MAN CLIMBS TREE, VOWS TO REMAIN THERE UNTIL BUHARI IS SWORN IN

A man, simply identified as Mallam Kaura, has reportedly climbed a tree at Kantoma in Kurgwi Qua Pan LGA of Plateau State, vowing not to come down until the president-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari is sworn in.
Buhari is expected to assume office as the nation’s number one citizen come May 29.
The man, who is said to be a father of two, on a tree, clad in a red top and a cream trousers. Behind him is a world receiver radio.
Sources said Kaura, who is a fan of the incoming president has been on the three since Friday, May 22.
Just last month, a man trekked from Lagos to Abuja to celebrate the victory of Gen. Buhari.
Similarly, five men have also vowed to trek from Nigeria to Mecca to thank God for enthroning Buhari after three failed attempts to rule the nation.
However, the All Progressives Congress has called on Nigerians to stop trekking and pray for the incoming government.

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BREAKING NEWS: Oil marketers agreed to call of strike

Oil marketers in Nigeria have agreed to call-off their strike with immediate effect. They have also agreed to commence the immediate lifting of petroleum products across Nigeria in the next six hours.
This is contained in an agreement brokered by the Nigerian Senate after a meeting between the oil marketers and the Federal Government.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Downstream, Senator Magnus Abe announced this at the end of the meeting at the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Monday.
The agreement also states that the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) should immediately revoke the license of any oil marketer that refuses to lift petroleum products across Nigeria.
With this development, PENGASSAN, NUPENG, MOMAN, IPMAN and all other officials also addressed the press where they affirmed the resolutions and agreement.
The Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was present at the hearing and endorsed the agreement on behalf of the Federal Government.

KENYAN LAWYER OFFERS OBAMA 50 COWS, 70 SHEEP, 30 GOATS TO MARRY DAUGHTER MALIA

A Kenyan lawyer named Kiprono Matagei has made public his special request to US President Barack Obama.
One of Kiprono's dream is to marry Barack's first daughter Malia so he has announced that he is ready to pay 50 cows, 70 sheep, and 30 goats as bride price. And he is ready to meet Obama to discuss the matter when Obama visits in July.

Kenya Digest reports that Kiprono said:
“I got interested in her in 2008. As a matter of fact, I haven’t dated anyone since and promise to be faithful to her. I have shared this with my family and they are willing to
help me raise the bride price”
The young lawyer claims his love for Malia is real, not infatuation.
People might say I am after the family's money but that is not the case. My love is real. I am currently drafting a letter to Obama asking him to please have Malia accompany him for this trip. I hope the embassy will hand the letter to him. I will hand it over to the US Ambassador with whom we have interacted several times.
What is disturbing here is that as at 2008 when Kiprono says he fell in love with Malia, she was just 10 years old.
Kiprono also added that should Obama accept his request, his engagement to the 'love of his life' will be a unique one.
“If my request is granted, I will not resort to the cliché of popping champagne. Instead, I will surprise her with mursik , the traditional Kalenjin sour milk, as an indication that she is my queen. I will propose to her on a popular hill in Bureti near my father’s land where leaders and warriors are usually crowned. Ours will be a simple life. I will teach Malia how to milk a cow, cook ugali and prepare mursik like any other Kalenjin woman”
Malia Obama is 16, set to turn 17 on July 4.

Jethro 'J Smith' Abara takes caution

‪Jethro 'J Smith' Abara (Signed to Hybreed Music as an Artiste and Producer) amongst the numerous music producers in the country, just a few stand out of the crowd. This is a corollary of uncommon and remarkable musical ability. Who then is J Smith? The answer is not farfetched; the many that have worked with him can attest to his maestro of music.

An Imo state born, son of the soil is a musical genius. His artistic endowment ranges from being a record producer, songwriter, Instrumentalist (Keyboard and Drums) and many more. The prolific music producer started out working with music groups, social organizations and record labels including; Spectrum music, Umunamo Records and Make some Noise Entertainment (owned by veteran rapper Free style). His zeal and capacity to learn developed and advanced him into the extraordinaire that he is today, having worked with a number of popular names in the industry and that includes: Vector tha Viper,  2Shotz, Ruffcoin (Nwaba), Freestyle, Niyola, Evedeenz, Karatkid, Lineo, Glenn, Acharaman… the list is endless. For someone so young his experience and expertise stretches across many genres from Hip-hop to Soul/RnB, Reggae, Dancehall, Pop to Afropop, Funkyhouse and so on. J smith is now one of the most sought- after producers today. He recently produced a peace and unity song featuring music stars like Oritse Femi, Dude Teshola, the Fuji star Malaika and Cashion. At this rate we can only say that the sky is his starting point. The future looks bright for this young and energetic man. J smith is a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry.  And if you hear ‘caution! caution!’ on any song, just know that it is a J smith Production.

Majority of our films have been Americanized - Jimi Solanke

People who watched ‘Tales by Moonlight’, a network children’s programme on a television station, would remember a veteran dramatist, playwright, storyteller and poet, Olujinmi Adesoye Solanke, aka  Jimi Solanke who is now based in Ile Ife, Osun State. Solanke has always worked with children and has been a consultant for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) for over 15 years.

He was part of the team that made the film of Kongi's Harvest by Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka, and also acted in Sango (film) (1997), among others. He attended 2015 Lagos Black Heritage Festival (LBHF) in April with a troupe comprising local and foreign artistes.

After an interesting performance, he was seen sitting and sipping some drinks at the LBHF in Lagos where this interview took place.

In this chat with ADA DIKE, the master storyteller speaks on his career as a retired art teacher and aired his view on film making in Nigeria, among others.

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Solanke

Sir, can you tell us how your journey in art world began?

It is started a long time ago. I was brought up from a family where stories were told, and I got used to listening to them and ended up telling the stories.

I started out with a programme on Lagos Television Channel 8, ‘Family Scene’, together with Biddy Wright before something happened along the way. We were treating the same issues of folksongs, folktales and other school songs to entertain, educate and inform children; but, at a point, Biddy and I were not able to con­tinue. After some time, the Nigeria Television Authority sent me a letter to come to NTA Jos School for a conference and workshop on children entertainment. That was when The Storyland was born.

I later moved on to African Independent Televi­sion (AIT). Though my audiences grew round the world, I had to stop it, but I took consolation in the fact that many youngsters loved it.

Looking at what we have today, what is your impres­sion?

You see when we want to compare folktales and the regu­lar Billy The Blue or Mikky Mouse; they are not very close to cultural infinity or affinity.

How can you compare stories that have been packaged to impact on our children from our ancestral point of view and those constructed with sketches made up by anybody? I don’t trust any white man and their children. One watches some characters of children knocking their heads on the wall, and these are the vulnerable group of people who can think of hitting their head on the wall and come alive again. Such cannot be compared with traditional folklore, folktales and folksongs.

How does art affect the kind of stories we use in Nigerian movies?

It is true that stories are stories, but, in Nollywood stories, what we have is synopsis. And whatever and whoever loves to impact on the people, it dawns on him on such filmmaking affairs.

But majority of our films have been Americanized and not localized; our films are totally Americanized and fused with gun brandishing, violent and x- rated men taking the helm of affairs. No. You can still entertain, minus all such things.

Talking about revamp­ing the industry, many people have claimed leadership of the industry, and majority of them boast of the number of films they have produced.

How can the Nigerian film industry be revamped?

A good film has the capability to keep paying the filmmaker’s bill for years. An American artiste could make a film in 2005, for instance, and may not have gone back to set immediately, because he is still reclining on his entertainment sofa, enjoying the money being made from the film.

What is the point in saying one has made several films and still riding a rickety car? We must come down from our old horses of disdain, show-offness and pride of how many films we have in the market. I have never made a film in my life, but I’m still living well at 73 years, and able to do many things as a retired teacher of the arts.

I loathe it when people begin to enumerate their accomplishments in the arts. Since I have been in the arts, each programme I have been involved in has been another stepping stone. It is not a matter for discussion or showing off. At my age, I’m still doing more for the industry. So, it is what one sees one knows, other people see a different thing in Ile-Ife, Osun State where I live and the artistic things I’m doing for them. They are still enjoying it. They are not available in Lagos where there are several obscene shows in the name of being an artiste and a lot of major marketing offices are back­ing them. This is rubbish!

As an artiste, one has to be decent and as contemporary as a doctor in one’s work, thought and deeds. There is nothing that should reduce an artiste from the level of integrity of a scientist or demean him from a man. An artiste should not be like a baga, moving from pillar to post. For example, a job I have done for a good pay fifty years ago is what some people have done so cheap.

Sir, what sir your take on those who think they hold the ace in arts sector?

Anybody who is holding any ace in arts sector in Ni­geria has my deserved honour. But let there not be a situation where the ace is restricted to Nigeria. In arts, everywhere in the world, be it creative or literary, artistes are well respected.

When an artiste of 70 years and above dies, CNN always celebrates it. What have we done in Nigeria to merit that? This is what the people holding the aces here have to think about. We must have integrity in the enterprise of arts –total at­titude of realizing tomorrow in arts, because, if we keep our attitude like the young men in the industry today, who, when they make 1 million naira, begin to sing Omo yi lowo (The guy has made money). In two or three weeks he buys a car, lives in a hotel and do untoward things, and the money will be gone, and the artiste, consequently, will be forgotten. We must be realistic and serious with the industry.

Sir it is nice seeing you at the 2015 Lagos Black Heritage Festival (LBHF).

Thank you.

Can you share your view on this year’s festival?

LBHF is still growing, and will grow into international fora. I know about seven people who came to witness the festival from Los Angeles, United States of America. They told me they were coming, and I ensured they were part of the festival, and they were happy they made it to the festival.

As the festival grows, I am opti­mistic that tourists would be attracted in their hundreds and thousands. And we could see the beauty and gain of having the festival. We are in an era of enhancing all the areas of the arts, both the creative and the performing arts; and, at the end of the day, through the grace God and reality; we will get there even in less than five years.

 

Solanke

APC Senator elect, Dino Melaye, shows his new car

APC Senator elect, Dino Melaye, posted this picture with this caption.the market worth of this car is about $500,000.

BUHARI APPOINTS FEMI ADESINA SPECIAL ADVISER ON MEDIA AND PUBLICITY

The President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, has made his first official appointment by naming the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Sun newspapers, Mr. Femi Adesina, as his Special Adviser (SA) on Media and Publicity. Congrats Mr. Adeshina for an honour well deserved!
Adesina's appointment, though yet to be formally announced, is said to have been concluded but merely waiting for some formality before the official announcement.
Already, the management of The Sun Newspaper, it was gathered, is concluding plans to re-organise its management structure following Adesina's impending departure.
Adesina was recently re-elected as the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) for another term of two years.
The NGE president was returned unopposed at the 2015 bi-ennial convention of the Guild which held in Lagos by his colleagues, most of whom described his tenure as the “best the Guild has ever had.”
With his new appointment, Adesina also becomes the second person to be so appointed while serving as the president of the Guild of Editors. The first person was the late Mrs. Remi Oyo, who was the SA, Media and Publicity to former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
A prolific writer and tested journalist, Adesina started his career at the Vanguard Newspapers as a features writer before later moving to the defunct National Concord Newspapers. He is a pioneer staff of The Sun newspaper where he became the editor, and later the managing director and editor-in-chief, a position he will be quitting for the new assignment.
As the president, Guild of Editors, Adesina fought for the rights and protection of journalists at every event or fora. In one of such events was a lecture organised by the Bank of Industry (BoI) where he advised the bank to find ways of encouraging media practitioners by giving them loans for the purpose of establishing businesses after retirement, pointing out that the media industry cannot afford to have more ‘veteran’ journalists.
Adesina in his presentation at the event titled: ‘‘The Media and BOI: Working Together’’ admonished Bol to patronise media houses, saying that they are not charitable organisations.
‘‘When you therefore have businesses, patronise them. If they are good enough for your press releases and other editorial items, they must also be good enough for your advertisements. Build a mutually rewarding relationship, including rendering investment support, as the journalists may require," he said.
A seasoned and renowned journalist with over 28 years of experience in the industry, Adesina took The Sun to a new height. Under his leadership, the newspaper won several reputable awards.
In 2007, he was named the Editor of the Year by the Nigeria Media Merit Award.
-Thisday

1000 LEADERS MEETING POSTPONED

Information reaching Newswatch Times has it that the 1000 Leaders Meeting scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2015 has been postponed.

The event organizers said they sincerely regret the inconveniences the development will cause the numerous esteemed participants and highly respected speakers. 

A new date, according to them, will be announced soon.

 In   a statement signed by Mrs. Omowunmii Isong – Ibanga, executive director, 1000 Leaders Global Project, she revealed that this development is principally due to the current political situation and the involvement of some of the expected guests in the transition process.

 She added that, “This is an opportunity for us to strategically plan for a memorable and quality outing to wet the ground for the project global summit later in the year….” She said.

"The World Wrapperman " aims to build the largest food-specific library in Nigeria, runs to Abuja

"I am also using this to make a statement that I am different, special and proud of my Urhobo and Nigerian culture, which is now giving birth the wrapper marathon that will bring people from other parts of the world to Nigeria."

On Wednesday, May 6, Delta-State born David Adjarho Obaro jogged through the gates of the National Stadium complex in Lagos, setting out on a 787km run/walk to Nigeria's Federal Capital City of Abuja. 

According to the chef and food entrepreneur, he is doing this to promote domestic tourism as well as raise N500m for a few charitable causes he is committed to, which include activities of the Old Boys Association of his Alma Mata, Government College, Ughelli; a faith-based initiative (Activ8); and an environment awareness campaign (Beach Samaritans), among others.

"I am also running to be able to achieve one of my life's ambitions, which is to build the largest food-specific library in Nigeria," he says. 

The fascinating thing about this long-distance run is that Obaro does not wear a tracksuit or any of the outfits custom-made for athletics; like he has done in many marathons previously, he is fully clothed in a eye-catching green-and-gold coloured  Uhrobo traditional attire, which includes a 15-yard long wrapper. For this alone, Obaro has earned fame abroad as well as the nickname "The World Wrapperman".

While on the run, Obaro holds a large Nigerian flag in one hand; his wondrous wrapper, folded severally, sits on his forearm of his other hand. 

"I am the only person in the world that runs with a wrapper in marathons, and I am also the record holder of the world longest wrapper (37yards)," he said, while responding to journalists' questions before he took his first steps onto Ikorodu Road.

Obaro estimates that his run/walk to the federal capital will take about 20 days. But before he arrives in Abuja, however, he will stop over in Edo State (481km from Lagos) to participate in the 10km Okpekpe Road Race, scheduled for May 16.  Over the past few years Obaro, formerly resident in Romania, has participated in the Bucharest City Marathon (2010); the Bucharest International Marathon (2011); the Club Marathon (2011);  the Bucharest International Marathon (2012); the Bucharest Half-Marathon (2012); the Triathlon Challenge. And just last month, he took part in the 12km Lagos Half-Marathon.

"Only someone with a lot of guts and dedication to a purpose can embark on this stressful undertaking," says an observer who has spotted the marathoner jogging on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway. "He deserves all--and every support--he can get. I pray he achieves his noble ambitions."