A total of 40 people have died in an outbreak of Lassa fever in at least 10 Nigerian states within the last six weeks, the Nigerian health minister, Dr. Isaac Adewole has confirmed today.
“In the last six weeks, Nigeria has been experiencing Lassa fever outbreak which so far has affected 10 states in the country,” Dr. Adewole said at a news briefing today in Abuja.
The affected states include Bauchi, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba, Kano, Rivers, Edo, Plateau, Gombe and Oyo state.
“The total number of cases so far reported is 86 and 40 deaths with the mortality rate of 45 percent,” Adewole said, adding that laboratory tests confirmed that 22 of the 86 suspected cases were Lassa fever.
Experts describe Lassa fever as an acute illness that causes bleeding and deaths in severe cases. The host of the Lassa virus is the “multimammate rat.”
It is said to transmit to humans from contact with infected food or household items contaminated with rodent excreta. The disease is endemic in the rodent population in parts of West Africa.
Dr. Adewole had said the Nigerian government would continue to enhance its surveillance and social health education to prevent further spread of the disease in Nigeria. He added that the World Health Organization had been notified of the outbreak. [myad]
The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed anger over the arrest and continue detention of the national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh, warning against disregard for the rule of law under the guise of anti-corruption war.
Ekweremadu, in a statement today by his media aide, Uche Anichukwu, said that though PDP is in support of genuine anti-graft crusade, but decried a situation where such crusade becomes a calculated attempt to silence the opposition while members of the ruling party with serious corruption allegations go about their businesses.
According to the number two man in the Senate, the continued detention of Metuh is a recipe for throwing Nigeria into authoritarianism and an attempt to gag the opposition which he said is unhealthy for democracy.
“An anti-graft trap that catches only members of the opposition and those with axe to grind with the government of the day is compromised.”
Ekweremadu called on the nation to denounce and resist the prevailing situation where people are held in custody against the directives of the courts and laws of the land, saying that there would be no justice without the rule of law. [myad]
Controversial musical maestro, David Adeleke, popularly called Davido has narrated how he had ignored many lies which his estranged wife, Babymam, Sophia Momodu told him in the name of love he had for her.
The musician, who met with operatives of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) at Ikeja, Lagos was said to have disclosed that recent lie by Sophia was her sexual relation with a friend of his father, Dr. Deji Adeleke in Dubai.
Davido was said to have told the NAPTIP operatives that he knew Sophia had other relationships apart from Dr. Adeleke but that he had overlooked all these because he truly loves Sophia.
He said that he also overlooked other lies she had told him, including her age and educational qualification, adding that contrary to her initial claim that she was only two years older than him, he later discovered that the age difference could be as much as six. Davido gave his own age as 24. He said that Sophia was not a graduate as she has claimed so far.
Davido was at the office of NAPTIP to answer the a petition by Sophia that he was attempting to take their child, Imade, out of the country without her consent. meanwhile, Davido’s sister, who is said to have been ill, is expected to appear before the NAPTIP operatives, also in the Lagos office next week. She was fronting as the mother of Imade at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport as they made to travel with the baby before Sophia appeared to lay claim to the girl. [myad]
Leader of the Accord party in the last general election, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, has confirmed that he too received N100 million from former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih ahead of the 2015 presidential election.
The confirmation was contained in a one-page letter to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ibrahim Magu, by the National Secretary of Accord party, Hon. Nureni Adisa.
In the letter titled: “Release of One Hundred Million by Chief Tony Anenih” and dated 8th January, 2016, Hon. Adisa said: “Our attention has been drawn to a newspaper report that the sum of One Hundred Million Naira was released to the ACCORD leader, Senator Rashidi Ladoja by Chief Tony Anenih, the (former) Chairman BoT of the PDP.
“We confirm that the sum of One Hundred Million Naira was given to the Party through our leader after series of meetings between the leadership of ACCORD and Chief Tony Anenih in preparation for the 2015 general elections.
“The following issues were discussed at the meetings:
The need to support the Presidential candidate of the PDP since ACCORD had no Presidential candidate.
The need to ensure that peace was maintained to enhance peaceful movement during periods of campaign, elections and after the elections.
The need for the PDP to support ACCORD campaign effort.
“Accordingly, the PDP (former) BoT Chairman, Chief Tony Anenih released the sum of One Hundred Million Naira for these purposes through our leader, Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
“The money released was accordingly used for the purposes as stated above.”
It would be recalled that disbursements of varied sums of money to the accounts of some PDP leaders have been reportedly made by the Office of the former National Security Adviser (NSA), retired Colonel Sambo Dasuki, who has been alleged to have diverted $2.1 billion meant for procurement of arms and ammunition that the armed forces would have used to fight Boko Haram insurgents.
It was reported that N260 million was traced to the account of the chairman of the PDP’s Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, who in a letter to the EFCC, explained that the money was a part refund of the money former President Goodluck Jonathan instructed him to release to some political groups for mobilization and post-election peace advocacy.
The former PDP BoT Chairman, who explained that he was not a direct beneficiary of the money, said in his letter to the EFCC that N100 million was given to the leader of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae, N100 million to the leader of Accord, Senator Rashidi Ladoja and N63 million to a group headed by elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai.
He said that the N260 million could not defray the total money, estimated at over N440 million that he eventually doled out from his pocket to other groups and individuals on the instructions of the former President.
Both Yakassai and Falae had already confirmed that they received N63 million and N100 million respectively from Anenih for the purposes specified. [myad]
The possibility of the release from detention, of the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may not be immediately on sight as an Abuja Chief Magistrate has granted his continued detention.
The purpose of his continued detention, according to ex parte motion pursuant to Section 293 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 brought by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) was based on the fact that some of the people suspected to be his accomplice in the alleged N1.4 billion scam have disappeared.
Metuh was picked up by the the EFCC operatives on Tuesday, for interrogation in respect of about N1.4 billion “suspicious” funds in an account of a company in which he has interest.
TheEFCC counsel told the Chief Magistrate’s Court in Wuse Zone 2 while presenting the reason why Metuh should be confined into detention, that it decided to seek for such order because some of his accomplices are at large.
The EFCC counsel, Mr. C.O. Ugwu said: “Your Worship, we have a remand proceeding brought by way of ex parte motion pursuant to Section 293 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.
“The application is supported by Form 8, which is the stipulated form for an application of this nature. It is of 16-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Junaid Saidu, a detective officer with EFCC.
“We place reliance on the entirety of the deposition in the said affidavit, especially paragraphs 4-15. In a nutshell, we have brought this application because the investigation involved in this case is a bit complex and there are also persons reasonably suspected to be involved in the fraud who are yet at large.
“We need the suspect in the custody so as to aid us in our investigation. So, we have come with this application to respectfully apply for an order of this Honourable Court authorising us to keep him in custody.
“By the provision of Section 296(1) of the ACJ Act, Your Worship is enjoined to grant an application of this nature for a period of 14 days.”
In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Okeagu Azubuike said: “This court has read carefully the affidavit in the Form 8 to support this application as well as the legal authorities submitted thereto.
“This court has therefore found merit in this application and hereby allows the applicant to detain the respondent(Olisa Metuh) in their custody from the 6th of January to 13th of January, 2016, pending the investigation.
“The Respondent(Olisa Metuh) should be given access to his lawyer, relatives and medical doctors and should be arraigned before a court of law on or before 13th of January.” [myad]
“It is this David Adeleke and Sophia Momodu soap opera”.
“I tell you. It is a perfect subject for a good home video. But what is your own?”
“No. Nothing. I am just relieved that the parties involved have agreed to let peace reign”
“This will be about the third time I would hear of that matter being resolved.”
“Well, I think the Momodus and the Adelekes should just spare us. They should not forget there is a child involved. They have suddenly made Imade Adeleke, the most famous victim of Baby Mama-Baby Papa palaver in Nigeria. Both Davido and Sophia and their supporters’ clubs should please protect the baby, and not make her a poster child for that kind of subject.”
“But me, I am enjoying the story oh.”
“Of course, too many sadists in our land enjoy other people’s misery.”
“But really, it is a simple matter. “
“If it were that simple, the drama wouldn’t be so entertaining. “
“What Davido wants, Davido gets. His father is rich. He is a famous musician. Davido says he wants custody of his daughter.”
“By taking her away from her mother by force, and giving her to his half-sister, and threatening to travel out of the country with the baby for medicals, without the mother’s knowledge or consent? A seven-month old baby, abducted at two months?”
“He gave reasons for that. He is talking about the biological mother taking cannabis and risking his daughter’s life”
“Cannabis?”
“Yes. Igbo”
“You seriously mean marijuana?”
“Yes, gbana as in Indian hemp. And Davido provided a medical report to confirm his claim.”
“You saw the medical report. You are sure it is genuine? Because I understand Sophia Momodu’s lawyers have written the lab to produce the original report of proof of drug abuse.”
“This their matter sef.”
“That’s why it is the child that is most important. I don’t like the way they have turned the young girl into a trophy to be fought over in a blood sport. We are in the age of the internet. Twenty years from today, someone could print out these funny details from the internet memory bank. A father, grandfather and a half-sister fighting a mother and her family over a baby and making sordid claims: It is not a fight that can be easily won.”
“I hear Davido says the Momodus cannot force him. He may even release a special song to make his position clear: No be by force.”
“Nobody is forcing him and his family to marry Sophia Momodu. They are just saying custody should be mutually agreed upon.”
“And he and his family are saying they want their daughter properly brought up. They too have a point. You should not take sides.”
“Ok. He is talking about Marijuana. When he was head over heels in love with the Momodu girl, he didn’t smell marijuana? I am sure if he was given Marijuana before he was allowed to inhale, he would willingly exhale?
“He insists he was just 21 years old. And that he was seduced by a full-grown woman who took advantage of his youth and innocence.”
“Innocence, indeed. Was he raped? Did he not have a relationship with her, and did he not showcase her everywhere? He was 21. If he could be tricked at 21, then he should live with the consequences. “
“You are taking sides. I know why. You are Dele Momodu’s friend.”
“I am making uncommon sense. I am saying why is Davido asking for Sophia Momodu’s birth certificate after the fact? When the thing dey sweet them, they no dey remember say na the thing wey fowl chop, him go shit.”
“But you can’t force any man to marry a woman. Why the girl too go carry belle for him junior brother? She suppose know say Davido sef him na pikin. You no see as him papa they follow am, make dem no carry big yansh, big chest, fine face, cheat him son for Lagos”
“Him try well, well. But Davido, your boy, him no sabi use rubber?”
“That girl look like person wey go gree rubber?”
“You dey craze”
“My own is that fathers should just keep an eye on their sons and daughters. Let mothers also keep an eye on their daughters. To avoid stories that break the heart like this one, fine girls should just know that you can’t detain any man with a baby. Er beg.”
“The values of the younger generation are different.”
“Some strict parents will still never have allowed this to happen.”
“Some of these children are beyond control.”
“But we all suffer for it. This is why Ghanaian ladies insist that Nigerian men are unreliable. They say they use and dump women.”
“They say they…?”
“That’s what I hear.”
“They or we?”
“They.”
“You mean you have tried the Ghanaian market too? Tell your brother something about ECOWAS romance?”
“You are an incurable gossip. Ashawo, somebody.”
“But talking seriously, it won’t be fair to condemn Nigerian men. I think this is a thing about Nigerian musicians. Those people too like women. Young women, old women oh…any woman. Even the women musicians sef, any man wey stand well… fiam”
“That is more important to them than their art? No wonder many of them sing such trashy songs”
“There is even one of them who has seven children from five women or so. And there is one they call Whizkid”
“Superkid?”
“Whatever. But there is this kid musician who also has a child from an older woman. There is this joke that when his parents heard, they quickly took charge of the situation, by telling the Baby Mama that while they would accept the baby, everyone could see that the Baby father is himself still a baby, too young to take care of another baby, not to talk of a grown woman. They pleaded that no woman should pakurumo..ko…”
“ Nice joke. I laughed. Him sef na pikin, he never grow finish to take care of pikin. The girl fled.”
“That’s why I say it is a simple matter. Davido should have consulted his seniors in this matter. That one that has seven children from five women did it so well, today all his Baby Mamas married or single, are friends.”
“Wow. That’s a real Baba of the matter. Who is he?”
“I can’t mention his name. He is happily married now to one of the Baby Mamas. I don’t want to be accused of disrespecting another man’s wife.”
“Let Davido and Sophia just make peace for their daughter’s sake. And when the matter is settled, Davido knows where to go for tutorials if he really wants to fish in this type of troubled waters.”
“But our musicians sha. They can fight?”
“Who again is fighting?”
“Olamide and Don Jazzy.”
“That face-off over awards at The Headies event? But they have apologized”
“No. You don’t get the point. Why should artistes or producers or label owners fight over awards? What I have seen is that our young artistes are obsessed with awards. They seem to be more interested in being given a plaque than developing their real work. It is this same problem with Nollywood actors. Any small award is treated as if it is the Nobel Prize.”
“I see that too. It is the Grammy award disease.”
“No true artist should work with an eye on winning a plaque. The best award is the acceptance of the market place, not by a group of biased judges. If you are good as an artist, you are good, nobody can take that away from you.”
“Quite true. But it helps to have some plaques on the wall, I must say.”
“How many of those musicians who were called the best new acts on the block in the 80s and early 90s are still making any impact today? When a work of art is good, it will be evergreen; when an artist is good, his talent will endure.”
“Some of these new kids are great though. World-class talents. In the last few years, there has been an explosion of real talent.”
“I want to hear more about talent. Great art. Not drama kings and queens, not Baby Mamas and Lab Reports.”
“You are just old-fashioned. Controversy is part of art. Life itself is about controversy. Controversy produces great art. In the world of artists, all things work out as raw material.”
“That’s why people insist artists are mad.”
“But it is not only artists that generate or attract controversy. Politicians do.”
“I know. Controversy is the soul of politics, but here it produces stress and oftentimes, tragedy.”
“I’ll give you one example.”
“Which is?”
“In Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi is trying to embarrass the Olubadan in Council by trying to determine how existing vacancies within the hierarchy are filled. He is introducing INEC guidelines to Ibadan Chieftaincy affairs!”
“How can he possibly do that?”
“He is asking for certificates of mental, physical and marital fitness before Ladoja and Balogun can fill the Otun Olubadan and Osi Olubadan vacancies.”
“Marital fitness?”
“When people ask for physical fitness, don’t you know it is all encompassing?”
“All that is politics. I am sure it will be amicably resolved. Ajimobi is smart enough to know that you don’t fight the traditional institution. Governors will come and go, the Olubadan is the owner of Ibadan”
“Don’t tell me. Go and tell Ajimobi”
“Don’t worry. He knows. He just dey make body. Body language, they call it.”
“But what is happening in Bayelsa is not body language oh. When the people of Southern Ijaw go to the polls tomorrow to determine who will be the next Governor of Bayelsa state, they won’t be joking; the state will be at war.”
“May be not real war; let’s say blood sport.”
“You are speaking grammar. I just hope the election won’t be inconclusive again.”
“It is a combat for political supremacy.”
“Put it like this: the outcome may determine the future of Bayelsa state.”
“No. Put it like this: the outcome will determine the future of the PDP.”
“You are quibbling.”
“Dickson is core Ijaw. Timipre Sylva is Nembe.”
“I don’t get it.”
“The mind of the core Ijaw voter will make the difference. We pray for peace.”
“I have an idea now. Yes. All things being equal.”
“That’s politics for you.”
“But there are other forces.”
“That’s why there is so much at stake, and a question of where the stakeholders stand.”
“I know. Stakeholders matter. They have just allowed MTN to buy Visafone.”
“Really? Is that a reward for the fine MTN is supposed to pay?”
“It is a business transaction, nothing about government.”
“Everything is about government. Has MTN paid its fine, before being allowed to take over a home-grown company?”
“We should study what happened. Why do Nigerians get licenses and approvals, run a business for a while and then sell to foreign interests? HiTV. Now Visafone. ”
“One glaring failure of local content!”
“Look, let’s discuss that after MTN must have paid the fine.”
“I hear they have sacked 2, 000 Nigerian workers at Visafone, already. They have taken over.”
Barcelona striker, Luis Suarez, faces a Copa del Rey ban after being accused by the referee of provoking Espanyol players following a heated Catalan derby. Barca came from behind to claim a 4-1 win in the first leg of yesterday night’s Copa del Rey last-16 tie, but the game proved a feisty affair as Espanyol had two players sent off and were lucky to escape further punishment as goalkeeper Pau Lopez appeared to stamp on Lionel Messi. Suarez was also booked for a clash with Lopez but could yet receive a ban of up to three cup matches for sparking a clash in the tunnel that the referee, writing in his post-match report, claimed security personnel had to break up. “Whilst all the Espanyol players climbed the stairs in the tunnel towards the dressing rooms, he (Suarez) waited for them and confronted them saying on various occasions: ‘Here I am waiting for you, come here; you are a waste of space’,” referee Juan Martinez Munuera noted in his report. “That provoked a clash between players from both clubs forcing security personnel present and the managerial staff from both teams to intervene.” Espanyol’s physical approach had frustrated Barca in an equally fiery clash between the two in La Liga on Saturday which finished 0-0. “The referees are the ones to set the limits,” Enrique said. Any Suarez ban would be his first since the four-month suspension he received for biting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini while playing for Uruguay at the 2014 World Cup. [myad]
President Muhammadu Buhari has given assurance of his determination to invest appropriately in Science, Technology and Innovation in order to guarantee the competitiveness of Nigeria both continentally and globally.
“Our goal to secure our nation, grow our economy, create jobs and fight crime can best be achieved if we embrace science and technology.”
The President spoke today in Abuja, at the first meeting of the National Research and Innovation Council (NIRC) which was inaugurated on 18TH February, 2014.
He said that he was aware that Nigeria must accord high priority to Science and Technology if it must take it rightful place among the leading economies in the modern world.
“Nigeria’s vision of becoming one of the twenty largest economies in the world by the year 2020 is only attainable when Science, Technology and Innovation are fully integrated into our national socio-economic development process. That process will now be fast tracked with the coming on board of this Council.”
He expressed the hope that the nation’s research and innovation output would be measured by number of Intellectual Property such as patents granted and not only by the number of articles published in scholarly journals.
According Nigeria has the potential of becoming the Centre of discoveries, inventions and innovation in all fields of science and technology, adding that before long Nigeria should be in a position to produce Nobel Laureates in the sciences.
“The NRIC is geared towards coordinating and streamlining the nation’s research and development activities as well as fostering innovation. It is designed to accelerate the growth of innovation-based entrepreneurship in the country and to create conditions for the commercialization of current and further research findings in our universities and research institutes.
“Your Council is also expected to reposition STI as a national priority to guarantee sustainability, high standard of living and quality of life for Nigerians as well as fast-track industrial and economic development. In this regard, the Council will meet quarterly to consider and take vital decisions on STI related issues.”
He said that the government structure of the NRIC, as it is constituted, provides for the establishment of a Technical Advisory Committee (tac), consisting of technocrats from the various relevant MDAs and the Organized Private Sector (OPS) to ensure full implementation of resolutions of the NRIC.
“TAC, which is to be headed by the Hon. Minister of Science and Technology, is expected to meet on a monthly basis. To carry out its functions, the NRIC will be guided by the Strategic Implementation Plan of the revised policy on STI.
“I therefore wish to charge you all to use your best endeavour and wealth of experience to ensure that this big responsibility placed on you is discharged in the most effective and efficient way so that the tools of Science, Technology and Innovation are adequately deployed towards the development of our country.
“I ask for your commitment, hard-work and total support in this endeavour in order to justify the confidence reposed in you. The country looks forward to you to be the spearhead of our technological progress and achievements.” [myad]
Ahead of his January 27, 2016 inauguration, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello, the Kogi State Governor-elect has constituted a three-man inauguration team, with Senator Dino Melaye as its chairman.
The other two members are Hon. Suleiman Kokori-Abdul and Hon. Benjamin Ikani Okolo.
The committee was inaugurated today at the Reverton Hotels, Lokoja by Melaye. The Committee is expected to coordinate all activities towards the effective take-off of the incoming administration.
Meanwhile, leaders of Okun Youths numbering about 100 gathered in Kabba, yesterday, to drum support for the Governor-Elect of the state, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, even as they decry the marginalization of Okun people in the State Public Service.
Rising from its meeting at the Grand Royale Hotel, Kabba, the Forum called on political stakeholders in the state to bury their personal interest in the overall interest of the people, saying it is high time the people united for peace and development.
According to the communique released at the end of the meeting and made available to newsmen, the group said it has decided to bow to party supremacy by accepting the decision of the party on the gubernatorial election in the state.
It urged the Deputy Governor-Elect, James Abiodun Faleke to accept the decision of the party.
It reads: ” Having considered all the pros and cons, we have decided to align all our political structures across the length and breadth of Okun Land behind Alhaji Yahaya Bello to ensure the success of his incoming Government.
“We implore all other camps to work harmoniously with the government of Alhaji Yahaya Bello for the betterment of Okun Land and to pave way for peace and tranquility in Kogi State”.
The Leaders Forum also frowned at the marginalisation of Okunland in terms of employment, appointment and infrastructural development, expressing confidence in the incoming administration to “correct the long standing anomaly”.
It called on the people of Kogi West and Central not to allow the selfishness of a few derail the selfless struggle of their forefathers for power rotation.
The Okun Youth Leaders also call on the incoming administration to restructure the Civil Service and ensure the rehabilitation of the Obajana-Kabba road. [myad]
Iran has complained that Saudi Arabian jets have carried out airstrikes on its embassy in Yemen today, and partly damaged it, while several security officers were injured as well. Jaber Ansari, spokesman of Iranian Foreign Ministry, said in Tehran that the strikes were conscious and deliberate attack from Saudi Arabia. Ansari said Saudis must pay reparations for the breach of international conventions as Tehran intends to take up the matter. Shiite Iran and Saudi Arabia back opposite sides in the civil war in Yemen. Relations were further soured earlier this week when Saudi Arabia executed Shiite Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a fiery critic of the kingdom’s Sunni authorities. [myad]
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A total of 40 people have died in an outbreak of Lassa fever in at least 10 Nigerian states within the last six weeks, the Nigerian health minister, Dr. Isaac Adewole has confirmed today.
Davido, Baby Mamas And Other Stories, By Reuben Abati
“What are you relieved about?”
“It is this David Adeleke and Sophia Momodu soap opera”.
“I tell you. It is a perfect subject for a good home video. But what is your own?”
“No. Nothing. I am just relieved that the parties involved have agreed to let peace reign”
“This will be about the third time I would hear of that matter being resolved.”
“Well, I think the Momodus and the Adelekes should just spare us. They should not forget there is a child involved. They have suddenly made Imade Adeleke, the most famous victim of Baby Mama-Baby Papa palaver in Nigeria. Both Davido and Sophia and their supporters’ clubs should please protect the baby, and not make her a poster child for that kind of subject.”
“But me, I am enjoying the story oh.”
“Of course, too many sadists in our land enjoy other people’s misery.”
“But really, it is a simple matter. “
“If it were that simple, the drama wouldn’t be so entertaining. “
“What Davido wants, Davido gets. His father is rich. He is a famous musician. Davido says he wants custody of his daughter.”
“By taking her away from her mother by force, and giving her to his half-sister, and threatening to travel out of the country with the baby for medicals, without the mother’s knowledge or consent? A seven-month old baby, abducted at two months?”
“He gave reasons for that. He is talking about the biological mother taking cannabis and risking his daughter’s life”
“Cannabis?”
“Yes. Igbo”
“You seriously mean marijuana?”
“Yes, gbana as in Indian hemp. And Davido provided a medical report to confirm his claim.”
“You saw the medical report. You are sure it is genuine? Because I understand Sophia Momodu’s lawyers have written the lab to produce the original report of proof of drug abuse.”
“This their matter sef.”
“That’s why it is the child that is most important. I don’t like the way they have turned the young girl into a trophy to be fought over in a blood sport. We are in the age of the internet. Twenty years from today, someone could print out these funny details from the internet memory bank. A father, grandfather and a half-sister fighting a mother and her family over a baby and making sordid claims: It is not a fight that can be easily won.”
“I hear Davido says the Momodus cannot force him. He may even release a special song to make his position clear: No be by force.”
“Nobody is forcing him and his family to marry Sophia Momodu. They are just saying custody should be mutually agreed upon.”
“And he and his family are saying they want their daughter properly brought up. They too have a point. You should not take sides.”
“Ok. He is talking about Marijuana. When he was head over heels in love with the Momodu girl, he didn’t smell marijuana? I am sure if he was given Marijuana before he was allowed to inhale, he would willingly exhale?
“He insists he was just 21 years old. And that he was seduced by a full-grown woman who took advantage of his youth and innocence.”
“Innocence, indeed. Was he raped? Did he not have a relationship with her, and did he not showcase her everywhere? He was 21. If he could be tricked at 21, then he should live with the consequences. “
“You are taking sides. I know why. You are Dele Momodu’s friend.”
“I am making uncommon sense. I am saying why is Davido asking for Sophia Momodu’s birth certificate after the fact? When the thing dey sweet them, they no dey remember say na the thing wey fowl chop, him go shit.”
“But you can’t force any man to marry a woman. Why the girl too go carry belle for him junior brother? She suppose know say Davido sef him na pikin. You no see as him papa they follow am, make dem no carry big yansh, big chest, fine face, cheat him son for Lagos”
“Him try well, well. But Davido, your boy, him no sabi use rubber?”
“That girl look like person wey go gree rubber?”
“You dey craze”
“My own is that fathers should just keep an eye on their sons and daughters. Let mothers also keep an eye on their daughters. To avoid stories that break the heart like this one, fine girls should just know that you can’t detain any man with a baby. Er beg.”
“The values of the younger generation are different.”
“Some strict parents will still never have allowed this to happen.”
“Some of these children are beyond control.”
“But we all suffer for it. This is why Ghanaian ladies insist that Nigerian men are unreliable. They say they use and dump women.”
“They say they…?”
“That’s what I hear.”
“They or we?”
“They.”
“You mean you have tried the Ghanaian market too? Tell your brother something about ECOWAS romance?”
“You are an incurable gossip. Ashawo, somebody.”
“But talking seriously, it won’t be fair to condemn Nigerian men. I think this is a thing about Nigerian musicians. Those people too like women. Young women, old women oh…any woman. Even the women musicians sef, any man wey stand well… fiam”
“That is more important to them than their art? No wonder many of them sing such trashy songs”
“There is even one of them who has seven children from five women or so. And there is one they call Whizkid”
“Superkid?”
“Whatever. But there is this kid musician who also has a child from an older woman. There is this joke that when his parents heard, they quickly took charge of the situation, by telling the Baby Mama that while they would accept the baby, everyone could see that the Baby father is himself still a baby, too young to take care of another baby, not to talk of a grown woman. They pleaded that no woman should pakurumo..ko…”
“ Nice joke. I laughed. Him sef na pikin, he never grow finish to take care of pikin. The girl fled.”
“That’s why I say it is a simple matter. Davido should have consulted his seniors in this matter. That one that has seven children from five women did it so well, today all his Baby Mamas married or single, are friends.”
“Wow. That’s a real Baba of the matter. Who is he?”
“I can’t mention his name. He is happily married now to one of the Baby Mamas. I don’t want to be accused of disrespecting another man’s wife.”
“Let Davido and Sophia just make peace for their daughter’s sake. And when the matter is settled, Davido knows where to go for tutorials if he really wants to fish in this type of troubled waters.”
“But our musicians sha. They can fight?”
“Who again is fighting?”
“Olamide and Don Jazzy.”
“That face-off over awards at The Headies event? But they have apologized”
“No. You don’t get the point. Why should artistes or producers or label owners fight over awards? What I have seen is that our young artistes are obsessed with awards. They seem to be more interested in being given a plaque than developing their real work. It is this same problem with Nollywood actors. Any small award is treated as if it is the Nobel Prize.”
“I see that too. It is the Grammy award disease.”
“No true artist should work with an eye on winning a plaque. The best award is the acceptance of the market place, not by a group of biased judges. If you are good as an artist, you are good, nobody can take that away from you.”
“Quite true. But it helps to have some plaques on the wall, I must say.”
“How many of those musicians who were called the best new acts on the block in the 80s and early 90s are still making any impact today? When a work of art is good, it will be evergreen; when an artist is good, his talent will endure.”
“Some of these new kids are great though. World-class talents. In the last few years, there has been an explosion of real talent.”
“I want to hear more about talent. Great art. Not drama kings and queens, not Baby Mamas and Lab Reports.”
“You are just old-fashioned. Controversy is part of art. Life itself is about controversy. Controversy produces great art. In the world of artists, all things work out as raw material.”
“That’s why people insist artists are mad.”
“But it is not only artists that generate or attract controversy. Politicians do.”
“I know. Controversy is the soul of politics, but here it produces stress and oftentimes, tragedy.”
“I’ll give you one example.”
“Which is?”
“In Oyo State, Governor Abiola Ajimobi is trying to embarrass the Olubadan in Council by trying to determine how existing vacancies within the hierarchy are filled. He is introducing INEC guidelines to Ibadan Chieftaincy affairs!”
“How can he possibly do that?”
“He is asking for certificates of mental, physical and marital fitness before Ladoja and Balogun can fill the Otun Olubadan and Osi Olubadan vacancies.”
“Marital fitness?”
“When people ask for physical fitness, don’t you know it is all encompassing?”
“All that is politics. I am sure it will be amicably resolved. Ajimobi is smart enough to know that you don’t fight the traditional institution. Governors will come and go, the Olubadan is the owner of Ibadan”
“Don’t tell me. Go and tell Ajimobi”
“Don’t worry. He knows. He just dey make body. Body language, they call it.”
“But what is happening in Bayelsa is not body language oh. When the people of Southern Ijaw go to the polls tomorrow to determine who will be the next Governor of Bayelsa state, they won’t be joking; the state will be at war.”
“May be not real war; let’s say blood sport.”
“You are speaking grammar. I just hope the election won’t be inconclusive again.”
“It is a combat for political supremacy.”
“Put it like this: the outcome may determine the future of Bayelsa state.”
“No. Put it like this: the outcome will determine the future of the PDP.”
“You are quibbling.”
“Dickson is core Ijaw. Timipre Sylva is Nembe.”
“I don’t get it.”
“The mind of the core Ijaw voter will make the difference. We pray for peace.”
“I have an idea now. Yes. All things being equal.”
“That’s politics for you.”
“But there are other forces.”
“That’s why there is so much at stake, and a question of where the stakeholders stand.”
“I know. Stakeholders matter. They have just allowed MTN to buy Visafone.”
“Really? Is that a reward for the fine MTN is supposed to pay?”
“It is a business transaction, nothing about government.”
“Everything is about government. Has MTN paid its fine, before being allowed to take over a home-grown company?”
“We should study what happened. Why do Nigerians get licenses and approvals, run a business for a while and then sell to foreign interests? HiTV. Now Visafone. ”
“One glaring failure of local content!”
“Look, let’s discuss that after MTN must have paid the fine.”
“I hear they have sacked 2, 000 Nigerian workers at Visafone, already. They have taken over.”
“What?”
“Oh, yes.”
“Oh no.” [MYAD]