TOP TEN ARTISTES "REPPIN" NIGERIA ACROSS THE BORDERS

If there is anything to be proud of in Nigeria, it is definitely the entertainment sector, especially the music industry. Nigerian artistes are now forces to be reckoned with in the international scene following collaborations with international acts especially P-square’s “beautiful oyinye” feat Rick Ross which threw many off balance.

Today I am gonna be talking about Nigerians who are making Nigeria proud in the international entertainment market, these are Nigerians abroad who are in the climb in their careers and a must-watch and must hear for 2012.

This is my TOP TEN list of Nigerians that are ‘reppin’ our great nation across the borders.

10) SEYE ADELAKUN

This young lad is known for his unique synthesis of Afro beats, indie, pop, R&B and Rock. He is the younger brother of Olugbenga, bassist and co-vocalist. He is a guitarist having played for Paloma Faith and supported tours with the likes of Enuchi sunde.

Seye is half Nigerian and half Kenyan and he is definitely an artist probably going to take over the music industry, soon.

9) AiRiS- (pop/soul/RnB recording Artist)

Many are familiar with this chick and her debut single “without you” which received engaging reviews from the African music industry which was also followed by “sick in love”, “olowo orimi”

She was born to a Nigerian father and Egyptian mother. She spent her young adult years between Nigeria, UK and Egypt. Her work brings a unique mixture of pop and soul to the African music industry.\she moved to Nigeria to pursue her singing/ songwriting career in the spring of 2010.

8) JOSH OSHO

Born 1992 to a Nigerian father is a song writer based in UK. His first single “Redemption Days” was released on the 4^th September 2011 which featured ghost face Killah . His follow up single “Giants” featuring Childish Gambino released 20 April 2012.

This young chap is a must – watch and must – hear.

7) DELE – (RnB singer/song writer)

I am still confused on where to place this 23 year old Nigeria’s UK based RnB singer on my list. This guy is good; I mean it when I say good.

Dele embarked on his first international tour titled ‘out of towner’ this May across Atlanta, USA where he is currently working on some projects. He got his inspiration from the soulful tones of Boyz II Men’s musical versatility.

He is recognized as one of UK’s most talented R&B performers. This dude is definitely reppin Naija and with singles like ‘we knee’, ‘Feel it’,’ Ex’,’ F U Right’, he is poised to shock the music industry with his soothing and sexy vocals

6) ADENIKE – singer/song writer

Adenike Jemiyo is a Nigerian song writer/ singer based in UK. One thing I like about this chick is her soulful vibes coupled with electric style and powerful voice.

The dynamic songstress has apowerful tone and sound that will cause you to remember every word and note that she sings after she finishes. Nike’s coice is even more beautiful than her newly released debut EP “beautiful”, which is  on it’s own right, very beautiful indeed.

Her debut EP also featured a touching emotional video by Olan Collardy “I stayed”. Her blood is green and she is making Nigeria proud.

5) TYLER the CREATOR- (rapper/record producer/music video director)

You may not believe this, but he is a Nigerian. Tyler Gregory Okonma, born in Los Angeles, California to a Nigerian father and a mother of African – American with a Canadian descent. He is a very controversial American rapper, record producer, music video director.

He  won the MTV VMA 2011 for the best new Artist and with his albums “Bastards” and “goblin” as well as being the leader and co-founder of alternative Hip hob collective Odd Future.

Tyler is definitely an artist to keep an eye out for. His new album is slated to drop sometime this year

4) NNEKA

Nneka Lucia Egbona has brought us hit like “Heartbeat”, “Viva Africa” for the 2010 FIFA world cup in South Africa. Nneka is slowly becoming an enigma still sticking to her roots with her music.

The 31 year old songstress was born to a Nigerian father and a German mother. Having toured with the likes of NAs and Damian Marley. Nneka is definitely another artist reppin Naija to the core.

3) TAIO CRUZ- (British singer/songwriter/rapper and entrepreneur)

I think we all know the Pop and RnB singer-songwriter who has featured the likes of Kesha, Cherylcole, Mcfly, Travie Mccoy, Ludacris, Florida and other international acts.

He is born to a Nigerian father and Brazillian mother. His debut album “Departure” which Cruz wrote, arranged and produced achieved success  in the UK and earned him a MOBO award nomination> he released his follow up album ROKSTARR. He has written songs on albums by cherylcole, JLS, The Saturdays, David Guetta. He also wrote some songs for Justin Bieber’s album.

I must tell you this dude is reppin the Nigerian blood.

2) WALE-(singer/songwriter)

Olubowale victor Akintimehin born September 21, 1984 is an American rapper from Washington D.C born to Nigerian parents.

Nominated BET hip hop nawards Best artist 2010, Best collaboration and every once in a while he does a freestyle on apopular Nigerian song like “Oliver twist”.

Now signed to Rick Ross’ Maybach music group with two successful albums “Attention Deficit” and “Ambition”. He is one Nigerian abroad keeping it real and reppin Naija to the fullest.

 

1)TINIE TEMPAH- (Rapper/songwriter)

Patrick Chukwuemeka Okogwu , a 23 year old rapper with hit songs like “Pass out”, “Frisky”, “written in the stars” and “Miami 2”

He has blown into the scene like a wildfire especially when he made the cross over to the US market with the same album.

He is a multiple MOBO and BET award- winning artist headlining concerts worldwide.

Naija is going places especially in the entertainment sector. I represent Naija. Do you?

Nigeria’s Security crises: “NAUGHTY JONAH”AT IT AGAIN

PRESIDENT Goodluck Ebele Jonathan left the country on a trip to Rio de Janero, Brazil for the United Nations’ Earth summit, Rio+20; at a time the country was facing serious security crises.

In response to the critics Jonathan said “one of the problems we have is that some Nigerians play politics with everything, but we cannot destroy our country because of personal political ambitions”. Adding that much of the incessant and often unjustifiable criticisms of his administration were based on lies.

There are so many flaws in the statement made by the president.

” Incessant and often unjustifiable criticism of his administration”. What is not justified in the criticism of his administration? His choice of Rio over the security of his people was a poor decision.

Hundreds died last Sunday, more were injured. Whatever benefit the summit has for Nigeria could be obtained in his absence. He should have devoted himself to resolving the crisis. Was his trip to Brazil a demonstration of indifference to the bloodshed at home?

Should he be reminded of his oath of office?

He swore to uphold the constitution, which in section 14 (2b) states, “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” Where is the security for our people? Will the president find them in Rio? I doubt if he even knows the constitution. I am not sure if he is even qualified to be the president of this country judging by his decisions. The word Priority is not in his dictionary, if he has one.

The people have lost confidence in government protecting them.

Hardly a Sunday passed since the beginning of 2012 without a church being attacked. Where the killings are not in churches, gunmen repealed at robbery operations return to take out as many people as they like.

Government reacts mostly through condolences and toothless threats to the attackers who know that they are above the law. What leadership has GEJ provided in this matter?

If the tragedy in the Northern Nigeria is not politics then what is it? Our presumed leader has not given us the answers we need in this country.

GEJ upon arrival at Rio, Brazil

Criticism is the only democratic tool left for us to use in this country. The level of impunity worries Nigerians, governments ask for patience.

 Should the president not have stayed home to oversee the brewing crisis?

While hundreds are being obliterated, the president jets out to Rio to attend an Earth summit. It is a shameful and disgraceful misplacement of priority. GEJ has not even succeeded in saving Nigeria and he is rushing abroad to save the Earth.

Jonathan has shown that he is not ready and competent to lead Nigeria. Other world leaders will privately mock him. They would say “what is he doing here? Nigeria is on fire and he has not put off the fire and he is here to save the Earth?” what a hero he is.

Charity, they say, begins at home. But ‘Naughty Jonah’ does not care

BOKO HARAM SET TO ATTACK LAGOS & IBADAN- Pan-Yoruba group warns

A new pan-Yoruba group, Apapo Oodua Koya, (AOKOYA) said today that it has “trusted” information that Boko Haram, the dreaded extremist Islamic group, is likely to attack Lagos and Ibadan in the next few days or in the month of July.

“Boko Haram thinks the best way to get attention is through sustained attacks, but the surest way to dominate national discuss and stir critical opinions is to take the battle to the country’s economic hub, which is Lagos and Ibadan,” the group said in a statement in Ibadan signed by its Secretary for Internal Affairs, Alhaji Mufatau Adedoyin.
  

“That is the new thinking of the Boko Haram leadership.”
AOKOYA expressed regret that the political leadership of the South West has no concrete plans to curtail the “almost inevitable” suicide bomb attacks that the Islamic group may unleash on the largely urbanized Yoruba region.
It said that the frequent activities of Boko Haram in Kogi State, plus last weekend’s bomb attacks on Kaduna city are clear indications that cities in South West Nigeria must be prepared for their own dose of suicide attacks from Islamic fundamentalists pushing for sectarian leadership of the country.  The group described the bombing of ECWA church in Kaduna as a calculated attack on the Yoruba people, as they are the most notable worshipers in ECWA churches across the country.
Said the statement: “We have intelligence information that Boko Haram will attack the largely vulnerable Yoruba cities on or before the month of July this year. We fear the carnage that will result from violent attacks on Yoruba cities. It is naïve to assume that Boko Haram will spare Lagos, Ibadan, Warri or any of the Yoruba cities. At present, the Yoruba political leadership relies on the Nigerian Police and the State Security Service, (SSS). These groups are too polarized, corrupt, inept, politicized, ill-motivated and hunted by low morale to be able to offer any hope for the Yoruba people.”
AOKOYA, which describes itself as a Yoruba self-determination group, noted that as Nigeria inches towards 100 years of the forceful amalgamation of the country by imperial lords, “the dissolution of the country should be a natural expectation given the tear, sorrow and blood” that has been Nigeria’s story since 1914.
“There cannot be any redeemer for a nation that is destined and designed to collapse,” it said. “We urge the Yoruba people to rise up and work hard to ensure minimum casualty in our search for the inevitable Oduduwa Republic. We seek alliance with the Middle-Belt, Igbos and the South-South, for the greater future of a traumatized population that have been pushed into the cesspool of underdevelopment, hunger and starvation in the hands of a hateful social and political system that offers nothing but destruction and the spilling of human blood.”
Calling for the assistance of the international community to Nigeria “to prevent the carnage that may arise from the inevitable break-up of the country,” AOKOYA said the bombings will not abate simply because the social and political contradictions of a diverse, plural society being forced to live under one law and value has reached its breaking point.
“The issue is no longer whether the country will break-up, the real issue now is when and how,” the statement said.  “The people face the grim reality of either a violent break-up or ceaseless confrontation with blood and anguish in the hands of extremist forces.”
Culled from Sahara Reporters.

CALL OF SHAME : 'I took the bribe' - Farouk Lawan

When I read about the subsidy probe and the $600,000 Hon. Farouk Lawan allegedly received from Otedola of Zenon oil, I was not interested and looting money has become a national anthem amongst our presumed leaders. But what prompted me to act were comments of some comments made by some Nigerians. I am really perplexed by the way some Nigerians think.

Someone said “the truth of the matter is that our leaders are corrupt to the marrow. To hell with these self – imposed leaders of ours, May God bless our one and only GEJ for having the will to unveil the dreaded cartel that has held this country hostage since time immemorial”.

“May God bless our one and only GEJ for having the will”? What will is that if I may ask? Is it all about PDP or Nigeria? Let us not forget that GEJ, Otedola, SSS, Farouk Lawan are all in the PDP.

A subsidy probe committee was set up which was headed by Hon. Farouk Lawan to monitor the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government and since it has submitted its report, nothing concrete had been done about it. The subsidy probe committee had earlier sent a report to the executive but it wasn’t acted upon but now that there are allegations against the chairman of the committee that he received bribe, the report has lost its credibility.

Hon. Farouk Lawan had denied the allegation earlier that he received 600k from Otedola but according to THIS DAY newspaper, he revealed that he actually collected $500,000 and not $600,000 from Otedola, whom he accused of offering him the money to influence the probe panel’s report. He also said it was Otedola that initiated the bribe offer in order for him to remove Zenon’s name from the list of companies that collected foreign exchange from CBN without importing petroleum products.

Lawan said he had informed the chairman of the house committee on Narcotic drugs and financial crimes, Hon. Adams jagaba, through a letter dated April 24, 2012 of Otedola’s alleged persistence to bribe him to influence the outcome of the investigation. 

Femi Otedola, businessman and President, Zenon Oil & Gas •Farouk Lawan

Lawan also said he attached “the sum of 500,000 dollars only offered to me with another promise of 2million, five hundred thousand dollars” to the letter.

Lawan, in a statement in which he gave a detailed account of what transpired between him and Otedola, said “I had considered bringing this issue as a matter of privilege on the floor of the house latter today (April 24), but I am concerned that the controversy it will generate will dwarf the contents of the report, which needs public attention so that necessary reforms in the sector could be affected”.

Farouk Lawan

“I gave the desperation of Mr. Otedola, handling this matter, in a firm but diplomatic manner is necessary as he has also made some veiled threats which put me and members of the committee in a delicate situation”.

“Veiled threats which put me and members of the committee in a delicate situation”? What threats? What delicate situation? Let us call a spade a spade, both of them are guilty (the person that gave and the one that received the bribe).

Nigeria is not PDP and PDP is not Nigeria. Nigerians should open their eyes to clearly see what is happening here. Let us alight from the “one chance” bus that the PDP has put us into.

I agree that Farouk Lawan should be prosecuted but others should too. We have so many cases that have been swept under the carpet. These things happens every day in government circles and nobody blows it open because they all benefit one way or the other.

As I said earlier, let us not forget the fact that GEJ, Otedola, Farouk Lawan, EFCC, SSS are all PDP. It is a planned work and he (Farouk Lawan) foolishly fell for it.

Femi Otedola

All these people in government do the same thing but you only get exposed if you are not in the good books of those that matters. A country where majority live below poverty level and Otedola has $3million to bribe some body. May the end be the best for the just and honest ones.

There was a confirmed case of #155 billion fraud against the government office including GEJ. What did they do about it?

Now that it is obvious that everything in Nigeria is corrupt, what would ordinary Nigerians do? Who are we going to cry to for help? EFCC, SSS, Senate, who?

God knows!

DIVIDENDS OF MONOCRACY

Politics in Nigeria is like a relay race where athletes from the same country identify their running mates once a lap is over until the finish line is crossed. When the military handed the baton to democratic control, everyone was in high spirits. They thought the change would be characterized by the involvement of the masses in decisions that affected them. It came as a shocker when the elected president continued running the race of his predecessors. In the midst of corruption and unilateral actions carried out in the supposed interest of the people, one phrase became prevalent at the time. ‘E go better’ was on the lips of everyone who was suffering from the effects of the continuous rise in fuel prices, goods, services and the permutation played by those on the power table.

The major sectors in the economy began a slow and steady decline into unconsciousness. Education was constantly plagued by strikes - both internal and external. Festive seasons experienced inflation of services that rarely collapsed. Roads became death traps because of poor maintenance. Electricity supply became a play tool in the hands of its officials. Meters were seldom calculated and bills ended up classifying twelve separately from a dozen. A lot of persons had to make do with the use of generators as alternative power sources due to the frequent electricity outages. Industries either closed down or produced mass products with low quality. Undergraduates struggled in highly un-conducive learning environments with dilapidated structures and the fear of strike to earn a degree.

Out of the half-baked graduates who were thrown into the crowded labour force, several would remain unemployed, some usually ended up in vocations they didn’t study while the remaining few might just be lucky to get a job by chance or craft. Politics seemed to be the only lucrative place where quick money could be gotten. Positions sold like hot cake and had to be attained at all costs. That marked the beginning of an era where it paid to be morally wrong. Patriotism took the back seat. Individuals fought for the stability of family as far as the future sixth generation. Officials filled their coffers with the monies slaved for by the sweat of the masses, neglecting the jobs they were elected to do.  Fingers continued pointing at the top and whoever couldn’t beat the system rushed to partake in sharing the national cake.

As babes, members of the general public felt that was the way things were run in the people’s government. When fraudulent acts were eventually exposed by a vindictive move in the game, the bodies responsible for apprehending such individuals made light of the situation. Political thieves ended up walking freely when those who had stolen the tiniest fraction of the crumbs on the street got jungle justice. Still, the average Nigerian is very trusting. Even when the people’s choice for elections became a process of selection by the powers that rule, the masses complied for peace to reign. Studies actually revealed they were the happiest people on earth irrespective of the fact that they belonged to the list of the world’s poorest nations. Oil spillages, gas flaring, polluted water, deforestation, hunger, malnourishment, high infant and maternal mortality kept sweeping the populace. Yet, they remained hopeful.

Like every stage of growth, babies must learn to sit, and then crawl before standing. A bid for a third tenure pushed the citizens to crawl albeit uncomfortably. The baton was passed on again by selection. Things started taking a turn for good because the new president seemed to have a plan. For the first time, the people got a glimpse of a transparent government. In the wake of trouble by militants who claimed to be fighting for the cause of their fellow statesman, initiatives were implemented to curb the situation. Unfortunately, good people don’t last. The country was thrown into another process of elections. Despite the usual selection, people encouraged themselves to make a change by participating actively in the votes.

Some sang songs; people filled campaign sites and lives were lost due the crises that followed. Votes were cast based on optimism and solidarity. At the long run, a minority finally came out triumphant, promising the masses transformation. When billions of naira was pumped into the nation’s golden independence anniversary, eyebrows were raised because the average family couldn’t boast of a complete square meal. Terrorism took a face that day as bombs were detonated on defenseless citizen.

As innocent lives dropped like flies due to orchestrated attacks, the President felt it was more important to increase the salaries of his ministers than look for a solution to control the poisonous rise of terrorism. The motion hit a brick wall. In the midst of gross insecurity, single tenure elongation was proposed. These acts made the people question if they had made the right choice. The increase in the nation’s budget had not proffered solution to fight unemployment, revive comatose industries or the failing health care and prison systems. In a bid to survive, faith became the only thread that kept the nearly defeated spirits of the people. The bombings continued with little intervention from security agents. Demands were made; negotiations were contemplated when the rumour concerning the removal of fuel subsidy began circulating.

Debates sprung from every corner, deciding if it would be the right decision to make for such a frail economy that was barely held together by the glues of the civil war. Media houses were having a field day, properly dissecting all angles of its implementation. Eight out of ten people said it was a wrong move while some others supported the idea with the notion that the money would be invested and open the market for investors. The people thought little of the issue. They were appreciative for crossing into a New Year after experiencing a black Christmas, only to wake up on the very first day of the year to hear that the government had removed the subsidy on premium motor spirit. Without dialogue and proper orientation, a unilateral decision was made again. The ripple effect was more than a100% inflation. Fuel stations sold petrol for thrice the initial price. Goods and services followed suit, leaving several persons stranded.

The reaction from the masses was unexpected. It was a case of once beaten, twice shy. On countless occasions, fuel prices were increased in the past and they watched the gains been pocketed by the ruling elite. Gas flaring was yet to be stopped, maternal mortality rate continued increasing, and fewer babies got immunized as the years passed. Employment, literacy, good transport network, constant electricity supply etc. are on a flight to never land. Prisoners serve jail terms without fair trial and many more problems plague the people. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and her parastatals are treated preferentially like the goose that lays the golden egg. The local fishermen whose source of livelihood are cut off as a result of polluted rivers from oil spillages or the children who die from bronchitis due to the acid rains caused by gas flaring hold no significance because the decisions of the executives is not carved from populism.

The total deregulation of the downstream sector may be ineffective because of the conspiracy, untimely palliatives and lack of sensitization. The executives would have faced the power generating sector squarely or reformed the oil sector, then watch the economy kick-off. Sycophantic advisers and technocrats keep trying to persuade the populace to accept the policy by using an alarmist theory. If Nigeria were to become a failed nation, it won’t be the fault of her poor masses who feed below a dollar per day. If comparisons are to be made with other oil producing countries that succeeded in removing subsidy on fuel, a wide margin is evident from their methods. Infrastructures such as constant electricity supply and well-organized transportation networks were already in motion. Where it took two or three years to build a refinery from scratch and sell fuel for pittance among citizens, the guess work made by officials handling the sector stated that it will take two years to repair existing refineries in the country and four to five years before the masses reaped the benefits. Interestingly, fuel subsidy was the only benefit the masses were getting from her government because all other sectors – except politics - were failing. If a whole orange could not fill a glass, how is it possible that the glass can be filled with one quarter of the same fruit?

The cry for better leaders will one day be heard and acted upon because bad governance, lack of vision and mismanagement of power are gradually wearing out the people’s elasticity. Dictatorship and monocracy should no longer take a bold stance where freedom is meant to be exercised. The time for solidarity, sentiments and the bribing of ones rights by corrupt leaders like the proverbial rat which blows the feet to bite it later has to pass. It is time the people understood their fundamental rights as citizens and make democracy take its true form as a government for the people, by the people and from the people.

Written by Timi Federick