12 May 2014
AGN, president Ibinabo Fiberesima finally replies Clarion Chukwura
A few weeks ago, actress Clarion Chukwura, released a statement criticizing Ibinabo Fiberisima's actions as the president of Actors Guild of Nigeria. She later granted a few interviews taking a swipe at Ms Fiberesima. The AGN president has finally responded. See a statement she released this afternoon below...
My Dear Chief Clarion Chukwurah,
I bring you peace and warm felicitation from the leadership of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), a Guild that I would like for the purpose of emphasis to re-describe as the only umbrella body for Screen Actors in Nollywood, with a conservative estimate of over five million members spread across 35 states in Nigeria including FCT Abuja.
I bring you greetings from the leadership of a Guild that has in the last two years been repositioned as the pride of its members, Nollywood and the foremost Guild in the continent of Africa.
I was away on a short vacation when my attention was drawn to two publications (one an open letter and the other an interview) credited to your very respected self, where you cast a lot of aspersions on myself and where you resorted, because of your inordinate ambition to become President of the Guild, to feeding the general public with deceit and falsehood.
Ordinarily I would not have replied you openly, because I personally do not join issues with my colleagues- whether junior or senior on the pages of the paper or on social media. Besides, as President, I should be seen to be uniting Members of the Guild and not causing disaffection, as your unfortunate outburst set out to do.
However it is for the purposes of correcting the falsehood and erroneous impression that your very unfortunate and jaundiced views might create in the minds of members of the Guild, stakeholders and the public that I write you.
But in replying you Ma, I will restrain myself from employing foul words like you did. You are my senior in all respect, and I want to respect that fact, even though I expected that you would have, as someone who claimed in one of the publications that ‘we are close’, reached out to me if you have anything against my person or the office of President of the AGN.
Therefore, I will try and stay on the issues you raised and would gloss over some of the petty issues, like my not being qualified to be President of the AGN and I ask, what qualification it takes to be President of the AGN? You seem not to be conversant with the constitution of the Guild you aspire to lead. For your information and with all modesty, I am a graduate and have been an active, financial and card-carrying member of the Guild for a decade and half.
I rose through the rank and file in the Guild till I became the Rivers state Chairman, Senior Special Adviser to the President and by the special Grace of God the National President. Besides, I have also put in close to a decade and half as an actress and I have even funded productions in Nollywood. So, I wonder what else I need to qualify me to be elected as President of the AGN.
Having said that, if one thing has become clear about your intentions, it is that you are just being hysterical and you have decided to raise the specter of ‘politrickal’ divide to prepare the way for your next course of action- which is to assume Leadership of the Guild. And I ask, which Guild? "The same AGN that you openly declared was non-existent or the one you failed to join until a few days ago because of your intent to contest the Presidency. But you needn’t go that far Ma. I am very accessible. Members of the guild can attest to that. If you truly mean well and had all those great ideas to share, all you would have done was to avail yourself of the various platforms that we have in the Guild to call me to order or when we met face to face at the Sun Awards. Better still you would have even sent for me and those who know me, knows that I would have honoured the call knowing how much I value the contribution and support of time tested professionals like you in our quest to move the Guild to greater heights. But you didn’t do any of these. Instead you decided to engage in a macabre dance and I have sworn never to clap for you. The reason I am writing you is simply because I want to set the records straight so it doesn’t appear that my silence means consent.
Madam, I gleaned from your incoherent attacks that your grouse with me was that I didn’t ask President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for support on issue of legislation that, quoting younow ‘’could bring all the screen actors in Nigeria under one single body so that an enabling environment could be put in place for casting agencies for jobs for actors’’. Your other grouse was that I also asked for ‘a political appointment’ (did you say ‘a political appointment’) and a National secretariat in Abuja. You were also bellyaching because you said I led a delegation that didn’t include veterans. Thankfully you commended me for succeeding, quoting you now, ‘’in a very commendable field which is accessing an appointment to see the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at a time like this when the President is engaged in all fronts’’. I thank you for at least recognizing that we were the ones who sought audience with Mr. President and not that we went there by some arrangement, I mean like what used to obtain.
But Madam, I am not sure you listened to my address to Mr. President. You mischievously picked one aspect of the entire address that you wanted to use to score your cheap political points and left out the thrust of my address to Mr. President.
For the purpose of clarity, I don’t know whether those who reported the visit to you told you that I mentioned to Mr. President in clear terms that my ultimate objective as President of the guild is to deliver better professional and financial opportunities for my members, provide for their long-term welfare (as the acting career can be a precarious one), source support in the areas of finance, funding, provision of standard production equipment for use by our members and the corresponding training facilities and also improve the livelihoods of our actors whilst making the future of our industry more sustainable.
I don’t know whether the misguided and disgruntled elements that I suspect are fanning the embers of hate between us and who like a member of my EXCO suggested, are beating the wrong rhythms for you to dance to, mentioned to you that I told Mr. President unequivocally that we have found it difficult to make any headway as a Guild and an industry because of lack of adequate legislation, scanty public funding policies andprofessional training and the near lack of production infrastructure and distribution mechanism? Did they mention to you that I told Mr. President that piracy has prevented the industry from reaching its full economic potential and that one of the focus of the visit to Aso Villa is get Mr. President to direct the enactment of a legislation that will enable actors who play a very significant role in bringing a script to screen, derive tangible benefits from their work and enough security to envisage making a living from it?
Did you hear that I complained about the dire need of a modern and responsive legal environment that will guarantee social and intellectual property rights for members and the entire industry? Were you also told that I complained about the inadequacies of our copyright act and the insufficiency of the criminal sanctions for piracy and other copyright infringements and that I urged a comprehensive reform of our copyright system so that producers can continue to remain in business and that way we can create more jobs for our members?
Were you also informed that I asked Mr. President to direct the relevant Government agencies to negotiate and sign the countless co-production treaties that exist between Nigeria and several countries for the benefit of our members and the Nigerian motion picture industry? Maybe you didn’t know that our inability as an industry to sign co-production treaties is the invisible ceiling that has hindered and ordered the structured international development of the film industry and the subsequent loss of potential Foreign Direct Investment and its positive impact on job creation. Most of our members cannot work outside of our shores because of the lack of production treaties. Even when they work, to secure work permit is difficult.
I wonder why they also forgot to mention to you that I implored Mr. President to see to the full implementation of the revised National Film Policy (NFP) and to present the bill on the setting up of the Motion Picture Practitioners Council of Nigeria (MOPPICON) as an Executive bill that should speedily be passed into law. You talked about us asking for a legislation that will compel all actors to come under one umbrella, but wouldn’t it be appropriate to use the opportunity of that AUGUST visit to Mr. President to ask that we have a common body that will regulate the motion picture practice in the country and that way help in addressing some of the industry’s structural deficiencies? I have heard you argue
about the AGN transforming into a union. We have explored that and we are constantly reminded that we cannot become a union because of certain structural deficiencies in the industry which is why we are hoping that with MOPPICON that will be backed by law, the AGN will have a seat in council and that way we can seek to: negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements that establish equitable levels of compensation, benefits, and working conditions for our members. Then too, we will be able to like our counterpart in America- The Screen Actors Guild, collect compensation for exploitation of recorded performances of our members, and provide protection against unauthorized use of those performances; and preserve and expand work opportunities for its members. All that plan is in progress ma, but how would you know if all some of you want to do is to be arm chair members.
I raised all of these issues in my speech. But you didn’t even acknowledged them, instead you gave the impression that all I went to the villa to do was to ask for an office for the Guild and to ask to be given a political appointment. And I ask, what is wrong in asking for an office for the Guild in the country’s capital territory? As an affiliate of the Federation of International Actors (FIA), wouldn’t it be more prestigious to receive our international visitors in a befitting secretariat that is in the seat of Government?
I understand the point you make about my not taking ‘veterans’ on the delegation. Oh you wanted to be on the delegation, right? But how can you possibly be on the delegation when you have blatantly refused to identify with the Guild. My Exco and I and even the Board of Trustees, have tried as much we can to get those of you in the veteran class involved in the activities of the Guild. We created a veteran forum since some of you complained that you would not like to be holding meetings with those some of you consider ‘up starts’ and ‘interlopers’ but each time we call a meeting either directly or indirectly only very few people show up. But we won’t relent. We shall continue to reach out to those of you in that class and I make bold to say that some veterans were part of the delegation to the VILLA.
And to correct you ma, I didn’t ask Mr. President for ‘a political appointment’ as you have been mouthing. I thanked Mr. President for the few consideration he has made in appointing some practitioners into key Government positions and requested for more of such appointments in line with our expressed desire to have more of our creative people in government and in politics so we can be able to have people that will influence legislation that will be for the betterment of the industry. I have attended meetings where most people in Government think that all we are good for is beauty and glamour and no brain. So what is wrong in asking that our members be given an opportunity to contribute their quota to national development? What is wrong in asking that someone as experienced as you heads an agency like the Film Corporation so you can bring about the change we desire?
You also asked that I resign my appointment as President of the AGN because Mr. President graciously appointed me to serve on the Governing Board of the National Council of Arts and Culture (NCAC). Well it may interest you to note that the appointment was in my personal capacity and it is a part time appointment as we are only expected to sit four times in a year, maximum. However, It was only a coincidence that the appointment was announced days after the visit to the Villa. But I had been intimated long before the inauguration of the board that I have been nominated to serve on the board of one of the agencies in the Federal Ministry of Culture and Tourism. If the other artistes that have been appointed on merit into part time positions have not stopped acting as it were, why should I resign? AGN is governed by a constitution and by verbal pronouncements. My appointment is rather another achievement for our Industry.
You spoke too about our not being able to achieve anything as an Exco since we were elected in 2012. I doubt whether you have been around. If you have been, then you must have been shut out of developments in the industry. Indeed if any one should be accused of nothing bringing anything new to the AGN table, it should not be Ibinabo because even duly registered and committed members and the Board of Trustees can attest to the fact that I have led an EXCO that has never wavered in our attempt at repositioning the Guild for effectiveness and service delivery. I will only for the purpose of setting records straight listthe following as some of the steps that we have taken to move the Guild forward since we assumed office a little near two years ago:
1. We united and are still in the process of uniting all warring factions within the Guild
2. We built a new multimedia website, www.actorsguildnigeria.org
3. We commenced for the first since the establishment of the Guild a Health Management Plan and Insurance Scheme for members.
4. We commenced the first ever veteran’s meeting series across all the six-geo political zones.
5. We have been able to change the skewed perception about the Guild to a more positive and purposeful Actors Guild both to the general public, Government and the Press.
6. We have built a more permanent and sustainable membership Database.
7. We have acquired an 18 setter bus for the Guild
8. We have Introduced an inter-ethnic cultural festival (Drama, Dance and Poetry) amongst the state chapters to unite all members.
9. We have Introduced lifestyle benefits discount for members on travel, holidays, shops on groceries, restaurants.
10. We are in the process of getting legislation to guide and protect the Actors in Nigeria.
11. We are in talks with NBC and Nigerian copyright Commission on residual payments to Actors in Nigeria.
12. We also are in talks with other Guilds and Associations in the industry on the need to unionize.
13. We successfully attended Afro-FIA Congress meeting with two member delegation in South Africa
14. We commenced the new manual revalidation across the states
15. We successfully relocated Abia Chapter to the state capital Umuahia as provided by the constitution
16. We successfully began the implementation of the Health Plan as members are now enjoying the scheme (HMO)
17. We successfully conducted electionsin State chapters that are due.
18. We paid for National Office for 2013/2015
19. We purchased a brand new HDV camera and accessories for the Guild to support productions of state chapters as well as members.
20. We hosted one of our esteemed members, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde for her achievements especially being listed as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.
21. We attended the 70th Birthday ceremony of Fabian Adibe in Owerri with the BOT Secretary. We launched his book for the sum of N100, 000 on behalf of AGN
22. We have produced new Visa identity cards for members.
23. We commenced periodic skills improvement training across the geo political zones starting from South and North central.
24. The National President represented FIA to talk about the rights of an actor in Africa during WIPO organized, ECOWAS Ministerial conference in Abidjan, Cote’d voire
25. As a result of her presentation, the AGN President was invited to Ghana by the Hon. Minister of Culture, Tourism and Arts to help fine-tune her presentation to the Parliament.
26. ECOWAS Ministers of Culture also adopted her paper to be included the in the draft recommendation for the rights and welfare of the Actor as recommended in Beijing Treaty and to be ratified by ECOWAS member Nations.
27. We have applied for Project Nollywood training fund to build capacity in the Guild.
28. We also requested for fund for film production from the production unit of the same project.
29. I initiated Drama support funding for state chapters to the tune of 100,000 naira per chapter to encourage and build new talents
30. We have completed research on setting up of AGN resource centre and a library for members and researchers.
31. We have just drafted compressive contract and are discussing with producers on the implementation
32. Held a National Congress successfully in Minna, Niger State on 13th – 15th December 2013.
33. Visited the President and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces, FRN to request for proper restructuring of the industry and investiture him as the Grand Patron, Actors Guild of Nigeria
In surmising, I would like to strongly advice that we keep politics aside and work towards building faith in the possibility of transforming the Guild to the foremost Guild in the world. On my part I promise to do my best and act by the oath of office I took and the allegiance I pledged to defend the constitution of the Actors Guild of Nigeria. I also pledge to continue to lead an EXCO that will work assiduously at enforcing membership revalidation and ensuring that members sign into the health plans.
My immediate plan is to introduce our new code of ethics, improve on more welfare package and also furnish the present National Secretariat to standard, launch the new motto of AGN- ‘Face of Nollywood’, with approval of the BOT, open a new National Office in the FCT, Abuja, Complete elections in all States that are due, organize more training programmes for members across state chapters and zones, continue with paying courtesy visits to Patrons and would be patrons and embark on fund raising drive for the Guild. With time permitting, we shall also launch a comprehensive pension plan for members, launch a benevolent fund and encourage more productions across zones to help members achieve their dreams
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Thank you for finding time to read from me and do accept the assurances of my highest Regards
SIGNED
Ibinabo Fiberesima
President Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN)
Charly Boy opens up about his late dad in new interview
Charly Boy lost his dad Justice Chukwudifu Oputa on May 4th. In this interview, he opens up about his dad's illness, the battle to save him and his last words to him before he passed on. Read this
Q. Do you wish God kept your father a little bit longer?
Ans: Before Nko, but his time was up and he had to answer the call. He lived a good life. He was outstanding, totally different and I am so very proud that he was my father. Even though in the beginning I rebelled against all he stood for, it all eventually caught up with me, and as I matured over the years I found out that he had done me so much good. For sure I'm going to miss him like mad, but I have wonderful memories to tie me over.
Q. At the point when you wrote the prayer request letter for your dad, did you harbor any fears that your father may be spending his last days on earth?
Ans: He was in the village when he was hit by stroke on the 14th of February, 2014. At about 3.30pm, I got a call from one of his aids informing me of what had happened. It was a Friday, one of my daughters had just come back from the US a few days before. So I sent her and my kid brother immediately to Owerri to asses the situation till I get myself together to arrive on Monday. My brother, I didn't sleep from Friday to Monday morning. I was in a trance, the worse sized my mind. I cried when I was alone, in my household it was as if he had already passed, my father had never been sick, ever. It was the most painful time in my life, the thought of loosing my father, my best friend was too much to deal with. But typical me, by Monday as I headed to the airport to catch the flight to Owerri, I was mentally ready for the worst. By the time I saw my father in the hospital, I was devastated, it took all the courage to hold back the tears. Then I knew it was down hill from there. I knew it was a matter of time, but I was ever determined to do all I could for my best friend. Since childhood I have always had that sharp instinct, intuition or premonition about things and people. I should have been dead long time ago, living the kind of life I had lived, but I have survived because of this gift from God.
Q: Were you beside your father when he spent his last moments on earth?
Ans: He died in my house, too bad it wasn't in my arms. After the hospital stabilised him, we were advised by the doctors to take him home and give him the care he needs to nurse him back to life, but I knew that age was not on his side, my father is over 97yrs. On Sunday the 4th of May I went down to his quarters to see him, he had not been eating properly. As I went on my usual round to see him and crack a few jokes before I go do my thing, I noticed he was unusually weak. As soon as I entered his room, he beckoned on me to come. As I bent over to kiss his forehead, he said to me," Am sorry Charles" I asked for what? I couldn't imagine that with his state of health all my father was thinking about was all the money I was spending to give him the best care and the love I showered on him, he was worrying about me? Hummmm. At that point I just laughed and said to him, "daddy get well soon so I won't send you a bill you cannot pay" I asked the nurse, to give him his bath, while I go and do same and when I come back, I will feed him myself. I was just getting dressed after my bath when the nurse called me to say I should come down quickly. At that point I knew what I have been getting myself ready for, has finally happened. I thank God that I not only spent quality time with him, we became almost inseparable.
Q: What was his last word before he passed on?
Ans: am sorry Charles.
Q :While he was still bedridden, was he still concerned about the many troubles and challenges the common man on the streets and our country Nigeria is facing?
Ans: Trust him, always thinking about other people more than himself. I guess that's where I got that from too. I remember our most recent discussion after the bombing that killed a lot of innocent people in Nyanya as we were watching the news together. I asked him, why are we the way we are. I can't forget his profound answer."Most Nigerians are incapable of Deep thoughts" He always complained about how bad things were getting and why we can't seem to get it together, so his comfort was in all the advocacy work I did, trying to add value to my environment and all I have been trying to do for and with the frustrated Nigerian youths. Most of the time he had come to many of my functions and workshop. That's one reason he had a lot of respect for what I represented. I guess in a round about way, he wished he was me, craving for the opportunity to change his environment. He was all the time troubled about the state of the nation.
Q:Tell us about the concert you plan to stage for your late father?
Ans: My father without a doubt was a great man. Actually the last of the Titans. When people who come to see me, say sorry to me. I correct them by demanding they say congrats to me. Here is a man who has led a good life, who stood for Justice especially for the common man, who stuck to one wife for over 70yrs. Am having Nollywood come down to Oguta, the cream of Nigerian musicians, the hard riders biker club from PourtHarout, Nigerians will be there. I expect Daddy Shoky, Felix Duke, TerryG, Dr Alban, Davido, Duncan Mighty, indeed it will be a grand celebration of a damn GooooooooD Life. People go bow, dem go hear am.
Q: What really is the essence behind the concert. Is it basically to celebrate the life and times of your father?
Ans: Haba! Don't you think I should celebrate this great Man? I know we Nigerians to dey forget people wey dey try for our country. I will never let Nigerians forget my father's contribution to this country especially in the judiciary. Nigerians go hear am, it will be a carnival in short.
Q: Aside the concert, do you have any other plans to immortalise him?
Ans: Yes, I pray that the Federal Government gets it right this time, he deserves to be immortalised. For me CharlyBoy, in my own crazy ways and unusual approach you can be sure that I will make my Fada live forever. You watch.
Q: In your own opinion, do you think the Oputa panel headed by your father and set up by Obasanjo to look into human rights cases during the military era really served its purpose?
Ans: Your guess is as good as mine, how could it have served any purpose when it was tossed under the bed. I don't just get it, it's like sending someone on a wild goose chase. But I have a different mind set about it all. It was the Truth and Reconciliation panel, and in a round about way, it opened our eyes to all the atrocities of the past. It got people talking, which is a good thing.
Q: What do you miss most about him?
Ans: So much my guy, I don't know if you can get it if you have never been there. I loved my father to bits, he was like my hero. He dared to be different like me, he was like no other, like me. I will miss our regular evening provoking conversations, when he would come over to my part of the house, as I serve him his small stout while I drink my coke and we would talk endlessly about many things under the sun. I will miss his company especially all the times he accompanied to different shows. Full of wisecracks, he made life's journey so simple and uncomplicated, he exemplified the significance of life. Head or tall I know he indisputably deserves the heavenly gift of paradise.
Q: Did you in any way use his name to open doors that sometimes proved difficult?
Ans: As Charly Boy there was never a time any door or doors proved difficult for me, half of my contact and the people I know, my father could never have known them. Since from the day he was made a judge, my father lived a secluded life, he didn't socialise much and never asked anybody for a favour. The respect he has for me before he died was as a result that I didn't need him for anything what so ever. After he retired as a judge 90percent of the outings he did was with me. All the comedy shows that happened in the past 8yrs in Abuja he attended them with me. He loved going out with me and getting involved with my work. Even at his age, I have severally taken him on bike rides. I know there are a lot of people out there who wouldn't want to still give me my credit, but that's not for me to worry about. Charlyboy has opened doors my late father can't open period.
Q: How do you feel being fatherless?
Ans: I have joined the club of the fatherless people, I hope that one day they will make me their President. If you know how close we became, you will feel very sorry for me. But am up to the challenge, now I have my mother to concentrate on. She was my first love anyways before my father got into my good books. So all the love and care will be transferred to her full time. Thank God am not an Orphan yet, that would have been serious problem.
Q: What are those fine qualities you inherited from your father?
We stood for justice especially for the common man. We are both deep thinkers. We are both men who are content and at peace with self. We are both committed to changing our environment. We love our wives dearly, my father till his death spent over 70yrs with the same woman, I have spent 37yrs still counting. We have strong love for our family and always very protective. My father wasn't phased with or by material things, same here. We love to read and learn. When we were younger we both use to be such flirts. We both believe in one man one woman. We both are very spiritual beings.
Q: What kind of life did your father live?
Ans: My Daddy worked hard all his life. He was devoted to his family and friends. A man so sure and steady that you thought he'd be around forever. My hero never fought in a war, he was not worldly, he never felt the need to search the world for bounty, never drove fancy cars, but he lived his life by the golden rule. Never had much money But he had the respect of all his friends, associates, even people who only knew him on the pages of the newspaper. As a father, he was a disciplinarian, he brought us up with an overdose of morales, values, principles and integrity. With all his hardness at that time, he had nothing but love for all of us. He loved my mum so very much, I use to think he was a weak man, because my Mum could make him do just about anything. He was a player at some time, but his love for mum made him give it up. Lately since the past ten years, I have continually drawn strength from him, spiritually, intellectually and morally. He lived a great life I must say.
Q: How were you able to convince your father about your personality especially in the beginning when he felt you were too rascally?
Ans: I didn't set out to convince him about nothing. I was just doing my own thing regardless of what anyone thought about me, from jump street, I no send anybody any message even my beloved father. Initially, in the beginning, he thought that the image I was building was too futuristic, he felt that Nigerians where far too conservative and hypocritical to even understand what I was trying to convey. He swore that it will never work. Most importantly he didn't believe that my choice of career would offer me any financial security in the future. All I did was to stay loyal to my dream, I was tremendously focused on my goal, I have been consistent, always keeping my eyes on the ball. I just won his respect with my independence and hard work. I teased him sometimes when I would ask " Shey you said I was never going to make it following this path" and he would answer, "Parents are human beings you know, some time they too can be wrong". Short and simple, I won my old mans respect because I worked myself to success and I didn't need his help in any way.
Q: What about the times when you did not obey his orders and got tired of his rules, regulations and restrictions. What was his reaction?
Ans: When I was a teenager, I saw my father as a terror. I was always getting into his trouble and he use to wip me so much that I became immuned to the pain of his cane. My father use to beat the living daylight out of me. You know he was a teacher before, he use to make me cram William Shakespeare when I was in elementary school. Because of his hardcore style of teaching I hated school and threatened I was going to drop out of school. The first day I had told my father that I was no longer interested in going to school, he beat me up so badly I had to feign my own death before he really kills me, I was 16yrs old, that was the last day my father touched me, waliii.
Q: Would it be okay to sum up that in the last 25 years you were able to get the kind of respect from the man who thought the direction you took was wrong?
Ans: Yes, he use to be an unbeliever, but my hard work, dexterity, tenacity, focus, doggedness, ruggedness never say die attitude turned him into not only a believer but also a CharlyBoy fanatic. He will always tell his friends with pride, "Charlyboy has beaten me hands down, look at what his been able to do with his life" initially I use to be embarrassed when he starts like that, because he will just go on and on, oh man. But later I just got use to it because I would always see the Pride in his eyes when he talks about my achievements. Yes I mesmerised him with my success. My father whom I thought was hard to please, became my campaign manager.
Q: What was it like in the first 15 years out of the 32 years of being Charleyboy when you hardly talked to each other?
Ans: It pained me initially that he didn't think much of the path I wanted to take. I disowned them( mum and dad) because I never went to them for anything. That made them worried, but my father just couldn't reconcile the outlandish image with such a huge family name that had become an albatross around my neck. I went into entertainment because I had to run away from living under anyone's shadow. Wanted to carve my own niche. For years we never communicated. It was actually my late friend Tyna Onwudiwe that helped my parents understand that my career choice wasn't a bad one.
Q:What about your decision to read mass communications instead of law which your father wanted you to study?
Ans: my father knew from the beginning I wasn't like his other children, I did what Charly wanted to do even when I would always get the beating of my life. My father never asked me to go study Law, he wished I did but he knew better. Mass com was my choice and that is what I did.
Q: What favorite quote will you most remember your father by?
Ans: Man know thy self.
Q:What is your message to Nigerian's at a time when kidnapping, ritual killing and bomb blasts have become common place?
Ans: I sent out a bulk text massage to 6million Nigerians, maybe I should share it with you.
Overwhelmed by events,
Losing my Fada and all.
Worried of the insecurity
In Naija.
Nigeria is for us all
Not for the Kill
This is not just a Goodluck's thing
This is a matter for all Nigerians
Our enemy is now twofolds
Terrorism and Poverty
Let us for once be bold
Let us refuse to be Terrorised
Is it not enough we've been
Traumatised?
Our Love for Nigeria and safety should unite us
We MUST be our brothers' keeper
Report anything suspicious around you
You may be saving lives!!!
Maybe yours.
Q:What great lesson did you learn from him while alive?
Ans: He thought I wasn't paying attention to his life lessons. Life lessons he taught me. Hey! I got every word because they were all written unconsciously on my heart. Without my Daddy, I wouldn't be the person I am today. He built a strong foundation no one can take away. I've grown up with his value and I will be for ever grateful. I learnt how to be strong, because you can see me struggling but you can never see me fall. I learnt that a good name is better than gold, I learnt how to live with my wife of 37yrs, staying faithful to any course I set my heart on. I learnt how to be a mans man. An apple can never fall too far from its tree. I learnt a whole lot, but the biggest lesson of all times I learnt from him was the art of contentment. Am at peace with myself now, thanks to the great teacher.
Q: What should Nigerian leaders learn or emulate from your late father?
Ans: Humility, Simplicity, Integrity, Honesty, Class, Sincerity and love for the people you lead.
***just from a popular source
Davido's BLAST Nigerian Immigration OFFICER ON TWITTER
Davido tweeted that he missed his flight to London because of immigration officers who were harassing him at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja because of money. The Nigerian Immigration Service has responded to Davido's claims.
In a statement released today by the NIS Public Relations Officer, Emeka Obua, they said Davido had approached immigration officers at MMIA on the fateful day with the intention of travelling out of the country and presented a US passport number 460918874 issued at Georgia on Dec. 14, 2009 and valid till December 14, 2019.
It explained that the officer that attended to him drew his attention to the fact that his US passport had no Nigerian visa on it with which he would have been admitted into the country, and Davido reportedly responded that he had a Nigerian passport but forgot it at home. Continue...
The statement said,
“The officer now informed him that he should go and bring the Nigerian passport to convince him that he did not enter Nigeria illegally with a foreign passport without visa. Adeleke started arguing with the officer, who had to refer the case to his superiors and the verdict was that he could not make the trip unless he produced the said Nigerian passport.
“Livid with anger, Adeleke, in company with his bodyguards, started protesting in a disorderly manner, prompting the Comptroller of Immigration in-charge at MMIA to intervene. He advised Adeleke to call his bodyguards to order (caution) and comply with the lawful instruction which would not only erase any doubt as to his immigration status but also establish his claim to dual citizenship.”
Davido was said to have left and on the following day produced his Nigerian e-passport with number A02227477 issued at Abuja on August13, 2010 and valid till August 12, 2015.
The NIS stated that the passport was endorsed and the artiste then proceeded on his trip.
The statement added,
“This behaviour of Adeleke is quite unfortunate. One would ordinarily have expected some form of commendation from him for the professional manner the officers, who attended to him, conducted themselves especially in saving him from embarrassment at some international port of entry by ensuring that his passport is endorsed as is the law and practice in Nigeria .
“The intention of this statement is not to to join issues with Mr. Adeleke but to set the facts of the incident, as it happened at MMIA on the said day straight."
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SEE Another Boko Haram member captured in TB Joshua's church...
Another member of the dreaded Boko Haram sect allegedly confessed at Nigerian Pastor T.B. Joshua’s church today, stating that he was being paid N2,000,000 to bomb churches.
Nearing the end of the service, during the time Joshua’s ‘Wise Men’ were minisring ‘deliverance’ to people, an aggressive young man dressed in a shabby suit was ushered forward.
“I am one of the Boko Haram,” the man declared to the wise man, clearly under an unusual influence.“They said they would give me N2,000,000 if I went to blow up a church,” the man continued upon questioning as to how he joined the infamous group of insurgents. “Every church would be N2,000,000. They said would be give me big house and a wife.” Continue...
Boko Haram has been the focus of huge international media attention following their claiming responsibility for the kidnapping of over 200 girls several weeks ago.
Queried as to why he came to the church, the man stated, “I have been hearing of T.B. Joshua – that is why I came here.” The wise man then prayed for the man who fell heavily to the ground, before being declared free from the ‘evil spirit’.
Several minutes later, T.B. Joshua himself returned to the service simply clad in jeans and a t-shirt. “I was in the prayer room when I heard the deliverance going on and listened to the confession of this guy. What he was confessing is mind-boggling,” the cleric told the congregation.
Bringing the man back before the congregation, Joshua questioned him further as to how he was initiated into the sect. “My name is Hosea Bulus,” the man began. “They gave me blood; they gave me charms. I took it inside food.”
According to Bulus, upon taking the diabolic ‘blood’, the urge to kill and destroy entered him. “If you talk to me, I will fight you very well,” he confessed.
Joshua emphasised to the congregation that the battle was more spiritual than physical. “One thing you must know – we are fighting evil spirits that steal, kill and destroy. Let us not fight our neighbours.”
He insisted the problem was not a Muslim-Christian issue. “They are using that name as a camouflage, as a cover up,” he stated, adding that no one could bring himself to killing innocent lives without being under the influence of an ‘evil spirit’.
Joshua then prayed for the man, who fell to his knees and immediately complained that he wanted to visit the toilet.
The popular pastor reminded the congregation of the well-publicized deliverance of an alleged Boko Haram member named ‘Mustapha’ two months ago at The SCOAN who stated he came to bomb the church with four accomplices.
He explained that authorities in Abuja have certified the authenticity of his confession, contrary to the statement released by Lagos State Police Commissioner Umar Manko who initially dismissed the claims.
“At the beginning they said it’s not true but the authorities in Abuja came out to confirm that he is truly a Boko Haram member… They are following it up.”
The cleric concluded by stating he would not ask any further questions publicly so as not to undermine the intelligence Hosea would be able to provide to the relevant authorities.
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Meet Bisi The100-Level Covenant University student, ', That was expelled for twer-king n*ked (See photo)
Really Bad! Bisi is a Covenant University student that was recently expelled after a video of her twe-rking n*ked went wild on social media.
This was how it all started:
Bisi and her very close friend and roommate, Mhiz Jacklyn decided to do a video of them twer-king.
Bisi was completely na-ked, dancing and twer-king while Mhiz was fully clothed.
Of course they watched the video, laughed over it and then Mhiz allegedly deleted the video but forgot to 'delete' it completely from her recycle bin.
Sad as it is, a colleague of theirs who's been trying to woo Bisi, borrowed Mhiz's laptop...found the video and er-rmm, copied it into his flash drive.
He began threatening Bisi saying he'l show her hell if she continued to turn down his advances, and truly he released the video.
Trust Nigerian youths, the video spread like wild fire on the social media....the school authority got to know about this and expelled Bisi.
A few hours ago, Mhiz (_Jackine_) apologized publicly on twitter but so many peeps began (and are still) blasting her.....see snapshots below:
Finally EXPOSED!!! See What Most Ladies Wear To Deceive Men (See Photo)
Nah foam dey there ooo! DID YOU MISS???
SO S*XY!!!! See Wizkid’s Baby Mama New Hot Looking Pictures
AT LAST! SEE HOW Osama bin Laden sponsored B’Haram, Plus The Secret Agenda.US Report reveals
The violence mastermind, Boko Haram and other groups in northern Nigeria received $3m from Osama bin Laden in 2002, according to a report by few United States intelligence analysts.
Bin Laden was said to have dispatched an aid to Nigeria to hand out the seed money in naira to a wide array of Salafist political organisations that shared al Qaeda’s goal of imposing Islamic rule.
According to a report in a United States-based newspaper, The Daily Beast, the Al-Qaeda founder helped provide Boko Haram’s seed money.
Boko Haram was founded by Mohammed Yusuf in 2002. Yusuf was killed in police custody in 2009.
The Daily Beast reported on Sunday that officially, the U.S. intelligence community believed that the sect had only tangential links to al Qaeda’s North African affiliate, and that reports of bin Laden backing the Nigerian outfit were off-base, but many analysts have believed that the ties between Boko Haram and al Qaeda global leadership go much deeper—and are about more than a little seed money.
“There were channels between bin laden and Boko Haram leadership,” one senior U.S. intelligence offical told The Daily Beast, adding that “He gave some strategic direction at times.”
A comprehensive report on Boko Haram published by the International Crisis Group, also confirmed that Boko Haram’s early leader, Mohammed Yusuf, received some seed money from a disciple of Osama bin Laden named Mohammed Ali in 2002.
The report added that bin Laden got to know Ali in the 1990s when he was based in Sudan, adding that after Ali travelled with bin Laden to Afghanistan, he was provided with $3m in Nigerian currency in 2002 and sent to the north of the country to fund a wide array of Salafist political organisations to help spread al-Qaeda’s ideology.
Ali then became involved in the Nigeria’s Muslim insurgency but was eventually murdered.
Boko Haram releases new video showing 137 abducted school girls wearing hijabs & praying(SEE)
Boko Haram has just released a video showing some 137 abducted girls.The 37-minute footage released to AFP shows about 130 girls wearing Hijabs and reciting the Quran as they make Islamic declaration .
Sky news aired some screenshots from the video and Shekau also said that they will release them in exchange for militant prisoners being freed..
Borno state governor, Shettima Reveal : 'I have information on abducted girls'
Governor Kashim Shettima said he had passed reports of the sightings of the girls to the military for verification. He added that he does not think the girls had been taken across the border to Chad,Cameroon or any where.
Boko Haram leader Shekau said he is willing to exchange the girls for his members in prison (See)
In a video release by the Boko Haram leader Shekau said he's willing to exchange the girls for its members in prison. The timeline of when the video was shot is unknown.
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