Great Emma's Blog

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), has explained why he along with the directors, men and officers of the agency, took a surprise drug integrity test. The agency’s officials were taken unawares when, upon resumption on Monday, the gates to the headquarters were shut and everyone asked to gather in batches at the conference hall. A team of medical doctors, led by the Medical Director of Synapse Services, Dr. Vincent Udenze, a consultant in addiction psychiatry, was on the ground their equipment for urine drug test. A statement yesterday in Abuja by the agency’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, said shortly before he took his test, Marwa said the impromptu examination was meant to ensure that charity begins at home. Read Also:  Buba Marwa and the bad guys   “We cannot be asking others to undergo drug test without submitting ourselves for the same. Coming out clean and ne...

By Adeniyi Adewoyin   A newly established record label, Danarow Music, has signed on two music talents as it forges ahead in the Nigerian entertainment industry. The new music acts, Temidire and H Dot, were discovered by talent management expert and label CEO, Arowolo Daniel. Speaking on the label’s new signing, Arowolo said “I believe solely in music and mostly in their sound. You have to listen to their music to know what I’m talking about.” Read Also:  Kiddwaya signs new ambassadorial deal   Continuing, he said, “As an experienced talent manager with vast experience, I can tell you that these guys are one of the best to happen to Afro beats. There are lots of talents out there that need platform but we have chosen to work hand in hand with these two and I pray that God in his mercies help us attain our set goals on time.” Temidire, a twin, was born Salami Taiwo while H Dot was born Bello Hameed Tomiwa. Temidire said he discovered his talent through his father’s...

By Sam Anokam   Joy Ubeku started her career as a Nollywood actress before leaving the shores of Nigeria for Ghana where she has become one of the most sought-after models strutting the runway, and touring the world. The leggy Ubeku who just finished filming a new feature, ‘Shadows of the Night,’ has been flying the Nigerian flag high strutting the runway of international fashion shows. From Malawi to Ghana, Togo, Nigeria, Liberia, Italy, Dubai, Palestine, South Africa, Russia, and Seychelles, Ubeku has registered her abilities as a leading fashion model. Read Also:  Ali Nuhu: Why I don’t kiss or hug in movies   Speaking on her incursion into modeling and her experience working with international designers, Ubeku said, “I have always wanted to be a model but I never gave much importance to it. So, after my first beauty pageant, I had the confidence and push to realize my dreams.” On her experience, the UNILAG graduate said, “I remembered walking for this Designer a...

By Gbenga Bada   Steve Babaeko’s executive-produced documentary, ‘Awon Boyz’ is set to make its debut on Netflix in April 2021. The 38-minute long flick, which was directed by Tolulope Itegboje tells an emotional story of freedom, missed opportunities, love, and self-belief of eight young men. The documentary is scheduled to premiere on Netflix, on Wednesday, April 14, 2021. The documentary, which was originally released in 2019 draws the audience into the life of the people popularly called “area boys”, while also providing a never seen before view of what it is like to live on the streets of Lagos. Read Also:  Jenifa’s Diary, Descendants of the Sun debut on StarTimes   Shot over a month across three locations – Monkey Village, a slum in the highly residential area of Opebi, Oshodi, and the New Afrika Shrine, Ikeja, ‘Awon Boyz’ makes history as the first documentary that sees the story of this class of Nigerian citizens being told through a personal, human lens. ...

By Sam Anokam   Popular actor, producer, and director, Charles Inojie has built and donated a borehole to the Ohordua community in Edo state, where he hails from. Inojie, who as a little boy would walk three kilometers to the Utor river situated at the border end of a neighbouring community to fetch water twice in the morning before going to school is grateful to the Almighty for using him to change the narrative in his village after many years of leaving the village. Through the Charles Inojie Foundation, in partnership with the Latter-Day Saints Charity, a befitting borehole has been built in the community where the actor grew up. Read Also:  Nigerian Idol: 25 contestants make it in as season six kicks off   “Needless to say that this project is for the entire community. I pray they own it, protect it and guard it jealously so that the intended benefits can be fully derived,” says ‘The Johnsons’ star. The commissioning of the community borehole is slated for Apr...

By Olaitan Ganiu   Many people think that police brutality only happens in America, but it’s everywhere,” says multiple Grammy award-winning singer, Angélique Kidjo. The 60-year-old singer made this known after the release of the visual of her new collaboration with Yemi Alade entitled, ‘Dignity.’ The track, which was produced by a Nigerian producer, Vtek, was said to have been inspired by a protest against police brutality in 2020. “This song is against brutality, but it’s also about how we need to treat each other with dignity, treat nature with dignity, and treat ourselves with dignity. Because if we can’t see the dignity that mother nature gave to all of us, then how can we walk tall?” the Benenoise singer said in a recent statement. Read Also:  Angélique Kidjo’s fourth Grammy award   Kidjo, who won her fourth Grammy in 2020, also revealed the reasons behind her decision to work with African young music acts like Yemi Alade. “I’m so proud of this new generati...

By Gbenga Bada   A total of 25 contestants made it to the first day of the auditions with the judges as the sixth season of Nigerian Idol kicked off. The lucky contestants that made it in, came from various walks of life. From fashion designers to lawyers, entrepreneurs, comedians, and even professional musicians. 13 out of the 25 lucky contestants that auditioned in the first episode got golden tickets to proceed to the next round, the theatre week, where they will battle against each other to make it to the next stage.  The Judges From the start, the judges – Obi Asika, Seyi Shay, and DJ Sose – had their work cut out for them. Obi Asika was calm and introspective and DJ Sose’s poker face scared many of the contestants. However, it was Seyi Shay’s blunt judgments and giggles that haunted the contestants. Read Also:  Nigerian Idol: Tales from Season Six pre-show    The performances After the first six contestants breezed out of the doors with their gol...

By Gbenga Bada   The interesting thing is I have been with my husband for seven years although we got married not long ago but not this year,” Nollywood actress and entrepreneur, Tayo Sobola aka Sotayo, recently opened up in a recent chat. The 35-year-old movie producer further noted that she loves to keep her private life very private from the public. “I have been married long before I decided to release the pictures of my marital status on social media. I am one who likes my life very private. I’m sorry I won’t be divulging more on his personality other than he’s my husband and we are married.” The fashion designer and CEO of Clean Stitches also expressed that she doesn’t have a fixed fee as an actress. Sotayo claimed that the dynamics of the Nigerian film industry – especially films with Yoruba as its main language – is such that it becomes impossible for her to have a fixed fee. “I can’t say I have a fixed fee because I can play a character for someone for as much as N10 mi...

Since Ms Ola Debayo-Doherty’s emergence over two years ago as the first Nigerian and first woman to lead Mandilas, the over 70-year-old conglomerate with vast interest in Nigeria’s fast-paced automobile industry among others, more women have risen to the pinnacle of their profession thanks to the company’s equal-opportunity policy for all. Top women achievers celebrated by the company to commemorate the International Women’s Day share their riveting stories with EVELYN OSAGIE . As the Holy Book says, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” This holds true for women in the employ of Mandilas. The company recently honoured womenfolk who are proving their worth and mettle in a male-dominated workplace as a way of rewarding hard work and diligence. To mark this year’s International Women’s Daywith the theme #ChallengetoChange#, some of its top women achievers earned their deserved place in the company’s hall of fame as...

By Olukorede Yishau The founder of one of Nigeria’s most popular Pentecostal churches, Believers Love World, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, is a man that should be avoided when COVID-19 is being discussed. Long before now, the founder of the church better known as Chris Embassy shot himself in the leg by doubting the existence of the Coronavirus. Since then, he has been labouring to justify his faulty position. Some days back, a video of the pastor started making the rounds. In it, Pastor Oyakhilome faulted his colleagues who are promoting vaccination as a way of putting the virus at bay. The man of God screamed: “What happened to you? Where is the word of God in your mouth? Do you realise if you believe in the word of God the way you believe in this vaccine, there will be power in your mouth? “He made us healers. What’s wrong? What happened to you? When did we start making such recommendations to God’s people? For God’s sake, think again! “How can they send to the churches, go tell the...

By Niyi Akinnaso As Nigeria spends billions of Naira to purchase drugs, PPEs, establish new labs for PCR tests, and supplement coronavirus vaccines donated by COVAX to combat COVID-19, the small island nation of Cuba has been swimming in self-sufficiency, by producing its own drugs, PPEs, and vaccines. It has commenced the vaccination of health workers with its own homegrown vaccine, the Soberana (Sovereign) 02. It is one of five vaccine candidates being developed in various laboratories in Cuba. The feat did not just come overnight. It is a result of decades of investment in biotech and biopharmaceutical industries, leading to over 30 years of vaccine development by the island nation. However, vaccine production is only one of Cuba’s major strategies to combat the scourge of COVID-19 in the country. In addition to the non-pharmaceutical measures adopted universally, particularly mask wearing, hand washing, and physical distancing, Cuba developed two key strategies to combat COVID-1...

The Waste Management Society of Nigerian (WAMASON) estimates that nearly 65million metric tons of waste are generated in Nigeria yearly, with Lagos alone, which is the undisputable commercial capital of the country, generating about 13 million metric tons. Of this, about 2,250 tons of plastic waste is generated daily in Lagos; yearly, it is about 821,250 tons. In this interview with Jill Okeke , the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello, under whose watch the state emerged from being one of the dirtiest to that of beautifully lined roads and streets with green plants and flowers, spoke on what the state is doing to turn the rampant plastic menace to wealth, among others. Excerpts: The state has many recycling centres but we still have much plastics around as can be seen after a down pour. Please comment on this. As you may have noticed, the state government is doing a lot in terms of recycling and we are also encouraging private investors to jo...

The presidency on Tuesday explained why President Muhammadu Buhari did not transmit power to the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo before departing to London on a medical trip. The President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu explained that power transmission was unnecessary as Buhari will continue ruling Nigeria from wherever he is. He added that the constitution only says the President must hand over if he will be away for more than 21 days. It will be recalled that President Buhari on Tuesday afternoon, departed the shores of Nigeria for London , the United Kingdom through the Abuja International Airport. The President departed the country in one of the jets available in the presidential fleet, Naija News understands. Buhari is not expected back in the country until the second week in April. Reacting to the development, some Nigerians wondered why he didn’t officially hand over to his deputy, Prof Osinbajo. But Garba in an inte...

By Jill Okeke Driving from Egbeda/Isheri Road, down Igando/Ikotun Road, in Alimosho Local Government Area(LGA), I kept looking cautiously to the road sides to see when I would get to the infamous Igando dumpsite, unarguably, one of the biggest dumpsites in Lagos State. But I needed not have worried because in no time, I started perceiving a very offensive putrid smell, a clear testimony that I was approaching the dump. The further I drove, the stronger the smell, until I sighted the mini dump site on my right, and then the mountain of waste on my left – the other side of the road. Parked along the road by the dumpsite and constituting serious menace on their own, were several Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) waste collection vehicles; many of them still loaded with waste and awaiting their turn to tip their content. Some of the trucks already relieved of their content had their drivers chatting away idly. Unbranded trucks, ready to convey buyers to their destinations, ...

By Paul Ejime   With his burial in his hometown of Chato, some 950-km northwest of Dares Salaam on March 26, Tanzania’s late President John Pombe Magufuli joined the list of Africa’s unsung heroes. The 61-year-old Chemistry and Mathematics teacher, and devout Christian, died on March 17, having governed the East African country for less than six years, with a leadership style similar to that of Tanzania’s independent President Mwalimu (Teacher) Julius Nyerere. But Magufuli carved a niche for himself in his uncompromising results-oriented actions. Even before assuming the presidency in 2015, he had, as Minister for Works earned the nickname of a “Bulldozer” because of the manner he executed infrastructure programmes, especially the construction of many roads. As president, Magufuli was applauded for his anti-corruption stance, sacking offending government officials and taking tough decisions that saved the country huge amounts, including by purging the government payroll of “gh...

By Dele Adeoluwa    We are surely in the throes of an uncanny order. Before our eyes, the ship of state is fast sailing through a labyrinthine tide towards an anarchical end. We are daily gravitating towards the cliff. We have never been this close. Our dear nation continues to seethe in the cauldron of confusion and uncertainty as the insecurity challenge worsens. What is more, the bands of gun-toting goons masquerading as foreign killer-herders, bandits and insurgents, who have held the nation by the jugular, dig in by the day. Their audacity can be unnerving. These malefactors carry on in a befuddling, cavalier manner, as if they own the country. The violence-inclined herders, most especially, comport themselves with scant regards for law and order, issuing threats and riding roughshod over the communities, as if they are lords unto themselves. They have simply taken over the forests of most communities from where they make menacing incursions into the major highways N...

By Olu Tayo   Atedo Peterside is an alumnus of the City University, London and the prestigious London School of Economics and Political Science, where he majored in Economics, in his first degree and later obtained his Master’s degree in 1977, also in Economics. He is certainly no rookie. A savvy entrepreneur, investment banker, economist and founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, Anap Business Jets Limited and the Atedo N. A. Peterside Foundation, he regularly recalls some of the values he got from his stern, ophthalmologist father, Chief Michael Clement Atowari Peterside: “My father trained me to disbelieve first and question the message anyone was giving me and only proceed if the proposal makes sense to me.” Ophthalmology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study and treatment of disorders and diseases of the eye. In effect, the core of this peculiar paternal philosophy is – first disbelieve any message! This perhaps immediately locates the spring from which Atedo Peter...

Tony Marinho   COVID-19 deaths approaching 2,800,000 among 128,000,000 diagnosed cases worldwide, Nigerian cases approaching 163,000 and 2,050 deaths. Disclosure: I have had my first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine in one of multiple Ibadan LGA facilities. I recommend you see the relevant source to get vaccinated. Death of a uniformed policewoman following being shot at polling booth has shamefully gone unnoticed and so far, unpunished. No outcry for her or the others killed that day. Why? Her picture should be front page across Nigeria as should as for all the dead killed by Boko Haram and kidnappers. Catch the murderers and their handlers and there needs to be more police.  Bomb blast at another Bye election? What manner of despicable deadly and wickedly evil politician and political thug deprives the innocent of their lives merely for being present? There are electric vehicles in Kenya. Any plans for Nigeria? Congratulations to Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for authorising th...

By Ladesope Ladelokun   SIR : Christian faithful across the world will once again celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in a matter of days. Except a miracle happens, it may be another Easter without Leah Sharibu – the Christian schoolgirl kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists alongside 109 others in Dapchi, Yobe State, in 2018. Now, it is over three years since her abduction, and her whereabouts remain a riddle. Despite assurances by the Buhari government that Leah would be free from the grip of her abductors, the distraught Sharibus are still languishing in the prison of hope. It is apposite to state that in the run-up to the 2015 presidential election, General Buhari had promised the electorate that “our school children would be safe in their schools”. But six years after that campaign promise, the mention of school provokes fear. The plight of the Sharibus and the current unremitting attacks on schools by bandits signpost doom for the education sector and the e...

By Henry O. Adelegan   Sir: With the stand of Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu SAN on the legless agitation for Oduduwa nation by some individuals and seemingly myopic lot among us, I am elated to have the distinguished Arakunrin as my governor. On this matter, I agree with him. The Ondo State governor has demonstrated rare courage on national discourse again, as he did when some Fulani herders were unleashing mayhem in my state. He has manifested brilliance, deep thought and a refusal to be silent or sit on the fence like his peers, who despite knowing what was right, were scared of speaking out. It probably could be to protect their future political aspirations and fear of being castigated by people who do not know the difference between six and half a dozen. First, my position on this agitation is predicated on the fact that the amalgamation of Nigeria by Lord Fredrick Lugard was not an accident of creation but was providential. God created the country so that our tribal diversiti...