped by that vanguard of nocturnal good
times, the club bouncer. Check it out as this is sure
to tickle your funny bone.
4
5
Kukure
Azonto
6
7
8
U Go Kill me
Bum Bum
Baddest Boy
9
q
w
e
r
t
y
u
i
o
p
Dami Duro
Kalom
Adamma
Pakurumo
Aluguntugui
Nawti
Ara
Raindrops
take Banana
oma Ga
Boom2tah
a
ten over ten
Artist
D Banj
P-Square Ft Rick
Ross
P-Square Ft. Akon &
may D
Iyanya
Fuse oDG Feat
tiffany
Sarkodie Ft El
timaya
E.m.E Feat Wi
Kid,Skales Banky W
Davido
Buk Bak
Flavour
Wizkid
Keche
olu maintain
Brymo
2face
D Prince
tiwa Savage
mista Silva Ft Skob,
Flava,N Kwam
Naeto C
This chart is compiled by information from
YouTube, BBC Radio 1, BBC 1Xtra & Choice FM
playlists
TOP
20 AFROBREAKERS
ONES TO WATCH
Every genre needs early adopters and vanguards at its cutting edge. This is where we
bring you those artists that represent the vanguard of Afrobeats in particular and African
music in general..
MOE LOGO
In what seems like a joint release between her new mavin home and old
label 323 Entertainment, tiwa is showing her chops on this sweet ballad sung
in Pidgin and yoruba. Featuring leo
Wonder this track just tugs at the heart
strings and doesn’t let go. It had this reviewer nearly reaching for a handkerchief. What a heartwarming take on
innocent love this song is. And as far as
African duets go, this has got to be
amongst the top ten for the past
decade.
Checkout all
of these tracks
and more at
www.nigerianwatch.com.
3
oliver twist
Beautiful
onyinye
Chop my money
Since the release of his major debut Bo
Sita Moe Logo has been frenetically busy
working in the studio. His manager enthuses that he has penned a good few
hits in the past few weeks and is set to
continue the rollout of a series of massive tunes throughout winter. This should
place things nicely for next summer and
NW is excited to hear about his next offering, which is set to be the theme tune
for an Afrobeats documentary being released towards the end of the year. Nice.
X.O SENAVOE
Is this the African Nas? What a style. Relaxed, story telling, aspiring, ambitious.
X.O has a lot to offer the industry. In a
sea of singers and MCs emanating from
the continent it’s difficult to have swagger without sounding too American but
he somehow manages
to pull it off. Just listen to his latest offering Taxi Music, and
clock the production
style and watch its
accompanying video,
which both
evoke the
true spirit
of Hip
Hop. This
is emotional stuff.
No. title
1
2
3
4
5
6
Gbon Gbon
Ife Wa Gbona
Ft leo Wonder
All of you
Rambo
Bum Bum
Azonto Fiesta
7
8
9
q
w
Ur Waist
Fine lady
Go low
Antenna
Baddest Boy
e
r
t
y
u
i
Go low
Aboki
tony montana
(Bad Pass) Remix
Afefe
Good morning
overseas
o
p
a
'Sha la la'
Gaga Crazy
Get Down tonight
Artist
Davido
tiwa Savage
Davido
Sina
timaya
Sarkodie Ft
Appietus & Kesse
Iyanya
lynxxx Ft Wizkid
Wande Coal
Fuse oDG
E.m.E Ft WizKid,
Skales & Banky W
Wande Coal
Ice Prince
Naeto C Ft D'Banj
Dr Sid
Brymo
Davido Ft Sina
Rambo
Shimzie & lil opy
Chuddy K
E.m.E Ft WizKid,
Skales & Banky W
This chart is compiled by information from
YouTube.
38
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
PERSONALWATCH
@NigerianWatch
Dear Eki
For answers or advice on life issues, write to Dear Eki, Nigerian Watch, Chartwell House, 292 Hale Lane,
Edgware HA8 8NP, or email: eki@nigerianwatch.com
VIRTUAL AFFAIR
Dear Eki
I have been in a relationship for nine months, and it’s going really well. She is a really sweet girl, and the past nine months have been great so I’ve got no complaints
about the relationship. However, I’ve been harmlessly chatting for about a month
now with this girl I met on Facebook. I haven’t been masquerading as someone I’m
not. I told her I am in a relationship, but sometimes I get the feeling that our chat is
more along the lines of a flirty conversation than a friendly one. I call it harmless
because she is in the US and I am based here in Manchester. So I know nothing
would ever happen as our relationship will always be virtual. Last night, this girl
suggested a Skype date. I have agreed to it as she is still going to be virtual and it’s
not like we can touch. This is not cheating and there is nothing wrong right?
Ade, manchester
That’s a very easy question, one which you can answer on your own. Put yourself in your girlfriend’s shoes.
How would you feel if you found out she had been flirting with some guy on Facebook (never mind wherever
he is on the planet?) If you then find out she has decided to take things a step further and has agreed to a live
date on Skype with him, how would you feel? Taking into consideration the fact that you believe your relationship to be near perfect and that you are both in a happy place? Will you not struggle to understand why
she chose to have a relationship with this guy (virtual or otherwise)? Will you not feel hurt and betrayed, that
you were deceived into a false sense of security? I would like you to ask yourself all these questions and reflect
on your honest answers. You might say to yourself she’ll never find out. But believe me when I say secrets like
that never stay hidden. One way or the other she’ll find out and then she might be the one writing in to ask
how best to deal with your betrayal. So in short don’t do it. It’s still cheating and its wrong.
MY HUSBAND WANTS
HIS MISTRESS TO
MOVE INTO MY HOME
Dear Eki
My husband has announced that he intends moving his mistress into our house
and that to accommodate her I have to
remove myself to the spare room.
When I responded angrily to this notion he looked shocked and said what he
was doing was 'normal', and his father
had done just such a thing back home in
Nigeria when he was a boy.
I don't know what to do. I'm aware
that this kind of thing can happen in
Nigeria, but we met and were married in
London and I believe as a professional
and a woman I should tell him to leave if
he wants to be with his mistress.
But I know my family would be absolutely devastated if I did such a thing,
as it would be seen as going against the
very fundamental beliefs that we have always held dear.
Should I be a good Nigerian and do as
I'm told, or should I tell him if he wants
to be with his mistress he has to leave?
Iby, london
First, in this situation, you don’t have to do what
you are told. You are an adult, who should be able
to make her own decisions.
Fundamental beliefs, which benefit one person
while clearly leaving the other party with the short
end of the stick, are outdated and should remain in
the dark ages where they belong.
Humans have evolved and in this civilised age a
bit of practicality and reasonableness is required
when dealing with your fellow man. Gone are the
days where a husband is allowed such abhorrent behaviour because he is the head of the family; if you
are the head, then you have to act like one.
I’m a firm believer in do unto others what you
want others to do to you. It doesn’t matter what the
family thinks here, the marriage is between you and
your husband. What do you think?
I’ve seen countless people living in misery just
because they are trying to please “the family”, and I
can tell you it never ends well; the situation only
goes from bad to worse.
If you let him bring in the first mistress, then you
can’t say anything when he decides to bring in the
second, and the third. In the end, you are the one
left to cope with the hurtful results of the marriage
all on your own.
Besides, what family are we on about here, yours
or his? If your family love you, they would not make
you do anything that would result in your unhappiness – and to reiterate, an arrangement like this will
make you unhappy.
He says what he is doing is normal and his father
did the same. He is not his father. I’m not sure what
part of Nigeria your husband is from but where I
am from, it’s not normal. Well, not in this day and
age. Also my father never moved the mistress into
the house, and from your response to the whole
issue, I get the feeling it was also not normal behaviour where you are from.
Far be it for me to tell you to walk out on your
marriage, but you should let your husband know
this is not what you signed up for when you chose to
marry him. If he refuses to listen, he is the one who
is breaking his marriage vows, as he leaves you with
no other option than to tell him to leave.
The fact that he has a mistress in the first place is
shameful enough for you, not to talk about moving
her into the home you built together. You should
not have to put up with that type of behaviour, no
one should. I also believe if you discuss this with
your family (parents or siblings) they will agree with
me entirely.
You should tell them what’s going on and how
your husband is disrespecting you, as you will need
their support as you go through this difficult phase
in your marriage. Also, if this is going to lead to the
end of your marriage, its best your family hear it
from you first.
I wish you all the best in handling this issue.
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TOWNWATCH
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
39
HARRIET OGBEIDE’S
ENTERTAINMENT GIST
Stars turn out for the Headies
the 7th annual headies, co-hosted by omawunmi and mI (pictured), took place last month at the Eko hotels and Suites, lagos. the star-studded
ceremony saw some of the big names in the industry go home with various well deserved awards. Winners on the night included, D’banj, for
Song of the year (Oliver Twist); may D, Best R n B single (Soundtrack); and Iyanya, Best Pop Single (Kukere).
the hiphop world revelation of the year was awarded to Wizkid, who also took home the Artist of
the year award, after seeing off competition from
the likes of D’banj, P-Square, Naetoc and Ice
Prince.
Surprise winner of the night was up and
coming artist Vector, who’s single Angeli
picked up two awards for Best Rap Single
and lyricist on the roll, an award which is
presented to the rap artist with the best lyrical
depth and performance on a single song or
album.
other Winners on the night included
Sarkodie for Best African Artist of the
year (Azonto), a non Nigerian category. tiwa Savage for Best Vocal Performance – Female, the only female
winner on the night. The Invasion
by P-Square was awarded the much
coveted Album of the year headie.
Femi Kuti was presented with the headies hall of
Fame award, in recognition of his excellence and
outstanding impact in the industry.
ZAFAA
CANCELLED
the Zaafa (African Film Festival
and Academy Awards) which
were set to take place on the 20
october have been cancelled.
According to founder and CEo
Sam Anwuzia, the award ceremony was cancelled at the request of sponsors and key
participating African countries,
and will be rescheduled at a future date. the ceremony which
aims to honour outstanding
achievement in African filmmaking is in its 7th year.
D’BANJ NAmED BESt AFRICAN ACt
Dbanj, who was nominated alongside other African artist
including WizKid and Sarkodie, has been named the Best
African Act for the mtv Europe music Award (EmA). the
singer (pictured) was named
the winner in the category
after receiving the highest
number of votes from fans.
the win means he is now at
the next stage where he is
currently nominated alongside the Best Indian Act and
the Best middle East act. the
winner in this category will
go on to vie for Worldwide Act Award. Fans can log on to
vote for their favourite act at
www.base.mtvema.com/vote . Voting closes on the 29
october. the mtv EmA will be hosted by supermodel heidi
Klum, on the 11 November in Frankfurt, Germany.
CELEBS REACH OUT
TO FLOOD VICTIMS IN
THE NIGER DELTA
A host of celebrities
(pictured), including
Genevieve Naji, Don
Jazzy, Dr Sid and tiwa
Savage, visited Asaba
in Delta state, to meet
victims of the flood
which is affecting the area. one of the greatest
disasters to occur in the area, the flood has seen
thousands of families displaced and scores of
fatalities. on the mavin Records website, CEo
Don Jazzy described the scenes as some of the
most heartfelt he has ever witnessed. ”It is like
watching everything you have ever worked for
in your life disappear in a minute; how does
one start afresh? I don’t even mean material
things; I am talking about lost lives,” said the
music mogul.
the celebrities got involved in distributing
relief materials and speaking to the victims who
were also treated to a beautiful performance by
tiwa Savage.
JOHN MIKEL
OBI TURNS
MUSIC
MOGUL
Chelsea midfielder and Super Eagle
John mikel obi has joined the
growing ranks of record label
owners. the Footballer set up mmm
(matured money minds) with his
younger brother Patrick obi and has
signed up a couple of artists.
40
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
TALES By MOONLIGHT
I
tuen was a young man of
Calabar. He was the only
child of his parents and
they were extremely fond of
him, as he was of fine proportions and very good to look
upon. They were poor people,
and when Ituen grew up and
became a man, he had very little money indeed. In fact he
had so little food that every day
it was his custom to go to the
market carrying an empty bag,
into which he used to put anything eatable he could find after
the market was over.
At this time Offiong was
King. He was an old man, but
he had plenty of wives. One of
these, Attem, was quite young
and very good-looking. She did
not like her old husband, and
wished for a young and handsome husband. She therefore
told her servant to go round the
town and market to try and
find such a man and to bring
him at night by the side door to
her house, and she herself
would let him in, and would
take care that her husband did
not discover him.
@NigerianWatch
LEISUREWATCH
Old Ituen and the King’s Wife
That day the servant went
all round the town, but failed to
find any young man goodlooking enough. She was just
returning to report her ill-success when, on passing through
the market-place, she saw Ituen
picking up the remains of corn
and other things which had
been left on the ground.
She was immediately struck
with his fine appearance and
strength, and saw that he was
just the man to make a proper
lover for her mistress, so she
went up to him, and said that
the Queen had sent for him, as
she was so taken with his good
looks. At first Ituen was frightened and refused to go, as he
knew that if the King discovered him he would be killed.
However, after much persuasion he consented and agreed
to go to the queen’s side door
when it was dark.
When night came he went
with great fear and trembling,
and knocked very softly at the
queen’s door. The door was
opened at once by the queen
herself, who was dressed in all
her best clothes, and had many
necklaces, beads and anklets
on. Directly she saw Ituen she
fell in love with him, and
praised his good looks and his
shapely limbs. She then told her
servant to bring water and
clothes, and after he had a
good wash and put on a clean
cloth, he rejoined the Queen.
She hid him in her house all the
night.
In the morning when he
wished to go she would not let
him, but, although it was very
dangerous, she hid him in the
house, and secretly conveyed
food and clothes to him. Ituen
stayed there for two weeks and
then he said that it was time for
him to go and see his mother,
but the Queen persuaded him
to stay another week, much
against his will.
When the time came for him
to depart, the Queen got together 50 carriers with presents
for Ituen’s mother who, she
knew, was a poor woman. Ten
slaves carried 300 rods; the
other 40 carried yams, pepper,
salt, tobacco, and cloth. When
all the presents arrived Ituen’s
mother was very pleased and
embraced her son, and noticed
with pleasure that he was looking well, and was dressed in
much finer clothes than usual;
but when she heard that he had
attracted the Queen’s attention
she was frightened, as she knew
the penalty imposed on anyone
who attracted the attention of
one of the King’s wives.
Ituen stayed for a month in
his parents’ house and worked
on the farm; but the Queen
could not be without her lover
any longer, so she sent for him
to go to her at once. Ituen went
again, and, as before, arrived at
night, when the queen was
again delighted to see him.
In the middle of the night
some of the king’s servants,
who had been told the story by
the slaves who had carried the
presents to Ituen’s mother,
came into the Queen’s room
and surprised her there with
Ituen. They hastened to the
King, and told him what they
had seen. Ituen was then made
a prisoner, and the King sent
out to all his people to attend at
the palaver house to hear the
case tried. He also ordered
eight Egbos to attend armed
with machetes.
When the case was tried
Ituen was found guilty, and the
King told the eight Egbo men
to take him into the bush and
deal with him according to native custom. The Egbos then
took Ituen into the bush and
tied him up to a tree; then with
a sharp knife they cut off his
lower jaw, and carried it to the
King.
When the Queen heard the
fate of her lover she was very
sad, and cried for three days.
This made the King angry, so
he told the Egbos to deal with
his wife and her servant according to their law. They took the
Queen and the servant into the
bush, where Ituen was still tied
up to the tree, dying and in
great pain.
Then, as the Queen had
nothing to say in her defence,
they tied her and the girl up to
different trees, and cut the
Queen’s lower jaw off in the
same way as they had her
lover’s. The Egbos then put out
both the eyes of the servant,
and left all three to die of starvation.
The King then made an
Egbo law that for the future no
one belonging to Ituen’s family
was to go into the market on
market day, and that no one
was to pick up the rubbish in
the market.
However, the King made an
exception to the law in favour
of the vulture and the dog, who
were not considered very fine
people, and would not be likely
to run off with one of the
King’s wives, and that is why
you still find vultures and dogs
doing scavenger in the marketplaces even at the present time.
Do you recall a favourite Tale by Moonlight? We’d love to print
it. Please forward to tales@nigerianwatch.com
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S
atan definitely endeavours to wear down
the Saints of God. He constantly strikes at
God’s Saints through his strategies of
temptation. To understand temptation we must
first realise that there are two ideas of temptation.
The first idea is any attempt to entice evil which
has a negative significance. The second is that
temptation indicates a time of testing that aims
toward spiritual maturity and has a positive significance.
Temptation in its negative sense, which entices
evil, is traceable to Satan. Temptation in its positive sense (testing), which entices spiritual good,
is traceable to God. Testing may be for proving a
person, or possibly improving a person’s quality
by bringing out a person’s weakness, or by trapping them into a wrong action. In other words,
we become more spiritually mature when we learn
by our mistakes.
When it comes to the issue of temptation,
everyone is tempted; and no matter who you are,
you will be tempted. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation, for when he is tried, he shall
receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath
promised to them that love him. Let no man say
when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for
God cannot be tempted with evil, neither
tempteth he any man; But every man is tempted,
when he is drawn away of his own lust and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, bringeth
forth sin, and sin when it is finished, bringeth
forth death” (James 1, verses 12-15).
Satan is the ultimate source of negative temptation because all of his actions and desires are
contrary to the love of God. We can learn a lot
about Satan’s temptations by studying the temptation of Jesus. In order for Jesus to become our
Savior, His character needed to be established
through the temptations to sin which He resisted
and overcame.
In the temptation of Jesus, Satan used three
specific strategies to tempt Him; “The lust of the
flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life”
(John 2, verses 15-17).
Forgiveness made easy
By
PASTOR DAVID-DAVID MAKOYAWO, PRESIDING MINISTER
World Repairers Global Network Ministries
In Pursuit of God, Repairing Lives, Restoring Destinies and Living A meaningful Life
After being in the wilderness for 40 days and
40 nights Satan sought to tempt Jesus into giving
in to the weakness of the flesh, commanding him
to turn stones into bread to feed his
earthly hunger. Jesus resisted, as it
would dishonour God, and instead
found succour in his faith and the
words of God.
Failing there, Satan sought to
tempt Jesus into declaring himself
the Messiah; daring him to trust
God, and leap from a great height
and land before an expectant crowd,
saying, “If you land safely from this
height you will prove yourself the
Messiah”. This temptation was to
encourage Jesus to take an easier
path to power, instead of the self-denying path of
the Cross. Jesus again resisted, refusing to test the
word of God, refusing to see if the Lord is with
us or not.
Satan’s final temptation was the Pride of Life.
He took Jesus to a mountain and showed Him all
the kingdoms of the world; and all the miseries
therein. Satan offered Jesus a deal; worship me
and all this will be yours, Satan said, and you can
salve all the pain you see.
Jesus again used God’s Word and said to
Satan, “For it is written, Thou shalt worship the
Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.”
Satan was tempting Jesus to gain the world by
abandoning the Father to become Satan’s accomplice. Our own pride often tempts us to abandon
our heavenly Father and His ways for a little glory
in this world.
We all face future suffering. Jesus gave complete commitment to the will of God which was
His path to the throne. There is no other way and
there are no short cuts. Our
commitment to God’s will leads
us also to our heavenly rewards.
We cannot get there by falling
into the temptations and snares
that Satan sets for us.
It is amazing how Jesus’
temptations illustrate our own.
Jesus had to cope with His great
hunger as he was tempted to
His lust of the flesh. We too, are
tempted to satisfy our lusts of
the flesh; our hungers and appetites.
Jesus had to cope with His desire to satisfy the
lust of the eyes. As He was shown the people in
the temple He struggled with what they would see
if He cast Himself down from the pinnacle. We
too, are tempted to do things that are pleasing to
our sight and the things that make us look good
in the sight of others.
Jesus had to cope with His pride as He was
tempted to receive the power to rule the world.
For some of us, it is our pride that is sometimes
the greatest of the three temptations. We refuse to
follow God’s way for fear of failure. We submit
to Satan’s challenges because they give us strength
today.
Here are four ways and wisdom on how to
overcome temptations in life; wisdom from the
life of Jesus while on earth.
1 Jesus was truly determined to be a servant. In
PUZZLES
CROSSWORD
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
RELIGIONWATCH
41
choosing to empty and humble Himself, Jesus
displayed God’s pathway to dominion. Many of
us try to control things of this world by manipulating and using any force available to us.
2 Jesus’ full identification with us in our humanity
offers hope. If Jesus had not overcome the
tempter in His nature as God, we could not expect to overcome temptation.
3 Jesus’ responses to the tempter highlights resources we can draw from to overcome temptation. In each case, Jesus used the Word of God
and chose His principle to live by.
4 Jesus is portrayed as a person in full control of
Himself. He demonstrated the authority of one
who has gained power to humble Himself; power
to submit to God; power to give up our rights;
and power to obey.
Jesus established His character through the
temptation by resisting sin and overcoming
Satan’s challenges. Christians should build their
character in the same fashion. Temptation leaves
it’s mark on us, whether we have victory as Jesus
did, or fail defeated and yield to it’s enticements.
The result of that mark, which cuts deep into the
soul, is our character, either good or bad.
Today, Jesus is standing and knocking at the
door of your heart; open your heart to receive
and accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord
and savior and he will empower you to overcome
temptations of life (Matthew 4, verses 1-11; Revelation 3, verses 19-22; Acts 2 verses 37-40).
For further help, Prayers and Counselling
ADDRESS 7th Floor, Berkeley House, 18-24 High
Street Edgware, Edgware, London HA8 7RP.
WEBSITE www.worldrepairersministries.org.uk
EMAIL repairersfocus@yahoo.co.uk
TELEPHONE 020 8205 3334; M 07915 308 834
DAYS AND TIME OF SERVICES Tuesdays and Fridays, 7-9pm. Sundays,10-12:30pm. Third Friday
of every month; Holy Ghost Night, 10pm-1am.
TRAVEL Tube: Edgware, Northern Line.
Buses: 204,340,292,251,303,142,32,79,240,221,
305,288.
Answers and solution on Page 47
Across
1 - Highly seasoned
sausage (6)
7 - Implies (8)
8 - Flat-topped cap with
a tassel (3)
9 - Long-legged rodent
(6)
10 - Makes brown (4)
11 - Seasons (5)
13 - Freshness (7)
15 - Stored away (7)
17 - Barely sufficient (5)
21 - Number after three
(4)
22 - Attractive (6)
23 - Clumsy person (3)
24 - TV stations (8)
25 - Big cats (6)
WORKINGS
Down
1 - Underside of a
beam (6)
2 - Reptile (6)
3 - A point in question (5)
4 - Sets fire to (7)
5 - Relating to construction (8)
6 - Makes amends (6)
12 - Cherish; preserve (8)
14 - Enticed (7)
16 - Award (6)
18 - A person in general
(6)
19 - Acts of stealing (6)
20 - Extravagant dinner
(5)
NAIJAKU
42
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
EDUCATIONWATCH
@NigerianWatch
Free online learning resources to help your
child succeed in school
IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR
WAYS TO HELP YOUR primary
school child succeed in his new school
year, you have several free resources at
your fingertips. Whether your child
needs a little extra practice in maths
or needs to be challenged by more difficult material in grammar, there are
several websites that will build skills
while allowing students aged 3 to 11 to
have some fun, writes Janet Sherlock.
lItERACy
Literacy skills are necessary for your
child to be able to read, write and
think critically. These websites have
fun games and activities that will
strengthen your child’s understanding of the English language
www.topmarks.co.uk This website is
a great literary resource. Topmarks
Education gives you easy access to
thousands of safe websites and resources, to help with grammar,
spelling, writing, punctuation and
more.
www.woodlandsjunior.kent.sch.uk/literacy Literacy
Zone offers several resources and activities to help your child practise literacy skills on a variety of levels.
The site links to many online interactive games and activities that will
teach students about compound
words, prefixes and suffixes, story sequencing and more. By clicking on
the category that your child needs
help in, you will have access to several websites that will help
strengthen reading and writing
skills.
NUmERACy
Maths is one of the most important
subjects necessary for lifelong learning, but it can also be difficult for
many students. These resources will
give your child a strong foundation
in numbers, counting, place value
and mathematical operations so that
he will have the skills necessary to
understand more advanced skills as
he grows older.
www.mathsisfun.com These games
are used by parents and teachers
alike. The site is dedicated to providing clear definitions of math terms,
and it has several lessons and activities to help children improve their
skills. The clear terminology provided on Maths is Fun will be especially helpful as you assist your child
with difficult maths concepts.
www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/projects/me
pres/primary The Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching website has everything you need to help
your child succeed in maths from Reception through to Year 6. With over
165 lesson plans, copy masters and
practice books, the extensive resources on the site will work as tuto-
rials, introductory lessons or reviews.
www.snappymaths.com If you have a
young child that is learning about
numbers and mathematical operations, then you need to visit Snappy
Maths. The site is full of worksheets
and activities to help primary students improve their basic numeracy
skills, including counting, number
identification, operations and more.
Snappy Maths is bright, colourful
and interesting.
SCIENCE AND hIStoRy
Science and history can come alive if
you use the right resources. These
websites will provide your child with
enjoyable games and activities to help
them succeed in these important subjects.
www.crickweb.co.uk/ks2history Crickweb’s history activities help children
understand the importance of history. The site has games about
Roman history, inventions and important rulers, which will help children visualise their history lessons.
These interesting resources will capture your child’s interest and help to
make learning dates and names more
enjoyable.
www.primaryscience.ie/activities_sim
ple_search.php Primary Science encourages children to explore the
world around them to learn more
about the scientific processes. With
activities and games for primary students, this website will develop the
skills your child needs to excel in
their science classes. You can also
use it to get ideas for science experiments that you can do easily in your
own home.
students who are learning the basics
of the French language, such as
numbers, colours, months, clothes
and other important vocabulary
words. The worksheets, games and
activities can be used to introduce
new words or to reinforce lessons
that your child is learning in school.
www.nhm.ac.uk/kids-only NHM is
perfect for feeding the inquisitive
minds of children. The site features
nature cameras so that children can
observe ants, bees and flesh-eating
beetles. NHM also has many games,
activities and ideas for science experiments, and your child will learn interesting facts about different
sciences, including geology, biology,
and astronomy. The section dedicated to dinosaurs includes a fossil
hunting guide so that students can
learn more about the creatures that
lived so long ago.
GENERAl KNoWlEDGE
FRENCh
French is not currently a compulsory part of the primary curriculum
in England, although many schools
introduce languages either as an
extra-curricular club, or as an integral part of the timetable. With free
online resources, you can help your
child learn to speak, read and write
French with ease.
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primarylanguages/french This BBC site has
multiple tools that will help your
child acquire the language. Games,
videos, activities and worksheets are
available for primary students. BBC
has colourful pages and engaging
exercises, which will make learning
French even more enjoyable.
www.teachingideas.co.uk/foreignlanguages/contents_french.htm Teaching Ideas is a wonderful tool for
Sometimes a child needs to spend a
little time learning interesting facts
and general information. General
knowledge sites are a great resource,
if your student needs some activities
to reinforce what he is learning at
school or if you want some games to
prepare your child for the next level
of classes or for the interview stage
of 7+ or 11+ entrance assessments.
www.syvum.com/quiz Syvum is a site
that has free online games and trivia
questions to boost your child’s skills
in general knowledge. Whether you
want questions about sports teams,
famous inventors or countries and
capitals, Syvum is an excellent resource to use with students. You
can use the site as a reward for work
well done, or you may want to collect their questions for a family
trivia night.
With the large amount of free resources available on the web, you are
certain to find one that meets your
child’s needs. These interactive
games and activities will enhance the
lessons that students are learning in
their classrooms while also giving
them extra practice at home that
they will enjoy.
Janet Sherlock – BA (Hons), LLb
(Hons) and Programme Developer –
is head teacher of Leaders Are Readers award-winning Saturday and summer schools
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TRAVELWATCH
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
43
CALABAR: Nigeria’s carnival city
those who are familiar with the charming,
peaceful city located in the Southeast region of
the country will not be surprised that it is the
tourism hub of Nigeria. Not only does it annually
host the largest street cultural festival in Africa –
the Calabar Carnival – but it is also the location
of historic, preeminent Nigerian architecture.
If you are not a frequent visitor of Nigeria
and only prefer to travel to the familiar zones
of the capital and lagos, then Calabar is still
ideal. the city's margret Ekpo International Airport is 90 minutes from Ikeja and just 25 minutes from the oil rich Port harcourt. travelling
in and out of the beautiful city couldn't get any
easier.
overlooking the serene Calabar River the
city was once established as a centre of slave
trade by the British in the 17th century and became a major port for palm oil trade and commodity imports and exports from the South
East region. Inevitably this momentous past is
evident throughout the ambiance.
WHAT TO DO
Unsurprisingly the weather in Calabar stays in
the high 20s all year round so there is no choice
but to venture out.
Duke town Presbyterian Church is thought
to be one of the oldest and is regarded as one
of the most prestigious churches in the whole
of Nigeria. Built in 1846 by missionaries who
belonged to the Church of Scotland, the building still holds items thought to have been there
from the start. once a pioneer for the holy
Catholic or Universal Church, the church now
has over two thousand parishes with branches
in Benin and togo.
obudu Cattle Ranch and Cross Rivers National Park are two of Calabar's major tourist
attractions. the national park takes about an
hour to reach from the main city and is definitely worth the drive. many different species
of wildlife have been discovered in the vast
area and you might be able to spot gorillas,
chimpanzees and the endangered African forest elephants. the park is the location of one of
the oldest rain forests in Africa and has been
identified as a biodiversity hotspot.
the cattle ranch now known as the obudu
mountain Resort is close to the Cameroon border and has recently seen an influx of both
Nigerian and international tourists due to the
regeneration of the area by the Protea South
African hotel chain. Spread over an area of 40
square miles and 5,200 feet above sea level, the
land is full of rolling grasslands and deepwooded valleys, which can be enjoyed while
overlooking the scenic beauty of both Nigeria
and Cameroon.
If you are looking for a Christmas getaway
then Calabar Carnival is a must to attend. taking place annually on the 26th and 27th December, the unique display of African heritage
is the highlight of the 32-day Calabar Festival,
which runs from 30th November to 1st January.
With over 50,000 costumed revellers and an estimated two million spectators – up to 50 million including television viewers – you would
be considered extremely dull if you miss it. the
12km route features live music, DJs, well-decorated floats and steel bands. Sound familiar?
WHERE TO STAy
there are plenty of reputable, safe hotels in
Calabar which offer 24-hour security, electricity
and internet access. tinapa lakeside hotel –
Formerly Amber tinapa – is located in Adiabo
and offers a 5-star family-oriented service. Alternative accommodation includes obudu
mountain Resort, Novotel Port harcourt,
Chanel View hotel and metropolitan hotel. All
of these destinations are highly rated.
SHOPPING
If you are keen to lay your hands on some of
the city’s historic artefacts then you would
need to take a visit to either of the two major
markets – the Watt market and the marian
market. Both host fresh produce from neighbouring regions, African fabrics as well as
handicrafts, wax materials and wood works.
For something a little bit more up to date the
80,000 square meters of shopping complex in
the tinapa City Resort should keep you enter-
Amzi AL
You are yet to experience the enthralling flavour of
Nigeria if you haven't visited Calabar, the capital city of
Cross Rivers State – known locally as the Caribbean of
the continent, says Juliana Oladipo
tained, as it contains fashion boutiques, restaurants, cinemas and leisure facilities.
HOW TO GET THERE
Flights from the UK to Calabar start at roughly
£600. Arik Air flies from london heathrow,
while Flybe provide the service from Newcastle. Internal flights from Abuja and lagos to
the city are operated by all domestic Nigerian
airlines. Prices start at £200.
44
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
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PROPERTYWATCH
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
45
Buy to let, an alternative pension?
Not got a substantial pension pot? Then building
a buy-to-let property portfolio might be the answer,
says Olumide Onitiri-Coker
In today’s economy, working to retirement
can feel just as scary as jumping from a
plane with a faulty parachute. As we are
living in times where the cost of living
continues to rise, pension
funds are still nursing wounds
from the 2008 financial crisis
and the confidence in the
state pension system isn’t
what it used to be, especially
after more than 40 years of
hard labour. Therefore,
putting alternative solutions
in place may be the difference
between treating yourself to
afternoon tea at Harrods or
Wendy’s.
But what’s the alternative to
a pension? Increasingly many
people are being advised to consider entering
the buy-to-let market.
Such investments may seem like an unconventional income stream for retirement, but it is
clear that in future retirees will need to take a
more hands on approach to ensure they have
adequate spending power later in life.
One of the things we focus on is advising
clients to venture into student let accommodation, by buying properties that are in close proximity to some of the capital’s best universities.
In August, The FT reported that investment
in student accommodation more than doubled
to £800m during the first six months of the year,
underlining the international and domestic appetite for low-risk property assets.
With most Nigerian retirees wanting to
spread their time between the
UK and Nigeria, having such
an investment will be essential
for on-going living expenses,
family commitments and coping with life’s unexpected circumstances. Not to mention
the dismal state of affairs Nigeria’s state pensions display.
Yet saying this, is the UK
any better? Recently, a Scottish
Widows pension report stated
that only 51% of the population save adequately for their
old age. This drops to around
25% when those with a final salary pension are
excluded. Alarming yes, especially when you
consider that today’s younger generation are
less likely to ensure adequate financial support
in sustaining their parents’ later years.
Avoid the rush
This was echoed by the UK’s Pensions Minister,
Steve Webb, who described the UK’s pension
system as far too complex and issued a ‘wakeup call’, saying, “We need to get people saving
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NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
SPORTWATCH
47
Africa Cup of Nations – Eagles contenders
Keshi will have to prune down his squad and select 23 of the following for South
Africa 2012. the question is, who should he leave behind?
StRIKERS
GoAlKEEPERS
RIGht WING BACKS
1 Vincent
Enyeama
macabi tel Aviv
(Israel)
DoB: 28-08-1982
(30)
1 Nedum Onuoha
Queens Park Rangers (England)
DoB: 12-10-1986 (25)
2 Austin Ejide
hapoel Petah tikva (Israel)
DoB: 08-04-1984 (28)
2 Kenneth Omeruo
Ado Den haag (holland)
DoB: 17-10-1993 (19)
3 Chigozie Agbim
Warri Wolves (Nigeria)
DoB: 28-10-1984 (28)
4 Daniel Akpeyi heartland (Nigeria)
DoB: 03-08-1986 (26)
1 Taiye Taiwo
Dynamo Kiev
(Ukraine)
DoB: 16-04-1985
(27)
2 Juwon
Oshaniwa
Ashdod (Israel)
DoB: 14-09-1990 (22)
3 Uwua Echiejile
Sporting Braga (Portugal)
DoB: 20-01-1988 (24)
ACN 2013
Continued from page 48 qualified and the tournament proper is about to begin, we want to prepare
well and win the tournament.
“This is not a matter of playing Liberia or any
such weaker teams and I think what they need to im-
1 Fegor Ogude
Valerenga (Norway)
DoB: 29-07-1987 (25)
CENtRAl DEFENDERS
1 Joseph yobo
Fernebache
(turkey) DoB:
06-09-1980 (32)
3 Onyeakachi Apam
Nice (France)
DoB: 30-12-1986 (25)
4 Azubuike Egwuekwe
Warri Wolves (Nigeria)
DoB: 28-10-1988 (24)
5 Efe Ambrose
FC Ashdod (Israel)
DoB: 18-10-1988 (24)
he was rushed to hospital
by his brother Bruce and is responding well to treatment.
Bruce said, “he is out of coma
and he can now eat and
recognise everyone.
“Doctors failed to diagnose anything and we have a
strong feeling it stems from a
family bereavement [Rufai’s
mother Christiana died in mid
october at the age of 78].”
Since retiring from professional football, Rufai has
worked
with
Nigeria’s
olympic side and has been
running a football academy in
lagos.
2 Uche Ikechukwu
Granada CF (Spain)
DoB: 05-01-1984 (28)
2 Jon Mikel Obi
Chelsea (England)
DoB: 22-04-1987
(25)
3 Joel Obi
Inter milan (Italy)
DoB: 20-05-91 (21)
3 Victor Anichebe
Everton (England)
DoB: 23-04-1988 (24)
PlAymAKERS
1 Lukman Haruna
Dynami Kiev (Ukraine)
DoB: 04-12-1990 (21)
4 Brown Ideye
Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine)
DoB: 10-10-1988 (24)
2 Nosa Igiebor
Real Betis (Spain)
DoB: 09-10-1990 (22)
5 Ramon Azeez
UD Amleria (Spain)
DoB: 12-05-92 (20)
5 Emmanuel
Emenike
Spartak moscow
(Russia)
DoB: 10-05-1987
(25)
6 Reuben Gabriel
Kano Pillars (Nigeria)
DoB: 25-09-1990 (20)
6 Ahmed Musa
CSKA moscow (Russia)
DoB: 14-10-1992 (20)
7 Eddy Onazi
lazio (Italy)
DoB: 25-12-1992 (19)
7 Victor Moses
Chelsea (England)
DoB: 12-12-1990 (21)
4 Obiora Nwankwo
Gabbio (Italy)
DoB: 12-05-1991 (21)
8 Shola Ameobi
Newcastle (England)
DoB: 12-10-1981 (31)
prove upon is the job of the technical crew,” Mallam
Abdullahi stressed.
Alhaji Aminu Maigari, the president of the
Nigerian Football Federation, also pledged that he
will deploy all the necessary resources to ensure the
team is well prepared to lift the cup.
All eyes are now on Stephen Keshi to deliver a
championship-winning team.
Rufai recovering well
FoRmER Super Eagles goalkeeper and captain Peter
Rufai is recovering in hospital
after collapsing into a coma
amid fears that the worst
might have happened.
Affectionately known as
Dodo mayama, Rufai captained Nigeria to her inaugural World Cup in 1994 and
featured for the team in
France ‘98, too.
last week, panic spread
across the Nigerian sporting
establishment when Rufai
slumped at his office in lagos
and his breathing became
laboured.
ANChoRmEN
2 Godfrey
Oboabona
Sunshine Stars (Nigeria)
DoB: 16-08-1990 (22)
lEFt WING BACKS
1 Osaze Odemwingie
West Bromwich Albion (England)
DoB: 15-07-1981 (31)
He came under fire during qualification for
snubbing overseas players including many luminaries from the Premiership. However, before the crucial showdown with Liberia there were clear the air
talks between the manager and Nigeria’s football
authorities.
The result was the team Nigeria fielded that
trounced Liberia.
LONDON NIGERIAN TROUNCED
BUT LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK
LONDON Nigerian Rugby Football
Club (LNRFC) crashed to their biggest
defeat in the league so far with a devastating 7-30 loss to St Albans in the London North West Two Division on
October 21.
Last season, LNRFC won promotion
to the new league after showing devastating form and had hoped to go on to
greater things with more victories. However, their form has been a bit inconsistent
this season with two wins and two loses.
After a shaky start, it appeared that
LNRFC had turned the corner but the
wheels appear to have come off the
wagon again. On the opening day of the
season, the team lost 25-26, to Hammersmith and Fulham but soon put this right
with a subsequent 56-32 victory over
Chiswick.
This was followed up with an impressive 31-18 win over the Fullerians on October 6, sparking hopes of a great revival.
However, with the humiliating loss to St
Albans, the club will have to go back to
the drawing board and see what went
wrong.
A club spokesman said: “We suffered
with a lot of injuries. We will be looking
to bounce back next week.”
Formed in 1991, LNRFC started competing in league rugby in 1992 and has
been promoted regularly since. It was
founded by Nigerians living in London
and about half of its current players are
Nigerian.
PUZZlE SolUtIoNS
48
NIGERIAN WATCH
November 2012
INSIDE
WHO WILL
SPORT WATCH
November 2012
nigerianwatch.com
MISS OUT
ON KESHI’S
FINAL SQUAD
AFRICAN CUP OF NATIONS 2013
‘THIS TIME WE’RE SERIOUS’
FIFA
By AYO AKINFE
NIGERIA has begun earnest preparations for the impending 29th African Cup
of Nations, due in South Africa after
qualifying in style with a morale-boosting
8-3 aggregate win over Liberia last
month.
After winning so convincingly, fans are
now dreaming of lifting the trophy, which
Nigeria last won in 1994, and believe that
the glory days of the Westerhoff years
may be here again. All the doubts raised
by the lethargic 2-2 draw in Monrovia
were erased by the comprehensive 6-1
thrashing of Liberia in Calabar on October 13 and pressure on the team to succeed is already beginning to mount.
Luckily for Nigeria, there is never a
shortage of sponsors willing to back the
Super Eagles and already several have
come forward to bankroll the team. No
doubt, their sponsorship is premised on
the team doing well and head coach
Stephen Keshi is under the spotlight.
After Nigeria’s woeful performance at
the London Olympics where Team Nigeria
left the UK without any medal whatsoever,
sports minister Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi
knows a lot is expected of him too. He has
held a series of meetings to sort out matters like funding, the location of the training camp and logistics for the team.
Mr Abdullahi has already declared
that the team’s preparations would not be
hampered by bureaucratic hiccups. He declared that all arrangements would be
made to ensure there was an uninterrupted supply of all that will be required
for the team’s preparation.
“Now that we have Turn to page 47

November 2012 - Nigerian Watch

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