DEAD ON ARRIVAL?

Anytime I watch the Nigerian television and I hear government officials talk about vision 2020, how Nigeria will be among the first 20 economies come year 2020, the President Yar’Adua 7-point agenda, the glory and the seeming utopia we will attain come 2020, I can’t help but wonder-are we not deceiving ourselves? Are we not building our castle in the air? If not, then we are best described as a nation of dreamers. Do not get me wrong, there is nothing bad in dreaming. Afterall, it is often said the future is what we create in our mind all by ourselves. It is all good to set goals with deadlines but when I remembered that our leaders in the near past have set same vision but I guess not goals, because GOALS as I understand, are vision with feet, they are a set of specific measurable steps to achieve a particular vision. do not forget Housing for all by year 2000, Vision 2010 by the immediate past administration, and so many promises of Obasanjo’s administration. I often tell friends and colleagues that if we are to go anywhere in this country we must start with telling ourselves some home truths, sometimes very bitter and frank. I always say the time we need promises and plenty of talk is the period of campaign, when you are in power as a government we need performance and service and not promises aplenty.

During Obasanjo to Yar’Adua transition, we witnessed a different kind of campaign. The ex-president went about telling us what he has done, what he has achieved, how he brought GSM to Nigeria- as if he bought one for everybody and buy recharge cards for us weekly, and he was busy introducing Yar’Adua as the presidential candidate-I almost thought the poor man was deaf and dumb or something because he would giggle and smile almost all through the campaign period when Obasanjo in his usual manner would start reeling out stories after stories punctuating his talks with old school jokes- the aides had no choice but to laugh anyway. I don’t have anything against Obasanjo and Yar’Adua persons but I have a big problem with their kind of leadership. Before we delve into so many things, let’s examine what Yar’Adua government has been able to achieve and if I don’t remember any you can please remind me in your comment.

When Yar’Adua assumed office, he promised that state of emergency will be declared in the power sector, almost 2 years down the lane we are worse for it, I don’t know about your area or state of residence but where I live, its been from frying pan to fire when it come to PHCN. I was watching the Lagos Light Rail Mass Transit and Investors Forum that was held in Lagos, London and Dubai on television and one of the investors/partners, to our collective shame, A white man, who I couldn’t get his name on TV in response to a question of how they are g

oing to deal with the issue of electricity was saying they can not embark on such project costing about $600 million and rely on our present PHCN, which means they will be running on alternative power supply- I don’t know which one. Unemployment has been on the increase, we still have electoral violence- especially the recent one in Jos that claimed the lives of three youth corpers- may their soul rest in peace. And a whole lots of sector going from bad to worse, since his inauguration, the executive and legislature have increased their salary with about 300% - correct me if I am wrong pls. we are constantly having square pegs in round holes in federal appointments, Obanikoro was compensated at the start of this administration with the juicy position of an ambassador because he lost Lagos gubernatorial election. I don’t understand what Abba Sayyadi Ruma, a PhD holder in International Relations is doing as the helmsman in the Ministry of Agriculture while another PhD holder in Agriculture, Mustapha Shettima is heading the Ministry of Defence. Alhaji Ibrahim Bio, a qualified pharmacist, is to fashion a means of actualizing Yar’Adua’s “mass transportation” agenda. If this is the way America and other world powers who are getting it right are making their appointments, I bet our leaders will not be traveling there for their bogus medicals and the rest. The one I cannot understand and I need someone to please explain to me is the appointment of Dr. Dora Akunyili who we all know has performed in a sensitive agency as NAFDAC. I can’t remember anybody who has done more than this courageous woman in that agency. She is now the new Minister of Information, what a right person for a wrong job and sadly, she was quoted by the press as saying, her appointment is a divine calling. I don’t have any problem with people being religious but what has God got to do with her appointment as a Minister of information in a country where it has taken the national assembly forever to pass the Freedom of Information bill and this means Akunyili with all her zeal, energy and sense of patriotism has now become just a trumpet for Yar’Adua government, blowing whatever the government puts into her. WHAT A MISAPPOINTMENT- if there is any word like that. It is not about getting few round pegs in few round holes but a situation where we will be ready as a nation to do it right most of the time, and in this country of ours where we have talents and competent hands abound in every sector, we do not have any excuse for making wrong choices repeatedly and no one should tell me otherwise because running a country as big as Nigeria is not for people who do guess work, it is for people who know how to take deliberate steps to achieve deliberate goals. This present government has failed us and personally, I have given up on them, I have promised myself not to talk about them anymore except if the need arises and because I have not and will never give up on Nigeria, my only country, I don’t have dual citizenship like so many young people now have, maybe my kids will do, I do not know. Infact, I feel we should all just sleep and wake up in May 2011 but we can not afford to do that, we are the future of this country and we will make it happen come next election period, it is our time for CHANGE and we must be bold enough to stand up for it. But, with this government, I can aptly say whatever vision it had and is having is DEAD ON ARRIVAL. Anyone with me?

HOW TO STAY STRONG IN MOMENTS OF WEAKNESS

We all have these moments! Don’t feel like you are alone in the world for feeling tired, frustrated or fed up, there are those moments! But those moments don’t just come, they come for a reason. Everything that happens is either cause or effect, and believe me getting tired and fed up is not a cause, it’s an effect.

In case you are wondering, “what did I do, to cause this?” or “Why me?” don’t worry for long, there is a way in, and there is a way out. Weak moments will happen, but you can stay strong in the midst of them. Here are a few tips on how not to get there, and how to get out.

Why do weak moments come?

Weak moments come essentially because we take our eyes off the big picture and assess our current positions. Weak moments come because we momentarily compare ourselves with our surroundings, contemporaries, friends or society. Weak moments are characterised by doubting, a feeling of tiredness, incompetence and mental laziness. These moments come because we shift our eyes from our focus for a brief moment. If weak moments are not well managed, they become sinking moments. One wrong action in this moment, and all we’ve spent years to build come crashing down.

One sure fire way of not getting into these weak moments is to stay focused. Keep your eyes on the big picture, keep the big picture around you. The journey is not going to be easy, the journey is not a given, but the destination is. Keep the picture of the future consistently in front of you. Put it in your office, put it on your desktop, lace your conversations with it, talk about it, imagine it! Doubt happens when belief is overwhelmed by present realities.

How do I get myself out?

1. What are you looking at?

The first way to get out of those weak moments is to change what you were looking at. It’s not only looking in the sense of percieving with the eyes, but also hearing, feeling e.t.c. Who have you been talking with, what is the picture in your mind? What perpetuates the weak moment is a wrong picture or message. Who you spend your time with and the pictures they project before you are critical to your success.

2. Fear Not!

Have you allowed doubt and fear to knock you out of your enthusiasm? The certain way out is the same way you came in. Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real, fear is caused by your perception of what you saw. To get out of fear, you must be willing to see things with fresh eyes, to look at the things you see and be accurate about the possible consequences of your action. Don’t let fear cheat you out of your possibilities. Talk to yourself, be afraid but take the actions that lack fear. Advance confidently in the direction of your dreams.

3. Cry out!

Men get lost on the road because they never ask for directions. The average man feels it’s a sign of weakness to subject his direction to another man’s fingers - go left, go right then take a turn there :), people feel it’s not macho to ask for help. Well, I hope it’s macho to get lost, because if you cannot ask, you are in for a hell of a task. The person that asks for direction never misses his destination. Don’t try and exhaust all the options on your own, cry out for help. More often than not, help is not far away.

Remember, starts are not celebrated, endings are. Rehearsals are not applauded, performances are. If you rehearse for 20yrs and the programme gets called off before you perform, no one will hear about your rehearsals. Don’t quit while in the game, don’t die sitting down. Get up on your feet and get dirtied in action. Die fighting, or live fighting! The reason any artist is a hit today, is because they continued in obscurity for over 5yrs. Don’t let doubt sway you, keep your eyes on the finish line!

FLYING SUCESSFULLY

This is a story i read from my friend's website, the story really made a big impression on me and i hope it does same on you too. Read it and tell me what you think.

Once upon a time, there were two geese and a frog that got stranded in the same pond. The pond was big and vast, but was the only pond around for many miles. They had no choice, than to enjoy each others company. They were friends by circumstances, they had to make the most of the hand that life had dealt them.

It so happened that sometime during the year, the pond dried up and their supplies finished. Famine had hit the land, and like Abraham and Isaac, it was time to seek for new terrains. The geese would have it easier certainly, they could take off and fly for miles, but the frog has to hop, and hop and hop. They shared memories, had a chat together, and were going to bid each other farewell, when the frog came up with a dazzling idea.

Don’t leave me behind pls, the frog said. Why don’t we try something. Why don’t the two of you claw a piece of stick with your legs, while I wrap my mouth around the stick, and together we can fly far and long to new terrains together. That way, we retain our found friendship and you preserve my life. The geese found it inspiring, wow, that would be a site to behold, two geese and a frog, in harmony, stresslessly gliding across the skies in search of better economy. Sure why not, they decided to go for it.

True to design, the plan worked, and it was quite easy. The geese engaged their legs and freed their wings, the frog clamped the stick with it’s big mouth, and to the sky and onward they went. They flew quite stresslessly and easily and peeped down once in a while to catch a glimpse of the territory.

As they journeyed along, they travelled over the farm of an old farmer. The farmer lifted up his eyes, and say this dazzling sight! Unbelievable, a frog in the company of geese? Spectacular! A stick clawed in between their legs and a frog in flight? Awesome! Out of awe and excitement, he dared to ask, “who on earth thought through this phenomenon?” The winds carried the question to the ears of the frog, and in a hurry not to let the glory drift to another, he opens his mouth and answered…”I…......... and crashed into sudden death.

Lessons

1. When you are soaring in the skies and doing the unbelievable, shut up. In the heat of the ascent is not the best opportunity for public speaking. There is a time to speak and a time to refrain from speaking - wisdom is the ability to know the difference.

2. Glory does not fit a flying frog. Humans were not made to have any use for glory. Glory belongs to God, the day we want to reach out and take some for ourselves is the day we die. It might not happen literally, but the minute the plug of an iron leaves the power is not the minute it gets cold.

3. Frogs can fly, if they rely on their relationships. You can achieve any and everything you set your mind on, you just need the right desire and a meeting with the right people or person.

4. Some of our best relationships had rough starts. Don’t dump your friends because you had a quarrel, when you identify the no go areas, or bruise the delicate spots, what you have is clearer and stronger.

5. Pride comes before a fall. That’s true everyday and twice on sunday’s. You did it, so what?

6. …. Provide it…let’s learn.

Pride comes before a fall, and glory belongs to God. There are times when to stand tall, we must lay low. Half a word is sufficient for the well behaved, when it gets into his heart it becomes full. Think before you talk. Bone glory! We’ll get a lot more done, if we don’t care who takes the glory!

TUFACE IDIBIA EXPECTS BABY NO 5

This guy is not innocent at all, his name is Innocent though, Naija popular musician Innocent Idibia popularly known as Tuface is expecting his 5th child, (he is not married oh) his heavily pregnant baby mama, Annie Macualey will soon put to bed. she jetted out of the country few weeks back to visit a relation in Los Angeles but some people said she will not come back until she gives birth to another tuface. You will recall that Annie lost the first pregnancy early this year, i was with her few days before that incident but thank God they both fired another free kick and it was a goal . So this, will technically be Annie's first baby for Tuface. Sumbo and Pero Adeniyi already have 2 each for our African Queen Crooner. the guy is damn lucky or what do you think , another may still be on the way oh, I am hearing some rumour about Tuface and Vien Tetsola, remember her ? an ex beauty queen who wanted to marry one funky musician turned pastor and politician but failed, anyway, that is a gist for another day.

INI EDO GOT MARRIED AT LAST

After several postponements and speculations in the media, Nigeria born star actress, Iniobong Edo finally married her controversial lover, Phillip Ehigwina in oil rich town of Eket, Akwa Ibom State; Nigeria.The event took place on 29th November 2008.
Accompanied by friends and relatives, Phillip stormed the home town of the actress in style and formally showed off that he is indeed man enough to take their daughter as his darling wife. On her path, Ini Edo was also extremely happy about her choice of man.
Expectedly, it was a roll call of her colleagues in Nollywood that graced the occasion. The list includes the Desmond Elliot, Oge Okoye, Rita Dominic, Mama Gee and the duo of Aki and Paw Paw. The traditional wedding was a knock out for critics of the star actress who thought that her relationship with Phillip, the United States based dude would not lead to wedding. Ini further fuelled this some months back when she denied any plan for marriage.
So we say a big HAPPY MARRIED LIFE TO INI EDO

MTV AFRICAN MUSIC AWARDS (MAMA)-MY TAKE

When MTV decided to host its maiden African music awards in Nigeria, not few people thought they were choosing the wrong venue for the first of its kind in Africa. We all felt Naija is the right place giving the rise and rise of our artist locally and internationally, the other day i was chatting with a white American and she was giving all Tuface's lyrics, I was amazed she told me she had all the albums and enjoyed his song and a host of other artists in that category. But the award that took place at the Velodrome in Abuja, the Nation's capital was mostly all hisses and sighs. Don't get me wrong I have never been to Abuja before, so it means I did not attend the award in person( definitely i am not big enough to get a media pass and I will definitely not travel 12 hours by road to watch a show for 5000 Naira). So since the awards night, i have read everything I could lay my hands on about it, I have even watched it on television on Monday Night and I arrived at my conclusion that whoever planned the award did a very shoddy job and should be probed if there is anything like that.
First of the award organisers many sins, There was no parking space for the guests inside the Velodrome and most of the guests had to trek a distance of more than 1 kilometer to access the venue. The award itself did not start until 10pm in the evening( it was scheduled to start for 8pm) so, most of the blue chip company CEO had to stand outside on the order of the stern looking security men at the gate as they could not enter the venue even the Vice President of MTV our own Alex Okosi was initially bounced at the gate of his own award- now that's bad!! The doyens of entertainment In Nigeria were not even recognized at all, now, who wouldn't recognize our Almighty Ben Bruce, the Silverbird Boss and Skid Ikemefuna? these two stood throughout the event until they left. ouuuch!!!!!! Then the sound output!!!!!!! was wack according to reports -even the one on Tv was not any better, when i listened to Ikechuckwu singing Wind am well- it sounded like one is shouting in an empty hall, seriously- that was the sound and it was alleged that the organizers did not care about the output because they were concentrating on getting good sound effect for the television recordings.
Secondly, the award lacked the ambience and glamour usually associated with awards ceremony, it looked more like a concert as you can see people standing behind barricade, you can see bodyguards moving on stage carrying people off the stage especially when Game came on stage which i personally think was bad enough but that is the kind of thing you can see only concerts and not awards at least I have watched Grammy on Tv. but there were some great moments at the awards though, Dbanj rocked the awards with his 5-star performance with Kelly Rowland, Asa also set the whole place on fire alongside HHP from Ghana, they both performed Asa's Jailer.
On a final note, this is just a side kick, ok? I heard that the award which was sponsored by ZAIN actually gulped N700 million- my first reaction was wow!!!!! that's a lot of dough, and the money would have gone round every Nigerian with individuals getting 5million each. IMAGINE THAT!!!!!!

WORLD AIDS DAY IN FOCUS

AIDS was first discovered in Nigeria around 1986 and according to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.2 million people living with HIV, including 2.5 million children. During 2007 some 2.5 million people became newly infected with the virus. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35.

Around 95% of people with HIV/AIDS live in developing nations. But HIV today is a threat to men, women and children on all continents around the world.

Started on 1st December 1988, World AIDS Day is about raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.

Well for me, part of what to be done are definitely not bombarding us with statistics some of which could not be substantiated. In developing countries especially, HIV/AIDS campaign has become just another channel to sipphone money and give the people some phantom statistics and give HIV a very scary face, methink what we need is not just statistics but ways of combating the scourge and let people have enough awareness and when i say awareness, I dont really mean just telling people that HIV is real, it has been established and proven overtime that it is real, but stigmatization is what is eating deep into the people now.

I was discussing with a friend few days back, a university graduate and she was telling me that she has never seen an HIV infected person before so i told her she could as well be talking to one- don't get me wrong i was not telling her i was infected the truth is i am not but i made her understand that they are everywhere living with us, boarding same vehicles with us, using same cutleries at eateries, using same equipment for manicure and pedicure- in essence, " E NO DEY SHOW FOR FACE" meaning one can not determine anyone status by looking at his or her face, on telling the girl this, she started praying that God will not allow her to sit with an HIV infected person, enter same bus with them, use same cutleries with them or come in contact with them. then, it dawned on me that so many youth in my country do not even have any idea about HIV apart from the fact that it has no cure and you can contact it through blood mainly. they see it HIV as end of life fr anybody who hs gotten infected and coupled with the stigmatization, no one wants to get tested even the ones who know they are positive will rather go around infecting other knowingly telling themselves they should not die alone- to me its a sad thing.

HIV has been viewed overtime as a killer disease which has defied every form of medicine but so is cancer so is Tuberculosis and some other disease not known to us here in Africa, not many people know that you can effectively manage HIV, that you can be positive and still live a normal healthy life. so many people in Nigeria especially will never surrender for voluntary test because of the stigma i think that is what we should work towards and not bogus statistics. what do you think peeps???

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE AN OLD WOMAN

As usual, I have been reading up stuff everywhere and I read this joke which i think will be okay to share:

A grandmother went into the Bank of Nigeria one day carrying a bag of money.

She insisted that she must absolutely speak with the president of the bank to open a savings account because, "It's a lot of money!"

After much hemming and hawing, the bank staff finally ushered her into the president's office (the customer is always right).

The bank president then asked her how much she would like to deposit.

She replied "1 million Naira" and dumped the cash out of her bag onto his desk.

The president was of curious as to how she got the money, so he asked her, "Ma'am, I'm surprised you're carrying this much money around. Where did you get this money?"

The grandmother replied, "I make bets."

The bank president then asked, "Bets!? What kind of bets?

The grandmother said, "Well, for example, I'll bet you 25,000 Naira that your balls are square."

"Ha! ha ha ha!!!" laughed the president. "That's a stupid bet. You can never win that kind of bet!"

The grandmother challenged, "So, would you like to take my bet?"

"Sure", replied the president, "I'll bet you 25,000 Naira that my balls are not square!"

The grandmother then said, "Okay, but since there is a lot of money involved, may I bring my lawyer with me tommorrow at 10:00am as a witness?

"Sure!" replied the confident president.

That night, the president got very nervous about the bet and spent a long time in front of the mirror checking his balls. Turning from side to side, again and again. He thorougly checked them out until he was sure there was absolutely no way his balls were square and that he would win the bet.

The next morning, at precisely 10:00am the grandmother appeared with her lawyer at the president's office. She introduced the lawyer to the president and repeated the bet: "25,000 Naira says the president's balls are square!"

The president agreed with the bet again and the old lady asked him to drop his pants so they could all see.

The president did.

The grandmother peered closely at his balls and then asked if she could feel them.

"Well, okay," said the president, "25,000 Naira is a lot of money, so I guess you should be absolutely sure".

Just then, he noticed the lawyer was quietly banging his head against the wall.

The president asked the the grandmother, "What the hell is the matter with your lawyer?"

She replied, "Nothing, except I bet him 100,000 Naira that at 10:00am, I'd have the Bank of Nigeria's president's balls in my hand."

IT SURELY PAYS TO BE A NIGERIAN

It Pays to be a Nigerian



A man died & goes to hell. There he finds that there is a different hell for each country and decides he"ll pick the least painful to spend his
eternity.

He goes to the German hell & asks, "What do they do here?" He is told "first they put you in an electric chair for an hour. Then they lay you on a bed of
nails for another hour. Then the German devil comes in and whips you for the rest of the day". The man does not like the sound of that at all so he moves on.



He checks out the USA hell as well as the Russian hell and many more. He discovers that they are all similar to the German hell.


Then he comes to the Nigerian hell and finds that there is a long queue of people waiting to get in...Amazed, he asks, "What do they do here?" He is told "first they put you in an electric chair for an hour, then they lay you on a bed of nails for another hour. The Nigerian devil comes in & whips you
for the rest of the day."
But that is exactly the same as all the other hells, why are there so many people waiting to get in?" asks the man. A concerned fellow calls him aside
and said, "Because there is never any electricity so the electric chair doesn"t work.
The nails were paid for but were never supplied by the contractor, so the bed is comfortable to sleep on. And the Nigerian devil used to be a civil servant, so he comes in, signs his time sheet and goes back home for other business!!"

................. IT PAYS TO BE A NIGERIAN

HOLY COFFIN: PASTORS, CARPENTER ON A WAR PATH OVER HOLY COFFIN

I READ THIS PIECE IN A NEWSPAPER, IT IS VERY FUNNY TO ME, WHAT DO YOU THINK OUT THERE?
SOURCE: SUN NEWSPAPER.

A coffin, naturally, is a fearsome piece of furniture which nobody however rich, would like to buy and keep in the house for whatever reason, irrespective of its artistic design.
But a new design of coffin has now put a carpenter and some pastors in Akwa Ibom State on a collision course.

The coffin designed like a Holy Bible by Mr. Friday Bassey Ibanga, at Nung Oku-Ibesikpo, a suburb of Uyo, is the cause of the rift between the designer and the clerics.

Ibanga told Daily Sun that some “wuruwuru pastors” had come several times to warn him against designing such a coffin. “One of them even came to tell me that God asked him to come and warn me to stop designing coffins like a Bible.

“But I’m fulfiling the word of God because God said that somebody will die, so I’m supporting that biblical passage that man will return to sand”.

What, however, seems to push him into the design is the demand. “People like the design a lot but it is difficult to design that is why it is costly. Each costs N60,000 while ordinary coffin is between N20,000 and N25000 depending on the wood. If it were easier to make, I would be producing many because people like it but what scares them is the price”

Bassey, who is from Nsit Ubium Local Government area of the state, said he preferred to construct coffins to other pieces of furniture because it is easier to make and the market is good.
“You don’t have headache if you produce coffin. There is no disappointment. If I get an order today, by tomorrow, the job is complete, that is for ordinary coffin. There is no spiritual attack if you make coffin unless the maker gets involved in some other diabolical things. When I came here newly, I used to sleep inside it until the landlady pleaded with me to come and sleep inside the house. My wife is not against my work”, he explained.

He insisted that he would continue to do the coffin business, especially, the Bible design as long as there is there is demand for it.

But Rev. Inem Eshiet, of Qua Iboe Church and a supervisor of health in Onna Local Government area of the state frowned at such coffin designs. “It is sycophancy. It is making a caricature of the Holy Bible. It is a misnomer. CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) should condemn it in the strongest of terms. I believe the state chairman of CAN or PFN would make a categorical statement on it. As for me, I condemn it.”

The state chairman of PFN, Apostle Cletus Bassey was not in office when Daily Sun called but a pastor in his office, Princewill Daniel, who insisted that he was speaking for himself, said designing a coffin like a Bible was only a “marketing strategy. They are targeting Christians to buy, maybe, to bury their leaders.
“But God is the final arbiter. It doesn’t matter where or how somebody is buried. I know some Christians would be furious thinking that it is sacrilegious; that it is trivializing the Holy Bible, but let’s leave that to God”.

UNBELIEVABLE: NIGERIAN ARMY MAJOR GOES TO JAIL

I READ THIS REPORT THIS MORNING AND I FELT "SERVES THEM RIGHT" THESE SET OF PEOPLE ARE SUPPOSE TO PROTECT THE COUNTRY FROM EXTERNAL ATTACK AND INTERNAL DISINTEGRATION BUT ALAS! THEY SECRETLY SELL ARMS TO THE MILITANTS WHO ARE HELL BENT ON TAKING WHATEVER "BELONGS" TO THEM BY FORCE. THIS SHOULD BE A GREAT LESSON FOR OTHERS TO LEARN FROM.

SOURCE: VANGUARD ONLINE.

AN Army Major and five other soldiers have been jailed for life for selling over 7,000 arms of various descriptions to the Niger Delta militants.

The arms valued at over N100 million were sold to the militants between January 1, 2000 and December 2006.

The arms were said to have been sold to the militants through Sunny Bowei Okah, brother of Henry Okah, now standing trial for the same offence in Jos, Plateau State.

Those sentenced include, Major Suleiman Alabi Akubo; Sergeant Matthias Peter (79/NA/966); Lance Corporal Alexander Davou (79/NA/45/4618); Lance Corporal Moses Nwaigwe (97/NA/45/6565); Lance Corporal Nnamdi Anene (02N/52/5191) and Private Caleb Bawa (96/NA/43/8839).

Two other soldiers, Corporals Kola David and Aliyu Mohammed, who were charged along with the convicted soldiers, were however demoted to private, for their failure to inform the appropriate authorities of the crime.

The prosecution told the court that the weapons were stolen from the depots of the Nigerian Army located at the Command and Staff College, Jaji and the One Base Ordnance, Kaduna.

Before giving his verdict, President of the 10-man General Court Martial (GCM), Brig.-Gen. Bala Usara, reviewed the arguments of both the prosecution and defence counsel.

Some of the charges against them read: “Criminal conspiracy, punishable under Section 97 (1) (1) of the Penal Code and triable in a court martial by virtue of Section 114 (1) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“Criminal breach of trust punishable under Section 215 of the Penal Code and triable in a court martial by virtue of section 114 (1) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“Criminal conspiracy punishable under Section 971 of the Penal Code and triable in a court martial by virtue of Section 114 (1) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
“Illegal dealings in firearms contrary to Section 9 (1) of the Firearms Act Cap 4 (28) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and triable in a court martial by virtue of Section 114 (1) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“Criminal conspiracy punishable under Section 97 (1) of the Penal Code and triable in a court martial by virtue of Section 114 (1) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“Aiding the enemy punishable under Section 45 (2d) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.”

According to Usara, “at Jaji and Kaduna both in Kaduna State on various days and occasions between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2006, agreed between and among themselves and others at large to commit the offence of criminal breach of trust to wit: dishonestly disposing off over 7,000 arms of various descriptions, property of the Nigerian Army entrusted in their care to Mr. Sunny Bowei Okah for an estimated sum of over N100 million only and that the offence was committed in pursuance of the said agreement.

“At Jaji and Kaduna both in Kaduna State on various days and occasions between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2006, being entrusted with care and security of arms at One Ordnance Depot, Jaji and One Base Ordnance Depot, Kaduna dishonestly disposed off quantity over 7,000 arms of various descriptions property of the Nigerian Army to Mr. Sunny Bowei Okah for an estimated sum of over N100 million only.

“At Jaji and Kaduna in Kaduna State on various days and occasions between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2006 agreed between and among themselves and others at large to commit the offence of illegal dealings in firearms to wit engage in the sale of over 7,000 arms of various descriptions property of the Nigerian Army to Mr. Sunny Bowei Okah for an estimated sum of over N100million only and that the offence was committed in pursuance of the said agreement.

“At Jaji and Kaduna in Kaduna State on various days and occasions between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2006 not being registered firearms dealers engaged in the sale of quantity over 7,000 arms of various descriptions property of the Nigerian Army to Mr. Sunny Bowei Okah for an estimated sum of over N100 million only.

“At Jaji and Kaduna in Kaduna State on various days and occasions between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2006 agreed between and among themselves and others at large to commit the offence of aiding the enemy to wit: knowingly and without lawful excuse furnished the Niger Delta militants with over 7,000 arms of various descriptions property of the Nigerian Army through Mr. Sunny Bowei Okah for an estimated sum of over N100 million only and that offence was committed in pursuance of the said agreement.

“At Jaji and Kaduna in Kaduna State on various days and occasions between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2006 agreed between and among themselves and others at large to commit the offence of aiding the enemy to wit: knowingly and without lawful excuse furnished the Niger Delta militants with over 7,000 arms of various descriptions property of the Nigerian Army through Mr. Sunny Bowei Okah for an estimated sum of over N100 million only.”

On the issue of lack of jurisdiction by the court to try them, Usara said the GCM was competent to try the case.

In his plea for leniency, Akubo asked the Court Martial to temper justice with mercy, pointing out that he was a lecturer at the University of Jos before he joined the then National Guard from where he joined the Army and that he had always been an officer with good character until he had a problem with the former Registrar of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Brig-Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe.
Counsel to the convicted soldiers, Lt. J. S. Obot, also pleaded with the GCM for a mitigation of the sentence to be passed on his clients.

However, in his judgment, when the court resumed from a short break, President of the GCM, Brig-Gen. Usara, said the convicted officer and soldiers must be sufficiently punished for the offences they committed, to serve as a deterrent to others.

WHAT WE ALL LOVE TO DO!!!!!

People should see what has been discovered about that thing that we all like doing.
different people have there definition of KISS
Professors of different subjects define the same word in different ways:

Prof. of Computer Science:
A kiss is a few bits of love compiled into a byte.

Prof. of Algebra:
A kiss is two divided by nothing.

Prof. of Geometry:
A kiss is the shortest distance between two straight lines.

Prof. of Physics:
A kiss is the contraction of mouth due to the expansion of the heart.

Prof. of Chemistry:
A kiss is the reaction of the interaction between two hearts.

Prof. of Zoology:
A kiss is the interchange of unisexual salivary bacteria.

Prof. of Physiology:
A kiss is the juxtaposition of two orbicular or muscles in the state of contraction.

Prof. of Dentistry:
A kiss is infectious and antiseptic.

Prof. of Accountancy:
A kiss is a credit because it is profitable when returned.

Prof. of Economics:
A kiss is that thing for which the demand is higher than the supply.

Prof. of Statistics:
A kiss is an event whose probability depends on the vital statistics of 36-24-36.

Prof. of Philosophy:
A kiss is the persecution for the child, ecstasy for the youth and homage for the old.

Prof. of English:
A kiss is a noun that is used as a conjunction; it is more common than proper; it is spoken in the plural and it is applicable to all.

WHAT HAVE YOU DISCOVERED ABOUT IT ?

GOOD NEWS OR WHAT ????????

Oil price free fall: Petrol now N50 a litre!!

The freefall of crude oil prices in the international market in the last few weeks has brought down the landing cost of petrol to below N50 per litre or N20 less than the current pump price of petrol in Nigeria, Daily Trust authoritatively gathered yesterday.

On Friday, light sweet crude for December delivery fell $1.20 to settle at $57.04 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Nigeria’s crude oil price monitor, the Petroleum Products Prices Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) said the landing cost for Premium Motor Sprit (Petrol) as at Thursday dropped to N47.45/litre. This was a huge reduction of N66.57/ litre compared to petrol’s N114.17/litre landing cost in June this year.

PPPRA said the Ex- Depot cost of petrol, that is, the cost of refined oil including bridging fund, port charges and transportation cost as at Thursday was N60.90/litre, while the expected open market price is N62.62/litre.

Daily Trust gathered that the expected Open Market Price at N62.62/litre is still far below the N70/litre benchmark for petrol as approved by government. By implication, the much touted petrol subsidy by government has now turned into a healthy profit.

Government had announced that fuel import subsidy may amount to N700bn this year alone. In 2006, government said it spent N261.1 billion under the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) Scheme as subsidy for PMS and House Hold Kerosene (HHK) alone. For last year, government said it spent N278.86 billion on fuel subsidies. Although no official announcement has been made by government with regard to a possible downward review of the pump price of petroleum products, some sources from oil agencies told Daily Trust that if the trend continues like this, a cut in fuel pump prices may have to be made early next year. Another source in the Ministry of Energy [Petroleum] told Daily Trust that it is likely that government may make a definite statement about the domestic pump price this week.

Other products affected by the fall in crude oil prices are Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK) and Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO). The landing costs of the two products are N70.42 and N66.50/ litre respectively, although the AGO market has been deregulated.

The ex-depot price of the two products i.e. DPK and AGO are N40.90 and N60.15/litre while the expected open market price was N88.31 and N85.25 respectively as at Thursday last week.

Some analysts are forecasting even more falls in international crude oil price. An OPEC official told Associated Press the 13-member states would meet in Cairo on November 29 on the sidelines of a previously planned meeting for Arab members of the group. OPEC held an emergency meeting only three weeks ago and slashed production by 1.5 million barrels a day. Crude has tumbled 8 percent since then. Oil prices have fallen about 60 percent during the last four months after reaching $147.27 in July.

OPEC, which produces about 40 percent of world supplies, has said it may cut production by the end of this month if prices continue to fall. Before the 1.5 million barrel cut, OPEC said it was taking 520,000 barrels out of daily production. That too was brushed off by the market.

Many analysts are expecting a big drop in consumption in the developed economies next year and most suggest that a further rise in demand in developing economies just about offsets that fall in demand. But some economists are now talking about a fall in global oil demand in 2009.

Well, only in Naija,

I READ THIS IN VANGUARD NEWSPAPER
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. Mike Okiro has ordered a full-scale investigation into the allegations that policemen impregnated some female prisoners while in detention.

Okiro who gave the order in the reaction to the Saturday Vanguard exclusive story published on November 15, 2008, warned that any policeman found wanting at the end of the investigation would be made to face the full wrath of the law.

He said the decision to investigate the truth position of the publication was because “the present police administration would not condone any act of unprofessional conduct, criminality and violence against women in whatever guise”.

The IGP who spoke through the Force Public Relations Officer, Agberebi Akpoebi, in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja, said, “the attention of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. Mike Mbama Okiro, has been drawn to pages 1 and 5 publication of Saturday Vanguard Newspaper of 15th November, 2008 on the caption “Police made us pregnant in detention-female prisoners”.

“For the information of the reading public, the police authorities wish to state that the duties of Nigeria police stop as soon as judgement is pronounced or passed on accused persons and as such, policemen are not expected to have direct contact with inmates of whatever sex”.

“Aside from that, the police are equally not authorised to have access to prison inmates to the extent of having sexual relationship with them. As a matter of fact, the story as published was not linked to a particular police station or a policeman, his identity, description, character or otherwise”.

“In the same vein, the newspapers publication was unsubstantiated as it failed to indicate if there was a formal complain by the victims or their representatives, let alone time and date of incident”.

“Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police has ordered a full-scale investigation to unravel the truth position of the publication, as the present police administration would not condone any act of unprofessional conduct, criminality and violence against women in whatever guise”.

“Therefore, any policeman found wanting at the end of the investigation would be made to face the full wrath of the law.”

IT WAS FUN AT GOLDIE'S BIRTHDAY BASH

STORY: Chris
PICS: Chris

Goldie, the sexy pop sensation celebrated her birthday recently, precisely on the 8th of November at the exquisite Suzy Q Club on Yunis Bashorun Victoria Island. The club was filled to the brim and the question one would ask, was who was not there as many bigwigs in entertainment industry were present to celebrate with this sexy babe. the list includes Ojb, Nomoreloss, Ruggedman, Jazzman Olofin, Wierd MC, Asha Ostopolo, Skin, Peter of P-Square even breezed in for a while. and a host of others, here are some pictures fir your viewing












Goldie and Weird MC

COULD THIS BE TRUE?

I read this on someone's blog and another friend sent it to me on my yahoo messenger offlines. Please tell me if this could be true if it were Naija.

If USA were Nigeria , Wednesday's papers Headlines would have read something like: · Don't celebrate yet, McCain tells Obama (TELL magazine) · Concede defeat, Obama urges McCain (Punch newspaper) · 20 opposition cadres riot (The Sun newspaper) · McCain Demands Vote Recount (Vanguard newspaper) · Elections rigged (Guardian newspaper) · No evidence of manipulation (NTA news) · The Church declares elections free and fair (News Line) · There will be violence if we lose; McCain declares (LTV 8 news) · Election results for Arizona awaited (Channels news) · Trucks with suspected ballot papers crosses into USA from Mexico (Tribune newspaper) McCain is an opportunist - Go back to your tank farm (AIT news)

AT TRUFESTA 2008

I was invited by chance to TRUFESTA 2008. I didn’t know I was in for some serious fun at the national theatre venue of the programme on the 9th of November. The last day of the programme had contemporary dance most of which were abstract dance, most of really did not understand but it was a beauty to behold.
Unfortunately, it was the closing day of the programme, which featured dance group from Republic of Benin, Cameroun, Republic of Chad, Senegal, South Africa, Germany and ofcourse, Nigeria. As it has started since Monday 3rd and has moved through University of Ibadan, University of Lagos, Goethe Institute Lagos and Alliance Française, Lagos before it moved back to the National Theatre Lagos for the closing ceremony.
TRUFESTA stands for TRUTH AND TOGETHERNESS FESTIVAL OF AFRICA. Its main aim as I was made to understand is to promote peaceful co-existence among nations through dance.. TRUFESTA has been going on for 3 years; it is organized by IJODEE DANCE CENTRE. A dance company founded in 1988 by Adedayo M. Liadi. Some of us will want to remember him in “Olori Oko” video by Infinity group while some will remember for his role as the judge some contestants on celebrity takes2 dance reality show, would love to hate.
For me, the group formed by Dayo has done a lot to put Nigeria on global map; this is no joke as the group has won so many honours, which include coming first among 82 shortlisted dance companies and eleven finalists at the AFRICAN AND INDIAN CHOREOGRAPHY CONTEST held in Antananarivo, Madagascar in 2003. The company also has done over 40 national and international workshops in Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America.
We at Campus Xcellence and by extension Nigerian students are saying a big congratulations to Dayo and IJODEE company, we are moved and encouraged by what he has been able to do through dance and we hope other young people can emulate by horning their god-given skills and talents and use to bring glory and fame to our dear father land- NIGERIA.
What do you think people?

THE FUTURE AWARDS SEASON 4, HOTS UP

Well, i am connected to Future Awards in two major ways though so many people do not know about it. First, I was part of the volunteers that made the 2007 edition happened, from the planning to the final execution and the most important part is that I AM THE FUTURE, I am a youth of distinction, I am destined to chart a fresh course for this country, I am part of this generation-a generation yearning for for change like never before-a generation who has decided not to sit down and watch its dear nation crumble. I dare say again I AM THE FUTURE.

The season 4 of this foremost all youth awards comes up next year and as usual the preparations and planning are underway, they have been for as long as I can remember anyway. Recently, the season 4 edition hots up as another important personality identify with these young people
according to the pres release from Redstrat, the organisers of the Award. The press release is reproduced below.

THE FUTURE AWARDS EXTENDS NOMINATIONS

- Stella Okoli (MON) joins the Board of Trustees

The central working committee for The Future Awards Season 4 has announced the usual extension of nominations. Nominations were announced to end for the 31^st of October but have now been extended for two weeks – until the 14^th of November 2008.

Whilst the Committee has acknowledged the receipt of thousands of nominations, this year’s extension is to further allow for a national spread in the list of nominees, especially since the national tour is still in progress. At the moment, the tour has taken the team to Abuja , Enugu , Benin and Calabar – left to go are Jos and Ile-Ife. There will also be town hall meetings in London and in South Africa .

The Awards long list – a list of 160 nominees, which is always eagerly awaited by young people and the media – will be released shortly after.

It is important to state that there will be no further extension after this, and after this year’s nominations close, no exceptions will be made as with previous years, so the public is enjoined to send in any nominations now on www.thefuturenigeria.com.

The Awards is also proud to announce the addition of one more distinguished Nigerian to its august Board of Trustees: Chief (Mrs.) Stella Okoli (MON), Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Emzor Pharmaceuticals Limited, and one of Nigeria ’s most respected corporate players joined the board in October 2008!

An alumnus of the Harvard Business School, Okoli is a thorough professional with over 27 years of experience as a practicing/manufacturing pharmacist. More than ten years after the manufacturing plant of her company was commissioned, it has introduced over 50 successful products in Nigeria and West Africa . Amongst other things, she has been the National Vice President of the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.

She joins other board members like Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, John Momoh (OON), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Dr. Reuben Abati, and Prof. Pat Utomi, who is the chair of the Board.

It will be recalled that at the launch of the event in October, there was a special tribute to the late Prof Jadesola Akande , Nigeria ’s first female law professor, who was a member of the Board until her passing away.

Reputed as Nigeria’s most respected youth event, The Future Awards’ rigorous and thorough nomination/judging process has been hailed again and again and has produced winners over the past three years who have stood the test of time including Ndidi Nwuneli, Tara Fela-Durotoye, Chimamanda Adichie, 2face Idibia, Gbenga Sesan, amongst others.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?......HALF FULL?....HALF EMPTY?

Pessimists complain about the noise when opportunity knocks. On awakening, optimists open the window and say with a smile, "Good morning, God!" Pessimists? They rub their eyes; clear their throat; look out the window and say with a frown, "Good God, morning!" Pessimists always see the dark side of clouds. Optimists? They don't see the clouds at all, because they're walking on them! If the rosebush you planted withered and died instead of bursting into bloom, would you laugh? If it is disappointing when a plant fails to reach its full potential, how much more so for a human being. Sad to say, pessimists are thieves, robbing themselves of their own potential.

What is optimism? It is simply the belief there is more good in life than bad. It is reacting to life in a positive manner. It is an attitude of positive expectations. Pessimists say that optimists are Pollyannas looking at the world through pink colored glasses and living in a fantasy. Which group is grounded in reality? Are the realists PESSIMISTS or OPTIMISTS?

Well, we're all born optimists. It is our nature to be optimistic. But when we reach five or six years old, we've been subjected to so much negativity we begin to believe the world may be gloomy after all. As we grow into adults, we continue to hear the mantra of negativity, "It's a rat race out there. No point in working hard when wages are so low. No point in working hard and making big bucks when the government is going to take it all in taxes. What's the point of getting married when 50% of marriages end in divorce?" And so on and so on.

But if we were to stop, question, and analyze, how could we not be optimists? The fact that a creature as frail as man has survived and is now poised to colonize space should be ample proof of a naturally optimistic nature. Yet the question continues to rage: Who is being realistic, an OPTIMIST or a PESSIMIST?

Surprise! The answer is both are realistic. Both are correct. Why? Because their disposition (optimism or pessimism) is a self-fulfilling prophecy. For example, a young man decides to become a stand-up comic. His friends think he's nuts, but he's an optimist. Because he thinks he has a chance, he keeps trying. And because he keeps trying, his chances keep increasing. True, he runs into obstacles, but he's an optimist, so hurdles are seen not as objects of fear or frustration, but as puzzles in need of a solution. Because of his positive attitude, he doesn't give up. And do you know what happens to people who don't give up? They reach their goal! Now repeat in your mind the same scenario, but with a pessimist. What do you think the pessimist's chances of success are? Can you see how their negative attitude set themselves up for failure?

The characteristics of pessimists and optimists have been identified. Whenever something goes wrong, pessimists believe the problem will continue indefinitely, affect all areas of their life, and is their fault. Optimists, however, believe that problems are temporary setbacks with limited impact and due to external causes. In a word, optimists are designed to cope, pessimists designed to mope.
So, what if we are pessimists, or not as optimistic as we would like to be? What should we do? We can begin by pondering the words of Frederick Mann, "One of the greatest powers in the universe is individual power of choice. And the most powerful choices are positive choices." Yes, we can choose to change. We can choose to begin today.

How do we begin? We must become aware of our negative self-talk. We need to become aware of the negative scripts that are programmed in our mind and constantly play. Self-talk and scripts such as, "I can't do that. I'm not good enough to . . . I'm afraid to . . . That makes me angry. No use trying since I'll probably fail." Whenever you catch yourself with a negative thought, immediately replace it with a positive one. It's a simple but effective technique. So is working out in the gym. But if you want to reshape your body, working out one day for ten minutes will have no impact. The same is true for changing your attitude. If you're serious, you have to work on it 15 -20 minutes every day. Not much to ask for a new and much better you. If you come across an article or book that inspires you, read and reread it repeatedly. Repetition is the key to success.

Of course, another good idea is to hang out with optimistic people. One place where you can do this is at www.campusxcellencemag.blogspot.com where we have young and great minds come together to interact.

MEET THE KWEEN OF THE PACK

After years on the Nigerian and UK scene, Kween (Queen Chinyere Onokala) caught her big break last year with her hit song ‘Jebele’, six years after the famous OLURONBI, a folklore song she did with Pasuma. the Don-Jazzy produced song was fan's favourite. She won the Nigerian Music video award, Soundcity music video award and the video received massive airplay. Campus Xcellence had a chat with KWEEN at Cobhams studio where she was putting finishing touches to her newly released songs. here are the excerpts.


CX: What is your name?

KWEEN: my name is Queen Chinyere Onokola am from Umuahia, in Abia state, I attended army children school in Abeokuta for my primary education, had my secondary education in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state and proceeded to University of Abuja where I studied public administration.

CX: What would you call your genre of music?

KWEEN: I can’t really classify my music because I experiment with different type of music. However, the distinctive thing in my music is the African blend. So, whether I do R ‘n’ B, Blues or Soul. You will always find the African flavours.

CX: You are in the studio, what are you cooking?

KWEEN: I am working on my album; I am working presently with Cobhams, OJB and some other capable hands in the industry.

CX: From your song that rocked the airwaves then, “OLURONBI” to the last one “JEBELE” how has the experience been?

KWEEN: Well I have been fortunate, I have been accepted everywhere...........

(Cuts in)....... we guessed the acceptance must have come with lots of money too?

KWEEN: Well, it has come with lots of good; I don’t think I want to start mentioning them one after the other. But the thing there is that you don’t stop working because you have attained a particular level and that’s what I am doing, I keep on working.

CX: When did you start singing professionally?

KWEEN: That should be in the 90’s when I was in school. I was actually with a band and I was with them for about 2 and ½ years. But my first major work was “OLURONBI” in 2001.

CX: We must say that you have come of age in the industry and we can comfortably call you a veteran.

KWEEN: I don’t know about that, but if you say so. Maybe.

CX: At the time you did “OLURONBI”, we didn’t have so many hip-hop artist doing collaboration with Fuji artist. What made you believe that you and Pasuma could pull that song off?

KWEEN: To start with, the song is a Yoruba folk song that has been for ages and it was actually the song itself that directed me to Pasuma because I felt he has one of the best voices in the industry. The folksong actually blended with the Fuji music and it had a kind of difference, which I really was looking for when I did that song.

CX: After “OLURONBI”, there was a vacuum and we didn’t hear your music again until recently. Can you tell us what happened during that period?

KWEEN: After “OLURONBI”, I was pregnant with my first child, so I had to take a break to have the baby, put everything in order and I came back again with the single titled “COME WITH ME”.

CX: Ok, does that mean KWEEN is married now?

KWEEN: No, I am not married but I am in serious relationship right now.

CX: So, does it mean you are no longer available for interested admirers?

KWEEN: Not available at all, but I am available for my fans to buy my CD. Am available to show them love for their supports.

CX: What are those things that inspire you?

KWEEN: I am inspired by personal experiences, things that happen to me and things that happen to other people around me.

CX: What motivates you?

KWEEN: Am motivated by hard work, breaking boundaries, setting mind-blowing target. Trying to achieve my set goals and make all my dreams come true. When I think about all these, I get motivated.

CX: So many people have been asking, what is “JEBELE”?

KWEEN: “JEBELE” is an Igbo word but for the fact that I was singing, I couldn’t pronounce it exactly the way it should be. So a lot of people get confused, but the word means “GO” it is pronounced “JEBE”. Some people have mistaken it for Yoruba or even an Efik word. But it is Igbo and it means GO.

CX: Was the song talking to someone in particular or it was just a general song you wanted to make meaning to somebody.

KWEEN: That song is related to something that happened in my life at some point in time. It was not a made up thing, it came from me, it came from my experience.

CX: Do you have any role models in music here in Nigeria?

KWEEN: I love Cobhams, he produces well, he sings well too. OJB is good as well. And for the artist, I love Asa. I think she is great. Djinee has got great voice, I have lots of love and respect for Onyeka Onwenu, Christy Essien-Igbokwe, these people have done lots of work to change the face of music in Nigeria.

CX: You relocated back to Nigeria from UK not too long ago, are you back for good or you might still take off any moment from now?

KWEEN: Lets not forget I was born and raised here and travelling for me, was an experience and adventure some of us will definitely have in life and there is the coming back home part, one can’t miss that. So, this is home for me no matter where I travel to I will still come back to Nigeria. So many thought I came back because of the music. But no, I am simply coming back to my home because there is no place like home.

CX: Lets talk about the awards and nominations. You won an important award in a very tight category that had the likes of Asa, T.Y Bello and Sasha, was it your first award or just let us into the awards list.

KWEEN: well, SMVA was my second award; I won my first at the Nigeria Music Video Award (NMVA) organized by Cally Ikpe. I was nominated in 5 categories. At the Hip-Hop world Award, I was nominated in 2 categories. SMVA in 2 categories and at the last Nigeria Music Award, I had 1 nomination. But for me, being a nominee at these awards is a win for me and going home with the plaque or the trophy is just an icing on the cake. For an artist to get nominated means your work is being appreciated and for the SMVA, I wasn’t really expecting to win and when my name was called as the winner I was extremely shocked. But, I have won and it was a great experience.

CX: Who shot the video?

KWEEN: Blast and Lumi, they are based in Abuja; they run the company called On-point Africa. The concept was mine and my music director, Smith Joseph also contributed immensely because I believe when great minds come together, you always have great results.

CX: How did you come about your unique look, your hairstyle, dress sense and everything makes you sellable to the public.

KWEEN: Well, we all wear cloth, we all wear shoes and what have you, but I guess the only difference about me is my hair. Because it almost the first thing you will notice about me. Why I decided to do this style is that I have done all kind of hairstyles before now and I realized I needed a change, I needed something not very common. So, I started doing this Afro and I noticed that people don’t do Afro anymore. It’s a bit of Old school, my Mum used to carry this kind of hair which I think is unique. Then in my videos, I love to wear African outfits because of its uniqueness and I see it as an opportunity to showcase them when I am doing my video. I love the Ankaras the Laces, the Kampala and I make different designs with them. It has also given birth to my collection.

CX: We heard about your clothing line you are launching soon. Tell us about it.

KWEEN: The name of the clothing line is KQ. It means KWEEN the artist and QUEEN the person. I am launching it later this year or early next year. Because I don’t want to rush, I am about perfection, professionalism and precision. I want to have a lasting impression with my cloth line so I can get followers and buyers and I am working on it everyday.

CX: Have you ever stolen meat from your Mum’s pot when you were a kid? ....(laughter)

KWEEN: I don’t think so, she always give me whatever I want and anytime I want it. even when she is still cooking I only have to ask and she will give me so I don’t need to steal.

CX: If you have the opportunity to change certain things about your physical self, what would they be?

KWEEN: First, I would love to have a flat tummy. I mean very flat tummy and I would wish my boobs were a little bigger.......(CX...cuts in..) but you could enlarge that).....KWEEN: Oh, Come’ on. I only wish.

CX: If you have the opportunity to come back to this world again, who or what would you like to come back as?

KWEEN: Uhmm............Let me see... I would want to come back as Bill Gate.

CX: You mean rich? and as a man?

KWEEN: Well I don’t mind.

CX: Have you ever had a big crush on anybody in the industry?

KWEEN: NO. The only person I had a crush on, I already have him and that’s my boyfriend.

CX: We are actually talking about girlish crush you just have on some popular music personalities when you were much younger.

KWEEN: I never thought about that when I was younger. Infact, I was a geek, I thought nobody was ever going to talk to me because I had this very long neck I was too thin and I was always wearing glasses because I had a bad eye. So there was no reason for crush or anything.

CX: Three things one can always find in your bag.

KWEEN: My cash card, my make up kits and my phone.

CX: Most embarrassing moment

KWEEN: Well, one day I was supposed to perform and as they called me on stage and I as I was walking to the stage; I had this short on and the side zip snapped and went off. I had to hold it with my hands, got to the stage, took the microphone and explain my situation to the audience. I actually asked for help, I asked for anyone who has safety pin to lend me. So a girl came up with a safety pin to help me and she was fixing it right there on stage. All the guys were shouting that she should be careful with the pin and not pierce my skin. It was embarrassing but what could I have done.

CX: A message to fans.

KWEEN: Well, I love them, I thank them for their support and I want to let them know that without them there would be no KWEEN. And I will always do my best not to disappoint them.

CX: Your philosophy of life.

KWEEN: ENJOY LIFE WHILE YOU LIVE.