March 2012 Edition of Timeless Magazine

CBN’s Cashless Banking Initiative

Dealing with Bullying in Children

Top 5 Luxury Watches for 2012

TIMELESS Vol. 10 No. 3

MARCH 2012

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A Man of God for All Seasons

Published Since April 2003

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CONTENTS Can you be Single and Happy?

A guide to a fulfilling life while being single

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34

- a Wole Soyinka Essay on the Boko Haram insurgency

TIMELESS MAGAZINE is published by TIMELESS COURAGE PUBLISHING LTD.

2012

Grooming your Eyebrows

A Do-it-Yourself guide

The Butchers of Nigeria

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An interview with Ebele

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2, Fawole Lane, Off 270 Ikorodu Road,

By Savoil Bus Stop, Mobil Filling Station Obanikoro, Lagos.

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CONTRIBUTORS

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Kathlyn Eyitemi

Tayo Olarewaju

Kathlyn Eyitemi has a background in sociology. She is the editor of Bells magazine and the Initiator of Sisters Interact, a Facebook group that provides a networking medium for women to trade experiences and empower the girl child.

Tayo Olarewaju is the Director of Delightsome Land School, a nursery and primary school in Victoria Island Lagos. She studied Accounting, Educational Leadership and Management. She is passionate about children, enjoys reading and writing and is married with 3 children.

Adebowale Jeff Johnson

Tolu Abiola Lawal

Adebowale Jeff Johnson, a Human Resource Consultant is the founder/CEO Jeff Johnson Business Solutions. He is also a member, Board of Director, Grace House Worship Centre. Prior to starting his own business, he has worked with firms like Phillips Consulting Limited, SoftSkills Management Consultants, People Prime Limited, and SIAO.

Tolu is a travel consultant extraordinaire, with a wealth of experience of over eight years in the travel and tourism industry. She is a graduate of the University of Ibadan with a B.Sc. in Physiology and is currently the Managing Director of Victory Travels and Tours Limited.

Adeleke Mai Nasara Adeyemi

Victoria Tandoh

Mai Nasara as he is known in the media world has been a staff and editorial writer with Timeless since 2006 and was a copy editor with Next Newspaper until late 2011. Mai Nasara who earned his first degree in Geology was the 2011 winner of the Nigerian Prize for Literature with his highly acclaimed book ‘The Missing Clock’. He is the National Co-ordinator of Science Café Nigeria.

Victoria Tandoh, a former teacher at the Queens College and the Redeemer’s International Secondary School is presently the proprietor of The King’s School Limited, a group of crèches, preschools and grade schools and the Managing Consultant of Dorothy’s Consult, a training outfit. Victoria, who has a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, is a lover of books and children and a voracious reader. She also sits on the board of Timeless magazine.

Adeola Adegboyega

Akintokunbo Adejumo

Adeola, a former Editorial Assistant with TIMELESS is a freelance writer and blogger. She earned a Bachelor’s degree of Science from the University of Lagos and is presently undergoing a Postgraduate Course in Journalism. She is a fashionista at heart, huge Broadway and Bollywood fan, enthused about the fun things in life and a sucker for shoes! She loves singing and acting but her love for writing trumps all other hobbies.

Akintokunbo Adejumo is the Global Coordinator of Champions For Nigeria, an organisation devoted to tackling corruption, promoting good governance and celebrating genuine progress, excellence, commitment, selfless and unalloyed service to Nigeria and the people of Nigeria. A graduate of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria (1979) and University of Manitoba, Canada (1985), he also writes on topical issues and has been widely published in print and online media.

Nnadozie Egeonu

Olaitan Faranpojo

Nandozie is a Brand Management Consultant, helping SMEs and start up entrepreneurs to create alluring corporate images, develop competitive brands and effectively project their businesses to their target markets. In addition, he is a passionate business idea formulator, strategic marketer, social entrepreneur and creative thinker and writer.

He conducts mentoring sessions and interactive forums in helping youths discover themselves and put their strengths to good use.

Faranpojo Olaitan, is a Film instructor at the Pefti Film Institute, a subsidiary of Wale Adenuga productions & the Festival Director of the Gospel Film Festival in Nigeria. He is Assistant Director, Lagos International Film festival and an Entertainment Correspondent with BEN-TV UK. He is a member of the Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria (ITPAN), Association of All Nigerian Conference of Evangelical Drama, Directors Guild of Nigeria, and Nigerian Society Of Cinematographers.

Folake Oluwole

Patricia Omoqui

Folake Oluwole is a corporate and career coach and the CEO of GTD LTD (i.e.

Getting Things Done Ltd), a consulting firm based in Lagos, Nigeria. She connects with people and organizations in order to inculcate a passion for the vision of the organization.

Patricia Omoqui, The Thought Dr. TM, is an executive coach and business consultant. She is sought after as an inspirational speaker, life coach and trainer. Patricia is a Princeton Graduate, former professional basketball player and highly successful business woman and entrepreneur. Drawing on her experience as a business consultant (Accenture), a corporate manager (Tyco Intl.), a Six Sigma Green Belt and a professional mediator, she provides customized business training.

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MARCH 2012

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From the

Editor-in-Chief Secondly, most Christians are not ready to obey the rules of engagement of Christianity otherwise known as HOLINESS. Most Christians are Sunday Sunday Christians, who are not ready to read, not ready to fast, and to ready to pray - too racy, too undisciplined, and too desirous of enjoyment, too busy to come to church and actively engage God. The fact that God is slow to judgment does not mean that judgment is not coming. If you are still having boy/girlfriends, still having pre and extramarital affairs, still looking at women, and shadowing them up and down with urge in your body, you are a ‘wishy washy’ Christian. A lot of us think we can get away with it, that God understands that we are lonely, and that we need comfort and all that.

C

hristianity has a problem and the problem with Christianity is that Christians are not Christians. A lot of us call ourselves Christians and even declare such on official documents – passports, ID Cards etc. but the problem with Christianity is that we profess Christianity with our mouths but we are not Christians in our actions.

Nowadays, when you see a gathering of people that say they are Christians, you are not sure of what to expect. They break the law, break traffic rules, don’t have respect for one another, don’t fear God, and behave anyhow.

Most Christians are not ready to be true Christians. Why? Firstly, they don’t understand what it is to be a Christian. Most of us who call ourselves Christians don’t understand what it is to be a Christian. We are too lazy to learn, we are too lazy to study, and we are too lazy to apply ourselves to the Word of God. A lot of people coming to church do so for physical well-being, financial and personal improvement, breakthroughs and transformation of our lives rather than being like Christ. The word Christian means ‘to be Christ-like’.

Christians are not ready to study the Bible and are not ready for the self-discipline that Christianity requires. And once they are not benefiting from their church, they become angry. Christians have become Pastor-dependent instead of Goddependent. If you ask them why they are doing something, they say: ‘my pastor said’, ask them ‘why are you doing that?’ They say ‘my pastor said’. What happened to what God said?

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If you can discover your purpose in life, you will never be lonely and when you discover purpose and you are working according to God’s purpose, God will supply your needs. But because it is easier to have five minutes of sex, you compromise your eternity and your health and you don’t know that you are making life much more difficult for yourself. The rules of Christianity are for your benefits and not the benefit of God. A friend of mine was recently in Abuja for work and he came back screaming that, the place is a cesspool of corruption. He said that the problem of the people is that their conscience has been seared, they have no more conscience. I asked him what has seared their conscience. He said alcohol and sex. So they no longer have a conscience.

They don’t care, they just do anything they like.

They take money anyhow they like and they don’t do anything useful with that money. There is no reason why Nigeria needs to be poor. There is no reason why there should be poverty in the land if only those who have access to our resources know what to do with such resources.

We have to pray that God will give us the right leadership in Nigeria; that God will give us the right people and God will change the face of leadership in this country so that Christians can really be Christians. We have to beseech God that real Christians will get into positions of power and authority where we can do the right thing. We must begin to hold our government accountable - that is the work of the Christian.

We must get rid of Christians engaging in

wickedness, thoughtlessness, compromise, plotting and planning to destroy others, bribery and corruption. If you are going to be a Christian, be a Christian. Stop pretending. We don’t want anymore of Christians who steal and cheat, even from God, stealing from church, stealing from offerings. You have people doing all sorts of contracts with church, doing business with church and exaggerating their invoices, sending invoices in twice, being paid twice for the same job! They are not afraid of God, stealing God’s money and God’s work. They do it in many churches all over the place. They fight themselves in the process saying: “Chop your own and go and let me chop my own.” They even use ‘juju’ on themselves.

What kind of ‘chopping’ mentality do we have in Nigeria?

Most Christians and Christians in leadership are too insular, too narrow minded, too self protecting, not ready to leave their comfort zone and pay the price of leadership and change.

That is why the Church is where it is and that is why Nigeria is where it is. They call themselves conformist, non-controversial non-confronting.

The Bible says pray for constituted authority, pray for your leaders for them to rule us well. Don’t tolerate their corruption and bad behaviour.

When you go through the Bible, you find that the hand of the prophet is always on top. It was Nathan, the prophet that told David: “You messed up and God will deal with you”. It was Elijah that told Ahab that: You and your father’s house are troubling Israel”. It was Elisha that told the king “if you send any rubbish people to me, they will be roasted” and one hundred and fifty people were roasted. Today our leaders are not afraid of our prophets because the prophets are not ready to take the responsibility of leadership.

We must go back to the old path. We must go back to the fundamental things of Christianity. We must go back to faithfulness, truth, righteousness and understanding. In your homes, there must be peace. Stop fighting one another all over the place. Stop being selfish, be humble. In your place of work they must know you are a serious Christian, they must not bring any nonsense in front of you. As you move around, it is not the number of posters on your car that tells if you are a Christian or not, it is the way you give consideration to the other road users. We must set good examples as Christians.

Cover Feature The Biblically inspired proverbial longevity benchmark inimitably expressed as “threescore years and ten� (from Psalm 90) fits beautifully as a garland of grace on Enoch Adejare Adeboye, Ph.D. Standing and kneeling, he is unsullied and has for some time been reckoned by universal consent as the most formidable and respected man of God in and from Nigeria. Unsought, he became the Billy Graham of the Nigerian spiritual-andtemporal universe, whose blessings political and other leaders court. Highly relevant and politically savvy, Pastor Adeboye has adroitly remained non-partisan on the national scene. His sartorial essence and iconic humble demeanour has distinguished him and continue to endear him to millions from all walks of life, even across religious lines.

E.A. Adeboye At 70: A Man of God for All Seasons Adeleke Adeyemi & Ayodeji Jeremiah

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COVER FEATURE Of him the promise of the Master, Jesus Christ, has been abundantly real: “I will give you a mouth (or voice) and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist.”

In 2008, he was listed by leading Newsweek magazine as one of the 50 Most Influential Persons in the World. His influence has waxed even stronger since. The New York Times has written of The Redeemed Christian Church of God under the leadership of Pastor Adeboye as “one of its most vigorously expansionary religious movements, a homegrown Pentecostal denomination [on its way] to become a global faith.”

According to the highly influential newsmagazine, E. A. Adeboye, who is the head pastor as General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God, is “one of the most successful preachers in the world.” The church has outposts in 110 of the world’s 193 countries.

In his native Nigeria alone, the church under him has grown into 15,000 branches (called parishes) with 6 million members. There are about 600 million Pentecostals, the largest group of Christians after Roman Catholics, in the world. There are 360 parishes in Britain, and about the same number in the US, with a preponderance in cities like Maryland, Dallas and Chicago. Under his unprecedented leadership, the church has sent missionaries to China and such Islamic countries as Pakistan and Malaysia.

When the founder, whom he succeeded, passed away in 1980, the church had just 42 parishes, a great achievement in those days.

Back then Pastor Adeboye used to tell the congregation that a time was coming when the number of ministers alone would outnumber those present ten times over. In faith, he began looking for landed property that would accommodate all the people being expected; the Lord brought him to the present site of the Redemption Camp (situated along the LagosIbadan Expressway on the outskirts of Lagos), which then was a jungle forest and a den of robbers and wild animals. Pastor Adeboye moved to the camp and his house on the camp was the only property there for a very long time.

He then began building the first auditorium which was to seat 5,000 worshippers. This was at a time when the church celebrated with great excitement a huge crowd of 1000 people at its annual convention.

1998 witnessed the birth of the annual Holy Ghost Night, an inimitable Pastor Adeboye trademark. Billed Lekki ’98, it saw an estimated 4 million people gathered to fellowship, praise and pray during an all-night service. It has been reported as possibly the largest gathering of Christians nay persons in the world ever.

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Today the Redemption Camp is on an area of 50 square kilometres and still expanding and boasts an auditorium of 10 square kilometres.

The camp has hundreds of residential quarters, a residential Bible College, a University, hundreds of hostels and chalets, office complexes of international standard, an international Guest House, nursery/primary/secondary schools and a presidential villa.

With Pastor Adeboye as General Overseer, the church has become truly global. In the Caribbean, the church is present in Haiti and Jamaica. In Canada, it has parishes in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and Alberta. (Together the United States and Canada groups form RCCG in North America, with headquarters in Dallas, Texas.) Down under in Australia are to be found branches, from Melbourne and Sydney to Newcastle, Adelaide to Perth, as well in New Zealand, Fiji, Malaysia, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Singapore. In India, parishes abound in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), Bangalore, Chennai and Kolkata. It also has a presence in Hong Kong, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Myanmar. In the Middle East, the church has parishes in Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, parishes in virtually all seven emirates of the UAE. Its Bible College and School of Disciples have several campuses in every continent of the world.

In ecclesiastical history, no one ever came up with a vision like Pastor Adeboye’s: “In the developing world we say we want churches to be within five minutes’ walk of every person.

In the developed world, we say five minutes of driving.”

Thanks to the ardent and truly phenomenal service of people like Pastor Adeboye, perpetuated by countless acolytes, the projection that by 2050 most of Africa will be Christian now has palpable reality.

Ordained in 1977 (he had received the Lord Jesus as his personal Lord and Saviour in 1973), Pastor Adeboye has over three decades of stewardship as General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God been outstandingly unique yet mainstream. He has conducted himself consistently as a statesman.

Formerly a mathematics lecturer at the University of Lagos, he began working at RCCG as interpreter and assistant to the pioneering pastor, from Yoruba to English. He took over the congregation in 1981. His success, he freely admits, is rooted in his message. “Pentecostals have such an impact because they talk of the here and now, not just the by and by, he says.

“We pray for the sick, but we pray for their prosperity, for their overcoming of evil forces and so on. While we have to worry about heaven, there are some things God could do

for us in the here and now.”

Bearing critical witness, NEWSWEEK’s summation reads: “Behind Adeboye’s extraordinary success is his reputation for honesty. While other Pentecostal pastors (including some Nigerians) have been accused of financial misdeeds or faking supernatural powers, Adeboye remains above the fray.

Nigerian government leaders seek his input on pressing social issues...”

Pastor Adeboye was born in 1942 in Ifewara, Osun State in the South-western part of Nigeria. When the tiny cries of a baby was heard in the compound of the Adeboyes on that fateful morning of 2nd March 1942; it was received with mixed feelings. For his father it was the problem of an extra mouth to feed, what with his numerous responsibilities too stretched for comfort that engrossed his mind.

For the mother of the baby, who had had some girls earlier and had been trusting God for a boy that would cement her inheritance in the family; it was the most welcome and exciting news especially in a family where the rival fellow wives already had male children.

Adejare was born into the poorest of families.

As he would recall at a testimony years later, the day his father bought an umbrella the whole family celebrated. “When poor people gathered together, they looked at my father and said ‘poor man’”. As he mentioned recently, if anyone had gone to his father 50 years ago and told him that one day, thousands of people would stand in front of his son and call him daddy, his father would have asked the person, ‘who gave you palm wine to drink this morning’.

In 1956, Adeboye was admitted into Ilesha Grammar School, Ilesha, Osun State. As a young boy, he discovered a passion for books and an aptitude for science, particularly mathematics.

Against incredible odds, Enoch Adeboye obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria in 1967, then a Master’s degree in Hydrodynamics (1969) and a Doctorate in Applied Mathematics (1975), both from the University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria. His laurelgarnering quest had been driven in part by a lone desire: to become the youngest Vice Chancellor of a frontline university in Nigeria.

His academic ambition did seem feasible as his academic career blossomed. It was not to be.

Three decades on, his assignment as the leader of the most successful church from Africa, would come to surpass even his own wildest dreams.

He has had helpmeet. It was in 1968 that Enoch Adeboye married his wife Foluke Adenike Adeboye (nee Adeyokunnu), who is also a pastor in the church. They are the parents

COVER FEATURE of children who share Pastor Adeboye with countless millions the world over who count on him most fondly as ‘Daddy”.

The young couple was faced with the problem of recurrent caesarean section by which the wife had delivered their first two babies.

Medical science had diagnosed that in view of the formation of pelvic bones, having babies by natural means was impossible and such advised against having further children. A solution had to be found. His Christian background did not preclude him from trying out other areas outside of his Christian belief where solutions might be found. In any case, his Yoruba cultural background was not averse to syncretism.

“Olorun ko ko aajo” his people are wont to say, that is “God (or belief in Him) is not opposed to native remedies”. The implication of which is that if prayers are not effective, the nature medicine-man is available. As part of the solution-seeking odyssey, the young University teacher and his wife were invited to the Redeemed Christian Church of God by his uncle, Rev. Chris Fajemirokun. But for his desperation, he would have been put off by the simple looking building which paled to insignificance when compared with the cathedrals he was used to. He noticed with a tinge of humour that the signboard bearing the name of the church seemed more attractive and inspiring than the church itself.

Though headed by unlettered men, the visibility of the power of God was not lost on the young couple. The church was then headed by Pastor Josiah Oluwafemi Akindayomi, the General Superintendent, a man who did not have any formal education and spoke no English but his native Yoruba language. However, compared to his own educated mind, this man and the other men of God in the church were infinitely superior to him in the knowledge and ways of God, and especially in their examination and exposition of the Bible. The sermons of the GS and those of his lieutenants were quite incisive, thought-provoking and soul-stirring. Here were men who despite their educational handicap would not compromise God’s standard. It was also here that he learnt that his way of life would lead him directly and unwaveringly in only one direction, hell fire! He also learnt of the importance of looking up to Jesus as “the Author and Finisher of our faith” and the need “to cast all our cares upon Him”. So, when on 29th of July 1973, the altar call was made in the church for those who wanted to surrender their lives to Jesus, forsake their sinful ways, and become born again, the young man, who was to become the General Overseer of the church rushed forward, and in a remorseful show of penitence, gave his life unto Jesus!

The Lord had revealed to Pa Akindayomi, the founder of the church and the first General Superintendent that “a man of books” (well

educated) would succeed him as leader of the church. However, there had to be a confirmation that he is the one being expected.

A day came when the church needed funds to enlarge the auditorium that was becoming too small for the growing congregation. Pa Akindayomi asked all the workers to close their accounts and bring the proceeds to the church the following Sunday. Brother Enoch and Sister Foluke Adeboye promptly went to their respective banks and did as they were told. The following Sunday when the workers gathered for their usual weekly meeting; the General Superintendent wanted to know how many people had heeded his instructions. Only Brother Enoch and Sister Folu had their hands

Adeboye introduced the concepts of singing, clapping and dancing into the hitherto solemn affair of hymn singing and fervent praying for which the services in R.C.C.G. were known for. He also introduced the idea of model parishes whereby the professionals and elite in the society would have the company of their likes at fellowship, with the form of worship adapted to their tastes without altering the worship of God.

up. Adeboye seeing that it was just him and his wife that had their hands up thought they were taking things a bit too far but Pa Akindayomi seeing his bewildered look comforted him with the words, “No, not so Adeboye. You are not foolish; you are only chosen”.

lowland as well have been Pastor Adeboye’s feet in taking the Good News, or Gospel, all over the world for many decades now.

Coincidentally, about five years before he became the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Adeboye himself had some revelation concerning the appointment. After sharing it with his wife, they had been in complete consternation, and had fervently prayed and fasted for God to allow the cup pass over them.

However, only the will of God would prevail.

One year before the event, he had another divine revelation concerning the appointment.

For a man who went about without shoes for nearly two decades from birth, it is most fitting that now his “feet (are) shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace”. Indeed, “how beautiful upon the mountain” and

Pastor Adeboye’s life has shown that it is only through total dedication and commitment to God that man can achieve true elevation.

In the awe of this God and the intricate web of destiny He has woven around him, Enoch Adejare Adeboye would always thunder in God’s praise, “Let somebody shout Hallelujah” to which the people would respond at the appreciation of this sovereign God who alone can exalt an ordinary man.

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COVER FEATURE

Tribute to a Life of Faith and Vision: Pastor E. A. Adeboye at 70

Pastor Adejare Adeboye, certainly a General in God’s 21st century Salvation Army. One of the most remarkable Ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in modern times, who, apart from being a man of vision and great character, and whose style of leadership is much admired and personal lifestyle much emulated is also an astute and erudite administrator.

The Nigerian Church celebrates one of our leading beacons, as Pastor Adeboye turns 70.

- George Ashiru, is an ordained minister of the Gospel, with his own Transformation Ministries. He also coordinates the NGO, Town Hall Meetings Project (THMP)

W

hat can one say about Pastor Adeboye that has not already been said? A man who you can tell takes time to hear from God before he speaks, a man whose humility shines through just as his depth in his walk and work for Christ shines through, a man who has seen a vision come to pass in a way that even we the onlookers are blown away...

Pastor Adeboye, I pray that the Lord continues to be your strength, I know it is an awesome task to be in the position you are and may the Lord make it easier, by and by... God bless you dearly...Happy Birthday!

- Kehinde Dacosta-Lawrence is a writer, producer, and record executive

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Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye is a phenomenon. He is a metaphor of faith and the reality of vision. He is a living proof of the dynamics of possibilities that can be explored by every human being who can pay the price. You can draw tremendous inspiration from the life of Daddy G.O., depending on the department or aspect of his life you are beaming your searchlight on. As I attend his programmes and listen to his ministrations, particularly the ministers’ conferences and solemn assemblies, I catch pictures; I receive supernatural strength to move ahead with the assignments that God has placed in my hands. To begin with, this is a man who became a Christian as an adult, in fact, as a university lecturer. The lesson to be learnt is that it is never too late for anyone. Secondly,

he joined the RCCG as a casual and relatively unknown member, just like anyone else. As a matter of fact, some of the ministers he met in RCCG are still elders in the church till today.

I learnt another major lesson: You don’t have to be a founding pastor to be globally relevant in ministry. Thirdly, as crucial as a PhD degree may be, it is not superior to a divine calling.

If Pastor (Dr.) Enoch Adeboye had continued to pursue his academic career, he would have at best become the youngest Vice Chancellor in Africa. But that is just a slice of what God has made of him today. Apart from being a proprietor of a university, he has many children as Vice Chancellors. Finally, even when it did not make sense, he took a step of faith: how can a federal university lecturer leave the glamour of the city to settle in a thick bush full of snakes and armed robbers? But decades after, that den of criminals and reptiles has become a city, with all the facilities of modernization. A potent lesson: Take that step if it is God leading you; it may appear ridiculous today, but ultimately, it will be a basketful of the miraculous. As you celebrate your 70th anniversary, Daddy G.O., I salute your faith, I applaud your vision and I celebrate the dynamism of your Christian walk.

Congratulations - Pastor Mark Ighile (Department of English, College of Humanities, Redeemer’s University, Redemption Camp) is the President of Strategic Leadership Academy and Publisher, LeaderSpeak Magazine, Mowe, Ogun State,Nigeria.

EVENTS

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EVENTS

The 2011 Nigeria Prize for Literature Public Presentation

T

he public presentation of The Nigeria Prize for Literature for 2011 finally took place in Lagos on Monday February 12, 2012 at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs. On Monday, October 10, 2011 at a world press conference held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, Nigeria, Mai Nasara was declared the winner of the 2011 Nigerian Prize for Literature.

With the honour, Mai Nasara, whose first children’s book is The Missing Clock beat all other contenders for the prize, becomes the 8th recipient of the prize instituted in 2004 by Nigeria LNG Limited as part of its corporate social responsibilities.

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, who was the special guest of honour, led other literary and scholarly giants in attendance including Gabriel Okara, Umoru Shehu, Ayo Banjo, Oye Ibidapo-obe, Jerry Agada, Yakubu Nasidi, Akachi Ezeigbo amongst others.

After the event, a line of students with the copies of the winning book, The Missing Clock, in hand waited to have them autographed by Mai Nasara.

The Missing Clock clinched the prize after scaling through a rigorous screening exercise of a total of 126 entries received by the panel of judges.

Mai Nasara is the pen name of Adeleke Adeyemi, a journalist and science communicator.

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EVENTS

The Celebration of the Life of Omoba Elizabeth Adetoun Akenzua

O

moba Elizabeth Adetoun Akenzua, was laid to rest on Friday February 24 at the Ikoyi Cemetery after a funeral service that held at the Trinity House, Victoria Island and a Service of Songs hosted by Household of God Church at Ikeja. The Double Princess as some are wont to call her was called to the great beyond on Friday October 14, 2011 in the United States.

Mama Akenzua who is survived by seven sons (Deji Akenzua, Edema Akenzua, Niyi Akenzua, Omoregie Akenzua, Ikponmwosa Akenzua, Taye Akenzua, and Kehinde Akenzua) was born into the revered royal family of the Ademola ruling dynasty of Abeokuta, Egbaland on September 13 1928. Her father, Oba Ladapo Ademola, was the Alake of Abeokuta and paramount ruler of Egba land and her mother was Late Olori Olufunke Ademola. Princess Elizabeth Adetoun Akenzua was an only child of her mother and survived her with her children and grandchildren upon her demise in July 2008 at a very ripe age of 105 years.

Mama met her charming Prince Osayande Felix Akenzua in England as students. They exchanged their engagement rings at Croydon, North London in March 1952 while consummation of the holy matrimony took place at Abeokuta in 1955.

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Life & Society FAmily

relationships

Health

Can You Be Single

and Happy?

Victoria Praise Abraham

education

science

TRAVELS

LIFE & SOCIETY

A

ccording to Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, “to be single” means not married or unaccompanied by others. So really being single means that there are no attachments, no encumbrances, no emotional load and responsibilities, no sorrow of heart or pain almost sometimes caused by being in a relationship because there is no way that two people will choose to relate that some degree of conflict would not occur.

So to be truly single is to be free of all the

1.

You can apply yourself to spiritual, social, and environmental causes with a singular focus and succeed.

2.

You can take up a course of study or decide to travel abroad to live and see the other side of the world.

3.

You are free from all the emotional highs and lows that being in a relationship saddles one with.

4.

You can go on an evangelistic mission in far away China, India, or Australia.

5.

You can spend focused time planning, praying and piloting your life for the future.

So why do singles hate being single, and rush into marriage without being 100% certain that they have chosen the right partner? The answer is simple. Society teaches that you conform and quickly settle down immediately after graduation. Is this wrong in itself?? No!! It is just that if that it is not what you want then you should not just fall and roll over.

Let’s go back to our initial question for discuss. Can you be single and happy? I guess it depends on many things.

For example: 1. How old are you presently?

2. What have you been able to achieve?

3. What is your purpose in life?

4. What is your personality type?

5. What are your life’s beliefs and values?

6. Do you view your single state as being a blessing or a curse?

7. What is your overall world view?

hassles of watching out continually for the other person. So obviously being single has its advantages including:

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Whatever be your answers to these varied questions the power to be happy regardless of the circumstances surrounding your single state lies in your hands. Marriage is honourable and a

blessed state but being single is honourable and a blessed state too.

Ponder for a moment and realize that life is in stages and phases and the important thing is making the very best of whatever place you find yourself in life. It’s been said severally that the single wants to marry while the married dreams of being free again. It is the same as thinking the grass is greener on the other side. So it’s time to place premium value of our single state and begin to come together as a group to find ways of mutual benefits and seeing how we can use our single state to better our communities and nation and world in general.

Now is the time to live a purposefully happy and single lifestyle free from all worries, stress and anxieties. You can be happy as it’s a duty you owe yourself.

To enjoy your single state you must first see it as: 1.

An opportunity and a great blessing from the Almighty and not be in a big hurry to rush into marriage especially if you are yet to meet Mr. or Mrs. Right yet. Concentrate on being a complete and whole person who can hold his/her own regardless of the gathering.

2.

Be prepared to develop yourself both spiritually and mentally to the best of your ability.

3.

Be prepared to give of yourself to yourself, others, your community and your nation.

4.

Establish a very strong relationship with God Almighty and His Holy Word so that you can receive the necessary help you need to be all that you were born to be and so that you can please your creator and maker at that stage and period of your life.

5.

Focus on a big picture and ensure that you succeed at whatever you have set your focus on.

Can you be single and happy? Ponder on the question for a while and let us realize that the greatest love possible is the love of God Almighty not the fickle and commercial love being peddled presently around the world. It is very clear that it is possible to be single and happy. The choice to be or not to be is entirely in your hands.

LIFE & SOCIETY

Experience More: Slow Down!

Patricia Omoqui

R

ush, rush, rush. The world is moving at an increasingly faster pace. But where is everyone going at this breakneck speed?

creative inspirations and wise intuitions God continually sends your way because you are late for your next meeting.

Why do we book our schedules so full? Why do we push ourselves so hard? Why are we constantly chasing material things—yet never taking time to enjoy what we already have?

2.

Make eating a delightful experience.

Rather than wolfing your food absent mindedly, relish each bite you take. Look at your plate.

Admire the colors and shapes. It is beautiful, isn’t it? Smell the rich flavors of stew, plantain pounded yam and moi moi. Experience each texture in your mouth as your taste buds celebrate the flavors. Life only happens one bite at a time. Why not appreciate every forkful?

“Fast and furious” is a common speed-choice for living. Unfortunately, it tends to produce frantic energy that keeps our mind whirling and blurs our vision. When we constantly push ourselves hard, we miss out on life’s simple pleasures and block ourselves from listening to the Divine Wisdom we need. It is a kind of insanity. To paraphrase the words of Herodotus: If people insist on being serious, and never allow themselves a modicum of fun or relaxation, they will be unstable and even become mad without even knowing it.

The speedometer of life does include other options. We can turn the needle to “slow and purposeful.” Making this choice provides fast-acting relief to the residual tension and relentless stress so many of us tolerate day after day. It makes space for new perspectives to emerge. It promotes clarity. It allows our inner joie de vivre to bubble up even amidst life’s challenges. It creates an energy flow— gentle and easy. We find ourselves savoring the goodness and beauty in ordinary moments. We discover the richness that is all around us now.

We realize that purposeful being stimulates natural forward movement on our dreams and goals.

With that in mind, I invite you. . . SLOW DOWN! Live each day fully. Here are some ways to do so: 1.

Do less not more. Being busy is not a badge of worthiness. You are worthy already.

God made you that way. Study your schedule.

If it is jam-packed, perhaps you need to drop a few appointments or activities. Pay attention to what you are doing. Notice how much you do on auto-pilot without knowing WHY. Ask yourself, “Does this align with my true values and goals?” Do not deprive yourself of the

3.

Marvel at the world around you.

When was the last time you admired a tree or watched a bird or insect with fascination? Our world is brim full of creatures and objects big and small. How vast is the sky! How bright is

“Notice that the world

keeps turning even when your gadgets are off.”

the moon! How powerful are the downpours of rainy season! Behold the endlessly amazing panorama of life before you.

4.

Enjoy what you already have. Question the mentality that presses you to strive for more, more, more. Too many of my successful clients have money, cars, and clothes and continually bemoan the fact that they have “no time” to enjoy any of it. When is enough, enough? Take stock of what you do have. Appreciate it. Don’t be so consumed with chasing success that you miss out on the blessings Life has already given you.

5.

Take regular breaks from technology.

Are you aware that your blackberry and your computer have off switches? Use them. Enjoy a few minutes of peace, free from technology.

Notice that the world keeps turning even when

your gadgets are off. Look around. Ask, “Whatand Who--do I miss when I am constantly engaged with my electronic devices?” You may be surprised at what you discover.

6.

Tune out your nasty inner critic. Turn up the voice of self-affirmation. Consider this Chinese proverb: “Tension is who you think you should be. Relaxation is who you are.” It is self-imprisonment to believe that you need to prove yourself to others. Could this be the reason you are pushing yourself so hard? Make peace with yourself. Choose a new self-concept.

Find reasons to appreciate the person you are at this point and the person you are continuing to become. Embrace yourself and encourage yourself. Don’t wait for someone to offer you love. Love yourself. Take moments daily to thank God for making you the marvelous being you are and loving you always.

7.

Engage more deeply with people.

Are you truly hearing the people in your life?

Are you enjoying laughter? Are you sharing moments and making happy memories? If not, awaken to the gift of deep connection. Look at your friends and family members with fresh eyes. Clear your mind. Be fully present. Notice their energy and facial expressions. Take in everything they are saying. If you do, your relationships are sure to grow stronger.

Food For Thought “Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.” Ovid

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LIFE & SOCIETY

Dignity & Depravity Toni Morrison You shouted. You fell. But you kept rising

T

o a Sudanese Woman:

Some months ago, I watched a video of punishment meted out to you - a lawfully mandated public whipping that I understand is not uncommon in your country. I have seen many instances of human brutality, but this one was particularly harrowing.

In the midst of my revulsion, certain thoughts surfaced.

I have been wondering how much courage it takes to lash a woman. (Even guillotine executioners had the decency to mask their faces to hide their shame as they cut off heads.)

Perhaps the man who whipped you took pride in his expertise: in never missing, always connecting his whip with your flesh. How satisfying it must have been to maul a helpless, weaponless female. How empowering, how masculine. Watching those onlooking men laughing at the spectacle of your humiliation distressed me as much as watching the executioner. I understand that historically the control of women—not only their movements, their speech, but especially their uteri, their ova, their foetuses - is one of the major foundations of sovereign nations. And although certain modern nations are slowly abandoning that ancient requirement, some, like yours, as well as Saudi Arabia and others, cling to male guardian laws as a singular characteristic of power. For them an ovum is a matter of state; sperm is not. The raped is responsible for her assault; the rapist is not.

How afraid such regimes must be, how puerile their claims of power.

I don’t know, or care to know, what “law” you broke. What I do know is that the infractions of which women like you are guilty pertain to their being untethered. And in regimes such as yours—whether chaotic or silently oppressive—the unleashed are lashed: for being alone in public, for mingling with

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unrelated males, for owning a cellphone, for driving a car, for wearing trousers. The helpless are punished for bearing the child of a rapist employer. And age does not matter. Children of 11 and women of 75 have all been jailed and bloodied for contesting, forgetting, or ignoring incomprehensible, even silly, rules.

Nevertheless, the abused-animal life so many women are required to live is being challenged.

The lasting response I had watching that video is the most important. You did not crouch or kneel or assume a fetal position. You shouted.

You fell. But you kept rising. After each cut of the lash into your flesh, you tried to stand; you raised your body up like a counter-whip. It so moved me to see your reactions; I interpreted them as glimmers of hope, of principled defiance.

Each cut tearing your back hurts women all over the world. Each scar you bear is ours as well. I have no advice for you and would not presume to offer any, but like thousands of women everywhere I will not give in to sorrow or retreat into despair. Women are speaking out, saying aloud what you are forbidden to say at all, doing in public what you are not ever permitted to do. They are gathering together, demanding that your efforts to rise up in the face of brutality are not in vain.

Sincerely, Toni Morrison Morrison, a Nobel Laureate and Pulitzer-prize winning author, is a board member of Advancing Human Rights (http://advancinghumanrights. org/).

Living & St yle FASHION

BEAUTY

FOOD

HOMECARE

GADGETS

CARS

LEISURE

Grooming Your Eyebrows Kathlyn Eyitemi

LIVING & STYLE

“Though it is better to

have a professional do the waxing, you can do it yourself.”

T

here used to be a time when a woman’s eyebrows were the most neglected part of her face. That was long before Cable TV made its way into every home and fashion magazines began to juggle for space in the news stands.

Still as more and more women strive to make bold fashion statements and get the signature look, the eyebrows came to the fore as the centre of a woman’s looks.

When it comes to the face, your eyebrows define your essence because they help to balance your face, draw attention to your eyes and if they are not well groomed can give your whole face an unattractive look, no matter how flawless the rest of your make-up may be.

Not everybody can or wants to employ the services of a professional. So with a little extra effort, you can achieve the perfect look by doing it yourself. Here are some basic steps to follow.

Plucking Eyebrows This is perhaps the one method that most women have used at one time or another.

It involves removing one hair at a time by grasping it with a pair of tweezers.

Though it is an easy method, it can be time consuming. You will need good light and a mirror (a magnifying mirror is often preferred) that allows a good view of your eyebrows.

If you are bothered too much by the pain of the plucking, you can use ice to numb the area first. Brush your eyebrows into place before you pluck. Start on the inside of the brow (closest to your nose) and slowly tweeze along the bottom of your brow until the outer corner is about half the width of the inner corner.

Always pluck hairs in the direction that they grow. This will keep the hairs smooth and will hurt less. It’s also a good idea to tautly hold the skin rights above the brow as you begin to tweeze, as this will slightly reduce the pain of plucking. After plucking a few hairs, always stop to look at what you have done, so as to avoid overplucking.

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Eye Brow Waxing Waxing is a fairly quick method of removing unwanted hair from the eyebrows but can be rather painful. If your skin is very sensitive, this may not be a good method for you. Waxing is used to shape the eyebrow from below, not above the natural line of the brow. In preparation for the wax you should use an eyebrow brush or clean mascara wand to brush your eyebrow into place. Though it is better to have a professional do the waxing, you can do it yourself. If you do want to try it yourself, be sure you buy professional quality supplies to get the best results.

Step 1: Wipe Skin Wipe the skin under your brown with witch hazel lotion to clean and anaesthetize the area.

Step 2: Mark your Spot You can work out where the highest point of the arch should be by holding a ruler from the edge of the nostril past the outer edge of the iris and up to the eyebrow.

Mark the spot with a dot. By linking up the dots in a gentle arch you will have your ideal eyebrow shape. This will give you a guideline to go by when applying the wax.

You should aim for a smooth arched brow that tapers slightly at the outer ends.

Step 3: Warm up your Wax Warm up the wax to optimum temperature and use the small spatula to apply a thin layer of wax to the growth. Make sure that you only use a small amount of wax on the spatula to avoid the wax dripping when it is applied.

Step 4: Apply Wax Apply wax in the same direction that the hair grows in. You don’t need to use much, and you should not let the wax dry.

It is a good idea to take a little hair off at a time, especially if you have fairly thick growth. Any remaining straggly hairs can be removed with tweezers.

Eyebrow Threading Eyebrow threading is actually a centuries old practice that has its origins in India.

Even though Western women have fairly recently caught on to eyebrow threading, it has been very popular amongst Middle

LIVING & STYLE Eastern women for a very long time.

Eyebrow threading was offered in salons and spas for Middle Eastern women for a long time before Western women developed an interest in it. Now it is becoming a more popular and preferred method of eyebrow grooming. Eyebrow threading is accomplished by using a double strand of thread (usually cotton), twisting it to catch a line of hair in the selected area. Many women like the fact that it is faster than most other methods and more cleanly removes lines of hair, often without causing the redness and irritation that plucking or waxing can cause.

This method works better for fine hair than it does for coarse hair. To do this, you will need; eyebrow pencil, mirror, strong cotton thread, scissors, a steady hand, and ice (optional)

Whichever method you choose, keeping your eyebrows well groomed is well worth the effort. You will not only look more polished but feel more confident in your appearance.

Step 1: Scrutinize brows Draw your desired shape with the eyebrow pencil and use the mirror to determine which hairs need to be plucked.

Step 2: Cut the thread Cut off about 2 feet of thread. Tie the ends together to form a circle. To minimize pain or irritation, numb the eyebrow area with ice before you begin threading.

Step 3: Twist the thread Hold the loop open around your thumb and index finger, bending your wrists so your fingers point toward your body. With your right hand still, twist your left hand clockwise at the wrist, three or four times, twisting the loop into a bow-tie shape.

Step 4: Position the thread Position the twisted section of the thread below the hair you want to remove. The twisting thread, going against the direction of hair growth, will catch the hair and pull it out. Threading can remove a lot of hair very quickly. Practice on your leg or upper lip to gain confidence and skill.

Step 5: Remove hairs Open the hand below the twist in the thread, simultaneously closing your other hand. The hair will be tweezed out by the twist in the string.

Step 6: Reverse open and closed hands Close the hand below the twist while opening your other hand, reposition the twist in the thread below the hair you want to remove, and repeat the process.

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LIVING & STYLE

Top 5 Luxury Watches for 2012

By Deji Osobukola With so many different brands to choose from in the world of luxury watches, it is fair to say that fans of striking timepieces are going to be spoilt for choice in 2012 – with the likes of Panerai, Bremont, Bell and Ross and Baume & Mercier watches vying for your attention over the next 12 months.

But which luxury watches have made it into our Top 5 for 2012…..?

Taking 5th Place….

Bremont ALT1-Z/CR/07 – $4000 Approx.

A stunning luxury watch from British watchmakers, Bremont, and one that is set to turn heads and fly off the shelves in 2012. Boasting a stainless steel case, cream dial and sapphire crystal glass, its quality certainly shines through and it is unquestionably one of the finest looking Bremont watches out there – make sure you snap yours up quickly.

Securing the 4th Spot…..

TAG Heuer Formula 1 White Dial Mens Chronograph – $1100 Approx.

Tag Heuer watches are one of the most established, luxurious and desired watches on the market and 2012 is set to be a big year for the Formula 1 watch above. It’s a bit of a departure from others in this collection and its stand out design and devastating precision are likely to make it one of the most purchased Swiss watches in 2012.

In 3rd Place we have….

Bell & Ross Vintage BR 126 Officer Black – Approx. $3000 Bell and Ross watches boast an enviable style that is uniquely their own and makes them an ideal choice for those looking for a new luxury timepiece in 2012. The various Bell & Ross collections have a distinct aviation feel and this is something that is admirably illustrated in the Vintage BR126 Officer above. If this type of watch is your cup of tea, you are likely to find that you are spoilt for choice with the Bell and Ross collections as they have men’s watches that are both vintage and contemporary and, in some cases, some that are both vintage AND contemporary.

Taking the Runner-Up spot…..

IWC Portuguese Automatic Chronograph Watch – $9500 IWC are one of Switzerland’s most highly regarded watchmakers and this is largely due to watches like the Portuguese Automatic Chronograph above. The understated elegance of their watches sets them apart from the crowd and they don’t have to try hard to make their timepieces appealing – they manage this all by themselves. IWC watches are set for another big year in 2012 and it is courtesy of their excellent and diverse collections. Whilst they are one of the more expensive luxury watch brands on the market, there is no denying that it is money well spent when you opt for an IWC watch.

Taking the Coveted Number 1 spot….

U-Boat Flightdeck 50 Round Black Dial Oversized Men’s Luxury Watch – Approx. $2000 Oversized watches are set for a massive year in 2012 and nobody does them better than Italian watchmaker, U-Boat.

These stunning luxury watches were originally crafted for use by the Italian Navy during WWII so you know that they’re built to last. The Flightdeck collection is one of U-Boat watches most sought after and they are exactly the sort of timepiece that will turn heads without being too over the top. The stunning watch above boasts a black calfskin leather strap, sapphire crystal glass and large 44mm watch face. A breath taking luxury watch and one that will definitely be sitting at the top table of luxury watches in 2012.

Deji Osobukola is Managing Director/CEO at Fame Entertainment, UK, publishers of Fame Magazine (a talent and lifestyle magazine.)

He studied Law at Lagos State University and has a Masters in Marketing from the University of Hertfordshire.

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Business FINANCE

MANAGEMENT

TECHNOLOGY

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

TRADE

MARKETING

The CBN Cashless Nigeria Initiative

BUSINESS

F

ollowing the recent circular issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria, in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee, placing cash withdrawal limits of N150, 000 for individual account holders and N1, 000, 000 for corporate account holders, with the aim of reducing the high dominance of cash in the Nigerian economy, we publish below (courtesy of the Central Bank of Nigeria), some questions and answers that would further enlighten the public and other stakeholders on the essence of the policy and people’s views on the policy.

What informed the new policy of Cash Withdrawal/Lodgement Limit?

The Nigerian economy is too heavily cashoriented in transactions of goods and services.

This is not in line with the global trend, considering Nigeria’s ambition to be amongst the top 20 economies of the world by the year 2020. Furthermore, it is estimated that about 65% of the cash in circulation in the Nigerian economy is outside of the banking system. Also, the huge volume of cash transactions impose tremendous costs to the banking sector and, consequently, the customer, in terms of cash

management, frequent printing of currency notes, currency sorting and cash movements.

There is also the risks involved in keeping or moving large amounts of cash, namely the high incidences of robberies and burglaries and the public’s propensity to abuse and mishandle currency notes.

What does the CBN want to achieve with the policy?

The CBN, in collaboration with the Bankers’ Committee, aims to achieve an environment where a higher and increasing proportion of transactions are carried out through Cheques and Electronic Payments (e-payments), in line with the global trend. This new cash withdrawal policy will ensure that a larger proportion of currency in circulation is captured within the banking system, thereby enhancing the efficacy of monetary policy operations and economic stabilisation measures.

What are the legal implications of the cash withdrawal limit policy?

The policy does NOT in any way stop account holders from withdrawing any amount of money

“

they desire from their accounts. The policy simply recognises that banking is a business and, as with any business, there are costs that are sometimes shared between the business and the customers. The policy stipulates that to withdraw more than N150,000 (for individual account holders) and more than N1,000,000 (for corporate account holders), there will be a nominal transaction cost, as stated in the circular.

Does the policy foreclose the use of Cheques in transactions?

The policy does not in any way preclude the use of Cheques as a means of payment. In fact, the policy rather encourages the use of Cheques as well as other e-payment methods in daily transactions.

How would the policy help to check high rate of organised crimes, such as armed robbery, kidnapping and money laundering?

It is a well known fact that the criminal underworld usually requires huge volumes of cash to carry out their nefarious operations in order to avoid being traced or tracked.

Will the policy have negative implications on small businesses that heavily rely on cash transactions?

”

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BUSINESS Therefore, placing a limit on the amount of cash flowing in the system, will curtail such activities as armed robbery, kidnapping, drug and gun running and money laundering. In an environment of extensive and predominant use of cheques and e-payments, criminal transactions can be easily traceable and tracked.

Will the policy have negative implications on small businesses that heavily rely on cash transactions?

In every human endeavour, attitudinal change often comes with some challenges, but that does not mean change is impossible, especially if it is for the good of all. Small businesses, with proper education and preparation, will be sensitised to the benefits of operating current accounts and adopting less cash-oriented methods in their business transactions. Data from Nigerian banks show that only about 10% of cash withdrawals from banks are of more than N100,000. Therefore, this new policy only affects 10% of banking customers who also account for over 75% of all banking transactions, thus accounting for the lion share of the cost of cash management.

What is the modality of implementing this policy?

The CBN working with the banks will start the implementation of the policy in phases. There will be pilot schemes in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja, Kano and Aba, which will eventually cover the entire country in few years to come.

The pilot scheme will start with Lagos (code named Cashless Lagos), in which the CBN, the banks, relevant service providers and the Lagos State Government are working together to provide all the necessary infrastructure for the smooth take off of the scheme in Lagos State effective March 31, 2012.

Cashless Banking in Nigeria… the people speak Let us forget about this oyibo people or artificial oyibo people that are in charge of our national affairs...Africa does not have the capacity to float most of these European concepts. Just to

remind you...the Nigerian government does not know that you exist.....The Journey is still far...

Otonye West, Port Harcourt I do not see how the implementation of cashless policy direction by CBN can increase the use of electronic banking in Nigeria because most of the cash request by customers are not done on line, they are done by the counter and the decision to release hundred and fifty thousand to individuals narrows the means of individual expenditure considering the high cost of living in Nigeria. One hundred and fifty thousand naira is less than one thousand dollars per day and that is not acceptable considering the fact that our economy is individual driven where the individual provides more economic goods to satisfy his daily needs therefore the policy of a cashless economy will only decrease current expenditure which will reduce the amount of cash flow in the economy and increase the cost of cash management by the various banks in Nigeria.

Ugochukwu Junior Nwuke, Lagos

All these so called policies they make, it is the common man that will suffer. After all, rich people can afford the interest they are charging but the ordinary man cannot afford those huge interests on their money. Our president is leaving Sanusi to do whatever he likes, that’s why we’re in this mess.

Seun Adekoge, Lagos Let us wait and see whether this policy will endure. It’s a stupid policy in an economy where Government does not even have a documented census of the citizens of this country. How do you expect an illiterate market woman to do business now?

Keeran Wada, Lagos The literacy level in Nigeria is too low for a policy of this nature. And the CBN is not creating enough awareness about it. You cannot create a policy and dump it on people’s laps without proper sensitization.

Eki Aigbe, Benin

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BUSINESS

Business Networking Adebowale Jeff Johnson

M

ost businesses recognise the benefits of developing their employees’ knowledge and understanding of the industry and markets they work in.

Networking with others allows smaller businesses to share experiences and ideas and to improve in-house knowledge. Businesses can network with educational establishments, trade organisations and other businesses.

Businesses that actively participate in networks generally find the partnerships more effective than passive participants.

This guide explains the workings and benefits of networking, the forms networking can take and how to make the most of active participation.

How networking works Networking involves interacting with others for assistance and support. When you network for business purposes you will have the opportunity to do some of the following: • meet in organised or informal forums • receive news bulletins and invitations to events of general interest, eg exhibitions, lectures by prominent business people or industry experts • participate in debates on topics relevant to your industry or field of business • contribute to or participate in surveys

or research in your field or business sector You stand to gain from the experiences of other businesses and share new ideas on a variety of subjects including: • training and recruitment • talent management • new products and markets • industry developments • industry laws and regulation You may meet customers, competitors, suppliers and service providers who are all looking for similar benefits and to widen their contact base.

When choosing a network or partnership to join, you need to think of your primary requirements, e.g. market information, training and development opportunities, or expert advice. Aim to balance your needs with the level of participation and involvement you are prepared to commit.

For example if you cannot spare the time to attend functions and events, you might focus on finding a network hosted on the internet. Similarly if you do not think you will proactively pass information on or help someone else in return for advice, you might prefer a more passive network that supplies newsletters and bulletins (possibly for a subscription) and hosts online debates, rather than an eventsbased one.

Benefits of networking For a start-up or small business, networking can provide a lifeline of support and business generation.

Networking can help you improve your business performance, products and staff skills. It can also help you

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develop knowledge and skills, by providing opportunities to: • Participate in benchmarking, which can help you identify areas where you can improve your business performance.

• Establish staff exchanges and secondments. For example, an outside expert may join your business to oversee a specific project or you may second a graduate joiner to a supplier to learn about the supply process.

• Benefit from economies of scale by involving employees in joint skills development programmes for staff in your business sector.

You can use networking to boost your reputation and gather new leads. You can: • raise your business profile by becoming an established and regular networking member, getting your face and the business known • meet new people and build mutually beneficial business relationships • expand your markets by generating new business contacts with potential customers, suppliers and partners • establish overseas partnerships, e.g. through international exhibitions and conferences Networks can also be a key source of information and support. You can: • compare and discuss issues of common interest, e.g. legal and regulatory developments, staff retention, supplier networks, customer service and technological breakthroughs • develop and share ideas, innovation and knowledge of best practice The extent to which you benefit will depend on the events and services the network offers and how actively you become involved. Some businesses are reluctant to seek advice or get help for fear of being embarrassed or giving a competitor an opportunity to take advantage.

However, for most businesses, the benefits of taking an active role in a network usually outweigh any potential concerns or reasons not to network.

To learn more about the topic, contact Debo Jeff Johnson on debojeffjohnson@gmail.com or call 0805 606 2592.

TIMELESS

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Are you a small business owner or entrepreneur just starting out? Do you need that exposure for your product or service at a price that won’t break the bank? Advertise in our magazine for between N5,000 and N15,000 on our Business Card Directory Page. Call 014358330, or SMS 08026861642 The adverts come in 3 sizes: (i) Company Listing (Text only/No Graphics) - N5,000 (ii) Business Card Listing (Graphics in Busines Card size) - N10,000 (iii) 25 by 6 inches Strip Advert - N15,000 All are in B/W. Send your company details and or soft copy of your design indicating your preferred size/type to us by email Kindly make payment with your name to Timeless Courage Publishing Limited, Oceanic Bank Account No: 0003632128 Once payment has been made, send us the teller details and your advert will be placed in the subsequent month’s edition.

Tayo Olarewaju

What is bullying?

Bullying in its most simple terms can be explained as is being horrible or mean to someone else especially when that person is not able or finds it difficult to defend themselves.

If your child constantly being picked on, if a fault is constantly being found in your child, if your child is being constantly shouted at mocked or belittled, criticised then in most cases your child is being bullied. What is important to note is the constancy and frequency of the actions this is what makes it bullying. Even if there is a little nugget of truth in the criticism if it is a constant it might be bullying. Most times bullies will take a little fact about the child being bullied and blow it completely out of proportion.

it does not happen or try and gloss over it by asking the child to “toughen up”, “be a boy” etc.

The effects can be really serious and can affect a child’s self esteem and physical and in extreme cases, mental health. This is seen in the case of the Columbine massacre where two children (who among other factors) were being bullied, go back to their school with guns and kill people.

being bullied

Why ME? Bullies usually pick on people in whom they sense an element of vulnerability

A child who starts deliberately dumbing down his grades- that is trying to do worse in school and not be so perfect may be under attack from bullies.

Strangely enough bullies pick on children that are good at their work or excel in their studies.

They pick on the ‘Do–Gooders’ or “Teachers Pets” or the “Know-it-Alls”

Bullying mostly occurs in school. The irony of this matter is that the bully is counting on the fact that the child being bullied cannot protect himself. Interestingly, when a child being bullied fights back, usually both children- the bully and the child being bullied both get into trouble. This is because most schools have a low tolerance level to fighting.

Bullying is a very real problem and exists in some schools though some schools try to pretend 28

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Bullies exist in all areas of life. There are bullies in schools, secondary schools universities (as we see with fraternity groups) and even in work places The best way to teach a child to handle bullying is to seek for help. This can be by encouraging the child to talk to a parent, to a friend, a classmate or a trusted adult.

Also with the criticism, when a child is constantly being isolated from a group, constantly being treated differently from the others when there are constant attempts to belittle your child or make of no consequence your child’s opinions there might be some bullying going on.

Bullying may be very direct like pushing and shoving or indirectly by shunning or through other indirect emotional means. Either way bullying can be very real. Bullying can put children in real danger. When a child is being pushed, punched, shoved or kicked, it can sometimes result in very bad injuries in some instances results have been as severe as broken bones.

A child who suddenly looks for ways not to go to school, a child who suddenly becomes anxious, fearful moody and insecure might be being bullied A child who suddenly develops fathom stomach aches and discomforts when it is time for school may also be bully victim.

Teach the child to stand up when they see a child being bullied.

Teach the child to understand that bullies are not cool

Bullies will pick on a child that shows a streak of independence. Bullies will target a child who does not show a desire to be among the ‘in crowd’ or do the ‘in thing’ especially when the ‘in-thing’ is wrong.

Bullies usually are people with fears or low self esteem. They are usually afraid that an independent person will expose their own weaknesses and the bullying in some cases is fuelled by fear.

Help your child The best thing a parent can do to help a child being bullied is to notice the symptoms of a child

Explain to the child that no-one deserves to be bullied and the child has done nothing to deserve being bullied. Help the child to understand that it is not the child’s fault.

Let the child know that lots of children and adults get bullied Do take bullying seriously not all bullying can be ‘’toughened out’’ If necessary speak to someone in authority in the school At the most extreme, give some thought to changing schools depending on the school’s policy on bullying.

PreSchooler activities for Preschool Children from Age 2-5

C

ommo

Sh

n

P re s c h o o l

apes

VICTORIA TANDOH

1

These objects are shaped like triangles, circles and rectangles.

Draw lines from the objects to the correct shape.

triangle

circle

SS FIRST CLA

rectangle

Copyright 2010-2011 Education.com

Created by :

www.education.com/worksheets

Play Shape and Seek Shapes are all around us, and young kids love learning about them! Life gives us plenty of excuses to talk about shapes. For example, as you’re driving, you can point out the circle roundabout, the rectangular parking space, or the octagon stop sign.

When you go for a walk, ask your child what shape the bricks on a neighbour’s house are made of, or talk about the triangle that is their roof.

And when your child is itching for a game, consider ditching Hide and Seek in favour of Shape and Seek. Here’s how it works: What You Need: •5-10 pieces of construction paper, all in the same colour •scissors •tape What to Do: Using the construction paper, cut out squares, circles, triangles, and rectangles.

(Once your child masters these, you can add on some more difficult shapes, like diamonds, hexagons, and octagons.). While you may be tempted to break out a rainbow of paper choices, resist! Keeping all shapes the same colour helps kids focus their attention on the shape itself, rather than the colour from which it’s made.

Reprinted with permission from The World Almanac for Kids Puzzler Deck: Early Math, (Chronicle Books, 2008).

Find more worksheets at www.education.com/worksheets.

Ask your child to cover her eyes and count to 20. In the meantime, take your pile of shapes and tape them around the house. When she opens her eyes, send her off to find one particular shape. When she’s got them, move on to the other shapes, one by one, until she’s found them all.

Fair’s fair. Now it’s your turn to hunt. Collect all the shapes and hand them over.

Close your eyes and give your child the chance to hide them from you. When time’s up, ask your child to assign you a shape. Pretend to need reminders of what each shape looks like before you find it. Ask questions like, “How many sides does a triangle have, again?” or “Is the square the one with four equal sides, or is that the rectangle?” Having your child teach you about the shapes will reinforce the concepts.

Plus, she’ll feel great being able to help you learn something for a change!

Once your child begins to do this with ease, you can add a guessing game element to the mix. Give clues rather than naming the shape outright. For example: “I am thinking of a shape that has 4 equal sides.” And when the hunting is done, head on over to the kitchen for some shape snacking. You can cut sandwiches into circles with a cookie cutter, or the back of a glass. Or pick shapes ready to eat as-is (cookies or sliced carrots make great circles, crackers often come in squares or rectangles...) If you can’t find things in the cupboard it might be time to take your shape hunt to the next location.... the grocery store.

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ARTs

& Culture

books movies music theatre photography exhibitions architecture

Digital Distribution in Nigerian Video Film Industry Olaitan Faranpojo

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ARTS & CULTURE

T

he information revolution, propelled by the digital approach to the representation and representation of reality has had tremendous effect on many aspects of life and living. It has changed the way we work, the way we learn, the way we trade and even the way we spend our leisure hours.

Lagos and Onitsha, two of the main commercial towns in Nigeria. Some of these distribution chains used to deal in music distribution and now combine the distribution of music with the distribution of motion picture products. However, some others have developed their distribution businesses based solely on home movies.

A very important aspect of this development is the democratization of the means of production and distribution of motion picture products.

The means of production and distribution of motion picture products are now relatively within the reach of all and sundry. This implies that the excuse of not producing can’t be anything but lack of access to production technology.

Before the VCD, the most popular distribution medium was the VHS tape. Today however, the VCD is the most popular medium of distribution. The VCD is a medium that places low bitrate MPEG video on a compact disc of about 600MB capacity. With this relatively low capacity, even at low bitrates, a feature of about 90 minutes requires two CDs; hence the film has to be interrupted midway to swap discs.

Nigeria has no doubt benefited tremendously from this development, coming from a position in which she hardly made any motion picture to one in which she now ranks as the third largest producer of motion pictures in the world, coming behind only the USA and India. Of course there are soft controversies about this rating, but I do not wish to address these controversies in this presentation since my object is to examine the ways Nigerians have used digital technology to create a motion picture industry that hardly existed barely twenty years ago.

The popularity of the VCD has been propelled mainly by the relatively low cost of VCD players compared to DVD players. Hence, distribution in DVD is not considered necessary because the cost/benefit comparison seems to favour the VCD.

To understand this development in context, it is necessary to step back a little to investigate the historical antecedents to the production of motion pictures in Nigeria. When the government of the Western Region of Nigeria introduced television to Africa in 1959, one major challenge it had was how to reach the people in their local Yoruba language. The unavailability of TV programs in Yoruba language forced the TV station to fall back on the Yoruba traveling theatre tradition. The Yoruba traveling theatre tradition may be likened to the tradition of the traveling circus in Europe. Very much like the traveling circus, they went from one community to the other during the dry season entertaining people in village squares.

With the introduction of Christianity and elements of British culture, some new elements such as the use of stage and stage techniques were introduced into the traveling theatre tradition. It was in this stage of their development that the Yoruba traveling theatre was invited from the village square through the Shakespearean stage to the television screen by the Western Nigerian Television.

Later on in the early seventies, Yoruba traveling theatre practitioners were introduced to the cinema and many interesting and successful films were made. Due to the misrule of successive military regimes and their damaging economic policies, by the mid eighties, it had become virtually impossible to make films in Nigeria due to the sheer cost of raw stock, laboratory processing and distribution media. It was from this situation that digital production products and techniques developed to liberate the creativity of Nigerians and the home video industry was born. Today most Nigerian productions are made using DV tape and edited on lowend PC-based editing suites. Distribution is however done largely in the form of VCD.

Today, there are a number of VCD production facilities in Nigeria, producing the millions of VCDs that bear the few thousands of Nigerian home movies censored by the Nigerian Video and Film Censors board per annum. And the number is still growing.

Given the relatively low quality of the VCD and the need to swap discs midstream while watching a film, the DVD is probably the next frontier in the Nigerian home movie distribution. With the continued fall in the price of low end DVD players, it is only a matter of time when the DVD starts appearing as a home movie medium in the Nigerian industry.

“

Given the relatively low quality of the VCD and the need to swap discs midstream while watching a film, the DVD is probably the next frontier in the Nigerian home movie distribution.�

The VCDs are distributed via semi formal distribution chains centered in

ARTS & CULTURE Continues on page 34

PODIUM

The Butchers Of Nigeria

by Wole Soyinka

How a corrupt nation bred Boko Haram, the Islamic sect terrorizing the country’s Christians.

O

ver the past year, Nigeria’s homegrown terror group Boko Haram has escalated its deadly attacks against Christian and government targets, with the aim of establishing a Sharia state in the country’s north.

Nearly 30 years ago, in the largely Christian heartland of a multireligious Nigerian nation, and at that nation’s pioneer institution—the University of Ibadan—a minister of education summoned the vice chancellor and ordered him to remove a cross from a site dedicated to religious worship. Some Muslims had complained, he claimed, that the cross offended their sight when they turned east to pray.

The don’s response was: “Mr. Minister, it would be much easier to remove me as vice chancellor than to have me remove that cross.” Christians mobilized. A religious war was barely averted on campus. Today the Christian cross occupies that same spot, with the Islamic star and crescent raised only a few meters away. As I observed at a lecture several years later, there has been no earthquake beneath, no convulsions of the firmament above that space, no blight traceable to the cohabitation of that spot by Christian and Muslim symbols.

I evoked that occurrence when the latest torch

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bearers of fanaticism—a group called Boko Haram—emerged. I did so to draw attention to the fact that religious zealotry is not new in the nation, nor is it limited to the “unwashed masses” who have been programmed into killing, at the slightest provocation or none, in the name of faith. Unfortunately, far too many have succumbed to the belligerent face of fanaticism, believing that any form of excess is divinely sanctioned and nationally privileged.

Sectarian killings—numbered in the thousands—preceded Boko Haram, much

organized butch-ery, sometimes announced in advance, always tacitly endorsed by silence and inaction, escalating in intensity and impunity.

It was consciousness of the geographical expansion and the increasingly organized nature

of the fanatic surge and its international linkages that compelled me to warn on three public occasions since 2009 that “the agencies of Boko Haram, its promulgators both in evangelical and violent forms, are everywhere. Even here, right here in this throbbing commercial city of Lagos, there are, in all probability, what are known as ‘sleepers’ waiting for the word to be given. If that word were given this moment, those sleepers would swarm over the walls of this college compound and inundate us.”

Much play is given, and rightly so, to economic factors—unemployment, misgovernment, wasted resources, social marginalization, massive corruption—in the nurturing of the current season of violent discontent. To limit oneself to these factors alone is, however, an evasion, no less than intellectual and moral cowardice, a fear of offending the ruthless caucuses that have unleashed terror on society, a refusal to stare the irrational in the face and give it its proper name—and response. That minister was not one of the “unwashed masses.” He was, quite simply, the polished face of fanaticism. His prolonged career as secretary of the Universities Commission and minister of education inflicted on the nation a number of other policies of educational separatism that left a huge swath of Nigeria open to fanatic indoctrination.

PODIUM

Yes, indeed, economic factors have facilitated the mass production of these foot soldiers, but they have been deliberately bred, nurtured, sheltered, rendered pliant, obedient to only one line of command, ready to be unleashed at the rest of society. They were bred in madrassas and are generally known as the almajiris. From knives and machetes, bows and poisoned arrows they have graduated to AK47s, homemade bombs, and explosive-packed vehicles. Only the mechanism of inflicting death has changed, nothing else.

That was the fallout from a beauty contest in Abuja that drew the ire of some Islamic extremists. Reacting to the mayhem, a female journalist had speculated that, were the Prophet Muhammad alive, he might have selected one of the contestants for wife. For that alleged blasphemy, hundreds, guilty only of innocently pursuing a living, were massacred by hordes of fanatics, who were mostly bused into the capital for organized violence. The president went groveling before the presumably offended elite.

This horde has remained available to political opportunists and criminal leaders desperate to stave off the day of reckoning. Most are highly placed, highly disgruntled, and thus highly motivated individuals who, having lost out in the power stakes, resort to the manipulation of these products of warped fervor. Their aim is to bring society to its knees, to create a situation of total anarchy that will either break up the nation or bring back the military, which ruled Nigeria in a succession of coups between the mid-1960s and the late ’90s.

Again and again they have declared their blunt manifesto—not merely to Islamize the nation but to bring it under a specific kind of fundamentalist strain. Rather than act in defense of Nigeria’s Constitution, past rulers have cosseted the aggressors for short-term political gains. However, those who have tweaked the religious chord are discovering that they have conjured up a Frankenstein.

Arrogance has given way to fear. The former governors of the northern states of Gombe and Borno wasted no time in issuing full-page advertorials in the media, apologizing to Boko Haram when the latter issued threats against them for their alleged role in the deaths of the group’s members at the hands of security forces in 2009.

It was the same governor of an impoverished state called Zamfara who unilaterally commenced the separatist agenda that turned parts of Nigeria into theocracies under a supposed secular Constitution. His whim was indulged, his political support was courted by the then-sitting president, obsessed with

They had precedent. It was in Nigeria, after all, that a deputy governor, later backed by his superior, pronounced a fatwa on a Nigerian citizen in 2002: “Like Salman Rushdie, [her blood] can be shed. It is binding on all Muslims, wherever they are, to consider the killing of the writer as a religious duty.”

“Unfortunately, far too

many have succumbed to the belligerent face of fanaticism, believing that any form of excess is divinely sanctioned and nationally privileged.” prolonging his tenure. The governor, now turned senator, was also caught as a serial pedophile. Challenged in the media, he boasted that the Quran was above the Constitution, and thus he was not subject to laws that criminalized copulation with underage children or, indeed, cross-border sex trafficking, of which he was equally accused. He was neither censured by his fellow senators nor placed on trial. His followers have taken their cue from his declaration, convinced that the greater the crime, the greater its deserving of immunity.

How many of the hundreds of cases of impunity need one cite, with their corresponding gestures of appeasement? Where does one begin? Can the Nigerian police or judicial records reveal how many were prosecuted when a man called Gideon Akaluka was beheaded, his head paraded on a stake through the streets of Kano in northern Nigeria, for allegedly desecrating the Quran? It turned out no such offense had been committed. Nor has there been a single arrest in the secondary school where an invigilating teacher, a Mrs. Oluwasesin, was stripped naked, beaten, and then “necklaced”—set on fire by students for allegedly “treating the Quran with disrespect.”

Her real crime? She had confiscated a Quran— and, incidentally, a Bible as well—from cheating students during a paper on religious studies.

How does one convey scenes where killers perform ritual recitations before or after the meticulous throat-slitting of schoolchildren, in the conviction that this carries the same potency of immunity as papal indulgences once did in the decadent era of Christianity?

For decades, leaders of those communities remained mute or uttered pietisms. Now the foot soldiers have matured on the taste of blood. They understand the essence of power.

Some have come to realize they have been programmed, used, abused, and discarded.

Now they seek to exercise power and have turned on all, mentors and appeasers alike.

Nigeria is at war. The Somalia scenario nibbles at her cohesion. When we insisted that the nation had become a prime target of al Qaeda, the reply was that Boko Haram was a homegrown phenomenon—as if this were ever the question! The reality is that it has, inevitably, developed ties with al Qaeda and its borderless company of religious insurgency.

Only a few have sown the wind, but that wind was fanned by the breath of appeasement.

Only one choice remains: to ride, or else reap, the whirlwind.

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ARTS & CULTURE

EBELE: the woman with the flute Ebele has all the trappings of a star, 4 inch stiletto heels, fancy clothes and a voice to die for but that is not what makes her stand out in the thick crowd of showbiz in Nigeria. After years of bonding with the flute, it has become her signature musical instrument and she can’t be found performing without it. Kathlyn Eyitemi delved into the world of this Anambra born performer to discover the ‘woman with the flute’.

A

text message pooped up my screen from my editor, I had been assigned to do a story on the lady simply called Ebele. I didn’t really know much about her save for a fleeting memory of a lady playing with a flute in a video that also featured Mike Aremu, the popular Nigerian Saxophonist. A cold shiver ran down my spine (I get that kind of feeling when I have to interview an artist I haven’t met before.) The chill springs from memories of Diva attitudes of some artists who keep you waiting for hours on end just to do a twenty minutes interview that they themselves booked for, or leave your phone on hold for several… real …bill accruing minutes; and that air of don’t you know that I’m a celebrity attitude. A rush of adrenalin shot through my veins. Curiosity; what will she be like? Who is Ebele?

I sent her a text message to book an appointment. She called me back in less than twenty minutes in what sounded like a cheerful shrill voice. Two days later I was fighting through unbelievable Lagos traffic to reach her Ikeja home. The first unexpected drama was Ebele shielding me from a well fed dog that sprawled lazily in one corner of the massive compound that housed several blocks of flats, one of which was her own, which we were headed for. Its ears snapped alert when I slowly made my way into the compound, my hand firmly clasped in the hand of my host.

“He’s a friendly dog” she kept laughing as I cowered behind her so she could lead the way to her apartment. The object of my fear didn’t even bark. I didn’t ask if he had a name. I didn’t stop to think he might have a name. It didn’t occur to me he would creep into this story when I began writing. Ebele informed me that there was a more ferocious one locked in a cage. My mind shut down. I felt that chill creep up my spine again.

A few minutes later we safely made our way into her apartment.

She handed me a bottle of water that I requested for as I made to sit down after exchanging pleasantries with her keyboardist who was punching notes on his keyboard.

“Would you like a drink instead?” she asked me “No, not yet” I replied. My eyes followed her trim body. “Do you even eat? I asked her as she glided around her kitchen which I can see from where I’m seated, “yes I eat and I cook very well too. In fact I

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Ebele

ARTS & CULTURE

“Financing her

first single video was something of a struggle.”. love doing home chores”, she laughed “but I don’t eat after seven o clock in the evening and I work out a lot in the gym”. That explained the beautifully slim physique and well toned muscles.

She’s a characteristically cheerful person even though she tells me much later that she has had to give her work more than one hundred percent seriousness and dedication. Obviously that dedication is paying off now judging from the constant demand for her at concerts and events.

Like most other artists who have travelled the long, precarious road of show business, Ebele has a story in her closet. Her memories are littered with the pain of the loss of her mother to an accident in 2001. She recalls the incident with a heavy sigh. “It was so hard for me to lose my mum. She was the pillar of our family”.

This Anambra born flutist was raised in Benin along with her five siblings and she had to play the role of mother when her mother passed on. “I thought our family would fall apart but God stepped in and I was able to somehow fill in the gap”. In the middle of that trial, there was a silver lining in the dark cloud - the song if you don’t know - was birthed. “That song dropped into my spirit and I knew that God was there for me”. It’s a song that speaks to young people who are misdirected to retrace their steps and find their purpose in God. Those lyrics rang true in her case too when she was momentarily confused in the middle of the tragedy that had hit her family. “I used to be a mummy’s girl when my mother was alive but after her death, I grew up and became a matured woman overnight. It was a really trying time for me but after God was through

with me I became a bolder person. I felt like I could do anything I wanted to do”.

That new found confidence in herself propelled her to leave Benin, the town she had been raised by her strict parents to venture into the bustling city of Lagos to pursue her passion. Music she says is in her blood. “When I was little, I sang in the bathroom, in the kitchen anywhere I found myself. That was why my father thought I should go to music school and I did”. At the age of 14, she was enrolled in a music school and that was where her inseparable romance with the flute began, “I saw this Pilipino lady with her flute, my eyes were glued to her every time she played and I just wanted to play like her”.

And play she did. All through her growing years while she pursued her music as a hobby, the flute remained as her steady companion even after she went to Nsukka to study accounting, music was always there. “I just never really thought I could do it professionally. When I started, people didn’t really take me seriously with the flute. Many people suggested I travel abroad where my talent would be appreciated but I kept at it”.

One of those moments when her diligence seemed to be really rewarded was when Ron Kennoly watched her play the flute on one of his visits to Nigeria. “It was at a concert and after I finished playing, he walked up to me and said he was impressed with me. He asked for my CD and I gave it to him. He said he would want to work with me sometime. I was very excited, I felt like I had been rewarded for all my hard work”.

driver of the car who said she lost control of her brakes”. Today Ebele is thankful to God when she recalls that experience.

I explained to her that I didn’t think she was actually playing the flute when I saw the video.

“Really?” she exclaims in that girlish fashion that I was beginning to get used to. “Yes, I thought it was a video gimmick, didn’t it ever occur to you that people would think so?”

“No!” She collapsed in shrieks of laughter, then regains her composure and adds in a more serious tone “but you can hear the flute lines and the sax lines, it was very real”. As real as Mike Aremu whom she featured in her video, “I always wanted to play my flute the ways he plays his sax, that’s why I was really honoured to work with him”.

Ebele and I had been chatting for a longer time than either of us planned to and darkness had crept in on us. You got that feeling when you were with her. She made you feel like her best friend in the whole world. Arm in arm again, we made our way past the passive dog who was fast asleep by now. Still my grip on her arm tightened until we left her compound and I hugged her goodbye with a sigh of relief that I was out of the dog’s range.

Still Ebele said the rhythm of success was too slow at first. So slow she felt like quitting.

Financing her first single video was something of a struggle. “When I came to Lagos, I worked as an accountant for a firm. My payment was supposed to come in bulk to help me finance my music project but it just wasn’t happening.

My boss disappointed me”. That wasn’t the only snag. She was involved in an uncanny accident while plans to shoot her video with BGN were in the pipeline. “We were at a concert, my friends and I stood outside talking, the next thing I knew, a car rolled down the hill and knocked me off the ground but miraculously I wasn’t hurt. Everyone was amazed, even the

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VIEWPOINT

Blame! Blame! Blame!

– A Nigerian Political Pastime Akintokunbo A Adejumo “Our enemies are the political profiteers, the swindlers, the men in high and low places that seek bribes and demand 10 percent; those that seek to keep the country divided permanently so that they can remain in office as ministers or VIPs at least, the tribalists, the nepotists, those that make the country look big for nothing before international circles, those that have corrupted our society and put the Nigerian political calendar back by their words and deeds. ” Major Patrick Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu, 15 January 1966

Mohammed Buhari

Ibrahim Babangida

T

hus said the late Major Kaduna Nzeogwu (one of the first casualties of our descent into oblivion and desperation) 45 years ago, almost half a century ago, and my countrymen and women, everything he spoke about then still happens today, in fact, has gotten worse and has eaten deep into the fabrics of our nation Nigeria, the so-called Giant of Africa. More like the “Corruption Cesspool of the World” to me!

Politicians, especially the Nigerian species, are an intriguing and confounding breed. I like to

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hope and think of them as a breed that will soon become extinct, like the dinosaurs, but unfortunately for the people the have chosen to visit their irresponsibility and corruption on, these breed of conscienceless charlatans seem to be breeding more and waxing stronger, at the great expense of their people.. This is probably due to some genetic aberration from their fathers, or predecessors who have passed on to them the hardy genes of survival.

I hope not, or else, there will not be any hope left for these battered and raped people called Nigerians.

It is tempting to think of these politicians and pseudo-leaders as pathological liars and absolutely corrupt breed with an appetite for destruction, not construction. As devious, scheming minds, so desperate for power and personal aggrandisement that they are willing to risk the reputations and livelihoods of all around them, they are ready to kill and loot and rape. Of course if you are liar, you will be corrupt, and if you are corrupt you are likely to kill to cover up your corruption. But one thing, which comes out of these corrupt, pathological and murderous liars, is that they are mostly cowards. Yes, these people are mostly COWARDS. Perhaps there is also something appealing about these people, almost always male, so seemingly daring that women flock to them because of the power, wealth and devil-may care gung-ho they seem to exude.

Compatriots, I have always maintained that the problem of Nigeria is not that of religious or tribal diversities. We can co-exist peacefully

VIEWPOINT

together in one nation, if only we have the right, honest, sincere leaders, and followers of different mind-set, too, mind you! Corruption is the main problem, and corruption is usually fuelled and nurtured by bad leadership and aided and abetted by an indifferent followership. So bad and corrupt leaders will use every means, including religious and tribal differences, to maintain their grip on wealth and power At any rate, this article is written because a friend and patriot, Comrade Ephraim Adinlofu, directed my attention to an interview, granted the Sun Newspapers by a former Minister during the military government of Babangida, Mr Tony Momoh. This is an excerpt from the Interview with The Sun Newspaper (Wednesday 14 Sept 2011) “Sun: But some people accuse ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo as the problem of PDP Tony Momoh: No. Obasanjo is not the problem of PDP. I see Obasanjo with due respect as a

“These people have

no honour at all. Even among thieves, there is honour, but in Nigeria, there is none.”. very strong leader, a strong leader, but highly arbitrary. He was the problem of Nigeria, not just PDP. Obasanjo had all the opportunities to grow this country, restructure this country.

Because of the manipulated support they had in the National Assembly and all the state Assemblies, they would have changed the constitution to decongest the political space, and then empower the regions, and let people move at their own pace. In other words, go back to the regional system because our presidential system does not seem to be working. And working for Nigeria is more of a business than service. Obasanjo was in a position to do it. I even wrote to him to do it. That, ought to be

his mission.”

After reading this interview, I just sat down and started what I call a deep intellectual and spiritual reflection on Nigeria: the critical question is and has always been: What is wrong with our leaders? Is there genetic dimension to their inability to perform? Listening and reading Tony Momoh, I was amused. Just as I laugh anytime I read about Atiku’s commentaries on Obasanjo. These people have no honour at all. Even among thieves, there is honour, but in Nigeria, there is none. Just hearing and reading Babangida, Atiku, Richard Akinjide (another spoiler of Nigeria) Momoh and their ilk moaning, I feel sick. Momoh was, once a Minister under Babangida. I cannot remember him rebuking Babangida for annulling the June 12, 1993 election. I cannot really! Even if it means leaving the country and making the condemnation from outside the shores of Nigeria; he never did.

The fact is that if you escape your responsibility by not doing the right thing when you are in power, or be critical when you are a Minister, you should not moan when your inactions begins to haunt you years after you have left the scene and have blown away your opportunity to make a big difference.. Tony Momoh, IBB, Atiku and OBJ, and even Buhari, had every opportunity given to them on the platter of sometimes gold to make our institutions and country strong, but they never did. Today, they are all moaning, spewing out nattering nabobs.

If they had done that or help to do that, today, they will not be shouting to high heavens that PDP rigged the election or that Jonathan should not have been the presidential candidate of the PDP. With the exception of the June 12, 1993 election, all subsequent elections have always been rigged.

So what effort did they make whilst in power to make sure that the electoral, police and the judicial institutions were made independent and strong before they left the power scene, what effort? You see how people get their recompense! They think they can - after they have left office and from their bedroom mould the future of Nigeria to their fancy at any time. If IBB had allowed June 12 election to

stand, I have the strongest feeling that by now, Nigeria would have overtaken South Africa.

The West knew what Nigeria is capable of, but does the West have the genuine progress and interest of Nigeria at heart? No, they are after their interest but, who do you blame?

Comprador Nigerian bourgeoisies and their

Olusegun Obasanjo

Atiku Abubakar

military counterparts.

Another punch: during the “Save Nigeria March” of late Yar ‘Adua’s era, Pastor Tunde

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VIEWPOINT mould of Mandela and Kennedy away to become a much ridiculed man, accused of corruption and vilified everywhere.

He had the best chance more than any other leader, military or civilian, but he blew it. God will not forgive him, because God gave him two chances, even three, such as He had hardly given to any man in the history of the whole world.

But greed at his age made him throw it away. Yes, Tony Momoh was right. But he was part of Nigeria’s problem, so it behoves him to offer solutions.

Bakare, the vice-presidential candidate to Buhari, thundered, (and this was carried by virtually as front page burner in most Nigerian daily papers): “I wish Nzeogwu’s coup had succeeded”! I thought he was joking then.

And had then asked myself another question: Why did Pastor Bakare make that declaration?

What must have crossed his mind at that point in Nigeria’s history for him (Pastor Bakare) to make such a sensitive deposition?

One of those who countered that coup, a celebrated “hero” in the Nigeria contextual game of ethnic and religious chicanery, told Nigerians to their face that he made a huge profit in the sale of his crude oil bloc located in the Niger-Delta; that after paying tax, - and perhaps sharing some of the huge gain to his children, - he was still left with more than US$500 million! You know who I am talking about, don’t you? (In fact I wrote an article about this – “Pseudo-Leaders And Nigerian Politics” Nigeria Village Square, 23 March 2008. http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/ index.php?option=com_content&view=art icle&id=8830&Itemid=154 ) We now know why he participated in that counter coup of July 1966. Opportunists and profiteers are never in short supply in Nigeria! So, why should we still continue to blame the international

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community, specifically Britain and the USA, in the underdevelopment of Nigeria? Not at all! I no longer blame them. We have got ourselves to blame after 51 years of Independence.

That is another of our problems as a people.

Instead of accepting blames and mistakes and working collectively for solutions, we dismiss the mistakes; pass the blame to others and trying to find individual solutions to collective problems. A very good example of this is the way we deal with electricity problem in Nigeria.

We all rush to but generators, but we never confront the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, and their respective officials and take them to task, and ask for their heads, for their failure to supply us with electricity in this 21st Century.

To be frank, what Tony Momoh said is true, but considering he was part of the problems of Nigeria, it should not be coming from him, as explained above. There is yet to be a Nigerian leader who had the ability, the strength, the resources, the force, the power, etc to make Nigeria better than Obasanjo.

God was even on his side. I will never understand how he managed to throw this chance to become a true Statesman in the

And you know what? Another leader who could have done Nigeria right was Babangida, although to a much lesser extent. It would have given Babangida an opportunity to redeem himself in the eyes of God and Man. He threw it away too, and after so many years, he tried to seek redemption, but due to the fact that a horse will always die a horse, and a leopard can never change its spots, Babangida could not escape his fate and his reputation for corruption, immorality, deceit and chicanery, but unfortunately for him, he could not accept that fact, and instead continued to ridicule himself while trying by all means to outdo his former boss, Obasanjo by trying a comeback to power every time. I think that has finally been laid to rest now, having attained the age of 70. Or maybe not!

What a waste!

Acknowledgement: I am ever so grateful to my friend, brother, colleague and co-writer, Comrade Ephraim Adinlofu for giving me almost 100% germ of the idea and materials to write this article. Comrade, it is mostly your ideas that always inspire me to write despite my sometimes lethargy and pessimism about our country. akinadejum@aol.com

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