The 22nd Annual African Marketplace & Cultural Faire (3)

It has been business as usual at the ongoing 22nd Annual African Marketplace & Cultural Faire. Traders, vendors and tourists had fun checking out each special event around the grassless field of Dorsey High School where the expo was really taking place. Even though vendors have complained of low turnout in sales, I still couldn't resist the all drum session that entertained the audience under a tree where they assembled beating the drums the African way. Call it "drums of passion" if you like and who cares whether you habla Espanol or not, folks from all walks of life trooped in to watch an under the tree drum session which had a snatch of Latin American congas beats with some salsa flavor.

News Desk Monday, August 27, 2007

U.S. Court Hears $50m Bribery Case Against NNPC in Sept

The United States Court of Appeal will on September 6, 2007 sit on a nine-year legal battle between the Nigerian National petroleum Corporation and Gulf-Petro Trading Company Inc/Petrec International Inc on breach of contract. MORE>>

P - Harcourt: Army Alleges Fresh Terror Plot

PORT HARCOURT— THE Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta alleged, yesterday, a fresh plot by cult groups led by the trio of Ateke Tom, Soboma George and Farah Dagogo to wreak havoc in the state. He said the groups planned to kit their members with military uniform to mislead the public. MORE>>

Presidency Orders Probe into N628m Reps Contract

ABUJA — THE Presidency may have ordered an investigation into the N628.8 million contract allegedly awarded for the renovation of the official residences of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs. Patricia Etteh, and her deputy, Mr. Babangida Nguroje, as well as the purchase of new units of vehicles. MORE>>

Mark, Senate Deny Awarding N450m Contract

At a time the House of Representatives is engulfed in controversy over a N628 million contract, the Senate has denied awarding any contract for the renovation of its president’s official residence, describing as spurious the claims that Senate President, David Mark, was a signatory to a contract to renovate his official residence to the tune of N450 million. MORE>>

ICPC to Revisit Cases of Freed ex-Govs

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has said it will retrieve files sent to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) on former governors investigated for corrupt practices. MORE>>

Nigeria Arrests Man Smuggling Cocaine to Israel

LAGOS, Aug 27 (Reuters) - Nigerian police have arrested a 31-year-old man trying to smuggle 6 kg of cocaine to Israel, Nigeria's anti-narcotics agency said on Monday. MORE>>

Nigeria Oil City in Slum Clean-Up

All waterfront buildings and shacks in Nigeria's oil capital, Port Harcourt are to be demolished, officials say. Rivers State government says the shacks have become hideouts for the armed militants who are behind the violence in the oil-rich Niger Delta. MORE>>

Oriental Brothers International Band

A lot had already been written about the Oriental Brothers International Band, a Highlife musical group that exploded on the Eastside entertaining guests at local pubs and playing gigs at notable events and other related ceremonies immediately after the catastrophic Biafran war.

I have paid attention to the classic tunes, especially Anam Ele Chi when one had begun to grow up, and rewinding that back, I have come to accept the fact Oriental Brothers this Eastside-based group should have been given more credit supposedly to have earned them some kind of international recognition with series of awards like the Grammy.

The band, originally founded by Godwin "Kabaka" Opara, Ferdinand "Dan Satch" Emeka Opara, Christogonous "Warrior" Ezebuiro Obinna, Nathaniel "Mangala" Ejiogu and the rest, all Owerre area boys except Warrior who hailed from Mbaise but had been needed to be part of the group because of his powerful lyrics echoing in Owerre dialect.

Tracks like Nwa Ada Di Nma, Chi Awu Otu, Iheoma, Nwanyi Di Ya Bu Eze blowed up overnight and was recited at every home in the Esatside during the so-called "reconstruction era." But sad though, as this elite group began to shake the foundations of showbiz, personal animosities and record deal failures as a result of normal internal problems that comes along with any recording group, the band split and most parted ways. With the split, Godwin "kabaka" Opara formed Kabaka International Guitar Band leaving the original Oriental Brothers with Dan Satch and Warrior.

The highlife music was king at the time and Oriental Brothers before the bitter split had brought life to every home in the Eastside with their refined music snatching Congolese beats and Owerre dialectic folklore. "Anam Ele Chi" is still my favorite and I do play it over and over again whenever in the mood for egwu Owerre.

News & Views Sunday, August 26, 2007

New Naira Rigime: Soludo Erred, Presidency Insists

THE Presidency, yesterday, offered more explanation on why it suspended the new naira policy announced by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, saying Soludo acted in error in initiating the currency redenomination.

We Are Already Under Partial Emergency Rule; Why Not Perfect It? - Alabo Graham Douglas

POLITICIANS are allergic to state of emergency and some of them can disown their grandfathers for calling for emergency rule in their domain. In fact state of emergency means making political office holders jobless for the period of the “military” rule.

Etteh Under Pressure To Quit

There were indications that the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mrs Patricia Olubunmi Etteh, was under pressure to resign over the allegations that she spent N628 million to renovate her official residence at the Apo Legislative Quarters in Abuja and spent public funds to organise a birthday bash in the United States, US.

You Must Monitor Ohakim, Ali Tells Imo Speaker

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Ahmadu Ali, has urged the majority leader of the Imo State House of Assembly, Mrs. Ukachi Amechi, to be vigilant in the performance of her legislative responsibilities with the Governor of the state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim.

Exposed! The Untold Story of Third Term

Fresh facts have emerged to effectively throw light on the roles played by some politicians and their soul mates in the business community, in the failed tenure elongation gambit of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Ikejiani: Remembering His Tribute to Zik

News of the passing of one of the titans of modern Nigeria, Okechukwu Ikejiani, MD brought back memories of our first meeting over 12 years ago. That had been at the Lincoln University in Pennsylvania , as preparation for the return of the Great Zik, then almost 90 years old, to his alma mater, got under way. The late Vice Chancellor Prof. Chimere Ikoku called me from Enugu to know if I knew who Ikejiani was and whether I could reach him to start getting ready because for sure, Zik was coming, and after the US, he would be visiting with him in Nova Scotia.

Obasanjo and the CCB: Beyond Asset Declaration

By making public details of his assets and liabilities as deposited with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), President Yar’Adua has won considerable public admiration. Perhaps this is one benefit that a nation derives from having an aristocrat in office, as opposed to a candidate who hails from a line of paupers and who has to deal with the novelty of wealth when dazzled by the trappings and temptations of high office.

Nigeria: FG Solicits U.S. Congress Support On Economic Matters

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, has enlisted the support of the Congress of the United States of America (USA) over Nigeria's economy, saying the President Umaru Yar'Adua government is determined to provide conducive environment for business.

Okiro Orders Fresh Investigation Into Enugu Election

Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, has ordered the Zone 9 headquarters in Umuahia, Abia State to take over the case of complaints against the police in Enugu State over alleged untidy investigation of rigging in the last gubernatorial elections.

The 22nd Annual African Marketplace and Cultural Faire (2)

The 22nd Annual African Marketplace and Cultural Faire enters its second week, and here I am not figuring out if it's worth my time or just keep checking it out for the heck of it. The faire which runs from every weekend until Labor Day weekend has not been the best since the festival started about twenty-two years ago. Most vendors have complained that the slow economy dramatically affected sales and patrons and tourists alike due to the waning economy lost interest. Regardless, the show, in my own view, hasn't lost much of its touch and people from all over are trooping in and having fun to mark the end of a burning summer. Stay tuned for more updates.

Leimert Park, California

Not too many are associated to Leimert Park located by the Crenshaw Boulevard thoroughfare that rises from the Wilshire District all the way down to Rolling Hills Estate in Southern California's South Bay. Leimert Park and its environs now booms with African businesses from the 4300 block of Degnan Boulevard to Martin Luther King Boulevard where the Baldwin Hills-Crenshaw Plaza Mall sits. Leimert Park is about 15 minutes to Downtown Los Angeles.

The above piucture showing Leimert Park Gardens and African drums jam sessions where women particularly gets therapy by dancing to the drums all day long. It's amazing how this theurapetic formula works since most women I spoke to say the drum sessions heals their body spiritually and emotionally. Good thing stuff like that keeps the body and soul of women together.

I have been taking a trip to this beautiful park lately. It has been overwhelmed with a whole lot of activities. On August 19, 2007, while crusing down Crenhshaw Boulevard from church, (I haven't been to a church and a friend talked me into it perhaps to save my soul even though nothing much has changed from the last time I thought I was missing something) I popped up just like that at the park, and guess what? Marcus Garvey's birthday was being observed and food was served free to all. Folks were lining up to get some bit of original African cooking with all kinds of vibes from the background.

I took a tour of Degnan Blvd. and the line up was unbelievable. Obi Onyeador's African Treasures, Kumasi Gift Shop, World Stage Performance Gallery, Papa West Breakfast Club, Jamaican Restaurant and series of eateries, gift shops, barber shops, discount stores, hangouts and things like that were scenes that keeps the park alive. Nevertheless, the bad cop image LAPD patrols the entire area 24/7 making this beautiful neigborhood that is now the hub of "Black Township," clear and safe.

Breaking News: Nigeria Halts Move by Central Bank Governor to Re-Denominate Currency

ABUJA, Nigeria: Nigeria said Friday it was halting a plan to manage inflation better by dropping two decimal places from the national currency, claiming the initiative by the country's central bank had not received the approval of President Umaru Yar'Adua. The attorney general, Michael Aondoaka, said that "by embarking on the agenda without the approval of the president," the central bank governor Chukwuma Soludo violated the law guiding the existence of the reserve bank. View Details>>

News Desk Thursday, August 23, 2007

Uwais Heads 22-man Electoral Reform Committee

ABUJA—IN fulfilment of his promise to reform the electoral process, President Umaru Yar’Adua yesterday announced the names of 22 eminent Nigerians as members of the Electoral Reforms Committee with the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mohammed Uwais, as chairman. MORE>>

Why Electoral Reform Will Fail - Nwodo

A stalwart of the Action Congress, Dr. Okwesileze Nwodo, on Wednesday said the planned electoral reform by President Umaru Yar‘Adua would not succeed as long as former President Olusegun Obasanjo retained his stranglehold on the administration. MORE>>

Nigerians Want Death of Abia ex-Accountant-General Investigated

SHOCK, disbelief and lamentation have trailed the death of the former Abia State’s Accountant-General (AG), Chief Gerald Anyanwoke, even as some prominent Nigerians have called on the security agencies to unravel the "circumstances surrounding his death". MORE>>

Tabu Ley - "Babeti Soukous"

In my quest to flush out African musical heritage from every aspect, I picked up Tabu Ley's 1989 release at Amoeba Records and paid attention to a music well composed by way of its rhythmical sense. An excellent vibe.

Meanwhile, I will always appreciate Steve Ntwiga Mugiri whose site inspired me to pick interest in Soukous and Rumba music, driving me to the extent of being a scholar in that category. That guy has a whole lot going on when it comes to music and it's out there at his site for everyone to see.

I have listened attentively to Ley's "Babeti Soukous" which was recorded live at New World Studios in England on January 30, 1989, and following the trend in understanding the beats, I couldn't but conclude that Ley mastered his art and left a legacy in the world of Soukous music.

Born in 1940 in Zaire of the Bayanzi tribe, he kicked off his career as a teenager joining Joseph Kabasele's African Jazz Band and parting ways with Kabasele and guitarist Dr. Nico years later, he regrouped and formed his own band called African Fiesta National Band releasing the classic "Africa Mokili Mobimba."

However, the tracks selected from this album was a mixture of Zairean and East African popular music with "snatches" of rock, R&B and jazzy tunes for over 20 years earning him series of honorary awards and political appointments in his native country.

There are 13 tracks in this very album and besides the introduction/presentation, the music is great. "Mosolo," meaning money and "Linga Ngai" meaning love me in Zairean language is a classic refined in Zaire, back in the day. Brilliant stuff and listen to it!

Port Harcourt Mayhem: Guns! Guns! Guns!

Security Operatives display firearms recovered from cultists. (Sylver Ejike, Niger Delta Standard)

News Desk Sunday, August 19, 2007

Residents flee Port Harcourt. Photo by Sylver Ejike (Niger Delta Standard)


Photo journalist Sylver Ejike captures this shot of an unidentified corpse in front of Civic Center, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt in the ongoing civil disturbance that has left scores dead and many others missing.

Soldiers Won't Leave P-Harcourt For Six Months

As the search for peace in Port Harcourt continues, with over 45,000 residents displaced, chief of the defence staff, General Andrew Azazi; army chief, Lt. Gen. Luka Yusuf; flag officer commanding, Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Bodurin Raji and inspector general of police, Mr. Mike Okiro, flew into the Rivers State capital, yesterday, the second time in one week, vowing to restore peace at all costs. MORE>>

Security Chiefs Promise to Crush Killer Gangs

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mike Okiro, vowed on Saturday that security agencies were determined to flush out killer gangs in Rivers State who had been killing and destroying public property in the last two weeks. He made the promise after a meeting with top military and police officers in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, on Saturday. MORE>>

EFCC Probes Ebonyi Afresh, Invites Nine Officers

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has begun a fresh investigation of the Ebonyi State Government. Already, the commission has invited nine officers of the state to Lagos to shed light on the activities of the government in recent times. MORE>>

Port Harcourt Mayhem Will Not Be Over Soon - MEND

The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has associated the crisis in Port Harcourt with the struggle by cult groups to gain government's patronage, adding that the problem will not be over soon. MORE>>