Ababoy Part 2

Signing off

2008-12-22T12:29:00.002Z

Not just for Xmas, but possibly for good. At some point one has to evaluate the usefulness of one’s activities and make decisions. I love the blogging community; my RSS reader is made up close to two and a half thousand blogs. As a greenhorn writer, I have remarked mainly on Nigerian politics. From time to time, I add a few posts on my number 2 love – Soul/Funk music of the 80s, but generally speaking, my searchlight as been aimed at the hideously inept leadership we have in Nigeria. My irritation towards this failing state was finally marked with the recent judgements handed out in favour of Igbinedion and Ibori.

I don’t really want to rabble on. I will reflect over the Xmas period and make a decision thereafter. There are a number of projects I seriously want to work on. I will still be in this game in some other guise. It might just be the right time to move on, and thanks guys - it’s been great. I must apologies though for one thing - my blog etiquette – which was been slightly atrocious. I didn’t communicate well with my readers – respond to comments made on my blog. I however DID visit and will continue to visit your blogs - I never got ahead of myself.

I wish everyone a Merry Xmas and a happy new year.

xxx

FCT

2008-12-18T06:15:00.005Z

Can anyone please tell me what the Federal Capital Territory stands for? Is it a state? Does it belong to all Nigerians?

Yesterday, Senator Adamu Aliero, a former governor of Kebbi State and an alleged Treasury looter, was handpicked by Yardy as the new minister of the Federal Capital Territory. My memory may be failing me, but I cant remember the last time we had a non-northern minister of this region.

Are non-northerners excluded from this office?

Nkiruka

2008-12-17T09:51:00.004Z

In Igbo it means that what is in front is bigger (sorry to disappoint those who expected me to add Azuka). This was how Mike Ahamba (SAN), a legal luminary and General Buhari's lead counsel, summed up the Supreme Court’s judgement on President Umaru Yar'Adua's April 2007 election victory.

According to him it was a close call – 4/3 in favour of Yardy. Three judges ‘apparently’ didn’t believe there was a fair and free election. In Ahamba’s assessment therefore, the fact that there were three disloyal voices out of seven means tomorrow is brighter. I don’t quite buy that logic; I think it was a handy ruling, very convenient – The type that gets worked out in smoky rooms. A unanimous verdict would have conclusively picked holes in our faith in justice.

Now that Yardy has won - in boxing jargon - a majority decision, I guess the expected call will be to allow him maintain his clueless headship to nowhere. Nevertheless a day before the judgment, Yardy astounded me. He called for the removal of immunity from most serving officials. Yardy, the EFCC, Ibori and our other rulers have this recurring style of trying to make one believe that they have our interests at heart. It’s an orthodox misleading ploy - the fanfare about the rule of law and due process, the periodic press statements decrying corrupt etc quickly string to mind.

But on this day, our ailing President seemed genuine, and if he can pull this off he would have us on the right part. I couldn’t quite say the same about Ms Waziri, her assault on her chewing gum during the EFCC organised conference would have made Sir Alex Ferguson wince. I guess that doesn't matter, she might just be a fan of Bazooka Joe.

I don’t want to belabour this; I just wonder - Is what is in front bigger and possibly better? Does this judgement mean that in future we could see a sitting president toppled by judges of the Supreme Court? Why can’t we get all appeals out of the way before anyone is allowed to assume office?

Questions?

He's back with his family.

2008-12-16T07:02:00.004Z

Doja's Nephew is back!

Thank God for that.....

Anyway, lets celebrate with the family. My vigil is over....time to start blogging again.

Whose child is next?

:-(

Praying For the Safe Return of ...

2008-12-02T11:26:00.005Z

Doja's nephew.

Moments like this put everything into some sort of perspective. When a 6 year old is kidnapped you hate to think about how scared the kid is, what is going thru the minds of the kid's parents and close ones.

This is not the time to rant and curse. This is the time for our blog family to set other prayers aside ask God to ensure that this kid is returned safely.

God please.

Some week!

2008-12-01T13:35:00.003Z

The fiasco between the enemies of our state and Ribadu sort of kicked off the week. While this hero (my interpretation) was being ‘shamed’ by a set of hired thugs, the people of Thailand were trying to force the prime minister's resignation. Something you wonder why we aren’t doing now. I guess life is too sweet and the idea of wasting time sleeping rough @ the airport isn’t a ‘Nigerian’ thing.

Then there was the ghoulish incident in Mumbai. I still haven’t heard from a couple of my colleagues who I know are in Mumbai, but I am not assuming the worst. Politics and blame trading seems to have taken over an opportunity to knock this one on the head. I just get the feeling that the guys I see on Sky News and Fox are hoping for a war between India and Pakistan.

Meanwhile @ Arsenal, Gallas and the armband did finally part ways. A young Spaniard was made captain – Cesc we can! Yesterday, the changeable season that Arsenal have had saw them see of a mediocre Chelski side 2-1. It was like the good old days when a victory at the bridge was a ‘given’

Back to Nigeria there was the news about baby teething mixture contaminated with diethylene glycol called My Pickin. Diethylene glycol is a toxic substance normally used in engine coolant! About 29 babies are now dead, and many more in hospital.

Armed Robbers are holding the fort in Ibadan taking no notice of the police. Who knows they may send Ridabu there to make haste his absolute disappearance.

And then on Thursday after a lull, religious riots kicked off in Jos, all under the cover of politics – vote rigging by the PDP (another enemy of the state). States as far from Plateau as Anambra, Abia and Imo are on alert – Revenge killings.

Is Yardy awake, you hope so…..

PLS. SPARE A MINUTE TO OBSERVE WORLD AIDS DAY

Just one Family

2008-11-25T07:28:00.004Z

“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed” - Mahatma Gandhi

It is alleged (by The Source magazine) that the following houses were ‘acquired’ by Lucky Igbinedion's Family in London (2002-2008).

SIX YEARS!

WOW!

A Run-Down of Igbinedion’s London Houses

Name of Registered Owner Address and Date of Purchase

1. Lucky Igbinedion 29, Sheldon Avenue, London ,N64JP (2002).
2. Hope Igbinedion 31, Voce Road, London, 5E 182 LW (2005).
3. Hope Igbinedion 5, Glebe House, Rectory Place, London, SE 185 RW (2005).
4. Ighiwiyisi Igbinedion 4, Ryder Drive, London, SE 163 BB (2002).
5. Imose Igbinedion 27, Cottingham Road, Manchester ,M124 BN (2002).
6. Irene S. Igbinedion 10, Station Road, Wallingford Oxfordshire, Ox100HU (2005).
7. Ivie N. Igbinedion 74, Winnington Road, London, N2 OTX (2005).
8. Kenneth Igbinedion 19, Boundary House, Bethwin Road, London, SE 50 YB (2002).
9. Kenneth Igbinedion 13, Lime Row, Erith Kent, DA 184 HW (2004).
10. Larry Igbinedion 1020, Peckham Hill Street, London, SE 155JT (2003).
11. Linda E. Igbinedion Flat 560, Egmont Road, Sutton Surrey, SM2 5J6 (2004).
12. Lucky Igbinedion 29, Sheldon Avenue, London, N6 4JP (2003).
13. Mabel E. Igbinedion 74, Winnington Road, London, N2 OTX (2002).
14. Mark Igbinedion Ashford Barnet, Road Barnet, Hertford Shire, EN5 3HR (2006).
15. Mark Igbinedion 11, Grafton Road, London, W3 6PB (2002).
16. Martin Igbinedion 8, Norway Gate, London, SE 167 TR (2005).
17. Maurice Igbinedion 50, Bankfield Avenue, Manchester, M13 OZP (2004)
18. Maxine Igbinedion 25, Redcliffe Court, Nightingale Estate, London, E5 8TX (2002).
19. Michael Igbinedion 3, Elsinore Gardens, London, NW2 1SS (2006).
20. Moses B. Igbinedion Second Floor ,Flat 76, Plumstead Common Road, London, SE 183 RD (2007).
21. Sandra O. Igbinedion Flat 6, Bathurst House, White City Estate, London, W12 7AG (2007).
22. Sandra O. Igbinedion 6 ,Bathurst House, White City Estate, London, W12 7AG (2004).
23. Odeon Igbinedion 50, Bank Field Avenue, Manchester, M13 OZP (2004).
24. Odion P. Igbinedion 7, Brodrick Grove, London, SE 2 OSR (2005).
25. Omorodion Igbinedion Flat 25, Centurion House, 69 Station Road, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7JQ (2007).
26. Omosede Igbinedion 4E, Marley Court ,the University of Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7UU (2002).
27. Omosede Igbinedion 74, Winnington Road, London, N2 OTX (2005).
28. Orhue F. Igbinedion 9, Rodborough Road, London, NW1 185A (2002).
29. Osagie Sunday Igbinedion 5, Strode Road, London, E7 ODU (2006).
30. Osahon Igbinedion Flat 13, Spalding House, Turnham Road, London, SE4 2HT (2007).
31. Osawe Igbinedion Flat 216, Charlton Road, London, NW 118 SA (2005).
32. Osawe Igbinedion 9, Rodborough Road, London ,NW 118 SA (2002).
33. Otasowie Igbinedion 42, Harlech Tower Park, Road, East London, W3 8TZ (2002)
34. Peter Igbinedion 18, Compton Close ,London, NW1 18SX (2004).
35. Princely Igbinedion 120, Guinness Trust, Kennington, Park Road, London ,SE 114 JE (2003).
36. Princely Igbinedion 38, Melrose Close, London, SE 120 AL (2006).
37. Princely Igbinedion 47, Guinness Trust, Kennington Park Road, London, SE 114 JF (2002).
38. Promise Igbinedion 81, Denbigh Road, London, E63LF (2002).
39. Robinson Igbinedion 180, Norwood Road, London, SE 279AU (2005).
40. Roice E. Igbinedion 12, ST Matthews, House, Phelp Street, London, SE172 PJ (2003).
41. Stella Igbinedion 4, Ryder Drive, London, SE 163BB (2002).
42. Stephen Igbinedion 4, Ryder Drive, London, SE 163 BB (2002).
43. Sunday Igbinedion 8, Norway Gate, London, SE 167 TR (2002).
44. Sunin Igbinedion 4, Ryder Drive, London, SE 163 BB (2002).
45. Sussan Igbinedion 42, Harlech Tower, Park Road, East London ,W3 8TZ (2002).
46. Slyvester Igbinedion 11, Grafton Road, London, W3 6PB (2002).
47. Uyiekpen Igbinedion 4, Ryder Drive, London, SE 163 BB (2003).
48. Uyiekpen N. Igbinedion Mill Hall, Topping Lane, UX Bridge, Middlesex, UB82 TL (2006).
49. Victor Igbinedion 27, Shawcroft View, Off Crompton Way, Bolton, BL18UU (2007).
50. Victor O. Igbinedion 20, Mudie House, Forster Road, London, SW 2 4UX (2005). 51. Vivian Igbinedion 19, Boundary House ,Betwin Road, London, SE 5 OYB
(2002).
52. Agbon Igbinedion Flat 25, Centurion House, 69 Station Road, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7JQ (2007).
53. Albert Igbinedion 89, Becket House, Tabard Street, London, SE 1 4XZ (2002).
54. Amenze P. Igbinedion 74, Winnington Road, London, N2 OTX (2005).
55. Bamidele Igbinedion 31, Voce Road, London, SE 182 LW (2005).
56. Bamidele Igbinedion 5 ,Glebe House, Rectory Place, London, SE 185RW (2005).
57. Ben Igbinedion 6, Bathurst House, City Estate ,London, W12 7AG (2007).
58. Ben Igbinedion 6, Bathurst House, City Estate, London, W12 7AG (2002).
59. Benita Igbinedion Ashford Barnet Road, Barnet Hertfordshire, EN5 3HB (2004).
60. Bridget Igbinedion 81, Denbigh Road, London, E6 3LF (2002).
61. Cherry Igbinedion 74, Winnington Road, London, N2 OTX (2002).
62. David Igbinedion Flat 15, Ross Court 3, Napoleon Road, London, E58TE (2003).
63. Edith Igbinedion 50, Bankfied Avenue,Manchester, M13 OZP (2004).
64. Edith Igbinedion 83, Fraser Road, Greenford, Middlesex, UB6 7AL (2002).
65. Egbe L. Igbinedion 9, Rodborough Road, London, NW118SA (2007).
66. Ekpen Igbinedion Flat 25, Centurion House, 69 Station Road, Edgware, Middlesex HAB 7 JQ (2007).
67. Emmanuel Igbinedion 4, Apric Close, London, W7 3HF (2003).
68. Emmanuel Igbinedion 174, Greenford Avenue, London, W7 3QT (2002).
69. Esohe A. Igbinedion 9, Rodborough Road, London, NW118SA (2002).
70. Etiosa Igbinedion Ashford Barnet Road, Barnet Hertfordshire, EN5 3HB (2006).
71. Etiosa E. Igbinedion Fuschia House, LF W Hall, Canute Road, Southampton, S0143 ZP (2007).
72. Evamaria Igbinedion Ashford Barnet, Road Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN5 3HB (2002).
73. Eyagbon Igbinedion 4, Ryder Drive, London ,SE 163 BB (2002).
74. Florence Igbinedion 25, Redcliffe Court, Nightingale Estate ,London, E58 TX (2002).
75. Gabriel O. Igbinedion 74, Winnington Road, London, N2 OTX (2007).
76. Galatian Igbinedion 4, Ryder Drive, London, SE 163 BB (2003).
77. Grace O. Igbinedion 11, Grafton Road, London, W36PB (2002).
78. Helen Igbinedion 8, Norway Gate, London, SE167 TR (2002).
79. Henry Igbinedion Flat 4, Heversham House, ILderton Road, London, SE 151 EJ (2007).
80. Henry A. Igbinedion 64, Harrington Road, London ,SE 254LY (2006).
81. Agbon Igbinedion Flat 25, Centurion House, 69 Station Road ,Edgware, Middlesex 11A8 7JQ (2008).
82. Amenze P. Igbinedion 74, Winningtion Road, London, N2 OTX (2008).
83. Bamidele Igbinedion 31, Voce Road, London, SE 182 LW (2008).
84. Ben Igbinedion Flat 6, Bathurst House, White City Estate, London, W12 7AG (2008).
85. Benita Igbinedion Ashford Barnet Road, Barnet Hertfordshire ,EN5 3HB (2008).
86. Agbon Igbinedion Flat 25, Centurion House, 69 Station Road, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7JQ (2007).
87. Albert Igbinedion 89, Becket House, Tabard Street, London, SE1 4XZ (2002).
88. Bamidele Igbinedion 31, Voce Road, London, SE 182 LW (2005).
89. Amenze P. Igbinedion 74, Winnington Road, London, N2 OTX (2005).
90. Bamidele Igbinedion 5, Glebe House, Rectory Place, London ,185 RW (2005).

For 3 quid (£) per property, this accusation can be established. I have just spent a tenner on 3 randomly picked properties ….guess what?

Wow...once again!!

BNP Near Me

2008-11-20T06:11:00.003Z

Surprisingly none on my street, I was a bit suspicious of a couple - never judge a book by its cover.

However there are 4 that live within my mansions. Funny how you want to put faces to names, feel like parking up in front of their houses and...

Its a big list, It will take a while to clear my work colleagues (about 3000 of them), the priest, the doctor, school teachers, all folks I (my family) come in contact with.

Something for an idle mind.

A lethal Mix

2008-11-17T11:18:00.003Z

Like many others I watched Channel 4’s programme Saving Africa's Witch Children. All that needs to be said about the harrowing scenes in the programme has already been said. I have also followed calls to banish Liberty Gospel Church and possibly cage its ‘overseer’ one Helen Ukpabio. At the risk of offending some of my readers, I don’t think the chorus of disapproval by concerned bloggers and the world community goes far enough. Let me start by saying that the Liberty Gospel Church isn’t the only ‘church’ in Nigeria that mixes this poisonous brew of religion and voodoo.

I have had the regrettable pleasure of attending a couple of other ‘churches’ who excel in such bastardisation of the Christian religion. One was the tarnished cult called UKCG and the other - MFM. I can not speak for other Pentecostal sects in Nigeria but it wouldn’t surprise me if there are many others who preach the gospel of prosperity, fear, voodoo and incessantly fabricate invisible enemies for members of their congregation. Every adversity - divorce, disease, accidents, death, miscarriages, poverty, job losses etc - is traced back to someone within the family who is purportedly holding back their progress via witchcraft. This mindset which is frankly held amongst many Nigerians is one considerable reason why advancement falters in our society. It has also set off an exceedingly lucrative 'deliverance' business for many false ‘pastors and prophetesses’ who live large at the expense of their easy to fleece followers.

The time I think has now come to suspend for the foreseeable future all religious activities in Nigeria. Anyone who needs to pray can do so within the confines of their home. God will still hear such prayers. While that ban is effective, all identifiable religious leaders should be locked up until they can give good reasons why they should be set free. All their funds and assets should be frozen worldwide.

Am I trivialising this issue? One isn't silly enough to think that Witchcraft/Witch hunts is of African origin. It had a noticeable presence in Europe many centuries ago. , Maybe there is something to learn from history. We are always late to the party!

Flashback: Soul/Funk of the 80s (1)

2008-11-14T11:41:00.025Z

The Sleeveface phenomenon has taken the world by storm so what better way for me to get into the act than by revisiting some of the top soul/funk acts of the 80s.

One Way - YouTube

52nd Street - Youtube

After 7 - YouTube

Al B Sure - YouTube

Alicia Myers - YouTube

Alisha - YouTube

Alphonse Mouzon - YouTube

Alyson Williams - YouTube

Angela Bofill - YouTube

Anita Ward - YouTube [OK 70s]

Apollonia 6 - YouTube

Atlantic Starr - YouTube

Aurra - YouTube

Bar Kays - YouTube

BB & Q Band - YouTube [One of my all time favourites]

Bernard Wright - YouTube

Billy Ocean - YouTube

Bobby Brown - YouTube

Bobby Nunn - YouTube

Donna Summer - YouTube

To be continued.....

This Naija Thing Sef

2008-11-11T07:40:00.004Z

Last week Friday I tried to book a flight to Nigeria. It was pretty spontaneous – one of those ‘they will like to see you calls’. I was only going to be there for 72 hours. Get in on the 13th, leave (if I am not detained by the SSS) on the 16th. Normally, and with enough time to play around with, I would have gone via a travel agent - even though I sometimes find them tedious and infuriating.

I hit the NET, and the best direct flight deal I could get (price and availability) was BA. They had a couple of economy seats free. Missing out would have meant business or even first class. Unless someone can convince me that those who sit in First and Business class survive plane crashes, I don’t really see the point, didn’t even have that sort of dosh to waste anyways (plus my bad belle).

So I went onto the BA site to book online, put all my info in, only for the final page to inform me that I had to pay offline! I was running a bit late, so I asked wifey to call and do the stuff offline while I got ready. BA’s response to her – they wouldn’t take card details offline, she needed to go to one of their offices in person and present your card…

I thought it was one of wifey’s tricks. She didn’t want to pay with her card…So I got out of the bath and called the same number. I told them I needed to pay for a flight I had just booked/reserved on their site. The lady at the other end asked me if I had my card details ready, I said yes. (Giving wifey the (daggers) eye). The BA lady then asked what the reference number was from the booking. When I gave it to her, she said sorry, you will need to visit one of our offices to make the payment. I asked whether that was a new BA procedure sarcastically mocking their 92% fall in profits. She said no, it only applied to Nigeria and maybe one other unnamed country. It simply had to do with high levels of card fraud. “Do you want to know the closest office to you”, she asked. I asked her to cancel the booking.

I went back online, this time to lastminute.com, did the usual search and BA came up again as the only available deal for the dates I needed. I could pay online…hurray. I did all that, and I was told a confirmation will be sent to my mailbox. I had used lastminute.com earlier in the month to book flights to the US for wifey and kids for Xmas, and the confirmation came almost immediately.

I hit gmail, and there was a message from lastminute.com but it wasn’t a confirmation.

Thank you for your booking request. This email acknowledges receipt of your order.

Security checks are currently being performed on your order to help protect your identity and potential unauthorized use of your card. The order is not confirmed until we send you an e-mail notifying that your order has been processed successfully. You should receive this within 24 hours, but we aim to do this within 4 hours.

This time I couldn’t be bothered that I was running late. I called up LM dot com -guess what – same answer. I cancelled.

A few hours later, I was told that the ‘boss’ I was meant to see in Abuja was off to somewhere, the meeting has been postponed. It’s back to the trusty travel agent. Then I thought, why do they (TA’s) ask you to pay money into a bank account before they confirm your booking? Same reason?

And as if that is not enough, one is greeted this morning with the following headlines:

Facebook 'infiltrated by Nigerian fraudsters'

Facebook hit by Nigerian 419 scam

Cyber criminals target Facebook users

and more...

What is wrong with our people biko nu! Wetin!!

Goodbye Miriam Makeba

2008-11-10T07:43:00.002Z

South African singer and activist Miriam Makeba, whose music was banned under apartheid, has died at age 76 after a performance in Italy, ANSA news agency reported Monday. Makeba collapsed at the concert and was taken to hospital, where she died of a heart attack overnight, it said. Nicknamed "Mama Africa," she became one of the best-known symbols in the long and bitter struggle against her country's apartheid regime, which for decades enforced racial segregation. South Africa revoked her citizenship in 1960 when she wanted to return home for her mother's funeral, and she then spent more than three decades in exile, living in the United States and Guinea. Makeba, who won a Grammy award for Best Folk Recording with US singer Harry Belafonte in 1965, also saw her music outlawed in her homeland after she appeared in an anti-apartheid film.

Source: IC Publications

She will sorely be missed! An African Legend....The Queen is gone.

A Letter From Jonathan Elendu

2008-11-06T07:30:00.000Z

Published 30/10/08

On the evening of October 18, 2006, I arrived Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja aboard a KLM flight. I had left my base, Lansing, Michigan for Nigeria the previous day. I was looking forward to coming home and finishing some projects I had started some months earlier. These projects are 2 documentary films I had started working on some months earlier and a stage show to celebrate the one year anniversary of Gov. Chibuike Amaechi.

I got to the Immigration counter at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and handed my passport to the officers there. This is something I had done several times in the past and I had no reason to suspect that this day will be any different. The Immigration officer took a glance at my passport and handed it over to another officer in plain clothes. The officer turned around and beckoned on another man in white caftan. The man, who later introduced himself as the director of the State Security Service (SSS) airport division, told me that he needed to chat with me and would wait until I picked up my luggage.

After picking up my stuff I headed to the Customs unit where they assessed duty and after I paid released my luggage to me. I had asked those who were waiting for me to take my luggage with them while I went to see the SSS officers. The director of SSS insisted that my luggage had to follow me to Yellow House, their headquarters near the Aso Rock Villa.

The SSS officers hired a van to convey one of their officers, my luggage and I to their headquarters from the airport. The driver of the van drove like a man who had an appointment to keep in hell. The road to town was not lighted and his headlights barely showed. I celebrated our getting to the offices of the SSS in one piece.

We got to the offices of the SSS at about 10:45 PM and that is how my 12 days in lock up began. It was the most harrowing experience of my life. On the 10th day I had access to my lawyers for the first time. This was after I was transferred from the SSS cell, where I was held in solitary confinement for 7 days, to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) cell. My lawyer told me about the outpouring of love and support for me from all over the world. I broke down and cried.

I cried because I had been told by the SSS that I was abandoned by my lawyers and family. I knew that to be false. I cried because I did not know that my plight was known to the world. I cried because I was just overwhelmed by the support and wondered if I had earned your love. And I cried for my country…

Words are not enough to tell you how grateful I am to each and every one of you. Many times I had doubted the wisdom of the path I had chosen for myself. Now I know it was the right path for me. I had tried to refocus and reposition my practice as a journalist. This led to my slowing down in reporting. This experience and your response to my plight have shown me that I was wrong.

I wish I could find stronger words to tell you how grateful I am. What better words can I come up with to better express my feelings for what you have done for me? Hard as I have searched, I can only come up with these two words: Thank you.

There have been stories and speculations as to what led to my arrest by the SSS and later the EFCC. The speculations continue even now that I have been released. There were also speculations as to what happened while I was in lock up. I even heard that I “sang” while in captivity. I have asked what tone I sang, what song I sang.

I am writing this note on a borrowed computer as my laptop, flash drives, cell phones, clothes, wallet, green card, credit and bank cards are still in the custody of the SSS. In fact, everything I came with from the States, apart from the clothes on my back are in the custody of the SSS.

When my stuff is released and after due consultations with my family and lawyers, I will tell the world what actions or inactions will follow. I have seen a doctor after my release on Wednesday. I am hoping to see my doctors in the United States soon. However, as soon as I get my laptop and get some little rest, I intend to give a full account of what transpired while I was in lock up.

This much I can tell you: They tried but did not succeed in breaking my will. If the idea was to cow me, I want you to know that I do not walk on all fours. If the intention was to use me as a scapegoat, please note that I do not bleat and I do not eat grass. If what I went through was to teach me a lesson. This much I have learnt. The servant leader has adorned the robes of a wicked Emperor. Ill-fitting as the clothes may be, he appears comfortable in the role.

These words are few and simple and yet mean so much to me: Thank you.

Email: jonathan@elendureports.com

What an astonishing night!

2008-11-05T07:04:00.004Z

It was one of those nights that you tend to remember for the rest of your life. One of those ‘where were you when…’ moments.

My night started early, I had programmed myself to wake up by 12 midnight. The results were meant to come in by that time so an early night was called for. I missed Chelsea getting hammered by Roma, and there was also that Stevie G dive.

I got up at about 1am, a couple of results were in, all for the Mac. I started wondering whether the party in Chicago was going to fall flat. I was switching channels – CNN, ITV, BBC, Scum sorry Fox News, Al J…any thing covering the election, I even had Talksport Radio on. George Galloway was in top form. I finally settled for ITV and then came the first screw-up of the night. ITV had The Mac on 103 and Obama on 34! Were my worst fears coming true? Where the polls wrong? Did the white folk suddenly wake up to the horror of voting for a black dude? I quickly switched over to the BBC, they had almost the same numbers, but the names were reversed. That was it for ITV. At some point, I couldn’t stand the tension, so I decided to finish off a film I had started in the morning – The Great White Hope (A boxing film)

A few minutes before 4am UK time came the Breaking News “Obama is the new President of the United States”.

It’s pretty hard to put the whole night/experience in context, to explain ones feelings and to wonder what happens next. I never thought I would witness this in my life time. I never thought it would happen.

Last night was a defining moment.

Off to bed.

Just one more thing. It took less than half a day to announce the results of more than 140 million voters!

One Moment In Tme

2008-11-04T10:08:00.002Z

The significance of today’s election can not be understated. The scenario of the son of a Kenyan immigrant becoming the next President of the world’s most powerful nation is colossal.

Today I feel American even though I am not one, today I feel proud to be African just because Obama’s immediate roots can be traced to the Dark Continent.

Then again indignity envelops me; I wonder why I am not this excited about elections in my home country Nigeria. I think of the leaders we have had– Balewa, Gowon, Mohammed, OBJ, Shagari, Buhari, IBB, Abacha, Abubakar, Yar’adua and I don’t see an Obama rather I see intellectual midgets.

Obama hasn’t won yet, and you just never know. But if as many as 140 million Americans who step inside the polling booth make the right private decision, the future of not only the US, but Africa will most certainly change for the best.

Ababoy endorses McCain

2008-11-03T12:32:00.003Z

FREE JONATHAN ELENDU NOW

2008-10-31T05:49:00.005Z

Elendu is a Nigerian Blogger that was detained. He is now under medical care but is not free to return to his family in America.

Fellow Bloggers,

Don't forget to join us in the online rally this Friday October 31st. Just use "FREE JONATHAN ELENDU NOW!" as the title of your blog post and FaceBook Status. Visit the Facebook page here or stop by Nigerian Curiosity.

BREAKING NEWS
Another online publisher, Mr. Emeka Asiwe of huhuonline.com was on Tuesday picked up at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos by officials of the State Security Services, SSS.
Asiwe who had arrived Nigeria from the United State to visit his sick mother was arrested shortly after arriving the country on charges that he is among online publishers declared wanted by the Government of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua.
Source: Pointblank News

Dishonourable Members

2008-10-30T09:52:00.000Z

I am a big fan of Gbenga Aruleba’s AIT programme – Focus Africa. This morning he played clips of yesterday’s stormy session between Lagos lawyer - Festus Keyamo and our ‘elected lawmakers’. This was the public hearing on Keyamo’s allegation that the N2.3 billion car deal in the House of Representatives was fraudulent.

To say that the behaviour of these status poor lawmakers was dishonourable will be giving the word a bad name. However one particular ‘legislator’ stood out. This fellow who wore a black suit with a red tie was crude, vicious, vulgar, coarse, loud and as physically ugly as it’s possible to be – and that’s just viewing him on TV.

The drama could have been faintly amusing if it wasn’t for the fact that these people were supposedly members House of Representatives Committee on Ethics and Privileges.

It was reported in some of the online publications I read later that one Warman Ogoriba (PDP, Bayelsa) got up and declared: "I will kill him (Keyamo). I am a street boy from Port Harcourt."

Which kin wahala be dis Biko nu? What have we gotten ourselves into? How many more area boys are masquerading as lawmakers?

I tire. Gbenga please keep up the good work jare. You have a fan here.

It’s reported somewhere that Jonathan Elendu has been released. Assuming this is true, and that this isn’t to set him up for another ‘chat’, we shouldn’t discount the part played by bloggers all around the world.

Will there ever be another ‘brother’ bond movie?

2008-10-29T08:22:00.003Z

Quantum of Solace premiere’s today and the star-studded event is scheduled to kick-off around 7:00pm London-time this evening at London’s Odeon Cinema, Leicester Square.

Back in the day, Bond films were big. One’s film experience was gauged on the number of Bond films you had seen. There was Dr No, From Russia with Love, Goldfinger, Thunderball, You only live twice, On her majesty’s secret service, Diamonds are forever (The 1st bond movie I watched), The man with the golden gun, The spy who loved me, Moonraker, For your eyes only, Octopussy, A view to a kill (The last bond movie I watched)…and so on.

Nonetheless one Bond movie stood out for me and it wasn’t even a classic - Live and Let die.

A genuine ‘brother’ movie released during the blaxploitation era, with clichéd black folks, all in massive afros, ‘bongo’ trousers, heeled shoes, talking smack and drug dealing their way to ….

This film was shot in predominantly black spots like Harlem, New Orleans and Jamaica and starred – arguably - the first African American Bond girl – Gloria Hendry (Rosie Carver). It was also Roger Moore’s first bond movie.

It was a film filled with classic one-liners and backed up by an unforgettable rock and roll theme written by Paul and his wife Linda McCartney.

It featured leading black faces like Yaphet Kotto who later on starred in Roots, Raid on Entebbe, Running Man and the TV series – Homicide: Life on the Street; The late Julius Harris - Capt. Bollin in Shaft's Big Score, Ugandan President Idi Amin in the TV movie Victory at Entebbe. He also appeared in Trouble Man, King Kong, Black Caesar and in guest-starring roles on Sanford and Son, Good Times, and Love Boat; and the towering Geoffrey Holder well known for his heavily accented deep voice and energetic laugh.

While a few rednecks throttled this film, it was a box office success and also holds the record for the most viewed broadcast film on television in the United Kingdom - attracting 23.5 million viewers when premiered on ITV on 20 January 1980

This film was released 35 years ago and one wonders, will there ever be another ‘brother’ Bond movie. Hmmm, I guess not.

The Hostage

2008-10-24T09:39:00.002Z

Spot the President

The incompetent with nothing to do can still make a mess of it - Laurence J. Peter

I am beginning to feel sorry for our President. It appears that this little known ex-governor of the remote northern state of Katsina has lost control of the country he is meant to lead.

This week’s edition of the Economist magazine has the headline “Please hurry up”. The substance of the article is that more and more people are grumbling that his unhurried style is failing to move the machinery of Africa’s biggest and most boisterous nation. Fair point, but how can a sick man held hostage by so many political bag carriers move Nigeria forward?

Even without the load of his hostage takers, it is apparent that the man is beleaguered by the task that confronts him. Some say he is out of his depth, and it’s hard not to agree. I thought rather idiotically that the Supreme Court would put him out of his misery and rescind his less than plausible election into office – fat chance.

His declaration to apply the rule of law and be a servant master has been usurped by those who brought him to power. Ex-Wickes employee, Mr Ibori who purportedly bankrolled his presidential campaign, now appears to be in charge of his ‘anti’ anti corruption outfit.

Those who disapprove of his leadership or expose the disreputable deeds of his agents are banged up by those claiming to act on his behalf. He also isn’t helped in anyway by the PDP, his partner who many claim is the actual president of Nigeria or his VP - Jonathan who quite frankly is merely part of Aso Rock’s furniture.

Our country has been taken over by a gang of yobbos who profit by having an ineffectual man at the helm.

Set Yardy free.

Spooky or sheer Coincidence?

2008-10-22T15:54:00.003Z

On my way back from work yesterday, at the junction where the M4 meets the A312, I was waiting for the traffic light to turn to green.

On my car (what’s it called) stereo, I was blasting Michael Jackson’s PYT. I had my window rolled down a bit. Funny how its always warmer inside the car, when there is a bit of sun, but cooler outside….discuss…(duh).

I kinda noticed – corner of my eye - that there was someone in the car – outer lane - peeping into my car. I turned and guess who it was

JERMAINE JACKSON.

Crackdown

2008-10-21T07:00:00.006Z

The closure of Channels TV wasn’t a one-off, it was an signal of things to come. Yardy's henchmen on Saturday arrested Mr Jonathan Elendu – online publisher of Elendu Reports. According to PM news, the United States-based publisher, who was arrested on arrival in Nigeria, was allegedly linked to Saharareporters, another online Nigerian news agency.

Yardy has a long running battle with the Sahara guys. It appears that someone close to Yardy is leaking sensitive info and pictures to these guys.

Young Yardy

Yardy

Their latest headline “Crude Oil Lifting Contracts As Yar’adua’s Cash Cow” wouldn’t make comfy reading for Yardy and his praise singers. It looks like the cultish secrecy oath thing /ban on certain ministers visiting Yardy isn’t working.

Yardy, this is a combat you and your thugs will find quite taxing to win. Its online baby….no fixed addresses. Ask your guys to stop being ‘tossers’. Ask them to release this man. I dont think he is in the mood to chat...not to the SSS Boss.

Rule of law, my .....

Good Governance Pays

2008-10-20T14:12:00.004Z

Festus Mogae is this year's winner of the Mo Ibrahim Prize for achievement in African Leadership.

Mr Mogae is the former President of Botswana. He stepped down in April after serving two terms in office. Let me repeat the last sentence - He stepped down in office after serving two terms in office. He wasn't forced out, he didn't go to some shrine or temple to consult any gods. He respected the constitution of his country and stepped down.

He will pocket $5m (for his troubles) and additionally get $200k a year for the rest of his life.

Pocket money I guess to the some other leaders who wouldnt win or want to win this price....the likes of.....

The question is: Will a price like this encourage good governance?

Headlines

2008-10-16T08:33:00.002Z

There were all sorts of headlines yesterday.

Nigeria's oil windfall account depleted — Soludo.

No surprises there. N1.723 trillion has been shared by the three tiers of government from the excess crude oil account, and is there anything to show for it? Don’t know.

There were also puzzling headlines from Ms Waziri’s War on War on Corruption agency (Don’t delete repeated words).

EFCC: No Case against Obasanjo, 31 Ex-Govs, screamed ThisDay.
Files on ex-governors missing, says EFCC, reported the Nigerian Punch.

A day later, another set of headlines hit the newspapers. EFCC Clarifies Position on Ex- Govs reported ThisDay. The game being played here is pretty clear.

Whenever I think of Waziri, and all the chitchat about Ibori’s role in getting her the job, I can't seem to get this image of a cashier in Wickes out of my head (No insult to checkout guys at Wickes)…

Anyway, the headline that really caught my full attention was this one in The Nigerian Sun

I was humiliated over 419 – Pastor Adeboye

Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye is the General Overseer (whatever that means) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God,

Quotes from the great man

“The moment they heard that I am a pastor, that’s when they decided that the search must be thorough. In fact, they told me that I must preach a sermon! They asked me the last time I preached; I said last Sunday. They asked for the topic, I gave them. What was the theme? I gave them. What was the Bible passage? I gave them.

“At the end, they apologized, saying, ‘in your case, you are genuine. We have caught Nigerians who say they are pastors but who are fake. We have seen people who travelled with what is supposed to be a Bible and inside they had cut off a portion of it and put in drugs.’ In a situation like that you find the innocent suffering because of the misdeeds of a handful of people.”

In the same article he linked the alarming growth of corruption in the Nigerian society to “the collapse of family ethos as well as the debasement of teachers by the government”.

It’s funny how these ‘men of God’ fail to appreciate the association linking the surge of Pentecostalism (Gospel of materialism some call it) to the foundation of greed and social discontent in our society. This man once infamously likened Aremu Obasanjo to the Prophet Elisha!

More from him.

“When we talk about the family also failing, in the olden days, many a time the father would earn enough to feed the entire family. Now, papa would work, mama must work, so there is little time left for parents to look after their children. So when we are looking at corruption as a very big monster, it has several roots and we must go to the root of it, not just cut off the branches and expect that the end of the story will come. We must go deep.”

These men of God sef…

Chokers?

2008-10-13T13:29:00.006Z

Maybe I am being a bit unfair on Samuel Peter (despite all the mouth ….. ) and Lewis Hamilton who will surely be labeled one if he fails to win the F1 championship this year.

Back to Samuel Peter, I am waiting for his excuse. Was he ‘jazzed’ by the Ukrainian giant? I have seen Samuel box a few times, and while he wouldn’t be remembered as one of the great Heavyweight champions, his surrender right from the minute the bell rang was scandalous. OK, he ate as one report put it, a steady diet of stiff jabs, hard right hands, and painful combinations served by Dr Iron Fist, still as a Naija bros, he should (at worst) have either taken a drop and be counted out. Boxing can be very unforgiving to those who quit on their stool. Anyway, the man with two Christian names took a pounding. He was virtually a swaying punch bag that made a guy who had been out of the ring for 4 years look good.