The Love Affair between flimsy Genevieve & Majid comes as a surprise to many fans who have expressed disappointment or fate.
Genevieve can not seem to forget even after Majid Michael Secretly he hired paparazzi camera men to tape their loving means at his residence.
“I do not know if after juju or what but she can not forget this boy Ghana” a Genevieve assistant disclosed to the African Star exclusive. However, sources said Genevieve was not alone; Hood Nolly other actresses are also falling for the actor light skin. In the recent movie, ‘Silent Scandal “Genevieve could not wait for breaks during the shooting juicy to lavish kisses on the lips of Majid. A camera man who was on the scene told an African Star reporter in Nigeria.
Deeply in love with him even though she aware that he had sex with Mercy Johnson and Yvonne Nelson among others, “that does not bother Genevieve at all, a source said.
The rumor which love is now turning into a reality started When Genevieve decided to meet with Ghana’s flamboyant actor Michael Majid at a discrete location after a movie shoot in Ghana, she felt it would be a one-night stand where both measures would discuss their common intimacy, have sex and leave each other.
After the meeting, Genevieve was really pissed to realize that Majid Secretly took pictures of her during that meeting. A Tipster hinted that the African Star Majid called Genevieve and apology for the leakage of the secret sex pictures and confessed that he was in love with her. In tears, Genevieve also pledged her love for Majid but warned him to keep it very secret and discreet as usual.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
It might take almost forever to convince ace Ghanaian actor, Majid Michael to come to Nigeria again to act like his peers Van Vicker, John Dumelo, Jackie Appiah, and Nadia Bhuari are doing.
Earlier, it was reported that Majid said he won’t come to Nigeria, because Nollywwod producers are not professional , but NFC can authoritatively tell you that the story is not true. Majid actually ran for dear life.
The fair skinned star decided to give Nigeria a wide gap after he received death threats on phone from “actors†who felt he was taking the shine off them. Majid was gradually etching his name into the annals of Nollywood last year.
He was just like one of the boys. He easily blended-in with actors and had a thriving relationship with the girls. Some even said he was having one or two things going with Nollywood star, Genevieve Nnaji. He was becoming the first choice ahead of our own stars and he could act to save his life.
Majid stole lots of hearts with Guilty Pleasure and was becoming the number one face on our posters when trouble started for him. He started getting anonymous calls and death threats telling him his days were numbered. Some of the SMS revealed directions from which they came . Some read “you think you can come here and take away our livelihood?, and “Watch your back, your days are numberedâ€. He went home to consult his wife and she told him to stay put in Ghana because she needs him alive.
This has put paid to the talk that he quitted acting in Nigeria because of the quality jobs he was getting which made others envious. How has Van Vicker been surviving? It’s because unlike Majid, he doesn’t mix that much and he is more of a politician. He takes what is thrown at him, complains less and refuses to be entangled with the girls. But for Majid, he was loud and could outperform almost any Nollywood actor hands.
Other actors who starred in the same movies with him had to make a little extra effort , because he could expose just how much they still needed to learn in terms of delivery.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Anchor Baby, a movie shot by Lonzo Nzekwe And featuring City People actress of the year, Omoni Oboli, Sam Sarpong of Hollywood and other foreign cast is set to hit cinemas in Nigeria.
According to synopsis of the movie, Anchor Babe is the story of married illegal immigrant couple, Joyce (Omoni Oboli) and Paul Unanga (Sam Sarpong) have been ordered by the US immigration to leave the country by voluntary departure. They agree to leave; but only after Joyce who is 5 months pregnant delivers her baby inside the US. This will guarantee automatic citizenship for their child. The couple ignores the deportation order, and goes into hiding. Later, Paul is caught and deported by a team of overzealous Immigration officers, led by agent Mark Castello (Michael Scratch). This leaves Joyce to struggle on her own to accomplish their dream.
Then, Joyce meets Susan Backley (Terri Oliver), a married freelance writer who offers to help her with free accommodation until her baby is born. Joyce accepts the offer and moves in. Now, with the help of Susan, Joyce sets out on the most daring journey of her life; to achieve the “American Dream†for her unborn child. She will try by any means necessary.
The theme of the movie is about the Love, dreams, desperation, betrayal and struggles, faced by these non-citizens in order to belong to the American society. “Anchor Baby†is actually a derogatory term for children born by immigrants or other non-citizens in the United States. The movie Anchor Baby is set in the United States, but was shot in Brampton and Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Anchor Baby is written, directed and produced by a Nigerian first time director Lonzo Nzekwe. The movie is being produced under his independent film company Alpha Galore films, a division of Alpha Galore Inc. based in Brampton, Ontario Canada. Other co-producers on the project are Ian Sun and Jeremy Hood. For more information about the company, please visit to www.alphagalorefilms.com or www.anchorbabymovie.com.
The movie which be in cinema before the end of the year in Nigeria was shot in Canada with a red one camera.
Click on the link to watch the trailer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yx_kiBOZDA
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
In my culture, for one to quote his father is likened to swearing an oath. Though my father died early, I have many causes to quote him and even swear by his name. I learnt much from him. Whenever the year draws to an end, I feel the pains of his death for it was at such a time that he departed this world many years ago. One of the lessons he taught me early in life was my relationship with women. That day, I came home triumphantly after beating up a girl in the school. I told him the story, thinking that he would praise me for being strong. For the first time, he was so harsh on me and made me understand that whoever fights is a fool and whoever beats a woman is a coward. He further made me to understand that every woman is my mother, wife and sister and that on no account should I beat her. He ordered me to apologize to the girl and I did that the following day.
Another day, I returned home from school very moody. I was asked why I looked sad and I narrated how I struggled over pebbles for our arithmetic lessons with a girl. Unfortunately for her, I got them and she slapped me in frustration. I wanted to retaliate and actually raised my hand but my father’s voice was whispering to me, “Every woman is your mother, wife and sister. Do not raise a hand on her!†I let her go. When I told my dad this, he smiled and parted my head and told me, “You are learning so fast. Look, my son, you will be a good husband.†I smiled at the thought of being a good husband then and covered my face with my hands. When I returned the next day and told my father that the girl apologized to me in tears, he told me that she had good parents who talked to her. However, he quickly added that I should beware of women’s tears. Spontaneously, I asked, “Why? Do they burn?†My father simply replied, “You will understand later.†I thought much about this and only understood later.
Why I went on to narrate these experiences is because of the media report few weeks ago. It was how the Deji of Akure, Oba Oluwadare Adesina, in company of some thugs and his new queen, Olori Remi, assaulted his ex-wife, Olori Bolanle Adesina. It was said that they poured some poisonous powdery substance on the hapless woman which got her arms burnt. The reason for this act of brutality was that the traditional ruler wanted to forcefully retrieve some of his property in possession of his ex-wife. This brings us face to face with the abuses that our traditional societies have subjected women to even in this modern time. Most unfortunately, some women or groups of women sometimes participate in enforcing the practice of some of these pagan beliefs and superstitions on the womenfolk especially the widows, childless and unmarried women.
In some cultures and traditions, the women are generally believed to be nothing but the property of their husbands and hence, they have no rights whatever even in their matrimonial homes. They just exist for procreation and sexual satisfaction of their husbands, sometimes in polygamous families. In many occasions, when the husbands die, the widows are subjected to some obnoxious pagan practices especially the ones that will prepare them to be inherited by other men, many a time, against their will. In some places, they are forced to perform the Ajadu ritual in which they are taken to a stream in the dead of the night for a ritual bath. It is alleged that an unknown dwarf, pre-arranged for the purpose will perform the ceremony after which he will have a carnal knowledge of the woman, thereby ‘severing’ the bond between her and her dead husband such that no harm will befall any man that sleeps with her. They are so much intimidated to believe that they will die if they do not perform the ritual. It is unbelievable that the women themselves champion this. Many a time, the refusal to do this is behind all forms of oppressions against the widows, including dispossessing them of their husbands’ property and ostracizing them.
In the same manner, the dust-to-dust rites performed at funerals have had this belief attached to it. Many believe that if a woman pours sand into the grave of her deceased husband, the bond between them will not be severed. Therefore, it is believed that any man who goes to her will be slain by the spirit of her dead husband. This has caused some rumpus between the church and some local communities which now see any funeral of any Christian man to be a theatre of war against the church. Funny enough too, some women lead this war against the church and themselves, still preferring to remain in the dark.
Another aspect of this is the plight of women without male children or childless women. In many occasions these two groups are regarded as one because of the low regard for the female children, who in the ancient African culture are just mere alternative to barrenness. Some of these women have always been made from onset to understand that their lives are wasted. Many a time, their husbands discard them to marry brand new wives who are always available in different shapes and sizes, and are so convinced of their fertility. One thing our people have not come to terms with is that, in spite of the advance in modern science, it is God that gives children. Human beings are just collaborators. For this, the love for one’s spouse should be considered first above any other thing in marriage. The value of a woman should not therefore depend on the number of children she produced, whether male or female. After all, the women reproduce what the men gave them.
It is true that the people like the Deji of Akure have been taken care of by some punitive measures like deposition; the women should come out to free themselves from these shackles. As I rightly pointed out, in many occasions, the women are the cause of their own woes. Take for instance, the youngest wife of the Deji who accompanied him and joined in beating up his fellow woman. She could have stopped him from the assault if she has respect for womanhood. In the same way, it is the women who form the cartel for the exportation of their fellow women to foreign countries for prostitution from which they make high profits. In the recently concluded World Cup in South-Africa, it is said that of the 40,000 prostitutes imported for the occasion, Nigerian girls from different universities in the country were the highest in number. So what we lost in the pitch, we won in strange beds.
It is again disheartening to know that many women still subject themselves to some outmoded religious and traditional beliefs. A female lay reader was of the view that her monthly period is a ritual impurity and so, she could not ascend the altar to read in that condition. Another believed that it made her lose the state of grace and therefore, could not receive the Holy Communion that time. Most surprisingly, both of them are not illiterate. It was like squeezing water out of the rock to make them understand that, “Grace does not destroy nature but perfects it.†The greatest disease is ignorance!
This piece is not intended to portray the women as innocuous. They have their own problems. Some of them have been known to be behind the ruin of many men, including their husbands. Many have been known to be on the offensive against the men and cry foul at the reaction of such men. Their best weapon is to accuse the men of sexual harassment. It was said that Hon. Doris Uboh, a member of the House of Representatives for whom the women demonstrated against the way she was taken out of the chamber during the exchange of blows recently, was the first to slap a male legislator. The women demonstrators did not think of that. They also did not think of how some of the male legislators were beaten up and their dresses torn. That is real selfishness. Recently, the Nigerian nation was held to ransom by a woman during the period of illness of the immediate past president. It was only God himself that came to our rescue. Also a woman is said to have held one of the South-Eastern states in-between her laps, manipulating and financially draining it with her son, an ex-governor. Women achieve their goals with crocodile tears. This is the situation where their tears become more corrosive than raw acid.
However, these are exceptions. There are many wonderful women who can help liberate others. They should seek their rights and protect them instead of leaning on the so-called privileges granted by men. Women should encourage themselves to participate actively in politics and not just stay back to seek 30% political appointments after the men must have sweated to clinch the political posts. It must also be acknowledged that naturally, though men and women are human beings, they do not have equal physical strength. As such, men should protect the women where they should without taking undue advantage of them. The women should also help the men where they can. Men should ultimately remember that every woman is their mother, wife, sister and daughter and should not bear a hand in any violence against them, directly or indirectly.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Somebody is after Wande Coal-Mohits. It has come to our notice that a purported nude picture of Wande Coal is being circulated on social networking site, Twiiter and that made him a trending topic yesterday and early hours of today.
Wande is very grateful to those who have shown him love and as well to those who were constructive in their criticisms. He is saying a massive THANK YOU.
We also want to state categorically that there is nothing wrong or to be ashamed about being naked BUT THE PICTURES IN QUESTION ARE NOT THOSE OF WANDE COAL, the multiple Hip Hop World Award winner. That is not him and that can never be him.
It is worthy of note to let you know that the rising star has been a target of orchestrated attacks in past months. Few months ago false reports of him being treated in a psychiatric home were widely circulated even when he was busy performing in shows in Nigeria and around the world. Later, another report of him slapping a fellow in a club was initiated by some faceless people as well, a report which was false in its entirety. Last year it was also reported that he slapped 9ice during an argument, a report 9ice himself denied. Now, it is a false naked picture that is being used.
We have reason to believe that the person behind these nude pictures is the same person(s) behind earlier negative and false stories. Therefore, we are no longer taking the matter lightly. Appropriate security agencies have been briefed and investigations are on-going so as to ascertain true identity of the culprit and bring him or her to book.
Wande would also like to appeal to his numerous fans to keep calm and assure them that he won’t stop making good music, love them and keep right in all his doings.
Please for further enquiries, interviews, clarifications and quote please contact Sunday Are on 08033480122 or Bigsam Media on 08028302862 or email bigsam@bigsam.org.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
olu jacob, emem isong, joke silva dele momodu, dayo adeneye other panelists for golden jubilee awards
In order that the labor of our past and present heroes don’t go in vain, the Stingomania Records is putting up an award project that will honor past and present entertainers in different categories; Movies, Music, Radio, Newsprint, Corporate Bodies, Comedians, Event promoters/Marketers, Executives and Theater. The award project has such categories as the most popular entertainer since independence, the most influential person in movies since independence and the most influential person in comedy since independence In addition, Stingomania Records, the brains behind the awards, will also honor the most influential person in sports since independence, most influential executives in entertainment and the most influential corporate bodies in entertainment will also be honored.
The award will have a special 13-event program to honor, encourage and recompense the top 100 most influential people in the Nigerian Entertainment Industry in the last 50 years. Golden Jubilee Award, an award that is only the best of the best can get a hold on. The full project will start with a book compilation of the 10 most influential people in entertainment in the last 50 years in 10 different categories of the entertainment and these will be suited by a 13 week television documentary. Each segment with a panel of discussants analyzing the top 10 nominated people and viewers will be franchised to vote for the most influential person in each category to win the award of the most influential person in their respective categories.
Already, an array of eminent personalities in the entertainment industry across the country has been drawn to select the best of our heroes past. Confirmed panelists and commentators include Patrick and Ireti Doyle, Joke Silva, Olu Jacobs, Dayo Adeneye, Dele Momodu, Seye Kehinde, Lancelot Imasuen, Emem Isong, Mahmoud Balogun, Amaka Igwe,
The list of the nominees is too intricate as individuals in each category are legends in their own rights, the likes of Hurbert Ogunde, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Art-Alade snr, Ali Baba, Mike Bamiloye, Omotola Jalade, Haruna Ishola, King Sunny Ade, Baba Sala, Ebenezer Obey amongst many others will definitely produce the best and only the best among the best will get a hand on the award.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The CEO of Stingomania Entertainment, Ope Banwo has described the recent attack at the leadership of Collecting Society of Nigeria (COSON) by Charly Boy as unfair, irrelevant and libelous.
According to the CEO, “It is most unfair of Charly Boy to attack the leadership of COSON the way he has done on the pages of newspapers without addressing the issues that are relevant to stakeholders in the industry other for him to say that Tony Okoroji and DG OF NCC, Bambo Adewopo are irresponsible.
Ope Banwo who is a US based lawyer and a former CEO of Dove Media further commented that the activities of the the former PMAN president are unproductive. He said it is ridiculous of the former PMAN president to accuse the legal adviser to his own Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN) organization of bias for licensing COSON; common sense will suggest that if Bambo (Adewopo) were to be biased, he would have done it in favor of an organization that he is still officially their legal adviser instead of a new entity.
He said “Frankly, I am really curious to understand how Charly Boy could come out and blast Adewopo for licensing COSON. I mean the guy is the legal adviser to your own mcsn from what I hear. If Charly Boy’s own organization’s legal adviser is saying MCSN does not deserve to be re-licensed, what exactly does Charly Boy want us to do? That is clearly a vote of no confidence in him by the most important legal person attached to his organizationâ€.
Debunking claims of having issues with the bike loving musician, the attorney explained that on the contrary he admires the musician who’s gut in challenging the status quo he grew up admiring.
However, all Ope Banwo wants in the collecting body is change and results. While daring Charly Boy to come out and publish the list of people whose life got better with his collecting society or the people who received fair compensation for their copyrights inspite of all the okada riders show. Ope advises the Naija Bike crooner to get involved in fights that will produce results and not just fight for fighting sake.
Still talking on the unproductiveness of the MCSN strong man, Ope advises Charly Boy to take a leave and allow new and fresh hands like Banky W, MI, Don Jazzy to take over so as to move forward since Charly Boy has been around and being part of the system for too long to have any new creative ideas for anybody beyond personal fights with his contemporaries dating back to the 70s ad 80s.
He said “We need new wineskins for new wine bottles and I hope that when the dust settles at COSON, some of the young guns will be given opportunities to contribute. I mean we are talking of the era of Twitter, Facebook, ITUNES and CDbaby and music download of music on cell phones now, for God’s sake. Older generation like charley boy will simply find it hard to compete.
Explaining the rationale behind his taking sides with the Tony Okoroji led COSON, Ope Banwo explained that the COSON side seems to be the progressive side with better ideas and initiatives.
He further explained that as to what obtains in other developed countries, it is better to have a sole collecting body. Said he, “As you very well know, the previous regime where there were multiple collecting societies has played into the hands of rights users who have used the multiplicity of collectors as an excuse not to pay appropriate royalties to the artistes. The bottom line is that until we take away the divide and rule option for the rights users and all rights users unite under one collecting society, we really can’t tackle fair compensation for artistes across the board. That is why I am supporting COSON against the present failed arrangementâ€.
Recently at the Coson meeting, entertainment giants and stakeholders like Kenny Ogungbe and Onyeka Onwenu and Laolu Akins swore that they have not been paid adequate royalties by any collecting society. Kenny Ogunbe who claimed to have a repertoire of more than 700 titles swore that his royalties have not been paid by the users in Nigeria and Onyeka said something about receiving a ridiculous cheque once, for less that N100 for her works in the market. Yet, we all know that Nigerian music form more than 80% of the programming at most of our radio stations and are a major component for tv programming in the last 20 years.
Ope Banwo also explained the sorry side to his own story he said, “ I have not been in the country long enough to know if people have been receiving fat cheques in royalties or not, but I do know nobody has paid me anything for the music of DJ Zeez, Konga, or Midnight crew that I released over 5yrs ago which were mega hits and are still being played on major TV and radio stations 5 years after.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Renowned Director, Lancelot Imasuen has joined Stingomania Entertainment in making sure that the life and works of late rap artiste Dagrin does not go down the drain. The respected Director has been drafted to be the Director of Ghetto Dreams a film which will be based on the life of Dagrin. The film will chronicle the growing years of Dagrin, his struggles, his rise to fame and his death.
The choice of the respected film director has been hailed
The film making is part of the formats Stingomania Records is putting in place to ensure that the man who gave the Yoruba rap music genre some breath of fresh air is memorialized in a constructive and enduring manner. The Dagrin Memorial Project, amongst other things will ensure that the family Dagrin left behind is catered for and the loss is made more bearable for his family in a tangible measurable manner. The memorial project will also provide a lasting structure and means to encourage upcoming, struggling and budding entertainment stars, while helping talented artistes deal with the different challenges and lack of resources limiting them from fulfilling their potential and set up a foundation to provide assistance for upcoming and struggling musicians with limited means and poor backgrounds to realize their ambition. The foundation will provide help for young musicians in areas of Finance, Training and Mentoring. All these were ideals the late musician stood for.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
A new genre of hip-hop will be berthed this September as Popular Fuji maestro; Abass Akande Obesere announces plans to release his much anticipated hip-hop album. Earlier, the fuji act had announced plans to cross over to the hip-hop genre a move which many saw as impossible but the Orobokibo crooner soon shut skeptics up when he featured in debutant, Diamondz’s single, bosokoto. As a matter of fact, many believed his presence on the single gave it a lift.
Though many have wondered how far the maestro will go as a Hip-hop act, Obesere has in recent times continuously and untirelessly proven that he can hold his own anywhere in the world. Just recently he participated in the Celebrity edition of the Gulder Ultimate and surprised many with the way he coordinated himself in the camp and the manner at which he outwitted some of our so called polish artistes.
In a move typical of the celebrated musician as a musician who knows his onions when it comes to playing good music, the artiste will be scoring a lot of firsts with his yet to be released album part of which will be that he will be the first fuji musician to make a full Hip-hop album, also a lover of quality works that he is, Obesere will be the first fuji artiste to sell his album for a thousand naira. Already, the record label of Obesere, Stingomania Records are following the trail blazer by 2face Idibia by selling all albums for a thousand naira. The album which title is believed to be Revolution will be double album, a CD of hip hop and another of fuji.
The yet-to-be released album is an 8-track hip-hop album and same number of tracks for fuji. The album features popular hip-hop musicians like, Lord of Ajasa 9ice and Timaya.
With this new album Obesere may be redefining the term fuji musician as even marketing which seems to be the first fear of artistes may not be an head ache for the musician, reaosn: his label Stingomania records, just signed an agreement with Black Tresure Entertainmnet, a distribution company in Winsconsin, USA. Sales of his album will also be done on the net on sites like reverbnation.com, iTunes.com, CDBaby and Tunecore
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Preserving Unity And Sustaining Democracy In A Multi Ethnic Nigeria . Date 19th June 2010.
This speech is dedicated to the Nigerian masses, whose pains, sorrows and hardships were occasioned by government neglect. Your plight has necessitated my continued campaign and struggle for good governance. To you I pledge my loyalty.
Great Sons and Daughters of Edo ,
Other Distinguished Guests.
I am humbled to be invited, to come and speak in your Edo Global Organizational Annual Conference in Barcelona , Spain . Please permit me to express my gratitude to the organizers of this event, for considering me worthy, to be made a speaker in this special gathering. When I realized that I will be speaking at the same event with John (Prof) Ebohon, I immediately sent him a text message, asking for his permission to accept the offer to speak. The reason for my action is simple. John (Prof) Ebohon is a man I consider as my father, and he also consider me as his son. I consider myself too young to speak at the same forum with him, hence my request for his permission. As a father he obliged my request. Unfortunately for John (Prof) Ebohon, his mother passed away on 28th May 2010. May her soul and other departed souls rest in peace.
Let me start my speech by referring us to the few words written on the Nigeria ’s coat of arms; Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress. From these few words, our founding fathers realized the importance of preserving unity, in our multi ethnic society. Ironically, our “rulers†have intentionally or unintentionally used various policy instruments, to sow seeds of disunity in Nigeria , hence the numerous threats to our unity and our democracy. They (our rulers) simply uses the divide and rule methods. On our part, Nigerians also have their own share of the blames. Regrettably, time and space will not permit me here, to list all the government actions and inactions which have disunited us. But I will mention few and discuss them briefly.
Post Civil War Policy of Awarding 20 Pounds To All Igbo People/Abandoned Properties Saga.
While the Gowon’s government declared no victor, no vanquish policy and launched his 3Rs (Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Reconciliation), his administration also implemented the policy of awarding every Igbo person, 20 pounds, in exchange for any amount of money the Igbo person(s) had in the bank. What this policy did was to seize all the money that Igbo people had, and in return pay them only 20 pounds. This was implemented immediately after the war ended. One can only imagine the pains and hardships this would have caused the Igbo people, after suffering economic and food blockades during the war. Nigerians should ask Gowon, what this policy was meant to achieve, unity or disunity? Integration or disintegration? Lets remember the issue of abandoned properties in Port Harcourt where the government failed to act. Please note; the above is not intended to reopen the wounds of the war.
Federal Character/Quota System.
Personally, I think this is the worst constitutional provision any country can have in their statute books. Federal Character principle was adopted during the 1977 constitutional Drafting Committee and it became part of the 1979 constitution. The federal character principle was established to solve the problems of (a) “inequality and marginalization†as expressed by certain part of Nigeria , (b) because of differences in the socio-economic development of different parts of Nigeria , (c) because of disparities in the levels of educational developments in different parts of the country. But since its adoption, the question of merit and competitiveness among Nigerians, have been replaced with quota system. The system (federal character/quota system), chooses mediocre in place of merit.
This policy does not support equal opportunities. I am yet to see a multi ethnic country that has similar policy. America is a multi ethnic country, established on the foundation of liberty, freedom, equality, human rights, and democracy. Quoting the former President of United States, late John F. Kennedy, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of libertyâ€. Because America is a free a society, the emergence of Barack Obama as the United States President became possible.
The European Union is multi ethnic, with freedom, equal opportunities, human rights and democracy as its basic principles. Quota system gave rise to zoning formula being used by the ruling party (PDP) in Nigeria . Zoning formula gave rise to the emergence of Obasanjo and late Yar’adua. (I will leave you to judge how far this zoning formula has united or disunited us, and whether it’s sustaining or threatening our democracy).
Resource Control.
Many of us do not agree with the resource control formula being used by the federal government. All the regions producing mineral resources should retain 50% and remit 50% to the federal government. The present formula used by the federal government is retrogressive and a serious source of conflicts, particularly in the Niger Delta. Let’s remember that our government hanged Ken Saro Wiwa in 1995 for issues relating to resource control and environmental pollution by oil companies. Any further crises in the Niger Delta will not only be a threat to our unity, but also to the international oil prices. Japan has no mineral resources but only human resources. Today Japan is a united country, with strong economic and political foundations.
Religious Crises.
In 2009, the Director General of the State Security Services (SSS), Afakriya Gadazama, revealed publicly that information about numerous religious crises (Boko Haram, Jos crises etc) and other crimes such as kidnappings in Niger Delta, armed robberies in South East was passed to the appropriate quarters. However, actions were never taken to prevent these crises. In conformity with the above statement was the fact that, the father-in-law to Boko Haram’s sect leader (Mohammed Yusuf), had before the crisis alerted the Borno State governor of Mr. Yusuf’s activities, but actions were never taken.
Let us remember that, the primary responsibility of every government is security and welfare of its people. To show his insensitivity to the security and safety of Nigerians, late President Yar’Adua embarked on a two day state visit to Brazil , the day Boko Haram crisis started. In July 2009, the Chinese President (Hu Jintao) left the G8 Summit in Rome Italy back to China , the moment riots broke out in Northwest part of China .
Electoral Frauds.
Perhaps, this is among the greatest source of disunity and instability in Nigeria . Our chief electoral fraud officers are usually the government and her agencies, example Independent (Dependent) National Electoral Commission (INEC). Obasanjo’s government conducted the worst election in the history of Nigeria . In Edo State , it took the present governor (Adams Oshiomhole) 18 months or so to reclaim his mandate to govern. We saw the mess in Anambra State . A sitting governor (Dr Ngige, ex governor of Anambra State ) was even abducted. Joy Emordi from Anambra North Senatorial District, remained at the Nigerian Senate (upper legislative chamber) till May 2010 with a stolen mandate. June 12th 1993 presidential election was annulled by the then head of state (Babangida). June 12 saga almost destroyed the unity of Nigeria . Many people were killed during the June 12th 1993 protest in Nigeria . In Algeria , the cancellation of election in 1992 led to war that claimed over 150,000 lives.
Genocide (Odi and Zaki Biam Massacre).
No amount of provocation can justify government’s (Nigerian Armed Forces) massacre in Zaki Biam, Odi, Ogoni communities etc. Am doubtful how relatives of innocent people killed in Odi, Zaki Biam, Ogoni, etc will embrace the issue of Nigeria ’s unity.
Corruption.
“The World Bank estimates the country’s generals and gangster politicians stole $300 billion in the three decades to 2006â€(Time Magazine, May 3rd 2010 Edition, Page 42). Over 80% of corrupt cases emanate(s) from top government offices/officials. Corruption has simply set the quest for the scramble and partition of the national cake. No one is interested to bake the national cake. The level of corruption in Nigeria will continue to pose a serious threat to our unity and democracy.
The lists of our government’s atrocities are endless. These confirm my main argument, which is that, our government has been the greatest source(s) of disunity in Nigeria . Unfortunately Nigerians have offered little or no resistance to our government actions and inactions. However, to reverse the trend (preserve unity and sustain democracy) will be a very difficult task.
Preserving Unity and Sustaining Democracy.
There are prices to pay in order to preserve our unity. But we will have higher prices to pay for disunity. Remember, the reason federal government did every thing to stop Biafra from seceding was to maintain the “unity†of Nigeria . In the Biafran war, over 1 million people died. Sudan , Congo DRC, Somalia , Rwanda , Angola , former Yugoslavia etc are examples of countries where there were, or are still serious issues of disunity. United we stand, divide we fall. A house divided among itself cannot stand. Democracy itself cannot flourish in a disunited country. I have the following suggestions.
Apology/Compensation.
As a matter of necessity, the federal government must apologize to Nigerians for her past evil deeds, and also pay adequate compensation for all the wrongs done to Nigerians. The Australian government under Prime Minister (Kevin Rudd) apologized to the Aborigines for, laws and policies of previous administrations that inflicted pains, grief, and sufferings on them. The British government under Gordon Brown also apologized for child migrants sent abroad by previous governments before him. A government of true national unity should be constituted. Genuine and transparent reconciliation processes should be commenced.
Shadow Sovereign National Conference.
Various ethnic groups, NGO’s, CSO,s and pro Nigerian groups in Nigeria need not wait for government, but rather should convoke a shadow sovereign national conference. The Nigerian people should decide how to be governed. The people must also produce the constitution of how they should live in unity. True federalism or confederal system is preferable. Unity should not be at the detriment of any tribe, region or state. In addition, I suggest a coalition of all the groups mentioned above to strengthen the opposition parties in order to safeguard and sustain our democracy. Every democracy needs a strong opposition to function properly. Shadow government/cabinet will be a fantastic idea and it has my highest recommendations.
Electoral Activism.
Leadership means a lot to a society like us, and we have seen how our past rulers have sowed the seeds of disunity amongst us. Therefore it makes sense for us all to participate in the process of election to avoid electing the wrong people. To that extent, I suggest we vote the right candidates, guide our votes, monitor elections and make sure our vote counts. Let us ask questions/do proper investigation before voting any candidate. Let us ask political aspirants/parties to make public a list of requirements, set by the Save Nigeria Group ( UK ) Branch.
Awareness Campaign.
The Holy Bible said in Hosea 4 verse 6 that, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledgeâ€. Therefore, various cultural, community, states, regional, ethnic and pro Nigerian groups should commence awareness programmes/political evangelism to educate our less educated folks. We need to propagate voter education, opposition/civil resistance to bad governance/policy. We also need to educate our people to realize the dangers of disunity. Knowledge is power, let share knowledge and empower each other. As we do the above, may God continue to bless Nigeria .
Chinedu Vincent Akuta.
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group†Leicester-UK
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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