FRSC holds press conference on “Children and Roda Safety” in Lagos

PRESS CONFERENCE TOOK PLACE TODAY AT THE FRSC PUBLIC EDUCATION HALL, OJODU, LAGOS AS PART OF THE ACTIVITIES LINED UP TO MARK THE 3RD UN GLOBAL ROAD SAFETY WEEK. THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S EDITION IS “CHILDREN AND ROAD SAFETY”.

Guess who the black woman iin this pix is? Taiwo Ajai-Lycett

Photo of the day: Late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu with two of his children while in exile in Ivory Coast.

Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu with two of his children while in exile in Ivory Coast.

Why my talkshow is diferrent from others -Nike Oshinowo

Nike Oshinowo

Presently, there is so much going on for former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, former pageant director and Chief Executive Officer of AOE Events & Entertainment Limited, Nike Oshinowo.

After she successfully hosted Season One of her talk show, Late Night with Nike Oshinowo, the entrepreneur is currently hosting Season Two and adjusting some

concepts to make Season Three the best of them all. In this interview with ADA DIKE, the former beauty queen sheds light on the importance of her talk show and why she stopped hosting Miss Nigeria, among others.

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Last year, you started a talk show, Late Night with Nike Oshinowo. Can you tell us how it was conceptualized?

To some people, it’s like I woke up one day and decided to start a late night talk show. I promise you, it was not like that. I took a whole year to put it together. It was a lot of work and as you can see from when you watched the show, you’d see the quality and a lot of work that went into it.

The inspiration for the show really was from television, that is, watching TV and knowing what I would like to be watching on TV, and it was not there.  Let’s face it; Nigerian TV can be quite boring. There is not much interesting programmes after the soap opera and the news. So I wanted viewers to learn a lot and get informed from watching one show as we laugh, dance, sing, have frank conversations (sometimes serious and sometimes not too serious) and so on, on the show.  There should always be something to learn from it. That was the reason I started the show.

Having watched your talk show on two occasions, I felt you only feature celebrities. Who are your target audience?

Yeah! You probably have watched two episodes, and there were celebrities on those episodes. We have had politicians, celebrities. comedians, musicians, fashion designers, women that I admire, children, stylists, sex experts, educationalists, authors and publishers, among others. So we have wide range of people on our show. Depending on the episode you are watching, there can be celebrities or not.

As you have started Season Two, what steps have you taken to make the show more interesting in order to increase viewership?

We have done Season One, which was successful. We are now on Season Two.  Last week Thursday, we did Episode Five of Season Two. We are not even half way through Season Two yet, we have already embarked on the concept for Season Three.

We are going to start raising funds for Season Three soon. It is a process. There are a lot of things I will like to, not change but tweak a little bit because we are about to improve, develop and change the show. So we are going to change things a little bit.

Nike Oshinowo on set with 2Face Idibia

In what area are you changing some things on the show?

The team and I met on Monday last week. We are looking at the set. We are looking at tweaking the actual show. We are even looking at the time for the show, whether to continue with the 30 minutes duration or go for an hour. We are looking at different things to change about it.

The show is presently being aired on one station. Do you have any plan to air it on other channels?

I know it is new in Nigeria. Everywhere else in the world, when you have a show like that, it is attached to a network. In Nigeria, we don’t really think in terms of network. In America, you are either attached to CNBC or ABC. I like to do things properly, so I attached myself to a network that has a huge audience and that is not influenced by government or partisan. That is how I came up with Africa Independent Television (AIT). I needed that reach and that is what they gave me. I am very happy with the station. For the time being, AIT and I do not have plans to divorce (laughs).  We are very happily married for the time being.

What are the challenges you normally face while producing and hosting Late Night with Nike Oshinowo?

In the course of producing the show, there are challenges or hiccups that usually occur, but it is not my job to fix them. Once we start producing, I am the talent. I am not part of the production team who sort hiccups out.

Guests normally show up and we record the show. There has never been any disappointment, though there have been challenges. People are very happy to come on the show.

You studied Politics in the University.

Yes I did.

Nike Oshinowo

Do you have any plans to contest for any elective post in Nigeria in future?

I live in Nigeria. You can’t live in Nigeria and be not involved in politics in one way or the other. Nigeria is a political terrain. Everyday, that you decide which way to turn to, you are doing politics. What I like is that Late Night with Nike Oshinowo gives me a platform to explore the Nigerian political terrain through my view and the views of my guests. So for now, I think that it is a lot of influence. We have a lot of people here, and so many of them are watching my show. When you want to contest in an election, I will happily support you and invite you to the show.

How do you source for fund for your show?

We have sponsors. We put proposals together and sent them to corporate Nigeria. We also do presentations and if they like it, they come on board.

Do you have any new project apart from the Season Three?

Sure! We always have new projects. I always think of new projects. And once I do, I share it with my team and we look at it to see if there is a space for it in our calendar.  If there is, then it goes to the next developmental stage. But Late Night with Nike Oshinowo is here to stay forever.

You are a former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (won in 1990 but crowned in 1991), people rejoiced when they heard that you have bought Miss Nigeria franchise from its former organizers, Daily Times . What went wrong?

Nothing went wrong. From the start, my agreement with Daily Times was three years, and once you are done, it is over. Within those three years, I was able to host two beauty pageants because it takes a year to do a pageant.

Why didn’t you renew the contract?

I was done with that, that is why I did not renew it.

Do you have any plans to start a new beauty pageant?

You must have a daughter that wants to contest (laughs).

This is because some young girls will want you to mentor them.

There are a lot of ways to mentor the youth. It could be through pageant or show that I am doing. In all the projects that I embark on, I am either promoting Nigeria or mentoring, and it is a very important facet of who I am. In Nigeria, you cannot live your life as if you don’t have the responsibility to mentor people. A lot of people look up to you and it is a responsibility I welcome wholeheartedly.

Do you have a message for your viewers?

I didn’t even know that this was a message I was trying to deliver through the show. Recently, I watched the whole of Season One (13 episodes) in a go and I realised that I had a message I was sending to Nigerians, by extension to Africans and further, to the world, which is, success is a success wherever you find it. You can be a successful reporter, and that should be acceptable to the world. You don’t need to be a doctor or lawyer to be successful. You can be the most successful technician. The message is for parents to let their children be. Let them come out of themselves, discover themselves and embrace different opportunities available for them. Don’t let our youths limit themselves to what their parents want them to be. This “my parents would be disappointed if I am not this” has been a reoccurring theme in Season One and Season Two of my talk show.

Another message that I noticed is that, inadvertently, one important message is that, your destiny is yours, no one can it away from you. That is why an episode with Ice Prince was a big deal for me. After his father had passed on, he got an admission to study in the University but his mother could not pay his school fees. He joined the choir. Then his first musical attempt was a huge success. We danced and sang it on my show. If it is in your destiny to be number one, you will be number one. It is so heartwarming and that is a very important message to push out. It is very encouraging for our young ones to learn from it.

How do you unwind when you are not working?

I unwind, holding my remote control and watching TV.  I love watching TV. I said in the beginning of this interview that the idea to start this show came to me while I was watching TV.  Chatting on the internet is not for me.

Day Stakeholders of Nigerian Creative Industry paid respects to Late Oronto Douglas

Douglas

BY ADA DIKE

Touched by his ardent support for Nollywood, some stakeholders of the Nigerian Creative Industry converged at the Convention Centre of Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 in honour of the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Research, Documentation and Strategy, Late Oronto Douglas.

Before the event kicked off around 7 Pm, the atmosphere was moody and somber, as many people discussed in hushed voices.

The tribute night had a large turnout of movie actors, producers, director and musicians who dressed wore mostly in white dresses..

Though actors and singers wailed as they eulogized the Nollywood ally, they thrilled the guests with songs and performances. Below are bits of things that happened at the tribute night:

Exhortation

After the opening prayer led by the Nigerian Ambassador to the United States of America, Prof Ade Adefuye, an actor, Ramsey Nouah read the first lesson which was taken from the book of Isaiah Chapter 25 from verse six to nine. Amiable actress, Monalisa Chinda, read the second lesson from 2 Corinthians Chapter five from verse six to ten.

Veteran actress, Hilda Dokubo, who took the exhortation titled: “Death has been swallowed up in victory,” took her text from the book 1 Corinthians 15 verses 20 to 28.

She said, “When we heard that Oronto had passed on, some of us broke down and cried. If you cried, congratulations. At least you found a way to express the feeling inside. Tears are very cleansing. When some of us heard he had gone home, we only asked questions: “God why?” Why not? His work here on earth was done. “

According to her, everyone on earth is a stranger sent by God on an errand. “Oronto emptied himself in all of us. We all remember him for the good he had done. Some of us do nothing but haunt others. Some of us keep all God has given us for us alone. We are so selfish and self centered that if the trumpet sounds today and we all need to go home, we have no way to go because we can’t return to God who created us. Until you are born with the spirit you cannot see God. Oronto has gone to be with God and I am sure he is smiling there. He told his friends not cry because his job was done on earth,” Dokubo said.

She added that though his departure seemed impromptu, it is not how long but how well.

She encouraged everyone to be strong and bear the philanthropist’s departure. “Oronto lives on! Death did not conquer Oronto Douglas, he conquered death. “

Encomiums

Nigerians have lost  a very good man –Nigerian Ambassador to the United States of America, Prof Ade Adefuye.

He left a legacy that will be very difficult to match – High Chief Duke

The Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, High Chief Edem Duke, read a poem before saying that  Oronto’s few years on earth provided people with the memory of a distinguished career of a committed patriot, of a human being whose heart and mind is perhaps the very best that defines us as Nigerians. He described him as a great scholar, erudite writer, a deep thinker, a man who had charted the path that brought our creative industry even to this point in time. This country may not understand the loss that we suffer today. “This is not a loss of a war general, but a loss of a general, a propagator of love, a man who lived in the trenches of the Niger Delta, provided leadership and lit the torch that illuminated the paths of this industry. He delivered in a very short time he was with us.

“He left a legacy that will be very difficult to match. When I look at his son, my thought goes not only to him but to children in the Niger Delta and across Nigeria who will not know him except through his writings.”

He lived for Nigeria -Dr. peter Obi

Former Anambra State Governor and the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr Peter Obi, said he met Oronto by default. “As a governor, we came for a meeting in the villa …we saw something going wrong and all of us knew it was going wrong but nobody could say it was wrong. Suddenly, this guy came from nowhere, walked close to me and said: “No, no, no this is totally wrong”. I said, “thank God, at least somebody could say it’s wrong and walk away free. To some of us, we knew if we could say it and before you know it, impeachment. So we kept quiet. And I asked someone who he was and they told me he’s Oronto. From that day, whenever I had an issue, I went to Oronto and he remained himself.”

The SEC Chairman who came with his wife, Margaret, said there are three people namely, King Hussein I of Jordan, former Minister of Information and Communications, Prof Dora Akunyili and Pope John Paul 11 who did what Oronto Douglas did –they were dying but praying for those who were alive. “We met some weeks ago before he died and he spent his time talking about the future of Nigeria. As we all celebrate Oronto, help build Nigeria. Oronto served Nigeria and lived for Nigeria and all of us. May we live for Nigeria.”

We have lost a voice -Emeka Onwuocha

The Special Assistant to the President on Research, Emeka E. Onwuocha, said Oronto was a good man in everything and hinted that he was always straight to the point.”He loved his subordinates. He was an epitome of dedication, a master of resolution, a dogged fighter and a worthy and trusted friend,a leader and partner. His life was an epitome of honesty. We have lost a voice, but forever, we shall preach his message.”

He made so many actors to believe in themselves -Ibinabo Fiberesima

“Oronto believed so much in the creative industry because he was creativity personified,” said the embattled President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) Ibinabo Fiberesima.

She further said he made so many actors to believe in themselves. “You made a difference. You were there consistently and always with love. You listened, talked, supported, comforted and straightened. You lived a special life and great care and words cannot describe how much that means.”

He was an angel sent to us -Omoni Oboli

“Oronto worked for us, fought for us and did so without asking anything. I can tell you that for free. Oronto came at a time he was needed. He did his work and he left. That is why he’s an angel sent to us by God. (She wept).

He was humble and approachable - AFRIFF boss, Chioma Ude

The founder and chief executive of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF, said that Oronto had a non negotiable stand on loyalty and was a great friend. She broke down and walked out of the podium.

We have lost a great man -Genevieve Nnaji

In a sober mood, Genevieve said she didn’t imagine a day would come like that day that she would have to speak about Oronto. “Friends, we had a great man and heaven has received an angel. I was privileged to know him not just as a lover of Nollywod but as a friend and he was someone I could lean on. Oronto Douglas had a listening ear and a helping hand. If he couldn’t help, he would introduce you to someone who could. You always left his presence with hope that it would be fine. And when you are leaving his presence, he would thank you for taking from him. He touched me and all I am today has evidence of that. My brother, my friend, Oronto Douglas, words fail me and tears is still flowing. But I take solace in the fact that you fought a good fight and finished the race. Sleep on.”

I have lost a friend and brother -Peace Anyiam-Osigwe

“The birth of AMAA marked the beginning of his association with Nollywood and the Nigerian film industry. AMAA and Nollywood will sorely miss you. I have particularly lost a friend and brother. Rest well, OD,” said the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of African Movie Academy Award (AMAA), Peace Anyiam-Osigwe.

Oronto lived a life worthy of emulation -Kate Henshaw

He gave everything -Rita Dominic

Actress Rita Dominic said she could not believe it when she got a call about Oronto’s death and felt it was too soon because there were so much he wanted to do and so much he wanted them to do. “He gave everything. He always put the collective interest first. He believed in a country where everyone could live and prosper.

Segun Arinze said Oronto was simplicity personified and added that he was easy going and gentle.

He was a man on a mission -Timi Dakolo

Meanwhile, giving his closing remarks, Special Consultant to the President, Dimieari Von Kemedi, emphasized that courage was one quality that Oronto had throughout his relationship with people and his struggles. “He mobilized the people of the Niger Delta to call for resource control and championed things that brought about change to people of the Niger Delta.

In his vote of thanks, the Managing Director/CEO for Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi, showered accolades on Late Douglas and promised to support Oronto’s family. “As long as I live, Oronto’s family will be taken care of.”

Music

The tempo of the music played and songs sang at the event was low. Supported by his band, one of Nigeria’s best gospel artistes, Sammy Okposo, led everyone in most of the songs and hymns sang that night and they include: “Candle in the Wind” (composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin), “Fading Away Like the Stars of the Morning”, “Old rugged Cross”, “It is Well”, “You Raised Me Up” by Josh Groban and Oronto’s favourite choruses such as: “All the Glory be to the Lord in the Highest,” “What Shall We Do Today?” “You Alone Are Worthy Lord” and “Praise the Lord”.

Timi Dakolo rendered "I'll Be Missing You", a song recorded by American rapper Puff Daddy and American singer Faith Evans. He also sang, “Wish Me Well”, his first single in 2015, produced by Cobhams.

Stage Performance

Some Nollywood actresses led by Monalisa Chinda, Hilda Dokubo and Rita Dominic, alongside other artistes performed a fertility dance titled “The Orgasmic Right of Women,” culled from a book Oronto planned to publish before he died.

The dancers sang: “They tried to steal our right, our orgasmic right …” and wriggled their waists, which attracted resounding applause.

Documentaries

A documentary on his life as an activist and activities including his photographs was showed. Another documentary on eulogies by the President of Nigeria, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and his deputy, Namadi Sambo, when they visited Douglas’ home in Abuja to commiserate with his wife was also aired. Mr.  President described him as a strong willed person and good man.

Guests

Late Douglas’ child, Ogiel, and his brother, Otonye Douglas, were at the tribute night. Other guests include:  Political activist and National Publicity Secretary of the Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Comrade Yinka Odumakin and many actors and singers.

Guests

L-R Kate Henshaw, Ramsey Nouah, Monalisa Chinda, Segun Arinze and Hilda Dokubo at tribute night organised by the Nigerian Creative Industry recently. Photo by Abiodun Omotosho

Oronto Douglas: exit of a great supporter of Arts in Nigeria

By ADA DIKE

Douglas

If tears could bring back someone to life, the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Research, Documentation and Strategy, Late Oronto Natei Douglas (OND), would have come back to life. Tears that have been flowing since the day he died showed that he was a good man and passionate to all he set out to do.

Douglas is one of the great supporters of Arts in Nigeria. He was an author, supporter of Nollywood, patron of the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and facilitator of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) sponsorship by the government of Bayelsa State, which he supported for over 10 years. He is known to be a great friend of Nollywood because he played an important role in facilitating the relationship between President Jonathan and the entertainment industry which made it possible for Nollywood to receive the sum of N3 billion from the President.

He loved book and anchored the Presidential Bring Back The Book (BBB) initiative which aimed at improving the reading culture in the country.

Oronto helped to secure presidential support for various literary programmes including Port Harcourt World Book Capital 2014.

His speeches and articles have been published in books, journals and magazines in Nigeria, Europe and the United States of America. His recent book: “Where Vultures Feast, Shell, Human Rights and Oil in the Niger Delta” was published by Random House.

He was a former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Strategy for Bayelsa State.

Born on August 6, 1966 into the family of a fisherman father and a traditional midwife mother in Okoroba, Bayelsa State, he got degrees in Law from the University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and De Montford, Leicester, England. Douglas was called to bar by the Supreme Court of Nigeria as an advocate in 1992.

The environmental activist was a Deputy Director of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the earth Nigeria, a group committed to ensuring that the environment is protected. He was a member of the legal team that represented Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight Ogoni activists during their trial under Gen. Sani Abacha’s government in 1994 to 1995.

The scholar Douglas died at the age of 49 in Abuja on Thursday, April 9, 2015 after suffering from cancer. He will be interred on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at St Mark’s Anglican Church Premises, Okoroba, Nembe LGA of Bayelsa State at 2:30pm. Thanksgiving/Outing Service will hold on May 3, 2015 at St Mark’s Anglican Church, Okoroba, Nembe LGA, Bayelsa State. He is survived by his wife, Tarinabo Douglas, and Children -Ogiel and Daniel.

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge name their daughter Princess Diana

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have named their daughter, Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. The Royal Princess was named after her late Grandmother, Princess Diana . The Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, gave birth to a baby girl at St. Mary's Hospital in Paddington around 8.34am on Saturday morning, May 2, 2015. She weighed 8lbs 3oz. God bless you, little Princess Diana.

The Military Nab Boko Haram Fuel And Food Supplier

Boko Haram Fuel And Food Supplier Nabbed; 260 Women And Children Fleeing From Terrorists Recovered In Adamawa | Sahara Reporters http://bit.ly/1R2JQjS
Source: Sahara Reporters

Obi Asika loses mum

Founder and CEO Storm Records and currently Special Adviser on Social Media to President Goodluck Jonathan, Obi Asika, has lost his mum, Mrs. Chinyere Asika.
She was also a Special Adviser to President Obasanjo and wife of the Late Governor of former East Central state Ajie Ukpabi Asika.
 May her Soul rest in Peace.

Thousands Protest Government Corruption and Impunity in Guatemala

Thousands participated in a peaceful demonstration in Guatemala on Saturday April 25 at 3pm in the capital city to demand the resignation of President Otto Pérez Molina and Vice President Roxana Baldetti, and the return of millions stolen from the national treasury.
More - http://revolution-news.com/guatemala-thousands-protest-gov…/