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Short Story: What Goes Around | By: Damore Ali

It’s the 12th of July today, chilly and lonely like everyone of its kind. I’ll be different today, It’s a special day, I tell myself as I walk into my room in measured steps. Unsure of myself, I hold on tight to my body to keep from throwing things apart and turning the room upside down as I am so used to.
‘You’re beautiful today. I love you’. The words re- echo in my head.
If I had heard those words seven years ago, maybe things would have been very different today, I thought scornfully.. No, I can’t stop this one.. I yank my wig off my head, rush to the bathroom to wash off my brown powder and mascara. I grab a towel and mop my lips thoroughly too. Then I march to the mirror in one quick stride.. Seeing the ghost I have become over the years, I throw the mirror to the ground. The sound of it shattering reminds me of my own crumbling soul.
‘NO!!!‘ I scream. This isn’t how I thought it would be. It’s raining now.. I smile for a minute as I listen to the heavens paying tribute to something beautiful that once was- us. The thunder a roaring murmur seething through the skies. The sound. That sound of the thunder reminds me of the voice of my own raging heart screaming why?! Not from hate or disappointment, but from fury, about how I never got to understand the stranger you became overnight. Maybe if I had understood you.. Maybe..
You see, you wudda been the perfect guy, The one to whom I wouldn’t mind giving all I have. I shudda loved you all the way, and forgiven you quickly each time your words hurt me. Truth be told, I wanted to; until you said those words that made me look back no more. They were your last. Not to the world, but to me. And not because you died, but because I let you be. You said I was mad, yes mad for you. You said I was a fool, but that’s what your love made me. Each time they asked me what it was about you, I couldn’t tell; because I didn’t know too.. It could never be your hair, a brown mass of thickery. Not your face either, lined with daunting scars, dealt to you by life as a growing child. No, it was nothing physical, You were tall and black, But handsome? Far from that. Maybe it was your eyes that seemed to hold a thousand secrets; like how much you loved me, but your ego never let you see..  I was a waitress at Bucks and Bar when I met you.
 
‘You are new here, aren’t you?’ I am Adams and you’re welcome to my home.’ You had said. Home? Weird, I thought. Somehow, from the ‘very good customer’, you became the chronic debtor whose bills became mine to pay after you lost your job. You see, none of these mattered. Even when you kissed me for the first time, on your first or maybe second sober night and I knew I had fallen in love with a man who only said ‘I love you’ when drunk, and who had nothing to offer but a warm big smile and a graceful belch, an appreciation for letting him have thousands of beer to consume, I didn’t care.
My love was big enough for us, I was sure; and so I moved in with you even before you asked because I needed to take care of you. Even when the smiles reduced before eventually seizing, and when you started to hit me night after night, and your big hands graced my cheeks with many beautiful scars, I promised myself you’ll come back around.. I promised myself I’ll be patient till that night,. That night on the 12th of July. Oh that night I hate to remember. It was your birthday, and I awaited you in smiles even when the sheer effort caused my head to throb in pain.
 
 
You reeked as usual, of regret washed down with cheap wine.. But I fixed your meal still and watched you eat. Then the next thing was me. Yes, my body was your dessert for many months. I wudda let you like I used to, but I was heavy with your child, which could anytime be due. So I begged you, but you wouldn’t listen. One scar, a price for each plea. When it was over, I was wretched in pain but I picked myself up to nurse my wounds with some hot water.. That was when you blurted the words, ‘Damn you and that bastard child!’
Bastard child? And all came pouring forth like rainfall in hell! My time, my money; my sacrifice, my body. Every freaking hour I spent tending to the misery you had become over the years.. No. I could take all things, but not you doubting my faithfulness! Did you know there was Ifeanyi when we were dating? That rich accountant who used to come to our bar every other day, just to see me. He would buy fruits, and wines and he’ll pay double his bill just to impress me. He promised to take me to America to complete my studies.. But I turned him down every one time; and Chucks who was ready to put a ring through my finger the instant I said yes to his propositions,and although he seemed to have more to offer than Tobe or Michael or Eedris and the lot of the others, I turned them all down … Not because you were rich or smart or handsome or ambitious.. No, you were nothing close! It was all because I loved you and I believed in you and for the life of me, I don’t know what you did to deserve my loving!
All those years amidst the daunting temptations, through thick and thin, and for better and even worse, I stayed chaste for you, prayed for you, fought with you and fought for you. I washed your smelly clothes and did the chores like a wife that I never was. I didn’t mind that you had no money to buy me a ring, how much more the beautiful things I craved for in life.. I stayed the nights murdering mosquitoes just so I could be sure you got in safe.. Yet, you called the child your endless nights of sex escapades caused to be, a bastard?? Forgetting my wounds, I emptied the bowl of hot water on you. Yes, you yelled but I didn’t care. I stooped to the floor and cried.. With you and for you. I loved you. I hated seeing you in pain.. But I needed you to feel the hurt your words and actions inflicted on me day by day. Couldn’t you see? That I wasn’t the woman you fell in love with? My hair, withered; my face, sunken, my nails had grown too short from years of serving you non- stop..
Somehow we lost ourselves and the youthful love we shared.. Amidst your pain, I could hear you say ‘I’m sorry’. You know on any other day, it would have meant so much. I would have run to you, hugged you and told you you’ve been forgiven.. But not that day, it even infuriated me more. The one phrase that would have pulled me into your arms, pushed me out of your life. So I walked out forever.. Without looking back. You could have died, but it didn’t matter, it wouldn’t have changed the way I feel about you. Though my sense of reason was obscured by hurt, so that I wasn’t thinking right when I did it, I am glad I did. Because I know somehow now, wherever you are, each time the burns sting, you’ll remember a woman who loved you like no one else ever would.
I don’t know where you are now but I hope you are happy. I miss you, and I keep thinking to myself, maybe if you hadn’t been foolish enough to blurt out those words that night, we’ll still be together, deeply in love.. A kind of love that noone understands but us. The rain has seized now.. I think heavens must have been thinking with me. The door to the house opens and I rush to pick my wig so I can meet him outside. He mustn’t see me like this. He mustn’t see my room like this.
On opening the door, he falls into my arms wet all over. ‘I missed you’ he says. Tears well up in my eyes again. Tears of joy. I pat his head tenderly as I whisper back ‘I missed you too honey. Happy Birthday’. He looks up at my face and sees the streaks of red in my eye. Ignoring the scars he must have seen vividly for the very first time, he says ‘mum you’ve been crying. Why?’. I smile at him as I shake my head ‘no son, I haven’t. My eyes have only been raining’. He smiles and hugs me tighter. I am happy whenever I’m with him. I hug him back, even tighter.
Just about then, we hear a knock. ‘Mum who’s that?’ Chizoba asks, surprised. We hardly have visitors in our house. But like I said, today is a special day.
‘Shhh! Close your eyes, It’s a surprise’ I respond with my biggest smile yet as I walk to the door. It has to be Aunty Sandra and the other kids from Chizoba’s school whom I invited for his first birthday party ever. On opening the door, the sight that meets mine throws me aback.
It’s You, after all these years. I don’t know how and when a smile forms on my lips.
‘Good afternoon’, you say..
I can’t say nothing. I can only just stare at you.
‘Mum, ‘m waiting?‘ I hear Chizoba call in from the sitting room. Quickly, I awaken from my reverie.
‘Wh– ho–‘
‘Mum? Who’s that?’ You ask, trying hard to peer in through the cotton at the doorway. I take in your sight afresh as your words filter through my ears. You look different. Fine kind of different. Your once brown haggard hair, levelled and black. You look princely in your fine brown coat, white t- shirt and jeans too. When did you get these clothes? Oh yes, it’s been seven years since we last saw each other. A lot must have happened. And maybe that change I so craved for those days has finally come.
‘It’s no one.‘ I respond with a slight frown. ‘What do you want?’
You smile. That heavenly smile you somehow lost along the line back in those days. Damn, where have you been all this time! I feel like running into your arms. Yes, I’ve missed you so badly.
‘I’ve been looking for you Amaka.’ What for? What the hell for? ‘Is that our son?’
‘Our son? Oh the bastard child, you mean.’ I snort!
 
Your eyes are misty. Those eyes won’t pull me into your arms this time.
 
‘I’m sorry Amaka’ I hear you say. Sorry? Would that heal me? Would that make up for Chizoba’s 7 years without a father? Would that rid my face of it’s scars? Would it really make things right?
You fall to your knees now and bring out a ring. ‘Please marry me.’
 
‘Mu..’ Chizoba is about to call out before he sees you, the kneeling stranger with a ring. I pull my son back as you stretch your arms to pull him close to you.
 
‘No, he is not your son..‘ I was saying before Chizoba’s voice calling ‘Daddy? Rings out loud ‘Mum, is this my surprise?‘ He finishes off excitedly. I don’t need to ask how he knew. The semblance is almost unmistakable. Plus there’s just something about the blood.. It draws people to their own. Having no choice left, I introduce you both. ‘Happy birthday Adams, this is your son’.
 
The immediacy with which you take him into your arms makes me laugh till my ribs hurt. And then, like on cue, Aunt Sandra and the other kids walk into the compound chattering away. I watch Chizoba’s eyes light up like it has never before as he rushes to welcome them. I call after him ‘now son, though this was the surprise I actually planned for you, take it that you have yourself a double surprise and maybe even more, who knows?’ I tease; knowing full well that I had ordered for some soft drinks, sweets and cake from the Aboki in the next compound which should be delivered anytime soon. Watching father and son get to know each other gives me the greatest joy of my life. Just as I usher the visitors in and make to enter the sitting room after Chizoba, you stop me and offer the ring again.
 
‘Will you marry me?’ You say.
”No. I’m sorry’ I respond. Yes, try that for effect. Now you know what it felt like those days when you’ll beat me to a pulp and then tell me you’re sorry the next day. It doesn’t heal. It never will. It’s like breaking a wall and rubbing it’s surface hoping it’ll come back into a whole. I watch light leave your eyes. I see the shadow that was once there coming back. Yes, that’s just how I used to feel back then.
 
And though, I still love you; yes, I still care and I’d love to hold you in my arms and have you make love to me every night no, you can’t lose a good woman twice.
‘Errm.. You can join the party if you want. There’s enough food for august visitors.’ I say before letting myself inside. If you made it without me for 7 years, you’ll do just fine even now. And me? Don’t worry, I’ll catch up now that I know you’re happy.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Damore Ali is a poet, short story writer and blogger. She has been published on several online forums including Naija Stories. She is an accountant by training and a lover of good music. Damore also goes by the name Dr. 2103. She blogs at http://dr2103.wordpress.com.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Are you a writer? Interested in sharing your short stories on this platform? Be our guest on our Short Story Fridays segment.
Email: ololade.olatunji@yahoo/gmail.com
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Entertainment

Tchidi, Talk Not | By: Charles Novia

One of the best brains we have in Nollywood would be Tchidi Chikere, a celebrated scriptwriter and movie director. With an impressive body of work in the past decade and a capacity to discover new stars or to enhance sagging careers of others, Tchidi is not a personality one can ignore in Nollywood.
I have known him in a professional capacity for close to fourteen years and I relate well with him in the few instances we have met and had discussions. Tchidi has a burning desire to make a change in Nollywood, to shoot movies which somehow should re-calibrate society’s moral journey. I particularly love some of his movies for the uncanny way he brings out everyday characters in simple lifestyles and turn them to complex evolutionary beings in complex situations. As a movie director and a scriptwriter, Tchidi is gifted. Very gifted. Take it from me.
In my usual no-holds-barred critique of his acting, I would be less charitable in my accolades. But I am not writing this to detract from his credentials as a celebrated auteur. I am writing this out of concern, perhaps more professional but with a huge personal slant to it as well. It is a well-known fact by now that Tchidi got married to an actress, Nuella, a few days ago. First of all, Tchidi, I must congratulate you on that. Whatever the opinions people have, we must all respect the wishes of consenting adults when it comes to tying the knot. He made a choice and we should respect that, no matter how much the slanderous anonymous commentators on social media think they know.
That Tchidi got seperated from his former wife, Sophia who bore him three children is perhaps unfortunate but like I said, consenting adults take decisions which they believe is best for them at certain stages in life. Such decisions might come much anger and recriminations and would always leave scars in the hearts of both parties. Divorce or seperation are never pleasant. My concern in this case has to do with the open fights between Tchidi and Sophia on social media AFTER Tchidi’s new marriage. On face value, it would seem to have started with Tchidi’s rant on twitter a couple of days back against his ex-wife.
The tweets were quite shocking and less than charitable, to say the least. Though from the tweets, one could psycho-analyse that Tchidi was really angry, hurt and perhaps deliberately hitting below the belt at his former wife. My first reaction when I read those tweets on a blog was one of shock. Those tweets were totally uncalled for. Totally. Granted, they might have been written in a miasma of negative volcanic emotions but total restraint is required from a man in those kind of circumstances. And such restraint is justified when the mother of your blood children is involved!
Sophia had a riposte which I read as well and she had a moral right to respond too. But something tells me that Tchidi would wish to fire another salvo at that response and thus start a social media bric-a-brac which would inflict more wounds on all parties. That is why I had to write this open opinion. In Nollywood, and perhaps to a small extent the entertainment industry in general, most of the creatives tend to look away when acrimonious matters befall one of their own. First reactions would be one of aloofness, followed by private gossip in meeting places. Sometimes, colleagues and friends of such personalities would whisper malicious things about the subject in private while pretending to be all coy and concerned when they meet the suffering subjects in public. Oh Yes! My sector have some psychophants and pretenders as with politics but isn’t that how life goes?
Perhaps Tchidi and Sophia are being wrongly advised by masquerading friends? Or maybe they are not even being advised at all by anyone but are just ventilating on social media, giving bloggers more hits and the country one more piece of idle gossip? Whatever the case, I will openly advise Tchidi to stop further tweets or replies on this matter. For the record, I don’t know Sophia or Nuella and haven’t met with any ever and don’t wish to. My concern, as a father, is for the kids from Tchidi’s first marriage and perhaps future kids from this new marriage. Do not celebrate your misgivings on social media. Sheath the swords. Think of the children. The children. The children.
Those poor kids are going through indescribable torture and pain already. You don’t need to add fuel to their discomfort. Angry words once written and published are hard to take back, even with the passing of time. Celebrities are human too. That you see us on the screens or read about us does not make us less human than the other fellow. Fame and fortune only hide our foibles and finnicks. But we are human. However, whilst we are human, there are expectations of decorum we all must adhere to. And if it is just for the kids, Tchidi and Sophia (and perhaps Nuella) must adhere to the dictates of decorum.
I am not writing this to take sides or blame any of the parties involved. I am writing this openly because whatever linens being displayed by all parties in the open should be brought down immediately.
May God help all parties pass through this period and bless them all as they move on to the next phase of their lives.
Amen.
Credit: Charlesnoviadaily.com
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Entertainment

Sanusi Lamido wins! Court orders FG to pay him N50m damages

In a judgement delivered today, April 3rd, 2014 by Justice Ibrahim Buba; a Federal High Court, Lagos has ordered the Federal Government, the State Security Service and the police to issue a public apology, release the seized passport and pay N50m exemplary damages to the suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido. The allegation of terrorism financing levelled against him has also been dismissed.
You would recall that Sanusi was suspended as CBN governor on his way back from Niger Republic where he had attended a meeting of CBN Governors of ECOWAS states. On February 20, 2014, he was arrested and had his passport seized at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport.
The court held that the respondents, acting through the SSS do not have power to forcefully withdraw and seize the applicant’s passport for any reason and his detention without any allegation of commission of crime or charge amounted to restriction of his personal liberty and unlawful violation of his rights to personal liberty.
“The court observes that surely, there is no doubt that either there is no synergy between the respondents or the respondents are only singing discordant tunes as afterthought,” the judge added.
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Entertainment

AMAA 2014: See who and what made the nominees list

The nominees for the 2014 edition of the prestigious AMAA – Africa Movie Academy Awards were announced yesterday Wednesday 2nd April 2014 at the Emperor Place Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa. Actors nominated include Desmond Elliot, Majid Michel, Yomi Fash-Lanso, Patience Ozokwor to mention a few. Of Good Report has the highest nominations this year, it scooped a total of 14. Potomanto has 8 nominations, Apaye 7, Forgotten Kingdom 7, Felix 7, Accident 7, Omo Elemosho 6 to mention a few.
LIST OF NOMINEES
(1) AMAA 2014 Award for Best Film
A) Children of Troumaron – Mauritius
B) Potomanto – Ghana
C) The Forgotten Kingdom – South Africa
D) Of Good Report – South Africa
E) Accident – Nigeria
(2) AMAA 2014 Award for Best Director
A) Harrikrishna & Sharvan Anenden – Children of Troumaron (Mauritius)
B) Shirley Frimpong Manso – Potomanto (Ghana)
C) Andrew Mudge – The Forgotten Kingdom (South Africa)
D) Jamil X.T Quebeka – Of Good Report (South Africa)
E) Teco Benson – Accident (Nigeria)
(3) AMAA 2014 Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
A) Zengo Ngqobe – Forgotten Kingdom
B) Kanayo O. Kanayo – Apaye
C) Mothusi Magano – Of Good Report
D) Joseph Benjamin – Murder At Prime Suites
E) Adjatey Annan – Potomanto
F) Majid Michel – Brothers Keeper
(4) AMAA 2014 Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
A) Uche Nnadili – B for Boy
B) Linda Sokhulu – Felix
C) Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha – Accident
D) Clarion Chukwura – Apaye
E) Uche Jombo- Rodriquez, Monalisa Chinda and Daniella Okeke – Lagos Cougar
F) Joselyn Dumas – Northern Affair
(5) AMAA 2014 Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role
A) Desmond Elliot – Finding Mercy
B) Thapelo Mofekeng – Felix
C) Yomi Fash-Lanso – Omo Elemosho
D) Aniekan Iyoho – Potomanto
E) Tshamano Sebe – Of Good Report
6) AMAA 2014 Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
A) Vinaya Sungkur – The Children of Troumaron
B) Patience Ozokwor – After the Proposal
C) Marie Humbert – Potomanto
D) Barbara Soky – Brothers Keeper
E) Lee-Ann van Rooi – Of Good Report
(7) AMAA 2014 Award for Best Young/Promising Actor
A) Evelyn Galle Ansah – Good Old Days: For the Love of AA
B) Petronella Tshuma – Of Good Report
C) Tope Tedela – A Mile From Home
D) Kitty Phillips – The Children of Troumatron
E) Shawn Faqua – Lagos Cougar
(8) AMAA 2014 Award for Best Child Actor
A) Tobe Oboli – Brothers Keeper
B) Lebohang Ntsane – Forgotten Kingdom
C) Hlayani Junior Mabasa – Felix
(9) AMAA 2014 Award for Best First Feature Film by a Director
A) Roberta Durrant – Felix
B) Chika Anadu – B for Boy
C) Andrew Mudge – Forgotten Kingdom
D) Harrikrishna & Sharvan Anenden – The Children of Troumaron
E) Dilman Dila – Felista’s Fable
F) Joyce Mhango Chavula – No More Tears
(10) AMAA 2014- Bayelsa State Government Endowed Award for Best Nigerian Film
A) Apaye
B) B For Boy
C) Accident
D) Murder at Prime Suites
E) Omo Elemosho
(11) AMAA 2014 Award for Best Diaspora Feature Film
A) Tula The Revolt – Curacao
B) AZU – Venezuela
C) Kingston Paradise – Jamaica
D) Retrieval – USA
12) AMAA 2014 Award for Best Diaspora Documentary
A) Finding Samuel Lowe: From Harlem to China – USA/CANADA
B) Freedom Summer – USA
C) No Bois Man, No Frad – Trinidad and Tobago
D) Through the Lens Darkly : Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People – USA
(13) Ousmane Sembene AMAA 2014 Award for Best Film in An African Language
A) The forgotten Kingdom – South Africa
B) B for Boy – Nigeria
C) Omo Elemosho – Nigeria
D) Onye Ozi – Nigeria
E) Ni Sisi – Kenya
(14) AMAA 2014 Award for Best Documentary
A) Hamu Beya- The Sand Fishers – Mali
B) Potraits of a Lone Farmer – Nigeria/Denmark
C) Kushaya Ingagasi – South Africa
D) Daughters of the Niger Delta – Nigeria
E) Sincerely Ethiopia – Ethiopia
(15) AMAA 2014 Award for Best Diaspora Short Film
A) Passage – Bahamas
B) Heaven – USA
C) Tickle Me Rich – Trinidad and Tobago
D) Red – USA
(16) AMAA 2014 Award for Best Short Film
A) Haunted Soul – Kenya
B) Siriya Mtungi – Tanzania
C) Dialemi – Gabon
D) New Horizon – Nigeria
E) Nandy l’orpheline – Mali
F) Living Funeral – Nigeria
G) Phindile’s Heart – South Africa
(17) AMAA 2014 Award for Best Animation
A) The Hare and the Lion – Burkina Faso
B) Thank God its Friday – Morocco
C) Leila – Nigeria
D) Khumba – South Africa
E) The Brats and Toy Thief – Mozambique
(18) AMAA 2014 Award for Achievement in a Screenplay
A) B For Boy
B) Of Good Report
C) Accident
D) Potomanto
E) Felix
(19) AMAA 2014 Award for Achievement in Editing
A) Of Good Report
B) Accident
C) Once Upon A Road Trip
D) Potomanto
E) Felix
(20) AMAA 2014 Award for Achievement in Cinematography
A) Once Upon A Road Trip
B) Good Old Days: Love of AA
C) Of Good Report
D) The Forgotten Kingdom
E) The Children of Troumaron
(21) AMAA 2014 Award for Achievement in Sound
A) Felix
B) Northern Affair
C) Nothing For Mahala
D) Of Good Report
E) The Forgotten Kingdom
 
(22) AMAA 2014 Award for Achievement in Visual Effect
A) A Mile From Home
B) Omo Elemosho- Nigeria
C) Secret Room –
D) Ni Sisi- Kenya
E) Of Good Report- South Africa
(23) AMAA 2014 Award for Achievement in Soundtrack
A) Once Upon A Road Trip
B) Onye Ozi – Nigeria
C) Felix
D) Of Good Report- South Africa
E) Potomanto – Ghana
(24) AMAA 2014 Award for Achievement in Make-up
A) A Mile From Home – Nigeria
B) Apaye – Nigeria
C) Once Upon A Road Trip – South Africa
D) Felista Fable – Uganda
E) Potomanto – Ghana
(25) AMAA 2014 Award for Achievement in Costume Design
A) Good Old Days: Love of AA – Ghana
B) Apaye – Nigeria
C) Omo Elemosho – Nigeria
D) Ni Sisi – Kenya
E) The Forgotten Kingdom – South Africa
(26) AMAA 2014 Award for Achievement in Production Design
A) Northern Affair – Ghana
B) Of Good Report – South Africa
C) Ni Sisi – Kenya
D) Good Old Days: Love of AA – Ghana
E) Apaye – Nigeria
AMAA 2014 Award for Best Film by An African Living Abroad (Jury has decided that there will be no nominations this year for this category.)
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Entertainment

Mario Balotelli's brother dreams of playing with him

Enoch Balotelli, the 20 year-old brother of AC Milan star, Mario Balotelli has revealed his ambition of joining an English Premiere League team with his brother on board. Enoch Balotelli who has spent most of his career playing for lower leagues in Italy deems the life in England ideal.
“My dream is to be able to play alongside my brother, That’s what I always dream about, only not in Italy but in England. We left our hearts and many friends behind there and it’s a life which, in terms of football, is absolutely ideal for us. Mario’s going his way, and I’m going mine. I’ve never had any favours, otherwise I wouldn’t be here playing in the lower leagues.
If I’d received favours of any kind, I very much doubt I would be playing here, but people are always insulting me for that and my skin colour. I just pretend I don’t hear them and I never react. In footballing terms, I am and I always will be in [Mario’s] shadow. I’ve never had a real opportunity — something which could change my life.”
Credit: ESPN
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Features, News

Meet the 5 winners of the Google Africa Connected Competition

Winners of Google’s Africa Connected competition have been unveiled. They include Sitawa Wafula (Kenya), Esieoghene Odiete (Nigeria), Christopher Panford (Ghana), Eric Obuh (Nigeria) and Eunice Namirembe.  Google in an effort to invest in the future success of all the finalists also surprised the remaining five success stories by awarding them $10,000 each to help grow their ventures and initiatives for greater social and economic impact. Recipients include; Tim McGuire (South Africa), Nqobizitha Mlilo (Zimbabwe), Mayowa Adegbile (Nigeria), Lamine Mbengue (Senegal) and Steve Kyenze (Kenya).
The competition was launched in August 2013, calling entrepreneurs, creatives, innovators and web-lovers to share stories of how the web has transformed their lives and work. The 5 winners were selected from over 2,200 entries from 35 countries, by a panel of judges as well as public voters. The winners will bag $25,000 [ZAR 260,000] each, and will also have the opportunity to work with a Google sponsor over a six-month period to further their online success.
According to Affiong Osuchukwu, Google Lead for the Africa Connected initiative, “There are over 1 billion people living in Sub-Saharan Africa and currently 16% of them are online. With Africa Connected, we wanted to celebrate how the web is changing lives in Africa, and show how it is contributing to the socio-economic development of the continent. Selecting the shortlist was no easy task: each winner shares a unique perspective of how they have used the internet to solve a problem, earn a living, or create opportunities, not just for themselves, but also for others around them.” He continued, “Even though there are only five winners of the contest, there are many more powerful and inspiring stories out there. To start, there are 21 other inspiring success stories already hosted on the Africa Connected website; www.africaconnected.com. We encourage you to watch and learn from them”.
MEET THE WINNERS
SITAWA WAFULA (Kenya):
 
Sitawa used Google Blogger to establish an award winning blog on mental health in East Africa. Sitawa wants to build a physical resource centre where people can access information online and get much-needed help to manage their conditions.
ESEOGHENE ODIETE (Nigeria):
 
After graduating from the university, Eseoghene learned how to create handbags using Google Search and YouTube. With the help of contacts found via Search, over 100 blogs have featured her vibrant designs. She dreams of building an international brand that promotes African designs. Eseoghene also runs training classes for other women who want to start businesses.
CHRISTOPHER PANFORD (Ghana):
 
Christopher runs a transport company helping Ghanaian drivers access vehicle loans, which they use to earn a living. He uses Google Maps to constantly monitor the location of vehicles under bank loans. This assures banks that their loans are protected, while Christopher empowers more drivers.
ERIC OBUH (Nigeria):
 
Eric (aka Vocal Slender) used to be a dump site scavenger, in order to pay for studio time to record his music. After being discovered by the BBC in ‘Welcome to Lagos’, he became known around the world. Since then, Eric has recorded songs which he shares with new audiences on YouTube. He also uses Google+ and YouTube to raise awareness about underprivileged youngsters in the slums of Lagos, helping to raise scholarship money, and encouraging kids to stay in school.
EUNICE NAMIREMBE (Uganda):
 
Eunice runs The Medical Concierge Group which helps Ugandan communities access quality healthcare and information. Physician Eunice has built a 24-hour ambulance call centre by using the Google Cloud console and Google Maps to record patient information and track patient locations. With these tools, Eunice and her team are able to help connect more Ugandans to medical services, thus saving lives in the process.
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Entertainment

"I gave 10 years of my life and this is how you repay me?" Sophia Chikere replies Tchidi Chikere

 
It still gets messier! And this looks like an unending drama. Estranged wife of actor/director, Sophia Tchidi Chikere in a statement made to Linda Ikeji has responded to accusations made against him by Tchidi Chikere. Remember her ex husband took to Twitter yesterday to open up on why he walked out on their marriage. Click here to read his previous tweets
Tchidi Chikere, I read all you said about me and I laugh. Is that the best way to justify yourself? It is well. I will not exchange words with you still because there is nothing you say or write about me that will shake me because those that put their trust in God, He never fails them. Why are you lying to people? For them to turn around and clap for you and justify what you did? Is it because people who know the truth are saying it and it’s hurting you and you are now looking for a way to justify yourself.
I give 10 years of my life and this is how you repay me? By disrespecting me and my family? You said I used juju to marry you. If truly I and my family used juju to hold you, let God who sees everything judge me and you. You bring money for the upkeep of your kids and you are writing about it? Like seriously, are they not your kids? Whose responsibility is that? And who is disputing that with you? You said since you married me that I have not given you no love, no affection etc but you forgot the interview you granted to Punch newspaper in 2011 saying that I am the best thing that have happened to you.
You said I never had time for you? When you are always filming in the east and I won’t see you in months. I played the role of father and mother to the kids… and I laughed the more when I saw where you wrote that I didn’t feed you for 5 days.. Is this all in desperation to justify yourself? Wow!! You said marriages are not contracted on the pages of newspaper and granting interviews yet you people have been granting interviews upon interviews since 2012.. Have I said anything against you? But I won’t say anything against you. Keep saying lies about me thinking you can tarnish my image by putting up this childish and immature behavior.
Even if you say that I am a prostitute tomorrow or a thief, people who know the truth know the truth and God knows everything and sees the heart and he will pay everybody back according to our deeds. So am not shaking!! I will never say anything against you to gain favour from people! No you can’t hide pregnancy. I gave you my life for 12 years, gave you 3 lovely boys, gave you a home. And you always say to me then, I was a good wife to you and you know it. I was loyal to you and never cheated on you. I swallowed and stomached so many things just to make my marriage work. I turned deaf ears to so many things and covered my eyes to so many things.
I remember all the stories I heard about your escapades with other women, but did I leave you? I stayed with you because marriage is for better or worse and when you started your affair with Nuella in 2010, what did you say to me when I confronted you? I stayed, endured and prayed every night. Have you forgotten the day I almost committed suicide? The first time you left me and the kids? I wanted to end my life but God saved me. Even as you left us in 2012, I keep saying to people that my marriage is intact and I never changed my name from Sophia Tchidi Chikere till date.
Have you not done enough to me? You are married now and still I wish you and your new wife well. Why can’t you leave me alone to face my children and fill up the vacuum this has created in their lives? You say such evil things against their mother and they are hearing it from their schoolmates. Their schoolmates are taking about it and asking them questions everyday and yet your not satisfied. You claim you kept quiet because of them, yet you have been talking and tarnishing my image since 2012? Yet I kept mute. I have not and will never say anything bad against you. Vengeance is of the Lord, unless he is not on the throne.
You put up my pictures with my friend to use against me? You want to use it to justify what you did to me? What you put me through for years? You said he is my boyfriend that I go to see in London and I ask you Tchidi, when I was with you, did I not go to London 2 or 3 times yearly to buy clothes for my boutique? Everybody knows that I am a business woman and I buy my products from London and America. And so because I have a friend in London, I now go there just to see him? Lol He is my friend, my pal, my buddy and my best friend.
We started being good friends in 2013 after Chidi left me and ended our marriage. He is someone that is very close to me and my confidant. All these years I have had women as best friends and they all betrayed me, and I decided to have a guy as my best friend. We go everywhere together and he assists me in shopping and buying things for my shop etc I can’t deny him. He is my friend. People that know me very well will tell you that I love taking pictures and so we took lots of pictures and the guy posted it on his Facebook page and some people copied it and started posting it online. I have also kept mute about it and I would have still keep mute if not that Tchidi raises it and wanted to use it to tarnish my name.
But is well. My kids read what their daddy wrote about me and they asked me to respond and tell the whole world that you are wonderful mother and that they know and they are seeing everything and won’t say anything till they grow up! So am responding to this because of my three lovely boys that I live for, that am blessed with.
I want to beg Tchidi to please allow me to concentrate and train my kids with God’s grace and help. I wish him the best in his new marriage.I bless his new marriage with his new wife and I wish them well. This will be my last statement. Even if Chidi pulls the mountain to paint me black.. I will not respond again.
Thank you
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2014 World Cup: Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney, and Neymar star in new campaign (Photo)

As a prelude to the tournament, Nike has shot and unveiled its first campaign for the 2014 World Cup. The ad which was unveiled on April 1st, 2014 stars Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal, Neymar of Brazil and Wayne Rooney of England. Titled “Risk Everything”, the 3-minute video highlights what each of the soccer stars have to prove at the sporting event.

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It gets messier! Tchidi Chikere exposes ex-wife on twitter

 
 
 
There’s more than meets the eye. *sigh*. Newly-married actor/Producer Tchidi Chikere, today took to his official twitter page to set the records straight on his recent marriage to budding actress, Nuella Njubigbo and why he deserted his ex-wife, Sophia and mother of his three boys. I must really say he opened a can of worms. He even posted pictures of Sophia and his alleged boyfriend.
“God knws I ve tried to be mature bout this.God knws I tried to be silent.This is d woman who says she loves her hsbnd. Most terrible wife ever in life..smbody that never gave me a home. Wanted to party freak life. no respct for marriage. All she wanted was to bear my name n still live as she wanted. I ws free to do anytin i wantd as long she hd my name. No love no affection, all had was a roof over my head. now I m saying NO,i m tired I want a real home, a quality life. Read his tweets below. (@ChikereTchidi)
I want to experience love and what it really means to have a home, wht life feels like to be truly married. I begged her for yrs I cried for affection I begd for a bond. she never cared. I could die for all she cared,as long as she remains Tchidi s widow.GOD FORBID. U fight with single girls over men. Nevr hd time for me,nevr hd time for our kids, I m tired of that life,i wnt to live a better life.N she s CRYING WOLF.
You hv a boyfriend(S)u ve been bearing his name,i’m sure he s dumped you coz of ur bad attitude and your coming bk to say you love me?!! In 5000, lives n more to come I do not wish to set meet anybody like Sophia, u re a nightmare. Even when u re lying u CRY. All the Juju you and your family have done to destroy me ddnt work, My God is stronger than u all. That s why u ve come out now to scream.
Sophia dnt push me to talk, this is jst a pinch of salt compared to the real deal. If i talk, people will see you on d streets and stone you. Rmber when I used to cry for food in my own house where I provide for everything?Smtimes up to 5 days? Do you know wht love is? Since when? I told you I d leave,I told you many many years ago.So dnt call nobody s name in this..I ve tried to tk the balme,bt no more. I tried to be d sacrificial lamb while u act the saint cos of my lovely kids, bt smday they ll grow into men nl understand y Daddy hd t talk. U can cook up as many more lies as u wnt, that s ur trade. Just know dt if u push me to talk again, I ll tlk without holding Anything back
 
And when i talk again, I’ll talk with proof, I only want you to still hv little dignity, that is why I m stopping here. Don’t push me. Did you tell them I pay you every month? Till now?That I look after rmy kids? Bath them? Give them a hair cut each myself? Always? Yet u spread the lies that i ABANDONED my kisds? Do you have a heart at all? U re wicked..All i want is a LIFE! U gave me NONE..!!!!!!!! i was like a stray Dog for years. Now i m saying NO MORE
 
Did you tell them all the demands you re making in d divorce court? Did you tell them how you spend months in London in ur boyfriends house while d kids stayed with house maids? What I had was a traditional wedding, n it takes two families, two villages. It shows I hv the support of my people and family. Marriages are not contracted on the pages of Newspapers and granting interviews to pose n feel relevant. That’s Lagos talk. Root is Root.
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Quote of the day: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Swedish player Zlatan. Ibrahimovic shared this quote/photo ahead of his team (PSG) ‘s UCL match against Chelsea. It reads thus,
“Why would we fear the Special One’s team when we have the only One?”
We shall see after 90mins
Enjoy the game!
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