Talent Discovery Can rejuvenate Nigerian Sport

Alhaji Alebiosu bent on sport development

By Damilola Towobola

victorious Zambian team

 The decrying state of sporting activities in Nigeria needs a messiah to turn around things in the deteriorating sporting arena. It was really unfortunate to watch the African Cup of Nations with the self acclaimed Giant of African, Nigeria not hoisting its flag in Africans biggest competition.

The African Cup of Nations, AFCON, was a tale of many surprises as favorites stumbled… Senegal that has a potential striker in the name of Demba Ba and Papiss Demba Cisse both of Newcastle football club of England could not win a match. The too confident Ghanaian team was a Shadow of themselves as they were defeated by the Chipolopolo of Zambia in the semi- finally and also beaten in the 3^rd place match by Mali. The star studded Ivorian team was shocked as Zambia defeated them in the penalty shoot-out to claim Africa’s most coveted trophy.

keshi

Zambian’s 2012 African Cup of Nations feat brings to fore the catastrophe that rocked the Chipolopolo in 1993 when the 1993 Zambian Squad crashed with no survivor among the 30 on board, it is a bad memory which every Zambian and football loving fans would not like to recollect.

  

Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi during a chat recently as hostilities were going on in the AFCON, stated that Eagles were no more the Giants of Africa. In his top ten African teams, Nigeria was actually missing and that shows the degradation of our sport. He was so candid in his selection with Cote d’ Ivoire, Ghana, Gabon, Zambia, Guinea, Mali,    Tunisia, Morroco and Senegal making his top ten team.

  It is vivid that if Keshi was given the opportunity to go ahead to mention five more, Nigeria would still be missing because we have to ask where the likes of Angola, Egypt, Cameroon,Togo, Bukina Faso, Algeria and many more stands. The Angolans aren’t a push over because they stopped Eagles from going to the last World Cup.

  

Keshi conceded to the fact that the Eagles have not been measuring up to standard for the past 12 years and was quick to suggest ways he would deplore to bring back the lost glory of the Eagles stressing that with more time; the Eagles would be a formidable team to pose a threat in Africa and the world at large.

Ayew

  If we can all recall, the success of the then Green Eagles can be attributed to grassroots discovery of players; we had lots of talent oriented generating competitions like the vibrant “Principal Cup”.

  

We must commend well meaning Nigerians that has so far been dedicated to the development of the game of soccer in the grassroots, Alhaji Lateef Adegbuyi Alebiosu, immediate past president, Nigerian Institute of Safety professionals, founder Safety Club of Nigeria and publisher, Safety Records popularly known as ‘Baba Safety’ has made it a yearly ritual on his birthday to organize football matches (Alhaji L.A Alebiosu birthday football competition) for all public and private primary schools in Ijebu Ode, with the aim of discovering, harnessing likewise engraving safety consciousness in the mind of the Primary school students.

Alhaji L.A Alebiosu

As we all know, a sporting individual has much tendency of living much healthier because Sport is a form of exercise which helps in keeping the body fit, so “Baba Safety’s” incorporated competition’s benefit cannot be quantified.

Keshi has likewise pointed at the need to start grooming local players and evolving a discernible pattern. He further stated that the way forward is to have a vision and let the players know what direction; we want them to go, not just to have them show up a few days and just play to win matches.

I once did “Bend down Select” Shows - Don Funky

Don funky is one of the very few promising prospect we have in the entertainment industry at present, he is the jovial type that can make audience laugh off their ribs as he dexterously mixes anchoring events with fusion of comedy as an interlude. Damilola Towobola, caught up with him in an event and he was just on point. Enjoy the excerpt.

Don Funky is gradually becoming a household name; can we get to know events you have anchored so far?

I have participated in many class events and “bend down select” events…laughs, (which M.C fit boast say, he no do bend down select show, make he raise up him hand). hmmm, you know, I cannot actually remember all since am not an individual that only anchors one show in a year, I participated in 24 hours with 9ice in Ibadan, I am the official M.C of ladies Night in Millennium suites and Perfect garden which holds every Wednesday, I anchored Rhythm Children’s day and many more. If you insist I have to mention everything, you would sleep and wake up and I would keep on mentioning events I have been to.

Can we get to know the Challenges so far?

If you see a man that says he does not have challenges in life, if you can run please don’t hesitate, he or she must be a living corpse…imagine, even President Goodluck Jonathan that spends millions to eat in a day, has Boko Haram challenges on his neck. The challenges I have so far is trying to be on top of my game as the most funkiest.

Who are your role models in the industry?

I don’t have a role model but I have those I admire, people like A.Y, I go die, Gordon etc. It’s not as if I photocopy them but don’t tell my fans, I love their style. Did I just mention “I love their style?” (Laughs)

Who is Don Funky?

My name is Okoye C. Maxwell popularly known as Don Funky… Basically Don Funky is a Master of all Ceremony with a fusion of a little comedy. I started in 2008, my integration into the industry started like a joke but along the line I took it as a profession.

What advice do you have for those who feel like doing what u do?

They should believe in themselves and keep working hard, they should have the mindset that they are the best the world has ever seen.

What should people expect from Don Funky soonest?

I have a plan of coming up with a television program, so I want you all to fold your arms and expect to see this on your T. V screen soon. I don’t want you to ask for the name of the program yet because you people, the media seems to be too inquisitive (Una for dey wear police Uniform, only thing be say I no go give you 20 naira). Don’t mind me as we were saying the program would stun Nigerians when it’s on T.V, so you should expect the very best of Don Funky.

What do you set to achieve soonest?

I got a lot on my mind…if I were asked this within my committee of friends, I would stand up, beat my chest and say that I would outwit Basket Mouth any day anytime… (Laughs), Basket Mouth is someone I also respect. “Bros Akpos, I dey hail o”. Basically, what I set out to achieve soonest is beating the very best in the industry and becoming the best. 

ASUU Strike Suspended

Students in wild celebration

Parlysed Universities to ressurect

By Damilola Towobola

Awuzie

Academic Staff Union of Universities has called off its strike action after its consultation with individual striking universities on the offer made by the Federal Government.

ASUU had been on strike for over two months now demanding increased funding for universities as well as increased wages and retirement age for members from 65 to 70 years.

A reliable source told Spaiz Media that the leadership of the union under Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie has finished consultations with members as at Monday and members have accepted government's offer even though he refused to state what had been offered.

Professor Awuzie pronounced the suspension the strike action on Wednesday1st of February 2012.

Spaiz media recalls that the Senate has already amended the provisions of retirement from 65 to 70 years and this might have also encouraged the lecturers to call off the strike.

President of Asuu, Awuzie after their last meeting with Federal Government had stated that the issue will be resolved very soon. He expressed satisfaction over the level of Federal Government’s commitment to the contending issues saying that, “If we fought there, you won’t see us smiling. All of us are patriots. We are talking about one thing: the good of the education sector in Nigeria. There are no adversaries in this matter. There are no winners. There are no losers. That is why we should work together

Reacting to this new development, Nigerian Students on their social website had expressed their delight stating that boredom has almost killed them during the life span of the strike action which had paralysed school activities



DONNA DIVA



Donna Diva:  I can kill to work with Tuface



Many may say she’s hot but that is an understatement compared to what she as been created with. Donna Adja is a professional song writer, artiste cum producer. Donna used to be the face behind the DAZ Entertainment band at the prestigious Sheraton Hotel located in the heart of Ikeja, Lagos. Recently, the diva decided to meet with the press, Damilola Towobola was there and guess, what we discussed, enjoy the except...

Who is Donna diva and can we delve into your educational background?



Donna is just a simple lady. Donna Adja is my full name and I am from delta state, am an Orobo girl, an artiste, model, song writer, producer and a fashion designer. I started my education journey at Adams Iweh primary school and Baptist high school both in the same town called “EKU” in Edo State before I moved on to Obafemi Awolowo university where I studied business management as a BSc holder.

How did you get into music?

It all started professionally 5years ago because I felt like am wasting my time engaging in some educational things am doing back then so I had to switched into music. I started music way back in a studio where I used to work before someone advised if I can do live band music. At first, I thought I wasn’t going to be easy but my positive thinking nature motivated me so I decided to take the bull by the horn and at the same time; I was working at the Lagos-Ikeja Sheraton Hotel. In 6 months of my debut, the GM of the Hotel “Sheraton” came to me and advised I should do something of my own, start a band instead of working for someone else.

What's the experience so far?

I won’t say its 100% good but I enjoyed starting my own thing and that’s what made me strong till date. My 5 years in the music world as been so fulfilling because I had the chance to travel abroad for shows, places like Australia, Dubai, London and so many other countries. I just came back from a festival in London where I came 3rd in a competition called “SURFAC FESTIVAL”. I also travel out of the country for weddings, birthday and other private performances.

How are your parents handling the fact that you left your professional certificate for music?

(Laugh)…Well my parent believed in me a lot and they know am a positive person more so, they know am a goal getter. They have been so good to me and very supportive.



Donna Diva



What about the challenges?

Well, I won’t lie to you, it’s been so challenging, meeting with positive and negative minded people, trying to drag you off your dream lane, saying all sort of things to make you believe you can’t do it but God as been so nice to me. i now see every disappointments as an opportunity to adjust from the wrong steps you took.

What about the reception?

I sincerely thank God for the reception because it’s been a miracle. I can’t imagine when I go for shows and before I collect the microphone, people are already shouting “Shut-up”. I thank God and my fans for everything.

Tell us what you are working on now...

I have a song now titled “GAGA” meaning loosing yourself positively in the rhythm of music because I believe music is life and I love music a lot and I can bet a lot of people can’t do without music too. I also have lots of others that am working on but GAGA is my next project and am shooting a video to complement it.

If you are to work with some names here in Nigeria, who and who will you be considering?

Wow! I have a lot of names I will love to work with and if I am to tell you for free, I can kill to work with 2face (laughing in chorus), Eldee, MI, Tiwa Savage, Goldie and lots of them but to mention a few.

Are you under any management now?

No! I have a studio of mine and I work from home with a producer called “Gold” because I don’t like the stress of traveling to work in a studio, back home and re-travel again if there is a correction. that’s why I decided to fully equip myself and my home with all necessary things I will need when I decided to stay alone. I have both digital and live band equipment to blend to any level I desire.

Aside from music, what else do you do?

Am a model and am also into fashion designing. I make almost all that I wear from my specs, shoes, dress, jeans etc. people wonder why my things are so different and classy even when I travel out of the country and when ever I tell them I made it, they are always amazed and I get orders from both home (Nigeria) and abroad to make cloths for them. So I decided to make come with my own fashion line for all categories. fashion is a life time thing for me but the modeling part is something I will do for a while because I have to settle down now or later but it also depends on the kind of contract I get from my modeling agents but sincerely, music and fashion is something I want to do for the rest of my life because I believe its something am made for.

Are u saying you have a clothing outline now?

Yes, I do but am stilling working it on locations, staffs etc and please don’t ask me what the name is because am not ready to disclose that now.

In one word, how can u classify your person?

Hmmm! Donna Adja Diva is a “Goal Getter”.

What should we be expecting from Donna Diva?

Am working on dropping a video to complement the favoured airplay single and that will be happening soon.

 How many track album are you planning to drop now?

Well, I don’t really want to drop much but 10-12 track album will be okay featuring the likes of ; D’banj, MI, Eldee, Goldie, Tiwa Savage etc. I also have a flavor of Salsa, Reggae, Hip-Hop, Soul and many more; all I hope for is the best because this is just the start of a good thing to happen, but am not thinking of dropping the album anytime from now.

What’s your advice to those looking up to you?

Do not relent and don’t give up in anything you believe in.

Now, tell us the kind of music you do...

Well, I own a live band where I do my live band performance on both local and international songs matched with my own songs. My bands are still live and active even after I quit my job at the Sheraton Hotel to start my own kind of music. I want the world to feel, hear and recognize me as a brand to reckon with not just working in a Hotel. Sheraton was a good avenue though but I just want more and that why i broke out of my shell, hatched and fast growing. my kind of music needs to be heard because its an infusion of Afro, Reggae, dancehall, soul etc. it’s a combination of style that blends without barrier in both local and international standard form

Kudirat Abiola: Al-Mustapha, Lateef Sofolahan to Taste Death

Al Mustapha

Kudirat Abiola

*Accused Sentenced to death by Hanging.

*Hafsat Abiola-Costello judgement over due.

             

By Damilola Towobola                 

Embattled former Chief Security Officer, CSC to late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamzat Al-Mustapha and a protocol officer in the MKO Abiola campaign organisation, Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan, lastweek at the Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere, were sentenced to death by hanging for the conspiracy to murder and murder charge preferred against them. A Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere delivered the judgment Monday afternoon.

Abacha

Al-Mustapha, as well as Lateef Sofolahan was sentenced to death by hanging having been convicted of the murder of Mrs. Abiola, wife of Chief Moshood Abiola, widely believed to have won the 12 June 1993 Presidential elections. She was assassinated along the Lagos/Ibadan express way on 4 June 1996 over her campaign for the de-annulment of the election.

Al-Mustapha, the former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, as well Lateef Sofolahan, the protocol officer for the deceased who was accused of divulging details of Mrs. Abiola's whereabouts on the day of her murder, have both been embroiled in a 12-year-long trial. The 12-year long case is said to be the longest in the nation’s history.

Al-Mustapha joined the army and was trained as an intelligence operative. He was involved in at least two investigations of coup attempts, his conduct of interrogations brought him to the attention of Sani Abacha. When Abacha was Chief of Army between August 1985 and August 1990, al-Mustapha was his Aide-de-Camp.

Hamza al-Mustapha was appointed Chief Security Officer to the Head of State (CSOHS) with a Special Strike Force Unit during Abacha's military regime, other security outfits at the time were the Office of the National Security Adviser under Ismaila Gwarzo, the Directorate of Military Intelligence, the State Security Service and the National Intelligence Agency. All of these units engaged in extrajudicial killings of people seen as threats to the regime. Captain (later Major) Hamza al-Mustapha had exceptional power, considerably greater than other officers who were nominally his superior.

After being appointed Chief Security Officer, Al-Mustapha established a number of small security outfits recruited from the military and other security organizations, and trained in Israel and Korea. Abacha's National Security Adviser, Ismaila Gwarzo and al-Mustapha were said to be responsible for much of the "torture, killing and wanton looting" during Abacha's rule. On the orders of Sani Abacha's wife Maryam, al-Mustapha detained and tortured several women suspected to be Abacha's girlfriends. As head of the State Security Service (SSS) al-Mustapha was also said to be involved in drug trafficking, using diplomatic pouches to transport the drugs, his wife, an Arab in origin, coordinated a ring of traffickers in the Gulf States.

After Abacha's sudden death in June 1998, Al-Mustapha was quickly removed from his job by the transitional regime established by General Abdulsalam Abubakar. In October that year he appeared in court with Abacha's son Mohammed, charged with the murder in June 1996 of Kudirat Abiola, wife of the presidential candidate, M.K.O. Abiola who had died in jail in July 1998. At the trial the killer, Sergeant Barnabas Jabila, said he was obeying orders from his superior, Al-Mustapha. Al Mustapha and four others were also charged with a 1996 attempt to murder Alex Ibru, publisher of The Guardian and Abacha's Minister of Internal Affairs and Chief Isaac Porbeni, a former naval officer.

While the trials proceeded, al Mustapha was detained at the Kirikiri maximum security prisons. While imprisoned, on 1 April 2004 he was charged with involvement in a plot to overthrow the government. Allegedly he had conspired with others to shoot down the helicopter carrying President Olusegun Obasanjo using a surface-to-air missile that had been smuggled into the country from Benin.



Sofolahan, accomplied by Police



In 2007, there were appeals for al Mustapha's release by four newspapers and by former head of state Ibrahim Babangida. Eventually after 12 years of  imprisonment, trials and retrials, al-Mustapha and his co-defendants were acquitted of most charges on 21 December 2010. The co-defendants were former Lagos State Police Commissioner, James Danbaba, former Zamfara State military administrator, Jibril Bala Yakubu and former head of the Aso Rock Anti-Riot Police, Rabo Lawal.



Hafsat



However, Al-Mustapha was still not cleared of the alleged murder of Kudirat Abiola for which he was being tried separately. In May 2011 there were rumors that Al-Mustapha had been murdered at the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prisons where he was being held, but these turned out to be untrue.

Reacting to the Judgement of the Lagos high Court, daughter of the deceased, Mrs. Hafsat Abiola-Costello, described the sentence as a judgement for Nigerians and said it was long overdue. She stated that there had been no doubt of Mustapha’s involvement in her mothers killing, adding further that it brings some closure to the Family still grieving the lost, Hafsat admitted that the trial had taken far too long.

Meanwhile, a release from the spokesperson of the Islamic Sect Boko Haram has dared the Nigerian Government dared on the execution of the sentence on Major Hamza Al mustapha Rtd, stating that their full scale attacks will be expanded from security agencies and agents to the judiciary, from police stations to courts and so on.

Kano bomb blast

Fainting Shadows

 By Damilola Towobola

The holocaust in the North that has claim a number of lives is a pogram of the highest order. This is a reminiscent of the 1966 kilings of people in the north which resulted in people especially the Igbo fleeing from the North and the Hausa's leaving the East.

Bomb blast

This is a callous butchering of our kinsmen and fellow Nigerians, The government of the day must rise up ...to this crime against humanity and wield its big stick on the culprit of this destitute acts.

 

we must not allow this to get out of hand because Nigeria belongs to me and you. This group of people wants the country to become ungovernable for the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan's led Administration. It is time to act.

5th Young Journalist Awards                      

Call For Entries

Nominations are invited for the 5th Nigeria Young Journalist Awards 2011 from media organisations and individuals. The award, initiated by media career services, a media training and consultancy outfit dedicated to the development of the career of journalists in Nigeria, is to recognise and encourage young journalists in the country.

A judging board made up of top media professionals will choose winners of the awards who will get media career enhancing prizes.

Awards Categories For The Year 2011 Are:



A. Young Journalist of the year 2011.

B. Student Journalist of the year 2011.

C. Mass Communication Department Journal of the year 2011.



Submission Of Entries



Interested journalists for category (A) should have a maximum of three (3) years journalism experience and must not be older than 30 by December 2011.



They must submit three (3) of their published or broadcast work between January and December 2011. For entries for the print category, entrants should photocopy their works into four (4) sets while entrants from the broadcast should also submit three duplicates of their works on compact disk, the synopsis of such works should also come in four (4) sets.



Such entries must be supported with a nomination letter from the journalist’s editor or supervisor and curriculum vitae (also in 4 set).



For category B, entries must be a student of a tertiary institution with active participation in campus journalism. He or she must have at least three published or broadcast work in campus or other medium focusing on campus issues between January and December 2011. Sample of the published works should be photocopied into four (4) places.



A nomination letter by relevant authorities and curriculum vitae is required. These should also come in four (4) places.



For category C, submitted training newspaper/magazines of Mass Communication departments will be assessed on the basis of content and production quality. A nomination letter by Editorial Advisers will be required. Samples should be in four (4) sets.



ENTRIES SHOULD BE SENT TO:



The programme coordinator,

Young Journalist Awards 2011,

Media Career Services,

C/O International Press Centre,

11, Dideolu Court, Dideolu Estate,

Off Ijaiye Road, by Sweet Sensation,

Ogba, Lagos.

Tell: 08033374017, 08023000621, 08023626281



Closing date:



All entries must be received on or before Friday 17th February 2012.

Organised by:

Media Career Services

Publishers of Stop Press, the career moulding newsletter for journalists.

www.mediacareerng.org