THINGS FALL APART FOR CHINUA ACHEBE

The Pride of Nigerian Literature andauthor of most widely read book in mordern African Literature, Chinua achebe has been confirmed dead.He died in a hospital in Boston after a period of long illness.

Achebe has been called "the father of modern African writing and many books and essays have been written about his work over the past 5 decades. In 1992 he became the first living author to be represented in the Everyman's Library collection published by Alfred A. Knopf. His 60th birthday was celebrated at the University of Nigeria, by "an international Who's Who in African Literature". An observer after the event noted: "Nothing like it had ever happened before in African literature anywhere on the continent."
Achebe will be remembered for turning down the federal Government's offer to honor him with national award 'Commander of the Federal republic in 2004 and 2011 stating:

"I have watched particularly the chaos in my own state of Anambra where a small clique of renegades, openly boasting its connections in high places, seems determined to turn my homeland into a bankrupt and lawless fiefdom. I am appalled by the brazenness of this clique and the silence, if not connivance, of the Presidency"

 Achebe's novels focus on the traditions of Igbo society, the effect of Christian influences, and the clash of Western and traditional African values during and after the colonial era. His style focuses on the Igbo oral tradition, and combines straightforward narration with representations of folk stories, proverbs, and oratory. He has also published a number of short stories, children's books, and essay collections. Since 2009, he has been a professor at Brown University in the United States.
He died at the age of 82. 

POPULAR NUDE BEACH SUFFERS SHUT DOWN THREAT.

A very popular nude beach is being shut down on weekdays to help reduce sex and drugs. On the 19th of March, Washington Post reported that a beach at Wisconsin River near Mazomanie will be shut down on weekdays now. Nudists from everywhere like to come to this beach.

Visitors to this beach obviously get turned on by what they see and they have been going out in the woods to do drugs and have sex. The management of the nude beach seem overwhelmed by these acts and want to put a stop to it so closing the beach on weekdays seem like a stop gap solution to this.

Back in the 90's the beach actually worked only in the day and stayed closed at night, also visitors were   stopped people from camping there. 

This is just one more step in the way of making things safer at the beach. They are doing everything that they can to make things better in this area.

 By the way, what's the big deal about nude beaches? 

ABUJA'S SONGBIRD, LINDSEY UNVEILED.....

If you haven't met her before, you'd say she's shy, Naive and withdrawn. Give her a microphone and Guitar and watch her change your beliefs about her. Lindsey Abudei is arguably the voice of this Generation. With the skills of Tracy Chapman on the Guitar and the soul of ASA on the microphone, this SOUL SISTA is set to rock Nigeria and the world in general. Recently she was hosted on the Midday Dialogue by INYA ODE on Nigeria info abuja, and she gave a hint of what she'd be doing at the DMP (Designers Market Place).

I had no choice but to abandon all my scheduled events for the day to watch this songbird sing, and indeed it was worth it. Delivering songs from her EP and doing two cover songs (Fela Wahala and Asa Jailer) and the crowd just couldn't contain its excitement as this breath of fresh air took their breath away. The Live band was put together by FLUX FACTORY, abuja's premier Management company, led by Gospel on the beat (remember the first line on Davido's All of you.. he produced the song).
I got a little recording of her session with Inya at the studio and an extended version of her Live performance.

Watch out for the Live performance tomorrow

THE IYANYA DESIRE ALBUM LAUNCH IN ABUJA

The nation's capital was drawn out of it's usual relaxed nature on Sunday February 24th as the International Conference center housed entertainers and entertainment seekers all out to celebrate with one of the newest stars of the Music industry. Iyanya, the Kukere master was launching his 2nd album and a city which showed him love from where he was still a project seeking fame almost half a decade ago, came out in their numbers to encourage the man who had brought sexy back to the industry.
 The event billed for 6pm eventually sauntered to life at about 8.15pm, while quite a number of the paying audience remained outside the main building. Hosts of the evening, Big Mo' of the popular Wazobia fm and Matilda Duncan of Rhythm were at their best keeping all in awe at their impressive imposition of organization on the event.  
DJ TTB of COOL FM abuja, proved why he's reffered to by all as abuja's finest DJ and VJ, as he did not only spin the wheels, he also spinned the videos to the astonishment of all present.

DJ TTB BRINGING THE HOUSE DOWN

GORDONS ON POINT LIKE A FULLSTOP

BURNA BOY DISPLAYS HIS 6 PACKS

IYANYA PERFORMING YOUR WAIST

M.I --- AFRICAN RAPPER NUMBER 1

ICE PRINCE ZAMANI SHOWING OFF HIS 'ABOKI SIDE'

TECKNO AND IYANYA DOING THEIR THING

IT'S MR. MAY D

 In as much as the event could have been better organized, fans had a sneak peek into the massive talents of IYANYA, hoping he gets it right next time. Meanwhile, someone who has his ears should please tell him, an album launch is your night to shine, not your night to sing Foreign old school RnB songs.

Obasanjo declares that Corruption under Jonathan is too much

Former president Olusegun Obasanjo has said that the current level of corruption in Nigeria is assuming an unimaginable proportion and is quite mind-boggling.

Obasanjo who spoke on a CNN interview programme said while the level of corruption in the country was rising, Jonathan’s government was not doing enough to stem the tide.

He also called on the federal government to apply carrot-and-stick approach in tackling threats to security in the country, arguing that the threat posed by Boko Haram is becoming increasingly unbearable and should not be taken for granted.

The sect, he said, could be given incentives to lay down their arms, but those who continue to threaten security afterwards, he said, should be punished. This, he said, would go a long way in bringing lasting peace in the country.

Appreciating other options used by the federal government, Obasanjo said no option is exhaustive, hence the need to be objective in handling the sect.

Believing in the unity of the country and refusing to see any form of trouble disuniting the nation, Obasanjo noted that “Nigeria will never split into two”. He said the nation has suffered the worst threat and came out strong. Nigeria, he said, is stronger than any group and the interest of the nation should be respected.

            

Speaking further, Obasanjo said that President Goodluck Jonathan “can do more” to make Nigeria a better place. Nigeria, he said, is a great nation with law-abiding citizens and the government can improve on that.

“To deal with a group like that, you need a carrot and stick. The carrot is finding out how to reach out to them,” he said. “When you try to reach out to them and they are not amenable to being reached out to, you have to use the stick.”

Obasanjo said President Jonathan was “just using the stick” in his efforts. “He’s doing one aspect of it well, but the other aspect must not be forgotten.”

 The Islamist militants, who operate chiefly in Nigeria’s restive north, have carried out numerous deadly attacks on mosques, churches and businesses and are suspected of having links to al Qaeda.

Obasanjo said he had tried to reach out to Boko Haram about a year and a half ago through a lawyer who was acting as the group’s proxy, and had asked if they had external backing.

The lawyer told him that the group was receiving support from other Nigerians who have resources overseas or “other organizations from abroad,” Obasanjo said.

“If they had 25% support a year and a half ago, today that support has doubled,” the former president said.

    

Analysts suggested that reaching out to Boko Haram might be increasingly difficult because the group has split into different factions, some with a domestic focus and others with a more pan-jihadi approach.

Resolving the issue is key to Nigeria’s progress, according to Obasanjo, who now heads an eponymous foundation that is working to promote human security across Africa.

“Boko Haram undermines security, and anything that undermines security undermines development, undermines education, undermines health, undermines agriculture and food and nutrition security,” he said.

International rights group Human Rights Watch said Boko Haram has killed more than 2,800 people.

OSAZE ODEMWINGIE LAMBASTS COACH STEPHEN KESHI AND NFF OVER HIS EXCLUSION FROM THE PRELIMINARY 32- MAN LIST FOR AFCON 2013

Coach Stephen Keshi revealed his preliminary 32-man list of players that will go into closed camping for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations Cup tournament that will kick-off in South Africa on January 19 and some 'Big Names' did not make the list.

Peter Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins and Taye Taiwo have sensationally been dropped from the list of players that will be vying to be part of the 23-man team that will be going to South Africa in January.
West Brom striker Osaze Odemwingie who has been left out of Nigeria’s team to the 2013 Africa Nations Cup has reacted angrily to his exclusion lashing out at Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi and the Nigeria Football Federation. The Nigerian spent time on Sunday on social network Twitter giving his own story and attacking anyone perceived to have played a role in his being cut from the team.

 Odemwingie, Obafemi Martins and Taye Taiwo were some of the significant names left out of the 32-man squad listed for the final camping in Faro, Portugal.

PETER OSAZE ODEMWINGIE

The Nigerian striker expressed disgust at having to learn of his non-inclusion through the media, insisting it showed lack of professionalism. He maintained that Keshi lied on the reasons given for his exclusion and fingered what he described as other reasons outside the game of football.

“Keshi has no footballing reasons not to invite me but is not saying the truth. He is still in my plans he said haha coach u no dey my plans.

“On my non-inclusion to the Eagles list I am not surprised. Not surprised Keshi and NFF couldn’t tell me themselves. No personality!

“We talk through press hahaha how come I am the only stubborn one but no ex-Eagles player was sent off from the team with respect? This is all a comedy and our poor fans are being fed with lies while they cutting the cake for themselves.” 

Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi

                 

“I am arrogant? Why did country’s president threaten to close down our federation for two years?”

“Nff member just called me. Of cos got insulted. I told him I sang national anthem for ten years to be treated like this.”

In one of the several tweets Osaze complained that the national team has not had “a real captain” for many years and suggesting that it had effect on the team.

He said, “This might sound disrespectful but Eagles had no good captain for many years. Everyone looking only after himself.”

 Osaze  did not limit his outbursts to Keshi as he also dared any other challenger.

He said, “To some who wanna put mouth here please act like men. When two men talk 3rd has nothing to do. So Ikpebas and the rest talk to me face2face.”

The Eagles striker who has had several clashes over the years with different national coaches went down the memory lane as he explained all that transpired between him and a former Eagles coach Samson Siasia and Lars Lagerback. He alleged that Siasia dropped him because he did not endorse him for the Eagles top job.

He wrote, “Cos after we got Olympic silver I didn’t say Siasia is ready for Eagles he waited till he gets the job to axe me? 

“Me and Apam begged him to take (Sani) Kaita in the Olympic team. He told us he wants to play Efe Ambrose there who is a centre back? Good plan. The only reason me and Siasia fell out was over kits that were not enough ‘cos they were on sale as the Olympics were on going. Shame!

 “West Bromwich Albion needed me back for an important game and Siasia refused to let me miss a midweek friendly game?

 “Why didn’t Lagerback continue with Super Eagles after World Cup? Chop and run was his plan and they knew it.”

Now we await a reply from the NFF or coach stephen Keshi... but seriously, was it worth making statements like this, afterall, Osaze played just a friendly game under keshi and hasn't  honored any invitation from the man called the 'Big Boss'. Let's take a look at the names on the 32 man list submitted by keshi on the 21st of December.

The 32-man list
Goalkeepers
Vincent Enyeama (Maccabi Tel Aviv, Israel); Austin Ejide (Hapoel Be’er Sheba, Israel); Chigozie Agbim (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Daniel Akpeyi (Heartland FC, Nigeria)
Defenders
Elderson Echiejile (FC Braga, Portugal); Juwon Oshaniwa (Ashdod FC, Israel); Benjamin Francis (Heartland FC, Nigeria); Joseph Yobo (Fenerbahce, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Solomon Kwambe (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria); Azubuike Egwuekwe (Warri Wolves, Nigeria); Danny Shittu (Millwall FC, England); Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag, Netherlands); Godfrey Oboabona (Sunshine Stars, Nigeria)
Midfielders
Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Nosa Igiebor (Real Betis, Spain); Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Raheem Lawal (Adana Demirspor, Turkey); Obiora Nwankwo (Calcio Padova, Italy); Fegor Ogude (Valerenga FC, Norway); Reuben Gabriel (Kano Pillars, Nigeria); Rabiu Ibrahim (Celtic FC, Scotland)
Forwards
Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Emmanuel Emenike (Spartak Moscow, Russia); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kyiv, Ukraine); Victor Moses (Chelsea FC, England); Uche Kalu (Rizespor, Turkey); Bright Dike (Portland Timbers, USA); Shola Ameobi (Newcastle FC, England); Ikechukwu Uche (Villarreal FC, Spain); Ejike Uzoenyi (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria); Sunday Mba (Enugu Rangers, Nigeria)

School Principal questioned for conducting Virginity test on female students

Rev. Olufunke Oladeojobi the Principal of Ajuwon Senior High School, Ajuwon, Ifo Local Government Area, Ogun State, has been quizzed by the police for allegedly conducting virginity tests on the pupils.

 Rev.Oladeojobi, who was described as a strict disciplinarian, by her pupils called in a nurse and jointly carried out virginity tests on a group of 10 students last week Monday.

 It was further learnt that the principal did not seek the consent of the parents/guardians of the pupils before conducting the test on Senior Secondary School 1 pupils.

During the test, it was alleged that the principal and the nurse whose name could not be ascertained allegedly dipped their fingers into the pupils’ private parts.

After the exercise, which took place at the principal’s office, each of the pupils was given an exercise book.

A 15-year-old pupil, who identified herself simply as Ayo, said the principal came into the classroom on the day and announced that all female SSS 1 pupils should converge on the assembly ground.

She said the principal subsequently asked that those who had yet to lose their virginity should stand apart.

Ayo said, “We are over 600 in SSS 1 but only about 300 of us are females. Those of us that are virgins are 38 and we were matched into the principal’s office with the assistance of members of staff.

“They subsequently divided us into three groups of 10, 15 and 13 and I was in the second group. The principal later addressed us and threatened that any pupil who fails the test would have her name written in the school’s black book and would be suspended.”

Entrance to Ajuwon Senior High School

Ayo said she became apprehensive when everyone who emerged from the office where the test was being carried out came out with a sad and disgusting look.

She said, “When my class captain emerged from the room, I asked her why anyone that came out of the office looked depressed? I was held spell bound when she told me that the principal and the nurse dipped their fingers in turns into their private parts, adding that she had started bleeding as a result of the penetration.

 “Just as I was asking further questions from her, the principal dashed out of her office and announced that she had discovered one student who had lost her virginity out of the 10 students that were examined.

“She wrote her name on one of the notice boards in her office and ordered the rest of us to return to our various classes. Two of my friends who had similar experiences burst into tears as they narrated what happened.”

Thirteen-year-old SSS I pupil of the school, identified simply as Ujunwa,   said the principal was happy  that she was able to “catch a promiscuous pupil” as she felt proud to discuss it on the assembly ground the next day.

She, however, added that her joyous moments was soon short-lived when the parents of the 10 pupils stormed the school in protest against the development.

In an Animal Farm move, the pupils rebelled against Oladeojobi on Wednesday as they did a sit-in on the assembly ground protesting and demanding that she should be redeployed from the school.

It was gathered that it was the teachers’ intervention that calmed the pupils.

Ujunwa said, “The parents of the girl that was said to have lost her virginity who happens to be a member of the Press Club and the other nine parents besieged the school last Tuesday and Wednesday and queried our principal for conducting such an unauthorised test on their children.

 “The parents then came with policemen attached to the Ajuwon Police Division where they had reported the incident on Thursday and arrested our principal.”

The Divisional Police Officer of Ajuwon Division, Mr. Waheed Yusuf, a Chief Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

He said the investigation into the matter was still “ongoing” and declined further comment until “investigations were concluded.”

But, a policeman attached to the station who spoke on the condition of anonymity said Oladeojobi owned up to the incident.

He said, “She confessed that she conducted virginity tests on the pupils and that ‘she was trying to help them.’ We took her in for questioning on Thursday and Friday but she was not detained as my superiors were taking into consideration that she is a civil servant.

 “We might have some problems if she (Oladeojobi) is to be charged to court for sexual assault because the matter was reported to the police late and no medical examination was immediately done on the affected pupils to use as a proof in the law court.”