Sunday, December 12, 2010
My Apologies
I dont even know how many people read this blog, but to all of you who do, i am sorry i have not updated in a while, i am currently preparing and studying for finals so i dont have the time right now...but once i am done, we will get down.. Thanks for understanding :)
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Genevieve Nnaji's Interview on Connect the World (CNN International)
Today Nigerian Actress, Genevieve Nnaji's interview with Connect the World aired. If you are an African, who has seen any African movie you know who Genevieve Nnaji is, she is Nigeria's greatest export since Crude oil, she is Nigeria's 21st century National Treasure. Today she did us proud, in a country that is constantly labelled with negative verbs and usually in the spotlight for negative things, i was proud to thump my chest and say "Yes, I'm Nigerian! We have Genevieve Nnaji"
Here is the interview:
http://edition.cnn.com/CNNI/Programs/connect.the.world/
I have been a fan of Genevieve since I saw her on Ijele. Her presence on screen is captivating, the one thing I am sure of in a Nollywood movie is: If Genevieve is in it, I must watch, no questions asked. This is probably one of the areas in life I am predicatable in. Genevieve has a way of capturing your attention of making you believe her pain as we saw in "Two Together" or making you believe she is one sassy B*tch as we saw in "Caught in the act" Its no surprise she has ganared a huge fan base.
I remember my parents never let me buy the home videos and movies we watched at home because I will always come back with Genevieve's movies, much to everyone's anger, they'll say, "we just watched her movie last week" and I'll say "we didn't watch this one" I could not help it though, I only cared about watching her movies, such talent, so composed, so confident, so elegant.
Genevieve has been nothing but gracious the times we've chatted. When she started her Fanbook www.genevievennajifanbook.
There are many actresses that I adore: Jennifer Beals, Tina Fey, Meryl Streep, Angelina Jolie, Julianne Moore. None of these actresses make me proud in the way that Genevieve does, she is a woman, but not just that, A Nigerian Woman. She inspires me and a lot of other people I am sure, to remain focused, humble and work hard.
She is Nigeria's 21st Century National Treasure, and my Role Model. I'm a lifelong fan. Congratulations on your continuous achievement, for making Nigerians allover the world proud. This is the beginning of greater things to come!
Go Cougars! ;-)
All photos from: http://genevievennajifanbook.ning.com/
Saturday, November 20, 2010
About Nigerian Actress Ufuoma Ejenobor and the Nigerian Police
Unless you've been living under a rock you've probably heard about what happened between the above parties. But for the people wey don rent rock let me rehash the story:
On October 29, Ufuoma was driving in her car when "Suddenly, a Toyota Hilux Truck, marked ESCORT, roughly squeezed its way in between, hit my car from the rear and sped off. He damaged the right side fender. I was frightened. I thought they were armed robbers. To my surprise, the driver did not show any sign of regret that he had damaged my car. That was when I drove after him.” She chased after the car and when they did not stop she became angry as anyone would. But as she said “they called me all sorts of unprintable names like (witch, prostitute) asking ,”who gave you the car? One of them even threatened to shoot me. I kept pursuing them until I caught up with them at the front of the Divisional Police Headquarters, Zone 2, Lagos.”
And afterwards some of the men beat her, and this is what happened
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid17190315001?bctid=676239192001
Some serious stuff, no? I mean she is furious here and understandably so. Well here are my thoughts: First off, I do not doubt that this happened as the Nigerian police has proved that 98% of the time they do not work for the interest of the public. Their function in society is still a puzzle to me, what is it that they do? Stand by the road and take bribes? Come to weddings as security but drink themselves to a stupor, what is it that they do exactly? Are they a public service group or are we supposed to pay them to look after us and ensure our safety? Tell me why anyone needs a security man guarding their houses while they sleep? Because we cannot count on the police to protect us, that's why! Have you seen them on the road, they drive like there is no one in front of them, not caring about the lives they are putting in danger.
Everyone knows the traffic situation in Nigeria is not pretty, but The Police, they don't care! They want to drive through you to get to where they are going, because what's more important to them is going to that person who is going to pay them or going to stand at that junction to collect 20 Naira bills from commuters. Ufuoma is a victim, but unlike you and I, she is a public figure, and now that she is not keeping quiet about this, all those people who were treated the same way have a voice, someone like them only more famous.
People have questiond the validity of the incident, but let me ask you this; What does she have to gain by putting herself out there like that? She did not look like she was having fun while screaming, that looked like a woman tired, angry, stressed and confused. The police needs a Makeover and fast. The government needs to re-examine the reasons for forming the police force and get rid of the Bad people in it, I don't doubt that there are good officers, however it seems that there is more bad than good associated with the Nigerian Police. Behaviour like this is unnaceptable and for the police to say that she was asking for it, is callous and insensitive!
It is a sad day when we have to protect ourselves from the people, whose job it is to protect us.
On October 29, Ufuoma was driving in her car when "Suddenly, a Toyota Hilux Truck, marked ESCORT, roughly squeezed its way in between, hit my car from the rear and sped off. He damaged the right side fender. I was frightened. I thought they were armed robbers. To my surprise, the driver did not show any sign of regret that he had damaged my car. That was when I drove after him.” She chased after the car and when they did not stop she became angry as anyone would. But as she said “they called me all sorts of unprintable names like (witch, prostitute) asking ,”who gave you the car? One of them even threatened to shoot me. I kept pursuing them until I caught up with them at the front of the Divisional Police Headquarters, Zone 2, Lagos.”
And afterwards some of the men beat her, and this is what happened
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid17190315001?bctid=676239192001
Some serious stuff, no? I mean she is furious here and understandably so. Well here are my thoughts: First off, I do not doubt that this happened as the Nigerian police has proved that 98% of the time they do not work for the interest of the public. Their function in society is still a puzzle to me, what is it that they do? Stand by the road and take bribes? Come to weddings as security but drink themselves to a stupor, what is it that they do exactly? Are they a public service group or are we supposed to pay them to look after us and ensure our safety? Tell me why anyone needs a security man guarding their houses while they sleep? Because we cannot count on the police to protect us, that's why! Have you seen them on the road, they drive like there is no one in front of them, not caring about the lives they are putting in danger.
Everyone knows the traffic situation in Nigeria is not pretty, but The Police, they don't care! They want to drive through you to get to where they are going, because what's more important to them is going to that person who is going to pay them or going to stand at that junction to collect 20 Naira bills from commuters. Ufuoma is a victim, but unlike you and I, she is a public figure, and now that she is not keeping quiet about this, all those people who were treated the same way have a voice, someone like them only more famous.
People have questiond the validity of the incident, but let me ask you this; What does she have to gain by putting herself out there like that? She did not look like she was having fun while screaming, that looked like a woman tired, angry, stressed and confused. The police needs a Makeover and fast. The government needs to re-examine the reasons for forming the police force and get rid of the Bad people in it, I don't doubt that there are good officers, however it seems that there is more bad than good associated with the Nigerian Police. Behaviour like this is unnaceptable and for the police to say that she was asking for it, is callous and insensitive!
It is a sad day when we have to protect ourselves from the people, whose job it is to protect us.
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5
Friday, November 19, 2010
Lets talk about the Upcoming Nigerian Elections
I like to live in a realistic world and have realistic expectations, no matter how hopeful I am of the future. That is why I recognize that in Nigeria there is just 1 political party, no matter how you look at it, since we became a Democratic country in 1999, we have had one party, PDP, produce the presidential candidate that eventually became president. 1999, 2003,2007 and now 2011. Most of the state governors in Nigeria (28 to be exact) are PDP members, what this tells us is, any candidate that is "elected" by PDP as the presidential candidate IS going to be president. Having established that, it is time to look at what that means for the upcoming elections.
We have two Major candidates running under the PDP platform:
Ibrahim B. Babangida
Born: August 17 1941
Age: 69
Public Service
Chief of Army Staff in Nigeria: January 1984 – August 1985
Head of state: August 27, 1985 – August 27, 1993
Politically known for: Being the first military President of Nigeria. Conducting a bloodless coup to overthrow Buhari's regime with the promise of promoting human rights. Was married to Miriam Babangida, who was publicly loved, she dies from ovarian cancer on December 27, 2009 (Rest in Peace). Known for annulling the June 12 elections of 1993 which M.K.O Abiola won, the annulment lead to a political crisis that led to General Sani Abach seizing power. He also allegedly used a letter-bomb to assasinate Dele Giwa, a Nigerian journalist and Founder of Newswatch Magazine, he was critical of Babangida's administration. While this has not been confirmed there has been evidence of this as stated by the Oputa Panel reports "On General Ibrahim Babangida, we are of the view that there is evidence to suggest that he and the two security chiefs, Brigadier General Halilu Akilu and Col. A. K. Togun are accountable for the death of Dele Giwa by letter bomb. We recommend that this case be re-opened for further investigation in the public interest." http://www.dawodu.com/oputa1.pdf
Goodluck E. Johnathan
Born: 20 November 1957
May 29, 1999 – December 29, 2005
Governor of Bayelsa State: December 29, 2005 to May 28, 2007
Vice President of Nigeria: May 29, 2007 – May 6, 20
President of Nigeria: May 6, 2010 - Present
Politically Known For: Goodluck Johnathan's political career has been marked by "hand of God" type of moments, as a Deputy governor he came to power after the Governor was charged with money laundering. He became Vice-President and subsequently President, after President Umaru Yar'adua died on May 5th, 2010 (Rest in Peace). His politically stance on Anti-corruption, power and electoral reform were applauded by many, however significant changes have not been made in either sector. His most notable political decision was banning the Super Eagles from International Games after their performance in the 2010 world cup. This decision was however recalled, after FIFA objected to the decision.
Now you know who they are, maybe, lets talk about what this election means for us, for the future of Nigeria, and for the future of our generation and generations to come.
This election is crucial, if you didn't know, now you know. This is the time for us to take our country back, and put the power in the hands of a person who might not be as corrupt as the other Candidate, i am not advocating that GEJ is spotless, however given the political climate in Nigeria, it has comedown to picking the lesser evil, who is the Candidate less-likely to RUIN our country, less likely to think he has the power to deny someone (Abiola) of his presidency in an election that was considered free and fair.
It is up to us to vote, we hope that the elections are free and fair this time, but this is a democracy, WE GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE!
We have two Major candidates running under the PDP platform:
Ibrahim B. Babangida
Born: August 17 1941
Age: 69
Public Service
Chief of Army Staff in Nigeria: January 1984 – August 1985
Head of state: August 27, 1985 – August 27, 1993
Politically known for: Being the first military President of Nigeria. Conducting a bloodless coup to overthrow Buhari's regime with the promise of promoting human rights. Was married to Miriam Babangida, who was publicly loved, she dies from ovarian cancer on December 27, 2009 (Rest in Peace). Known for annulling the June 12 elections of 1993 which M.K.O Abiola won, the annulment lead to a political crisis that led to General Sani Abach seizing power. He also allegedly used a letter-bomb to assasinate Dele Giwa, a Nigerian journalist and Founder of Newswatch Magazine, he was critical of Babangida's administration. While this has not been confirmed there has been evidence of this as stated by the Oputa Panel reports "On General Ibrahim Babangida, we are of the view that there is evidence to suggest that he and the two security chiefs, Brigadier General Halilu Akilu and Col. A. K. Togun are accountable for the death of Dele Giwa by letter bomb. We recommend that this case be re-opened for further investigation in the public interest." http://www.dawodu.com/oputa1.pdf
Goodluck E. Johnathan
Born: 20 November 1957
May 29, 1999 – December 29, 2005
Governor of Bayelsa State: December 29, 2005 to May 28, 2007
Vice President of Nigeria: May 29, 2007 – May 6, 20
President of Nigeria: May 6, 2010 - Present
Politically Known For: Goodluck Johnathan's political career has been marked by "hand of God" type of moments, as a Deputy governor he came to power after the Governor was charged with money laundering. He became Vice-President and subsequently President, after President Umaru Yar'adua died on May 5th, 2010 (Rest in Peace). His politically stance on Anti-corruption, power and electoral reform were applauded by many, however significant changes have not been made in either sector. His most notable political decision was banning the Super Eagles from International Games after their performance in the 2010 world cup. This decision was however recalled, after FIFA objected to the decision.
Now you know who they are, maybe, lets talk about what this election means for us, for the future of Nigeria, and for the future of our generation and generations to come.
This election is crucial, if you didn't know, now you know. This is the time for us to take our country back, and put the power in the hands of a person who might not be as corrupt as the other Candidate, i am not advocating that GEJ is spotless, however given the political climate in Nigeria, it has comedown to picking the lesser evil, who is the Candidate less-likely to RUIN our country, less likely to think he has the power to deny someone (Abiola) of his presidency in an election that was considered free and fair.
It is up to us to vote, we hope that the elections are free and fair this time, but this is a democracy, WE GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHOOSE!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Intoduction
Hello People, as i intend to write this blog anonymously i will only tell you a little bit about myself, and will reveal some more as we go along. I am Nigerian, and a student. I find that sometimes i have thoughts that i wish i could save or tell someone else, so i started this blog in order to archive my thoughts, albeit publicly, in the hopes that maybe someone sees it likes and wants to peek into my very sometimes deranged mind. I am Liberal, my fundamental principle in life is that: A person's freedom cannot be limited as long as they are doing no harm. Thats how i think and live. I will not impose my thoughts on you, but since this is my blog i will express my thoughts on various things that bug me as a Nigerian, about Nigeria as well as things that make me happy about both. But this blog won't be strictly about my Nigerian-ness as i am many things apart from Nigerian. I hope you Enjoy reading what i write. Thanks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)