Tuesday 22 March 2016

Psquare: Okoye brothers make up, Apologise to fans

Ladies and Gentlemen, I'm are proud to inform you that it seems someone has finally tied Peter, Paul and Jude Okoye together in a room and gotten to the root of the media fracas that has been ongoing for some weeks.

The Psquare brothers and their ex-manager, Jude Okoye, some minutes ago posted a similar message on their Instagram pages deciding to let go of all the hurt between them.

The message which reads “That it took our stupidity to realize that FAMILY comes first, We are VERY SORRY” came up on all three social media accounts and suffice to say, this marks the end of the saga.

While many have from the onset doubted the integrity of the fight calling the music group, Psquare out for what has been termed a publicity stunt, we wait for the next few weeks to clarify the integrity of the ‘fight’.

But right now, Psquare fans, Turn Up for the reunion.

See their Instagram posts below;
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Female fans cry for Psquare


There is a reason why they are called Africa’s most famous and biggest music group.
If you have ever been to aPsquare concert outside the shores of Nigeria, you’d be marvelled at the way fans -especially the female- adore them.
While many cry, some even go as far as fainting at the sound of their voices.
So while the crisis in the world of Psquare ensued, it was no surprise when two female fans recorded videos of themselves sobbing profusely, and urging their favourite group to reunite after Peter Okoye’s revealing interview appeared to have signaled the end of Psquare.

Tiwa Savage’s ‘Standing Ovation’ is the most viewed music video in Nigeria (Full List)


Mavin first lady, Tiwa Savage is definitely back like she wasn’t gone as the music video for her Olamide assisted single –Standing Ovation is the most watched video in Nigeria, at the moment.

The Clarence Peters’ directed video which showcased the ‘street’ side of Tiwa Savagestays stays number one while the music video for Olamide‘s homage to the city of Lagos –I Love Lagos comes second.
Korede Bello holds the third spot with the video for his collaboration with Tiwa Savage –Romantic with Adele‘s Hellocoming in fourth place.
See below, the full list of the most viewed music videos on Youtube in Nigeria.
1. Tiwa Savage ft. Olamide – Standing Ovation
2. Olamide- I love Lagos
3. Korede Bello ft. Tiwa Savage – Romantic ( Official Music Video )
4. Adele – Hello
5. OSINACHI (Remix) – Humblesmith ft. Davido (Official Video)
6. Justin Bieber – Sorry (PURPOSE : The Movement)
7. Rihanna – Work (Explicit) ft. Drake
8. Adekunle Gold – Pick Up [Official Video]
9. Korede Bello – Mungo Park
10. Olamide – Don’t Stop [Official Video]

‘God is angry with Buhari, he's incompetent, clueless’ – Fayose


Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose, said on Tuesday, that the elections conducted in the past few months has proven that God is angry with President Muhammadu Buhari.
Fayose said all the polls conducted since Buhari became president have been violence-ridden and bloody.
Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the Peoples Democratic Party chieftain stated that Buhari would have never become president if the election that heralded him in, had been marred by violence.
“I am telling you the truth. Power doesn’t come from anywhere. God rules in the affairs of men. Oppressing, bringing and cutting people down, taking their blood, God is angry. The way this government is taking people down, God is angry. God isn’t happy. Go to Rivers, they kill people.”
“Go to Akwa Ibom, they kill people. Go to Bayelsa, they kill people, incarcerate innocent people. God is angry with Buhari. You can’t continue to take the blood of the innocent.”
“Look at my predictions for the year 2016 for Nigeria, everything has come to pass. This is a different ball game. He that will take me, he that will go against me must first of all defeat God. If these were the kind of violence that greeted Buhari’s election would he ever be president?”

Olajumoke Orisaguna is the most Googled person in Nigeria (Full List)


The bread seller-turned model’s story has become an international tale.
In February, Olajumoke Orisaguna made headlines around the world when she accidentally appeared or in internet lingo ‘photo-bombed’ the photoshoot of British/Nigerian rapper –Tinie Tempah– which was shot by TY Bello for ThisDay style.
The rest, they say, is history.
According to Google, Olajumoke is the most Googled person in Nigeria at the moment.
The original fame monster and British music legend -David Bowie who passed away in January comes in second, while YBNL singer Adekunle Gold followed in third place.
See below the full list of the 10 top trending people on Google
1. Olajumoke Orisaguna
2. David Bowie
3. Adekunle Gold
4. Arakangundu
5. Dede One day
6. Mark Angel Comedy
7. Alan Rickman
8. Ibinabo Fiberesima
9. Natalie Cole
10. Falz

‘My husband is the only man I didn’t give money to be with me’ – Tonto Dikeh (WATCH)


Last month, Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh-Churchill and her husband, Oladunni Olakunle Churchill welcomed a baby boy in the United States.
The actress recently had a sit-down with Golden Icons for her first post-baby interview to talk about life as a mother, a new wife, among other major topics.
When asked if she ever knew she would end up with Oladunni, she said ‘No, I didn’t know.’
On why she kept his identity hidden for a while, she said: “This is the only relationship i have actually respected so much. There was just something about him that wanted me to protect him and also him to protect me. It was magical. Not like i knew he was going to be my husband but for whatever reason, he just needed the respect and privacy he could get.”
On what set him apart from other men: “He’s different in all ramification. He’s very loving, caring and above all he’s very Godly.I think he’s one man i didn’t have to give my money to be with me. He respects me so much, loves me so much, teaches me so much and like is said he’s someone who brought me close to God.”
Watch below, the video of the interview.

WAJE In Never Before Seen Super Hot Photoshoot


Female music sensation, WAJE, seen in unpublished photos for a magazine which was shared by photographer, Remi Adetiba.
Quite raunchy yeah?, we’ve always known WAJE’s got that S*x appeal in her… Haven’t you seen “Onye’s” video, Damn! Those hips!!
See full pic below:
Waje Hot Photo1

The Kardashian Sisters Are Being Sued Over Their Beauty Line


Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian are being sued for more than $180million after being hit with a lawsuit from investment firm Hillair Capital Management over their make-up line, Kardashian beauty.

According to TMZ, the three sisters partnered with a company called Boldface in 2012 to launch a makeup line called "Khroma Beauty." A year later they were blocked from using the name "Khroma," which led to a name change to "Kardashian Beauty."
Boldface began to flop, and Hillair Capital Management (HCM) came in to save the day by offering the girls $10 million to save their line.
HCM is now suing the siblings for not holding up the end of their bargain by sharing news about the line over their various social media accounts to their millions of followers.
The management company wants its $10 million back, as well as what they would have made had the women played along, citing up to $180 million in lost revenues.

Hulk Hogan awarded additional $25M in sex tape lawsuit

Hulk Hogan's legal team may have landed the finishing blow on Gawker Media.

On Monday, a Florida jury awarded Hogan $25 million in punitive damages, according to the Associated Press, which comes in addition to the resolution of a $115-million lawsuit Friday that went in Hogan's favor.

Gawker was sued for posting a video on Oct. 4, 2012 that featured Hogan having sex with a friend's wife. Hogan wasn't aware he was being recorded.

The Gawker defense team protested the prosecution's request for punitive damages, stating that Friday's monetary penalty already exceeded the company's estimated worth of $83 million.
Gawker Media is on the hook for $15 million, owner Nick Denton will pay $10 million, and editor A.J. Daulerio is responsible for $100,000.

Saturday 19 March 2016

‘I almost committed suicide the first time I was jailed’ – Ibinabo Fiberesima


Nollywood actress and President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, has revealed that she almost committed suicide when she was sent to Kirikiri prison in 2009.
Fiberesima, in 2005, accidentally killed a Lagos-based medical doctor, Dr Giwa Suraj, in an auto accident along Lekki–Epe expressway, Lagos.
But a few days ago, the Appeal Court dismissed her appeal and affirmed the High Court’s judgement, which had initially sentenced her to five years imprisonment for manslaughter.
Back in jail and unable to make bail, an interview she granted Vanguard, a week before the Appeal Court ruling, has surfaced.
In the interview, Fiberesima revealed that she recently battled health challenges, as lumps were found, and removed from her breasts, hence her crusade to actualize the health insurance scheme of the AGN.
“The welfare of my members comes before any other thing. We must continue to push on our health insurance scheme for our members. I have my own health challenges too. I went for a test and they found a growth- a lump in my breasts which I had to remove. So, if we don’t do these tests continuously anything can happen.”
“We usually take our lives for granted. You must continue to go for routine medical examinations. That’s what AGN is all about. We are here to ensure that our members are properly taken care of. We can’t get our money in the bank to pay for our health insurance because they froze the account. I opened the account before the case started.”
“We are back on track and everything is beginning to happen again. From next week, we would start touring all the states with a free computerized eye screening exercise for all members. We are getting back to our rhythm after all the distractions. “Our members are the ones that have suffered.”
“I think it is time we helped them and pay attention to them. We have lost a lot of our members to death recently. It is very painful because we have not been able to pay for insurance scheme following the crises in the guild.”
“Every time they want to throw things at me, they would bring it up. I didn’t steal anybody’s money and I am not a criminal. I was involved in an accident and I have internally remained sorry that it happened. They said I am going to jail again. I almost died the first time I was sent to jail in 2009. I almost committed suicide. But thank God that He brought me out of that depression.”

Peter Okoye Replies Paul: “Stop Making Me Look Like A Bad Person!”


The P-Square faily drama may have reached its peak.

Earlier on, i reported the emotional note written by Paul Okoye, where he detailed why he prefers family to the group and asked his brother pertinent questions, defended Jude Okoye, before asking to be forgiven of whatsoever wrong doing.

Now, Peter has responded with his own letter, and this was after he tweeted this:
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Next, he took to his Instgram page to write his own note, addressing  points Paul raised.
Read his note:
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What do you think of this family drama?



Retired wrestler, Hulk Hogan in tears as he wins sex tape lawsuit and gets $115million compensation


Veteran international and multiple WWE belt winner, Hulk Hogan has won his lawsuit against Gawker and has been awarded and compensation sum of $115million in damages by a jury in Florida after the website posted a leaked sex video that showed him engaging in sexual intercourse with his best friend’s wife without his knowledge.

The jury awarded Hogan $55million for economic injuries and $60million for emotional distress.

Hogan broke down in tears in the courtroom as the jury’s verdict was read.


Gawker will appeal the case, but under Florida law will still have to hand over the monetary damages.

Gawker founder Nick Denton said outside the courthouse following the verdict; ‘Given key evidence and the most important witness were both improperly withheld from this jury, we all knew the appeals court will need to resolve the case.
‘I want to thank our lawyers for their outstanding work and am confident that we would have prevailed at trial if we had been allowed to present the full case to the jury.
‘That’s why we feel very positive about the appeal that we have already begun preparing, as we expect to win this case ultimately.’

Gawker released Hulk Hogan’s sex tape after he openly talked about it in the media. They say talking about it in the media gave them the right to release the tape because the public needed to know.

Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, said he did not know the encounter was caught on camera.

He also said during the trial he had his lawyers ask Gawker to take down the tape and told them they could still keep their copy about the contents, but they refused.

Then, after Hogan filed his lawsuit, a judge asked Gakwer to take down the video.

The site published an article soon after with the headline; ‘A Judge Told Us to Take Down Our Hulk Hogan Sex Tape Post. We Won’t.’

They wrote in the post; ‘We publish all manner of stories here. Some are serious, some are frivolous, some are dumb. I am not going to make a case that the future of the Republic rises or falls on the ability of the general public to watch a video of Hulk Hogan f****** his friend’s ex-wife.

‘But the Constitution does unambiguously accord us the right to publish true things about public figures.

‘And Campbell’s order requiring us to take down not only a very brief, highly edited video excerpt from a 30-minute Hulk Hogan f******session but also a lengthy written account from someone who had watched the entirety of that fucking session, is risible and contemptuous of centuries of First Amendment jurisprudence.’

The video was eventually removed from the site.

Hulk Hogan’s people said the video shouldn’t have been leaked because Hulk Hogan was entitled to his privacy and the video had no value to the public hence shouldn’t have been released.



Jumoke ‘Oni buredi’ adds bread ambassador to her ‘I-have-done’ list (Photos)


Jumoke Orisaguna goes back to selling bread only this time it’s branded. She’s the new face of a bakery and has access to a steady supply of bread.
She had her first ever flight to Abuja  few weeks back to be unveiled as the brand ambassador for Shirleys Confectionery. 
The official campaign photos have been released, and she’s portrayed as a happy baker!
See more photos below…
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Ebola clinic reopens in Guinea after virus resurfaces


A medical charity confirmed Friday its specialist Ebola clinic has reopened in rural southern Guinea to treat an infected woman and her child after the virus killed at least two of their relatives.
The Alliance For International Medical Action (ALIMA) said the pair were receiving treatment following positive tests for Ebola on Thursday, adding the patients came from a village 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Guinea’s second city of Nzerekore.
“We hope that this new episode will be rapidly contained because today the authorities and communities are well versed in the appropriate measures to fight the disease,” said Richard Kojan, a Conakry-based doctor for ALIMA.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said Friday Guinean health officials had alerted it to Ebola symptoms in the family’s village on March 16, where three people had died in unexplained circumstances in the last few weeks.
The child being treated was a boy aged five, the WHO said.
An expert team was dispatched to conduct tests after the two new diagnoses, and a larger WHO deployment was en route.
“More specialists are expected to arrive in the coming days. Response teams will work to investigate the origin of the new infections and to identify, isolate, vaccinate and monitor all contacts of the new cases and those who died,” the world health body said in a statement.
A source close to the local anti-Ebola coordination team told AFP that the two deceased relatives were a married couple who had both shown symptoms of vomiting and diarrhoea.
The four confirmed cases are the first in Guinea since the country was declared Ebola free at the end of last year, though a significant number of deaths are believed to have gone unreported.

Forgive and Forget'- Paul Okoye's open plea to twin Peter Okoye


From the desk of Paul Okoye...
All you all want is psquare,...all I want is family, love and care!!! Social media is the new root of all evil!! There's family before Psquare and there will always be family after PSquare ....Jude was only a scape goat and a victim .The person who has been keeping us together for all these years,..the truth is peter and Paul have issues!
.For the first time I decided to do something outside Psquare ,and that is the case study here.I have always supported my brother 100% from His personal endorsements to dance with Peter which some re still on my I.g... Now I have just 3 questions....Why is it that these things are happening immediately I realized muno's singles under rudeboy Recordz. no.2 .. How come after jude stopped managing psquare for over a month now, the problem still exist. No.3 why is he in a hurry to go solo and doing solo?it's very sad, and very heart broken😢 I wish these things never came out to the public at first... Now our fans are divided 😢 pls nobody shld support any teamPaul sh*t, I don't need that.. Pls resist from it cos thats evil...and for those of you promoters ,supporting him to be performing psquare's songs alone on stage, you are only killing us and destroying us the more .

Dear brother am begging you ,even if you don't want Jude anymore and you don't want psquare, u re forever going to be my brother ... But I wish the 3 of us could still do these together, bcos its a thing of joy....people love us so much not only because of our good music but seeing brothers doing it together and keeping it together, setting a good example to other families and to our kids.Pls swallow ur pride, forgive and forget, we can still turn these things around.... If I have said anything or done anything that hurts you. Am very sorry.... And to all our true fans pls pray for us. God bless you all."

Friday 18 March 2016

Rihanna opens up about her rumoured rivalry with Beyoncé


The R&B singer sets the record straight about her relationship with Queen B.
She’s one of the best-selling R&B artists of all-time but according to the media, a dark cloud in the form of Beyoncé has been a constant pain in Rihanna’s growing career.

Reports of the pairs supposed feud first began when Rihanna signed onto Roc Nation, a management company owned by successful rap artist, and Beyoncé’s husband, Jay-Z.  After her debut album Music of The Sun(2005)and follow-up Girl Like Me(2006) catapulted Rihanna to fame, rumours that Rihanna had come between the power couple began to swirl.
With both female artists on the same trail of success and the ongoing working relationship between Jay-Z and Rihanna sparking controversy, it’s unsurprising that the rumour mill has called out a bitter rivalry between the pair. However, in a recent interview withVogue, Rihanna revealed there’s absolutely no truth to the rumours.
“Here's the deal,” the 28-year-old begins. “[People] just get so excited to feast on something that's negative. Something that's competitive. Something that's, you know, a rivalry. And that's just not what I wake up to.”
Beyoncé, 34, recently added fuel to speculation when her latest single Formation was coincidentally released shortly after Rihanna dropped her latest album Anti.
However, the multiple Grammy-award winning artist dismisses any claims that she’s trying to one-up Queen B and insists she is an artist in her own right.
“I can only do me,” she says. “And, nobody else is going to be able to do that."

World's Happiest Country Has Been Revealed...Find Where Nigeria Ranks!


Known for its high level of happiness in the midst of economy and security crises in time past, latest report has revealed that Nigeria is now ranked 103 happiest country in the world.

The United Nations world happiest ranking report for 2016 released in Rome, which ranked 156 countries also revealed that African countries are the least happy people in the world.

Reports has it that the ebola outbreak and corruption matters are part of what affected that ranking of the African continent.

Burundi was rated the least happy country in the World, according to the survey, while Benin (153rd place), Afghanistan (154), Togo (155) and Syria (156) occupied the lowest spot.

The report took into account countries' per capita gross domestic product, life expectancy, corruption, social support and freedom to make life choices as indicators of happiness.

Jon Clifton, managing partner with the United States based global research company Gallup said: “The report actually identifies that there are six things that contribute. The single biggest is actually GDP per capita or income.  The other five are trust, life expectancy, social support, freedom, and generosity.”

Clifton also included that corruption in government continues to be a hindrance for Africa’s progress, adding that “we asked people all through Africa: ‘is corruption widespread throughout the government in this country or not?’ We were able to ask that in 34 different countries, and in 30 of those countries 50 per cent or more people said they believe corruption was widespread through the government.”

Meanwhile, Denmark has been ranked the happiest country, followed closely by Switzerland.

Other countries in the top 10 include: Iceland, Norway, Finland, Canada, Netherlands, New Zealand, Australia and Sweden

5-year Imprisonment: Actress Ibinabo Fiberesima Bail Application Denied


Efforts by convicted actress and former beauty queen, Ms. Ibinabo Fiberesima, to secure bail at the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, suffered a setback yesterday due to the incompetence of her application.
The three-man panel presided over by Justice U.I Ndukwe-Anyanwu observed that the appellant failed to attach copies of the judgment delivered by the court which affirmed the five-year jail sentence imposed on her by a Lagos High Court.
When the matter came up yesterday, Ibinabo’s lawyer, Nnaemeka Amaechina informed the court of an application dated March 14 stating that he had also served the application on the Lagos state government.
However, the application could not be heard as the court observed that the appellant failed to attach copies of the judgment of the court, thereby rendering the whole application incompetent.
Justice UI Ndukwe-Anyanwu, said the only option left was to strike out the application or adjourn it till further date for hearing.
Consequently, Amaechina sought an adjournment to enable him do the needful. The court subsequently adjourned the matter till April 7 for further hearing.
Meanwhile, Ibinabo has asked the Supreme Court to set aside the judgment of the lower court.  In her notice of appeal, the appellant stated that the Court of Appeal erred in law when it affirmed the alteration by the High Court of Lagos state by setting aside the option of a N100,000 fine and substituting it with a term of 5 years imprisonment.
The actress was handed a five-year prison sentence by Justice Deborah Oluwayemi for reckless driving, which caused the death of one Dr Giwa Suraj in an auto accident along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos.
The appellate court dismissed the actress’ appeal in its judgement delivered on February 11 and affirmed the decision of the Lagos High Court.

‘Sambisa forest is as big as Enugu state’ – Army chief


Nigerian Military high command, on Thursday, disclosed that an investigative panel has been set up to investigate the alleged killing of unarmed pro-Biafra protesters in Aba, Abia state.
The protesters, members of secessionist groups, Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), were reportedly shot at- while they protested the continued detention of their embattled leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The disclosure was made by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Tukur Buratai during a familiarization tour of 82 Division, Enugu state.
The COAS also revealed that Boko Haram enclave, Sambisa forest, is the main reason why the army is yet to dislodge the insurgents.
Buratai stated that: “We are already in Sambisa forest. But Sambisa is as big as Enugu State which needs thorough planning for logistics and other manpower needed.”
“That accounts for the delay. In flushing out the insurgents. The alleged incident of killing of MASSOB, IPOB members by the Army in Aba will be investigated.”
“Since my appointment,we have set out to build a professionally responsible Army in the discharge of its constitutional role which is the result of what we are seeing today. We have taken steps to ensure that education within the Army is paramount to ensure that troops operate within the rules of engagement.”

Reuben Abati: The problem with Nigeria is not the politicians but the people themselves


Whatever problem we may have in Nigeria at this or any other time, this country is sustained by the fact that we are indeed a very special people. We have been described as the happiest people on earth, we have also described ourselves as resilient, gifted and determined, and in one report, Nigerians are said to have the strongest shock absorber against some of the deadliest diseases in the world. If anyone doubted this last point, well, recall that we won the battle over Ebola virus, and polio.
The more you look at it, the more it seems as if there is something in the Nigerian DNA that defies defeat, that automatically deletes any virus that can result in system shut down, there is that X-factor in our affairs that rises when hope seems lost, and life seems tragic.  Somehow, the Nigerian spirit regenerates, recreates and reinvents itself, turns failure into possibilities, pessimism into new expectations, and tomorrowinto an anchor for renewal. 
 
We are at such a crossroad, right now. But in the midst of the despair, the listlessness, the anxiety, the what-happened-to-us and what-the hell-is-going-on, you can’t miss the fact that the average Nigerian has not lost his bounce. The biggest tragedies that can hobble other nations happen here and we just shrug them off.  Boko Haram alone has claimed thousands of lives. Hun hun. Herdsmen have killed men and women in their hundreds. Hun hun.More lives have been lost to vehicle accidents on our poorly made, badly maintained roads. Well, hun hun. Many fingers have been caught in the national cookie jar. Ha. What is this? Who dunnit? But, o ma se o. hun hun. The national leaky bucket has a thousand holes. Ha, no country can live with this? Still, hen hun hun.  We voted and there were promises of a new spirit of the age. But that spirit is yet to manifest. So? Nothing good comes easy, therefore. No miracles in the new agenda. So, ni igba yen wa n ko? So, life goes on.
 
Whatever life throws at the average Nigerian, he protests, he complains, but he accommodates it.  It is the reason why nobody will throw stones because power supply is at the worst level in years. It is the reason why workers who have not been paid for months after months will still see the same Governor who is responsible for their misery, after collecting Federal money to help them, and has refused to deliver and they will still scream: “My Excellency, sir.”  When workers go on strike, someone calls them together, says something nice, provides something nice and everything falls nicely in place. The late Chief MKO Abiola was quoted saying “eto ni gbogbo e”,that is anything in Nigeria can be arranged nicely. 
 
The June 12 debacle sadly could not be arranged nicely. It cost the Chief of native wisdom and martyr of Nigerian democracy his life, but many lessons have been learnt.  And one key lesson is that in this country, the people are determined to live no matter what. They can grumble as they wish about the public space but Nigerians are not ready to give up their will to live, their right to live and their understanding of how to live.  And if you put your neck on the line on their behalf, you will be shocked that you will the subject of memes and what’s app jokes. The people laugh at martyrs and heroes because they see no reason why anyone should commit suicide, defending Nigeria, when there is so much life to be enjoyed.
 
Nigeria is probably the global headquarters of enjoyment.  The way the ordinary man has complained in recent times, about political change and the socio-cultural changes it has brought, you would think Nigerians are in serious trouble.  But that is not the case. The foreign exchange market has gone into a crazy overdrive impoverishing the whole nation. Parents whose children are schooling abroad are afraid that they may no longer be able to pay fees. The manufacturing sector is abusing the Minister of Finance-what’s-that-her-name-again? and where-did-she-learn-finance-public-policy-and-economics, but I beg, look around, more businesses are actually springing up and all those foreign investors who are supposedly monitoring the Nigerian market are actually clinging to this market.  Why do you think MTN wants to remain in Nigeria till death do them part? Why do you think all those foreign countries want President Buhari to visit? The banks have retrenched a lot of staff but the same banks have started recruiting again. In this country, what you see is not what you get. There is problem with foreign exchange but activities at the ports have not ceased. Wait till September, you’d be shocked the number of Nigerian children heading towards Europe, North America and other parts of Africa in pursuit of expensive, forex-backed education.
 
I beg, leave matter. And if you don’t want to leave it go to the nearest fuel station where many Nigerians are queuing up for fuel with power generating sets and jerry cans. The people are going through the hardship but they are laughing at their leaders. You think you can mess us up, na lie. If you people like, sell fuel for N150, we go survive.They stay in front of that fuel station and they review Nigeria’s history and lament the choices they have made, but their spirit remains strong. That is what makes them Nigerian. Go to the vendors’ stand. The crowd of poor people who cannot afford to buy a newspaper copy, have all the same listened to the news and the only place where they can compete as pundits is that roadside corner, where sometimes one drunken idiot loses control behind the wheels and sheds human blood, wasting those who have gathered not to buy any newspaper but to debate Nigeria. This special crowd knows it all. You don’t want to get involved with them. They will remind you that a Ph.D holder is actually a real idiot, and that nobody needs certificates of any type to be a Nigerian, and well they add too, that if you ever worked in government, then you are a confirmed idiot, and a professional trickster.
 
Nigerians are so inventive, they find every way of beating bad news, bad experience, or anything that tries to defeat them.  Everyone says there is no money in town, they claim things have gone from bad to worse but the parties have not stooped. Go to any of the joints around Lagos, nothing has been spoiled. Isi ewu, nkwobi, asun, sawa, orisirisi, point and killhave all defied the Forex market. Yes, the price of staple commodities has risen, but that has not stopped the people from throwing lavish wedding parties. Nor has it stopped anybody from marrying three times when once is enough: our people do traditional wedding – valid, they go to the registry: valid, they rush to church- valid: rather than marry once, they do it thrice all within a week. Nor has the austerity in town stopped anybody from burying the dead as if the more money is thrown at the grave, the likeliest the possibility of the dead suddenly becoming a Lazarus of the 21stcentury.
 
Is there poverty in town? You answer that question based on the evidence of your eyes. What I have seen is that Nigerians are still living as if there is too much money in the country. Take a look at the garments Nigerians wear every week. We certainly don’t look like electricity is a problem or that money is in short supply. Soon it will be another Ojude oba among the Ijebus, for example.  You go and check them out. As a teacher at Ogun State University in those days, (I served later as member of the Governing Council), we used to go from one party to the other, guzzling free food and quaffing free drinks. Today, those lavish parties have not ceased. Nobody eats like that in Europe or North America. When you go to all the old joints, in Agarawu in Lagos or Tarmac, nothing has changed either. The music still flows, the swag is on. Elsewhere, new buildings are springing up; new cars are being “washed”, additional wives are being acquired. Leave matter, I beg. Nigeria will survive, and these same people who are complaining about change, you’d be shocked, they’d still vote for their stomachs in 2019. 
 
And that is why Nigeria is one country that beats all the textbook theories. We are just something else. There is more in the social arena that defines who we are, than in the theoretical arena.  The same people who are complaining that they have not seen change are actually hoping for more. They are not ready to adjust. They are not ready to make sacrifices. If they have an opportunity to be close to government in any way, they will jump at it. The corruption that we talk about is not just in government corridors, it is in society, but the one inside society is so difficult to trap because it is amorphous and inchoate in so many respects. Invariably, the snake feeds on itself:mobius strip.
 
What we are left with is the image of the people laughing at government and themselves. Have you taken time out to check what happens on social media?  Anybody who ever ventured into governance is easy game. The people design caricatures and mock them. Nigeria produces more memes and graphics than any other country in Africa not necessarily because of the events that happen here but because of the people’s consciousness, and if I may add, private greed. In that other world, political change is ridiculed, poverty is deplored, GEJ is becoming a saint and PMB a villain, but the people are still having fun, and blaming Nigeria and the politicians.
 
I tell you, the problem with Nigeria is not the politicians but the people themselves. We are very special people, but we don’t really know what we want, and because we are like that, we confuse the politicians and the nation. But for as long as we can wear those impressive attires and throw those parties and dance to old music and pay our private bills, we see no reason to care enough.  Pity is: no country can ever move ahead if the people do not care enough. For us, life goes on, no matter what.