NEMESIS AND THE PROLIFERATION OF FAKE DRUGS!

It's with a heavy heart that I write this after seeing this picture (as shown on the left) on a friend's facebook page which was apparently posted by one Shofela Segun Alaba on the 26th of November, 2015 with the caption  "NAFDAC, PLEASE HELP US IN NIGERIA". We sure do need serious help.

Can you beat that, we are still in 2015 yet a silly and evil person is already circulating drugs with manufactured date of 2016!

Nigerians are dying on a daily basis and doctors both here and abroad seem to be running out of ideas on how to treat majority of the sick including those who run abroad for medical attention as more and more of them end up returning home as cargoes or just get buried in overseas cemeteries.

Now the disturbing question is "how low can we go just to make money at the expense of lives or how wicked can you (the business man/woman) be just for the big account?

Many years ago, I watched one of these nollywood movies of how nemesis caught up with a big businessman, acted by the late Peter Bunor, when his child died as a result of taking fake drugs thereby becoming a victim of  his own doing as he was the brain behind the importation of the drugs.

You know what I took away from that movie?

There is this popular saying "adoma do bodi" meaning when someone plans evil for another person but ends up being the one getting hurt at the end of the day.

Sometimes when the devil wants to mess you up, he messes you up 'BIG TIME' and you'd wish you never started on that line in the first place. In the mentioned movie which starred Peter Bunor as the businessman, he had made so much money from the importation of fake and expired drugs for many years and of course with so many lives getting lost in the process.

For these number of years, he did a good job of keeping his family away from all forms of fake and expired drugs by making sure nobody got any medicine for the family other than himself.

Alas! On this fateful day while he was away from home, the child took ill and the wife ran across the road to a chemist opposite the house and got drugs which she administered but the child grew worse and as soon as the father (Peter Bunor) got home, he almost fainted when he saw the drugs but on a second thought, grabbed the child and rushed off to the hospital but unfortunately the child still died.

So that was a case of  "Adoma do bodi".

Now like the caption "NAFDAC PLEASE HELP US IN NIGERIA", I'll like to say here that NAFDAC has a whole lot of work to do as Nigerians are dying 'AVOIDABLE' deaths as a result of the proliferation of fake, adulterated  and expired drugs in the country as painkillers are now fast becoming KILLER DRUGS.

And for you the EVIL business man/woman, remember that when you throw a stone in the market place, it most likely would hit one of your own.

Remembering Chaz 'B With A Smile And Our Health Sector With A 'Dirty' frown

It is a year now since the sharing life's issues master Chaz 'B died. When I remember that voice and how it brought smiles to faces, I smile but that smile turns so quickly into a big frown when I remember details of how he died as narrated by his wife Chinyere Roselin Chukuma.                                                                                                                                   I hope she and her lawyers with the help of the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria thoroughly investigate all the doctors in the employ of that very hospital where he had that harrowing experience before dying. This would go a long way in saving some lives and stop a lot of 'avoidable' deaths.

A lot of doctors' negligence have led to the deaths of thousands and thousands of Nigerians and more are still dying as a result of this one thing "NEGLIGENCE".

Many doctors should be taken off hospitals even as I believe a lot of hospitals should be shut down as many of them know next to nothing as regards M-E-D-I-C-I-N-E. Period!

If you've not read Chinyere's narration on her husband's last moment, then you should read the excerpts below as culled from the Guardian. And while you are at it, may Chinyere be comforted on all sides even as she remembers her late husband on this one year anniversary. 

Continually Rest In Peace Chaz 'B!

CHINYERE'S STORY ON CHAZ B's DEATH 

My husband called me at about 6:40 AM, Friday the 21st of November 2014, from work. He asked me to come and pick him up, that he was not feeling too good. I left with the driver to get him. When I got there, he was too uncomfortable, and he asked me to take him home. But on our way home, I noticed that he was in pains, so I asked the driver to reverse the car and head instead to the hospital (St. Nicholas Hospital in Lagos).

On reaching there, we met, the receptionist. I asked if there was a Doctor around. This was around 7 PM. She said yes and after some time we were asked to go into Room 2. Right there we met a young Doctor called Dr. A. He asked a few questions that I answered while my husband was wallowing in pains. He (Dr A) opened an emergency file because according to him, my husband’s file was locked up in Dr. B’s office, and no one has access to that office. I told Dr. A that my husband had incisional hernia surgery done a few months back at the same hospital, August to be precise and it was performed by one Dr. C an India man, and Dr. D at St. Nicholas Hospital. He started to examine him. He then left us in his office and said he was coming back.

He came back after some minutes and said he was trying to reach Dr. D from the reception, but he is not getting through. So I used my husband’s phone and dialed Dr. D and got through. At this point, I gave the phone to Dr. A, and he started explaining to Dr. D, what he thought was the problem. Dr. D on the other end asked if my husband was in pains, and Dr A said yes. Dr. A told Dr. D that he was suspecting intestinal obstruction. Dr. D asked if there was any swelling around where the incision was done, but Dr.A said no. Dr D asked if there was any reddish sign around the same area, and Dr A said no. So Dr. A suggested giving him antibiotics, but Dr D said that they have to be careful what they give him, since he is a post kidney transplant patient. Dr Dasked them to give him a particular injection twice to ease the pains, and he said that they should observe him till the next morning. So I left to go get him what he had asked for (his tea and his stockings). On my way around Bonny Camp, I got a call from a strange number, when I picked up; it was Dr. A, on the other end. He asked me to turn back to come pick up my husband, and I asked why?

He (Dr A) said that my Husband is feeling much better, and wants to go home. I asked the driver to reverse and head back to the hospital. And on getting there, I went in and asked the Dr. again why he wants me to take him home. He repeated once again that he feels much better and I asked Dr A if he was asking me to take him home because he thinks he feels better or that the hospital doesn’t have a bed for him. I asked this because the nurse had mentioned earlier that she needed to check for bed space. Dr A at this point told me that my Husband would be fine, he asked me to take my Husband home and bring him the following morning. Meanwhile, before then, Dr A wrote a prescription of drugs for my husband which I took to the pharmacist and when the lady there saw it, she asked which Dr. I saw. I told her that it was Dr. A. She moved over to the other side and called the Dr’s office. They both argued about the drug that he wrote, she then gave me just1 tablet of Exforge. When my husband got up from the hospital bed, he staggered and I held him and asked if he’s fine. The Dr. said that it’s the injection that was given to him that he would be fine. 

So I took him home.

We got home. And just about 15minutes after, my husband said he felt like throwing up. I brought a bowl to him, and he vomited, and he felt a bit better. He slept for some time and got up in excruciating pain.
Immediately I jumped into my clothes and then called Dr. D, to say that we are on our way back to the hospital. He said no problem that the doctor will be waiting for me. I asked, which doctor? And he said the doctor is their senior surgeon by the name Dr. Z. Dr D said that Dr. Z was the doctor on call. We got to the hospital in less than 20 minutes; my husband came down from the car himself. He walked into the hospital by himself before he was wheeled into the ER. Then came Dr. A, and I asked him about the senior surgeon, and he told me that he would be coming very soon. I wasn’t too happy with that, as I had mentioned to Dr. D that my husband was in serious pains. I expected to see a consultant like he said. Dr A started by
trying to put him on a drip that took forever, as he was unable to successfully get his veins while my husband was languishing in pain.

My husband kept telling them (Dr. A and the nurse) that he wants to throw up or use the restroom, and he would be fine. He kept saying that if he throws up he will be fine. Meanwhile, Dr. A was taking instructions on the phone from Dr. Z. This was when I asked when the Dr. would come. I kept asking, “when will the doctor come?” And Dr. A said Dr. Z asked him to get my entire husband’s information. Dr. A told me that they are waiting for the Radiologist and the Anaesthesiologist, and none of these people showed up.

My husband kept on saying that he wants to throw up. But then, Dr. A asked the nurse to give him an injection, I asked what the injection was for? And he said it will stop him from vomiting. He became so uncomfortable and was losing his breath. They put him on oxygen, but I guess he was already choking.

Meanwhile, Dr A was still taking instructions from Dr. Z on the phone. At this time, he started gasping for air. Meanwhile, before then, another doctor showed up. I don’t know his name, but he’s average in height and dark complexioned. He inserted a suction tube into his mouth, but I guess he was two hours or more late with that. Because if that was done when I brought him to the hospital that morning, he would have been here with me today.

If Dr. Z were at the hospital, even after he was told that it was an emergency; my husband would have been here with me. If the anesthesiologist was at the hospital, he probably would have been here with me. If the radiologist were around on that morning to at least see what was happening inside of him, he probably would have been here with me. If Dr. A knew exactly what he was doing that morning without taking instructions from Dr. Z on the phone, with an emergency case right in front of him, my husband would have been here. My husband died of total negligence on the part of St. Nicholas Hospital, and I know it. Like I said earlier, the doctor was 2 hours plus late with the suction, because, at this time, the nurse was already calling my husband’s name, shouting “Mr. Charles, Mr. Charles!” He was given four adrenaline injections. The drip wasn’t going at all, all this while lest I forget. I watched my husband struggled to breath. I watched him fight for his life, and I was right there when he died. And even though they were busy with CPR, I knew when he passed on because immediately he stopped struggling, fluid started gushing out of his mouth and nose, I knew that was it. That was the same fluid that was choking him. If there were a senior consultant or surgeon at the hospital as at when I brought him, he probably, would have been helped. In between all this, Dr. A at a time said to Dr. Z on the phone that he should come now as the patient is in a critical condition. He said to the same Dr. Z that 11 O’clock might be too late. I brought my husband at about 6 AM to St. Nicholas Hospital and he died at about 9.30AM without receiving prompt and adequate care.

Human life cannot continue to be lost so cheaply in Nigerian Hospital, people must be made to account for their actions as professionals hence I have contacted my Lawyers to investigate the cause of death as he has died with our dreams, aspirations, and vision and planned future together.

"I Better Pass My Neighbour" Gets A Ban

A few years ago, loads of Nigerians could very well do without having generator sets because electricity was a lot more better until recently when NEPA, PHCN or whatever it is now called became VERY epileptic.  Back then, when the light goes off, one would still be seated for a couple of minutes until the light was restored unless there's a major fault such as a transformer blowing up due to fluctuations or huge surge of current.

The epileptic light supply brought  the flooding of the Nigerian markets with all sorts of generator sets. Until then, there were very few homes with generators as they were mainly found in places which included large organisations and hospitals for backup should the need arise.

As the importation of these generators boomed, the National Electricity Power source kept getting worse and of course while the importers smiled to the banks, the health off the people dwindled as many Nigerian families or their family members died/became ill due to heavy exposure to carbon from the fumes of the generators which started polluting the entire country.

Apart from the fumes, other hazards are linked to these sets. Few years ago, I lost two friends who died from injuries sustained when their sets exploded. We've heard of ignorant children who were sent to turn on these sets and they went with open flame candles. The rest is history. 

With the importation of these sets which came in different sizes, every home irrespective of  income can now afford a set. The commonest of these sets is the smallest of them all which is locally and popularly called "I better pass my neighbour" suggesting at least a class above the neighbour who cannot afford any.

This 'I better pass my neighbour'  and the bigger ones as well as the heavy duty ones have become a huge menace to society causing major health and environmental pollution. The noise from all these sets when turned on at the same time in any area can make any sane person run made especially at night if you live in a well populated environment. Even when you buy the so called 'silent' ones, *hmmm* after a while, they join the noisy ones irrespective of monthly 'servicing' by the suppliers, the once 'silent' generator set would eventually join the league of  what I call 'shouting' sets.

It is noteworthy to mention also that while the importers of these sets are smiling to the banks, their accomplices, fuel marketers/owners of gas stations who it seems are obviously hoping that this situation remains are also happy visiting the banks and of course making their account officers happy and the chain of happy people continues at the detriment of major Nigerians.

It is now a trend to see long queues of gallons on one side of a pump at the stations and longer queues of cars on the other side. The cars' queues are normally longer because the attendants would rather attend more to those buying in gallons and then collect extras from them without apologies than selling to car owners who would only buy at the exact pump price.

Now with the scarcity of fuel biting harder by the day, it is even now trendier to find people after getting properly dressed, would thereafter carry an empty gallon on his/her way to work just in case he/she stumbles on a station where there are no long queues.

And so it is with a round of applause I received the news that the Federal government has banned the importation of the 'I better pass my neighbour'  for sale which is the commonest and easiest to sell off compared with the other brand of generators.

This is a good pointer that maybe the light situation will become better or get back to the way it was in the 80s and 90s. *Did I hear anybody say Amen?*

A spokesman of the Nigeria Customs Service, Madugu Sanni Jubrin who is the controller of Federation Operations Unit Zone A in Lagos,  said the smaller generators which have now been banned by the Federal Government cause air pollution and destruction of  lungs and breathing system hence its ban.

"People"  according to him after the ban, “are still interested in smuggling them in, that is why we intercept them. If you go to the market, you still see them because people have imported them before the ban. So it is the leftover they had before the ban that they are selling because the law did not backdate the ban and it is not an absolute prohibition. It is prohibition by trade which means you cannot bring it in large quantity and sell to the public. That is the type of prohibition we have on this but if you buy one piece, Customs will not seize it”.

I believe with time, even the importation of any kind of generator set will be BANNED  so that our environment would become sane again even as electricity power improves.

So stakeholders! Start importing other things which would be more beneficial to Nigerians and the environment without any side effects!!

Like always, NO HARD FEELINGS!

Dieziani And Her Present State

I feel terribly sad, really sad. I feel this way first, as a Nigerian and secondly as a  dynamic  human being who's got a heart, not just a heart but a good one at that.

Why did I start off this way? You may likely want to ask.

The recent pictures of Dieziani Alison-Madueke which has gone viral on social media is a pointer to the saying that "nothing really lasts forever"  (and I'll add) except God Almighty.

One would never believe that those pictures (as seen below on the right) belong to the same Diezieani who was always looking impeccably beautiful while in office.

I still find it hard to believe and if she's really as the pictures tell and not Photoshopped then it's true what they say about cancer being a real DREADED/DREADFUL disease. It is at this point that I say SAD!

I say TERRIBLE because after reading so many comments of Nigerians on this issue on social media, I was alarmed at some of the derogatory and cold-hearted  thoughts from many individuals and was even more alarmed when the few who prayed for Diezieani's healing were severely insulted by those angry number of Nigerians who have obviously drawn battle lines with Dieziani (and her supporters) for her alleged involvement in corruption and siphoning of funds while in office.

And hey, just so you know, I am NOT one of her supporters neither will I castigate her until she's proven guilty by the Court with well documented evidences that she's indeed guilty of the charges levelled against her.

Like one of the commentators said "I pray that she gets well so that she can come and face the corruption charges". I presume without any doubts that Diezieani would really like that instead of the state she's found herself at the moment.

But wait a minute, like one of the comments read "how come she was never sick while in office until now?" That gives you food for thought isn't it?

Now check this out! I read sometime ago that worry is one of the causes of cancer and also can very well corrupt the healthy immune system cells in the body while facilitating the spread of the cancer. 

This I presume to a large extent answers the above question. I deduce while Dieziani was happy in office and thus was able to manage any form of stress properly, she was on the other hand able to suppress and control the cancer which I suspect (based on her present looks in the pictures) must have being diagnosed long before now.

Now tell me, why wouldn't she have suppressed it all the while? Who wouldn't be happy at all times given the positions she's held these past years? She was made Nigeria's minister of transportation in 2007 after being the first female Director of Shell Petroleum Company in Nigeria and also became the first female President of OPEC in 2014. Hmmm! Diezzy baby!! I guess she earned all of it though. 

That tells you that happiness is truly a medicine just as the bible says "a merry heart doeth good more than medicine". There are days when you are so happy doing things that you only realise late into the evening that you forgot to eat any food all the while.

The fear of being probed after former President Goodluck Jonathan left office may have shot up uncontrollable  stress hormones in Dieziani which very well made the cancer cells more radical leading to the state she's in at the moment coupled with the effects of chemotherapy which she must have undergone a couple of times now.

Need I say more, I just wish her to get well and overcome all that she's going through presently. In as much as I detest corruption and all those involved, I don't wish her dead even as she's come out to say she never 'stole any money'.

And so (if you are really sick), get well soon Dieziani!

Akpororo The 'Craziest' Joins The League Of Married Comedians

Hmm! A while ago I was looking at Akpororo's wedding pictures with his beautiful bride. For those of you wondering "who the hell is Akpororo?" , let me reply  in the same vein (especially if you are a Nigerian) "who the hell are you who do(es) not know Akpororo?". *smiles*

Akpororo a Nigerian Comedian, who is presently an Airtel Ambassador (no matter how stuck-up you are) would get you reeling with laughter whenever he gets on stage because he's the 'craziest'.

Except for his dismal performance at the Presidential Inaugural gala night for Buhari where he was obviously nervous, I have never seen any Comedian as crazy as Akpororo as he seems to get crazier by the day making it a lot difficult for the 'others' to outdo him on stage.

On Saturday the 14th of November, 2015 Akpororo got married to his beautiful Josephine Abraham in Lagos after proposing to her twice about three months earlier on the 9th of August in a church and on a football pitch respectively *laughs*, it's only Akpororo who can do that.

I'm seated here in the office and thinking aloud "what's with these comedians and  their beautiful very fair/nearly very fair complexioned wives? Have you noticed the trend? Check out AY, Julius Agwu, Seyi Law, I go dye, etc and their wives. Bovi's wife is not so fair but quite pretty, so is Teju Babyface's.   

Pardon me, is it possible that the girls are now wiser as they seem to have found out what the wave-making Comedians' specs are and so make all efforts to fit the statistics? *winks*

Anyhow, here is wishing the latest couple a happy married life together. Who knows! Maybe, just maybe, Akpororo may become normal now that he's married!!

Finally, I wish the single girls out there 'all the best' as they search for the yet-to-be-hoked-comedians who are still out there. May the best 'searcher' or 'hustler'  FIND!

ENOUGH SAID, LEAVE THE DEVIL OUT OF THIS!

Someone said “Devil don (has) suffer(ed)”. Now *laughs* I can depict that look and hear you scream “WHAT the hell are you talking about?” right now. Yeah, you bet I can. Before you go getting upset, that was exactly the same way I reacted when I heard it.

What do you expect? Why wouldn’t the person utter such statements when everywhere/every time an offender is caught, he/she attribute it to be the fault of the devil? There are some things people do at times and you will not need anyone to tell or convince you that the so-called ‘devil’ had no hand whatsoever in it.

Trust me on this one. There are some things that the devil will not need to bother about making you do as it’s already a habit that is in you and so without discipline, you do them and thereafter blame the devil for it.

Or how would you explain a man raping a two year old girl and then says “it’s the devil’s fault” when he’s caught. My God! A lot of men are dirty PERVERTS. I said ‘a lot’ because we still have ‘a few good men’. Count yourselves lucky, all those who have some of those ‘few good men’. *winks*

Now back to the matter.

Every day we read on the papers, social media and even hear by word-of-mouth how men abuse children including toddlers and teenagers in Nigeria, Africa and all over the world on a daily basis and it is fast becoming a norm. The most painful part of these stories is that nearly all cases are carried out by those supposedly ‘trusted’ family members/friends who the parents of these children trust to a fault that these abusers ‘can rarely hurt a fly’ talk less of hurting the entrusted children under their care.

Few weeks ago a woman raised alarm when she realised that her neighbour who is a teacher brings home pupils every day to have carnal knowledge with them until he was caught. Two days ago it was news about a 56year old man who had been consistently raping a 13year old girl who he was supposed to be counseling. Today it is a 50year old man and a 2year old baby! A baby!! A harmless, innocent baby, which every sane human being ought to protect.

The ‘IDIOT’ (I say this without apologies) who raped the baby said he was under the influence of an evil spirit and went on to say “even as I am standing before you, I do not know what came over me and what had really happened. Someone came to my house and told me something serious was going to happen to me but I did not take it seriously.”

This is a downright RUBBISH excuse! The evil spirit did not direct him to go patronise a prostitute who will charge him little or no-fee to satisfy his urge. People make all kinds of excuses for their devilish choices and heap it on the devil. He already had it (pervert/pedophile urges) in him so he should not blame it all on the devil.

I get really ANGRY and MAD when I hear such. Okay, let the devil take the blame as well when he gets hanged by his ‘hell-bent’ Pen*s. And may the authorities take out his testes/balls and feed him with them while he’s still hanging by is Pen*s. Let the authorities do same to all sexual offenders maybe it would deter others.When I say sexual offenders must be punished, I do not in any way mean only men. The women who also abuse little boys and girls (lesbianism and trafficking) should also be severely punished as well.

A lot of you will say “it’s no longer news to hear such as it happens every day”. Another group of people would say “there’s nothing we can do as it has always been happening from the days of our forefathers”.  

I know it does happen every day, because a lot of cases are left unreported. But be that as it may, must we allow this to keep happening? What do we do about it?

Once again, I concur that it has been from time immemorial, but we can help to gradually reduce this menace by paying more attention to our (and even our neighbours’) wards/kids. Don’t just leave them (boys/girls) in the hands or under the care of helpers, uncles, aunties, even fathers as we have heard cases of fathers who also sexually abuse their children.

Teach your children to speak out and let you into happenings in their lives as this will help you see warning signals on time. Remind them on a daily basis that they can talk to you on ANYTHING. Answer their questions on sex so that they don’t get the wrong answers elsewhere.

Again, this crazy trend of parents dressing up little children in provocative (adult-like) clothes for events or any form of outing should be completely STOPPED.                                                 

Enough said already! If you have more to add, then with all pleasure, be my guest!!  

And don’t forget REPORT ANY SUSPECTED CASE and help that child.                                    

BUHARI CAN BURST BUBBLES SHA!

President Muhammadu Buhari sure knows how to burst some bubbles!

Can you imagine? Just when some people were gearing up to attend the swearing in of Ministers today  Wednesday the 11th of November 2015, Buhari comes up with the directive that each Minister is entitled to have two guests in attendance.

Haba! This limitation to two guests per Minister is a whole lot different from the norm which used to entertain loads of friends and relatives of those being sworn into offices in the past. As if that was not enough, by today he's shrunk the ministers from 29 to 25. (News for another day).

Now tell me, what would happen to all the 'Aso-Ebis' which must have being bought/sewn by the (no doubts) numerous intending guests of the Ministers that definitely would have included, friends, foes, cousins, in-laws, friends of friends of relatives, former school mates, and the list could go on and on. Would they rather have a bigger party after the swearing in?

Wait a minute, would they be any after party? Didn't the President say there shouldn't be any jamboree of any sort? I presume that "jamboree" includes not spending on any party after the inauguration as Buhari had warned against any form of flamboyance. Or what do you think? Hmmm!

Watching the on-going swearing in ceremony of the Ministers into the federal cabinet live on TV as I write this article, I see a hall that is well filled with all the seats taken by those in attendance which to me looks good enough for any inauguration ceremony of this sort. Not rowdy at all, thanks to Buhari.

Looking at the crop of Ministers, I'm wondering what could be running through their heads as they take their oaths. Certainly Buhari's warnings he gave during the retreat he had with them last week such as "no foreign travels except duty-related and even at that, I must approve all such trips. No more flamboyance but must work within lean resources. All vehicles in your convoy would be reduced to cut cost. Comply with civil service rules and regulations and avoid conflicts with permanent secretaries as any infractions will be punished according, etc" would all be resounding in their heads even as the inauguration of the federal cabinet is on-going.

I can only picture one funny/stern expression on Buhari's face that must have said  'if you forget the rules at any point, take (as he hands over copies)  'read/consult your copy of the civil service rules and regulations book I've given to you at least you all know how to read better than I do. *Laughs* That was just my mind running wild.

If Buhari truly had that stern look, I can assure you that all the Ministers would be having in their 'minds' eyes' is that look and the warnings that came with it.

Ask me if I envy these Ministers and the answer would be capital NO!

No because, Nigerians are complicated when it comes to ruling them so is the country and the kind of politics practised. I'll rather have my peace of mind and my cup of coffee everyday without bothering about who is after me or which tribunal I'm going to face because at the rate things are going, as long as you hold a public office in this country, once you miss a step, hmmm, according to my people in our beautiful parlance/vernacular YAWA MUST GAS YOU!

So here's wishing our new Ministers the best, hoping that  they truly do things differently and not just differently but take better decisions and actions in order to make life more meaningful for Nigerians. It is only then we (Nigerians) would thereafter believe that truly the campaign for CHANGE was not just a slogan but a promise achieved at the end of the day.

And so Nigerians are holding onto the Ministers to do well even as Dr. Chris Ngige, said: “We are going to block areas of leakage, retinue of aides and  large convoys of cars are things that will not fly in this administration.”

And for all those who could not attend the ceremony due to the "limited number of guests" directive, just relax and keep watching from home/shop/office/anywhere like I am doing right NOW!

And maybe, just maybe. You may still wear that Aso-ebi (despite the 'lean resources') at the end of the day for that after party *winks*. That is, if you pray hard enough. 

Like always, NO HARD FEELINGS!

Before The 'show-off', Take a Breather... Who (Did) You Help?

A Couple of days ago I saw pictures of students from a particular school (names withheld) who spread wrappers (obviously taken from their mothers) on the floor and laid on them while studying in classroom.

Some of the students who were lying down used their elbows as support as they took notes and the others who were well positioned on the floor with their backs against the wall (as support for their body frames) were all smiling with the look of contentment as though they do not deserve to have chairs having at least being given classrooms/roofs over their heads.

That was nearly two weeks ago. The pictures were taken and uploaded on Facebook by a cousin who also teaches in the same school.

Few days after, I read in awe how a social/recreational club members have concluded plans after a meeting to use the sum of 1billion naira to rehabilitate facilities to enhance the look of the club centre. How about that for comparison? That's nearly the same amount that somebody was reported to have spent in building a house just recently (that's a story for another day).

Please don’t get me wrong. I’m a strong advocate for recreational activities and so not against any form of rehabilitation process going on in any of them.

Nevertheless, I do not succumb to the fact that in the same country where some families are said to be living below a dollar, some others would actually be spending so much on frivolities/show off in the faces of fellow Nigerians who are seriously hungry or have GENUINE challenges or needs.

Before you go on to say” it’s their money so they can do whatever they deem fit “I’ll like to say that I share that same view. However, in as much as I share that same view with you, to an extent, one would expect some level of moderation when it comes to spending sprees in this our environment.

For example, how do you expect your neighbor to be happy with you when he sees you popping bottles of champagne which (they say) costs 1million naira (per bottle) on social network while his wife who has been hospitalised (you are aware) needs the sum of 2million naira to undergo a surgery?

Only yesterday, I heard that Aregbesola the governor of Osun state is soliciting for support from well meaning/ wealthy Nigerians to complement the efforts of government in all sectors towards economic development. 

I have always said that "Success is not based on the number of cars, houses or how much you have in your account or how many countries you've been to on vacation. Rather, it is based on how much you are able to positively impart or affect the lives of the people around you" instead of getting things we do not (most of the time) need to impress people who don't give a 'hoot' about you.

Pardon me as I add this funny but true story. A relative was telling me about an empowerment programme she attended sometime this year and some guests speakers/moderators while speaking started talking about how they have made it, how well they have travelled and great people they have met, how much they have made and so on with all the phonetics they could muster as they spoke.

The relative added that at a point, one of the youths stood up and with boldness said to one of the speakers, a lady "excuse me Ma, with all these you have mentioned, who have you been able to help with all you have achieved? Please we do not need any show-off here. Just tell us what we need to know and leave the podium" and then sat back even as the speaker left the podium for the next speaker. 

And of course the group of angry unemployed youths who were at the empowerment workshop/programme after much listening, could not bear to listen any further and the consistent question that came from them while the speakers spoke was "who you help" in our local parlance or "who did you help" from those who did not want to go 'local'.

The truth is (take it or leave it) it's only people who are small minded that do all of those 'show-offs' that we see every now and then. Watch the lives of VERY rich, I mean very wealthy individuals like Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Aliko Dangote, to an extent even some of those who are not as wealthy as the aforementioned like Tu Face Idibia, Asa, Femi Kuti, Kate Henshaw, Emem Isong, Funke Akindele and many others too numerous to mention but are doing well in their endeavours yet no 'show-offs' even as a few them are giving back to society through some form of corporate social responsibility project or the other.
 
A  couple of days ago, I stumbled on this quote by Donald Duke, former Governor of  Rivers State, on a friend's facebook wall and it made a whole lot of sense. It said "I am not successful if my brother is a failure, but at the same time, I wouldn’t allow his failure to undermine my success. So, my responsibility is to help him, but not indulge him. So, I can’t say I am successful and every Monday, I give him a hundred thousand or five hundred thousand naira. I would help him start something. I will find out where his strengths are".

I hope this write-up reaches/touches you as much as it has to me. Before you go showing off again, take a breather and answer the question "WHO (DID) YOU HELP?', 

Like Bruce Lee said "showing off is the fool's idea of glory"!.

Kate Henshaw Is Good At What She Does

Not many people can do the things delectable Nollywood actress  Kate Henshaw does and gets away with. If you think I'm just blabbing (without any hard feelings) ask the likes of Tonto Dike, Omotola Jalade and even my ever beautiful Genevieve Nnaji.

I've seen Kate Henshaw do a lot of things from being an actress, presenter, dancer, singer (yeah singer and a good one at that) and more. Lest I forget, she's also delved into politics. The beautiful part of all is that she is done really well in every one of them. Oops! *tongue in cheek* Did I say 'all'?

Hmm! Okay. Let's leave it at 99% success of most things she's delved into as she did not make it in politics when she contested for House of reps under the People's Democratic Party earlier this year in 2015.

You may be wondering why I picked ever-smiling Kate Henshaw today. I'll tell you why.

A short while ago, I just walked into the office to see her in the new video of the song "See Us Now" a track from JJC's newly released album 'Skillz' where he featured Kate Henshaw who of course delivered as expected just as she delivered a few years back when she featured in JJC's 'Skank'. I felt her in that Video just like I did the first time I heard the song. 

Kate in 'Skank' Video

In 'See Us Now' Video

JJC and Katie sure do have some kind of FRIENDSHIP/bond as seen in the jobs they've done together. No wonder tongues started wagging about 'an affair' when pictures of the new video shoot (of the duo as though they were having romantic moments) were all over the social media. 

And of course, JJC, the father of three cleared the air of any 'affair' allegations when asked if he had a crush on Kate. He said he liked her uniqueness and actually saw Kate Henshaw's performance once at a banquet and I thought she would be perfect to pass the message which had an emotional and uplifting video to the people.

“I actually saw Kate Henshaw’s performance once at a banquet and I thought she would be perfect to pass the message to the people. I like her uniqueness. I have been looking forward to a chance for the Nigerian music industry and Nollywood to come together for the common good of the masses. With Kate, I have made that happen. People have been saying I have a crush on her, but it is far from the truth”, he said. - See more at: http://www.nollywoodfreaks.com/i-dont-have-a-crush-on-kate-henshaw-jjc-says/#sthash.pAO1Z0No.dpuf

“I actually saw Kate Henshaw’s performance once at a banquet and I thought she would be perfect to pass the message to the people. I like her uniqueness. I have been looking forward to a chance for the Nigerian music industry and Nollywood to come together for the common good of the masses. With Kate, I have made that happen. People have been saying I have a crush on her, but it is far from the truth”, he said. - See more at: http://www.nollywoodfreaks.com/i-dont-have-a-crush-on-kate-henshaw-jjc-says/#sthash.pAO1Z0No.dpuf

And by the way (take a moment and forget what JJC said), which guy wouldn't have a crush on Katie? Those her infectious smiles can NEVER be ignored by any one. 

Now, if those 'make-believe' shots fooled a lot of people then 'DAMN! (forgive my language) you will agree with me without any doubts that Kate Henshaw is by far one great act that cannot be ignored in the entertainment industry as she's good at what she does.

Here's to my delectable Nollywood 'Pick' of today, Kate Henshaw "WELL DONE". 
*Smiling like her right now*.

Retired Bankers Vs Real Tired Bankers

My friends were having a discussion the other day. At first I wasn’t interested in the topic until the word “retired” was mentioned and I quickly recalled a scenario which transpired a few years back between a trio of bank marketers and a potential client/depositor.

The said bank marketers had gone to this businessman who supposedly had a huge account with another bank that was of course making a great turnover in return.

When these marketers approached the man in his office, he took a good look at them without uttering a word for a while and then, like an afterthought, asked them their mission - as if he didn't know it already.

The first of the trio, a young man who appeared to  lead  the pack of two females went  thus; “Sir, we are marketers from so-and-so bank, we were wondering how we could be of any help to your great organization”.

While the young man spoke the potential client who was listening keenly had this smirk on his face which he eventually turned into a scornful laugh after a few minutes.

As soon as the potential client started  laughing, the young man stopped talking and with an embarrassed look on his face, turned towards his colleagues with an expression which said “Did I just do or say anything funny”?

While the young man was pondering on that, the potential client looked at the trio seated in front of him and said “Hey! Forgive my manners. I forgot to offer you drinks and, looking at you, you sure do need the offer." Ignoring their protests declining his offer, the man turned  towards a fridge behind him) and brought out three bottles of malt drinks which he placed of his visitor.

All the marketers did was mutter a /hushed “thank you” even though they made no move to touch the bottles.

The potential client sat back in his chair, cleared his throat and began, “You know what, I remember when this business started just a few years ago. I approached your bank for a loan, and you know what your bank said to me?"

The marketers shook their heads in the negative.

"Of course not,|" the man continued."Well, they told me that they don’t assist new businesses  and that even this same business that all your colleagues have been coming from different branches to solicit for account opening now, did not look promising to them at the time so could not put a dime in it”.

The marketers exchanged surprised looks - though that didn't fool the man one bit. They knew for a fact that it was the bank’s policy not to give loans to new or fresh businesses.

The man ignored their pretended surprise and continued, “So I went to another bank with the same proposal your bank had rejected and without much hassle, I got a loan, even more than what I requested from your bank after I was convinced by my then account officer to go for more than what I initially had in mind.  It is that money which was used to grow my business that has transformed into this huge business that you all are running after now."

“We, we ...” this time one of the ladies spoke “...understand your plight, sir, and  apologise on behalf of the bank for making you go through all that. But we would still like to know how we can…"

“Point of correction” the potential client cut in “I do not have a plight. It is you marketers who are in some kind of plight at the moment because I am way up beyond that now by the grace of God. And lest I forget, I'm not bitter anymore because at the end of the day, it was a good thing your bank turned me

down, otherwise I wouldn't have gone to my present bank and most importantly met my then account officer who today is a friend and like a brother in my family."

After a brief silence, the second lady, trying so hard to be as seductive as possible, said, "so since you are no longer angry with the bank, we still need to know how we can be of any help."

While she spoke, a man who looked in his early forties walked into the office and the potential client's face  immediately lit up with a smile and an outstretched hand for a handshake towards the man and said "speaking of which, this is the man-of-the-moment, Eugene my then account officer who's now retired from the bank and doing this same business of mine."

 After exchanging pleasantries with the others, the man sat down on a single settee at one end of the large office away from the rest and said "I learnt from the best you know." Turning while laughing towards the marketers, he added jokingly "don't believe anything he says o! If he says I am the-man-of-the-moment, he is the-MAN-OF-ALL-MOMENTS" and humbly picked up a magazine from the stack of papers on a table by the settee.

Well, my 'dears' I do not have any need for a new bank now as I'm fine with my present bank and most importantly you don't expect me to leave a bank that helped me for yours, would you? I give nearly every one of your bank marketers drinks whenever they show up here  because I sympathise with them because I know how hard you work knowing full well that up until now as we speak, your bank still does not help new business thereby making marketing difficult for you thereafter turn you all into 'REAL TIRED' bankers until you eventually take the bull by the horns and quietly Retire like my man over there who did not wait to become 'really tired' before retiring" pointing towards the man on the settee now reading a magazine. 

And so, it ended a case of RETIRED versus REAL TIRED bankers.

Here is my cup filled with so much love for all those 'REAL TIRED' bankers who are yet to 'RETIRE'.

Wishing YOU ALL THE BEST!