PAINS AND GAINS OF DOING BUSINESS IN NIGERIA; TWO CHINESE NARRATE EXPERIENCES, CHALLENGES

Chen

Two Chinese men doing business in Nigeria took time out to discuss the pains and gains of this engagement,

At a forum organized by China Council for promotion of International Trade Guangdong Committee (CCPIT Guangdong) Michael Chen and Amani Xu summarized that it is very interesting doing business in Nigeria adding that many Chinese companies are doing well while a lot others are grappling with understanding of the business climate.

Michael Chen is relationship manager of Across Africa China Company while Amani  Xu is of CRW Bathrooms with factory in Abuja, Nigeria.

According to Chen, “we have been in business in Nigeria in the past fourteen years but the Nigerian government soon raised costs of duties or out rightly banned importation of tiles and marbles one of the main resources we import. This action has done enough damage to our business. We are back thinking which other products to get involved in and this is not good”

Amani

Chen said China and indeed his company needs the Nigeria’s support to return to business. He did not mince words while talking about debtors in the business who delay payment for goods supplied.

In his own explanation, Amani Xu, sales manager of CRW Bathrooms said “there needs to be a better synergy between policies and government officials who implement them. We want stability in the relationship between government and investors specially foreigners”. He quickly added that his company needs help in the area of the promotion of their business.

By Fred Iwenjora

Amani Xu, Fred Iwenjora and Michael Chen

AT LAST TONY NWULU DUMPS OSHODI/ISOLO, PDP * REASONS HE JOINED UPP

Hon. Tony Nwulu

Peoples Democratic Party members as well as residents of Oshodi/ Isolo Federal Constituency 11 Lagos who always had it at the back of their minds that their rep Hon Tony Chinedu Nwulu would soon defect to another party had their fears confirmed recelty when the Imo state born business man filed in his letter of defection to Speaker of the House of Rep Yakubu Dogara.

However news of his defection was dwarfed by last Monday’s famous rumble in the senate

In a 4 paragraph letter dated 24^th July, 2018, Nwulu cited the almighty section 68 1(g) of the 1999 constitution for his defection.

He also announced he has moved to the United Progressive Party UPP pledging his unflinching loyalty and support to the leadership of the House of Representatives.

Even UPP founder and National Chairman Chief Chekwas Okorie had also welcomed Nwulu in a grand but brief ceremony where he extolled him.

Nwulu contested and was one of the so called minority candidates who won the House of Reps in an APC dominated Lagos state in 2015 under PDP but has endured vociferous criticisms from members of his constituency for abandoning them since arriving Abuja.

Some of the members of his campaign organization allege that he had no constituency office in the area but used his constituency benefits to develop his village.

Others say he truly understood that he just wriggled out with victory and saw it as an impossible task to recreate that same victory dance steps come 2019 

Meanwhile, Honorable Nwulu has become one of the men plotting to take over from Governor Rochas Okorocha and has his governorship campaign posters flooding streets of Owerri and Mbaise.

FILM MARKETER ARINZE EZEANYAECHE TURNS BIG TIME PROPHET OF GOD...HOW HE HEALED A WOMAN WITH KIDNEY FAILURE

Prophet Arinze David Yahweh (D Supremo)

Arinze David Ezeanayaeche is the younger brother of Ojiofor Ezeanyaeche better known to many as OJ productions, one of the most successful movie marketers in the history of Nollywood.

Arinze later established  A-Z Productions a movie production and marketing outfit which produced and marketed several movies and celebrated many stars.

However at the height of his career, Arinze disappeared into thin air with no one knowing what happened to the once flourishing business.

ECD  can authoritatively reveal that all other things have passed away and everything become new for the managing director of A-Z Productions who is now a big time prophet and established a big church from where he travels across the nation healing the sick and comforting the troubled souls.

He is now General overseer and runs Victory in Christ Miracle Ministries (VCM)with a new name Prophet AE David Yahweh (D Supremo).

Praying  for God's mercy on Nigeria

The church is located at Block G House 18, Frank Kokori street, Abraham Adesanya Estate Ajah Lekki and sees to the healing and prophetic ministrations of children of God.

A-Z stormed the Ojez arena at the National stadium Surulere to be part of the service of songs of Late Bambino Anachuna recently and shook the arena as many who had not seen him since couldn’t hide their pleasure in meeting with him again.

He took pictures with stakeholders of Nollywood present and prayed for the repose of the soul of Bambino adding that he was a bosom friend of his.

He had written on his facebook wall “My name is Prophet David Yahweh D Supremo 1, Soldier of the Lord.  I prophesy to everyone that is sick all over the world to receive your healing in the name of Jesus Christ Amen”

On the mountain

He also spoke about his on- going 2018 round the nation healing and miracle crusade planned for the nation  to heal the sick and support the widows and needy and to break evil Family yokes and alters

At the Bambino service of songs, Prophet Arinze David spoke of his love for entertainment and show business.

According to him “I love showbiz especially Nollywood and I pray for God’s mercy on the industry in Jesus name”.

Since his call by God, Prophet Arinze goes to the mountain monthly for regular fasting and prayers and have also wrought so many miracles including the healing of a woman with kidney disease at a Lagos hospital. He has also been seen preaching openly in the street with his megaphone.
By Fred Iwenjora

One of his flyers for his crusade

MEET HON. HABEEB ANIBABA, ASTUTE BANKER WHO WANTS TO REPLACE TONY NWAULU AT FEDERAL HOUSE OF REPS

Hon Habeeb Anibaba 

You must have read or heard how former Ejigbo LCDA Chairman and current Lagos state Commissioner for Information and strategy Hon Kehinde Bamigbetan abandoned the race to the House of Reps which he has been preparing for a while now endorsing instead astute banker, Hon Habeeb Anibaba to complete the race to the green chambers.

Bamigbetan had last week announced that he would no longer be part of the contest.

 You also must have read about how the news threw shockwaves across the community.

But you may not have known much about Anibaba.

Aside from a few of those who know about his humility and philanthropy across board in the area of educational support of public schools and sports development, many think he is coming from nowhere.

Here is his loaded profile;

 Habeeb Omowunmi Anibaba, is a manager per excellence and a seasoned banker with over 12 years cognate experience in the field of Banking and high-level Management.

He is particularly experienced in the development of sound business/administrative strategies, financial solutions and operational plans for effective execution. He is highly respected amongst his peers for creating blue sky opportunities by recommending strategic based solutions that work and add value.

His wide banking experience has also allowed him to help various individuals (clients & acquaintances] evolve business strategies for resolving the impact of cash flows, limited funds, rising competition, globalization (including meltdown etc) and systematic economic change.

Fin very simple terms, Habeeb Anibaba can be said to be a charismatic socialite who is happy to see that humanity makes progress, a distinct role model who has contributed immensely to sports, fundamental education, skill acquisition program and socio-cultural development of his community.

 His unwavering dedication and unequivocal sense of loyalty knows no bounds and is seen in his services at Zenith Bank where he is utility staff for over a decade.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

The House of Reps aspirant for Oshodi Isolo Constituency 11 attended University of Uyo Akwa Ibom state where he obtained B.Sc in Business Management. He is an Associate Member of the Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (ICEN) and also an Associate Member of the Association of Human Resources Practitioners of Nigeria (AHRPN).

He joined Zenith Bank Plc in 2005 as an Executive Assistant. He started his banking career at the bank's Fund Transfer Unit where he was a Fund Transfer Officer responsible for the high-ticket transactions of his branch. Which include Funds Transfer, Import Duty Receipts, Managers Cheques, Reconciliation etc. He later became a Marketing Officer and was involved with Account Opening, Relationship Management, Risk Asset Management, Training of Subordinates, Liability Generation etc.

Anibaba is the Founder/Ceo of REDGRAPE FOUNDATION. An educational non-governmental organization (NGO) set up to support public schools with basic learning aids such as; exercise books and text books, computers, sport equipment, table and chairs etc to help reduce the burden on students, teachers, parents, government and the society at large.

BOMBSHELL; I SEE MYSELF AS A STUPID IDIOT, LEARNT FOOLISHNESS FROM MY GRANDFATHER…MR IBU

Mr. Ibu

Celebrated and award winning comedy film actor John Okafor better known to many as Mr. Ibu  last week dropped what many regard as the humour bombshell of the season.

He had declared to his fans flocking around him at the Arrival lounge of the local wing of Murtala Mohammed  Airport Ikeja Lagos that he sees himself as a “Stupid idiot”.

ECD roving reporter who stumbled upon the scene said Ibu was clad in white cotton designer  top and a tight fitted trousers and also went ahead to say that he learnt “foolishness from my grandfather” whom he described as a very humorous man in his life time.  

John Okafor always knew that he could entertain people. People laughed at his clichés and humourous expressions and anecdotes from his early years. But he did not envisage to what level God would catapult him.

A close friend of his say Ibu has not forgotten the lane of poverty he had traveled and gives God gratitude at slightest opportunity for lifting me up with the art of foolishness.  

However, when he came into Nollywood in the mid 90s to work, he had no particular job in mind but to just be a participant in an endeavor he so much believed was attached. Before this time, Ibu had variously sourced and sold fire wood and been a butcher. He also was involved with hairdressing and boxing until an opponent disfigured his face causing him to quit.

In Nollywood, he rose from the ranks from production assistant to production manager. He also worked as location manager and continuity amongst other tasks before he made it big with Mr. Ibu, a film directed by Andy Chukwu in 2004.     

The film which came in two parts starred John Okafor as Mr Ibu, Osita Iheme, Stephen Ahanonu and Jennifer Nduka.

JAZZHOLE SET TO HOST CELINE RUDOLPH AND LIONEL LOUEKE AS OBSESSION TOUR LANDS IN LAGOS; *THE GOETHE INSTITUT CONNECTION

Lionel and Celine..set to thrill Lagosians

On Thursday 26 of July 2018, from 7 pm prompt, Lagos number one Jazz music house Jazzhole will come alive as two talented international musicians perform to a great and unforgettable concert.

In continuation of the world tour of the new album Obsession by top jazz music singer, composer and Professor Celine Rudolph and renowned Beninoise guitarist Lionel Loueke, the duo storms Lagos in a show proudly hosted and supported by the Goethe Institute Lagos.

Already, the coming show is talk of the Lagos arts community as music lovers plan to make it memorable.

This is not the first time the Jazz music professor Rudolph will have things to do with Goethe Institut.

Many years ago she was at Goethe Institut Lisbon as "Goethe artist in residence" in the Lisbon-based Portuguese-speaking African music scene.

She started a duet with Benenoise jazz guitarists Lionel Loueke in 2003 and released the Obsession album which is currently enjoying world acclaim for its unique blend of voices, styles and acoustic guitars since its release October 2017

Professor of Jazz music Celine Rudolph

Rudolph was born in Berlin in 1969 as the daughter of a French mother and a German father. She first studied rhetoric and philosophy, then jazz singing and composition studies at the Hochschule der Künste Berlin from 1991 to 1997 with David Friedman, Jerry Granelli , Kirk Nurock and Catherine Gayer (classical singing).

In 1990 she founded together with pianist Volker Kottenhahn, bassist Dirk Strakhof and drummer Johannes Bockholt her first band Out of Print , with which she recorded two albums and toured the Balkans and Africa. As a result, she worked with musicians such as Bob Moses , Anthony Cox , Marc Ducret and Gary Peacock . In 1995 she studied with the African percussionist Famoudou Konaté .

Lionel Loueke with his guitar

Lionel Loueke (born 27 April 1973) is a guitarist and vocalist from Republic of Benin. He moved to Ivory Coast in 1990 to study at the National Institute of Art He attended the American School of Modern Music in Paris, France from 1994–1998. In 1999, Loueke was awarded a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, where he earned a degree in Jazz Performance in 2000.

Lionel Loueke grew up in what he has described as a family of poor intellectuals in the West African country of Benin. He began playing percussion instruments around the age of 9 but was influenced by an older brother who played guitar, which he began playing himself in his late teens. It took Loueke a year to earn the $50 he needed to buy his first guitar. However, he could not afford to replace the strings, which had to be ordered from Nigeria. Instead, he soaked his strings in vinegar to keep them clean. When the strings broke, he had to replace them with bicycle brake cables which were hard on his fingers.

He later studied jazz music in Paris and won scholarship to Berklee College of Music Boston Massachussets and was auditioned for the Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz and got selected by great panel including Herbie Hancock.

The Obsession tour of West African country started in Dakar (Senegal), goes from Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso), Lomé (Togo) to Lagos (Nigeria) and Accra (Ghana) and ends with a home game in Cotonou (Benin).
By Fred Iwenjora

FIRIEHIWOT MEKONNEN; ETHIOPIAN BEAUTY SO MUCH IN LOVE WITH NIGERIA

Firienhiwot Mekonnen

In the past few years, there have been many foreigners both living in Nigeria or outside whose love for the country knows no bounds. Some of these people have not minced words in expressing this love.

One of those includes Firiehiwot Mekonnen, General Manager of Ethiopian Airlines in Nigeria.

Mekonnen served as head of traffic and sales before her new appointment as GM and travels across Nigeria to coordinate the affairs of the airline which was named the most busy international airline operating in Nigeria in the last few years.

In a recent chat, she says she loves Nigeria and really means all she says.

She recollected her first years in Nigeria and the negative stories she heard before her arrival adding that she has really fallen in love with the country and its people.

The woman who coordinated the recent all female crew flight of the airline including pilots, engineers and cabin crew into Nigeria a few months back noted that Nigeria is a vibrant country.

According to the mother of one who oversees the huge business interests of ET in Nigeria including five daily flights into and out of Nigeria, the stories she heard about Nigeria “did not fit into the realities on ground. I have made many Nigerian friends and even wear Nigerian dresses and eat Nigerian food. Evwen my family members and friends in Ethiopia now wear Nigerian dresses because of me. My first impression about Nigeria was very nice and very beautiful. Nigerians are very enterprising people. They are very happy and bubbly with energy. I like that. They can start up a conversation with you even when they do not know you”. 
By Fred Iwenjora 

ABOUT GOETHE INSTITUT DIRECTOR FRIEDERIKE MOESCHEL

*Friederike Moschel,

This is just a snippet into the personality of Friederike Moschel, Director of the German cultural center the Goethe-Institut Lagos.

Moschel took over from Marc Andre Schmachtel who also took over from Arne Schneider.

Marc-André Schmachtel served up his term from November 2010-June 2016.
Moschel was born in Munich but grew up in Bonn. After studying German and English Literature in Bonn, Heidelberg and Köln she taught at the German Embassy School in Beijing, China for two years. She later worked for four years as a teacher before joining the Goethe-Institut.

Before her posting to Lagos, she worked in  Goethe Institute, Dubai, UAE for  five years.

Moschel....(2nd L), Fred Iwenjora and other foreign service officers during the monitoring of German election in Lagos (Photo; Ikenna Asomba) 

Aside from this, Moschel spent another two and a half years as director of the language department at the Goethe-Institut Tashkent/Uzbekistan, and a two-and-a-half year stint in Kiev/Ukraine, where she was in charge of the regional co-ordination of the Eastern Partnership fund, and the implementation of cultural projects in Ukraine.

“It’ll be quite different from my previous experiences,” said Möschel , “but I’m looking forward to an exciting term in Lagos.” Möschel seems to be familiar with Nigerian culture and the country’s literature.

According to the woman who has been quite exposed to Nigerian literature authors like Achebe as well as others, “Nigerian Literature is big out there…it would be ridiculous to say one wants to improve on Nigerian Literature. But there are always openings for grassroots development. I’d like to work with as many local art institutions and corporations as possible at the grassroots level. My focus is to pick-up from where my predecessors left off, and in a more diverse and impacting way, tap into the confidence, determination and drive of the younger generation of Nigerian artists,” she said.

By Fred Iwenjora

BREAKING NEWS! BAMIGBETAN MAKES U TURN FROM HOUSE OF REPS 2019 RACE

Hon;Kehinde Bamigbetan

The race to the Federal House of Representatives to represent Isolo Oshodi 11Federal Constituency Lagos by Hon Kehinde Bamigbetan who is also Lagos Commissioner for Information and strategy has changed course.

The journalist and former Ejigbo LCDA Chairman who had grown to be a strong mover and shaker of Isolo Oshodi Lagos politics had called a special meeting of all his stakeholders to announce his decision sending shock waves through the community.

Those who are privy to what transpired on the day he announced his decision to step aside from a quest he had been projecting since December 2017 told Ejigbo City Diary that Bamigbetan had called an urgent meeting where he in a short but terse statement,  told his shocked lieutenants that he was stepping aside from the race adding that he had a substitution in the person of Hon Habeeb Anibaba.

Hon Habeeb Anibaba

He urged them to give Anibaba full and maximum support because “he is our own”.

Watch out for reasons he abandoned the race and snippets on Honorable Anibaba in Ejigbocitydiary.blogspot,com 

GOVERNOR IKPEAZU PLEASE DON’T LET MY COLLEAGUES DIE!….AN OPEN LETTER

Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu of Abia state

By Fred Iwenjora

To some people, the social media is not the best medium to convey this message. A lot others may say it is a disturbance on His Excellency Dr Okezie Ikpeazu because he actually owes no one anything. But let me say from the onset that this is just a PASSIONATE APPEAL,  a very special appeal and not in any way a compulsion.

You and I know that getting personal contact with His Excellency to make this humble appeal may take eternity if not being very impossible as bursting through the impregnable protocol of a state Chief Executive officer to see him personally may be an eternal mirage.

I am using the opportunity created by social media to throw my heart open to his Excellency on an issue that touches me specially which he has the power to urgently solve.

I hope and believe that Gov Okezie Ikpeazu  may one way or the other stumble upon this appeal.  Indeed, many people including his honorable self will be very happy to do because solving this urgent problem will be an opportunity for him to show his magnanimous self like he has always done once again.

Let me begin by commending your activities as Governor of God’s own state.

News of the giant strides you are making continue to serenade the print and broadcast space. Even your people are forever cheering you on physical development of Abia, God’s own state. Ndewo.

I want to use this golden space to call your urgent attention to two of my colleagues, two of your subjects, journalists.

Here is a brief and quick introduction here, His Excellency.

Austine Fair Nawulu

AUSTIN FAIR NWAULU hails from Ugwuntu, Mgbelu Umunnekwu, Isukwato Abia state.

As a journalist, he wrote himself to stardom and worked for several Nigeria newspapers including Satellite, This Day, National Mirror, Hallmark and a host of others as Editor, Correspondent and columnist.

He was running an online blog covering some of your activities before he was bedridden by the thief of life..stroke. But it was partial and still leaves him alive. Things immediately turned around and upside down for Nwaulu that it has become very difficult for him to continue his work and cope with the challenges of life.

This debilitating ailment has become a big load on him and his family as when there is no good health, there won’t be any kind of work and by extension there won’t be any form of pay. And there may not be life after all.

Nwaulu requires urgent medical care to recover, live and to work and earn.

Stanley Okoronkwo speaking during NOPA

STANLEY OKORONKWO hails from Okoko Item, Bende Local Government of Abia state.

Okoronkwo started his journalism career many years ago and rose to cover entertainment and Society news for several Nigerian top magazines and newspapers. He grew to become a film producer with quite a lot of films to his credit including the famous Omugwo, York Street etc. He was also involved in the production of many soap opera for TV.

Okoronkwo popularly known as White Angel founded Nollywood Outstanding Personalities Award (NOPA) one of the most celebrated reward systems for the Nigerian Film Industry which has held yearly since 2007.

His Excellency,  I feel very sad to tell you that all these seem gone with the wind because as you are reading this, Stanley Okoronkwo, is down with a heart ailment that has continued to weigh him down. But I strongly trust that he can only be down but not out if only you look his way. And very urgently too.

He is diagnosed with an enlarged heart with unfolded aorta, an ailment written in an unpronounceable medical jargon  by medical experts. He has been going in and out of hospital in the past few years with periodic bouts of blackouts.   

This ailment has stopped him from work and costs him weekly unquantifiable specialist consultation fees aside from cost of the special drugs for him to still hang on with life.

An Indian hospital has charged about N20m to treat him while a specialist heart surgeon at UNTH Enugu says he would take far less than the charge of the Indian specialists to take care of the ailment pronto.

MY SPECIAL APPEAL

My humble appeal to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu , the performing governor of Abia state if he stumbles on this letter  is just very simple. It is for him not to leave my colleagues, his loyal citizens to just die just like that even when a possible urgent intervention will make them live.  He should kindly look the way of Austin Fair Nwaulu and Stanley Okoronkwo by providing or supporting their urgent medical attention as life for them is gradually ticking away.

Kindly fish them out and help them reclaim their lives back and continue to contribute in their noble profession those things that contribute in making Abia God’s own.

 I strongly believe that taking your call alone and recognizing that you are the one on the other end could provide the required healing.

I am deeply worried about their situation because no one knows who is next.

Reach Stanley Okoronkwo on 08037242764 and Austin Fair Nwaulu  on 08033247569

BEHOLD BENJAMIN OKENNA AND TIMI OWOEYE…*REAL STARS OF RUSSIA 2018 WITH PIDGIN ENGLISH COMMENTARY

Benjamin and Timi on the flight to South Africa to cover the World cup

Since the Russia 2018 world cup soccer tournament started on the 14 of June, 2018, Nigerian and Ghanaian soccer fans have thoroughly been enjoying the innovative humourous pidgin English commentaries from Supersports duo of Benjamin Okenna Sawadinho and Timi Owoeye Pcfr.

The duo held the viewers on Supersports3 channel 233 with their overflowing talent throughout.

Yesterday, Okenna  Sawadinho handled the England/ Belgium match while  Owoeye, the Pidgin Commentator of the Federal Republic(Pcfr) will handle the final match today  Sunday 15^th July 2018 between  France and Croatia

The voices took Nigerian by surprise and has been doing so keeping soccer lovers glued to SuperSports3 channel 233.

The duo shared the 64 matches between themselves and held Nigerian listeners and viewers spellbound with their down to earth Pidgin English commentary as the matches were played causing them to forget the early first round ouster of the Eagles.

Okenna handled some of the matches including Denmark/France, Denmark/Australia, France/ Peru including England / Belgium third place match etc while Owoeye did Nigeria/Argentina, Argentina/ Croatia as well as the final match coming up this afternoon. They have in so doing created what seems like a cult following for themselves both on social media and other platforms for their spice of the Russia 2018 tournament.

Benjamin Okenna( Sawadinho)

Okenna who is also a gospel musician whose album in a duet with Preye Odede (God never disappoints)is getting more popular in Port Harcourt where he started has always been very thankful and continues to give glory to God for the opportunity to exhibit a God given talent.

He started by running commentaries in pidgin English in local soccer tournaments in Rumuokwrushi , Port Harcourt, made an album before answering the call by Supersports to run commentaries for the then Glo league.

Timi Owoeye Pcfr

Owoeye a 2012 graduate of Federal University of Technology Akure got involved in sports broadcasting and presentation for a syndicated programme on Vision Africa Radio and Cross River Radio.  Before then, he had never been on any radio show even though he beilieved he could do it before Kufre Ekpe of 82 Ideas Communications gave him the chance to anchor Sports Informate,  a 15 minutes  radio programme. Things changed when he responded to an advert calling for pidgin language presenters”  

In a chat with  Supersports GM Felix Awogu the pidgin English innovation is in “keeping with the policy of promoting sports in indigenous languages in Africa by the organization that the pidgin commentary came to be. Pidgin English is well received across West Africa. Other indigenous languages on the channel are Swahili, Afrikaan and Arabic.

Awogu said the huge reception and acceptance of the commentaries during the Super sports commentaries of the Nigerian premier league informed the decision to introduce it to covering the world cup especially as Nigeria qualified. The duo was moved to South Africa where the Russia 2018 studios were built from where they reached the world.

By Fred Iwenjora 

THE RISE AND RISE OF KLINT DA DRUNK…SET TO FEATURE IN NOLLYWOOD EUROPE AWARD 2018

Klint..set for NEGA

Afam Igwemba better known as Klint Da Drunk is no doubt one of the A list comedians of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This recognition follows his popularizing of the drunken character and holding the audience spell bound for hours with it.

It is this talent that organisers of Nollywood Europe Golden Awards and its sister event Nollywood Film Festival Germany want to showcase for its diverse European and African audience when the event holds from 30 August to 1st September in the city of Frankfurt.

However unknown to many, Klint is an all round artiste who is not restricted to comedy as he sings, acts, dances, masters events and most of all is a very talented fine artist and painter.

In the past, he has made an album, collaborated with others, acted in films and still draws and paints all at same time as none of these talents has taken the back seat for the other.

Klint had a first collaboration with Dat Nigger Raw and soon appeared in Nite of Thousand Laughs and the rest is history.

In a chat with Newsmakers recently during one of his performances in PH, Klint explained that his interest in the arts became noticeable while he was a pupil in Primary school, developed further while he was in secondary school before being greatly nurtured at Institute of Management and Technology Enugu where he studied fine and applied arts.

“It was at IMT that comedy caught up with me when I formulated a format to combine my gift of being able to make people laugh with my so called drunkenness and my ability to sing into a show that fans applaud. It was this that made fans start calling me de drunk. I thank God all the time because that kind of madness has taken places”

Says Isaac Izoya, organiser of NEGA/NFFG, the show must go on. We have another star act Eboh Bomb set to crack ya ribs so keep the dates in your diaries".

By Fred Iwenjora

OGBARU NATIONAL ASSOCIATION USA TO CELEBRATE 15 YEARS OF BROTHERHOOD…EDU SWISS TO PERFORM TILL DAWN

*Chinedu Ogbaru alias Edu Swiss in performance

Distinguished members of Ogbaru National Association USA Dallas Texa s have started gearing up for the celebration of the 15 years anniversary of the existence of the association which has been planned to be a three-day jamboree starting Friday 31 till Sunday 2^nd September, 2018.

The association is a melting pot of all Ogbaru associations of men and women drawn from all professions in the United States seeking to be connected with kit and kin. They include all Ogbaru people from Anambra, Imo, Rivers and Delta states

However, one of the interesting  news concerning the event  is that top Swiss based highlife musician Chinedu Ogbaru popularly known as Edu Swiss is also gearing up to pep up the event when the members, friends and well wishers of the association gather on August 31^st, 2018 at the high brow Hilton Garden Inn.

ECD gathered from Fabian Oyolu, PRO of the association that there is high level of preparations for the event which held yearly with a General meeting and ends up in a grand gala nite. According to the source,  this year’s celebration is auspicious because of our “coming of age“.

In a telephone chat, Oyolu further hinted that “all members of the association from Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, New York and other parts of the United states are expected at the event.

On his part, Zurich based Edu Swiss whose interest in the propagation of Ogbaru name through music said he has been in serious preparations for the Texas outing adding that he would burrow into the tracks from his latest album titled Ogbaru Asobago uso (Ogbaru USA special)to entertain his fans. He assured his fans and indeed all the guests of a superb performance.

Stay tuned to ejigbocitydiary.blogspot.com for update on the Ogbaru National Association USA 15 years anniversary

By Fred Iwenjora

WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE OMOREDE OSIFO – MARSHAL TELLS IT ALL* HOW SHE SERVED TWO GOVERNORS

Hon. Omorede Osifo- Marshal

By Fred Iwenjora

Her name continues to ring when talk is about women of substance in Edo state.  As a female politician of note, delectable Omorede Osifo –Marshal the former banker has served as Commissioner in the state under two different Governors and hopes to continue to serve in any capacity.

She speaks on many issues including womanhood and politics etc

Let's begin from the very begining; could you take the reader on your profile?

Omorede Osifo-Marshal attended St Maris Goretti school Benin City and later studied Economics and Statistics at University of Benin. She later did an M.SC course in Banking and Finance from same university. Mathematics runs in the family as my father was renowned in that subject just like my children. I started working in the bank like I always wished starting with Allied Bank. I later moved to Crown Merchant where I was transferred to set up a Benin branch and became number two in the management in Benin . I later relocated to the United states where I worked with a big mortgage banking institution for some years before I noticed Hillary Clinton who inspired me to desire change in the system. She was vocal and audacious. I returned to Nigeria to set up Advancement for women in Democracy, a forum to galvanise women to stand and be counted. We set up all over Nigeria starting from Abuja till the ward level. Our message was that the man is still the head of the home but must need women as supporters. It was not long before men started bringing their wives to come and learn the best ways to contribute to home building. I later contested for the House of Reps seat but was later advised to cool off even after I had won the primaries. Big men of our party advised that I step down for another candidate who had grown grossly unpopular amongst the electorate. I did but he also lost the election. Voters said if not me no one else no matter what I told them. Then came my appointment as Commissioner for two administrations. I later went to Harvard to study Innovations in Governance where I met the Crown Prince and now King of Buthan as Classmate. I hope to still return to Harvard.You have played various roles as mother, politician, banker….which of these have you played well?

I believe that of all the roles I have played, I have played the role of wife and mother better than all the other roles. Every other roles have been secondary. If I want to rate myself as to how best I have played the role of wife and mother, I will rate myself 90%. I do not let my other roles and busy schedule interfere with my entire family life which is first for me. God forbid if anything happens to any one now, it is family first so in my very busy roles and schedule as politician and organizer of people, I try my best to make sure that everything is running very well at home. It is all about arranging and prioritizing. If one can prioritize tasks very well, schedules could be juggled. One can go to work, do politics and combine very well. But before going to work to do all these, you make sure your kids are also doing what they are supposed to do. Find time to check out their school schedules, spend time with them to know what they like. I first take care of my husband’s needs because he is the number one. If my home front is not okay, I do not know what I should be doing in public.

Since your tenures as Commissioners for two Governors of Edo state, few know what you are doing now?

Well.. Omorede is still actively involved in organizing for politics but not handling any political portfolio for now. I am one of the women leaders of APC in Oredo LGA, Edo state. Of course you recall that I was Commissioner for Arts Culture and Tourism and SA on Intergovernmental Affairs during the tenure of Governor Chief Lucky Igbinedion. Then with Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole, I was Commissioner for Youths and sports. I am lucky to be the only woman in Edo state to have held such in two different governments in Edo state. I was also shortlisted to work with Governor Obaseki but still waiting. I left a good job in the United states to return because I wanted to serve my people so will dive at any opportunity to serve if it comes my way both at state and national level. When I resigned my good job with a mortgage institution to return to Nigeria, people felt I was mad. In a nutshell I returned to serve my country and I am waiting for such opportunities. As for the forthcoming elections coming up in 2019, I am still looking and consulting. In politics one does not have to just jump into the fray without discussing with your party elders and there is much permutations and dialogue and only time will tell this.

How can you assess the role of women in Nigeria politics? Do you think women are doing enough to be accepted in Nigerian politics?

Nigerian women have done their best but I think we have not been allowed to do better. The men continue to hold the women back. Nigerian men are yet to see that we can compliment them in governance. They feel bad that we should be struggling with them for positions in governance. They see us as only their wives who should be at home tending their kitchens and their children. It is a big challenge for career women. But we have to keep on trying our best to stay strong and focused. We can’t run away from the arena just because the men say so. If we do, they will rejoice that they have run us out of the arena. Could you imagine that in Edo state House of Assembly we only have a woman, Hon Elizabeth? It is not good for Nigerian women and even for the men too and the country at large. But Nigerian men will not allow this. Nigerian women are also good for elective positions not just for appointments. So before everything, the Nigerian woman has to first look before leaping, check if the men will allow them before trying to seek elective positions. The men will be screaming she is a woman! she is a woman!. But does being a woman stop her from doing anything she is supposed to do? God gave the woman so much power that some have been Deputy Governors, Senators, members of House of Representative etc. All Nigerian men should do from now is to give Nigerian women the chance to contribute to the growth of Nigeria when they come out to seek elective positions.

What fond memories do you remember of your times as Commissioner for arts culture and tourism and at youths and sports ministry?

I recall those years with nostalgia. As commissioner for Arts culture and Tourism, I did so much to put Edo up there as the home of culture. I had arranged an international exchange programme between Edo state and Germany. Artistes from Edo and Germany acted on same stage. It took a lot of preparations as we performed the African version of William Shakespeare’s Tempest. It was a great exposure for Edo state artistes who rehearsed with their German counterparts. The stage was lit up with black and white actors and held the city of Bochum spell bound. The Mayor of the city was present as part of the audience. The leader of the delegation was former Military Governor of Mid-western state Late Dr Samuel Ogbemudia. We also organized some investment drive for the state which attracted several benefits to the state. It led to an invitation to a renewable energy summit which Edo state was represented.

Again, it was during my tenure that I hosted all South South Culture commissioners to revive culture. It was then that Igue Festival got national recognition. I did not end there as Nollywood got full recognition. The Cultural center in Benin was bubbling with activities as plays were staged. I also worked hard for the reclamation of the famous Benin Moat which had been abandoned for years. I figured that the Benin Moat would be compared as a national monument like the Great Wall of China if reclaimed so I moved to begin this. I hosted world beauty queens in Benin and we were all at the Moat with brooms sweeping the messy refuse dump the Moat had become. I still cherish the Letter of commendation from Late Oba Eradiuwa for this effort.

I was at the Ministry of Youths and sports for only ten months but I also made my mark. The main challenge was the backlog of unpaid salaries for players and staff of the former Bendel Insurance (Edo United). Moral was at the lowest ebb and the team was at the lower ranks of the league table. I first cleared the salaries and the team moved from lower Division two to second on Nigeria premiership table. We also revived all the other sports and took Edo contingent to all national sports events anywhere in Nigeria. I feel good to recall all these.  

What did you learn from your two bosses?

They were both humorous people who made us laugh and had much sense of humor. Chief Igbinedion always told stories that lightened our meetings. Comrade Oshiomhole also was spontaneously humorous in his ways.

For Chief Igbinedion, he was good at delegating and allowed you to take care of the situation while Comrade was a perfectionist who always wanted to see it done right. It was great working with those men who are great leaders in their own right. I learnt so much from them and won’t forget my times with them.

How do you feel to hear that Edo state has earned names for the trafficking in human beings across the Atlantic especially women….?

I do not feel good about this at all. The stigma stings but I say it is not only Edo people that are involved in human trafficking. However I thank Oba Ewuare for taking action about this. He has ordered that the menace must stop. There are several things to engage in here in Nigeria that will provide livelihood for all. I still wonder why many feel that it is only when they travel to an unknown destination with enormous risks that things will be well for them while there are many opportunities in Nigeria. There is no place like home like the saying goes. There are several untapped areas to explore like fashion designing, farming also is a money spinner for those who are patient. I am happy about the activities of Governor Obaseki in this regard for those returnees. He has done much and still doing for them to be resettled into the society.

You often talk about Hillary Clinton….

Oh yes… she is my greatest inspiration so far in life. I feel bad that she did not become US president. I like her comportment and her carriage. I love the way she handled the Monica Lewensky scandal. She stood behind her husband all the way. She is focused.  I like such women and have always wished to be like Hillary. In fact, she inspired me to return home to Nigeria from the US to organize women. Her activities opened my eyes about how far women could go if they remain focused in a male dominated world

Do you consider yourself a woman of style?

I have a simple easy going style. I am not very crazy about fashion. Most of the things I put on are said to be nice on me. But I do not go out of my way to follow fashion. I don’t spend time on the mirror. I could do my make up while going to work in the car. I am used to that. Yet people think I am fashion conscious but that is not so. It may be because I wear things that look good on me. My work determines what I wear. As commissioner for arts, culture and tourism, I wore attires that represented my office. I wore traditional wears most of the time. As Commissioner for Youths and sports, I wore what suited that era. But in all I could be found in flowing African wears and gowns. As a banker I also have many corporate wears. However I wear what is appropriate for each occasion. I wear African, corporate and casuals as jeans and tops at home or weekends.

I can’t do without a watch and earrings. It does not have to be any designers but has to fit. Any good one is good. I believe that one does not have to spend millions for fashion because it will fade away and not be in vogue sooner than you know it as it continuously changes.