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AUG 2009 | ISSN 1758-6275

Micheal
Jackson
Death that shook
the world

The Effects of
Global Meltdown

Etisalat’s the One

Million Dollar Dream
Calling all Contestants Enter Today to WIN!

A taste Fashion: Eyo Festival

of Paris Bola | 3 spiritual rejuvenation

naijaTimes 1
After Michael Jackson, Credits:
which of these artists
is likely to be the next Published by:

King/Queen of Pop? Publisher: Dayo Elegbe

Managing Editor: Funke Adetutu

A. Beyonce
Writers:
B. Chris Brown Adedoyin Johnson, Omolola Ogunbadejo,
Kweku Brown, Yinka Oyekunle, Derin Adefulu,
C. Tu Face Odiri Etireri

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(Korede@naija-times.com)

Text ‘NT” and your Answer “A”, Advertising Sales (Nig): Sam Omoruyi
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August 2009 NIGERIA:

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naijaTimes 3
Walking This Way
Editor’s note
Walk This Way is a song by American hard
rock group, Aerosmith. It was written by
Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. It was originally
released as the second single from their 1975
album Toys in the Attic.
In addition to being one of the songs that
helped break Aerosmith into the mainstream
in the 1970s, it also helped resurrect their
career and revolutionised the new hybrid
sub-musical genre of rock and rap. It became
an international hit and won both groups a
Soul Train Music Award for Best Rap single
in 1987. The song was also covered by the
UK girl groups Sugababes and Girls Aloud as
the official Comic Relief single in 2007. It’s a
wonderful song I love.
And so, in the spirit of this song, we warmly
welcome you to a bumper edition of
NaijaTimes. It’s a brand new month for us
here. We have been off the news stand for a
while and we are glad to be back again.
In this maiden return edition, there are
stories which cut across different areas
of human interest. Uche Nnaji of OUCH
Couture tells us in his own voice the story
behind the success of his label while there
is an interesting ‘war’ between Femi Branch,
actor and Clarion Chukwura, actress as Femi
shares what he knows about women while
Clarion says what she knows about men.
In this edition also, there is a special section
on the ongoing One 9ja Million Dollar Game
Show, where people from all works of life
have the rare opportunity to win millions
of dollars. In fact, some people are already
winning millions of naira as our story on the
Kaduna leg of the show reveals.
Also, some new and interesting sections have
been added to this re-launch edition for your
delight. Hence we invite you to walk this way
with us every month as we promise more
interesting stories in subsequent editions. See
you again next month. Abientot!
- Adedoyin
naijaTimes 5
 naijaTimes
In The Next Issue...

Watch out for our Mysterious Shopper, find out about Obi Asika’s Lagos,
and we learn more about Africa’s number killer, Malaria. We will also be
offering to put you in the picture...all this and more next month.

Make sure you don’t miss out, subscribe to NaijaTimes, and have your very
own copy delivered to your door.
Visit www.naija-times.com/subscribe-today for more details.

August 09 The Million Naira Night 46

Travel & Culture Careers & Development

Top 5 A Taste of Spring in Paris 8 The Effects of Global Meltdown 34

Things Restaurants in Lagos

Eyo Festival
13
14
Model Reader 37

to watch Culture Ball of the Year 16 Entertainment

out for in
Lagos A City Trapped in Flood 18 The Man Whose Death Shook the World 38
Etisalat and the One Million Dollar Dream 44

34 August Fashion & Lifestyle

1. The new Ultimate Search Hero
2. Maltina Dance All Winning Family
14 3. Drama at theatre @ terra
4. Art Exhibition at Quincessente
Falomo
22 39 26 5. Night of Comedy at City Mall,
Onikan (Last Friday of the month)
Momo Wows at London Fashion Show 20
The Young Entrepreneur 22
Bola|3 More than Just a Shop 26
My Bohemian Style 28
Money
Should You Buy Stocks Now 30
My Lagos 32
The Millionaires’ Night
Up Close and Personal with Djinee
46
48
The Divergent Roadmap 52
What’s Happening in the Cinemas 54
Let Me Tell You About Women 56
Let Me Tell You About Men 58
Campus News 60
Everyone is Talking About... 63
Directories
WebFILE 65
Business Listings 66

6 naijaTimes 7
 Travel & Culture

A taste of spring in The impressive promenade stretches from celebration is in the air. The wining and Tuileries. The boulevard, now called Grande

PARIS
By ADEDOYIN JOHNSON
I t is a few minutes past four on a Sunday
evening in June and the long stretch of
Avenue des Champs-Elysees, Paris, is full of
tourists streaming along the sidewalks. The
sun casts long shadows of skyscrapers on the
road, forming an interlace of beautiful images
for a warm spring evening.
the Place de la Concorde to the Place Charles
de Gaulle, the site of the Arc de Triomphe.
At its western end, the Champs-Elysées is
encircled by cinemas, theatres, cafés and
luxury shops; each of them buzzing with
activities. Near the Place de la Concorde,
the street is surrounded by the Jardins des
Champs-Elysées. This beautifully arranged
garden has fountains and some grand buildings
including the Grand and Petit Palais at the
southern side, and the Elysée at its northern
side, which has been the residence of the
French Presidents since 1873.
The noise from the bars and restaurants
creates an impression that some kind of
dining depicts what the avenue is known for
--- celebrations. This site is where Parisians
celebrate New Year’s Eve and where the
military parades are held every 14th of July.
Historic national events, like the Liberation
at the end of the second World War or
the soccer World Cup victory are also
celebrated on this broad avenue.
In the 16th century, this area was nothing but
fields outside the centre of Paris. However,
in 1616 Marie de Medicis decided to create
a long tree-lined path going east from the
Tuileries. The route was redesigned in 1667
by renowned landscape designer André Le
Nôtre, as an extension of the Jardins des
Allée du Roule or Grand-Cours has become
a fashionable place but still isolated from
the city with few buildings surrounding the
area. Twenty-seven years later, the street
was renamed Champs-Elysées (derived from
Greek mythology) or Elysian Fields in English.
A tour guide explains that in 1724 the
Champs-Elysées was extended all the way
to l’Etoile, the site of the Arc de Triomphe.
Its current form took shape in 1838 when
French architect Ignaz Hittorf - who was
redesigning the Place de la Concorde -
created the Jardins des Champs-Elysées.
He also installed sidewalks, gas lamps and
fountains. The Champs-Elysées started to

8
View from the top of Arc de Triomphe naijaTimes 9
 attract more and more restaurants and
hotels, especially after 1900 when the Paris
metro line reached the Etoile station.
“The current redesign of the prestigious
avenue was done in 1994 by Bernard
Huet, a French architect. The side lanes
were converted into pedestrian zones, an
underground parking lot was created and
new trees were planted. Cars now only
occupy half the width of this grand avenue,”
the guide explains.
After walking a few metres, we arrived at
Place de la Concorde, the largest square in
Paris. It is situated between the Tuileries and
Champs-Elysées.
A large statue of king Louis XV adorns the
large space. The statue, I understand was
erected at the site to celebrate the recovery
of the king after a serious illness. The statue
was built by architect Jacques-Ange Gabriel
in 1772.
An Obelisk is also located in the square.
The 3200 years old obelisk from the temple
of Ramses II at Thebes was installed at the
10
centre of the Place de la Concorde. The 75
feet structure was offered by the Viceroy of
Egypt to Louis Philippe in1831. It is called
‘L’aiguille de Cléopâtre meaning Cleopatra’s
Needle and is covered with hieroglyphs
picturing the reign of pharaohs. Overlooking
the Cleopatra’s Needle is the Fontaine des
Mers. Its design is breathtaking and almost
everyone wants their pictures taken in front
of it.
After touring the long avenue, I was
exhausted yet something inside me longed
for more. Paris is a city to visit at least once
in a lifetime. It is unique in its style and the
restaurants with tents overhead are a treat
to watch and relax in. You will definitely
fall in love with the city with its charm and
romantic feeling. There is certainly romance
in the air of this famous city. I was not
disappointed by Paris’ claim that it owns
some of the world’s most famous attractions.
This beautiful city surely has something to
offer the world.
 Travel & Culture

You are what you wear.

naija Man Restaurants
in Lagos
www.naijaclothing.com
Bungalow Restaurant Oceanview Restaurants
Type: International Type: International
Address AkinAdesola off Adeola Odeku, Address: Adetokunbo Ademola Street
Tel: 01 2610235
www.bungalowrestaurant.com Pizza Garden
Price of Menu: Between N1,000-N5,000 Type: Italian
email: info@bungalowrestaurant.com Address: Eko Hotel

Pearl Garden Pearl Garden Restaurant

Type: Chinese 10A Tiamiyu Savage Street.
Address 10A, Tiamiyu Savage Street Victoria Island, Lagos
Tel. 01 2708889 14/15 Ademola Adetokunbo Street, Victoria
Island, Lagos. Kingsway Road Ikoyi, Lagos.
Flamingo MultiComplex 7, Aboyade Cole Street.V/I
Restaurant
Restaurant complex with different possibilities. Jade Garden Restaurant
Type: general 60, Isaac John Street GRA, Ikeja Lagos
Address: 10 Kofo Abayomi Street,Victoria
Island, Tel: 234-1-2622225, 234-1-612211 New Koreana Restaurant,
Price of Menu: $20 per head 113 Awolowo rd. Ikoyi

Prime Chinese Restaurant

Piccolomondo Restaurant 21 Orosa St. Victoria Island.
Type: African and International
Tel: 017927922 Terra Kulture’s Restaurant,
www.piccolomondorestaurant.com 376 Tiamiyu Savage St. Victoria Island
Address: 19B, Plot 975, Idejo Street, Off
Adeola Odeku Street
Price of Menu: N700 - N3500

Reeds Restaurant
Type: Thai Saipan
Type: Chinese
Oju Olugbon Street.Victoria Island, Lagos.

12 naijaTimes 13

Eyo
Festival
More Than a Spiritual Rejuvenation
Iga Iduganran Street on Lagos Island is
a beehive of activities this sunny Friday
morning in April. Women in uniform Iro
and Buba, Yoruba traditional attire, are
energetically beating big local drums while
some others dance to the rhythm of the
drums. It’s some hours before the set date
for the Eyo festival, and this area remains
quite impassable, as there are thousands
of people milling around the Oba’s palace
in preparation for the D-Day. Everyone
including the tailors, who design the
beautiful Eyo regalia, are doing last minute
preparations which the owners would wear
the following day.
This kind of unusual preparation is expected
for a festival that does not hold annually.
14
“The chants are like prayers to the ancestors”
Therefore, whenever the Eyo festival is to
be staged, it means the good conducts of a
prominent son or daughter of Lagos is being
celebrated or a well-known personality is visiting
Lagos, the centre of excellence. Historians
observe that the Eyo festival was not held for 21
years and there was a time it took place three
times in one year. It took place three, four, five
times in 1903, 1909 and 1906 respectively.
This explains why the preparations that led to
the grand celebration of the Eyo festival this
year is rooted in an age-long tradition. This
morning, all the participating Iga otherwise
called families are at work. Each Iga has been
through some kind of tutoring and screening
on how to chant the Aro, a special chant for
the festival. Chants are some of the essential
trademarks of the Eyo festival; explains
Tajudeen Onigemo, the Onigemo of Lagos
in a television interview. “The chants are like
prayers to the ancestors. They are almost
similar. Each chanter learns as much as his
memory allows him and leaves the remaining
to others. The Eyo festival is a kind of spiritual
rejuvenation of the people of Lagos,” he says.
Onigemo also adds that part of the tutoring
includes learning how to manoeuvre the long
flowing white regalia called Aropale made of
poplin material running into 10 yards per mask.
The origin of the Eyo Festival is still shrouded
in controversy and there are many accounts
as to its origin. The most popular of these
accounts says Eyo festival is brought into
Lagos from Ibefun, a village in Ogun state,
south-western Nigeria while there is yet
another account that traces its beginning to
the primordial Benin Kingdom. Regardless
of the controversy, Eyo Festival today has
become a preserve of Lagosians.
D-day: Saturday, 25th of April, 2009
Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos Island
is packed full of people from different parts
of the country and beyond. Vendors of
souvenirs and art works litter almost every
corner of the large arena while those who
cannot afford to pay for the stand hawk
their wares at the entrance of the square.
Both old and young, male and female throng
the TBS to catch a glimpse of the most
publicised Eyo Festival in years.
In the early hours of the morning, the Oba
of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, led by the
Abore was at the Ojubo Egungun Oba Addo
to pour libation to the gods and seek for
spiritual cleansing for the people. But for
Travel & Culture
most of the spectators, it’s not about the
spiritual cleansing. It’s about the awesome
acrobatic display of the different kinds of
Eyo who are robed in beautiful regalia. It’s
also about the beauty of colourful insignia
associated with the Eyo festival.
There are different categories of Eyo explains
Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, chairman Eyo
Agere in a television interview. “The top four
are Eyo Adimu, Eyo Laba Ekun, Eyo Oniko and
Eyo Agere. The members of the Eyo Adimu
belong to the matured group, those who hold
very important positions in the society.”
The members of the Eyo Adimu wear black
hats with a symbol of a star and crescent
engraved on it, a sign that they are superior
to the rest. It is regarded as the first born
more like the first among the equals. “It
takes the lead in virtually all the activities
of the festival. The most notable is the
public parade of the staff which signals for
all preparations to begin. Since the festival
takes place on Saturday, the Adimus usually
go to town the preceding Sunday,” he adds.
Going to town means they pay visits to
the residences of a select few like the state
governor. Once prayers are offered, the
procession goes back to its base. The other
four Igas: Laba Ekun, Oniko, Ologede and
Agere then go on the street in that order.
The Laba Ekun, explains a spectator is
the group that challenges the Eyo Adimu.
“They are like the State Security Service
for the whole masquerade. They are very
flamboyant and could be really oppressive,”
he observes. In deed, the Laba Ekun are
quite flamboyant as their red hats on white
frock dazzled in a way that dominated the
minds on onlookers.
naijaTimes 15

The cultural
ball of
the year
By Lola Ogunbadejo
University life isn’t just about studying.
Although the primary function of a university
is for learning, it stimulates the social façade.
It’s a place to relax, have fun and enjoy life.
The University of Nottingham, United
Kingdom (UoN), is a classic example
of an institution that does just that. It
provides some of the best shows and
events for students. Being one of the
biggest universities in the UK, the UoN has
numerous societies headed by students to
ensure they have active and enjoyable lives
16
outside of books and exams. One of such
societies is the Afro Caribbean society, which
is specifically aimed at students of African or
Caribbean origin.
Last June, a well acclaimed event was held
at the university ---- the Afro-Caribbean
society had its annual cultural ball. It was the
talk of the town, literally, with many people
from different parts of the UK attending.
The celebration of cultures, the infusion of
traditions and the collaboration of national
identities made the night one to remember.
More than a hundred students watched over
seven artistes showcase their talents. There
were singers, dancers and musicians who
displayed riveting performances all night long.
The performance by Peridot, a break dance
group of Britain’s Got Talent 2009 fame, was
astonishing. The audience was captivated by
its explosive body movements.
Also, up coming singer, Shamiso Mathema,
sang the classic and beautiful song, Kissing
You by Desiree. Her performance was
superb. Likewise, Eddie Kadi, an award-
winning comedian in the UK, who hosted the
show was vibrant and extremely entertaining.
He also entertained us with his iconic
humorous songs and show stopping dance
moves.
What would a ball be like without food, you’d
ask? The cuisine, which consisted of African
and Caribbean dishes, was served with
Supermalt, a common malt drink. The food
was a combination of jollof and fried rice,
served with plantain, goat meat, and chicken.
Of course, meat-pie was not missing on the
menu list. This fabulous cuisine was enjoyed
by those new to exotic flavour.
Travel & Culture
The highlight of the evening for me, was the
humanitarian service of the black community
that donated blood and bone marrows. It
is important because there is currently a
serious lack of blood and bone marrow
donation. It was moving to reflect on the
statistic that black people with leukaemia
have 1 in 250,000 chance to find a suitable
match for a bone marrow transplant. This
moved most of us to make a decision to
help this number decrease. We were not
just entertained but we also learnt we could
make a difference in society. For me, that
was what really matters.
Need I say the event was a success? The
celebration of African and Caribbean culture
is something that should occur more often
and on a larger scale. I hope it will as I look
forward to the next one.
naijaTimes 17

It’s mid-day. Ligali Ayorinde, a street on
Victoria Island, is completely overtaken
by water on a cloudy afternoon in July.
It’s just one of the many streets of Victoria Island
that is usually flooded whenever it rains. Residents
of the area have to wade through the large pool
of water to work in their cars or on foot.
“My car broke down on this spot last week,”
laments Dare Ogunbiyi,” a resident of Dideolu
Lagos:
Estate, Victoria Island. “It costs me a fortune to
have it fixed. It’s really sad that I have to pass
through this body of water to get to work.”
A city trapped Since last June, Lagos has been paralysed by
in flood intractable traffic snarl-up, worsened by heavy
downpour witnessed in the last few weeks.
By ADEDOYIN JOHNSON Vehicles wade through the flooded Apapa-Oshodi
18
expressway from Sanya Bus Stop to Mile 2.
The five minute journey now takes over
three hours.
One of the Lagos’ highways, the Apapa-
Oshodi Expressway which connects the
Murtala Muhammed International Airport
with two of the nation’s busiest seaports,
Apapa Quays and Tin Can Island Port has
failed at several locations.
The worst spots are on Tin Can Island itself,
Coconut Bus-stop to Sunrise, at Berger, and
at the turn-off to Lagos-Badagry Expressway
at Mile 2, where motorists paddle their
vehicles through flood waters.
Other failed sections are at Rainbow Bus
Stop, stretching forth towards Sanya Bus
stop for several hundred metres. This spot
has particularly worsened the agonies
of motorists in the last few days, with
traffic backing up for many kilometres and
throughout the day.
“It’s been raining continuously for more than
two weeks now,” says Caroline Asiegwu, a
resident of Sanya. “It’s sad that we should
experience this kind of flood since the state
government is starting its megacity dream
some parts of the state. Something should be
done about the poor drainage system.”
Some roads in Lagos have become notorious
for ghastly motor accidents for unsuspecting
motorists who speed into the craters at night.
This has also led to bad traffic logjams as the
heavy downpour enters its second month.
With the increasing flood, most areas in the
metropolis have become a no-go areas for
small cars and buses which could not wade
through the flood. Even the failed parts of the
Travel & Culture
road have also continued to increase in size as
the flood washes off most parts of the road.
Hence only trailers and heavy trucks with big
tyres and axles could afford to wade through
the road and it takes them over six hours or
more to go through the distance of about
one kilometre.
The effect of the flood however has taken
a toll on businesses along the axis as many
shop owners have to close down. Some
of the shops have been covered by flood
forcing the owners take off for fear of getting
infected in the dirty water.
Some banks on Oshodi/Apapa expressway
have also been adversely affected by
the flood as customers stayed away. An
anonymous banker with one of the new
generation banks says customers hardly visit
them since the downpour started as most of
them were scared of falling inside the flood.
He also explains only those who could not
keep their money in their safes dared the
flood for fear of being visited by robbers.
“It was not easy, we almost lost one of our
staff yesterday who fell into the drainage
unknowingly because the drainage was
covered by flood,” he says.
However, most motorists now use alternative
routes around the area to avoid the flood on
the expressway. Some motorists say these
alternative roads are not better than the
expressway but the only difference is that
they are not flooded like the expressway.
With the untold hardship being suffered by
commuters and motorists, Lagosians are
complaining the Federal Government is not
doing anything to salvage the situation.
naijaTimes 19

MOMO
“Tuesday brought together some irresistible
fashion elements – Jourdan Dunn, Alek Wek and
one of Africa’s most talked about design talents
‘WOWS’ AT – to make the show one of the most intriguing of
the day.” VOGUE.COM
LONDON
Momo exceeded all expections as it sent
some of the world’s top models sashaying
FASHION
down the catwalk to launch its Autumn/
Winter 2009 collection at London Fashion
WEEK
Week. As the only African label to show, all
eyes were on Designer Fati Asibelua – and she
didn’t disappoint.
With the venue over-flowing with press,
buyers and fans of the label, we were wowed
by beautiful pixelated animal prints, over-
sized painted knits, futuristic suiting, and ultra
stylish dresses, all topped off with incredible
architecturally designed head dresses and slick
black latex leggings.
20
Fashion & Lifestyle
“This collection
Already a huge fan of Momo, supermodel
Alek Wek was joined by models of the
moment Jourdan Dunn, Chanel Iman and had us wishing
Karlie Kloss to create an amazing show to
remember which merged old world African for more.”
influences with new world technology.
Judging by the reaction, her first London
Urbanjunkies.com
show is sure to catapult Fati Asibelua onto
Momo, a
the international stage. Watch this space!
“Momo, a timeless luxury label by Fati
Asibelua showed the most delish show timeless
today called The Mosaic of Africa….I want
EVERY piece of this collection!!! The organic luxury
label by
textures & prints, timeless cuts, hi tech latex
head & legwear was lust inducing. It was ‘out
of Africa’ meets ‘urban traveller’.”
Thehouseofstyle.com Fati Asibelua
21

THE YOUNG
ENTREPRENEUR
Without a silver spoon
Uche Nnaji of OUCH Couture
on the success of his label
T
here are many Nigerian youths that are
living their dreams in Nigeria and they are
getting huge financial returns for doing what
they love. I believe you don’t have to live
abroad to be successful. Success lies within
the individual. Some people may not realise
that the streets of Nigeria are full of business
opportunities; the problem is most young
people are in a hurry, they don’t want to work
for their success or watch their dream grow.
OUCH Couture formally took off some 30
months ago from a small 19-square-metre
outlet at Maryland, Lagos, Nigeria and within
24 months it expanded into a 45-square-
metre outlet in the same location. It started
like a joke back then at the University of
Lagos when my classmates used to negotiate
for my shirts. They made me realise there
was something more to me than just wearing
good clothes. One day, I decided to go to a
local market with the little money I had. I
began my business with just about N2,500.
That was the first capital I used to buy
ties from the market, which I resold. This
experience underlies the vision and the
philosophy behind the OUCH label.
OUCH is an expression hence our brand
consultant company, Avenue3 Media, decided
to tie the label to the ideology that there
are no two expressions that are same. I
believe style is an individual thing, therefore,
OUCH tries to help its OUCHaholics (for
so are the label’s addicts called) achieve that
individuality.
22
Fashion & Lifestyle
Age: 30
I was born into a family of seven kids. I am
the fifth kid and the second male. Growing
market. I am trying to build
Nigeria’s first global fashion School Attended:
up was really challenging and at the same
time interesting. However, as a child who was
and style retail brand. That
is the vision. Therefore,
University of Lagos
born without a silver spoon, I was determined we create beautiful pieces
Course: Political
Science
very early to live a better life. The business that will suit an individual
environment in which I operate is not so regardless of race, colour
The secret behind
favourable. For instance, the last tanker or class. I also discovered
my success: God
drivers’ strike contributed in no little measure that Nigerians are crazy
and him alone
to the cost of transporting raw materials, about foreign labels. Hence
which also made it almost impossible to fuel I decided to provide
the generating set I use in running the outfit. affordable clothing that will
Of course, getting loans from banks could compete with foreign labels.
be really tough. Getting a long term loan to There are other local labels
finance the business for expansion has not doing very well too. What
been easy but I have never been deterred the owners of foreign labels
by that. I’ve always focused on my goals. I understand very well more
strongly believe there is no problem that is than us is the business
insurmountable. It takes courage to succeed angle to fashion.
as an entrepreneur.
Building a global fashion
Success in business requires a lot of strategy. label differs in every
One of the strategies I have employed is to country both economically
venture into new markets because my vision is and socially. For instance,
not only to cater for the need of the Nigerian a middle class person
in Nigeria may not be
classified as middle class Greatest fear: Not being all
in Spain or Japan, when that God has given me the ability
the currency is converted. and grace to be for my generation
To be successful as a
business person, research Favourite colour: White,
is important. My findings red, orange, purple among others
have further strengthened
my vision to provide Style sense: It is simply
nice stylish clothing for OUCH (VINTAGE-CLASSIC)
humanity regardless of race.
Award: Future Awards Style
People often ask me why Entrepreneur, 2008
I don’t produce in Nigeria. Nickname: The Igwe of Style
Our country doesn’t have
the technology required
to produce some of these
naijaTimes 23
 items to meet global standard. Recently, I
toured one of the factories I work with in
Europe when I was shown a laser machine that
they newly acquired. The machine’s worth over
$2m and it cuts several volumes of material in a
speed of light. This kind of technology is lacking
in Nigeria.
Nigerians must understand that the business
of fashion in the 21st century has gone
beyond depending on local manufacturers.
The European government is not against the
likes of Ralph Lauren, Zara, Nike or other
established fashion brand for producing in
countries other than their countries of origin.
What most people don’t know is some of
these brands are made in the United States,
Spain,Vietnam, China, Peru, Bolivia, and Turkey.
“I want
tomorrow
to unfold
new surprises”
24
Globally, the practice is for designers to
look for factories in countries that will give
Sign up for FREE
them the best deal on a particular item. A
good example is the OUCH Couture badge.
OUCH Couture is the only fashion label in
Nigeria, right now, that has its own badge
made from the same factories that make for
the best in the world. My clients can put
the badge side-by-side with any brand in the
world and they cannot tell the difference in
terms of quality. It’s because I use the same
manufacturers who produce for well known
brands. By producing abroad, I am just doing
business the global way.
NaijaConnects.com
Future plans could be really scary when I
recall what I have been through in the past
few months. Hence, I have stopped talking
about future plans. All I just do is allow Internet Phone
tomorrow take its course. I want tomorrow
to unfold new surprises.
Did you know you can use the Internet to make free to cheap international and
national telephone calls. This is all possible through the revolutionary Voice Over IP
technology.
NaijaConnects.com utilises this technology, together with its powerful set
of applications to offer members telephony services through their internet
connection.
All you need is a Laptop or PC, a microphone and some speakers and away you go!
Calls to other members on Naijaconnects are absolutely free, whilst calls to fixed
lines and mobiles are very cheap. Join the Revolution now. Tell friends and family
and start connecting. NaijaConnects.com “Now we’re talking”
Social Networking
Meeting and discovering new and old friends online can be very exciting.
NaijaConnects.com acts as a social networking platform that puts you in contact
with people like you. Discovering new people on NaijaConnects.com is very easy,
you can even search against Schools, Universities and Work places for friends you
might have known but lost touch with.
You can share memories by up loading and sharing photos with your friends and
family. They can even leave you comments You can share and discover new music as
well as share your home made videos online all for FREE!!
naijaTimes 25
 Fashion & Lifestyle

in her discovering her calling---- designing
jewellery, working with rare and exotic
gemstones. Her one-of-a-kind pieces are
handmade with exquisite attention to detail
using age-long techniques. They are modern
and feminine, yet reminiscent of time past.
The journey for Bola has been a short
and interesting one. In 2006, Bola and her
partner and sister, Jumoke Allison, opened
their flagship store, BOLA|3, to further
showcase their award winning one-of-a-
kind jewellery designs. BOLA|3, could be
described as a brand that has changed the
landscape of fine jewellery market in Nigeria.
Hence as soon as it was launched, the
national and international fashion community
quickly embraced Bola’s iconic 18k gold
designs and beautiful palette colour pieces.
As a student in England and the United
States, Bola was drawn to the study of
Ancient Rome and Africa. She came across
stories which later inspired her jewellery
collections. In November 2006, Allison
was awarded the Best Accessory Designer,
Jewellery by City People magazine.
The Shop
product of the imagination. They are one-
of-a-kind pieces. “I don’t ever make two
pieces, says Bola Allison, the store’s managing
director, that are the same and they are all
hand-made.”
Her pieces are made of precious and semi-
precious stones, though the only metals
visible on them are gold and platinum and
most of them are named after Bola’s friends
and family. “All my works are original pieces
and I don’t copy anybody. It’s for this reason
there’s a guarantee on my work; your money
would be refunded if you see the same piece
on someone else,” she adds.
Anyone who collects rare pieces or desires
to have a deep knowledge of precious
stones would not make a mistake stopping
by at BOLA|3 as the store boasts of rare
coral beads and other precious stones. Her
creations are in galleries and fine jewellers’
stores in the United States.

BOLA 3
More than a name
A perfectionist, she wears each piece long
enough to test its comfort and practicality
before it is put into production. Bola
Allison’s inspiration comes from all forms of
art and life. From nature to ancient Rome,
each collection reflects a distinct aesthetic.

How bold are we when it comes to fashion? transparent showcases. Conspicuously

A glittering bead store located at the second
entrance of the Palms shopping mall, Lekki,
Lagos Nigeria, remains noticeable even to
an infrequent visitor to the Palms. Coral
beads and pearls of different colours adorn
BOLA|3 releases one signature collection
displayed in front of the store is the name
every year and new designs on a continual
BOLA|3, one that is known for quality beads
basis. And so, the inspiration of her Fall 2007
for the discerning woman.
collection is evident in the name, Clusters.
Most of the pieces in BOLA|3could be
A casual visit paid by Bola Allison to a bead
described as master pieces that are truly a
shop in Washington, DC in 2004 resulted

26 naijaTimes 27

My Bohemian
style
Nikky Khiran, designer
by: Yinka Oyekunle
M y style is what I describe as bohemian
chic. I’m a very eclectic person, I’m very
artistic hence I like my clothes to be very
glamorous and sophisticated. I don’t allow
them to be too loud but just simple. I don’t
like any material that is too serious. Thus,
I create that extra by mixing the fabrics,
texture and colours.
What makes an outfit mine is the way I
put the fabrics together. Some women
like shoes, some like bags; while some like
jewellery, others like clothes. t But as a
designer, I’m more concerned about the
outfit. My outfit comes first and every other
thing follow. Also, what makes an outfit mine
is the way I carry my body so it’s basically an
individualistic thing.
My style is also a mood thing. When I’m
working, I’m extremely casual because I
want comfort. I wear my pants or jeans, and
T-shirt. I have a wardrobe full of clothes, any
moment I feel like dressing up, I open my
wardrobe and do just that. Whatever mood
catches me, I follow it.
I don’t really have a style icon. My style is
very distinctive. I could look at a woman
and say ‘wow, she looks great,’ and that is
28
all. My mum had the biggest influence on
my style. She was extremely fashionable, an
all-rounder, she was what the bible described
as a prudent woman. However, there are
some international designers whose works I
admire. Designers like Elie Saab, a Lebanese.
I love his work for its greatness. He does
exotic evening wears, his works are purely
evening wears.
I like Christian Lacroix. He is artsy and
mixes fabrics very well. I love the way he
cuts his fabrics and I find it very appealing.
Also, Valentino for his occasional and evening
wears, and Givenchy. These are some of
the designers that I admire their works but
I can’t say I have a style icon. In addition, I
admire some Nigerian women for their style.
Of course, Oprah Winfrey for her style. Her
style has been wonderful over the years and
it keeps getting better and better every day.
Nigerian women have always been very
fashion-conscious. Even abroad, when
Nigerians come to town, you see them in the
shops or tube stations, you know which ones
are Nigerians. They are probably the most
fashionable in Africa. Nigerian women like to
look good and they make a lot of effort to
look good.
I also like beads. I like chunky beads,
precious stones in addition to my casual layer
skirts, t-shirts and my Louis Vuitton and Fendi
bag. Basically, I don’t have a particular fashion
item. I’m not a logo freak, if I see something I
like, I just go for it, I don’t follow a particular
brand. Besides, I wear more of my designs,
I wear my own brand, Nikky Khiran. But
whatever I choose to wear, I always try to be
comfortable in it.
My most prized fashion items are my
perfume and body products. I like my bath
Fashion & Lifestyle
oil, body scrub, perfume and clothes. What
I do every evening is to put on my body
“My most prized
oil, body scrub, body lotion and take a nice fashion items are
shower. I’m not really a party person but
each time I go out, I make sure that I’m good. my perfume and
But body products are things I use everyday
so these are the things I could say are my
body products.”
most priced items.
For fabrics, I love a lot of silk. They inspire
me. I like different types of silk like Cupion
and soft silk plus French Laces with lots of
different sorts of fabrics. Only in recent
times did I start working with Adire, a local
fabric. I don’t like working with Ankara
because I am not inspired by it. I find the
print on it too big and busy hence I prefer
Adire because it is a little more versatile and
abstract. But I usually end up mixing it with
western fabrics.
This explains why my style is more western.
I have been influenced more by western
designs and creative ideology because I grew
up abroad. Yet I still try to make clothes that
have African influence. These are the sort of
clothes I go for. Drapy fluid fabrics are also
my favourite.
I design for women who have good taste
and who like good quality clothing. Women
who want something different and clothes
that have a perfect fit. Hence I design for a
few celebrities. My unique selling point is
that when it comes to finishing, I am very
serious about quality control. I do a personal
supervision of what goes out of my shop.
Its the quality of the product that I give to
people that keeps them coming back. My
favourite colour is brown, bronzes and
gold. But I also like bright colours.
Image: google.com
naijaTimes 29
 Money

making by speculators, who took position their shares and sell later in the year when
ahead of the earnings season and loss cutting prices will be significantly higher.
from investors, that have been hard hit by the
steep drop in the market. This has dampened Are you a long term investor?
the current upbeat in the market since June
when the earnings season was over. If you are a long term investor, you
The race by banks to boost their balance can conveniently ignore all the above
sheet position towards the end of the year arguments and start buying stocks now.
following the common year requirement With most stocks still significantly selling
for Nigerian banks will ensure tightened at a discount to their boom prices, there
liquidity and most likely squeeze life out of may be no other better time to get into
a sustained market rebound. So if you are the market than now especially if your
a speculator, and looking for some cheap investment horizon is more than ten years.
bargains in stocks, perhaps hold on to your The market will rebound sooner or later.
money and shop for some bargain stocks There is another bullish run in the making
Should you buy stocks now? after June. However, those hit hard by the
market down turn will have to sell now as
and the best time to position for such a
bullish run is now when everyone is afraid
by: Kweku Brown
the chances of selling at a good bargain after and cautious. A research done in the
June is slim. United States shows that between 1926
Kweku Brown, financial analyst and 2008, the percentage of times that
steep rebound in their share prices. For Crude oil prices may up the stakes investors lost money in the capital market
A re the bulls really back in the Nigerian
example, Zenith Bank has seen its share price
appreciate by more than 60 percent in May
over a 20 year period was zero percent
stock market? In the last few weeks, the Analysts have traced a positive correlation while the percentage of time investors
following the announcement of an impressive between the direction of crude oil prices in made an annual return of 10 percent over
market has seen a strong rebound and investors
mid-term result and bonus issue of one share the international market and share prices on the same period is 69 percent.
are now wondering if they should start buying
for every two held by investors. Almost all the Nigerian stock market. The higher the
stocks again. Are we seeing a market rally
listed banks saw an appreciable improvement price of crude oil in the international market,
that will be sustained or will the bearish trend
in their share prices in May. the bullish the Nigerian stock market. With
that has characterised the market in the last
eighteen months resurface soon? crude oil prices looking up for the rest
The banking sector rally was primarily of the year, with the Economist magazine
responsible for the steep rise in the all forecasting it to stay above $50 compared to
To answer these questions, investors need
share index since banks control more than the budget benchmark of $45, there is the
to ask more questions that will determine if
60 percent of the Nigerian Stock market feeling that the market may turn bullish. The
they should start buying shares again.
capitalisation. The rise in share prices in the credibility of this argument arises from the
banking sector has helped muster positive fact that Nigeria’s economy is 90 percent
Did the market bottom out
sentiment for other sectors of the capital dependent on crude for its foreign exchange
before the current rally?
market. earnings and subsequent government
The banking sector took the biggest hit in financing. Based on this argument, long term
Will this rally be sustained beyond investors may need not wait till the second
the market down turn, where average prices
the second quarter earnings season? half of the year to take a position in the
dropped as low as 60 percent. However,
driven by a series of good financial results, market. They have to take their positions
This is doubtful. The earnings season is now to maximize their returns. Those hard
dividend and bonus announcements, most
expected to wear off with intensive profit hit by the market however, can hold on to
of the stocks in the sector have seen a

30 naijaTimes 31

My Lagos I grew up in a Lagos that was clean, safe
warm and friendly. A huge contrast to what
Konyinsola Lagos is today. Although at the time, Lagos
was regarded as a village. I will always say
Ajayi, SAN that the same Lagos that was called a village
at the time gave birth to the current society.
What I found most fascinating about the
Lagos I used to know was the fact that there
was no social stratification. There was no rich
or poor in the city I grew up in as a child.
It was a communal kind of living. Everyone
was the same. I was not brought up in a
privileged background. It was not rough and
difficult as some people would describe it.
My upbringing was neither privileged nor
rough or difficult. It was just a conducive
environment that some people could not
have. At the time, I was satisfied with all I had.
“There was no rich or poor in
the city I grew up in as a child.”
Although I reside in Lagos, I am proud to be
an indigene of Isara, Ode Remo, Ogun State. I
studied law at Havard Law School and Selwyn
College, Cambridge University hence I am
qualified to practice law in Nigeria, England
and Wales. I am currently the managing
partner of Olaniwun Ajayi LP.
I could recall that in those days, there was
a balance between the middle and working
classes. One could not tell the difference.
There were decent middle class people as
much as there were decent working class
group. All classes had good lives.
As a young adult, I had a boisterous nightlife.
It was very interesting, a period I hanged out
with friends. Although I would not like to
go into details but I would say again I had an
interesting nightlife.
32
Money
It’s saddening that the city I used to
adore has gone chaotic and it is no longer
favourable to my childhood ambition given
its current disorder that comes with the
debris of poverty, leadership and insolvency
of people, ideas and dreams.
It’s a shame, really. However there is hope.
In spite of its current hectic nature, I still
adore Lagos. I like it for its pulsating energy,
enterprise, diversity and the people.
These days, I dislike Lagos for its
disorderliness, chaos, too much taxation
which is carefully disguised. Lack of power
supply, bad water, dirty environment,
bad roads and a general lack of modern
infrastructure put me off. I am still nostalgic
about the Lagos of my days.
I relax at the waterways because I love the
serenity. The sight of the water calms the
nerves. A good way to relax for me. It is
therapeutic. Although I love the waterways,
I still love to spend my weekends resting at
home. And I truly enjoy home cooking. I don’t
have any favourite restaurant neither do I
have any favourite bar or club because I am
not a night charger. I spend a typical evening
after work unwinding. In the near future for
Lagos, I hope to see a clean modern and
orderly Lagos.
I am fondly called Konyin by close
contemporaries. I have written and co-
written over 120 legal papers under various
heads of commercial law, focusing largely
on project finance and on the Nigerian and
international capital markets.
Text by Derin Adefulu
naijaTimes 33
 Careers and Development

Ripples are generated when Nigeria’s economy is insulated from the

global financial meltdown but ‘is Nigeria (UNILAG) or University of Ibadan (UI) and
interference is introduced University Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) used to
prepared to handle the effects of ripples
on the surface of a liquid. A be prestigious, but nowadays, every other
that are generated by the meltdown?’
typical example is when a drop graduate holds a masters degree from
Another question is ‘what is the fate of
of water escapes a dripping Nigerian Universities. What value do these
the Nigerian recruitment industry in the
tap into a container of water degrees hold? Do they guarantee that the
wake of this international crisis?’ ‘Will the
creating ripples which grow in holders are good at what they do? Definitely
industry be able to meet the demand for
sizes as they travel to the end of not!
work/employment that will be borne out of
the container.
these ripples?’
Global organizations or globally focused
It is usually said of some world firms now adopt complicated recruitment
It is a known fact that information is
powers that when they sneeze, processes structured basically to identify
the backbone of the 21st century, the
the rest of the world catches ‘recruitment errors’ before they slip into the
industrialization of the 19th century and the
a cold. This statement cannot organizations’ system and become viruses
technological reforms of the 20th century.
be truer in the case of global that destroy their financial or cultural health.
Nigerian firms now embrace global thinking
financial meltdown that started This development has been informed by
in their organizational/business strategies.
in the United States and is now the existence of a mixed lot comprising
Gone are the limiting visions of capturing
being experienced in virtually all mediocre graduates and uninformed
only the local market to establish brands.
the continents of the world with workforce which form a majority of the
In addition to this, is the adoption of global
large corporations in various working class in Nigeria.
standards for increased profitability.
sectors of world economies
cutting thousands of jobs and Talent search and management is no longer
This shift in paradigm has widened the gap
repatriating funds simply to left to just Human Resources (HR) but now
between talent need and availability. Not
reduce operational costs. involves the buy-in of the organizations’
only that, the Nigerian skill pool has now
been stratified such that each stratum is management and line managers who were
In Nigeria, it became a debate not previously perceived as stake holders.
distinct and can be easily distinguished from
within government and among Recruitment specialists/consultants now have
the other. This ‘segregation’ as some call
public officers as to whether a more difficult task and require a special
it, is a function of the ills of an educational
the economy was actually skills-set in recruitment that will give the
sector of the economy that continues
insulated from the credit crunch edge to employers who seek to attract and
to churn out half baked graduates owing
that hit the developed nations retain the right talent.
to a number of factors such as obsolete
of the world. Conflicting
syllabuses that have remained unchanged
statements were issued to the Recruitment agencies have now developed
since the 1960s and ‘70s, the period of
press on the subject and with voracious appetite for filling their skill pool
inception of some of these institutions.
the passage of time, those who with high fliers who also possess the right
made the statements denied attitude in order to satisfy the endless
Is it expected that these graduates will
them or claimed to have been demand made on it as a result of stiff
be ranked alongside those from foreign
misunderstood or that their competition existing among organisations,
institutions with state-of-the-art teaching
statements were misconstrued. both indigenous and foreign, in the different
aids? For instance, holding a masters degree
from Nigerian universities, especially federal sectors of the economy.
In any case, the billion Naira
institutions like the Obafemi Awolowo
question is not whether or not
University (OAU), University of Lagos

34 naijaTimes 35

The influx of repatriates into the country,
which had started long before the global
crisis began, has been steadily on the
increase. Among these numbers of
repatriates are skilled executives who have
had exposure at international levels, familiar
with global standards and can be considered
as best fits for today’s jobs.
The basis of the return of this group of
people to the motherland was on the one
hand because of the emerging markets
in Nigeria which provided rewarding
opportunities to technocrats that had the
global finesse required by the new and re-
engineered organisations with global strategic
objectives towards securing global markets.
A good example can be seen in the Nigerian
“There may be a
continued gap
in the quality
of employable
jobseekers”
banking sector which after the 2005 re-
capitalisation exercise that narrowed down
the number of commercial banks to 25 (at
the time but is now 20 through mergers
and acquisitions) and brought about a highly
competitive race for deposits, investment
strategies as well as a need to establish
international presence in the major cities
of developed countries of the world. With
these developments also rose the need for
experienced and exceptional talents with
the right amount of exposure to manage the
banks’ interest in foreign economies.
On the other hand, in recent times many
36
repatriates are returning to the country as
a result of loss of jobs (worsened by the
global financial crisis) and increased difficulties
associated with living in foreign countries such
as payment of heavy taxes etc. Hence, the
recruitment industry has been hit with several
of these needs from the both employers and
jobseekers.
Looking in to the near future, it should be
expected that with the current effects of the
financial meltdown reaching Nigeria through
the reduction in the value of crude oil in
the international market, the nation’s sole
source of revenue; and anticipated reduction
in demand for the product (especially by the
US since the declaration of President Barrack
Obama to explore other sources of energy),
will be felt in all sectors of the economy which
may result in cutting of jobs and salaries.
The skill pool that will be available to the
Nigerian recruitment industry will be a
more enlightened and exposed mix. There
may be a continued gap in the quality of
employable jobseekers within the pool. The
expectations of employers and business
owners of recruitment consultants would be
to undertake more difficult tasks of sifting the
best fits from a large mass of the talent pool.
In conclusion, the ripple effects of the global
financial meltdown has made it imperative
for job holders to take on the responsibility
of self development as competition in the
recruitment industry will not only increase
between employers to hire and retain only
the best, but also manifest itself between the
underperforming employee and a highly skilled
one in acquiring or retaining a job.
Model
Reader
Name: Tobi Ibukun ‘Ibk’ Jaiyeola
Education Background:
Queens College Yaba, Lagos,
Major - Integrated Marketing and
Communications
Minor - Multimedia
Although reserved in character, Ibukun
discovered her leadership abilities from her
days in secondary school with responsibilities
ranging from class captain to holding
executive positions in school committees.
After graduating from secondary school,
Ibukun filled internship positions in
places like; Junior Achievement Nigeria,
Alder Consulting Ltd. It was while at
Junior Achievement Nigeria that Ibukun
conceptualized the idea of a youth camp to
enhance teenager’s intellectual and social
Careers and Development
development. The camp known as R-S-G
“Ready, Set, Go” was later approved by the
board after its first successful run.
Also in JA Nigeria, Ibukun became a
volunteer and a facilitator of the Junior
Achievement Careers with a purpose
program (CWAP). Here Ibukun interacted
with students of schools around Lagos,
informing them of the importance of setting
goals and aims in terms of one’s future.
Ibukun has also been involved with the
UNILAG Junior Chambers International and
has been recognized for her contributions to
the group as a facilitator in two of its training
programs. In the inauguration speech given
by the current JCI Unilag president, Adenike
Balogun, Ibukun was noted as being one of
her personal influences.
Ibukun’s influences can be linked to various
divisions of social, educational and religious
types. One of her favourite verses in the
Bible is 1Timothy 4:12 - Don’t let anyone
look down on you because you are young,
but set an example for the believers in
speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”
Perhaps this is why this young woman has
not let the age factor hold her down.
Currently on her school campus she is a
peer-minister to young students, encouraging
spiritual growth and accountability. She is also
counsellor-in-training to victims of sexual
assault as well as an executive board member
of the black students association (BSA) of
Pepperdine University, USA.
Other projects:
Creator, BOOST Xtian Youths Central Group
Columnist, YADA Magazine
Former TEENS group executive
naijaTimes 37
 Entertainment

The world in mourning he touched so many others through his Michael Jackson as those closest to the

Michael The whole world was thrown into mourning

generous deeds. Michael often invited
underprivileged children to his Neverland
legend gave the audience a glimpse of Michael
Jackson, the man. In a solemn and tranquil

Jackson:
Ranch where they could forget about service, the portrait they painted was of a
when the death of world renowned pop star,
the outside world and their troubles and human just as remarkable, making his loss
Michael Jackson was announced on June 25,
experience a part of childhood he never had. doubly painful to bear for those who truly
2009. Michael lived a very colourful life and
loved him.
The man whose during the 50 years he spent on earth, he
He also raised millions of dollars for
death shook made an unforgettable mark on the world’s
countless charities and he had an empathy Quite instructive was what Brooke Shields’
the world music scene.
for children with special needs, those who eulogy for Michael Jackson. She recalled the
were at risk or were sick and needed wonderful moments she shared with him,
Jackson, who had a history of health problems,
sunshine their lives. from their early years. While speaking, she
had been due to stage 50 concerts at the
tried hard to fight back the tears streaming
O2 arena in London, beginning on 13 July,
One of his biggest breakthroughs, and what down her eyes. “I and Michael have been
2009. Concerns were raised last month when
he would be remembered for, started in 1983 friends since I was thirteen, she said amidst
four of his planned comeback shows were
when he continued to dominate the pop sobs, we had a bond. Michael’s sensitivity was
postponed, but organisers insisted the dates
charts with the sensation of the moonwalk. more than his talent.”
had been moved due to the complexity of
That same year, Jackson helped to break
staging the show. Unfortunately, he never lived
racial barriers with videos such as Billie Jean, Brooks made everyone know that most of
to see that day. Jackson thought this summer’s
Beat It, and Thriller. the songs that made Michael’s fans stood
concerts would be his final curtain call.
in awe of him were not his favourite songs;
However, for such an extraordinary and the one he loved most was the song ‘smile’,
Between two worlds: The man Michael Jackson
creative talent, he was not like anyone else. which was later performed brilliantly by his
Mike was born a cute African-American
He once famously said, “I’m just like anyone, I brother Jermaine Jackson. The song was a
cut and bleed. And I embarrass easily.” parody of Jackson’s life itself.

For many of Michael Jackson’s fans, the Did MJ’s title as King of Pop die with him?
memorial service held for him at the After Michael Jackson, there is a probability
guy. Despite the current, sad stories about
Staple Centre, Los Angeles, was an event to that his ‘King of Pop’ title didn’t die with him.
his lonely, sad childhood, Mike grew up
remember. It was a celebration of the life, He will still retain that honour among his
surrounded by famous people and an adoring
of a man, they adored. Many hearts were multitude of fans the world over not just for
public.
grieved as the mortal remains of the singer his music but his personality.
was carried to the stage in a $25,000 bronze
Mike gets his nose slightly narrowed and his
casket covered with flowers. With Michael Jackson’s death, who becomes
eyebrows shaped. This was during his Thriller
the new King of Pop? Is the question on the
era. People did notice this facial change
Michael Jackson was an entertainment lips of almost every one. Although the title
and commented on it. Some in the Black
phenomenon who lived a triumphant but has always been associated with Michael
community made comments about him having
troubled life. He was described as a dazzling Jackson, but who will step forward and
a problem with his African-American looks
performer who transcended barriers, become the top pop artist in the world?
and making his nose more like a Whiteman’s.
transformed the music world and transfixed
fans in every corner of the earth. However, Lovers of Michael Jackson’s say his talent will
In spite of the many controversies that
the memorial service was not for just for probably never be matched in this century
marked his life, Michael Jackson had influenced
many people through his music. Just as
“The first album paved the way”
38
 Entertainment

because whenever he climbed on stage to
perform, the atmosphere was almost surreal.
An argument online says if anyone is going
to be considered, it is Beyonce. While some
people favoured Beyonce, some others argue
in favour of Justin Timberlake because of
his second album, FutureSex / LoveSounds,
which was released in September 2006. It
sold more than eight million copies around
the world, placing three singles on the
popularity chart of the United States. He
also won four Grammy awards plus an Emmy
Award.
Some people believe Beyonce qualifies as
the next King or Queen of Pop because
“She’s one of the top 10 black movie stars
in Hollywood, she’s had three multi-platinum
albums, she’s liked by black and white people,
” says an online report.
Confessions became nine times platinum and
sold 16 million copies. The first single was
Yeah! Which he did in collaboration with
Lil Jon and Ludacris, and was at the top of
the Billboard Hot 100 for six weeks while
on Hot R & B / Hip-Hop Singles was five. To
date, he has sold approximately 38 million
albums worldwide and has won five Grammy
Awards. Usher’s achievement is pretty
impressive but then can he match the legacy
that Michael Jackson left behind?
Robbie Williams is another choice. With
overall sales that reach 50 million including
singles. With several awards, including
15 Brit Awards and three Ivor Novello.

Chris Brown is another choice for this

coveted throne. Although he recently has
problems with the U.S law. Chris has two
successful singles Kiss Kiss with T-Pain and
With You, which reached number one on
the Billboard Hot 100. He also launched a
Deluxe Edition, titled The Forever Edition.
The first single from it, Forever, was released
in May 2008 and reached number two on
the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. It is said
to have reached an exclusive worldwide
multiplatinum.
If your world waits on you for direction, you need the right support.

MTN XTRASPECIAL English singer-songwriter and instrumentalist,

Chris Martin, is also likely top be the next
King of Pop. Best known as the lead vocalist
of the band Coldplay, he also happens to have
3.5G Data Card a huge ego which is a must for any pop star.
BlackBerry Smartphones from MTN
Pre-paid Roaming
Wave making Usher may also be the next
MTN Sim Plus
Pop King. Back in 2004, he released the
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To migrate text 730 to 131
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www.mtnonline.com naijaTimes 41
 He is considered one of the best voices
among male artists on the planet. And he
also doesn’t hold back any punches. Brian
McKnight has also been seen as another King
of Pop. Back in 1999, his Back At One album
sold three million and has collaborated with
music personalities of the like of Mase, Puff
Daddy, Mary J. Blige, Vanessa Williams, Mariah
Carey, Boyz II Men or Quincy Jones. His
latest album Ten, back in 2006 it got great
reviews. During his career he has received 16
Grammy Awards nominations.
However, music critics say the music business
is different. What most of them look for
in the next King of Pop is someone who
actually changes things by his or her mere
presence since that was the aura that
distinguished Michael Jackson.
Tributes to the King of Pop
Michael did a fantastic job with this music.
It’s a pity he didn’t live to do the tour
billed to take place next month in the U.K.
we must learn to appreciate his greatness
regardless of the many controversies that
surrounded his life. He was a great artist.
Odia Ofeimun,
Nigerian poet and literary critic
My prayers go out to the Jackson family,
and my heart goes out to his children.
Let us remember him for his unparalleled
contribution to the world of music, his
generosity of spirit in his quest to heal the
world, and the joy he brought to his millions
of devoted fans throughout the world. I feel
blessed to have performed with him several
times and to call him my friend. No artist will
ever take his place. His star will shine forever.
42
Mariah Carey, American singer
We have lost a genius and a true ambassador
of, not only pop music, but of all music. He has
been an inspiration to multiple generations.
Justin Timberlake, Pop star
I can’t stop crying over the sad news. I have
always admired Michael Jackson. The world
has lost one of the greats, but his music will
live on forever. My heart goes out to his three
children and other members of his family.
Madonna, Pop star
I am so devastated by this terrible news.
From the beginning of my career, he was my
idol in show business. He was a genius and
an incredible artist! I remember when I was
growing up and watching him on TV, and all his
videos. I had his poster on my wall, he was so
amazing, his singing, his writing, his dancing. It’s
unbelievable that he’s no longer with us.
Celine Dion, singer
Michael Jackson was my musical god. He made
me believe that all things are possible, and
through real and positive music, he can live
The million naira night
ADEDOYIN JOHNSON
Babatunde Coker never new what laid ahead
Guaranty Trust Bank
of him one fateful Saturday evening last July as
he journeyed to the Indoor Sports Centre at
the Ahmadu Bello stadium, Kaduna. It was the
Micheal
Jackson
The King of Pop Contact:
1958-2009
London Subsidiary:
Guaranty Trust Bank (UK) Ltd
62 Margaret Street, London W1W 8TF
&: 0207 947 9700
Fax: 0207 947 9720
web: www.gtbankuk.com
Head Office:
Plural House, Plot 1669,
Oyin Jolayemi Street Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
&: +234-1-700 48266 6328, 448 0000
 Etisalat and the One
Million Dollar Dream
Nigerian’s are already gripped by the unique
and history-making event tagged the 9jillions
promotion, which was recently launched by
Etisalat Nigeria. And so, new and existing
Etisalat subscribers have various ways to win
$1,000,000.00 (One million dollars)!
Arguably, the largest single prize draw
in African history. Naijasounds (parent
company of Naija Times) has collaborated
with Etisalat in the launch of this innovative
marketing concept. It is indeed an exciting
time for Etisalat since at the mere cost of
an Etisalat sim card, subscribers get the
opportunity to win significant prizes, and one
Nigerian will walk away with a cash prize that
will change his/her generation.
The concept developed and delivered by
Naijasounds, together with its partners,
for Etisalat is sure to delight the nation as
Nigerians look forward to see who the first
million dollar live game show winner will be
in Africa!
The competition commenced on Monday
8th June 2009 with the chance to win one
of two phones every hour of the day, for
ninety days -via the win a phone competition.
Prospective entrants who recharge their
Etisalat phone lines with =N=200 and text
their states of residence and full names
to the short code 5000, are automatically
qualified with the opportunity to win either
a Nokia 2680 Slide or Nokia 5130 Express
Music.
44
Participants who recharge their phones
with =N=500 and above could win high-end
phones like the Nokia E63, Nokia 6600 Slide,
Sony Ericsson C902 or Samsung S8300.
In a bid to simplify the process, Etisalat has
stated that once an entrant has sent an SMS
with his full names and state of residence, all
subsequent entries should be submitted by
simply texting the word ’ENTER‘ to 5000.
Second Chance Winners
To reward diligent participants who do
not win any of the available phones on the
hour, the “Second Chance”provides the
opportunity to win the One Million US
Dollars through the One 9ja Million Dollar
Game Shows which would be held at various
regional events. Participants do not have to
do anything beyond their regular attempts
at the Win-a-Phone Competition. These
participants will be selected by the 9jillion$
automated system and once selected,
participants will be notified via SMS from
Etisalat, with a winning code whilst entrants
who do not win would also receive an SMS
encouraging them to try again. Winners
should simply call the Etisalat call centre to
determine how to claim and collect their
prizes.
Regional Game Shows
Before the grand finale where the grand prize
of One Million US Dollars will be won, there
will be eight regional Game Shows and live
concerts held in various cities across Nigeria.
At the event, participants will stand the
chance to win up to One Million Naira each,
plus the opportunity to attend the grand
finale. Game Show participants who emerge
through the Win-a-Phone Competition will
be required to take along a friend on the
Etisalat network to attendthe Game Show
either at the regional level or at the grand
finale. Also, grand finale participants will also
be required to take along one friend who
is on the Etisalat network when attending
the grand finale of the One 9ja Million
Dollar Game Show. Game Show participants
who emerge through the Second Chance
opportunity, will be required to take along
three of their friends on the Etisalat network
in attending the GameShow either at the
regional level or grand finale.
Maximizing chances of winning
One Million US Dollars
To stand the chance to win the grand prize
of One Million US Dollars, participants
simply need to load and use a minimum of
=N=1,000 airtime monthly. Participants
should send a text with their states of
residence and full names to the short code
5123. Each text costs =N=10 only. With
each entry, participants stand a chance to
head straight to the grand finale of the
One 9ja Million Dollar Game Show where
somebody would win the One Million US
Dollars! Successful participants will receive
an SMS notification from Etisalat, and once
received such successful participants should
then call Customer Care on 200 to confirm.
All participants for the grand finale of the
One 9ja Million Dollar Game Show will be
notified at the end of each month within
which they qualify.
Go on, keep buying and recharging your
phone lines, you may be the One million US
Dollar winner!
For more information visit
www.etisalat.com.ng
naijaTimes 45

The
millionaires’
night
By: ADEDOYIN JOHNSON
Babatunde Coker never new what laid ahead
of him one fateful Saturday evening last July as
he journeyed to the Indoor Sports Centre at
the Ahmadu Bello stadium, Kaduna. It was the
first leg of the Etisalat’s 9jillion Game show.
Like every one that evening, he just wanted to try
out his luck at winning the millions being given
away by Etisalat. As one of the early birds, when
he arrived the venue, he picked up the ticket and
sat down, waiting for the show to begin. He got
his mobile ticket scanned at the entrance before
he was admitted into the venue.
Before long, the whole hall was filled with
people from all works of life. Corpers, mechanics,
nurses, doctors, teachers, bankers, engineers
46
among others were all there to try their luck.
It was among this enthusiastic and engaging
audience that Babatunde Coker was seated.
As soon as the show began, the first set of
participants was selected by the regional
manager, north. He picked three tickets one
at a time, whenever the basket containing the
tickets was rolled. As soon as the number on
the first ticket was announced, the person ran
onto the stage and it was Babatunde Coker.
He was overjoyed.“080...,” Babatunde shouted
excitedly. “Naija!” answered the audience.
“Number 54,” Babatunde said. The button
with number ‘54’ was pressed revealing the
amount of money in the box. It was N1
million. The whole hall erupted in resounding
excitement. And when the box was rolled
for the second time, the audience screamed
“roll it, roll it!” in the end, there were nine
teams in all, each consisting of four people.
Each team selected six boxes.
Entertainment
Entertainment
“I am a businessman and I never knew I
could win,” explained Babatunde Coker, after
his team won the sum of N2.2 million. My
intention is to invest the money in Etisalat,
that is, I wish to be one of their major
distributors. I am also going to buy sim cards
for my friends so that they can have the
opportunity to win too.”
Quite interesting was the story of the
Egeonu family. Each member of the family of
four was dressed in colour green, identifying
with the Etisalat brand. They were the first
group to have girls as members of the team.
They walked away with N2.2million. It could
be said that they were fully rewarded for
buying into the Etisalat One9ja dream.
There was also a music concert to mark the
presence of Etislat in the region. Music was
supplied by Wande Cole, M.I, El Dee among
others.
naijaTimes 47
 Djinee is a household name for most
people who have seen him on Soundcity
television shows. And by growing assent, he
has made a name for himself in the Nigerian
music industry with his hit single, Ego. Hence
on a sunny July morning when I was billed
to meet him for a chat, I was unsure of what
lay in stock. Yet, the circumstances of our
interview was not in any way unnerving.
After I’d waited for a few hours, Djinee
showed up the hallway smiling heartily.“My
name is Djinee,” he said introducing himself.
“I understand that you are here to have an
Up close and interview with me. That’s why am dressed in
my Sunday best, ” he added jokingly.
personal with
Djinee
What he had on is not what I would easily
regard as his Sunday best. He spotted a white
shirt with pink embroidery on the sides on
a black pair of jeans. “You will permit me to
By: ADEDOYIN JOHNSON
have my breakfast first,” he added.
After waiting a few minutes more, Djinee
and I are confronting each other on two
black cushioned chairs. We have an audience,
Djinee’s manager, who is there to take notes
from the interview. The voice recorder is
placed between us and the tape starts to purr.
Djinee describes himself as a singer, song
writer, music producer and show anchor.
He is also interested in music and TV
programming. If his hit singles are anything
to go by, his latest self-titled album, will sell
thousands and hopefully lead him to instant
fame. “The sales are picking and it’s cool,” he
says laughing. In addition, he recently got an
offer to anchor the Etisalat One 9ja Million
Dollar game show.
Djinee began his music career professionally
48
in 1997. As a self-taught artiste, he had spent
a greater part of his life singing in orchestras.
His experimentation with different genres of
music has also influenced his songs.
“The kind of music I play has always eluded
me,” he explains without any apology. “I have
had different inspirations and foundations
in music. I’ve had a taste of reggae, opera,
soul, and rock. But I will call what I do urban
contemporary, with a tinge of classical music.”
Therefore, his latest album is a combination
of different genres of music he had
encountered while under personal tutelage.
“My latest is a 17-track album. I have a bit of
everything in it. I have been able to pour out
a part of myself and a part of my foundation
is in it. It is greatly reflected in it. It contains
different songs, I have a bit of highlife and
others in the album.”
Although he considers all his songs as being
close to his heart yet he recorded each song
Djinee began his
music career
professionally
in 1997.
in a different moods as the circumstances
surrounding the recording are different.
“There is no song that I will pick and say,
I love. The ones I recorded with Cobhams
are the most memorable. I wrote all my
songs myself. I feature people I like. The song
I did with Ego Ogbaro, I wrote her part.
She delivered the lines wonderfully. She is
a good vocalist. But the rappers did the rap
themselves. Of course, I chose the themes
naijaTimes 49
 they wrote on. I didn’t want them to do just
anything.”
Djinee says the themes in most of his songs
are the same as they deal with social issues.
And the most memorable for him was the
last song he recorded titled: Over Killin.
“In Over Killin, I moved away from the love
songs that people know me for. I wrote
on what I think people want to feel. The
reason why it is the strongest is because I
was letting go a part of myself. I was being
unapologetic for who I am. It has a moral
message to it--- why people should not give
in to pressures and why one’s personality
should speak for itself. It does not matter
what kind of car one drives. We all should
stop leaning on the material success. I put all
that in a four minute song that is why it is so
special to me.”
As a young man, Djinee had a mixed
childhood, one he describes as wonderful.
“My father was always taking us to the
beach,” he recalls somewhat nostalgically.
“It was good. There was a time I was with
my parents but I had to be alone much later.
There was also a time when I had to read, I
read a lot. My father made us read and that is
why I am a little bit logical with my analysis.”
Some times people expect a little less from
an artiste because they think his intelligence
quotient is a little low. But I always want
them to know I went to school like every
other person. I have read books on medicine
and history, media among others. I have
books on religion. I made some wrong
choices while growing. As a youth, I did
not know which way to go. I have faced
everything that a young man at a certain age
would have. What I don’t want to do is dwell
on them.”
At a particular time, Djinee was so
independent and he wanted to make money
50
at all costs but today, he has more legal means
to make money as the anchor of the Etisalat’s
television game show. He was one of those
shortlisted among other seasoned actors and
on-air personalities for the highly coveted get noticed
position. “Any one of them could do it but
I think they were looking for a particular
thing. We all anchor in different ways and I
am to the kind that focuses on his spoken
English. Most of the time, I am not a script
person. I think my ability to be a able to hold
a conversation with the audience and sustain
it. May be that was what got me the ticket. I
think that is what they like.”
Djinee explains that what he finds amazing
about the game show is that ordinary people
have the opportunity to win millions of naira,
and most of them have been winning since
the game began last month. “Three regional
champions will contest for the grand cash
prize. We have not finished all regions so I
cannot tell who the winner will be. It’s purely
based on luck. Of course, the luck begins as
soon as you get the Etisalat sim pack. You can
push your luck further by getting the sim. It’s
based on purely luck. Anybody can win, it is
not scripted.”
Djinee has had experience on TV presenting.
There is no better way to get through to your hard to reach customers.
He anchored the reality TV show, Star Quest
for two seasons. And he was always interacting
with people even while at Soundcity. This
Call: (UK) + 44 20 8144 3403
is what he considers the secret behind
his success as a television presenter. “It is or (Nig) + 234-1-8765994, + 234 8028360592
important that the audience stay glued to for a Media Pack.
their TV,” he says.
Djinee’s greatest fear is failure and his life
philosophy is nobody is born dull and God
does not waste. The fact that every one
on earth is born with a purpose is the
naijaTimes
philosophy that drives this computer Science www.naija-times.com/advertise
graduate from Ladoke Akintola University of
Technology, Ogbomosho, Oyo State in Nigeria,
every day.
naijaTimes 51

Book Review
The divergent roadmap is hidden in the realization that one is better
The Difference
Title:
Author: Ubah Maxwell
Publisher: Winning Strategies, Lagos, 2008
Pages: 134
Reviewer: Funke Adetutu
A s a motivational book, The Difference
questions the individual’s ability to look into
his inward self in other to be able to make
the difference. Divided into two parts, the
first part takes an eponymous title and it
deals with diverse issues on how to arrive at
a new definition of success.
The first step to achieve this is for the
individual to believe in himself and this is
only realisable if he understands what it
takes. Hence the take off point to greatness
begins the moment a person starts to see
himself from the perspective of his potential.
Successful people are born with the seed of
greatness in them and this promptly brings
to mind the biblical quote which states that
some are born eunuchs while some are made
“The author is a bit fictional in his
approach as he illustrates his points
with true life stories and fiction.”
52
Entertainment
so the secret of maximizing one’s potential one’s attitude to time which is a precious
than what one thinks therefore one needs to
commodity for success-driven people.
The fourth principle is risk, initiative and
begin to think better of oneself. intuition. And successful people are those
who “succeed when they follow their talents
eunuchs by men. This therefore sums up the
The book also offers some potential to the dark places where it leads even if it is
belief that great men are born great but not
principles for the discerning man. The first through the valley of the shadow of death.
made.
principle is for the individual to know that They take the bull by the horn, burn their
he has what it takes and this knowledge bridges behind and run into the battle fields
The author is a bit fictional in his approach
leads to a sense of mission. So the only of life.”
as he illustrates his points with true life
way to have a sense of mission is to have
stories and fiction. At the beginning of the
a mission statement which will be the The fifth and sixth principles are the
book, Ubah anchors his focus on the biblical
guiding force in attaining the next level. responsibility factor and an opportunity
parable of an entrepreneur who plans to
The book also distinguishes between vision mind-set. The price tag for greatness is
embark on a journey and he calls his staff
and mission which people often confuse. the responsibility factor which anyone who
each of whom he gives talents according
While vision tells people what to become, wants to achieve greatness in life must not
to their abilities. This he brings into larger
mission tells them what they hope to do in fail to see on the bookshelf of life.
perspective when he relates it to the
the process of becoming who they want to Ubah uses quotes from great achievers like
human life. Just as the employees are given
be. Just as a clear sense of mission assists in Theodore Roosevelt as an introductory
talents by the entrepreneur to succeed in
organizational growth and success, it is also nugget to summarize his aim in each chapter.
their engagements, the creator has given all
very important for personal success. For instance he uses a quote by Thomas
humans irrespective of race the capability
Since life is a race, the third principle is for Edison to reinforce the place of time in the
to accomplish certain things perfectly. Just
the individual to seize the day and have a scheme of human endeavour.
as one can count the number of seeds in an
sense of urgency. Therefore living a life
apple or count the numbers of apples in a
of urgency is to learn to prioritize the To this end, The Difference is an essential
seed, the same way men of destiny are bigger
different activities which life throws on rhapsodic companion for the modern man
than where they are or what they have
our laps. This has to do with being able to who constantly finds himself enmeshed in
accomplished. And so the message is since
differentiate between the urgent and the some unproductive activities. The Difference
all humans are born with great potential, the
important. Equally of utmost importance is is a book that tells how to solve this riddle of
next step is to have faith in one’s ability. And
self-discovery.
naijaTimes 53

What’s happening in the cinemas
Terminator Salvation (PG - 15)
Starring: Christian Bale, Sam Worthington,
Anton Yelchin, Bryce Dallas Howard, Moon
Bloodgood, Common, Jane Alexander and
Helena Bonham Carter
Time: Friday to Thursday: 12:00pm, 2:30pm,
5:10pm, 8:00pm (10:15pm Friday and Saturday
only, “Movie of The Master”)
Duplicity (PG - 15)
Starring: Julia Roberts, Clive Owen, Tom
Wilkinson, Paul Giamatti, Rick Worthy
Time: Friday to Thursday: 3:00pm, 5:40pm,
8:20pm
He’s Just Not That Into You (PG - 15)
Starring: Ben Affleck, Jennifer Aniston, Drew
Barrymore, Jennifer Connelly, Kevin Connolly,
Bradley Cooper, Ginnifer Goodwin, Scarlett
Johansson, Justin Long
Time: Friday to Thursday: 11:30am, 2:00pm,
4:40pm, 7:20pm (10:00pm Friday and Saturday
only, “Movie of The Master”)
Night at the Museum: Battle of
the Smithsonian (PG - 15)
Starring: Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Hank Azaria,
Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan
Time: Friday to Thursday: 12:30pm, 5:10pm
54
Entertainment
Coraline (PG - 15)
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Ian
McShane, Jennifer Saunders, Keith David and
John Hodgman
Time: Friday to Thursday: 11:00am, 12:50pm
Star Trek (PG - 15)
Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, John
Cho, Ben Cross, Bruce Greenwood
Time: Friday to Thursday: 2:50pm, 5:30pm,
8:10pm
Angels & Demons (R)
Starring: Tom Hanks, Ewan McGregor, Ayelet
Zurer, Stellan Skarsgard, Pierfrancesco Favino,
Nikolaj Lie Kaas, and Armin Mueller-Stahl
Time: Friday to Thursday: 2:40pm, 5:40pm,
8:30pm
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (PG-13)
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny
Huston, Taylor Kitsch
Time: Friday to Thursday: 2:50pm, 7:30pm
(10:00pm Friday & Saturday only, “Movie of
The Master”)
Race to Witch Mountain (PG - 15)
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Ciaran Hinds,
Anna-Sophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig,
Carla Gugino
Time: Friday to Thursday: 11:30am, 1:00pm
naijaTimes 55

Most people think women are more
emotional than men, but I think otherwise.
The only difference is men are able to
conceal their emotion more than women.
Women are deeper and they have more
emotional profundity than men. They have
more strength to deal with emotion which
could be sexual or physical. I believe they
are stronger than men. I don’t consider
them weaker sex when I consider what they
go through in life such as childbirth, doing
household chores, raising the kids etc. Men
run away from those things by giving the
excuse that they go to work and return
home late.
Women endure a lot more than men.
Women endure a lot more than men. They
are the stronger and they are the pillar of any
relationship. They give support emotionally,
physically, spiritually and psychologically. I
don’t see them as being weak in any way.
My mum and wife, Ibitola, are different
individuals. The only similarity is that they
are both wives and mothers. My mother
is a very strong woman. For her to have
raised seven sons shows she is strong. She
is a disciplinarian and a spiritual being. My
wife on the other hand, by reason of age and
experience, is a loving woman. She is a very strong
woman. She holds our relationship, marriage and
home. If not for her, things wouldn’t have been the
same because of my profession.
Femi Branch, actor
“Let me tell you
about women”
56
Entertainment
Of course, as an actor, I have to learn how to
handle my female fans. Sometimes ago, a lady
saw me in Ibadan. I was on the road when she
ran up to me, jumping and saying: ‘I love you.’
I had to hold her back, she was trying to hug
me, else both of us would have ended on the
ground. It’s funny her fiancé was watching us.
After a while, he didn’t find it funny anymore, I
had to find an escape route. That’s the greatest
experience I have had with a female fan.
I don’t draw a line between the male and
female fan. I see them as people who
appreciate me. Therefore, I appreciate them
also. I have been lucky not to have an issue
with the female folks like some of my
colleagues.
My experience with my past relationships
has also helped me, I’m still learning, though.
I have found out that women can make or
mar a man, which depends on how they are
treated. I consider women to be very strong.
Their support is very essential to whatever
am doing as a man, whether it is my career
or project. The support of my woman for
the project will determine its success or
failure. May be my admiration for women
made me have a female, Momoreoluwa, as my
first child.
by Femi Oyewale
naijaTimes 57
 Clarion Chukwurah, actress
“Let me tell you
I think women are more emotional because they express themselves
more easily. Men feel deeper but they handle it perfectly. They have more
emotional control than women. I don’t think the insinuation that men

about men”
love sex but women seek for love in a relationship is true.

Every woman looks for love in every relationship that comes her way.
by Femi Oyewale Whereas a man is just looking for friendship and doesn’t usually share a
woman’s feeling about him. He may see other things that make her his
great friend, a confidant, someone he can speak with.

All men are not the same. I don’t generalise. You have men who come
your way and all they want is to use you. I have had experiences of
men coming my way and all they want is use me because I am a star
.They feel I have money. Then I have also come across men who are my
friends, I mean my best friends. They don’t ask anything from you, they
are just there for you. You can talk to them and share with them and it
stays there. But some just want to sleep with you and boast about it.
That is what suits their ego. Others have inferiority complex and their
relationship with women of a superior complex is just to run her down
or humiliate her.

“My best friends and

greatest fans are men”
My dad was my best man in the world. I always look for my dad in every
man. My father was very westernized. The concept of love I have comes
from him. He was a great dad.

As a celebrity, I experience crazy things from my male fans. They send me

text messages everyday, some want to marry me when they know they
are just two years older than my son. I have so many of them.

My best friends and greatest fans are men, while my worst enemies are
women. They come around me and lie that they are this and that. It is
from the women that I get acidic and abusive text messages.

58 naijaTimes 59

Campus News
United Kingdom
Nigerian Students beat others for
top prizes in UK
Nigeria was recently made proud by two of
its nationals studying at Nottingham Trent
International College, in the United Kingdom.
They won top prizes in the Young Creative
Awards 2009.
Ugochukwu Nwokoro (Ugo), 18 years old,
won first place in the 14-to-18-years-old
Built Environment category for his model
of a 2030 underwater hotel in River Trent,
while Olurotimi Odeyemi, 19 years old, won
second prize in the 19-to-22-years-old Built
Environment category for his architectural
design on a radical building for Hyson Green.
Nigeria
Security operatives arrest Imo State
University students for kidnapping
Three students of Imo State University
(IMSU) have been apprehended by security
operatives at Imo Concorde Hotel, Owerri,
for kidnapping.
The Director of the State Security Service
(SSS) in Imo state, Mr. Abudu Salami, said the
suspects , Chibike Theodore Diala, Emmanuel
Chinonso Ikedinibi and Chukwudi Ikedinobi,
had on May 28, allegedly kidnapped a pre-
degree student of the university and held
him hostage at Umuerem, a village in Mbaitoli
Local Council of the state.
60
However, the victim miraculously escaped,
which led to the manhunt of the kidnappers.
However, the suspects fled to Port Harcourt,
Rivers State, before returning to Owerri,
where they had been spending the loot stolen
from the victim.
Anambra ranks high on fake varsity list
Anambra state has the highest number of
fake universities in the country, and state
ministry of education is battling to shut
them down says Dr. Kay Onyechi, the state’s
commissioner for education.
She said this when the management of
Buckingham Academy of Management and
Technology, Ogidi, paid her a courtesy visit.
“We have many fake Universities and
Polytechnics, she explained, and we have
been battling to have them closed down.
We have to write to the Nigerian University
Commission most times to ascertain most of
them. Currently, we have one in Ogidi that
we are battling with. We want to make sure
that what we have in the state are schools
that can give out qualitative education to our
youths, and the ministry of education is happy
that Buckingham Poly is partnering with us to
achieve that.”
The commissioner, who eulogized the
institution for its effort in bringing quality
education to the state, said he was happy
that Buckie Poly, as the institution was called,
pursued its license with vigour, as the ministry
advised in 2005.
The Rector of the institution, Victor Echezona,
who had earlier presented his address before
presenting the license to the commissioner
said that the state Ministry of Education had
been very supportive of the institution since
inception in 2004.
Scholarship University of Bridgeport Scholarships,
Opportunities United States of America
Undergraduate Scholarship, The University of Bridgeport , located in
Saudi Arabia Bridgeport , CT offers over 50 programs
of study. Scholarships are available to both
freshman (first year applicants) and transfer
Alfaisal University is seeking competitive
students seeking an associate or a bachelor
applicants who have previous outstanding
academic achievements, personal growth, and degree. All awards are renewable yearly
based on satisfactory academic achievement
ambition to excel in their chosen educational
and good standing at the University.
program of study and their professional
All undergraduate applicants are considered
aspirations, for its scholarship program.
for these scholarship awards once all
application materials are received. No
Application deadline dates
separate application form is required.
Applications and required documents
The Office of Scholarship and Financial
for the fall semester must be received
Assistance starts receiving
by July 1, and for the spring semester by
November 1. Academic scholarships range
applications for scholarship for the academic
from $5,000 to $12,000 USD per academic
year 2009/2010 from April 18,
year, and are based on academic excellence
and demonstration of English proficiency
2009 and the deadline for accepting
(through a standardised test such as TOEFL
scholarship applications will be on August 19,
2009. or IELTS).
Contact Information Contact
University of Bridgeport
The Office of Scholarship and Financial
126 Park Avenue
Assistance:
Alfaisal University Bridgeport , CT 06604
Phone :203-576-4552
King Faisal Old Palace ,
800-392-3582 (Toll Free)
Ma’ather Road (behind King Faisal Specialist
For more information visit: http://www.
Hospital )
bridgeport.edu/pages/1.asp
P.O. Box 50927, Riyadh 11533
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Telephone: +966 (01) 215-7827
E-mail: scholarships@alfaisal.edu
For more info visit: http://www.alfaisal.edu/
scholarship/undergraduate.htm
naijaTimes 61

Everyone Is Talking About
Amazing animal friendships
In 2002, Casey rescued a 5-month-old cub,
who was born into captivity. From that day,
an unbreakable bond was formed. When he
was a little baby, he was bottle feeding him.
Casey looked down in his eyes and he had
a little tear. Several years later, Brutus got a
bit of a bellyache, and Casey was rubbing his
belly. And in his eye, he had the same tears.
And at that moment Casey realised that
grizzly bears can feel the same emotions
humans do.
----Oprah.com
Kate Moss to launch model X Factor?
Is Kate Moss set to get the X Factor? Is the
question on the lips of nearly everyone. The
supermodel is reportedly teaming up with
Louis Walsh, to launch a modelling version of
the hit talent show, in a bid to find Britain’s
hottest new model. The pair first met last
year, and struck up a friendship when Moss
visited the X Factor set. Kate wants to find a
new model. She knows Louis has got all the
experience in finding diamonds.
----- Marie Claire, UK
Fashion revolution
The UK photographer Nick Knight’s show
studio is invading Somerset House during
London Fashion Week this September with
an exhibition that challenges conventional
perceptions of fashion imagery. Fashion
Revolution will showcase the talents of
innovators as various as Alexander McQueen,
John Galliano, Gareth Pugh, Kate Moss and
Björk - alongside Knight himself. With this
FSDH
FSDH ASSET MANAGEMENT LIMITED
show, Nick is moving away from illustration
62
Payments can be made through network and Skye Bank
Entertainment
and stills photography. He is now entering
the restless world of interactive, self-
created, digital-imaging; that is accessible,
downloadable and constantly changing.
----- Vogue.com
Terminator Salvation
The whole series, ever since it began in
1984, has been a celebration of berserker
extremity.... The film is bleached of colours.
It’s stripped of new ideas. It feels tired
and redundant. Arnie, or at least a digitally
tricked-up version of him, appears briefly:
intended as a cutesy nod to the Terminator
fanbase, it feels impertinent, a piece of
cinematic grave robbery. The first film,
appearing in that late 70s/ early 80s golden
age of sci-fi-tinged futurist pulp – Mad Max,
Alien, Blade Runner – felt brutally and
exhilaratingly new. Salvation, by contrast, is
haggard, an exhumation.
-----Telegraph.co.uk
GUS
Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS) now in
its sixth edition continues in earnest this
month. A select group of men and women go
through a series of challenges to see who will
emerge “the Ultimate Hero”.
Maltina Dance All
Maltina, Nigeria’s number one malt drink,
kicks off its annual reality dance competition
Maltina Dance All. Families have a chance to
express themselves through dance and win
great prizes.
naijaTimes 63
 Directories

Other Sites Worth A Visit

Dragons Den Nigeria

TV Show
www.dragonsdennigeria.com

Radio Palmwine
Online radio
www.radiopalmwine.com

Afrigator
Social Media Aggregator
www.afrigator.com

Jamati
Entertainment
www.jamati.com

Nairaland
Forum
www.nairaland.com

64 naijaTimes 65
 Directory May Foods
African Foods

Listings 16C Market Row, Brixton, London.

07863309258

Sinto & Biggie Domemerit Store

Afro/European Hairstylists General Goods Store
721 Old Kent Road, London. 396 Cold Harbour Lane, Brixton, London
020 76357340, 02077372958
07984385090

Barber D’s Park ‘N’ Shop

Barbershop and Internet Café General Goods Store
4 Manor Park Parade, Lee High Road, Eleganza Plaza Libra Block 1 Commercial Rd
Lewisham 07939933757 Apapa. 01 4975046

Naturally Nice Blacker Dread

Beauty Salon Music Store
21 Rushcroft Road, Brixton 406 Cold Harbour Lane, Brixton
02077338891 02072475095, 07956946495

Beautiful Gate Unisex Salon Atlantic Bar & Restaurant

Beauty Salon Restaurant and Bar
Shop A3, Falomo Shopping Complex, 14B Adeola Hopewell Street, Victoria Island,
Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos Lagos 01 2610584, 0802-3271564
01 2682617

Bliss Kolection Katch A Fire

Fashion and Accessories Restaurant and Bar
Shop 8, 12-13, Alade Market, Allen Avenue, 64-68 Atlantic Road, Brixton, London.
Ikeja Lagos 07904280733
01 4976805

Fay Fashion Ayus Restaurant

Design and Tailoring Resturant
52 Granville Arcade, Brixton, London 2 Ibiyinka Olorunimbe Close, Off Bishop
07828419894 Oluwole Street, Victoria Island, Lagos
08033162543

66 naijaTimes 67
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