President Goodluck Jonathan on Saturday in Lagos restated the opposition of Nigeria and the African Union to the unconstitutional removal of any democratically-elected government.
A statement by the President’s Senior Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr Reuben Abati, said Jonathan made this known during an audience with Amb. Raouf Saad, Special Envoy of the Interim President of Egypt, Mr Adly Mansour at the State House, Marina, Lagos.
According to the statement, Jonathan declared that the Federal Government maintains its stand that only the electorate in any country have the constitutional right to remove an elected leader.
‘‘Welcoming the assurance by Amb. Saad that the Egyptian military were not currently involved in the day-to-day administration of the country, President Jonathan advised the interim government to do all within it powers to return Egypt to democratic rule as quickly as possible.
‘‘The President told the Special Envoy that Egypt was very important to Africa and that Nigeria and the African Union will, therefore, give the country all necessary support to ensure that it returns to the path of constitutionalism and political stability as quickly as possible,” it further stated.
Jonathan condemned recent terrorist activities on Mount Sinai and reaffirmed the Federal Government’s full commitment to working with the rest of the world to combat terrorism, saying that “no person or group has the right to intimidate others with acts of terror”.
Earlier, Amb. Saad, who was in Lagos to brief President Jonathan on the current situation in Egypt against the background of the opposition of Nigeria and the African Union to the unconstitutional change of government in Egypt and the country’s suspension from the continental body, praised Nigeria’s leadership role in Africa.
The Egyptian Envoy sought President Jonathan’s advice on how Egypt could best overcome its current difficulties
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.
Northern Governors in Seperate meeting With Obasanjo
Abeokuta – President Goodluck Jonathan and former president Olusegun Obasanj, on Saturday held a closed-door meeting in Abeokuta, the Ogun capital.
The meeting,which was held at Obasanjo’s hilltop residence, commenced at about 11.52 a.m. and lasted for about two hours.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that security was tightened around Obasanjo’ residence ahead of the president’s arrival.
Jonathan left Obasanjo’s residence at 1.28 p.m. and headed for the family house of Dr Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser to the president on media and publicity.
He went there to pay a condolence visit over the death of Mrs Taiwo Abati, the mother of his aide.
File photo: Obasanjo and President Jonathan.
Almost immediately after the president’s departure from Obasonjo’s residence, four governors from the northern part of the country arrived at the former president’s residence to hold a separate meeting with him.
The governors are Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano) and Sule Lamido (Jigawa).
The meeting which was also held behind closed doors , lasted for about an hour.
Nyako, who addressed journalists after the meeting described Obasanjo as the most accomplished Nigeria adding: “and he will remain as such ever.”
“We have come to consult him with him on important matters,” he added
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.
BEIJING (AFP) – A man in a wheelchair ignited a home-made explosive device at Beijing’s international airport Saturday, state media reported, injuring himself but no others.
The man, identified as Ji Zhongxing from Shandong province and born in 1979, was being treated for injuries, the state-run Xinhua news agency said, citing police.
The explosion, which occurred in the airport’s Terminal 3 just outside the arrivals exit, caused no other injuries, the report said.
But the blast nonetheless created momentary panic and confusion at one of the world’s busiest airports.
Stephanie Kleine-Ahlbrandt, a Chinese foreign policy specialist at the International Crisis Group think-tank who was inside the arrivals hall at the time, described on Twitter seeing a “huge explosion followed by panic, smoke and dust”.
Pictures she posted online showed a female Chinese police officer waving crowds back as dense white smoke drifted across the terminal.
In a separate tweet she said the blast had created “lots of excitement” and that police had become angry and “shouted crowds back and told everyone to leave”.
A Chinese microblogger, under the username Ruhuaerdaye who had come to the airport to pick up his wife, posted: “Right now this place is full of armed police and firefighters”, adding he could see “one person lying on the floor covered in white cloth, nearby is a wheelchair toppled over and a suitcase”.
Another microblogger at the airport posted that someone holding a bomb “shouted for a while but nobody paid attention, until he opened up a white plastic cover over the bomb. Only after the people around him realised something was wrong did the security guards rush over. The security guards didn’t get in two words before the bomb went off”.
On social media and Chinese websites a photo — purportedly taken just before the explosion occurred — showed a man in a peach coloured shirt sitting in a wheelchair with his hands in the air holding a white package.
Some Chinese news and social media sites showed what they said was a blog written by the man police identified as Ji.
In it, Ji says he formerly worked as a motorcycle driver ferrying passengers in the southern Chinese city of Dongguan and was severely beaten by police staff in 2005. The veracity of the purported blog could not immediately be verified.
Xinhua said the blast came at about 6:24 pm (1024 GMT), adding that police were investigating.
According to the preliminary investigation, police said that the Ji set off the device immediately after being obstructed from releasing leaflets, Xinhua said.
There were no immediate details on the content of the leaflets or what, if any, complaints the man may have.
Police and the airport’s information office could not immediately be reached for comment while Xinhua reported that Ji’s injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.
China Central Television’s Twitter-like microblog said no flights were affected by the incident and that the situation had returned to normal.
An AFP photographer at the airport said there was no sign of increased police presence and travellers were arriving normally.
Photos carried on Xinhua’s website showed what appeared to be medical and other workers attending to someone on the floor and people running through the terminal amid white-coloured smoke.
Security at Beijing’s airport, the sixth busiest in the world with 557,000 take-offs and landings each year, is tight as are many public locations and transport hubs in the country.
The airport, with three terminals, underwent a massive expansion ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Violent crime is rare in China had a murder rate of 1.0 per 100,000 people in 2010, according to the United Nations, among the lowest in the world.
Corruption and police harassment, however, are frequent complaints, which have caused some citizens to seek redress through the courts and petitions to government agencies though they are often blocked from doing so.
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.
Umeh Sends Emissaries, Seeks Reconciliation FOLLOWING the Appeal Judgment that restored Chief Victor Umeh as national chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) as against the Maxi Okwu-led faction loyal to Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State, there are strong indications that Obi might dump the party ahead of Anambra council/governorship elections slated for October 5 and November 16 The Guardian learnt Friday.
A strong member of the Maxi Okwu faction of the party told The Guardian that the Appeal Judgment was a political blow to their camp, contrary to expectations that the case would go in their favour.
It was revealed that after the judgment, there was disquiet and tension in Anambra State Government House, Awka, as Governor Obi and his faction went into a close-door meeting that lasted several hours.
A source privy to the meeting disclosed that it was agreed that the judgment should be challenged at the apex court, while they search for alternative political platform for the council election slated for October 5 and the state governorship election fixed for November 16. The other, the source added, was to present before INEC the Appeal court judgment that upheld the convention that produced Maxi Okwu led-leadership of the party which was earlier given before the Monday judgment that reaffirmed Umeh.
“The decision to search for alternative platform in the interim was due to the fact that the Supreme Court has began annual vacation that will end by Mid-September just few days to the October 5 council poll in the state. That was the dilemma in their camp,” the source said.
The source also revealed that Umeh had on Tuesday sent emissaries to Obi, appealing to him to forget all that has happened in the past so that they can work together ahead of the governorship election, but Obi refused the entreaties having made up his mind with supporters not to work with Umeh for fear of being taken unawares again.
On which political party Obi might likely pitch his tent, the source said that he is still consulting and the party will be made known soon.
The Guardian investigation reveals that most of his supporters are rooting for Chief Chekwas Okorie’s newly registered United Peoples Party (UPP) as a viable option, considering that other known political parties have been hijacked by governorship aspirants.
It could be recalled that the Maxi Okwu led-faction of the party had, on the instruction of Gov. Obi some months ago, paid Okorie a visit in his house in Enugu where they apologised to him over the treatment meted to him in the party by Umeh’s leadership.
Speaking on the development Friday, Okorie said that he has not been formally approached, but if they do, he will receive them. He stressed that it has been his desire for the past three decades for the Igbo to be united.
Also, in his reaction, Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Obi, Mike Udah, said that the issue is purely a party affair and not government business.
Meanwhile, Chief Sylvester Nwobu-Alor, a key kitchen cabinet member and close-confidant of the governor confirmed to The Guardian yesterday in Awka that the faction has already gone ahead to file the appeal at the Supreme Court.
He disclosed that the decision was taken a day after the Court of Appeal verdict. He noted also that the legal team that has been handling the suit has been beefed up and all grey areas and technicalities that formed the plank on which they lost at the Court of Appeal taken care of.
Nwobu-Alor admitted that the Court of Appeal verdict has brought more problems and confusion in the party and among the members, hence the decision to go for the Supreme Court litmus test.
He also assured that the whole new development does not in any way affect the work of Chief Reagan Ufomba’s Peace and Reconciliation Committee. “No, all these recent development does not affect the result of the committee’s work on reconciling members.”
He however decline to comment on what their next move would be if the appeal fails at the apex court.
In a related development, no fewer than 20 governorship aspirants, including Walter Okeke and about three females beat the deadline yesterday to pick the Expression of Interest forms for the election.
Among the female aspirants was Mrs. Josephine Anenih, former minister of Women Affairs and member of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Eucharia Azodo.
Top among the male aspirants were Walter Ubaka Okeke, Andy Uba, Akachukwu Nwamkpo, Alex Obiogbolu, Sylvester Okonkwo and Nicholas Ukachukwu.
Commenting on the development, Nwamkpo said the high number of aspirants was an indication of the political savvy and consciousness of the people of state, adding that it was good for the polity, as it gives the people enough latitude to choose a better candidate.
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 list of the PEDOPHILE Senators that voted for girls underage marriage..One of them is already married to a 13 years girl..The others were probably warming up for theirs: 1. Sen. Abdulmumin M. Hassan (Jigawa South West, PDP) 2. Sen. Abdullahi Danladi (Jigawa North West, PDP) 3. Sen. Adamu Abdullahi (Nasarawa West, PDP) 4. Sen. Ahmed Barata (Adamawa South, PDP) 5. Sen. Akinyelure Ayo (Ondo Central, Labour Party) 6. Sen. Alkali Saidu A. (Gombe North, PDP) 7. Sen. Bagudu Abubakar A. (Kebbi Central, PDP) 8. Sen. Dahiru Umaru (Sokoto South, PDP) 9. Sen. Galaudu Isa (Kebbi North, PDP) 10. Sen. Garba Gamawa (Bauchi North, PDP) 12. Sen. Gobir Ibrahim (Sokoto East, PDP) 13. Sen. Gumba Adamu Ibrahim (Bauchi South, PDP) 14. Sen. Hadi Sirika (Katsina North, CPC) 15. Sen. Ibrahim Bukar Abba (Yobe East, ANPP) 16. Sen. Jajere Alkali (Yobe South, ANPP) 17. Sen. Jibrilla Mohammed (Adamawa North, PDP) 18. Sen. Kabiru Gaya (Kano South, ANPP) 19. Sen. Lafiagi Mohammed (Kwara North, PDP) 20. Sen. Lawan Ahmad (Yobe North, ANPP) 21. Sen. Maccido Mohammed (Sokoto North, PDP) 22. Sen. Musa Ibrahim (Niger North, CPC) 23. Sen. Ndume Mohammed Ali (Borno South, PDP) 24. Sen. Sadiq A. Yaradua (Katsina Central, CPC) 25. Sen. Saleh Mohammed (Kaduna Central, CPC) 26. Sen. Tukur Bello (Adamawa Central, PDP) 27. Sen. Ugbesia Odion (Edo Central, PDP) 28. Sen. Umar Abubakar (Taraba Central, PDP) 29. Sen. Usman Abdulaziz (Jigawa North East, PDP) 30. Sen. Ya’au Sahabi (Zamfara North, PDP) 31. Sen. Zannah Ahmed (Borno Central, PDP)….CKN 32. Sen. Ahmad Rufai Sani (Zamfara West, ANPP) 33. Sen. Ahmad Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central, PDP) 34. Sen. Bello Hayatu Gwano (Kano North, PDP) 35. Sen. Ibrahim Abu (Katsina South, CPC)
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.
There is something decidedly golden in the tenure and temper of Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, the governor of Lagos, who turned 50 on June 28.
From “Babatunde who?” in 2007, Fashola has become an emblem of excellence. Perhaps never in the history of Nigeria’s fits-and-starts democracy has a rookie politician taken the public service lane by storm, posting a slew of solid performance, reaping tremendous accolades.
Governor Fashola would rank second only after Alhaji Lateef Jakande, 2nd Republic Lagos governor (1979-1983) in the sheer race to nip the proverbial low hanging fruits, giving very early signals of a golden morning which forecast an even more golden tenure, which still has almost two years to run.
Mr. Fashola is second to Alhaji Jakande because while Fashola had a solid foundation from which to launch his own campaign, Jakande was masterly master of his own destiny, despite the rot left by the departing military in 1979, at the end of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo’s first coming.
Indeed, in the Tinubu political court, this “foundation” has assumed the high fetish of hallowed debate, on which many stake their honour. Many would argue – and correctly so – that without Tinubu’s solid foundation, Fashola would have been nothing. Other would counter, with equal vehemence – and they are no less correct – that without Fashola keeping faith and brilliantly executing his brief, Tinubu’s own place would have been less assured.
The truth of the matter is that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Mr. Fashola, his high flying protégé, are akin to King David and King Solomon of the Biblical Kingdom of Israel.
Like King David who fought endless wars to secure the kingdom against fiery and implacable foes, Tinubu did fight gruelling wars: against a purported elected president with gruff military temper; against a federal constitution with a unitary soul; against general environmental crisis with sky-towering refuse, like Goliath over David; against military-era mindset that state governors were despicable prefects at the whims of an arrogant and insufferable presidency; and even against an impatient, if not outright cynical media, which all but declared Tinubu’s first two years in government as total disaster.
In these high octane wars, an embattled Governor Tinubu had to juggle politics with policy, fix his state’s financial infrastructure, and engage the judiciary to push for the rights of the states against a behemoth federal government, among others. By the third year, the new vision was taking shape. By the eighth year, after a second term, the foundation was solid and ready.
Then came “Solomon” Fashola: fresh, cool and focused to take the “kingdom” to higher heights. One of his low-hanging fruits, which by their plan he would quickly move to pluck, was the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), which secured lanes were already in the works at the latter end of the Tinubu era. Fashola plucked it with admirable speed and pluck. It was his brilliant morning that foreshowed a dazzling day. The rest, as they say, is history.
History would come to record Fashola’s many feats in high-grade urban infrastructure. When he eventually delivers on the urban transit trains in the works in the Orile-Iganmu-Mile 2-Badagry Expressway corridor, he would have put his own bold and brilliant signature on the new Lagos multi-modal transportation of his party’s dream. That would be a stiff mountain for the opposition to climb.
Fashola has brought into the implementation of these programmes a rare reasoned passion – friends call it focus; foes call it coldness – that is nobody’s imprimatur but his alone.
His healthy obsession with the environment is legendary. Want to know how creatively restless Mr. Fashola is? Beam your gaze on the ever-changing flora and continual landscaping, ever in a state of flux, that is the governor’s never-ending Lagos urban beautification, which he calls “greening”.
After the impressive greening and lighting of the Lagos Marina, the Lagos inner ring road corridor, spanning Third Mainland Bridge, Iyana Oworo, Ogudu, Alapere and Ikeja Toll Gate, aside from other areas, have become clear evidence of the governor’s stellar environmental policy. Still, it is morning yet, on beautification day!
What is more? From about the dirtiest city on the face of the earth, Lagos has become progressively cleaner; and ever more secure. The audacious bank robberies of yore have become but distant memory, thanks to a robust public-private sector security initiative that other states have copied. And whoever thought the Oshodi human-vehicular traffic logjam, on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, could ever be dislodged!
But Fashola’s distinctive legacy is changing the focus of governance from politics to development. That later South West governors of his party have followed suit gives the happy feel that the glorious Awolowo days are here again.
Still, the Solomon allusion is, for Fashola, a double-edged sword. Solomon, the wisest being that ever lived, was no fool. Yet, his fault, uxoriousness – excessive love of a woman – all but messed up his famed wisdom. That led to the violent split of the kingdom David gave blood and gore to build.
Governor Fashola’s admirable focus on policy, almost to the total isolation of politics, is ironically the chink in his golden armour. But that tiny chink may well expand, for in the Fashola gubernatorial persona looms a disturbing peep of Thatcherism – a policy wonk’s cold resolve on the integrity of his initiative, even in the face of furious public outcry.
In the Okada restriction policy, that resolve worked excellently well. The governor was the visionary leader who would enforce the welfare of the generality of his people, even if the affected ultra-vocal minority threw tantrums and cried blue murder.
But not so in the LASU fee hike policy – and the reason is simple: for a developing country, education is key. Trite: there is nothing like free education. It is “free” because the state is paying for it. Even then, a developing country, in a vast swamp of poverty, cannot afford the Thatcherite conceit that there is nothing like community; and everybody had to carry his or her own educational can.
Besides, all of Fashola’s now glittering infrastructure would eventually fade and decay. Only education would appreciate with time: in quality, world-class human resource.
A serious, progressive state must, therefore, make strategic investments in that sector to justify its essence. The Awo credo, that gave Western Nigeria a great head start, was all about that strategic investment. That is why Governor Fashola cannot afford to be sanguine about high fees in the state university, despite the government’s admitted lean resources.
The political cost of such sanguinity could be devastating. Sound policy might be the hallmark of good governance. But more often than not, even the best of policies are choked by hostile politics.
Fashola has mastered his policies. But at 50, he must begin to master his politics, if he hopes to go far in statecraft. So far, however, he is sheer gold to Lagos and to his generation.
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.
Alhaji Teju Kareem is the proprietor of Z-Mirage, a world-class set, stage and lighting design outfit that has set an enviable standard in the theatre industry in Nigeria. A graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Kareem has been involved in the Wole Soyinka Project and the International Cultural Exchange Programme designed primarily to empower kid artistes in the past four years. In this interview with Edozie Udeze, he bares his mind on the state of stage, designs, costumes, props and other salient elements that give beauty to the stage. He also dwells on the reason why they make school children to be involved in the arts early enough and lots more
You have been doing this Wole Soyinka Project since the past four years. What has the experience been like?
Yes, I am the producer of the Project W S and the co-producer of the International-Cultural Exchange Programme. All of these two are the events on the bowel of our open door series. Open door series is meant to be a forum where artistic endeavours are explored. It is a place where artistes also can use the medium for the advancement of the art, setting agenda in a way to give back to the society.
We started it four years ago. And the inspiration was mooted just over a dinner when I was doing a residency at Southern Illinois University in the United States of America. That was on the invitation of Professor Segun Ojewuyi who before then had the intention of bringing to Nigeria some students under an international cultural exchange programme. It then also occurred to me that we could do drama. This was to help increase and raise the bar of theatrical performance. It could be better too if we could use this medium to do productions. It could be double-edged.
Our endeavour was meant not only to improve on the practice, but to also educate, set agenda, sow seed; seed to change our value system and then target the children. This is so because we have been formed in our ways – the children are yet to be formed; in their opinions, in their ways and their thinking.
And if what the children do nowadays as adults and if going by what our leaders are doing and you leave that unchallenged, by intellectual input, by systematic engagement of the youths; of the unformed youths, we stand the risk of carrying over the coming generation our value system that may not be good for them. From what has happened in the Rivers State House of Assembly in the last few days you could see the reason why we need to begin on time to show good conduct to the younger ones. That is one of the points we needed to make by starting the international cultural exchange, tying it somewhat to the Wole Soyinka Project.
As long as the system does not have a mechanism to purge itself – a sort of inbuilt mechanism to check the excesses of our leaders – we will continue to have this sort of mess. But theatre is one way to indoctrinate the children; teach them the right way to go and to choose a profession of their choice from the word go. Coincidentally, our icon, Professor Wole Soyinka, has taken his time to focus attention on the youths, believing that we can start now to inculcate value system in them to avoid the mess we are in today. He sees the youths as the hope for the future and if we continue to develop them, show them how to go, we will certainly develop a new generation of Nigerians for all of us.
From the series of performances by the children so far, do you think the project is catching on?
You are very correct and apt too. I’ll put it this way: We are beginning, and not the children, to now know the capacity and capability of the children. They are vibrant, they are energetic and ever willing to be taught. They are ready to learn their cultural values if you teach them well.
They have always been having it. We also had it when we were kids. The leaders had it when they were kids. But these talents were not brought to the fore, or helped to blossom. That sincerity, that Jesus-like purity that is associated with kids, we did not carry it over to our middle age or so, is what is killing us.
There was a truncation; there has always been a truncation of that purity of social development, political development, cultural development and so on which have been truncated by our so-called leaders and also truncated by you and I too. So, we must help the children by imbibing that Jesus-like purity where the love for one another is totally embedded in us, in whatever we’ve chosen to do.
We therefore need to do that to allow that child who has the goodness in his or her to develop along his political, social, moral or religious bent. It is we adults that are beginning to lend the kids that listening ear. Unless the kid speaks we do not know what he wants. Therefore we need to listen to them; we need to allow them speak to let us know what they want, what they want to be. And how do we do that? Give them the stage to perform, give them biros to write; give them books to read. Allow them to be who they are as we guide and guard them along the way.
Our leaders should listen to them to be able to form policies of what our future should be. Rather than us enforcing ideas on them, thinking that we know, we need to watch them do their own thing to be who they are. This is one of the things we set out to change so that we as parents can guide them aright.
And with this essay they are writing for Wole Soyinka’s 79th birthday, you’ll be shocked the kind of deep ideas they display.
And they are writing under camera and not being guided by any one. The way they put it crystal clear, no ambiguity or colouration. They say it the way it is for you to know. The theme is Memoirs for our future and it is so timely and thematic for the kids to explore and exploit.
So, we’ve discovered all these talents right from the beginning of the project till today. It is growing and we are happy that every year the kids are growing in their own ability to set the agenda. Let them be the prophets; enough of going to the mosques, enough of going to the churches. Let those who own tomorrow prophesy about the tomorrow which is their own tomorrow.
As the foremost set design expert in Nigeria, how do you assess the level of stage designs in the Nigerian theatre?
Over the years, credit goes to my forebears; the Agboolas, the Marinhos, the Nasirus, and some of them who are also in the television. But one thing is obvious, one thing I make bold to say is that our colleagues in the artistic spheres of the practice have excelled so much. However, all of us, not some of us in the technical aspect of the art and the technology of the art, including the stage, the light, the costume and so on, are still lagging seriously behind. Therefore, we have through this made art very dull, dry and uninteresting. In some cases, we have made it ugly. What is our job? Our job as a set designer, a sound designer, a costume designer and make up and props man, cameraman and so on, is to magnify the beauty in the art. The publisher, his job is to magnify the work of a writer by putting it on pages, by laying it and arranging it to be published.
The stage designer is meant to create an enabling environment for the stage. In other words, we flesh the bone of a writer; the writer is the bone maker. We give the flesh to the bone. We clothe it and give life to it. But we have not been doing that.
We have as much relegated the art to past time practice. How? If we have not been able to clothe the art and for the eyes to go for it, then the same eyes reject it, we have not done well. So, this is what we have been able to do in our own little way – by giving life to theatre through the activities of Z-Mirage.
Currently, on what level is the Nigerian theatre? Sick?
Yes, sick. Theatre has too many diverse interested parents. Soyinka is a typical example. So also are the Osofisans, Bode Sowandes, Niyi Osundares of this world. Also the Bayo Oduneyes, Dapo Adelugbas, Ahmed Yerimas, the Niyi Akannis of our time, the Israel Ebohs, the Fred Agbeyegbes, and the Ben Tomolojus. Even the Jahman Anikulapos; they have all been so distracted by the unconcerned grand parent who is the government. So, the forebears that I’ve mentioned, who are their parents?
So they have been so distracted; Soyinka by being a world citizen and by being activist and so on, some by being academics and being locked up there. Jahman, for his ability to be prolific and multi-talented and so on. All these have affected the serious practice of the art by those who know it all.
In addition, the government has not provided the necessary security and so on. So, what we have today is sick offspring in the theatre. Today, the theatre is being catered for by quack doctors, by those who do not originally belong to the theatre. We have quack doctors in the area of directing, in the area of stage management, in the area of stage lighting, in the area of stage design and so on.
This is what we need to correct now to give life back to the stage and make the best out of it. We need artistes who went through the proper tutelage to give us total and professional theatre. And that is what I’ve always believed in.
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.
Ghollywood actress, Yvonne Nelson loves this country so much she claims to be half Nigerian. On a light note, she says that she has adopted the Nigerian name, Damilola. The sultry thespian who in recent times has been in the news for one reason or another recently came into the country on a twofold mission; the City people’s Award and the premiere of her latest movie, House of Gold. She takes time out of her tight schedule to speak with OVWE MEDEME on a number of issues including her crashed romance with hip-hop artiste Iyanya and her decision to star Nigerian musicians in the new flick, religion and family.
HOW has been your stay? It has been wonderful. I always say Nigeria feels like home. I come here often times and I don’t even want to go back home. It is like Ghana, just that everything is a little fast paced here.
Do you prefer the fast pace?
It is just like Ghana, the difference is just how fast things are done here.
What is your new movie, House of Gold all about?
I don’t want to give the story out but what I can say is that it is a comedy, a family story. I want people to come out to see Ice Prince and Omawumi act. They were amazing in it. It also features Majid and Eddie Watson from Ghana. It was directed by Paschal Amanfo and written by him too. I produced it, my Executive Producers are Media Gh. It is a story about a rich man who had a lot of kids around the world. He was on his sick bed so he invited all of them to come down and the kids did not really like each other. I am just urging people to come out and see the movie because they will laugh and have a nice time.
How were you able to get Omawumi and Ice Prince to be a part of the production?
It was very challenging because they are always performing one show or another. I have my own way of doing things so they agreed to be a part of it. They gave me their schedule so I worked with their time. It was very challenging though but we had to do it?
How long did it take to shoot the movie?
We spent about 15 days on set.
This is your second production with Paschal as Director. Why do you fancy him that much?
Paschal is like the best writer I know. He is one of the best Directors in Ghana. Paschal is a very straight forward and honest guy. It is very easy working with him. He always wants to work with somebody who can deliver and make things go on smoothly.
Were the Nigerian artistes difficult on set?
Amazingly, they were all really good. It felt like they were actors. Ice Prince was the one who really shocked me because he had a show the night before he came in. He didn’t sleep; he went to the airport at about 6am and flew straight to Ghana. He didn’t even rest. He wore his costume and started acting. Everybody was surprised when he started acting. Omawumi is a natural. She is so good. At some point I jokingly told her that if she starts acting, I am sure most of us would be put out of jobs because she is really good. They were amazing.
Why the choice of Ice Prince and Omawumi?
It is my own marketing strategy. I believe that they all have their audience; they all have their fan bases. As a producer, you should be creative, know how to sell your movie. I just wanted spice things up. When you watch my movies, you will know that my casts are usually very interesting.
People get tired of seeing the same things. It has nothing to do with preference for Nigerian musicians. It is just something I thought about doing. I could have used Nollywood actors but I just wanted to spice things up a little bit. I don’t think people were expecting it at all.
How did Single and Married fare in the Nigerian cinemas?
I believe Single and Married was the longest running Ghanaian movie in Nigeria. It did great. It won best movie of the year last year in Ghana so I believe house of gold will do the same.
Does it have anything to do with why you are bringing House of Gold here?
Not really. I am always going to be producing and I know that my movies are always going to do well because I do good materials.
Where else are you taking the movie to?
It will be showing in Nigeria. It is already showing in Ghana. I don’t know how plans are right now but we might take it to the States. I am not really sure now but people are asking for it outside of Africa.
Recently, you have been linked with a couple of controversies…
I don’t live in Nigeria so I might not know what they say about me. As journalists and media people, we just have to know that people use certain headlines to attract readers or to drive traffic to their websites.
What actually happened between you and Iyanya?
I guess it is out there. I granted two interviews recently and I said everything in it so I don’t want to repeat myself. People have ways of writing their headlines which I cannot control. They can write anything they want to write and whatever I say can be misrepresented.
Is it right then to say you have moved on?
That was so last year. The reason I granted thus interviews is that I was just getting tired of lying to my fans and I wanted them to know the truth. Sometimes the fans deserve to know.
It is also said that you bleach your skin. How true is that?
Do I look like I bleach? I don’t want say anyone is dumb but people should know that there are so many filters that we use for our pictures. If you watch TV for example and I look a little dark and you see a picture of me where I look lighter, you should know that it was filtered. This thing has gone on for so long. My mum is lighter than myself. Everybody in my family is light. I don’t even know these people, I don’t know why they say the things they say because most of them have not even met me and they claim that I bleach.
Do you feel disturbed when you hear most of these things?
I don’t. Some people will remain like that. They believe whatever they read so it is good for them to sit back in their houses and believe everything they see online. You can’t go into everybody’s home and tell them you don’t bleach. At the end of the day, I am very happy with myself. I appreciate God and I don’t intend changing my colour.
Are you in any relationship now?
Not that fast. I am a secondary virgin. That means you are not a virgin but you have decided to abstain. After a long time, you become a virgin again.
Are you seeing that through till you say ‘I Do’?
I don’t know but there are a couple of people that I hang out with once in a while. They are special people in my life but I am not in any relationship. I just want to take my time. It is not something that I am looking for. I am not looking for any guy or something like that. I believe that when it is right, he will come.
The general tendency is for ladies to worry about the biological clock. Aren’t you bothered about that?
I am still young though at the end of the day, it is something that I think about. I don’t want to rush it but if it comes my way, fair enough.
Would you date an entertainer?
Definitely not.
Is it because of the Iyanya experience?
I guess everybody knows that. It was quite a shocking experience.
At some point, Tonto Dike engaged you in a Twitter spat. Have you seen or spoken with her?
Like I said in another interview, I don’t like bringing a third person into my affair. I don’t want to even mention names but it is all good. That actress did whatever she had to do and I know that the tweets were meant for me. Fair enough. I hope she is happy with whatever she has told me to do. She told me to move on, feelings change and all that. I guess she is also happy. I wish her luck.
At some point, Iyanya said you can say whatever you like…
We are all into this business. Everybody is trying to protect their fan bases. Most of his fan base is women; most of my fan base are men. I would want to not really bring out who I am dating because my male fans are going to be angry. He was also trying to protect his angle; he can’t run away from it. I decided to talk about it because like I said, I did not want to keep my fans in the dark. Nobody can stop me from doing that.
Would you turn down a job because Tonto is on the same set?
I don’t have any problem with anyone. As a professional, if I get a phone call from a producer and I like the script and I like who is directing it, why won’t I take it? It should not be a problem at all. I am not fighting with anyone. We are not friends but all the same, I know that her tweets were meant for me and it’s ok. There is nothing wrong with that. We all have our lives and how we were brought up. I didn’t have to reply anything.
What was the healing process like?
I passed through it just like every other person. Everybody goes through heartbreak. It is a natural thing. I have my work and stuff to do. I can’t just sit at home and cry. I had movies to shoot, projects to do, traveling and stuff like that.
What were your fondest moments with Iyanya?
He is a great guy with great talents. He is like the best singer ever and he gives me goose bumps anytime he sings.
Did you ever think the relationship would have ended in marriage?
I don’t know where it was leading to. I am sure in a relationship, everybody give their best and we all gave it our best I guess.
What was the real problem?
The real problem is what I spoke about in an earlier interview. I don’t want to keep repeating it, that is why I keep referring to them. I don’t want it to look like everywhere I go, I talk about it. I don’t want to talk about it again. People already know the story
They also say that you have interest in Nigerian men. Is that true?
Really? I don’t.
If a Nigerian proposes to you, would you accept?
Why not? If I like the person, I would accept.
Have you ever gotten any proposal from a Nigerian?
Let’s keep that on the low. It has nothing to do with Ghanaian men. Wherever your heart takes you, you go. You don’t decide, you don’t choose. It just happens. You don’t plan these things.
If you had a question for yourself, what would it be?
I would say things people don’t know about me. Back in Ghana, you will never see me hanging out with any guy because I am always indoors, I am not a night person. The reason people get to hear so many things about me is that when I come here, they see me with my colleagues and they start writing stories. That has been my problem in Nigeria. I cannot really continue like that because I don’t live here. If everybody they see me with will be an issue then there is an issue.
What is happening with your Glaucoma Foundation?
It is on the low now because of lack of funds. I do everything myself, from my own pocket. It is challenging. I have people I buy drugs for and it has been tough doing all of that alone. We are planning to do essay competition soon.
Have you tried seeking funds from other sources?
Most of the stuff, I do it myself and my Manager and because I am always not around, it is difficult to do all these things. It has been challenging.
What is your one wish in life?
I desire to go to heaven. I don’t care if I have to die today to make heaven.
How are you working towards that?
I pray and I am okay. We are all sinners, I know what I do. I read my bible.
Are you a born-again Christian?
Of course I am born-again. Can you see somebody and just decide they are not born-again? I come from a very religious background. My mum is like an elder in my church. The funny thing is that people just see you and they judge you. Appearance is very deceptive. I don’t judge people.
Who is your ideal man?
I don’t really have a perfect, ideal man in my head. It’s just something that you feel. When you like or love somebody. You just feel it. You don’t really mind whether they have money, whether they are broke or not. That is just me. As an individual, I work hard. I don’t have to wait for any man to buy me what I need. Love should be unconditional. That is what I believe in.
Would you be comfortable being the bread winner in your home?
Not really. He should be hardworking. He doesn’t have to own the whole world, he should just be hardworking.
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.
Super Eagles Head Coach Stephen Keshi has urged his players to show patriotism while featuring for the country.
Keshi said it was unconventional for coaches to inform players before they are dropped from the national team and that a call to serve the country was a rare privilege that should be embraced.
The Big Boss said: “It is only in Nigeria that you hear a player complaining that he was not informed before he was dropped from the national team.
“Many of us played for the national teams, nobody gives you an excuse why you are not being called.
“I was the captain of the Super Eagles in 1991 when we played Burkina Faso in Lagos. I came all the way from Belgium only to be told by our coach that my name was not among those invited.
“I had no option than to stay away from the team. When you decide to call a player, it is only out of respect. It is not that you are obliged to do that”.
The former New Nigeria Bank of Benin captain advised players to show more commitment to national duties, instead of holding the nation to ransom at the slightest chance.
SportingLife recalls that Nigerians condemned the refusal of the Super Eagles to proceed to Brazil for the Confederations Cup over match bonus differences, after their World Cup qualifier against Namibia.
It took the intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan before the players decided agreed to board a plane to Brazil, where they lost two matches against Uruguay and Spain, after beating a less-fancied Tahiti.
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.
Evicted Ghanaian representative in the ongoing Big Brother Africa The Chase reality show, Selorm (Selly) Ghalley has disclosed plans to sue Tanzanian representative Nando soon.
Tanzanian confided in Ethiopian housemate Bimp that Selly had infected him with a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) and he was undergoing treatment.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra Friday, Selly stressed that: “Nando and I did not have any sexual intercourse. We made out yes and that was as far as it went.”
The Ghanaian said she has no STD and she will sue Nando for defaming her.
Selly was evicted from the 91-day reality show after 49 days amidst controversies and allegations that she had sex with Nando.
She said her association with Nando was part of her game strategy to win the ultimate prize of US$300,000 but she never loved him.
According to her, “all these things that I heard when I came out of the house, I was in the house and I didn’t know about it so I couldn’t defend myself.
As to the STI allegations that he is making, right now for me I’m just waiting for Nando to come out [so I can] ask him how he got the STI because I have been tested and I do not have any background of STIs/STDs so I do not know how Nando contracted the disease that he claims he has.”
The Ghanaian actress disclosed that her, “mum has threatened and she wants to take Nando on in a legal way which we have communicated to the [Big Brother Africa reality show] producers.”
She observed that, “So far my boyfriend has been very supportive, he is such a wonderful man and I love him for the fact that he doesn’t judge. He actually had to wait for me to come. I know he’s been bashed a lot, a lot of people have said a lot of things on his facebook and twitter and I know how bad he feels.”
The controversies, Selly noted, have “strengthened my bond with Praye Tietia because he has been very supportive especially since I came back. He has spoken to me and he is just too wonderful. I love him so much.”
Reacting to allegations that her man, Praye Tietia has left his matrimonial home for her, she stated that: “As far as I know Big J [Praye Tietia], is not married…so I’m not dating a married man.” She hinted of plans to settle with him soon.
She wants use the Big Brother Africa exposure to further her acting career and she plans to venture into other businesses.
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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