News Desk Friday, August 31, 2007

House of Reps Crisis: Madam Speaker's Moves to Douse Tension

With the resumption of the House of Representatives next week, Speaker Patricia Olubunmi Etteh is set to confront her accusers and explain herself to members of the House. Since returning from abroad, she has made useful attempts to douse the tension already generated. This report examines the issues and concludes that whereas she may have being a victim of her own indiscretion, the opposition would not hold water. MORE>>>

GSM at Six: The Good and Ugly Side

That the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) can bark and bite was demonstrated by its recent order to the Global System of Mobile (GSM) communications companies to stop all sales promos until they had expanded their networks to accommodate the expected traffic from such activities. MORE>>>

Obasanjo Should be Probed - Ojukwu

ENUGU—PRESIDENTIAL candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, yesterday, accused former President, Chief Olusegun Oba-sanjo of ruinning the nation’s economy saying he must be made to face prosecution if the Federal Government was serious with its fight against corruption. MORE>>>

No Emergency Rule in Rivers, says Yar'Adua

President Umaru Yar’Adua on Thursday said he had no intention of declaring emergency rule in Rivers State. Yar’Adua, who spoke when an 11-member delegation of the state’s representatives in the National Assembly visited him, also vowed that the government would deal with criminal elements in the Niger Delta. MORE>>>

NLC Threatens Nationwide Strike

PRESIDENT of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Abdulwaheed Omar, on Thursday warned that the congress would lead workers on a nationwide strike over the planned deduction of five per cent from their salaries under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). MORE>>>

In Ghana, New Cedi is Fun

When Professor Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) announced his plans to redenominate the naira, Nosike Ogbuenyi travelled to Accra, Ghana, to feel the pulse of Ghanaians as their country transits from the old cedi, which exchanged 10,000 cedis to US$1, to the new cedi which is at par with the dollar. He saw a country that is gradually adjusting to the new reality. MORE>>>

The 22nd Annual African Marketplace & Cultural Faire (5)

The School of Scientology brought its business to the 22nd Annual African Marketplace & Cultural Faire perhaps to sell its ideas of a controversial stuff that was developed by L. Ron Hubbard, based on a person being an immortal spiritual being clearing itself of past painful experiences through self knowledge and spiritual fulfillment. Hard to believe as it sounds too good to be true. Nevertheless, tourists and curious-minded folks still checked it out.

Orans Black Museum

I was able to take a complete tour of one of the intellectual hubs of Black African art which is almost hidden in the Santa Barbara Plaza on Marlton Avenue in Mid-City, Los Angeles. Oranz Black Museum is a world of its own and one needs to take a thorough tour of this museum of black culture in order to give props for this great idea.

It has all you can think of in the world of art, ancient history, anthropology, millions of pictures and prints rarely seen elsewhere. I was amazed and what I saw was incredible. The library of rare books, the stones collected from the Pyramid sites in Egypt, the stage, the lightings, the magnificent gallery and collections of great Black American legends who changed our lives over time.

The picture above is a BaSuka Mask with origins from Massai's of Kenya and South African Zulus. I will be taking a second tour in the coming weeks and should be chatting one-on-one with OZ as he is known by his admirers. Stick around!

News Desk Thursday, August 30, 2007

Yar'Adua Scraps NNPC

ABUJA—THE Federal Government adopted, yesterday, the Oil and Gas Industry Committee (OGIC) report recommending the restructuring of the Energy Ministry and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) as currently constituted into five agencies. The creation of the new institutional structures is aimed at creating operational autonomy and minimising undue interference. MORE>>>

Naira Redenomination: I'll Maintain Sealed Lips - Soludo

Ilorin—Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof Charles Soludo yesterday said henceforth he has decided to maintain sealed lips over the controversies that surrounded the suspended CBN’s Naira re-denomination policy. MORE>>>

AG: No Court Order Can Remove Gov.

Attorney-General of the Federation and the Min-ister of Justice, Mr. Mi-chael Kasse Aondoakaa, yesterday frowned at the use of judges to get hurried court injunctions to remove governors.He said the Federal Government would not tolerate such resorts to abuse of court processes any longer. MORE>>>

Nigeria Accounts for 80% Wild Polio Virus in Africa

Nigeria accounts for 80 per cent cases of wild polio virus in Africa and 42 per cent of the global wild polio virus cases, according to a World Health Organisation (WHO) report. The WHO report stated that though the rate of wild polio virus cases has dropped in the country, the rate of elimination is slow, compared to other countries. MORE>>>

Police Nab Port Harcourt Cultist

Detectives investigating a fraud case at the Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Lagos have blown the cover of a 28-year-old Port Harcourt-based suspected cultist, who built a multi-million naira mansion that serves as his hideout in the Ojodu area of Lagos State. MORE>>>

Group B is Toughest with United States, Sweden, North Korea and Nigeria

BEIJING: Hands down, Group B figures to be the toughest in the women's World Cup.Three of the sport's five top-ranked teams are in the group — the Untied States (No. 1), Sweden (No. 3) and North Korea (No. 5). Defending African champion Nigeria is ranked only 24, which belies its strength. MORE>>>

Nigeria's Women Football Team to Play Five Warm-Ups in Germany

The Nigerian women's soccer team, the Super Falcons, will play five friendlies during its one-week tour of Germany ahead of next month's FIFA Women's World Cup in China. An official of the team said Sunday that the tour will enable the coach Ntiero Effiom-led technical crew to select players for next month's World Cup. MORE>>>

The 22nd Annual African Marketplace & Cultural Faire (4)

How about some West African dishes? Yes, a West African Restaurant popped up at the 22nd Annual African Marketplace & Cultural Faire where lots of West African dishes were served. Fried plantain, baked beans, moi-moi, tuwo sinkafa, dokunu and many other varieties of West African dishes had customers and tourists indulge in finger-licking. Delicious and cool!

IPI NTOMBI, THE MUSICAL

I wasn't even sure if it was music or a group of villagers telling some kind of story in a language not familiar. I had taken the bus from Eastside heading to Lagos when busriding was fun and easy without much ado. I reached Lagos and got stuck at Ido Motor Park where buses from the Eastside called the last bus stop, that is, if you travelled afar, beyond Imo River. Sweet journey, as it was, and reaching the city, life would change dramatically. Still a hippy, and still feeling like bursting loose, the Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers way, it was indeed a long journey by bus.

Reaching my destination off Ojo Road, a two record set sitting on a table was playing on a turntable. It was Bertha Egnos "controversial musical Ipi N'Tombi" meaning where are the girls, playing and my mood twisted all of a sudden from the funk era. I wasn't really sure if that was my kind of music, but learning for the fact the Apartheid regime has caused too much pain to the black population in South Africa, I began to pay attention. I played the music over and over again and got a clue of what pain and suffering was all about.

The South African musical about a marriage ceremony for a young couple, a witchdoctor, a Boer settler and Zulu warrior "once engaged in bloody battles" led by lead singer Margaret Singana had no parallel to any musical of the day.

The album, produced by a mother/daughter team (Bertha Egnos and Gail Lakier), from the opening track of a well-rehearsed lyrical stage perfomance to the drumbeats of The Warrior, no doubt, you will be moved by the time you are done listening to every track, which of course are all masterpieces.

I have taken time to listen to all the tracks over and over again, and it's just amazing. For the record, Osibisa, remade "The Warrior" during the groups PYE years in London.

The Tracks:

1. Ipi Ntombi
2. Narration; Sesiya Hamba; Drinking Song; Thando Le Phe
3. Korbosha (Down By The River)
4. Andy's Song
5. Moriva
6. Hakelejeje
7. Narration; The Batism; Roll Up Yonder
8. Bona Noga
9. The Witchdoctor; Mother Mary
10.Narration; Nadia
11.Egoli
12.Serantebhule; Pennywhistle
13.Emdudeni; Uhlele
14.The Click
15.Narration; The Child
16.Narration; Mama Tembu's Wedding
17.Baby, Baby; Soweto By Night
18.Wishing
19.Ndoba Sathini Nina; Zimbaba
20.Baby Baby
21.Shosholoza
22.The Digger
23.Narration; Lashoni Langa
24.The Warrior
25.Bayete
26.Ipi Ntombi

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.