Soul Kate Vol 17: SAMSUNG SAMWRONG

By Kate Henshaw

For decades, advertisements have always been a way for individuals, corporate organisations to sell their ideas and products to the general public. The way an advert is structured goes a long way and has an effect on the viewer. It will determine whether the product will be purchased or not. Word of mouth is also a means of advertisement and to me that is certainly one of the effective ways to sell things or an idea to people. When someone buys a product and uses it and it is proven to do what it says, you tell a friend or family member and word generally gets round. There are various claims by the company about the efficacy of their product and the use of recognisable faces certainly sways most people to buy a product even though they might not have heard about it before.


I will now put up two sets of adverts claiming different things about a particular brand, two different products but from the same brand. The first one goes like this: “SAMSUNG- MISS IT, MISS OUT OFFER.  LA32D400. ENJOY OUR SURGESAFE RANGE OF PRODUCTS WITH BUILT IN STABILIZERS THIS FESTIVE SEASON”. At the top right hand corner of the advert was the map of Africa in a box and written in it was, BUILT FOR AFRICA. Before this festive advert for the Samsung Television, my television and radio had been inundated with adverts for this particular brand of TV with a popular footballer as the face of the product. My sister wanted a brand new TV as the old one had gone bust. We debated on which brand to buy and settled on a Samsung TV. That was the beginning of my nightmare.


I walked into the Palms Shopping mall on the 2^nd of Sept, 2011 and purchased one unit of the Samsung LCD32D400 television from Chigo Electronics, a distributor of the product. Chigo electronics is a subsidiary of Dajcom Ltd. I paid cash for the product and took it home, installed it and it was ok. Two weeks later, my sister told me that the TV would not come on any longer. I found that quite strange. I took it back to the place of purchase (Palms) and the first thing I was told was that I had to take it to the Samsung head office at Apapa which I of course refused. That was not where I had purchased it. It was not my responsibility to transport it to Apapa.


After much back and forth talk, Chigo staff promised to take it there for me and find out what the problem was and they would give me a call when the TV came back. I left, thinking that it should not take long before I had the TV sorted and returned to me. Alas, I thought wrong. A week later, I had not heard from them and I went back, they claimed not to have heard from the head office and asked for more time to follow up. I called up someone I knew who worked with Samsung but that was a dead end as he was of no help to me. Weeks turned to months with me calling and getting really angry with the service I was offered. I was then given the number of the manager, one Mr Ibrahim after I had been again to the company threatening fire and brimstone. I called him and complained about the situation. He promised to sort out in 48hrs. This turned out to be a delay tactic as at the expiration of the time, he then gave me the number of another manager who was the one who would approve the replacement. This proved abortive as the number I was given, was switched off! I had no choice but to go to the police station nearest me to report the matter. At this instance, I will praise the speed with which the matter was resolved. Starting with the arrest of a staff of the company, Chigo, within two hours, a brand new TV was delivered to the station by Mr Kola Ogunnaike who apologised profusely for the delay and handling of the situation. Date of delivery was 8^th of Dec, 2011.Four months later. Did it have to get to that extent?


The second advert: Duracool- The only refrigerator designed to work whenthe power goes out. No power? No problem. The advert went on to state that it had a Built in stabilizer, energy saving LED, cool pack (to maintain temperature below 0 degrees for 3hrs when the power goes off). Durable, reliable and efficient.


Uche is a mutual friend and she is an interior decor expert, she deals in properties and so has experience in the purchase of household appliances. She heard of my experience and decided to give me a call. She was disappointed when she treated herself to the Duracool fridge. A week plus after purchase, the fridge did not cool any longer. She went back to the place of purchase which was the Akin Adesola branch in Victoria Island. A technician was sent with her to see what the problem was and he wanted to take away a part in the fridge to repair and come back to her home, she refused and detained him there, called in the police and with her connections, it did not take long before she got a replacement same day! Wish I had done that.


Where does one go in situations like this where the company is reluctant to exchange a brand new product? I have heard of the Consumer Protection Council but yet to see any effectiveness. Does anyone know where their office is located across the country, lagos in particular? Hmmm.


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Soul Kate Vol 16: To toll or not be tolled

By Kate Henshaw

The inevitable happened on December 18, seven days before Christmas, amidst the mad rushing around that is synonymous with this time of the year. Parents going to pick  their wards returning from school, shoppers jostling about for last minute bargains, travellers heading to the airport and  other sundry movements on the road.
The tolling on the Lekki-Epe axis commenced at  midnight on the  December  17, amidst cries and protests from residents of the area. Questions were being asked that needed answers, but the Lagos State Government seemed to turn a deaf ear to all these and kept mute, but a broadcast message  signed by YACOON (whatever that means)  said  people should not lay  much emphasis on the erection of tolls, but on the long term benefits that might accrue.


It went on to say road pricing is known all over the world as a more appealing means of funding transportation as a result of increase demand on infrastructure  and revenue generation.
All well and good, but what research or survey was carried out by the construction company or the government  that signed a 30-year contract to find out what the people want and how it would affect them? Why three tolls on the same stretch of road and where is the alternate road?
There is no provision for an alternate road of equal standard to the tolled road which will give people a choice of paying the tariff or not. The residents have been boxed in so that there is no choice as to where to drive through but the toll plaza.


The “alternate road” which had always been in existence, runs through a residential area and witnessed a huge amount of traffic on  December 18, both by the rich in their SUVs, and the poor in their vehicles. It was mayhem on the day.
The down side of tolling has been examined by the World Bank Group which states that tolls may be so high that traffic diverts off the new road onto parallel roads which pass through residential neighbourhoods therefore reducing the environmental benefits that the new road could have provided. This is the case of the Lekki-Epe expressway.


A group of like minded, intelligent and concerned citizens discussed the tolling and came up with this communiqué:
1. Explore Nollywood Assembly is a BBM group of professionals from the entertainment industry committed to nation building.
2. We are compelled to lend our voice to the cries of the residents of Eti Osa Local Government based on the recent tolling introduced in the community.
3. The 23km Lekki road was constructed in 1983 by Governor Lateef  Jakande to ensure free flow of goods and services… .
4. The contract for the reconstruction of the existing road is the addition of ONLY one more lane and it was awarded in 2002 by the Tinubu Government  to Lekki Concession Company(LCC).
5. The loan for the construction of the road was put at 50billion and the Lagos State Government guaranteed the facility for LCC.
6. It sounds ridiculous too that a 23km road in one local government has three toll gates, and how did LCC arrive at the figures for the toll fares and the road has been concessioned to LCC for 30years.
7. The terms of the contract was the promise of alternative routes but the only alternative which does not look like an alternative is the Oniru axis. What happens to the 2nd toll at Chevron and the 3rd at Pan African University? Do cars drive on the Atlantic?
8. Residents and indigenes of Lekki and its environs came out for a peaceful non violent protest which was infiltrated and hijacked by unknown hoodlums.
9. Based on the FOI bill, every Nigerian has a right to information so the details of the contract should be published.
10. Information has it that part of the contractual agreement is that an alternative route which is the coastal road, be created by the government.
11. Why can’t a single ticket take a car through the three toll plazas rather than paying at each toll?
12. The Governor while presenting the 2012 budget to the State Assembly said the government has paid N4billion in tolling to the LCC in about 8months and cannot continue.
13. If the government has paid N4billion in 8months and the rough estimate for 500,000 trips daily at the three tolls annually is N9billion at N50 (but note that the least fare is for okadas at N70) then in six years will realise N54billion, which is N4billion over the loan.
If the tariff must remain, are the residents getting discounts for an area they already inhabit before the construction of the toll plazas because some are home owners who cannot move away to another area because they cannot afford the tariffs. Has LCC thought about the introduction of peak and off peak times for the toll plaza?


Following the recovery of the total project cost for tolling before the expiration of the time limit, 61 roads were made toll free by the Japanese Government. Will the same apply in Lagos State?
A responsible government provides basic infrastructure for the citizenry and encourages them to pay their taxes in order to continue to enjoy the benefits that accrue from this, but it also has to be humane in the execution of certain policies.


Years ago, taxes were hardly paid in the state, but only a blind person will not see the changes that have occurred and willingly pay tax, and I am a huge supporter of this drive. I ask that the state government reconsider its stand on this matter.

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Soul Kate Vol 15: Gay no longer means to be happy

By Kate Henshaw

The only constant thing in life is change, but whether it is good or bad, whether we choose to embrace or reject it is the question. With the passage of time, we have seen changes in the world around us that we never thought would happen.
A female president in Liberia, a female Prime Minister, a man “pregnant” with twins, a man with mammary glands(this will apply to those undergoing sex change), etc.


We raise our brows, frown, condemn and reject those that do not conform to the status quo or to the confines of our imagination of right and wrong within the environment we live in. Change is inevitable for the advancement of a society and liberation of its people but who determines that which is right or wrong?
Gone are the days when being gay meant to be happy. For most of its life in English, the word’s primary meaning was joyful, carefree, bright and showy, happily excited, merry, keenly alive, bright, lively and exuberant to mention a few.


Today, to be gay means you are a homosexual man and for a woman, the specific term is lesbian. Change even the dictionary and Google accepts. In a world where there is a proliferation of beliefs, traditions and culture especially with regards to our country, Nigeria, do we have the willingness to accept the change?
By no means am I holding brief for lesbians and gay people whom in my opinion are involved in a practice I do not know anything about or support. I am a Christian and my Bible tells me that I am perverted if I indulge in same and that it is a detestable act.


The Qur’an also abhors the practice and describes it as evil. My question is what about under aged marriages that are conducted till today in some of our communities? What about one of our law makers who dared his fellows and purchased for himself a little bride for his pleasure, female genital mutilation, the incessant and continuous rape and killings of young women in our higher institutions, in relationships and marriages, paedophiles, the crooks and looters in government, do these evils not deserve the same zeal and speed with which the law against same sex marriages was passed warranting very stiff penalties, even death, to dissuade perpetrators?


Do Christianity and the Islam not condemn these too? The question of who has the moral justification to deem one sin greater than the other then comes into play. Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone.
Now family and friends of gay people are also punished for supporting their loved ones as Sub-section 3 of the Same-sex marriage (Prohibition bill) says “any person or group of persons that witness, abet and aids the solemnisation of a same sex marriage or civil union or supports the registration, operation and sustenance of gay clubs, societies, organisation, processions and meetings in Nigeria commits an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a term of 10 years imprisonment”.
Having the guts to call the bluff and stand up to our former colonialist is quite admirable and shows that we have grown a pair ‘balls’ to defend our sovereignty. Whether they choose to withdraw financial assistance or not does not frighten us as this was the intention so that we tow the line.
We are trying to cure the cancer in us before it takes over the whole body. We are also taking a sweeping variety of drugs in the hopes that every trace of the cancer will be eradicated but in the process killing other healthy organs in the body.


Someone argued, “why not simply NOT recognise same-sex relationship or marriage as valid?” “Why not state that marriage is the union of a biological man and woman and that any other union would not be deemed valid?” A case of throwing out the baby with the bath water can be avoided. Now there will be Nigerians running over to the other side, seeking asylum, claiming victimisation and the denial of their fundamental human rights, whether true or false.
As if we did not have enough on our plate. We want our professionals in diaspora to return home and be a part of the change in our society not provide them with a hostile environment should they choose to. We want to try and understand their point of view in choosing a sexual preference and see if we can bring them round to our way of reasoning.
I believe the natural order of life, and procreation is a man and woman coming together to multiply and replenish the earth. If same sex unions produce children for the procreation of mankind, I am yet to witness such.


Same-sex marriage is not a problem that keeps the average Nigerian thinking of ways to better his/her lot, wondering where the next meal would come from and what the future portends for their children, it is not top of the list on the scale of preference. Security of lives and property, Strikes in our Universities, Electricity, Good roads, Eradication of corruption, Health, Social security guarantee and qualitative education are.
Whatever path we choose to follow, whatever we do because of religion or the lack of it will speak for us when we shuffle off this mortal coil. We who believe shall render account. Not everyone who calls upon the Lord in public like the Pharisees is righteous for our righteousness is as filthy rags before Him.

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Soul Kate Vol 14: A Merry or Marred Xmas

By Kate Henshaw

“THIS IS UTTER RUBBISH! IS THERE ANY SENSE IN THIS? THE OLD PLATE NUMBER READS, XA100KJA WHILE THE NEWLY INTRODUCED PLATE READS, KJA100XA!”…
It read and it continued “Are you ready to pay between N35k-N70k to re-register your already registered car? Are you ready to be ripped off by an executive cartel who seeks only to line their pockets with proceeds of the new scam? Remember the Red Reflector sticker scam that the FRSC illegally enforced till it was scrapped?
Now is the time to resist unreasonable policies of an insensitive executive. Say NO to a newlpolicy for registered cars!!! Please re-broadcast.”

That was the message being sent round on blackberry for the past week. Why the need for re-registering? Already registered cars are in the system and plates would have been produced with these in mind. All one needed would be proof of registration to pick up the new plate.
At a time when the yuletide spirit should fill the air amidst the tinsel and lights round the Christmas trees in the shops and the splendid street decorations. People are hardly taking note, rather their minds are filled with how to cope with the back breaking and mind boggling policies that will have an effect on all but the powers that be.

How can you think of rice and turkey at a time like this? Christmas for me is a time to unwind with family and friends, remember the birth of Jesus who came to save the world from destruction, be merry and contemplate on how the year has been so far but even that solitude is taken away, and there seems to be no respite. I always look forward to Christmas time as everyone shouts out ”Merry Christmas” to you, the markets are making brisk business from the sale of hampers, cards, Christmas decor fill the supermarket shelves to overflowing and Christmas songs are played on the radio and wherever you go.

It is with dread I look forward to this Christmas as in exactly eight days time, the Lekki Concession Company will begin to collect toll on the Lekki- Epe Expressway despite the whole project not being completed, a Lagos based lawyer saying that the matter with regards to the toll was in court and that though he respected the Governor of Lagos as an individual, he did not see him as someone who could flout the constituted authority of the court, lack of an alternative route should you decide not to pay the toll which is what is obtainable the world over. I shudder to think of the traffic that will ensue when drivers start looking for change to go through the toll or drive into the E-tag lane without the presence of a tag on their cars!

I see some cars have already started sporting the new number plates. How easy we give into things in this country, we just cannot be bothered to ask questions. “Abeg I no fit shout” someone said to me when I struck up a conversation about it the other day, “if dem arrest me nko? You know say you be celeb so you no get problem?” What has that got to do with the price of fish? I am not exempted from these rules; I feel like a blind follower who has no choice as to which way to go and I wish our leaders would be more humane and thoughtful when they just roll out new policies that govern our everyday lives.

The basic salary approved by the Federal Government is yet to be implemented and some state governors are saying they cannot even pay 18,000naira but 10,000naira per month! How far will 10,000 Naira, or even the “approved” 18,000 Naira go with all these unsolicited expenditure?
Let us not forget the fuel subsidy removal that will hit us in January ( I mean those of us who are not in government). The so called nameless and faceless cabal that will be stopped in their tracks once the subsidy is removed must be shaking in their boots but I doubt that very much. What a happy new year indeed to look forward to. The Federal roads that have claimed the lives of countless Nigerians will have the introduction of tolls next year.

What happened to billions of naira that have been allocated, approved and probably “spent” on the repair of the roads? Need we continue to weep over the matter? I have no more tears to cry for my country, just a++* disillusioned and numb state of mind. Do we need to have a Syrian/Libyan/Egyptian uprising? How bad does it have to get before we say we cannot carry the load any longer? The Bible says that weeping may endure for a season but joy comes in the morning. I see no joy in sight.

All I see is doom and gloom. Conversation is going round endlessly on all of the above but it seems to fall on deaf ears. We seem to be led by the nose to a dark room where we will be for a very long time. Murmuring is not enough but that seems to be the only way we as Nigerians show our discontent. We argue among ourselves about the state of the nation and shake our fists at our leaders for not leading us aright, aptly put by the great Fela who called it “suffering and smiling”.
I have mentioned in this column before that the change we seek starts from each of us. If we do not intend to do anything about the harrowing situations we face, then by all means let us keep mute

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Soul Kate Vol 13: Necessary Evils

By Kate Henshaw

They are in our homes and in the work place. We complain incessantly about them but we still keep them on. We feel somewhat helpless without them but with each day, they remain with us, we curse, shout and swear. They are our nannies, cooks and drivers.
Some of us have two, even three, depending on how many kids we have or how busy our schedule is. They are in uniform and have access to our most secret places, maybe even the combination of our safe.


We leave our children and husbands in their care and head off to work, to our businesses and God help you should you fall into the hands of the really calculating and devilish ones. For as long as I can remember growing up, we had a house girl or house help or maid or nanny whichever name suits.


She would help out with the meals at home, wash and iron our clothes and watch over us when we got back from school while our parents were still at work. Life was simple then.


They just did their jobs and when they got lazy, it would just be a matter of return to sender and a replacement came. There would be no need to involve the police or employ an investigator to check that they did not steal from us or run away with our children.


I will start with my own story. Many years ago, I had a cook cum cleaner named Matthew. He was from Cotonou. He was quite docile and could hardly communicate in English fluently except French but we made do. He said he could cook continental dishes and maybe a few African dishes. I was desperate and so I employed him. He was one of the slowest human beings I had come across.
He was never where he was supposed to be, could hardly clean my home or iron well and could only cook spaghetti and meatballs! During the weekends, I would teach him how to prepare other meals and keep watch over his cleaning duties.


Little did I know that he was just biding his time, till he would make a clean getaway with all the money and jewellery I kept at home.
I had gone out as usual to attend to my daily business and left Matthew with a list of chores to do. When I got back a few hours later, I met my front door slightly ajar.


I did not think anything of it. The dustpan and brush were at the door as I pushed in and immediately I called out his name to scold him for being lax with the security of my home.
I called out his name a few more times but there was no response.My heart started beating wildly and I made a mad dash to my bedroom, opened my wardrobe and a knowing dread crept through me as I lifted my jewellery box and it dangled in my hands like a feather.


I searched further for my stash of emergency funds in case of strikes, holidays and the like but only an empty bag starred back at me. I then ran to the boys’ quarters to check if he was there (I should not have bothered) but his room was empty. On enquiring from the security man, he had simply walked out with a nylon bag in hand and said he was going to the market.


I was distraught! Needless to say, I could not trace him despite going to his country’s embassy to try and locate him in his country. He had crossed the border and I would have to pay money to locate him and also keep him in jail when I found him. I gave up and vowed never to have someone from that region work for me again. I have also never kept “stuff” at home again!
Numerous stories abound about the bad experiences people in their homes suffer at the hands of those they have entrusted with their lives literally. They steal from you, lie to you, and try to cheat you, no matter how nice or caring you are to them.


I never raised a hand to my cook/cleaner; I would only scold him as I do not believe in being cruel to another human being. Some would say because you are mean to them, they would turn on you like a maltreated animal in the zoo but why would they turn on you when you take them as one of your own, clothe them, feed them(despite they earn wages), travel on holiday with them?


It is no different with drivers as well who have control of our vehicles and get into unnecessary skirmishes and accidents with other road users when we send them on an errand, who try to make a fast buck by colluding with the mechanic or who in recent times kidnap our children and demand a ransom! (I am without a driver now, sort of a sabbatical so I maintain some kind of sanity).
Let me mention here that not all of them are bad. I also know of a few who are loyal and dedicated, who stay with you for years till they are old and grey.


Those who have raised all of your kids with you and you have taken care of their own children by sending them to school, taking care of their medical bills, etc.
In all of these experiences whether good or bad, I always say that God is the ultimate protector of our lives. Except the Lord keeps watch over the city, he that doeth so, does it in vain.


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Happy New Year to you all our readers

We at Femtej Kreations Media wish you all our numerous readers from all walks of life a very Happy 2012.
May this year brings you all the blessings you desire and it shall be a year of overflow for you and your families. Apologies for the late New Year greetings.

This year is going to be a year with a difference. Watch out for all our exclusive Interviews, News, Information and different kinds of Event and much more on this platform.

Please Support us by spreading sharing this Blog to your friends and loved ones. Thank you all and God bless you indeed!

Traditional Wedding of CHINEDU IKEDIEZE (Aki) and NNEOMA HOPE NWAJAH

It was indeed the day the Lord hath made Today Saturday,26th November 2011,as family,friends and well-wishers came together for the elaborate wedding of star actor,Chinedu Ikedieze (MFR) a.k.a Aki and Nneoma Hope Nwajah.

The traditional marriage was held at the St.Theresa's Catholic Church Primary School field,Obolo,Isiala Mbano,Imo State.

The event attracted dignitaries from all walks of life including entertainers and politicos.i.e, National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, (AGN) Segun Arinze,Uche jombo , Oby Edozien,Ejike Asiegbu,Osita Iheme (Pawpaw) among others.

The white wedding already dubbed, “a celebration of true and undying love” by the actor will holds elaborately in Lagos on December 10.
Congratulations to the family!

Chinedu, wife, Abia Gov and wife

Source: http://www.nigeriafilms.com

Soul Kate Vol 12: Health – Not just a State of Mind

By Kate Henshaw
Indeed, the saying that health is wealth is not an understatement. When you lead a very busy and hectic lifestyle, you tend to take a lot of things for granted, like our complete physical and mental well being. With each passing day, we wake up and get ready to face the daily grind of our different professions, family life etc.

We hustle all day, grab a few mouthfuls here and there, maybe indulge in some ‘light’ drinks and heavy dinners and before we know it, the day is far spent and the night sets in. This is a cycle that continues all year round.

The need to exercise cannot be overemphasised. It is more important than an apple a day keeping the doctor away. It is what keeps our organs in good active and healthy condition and especially the blood in our veins flowing. An overall check of most of us in Nigeria will reveal shocking results.

We lead a sedentary life and are more concerned about making as much Naira as possible that we forget to take care of our bodies. How about spending some of this hard earned money on ourselves? When last did you have a comprehensive health check? When last did you take a day off to rest from all the hustle and bustle? Do you take holidays/ vacations? Body no be firewood as they say.

Given the spate of deaths that have struck the entertainment industry for a while , I wondered if we were sacrificing our health for wealth. If we were so entranced by the filthy lucre that the machinery that worked to bring in the lucre was being neglected, hardly being serviced or cared for.

Then the all important killer, Cancer was also brought into view in the month of October, with the celebration of breast cancer awareness by different groups and NGOs all trying their best to enlighten us (especially women) on the need to get checked as early detection of the problem is key to beating the spread of the disease and saving many lives that are lost.

With the end of the year fast approaching and my desire to have a glorious New year filled with new dreams and goals to achieve, I decided to go for a complete health assessment. I have however had the smaller checks done, like the Pap smear test, blood pressure etc and I do exercise regularly but I wanted a more detailed check and I got that at the Lagoon Hospital in Apapa.

I met Dr Mene through my sister and he encouraged me to go for it. You know, there is this fear of, what if they find out something I do not want to know? What if with this discovery I only have a few weeks, months, to live? What you do not know will not hurt you. I beg to differ. I would rather know so that I can get help for it. So, I made an appointment at the Health Assessment Clinic on a Monday.

I got in at 8am which was a good thing as I later found out that the procedure took four hours and you are asked not to eat the night before so as to check your Fasting Blood Sugar. With my form filled, I was directed to a changing room where I dressed up in the robe and under clothes provided, wore a pair of white gauze-like slippers on my feet and moved to have my weight and height checked. Next, the hearing and eyesight check (I found out later from the Dr Savage that I could not hear low sounds, only high pitched ones).

Ok, then came the Spirometry test, which simply put is a ventilatory test to assess the efficiency of the respiratory tract through the measurement of the expiratory and inspiratory flow rate, it was a test for the lungs and I inhaled and blew into a tube to see how long I could sustain it and a graph indicated how well I did. I was then moved to a room where I had an ECG check which was done by attaching electrodes to different parts of my body and I went on the treadmill for a total of 21mins and at intervals of 3mins the elevation was changed.

I came out tops as I did not even get to my recommended heart rate at the end of it which was a good sign. Then I was transferred to the Ultra Sound room for a scan, the X-ray room for a mammogram which I must confess I have never had. I have only done the self examination check on myself but the mammogram is more detailed. It is painful I must warn (I did tell the doctor, I would be truthful) but a few minutes of pain is worth it to prevent death.

Between the ECG and the X-ray room, I met with Dr Savage(in charge of the Health Assessment Clinic) who checked my knee jerk reaction, pressed my stomach, looked inside my ears and eyes and asked me comprehensive questions about my lifestyle. I also had brought a sample of my “derriere” to put it nicely and gave a sample of urine too.

I have been given an appointment in a few weeks time to come for my results and though I am a bit anxious, I do want to know the true state of my health. Thanks to Nurse Theresa Onuh and Juliana Raphael especially, for making the experience quite pleasant and to all the staff who did a great job that day. Please do the same, get yourself checked for health is wealth.

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Welcome to FEMTEJ Kreations Media's Blog!: Breaking News: Odimegwu Ojukwu dies at 78

Welcome to Femtej Kreations Media's Blog!: Breaking News: Odimegwu Ojukwu dies at 78: Former biafran leader and leader of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu is dead. It was confirmed...

Breaking News: Odimegwu Ojukwu dies at 78

Former biafran leader and leader of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu is dead.

It was confirmed that he died late last night. He had been sick for a while and was receiving treatment at a united Kingdom (UK) hospital. More to follow . . .

Ojukwu was born in Zungeru, Northern Nigeria in 1933. His father, Sir Louis Phillipe Odumegwu Ojukwu was a wealthy businessman who made money from the transport industry. Ojukwu was sent to the UK at the age of 13 to study, first at Epsom College and later at Lincoln College, Oxford University where he earned a Masters degree in History.

Upon his return in 1956, he joined the civil service in then Eastern Nigeria. He would later leave the service to join the military, where he was one of the few university graduates.

Ojukwu was appointed Military Governor of Eastern Nigeria by Military Head of State, General Aguiyi Ironsi on January 17, 1966. By May of the same year, Nigeria was facing a serious crisis. A planned pogrom in Northern Nigeria targeting and killing South-easterners presented a problem. He made several assurances to the South-easterners about their safety but the crisis continued.  In May 1967, he declared Eastern Nigeria a Sovereign State named Biafra.

In July, 1967, then Head of State Yakubu Gowon declared war on Biafra. A civil war ensued. The war raged on for another 30 months. An attempt at peace during a meeting at Aburi, Ghana did not stop the war. In 1970, Ojukwu handed over power to his deputy Major-General Phillip Effiong and left the country to avoid assassination. He was granted political asylum in Cote D'Ivoire by President Felix Houphöet-Biogny.

The civilian President of Shehu Shagari granted him an official pardon and he returned in 1982 after 13 years in exile. Ojukwu would later go into politics, forming the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). He was an active member until his death.

Soul Kate Vol 11: A Precarious Crown

By Kate Henshaw

Kate Henshaw

The world is a stage and everyone is an actor. When the light comes on, that is your opportunity to play a character, become someone else for a time limit and prove your mettle as you convince the audience that you are the character you portray. At the end of your performance, you take a bow and are either booed or applauded for doing a shoddy or great job.

Reality is a whole different ball game. When you come off the stage, the euphoria and accolades stay with you for a while, and it is quite intoxicating. When you get to your dressing room to get out of the costume, you look in the mirror and say to yourself “I did that, I am the one they stood up for” and you are quite proud of your accomplishments. You pick up your belongings and leave for your home; back to your loved ones who know the real you and you do not put up a front for. They know that you do not have two pennies to rub together because you are yet to be paid for the performance you just put up or that your bank account is bulging, but you have so many projects and bills that need your attention, plus the need to relax which is good for your health.

Growing up, I remember telling my dad that I wanted to be a musician (laugh out loud). I was always singing in the shower and felt I had a great voice. He would have none of it and said to me that my choice was a definite no-no. He threatened to stop paying my school fees in the University if I proceeded with that dream. The case is different these days, things have changed tremendously. Nigerian Musicians are paid top dollar to mount the stage and perform, even to make an appearance at a private party. Nigerian music holds sway in the night clubs, weddings and other events. The film industry I belong to aka Nollywood has also come into its own in its twenty something years of existence, commanding respect and appreciation from people the world over. Our films have reached the length and breadth of the world. We are being compared to our Hollywood counterparts but there is really no need for comparison as we do not command the kind of resources they have and the life style they live. Their every whim and caprice is indulged and they start trends which the ‘common man’ so to speak, or their fans aspire to and adopt. They are taken at their word and so much is expected of them.

Let us come down to earth and think of the human element here. Celebrities or “stars” do not possess super human powers; they cannot not just lift off the earth and soar into the skies if they so desire. In Nigeria for example, we have tradition, culture, family and religion to think of. We are looked at as role models to the youth who watch us and aspire to be who we are and do what we do. A lot of young people these days are abandoning professions such as medicine, law, engineering to become actors, musicians and comedians mostly for the glitz, glamour… and of course, monetary gains but unaware of the unpalatable aspect of it. You are held under the microscope as a specimen and prodded constantly with lies, insinuations and judged. The strength to maintain your dignity and stand tall through it all is hard to imagine but you must find it and through all the mudslinging keep your cool. You love your work; you are great at it and want that to be the focus rather than your personal life. It is almost impossible as the Pull Him Down Syndrome (PHD) is a thirsty spirit that is insatiable. It rejoices at your mistakes, sneers at you and is boastful of its power over you. There is a saying that when you point a finger at someone, four more point back to you. This is true literally and of course what goes around comes around as sure as a fan oscillates, the breeze will get around.

Who knows what tomorrow holds but the Creator… Who can say tomorrow I will be here and I will do this and that except by His divine grace and mercy. Let he that standeth take heed lest he fall. When you are an actor, playing different roles, looking glamorous and feeling that the world is your oyster, getting adoration from your fans and admirers, touch as many lives as you can, be an agent of change, correct wrongs and uphold the right way, put your weight behind great causes. Hopefully the lives you touch or inspire might just be the ones you save. The most important people in your life are your family and maybe a few good friends and they accept you just the way you are, stand by you no questions asked.

Chin up, take the licking and keep on ticking. Today’s news will be in tomorrow’s rubbish bin. “If nobody talk about you, then you are nobody”
–Tuface Idibia.

Source: http://www.katehenshaw.com

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New Tunde Kelani Film, 'Maami' Premiere in Brazil

Tunde Kelani’s new movie, “Maami’, is due for premiere in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Maami billed to open the maiden Bem Vindo A Nollywood Film Festival holding between November 18 – 27, 2011, Cine Olido, in Sao Paulo. The country  will also witness a retrospect of nine films made by the ace cinematographer.

Bem Vindo A Nollywood Film Festival heralded a multi-year cultural exchange with the government of Brazil following a synergy among Kinopedia Limited and Department de Expansao Cultural da Secretaria de Cultura, Prefeitura de Sao Paulo and Del York International.

Tunde Kelani

The decision by Del-York to inaugurate the partnership by celebrating the rich Yoruba cultural heritage and traditions shared by both nations informed the choice of Kelani whose movies are well- known for their rich cultural themes.

Kelani, a London International Film School trained filmmaker, brings decades of experience working on 16mm feature films such as- Iya Ni Wura and Taxi Driver, Iwa, Anikura, cut his teeth in the early 1960s as a film cameraman in television before he found interest in cinematography.

Responding to the selection of his films for the maiden edition of the festival, he said: “the list of nine films selected for the festivals are important because the films are valuable not only to the Yorubas in the homeland, but especially to the Yorubas in the Diaspora, who despite 200 years to 300 years of slave-trade, have remained true and close to the culture.”