admin2020

Arts, Entertainment

Movie Review: Banana Island Ghost | By: Jerry Chiemeke

Movie Title: BANANA ISLAND GHOST
Genre:  Comedy
Year of Release: 2017
Cast: Chigul, Patrick Diabuah, Bimbo Manuel, Damilola Adegbite, Saheed Balogun, Ali Nuhu, Tina Mba
Director: BB Sasore

Image result for banana island ghost

“Banana Island Ghost” is about a young man named Patrick (Diabuah) who dies, but is scared to step into Heaven because he does not have a soulmate. He is given three days by God (Bimbo Manuel) to find a lady and get her to love him. Patrick has the luxury of being unseen or unheard by anyone except the lady he chooses, and he requests for a lady who lives in Banana Island. He ends up waking next to Ijeoma (Chigul), a plus-size lady who is about to lose her father’s house unless she can raise 18 million naira in three days. She takes to combining her 9-5 with a gig as a mascot and pilfering of gadgets, amidst the looming purchase of the house by a certain Mr. King (Nuhu) and her self-esteem issues.

One lovely thing about the movie is the choice of music put to use. Viewers would have their ears treated to Bez’s “Over You”, the lovely Ruby Gyang’s “Kale Ni”, Ill Bliss’ “Bank Alert”, amongst others. If this movie were to have an O. S. T, I would definitely go on to buy it.

The movie also scores high in mischief value. In Banana Island Ghost, we see Patrick, the male lead, use his ghostly nature to his advantage, from freely changing his wardrobe at The Palms, spiking the drink of Ijeoma’s cheating boyfriend with laxatives, scaring a lady by “scooping her Coldstone mid-air”, and spraying fire extinguisher on the hair of Ijeoma’s mean colleagues. He also assists Ijeoma in giving the impression that her car is A. I – operated at a charity event.

ALSO READ: Isoken Movie Review

However, that’s all there is to this movie. From her acting, it is clear that Chigul is better off with her comedy skits. She has no place in feature films, with her forced and mechanical acting, and her tendency to change accents with every other scene. Her attempts at humour were pretty much 50-50, and this performance is anything but memorable.

Bimbo Manuel may not exactly be a Morgan Freeman, but he pulled off his omniscient character, even indulging in some mischief as he blurred Adegbite’s full nakedness from Patrick’s view. The same cannot be said for Saheed Balogun and Ali Nuhu; both darlings in their respective indigenous movie circles, the two actors did next to nothing here, and were a waste of screen time. It would be laughable to add this movie to their videographies, if you ask me.

Much is made about Nollywood’s improved cinematography, but a number of scenes left much to be desired. The bus scene where Patrick flings a passenger’s phone out of the window as a ghost culminates in the most artificial bus scuffle I have ever seen, and in the scene where Ijeoma sings at a charity event, there is just something plastic about the guests in attendance.

The script falls short too. At the end, Ijeoma has the chance to win 20 million naira by participating in a poker tournament…organised by the very man who wants to buy her father’s house! How cliché can we get? The part involving the policemen is dragged on for too long as well, to the point that the humour wears off and the jokes becomes annoying. The point of self-realization on Ijeoma’s part, and Patrick finally being able to love, is a bit cheesy too.

Banana Island Ghost is a movie that cinema lovers are not advised to go for with high hopes. It has its good points, but it is ultimately another disappointing “boutique” movie. I want a refund of the money for my ticket, and the ticket purchased for my date.

Rating: 5/10

Jerry Chiemeke is a lawyer and freelance writer who lives in Lagos. An amateur photographer and sports enthusiast as well, Jerry’s works have appeared on Blanck Digital, Elsieisy, Oshodi.tv, The Kalahari Review and Brittle Paper. He is the author of ‘The Colours In These Leaves’. Get the book Here 

You can follow him on Twitter @J_Chiemeke, and also check out his craft on his blog at pensofchi.com

0 473
Opinion

You Can't Beat Her, You Can't Rape Her | By: Wole Aguda

For lack of time, I have been unable to soak in all the stories out there on rape incidents. The accounts are inhuman, indecent and grossly against the lowest of known morals. I find the stories wrenching my moral self and sincerely call for coordinated action that advances the protection of children and minors from the dastardly misnomer that such actions are. Even for young ladies or the mature, rape remains an aberration unworthy of any form of negotiated interpretation outside evil, and one deserving of the condemnation of sane humanity.

Sex has been a problem for humanity and I often wonder why God just didn’t let us enjoy orgasms after good meals. The motions are overly dramatic and for a business man like myself, daunting. How men wantonly discard their dignity to force sex is a subject that I will remain puzzled about. What is it about sex really? A man who commands an entire organization wiggles and shakes, sometimes begging like a beguiled soul for a 20 minute rendezvous with a girl within his daughter’s age. Because I am a competitive person, I’d rather go through the hard work of winning the assurance and approval of a lady than force her. In my case I don’t even have time for shakara, I am a fast mover. You’re not game for friendship, I’m not game for Okpax. But rape?? Hell No! Rape is corruption, just a worse one. If I could pass the National Common Entrance examinations why can I not woo a lady to the point of consent? I have been in difficult business circumstances and came out breezing so why not masculine dexterity that wins the admiration of a female to the point of consent? I guess the guys do not know it is serious business to get a sound lady. Na project!

That said, I would quickly point out again that we must go back to the archives to leverage some understanding that scholars have shared about the perpetrators and the course of recovery for the victims. Governments should at least pretend to be academic about this to find psychological and social reprieve for victims while attending to the possible mental recession that rapists suffer. We should own a public service that creates an avenue for open discussions about the subject. Even if separated by gender, women who have been abused should have an anonymous grouping that encourages them to publicly share their experiences. People get to know about rape cases over time and so the “social stigma” concern that drives victims to mental isolation becomes unnecessary thereafter.

This closing is for brothers out there. Ladies hold the patent for the most uncanny provocations, that me, I can tell but you have no rights whatsoever to beat a woman. No you do not. You have no rights to lift a finger against any woman whom you begged a family for. It is an abuse that is socially unacceptable and even though I will not cut my friendship with you, I will practically almost have no respect for you. People whom I have no respect for become invisible. In same vein should nobody force a lady to have sex with him. If you cannot force sales that can make you a star salesman or marketer or an Innovator, you’re a major wash. If she says no, let her go. I can tell you that the world will not end at that moment or even much after. Dust yourself up like someone who failed JAMB, and try again!

0 380
Sports

"I've conquered everything but i need challenges" Read Neymar's farewell message to Barcelona.


Neymar’s move to French side, Paris Saint Germain is done and dusted and the world has moved on.
The 25 year-old Brazilian forward who has now become the world’s most expensive player after completing a 222 million euro move to Paris Saint-Germain has posted a farewell video message to Barcelona on his social media pages.  His message below:
“A Sportsman’s life is moving for challenges. Some are taxes, others are the fruit of our decisions to maintain the light that illuminates our career, which is intense but short.
“Barcelona has been more than a challenge, it has been my dream as a child. He played with those cracks in the video game. I arrived at catalunya at age 21, full of challenges. I remember my first days at the club, sharing the costumes with idols like Messi, valdés, Xavi, Iniesta, puyol, and others with the expectation of playing in a club that is “more than a club”. the FC Barcelona It’s a nation representing Catalonia!
“I had the honor to act with the greatest athlete I’ve ever seen in my life and I’m sure I won’t see another better, Leo Messi became my partner, friend inside and out of play. Proud to play with you. I love you!
“I formed an attack with Messi and Luis Suarez that has been left for the story. I’ve conquered everything a sportsman can conquer. I’ve lived unforgettable moments! I live in a city that’s more than a city, it’s a country. I love Barcelona and catalonia.
“But a sportsman (me) needs challenges.
“And for the second time in my life, I’m going to be opposing my dad.
Dad, I understand and respect your opinion, but my decision is made, I ask you to support me as you always have.
“Barcelona and catalonia will always be in my heart but I need new challenges.
“I have accepted the PSG-Paris Saint-Germain proposal to search for new conquests and help the club achieve the titles that the hobby awaits. I have been presented with a bold career plan and I look ready for this challenge.
“I appreciate the love of the wonderful hobby blaugrana and everything I’ve learned with the athletes I’ve shared costumes with.
“I also feel in my heart that the time has come to leave. The PSG will be my new home for the next few years and I will work to honor the trust they deposit in my football. I count a lot with everyone’s support. Amateurs who have been with me since 2009, of my friends, of the professionals who accompany me and my family, who have suffered a lot from problems that have occurred in this period of my career and which today deserve peace.
“It’s a difficult decision, but taken with the maturity of my 25 years.
FC Barcelona, thanks for everything!
PSG, I’m coming!
May God bless us and protect us!”
https://twitter.com/INFOSMESSl/status/893209368816168961

0 378
Sports

La Liga refuse to accept payment of Neymar's £222m release clause.

Neymar’s world-record deal will not be completed anytime soon as La Liga have refused to accept payment of the Brazilian’s  £222m release clause ahead of his move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Neymar’s representatives, Juan de Dios Crespo and Marcos Motta were at the league’s headquarters in Madrid to make the deposit but La Liga president, Javier Tebas, reportedly threatened and declined to accept the payment.

“We can confirm that the player’s lawyers came to the La Liga offices this morning to deposit the clause and that it has been rejected,”  “That’s all the information we are giving out at this moment.” A statement read.

“The LFP is surprised and does not understand the refusal of La Liga to simply accept the payment of the release clause for the player Neymar. The LFP asks La Liga to abide by the Fifa rules and its responsibilities. The LFP supports Paris Saint-Germain and wishes Neymar to join Ligue 1. The legal services of the LFP are in support and at the disposal of Paris Saint-Germain so that the Neymar contract is approved as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, PSG have paid Neymar’s €222 million release cause in full to Barcelona. This development was revealed by the club in a statement on their website on Thursday afternoon.

‘On Thursday afternoon Neymar Jr’s legal representatives visited in person the Club’s offices and made the payment of 222 million euros in the player’s name with regards to the unilateral termination of the contract that united both parties. As such, the Club will pass on to UEFA the details of the above operation so that they can determine the disciplinary responsibilities that may arise from this case.’

0 321
News

Nigeria adopts 3 word addresses

NIPOST will use what3words to increase the number of homes it can deliver to and improve delivery services in preparation for the take-off of Nigerian e-commerce

Nigeria’s postal service, NIPOST, has just announced its adoption of the innovative global addressing system what3words (www.what3words.com). Nigeria is the seventh country to adopt what3words, and the third in Africa. The system is already being used for mail deliveries in Mongolia, Sint Maarten, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Tonga and Solomon Islands. Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy and its most populous country with approximately 184 million inhabitants. It has the seventh largest population in the world.

Nigeria’s poor addressing system means that only 20% of its inhabitants receive mail at home. 79% of homes and businesses cannot receive deliveries to the door, and the remaining 1% receive their mail using one of the 478,000 P.O. boxes throughout the country. A postcode system does exist, but only 5% of mail gets properly addressed with the postcode, hampering the efforts of NIPOST to improve its quality of service.

An addressing solution 

Determined to improve this situation, NIPOST has set itself the ambitious target of increasing home delivery to 70% within the next 2 years and 90% by 2020 through the Mail for Every House Initiative (MEHI), and has adopted what3words to help it achieve these goals. The innovative global addressing system has divided the world into 57 trillion 3m x 3m squares, each with a unique 3 word address. It means that every home and business in Nigeria has a simple and accurate address that is easy to remember and to use. For example ///bracelets.hesitations.mutes refers to the exact 3m x 3m square at the entrance to the main post office in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
Available in 14 languages, with many more currently in development, what3words is used in over 170 countries by governments, postal services, logistics companies, emergency services and NGOs, as well as individuals. It is more accurate than traditional street addresses, simpler than landmark-based directions, and easier to remember and communicate than GPS coordinates. The system has built-in error detection and is available through a free mobile app and API integration. The system even works offline, without a data connection.
“We are very pleased to be collaborating with what3words as an addressing solution with huge potential to unlock opportunities” said Barrister Bisi Adegbuyi, Nigeria’s Postmaster General. “Better addressing is a key to NIPOST’s agenda, which aims to transform, innovate, and deliver more services to more people all over the country”.

E-commerce potential

Young people make up 62% of Nigeria’s population, and this is reflected in the significant increase in cross border e-commerce in the country; 53,612 parcels and packets were handled in 2016 (approx. 200 per day) which is up 70% since 2014. The e-commerce market is currently worth $12 billion, but there is still huge potential for growth. With improvements to infrastructure, innovation around payment systems and a reliable addressing system, Nigerian e-commerce could be set to take off at an incredible scale.
“With a rapidly growing ecommerce ecosystem, Nigeria is a very exciting country to be working with,” said Chris Sheldrick, CEO and Co-founder of what3words. “Postal services have a critical role in building a strong economy and NIPOST are firmly focused on the future, and are taking steps to modernise and grow their capacity and range of services.”

About what3words:
what3words is an innovative global addressing system. It has divided the world in 57 trillion 3m x 3m squares, each with a unique 3 word address. 3 word addresses are easy to remember, and to share via email, text or over the phone. The addresses are pre-assigned, using an algorithm and each 3 word address refers to a precise 3m x 3m square somewhere in the world. The what3words API is being integrated by business, apps and services across the world in a wide variety of sectors. It is also used by individuals via the free what3words app. The system is currently available in 14 languages, with many more in development, and it is also optimised for voice recognition. Since its launch in 2013, what3words has won many awards, and in 2016 CEO Chris Sheldrick was named EY’s British Accelerating Entrepreneur.

0 331
Sports

Neymar agrees £450m transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain

Neymar is leaving Barcelona next season and the MSN era has ended.

Barca fans are still grappling with this shocking news.

The Brazilian footballer has reportedly put pen to paper a five-year £450m deal with french outfit, Paris Saint Germaine (PSG) which would see him net £515,000 a week after tax. The striker has gone into the world record books and history as the highest transfer paid for a footballer. He is expected to arrive Paris by Friday to complete his move.

While many believe the move was right as he will step out of Lionel Messi’s shadow, others opined that it was unwise of him to have chosen money over Barcelona.
Messi paid a video tribute on his instagram page today.
He will reunite with his former colleague, Dani Alves at the French club.
‘s contract at PSG to be:
Per year: £30,992,000
Per month: £2,384,000
Per week: £596,000
Per day: £85,142
Per hour: £3,547

Messi, Suárez & Neymar are the only trio ever to score 100+ goals in a season.

2014/15: 122

2015/16: 131

 2016/17: 111

0 293
Sports

Kelechi Iheanacho moves to Leicester City in £25m deal

Nigerian footballer, Iheanacho Kelechi has sealed a move to Leicester City from Manchester City in a deal valued at £25m.
The club has also insisted on a £50 million buy-back option for the striker
Iheanacho, who had a medical at Leicester’s training ground on Tuesday is expected to be officially unveiled in the next 24 hours. The 20 year-old could make his Leicester debut in Friday’s friendly against Borussia Monchengladbach at the King Power Stadium.

As revealed by Telegraph Sport last month, Leicester agreed a fee and terms nearly four weeks ago for the Nigeria international and have had to be patient while the impasse with his agents was resolved.

0 325
News

Federal Government Begs Dangote to Complete Refinery Before 2019

The Federal Government has said it relies heavily on the Dangote refinery  to fulfill its promise to Nigerians to end fuel importation by December 2019.

To this end, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Ibe Kachikwu, who visited the Dangote oil refinery site at Lekki Free Trade Zone, in Lagos, said the government is ready to play its part as a responsible government to assist in making sure the project is completed before the scheduled date.
The minister, who said he was overwhelmed by the dimension of the project, explained that the present government had always believed that the private sector holds the ace in industrialization efforts of the government, and noted that the belief has been reinforced by what Dangote Group is doing.

Said he: “It is good to say that private sector is the answer to Nigeria’s problems with a project as big as this. The challenge I will give you today is that of time; I see your time for completion is 2019 December, but I am sure you will understand my greed if I tell you that the refinery component of this project should come earlier than the set date. I have made very firm commitment to Nigerians that I must stop the importation of petroleum products by 2019 and I am going to keep to it. It is absolutely important that we do this early and given the feat that we have achieved in terms of speed of construction and I urge you to do all within you to achieve its completion before the due date.

“I am sure His Excellency President Buhari will be absolutely enthused if he were to find himself, not only crystallizing the policy position we have taken so far, but also coming here himself to come and open a facility as big as this before the end of his first term. Whatever configurations your engineers have come up with, I urge that they go back to the drawing board and get me my refined products before your said date.”
In his response to the government’s challenge, Dangote said he has accepted the challenge and would do all possible to achieve the feat.
In this regard the President of Dangote Group, stated: “On the honorable minister’s challenge, we are going to make it by the grace of God. I am sure the minister will support us to make sure that we meet his challenge.

“What the minister is trying to do is the best so far for our country, his own version is that Nigeria should not think of exporting crude; you know the problem we have in Africa is that we only export raw materials, not finished goods, so he is saying that, look, we should all do this by adding value and I pray that even at 2.5 million barrels, we should not export much, in terms of the crude.

“We will go back and see what to do to make this happen by fast tracking our processes since the Minister has assured of government’s cooperation and support”.
Earlier in his welcome address, Dangote explained that his group is building the world’s largest single line refinery, Petrochemical Complex, and the world’s second largest Urea Fertiliser plant. The refinery, according to him will have the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The Petrochemical Plant will produce 780 KTPA Polypropylene, 500 KTPA of Polyethylene, while the Fertiliser project will produce 3.0 million metric tons per annum (mmtpa) of Urea.
“In addition, we are also building the largest sub-sea pipeline infrastructure in any country in the world, with a length of 1,100 km, to handle 3 billion SCF of gas per day. We also plan to construct a 570 MW power plant in this complex. As a matter of fact, gas from our gas pipeline will augment the natural domestic gas supply and we estimate an additional 12,000MW of power generation can be added to the grid with the additional gas from our system.  
“We will be adding value to our economy as all these projects will be creating about 4,000 direct and 145,000 indirect jobs. We will also save over $7.5 billion for Nigeria annually, through import substitution and generate an additional $5.5 billion per annum through exports of the refined petroleum products, fertilizer and petrochemicals. We envisage that these projects, which would cost over $18billion, would be completed in 2019”.
 

0 374
 Weddings

Betty Irabor shares marriage nuggets, appoints daughter as editor.

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Genevieve magazine, Betty Irabor and her husband, Soni Irabor celebrated their 34th wedding anniversary sme days ago.  The couple who are blessed with two children got married on 29th July 1983. The media enterpreneur also took to her Instagram page to share nuggets on having a successful marriage. Read below:

“What Soni and I have has taken all of 34 years to build… So don’t for one minute think it happened overnight. We have walked on that street called hope but having each other makes it bearable. A successful marriage doesn’t happen over night it requires sacrifice &it takes effort & nurturing.

You want a good marriage? Work at it! Young couples seem to just want everything NOW NOW because they have to prove a point and impress their audience and in the process put a lot of pressure on their marriage. A gd Marriage takes 2, it thrives on love in action, not in mere words.

Marriage requires commitment, empathy, TRUST ( leave each other’s phones ALONE) don’t marry anyone you cannot trust! Don’t overburden each other with over expectations and believe me the grass is not greener on the other side; avoid comparing your marriage/partner to others that seem rosier; water your own garden! In life, everything is turn by turn.

Ojukokoro is a vice that destroys relationships! If you both can’t afford it then you don’t need it. Let you marriage grow organically. Do everything in love..don’t overburden each other with unrealistic demands.

Marriage won’t necessarily fix a bad relationship especially if your partner has habits that he/she won’t let go. Fix those issues before you say I DO! If he or she is violent and slaps you around now, marriage won’t fix that, if he is insecure because you are a boss woman, that insecurity may linger and lead to resentment with time.

Be careful who you marry..don’t set yourself up because “all your friends are getting married.. That’s a trap! Don’t over try to change your partner into who they are not; marriage isn’t about changing your partner’s essence rather it is about finding the good in each other.

Celebrate each bite size milestone. a successful marriage starts from the foundation .. If the foundation is not built on CHRIST how can it withstand the storms?

To my young daughters and sons out there I say, dont despise the days of humble beginnings & don’t allow anyone or society force u into a marriage you’re not ready for. If u marry In haste u will repent at leisure… As for me, I believe marriage rocks ..but get ready to work it.”

She also announced the appointment of her daughter, Sonia Irabor as the new editor of Genevieve Magazine.

“Today my daughter Sonia who joined Genevieve at 13 as teen zone columnist is now Editor of Genevieve. A mother’s prayer answered. Sonia has been Genevieve Asst Editor for close to 5 years after her degree in Media studies and Later a post graduate in Drama studies This is very historic for me . Join me in wishing her well on this journey even as she also keeps in view her dream to become an actor..
After seeing Sonia’s potential Toyin Eriye then editor of Genevieve mag invited her to write for the magazine.. That’s how it started.Congratulations dear Sonia as you become Genevieve mag Editor.” She tweeted.

0 438
Open chat