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It is no longer news that the power sector in Nigeria is sick! In fact, it has been bedridden for donkey years. Finally, last Wednesday’s eccentric show of the ‘power gods’ tickled, thereby provoking fast response from the government. But the question really is; how sensitive was that to our already inundated minds, bodies, souls and economy as a nation?

The 24 hours shut down which affected business activities, thus putting up a lot of discomfort here and there is said to be an offshoot of government’s failure to pay monetization arrears plus other entitlements promised energy workers since July. The modalities finally reached between both groups afterward, ended the shame which had sold-out some of the many issues bedeviling the nation.

How sad, that we now live in times of inadequacies coupled with bad leadership. True to predictions; we cast the first stone as led. But funny how time flies and situations place us in room to act wise but instead, we choose foolish, suppressing our very own. Without much guessing any longer, we now know where the problems lie. And that is in our national attitude to obliging self quest to the discomforts of others. We have all been nothing but insensitive overtime!

The nation-wide power strike, rendered businesses unproductive, and with great cost implications too. The entire country, like always anyway, ran on noisy diesel generator sets. The attending risks are there health wise, but it appears no one cares. This is a lesson if not an embarrassment to the government already. Alternative power investor groups should begin to liaise with the leadership to curtail such acts in future, especially as it would put an end to such monopoly like PHCN.

Nevertheless, the much talked about power sector reform road map has now been initiated by President Goodluck Jonathan. For once, it appears the script to enabling the economy to productive tendency is finally written. No thanks to the painful, choking and maybe ‘necessary contributions’ of PHCN workers.
And come to think of it, one may ask, what precisely is this guy offering in this so–called map that the fathers before him never offered? Is it sincerity, or purpose, or what really?

The Executive move, we hear, is about a reposition of the power sector, to get it back on track ahead of the strategic goals and new discipline, especially after the nation wide black out on Wednesday 25 August 2010. That aside, as Nigerians from all walks of life, home and abroad, we can only hope it’s feasible and not again, fraudulent.

Meanwhile, industry watchers are concerned that the government may not have the all-decisive political and moral will to deliver its promises especially where similar moves in the past did not achieve set out targets which Nigerians at that time, welcomed with open arms. There have also been questions raised in doubt of the processes involved in choice of groups to handle power distribution and transmission.

In response to this during an interview on Channels Television at the weekend, the Special Adviser to the President on power, renowned Prof. Barth Nnaji confirmed that a bidding process was in place for the distribution and generation of power. He revealed that one Power Grid company based in India and a couple of other groups have tendered offers for the project. Thank God for that.

Still emphasizing on the incontestable sovereignty of the Federal government to control over allotment, and in terms of credibility to guarantee purchasing power in the sector, Prof. Barth somewhat blamed the inability of the sector to sustain and function, especially where government ministries, agencies and notably the military, who ought to lend support, instead chose to owe the Power Company huge bills regardless of provisions made in their budgets for power.

Such problems facing the sector he also confirmed will have to be addressed decisively, especially as the President is committed to putting appropriate measures in place to tackle the power problems within all perspectives.

Now, this is where we must all be concerned too, if we are to avoid a nationwide repeat of Wednesday 25 August 2010. Nigerians must contribute their own quota to sustaining the power system by being responsive to simple civic duties as paying up light bills. The government should also consider these misgivings Nigerians have towards her ‘sincerity’ to approach issues head-on, as a challenge, and prove doubting Thomases wrong for once at least.

We lament the recurring scenario where specialized and service based groups continue to hold the nation to ransom each time a need is sought. This recklessness should be looked into sooner than later so as to effectively restore sanity to public service once more. Strikes should not always be used as a tool for rocking the government off its high horse, especially when it’s obvious that the poor instead, will end up in the marsh of every bargain. They are always the worse hit by these prides!

To the ordinary people, whatever it takes to give Nigerians support will be welcomed especially as electricity in adequate supply, will not only show government as supportive of every development-driven ideas but will further help aid the economy of the nation and lives of the common man in particular.

d'supremes

Ladybrille is unapologetic about her opinion when she comments on musical videos. The Earlier, she wrote about D’Supremes feat. Harrysong:

‘Mr. Endowed’ critique

Per NJO commenter request He must have heard me talk about this video yesterday.

Criticisms on Endowed video. It’s a book I am writing. Lol!

The quality of Naija music videos used to be an issue. Now, the video quality is simply superb, for the most part. The question is no longer whether Naija music industry can shoot quality videos. The question is, “what separates award winning music videos from below average ones?” At this point, it has got to be the story telling and ultimate execution of that story. This is where, to me, the endowed video is highly lacking.

D’Banj is the THE KOKO MASTER. He invented the Koko brand that is nothing short of success, yet the video does nothing to convey that. The lyrics are quite weak so the video truly had to take the song and promote it and make us feel that he is endowed, however we interpret endowed to mean.

The intro is intriguing, the ride catches your attention but after that, it is downhill from there. Director Sesan, why is Don Jazzy fully dressed (great styling by the way) in a video that is supposed to show how endowed he is? What makes him endowed? His muscles? Six pack abs? Money? House? The ride is cool but the lens focuses more on the backside of the female model. What exactly is the point of that scene in your story line?

Now we move to another scene and for most of the duration of the video, we are stuck with this bland scene. The STAR of the video Kokomaster D’Banj is caught in a dark hallway for the most part of the video proclaiming his endowment. Are you kidding me? How is D’Banj endowed in a dark hallway? If he steps out of that hallway, will he lose his endowment?

The video later transitions and we see one of the characters another model in what looks like a restroom with really bad “endowed” teeth. Conceptually, that scene made no sense at all. D’banj wears a Mr. Endowed Lois & Clark Spiderman costume and fixes her teeth, gives her a bigger gluteus maximus (butt) and pectoralis major and minor (boobs). And so? Now what?

What has that got to do with D’Banj being endowed? Where is the interaction with the kokomaster and his Cinderella endowed princess? Again, the plot/story telling is lacking and nothing seems to make sense. In its individual parts, the scenes look cool; the picture quality is above average, especially coming from Mo’hits. But, Dir. Sesan, you needed to connect the dots and show us how D’Banj was indeed endowed with a creatively intelligent and comical concept that could promote the track/song.

For example, a concept that shows him going through his daily activities (traveling through an airport and he so endowed Oyinbo, Asia etc. think he’s hot, shopping, at an executive meeting, hanging with the fellas at the club etc. out and about) girls want him and fellas wanna be him.

With all due respect, I suggest Mo’hits and directors they hire take the time to really think through the concept of any videos they shoot before any work begins. It is what will make an award winning videos like Bez’s More You( I know it will get nominated), Pon pon and some solid videos already out there.

My 50kobo for all its worth.

Cheers,
Uduak

Sigma Emperor Latest Cover.

Sigma Emperor Magazine, Youth and Nigerian campus oriented magazine recently released into the streets of Lagos and other states, the second issue of her magazine.

The second issue feature music sensations eLDee the don, M.I. And Banky W all on the cover themed ‘‘THE SWAG ACADEMY’’.

In the magazine, the artistes are portrayed as professors, schooling readers on what it takes to be who they are and what they do. They are all featured in three different departments but of the same faculty which is the benchmark of institution of Nigerian music.

elDee has mastered the mechanics of rap and how it is engineered to produce critically and commercially acclaimed rap albums. Speaking on notorious hub for pirates – Alaba, eLDee said “In a way, I feel responsible because I actually initiated and converted the pirates into distribution” and he also spoke about his wife while the ‘Strong Thing’ crooner, Banky W portray as a professor verse in the art of singing with style tells us how beautiful love is but still be painful, he announced ‘Meatie’ beef roll as his favourite road-side snack. M.I spoke strongly against the black culture disregard for her woman with terms like “b*****”.

Going on with the interview, “I thought Kanye West was gonna come out and interrupt my speech”, M.I. joked when asked as regards his victory at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards.

The magazine also took a dive into revealing the top ten richest Nigerian pop artistes with insightful articles titled ‘The Confessions of your girlfriend’, “What a Guy wants”, celebrity rides and International collaborations – hoax and true etc.

“Sigma Emperor Magazine is a bundle of content and design to sweep readers of their feet, Our intention was solely to give readers all they can possibly get from a magazine – our cover story comes with combined personalities, more than one celebrity gracing the cover for you all to read and enjoy.” The Publisher/C.E.O, Emmanuel Nkansah Jnr said.

“A situation delayed the second issue but we are moving in full gear to make sure the third issue hits the streets soon”, He added.

Sigma Emperor Magazine had her debut in 2008 with the Mo’ Hits all stars led by D’banj on the cover.

Tuface headlined the 8th Annual African Festival—Fest Africa 2010 that took place in Baltimore, US on the 14 – 15th August where children aged 10 and under were admitted free. Find pictures from event below and Catch 2face live in Concert on the 26th of september at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos – Powered by Flytime Promotions, Silverbird and Now Muzik.

In related news, 2Face idibia made a duet with South Africa’s hip- hop group Jozi from South Africa. The collaboration took place during the world cup where 2face and other African artiste performed with American singer Kelly Rowland. The song is said to be produced by Ismael and titled “WHAT YOU SEARCHING FOR”.

Tuface at festAfrica

Tuface.

Tuface

Tuface

Ibiyemi has followed up ‘Don’t leave me’ with a new video for ‘Ore’. Her most anticipated debut album ‘Love Always Wins’ was released on Saturday which features hit singles like ‘Can You Love Me’, ‘Don’t Leave’ and this sure hit ‘Ore’. Love good music, then grab a copy of ‘Love Always Wins’. ENJOY “ORE”

Naomi and C. Taylor

Though Charles Taylor faces 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity at The Hague, and is the first African president ever to be tried by an international court, the court continues to ignore the fact that Charles Taylor is a product of the western influences that were the main beneficiaries of his activities in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The trial is proving more than just the usual example of the unwieldiness of international justice.  The Liberian civil war and eventually the larger regional war involving four neighbouring countries started on December 24, 1989 when Charles Taylor returned to Liberia, allegedly from Libya, at the head of the then notorious rebel faction, the National Patriotic Front of Liberia (NPFL).

Starting at a time when the west began shrugging of the need to render support to its cold war allies, the wars were mainly financed by commercial entities and transnational organized criminal networks, which provided weapons and a market for resources that sustained military campaigns conducted by both governments and rebel forces.

Exchanging weapons for timber, rubber and gold in Liberia and diamonds in Sierra Leone, these unscrupulous businesses gained from human conflict.  Though the suggestion is of shady groups running around in conflict areas, cutting deals with both sides, the truth is less savoury, for involved were major corporations and some of the world’s largest mineral extraction, oil and financial institutions who operate a “see no evil policy”.

Taylor, who became president in 2 August 1997, following a peace deal that ended the Liberian civil war, was at the middle of it all. It was during his term of office that he was first accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity because of his involvement in the Sierra Leone Civil War.

After opposition to his government led to another civil war in Liberia in 1999, international pressure forced him to step down and he went into exile in Nigeria in 2003 from where he was extradited in 2006 at the request of newly elected Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to face trial in The Hague. Taylor is accused of war crimes stemming from his involvement in Sierra Leone’s 1991-2002 civil war. Prosecutors say he supported the rebel armies Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) by giving them weapons in exchange for rough diamonds, charges denied by Mr Taylor.

One question that resounds in the western media is the one that ponders what Charles Taylor, with his antecedents, was doing at a dinner hosted by a man of Nelson Mandela’s class.  They fail to understand the peculiarities that surround the person of Charles Taylor – When the dinner was held; Charles Taylor had just assumed the presidency of Liberia, a position that was one of the clauses that ended the decade old Liberian civil war.

Charles Taylor was at the party because of the existing unspoken rule that allows a leader like him free reign until he leaves office.  Charles Taylor was enjoying one of the perquisites that leadership of an African state bestows on even the worst leaders a state can throw-up.

Back in 2007, Charles Taylor was the known devil, one whose ascendance to power saved African governments – particularly Nigeria and other West African countries – money spent on peacekeeping missions.  Though his antecedents was known by all the players, they were willing to turn the blind eye, at least for the while, even if that means the escalation of the situation in Sierra Leone where Charles Taylor has more than a transient interest.

Before the recent upsurge, caused by the appearance of supermodel Naomi Campbell and Mia Farrow, others have testified against the warlord turned president.  People that had their limbs amputated, children who were turned into child soldiers or forced into sexual slavery by faction commanders and their fighters have all appeared before the tribunal, bearing tales that shocked as well as inspired.  Constant in their accounts was the story of the involvement of the aforementioned opportunistic businessmen, outsiders who sought profit in diamonds, timber, rubber or weapons on the back of the war.  However, the horrifying testimonies of the victims of Mr. Taylor’s alleged atrocities   attracted marginal coverage in the Western media, until Ms Campbell’s subpoena.

Ms Campbell agreed that she met Charles Taylor at a 1997 dinner in South Africa but stressed that before then she has never heard of him, or of blood diamonds, or of “a country called Liberia.”, a situation that is true of many westerners.

The hope of prosecutors that Naomi Campbell’s appearance would throw further light on Taylor’s deals in conflict diamonds appeared to have come to naught, because, aside from the assumption that the diamonds might have come from Mr Taylor, the testimonies heard could only place Ms Campbell and Mr Taylor at the same dinner party.  The testimonies of Mia Farrow and Carole White, no matter how much overblown by the western media, only further buttresses the fact that without documented evidence, the three year old case against Mr Charles Taylor might turn out to be a monumental waste of the $20 million so far spent.

About $100,000 is being spent on Mr. Taylor’s defence each month, paid for by donations from western governments who effectively turned a blind eye while Taylor was committing the crimes he stands accused of today.

Human rights campaigners believe that Taylor’s trial would set an example for Africa and send a strong message to other tyrants and warlords that justice is waiting for them, but we hope that perhaps the tribunal would look beyond the diamonds and focus more on the atrocities.  Perhaps it would look at the fates of two Nigerian journalists, Krees Imodibie of The Guardian and Tayo Awotusin from Daily Champion who were executed by Taylor’s troops, in August 1991 and avail their families and other victims of both Liberian civil wars and the conflict in Siearra Leone some form of compensation.

Another truth, hidden under the institutionalised ignorance to African affairs, is the fact that most Africans do not understand what the term blood diamond means.  To the west, blood diamonds are those that are used to exchange for weapons that are used for conflicts.  To the average African diamonds are novelties that very few people, aside from miners who are too poor to keep them, have held in their hand or have the resources to buy.

Perhaps, it is time to put the real beneficiaries of Africa’s war, international jewellers, miners and the fashion industry, the sources of the dollars that fuelled the wars, on the stand.

Perchance, this time, the prosecutors would look deeper at the circumstances surrounding Taylor’s ‘escape’ from a US jail on 15 September 1985. Taylor’s former associate, now Liberian senator, Prince Yomi Johnson claimed before the country’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission on 27 August 2008 that the escape was orchestrated by the United States to engineer the overthrow of the Doe regime, a claim that has been echoed by Mr Taylor in his testimony at his trial in The Hague. Still, any news of US involvement in the wars of Liberia and Sierra Leone would not come as any surprise, at least not in West Africa, where the belief of Taylor being a US lackey has always existed.

Perhaps the court would subpoena American televangelist Pat Robertson who is alleged to have had business dealings with Charles Taylor and reportedly got diamond mining rights from the Warlord.

Perhaps when all these loopholes have been plugged, Africans will start believing the words of the West and maybe, African leaders would have reasons to fear the consequences of their actions.

As for the Taylor case, it transcends the model’s diamonds gift and butchered limbs.

Wande Coal.

DON JAZZY SCOLDS WANDE??? + RHYTHM’S FM FORMER OAP KEMISTRY: I NEVER DOPED AND WENT ON AIR + JIM IYKE TO SUE OVER PUBLICATION+ 50 CENT GOES BALLISTIC ON TWITTER, GOES OFF & PROMISE TO BE BACK SEPT 6TH

DAN FOSTER RAN ME OUT OF RADIO!

Ex Radio presenter with Rhythm FM and Inspiration Fm, Kemistry Olisaemeka has rebuffed people calling her a crack head and emphasized that the impression led to her leaving Radio and relocating out of Nigeria. The controversial OAP who also delved briefly into music admits that she might have been a little crazy on air but she never doped and went on air to transmit rubbish. Reacting that her former Boss, Dan Foster ran her out, she said…’He ran me off Radio, yes. But not out off town. Since I was no longer on Radio, there was no point in me hanging around becos that was the same reason I came back, to work wit my degree’. She also indicated that her inability to find a good man here in Naija contributed to the decision.

JIM IYKE: I AM GETTING MARRIED SOON.
Jim Iyke has spazzed out on reports (not Qmarkmag) that he has a Sierra leonean Girlfriend that has tested HIV positive. Last week rumors were all over town and the internet that His married Lover has tested positive to the deadly virus,There was also reports of him fathering a white baby boy after pictures of him carrying a white boy surfaced on the internet.
The Nollywood bad boy has come out to deny the reports and have threatened court action against any such publications. He bluntly stated that he has no secret affair with any white woman nor indulge with in multiple affairs as people allege. He however declared that he was getting married soon and was planning something he would rather not disclose to the public yet.

TWITTY CENT!
50 Cent has been talking a lot of bullsh*t on twitter, as soon as he took over his account, He later decided to go off to continue recording his album and has promised to be back September 6th.  Yeah right ..like it’s a movie… check out some of his crazy tweets @50cent.

DON JAZZY SCOLDS WANDE?
Inside sources from the Mo-Hits camp says CEO Don Jazzy was initially not happy that Wande Coal recorded a collabo With Ghanian R&B group R2BEES. Don Jazzy is known for his Exclusivity and has over the years refused to work with artistes outside of Mo-hits, He also ensure that none of his Artiste does the same, Sources claim he scolded Wande for making the song initially but later appreciated it when the video came out owing to the fact that it has eased rebound from the Wande naked picture scandal.

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Fidel Castro has said Osama bin Laden is in the pay of the CIA and was summoned up whenever George W Bush needed to scare the world

“Any time Bush would stir up fear and make a big speech, bin Laden would appear threatening people with a story about what he was going to do,” Mr Castro said.

“Bush never lacked for bin Laden’s support. He was a subordinate.”

Mr Castro made his remarks during a meeting with Lithuanian-born writer Daniel Estulin known for advancing conspiracy theories about world domination.

He said documents posted on WikiLeaks.org, the website that released thousands of classified US doc**ents about the war in Afghanistan, “effectively proved he was a CIA agent“.

However, the former Cuban president – who himself became America’s enemy no.1 and survived multiple assassination attempts by the CIA – did not further elaborate.
During the meeting, Mr Estulin told Mr Castro that the real voice of bin Laden was last heard in late 2001, not long after the September 11 attacks.

He said the person heard making warnings about terror attacks after that was a “bad actor“.

Mr Castro did take exception with one of Mr Estulin’s major theses – that the human race must move to another habitable planet or face extinction.

The 84-year-old revolutionary said it would be better to fix things on Earth then abandon the planet altogether.

“Humanity ought to take care of itself if it wants to live thousands more years,” Mr Castro told the writer.

Mr Castro stepped down due to ill health in 2006 – first temporarily, then permanently – and handed power over to his younger brother Raul.

He has remained head of the Cuban Communist party but stayed out of view for four years after falling sick before returning to the spotlight in July.

His comments about the al Qeada leader are the latest in a series of provocative statements.

Recently he warned that the planet is on the brink of nuclear war.

Mr Castro even predicted the threat of global conflict would mean that the final rounds of the World Cup would be cancelled last month.

He later apologised for jumping the gun.

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As a legal defense against a charge of involuntary manslaughter to Doctor Conrad Murray, they may have to dig up the body of Michael Jackson!!

The lawyers will argue that MJ died from the use of recreational drugs (Propofol) and may demand that his body be dug up for new tests ahead of Murray’s trial next year, reported News Of The World online.

“This is a horrifying situation the family have been dreading. They laid Michael to rest and for him to return is just sick.” says a close relative to the Jackson family.”

Lead lawyer Ed Chernoff has already been given permission to re-test samples removed and frozen after the 50-year-old’s death in June 2009.

The source added: “If the tests don’t concur with the coroner’s findings, they have the start of a strong defense. The logical next step would be to exhume the body to make new tests.”