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Jan 2010 | ISSN 1758-6275 for what we were, are and will be

Will Super
Eagles Fly?
The Cries of
Lady Nitel
29 Things
You should Do This Year

Lost In The Woods

Fela Durotoye
g
on slum makeover
e Youn eur
Th epre n
Entr

BANKY W, tells DAKORE EGBUSON, Creative styles

us about Women tells us about men this year

naijaTimes 1
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naijaTimes 3
Welcome to 2010!
Editor’s note
We are back from the holidays and ready to
resume our storytelling to you, our readers.
We hope you had a nice holiday season. As
I write this note for this maiden edition in
2010, I recall what an anonymous author
once said: give people more than they
expect and do it cheerfully; memorise your
favourite poem; don’t believe all you hear;
spend all you have or sleep all you want;
when you say, “I love you”, mean it; believe in
love at first sight.
As we warmly welcome you into another
year, we ask that you show love to as
many people as you can. It is this message
of love that our cover story on Fela
Durotoye reinforces. Fela has a vision to
start a community project he names “Area
Makeover”. He started last December with
the Mushin Makeover project which had in
attendance about 5, 000 volunteers who
gave a facelift to Mushin. For more on this,
why not flip over the pages to discover the
painter of slums we found in Fela. In addition,
we highlight 29 things you must do this year
just as we share with you why some people
keep or find it difficult to keep New Year
resolutions.
On Fashion & Lifestyle, Lola Ogunbadejo
predicts new trends that will rock the UK
fashion scene this year while also Odiri
Etireri highlights creative styles to watch
out for in 2010. And we have a new Sports
section where we ask the pertinent question:
‘will the Super Eagles fly?’ as the World Cup
commences. Of course, this edition will be
incomplete without the regulars: “Let Me
Tell You About Men” and “Let Me Tell You
About Women”, “Career & Development”,
“the Mysterious Shopper”, “the Shop” and
the Health section among others. Why not
make it a date with us again next month when
we shall celebrate another season of love?
Remember to put a smile on someone’s face
this month. Happy New Year!
- Funke Adetutu
naijaTimes 5
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Higlights on special Val gifts for your loved ones
What does Valentine mean to you

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January 10 Grandma’s Grandson 48

Mr FineBoy

Travel & Culture Money

My Lagos 10 The Cries of Lady NITEL
Top 4 THINGS Of Red Indians and Native Nigerians 14 The Young Entrepreneur 43
The Homecoming 18
TO WATCH Entertainment
OUT FOR IN Fashion & Lifestyle
29 things you should do this year 20
Let Me Tell You About Women
Let Me Tell You About Men
44
47
JANUARY UK Fashion in 2010 22 Grandma’s grandson 48
Creative styles this year 24 Lost in the woods 52
1. The African Cup of Nations on 12 Why not give that resolution another
Health
43 January at Complexo da Senhora da
Graca (Benguela)
shot this year? 26
Fibroids: the bane of reproductive health 56
Campus Life
38 2. Economist Conferences tagged CEO Campus News 30 The Shop
Agenda will come up January 11- 12th Model Reader 28 At Aimas, it’s accessorised t-shir ts and more 58
59
60 2010 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Mysterious Shopper
Victoria Island , Lagos Cover Story
Fela Durotoye on slum makeover 34 Sports
Will the Super Eagles Fly? 60
3. Music Concert at Okiki Hotels
Careers & Development Game Of Hope 65
BMJWA’s
The upside of a downturn 38
Directories
26 34 4. 10th writing skills workshop comes up
on 26th -27th January in Abuja, Nigeria
Business Listings 66

8 naijaTimes 9

Chief Mrs Taiwo Taiwo
M y family has always had some connection
with Lagos Island and this stems from my
father’s involvement with Western House
because of his connection with the Action
Group. He was a politician as well as a
businessman.
He was however, better known for the
estate he built in Maryland. My father, Chief
Samuel Olatunbosun Shonibare, was a very
astute businessman generally recognised as
a man well ahead of his time. He acquired
10
My Lagos
Onigbongbo village from the Onigbongbo
family. He recognised that the proximity of the
Onigbongbo village to the proposed airport
would make it a gold mine. He acquired it then
for £5,000. Many of his generation thought
he was mad because it was basically a village
but he was proven by time to have been very
intuitive and smart.
It was acquired under the name of Chief S.O
Shonibare but in 1958 after he took a loan
from Barclays bank DCO for a sum of £280,000
to execute the project, he changed, as part
of the conditions of the loan, the title deeds
which was in his name to a new company which
he formed called Shonny Investments and
Properties Limited in 1959 and built what is
now called the Shonibare estate. He didn’t call
it Shonibare estate then, it was called Maryland
Estate and it was arguably the first mixed
residential estate in Nigeria.
It contained eight blocks of two bedroom
flats and 13 bungalows. It had special features
that were remarkable because he had a
borehole made for the estate and had gas
lamps fitted in the sitting rooms even though,
at that time, there were no problems of water
or light. And apparently there were plans to
get generators and this was in the 1960’s. So,
Travel & Culture
he was visionary enough to envisage the
problems that could come in future.
After my father died very prematurely
at 44 in 1964, my mother took over the
business of running Shonny Investments
and Properties Limited and helped not
just to keep his dream alive, she continued
to dream, redeveloped and continued to
develop Shonibare estate.
So, after he died, my mother who was
an incredibly smart and self-effacing woman,
created the Maryland hotel, a 50-room hotel
which she developed from inception. It became
naijaTimes 11
 a huge success with a restaurant and dance club.
She paid back the loan to Barclays bank in
1970. However, in 1968 she acquired the
interest to the Elephant House in Lagos
Island, from the Pearse family. Now Elephant
House is widely recognised as one of the
most interesting examples of Brazilian
architecture in Nigeria. It stood magnificent
on Broad Street and one of the conditions
attached to her acquiring this building was
that any building that had to be built there
must be called Elephant House. So this was
the original Elephant House, a historical
monument which people like John Godwin
have fought very hard to have listed.
It took ten years to get the permission to
build Elephant House because in those days
the Lagos state government was very strict
about the conditions under which you could
build a high-rise property. You had to have at
least 50 feet setback at the front and at the
side. You had to do a survey of the impact of
the construction on the environment. I guess
you had to submit what you now call, an
environmental impact analysis or assessment.
I was just 29 but it didn’t matter to her. She
informed me that she had done the difficult
part, all I had to do was to go and raise the
money. “Your father was very young when
he put together Western House so you go
ahead”, she said.
Even though I was 29 I had been running
the Maryland hotel then. We hadn’t been
there for long when the beginning of the
destruction of Lagos Island set in. It started
gradually and it was an insidious process
because you didn’t see it happening. There
were many factors including failure of
government to invest in urban renewal
because if you leave a city without renewing
12
it things go bad and that was accelerated when
the “Area Boys”, that terminology which is
now known all over Nigeria, moved in and the
failure of Local government to enforce their
rules and failure on our part as stakeholders
to stop the encroachment, because we
could have insisted that it stop the first time
somebody banged on your window and asked
what you would give him.
The Area Boy thing is a new phenomenon. It
didn’t exist before the 90’s. In fact people used
to walk all the way down the streets of Lagos
Island at lunch in the hope that they would
bump into someone important and exchange
cards and make some business connections.
Literally, it was like walking down Wall Street.
That was what it was because the Central
Bank was there, the Stock Exchange was there
and there will never be another hub with such
variety of businesses.
We all got together (stakeholders and
concerned members and owners in Lagos
Island), set up 3 committees, established the
group and then tried to work out what had gone
wrong and what we needed to do to get Lagos
Island back and the then Lagos State Governor
was part of the group.We invested a lot of money
and the State Government under Governor
Tinubu got it and we said we will do this and you
will do that and the story now is that Lagos Island
is back and the Elephant rises again.
Look at the traffic, it’s gone. You can go
from Elephant House to Ikoyi in 10 minutes.
You can get to the Mainland with ease. It’s
so strategically located and safe too and in
December the Lagos state Government, in
conjunction with the LIMGE (Lagos Millennium
Group On The Environment), will be holding
a month-long celebration to mark the revival
and transformation of Lagos Island into a
world-class central business district.
naijaTimes 13

Of Red Indians
and Native Nigerians
Kemi Ogunleye
So I hear Sade is now engaged to one Red
Indian fellow? Goodness Mother! The term
‘Red Indian’ is not p.c. these days. You should
“What’s
say ‘Native American’ instead.
What is not p.c? I’m asking you about a serious
the big matter and you are telling me something is not
p.c. or c.p. or whatever you call it. My friend,
deal
is she marrying a Red Indian or not?! Yes,
Mother. Sade is engaged to a Native American
brother. O pari o! Whose brother? So he is
anyway? now your brother, abi? You mean you approve
of this madness? Of course I approve, Mom.
The most
Big Mountain is a great guy, and he treats Sade
like a princess. Ki lo pe? Big Mountain, ke? So
Sade is going to become Mrs Big Mountain?
important
Ah! O ma se o! No wonder her poor mother
is crying like it’s the end of the world. Well, it’s
thing
not the end of the world, ok?
What’s the big deal anyway? The most
should be
important thing should be that Sade is happy.
What has happiness got to do with anything?
We sent you children abroad to get a good
that Sade education not to get married to big mountains
or small molehills! What is this world coming
is happy.
to? Why are you all overreacting? You haven’t
even met the man yet and you’ve already
condemned him. That’s not very fair. Well,
we are not living in a fair world. Is it fair that
Sade’s father is threatening to throw her
mother out of the house over this matter?
Don’t you children realise that it is we, your
mothers, who suffer the consequences of the
stupid things you do?
14
Travel & Culture
Sade’s mother is now an object of ridicule in so certain that he wanted me to marry an
the whole neighbourhood. Now tell me, is Egba man then he should have sent me to the
that fair? I think that if everybody sat down University of Abeokuta. Oh but I forgot, there
and discussed this matter like rational adults, is no such university, is there?! Ha! Ha! Ha!!!
we would soon see that there really isn’t any Eh-en! Is it me, your mother, that you are
reason for all this panic. You see that is the talking to like this? Is this how young ladies
problem with sending you children abroad. in America talk to their parents these days??
You have lost your culture. See the way you Anyway, I don’t have time to play cat and
are even talking to me – everybody should sit mouse games with you right now. Just tell me
down and discuss this like rational adults. See who your boyfriend is! Boyfriend? Mom, how
your mouth like rational adults. Are you trying are you so certain that I have a boyfriend?
to say that I’m not behaving like an adult? Why What if I tell you that I have a girlfriend?
don’t you kuku go ahead and call me a mad That I’m a lesbian? Les-kini?! Lesbian ke? Ki
woman now? lo n je be? Yes, a lesbian. A woman who likes
other women. If I told you that I’m a lesbian,
Mom, you’re taking this a bit too far… I will
take it as far as I want o. Or do you want to
what would you say? I reject that in Jesus’
mighty name!!!! My own daughter? Olorun
tell me to shut up now? In fact, why don’t you
just go and get a cane and start beating me?!
Stupid girl, you no longer know the difference
between your mates and your elders. O ma
se o! And it’s not as though we didn’t train “He had
better be
you these children o. OK Mom, I see you are
determined to be emotional about this issue...
a decent
Shut up jo, you this stupid girl! What have we
asked you and what are you answering?! You
think you know everything now, abi? Because
you have a Master’s degree, abi? Let me just
tell you now, in case you don’t know: no Nigerian
boy from a
matter how many clothes a child has, he can
never have more rags than his grandfather!
good home
Mom, what are you talking about? Ask me
again! Look, I am your mother and I know
more than you, finish! Now tell me, who is
your own boyfriend?
o. In fact,
he must be a
He had better be a decent Nigerian boy from
a good home o. In fact, he must be a Yoruba
Yoruba boy”
boy, preferably from Abeokuta or thereabouts.
Because you know your father wants you to
marry from a good Egba family. Ha! Ha! Ha!!!
Mommy, you won’t kill me o! Where would I
find an Egba man in Wisconsin? If Daddy was
naijaTimes 15

You are what you wear.
naija Man m’aje! Tufia kwa! Tufia kwa? Mom, since when
did you start speaking Ibo? Ok, ok, I’m just
www.naijaclothing.com kidding about the lesbian thing o. Before you
start speaking in tongues on top of my head!
I knew you were joking. You had to be joking.
Lesbian l’ati bo? But you should know that I
don’t appreciate such silly jokes. You are really
turning into something else in that America
o. I warned your father about sending you
so far away, but of course he didn’t listen to
me. He wanted you to have a broader life
experience. We can all see exactly how broad
an experience you’re getting now. Nonsense!
But seriously Mom, I think you need to open
your mind a little bit. So if I were really a
lesbian, would you disown me? The fact that
a person’s lifestyle does not conform to your
own notions of right and wrong, doesn’t
mean that the person should be condemned.
It’s the whole different strokes thing. But
instead of talking about things openly, you
just want to bury your head in the sand and
pretend that certain things don’t exist. It’s
because of attitudes like yours that Nigeria
isn’t progressing. Hey, will you mind your
mouth there! Who do you think you’re
talking to gan paa paa? I’ll have you know
that I’ve been around a lot longer than you,
so I know a thing or two about the world
that we live in. And that’s my point Mom. You
have been around, and you do know about all
these things, so why do you act like any of it
is news to you? You think that if you refuse to
acknowledge this stuff, it’ll just go away? You
think if you wish hard enough, perhaps all the
gay people in Nigeria will just disappear?
Well, it doesn’t work like that. And in fact,
it’s this culture of silence and denial that
we have that allows all sorts of atrocities
to go unacknowledged, unpunished and
16
Travel & Culture
unabated. A young girl is molested by her
relative. Everyone knows it happened, but no
one discusses it openly. The molester goes
scot-free; free to inflict his barbarism on
some other innocent victim. Police officers
brutalise a young lady because she doesn’t
get out of their way as quickly as they would
like. A few people make noises about how
lawless the police have become, but most
people believe that it’s really the lady’s fault.
She should have done what she was told; she
shouldn’t have challenged the officers. The
lady’s family bundle her out of the country
“for her own protection.” And the police are
free to continue their reign of terror. But
silence protects nobody, Mom. If one person
is victimised, then ultimately, we are all victims.
It’s a warped society we have – criminals walk
freely, while the rest of us are held captive in
prisons of our own making.
Ok, ok, enough with the lecture! Because
you’re studying for a Masters degree, now
nobody can rest abi? I thank God that I also
went to school o! Mom, be serious for a
minute! Listen, my daughter, agitation and
activism are luxuries I can no longer afford
at my age. I’ve been through the fire myself
and I didn’t come out unscathed. This spirit
of yours, this fiery spirit, you didn’t come
about it by accident. You inherited it from me,
your mother. I was labelled a troublemaker
in my youth because I was never afraid to
confront anyone or ask questions. I had been
blessed with a brain and a voice and I used
both as weapons of warfare. So then what
happened, Mom? Where did that warrior
go? The warrior was once dead but has now
resurrected in you, my daughter. You are the
one who has gone to places I’ve never been,
and you are the one who will do things I
never could… to be continued
naijaTimes 17

W hen people tell me they
The
want to move back to Nigeria, I
respond with the question, why?
Sometimes I get a puzzling reply
homecoming
bordering around the fact that
Nigeria is after all home, like it or
not! Other times I get a response
ADORA IKWUEMESI on how much better things appear
to be in Nigeria and how so-and-
so came back a few years ago is
earning a fat salary. I listen while
they rant and go on and on and
once they are done, my reply is
the same. ‘Don’t come back if you
have nothing to offer Nigeria, we
have enough people in Nigeria
who are just here for the taking,
we don’t need any more.’
Now I don’t mean to sound like a
patriot, but I have a deep-rooted
feeling and belief that I am here
for a purpose. Yes, I was in the
UK for over a decade, schooled
there, lived there and at one point
was quoted to have said I couldn’t
imagine living in Nigeria.
It has been seven years since I
returned to Nigeria and I would
not trade it for anything. My return
to Nigeria was the beginning of
many positive changes in my life.
With my return, I decided I would
only work in a field I enjoyed. I
took stock of myself and decided
to work with my strengths for
a change. I developed a new
philosophy around the premise of
leveraging on my innate abilities
rather than my learned skills. I
18
took myself back to a time when I was well
known for talking and writing -the tender age
of seven. My friends had told me I was good
at giving people advice. Therefore, armed with
that extra bit of information, I had my top
three innate abilities--- talking, writing and
offering advice.
The career finding exercise paid off. My first
job in Nigeria was in consulting. A profession
that never ever crossed my mind when I was
in the UK making the most of my IT career
with a leading telecoms company in the UK,
designing software for mobile phones. A place
I cherished for the exposure I had world-class
computers, but a job more mundane than a
picking and packing job in a factory.
Returning home to Nigeria is not an easy
option because the situation is not as blissful
as may be painted. Returning to the country
for a holiday does nothing to prepare you for
the shock associated with coming back for
good. It is easier to cope with blackouts when
you are on holiday but when you are here
for good you cannot cope, it also bites right
deep into your pocket all through the year.
More than anything else, I detest the traffic,
the potholes, the insecurity and the terrible
driving habits- I have even developed a driving
phobia. I tell anyone who cares to listen that
you must be sick of your present state abroad
to come back here otherwise that decision
to return will never be made. There must be
a trigger and you must have reached the end
of your tether. There must be a deeper than
superficial reason to come back to Nigeria
because on the surface it appears to be a
crazy decision. When people tell me 101
reasons why they cannot come back yet I tell
them not to worry because they are not quite
there yet. When you are there you will know.
Travel & Culture
Coming back to Nigeria for me marked my
‘coming to self.’ A time when I came full circle
in deciding what career path to follow. Nigeria
provided the atmosphere for me to be me.
My first job here was the most exciting of my
whole life. Sunday blues, a feeling that lingered
throughout my career in the UK became
a thing of the past. As a young consultant,
I looked forward to going to work every
morning. The people I worked with were like
me; they spoke like me, behaved like me and
understood my being. We joked at work, faffed
around sometimes and even when we worked
crazy hours on those crazy projects with
manic deadlines we still loved what we did.
It is different for everyone I guess but for
me coming home brought out the best of
my career. Career for me is not a job but
an assignment strongly linked to my mission
in life. Career for me is the God given gifts
and talents I have naturally made beautiful
by the skills I have acquired over the years.
So understand why my decision to return to
Nigeria is one I am grateful to have made.
To my brothers and sisters that want out of
Nigeria I say, by all means go. It is a good thing
for one to be exposed to the ways of the
rest of the world. There are so many things
I learnt in the UK. My UK experience has
been an added advantage to a lot of career
moves I have made. I encourage exposure
with a plan. Without a plan, it is easy for one
to get lost in learning the rudimentary skills
required to thrive in a foreign culture. Also, it
is not necessary to be in Nigeria to be part
of the change; we have so many Nigerians
in the Diaspora that are doing a better job
of uplifting Nigeria than the multitude of
Nigerians back home.
naijaTimes 19

29 things
you should do this year
Shola Okubote
T his Year, forget huge easy-to-break New Year’s
resolutions and think about small steps toward
a well-rounded you. Maybe what you need is not
the drastic change you have always planned for,
but finding meaning in insignificant activities that
can instill freshness into your hectic and nerve-
wrecking lifestyle.
Focus on these priceless moments with immense
passion and have a new perspective to life.
Some of them will need planning, others will only
take a few hours out of your day, but at the end
of the year, when you look back at all you have
accomplished, it will be worth it.
1. Attend a funeral. It has a way of reminding
us that life is finite, and tells us we should
treasure every moment we have on earth.
2. Bath under a waterfall, climb a mountain,
or drive through a game reserve. Whatever
you do make sure you see nature at its best,
like you have never done before.
3. Be the answer to someone’s prayer and
a solution to someone’s problem. Guide
the lost stranger, feed the poor, teach the
ignorant, serve a sick person breakfast in bed,
and maybe give your maid a day off.
4. Do you have a favourite author, designer,
actor or musician? Write a fan letter to all
your favourites and send it to them. Some
will get it, some never will.
5. Face your fears. If you hate crowds then
by all means go to a stadium, if you are afraid
of having all eyes on you then go to sing at
20
Fashion & Lifestyle
13. Love yourself, Love others too. Do not 21. Reflect on your greatest weakness, and
hold back all you can give and be to yourself your greatest strength and how they can
and to others. Love without fear. make you a better person.
14. Listen to elderly people’s stories of 22. Re-visit your favourite childhood books,
a karaoke bar, and if you are afraid of teddy
what life was like when they were younger;
let them tell you about their regrets and
movies and music. What really made you tick
when you were younger?
bears, go to bed with twenty! You will discover
victories, and what they would do differently
that fear is really what it is - False Evidence
if they had a new shot at life. 23. Send a message to an unknown person.
Appearing Real!
Write something, put it in a bottle, close it
15. Make a collection of everything you and throw it in the ocean, hoping someone,
6. Find a reason to throw a party and invite
love in a scrap book. Insert pictures of your someday will get it.
everyone you really want to be there, it could
favorite actress, your favorite chocolate
be to celebrate your birthday, or even your
wrapper, a ribbon from your old sexy lingerie 24. Sleep under the stars. When was the last
break up, or just because it is another Friday!
and even your favorite bible passage. time you looked at the sky and marvelled at
Have fun being celebrated.
the beauty? Spend a night looking at the stars
16. Make a list of all those who have touched and sleep off while admiring the sky.
7. Find your passion and be involved in a
your live positively and you will be really
cause. Donate your time, money or even
surprised how long the list could be. Send 25. So what if you get lost? You will find your
blood. Volunteer with organisations working in
them a mail, a text or postcards to appreciate way again! Throw the map out and go on a
that field and help spread the word too.
them. drive in an area near you that you do not know
well, explore the area and figure out how it’s all
8. Forgive someone. Make a deliberate
17. Make friends with children, learn to connected till you find your way again.
decision to forgive someone that has hurt you
communicate with them and understand
in the past, let go of your pain and bitterness,
what makes them tick. Experience what life is 26. Spend a day at the beach with your
whether the person is sober or not.
like in their world of possibilities. loved ones. Run, swim, eat, laugh and build an
elaborate sand castle.
9. Have a junk food day! Spend a whole day
18. Make new friends and stay in touch with
eating all the junk food you love without
old ones. Get connected with a childhood 27. Spice up your sexual life. Take a break
feeling guilty.
friend that you have not seen in a long time from the old routines. Try out new and daring
and visit her. things.
10. Keep a gratitude journal. Do not be
carried away by your never ending to do lists.
19. Plant a flower or vegetable, in a garden, 28. Take a vacation from the world. Switch off
Take time out to count your blessings and be
at your backyard or in a jar. Nurse it and your phones, log off the internet, and spend time
grateful for every progress you make
watch how it changes from a seedling to a full alone with yourself doing the things you love.
grown plant.
11. Learn not to say yes when what you want
29. Talk to God. You might not fully
to say is really no. Say what you mean and
20. Put on your best clothes, have a makeup understand the role He plays in your life, or
mean what you say.
session done on you and have a photo what He really expects from you, maybe it’s
shoot. You know how you admire models in time to unravel the mystery, talk to Him and
12. Learn something new. Salsa dance, how to
magazines and try out different poses in front listen to Him.
make apple pie or even how to speak Spanish.
of a mirror? Now go do it without inhibitions,
Add new knowledge to yourself and meet
express yourself before a camera.
other people who share the same interests.
naijaTimes 21
 UK Fashion in 2010
Lola Ogunbadejo

A new year, a new trend. 2009 local market, but I don’t need to tell you this
has ended, fortunately the trends because you aren’t thinking of buying one, are
won’t be! you?

2009 was the year. Face it, we couldn’t even
keep up with the trends set in the UK even if
we had a trend tom-tom. Okay, bad joke but
the fact is 2009 was the year of high fashion.
There was a rebirth of the 80’s, we witnessed
the creation of jeggings; we blinked at the
flop of the faux fur and we saw the bold
shoulder return to its ‘wear me anywhere,
not just on the catwalk. So, the big question
is… What can we expect from 2010? It
is the obvious question to ask, so let the
predictions begin!
Towards the end of 2009, we saw faux
pearls really come into the fashion spotlight.
Debenhams had them, Primark had them,
Marks & Spencer had them, New look had
them, and even Asda had them. But what was
it about these almost glamorous accessories
that separated them from the rest?
Finally, in the new year it’s the jeggings. The
denim patterned leggings.We still very much
believe these will be around for 2010 but you
have to be careful with them because if you
get the cheap imitation your whole outfit is
guaranteed to be a disaster! Buy it right and
wear it right and you’ll be smiling! Best worn with
a huge shirt and a belt with pumps or boots.
You can hope to get more trends even as the
year unfolds.
Here are a few things you should look out for
and get rid of for 2009:
Keep an eye out for:
Lampshade skirts
Tie dye
Fish net tights
Bold necklaces

‘They look just like real pearls. Problem is

Ditch
who would wear real pearls on the local high Fluorescent colours
street? -Everyone knows they’re fake. It’s Tutu’s
wannabe glamour, that’s what makes them so Over the top make up
appealing.’ – Priscilla, a student from London Glitter leg warmers
says..

Will faux fur still find a place in 2010? The

answer is a big NO! With more people
starting to care about wildlife and the
environment we’ve concluded that wearing
fur is only going to make you unpopular.
Also, Faux Fur can also look very tacky,
especially if it’s a ten-pound fur jacket off the

22 naijaTimes 23
 Fashion & Lifestyle

Creative styles
The Ankara fabric is gradually unfolding Bulky beads
already as men and women are already Accessories are back in vogue. Traditionally,
seen in beautiful Ankara creations in offices,

this year
dresses were beaded with stones or wood
churches and other places. These days, Ankara that were polished and had holes drilled
can be combined with satin, chiffon, linen, and through them with native tools. This year,
even lace fabric. The outcome of the designs beaded dress will stage a comeback. Fashion
brings out the ‘Africaness’ in us. designers in Nigeria are really taking
advantages of beads this season.
ODIRI ETIRERI
Zippers
It used to be found only on trousers, skirts Oversized bags
and bags, but it is now on virtually every item Last year, ladies were obsessed with very
T hroughout history, clothing has served as a social status symbol conveying information about
of clothing. You will find zippers on boots,
bags, T-shirts, slippers, shirts, shoes, face caps
big bags and this year the trend is likely
to continue. Oversized bags also make
the class and rank of the wearer.
etc. However, lots of zippers are simply cool it possible for you to be spotted from a
To stay on the cutting edge of fashion trends this year, you have to take a look at what is hot.
and trendy, though not functional. Many are distance.
It would be recalled that the Nigerian Fashion week held in November of 2009 provided some
simply a fashionable embellishment.
insights into the hottest new looks and fashion trends for the New Year. Below are some of the
top trends to watch out for in 2010. Fashion statement for men
Satins/Silks in 2010
For those who plan to get married in 2010, if Accessories for men are few and far
Ankara
you are looking for the perfect style to suit between, but with the gradual revitalisation
This trend has been on since last year. Using Ankara to make fashionable styles will definitely
your bridesmaids, you may like to consider of men’s fashion coupled with a greater
stage a come back this year. More people are likely to use Ankara to make unique beautiful tops
the elegant satin dress for the occasion. proportion of men willing to express
that would be suitable on jeans.
Silk is no longer fashionable as underwear themselves without fear of sexuality, this
but it can be used to make stylish dresses. year, it is okay for men to go pink. Pink will
If you want to add a bit of elegance to your no longer be a girly colour like it used to be.
personality, silk and satin will simply prove
to be perfect choice for you. Its vibrant and
exotic colours will make you look like a true Fashion mistakes men
princess. should avoid this season

Anything with a wreath on a shirt

is a huge mistake.

No animal prints and please, no

hearts or smiley faces.

No wearing of chunky shoes, since

it has been out of fashion since the
late 1990s.

The days of blaring designer names

are out

Socks with sandals are a definite no.

24 naijaTimes 25

Why not give that
resolution another
shot this year?
A s the year 2010 gradually picks up and
best wishes rapidly get clichéd, one phrase
is undoubtedly making the rounds at many
workplaces, schools and families: “Promises
were made to be broken.” No surprise
there. The proverbial New Year resolutions
have again been buried under the hustle and
bustle associated with daily living. Assurances
about cutting spending, fighting the flab,
perusing college textbooks and keeping bad
tempers in check have been forgotten, to be
dredged up again next year when they also
stand little chance of being fulfilled.
“I can’t remember when I last made New
Year’s resolutions because I always end up
breaking them,” says Yemisi Nnamdi-Manuel,
a sub-editor with a media outfit in Lagos .
26
ONODOME JAKPOR
“So I don’t bother anymore. To me, everyday
is a unique opportunity to make myself better.
Can’t have it any other way.”
Historians say the yearly custom of making
resolutions can be traced to the early
Babylonians who, at the start of a new year,
were in the habit of returning borrowed farm
equipment and thereafter buying new ones
for themselves. With time, the practice was
extended to positive changes in personal
lifestyles. Yet another ancient lore links the
tradition to the mythical king of Rome ,
Janus, who in 153 BC was placed at the head
of the calendar (January), and could reflect
on past events while making projections
into the future. Subsequently, the Roman
citizens followed his footsteps by seeking
the forgiveness of their enemies during the
period, exchanging gift items and generally
starting off on a fresh slate.
Whatever spin history buffs may give it, New
Year resolutions are “short or long-term
yearly goals that help us overcome bad habits
built up over time.” So that begs the question:
‘Why do such resolutions get broken year
in, year out when individuals make promises
daily that they oftentimes keep?’
“Sometimes we take on too many changes
and create too many goals all at one time,”
explains Erica Wright, a licensed clinical social
worker and psychotherapist who practices
in New York City . “Instead of being able to
maintain these new habits, we fail because we
become overwhelmed.”
If Erica’s explanation sounds a little far-
fetched to those who make just one
resolution each year which they still end
up breaking, Peter Eghiator’s own take is
outlandish because he claims there have been
no such resolutions in his life. “This whole
idea about resolutions gets me angry because
for me, each day, each moment is a brand-
new opportunity to improve on my lifestyle,”
says the graphic designer. “I guess change is
more sustainable that way rather than having
to wait until each New Year before getting
over bad habits. Since my childhood till date,
I’ve never made such resolutions.”
So does that sound the death knell for
New Year resolutions? Are they, in fact,
unrealisable? Not for experts in the mould of
Lynn Bode who provide time-tested tips that
can get families and individuals on the ‘fulfilled
resolution’ path.
“Avoid choosing a resolution that you’ve
been unsuccessful at achieving year after
year. This will only set you up for failure,
frustration and disappointment,” she advises.
Fashion & Lifestyle
“If you are still tempted to make a promise
that you’ve made before, then try altering it.
For example, instead of stating that you are
going to lose 30 pounds, try promising to eat
healthier and increase your weekly exercise.”
Lynn also recommends some sort of roadmap
that would pave the way towards fulfilling
such goals. But she is quick to add that they
should be broken down into bite-size pieces
that wouldn’t scare anybody at first glance.
“Most experts agree that it takes about 21
days to create a habit and six months for it
to actually become a part of your daily life.
So give it time!” the personal fitness trainer
urges. “If you’ve stuck with your resolution
for 2 months, treat yourself to something
special. But, be careful of your reward type.
If you’ve lost 5 pounds, don’t give yourself
a piece of cake as a reward. Instead, treat
yourself to something non-food related, like a
professional massage.”
She also recommends flexibility when such
resolutions seem like hard nuts to crack,
keeping a journal where progress can be
recorded, and like most experts always advise,
limiting the number of promises. But in the
event that all these measures should fail, Lynn
proposes professional help: “Sometimes you
need the help of a trained professional. Don’t
feel that seeking help is a way of copping out.
Research studies have shown that assistance
from a professional greatly improves people’s
success rates.”
Resolutions may be kept or broken time and
again, but the fact remains that they provide
that extra spark which makes life worth living.
They give each year new meaning, provide a
measure of hope that past mistakes would
be avoided and life-changing traits imbibed.
Strings of broken promises may span a mile,
but another crack at keeping them is certainly
worth it, like experts suggest. Who knows?
Those pledges may just be fulfilled this time.
Happy 2010!
naijaTimes 27
 Campus Life

In the dining hall, the security officers, as well
as the hall wardens, all gave various speeches,
welcoming us to the hall and the university
and also telling us how to go about our daily
lives following the universities rules and
regulations.
After all the speeches by various personnel
in the university, the returners who were on
the committee of the hall taught us various
chants which we were meant to shout
round the university campus in groups and
Afterwards, we went to ‘Rain’, a very good
club that is apparently, always overcrowded.
To make matters worse, it was fresher’s week.
It seemed like almost every first year student
was in that club at the same time. It was
quite an experience I must say. All the pushing
and shoving, drunken people who couldn’t
remember a thing and the way they danced
was probably one of the funniest things I had
ever witnessed in my life. Their movements
on the dance floor possessed no rhythm
whatsoever and made for a good laugh once

My Fresher’s Week
As I got onto the train leaving London set
to arrive in Loughborough, multiple thoughts
ran through my mind about university life. I
was filled with so many emotions: the joy of
finally going to university, the independence
and freedom I had, the nervous feeling of a
new beginning and the fear of the unknown.
As soon as I got off the train at the station
some returners directed me to the bus stop
where I anxiously awaited the bus to take me
to my new home. I eventually got a ride on
the bus and the bus driver announced that
anyone looking to get off at David Collett
Hall should get off at a certain bus stop. I
knew this was my stop as the hall I was
assigned was David Collett.
When I got out off the bus, I noticed there
where so many other clueless people around
like me. I was wondering if they could see
through my ‘I am not nervous’ expression to
tell the true mix of feelings I had.
I was directed to the reception of the hall
by some “fresher helpers” where I formally
registered with the hall. I was given my key,
and one of the fresher helper’s helped in
carrying my bags to my new room.
As soon as I got to my room, I jumped onto
also at various events during the fresher’s in a while.
week. Most of these chants were to tease
other halls while others were point blank, I spent most of the net day relaxing in my
disrespectful. room. Later in the afternoon, I decided to
take a walk around the university campus,
my bed and stared at the ceiling for about 10
We went out that night to four different hoping not to get lost. I also went to town
minutes thinking about the sort of challenges I
venues in our fresher’s t-shirts. As we went to pick up certain things I needed for my
was soon going to encounter. Some thoughts
to the first place, we shouted all our chants room and also explore the small town of
were particularly pleasing, while others were
at the top of our voices as we passed the Loughborough.
quite distressing. Nevertheless, I was hoping
other halls on the campus of the university.
to look forward to a period of time where
And of course they shouted back at us. As I walked through the campus, I took a
there would be a mix between hard work and
look at other halls in the university. I noticed
fun times.
The first stop was the student union where that a lot of them looked very nice and new
people were able to get cheap drink and and wondered why my own hall looked
I very quickly unpacked my bags, trying to put
shout as loud as they liked. Many people considerably old! I did not like my room. It
everything in a very decent order, which my
seemed to get right into the banter but it was just didn’t appeal to me. I got the old side of
mum had thoroughly laid emphasis on. As I
all so new to me. Overwhelming sometimes. the David Collett hall!
unpacked, my mum was on the phone, talking
about all the beautiful things she thought about
We went to a pub in town by bus, which had That night was Neon night. I thought it was
the place.
been organized to take us there. It was nice only girls who ever wore so many colours
because we could get some food (chips and but to my amazement, the guys wore outfits
Later on in the evening, we were all given our
chicken) as well as mingle with other freshers and I just could not understand why a male
fresher’s tops, which we were supposed to
from other halls. Although most people had individual would want to wear such. These
wear to most of the events in the fresher’s
a lot of drinks, it wasn’t my idea to have any guys wore tight brightly coloured clothes and
week. Our hall logo included a duck with two
alcoholic drinks or beer as I do feel they have acted in manners so weird to me.
hockey sticks behind the duck forming an “X”.
negative after effects and I do not even like
The logo was printed largely on the front of
the tastes of these drinks, so I ordered myself We all went down to the union that night.
the tops.
a simple bottle of coke. By this time I had made a few friends, some
Nigerian, some English and even students
We then went to a club, which had the from other countries. Everyone was friends
Then all freshers were told to assemble in the
cheapest drinks you can find anywhere. The with each other in this week though.
dining hall by 5:30 in the evening. When I got
clubs were offering drinks at giveaway prices.
there, I introduced myself to other freshers as
You could buy a drink and get another free! The trip to Nottingham was another
“Ade” as I already knew most of them would
I eventually understood why so many people memorable event during this week. There
have problems with calling me by my full name.
where encouraged to drink.

28 naijaTimes 29
 were over 150 tickets available for our
hall. I got one. We drove down in buses to
Nottingham. I entered the venue, not sure
if it was a club or a place to chill, as most
people just sat down around tables chatting
away. There were other people from other
halls. As I was chilling at a table, I saw my
friend from primary school - what a small
world, right? We were both happy to have
each other’s company.
After a few hours, we finally went to the
club – Oceana. “Must be the biggest club in
Nottingham”, I thought to myself as the place
was literarily overcrowded. There were over
2000 of us in there. I found a less crowded
spot upstairs to hang out with my friends.
Afterwards, there was a bit of a scramble as
we all struggled to get on the bus back to
Loughborough, as it was cold and everyone’s
feet was aching from all the dancing. I bought
myself some fast food and finally got on the
bus back to Loughborough.
There was a leisure basketball game for
freshers. I went, played in the game and it
was good fun. I had more competition than
I had anticipated. I thought my height would
give me a massive edge against everyone but
it hardly did, as there were other people
taller than I was and a lot of people were
also very good.
Then I remembered that Loughborough
was always reckoned as a top university for
sports in UK, which explained why so many
had been asking what sport I played.
Later on in the week, I went for the
basketball tryouts for my hall and was very
pleased when the coach announced my name
for the hall team. We had about two more
training sessions in which we were taught
new techniques and moves to enhance our
skill and fitness. We were also told about
the IMS – The league in which every hall
competes in various sports to earn bragging
rights as well as a friendly competition
 
to enhance positive relationships between
students.
We also had our electric and electronic
engineering induction where they told us
about the course, assessment methods,
modules, how to get help and so much more.
It was also good to meet people in my course.
This was encouraged by the group work we
had to do to get us started with working with
other people during the course.
There were many other fun times during
fresher’s week such as the foam party, in
which we were all told to gather round in
the center of the dancehall. As we were all
dancing, all of a sudden, foam was loaded on
all our heads from some massive barrel above
our heads. As we partied late into the night,
the foam continued to pour onto our heads
continuously throughout the night. We also
had the competition for loudest hall, in which
we all had to shout our chants and literarily
make the most noise as we did so, and so
much more.
On Sunday, I also went for my first Church
service in the university. I went to a church
called GVC, and the service was pretty short
and interesting. The message was brief and
easy to understand. At the end of the service,
the preacher prayed for all freshers and
wished us luck.
However, the fresher’s ball was the final event
of our fresher’s week. I had to wear a suit.
The ladies looked beautiful. There were a few
artists there to perform as well. It was all fun.
Everything was all fun and games, until work
commenced the following week.
By the end of fresher’s week, I knew my
way around campus (at least the parts that I
needed to know), I had made many friends in
first and second year and I had started getting
involved in sports. It was very well organized 
and worth going to.








30 31


































 


Campus News
A bouquet of crises for
students at ESUT
Students living in hostels at the Enugu
State University of Science and Technology
(ESUT) have been forced to study with
hurricane lamps, candles and rechargeable
lamps. This is as a result of an electrical
fault at the transformer dedicated to the
hostel. Although the university’s promise
to fix the problem is yet to be fulfilled. The
agitated students logged their complaints
to the district office of the Power Holding
Company of Nigeria, only to be told the
affected transformer was ESUT property.
“The management does not care about our
welfare,” lamented Roseline Okeh, a student.
“First, it is our environment, now it is power
supply, next it will be water.” True to her
words, water scarcity hit the hostel.
HND I student wins media
award
For those students who think dodging
difficult work during their mandatory
Industrial Training period amounts to
being smart, Temitope Damilola Sanyaolu’s
story may give them a change of heart.
Today, the HND I student of Moshood
Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta is among the
recipients of the 2009 Nigeria Media Merit
Award trophies.
Temitope has achieved a feat that gave her
the opportunity to rub shoulders with
professional journalists, some of whom have
32
plied the trade for decades. Her NAFCON
Environment Reporter of the Year award
was for an article titled “Flowers of Fortune”
published in the Broad Street Journal , a
publication of Tell Magazine, during her one-
year internship with Tell. “I was in school
when they called me to come down and enter
for the NMMA. I was surprised when they
called again to inform me from that I had been
nominated and I was very happy,” the 24-year-
old said.
UNAD VC justifies 400% fee
hike
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of
Ado-Ekiti (UNAD), Dipo Kolawole, has
justified the 400 per cent increase in fees to
be paid by incoming students of the institution.
Addressing a news conference in his office
during the week, Kolawole said the new
fees were “to save the university from going
into extinction” and shore up its internally
generated revenue.
New students will pay between N90,000 and
N120,000 when the 2009/2010 academic
session gets underway next year as against
N19,000 before. The announcement of the
new fees has sparked criticisms in many
quarters in the state, with parents and
guardians expressing shock at the astronomical
increase.
Fees payable by fresh students for the
2009/2010 session would see those wishing
to be admitted into the Faculty of Agricultural
Sciences paying N100,000 per session while
those entering the Faculty of Arts would part
with N90,000. Education Faculty students
would also pay N90,000 while the new fee
charged in the Faculty of Engineering is now
N120,000. Fresh students in the Faculty of
Law are also expected to pay N120,000
– the same fee payable in the Faculty of
Management Sciences. The first set of
students to be admitted into the College of
Medicine would cough out an unprecedented
fee of N200,000 per session, while fresh
students in the Faculty of Social Sciences are
expected to pay N90,000. The former fees
range between N19,000 and N36,000 per
session depending on the faculty.
Describing the decision to jerk up the school
fees as “very unfortunate but reasonable”,
the VC said it was not because the university
authorities enjoy inflicting hardship on
parents and students but “there was need
to strike a balance between idealism and
realism.”
AAUA VC receives SIFE
contingent
The acting vice-chancellor, Adekunle
Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, Oladele
Awobuluyi, has received the Students in Free
Enterprise (SIFE) contingent of the university
that won seven laurels and came second in
the National SIFE competition that was held
in Lagos.
The projects that won the awards are:
“Captain Coal” and “Tree of life” projects.
The first is a washing agent derived from
Campus Life
firewood ashes, scales of broken eggs and
other waste materials in the rural areas, and
it can be used to wash plates, pots and other
household utensils. Tree of life is a fuel energy
derived from the shaft of palm oil, which aids
mechanised palm oil production.
Awobuluyi congratulated the team for
doing the school proud. “For this young
university to come second in a competition
where several universities that have been
in existence long before ours competed is
a thing of joy, and I must say that I am very
proud of you,” he said. The SIFE team leader,
Henry King, said: “We feel like 21st century
titans, and I am very sure that we’ll do better
come next edition.
UNIBEN gets substantive VC
A substantive Vice- Chancellor of the
University of Benin for the next five years
has been named by the Governing Council
of the university. He is Osayuki Godwin
Oshodin. A statement by the university’s
Public Relation Officer, Richmond Omagbemi,
said the appointment takes effect from
November 30, 2009. Prof. Emmanuel Obaseki
has protested the process that led to the
selection of Oshodin as the VC. He said he
came first in the ranking of the interview
exercise and expressed surprised that
Oshodin was announced as VC without voting
for trial choice. In a letter to the Minister of
Education, he said, “I need justice, fairness and
due process to be followed because we are in
an academic society to restore confidence in
the academic system”.
naijaTimes 33

Mushin is often visited by anyone and the
dual carriage Agege Motor Road is used by
those who live at Sango and its environs while
commuting to work on the Island or other
parts of the Mainland.
However, at night, certain neighbourhoods in
this area are dangerous to pass through without
guides. On a certain November evening, there
was a major fight between youths on Akala
Street. Machetes were drawn, there was a lot of
shouting but only one man was slightly hurt, cut
on the arm. A few youths were later arrested
outside the slum. Akala Street it seems, polices
itself, defends itself from outsiders and keeps to
itself yet it is sometimes raided by police.
It was to this volatile area that Fela Durotoye,
head,Visible Impact had a vision to give a facelift
through his Mushin Makeover project.The
vision came after he visited the area.“I think
that Mushin chose me, I have visited Mushin
over the past two years about four times,”
he says while recalling how it all began. I have
been invited to speak at various programmes
in Mushin and on the 30th of October 2009 I
was speaking at a summit organised by a group
called Paul Signature and the Local Government
chairman of Mushin was there.The first thing
Fela Durotoye on
that I sensed was that God said to me: ‘do
you know where you are?’ And I wondered:
‘where am I?’ And he said you are at the place
slum makeover
for making unique stars and heroes in Nigeria
and all of a sudden the whole concept for what
Mushin was for me changed. One of the things
FUNKE ADETUTU God said to me was to make sure that we could
galvanise 5,000 people to come in and renew
the area and that everyone that comes in will be
a star and a hero in Nigeria. I think that Mushin
was the one that chose me because that was
where God spoke to me.”
The Mushin Makeover was held on the 12th
34
Cover Story
of December, 2009 where 800 professional
painters and about 5,000 volunteers painted
buildings, and cleaned drainages, painted
culverts and roundabouts. It was truly an
urban renewal activity.
How was it possible to paint the whole of
Mushin in eight hours? Is a mind-boggling
question and to this Durotoye says: “We
did a lot of pre-planning work and we knew
the number of houses that were there.We
estimated that if we had the number of
people that we should have, we should be
able to finish the work in eight hours. And
we did.”
However, the group only painted seven
prominent streets in Mushin.They were:
Agege Motor Road, Olateju Street, Palm
Avenue, Fafolu and Ogunmokun Roads
among others.
For Durotoye, the idea is not for him and
his team to paint the area or go there to
change the people.The idea is for people to
see what their little contribution can make to
a collective effort to make a positive impact.
“The message we hope people will get is that
‘I’ individually and the ‘I’ in everybody can
make a change and if you can come along
with another person, together we can make
a bigger change but very few efforts in the
world can give you instant gratification like
a paint job.You can see what it was before
and what it is like after, you can see the
reward of your labour in that one day. For
me, the Mushin makeover as well as the Area
Makeover project is one of nation building.”
While explaining how the project worked,
Durotoye says every house had about four
to five people attached to it and the painters
did not just paint, they literally spoke with the
naijaTimes 35

people and explained to them what the project
was about.
“We showed through the project that an
individual can make the same difference as we
did.We told the people in Mushin and all around
Nigeria that they can have a better home.The
whole Mushin project was about revealing the
power in the individual as a catalyst for change.”
After the painting exercise, Durotoye believes
the residents of Mushin will begin to see things
differently. “We cannot change human beings
over night but we can change the way they see
things. If we change the way they see things,
then they will begin to change. If they realize
that Mushin is a place for bringing up unique
“We cannot change human beings over night
but we can change the way they see things”
36
Cover Story
stars and heroes they will ask how they can be
stars and heroes. After the painting has been
done, at about four we will gather everyone to
a mass rally and the message of the rally is very
simple ‘you can make a difference’.We are hoping
to train about 25-50 young men and women
who have a passion to do something with their
hands but do not have any employment. D.N
Meyer will be running a training as well as visible
impact on life skills, financial management and the
techniques of painting. At the end of that we will
give them tools for them to start out their lives
as painters and hopefully we will start up some
kind of employment with Mushin so that those
people will no longer be considered miscreants
by the society, they will now earn an income, so
this is what we are hoping we can do.”
naijaTimes 37

The upside of a downturn
Soromfe Uzoma
A cross the globe a good number of
financial analysts have opined that the
current economic slide has “bottomed-out”.
In other words, things can only get better
from here. Experience however teaches that
a lot of the time analysts tell you why the
market should head in one direction, and
can - with quite the same flustering depth of
analysis - explain why it went the other way.
This piece neither presumes the optimism of
a short-term recovery nor the pessimism of
a further slide. It is limited in scope to what
is, and the overlapping opportunities that
may be gleaned whichever way the world’s
38
economy chooses to go. It is certain that some
people will come out of this downturn better
off and this piece looks at a simple strategy
that should pay off in the long term.
Economic downturns usually trigger off lay-
offs, pay cuts etc. Within organisations, these
actions eventually lead to fewer people having
to carry out the same amount of tasks. It is
upon this characteristic of a downturn that the
suggestions within this article will be based.
The effect of the alteration within the
functional balance of an organisation during
an economic downturn is that for a period of
time vacuums are created. For the purpose
of this piece let us refer to these vacuums as
job-gaps. We will describe a job-gap as a role
or set of tasks that are currently not assigned
to any specific employee. Most times the
management of the organisation may wish
to recruit replacements but may not deem
it financially expedient to do so at that time.
Whatever the reasons though, these job-gaps
tend to either last until the organisation can
afford to recruit or until someone steps in and
takes on the job as an additional responsibility.
If we choose to view workplaces as some
sort of market with employers and employees
trading some form of value with each other,
the employer believes that by combining the
skills of a number of employees he can provide
a product/service and generate an income that
exceeds what he needs to pay each employee
for their individual skill. The employee on the
other hand is willing to offer his skill for the
relative certainty of a fixed income.
A consequent observation would be that in
a positive or upbeat market/economy people
relatively, tend to earn a bit more for their
skills, in a downturn they get paid less for the
same skill set and somewhere in between
there is a theoretical balance.
A closer look will show that there are two
things an employer offers every employee,
remuneration of some sort and the
opportunity to acquire new skills - the first
explicitly and the second implicitly.
Using a hypothetical firm A to illustrate the
above, in an upbeat market, firm A can afford
to recruit people for every and any role or
job function, business is good, expansion
into new markets is pursued, new business
opportunities are explored. In this situation,
firm A is likely to offer very competitive
remuneration, but the abundance of required
skill as a result of optimistic recruitment
drives, ensures that there are very few (if any)
opportunities for taking on new challenges
as there will always be other employees who
are “perfect” for the job. In this scenario,
for the employees, while your current skills
may earn you more, it is relatively more
difficult to acquire new skills and take on new
challenges.
Conversely in a downturn, firm A may close
down some offices, lay off some employees
and reduce salaries across board. The goal is
to keep the company as “lean” as possible,
avoiding any unnecessary costs, and cutting
back on recruitment. As a result of this,
certain job roles and functions are now “left
hanging” without being clearly assigned to
anyone. Here, for the employee, while the
remuneration is much less, the positive trade
off is the increased opportunity to acquire
new skills by shrewdly stepping into roles
Careers and Development
and functions that align with ones long-term
career goals.
As job roles are left vacant, the usual
tendency in a down turn is to attempt to only
stick to previously agreed responsibilities,
morale is low, frustration sets in and job
security becomes critical. The question then
becomes “if the pay isn’t good enough for the
amount of work you have to do, why take on
more responsibilities?”
The reason is simple, skills gained in a
downturn economy will attract adequate
recompense as the economy recovers.
Employers are more open to letting
employees “have a go” at some previously
sacred task during a downturn and in
most cases will have an increased ability to
tolerate your mistakes. Downturns from this
perspective are a chance to learn on the job,
to increase ones skill and to take on greater
responsibilities. It also offers the opportunity
to create a genuine cross-functional work
experience.
Before accepting these responsibilities
employees must evaluate the future prospects
within their field/industry and objectively
predict skills that will be in high demand once
fortunes change. Then employees must search
for “job-gaps” that offer the opportunity to
acquire and sharpen these skills within their
organisations.
Always remember that the goal is to
adequately position oneself for the market
turnaround whenever it happens, by taking on
roles and functions currently available in ones
organisation because of the temporary state
of the economy.
naijaTimes 39

The Cries of
Lady NITEL
KWEKU BROWN
I was the pride of most women, the envy of
most mothers; the reason my husband once
stood tall in the vast conference of the high
and mighty. My name is NITEL, known by
some of you; but those of you in your early
twenties may actually not know me. I forgive
you. I know you are now the children of
MTN, Zain, Starcomms, Multilinks, Visafone,
Etisalat and Zoom. I must let you know
however that, before all these were, I was.
I was not always like this, battered and
dejected; afraid of my shadow. Even now,
my voice sounds strange to me, time and
circumstance, not age, have dealt me a lasting
blow. Yet I still stand, waiting, waiting.
I came into being in 1985. As a beautiful lady
in my prime, I got married to a handsome
man, with so much prospect; his first name
was Government and surname name, Nigeria.
In short you can call him “Government
Nigeria.” I was pretty and much sought after
by the high and mighty. But my eye was only
on Mr. Nigeria, young, vibrant, rich beyond
measure and any woman’s pride. The love
was mutual. He had eyes only for me and I
for him.
He spent his money on me to make sure
I looked good. He hovered over me. I was
the jewel of his eyes. Before long, I began
having children and in no time I had more
than 200,000 children. The children grew and
became wealthy like me. They were fertile
and their productivity level was high.
40
40
Money
many suitors lined up to grab me. I was full
of joy knowing that though neglected by the
husband of my youth, I was still cherished by
to all and sundry that my husband’s love for
me did not go beyond the money that he
made from being my husband. From over 400
strangers who seemed to know my worth
more than my husband.
children, soon I had none to boast off. My
children had all changed their maternity to
new brides in town, like MTN, Zain and many
My joy was complete when Mr. ILL put up others. They were now the preferred mothers.
They started making money and it took away
a whooping $1.2 billion for my bride price.
My joy knew no bounds that I could still be By now, I had become a burden to him. My
my husband’s love. His wealth was no longer
valued this much by a stranger. It gladdened milk was dry and actually depended on him
enough for him as his sources of wealth
my heart and it brought untold joy to my for sustenance. Seeing how bad the situation
dwindled, he found the money my children
soul. Alas, my joy was too soon. My husband was, he quickly arranged a new suitor. This
made for me as a good alternative. Soon I
was not ready to let me go easily. He who time the suitor was not completely a stranger.
became the neglected wife. My husband gave
has taken part very actively in the selection His name was Trancorp. He came like a knight
me no money and the money made by my
of my suitor, suddenly found my suitors in shining armour promising me paradise
children that was to take care of me, he took
unsuitable and undeserving of my love. with honey and milk. He promised a new life
away. Though I had the capacity to give birth to
Accused of different offenses including not with lots of love. I dared to wish. Alas again, I
millions of children, by 1999, 14 years after my
being rich enough to buy me, they refused his rejoiced too early.
blissful wedding to my darling husband I could
offer and sent him away poorer and indebted
only boast of 400,000 children well below my
and me, sad and frustrated. It did not take too long for my husband
capacity of more than 5 million children.
to find the right excuse to send my new
Then my husband embarked on another love packing once more. Passed between
The millions of unborn children who stood
elaborate pretence. This time he said he three suitors and my husband in ten years,
outside my birth window desiring a place in
was not divorcing me completely but will I have little love left. I am weak and broken,
my family soon hated me because I could not
hand me over to another husband for a raped and depleted, rejected and cursed. My
give them access to the world. They cursed
while so that I can experience what love husband does not want me because I am now
me every day for depriving them the pleasure
means on the other side of life. So came Mr. a liability but at the same he cannot stand
of living. I begged my husband to stop eating
Pentascope, another stranger from a foreign another suitor having me.
the golden eggs laid by my children to enable
land. He took me in his arms and proceeded
me give access to the millions of the unborn
to nurse me to health and wealth. But he did Now I am back in my husband’s arms once
willing to come into the world. He ignored,
not go far before my husband started raising more. I am not deceived. He does not love
despised and humiliated me.
several issues; some genuine, many framed. me. His cronies are all over examining my
The end result was pre determined. Mr. weak bones and innards looking for what
I was saddened by the fact that the young
Pentascope had little time to pack his bags drops of blood to suck. Like vultures and
man I married had become overtaken beyond
out of my house before he was chased out hyenas, they are scavenging looking for the last
measure by greed. He cared for nothing except
living me totally deflated. pieces of meat that can feed their greed and
his pockets. The cries of the many unborn for
lust. As usual they pretend, they are here to
access to the world fell on his hardened heart.
My husband then pretended he wanted me nurse me back to health. They have told the
back to himself and boasted he could turn world how they will make me wealthy once
After he got tired of me, in 1999, my dear
me into the beautiful bride I once was. He more. However, their real intention is clear.
husband invited new brides into town and
pretended to show some love but it was all My only worry remains, when will this cycle
showered them with his love. Accusing me of
pretentious. His intent was clear, to rape and end? Who will save me from these vampires
non-performance he decided to divorce me
humiliate me further. Soon it was obvious of fortune?
offering me to new suitors. I was happy when
naijaTimes 41
 Money

The Young
Entrepreneur Tosin Olaiya

Olufolakemi Ann-Melody Areola is the 29 “Women in Entertainment and Arts”. On the

years old CEO of Vivacity PR. She studied
Electronic and Communications Engineering
in London Metropolitan University UK. In
her early university years, she was involved
in event management and promotion both
in the UK and in Lagos. In her last years
at the university, she created a modelling
agency called Vivacity Models. The idea came
when she observed that the ethnic model
experienced difficulties breaking through to
the mainstream modelling industry.
She went on to set up an all American style
clothing store called Urban Vivacity. From
this Vivacity PR was born. It served as the
mother company that encompassed her as
an artiste, model and her roles in corporate
public relations, event planning and promotion
including media / multimedia expertise and
so much more. Vivacity Public Relation has
organised and supported many shows like
Nigeria’s independence UK, Miss Nigeria UK,
Laffs and Jams, Crack ur Ribs and many more.
She has worked with most of the Nigerian
artistes. Vivacity PR is currently the official
public relations company for a few of them.
27th of February 2009, the first event in UK
was held by the movement, which was titled
“A Celebration of Women in Entertainment
and Arts Appreciation Night”. It was attended
by many female musicians from Nigeria
and the UK like Sasha, Bouqui, Kefee and
Yolanda Brown. Also male colleagues in the
industry such as African China and DK came
supported the movement. Currently, she is
in the process of putting together the next
appreciation night on February 26th 2010
and has invited global brands and celebrities
from all over to support the movement in
rewarding female acts for their greatness and
also to raise money for Breast Cancer Care
and the Kanu Heart Foundation.

The next step for “Kemi Vivacity”, the name

by which she is widely known, is to be a TV
presenter. She began to present a weekly TV
show on BEN TV (Sky channel 184) called
Club Ntyce TV. While she was a presenter on
the show, she began to notice that there were
less women in the entertainment industry and
the few that did make it found it really tough
to reach the peak of their careers. That was
when she decided to start a movement called

42 naijaTimes 43

“Let me tell you
about Women”
BANKY W, MUSICIAN
W omen are emotional in
different ways, unlike men
who are less expressive,
women are more
expressive. That is why
when I perform they do
not hold back the shouting
and crying unlike men who
conceal their feelings.
I have had many experiences
where female fans have
grabbed my crotch, but I
understand that it comes
with the job, however I was
thrilled. Women act on
feelings, that is how God
created them. They are
emotional beings.
The reason people believe
that women go for love
“The best gift a woman ever gave
me is the gift of life, by my mum.”
44
“Women act on
feelings, that is
how God created
them. They are
emotional beings.”
unlike men who go for sex is that they are
not as visually attracted to things they see.
Women are not easily stimulated by physical
attraction like men. However, in today’s
world, women too desire love, sex, security
and stability like their male counterparts.
However, every man wants a woman who
can satisfy him sexually and at the same time
support him in fulfilling his dreams. Women
have needs and they desire security in every
relationship. However, they also desire
intimacy. That is what women consider as an
ideal relationship.
Women are so complex that you cannot
really classify them. I am still trying to figure
it out. We have the good, the bad and the ugly
among them. They are a unique specie that
one has to be very careful in picking for a
relationship. It is a matter of life and death.
My mum is the most incredible person that
ever lived on planet earth. She is humble and
Entertainment
very beautiful, intelligent and as strong as a
rock. She is my source of inspiration in every
area of my life. She is a constant reminder of
what I measure myself against.
My ideal woman must be God fearing and
ambitious. I also love intelligent women.
I will always desire a woman I can have a
conversation with. She must possess a sense
of humour and must also be a good dancer. I
love women who can play both roles; I mean a
woman that I can get wild and crazy with and
who is also supportive.
I will not go into details discussing my most
memorable experience with a woman! This is
because I do not feel comfortable discussing
it. However, I can tell you that I have fallen
very deeply in love with someone absolutely
wrong for me. It is a decision I actually regret
and I hope never to make that kind of mistake
again. The best gift a woman ever gave me is
the gift of life, by my mum.
naijaTimes 45
 Entertainment

DAKORE EGBUSON, Actress

“Let me tell you

get noticed
about Men”
Of course women are just that way they are. Women
are more in tune with their inner selves. Men are poignant,
don’t get me wrong but they are better at hiding their
feelings.

It depends on where you act in your mind, women can

be in a relationship for sex as well. It is just the state of
your mind, whether you are ready for love or sex, it is up
to you as a woman. Our society is more permissive now,
you can date as many people as you want but it is better
to go into relationship for love, love is the reason we are
all here.

I think men are wonderful beings, we are partners in this

There is no better way to get through to your hard to reach customers.
Call: (UK) + 44 20 8144 3403
or (Nig) +234 18104856,
+234 8066638029 for a Media Pack.
whole relationship affair, but you need to understand
them. Women should not expect men to be like them. We
have to understand that they are different, let us accept
them for who they are and focus on their strengths
than their weaknesses. Men are protectors, they are
providers, they drive the society, they drive everything.
Their weakness is that they think they know everything.
They reason this way because of the position they have
in the society, They don’t tend to listen to women when
they advise them. They don’t understand that most
times women act on intuition which often comes true.
As an individual, I don’t like categorising people because
individuals are unique and different.
My dad is very strong and protective. Very loving to a
point that people really wouldn’t understand when I tell
them. His attributes have really helped me to love myself.
My dad is my first male role model.

naijaTimes My ideal man must be God fearing because a man who

fears God will think twice before he harms or hurts me.
And of course, he must have confidence in himself. Being
www.naija-times.com/advertise who I am, I need somebody who is sure of himself.

46 naijaTimes 47

Grandma’s grandson Mr FineBoy
“I can’t handle Gulder o. I like Star..”
“Star? Stout nko?”
“Can’t drink it. Too bitter.”
Hehe….I know what you’re thinking….Fine Grandma is a bad-ass o. She arrived
last week, and she has been really cracking me up. I love her ‘cos she’s a real “Weak boy! You don’t know it’s good for
streetwise Lagos madam. She’s actually my great-aunt, my maternal grandmother’s Finebabe?”
younger sister, but we’ve always called her grandma. I was literally her handbag
when I was a kid...the woman is alright with me men. “Huh?”
“Fineboy o o strong o! You only drank three Heinekens and you’re blinking like an “If you drink it, you’ll be very solid for
idiot. What would you do when you drink two Gulders?” Finebabe o. Strong and solid! She will never
leave you.”
“Oh!” I got the message and burst out
laughing.
Imagine! This seventy-one year old mama.
Yesterday, we were reminiscing about Nigeria
and I almost died of laughter men, especially
when she reminded me about our ‘armed
robber’ ordeal.
Make I yarn una. Ha! See your ears! You like
toooory!
Anyhow, like 10 years ago, there was a bunch
of us at my grandma’s house in ‘Lere. There
was Fine grandma, my Uncle Remi, me, my
lil’ cousin DJ, and my aunty Yinka and her
husband, Uncle Tre. Aunty Yinka, Uncle Tre
and DJ were visiting from London.
We were all in my grandmomsi’s bedroom
gisting, apart from Uncle Remi, who was
downstairs. We were clowning Uncle Tre,
because the guy went to chop Isi-ewu the day
before and it had upset his stomach. The guy
is from the Bahamas, but always wants to be
doing like a real naija man. That’s when we
heard noise outside o. We ran to the window
and saw the gateman being dragged my two
armed tout-looking guys.
48
Entertainment
Omo, na so everybody begin shake. My aunty
quickly took off her jewellery and stuffed
them down DJ’s pants. The boy sef wan refuse,
but obviously couldn’t say no to his momsi.
Meanwhile Uncle Tre started rolling up his
shirt.
“I’m about to knock somebody the fuck out!”
He went towards the door and my aunty
screamed at him, “Come back here jo! You
think this is your country? Ode!”
Fine Grandma begin shout. “Ooooooooole!
Ooooole! Armed robbers o!”
Men, she was screaming at the top of her
voice o! We were scared shitless. I looked up
at the ceiling, then at the closet, then under
the bed. Chei, nowhere to hide.
“OOOOOOLLLEEEE!! Ooooo…….” Two
guys burst into the room.
“Mama you dey shout?”
“Ha! My son no o. I’m not shouting o.” She
covered her mouth and sat on the bed.
“Everybody lie down! Lie down!”
Uncle Tre started staring at one of them. The
armed robber goes, “My friend lie down!”
“Motherfuck!” Uncle Tre said.
Morrafuck ko, morrafuck ni. The guy was still
speaking oyibo. This one na Lagos o.
Then two other guys burst in with guns. They
ushered my uncle Remi into the room. Men,
he looked pissed! The guy pushed Uncle Remi,
and he reluctantly started to lie down.
naijaTimes 49
 Meanwhile, me I just peppy on the floor men.
No complaints, nothing. I just chill.
Armed Robber 1: Lie down flat! Flat!
Uncle Remi: Who are you talking to? You’re
very stupid.
Armed Robber 1: Hehn!! You wan die?
Fine Grandma: Please please my son. Please…
Armed Robber1: No mama! O fe ku ni? (Does
he want to die?)
Uncle Remi: Iwo lo ma ku. (Na you go die!)
Armed Robber 1: Me? I must kill somebody
today! Get up, oku ni e! (You’re a corpse!)
Fine Grandma: My son, please don’t mind
him. Ori omo mi o pe! (My son is mentally
deranged.)
Uncle Remi: Who is sick in the head?
Fine Grandma: Remi shut up! Idiot.
Armed Robber 2: Shoot him dead jo! Pata pata
dem go burn us! Who dey fear die? Kill am!
Fine Grandma: Ehn?? E jo o! Please o my son,
they won’t set you on fire in Jesus’ name.
God will bless you o, they won’t catch you in
the name of God! Please.
Meanwhile they started taking jewellery and
all the money they could find. But Uncle
Remi no wan gree o.
Armed Robber 1: Make them catch us! We
must kill person for here! You go die today,
you this man.
Fine Grandma: Heee my son. I’m begging you
50
in the name of God. Please don’t listen to this
boy. This my son is a madman. I gave birth to
him, I know him very well. Were ni. Since birth,
babanla mumu ni. (He’s been daft since birth.)
Uncle Remi: Mummy, who’s mad? Who’s mad?
Fine Grandma: You see? A ni oponu ni! (I’m
telling you he’s an imbecile!) Don’t listen to
him please, my son. God bless you ehn? You
will live long for your mother.
Uncle Tre: Man, this is some bullshit.
Uncle Tre looked across at Uncle Remi, like he
thought they could take these guys together.
He started to get up.
Armed Robber 3: Americana, you sef wan talk?
My friend lie down!
Uncle Tre: Yo, back up off me dude….
WATAI! If you see the hot slap that they gave
the guy ehn? The guy just lie down straight.
God knows how long we were there for. The
armed robbers took all they could and one of
them pointed at my uncle Remi.
“Oya, na now I go open fire.”
Fine Grandma: My son, why would you kill
a fool? Please ehn. God will bless you… ati
kekere ni, ara e o ya. (He’s been mentally ill
since he was a child.)
Armed Robber2: Kill am! Pata pata, they will
shoot us or set us on fire.
Fine Grandma: That will not be your portion in
Jesus’ name!
Armed robber1: You this man, na mummy save
you o. If not, you for die like fowl.
That’s how they locked us inside the room
and escaped o. For hours after the ordeal,
everybody was still shaking, apart from uncle
Remi and Uncle Tre, who were fuming!
Uncle Remi was pissed at my grandmother
for calling him a lunatic, and I suppose Uncle
Tre was mad because he had chopped a hot
Naija slap for the first time in his life.
To this day, Uncle Remi gets pissed when he
remembers. He says Nigerians are too timid
to stand up against armed robbers, which is
why, he believes, we keep getting robbed. He
kept accusing us of “cooperating” for ages.
That was a long time ago though... I’m pretty
sure that if that happened today, me sef I no
go gree. Yeah right! Omo life sweet men, who
wan die?
Meanwhile Fine Grandma isn’t usually timid
like that o. I remember one time, as a kid, I
was relaxing with her at her house, when she
got a phone call telling her that my Uncle
Remi had been arrested.
She went crazy. We jumped into the car
and raced to Sabo police station. We met
my other Uncles Damo and Ladi there.
Apparently, Uncle Remi had gotten arrested
because he didn’t have his license on him or
something trivial like that.
Fine Grandma: So why did you arrest him? He’s
allowed 24 hours to produce his license!
Policeman: Madam, are you a lawyer? Go and
sit down!
Fine Grandma: Are you mad? Do you know
who you’re talking to?
Policeman: I don’t care if you’re the Inspector
general’s mother. We will arrest all offenders!
My Uncle Ladi went livid when he saw how
his mother was being disrespected. I don’t
remember how everything jumped off, but all
I know is that a major scuffle ensued. Uncle
Ladi and Uncle Damo were in the thick of it
with three policemen, and my grandma flung
one skinny one off Uncle Damo.
The skinny policeman flew across the room
and landed in the corner. I couldn’t believe
it. What a chump! Long story short, the
cops got a good thumping until some more
policemen came in and locked Uncle Ladi
and Damo up as well. Fine Grandma was not
having it.
“Release my sons right now!”
Skinny Policeman: Release wetin? Move back,
you this witch mama!
Fine Grandma: Yes, I’m a witch! In fact, it was
your mother and I who flew to the meeting
together last night. We wanted to use that
your big head for money but the oracle said
you were too ugly! Idiot.
The guy was silent. In the end, Fine Grandma
made some phone calls, and my uncles ended
up getting released. The DPO damn near lay
flat on the floor for her, and promised to
dismiss the policemen. Grandmomsi suggested
that they be suspended for a little while
instead, and that’s what happened.
Anyways y’all, Fine Grandma’s pounded yam
and efo beckons!
- Mr. FineBoy
naijaTimes 51

T
Lost in the woods
he gate of the grand house opposite
Prince Alaba Oniru Way, Lekki is about
fourteen feet high and could withstand
ADEDOYIN JOHNSON the threat of a small army. The pillars are
imposing and they support a balcony so
fascinating, that it would invoke covetous
urges in even the most satisfied man.
However, it seems this splendour does
not extend beyond the confines of the
compound. Just outside the gate there is a
gutter disgorges brownish water. Across the
road a refuse bin is pregnant with waste,
some of which has spilled over on to the
street. Close to the bin, on a green lawn, a
horse lays, dying.
Bands of stray horses have roamed the
rugged and beautiful Lekki axis for more than
two years. Since the beginning of the year,
loose and neglected horses are uncommon
close to The Palms Shopping Mall and the
Simeon Akinlonu Cresent, Lekki, grazing.
While stray horses cause considerable
damage to, and represent a health and safety
risk on roads and open spaces, yet the
members of the Iru/Victoria Island Local
Government have not proffered any solution
to deal with the stray horses. Some of these
horses graze freely on the road to the
detriment of motorists.
“I see these stray horses every morning with
no idea where they have come from,” says
Bayo Adeoye, a resident of Oniru Private
Estate. “There has been a continuing problem
with these horses, they litter the whole area
with their faeces and urine. Someone once
told me that they were formerly owned by
military personnel and have been abandoned
to waste away. They are in no one’s care. My
52
Entertainment
concern is that a number of serious road
accidents could result from their constant
roaming on the roads.”
There have been numerous complaints about
the dozens of animals that have been illegally
left to roam the streets, where they have
caused danger and disruption by straying onto
on-coming vehicles. They are seen as a major
safety threat to motorists on a busy road like
Prince Alaba Oniru Way, which in the last few
months has served as an alternative route to
the Palms Shopping Mall.
“They have also blighted the lives of some
locals when roaming loose on the road,”
explains Mohammed, a security guard in the
area. “In recent months there have been two
near misses on the Oniru Palace Road and
it is feared that it would only be a matter of
time before someone is seriously injured or
killed in a collision with a stray horse.”
Mohammed says attempts in the past to trace
and persuade irresponsible owners to remove
their animals have failed yet the appropriate
authorities have not intervened. “In western
countries, the local authorities and the police
will take exceptional action,” says Uche Anya,
a resident. “Police officers would have moved
in at dawn to seal off the area. But that is not
the case in Nigeria. There are no laws backing
up the whole process, nobody cares about the
welfare of animals in this country.”
Some residents of the area posit that the
owners should come forward to clear or
claim their animals away from the area
and they should be made to pay several
hundred thousands as damages to the local
government authorities. “All the animals
should be checked to see if any have been
reported as stolen. Those not claimed will be
naijaTimes 53
 Entertainment

dealt with appropriately. This area has been
plagued with abandoned horses,” says Seyi
Oloruntoba, another agitated resident.
The treatment of horses in Nigeria is pure
cruelty, which Akin Adedayo describes as
inhumane and shameful. “Horses work very
hard during a whole day at the end of which
they get no food or very little. They are
overworked, underfed, exhausted and often
beaten. When they become useless during
the dead season they are abandoned, left to
die of starvation,” he says.
“Horses are not considered living creatures
that can feel pain and fear. Everywhere in the
country one can see dead or nearly dead
stray horses. We don’t have an animal welfare
organisation in the country. The government
is not willing to take action. Therefore we ask
for your help.”
“It’s understandable that we live in a country
where few people or nobody at all cares for
animals. But it is not good that horses should
be left to stray on the streets. They should be
properly kept in a pasture where they can be
properly taken care of.”
However, some people say dead horses are
often cleaned up and sold as barbequed meat
by the roadside meat sellers popularly called
Suya Mallams. “It could be pose a serious
health risk if people eat the meat of a dead
horse since the cause of their death cannot be
ascertained,” explains Ogunranti.

Owning a horse is a great responsibility says

Akin Ogunranti, a veterinary doctor. “Horses
are, by their nature, companionable animals
designed to graze in open spaces with their
herd. While they will learn to adapt to stable
life, it is vital to exercise the horse to satisfy
its physical needs. Also, a horse will become
bored and discontented if it does not have
the regular company of humans and other
horses,” he explains.

According to him, while there is no exact

acreage requirement for horses, it is
generally considered that one acre of pasture
per horse is sufficient. Before pasturing the
horse, it is important to check the pasture
for trash, holes in the fencing, and other
hazards. But the Nigerian environment does
not offer such comfort.

54 naijaTimes 55

T he young lady walked into my office
with an unassuming look on her face.Her
complaint was that of a swelling she suddenly
discovered in her abdomen. My examination
revealed a large stony mass of about 20weeks
size around the umbilicus. An ultrasound scan
was done and my suspicions were confirmed.
Fibroids! “What?!”She exclaimed! “I am 28, I
only just got married, and I was expecting a
pregnancy, not this.” Her cries continued while
I tried to allay her fears.
Medically called myomas or leiomyomas,
fibroids are benign tumours which originate
from the smooth muscle of the uterus. They
are the most common tumours in females.
Many patients mistake them for pregnancy
Fibroids:
the bane of
reproductive
health
GBONJUBOLA BABALOLA
56
especially when they have been trying to get
pregnant for long. In the past, there was a
general misconception that it was a disease of
older women, who had gone past child bearing
age. But, recently, this condition has defied all
odds, affecting both the young and the old,
married and unmarried, rich and poor.
Fibroids are the most common tumour in
females, affecting women within the middle
and later reproductive years, they are twice as
common in blacks than in whites and they are
also prevalent in obese women, due to high
oestrogen levels.
Fibroids when detected should be carefully
examined by a doctor, especially if the woman
is keen on getting pregnant. Questions which
should be raised include: Can the fibroid
co-exist with the pregnancy? How large is
the fibroid? What changes have the fibroid
undergone? Has the woman concluded having
children? These factors will help determine
what should be done to the fibriod, whether
a surgery is required or conservative
management.
Lately, however, it has been discovered by
health workers that many patients are being
deceived by quacks into believing that some
medication can actually dissolve fibroids
and make them disappear totally. This idea is
untrue and should be discarded outrightly.
Health
Like every other health condition, it should
be treated with all the urgency it deserves.
They may be asymptomatic and rarely one
in 1000 cases become cancerous especially
if they grow after menopause. Complicated
fibroids can cause pain, dizziness, painful
sexual intercourse, excessive bleeding during
menstruation resulting in aneamia, pressure
effects on surrounding structures (bladder
and ureter especially) and in some extreme
cases, death.
It is about time women take issues relating to
their sexuality more seriously and take charge
as early detection and prompt intervention
go a long way in preventing any complications
that may arise.
naijaTimes 57

At Aimas, it’s accessorised
t-shirts and more
Derin Adefulu
Aimas was birthed in the UK in 2003,
and is run by Tayo Shonekan, the creative
director of the brand. She moved back home
a couple of years ago and discovered that
Nigerians were really keen on her unique
offering of handmade t-shirts.
“We offer hand made accessorised
t-shirts for ladies, men and kids. We also
make beautifully hand crafted bags as well
as fashion and home accessories” says
Shonekan. It is amazing to discover that
the fabrics used on her T-shirts are locally
sourced and everything is handmade.
Located in the quiet suburb of Lagos,
Ikoyi, Aimas is fast becoming a hotspot for
lovers of handcrafted fabrics. According to
Shonekan, the vision behind Aimas was born
of necessity. “I was living in the UK with a
new baby and having to stay at home was
the motivation behind setting up the Aimas
brand,” she adds. “The vision was to bring a
bit of my ethnicity to an audience that would
otherwise not have access to African inspired
designs.
Although Shonekan was born and raised
in Lagos Nigeria, she attended Coventry
University in the UK where she obtained a
degree in Manufacturing Systems Engineering.
She however took a detour and a lot of her
work experience in the UK was in sales. “
Though I do not have any formal fashion
design training, I have always had a keen
eye on fashion and trends” says Shonekan,
“however, I have done a couple of short
courses in fashion and graphic design, and I
58
have worked with the London Fashion Forum,
organising all the fashion exhibitions”.
The name Aimas
The name is actually derived from
“Aimapoyo”, which was given to Shonekan by
her mother’s family who hail from the middle
belt of Nigeria. “ I shortened it to “Aima” and
I knew that when I set up shop I would name
it Aimas.”
As part of her ongoing expansion plans, Aimas
is planning to include home accessories and
maternity wear to its existing line. “My target
market (men and women between the ages
of 16 – 45) desire this and we are keen to
deliver. We also offer bespoke services both
for personal, group and corporate jobs.
“What I have found to be the most challenging
in the industry is sourcing decent staff and
maintaining them. I would not say I have
tackled it yet, but I am continually spending
time to develop existing staff.”
Are Nigerians receptive to embellished
T-shirts is a question which readily comes
to mind. And to this she responded: “Yes
they are!. I do think that Nigerian women
are extremely fashion conscious. I am not
surprised, though I must say that not many
are trendsetters or have an individual style,
but regardless, they generally turn out
looking good most of the time.” Aimas is by
appointment on 0809 88Aimas.
The Shop
Mysterious
Shopper
I went out for lunch recently with a friend I decided on the spot that if I ever returned to
who took me to a place called Delina’s Bistro the café for lunch, I would simply order my meals
Café situated on Oko-Awo Street in Victoria to take away, and even if I decided to eat in, I
Island. My initial impression of the place would never venture near the toilets.
wasn’t so positive since the generator situated
outside the café was smoking so badly it I must mention that for a first time parker,
seemed like it would explode. parking could be tricky since the café appeared
to be a popular spot (a good sign, I guess) and it
We ordered our meals and I must confess, I also shares its parking lot with other shops in the
same vicinity.
was pleasantly surprised when my meal arrived
on time. I had ordered a “homemade burger”
and it was truly homemade (I have been misled
in the past as to what “homemade” truly
means, so excuse my cynicism), the burger My rating for the Delina’s
was the right temperature, tasty, moist and
just perfect. The café was a regular spot for Bistro Cafe
workers of the various offices situated in the
area and quite a number of people who came
Ambience: 8/10
in appeared to place their usual orders.
Tidiness/Cleanliness: 6/10
At the end of my lovely meal, I made a dash
Toilet: 1/10
into the loo since my tummy had been
overstuffed, this decision almost ruined a
Parking: 6/10
perfect lunch! I’ll save you all the nasty details,
but the loo was in a “bad state” and appeared
unkempt, it was not befitting for the good “I was pleasantly
impression the café had made and the great
quality food which was served surprised when
my meal arrived
on time”
naijaTimes 59

A fter the characteristic fumbles that tend
to accompany our qualifying campaigns, the
Nigerian senior national football team, the
Super Eagles, finally secured the tickets to
Will the Super
play in the 2010 African Nations Cup and
FIFA World Cup to be hosted in Angola
and South Africa respectively. Qualifying
Eagles fly?
for major tournaments remain a perennial
headache for Nigerian teams as they never
seem to get their acts right. The recently
concluded qualifying campaign amplifies this
Yemi Shofolu fact as the Super Eagles waited till the final
day and relied more on the outcome of the
match between Mozambique and Tunisia to
determine their fate.
“Qualifying for major tournaments remain Other leading African teams like Ghana and
a perennial headache for Nigerian teams as Ivory Coast qualified before the last round
of matches and only used the games as a
they never seem to get their acts right” platform for a run out for new players while
also fine tuning their tactics and formations.
The level of performance put in by these
countries require proper planning and
extensive preparation. The Nigerian football
administrators must learn the rudiments of
timely preparation for competitions. The only
route to enduring football success remains
planning, commitment and the will to sacrifice
in the short term to achieve medium/long
term gains as against the current fire brigade
approach. As the saying goes, “he who fails to
plan, plans to fail”.
This time around, it will be a double-header
on African soil. The Bi-annual African Cup of
Nations will be hosted by Angola in January
2010, while South Africa will host the FIFA
World Cup. With both venues located within
the Southern African region, it is expected
that the African spirit of sportsmanship will
reign throughout the period.
Once again the sight of fans decked in their
60
Sports
different national colours singing, dancing and
cheering their national football heroes as they
sweat, kick, tackle and dazzle for glory would
be a common sight throughout the duration
of the games. Established and up coming
talents would once again catch the fancy of
ardent football followers in and outside the
stadia who will decide whether to hail or
boo as their moods dictate. The attendant
economic benefits accruing from hosting
major tournaments are also welcome.
The last time the Super Eagles of Nigeria
played in the Nations Cup and World Cup
in the same year was in 2002 in Mali and
Japan/South Korea respectively. Even then,
the aura of the team had begun to diminish.
After squeezing through qualifications, the
Eagles landed in Mali with high hopes aiming
to clinch their third African crown after the
1980 (Nigeria) and 1994 (Tunisia) triumphs.
That ambition never materialised. The Eagles,
then led by the coaching crew comprising
the present head coach, Amodu Shuaibu and
assisted by Stephen Keshi along side the
goalkeepers’ trainer, Joe Erico, never showed
any championship winning traits. Their slim
goal margins and overall quality of play in that
tournament proved that the eagles had lost
steam.
Drawn in a group in which they were
expected to stroll into the knock-out stages,
they beat Algeria 1-0, drew 0-0 against hosts
Mali and won 1-0 against Liberia in the group
stages. The Eagles recorded another 1-0
win over Ghana in the quarter-finals before
finally bowing out to Senegal 1-2. A player/
management crises during the course of
the tournament further compounded the
woes of the team and eventually led to the
ouster of Sunday Oliseh, Finidi George and
Taribo West (who was later pardoned for
naijaTimes 61
 showing remorse), three of the squad’s most
experienced players. From that point on,
the Eagles never remained the same. Under
the charge of the newly appointed coach,
Adegboye Onigbinde, the Eagles parading an
almost entirely new squad were eliminated in
the first round of the 2002 World Cup. They
lost their opening game 2-1 to Argentina,
lost the next game to Sweden by the same
margin and drew 0-0 to the Beckham led
England. The Eagles quickly packed their bags
after elimination from a group, which had
already been labelled the “group of death” at
the conclusion of the first round of matches.
Nigeria’s only solace was the emergence
of a few new players whom were thought
would form the core of the next generation
of Eagles. Nigerians were proven right, the
current vice-captain Joseph Yobo, Vincent
Enyeama, Osaze Odemwingie and John Utaka
were all products of that adventure.
The year 2006 was worse and can only
be labelled a disaster. Egypt 2006 (African
Nations Cup) and Germany 2006 (FIFA
World Cup) were tournaments we believed
our dear and maturing Eagles would reward
us for, but alas, we found out as early as
October 2005 that we did not even qualify
for the world cup. Led by Captain Austin J. J.
Okocha, who suddenly developed a phobia
for honouring “away fixtures”, the Eagles
were dumped by Angola who grabbed the
sole ticket available in that group and flew
to Germany to attend their first ever world
cup tournament. Players failed to report
early to camp in preparation for matches
but chose that time as most appropriate
to shoot commercials for their sponsors.
The Nigerian Football Federation, then the
Nigerian Football Association (NFA) led by
Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima chose the most
inappropriate venues to host the most
62
crucial of the qualifying games. And finally, we
can never forget the contribution of our dear
coach, Christian Chukwu who was replaced
by his former assistant and wards Augustine
Eguavoen (Cerezo), Daniel Amokachi and
Samson Siasia who succeeded him during
the qualifying campaign. The young coaches
were still in charge when we arrived Egypt in
January 2006 for the MTN sponsored African
Nations Cup. Still parading the full compliment
of the players who failed to qualify for the
World Cup, Nigerians were hoping for nothing
short of lifting the trophy in Egypt. Once
again, the Eagles settled for third place and
their third bronze medal in succession after
clinching the same trophy in Mali 2002 as well
as 2004 in Tunisia.
2010 is finally here and so are continental and
world football competitions. Therefore, I ask
the pertinent question, will the Eagles fly? Only
time will tell, so I am compelled to wait for
the answer. However, I am burdened by more
questions. Who should be our coach? Who
should be our captain? How should we play?
Which opponents will truly put us to the test
in friendly games? Where should we camp?
There is still more, but it is not my duty to
bore you with questions. All I ask is that you
join me in searching for these answers.
 Sports

Game Of Hope
Football pools betting, a cultural import
from 1920s Britain is as popular in Nigeria
among old men, retired workers and
unemployed. The bettor places a stake of
money to forecast the result of 49 league
matches played across all divisions of the
English Football League available on coupon
sheets.

The promoters of these football pools are

mostly Lebanese or Syrian immigrants who
operate with licenses issued by the Nigerian
federal government. They are barely visible
and yet all the money circulates through
them.

The agents, who are most visible, link

between the prompters and bettors aren’t
always Nigerian, run pool houses across
country. There, the bettors, play every week
in the hope of winning the jackpot of up
to 400, 000 Naira and equivalence of an
annual average earnings in among workers
in Nigeria. However, most bettors walk away
empty handed and console themselves in the
company of friends who gather at these pool
houses to relax and engage in other forms
of recreational activities like card games,
draughts and Ayo ( a Yoruba board game).

64 naijaTimes 65
 Directory
Listings Doshlaps Ventures Limited
Blinds Experts
Suite 191, BLK A2-16 Sura Shoping Complex
Lagos.
Anmak Limited
(Academic Gowns, Uniforms etc)
4th Floor, 106/110 Lewis Street,
Lagos Island.
Rahy-Ali Reliable Realtors
23 Oladosu Street, Ikeja
08056568258
aliubiola@yahoo.com
0700 – DOSHLAPS, 012306070 0707 2114901
www.doshlaps.com 3AG Global Resources Limited
Creative Cuisine Caterers (Overseas Student Placement)
The Chariot Kuddy Cosmetics Int’l. Ltd. (Catering) 1st Floor backwing, 9 Olufunmilola Okikiolu Street,
(Hotels & Hospitality) Importer, Exporter, Wholesales & Cosmetics Block 6, Apartment 2, Off Toyin Street, Ikeja
2/4 Akinbolagbe Street, Off Ligali Ayorinde Street Shop F17 – 19 Delta Plaza BBA Trade Fair Complex Ilubirin/Osborne Foreshore Phase 2, 08029566546; 018545174
Victoria Island, Lagos 08023045983 Ikoyi info@3agglobal.com
01-2703651, 08023166834 0803 3151418, 07025395208, 01-7624420
www.chariot-group.com Mandy Utd. DGRooms
Style, Entertainment & Promotions Circa 64 Jewellery (Corporate, native, Kaftans & Fashion designers)
Twice As Nice 18 Oremeji Street, off Medical road, Ikeja. (Contemporary Handcrafted Jewellery) 6/8 Babalola Gardens, Lekki Phase One
(Shirts & Accessories) 028767642 5 Sanusi Fafunwa Street, 07029811142; 08028325927
55 Opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos Victoria Island. London: 07906832947; 07789452145
08038491208 Artezia Security Systems 08028546266; 08026888826 governadgrooms@yahoo.ca
(Security doors, CCTV, Alarm systems etc) www.circa64online.com
Lace Fabrique Collection 215A Etim Inyang Crescent Powercell
(Fabrics & Laces) Victoria Island. The Orchid Bistro (Renewable Energy: Inverters, UPS & Solar)
43 Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos 0802.70.70.700; 01-7944960 (Restaurant, Bakery Products, Catering) 17 Unity Road, Ikeja
08029461611, 01-7412651 www.arteziasecurity.com 58A Isaac John Street, 08037177539; 012557197
GRA, Ikeja. tayolizy@yahoo.com
Candor Foods Limited Icecool Contracts Limited 01-7739090,
(Fishery & Bakery products) (Domain Management, Web Design, hosting & Internet theorchidbistro@me.com Taiwo Adesina Printing Ent.
2 Olafuyi Close, Isale Haruna, Ifako, Lagos Consultants) (TAPE)
08060802646 315 Akin Ogunlewe Street, Victoria Island. Ann Marie Printer
0700 ICE COOL (423 2665), 0803 3787067 (Health & Beauty Spa) 173 Ipaja Road,
The Manor sales@icecoolcontracts.com.ng 58A Isaac John, Street, Agege
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Opposite Treasure Gardens Estate, 08075505000, 01-4545365
2nd Roundabout, Lekki Phase One. Sleek Hair Aquatech Consultancy Services
08035252211; 07041969855; 08120007474 (Human hair extensions & Wigs) The Car-Shop (Factory, procurement, installation and management of food
enquiries@themanorhall.com 64B Anifowoshe Street (off Adeola Odeku Street), Plot 25, Water Corporation Drive, processing plants)
www.themanorhall.com Victoria Island Victoria Island. 4a Silas, Ebute Stree, Makurdi, Benue State
0802 9429215 08023085277 08076899336, 07030096006
Made in Nigeria.Africa www.sleeknigeria.com sheteef@yahoo.com
Operation feed the Masses
18 Oremeji Street, Ikeja. Computer Village Ismail and Partners Pitter Patter
08136677207 106/110 Lewis Street, Lagos Island. (Children’s shoes & Accessories)
07023031156 01-8197664; 01-8103014 Shop 5, Adebola Shopping Mall,
enquiries@ismailandpartners.com 53 Isaac John Street, Ikeja
Fionanne Unisex Salon & Spa
Want to be
www.ismailandpartners.com 08033019736, 08098059736
Salon & Spa sales@pitterpatterng.com
Unit 11 & 12, Adebola Mall, 53 Isaac John Street. Bishops Court Homes & Property
GRA Ikeja
014817184, 08033187604
(Real Estate Development)
1 Abiola Segun Ajayi Street, Off Etim Inyang Crescent,
Arisiki Nigeria Limited
(Shipping/Custom Licenced Agency)
included in
Reekson Catering Services
Victoria Island.
01-4610596; 0802 2900 488; 0702 9432878
6 Ogunyinka Street, 7/8 Bus stop
Murtala Mohammed International Airport Road the Business
Directory
Catering esosabam@bishopscourtng.com 08023214214, 01762507
1 Austin Coker Drive, Harmony Estate, Ogba. www.bishopscourtng.com info@arisikilimited.com
08023216007, 08053895756

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please call
Telecommunications 1 Abiola Segun Ajayi Street, Off Etim Inyang Crescent, 27 Kakawa Street, Lagos Island
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08023458077, 018190557 01-4610596; 4610594; 0802 5015734
www.affordablesphonesng.com info@multixeptassociates.com
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66 naijaTimes 67
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