Dangote cannot afford to buy Arsenal Football Club - Etcetera

Saturday, May 09, 2015

You have sold some shares and you’ve got some money to spend. Now you want the ultimate: Your own football club. Hold on there, are you sure? 

Football clubs are a nightmare to run. In fact, almost two-thirds of premiership clubs have been in receivership at some point. Remember Portsmouth FC ploughed through four owners some seasons back and landed itself a debt of £60m and relegation in the Championship. Think of Leeds United’s tragicomic collapse; the balls-up at Cambridge United; Rotherham going into receivership in 2006 and 2008; Southampton’s sorry saga. And, of course, Crawley Town getting a winding up order years back. So, what do we know? 

Don’t buy a football club for the glory. So, before Dangote aspires to join Abrahamovic, Glazers and Al Mansours, he should make sure he knows his stuff. 

But does Dangote know how much these football clubs really cost? 

It is often mistaken that these clubs go for a quid. For instance, Swansea City was bought by investors for £100, and sold four years later for a £1. But beware: underneath those figures lies a pile of debt.

Does Dangote have the cash, can he do an Abramovich? 

No, he can’t. New UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations already in place, require clubs to balance their income and expenses. Dangote cannot operate under such rules. The premiership is too organised and transparent for any businessman to easily manipulate. The wage structure of footballers is too large for a businessman like Dangote to take on. 

Let us forget that those goons at Forbes have told us that Dangote is Africa’s richest man. As it stands, he cannot afford the outright purchase of a big football club like Arsenal. It is as simple as that. He will go broke. It is a possibility if we are talking about a club in the coast of West Africa. Dangote has most of his wealth in shares and physical assets and the football business requires liquid cash to sustain. 

Have we all forgotten that the same Dangote got a 3G licence and sold it to Etisalat? He is a very smart businessman who knows how to pick his areas of investments. 

Can he get Bank backing? 

Unlikely! No serious private equity firm would get involved with a football club. They are not proper businesses. Too much politics, too many egos. And there’s no proper exit route – the history of football clubs on the stock market is chequered, to say the least. They are rich men’s toys, great for entertaining your mates, and that’s about it. I don’t think Dangote can afford such an expensive toy. 

A lot of people think it is relatively easy to make a million pounds by being the owner of a football club. That all you have to do is put in that first two million pounds. But these people should also know that since the English Premier League was formed in 1992, football finances have dried up to the extent that making a million pound profit is no longer a walk in the park. 

It is also the case that buying a football club is unlikely to yield that much of a return. Despite the significant TV and other commercial revenues, football clubs in England’s top flight still struggle to break even. This is ironic, given the goal of setting up the Premier League was to stabilise club finances. 

Is Dangote putting his heart over his head? 

Yes I think so. Simon Jordan, in his autobiography, tells the story of how owning a football club can go terribly wrong. Jordan amassed a fortune of £75m in the early days of the mobile phone revolution. In 2000, he paid £10m to take control of South London football team Crystal Palace, becoming the youngest football club chairman at the age of 32. He was warned by many not to do it, but having watched the club since his childhood, he could not resist. 

Fast-forward 10 years and the club was in administration and Jordan’s personal wealth largely wiped out. It is reported that Roman Abramovich, the Russian owner of Chelsea, has written off more than one billion pounds he ploughed into the club since acquiring it in 2003. Catching him up fast is Sheikh Mansour from Abu Dhabi, who has invested close to one billion pounds in Manchester City since 2008. Can Dangote write off such a huge amount of money? 

It is in fact the amount of money he borrows to invest in businesses. But again, I think Dangote is just trying to hype himself. Most of the serious money flowing into football recently has come from the Middle East. The Qatar Investment Authority (the country’s sovereign wealth fund) bought the French Ligue 1 side Paris St Germain in 2011 and has gone about transforming them in the same way Sheikh Mansour has Manchester City. Forget those guys at Forbes, Dangote is not in the same league as these guys. 

The Glazer Family bought Manchester United in 2006, recognising the immense value of its global brand as a cash generator and the opportunities to enhance it even further. The cost of buying the club was loaded on to the club itself, with the revenues it generates used to pay the debt and interest that the Glazers undertook to buy the club. Eventually, the hope is that the club will essentially pay for itself leaving its American owners in possession of a multi-billion pound asset but till date, the Glazers are still gnashing their teeth and are still neck deep in debt. 

When it was speculated that a Middle East consortium was willing to pay £1.5bn for Arsenal Football Club, it was stated that Stan Kroenke, the American who owns about 63 per cent of the shares in the club, would have made just £400m on his shares. So, given the appalling financial returns, why do people buy football clubs? 

Who can buy Arsenal football club? 

Anyone can buy Arsenal football club, but that anyone doesn’t include anyone who obtains bank loans to fund a business. Sir John Madejski, chairman of Reading Football Club, describes the ideal football club owner as having deep pockets, mercurial, and not faint-hearted.

''Our Artistes Now Invent Lies'' - Etcetera comes for Burna Boy in his new article

Saturday, May 02, 2015

Back in April, Burna Boy announced on his social media accounts that he had signed a song writing contract with Universal Records. Burna even shared a photo of the deal.

Well, Etcetera believes it is a fat lie and that the pink and brown contract posted on Instagram could have been printed at Oluwole. Continue below!

Ladies and gentlemen, you are welcome to the new game in town. For better or for worse, our music “industry” is embracing a new form of art. The focus has shifted almost entirely from making music to something else. Now the transition is finally complete and the sync word here is LIE. 

In Nigeria today, every artist needs a “lying” platform – or three, to reach their target audience. Years back, radio used to be the dominant “platform” for breaking new artists, you may say it is still important, but the radio is certainly no longer the only game in town. It is becoming simply too limited, too expensive and too difficult to control to be the sole platform. 

A better and surer way to expose the artist to the public has been discovered. Now the
artist with the biggest LIE has the bigger and better head start. 

The Nigerian music “industry” has now brought a vast array of gifted liars. We have seen managers lying blatantly about the activities of their artistes just to be noticed. So far, it is working for them here in Nigeria. Our gullibility has made it too easy to become an artist here in Nigeria. 

What was your reactions when Burna Boy tweeted about his new songwriting deal with Universal Music Group? Did you notice how the blogs went gaga congratulating him? If truly Burna Boy got a deal, why didn’t Universal Music Group issue a statement to that effect? Well, strange stuff has happened. 

Isn’t the Nigerian music “industry” at risk with this lying game taken to this new level? Is it no longer worth noting that the actual quality of the artist’s songs should be a predominating factor in a decision to recruit him as a songwriter? Why are we acting as if we don’t know that Burna’s songs won’t find many readily available patronisers outside the shores of Nigeria? If they do, they can only be appreciated by only a few Nigerians. 

Even in cases where there is a proven audience for a particular artiste’s work, it is not enough to make it a big deal to corner a deal. As a musician reading this article, would you approach Burna Boy to write you a song? Judging by what you’ve heard from him so far! If you can’t, why would a foreign company with a long list of songwriters employ him as a songwriter? 

One reason why there are no record labels in Nigeria is that a lot of our music stakeholders are sentimental in their approach to the business. The guys at Universal are not jokers. They are strictly in it for the money. They don’t attach sentiments to their dealings. They know that songwriting is not actually a business. There’s no financial element attached to songwriting in itself. It is the job of the music publisher to turn the song into something that can generate income. Can Burna’s song guarantee the kind of financial returns we are talking about here? 

How many CDs has he sold in Nigeria as an artist? I am not talking of the free downloads of singles on blogs, but the copies of actual albums he has sold. How many people have his album in their homes? The pink and brown contract sneaked up on us on instagram could have been printed at Oluwole. Until Universal Music Group authenticates these claims, everything Burna has said could not be true. 

It is a shame that Nigerian journalists will never see it necessary to investigate any issue before plastering it all over their platforms. I was on set on Nigezie, shooting the Etcetera Live TV show when the producer asked if I heard about Burna Boy’s new deal with Universal Records. Right there and then, I went online and checked the authenticity of the story. The first thing I checked was if Universal Music Group issued any statement to that effect. I wasn’t surprised that the story could only be found on Nigerian websites. The websites of Universal in America, South Africa and other countries had nothing suggesting they have anything with Burna Boy. Their Facebook pages said nothing too. 

There is an official statement on every deal they have made. It is the norm with every recording company in the world. You employ a songwriter who is like a talent magnet; a record maker. Someone who brings forth the talent in the singer. Someone whose role is to write songs that define the artistes and give them a reason for existence and you keep that under the carpet? It doesn’t make any sense. The truth is, there’s no song of Burna that suggests he is anywhere close to being the kind of songwriter we are talking about here. This guy sounds like he doesn’t want anyone to pick out his lines. 

Finally, it is very important for all those with music interest to note that in this new LIE eco-system of ours, there are three things a musician needs, and his success or failure can be predicted almost entirely on the basis of how many of these three things are in place. 

If you can provide a clean sweep of three out of three, like Burna Boy, you’ll likely be signing a record deal with Universal Music Group even without being able to hold your notes vocally. If you’ve got two out of three, you will probably get an offer, like some other artistes have claimed at different times. Though it might not be exactly the deal you were hoping for. Bring only one out of three and the best you can hope for is a polite invitation to come back sometime in the distant future. 

So here are the three things every Nigerian will pay for – the essential components to a successful “Music Career” – 1.LIE, 2.LIE and 3.LIE!

Ex-military governor of Anambra pleads with Igbo parents to reduce bride price

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Former Military governor of old Anambra State, Col. Robert Akonobi (rtd), has pleaded with Igbo parents to reduce the bride price of their daughters so that ‘’our young boys can marry them.”

Speaking at the industrial city of Nnewi, Anambra State during the traditional wedding ceremony of the daughter of a business mogul, Chief Louis Onwugbenu, Onyinye and her husband, Bosah
Chukwuogo, weekend, Col. Akonobi said:

‘’To me, this topic (bride price) has been dealt with in the past by Ndigbo, who came out with a reduced bride price, to enable our young boys marry our young girls.”

Akonobi also cautioned that men should study their proposed wives closely and longer before engaging into marriage because “once you marry, no one else can put it asunder.”

Nnewi was agog as dignitaries from all works of life trooped to the residence of Chief Onwugbenu for the memorable event. The dignitaries who were from both the military, political and manufacturing circles, including Col Akonobi, Hon. Clement Nwankwu, former member of the House of Representatives; Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers of Gabros International Limited and Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Limited, Chief Gabriel and Innocent Chukwuma respectively, among others.

The issue of high bride price was discussed extensively at the occasion. Hon. Nwankwu, in his own speech, prayed that Chief Onwugbenu and his wife would live long to enjoy the fruits of their children, especially those who married from outside their areas.

Also, speaking, Mrs. Onwugbenu expressed gratitude that her daughter’s hand was given out in marriage and prayed that her in-laws who came all the way from Awka to marry her daughter, would go back home safely. Father of the bride, Onwugbenu, in his own speech, said he had already blessed his daughter and her husband to go and make a good home.

On the bride price controversy in Igbo land, Onwugbenu declared:

“We do not charge money as bride price for someone to marry my daughter. To me, what is important is that my daughter should live in peace with her husband. Let her husband’s family members accept her as part and parcel of their family.”

"The Church is Leading You Straight to Hell," Etcetera warns

Saturday, April 25, 2015

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore and repent. – Revelation 3:19. 

Much of the church today is living a lie. Many of you have been told continuously that you are saved and headed for heaven. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Many of you are heading directly to hell. The systemised lying that is going on in the church has deceived the pastors and the people alike. It is a case of the blind leading the blind. 

You all need to pray – fervently because many of you are “lost”. No matter what you call me, no matter how you view this issue, no matter what position you have, no matter what church you attend, you have to admit that something is wrong with the church. 

Below are eight facts why the church is leading you straight to hell:

There is almost no evidence whatsoever that the early church had their “services” on a Sunday. They gathered together ‘from house to house’ virtually every day! People did not dress up and “go to church.” 

There were no denominations or separate groups with different ‘labels.’ They lived their lives together – And the apostles in Jerusalem preached everyday at a huge open-air gathering, not “hidden away” inside four walls. Church buildings do not exist in the Bible. They were invented around 200-300 AD, when the church was in serious decline. Church buildings are anti-New Testament, and they bring with them a host of problems and traditions. It was when the church fell into the hands of Rome that this concept of the “cathedral” took over. And today, we are still spending millions building these beautiful monuments while the worshippers are starving.

The words “prosper” or ‘prosperity’ were NEVER used by Jesus at all – and only mentioned a few times in the entire New Testament. Yet our greedy pastors have built kingdoms upon them. The words – “sell what you have and give to the poor” and “deceitfulness of riches” and “you cannot serve God and mammon” and “woe to you that are rich” were DEFINITELY used by Jesus and the apostles, but you don’t hear them preached by your pastors, do you? 

Tithing is not a New Testament practice at all. And it is being shamefully abused by today’s preachers. In the Old Testament, tithing was only applicable to Jews and to the land of Israel and that was at a time when a great number of them lived in Babylon, Ammon, Moab, Egypt and Syria. 

As a result of that, the land they occupied became tithe-able lands. Tithes were not acceptable from Gentiles’ lands. So my brothers and sisters, you need to ask your pastor why he is collecting tithes here in Nigeria. 

Also, the only people authorised to receive tithes were the Levites – (Hebrews 7:5). If your pastor is collecting tithe from you, ask him if he’s from the tribe of Levi. Even Jesus who was a Jew couldn’t collect tithes because he wasn’t from the tribe of Levi but from that of Judah. And if your pastor insists that being a worker in the lord’s vineyard qualifies him as a Levite, please remind him that Levites had no land and did not own properties. 

The Jesus of today’s church is a “Father Christmas,” a Jesus who exists mainly for our own “happiness;” a Father Christmas who wants to rain down continual blessings upon us; a Jesus of grace and mercy without judgement, righteousness or truth. Our gross misrepresentation of who Jesus really is, is one of the most serious offences of today’s church. We worship a “plastic” Jesus – one that we have painted in our own image. What an offence to God. 

What we have today are churches that are so loose that they excuse any sin or misconduct, including homosexuality and adultery. Aren’t we supposed to accept only the truth of God’s word? But instead, we have opted for a modern church that is socially based, smooth and sophisticated, and presented like a Nollywood movie with men and women of ogboni fraternity dressed in their occultic regalia occupying special seats during services. Something is wrong! 

What happened to the strong calls for repentance that brought thousands down to the altar to repent and ask Jesus Christ to save their souls? This is the litmus test for Christianity; it is the essence of the Cross; it is the great commission that Jesus commanded us with. If your church is not winning souls, then it is like a barren woman, and it is a shame. Something is wrong! 

What happened to the outpouring of the Holy Ghost? Do we even know what it means anymore to feel the presence of the Spirit of God descend on a service and fill up the room with holiness? Or we just love that party atmosphere and excitement when the choir plays a boogie-down song? Or we love to scream “ride on pastor” in the excitement we get when some charismatic preacher works the crowd? It’s been so long we’ve felt the presence of the Holy Spirit that we don’t know what it is anymore. Something is definitely wrong! 

Lots of pastors are aware that there is something very wrong with the church today. They know there is little ‘fear of the Lord.’ They know there is no deep repentance or deep moving of the Holy Spirit. 

They know that it is just the same old “game” being played every week. A lot of them are very aware of this, but they will not do anything about it. They will not rock the boat. And they will destroy anyone who comes along trying to do something. They do not want any reforms. There is too much to lose. They have their careers and their “kingdoms” at stake. 

This is the truth of the matter. Most of you are worshippers of your pastors and not God. Many of you are hell bound. So pray my brothers and sisters. Pray for your souls. Let me stop here and leave room for you to call me names. But do remember that the church is leading you to hell – not me!

"Buhari has no certificate," Doyin Okupe insists

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

The Senior Special Adviser to the President on Public Affairs, Doyin Okupe, has said that he stands by his words that the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, is not an electable leader.

Many critics of the All Progressives Congress candidate, including the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who, in the buildup to the March 28 presidential election, condemned Buhari, had subsequently apologised after he won the election.

But Okupe, on Monday said he would stand by his words that Buhari, who he said had no West African Senior School Certificate, was not eligible to contest for President.

He stated on his official Facebook page:

These are very interesting times in our nation. 

An election has come and gone. A victor has emerged and the loser has conceded. Yet some of our folks are behaving as if we have just gone through a war between two hostile nations. APC agents all over the place are unrelenting in their tirades of abuses, insults and lies against President Jonathan, his aides and supporters. 

It is shameful that we are still saddled with denying falsehood & fabrications in the social media and even hither to highly respected Newspapers. Missing $20b found in an account in Zenith; PGEJ returns tons of dollars to federation accounts; N2trillion spent on elections by PGEJ. Okupe says Chibok girls will not be found. 

How many lies, deliberate falsehood and evil propaganda, outright curses and attacks must we suffer just because we lost an election in which we were never disgraced. 

Buhari polled 15m(56%) while Jonathan scored 12m (46%). 

Those who talk to us disparagingly should respect the sentiments of the 12 million who voted for Jonathan. Of course we have our reservations about the results but we will pass on that for now. 

We have lost this election but this is not and can never be a crime. We are all Nigerians and haven lost does not make us less. We should be allowed to bow out peacefully and constitutionally on the 29th of May. 

Yes I said Buhari was not electable. I also said his victory will not happen. I said and I still insist that Buhari has no WASC certificate. I said a lot of things to promote my candidate and many things to put his opponent down. 

I have no regrets for any of the statements I made. Lai Mohammed said worse. This is the nature of politics. For any one who cares to listen. We will be back Period.

"I was in a cage for 16 good years" - President Jonathan

Sunday, April 05, 2015

President Goodluck Jonathan while receiving residents of the Federal Capital Territory led by Vice President Namadi Sambo at the Villa today, looked back at his years of service from being the deputy governor and governor of his home state, Bayelsa, to when he became Nigeria's president said he thinks he has had enough and he has no doubt that he is the luckiest Nigerian.

His words:

“For me as an individual, this Easter coincides with the time I am leaving but I always say that I am one of the luckiest Nigerians. I am yet to see somebody luckier than me.

“From 1999, I was in the hands of government for 16 years. Not just in government as a parliamentarian because if you are a Senator or House of Representatives member, you take care of yourself, you live in your own house.

“I was in a cage, being taken care of by the government. From May 29, 1999 to date; 16 good years. I think it is enough and I am happy, help me to thank God for that.

“I will continue to thank Nigerians for giving me that privilege. I became a deputy governor because Bayelsans voted for me and my governor then. I became a Vice President because Nigerians voted for Yar’Adua and myself.

“I continued in 2011 because Nigerians voted for me and Architect Namadi Sambo. I have to thank all Nigerians. Wherever I will be, I will remain grateful to this great country. Today is a glorious day for me.”

''For us in the PDP, we want to state in very clear terms that we are NOT down" - PDP National Chairman

Thursday, April 02, 2015

After INEC announced the opposition party winner of last Saturday's Presidential election, the ruling party has assured its followers that they will bounce back.

Read the official statement from the PDP, signed by the national chairman, Adamu Mu'azu.

Sixteen years ago, Nigerians gave our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the mandate to build, nurture and deepen democracy after three decades of military rule in our country.

That historic mandate was freely given in recognition of the courageous and patriotic role of the founding fathers of our party whose resilience and doggedness championed the return of democracy and the personal freedom we all enjoy today.

Within this period, our party worked very hard in rebuilding and
strengthening democratic institutions, tenets and norms while lifting our status as the leading democracy in Africa and one of the best in the world.

It is incontrovertible that under the PDP-led government, our nation moved from a near pariah status to a strong actor in the international democratic arena, a product of various electoral reforms and our iron-cast commitment to transparent, free and fair electoral process at all levels.

Even in the midst of obvious threats to our democracy, the PDP and the government it sponsored continued to stabilize the polity through strict adherence to rule of law and liberalization of the political and economic space.

In the last 16 years the PDP-led administration achieved significant milestones in our social and economic lives. We moved Nigeria from a debtor nation to Africa’s largest economy and one of the fastest growing in the world, a feat, which is accompanied with unprecedented expansion of the private sector as well as multi-sectorial infrastructural development, all, great legacies we achieved for our nation.

Presently, our nation is at the threshold of history and its defining moment for the future. As you are aware, in the early hours of Wednesday, April 1, 2015, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returned the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as winner of the 2015 presidential election.

However, we have received reports of serious irregularities that characterized the conduct of the election and we shall channel our protests to the appropriate quarters in line with our profound respect for the rule of law and democratic ethos.

Our party comes with great values and tradition and we will adhere to them and ensure that nothing is done to truncate our democracy, which we have proudly worked so hard to nurture and sustain to maturity.

Therefore, if the outcome of the election is truly the reflection of the wishes and aspirations of our citizens, the PDP will most willingly respect that wish.

What is paramount to us is the survival of our democracy, the unity, peace and progress of our dear nation and the happiness of all our people. Nigeria is bigger than any political party, individual or group and her overall interest must be our priority at all times.

It is in this light that we as a party commend our flag bearer, President Goodluck Jonathan for his heroic act in conceding to the voice of the people, an action that stands him out as a true democrat and a statesman.

We also congratulate the APC flagbearer, Gen. Mohammadu Buhari for his resilience and victory in this election while wishing him success in the onerous task of leading our nation once again.

On the same note, we wish to also commend the electorate for the peaceful manner with which they conducted themselves in the course of this election.

For us in the PDP, we want to state in very clear terms that we are not down. We are only at our redefining moment. Rather than demoralize us, this election has afforded us great lessons and we are now more than ever before reinvigorated for the race ahead.

As we return to the electorate for the April 11, 2015 governorship and state assembly elections, we go recharged with faith in our heart. We assure all our candidates in the remaining elections that the party will stand with you, campaign with you and work vigourously to ensure your total victory at the polls.

Finally, we call on our party faithful to remain steadfast in our renewed effort to deliver our flag bearers in the remaining elections.

Signed:

Ahmadu, Adamu Mu’azu, CON.

National Chairman.

Wole Soyinka attacks Patience Jonathan again in new speech

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Nobel laureate, Wole Soyinka has criticized Mrs Patience Jonathan for the use of what he terms "crude and vulgar language in her recent comments". The eminent playwright made the comments on Tuesday, March 10, in Lagos during the public presentation of a book titled “Modern and Tradition Elite in the Politics of Lagos” written by Ambassador Patrick Dele Cole.

Professor Soyinka accused the Presidency of taking a prominent part in the crudeness using a recent statement attributed to First Lady, Patience Jonathan as an example.

“Speaking as objectively as is possible in such circumstances, I would say that, among the various camps, the most reckless and indecorous has sadly proved the incumbency camp, where restraint has been thrown to the wind with such abandon that even highly privileged spouses have publicly urged supporters to stone any voices raised in opposition to their cause. All of us here have passed through the electoral process furnace before now and I suspect we would mostly agree that never before have we been subjected to this level of sheer venom, crudity of and vulgar abuse of language in such prodigal quantities as in this current political exercise. The very gift of communication, considered the distinguishing mark of cultured humanity even in polemical situations, has been debased, affecting even thought processes, I often suspect,” he added.

Mrs. Jonathan urged her supporters to stone members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

'The 469 problems of Nigeria' by Etcetera

Saturday, February 21, 2015

An average Nigerian is just a political bystander. Many of them don’t know who their local government chairmen and councillors are and what they are elected to do. But let’s forget about the local government chairmen and councillors; they have never been useful to us, anyway. Let’s talk about the ‘bigger fishes’ — the guys in the National Assembly.

The ordinary Nigerian does not have the constitutional authority to vote on appropriations, but the guys in the National Assembly do. An average Nigerian does not set fiscal policy; our representatives in the National Assembly do. The ordinary Nigerian, even though most of their daily activities revolve around money, does not control monetary policy; the guys in the National Assembly do. The National Assembly consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives, made up of 109 senators and 360 members respectively. When both are added up, it gives 469. These 469 people are the 469 problems the country has been plagued with since 1999.

Let’s take a look at the fraud played on the masses by these 469 men and women. Since 1999, these men and women have spent so much money and energy convincing you and I that the deplorable state of the nation has got nothing to do with them. The disagreement they’ve often had on almost every issue raised on the floor of the House has been blamed on party differences, but in defrauding Nigerians, they have always cooperated and differences in their political parties have never been an issue. They are quick to exonerate themselves and make it seem like the President is the cause of all the country’s problems. They wrote the constitution in a way that the President is shackled only to the powers to propose bills. And they have made it certain that he cannot force them to accept the bills. They fashioned the constitution in a way that it awards them the sole responsibility of originating appropriations. For instance, the Senate President and his fellow senators can approve any budget they want. Even if the President vetos it, they can go ahead and pass it over his veto. They are the people responsible for all the problems we are facing as a nation.

Since 1999, these 469 men and women have effortlessly dangled over 160 million Nigerians like puppets. Of course, they didn’t forget to tweak the law to shield themselves from prosecutions. Have you heard that no matter the level of crime committed, they cannot be arrested on the grounds of the National Assembly? Mehn, what a job to have! This is by far the easiest job in the country with the fattest remuneration. You get so relaxed that all you do is sleep and snore during deliberations and get paid for it. For Christ’s sake, who gets paid for sleeping and snoring? It has become very inconceivable to me that a country of over 160 million people cannot replace these 469 men and women who stand convicted by the present facts of incompetence and irresponsibility. It will do us a whole lot of good if everyone of these men and women is voted out and replaced with fresh thinkers in the coming general elections.

You can’t think of a single problem we are facing as a nation — from bad roads to the decay in our education and health sector and non-implementation of budgets — that is not traceable to these 469 guys. When you really understand the truth that these guys exercise so much power than any other arm of government, then you will understand that what exists is what they want to exist. If the state allocations are unfair, it is because they want it unfair. If the national treasury is empty, it is because they want it empty. If our soldiers are deployed anywhere, it is because they want them there. There are no insoluble government problems. These 469 men and women are damn lazy, even lazier than our court judges and their white lazy wigs. Let’s stop allowing these 469 men and women in the ancient trade of laziness transfer the blames of their incompetence to other arms of government, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish whenever they want.

Let’s stop them from further fooling us with the same lame excuses of the existence of cabals and mystical forces affecting the economy and causing inflation. They have blamed these mystical forces as what prevent them from doing what they took oaths to do. These 469 men and women alone should be held responsible for every setback we have as a nation. They and they alone have the power, so they and they alone should be held accountable by the masses who are supposed to be their bosses, that is if Nigerians are enlightened enough to know that they have the power as bosses to fire or recall anyone of these lazy 469 representatives back to their constituencies.

Gossiping about other people boosts self esteem – New study

Saturday, October 25, 2014

I just got off a call, it was actually a two-way phone call; and one party accused me of being a gossip. She argued that I had gossiped about her with the other party. After the phone call, I go online (after struggling all day with my network). You know how network providers in Nigeria can kill your internet enthusiasm, right?

Now online, I have stumbled on this article by a new study telling how good it is to gossip. Just recently, the head of the Christian faith (you may choose to disagree), Pope Francis had warned about how gossip poison us and fill our hearts with bitterness.

But according to a new study, gossiping may in fact be good for our self-esteem because it allows us to compare ourselves to others. Continue below to find excerpts of the study...

A group of Dutch researchers have found out that hearing positive and negative gossip about another individual boosts self-reflection and self-evaluation. Elena Martinescu at the University of Groningen said: 

'Women who receive negative gossip experience higher self-protection concerns possibly because they believe they might experience a similar fate as the person being the target of the gossip. Men who receive positive gossip experience higher fear, perhaps because upward social comparisons with competitors are threatening.'

Professor Martinescu added gossip provided individuals with indirect social comparison information and provides an essential resource to reflect on their behavior. She suggested that rather than trying to block out gossip, we should 'accept gossip as a natural part of our lives and receive it with a critical attitude regarding the consequences it may have on ourselves and on others.'

What do you think?

Onyeka Nwelue blasts Tiwa Savage and Teebillz for fuelling divorce rumours

Thursday, October 02, 2014

Nigerian filmmaker and writer, Onyeka Nwelue, same guy that once blasted former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar in an open letter, has slammed Tiwa Savage and her hubby for fuelling divorce rumours like the Carters.

 

 

 

 

Divorce rumours about the Baloguns has been tending on social media for some days now and Onyeka is so pissed off. Find more tweets below...

How helpful is the Bible?

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Today is Sunday. Most of you Christians will troop to your DIFFERENT churches to worship and praise God. Aside the spiritual angle of salvation after death, how has this 'black holy book' helped the black man?

Look at the photo above and tell me how useful that Bible beside the sick and hungry man is to those people.

Share you thoughts in the comment box, we are ready to learn from them.

Maheeda slams men who beat women (explicit language)

Saturday, September 27, 2014

Maheeda took to her twitter account to blast men who beat women and slam women who stay with such men. Explicit but at least we understand her. *winks*

Segun Arinze's opinion on Nigerian celebrities going into politics

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

“Someone who decides to run or come into an office knows why he or she decided to run for that office in the first place. I don’t think they are going into politics for the money. I’m not going to be one of the people who would come out and say they are going into politics for the money. But they are going there to positively affect society.”

“They are role models, people look up to them, they talk to people and they listen to them. Being a role model alone is a burden for them. So, they know that they just have to serve the right purpose,”“For now, I am not going to get involved in running for elective office, but I’m in politics already. I love politics and I like to work behind the scene for now. I have people I am supporting but I definitely would not want to mention their names. I would certainly encourage other entertainers to go into politics.”

"Australian negotiator's allegations are peppersoup joint talk" - Asari Dokubo

Monday, September 15, 2014

Asari Dokubo has voiced his opinion on the allegations laid down by Australian negotiator, Stephen Davis. He claims he knows him because he negotiated a peace deal between him (Asari) during his days as a Niger Delta Militant.However, he says the allegations are for pepper soup joints. He told the Sun...

“Davis is Obasanjo’s friend. Obasanjo brought him to Nigeria and he is playing Obasanjo‘s script. He is playing Obasanjo’s agenda. Whoever intro­duced him to the government should have done a background check on him,” How can he say opposition is sponsoring Boko Haram and then the first name he would mention is Azubuike Ihejirika.When did Ihejirika start to sponsor Boko Haram, was it when it was formed in 2002 when he was never Chief of Army Staff or when their leader Mohammed Yusuf was extra-judicially murdered in 2009 or when did he start sponsoring if not that someone is playing politics.

“He said former governor Ali Modu Sheriff is sponsoring Boko Haram and I ask when? Was it when they accused him of allegedly murdering Yusuf’s father-in law who was his former Commissioner? Lest we forget one of the demands of Boko Haram in 2009 was that Sheriff should be put on trial, so when did he start the sponsorship. 

“Now all of a sudden, Sherrif who was a chief­tain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) was not a sponsor of Boko Haram until he defected to the PDP. Now APC are not shouting. So when they are hobnobbing with him he was not a Boko Haram sponsor until now. APC is evil and they are hiding the truth from people. As far as I am concern, my friend Stephen Davis has totally reduced himself. All his comments are pepper soup joint talk.”

On their negotiations

He negotiated with me when I was in the creek on behalf of the European Embassies in Nigeria. He negotiated with me to cease fire and come out to meet with the then President Olusegun Oba­sanjo. He negotiated with me without paying any­thing. We only agreed because we thought Oba­sanjo would be sincere but it did not happen.”

On the missing Chibok girls and pressure from the International Community

Which International community? The interna­tional community that went to Iraq and said there were weapons of mass destruction, till today they have not seen any. The International community that went to Libya to kill Ghadaffi and today have totally destroyed Libya. Which International Com­munity are you talking about the international community with vested interests? They came since with goggle map and co, so why have they not located the girls. It is a disgrace. Why have American soldiers not rescued the girls.”

PHOTO of the day: Club side jalabiya

Friday, August 29, 2014

A blog visitor sent this to me earlier today and I wonder if anyone in Nigeria can be spotted clad in a jalabiya made in Nigeria national team colours.

The length we go at 'repping' (supporting) European teams make one wonder if there are club sides in Nigeria in particular and Africa at large.

Can you go this extent to show support for your club?

OUR DAYS ARE NUMBERED: 7 end of world predictions you've survived and one you might not

Thursday, August 21, 2014

According to scientists, the world could end on March 16, 2880.

Asteroid 1950 DA has a 0.3% chance of hitting Earth in 867 years' time and scientists have no idea how to stop it.

At 1km in diameter, it is moving at such force it rotates once every two hours and six minutes and would cause untold damage were it to hit the earth.

But this is far from being the first end of world prediction – even if it is based on something more than a whim, unlike most of these:

1,000 AD

In 999, fear over the imminent millennium prompted a rise in Christian activity as people thought the end of the world was about to arrive.

People even left their homes and jobs. And when New Year arrived without an apocalypse, end-of-the-world predictors said it was because they had miscalculated Jesus's age and that the end would come in 1033.

It didn't.

February 1524

An unusual alignment of the planets Jupiter and Saturn in the constellation Pisces promoted London astrologers to predict a Great Flood similar to the one only Noah survived.

Thousands sought refuge on high ground - but it was all for nothing.

Nostradamus: Various dates

Nostradamus spread his bets when it came to deciding on which day the world would end, but they have all been wrong.

However, his followers claim he predicted great world catastrophes such as 9/11.

Autumn 1982

In 1980, television evangelist Pat Robertson told viewers of his popular television show 'The 700 Club' that the world would end in two years' time.

“I guarantee you, by the end 1982 there is going to be judgment on the world,” he proclaimed.

2000         

Various naysayers predicted our computer-reliant global society would implode at the Millennium as devices would get confused at the triple-zero date and reset their dates to 1900.

As it happened, the year 2000 – or Y2K - arrived peacefully, causing few problems at all.

May 21, 2011

US pastor Harold Camping predicted the world would end on May 21, 2011.

He made the prediction after forming his Family Stations Ministry in 1958, although he originally predicted doomsday on September 6 1994, later claiming he had miscalculated the date.

Camping, who died last December, aged 92, was criticised after some of his believers sold their belongings believing they would no longer need them.

December 21, 2012

The ancient Mayans predicted the world would end on December 21, 2012.

Or rather, those interpreting the Mayan calendar – which ran out on December 21 – guessed it ran out then as there was no world beyond this last day.

The Mayan 'Long Count' calendar, which began in 3114 BC, ended on the winter solstice in 2012.

Humanity continued though.

2018 to 2028

Dr F. Kenton Beshore predicts the end of the world will happen between 2018 and 2028.            

The founder of the World Bible Society bases his beliefs on bible passages that describe Rapture happening around 2021 when we “are all going to be gone”.

Beshore hopes his early warning will “lead billions and billions to Jesus”.