A Week to Christmas! What are you doing?

 WOW! It’s the last two weeks of the year and I can already feel the rush and craziness of Lagos. Tension in the air over meeting the targets of the year; this is very evident by the mass overkill of police checkpoints in Lagos State! I mean every junction has a checkpoint and the eyes of these police men dey red no be small! Any small thing they are ready to use you to fulfill their Christmas wish!

So at this time; have your license and all car documents in hand and ready for checking! The one that baffled me most was when on the 11th of December, it was the turn of the POLICE WOMEN and oh boy! They were not smiling! Things are hard!

There is also anticipation in the air, what would this Christmas holiday bring and of course what would the New Year have for us. Babes are not smiling here oh! BBM status updates and display pictures are filled with Christmas gift wishes; shoes, watches, clothes, perfumes, Ipads and so on! And they are dishing out love in large quantities; guys get yours now!

Everyone is rounding up for the holiday and although my Christmas spirit isn’t out yet(not like I’m expecting it so much, I always look forward to the New Year more), I’m looking forward to it! The whole family in one house; that would be fun and of course crazy.

Right now I’m thinking of what I should include in my New Year’s resolution; I have ‘healthy lifestyle’ at number one like I did last year and last two years and I never go beyond doing sit-ups the first three days of the new year but at least I try…this year I shall stick to it! *serious face* 

One other thing that keeps lurking in my mind is that it’s 2012! Oh my God it’s 2012! Or am I the only paranoid one? The movie ‘2012’ is still so real in my mind! What if that happens? Okay! Maybe I’m the only paranoid one…but still… OK! 

My Christ Embassy friends will be disappointed in me…I should only speak positive things! IT SHALL NOT MANIFEST ITSELF!

As you prepare for the New Year, remember to show lots of love. Smile to that old woman you pass by, even the very old man(regardless of him winking at you).

Smile at the market woman that is trying to throw her marital frustration on you; she needs it.

Smile at the people rendering you some service; no matter how wacky their service is, they deserve some respect. 

Have an excitement filled week! I shall now proceed to Agege market with the long list my mother has written and do my house girl duties! 

ODE!

Father cuts off man's penis for allegedly raping his daughter

An angry father, Dennis Akpati, attacked and cut off the penis of young graduate, Seun Ogunbanwo (pictured below), after catching him having sex with his 20yr old daughter inside his flat at 52, Tijani AlabiStreet, Ijegun, on the outskirts of Lagos.

Ogunbanwo, a graduate of Business Administration who recently finished his NYSC was attacked with a machete and beat up mercilessly. Tthe machete was later used to slice his penis.


From PM News...

He was handed over to the police who took him to the hospital for treatment and later charged with having an unlawful carnal knowledge of a 20-year old lady before the Ejigbo Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.
The accused was brought to court by the police to face the charges but when the presiding magistrate, Mrs. M. B. Folami, saw the pitiable state of the accused, she ordered the police to arrest the father of the victim (Akpati) and others involved in the battering of the accused and charge them to court for assault.

She explained that under the law, the accused is presumed innocent until found guilty, adding that nobody should be allowed to take the laws in his hands.

Ogunbanwo was alleged to have sneaked into Akpati’s home when the victim was alone and forcefully had sex with her. The father allegedly caught him on top of his protesting daughter.
The girl, it was gathered, was crying and attempting to free herself from him when her father came in. The father was so angry that he reportedly took a machete and cut Ogunbanwo all over his body, including his penis.

Speaking with P.M.NEWS on his way to the hospital with his police escort, the accused said the girl was his friend and that they lived in the same area.

He said that it was her father who macheted him when he met him in his house with his daughter. He said others later joined him in attacking him.
He did not deny that he slept with the girl.

He was charged with housebreaking and rape, offenses punishable under Sections 411 and 358 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and the court granted him bail in the sum of N100, 000 with two sureties in like sum. The matter has been adjourned till 18 January, 2012.

culled from Linda Ikeji's blog

First I find this story very funny but I can understand how the father must feel. Now my own question to you: Would you do the same? Did the guy deserve this?

Helen Anyamelune - MISS NIGERIA 1958 needs your help!

Researching one of my favourite activities - pageants, I came across this news about one of our old Queens and I believe this should touch your heart (Unless na stone dey there). Please read and assist in any way you can.

Crowned Miss Nigeria in 1958, when Nigeria was very close to independence, She was the second young lady to be so crowned in the history of beauty pageant in Nigeria. She was the epitome of beauty but one would hardly believe this on seeing Helen  now. Age and sickness have ravaged that beauty, leaving a shell of that stunning beauty. Today, Helen lives in a state of sickness and abandonment. She is equally wheel-chair stuck.

Today, Helen Anyamelune is penniless, after having spent all her money on the sickness that has ravaged her body. An indigene of Ugbodu community in Aniocha North Local Government area of defunct Bendel State, now Delta State, for her the only time she was ever offered a lifeline was during the tenure of former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori.

Narrating her ordeal in an interview with our correspondent of National Mirror On-line; Helen seated on a wheel chair in tears said, "Nigeria my country has forsaken me". For several years now Miss Nigeria 1958 has been sick and confined to a wheel chair and no assistance of any kind. At this juncture, she burst into tears asking rhetorically again, "What have I done to Nigeria to warrant this neglect that not even the government can come to my aid and assist me in whatever way it could?"

I have been suffering from stroke for several years now and I know if the state or the federal government had come to my aid by now, my health would have improved and who knows, I might not have ended in a wheel chair like this. While appealing to government at all levels, NGOs, corporate bodies, individuals and leaders of Nigeria and Nigerians to come to her aid and not to allow the labour of their heroes past to be in vain, Helen lamented the situation where after promoting and making one's nation proud, you will then be neglected and abandoned by the same nation, upon suffering a misfortune. Still in tears, Helen in her seventies, ended up by saying that a nation that does not honour or come to the aid of her heroes when in difficulties, will soon have no heroes. Till date as I talk, I am alone, responsible for all my medical treatment; the bill is borne by me. I have sold all my property in Lagos just to take care of my present condition but all to no avail. If government, NGOs or anybody could offer me support, I will receive it wholeheartedly.

In her time, the pageant was not as lucrative and exalted as it is today. Government should always remember those who projected and promoted the country's image positively, as the labour of our heroes past must not be in vain, according to our National Anthem, Helen's sister said.

For those willing to help Helen, the stroke-struck, wheelchair- ridden ex-Miss Nigeria, contact her through the following mobile lines: Gloria-08062291890 and Steven - 08038332869.

*sigh* oya, spread the word, help in any way you can. And those who know Auntie Nike should alert her so she can call on some more powerful people to help!

ODE

source - National Mirror Online

SEGI's WILL ABE AT THE MOBILE MARKET AGAIN!!!

The sensational monthly affordable retail shopping experience - The Mobile Market is here again. This time BIGGER and better as they celebrate their first ever anniversary sale event.

The aim of the December edition of The Mobile Market (TMM) is to provide affordable fashion for the average Nigerian, retail fashion items as well as host fairs every month that provides an avenue for small business entrepreneurs and designers to showcase their work and meet clients and for customers to shop at affordable prices.

 SEGI’s will be at this month's event as it was two months ago!

This exquisite shopping event is a must attend for all as there will be lots of giveaways for both shoppers and vendors and interesting musical performances by some of Nigeria’s fast rising superstars – Falz,Shawnu and Aamy Banks.

Can’t wait to see you all there! Tell a friend to tell a friend!

Date: Saturday 10th December 2011
Venue: Rodizzio, 29 Isaac John Street, G.R.A. Ikeja, Lagos
Time: 12 PM – 6 PM

Call - 08139288777 | 08132887549 - if you're having difficulty finding the place!

ODE!

SEGI's WILL BE AT LE PETITE MARCHE

SEGI's will be at Le Petite Marche (LPM) this Sunday! LPM is a great event for shopping and networking at the GET Arena in Lagos. Come and pick up fabulous and unique African pieces for yourself or for friends and loved ones for the Christmas holidays!

Ankara wallets, bangles, earrings, belts, slippers, wedges, bags, tops available!

The November edition of LPM is on Sunday. Come with friends and family for the fabulous shopping experience.
Date: Sunday 27th November 2011
Time: 12 Noon – 7 PM
Venue: GET Arena, Opposite Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos

See you on Sunday!

RANTS FROM AN AFRICAN: MISS NIGERIA 2011, WE NO DEY LEARN!!!

Just last week, I blogged about how poorly we did at the just ended MISS WORLD pageant. Well, we all witnessed it too; so no be say, na only me talk am. I specifically begged for better queens; well, my plea was mostly to Silverbird Group as I innocently thought they were the only ones guilty of giving us those kinds of queens (I no wan use word spoil person, but…you get sha!)

On Thursday evening (10^th of November, 2011) I tuned my TV station to Africa Independence Television (AIT)  and BOOM! I first see some girls sitting with a very beautiful woman and chit chatting. I quickly recognized the woman as the ever beautiful Nike Oshinowo and then I see the girls in white and green t-shirts and I see MISS NIGERIA on their tees and it hits me! MISS NIGERIA contestants then I begin to scan faces! As you must know by now, I love pageants. I start scanning oh and my heart starts to drop, I look left, look right and I’m dazed! One ordinary looking girl after another (I’m sorry if I’m harsh but I have to speak). From ordinary to even downright ugly! Now if you are one of the girls, or a friend to, or a relative of or a boyfriend to; no vex, but the moment you or they sign up for a beauty contest, they’ve given us all liberty to judge how they look! So biko, if you dey vex, you can close the page or kindly check my older post and read oh! Ndo, biko, I must sha speak! Hian!

Now, last year when auntie Nike crowned the 1^st Miss Nigeria, I was a bit taken aback because coming from her I expected more, but then we thought ok, maybe she would better it. Now I look at the contestants and I cringe! Biko, I and my friends have a question “Auntie Nike, ekaro oh! No vex oh but where you carry all these girls from?” To say I’m disappointed is an understatement! I am shaken to my beauty core! If you have been privileged to see the pictures on Facebook, you will understand.

Sometimes, in pageants, the girls blossom after several weeks of training but I not only struggle but FAIL to see where these girls will blossom to oh! Is Auntie Nike’s plan to show us that there are no fine girls in our obodo Nigeria? Least I forget, some of these girls were recruited the UK and the USA. So even far and wide, over the seas and beyond, na wetin we fit gather be this? On looking at the pictures you’d ask yourself; “Miss Anything-Goes Nigeria?” When watching the show yesterday the girls were feeling all confident and cool (as usual) and where going on and on about what they can do or have achieved. One graduated with three (3) degrees (USA), another was working two jobs (Britain), one was the youngest graduate accountant (or so) in 2009, and one could run a 200metres race in 5seconds, and on and on. I thought to myself “and so what?” don’t get me wrong, these are fantastic qualities but for a MISS NIGERIA abeg fine first then I can be dazed! But then again, maybe that's the aim! Hmmm! Then please tag it 'MISS BRAINY NIGERIA" not "MISS NIGERIA"! Haba!

 

A friend of mine; Jennifer Ukoh said “Fine girl doesn’t always equal beauty queen”, well with all the politics being played, she’s right! Honestly speaking I expected so much better because this was Nike Oshinowo; former beauty queen and style icon; well! Maybe I was raising my hopes a bit too high! Now all I can say is ‘Auntie Nike, please pick a befitting queen” At least from what I can see there are about nine that are fine there, so the judging shouldn’t be too hard, abi? Eight (8) out of thirty-seven (37) girls! Maybe they didn't have enough people auditioning and had to add some girls to complete 37! Chia! Chimo! Things are hard!

  

BELOW ARE PEOPLE’S FIRST REACTIONS TO THE PICTURES OF THE GIRLS (IDENTITIES HIDDEN FOR SECURITY REASONS (HEHEHE)

SLIM SS                – Is that a model? OMG! See her waist folding! Is it that they didn’t see girls?

BE.FL                     - Choi Daphne, why did Naija do this to us na… I was pissed yesterday when I was checking them out online

TES                         - Are these the contestants? These ones too?

RICH                      - This one na error!

AD. BA                  - I saw the site, I almost died of laughter mehn

LE. KP                    - Is this a joke?

UG SK                   - F***!  Where are all these girls from?

NE. NWA             - Don’t tell me this one is a contestant! Na wa oh!

TO. AD                  - I saw the first picture, I almost fainted! Is it that nobody bought forms and they picked girls randomly or what? I don’t get it!

J. SHA                    - we lost hope since Miss Taraba won MBGN

Mz A.                    - ‘Mrs’ Nigeria

Hmmmmm…. My own first reaction was ‘BLOOD OF GOD!”

Here are pictures of the girls, what are your own reactions?

In my opinion, the girls that are okay and could get the crown are; Cross River, Benue, Abuja, Bauchi, Edo, Anambra... maybe Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Abia...! Hmmm! But I would vote for Cross River any day! 

ODE!