Nosa Obaseki, a proof that hard work, diligence and persistence pays beyond imagination.




By Opute C. Joel

“That which we persist in doing makes it easier for us to do; not that the nature of doing it has changed, but our ability to do it has increased…” this I believe is a manifestation in the life of the assiduously intelligent Nigerian, Canadian based actor; Nosa Obaseki. Permit me as I am constraint to write another article on some achievements of this great man.

Sometime in October last year (2017), he exclaimed in one of his social media handles… “Two awards in two days… Wow!” He won two international awards in two days and got overwhelmed. Ordinarily, anyone watching from afar would feel this is just favor. The truth is; yes, it is favor, favor from God Almighty on a beloved son who has worked so hard over the years and still working very hard to develop the inbuilt talents deposited in him by the same God. He has stumbled several times, was teased, rejected even by loved ones because of his inadequacy to perform and measure up to certain high standards in those days yet he did not give up. Those rejections became his propelling force to greatness. In his weepings and wailings, he sought out his weaknesses and inefficiency and started perfecting them one after the other irrespective of the strenuous sacrifices they required hence, the favor is a merited one; bestowed to crown his hard work and to encourage more from him.

Over the years as an actor, Nosa has done well for himself. He has been nominated in several International and National Awards and he won majority of the nominations in the various categories he was nominated. This is one way you know who is good and passionate about what he does. Here are list of some awards and categories he was nominated in, and won to his honor…  Best Actor, African Entertainment Award 2017 (Canada), Diaspora Entertainment Awards, Maryland, USA (DEA 2016), Achievement in Acting, Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF 2017), ABERDORC Production Award of Excellence, 2016 (Canada), Canada at 150 Art Award, 2017 (Toronto, Canada), African Artist Association Awards, 2018 (Paris, France) J-DRIMS Moving Picture Award, 2017 (Nigeria), Edo/Delta Entertainment Achievement Award, 2017 (Nigeria), Vigor Awards, 2018 (Canada). Wow… this is really great achievements.

Preparing for a scene in the movie Queen of
Queens, been attended to by Osaro Emmanulla,
The Make up Assistant.
The most recent that is not mentioned above is the prestigious Nigerian Canadian Celebrities Entertainment Award (NICCEA), held in Toronto, Canada and was organized by Starboard Entertainment in collaboration with Hunter TV Africa. He was here in Nigeria receiving an award when the information came that he has been honored with another award of excellence by the aforementioned. It will also interest you to know that he is a nominee in the category of Best Actor in the ongoing outstanding Best of Nollywood Award (BON) that will take place in Ibadan, Nigeria on the 8th of December, 2018. It will not be surprising to any one if he emerges the winner of this prominent award.

Good news to all movie producers and practitioners. This multi talented Canadian based actor is presently in Nigeria and from my little conversation with him; he is ready body, soul and mind to feature in some good movies before returning to Canada. It now behooves on who will be the first persons to contact him and strike a deal or contract with him. Remember, his presence in your movie automatically creates an international awareness for it which all filmmakers crave for. Are you wondering on how you could contact him? Oh yes you can! Just leave a short message of your personality and intentions in any of his social media handle below and he will reply you in no time if he feels interested in your proposal.

Facebook: Nosa Obaseki
Twitter: @noski7
Snapchat: @noski147

Be bold enough to face your fears like Nosa Obaseki and persist in doing whatever you feel is good despite your weaknesses; it will gradually become your strength someday.

Do subscribe to our blog by filling and submitting the subscribe form to get direct publications from us via email. Please follow us as well, it is free. Feel free to contact us for your publications as well…


Jonathan: Nigeria is now more corrupt than under me



Former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebere Jonathan has lampooned the ongoing anti-graft war being waged by President Muhammadu Buhari as a mere media show, saying there is more corruption in Nigeria now than under his administration. He claimed that he handed over a $500 billion, vibrant economy to President Buhari and lamented that his successor plunged the economy into recession through de-marketing of the country and turned round to blame it on alleged mindless looting of the country by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, administration he succeeded. 

However, in an email to Vanguard News Paper, Attorney-General of the Federation & Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, dismissed the former president’s claims as untenable because it “was not backed by any trace of evidence.” He further asserted that the Buhari administration has driven corruption aground. 

Convinced that “he served Nigeria well’, Dr. Jonathan said there was an attempt by President Buhari’s administration to erase his achievements through misrepresentations, adding that his administration was neither clueless nor inept as claimed by critics. These are part of excerpts from Dr Jonathan’s new book: ‘’My Transition Hours,’’ which was launched in Abuja. 

A minister, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he had better things to do than to respond to Jonathan’s claims, which he said were meant to confuse Nigerians. He directed Vanguard to talk to another senior minister on the issue. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, said he was yet to read the book and could not make any comment. “I have not read the book and so, I cannot make any comment. When I have gone through the book, I will make an official comment,” he said. Also, National Publicity Secretary of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Lanre Isa-Onilu, declined comments, saying “when Jonathan talks, it is government to government. I have not read the book and even if I have read the book, it is not talking about APC as a party.” However, the PDP concurred with Jonathan, saying that the former president’s views reflected what was happening now. 

Jonathan’s claims untenable — Malami Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, dismissed Jonathan’s claims of Nigeria being more corrupt under President Buhari as untenable because the claim was not backed by any trace of evidence. According to him, available facts on the ground had proved that corruption was seriously decreasing in the country because of the robust policies and actions taken by the Buhari administration. Malami, in a mail to Vanguard, said that even corrupt persons in Nigeria are feeling the heat of the anti-corruption drive by the Buhari administration and are very uncomfortable to continue with graft. The minister said there was no way corruption could be growing under Buhari, given the stringent measures put in place. His words: “The anti-corruption war in many countries in the world is not restricted to prosecution and conviction of the perpetrators, but importantly also deals with repatriation and recovery of stolen assets for the benefit of the populace as victims of corruption. Hence legislation in this regard should naturally not be restricted to criminal prosecution. “This administration had realized the importance of using civil methods of assets forfeiture and recovery especially as it imposes a lesser burden of proof on the part of government and makes it easier to recover stolen assets.” The minister boasted that as proof of the effectiveness of the anti-corruption war being waged by the Buhari administration, N279 billion and huge assets had been recovered from corrupt elements in the country within a period of three years. “Apart from these efforts made locally to improve its successes in the fight against corruption through the enactment of enhanced legislation, the Federal Government had taken the anti-graft war to other jurisdictions. “The Office of the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation has recovered the sums of N59 billion and $385.4 million locally. The total sums recovered by the Ministry during the reporting period are $779,495,900.00 and N59,163,029,949.46 respectively. It may interest you to know that as at 29th May, 2015, the balance in the recovery account of the FGN stood at N19,524,490,207. “This balance has increased (due to the recovery efforts of this administration) from N19.5 billion to N279 billion as at 22nd November, 2017. This represents an increase of 1,329%,” Malami boasted. Jonathan right on graft in Buhari’s gov. 

PDP Reacting to Jonathan’s comments yesterday, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the former president stated the obvious and urged the National Assembly to open the books of Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, to “unravel the shady practices going on in the Buhari-led administration.” He said: “Every Nigerian knows that the APC-led government of Buhari is the most corrupt in the history of our nation. It is an open secret that despite their claims, a lot of stealing is going on in this government. “So, we are calling on the National Assembly to do a forensic audit of the books of the MDAs to unearth the corruption they have been perpetrating in the past three and a half years. “This government is not only clueless but also has man insatiable appetite for corruption. We thank our amiable leader, statesman and global icon, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for stating the obvious.” 

I never said stealing is not corruption He also responded to the infamous claim that he tended to downplay raging corruption in his administration by boldly claiming that ‘stealing is not corruption.’ He wrote: “It is important to note that despite the many sensational stories, dramatic arrests, seizures and accusations, many of them false, since I left office, the fact remains that Nigeria has not made any improvement on the TI Corruption Perception Index since 2014. “In fact, the 2017 CPI released in 2018 by TI places Nigeria as number 148, a retrogression in which the nation went 12 places backward. In other words, Nigeria is more corrupt in 2017 than it was when I handed over to Buhari administration in 2015. “Some people may be misled with smoke and mirrors but the TI Corruption Perception Index relies on unsentimental facts and figures.” 

Scores his administration high on anti-corruption fight Jonathan hailed the policies and measures his administration conceived and implemented to check corruption and financial leakages and raised government revenue during his time. He pointed to the introduction of the Electronic Wallet Initiative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, which effectively checkmated fertilizer scam and saved the country up to $192 million in the first year of its application in 2012. He also praised his administration for the development and implementation of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, IPPIS, which enabled the government to flush out 50,000 ghost federal workers and saved the country N15 billion monthly. Jonathan claimed that it was through the effective implementation of the anti-corruption measures by his administration that brought positive results to Nigeria in 2014 and made it to receive the best ever ranking in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index, which ranked Nigeria 136th out of the 144 countries ranked. “This was an improvement from the nation’s previous position of 144th in 2013, 139th in 2012 and 143rd in 2011,” Jonathan noted. 

Jonathan clarified that he never said that stealing was not corruption, adding that what he actually said and meant was twisted out of context by his enemies just to score political mileage and bring down his administration. “They claim that I once said that ‘stealing is not corruption’. This is not true. Following the constant stigmatization of Nigeria as corrupt, I invited the leadership of the legislature and the judiciary to a meeting. “In attendance were the Senate President and his deputy, Speaker of the House of Representatives, his deputy, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and six states’ Chief Judges from the six geopolitical zones. “Also invited were heads of the two anti-corruption agencies, viz: the chairman of the EFCC and the ICPC and I presided over the meeting. “My thinking was that the head of the executive arm of government alone could not effectively eradicate the scourge of corruption, hence the need for that meeting. I personally appealed to them and argued that an all-inclusive approach could bring about tangible successes in the anti-corruption fight. “The judiciary, the legislature and the executive arms of government needed to join forces if we were to end the theft of public resources and stop corruption.” Jonathan said it was on the strength of his presentation that the former CJN, Justice Dahiru Musdapher, acknowledged that he was of the same opinion. According to Jonathan, the CJN told him that he had also discovered, after going through case files in the Supreme Court ,nearly all cases, which should have been properly labelled as ‘crimes of stealing’ and the individuals involved charged as such, were simply tagged by the prosecutors as ‘corruption.’ He continued: “It was on the strength of the CJN’s submission that I expounded to say that we should stop calling a spade an agricultural implement. Corruption does not fully capture the act of stealing. A person can indeed be corrupt without stealing a dime. “Those who are incapable of comprehending this elevated thought and the mischievous crowd, go about till date, that I said ‘stealing is not corruption’. They never bothered to even check the context in which I spoke. If you ask many of those clinging to that falsehood and mouthing the malicious misrepresentation, to quote where I said it, they will tell you ‘they only heard.’ 

“Let me say categorically that I have never said that stealing is good and that people should steal; neither did the CJN. Stealing is stealing and instead of calling it corruption, let us call the thief by his proper name and not use a blanket word like corruption. He argues: “Corruption encompasses many things.” Quoting Transparency International, Jonathan said: “Corruption is defined as the ‘abuse of entrusted power for private gain. We must not lump everything together and say stealing is corruption. We must isolate stealing and make it as plain as day because Nigerians hate thieves. I abhor jungle justice, but we have witnessed Nigerians show their hatred for suspected thieves by burning them alive.’’ 

I handed over $500 billion GDP, vibrant economy to Buhari in 2015 Still on his achievements, Jonathan boasted that he still holds his head high, having governed the country very well and left indelible marks, especially a buoyant economy with an unprecedented Gross Domestic Product, GDP of $500 billion. Jonathan said he was particularly proud that he achieved the milestones despite inheriting a country that buffeted by militancy in the Niger Delta and the Boko Haram insurgency in the North-East coupled with a weak economic base. 

In spite of the drawbacks, the former president said he assembled the best crop of Nigerians from all parts of the world to run the government and succeeded in making Nigeria the world’s fourth fastest-growing economy and the largest in Africa. His words: “I fought insurgency, the worst security challenge in the history of the nation except the civil war. Even with that, we professionally managed and grew our economy to become the largest economy in Africa with a GDP of over $500 billion. All my cabinet ministers, government officials and the private sector worked in synergy to build an economy with well-established strong fundamentals. Nigerians were not under threat by their government. We became the fourth fastest growing economy in the world with an average growth rate of over 6%. “That was the economy we handed over to the Buhari administration. We had something good to offer to Nigerians. We knew what to do to keep our country afloat even in difficult circumstances. In tough and in good times, it was our duty to keep hopes of citizens of Nigeria alive and we were always conscious not to send negative signals against Nigeria and Nigerians to the rest of the world.’’ 

Jonathan lamented that shortly after leaving office, the Buhari government allowed the economy to go into recession by scaring away investors through uncouth pronouncements by the president at home and abroad. Buhari’s government de-markets Nigeria at home and abroad. He said: “As leaders of Nigeria, we traveled far and wide. We marketed our abundant natural and human capacity to foreign investors. We wanted them to invest in the most populous nation in Africa that had within its borders, immense talents, resources and investment opportunities. It paid off because in no time, Nigeria then became number one investment destination in Africa, earning the highest in foreign direct investment.’’ 

Although he did not mention Buhari by name, Jonathan accused his administration of de-marketing Nigeria and causing the economy to slip into recession and creating hardship for Nigerians, thereby erasing the gains made by his government. He said: “Rather than forge a coalition and build on the momentum we had gathered when they eventually took office, they went on a persecution spree and vengeance mission. That the country slipped into recession soon after we left office was a self-inflicted injury caused by misplaced priorities. The narrative of inheriting empty treasury is a blatant lie. “Also, the excuse of the collapse of world crude prices does not hold water. This is because the Fourth Republic took off in 1999 with crude oil selling for less than $20 per barrel and a GDP growth at 0.58%, according to National Bureau of Statistics figures. Yet the economy maintained a steady growth from that year, peaking at 15.33% in 2002 when the average crude oil price was about $25. It is also instructive that the oil and gas sector constitute about 11% of our GDP. There had to be a wider causative factor than just the fall in world crude prices. Recession caused by Buhari’s government, not mindless looting by PDP “It also amounts to standing facts on their heads to continuously claim that recession was caused by so-called mindless looting. 

The truth is that the opposition, in a bid to undo our government, became its own undoing when it got to power, because of the burden of justifying deliberate misrepresentations. “There is wisdom in the saying that if you win a prize and get the crown, don’t go around destroying the person who previously held that prize; it will lose its value. Even after winning the election and forming the government at the centre, the blame game continued. “When two brothers fight to death, it is the neighbour that inherits their father’s wealth. And we have seen neighbouring nations like the Republic of Benin and Ghana reaping from the capital flight out of Nigeria. “You should never try to slander your political opponents by destroying your country’s economy. Capital flight intensified and companies started laying off staff. In all these, I hope a lesson would be learnt. If you embark on digging a hole for your enemy; you better make it shallow, because you might end up in the hole yourself. How do you attract investors you already repelled through your utterances? Investors are an ultra-sensitive lot. Money runs away from unstable societies. 

Attacks on my ministers, aides and family members “Most painful have been the attacks on my ministers, aides and associates and even members of my family. There is an attempt to erase our legacy from history. The good thing is that the unending barrage of attacks, deliberate misinformation and programmed media smear campaigns have failed to sway the opinion of those with a clear view of our beliefs, efforts and achievements. “There are millions of Nigerians and others around the world who are still impressed with our modest achievements in consolidating democracy and growing the nation’s economy. They will continue to serve as my strength and encouragement. “Sometimes I laugh when certain propagandists attempt to stand logic on its head by maligning my administration as one bereft of ideas and ‘clueless’. In assessing my administration, it is best to focus on facts. I cannot assess myself. I leave that to history. “But I can assess my cabinet and I make bold to say that never in the history of Nigeria, till date, has the nation had such a star-studded cabinet full of achievers and people who got to the top of their chosen fields by merit. “Just consider that my Minister of State for Health, Dr. Muhammed Ali Pate, is now a professor at America’s Duke University, as well as a Senior Adviser to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation based in Washington DC. My Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, is now the President of the African Development Bank. “My Co-ordinating Minister, Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, is the chairperson of the Board of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) and the African Risk Capacity (ARC). She also sits on the board of Twitter and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, just as she is a Senior Adviser at Lazard and a Director at Standard Chartered Plc in the United Kingdom, amongst others. “My Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson, is currently Chairperson of Custodian and Allied Insurance Limited as well as the Global Alliance for Affordable Internet. And it is not just members of my cabinet. Others who served with me in different capacities are also soaring on the world stage. 

Breaking: Bill to Recognise June 12 As Democracy Day Escapes Defeat in house of Reps




Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari had in May this year conferred a posthumous award on Alhaji MKO Abiola, the acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election upon which the new Democracy Day is being proposed from the known May 29. Members were naturally divided on a plea to pass the bill for second reading. Titled “A Bill for an Act to amend the Public Holidays Act, Cap. P40 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to bring the Act in tandem with the current realities and exigencies of the modern times and to declare June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria and for Related Matters (HBs.918 and 1529)”. 

Those who spoke against the Bill questioned the rational behind the proposal and the Presidential pronouncement, saying it had political connotations. They queried the significance of the day, asking if the hand over ceremony constitutionally done on May 29 of every four years would be shifted. Recognizing however that June 12 election was adjudged free and fair, the lawmakers asked if the government of President Buhari has bothered to give democracy a leeway to thrive in various elections he had so far conducted since he came on board. 

They posited that Buhari who himself truncated democratic practice in 1983 by ousting the government of Shehu Shagari has without repentance, continued to muzzle democratic ethos and norms. 

Similarly, those who spoke in favor of the bill said that the annulment of an election termed the fairest can only be redone by pronouncing the day the real democracy day, applauding President Buhari for that singular recognition. When subjected to voice vote, the chambers roared with a thunderous “nay”, clearly out-voicing those that chorused “yea”. And then came an eerie silence with all attention shifting to Dogara to know what his hitting of the gavel would mean. 

Apparently, applying tact and finesse, the Speaker echoed “the ayes have it.” He was later to justify the ruling on the plank of national unity and cohesion having earlier before putting the question appealed to the members to consider the mood of the country. “I ruled in the favor of national unity and cohesion”, he said.

Nosa Obaseki, an Icon to reckon with




                                                                                                             By Opute C. Joel
                                                                                        
“Straight is the way and narrow the path that leads to eternal life” is a quote originated by the greatest Being that has ever lived on earth. This is one principle strictly adhered to by all great and successful entrepreneurs and personalities that climbed the ladder of wealth, fame and greatness and remained there for ages against all odds because like the saying implies; it is step by step, line upon line, precept upon precept, a little here and a little there and they are in their destination of greatness never to be dragged down again. This I believe is a guiding principle for the prestigious actor/filmmaker, Nosa Obaseki who has climbed to a great height yet, still gradually climbing to the apex of his career.
 
Nosa Obaseki, born into the humble Agbonifo’s home in the famous Obaseki’s family, in the great Benin Empire, started his career in the movie industry in 1998 as a Production Assistant (PA). He was one of the PAs in the award winning African movie titled Igodo. He is a biological brother of Dr Don Pedro Obaseki, who is a veteran and scholar in Nollywood, and Iyen Agbonifo Omoruyi, the immediate past president of Creative Designers Guild of Nigeria (CDGN)

Kabat Esosa Egbon (Left) With Nosa Obaseki during the Shoot
of the movie Queen of Queens.
Like many other great men, Nosa has progressed from grace to grace by venturing into acting. He has featured in movies like Brave Soldier, Prisoner of Passion, Seduction, Adam and Eve, Sleep Walker,  Emerald, I have a Dream, Missing Angel, Tangle with me, Anini, Beginning and the End, Bridesmaid, Saving Dreams, Complicated Lies, Sunburn, Ebomisi, Wede, Forbidden Cave, Queen of Queens Molly’s Love Story, Believe in You etc. He has been privileged to work with many great filmmakers and actors like Dr Don Pedro Obaseki, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, Kabat Esosa Egbon, Iyen Agbonifo Omoruyi, Amen Imasuen, Isioro Tokunbor Jaboro, Opute C. Joel, Wendy Uwadiae Imasuen, Osagie Elegbe, Ramsey Nouah, Jim Iyke, Genevieve Nnaji, Majid Michael, Yvonne Jegede, Linda Osifo, Kenneth Okorie, Belinda Effah, Matilda Obaseki, Etomi Okoka, Segun Arinze, Oge Okoye, Seun Akindele and so many other names that cannot be mentioned for now.

In 2011, he relocated to Canada. One would have thought that his attention should have naturally drifted from the movie industry yet he progressed more, not just as an actor that featured in series of blockbusters like Saving Dreams but he became a producer too. He produced the movie titled Sunburn which was directed by Amen Imasuen; the multiple award-winning director, and played the lead character in the movie. The movie became a hit as it was premiered and screened in places like Toronto, Canada, New Jersey, London, Madrid, Spain, Valencia, Spain, Antwerp, Belgium and Paris, France. It is good to note that the movie will still be undergoing screening in several places before the year ends.

Three recent movies that are getting him excited as the world awaits their release in anticipation are Complicated Lies, produced by Isoken Ibie, a renowned actress and philanthropist based in Canada and directed by Amen Imasuen. The second is Wede, produced and directed by Mr. Consistent himself, the Guvnor of Nollywood, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, the man encapsulated in filmmaking who is the father, grandfather and great-grandfather of many great filmmakers.  The third is Queen of Queens, produced and directed by Kabat Esosa Egbon, a prolific director and writer with excellence. Complicated Lies and Queen of Queens have been screened and in the cities of Toronto and Calgary, Canada and more cities are requesting for them.

I will now give a brief insight of these movies through their synopsis and log-lines…

COMPLICATED LIES
Nina is the last of three children. Her older brothers, Rex and Christopher form her solid protection after they lose both of their parents. They agree to stay together “Always and Forever.” Rex and Christopher continue to shield their sister and train her in school.
Nina’s return from the NYSC sees her in a pool of anger mixed with jealousy when she finds out that her brothers have gone against their promise of sticking together and now have girlfriends. This singular fact makes Nina appear rude and disrespectful to her brothers girlfriends and most of all, Nina becomes too clingy to her brothers, making them to have less time for their girlfriends and this gets Lois (Rex’s girlfriend) and Chioma (Christopher’s girlfriend) really pissed that they have to think of a way to get rid of Nina.

Lois has a cousin, Tobi (an Artist), who is hired by Lois and Chioma to help keep Nina away from her brothers by making her fall in love with him and keeping her occupied. This plan works and soon Nina is consumed by Tobi’s love.

Although this is a job for Tobi which earns him extra monthly cash, he starts falling really in love with Nina. Tobi decides to end the deal between him and the girls by inviting them to his home to talk over the deal they had made. It is during this meeting that Nina, while on her way to visit Tobi, finds out what actually happened; Nina is heartbroken!

After getting herself together, she summons a family meeting with Tobi and her brothers girlfriends in attendance and has everything out in the open much to everyone’s shock and surprise. Christopher and Rex are angry at their women for being masterminds of such stupidity but with Nina’s intervention, they are able to forgive their girlfriends.

Tobi meets up with Nina a day after to apologize and make his intentions and feelings clear. It is a perfect ending when Tobi pulls out a ring and proposes to Nina and the fashion at which she does this is one that will leave the viewers in a thunderous ovation.
Watch out for this great piece…

WEDE
The blade has become the most dreaded symbol in the heart of all feminine yet; liberation into womanhood must come only through its rites and rituals. Edewede has suffered the agony of losing dear ones in the past. Its peril is like the unpardonable wrath of hell bulged at a helpless soul. The grief is unimaginable.

She had directly suffered the effect of the blade and almost gave up the ghost but survived in an unexplainable way. It is time for Oseme, her dearly beloved only surviving child to become a woman. She must undergo the divinity of the dreaded blade according to tradition for the rite of becoming a woman to be complete. Ordia, her husband is skeptical and confused of what to think and believe. Meanwhile, Ebikere, Ordia’s mother and Edewede’s Mother-in-law is determined and head bent in fulfilling the demands of custom and tradition. Oseme must be circumcised according to the demand of tradition.

The love of a mother for her child is beyond comprehension. The norms of the land were enacted by people in the past who probably became deity in the future.  It is time to change them and enact new standards that will become the custom of the people; it is time to change tradition as the unforgiving wrath of a frenzied mother fights to save her only child.
It is an epic African story that entails love in all ramifications, faithfulness, willingness, togetherness, the powers of womanhood and the ills of circumcision. “Do not underestimate the powers of a wounded raving woman…

Watch out for this great piece…

QUEEN OF QUEENS
Queen or Queens is the story of Queen Iden of Benin Kingdom. A woman of virtue, character, courage, strength and the embodiment of patience and loyalty… It is the story of one woman who against all odds defies nature and reasoning to offer herself as the ultimate sacrifice to restore the monarchy and the throne of her husband’s fathers and their fathers before him with her uncommon deed.

Oba Oreoghene passes to join his ancestors and the kingdom stands at a precipice with the rejection of the throne by Akenuzama, next in line to the throne. The monarchy must never suffer a vacuum for when the plantain dies, another must take its place. Benin must have a king!

Ewebonaza, wife of Akenuzama would do all to have her son as Oba if her husband rejects the throne of his fathers. Despite all the obstacles, Idova ascends the throne as Oba Ewuakpe, the 26th Oba of Benin Kingdom and Empire but this was the beginning of the gathering storm.

Ewebonaza, mother of Oba Ewuakpe passes on to the land of silence.  His grief and pain is unbearable and to give his mother a befitting burial, suitable for a Queen Mother, he unleashes mayhen on the people as he seeks human sacrifices to accompany his mother into the land of the dead. The people revolt against this high handedness and turn their backs on the palace and the Oba; even his wives and slaves abandon him except for his ONE-IDEN

Through Oba Ewuakpe’s trials and struggles, we encounter the true meaning of leadership and love; a journey that reveals his true QUEEN OF QUEENS…

Watch out for this great piece…

Patience, diligence, persistence, hard work and endurance are indeed attributes to greatness and staying great ti eternity. No wonder straight is the way and narrow, the path that leads to eternal life. We all must stay focus in steadfastness on the track else we will dwindle away and lose our track. Nosa Obaseki, a true icon to reckon with indeed


Sir U's Marital Quest





Wow...! This is so humorous. A great comedy piece from the stable of OCJ Entertainment.



I hope you will enjoy it as you watch...

Nosa Obaseki, a Nominee in the prestigious African Entertainment Awards



                                                                                                         By Opute C. Joel

There is an adage that says “go on your kneels and talk to God in fervent prayers and then get on your feet and assiduously workout your request to God.” This is a secret of, and a key to success. The favour you requested from God most times will not come to you where you are kneeling during prayers or while sitting and folding your hands after prayers, but when you stand and work it out, your path will be directed by providence to the answers of your supplications.

This is a unique quality of this great personality.

Nosa Obaseki, an Actor slash Filmmaker that started from the very scratch, came into the movie industry as a Production Assistant (PA), which is the least of all crew members in the movie industry in any part of the world. He has risen overtime  to the highest height of being a PA; the second PA in the industry meaning, a renowned Producer/Actor.

His commitment to work and diligence in appreciating and magnifying whatever role he is employed to do at any given time has honored him with so many great recognition and condign pragmatic awards in the past. That same quality of praying, working assiduously and showing genuine appreciation has given him another recognition as a Nominee in the category of Best Actor in the prestigious international “African Entertainment Awards” in Toronto, Canada.

CLICK HERE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT NOSA OBASEKI

As lovers of good things, fans of hard work and appreciators of continuity and persistence; should we allow this recognition end as a mere Nominee? For me, it is NO and I believe it is same with you reading this article and everyone out there.

Let us support good work by endorsing the producer of Sunburn, the current mind blowing  cinematic movie for the award. We will show our endorsement by voting for him to win the award. Your vote will go a long way in sustaining and encouraging that good work which started very little many years ago and has grown overtime.

Vote for Nosa Obaseki as Best Actor in the African Entertainment Awards by CLICKING HERE.. When you are redirected to the site, click on the vote button on top of his name, merged with his picture.

Thanks for your time, thanks for your appreciation and thanks for your great and immense support.

You can as well share this article with your friends and broadcast it as an invitation to do same.

Please note that voting will commence on the 6th of this very October, 2017.

Watch Saving Dreams where Nosa Obaseki played a lead roll


Buhari will win 2019 elections very easily - Oshiomhole




- Ex-Governor of Edo state, Adams Oshiomhole has said he is certain that President Muhammadu Buhari will easily be elected again if he seeks re-election

- Oshiomhole says by 2019, the Buhari-led administration would have done enough to have the people re-elect Buhari as president

- The former governor says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not have stood a chance in tackling all that the Buhari-led government has faced

Ex-governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has given reasons why President Muhammadu Buhari will be conveniently re-elected if he seeks for a second term in office when the 2019 elections come around.

He said the Buhari-led administration would have further consolidated on its numerous giant strides by 2019.

2019 elections: Buhari will win very easily - Oshiomhole He added that by then, comparisons would be made by Nigerians as to the messy situation the country was in 2015 and the changes that were recorded afterwards.

Daily Post reports that the former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, who spoke to journalists, said against the rhetoric of critics who no longer have access to stolen and cheap money, the truth remained that the country was gradually undergoing an unprecedented change that had put it in the path for greatness and real success.

He said: “If the Peoples Democratic Party were still at the center, I bet you it would have been case closed for Nigeria.

“Boko Haram got up to Benin and had a base in Kogi, who wants to return to that path?

“Who wants to go back to the era when Nigeria Army were said to be running away from battle?

“Who wants to return to the era of abuse of subsidy?

“Again, in all fairness who wants to return to the era of crude oil theft?

“I had asked former President Jonathan as a member of the security committee with governors how crude oil were been stolen in tankers and the Nigerian Navy was not aware. Were the tankers flying?

“Why are we not hearing such stories again, he queried.Who was in government when companies such as Michelin, Dunlop, and Nestl etc started relocating to Ghana.

“Here in Nigeria, a government spent $16bn on power and at the end of spending the last dollar the country degeneration rated from from 4,000 megawatts to 2000 megawatts.

“Who wants to return to an era where in the name of privatization, the PDP government handed over sensitive national assets to brothers, friends and cronies who neither have the competence nor the wherewithal to invest in power distribution which has further compounded our problem today.

“So who wants to return to such time?

“So honestly for me, the facts and choice is clear ahead and of course will be in 2019," the former Edo governor stated.

While welcoming the President Buhari back from his sick leave, Comrade Oshiomhole applauded the President on the way and manner he handled his vacation, saying it was unprecedented.

He added: “President Buhari is not the first to fall ill, he just happens to be the first in the history of Nigeria to acknowledge that he was ill and hence going on vacation and also to seek medical attention.

“And as required by law, unlike in the past, he duly wrote to the National Assembly and requested that his vice acted as stipulated. What more did Nigerians expect.”

Meanwhile there are speculation that Oshiomhole might be drafted into Buhari's cabinet following a shakeup which sources in the presidency claim is imminent.

According to Sunday Punch, the changes were going to be ‘earth-shattering’ because a few of the President’s powerful aides and prominent members of the administration would be affected.

Investigation reveal also that the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, is likely to be affected by the changes.

A senior government official, who preferred anonymity said: “In the next few weeks, we

Chinese doctors bow down to an 11 year old boy with brain tumor

Heartbreaking photo


Chinese Doctors bow down to an 11-year-old boy with brain cancer who saved several lives by donating his organs. Liang Yaoyi’s wish to donate his organs moved his medical team so much that they bowed in reverence on the day of his death.

Selfless Liang, and gifted student, died from the tumor. His mother can be seen crying in the background of the poignant photo. Before passing away, Liang told his mother that he wanted to donate his organs. He told Daily China: "There are many people doing great things in the world. They are great, and I want to be a great kid too."​ He also said the donation was a chance for him to be "alive in another way"​.

May his soul rest in peace. Amen. If you're touched by this story, leave a comment for the late Liang who lives on.

As Buhari remains in UK, 50,000 youths hold rally in support of him in Daura

Pro Buhari Rally

- 50,000 youths hold a rally in Daura, in support of President Buhari

- The youths were under the umbrella of the "Buhari Youth Congress for Change"

- The secretary of the group said they believed President Buhari was in good health

Pro Buhari rally
As President Muhammadu Buhari remains in the UK, 50,000 youths have held a rally in support of him in his hometown, in Daura local government area in Katsina state.

The rally was held on Saturday, February 18 and was organized by a NGO: “Buhari Youth Congress for Change.”

Alhaji Musa Badamasi, the secretary of the NGO, told the press in Daura that the rally was accompanied with marathon prayer.

According to Vanguard, Badamasi explained the reason for the rally, saying the youth was using it to make their position known on the style of governance by Buhari.

He went on to describe most of the insinuations regarding the health of Buahri as attempts to tarnish the image of his administration by his enemies.

Badamasi also assured the press that the NGO would continue to rally round Buhari to enable him continue the good work he had been doing for the nation.

Also the chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) chapter in Daura, Alhaji Sani Altine, commended the youth for organising the rally and prayed for the safe return of the president.

Altine also said the chapter would continue to support the policies and programmes of the Buhari government.

Alhaji Rabiu Fada went ahead to describe Buhari as a God-sent, especially considering the effort of his administration to arrest the security challenges in the North-East.

Praising the president, he said the unnecessary displacement and destruction of lives and property in the North-East had drastically reduced, and the president deserved commendation.

Lastly, Alhaji Musa Abdullahi, the Daura Zonal Vice-Chairman of APC commended the youth and assured them of support of the party whenever the need arose.

He said Buhari was in good health, stressing that ‘’last week, we were in contact with him through telephone conversation.

Meanwhile, the medical vacation of President Muhammadu Buhari in London is still a trending topic in Nigeria.

Nigerians are beginning to question the cost of the president’s medical vacation. There are now calls on the government to improve the nation’s health system and make it more suitable for medical tourism

President Muhammadu Buhari may be spending charge between £200 and £250 per hour, for medical services in the United Kingdom.

Under Buhari, Naira has become Africa's worst currency - Ekweremadu spits

President Buhari and Deputy Senate President Ike

Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy President of the Senate, on Monday, February 20, lashed out at the All Progressives Congress (APC) government led by President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the economy has suffered more crisis under the new administration.

Recession disaster: Under Buhari, Naira has become Africa's worst currency - Ekweremadu spits

According to Punch, Ekweremadu said this at the Peoples Democratic Party’s national stakeholders’ meeting held at the Ekiti State Governor’s Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja, on Monday.

The Deputy Senate President, while decrying the worsening economic conditions of the country, alleged that “all APC promises had been kept in the reverse order.”

A Naira to a Dollar Lie

He was quoted by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Uche Anichukwu, as saying, “They told us that one US dollar would be one naira when they take over. Has that happened? Today, our currency is the worst currency in the whole of Africa.

Is that the type of democracy we looked forward to? I can see a situation where the price of oil is going up and the value of naira is going down. What type of economics is that?”

Remain strong comrades

Ekweremadu, however, enjoined PDP faithful to remain strong as the party would “work with Nigerians to restore true democracy and hope to our people.”

He said: “I believe that with determination and sticking together, we will triumph and Nigeria will be better for it.”

The Deputy Senate President also condemned what he described as the manipulation of vital institutions of democracy and radical decline of democratic freedoms in Nigeria.

He also said the solidarity of all key organs of the PDP for the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led National Caretaker Committee, despite the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal on the party’s leadership tussle, showed that “it is not the hood that makes the monk.”

Ekweremadu, while condemning the sealing of the International Conference Centre, Abuja, the earlier announced venue of the meeting, by the security agencies, said that “such flagrant manipulation of critical institutions of democracy is not only dangerous,

but bad news for the nation’s democracy.”

Manipulation of the institution of democracy

He said: “We are aware that all the institutions of democracy are being manipulated and harassed in this country. The National Assembly and the press are not left out.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has been captured and now a part of the APC. Our judiciary is being insulted and assaulted every day. Their houses are being attacked very late at night and the judges are being harassed.

“So, we are not surprised at what we are seeing today (sealing of meeting venue)? But what remains is for us to remain resolute.”

Political persecution

The Deputy Senate President expressed his displeasure at what he described as the rising political persecution in the country.

He said: “If you look around this room, you will see a lot of people who are being harassed, persecuted and taken to court. What is their offence?

They claim they allegedly received stolen property, yet, nobody has been arraigned for the actual stealing.

As a lawyer, I know that if you are being arraigned for receiving stolen property, you must first of all arraign the man who stole the property.

That is not so in our own case. Is that democracy?”

Ekwememadu urged party members to remain resolute and protect the soul of the PDP and the nation’s democracy, insisting that the party leaders were made by the party faithful and could never be imposed from the outside.

He said: “We have heard there was a judgment in Port Harcourt. Now, those who benefitted from the judgment, where are they? Are they with our former ministers? Are they with our National Assembly members? Are they with our governors? Which organ of the party are they with or is with them? The truth is that it is not the hood that makes the monk.”

MTN Nigeria/Lumos launch a mobile solar electricity solution in Nigeria


In a bid to make the lives of Nigerians brighter and more meaningful, ICT giant, MTN Nigeria has collaborated with world renowned solar architect, Lumos, to launch mobile solar electricity systems for the benefit of families and businesses around the country.

The national roll-out of the service which is set to hold on the 20th of February, in Abuja, will officially introduce the mobile electricity systems into the marketplace, making it easier for Nigerians to access the revolutionary product.

Marketed as Lumos Mobile Electricity Service, powered by MTN, the solution promises to be a catalyst for growth, poised to improve the daily lives of Nigerians. With this innovative product, Nigerians can enjoy accessible, noise-free and fume-free electricity for everyday use and conveniently pay with airtime from a MTN mobile phone. The mobile electricity device which comes with a 5-year warranty, can light up bulbs and power appliances like fans, televisions, cellphones and computers.

Commenting on the partnership with LUMOS and the product, CEO MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ferdi Moolman noted that over the years, MTN Nigeria has launched a variety of technology-driven products and initiatives which have helped to improve the lives of Nigerians, solve problems and encourage intelligent minds with brilliant ideas to achieve more with natural resources.

“Our partnership with LUMOS was borne out of the need to provide safe, affordable electricity alternatives for Nigerians to uninterruptedly conduct their daily businesses. We at MTN value lives and the overall wellbeing of Nigerians and we’ll continue to put out initiatives that focus on providing life solutions,” Moolman added.

The first of its kind Mobile Electricity kit comprises of a solar panel, an indoor power unit, phone charging accessories and 2 LED light bulbs. The kit can be purchased at MTN stores nationwide.

This great innovation is highly welcomed as lives in Nigeria will improve and businesses will thrive better. We do hope that Nigerians will appreciate it and utilize it to the fullest. Thanks to the brains behind this.

Naira in free fall; crashes to lower rate ever


The Nigerian Naira has again crashed to a new record low at parallel market as it now trades at N516 per United States dollar on Thursday, February 16.

The Naira plummeted at the parallel market from N510/dollar on Wednesday, February 15, to a new record low of N516/dollar.

The local currency also depreciated to N630 against the Pound sterling from N625 and crashed against Euro to trade at N538 from N535.



Economic and financial experts are divided over the outlook for the Naira this year but many have said the local currency may depreciate further in the coming months.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Limited, Bismarck Rewane, the local currency would hit 520/dollar this year on the parallel market and touch 350/dollar at the official market.

While an economic expert, Henry Boyo, has predicted that the naira will hit 1000/dollar on the parallel market this year if the Central Bank of Nigeria fails to review its monetary policy framework.

According to him, the current monetary policy framework adopted by the CBN is skewed against the naira.

Analysts have predicted that the naira will face fresh pressure on the parallel market next week, with dollar supply falling short of demand by persons seeking currency to pay school fees abroad, as the CBN continues to ration forex for businesses.

Although the demand for dollar has soared, the naira continues to trade flat at the official interbank window at 305.5 to the dollar.

May God help us to be able to help our nation.

Solid APC Strategist defects to PDP

James Ibori (in blue wrapper) with others at the thanksgiving
service in celebration of his release from prison

A die hard critic of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta state, Barrister Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, has dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC), a party under which platform he criticized the PDP for over three years in Delta state.

Oghenesivbe, who came into prominence during the run up to the 2015 general elections, began his ride into the murky waters of politics when he emerged as the communication manager of the a PDP aspirant, Tony Obuh during the preparations for the party primaries in 2014.

But Obuh, who was powerfully supported by the former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, lost the PDP primaries to the incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. Following the woeful failure of his candidate, Oghenesivbe was taken over by his Urhobo APC governorship candidate, Olorogun Otega Emerhor.

His job was principally to handle the communication and media job of the Emerhor, a job he did perfectly well, but since APC has no stronghold in Delta, his candidate could not win the election, although there were allegations of rigging, an issue which has become prominent in the politics of Delta state.

And as a trained lawyer, Oghenesivbe powerfully engaged the Okowa campaign team through the media. During the campaigns leading to the 2015 elections, Oghenesivbe rolled out media strategies that the Okowa multi-media crew could not circumvent. His main tool was the online and social media, especially the facebook where he was vigorously attacking the Okowa's government.

Even as his candidate lost the election, he was still vigorously campaigning against the Okowa’s government. During the tribunal through to the Supreme Court judgment, Oghenesivbe powerfully engaged the Okowa's team and brought them down with his media strategies. He dug out the past history of Okowa, some of his short comings, where he failed, the corruption allegations against him and the need for his probe by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Gov. Okowa and Barr. Fred Latimore


His writing prowess and application of language could not be matched by the multitude of Okowa’s team, they were left on the defensive but their defensive engagement could actually not convince the average and even the educated people of Delta state. However, his media strategy could not give any political success to his master, Otega Emerhor. Eventually, Emerhor fell out at the Supreme Court in attempt to overturn the electoral victory of Governor Okowa.

But as soon as the pursuit of electoral litigation was over, the APC in the state became enmeshed in internal crisis. There was a serious leadership problem which rocked the party and tore it apart. Various groups broke out with dissident views on who should emerge as leader of the party which is yet to gain foothold in the state.

The internal squabbles disintegrated the party and the members were sharply divided. This development led to the national headquarters of the APC delegating minister of Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, to take over the leadership of the party in the state pending when peace eventually returns.

But in the process of all these, the noise about the return of the former governor of the state, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, who has been in London prison, began making wave but with no specific date of his return in mind. While the drama continues, unknown to the people, Ibori was already in Nigeria and in a matter of hours he was in Oghara, his community where he escaped from over five years ago.

But with the belief that the return of Ibori, who is widely known as the father of Delta politics and a demi-god to the people undermining the degree of corruption leveled against him, Oghenesivbe made a U-turn. 

Contact Form

Name

Email *

Message *