A Community ’s Cry over Flooding in Lagos by Yemi Olakitan

A Community ’s Cry over Flooding in Lagos
By Yemi Olakitan

The problem of flooding is a major issue in Lagos state. Many administrations, including the present administration of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola have found that incessant flooding is a major problem to tackle during raining seasons. This is because of lack of proper drainage system and canals in most parts of the state. The result of these is that many communities suffer under the effects of flooding that often come after a heavy downpour. The most affected areas are those that are closer to the sea and the effects are usually loss of lives and property. These areas also have another problem added to flooding; the problem of erosion of the beaches.
This is the story of the people of Igbo-Efon community in Lekki-Epe Expressway, an ancient settlement of Lagosians who lives along the coastal areas of Alpha-Beach. This community has had to cry out on the problems they face in their fight against flooding during the raining seasons.
According to the Baale in council of Igbo Efon community. Historically, Igbo Efon has been in existence for more than 600 years and was founded along the coastline of Alpha beach. The community has not been experiencing much flooding before now until about four years ago when Chevron Nigeria, an international oil company came an acquire about 201 hectares of land with which they started a construction project in the community. The project was located on the central drainage system of Igbo Efon community. The site was also sand filled in such a way that it is higher than the rest of the community. This development has caused serious problems to the area on the issue of flooding. It means that incidence of flooding has more than doubled since the construction project started. A visit to the site shows that Chevron is building schools, shopping malls, and private estate on the landed property, which belongs to the families in the community.
In a chat with Chief Atiku Abogun, the spokesperson for the council of chiefs, Igbo Efon has made several appeals to Chevron Nigeria and even the Lagos State government on the issue to no avail. According to him, the people have cried out to Chevron to do something on the problem of flooding in the community but nothing has been done on the matter.
Speaking further, Chief Atiku said that experts say more of such heavy rains are expected this year and the people have started experiencing flooding beginning from the last rainfall in February.
‘‘These problems started in Igbo Efon Community when Chevron came and build a private construction site in the environment with making plans to contribute to the advancement of the people whose land they are occupying. Chevron has made various promises to the community but they have not fulfilled their promises to us. The land in the construction site is sand filled higher than the rest of the community, coupled with the Alpha Beach erosion. This have further compounded the problem.’’ He said.
The Baale in Council explained that the efforts of the community to get Chevron to help in solving some of the problems of the community have proved abortive. Igbo Efon is close to the sea and the people are suffering under the weight of incessant flooding. The erosion of Alpha Beach is another issue causing great damage to the fight against flooding.
Speaking further, Chief Atiku said, the flood in July 10th 20011 caused lot of damage to lives and properties because there is no proper drainage system in the area.
‘‘The Baale in Council has lodged complaints to the Chairman of Eti Osa Local government, Hon. Anafiu Elegushi who advised that we should take the matter to the Lagos state Government, Ministry of the Environment. There was no substantial response from them after the complaints were made. The matter was thereafter taken to the Lagos High court, igbosere, Lagos Island. On December 7th 2011, the court advised an out of court settlement. Nothing came out of the matter even after that. The court ordered Chevron to prepare a term of settlement after Igbo Efon Community Development Association take the matter to the court, justice Arinze of the Lagos high court, igbosere ordered a term of settlement. They have not done anything about the terms of settlement up until now. ‘’ He said.
According to him the terms of settlement stated by the court include community school, portable water, proper drainage system renovation of the community health care center, scholarship for teenagers and youths, and job creation. However, little was done in this respect. Chief Semiu Aniyalorun Abogun, a member of the Baale in Council said that at the initial stage, chevron consulted the Abogun and the Olukolu families as head of the families in the community but after that there was no further consultation with the families. There was no good roads, no electricity, as far away as Okun Ajah, Mopo, and Lafiaji.
‘‘They said they could only pay only N10, 000 naira for scholarships for each child. They occupy our land worth millions of Naira and their kids attend American and British international schools, He called on the Lagos state Government to come to the rescue of the people and challenge the chevron company so that they can alleviate the sufferings of the community. ‘’ He said.
Other members of the Baale in council include Mr. Yusuf Abogun, Mr.Mushafau Jinadu, and Musekiru Olukolu.

South Africa Apologizes To Nigeria by Romoke Amad

The South African government yesterday tendered an apology to Nigeria over the deportation saga that led to a diplomatic standoff between the two countries since last week.

South Africa deported 125 Nigerians last weekend over alleged possession of fake yellow fever cards, and in the resulting retaliation, Nigerian authorities also refused entry to dozens of South Africans since Monday. The Federal Government also threatened to go tough on South African companies operating in Nigeria.

The South African government conveyed the apology yesterday in a letter to the minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olugbenga Ashiru, and in a joint statement by the South African Department of International Relations and the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria.

"The governments of South Africa and Nigeria view these developments in a serious light. Accordingly, the two countries have, through diplomatic channels, consulted at the highest levels on ways of avoiding a recurrence of such developments," the statement said.

"The South African government has sent a letter of apology to the Nigerian government following this regrettable incident which the South African government believes could have been handled in a better way."

As part of measures to forestall a recurrence, the Nigeria-South Africa Bi-National Commission and the Immigration Working Groups would be revived, the two countries said.

"The National Department of Health and the Gauteng Health Department should consider re-opening the vaccination clinic at the Tambo International Airport so that passengers without the yellow fever card can be vaccinated upon arrival at the airport, rather than be deported while Immigration officials would be the first officials that deal with the passengers at the port of entry and if they experience challenges, they should invite other units (such as health) to help and not the other way round," the statement said.

It added that both countries' health authorities would exchange vaccine batch numbers and details about the official institutions that administer the vaccines for verification at the port of entry. This information would be made available to the South African missions in Lagos and Abuja that issue visas based on the proof of a yellow fever certificate. The airlines will also be informed about the verification process.

"When it comes to mass deportations, senior officials at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (including Protocol) should be consulted by Immigration and Health officials at the airport before undertaking such action. This will provide the senior officials to consult with the Department before deporting large numbers of people," the statement said.

In his reaction yesterday, Foreign Affairs Minister Ashiru said the apology has been accepted and that the letter would be forwarded to President Jonathan while a reply to communicate Nigeria's acceptance of apology would be sent to Pretoria.

Ashiru said during the Bi-National Commission meeting, "Nigeria would demand for waiver of the yellow fever vaccination card."

He urged Nigerians in the Diaspora to conduct themselves in a manner that will not bring disrepute to the country.

Also, minister of state for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Nurudeen Muhammed, said Nigeria will no longer tolerate any ill-treatment on its citizens based on flimsy excuses.

"We are not holding brief for Nigerians who commit crimes in another country, but our government is a people-oriented one that cares about her citizens and we would not tolerate maltreatment of any kind on our citizens from any country," he said.

BOBBY BROWN COMES TO NIGERIA

Last week, Lagos based Events Company -R28 Events officially announced plans to bring Bobby Brown and his former boy band to Nigeria. With the event just a week away, the question many fans and industry practitioners have been asking is “How did R28 Events get Bobby Brown to come to Nigeria at this time when many American artistes have developed a phobia for the country?”

“We have been in talks with Bobby Brown and BBD’s team since last year, we even went as far as bringing the team to come see what Nigeria has for them, and they sure had a nice time. All we are trying to do is bring the good old times back. We are promising an evening of good music, unbelievable fun and an opportunity to relive the good old times” Gbolahan Balogun spokesperson for R28 told news men in Lagos this week.

And as fans and music lovers gear up for the biggest indoor concert this year, the producers have confirmed the full set of Nigerian artistes who will join New Edition to deliver a world class event. Bonafide Nigerian stars Banky W, eLDee and Omawumi will deliver electrifying sets at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Friday March 9, 2011 while the combo of 2face, Duncan Mighty and Burna Boy will set the Port Harcourt Polo Club on fire on Sunday March 11, 2012.

“I am excited to go to Nigeria and I intend to give them a great performance, we are going to have fun in the motherland.” Bobby Brown says from his base in Boston last week.

Balogun says 39 members of New Edition’s talent, technical and management crew will leave their base in Boston on Tuesday March 6, 2012 to set up in readiness for New Edition’s arrival from LA on Thursday, March 8,. New Edition will arrive Nigeria with an 11 man crew including sound engineers, backup singers, security personnel, publicists and managers. The entire crew of 50 will work together in Lagos and PH to give Nigerians a rare experience of the New Edition classics.

This is the first time New Edition will be performing in Nigeria, a country where they have millions of fans and followers. It is also their first time performing on the African continent. We are told they are beyond excited about this trip; looking forward to connecting with African fans and talents – with a clear promise to give Nigerians ‘the concert of their lives’.

Bobby has been touring the world with his group New Edition since last year. Although he cancelled a performance in honor of Whitney Houston the day she died, the event producers say “Brown considers performing as therapy to get him through a difficult time. He wrote to us last week that he’d like to do this concert in memory of Whitney, and we said fine”.

R28 Events is a Lagos-based events solutions company set up to deliver simple, insightful and creative solutions through events, experimental marketing and corporate hospitality. The company says they are organizing the two-city concert as a way of redefining the quality of events in the country. ‘This promises to be a world-class concert, not like anything you’ve seen here before. Both in terms of production, and the quality of talent…’

The Lagos and Port Harcourt concerts will be dedicated to Bobby’s ex-wife Whitney Houston who passed on February 11. 2012.

New Edition is made up of Ronnie Devoe, Johnny Gill, Ricky Bell, Mike Bevins, Ralph Tresvant and Bobby Brown. The group's hits include "Candy Girl", "Cool It Now", and "Mr. Telephone Man”

Produced by R28 events with support from Play Centre the concerts will hold at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Friday March 9, 2012 and at the Polo Club, Port Harcourt on Sunday March 11, 2012.
Culled from Soundcity.Tv

Cleric call for urgent action on Natioonal security by Charles Coffie-Gyamfi

WORRIED by the precarious security situation in the country being worsened by activities of the Boko Haram Islamic sect, the Primate of the Anglican Church, Most Rev Nicholas Okoh, has urged the Federal Government to live up to its primary responsibility of protecting lives and property.

Okoh, who alleged that the government had not lived up to its statutory responsibility of providing security, warned that “if the Boko Haram sect is allowed to continue unabated, it will succeed in tearing Nigeria apart”.

The cleric spoke during the 2nd convocation ceremony for postgraduate students of Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary (CGTS), Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

At the well-attended ceremony, 138 missionaries graduated with various degrees, including Diploma in Anglican Communion Studies, Postgraduate Diploma in Theology, Degree of Master of Divinity and Degree in Master of Theology.

Okoh, who is the chancellor of the institution, was flanked by other ministers of God from the Anglican Communion, including Archbishop, Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, Most Rev. Ephraim Ademowo, the Chairman, Supervisory Board, CGTS, Prof. Adebayo Akinde and the Rector, Prof. Dapo Asaju.

While urging the Boko Haram members to register whatever grievances they have in a decent way, the Primate said: “We as Christians are ready to live peacefully with our Muslim brethren, but we must not continue to run away from them (sect) so we must find a way of defending ourselves”.

Okoh asked Moslem leaders to prevail on Boko Haram members to sheath their sword. “We call on the government to do more to protect lives and property of the citizens”.

On the alleged immorality in the church, Okoh advised churches in the country to ensure that “priests are spiritually called, mentally alert and morally sound. The days of just anybody joining the priesthood and becoming a disgrace and liability to the ministry are over. As we challenge evil and abominations in foreign lands, we must resist on-going attempts to infiltrate and corrupt our clergy”.

Akinde in his charge enjoined the graduating students to see the exercise as additional call to the service of God.

He disclosed that the institution, Crowther Graduate Theological Seminary, was established as an outstanding institution for the training of students “who will promote the frontiers of God’s Kingdom in our generation”.

Proclaim Network Presents Christian Voice Magazine

Proclaim Network Presents Christian Voice Magazine
By Yemi Olakitan
The Christian Voice Magazine, a full coloured magazine on contemporary issues in Christendom has hit the newsstand. The magazine hopes to build a bridge across the interdenominational divides, as Christians will find a common voice in the magazine particularly on national issues. The magazine, which will be launched on the 11-11-2011 by 11am, is a master class magazine, published by Proclaim Network Limited. The magazine is positioned to give authoritative voice to the Christian ways of life as a sensible choice for a nation still drifting over 50 years after independence and a whisker away from the centenary of the marriage between the Northern and the Southern protectorates, which make op Nigeria. The Christian Voice inaugural Public Lecture and the launch of the inspirational masterpiece Whispers in the wilderness completes the picture. The key note speaker of the event that doubles as the inaugural public lecture commemorate the event is a legend of our time and an intellectual icon: Prof. Pat Utomi whose epic address will be the role of the Church in a developing Nation The event which took place at the Guiding light assembly ,Parkview Estate, Ikoyi. Dada Ajai-Ikhile, Media and strategy officer signed
the statement.
According to the chairman of the editorial Board, the General Overseer of the Guiding Light Assembly, Pator Adefarasin, the Christian community needs a unified voice to speak on issues of national concern. The media is very powerful. The shaping of the opinion is what the media takes active role in. The Christian voice will set out to represents the voice of Christians on issues of national importance in Nigeria. Why it is a Christian magazine, we would hope that everyone would find it interesting even a Christian.

Baba Sala's Son Speaks With Yemi Olakitan on Music Career

Baba Sala’s Son, B'Sala speaks on Music Career
By Yemi Olakitan

Pop Sensation, B’Sala is the son of legendary comedian and film producer Baba Sala, Moses Olaiya Adejumo, B’Sala is a new sensation in Nigerian Hip Pop scene and he has just released a single his album, titled: Follow Me, which he is presently promoting allover the country. In this interview with Yemi Olakitan he bares his mind on the Nigerian entertainment scene, his father’s legacy and many other interesting issues. Excerpts:
How did the music start?
I have been doing this music for a long time and i have just released a new single titled: ‘‘Follow me,’’ Its been about 10 years that I have been performing music professionally. I started in school but I am trying to exhibit it to everyone now. I was in Osun state College of Technology, in Esa-Oke. I was doing Mathematics’ and Statistics. My friends used to come and see me in my room and then I was always singing for them. While I was in school, I had many friends partly because of my father’s legacy. People were drawn to whatever I say, they laughed even if it wasn’t funny. Many people thought I would go into Drama and not music actually but I have always loved music and I have to do what I love even my father thought I was going into Drama I am good in acting but for now I want to focus on music and then may be later on. I will go into Drama. I do not want to start Drama first because if I do that I will not be able to go into music.
It is not that music is easier. In fact music is harder and much more challenging. You have to create a sound that many people would love to listen to all the time. In Drama, if you can act; most of the works are already done. All you need to do is to pick up your script and get on set. Music on the hand, takes a lot from you. You need to do everything yourself, especially in Nigeria where we do not have proper recording companies. You have to do all aspect of the business yourself.

How about Funding?
People have argued that I should go into Drama first and then branch into music later or do both, side by side but I tell you., it is not that easy. My father started as a musician but he has to abandon music for king sunny Ade. He could not combine it. The moment he realized that he was good in comedy and he was making it, he became distracted; you just have to face one. The argument that I should go into drama and used the money there to fund music is not acceptable to me. One will always find a way to make it. I have a good direction of where I am going. Look at Wasiu Alabi Pasoma. When he started acting, all the Yoruba actors began calling him to come and act in their movies, his fan base in the music scene began to decline. You se, he had to go back and re-focus on his music. Anything that we need to do that is great, require focus and determination and most of the time it is not easy.
• What do you have to say about your father?
I want to say that I am very proud to be his son. He is truly a legend, an icon and he got to the peak of his career. It was not easy for him though. He suffered in the hands of piracy and he almost commit suicide but for the intervention of people like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Olusegun Obasanjo, and many eminent Nigerians who stood by him. It was then, that he released Mosebolatan. That was the movie that consoled him. It was well received despite the fact that Orun Mooru was pirated. I am glad that he was able to survive that era although he sold some choice property to settle the loan that was used to finance that movie. Piracy remained one of the great problems of our nation. We cannot fold our hands and looked and allow it to destroy our entertainment industry. You see, my father took great pains in producing his movies, if you put any of those movie to the cinema today, people would still rush to see them because of the kind of quality and technology that went into the production. He took a huge loan from the bank and piracy dealt with him. Tunde Kelani, in the UK shot the movie.It was a great one. I am happy that he survived that period.
What I admire about my father is his humility. He became so famous and he made money but you cannot see any sign of pride in him because he never allow those things to get into his head. His humility is very profound. We never had any security guard at home when my father was in active entertainment. He is a very simple man because; you never know how rich or how poor he was. He took life simply.
His new album, Follow Me,
The hit song is Hip Pop, It is a very danceable, club and party song. It has some very serious local percussions and it talks about the beauty of Nigerian ladies. We have been working on it for about a month now and now it is out, It is currently enjoying airplay on radio stations across the country. I have a management company in the United States. They saw my single on You tube and they loved it. I released two singles last year and so this is not the first. I also did a collaboration with a group based in the US. I have not been discussing with any Nigerian record label. I am still on the look out. I am looking for a label that loves my work and is passionate about promoting it. Look at Mo Hits records, They do quality music and everything they release is superb because they do their home work well. My father used to say that the next generation would see his movie and that they are evergreen. This is because the movies are well produced and they do not use foul language. Every song cannot be about women. We need to sing songs that add values to the society. I love Michael Jackson because of this. His lyrics are good. They have deep meanings. If you do a song and three or four years after, people cannot relate with it and love it. You did not do a good job. My father said when he wants to shoot his movie, it cam take a whole year and sometimes two. Orun Mooru was shot by a film company in the UK. They used to study the weather before they go to locations in those days. They were experts. I appreciate King Sunny Ade too. I was with him at his home once. He hosted me.I always call him on phone. He accommodated me and he encouraged me.
Message to His fans.

I want to tell my fans that they should watch out for me. Follow me is hot. They should expect more from me. I will not let them down. I want to thank all those who believe in me.

The World Radio Day: How Nigeria should celebrate it, by Yemi Olakitan

The World Radio Day: How Nigeria should celebrate it
By Yemi Olakitan

The World Radio Day February 13th has come and gone, with no significant activities on the part of Nigerian radio broadcasting sector aside from a forum in Abuja and Lagos. The day passed unnoticed by the majority. It is important for all stakeholders in radio broadcasting to come together to assess the state of radio sector in Nigeria and its impacts on the nation. It should be a day for serious sober reflections amongst all and a day to mount pressure on decision makers in Nigeria so that they can take action on important matters that could have far reaching impacts on the nation. Yemi Olakitan examines how the day should be adequately and effectively celebrated every year.

The World Radio Day as adopted by UNESCO’s 36th General Conference, was February 13th of every year. The decision to adopt a World Radio Day was as a result of a request from the Spanish Radio Academy requesting for the declaration of a World Radio Day. The General Conference agreed to set aside February 13th as the day for the celebration of radio broadcasting all over the world. Observers have noted that radio is perhaps the most important source of information in developing nations across the world particularly in Africa. It is so because millions are still uneducated. Many of such Nigerians live in rural communities and cannot afford a television set, access the Internet or read the newspaper. The radio is therefore the cheapest media for most uneducated Nigerians living in remote communities, below the poverty line. Radio as a medium has the capacity to reach rural communities at very low costs in far distances, considering the huge population of Nigeria. Radio would keep the government close to the people and the people close to the government and both can work hand in hand to move the nation and the communities forward together. However, the country has not fully taken advantage of the power of radio as a tool for education, enlightenment, societal emancipation and freedom of expression.
Although a community of stakeholders namely, Nigerian Community Radio Coalition, (NCRC) the Institute for Media and Society, (IMS) Media Rights Agenda, (MRA ) international Press center, (IPC) organized a forum and issued a statement on the subject. However, a more elaborate programme that would create massive media attention and pressure the Federal and State governments on the crucial issues that affects radio broadcasting in Nigeria is necessary. These matters are in need of urgent attention as everyone agrees. A world Radio Day in Nigeria should include a protest march to Aso Rock and the National Assembly, demanding for laws to be passed and actions taken on matters that could move radio broadcasting forward in Nigeria. It should also include nationwide media campaign in all media platforms on the matters that affects radio development in the country, particularly when the above named have issued a statement on these issues. Media stakeholders must compel the government to take action on radio broadcasting in Nigeria through organized pressure on the powers that be. There are various issues of concern in radio broadcasting. One of them is community radio. Since president Goodluck Jonathan gave the approval for the licensing of community Radio in Nigeria and gave powers to the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, not much has been accomplished in that area. Community radio would contribute immensely to the eradication of ignorance in Nigeria and promotes unity, dialogue and peaceful coexistence. These can move the communities forward and the nation as a whole. Another important issue is the digitization of the Nigerian broadcasting, which as at today is still following slow process in the country. Digitization is not limited to television alone but it also extends to radio, the World Radio Day should be used to further pressure the Nigerian government on the urgency of the matter. Nigeria could only enjoy quality and modern broadcasting with digitization of the broadcast sector, despite her huge oil revenue the nation is still far behind in the global drive for the digitization of broadcasting.. No one understands the frog and tortoise pace of the nation’s decision makers on such pertinent issues. Other issues are the transformation of state owned radio to genuine public service institutions instead of mere tools of propaganda in the hands of major political office holders. The NTA is notable for such, as many have labeled the station as a government station. It is on record that NTA represent the interests of the government more than the interest of the people. In a chat with award winning journalist, Chukuma Muanya who spoke on the subject, he praised Radio Nigeria for being objective most of the time. He particularly commended the station for their 7 O’ clock news, which he said he always, listen to. He however said that they need to do more because they sometimes play down on government’s negative sides, particularly NTA. In another chat with Florence Utor, arts Journalist, she opined that he who pays the piper dictates the tune. She prefers to get her news from the private media than the government owned since according to her the government controlled stations are too politicized.
Another important matter is the licensing of private commercial radio networks, which will strengthen the power of radio as an instrument of democratization of every aspect of governance. Stakeholders say, it would ensure that government can be held accountable and that they can be monitored effectively up to the grassroots.

Therefore, the Nigerian radio broadcasting community should use the day to make noise on these issues, pressure government and involve all aspects of the nation’s communication and information sector. Only in these ways can the government recognize that these matters need to be attended to. For, at the moment, they seem to be busy fighting Boko Haram and other national enemies to the neglect of other issues. The UNESCO General Conference Resolution calls upon the Member States of UNESCO to celebrate the Day with activities at both local and national levels, with the participation of National Commissions, NGOs, the general public as well as diverse institutions, including schools, universities, municipalities, cities, broadcasters, the press, professional associations and unions, museums, cultural organizations, among others. If that was done, the sector would have scored some major points.