Entertainment

Entertainment

Bayo Omoboriowo: From a poor boy in Mushin to the President's official photographer

For many Nigerians on social media, we always admire the beautiful pictures of our new President, Muhammed Buhari. We admire the elegance and the story the pictures portray, we salute the aesthetics behind the image but not many know that the guy behind it all is Bayo Omoboriowo the official photographer of the president and amazingly, he’s just 28.
When I met Bayo for the First time February 14 this year at Buhari Valentine dinner here in Lagos, I did not know who he was, he was dressed in an impeccable manner, with suit and tie and then was carrying his camera like a baby I thought he was just one of those “I just came back to Nigeria” guys who like over dressing with their camera not until he told me to stand for him to take a snap shot of me, I did and after the shoot, we got talking, when he mentioned his name.
 I remembered I had read his interview 3 years back, an Interview he did with Bella Naija talking about his passion for photography, his dreams and where he want to be in the years to come using the instrument of his camera.
My respect for him grew higher that moment and I told myself: “Indeed Dreams come true” Bayo Omoboriowo was born without silver spoon, he tasted poverty, experienced the low esteem Poverty inflicts on its victims but never allowed his past to define him, he decided to change his story and that he has successfully been able to do looking at what he has done for himself within a space of 6 years
He took his destiny by his hand, discovered his passion which was photography, refined and turned it to a business and income making project.
One thing you have to give to this young man is this, he never allowed the distraction that being a youth brings to distract him from his focus, he graduated from University Of Lagos in 2009 and since then he has only been doing one thing, Photography and today, he is the official photographer of our dear President. 
Bayo was one of the 20-man delegation that followed Buhari to Germany On Sunday , seeing his name on that list brought smile to my face, this shows how far he has gone and where God has taken him to. I could not have been prouder of my generation and the envelop we are pushing, the stories we are changing and the boundaries we are taking in spite of the difficulties of being a Young Nigerian.
Bayo’s life is teaching young people what is possible and doable, a man born in poverty at Mushin Lagos 28 years ago is flying with the President all over the world today because of his passion and determination to give meaning to his life, what then is your excuse?
Life is too short to just waste on unnecessary gallivanting. Discover your passion, key into it and start now. You don’t need capital to start, you just need few people who believe in your passion and would do anything to see it come to fruition.
Your network determines your net worth; those friends around you have a lot to do with your tomorrow, more than you know. Bayos of this world are passing a compelling message to young people to leave every other thing that is distracting them and run with their dreams. Lives and destinies are tied to that dream and that is the more reason you need to take that bold step and believe in your ability to do it.
Again let me emphasize, Bayo started from the bottom, he started with zero capital. he had nothing except his incredible belief in God and the dream he has and nothing more.
I wish you all the best in this journey and hope to celebrate your journey tomorrow. 
Article written by Chukwudi Iwuchukwu
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Entertainment

Majek Fashek, A National Tragedy | By: Joseph Edgar

On my way to work this morning, I spotted a loony figure. Pants sagged, dirty black underwear showing, a caftan perched precariously on his extra lean shoulders, shock of long unkempt dreadlocks cascading down his head and teeth yellowed by years of hard living and a face still surprisingly handsome despite the ravages of illicit living.

This was Majek, my hero, the one who brought down the rain. He it was who redefined Reggae and in that one album forced us to look deep into our consciousness, calling us prisoners of conscience. He it was who took that Bob Marley piece, Redemption Song into the sublime. He infused it with his pangolo rhythm and turned it into an anthem of social and spiritual awakening. Majek was a god, strong Adonis like looks, talent yet to me replicated in our clime and charisma of the gods.

This same Majek, I just saw like that in Fadeyi, begging for ogogoro becuase he did not have 100 Naira to pay for it. I stopped brought out 1,000 Naira and was immediately struck by confusion. Should I give him this money and contribute to his death or should I refuse him and watch him throw a tantrum like a disposed toddler. He saved me the dilemma as he grabbed the money from me and rushed to the ugly, black dirty merchant of death, who gleefully poured him a glass full. 

Majek downed the drink and hugged me like I had just saved him from the hang mans noose. I looked deep into his eyes and saw a lost soul. He was actually begging for help, the demon inside of him peered at me from his once very beautiful eyes, daring me to do my worse. Assuring me that he had no intention of leaving this host until it finished it’s dreadful task of killing him ever so slowly. 

He called me a fine boy and wished he was as good looking as I was, I laughed. A laugh that was more of pity, a laugh that was laced with internal cry of pain. A pain that cascaded through every pain in my body. If only I had one tenth of this talent, I would be far from fadeyi begging for N100 worth of ogogoro. 

Did we fail him as Nigerians, did we put an umbrella over the Rainmaker, did the flood of his talent wash away his life, what can be done, do we continue watch him make a mockery of a Life once blessed?

Majek in his destitution represents Nigeria. Blessed with more than enough resources., rich in human capacity, more fertile land than the whole of Asia and filled with gifted and talented people, but yet beggerly and poor. Daily our leaders go to ‘jibowu’ to beg poorer countries for aid, for debt forgiveness. The contradiction never leaves me. Japan with no known Natural resources is so developed that we can only look in shame. 

Majek with all the talents of a thousand people, begging the woman who can’t lift a finger beside him for N100, Majek being laughed at by miscreants and being mocked with so much joy by those who were not half as blessed by God. 

What can I do, but to write this piece and just walk away, lest his guest demon attempt a move on my life. I saw it and felt it look into my soul and with one withered hand, offered me a shot of the Devils brew. A shot I knew would throw me into the darkest pits of Majeks torture, a shot that will take me spiraling down the tunnels of oblivion, destroying the innocent dependent lives of my children while giving Majek solace that he has finally found a room mate albeit a very reluctant and scared one. 

I pray for you sir.  I pray God gives you peace.
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God bless you Majek.

Joseph Edgar is an investment banker who writes as a hobby. He writes from a humorous, satirical point of view. He blogs at josephedgarng.blogspot.com.

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Entertainment, Music

Wizkid, Yemi Alade, Psquare, Basketmouth, others nominated for MAMA awards 2015 . See full list.

Some of Nigeria’s best music acts, Wizkid, Davido, Psquare, Yemi Alade, Mavin Crew to mention a few have been nominated for the MTV Africa Music Africa awards (MAMA) coming up in July 18, 2015. Below is the full nominees list.
Nominees list 
1) Best Male

AKA (South Africa)
Davido (Nigeria)
Diamond (Tanzania)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Wizkid (Nigeria)
2) Best Female

Bucie (South Africa)

Busiswa (South Africa)
Seyi Shay (Nigeria)
Vanessa Mdee (Tanzania)
Yemi Alade (Nigeria)
3) Best Group
B4 (Angola)
Beatenberg (South Africa)
Black Motion (South Africa)
P-Square (Nigeria)
Sauti Sol (Kenya)
4) Best New Act 

Anna Joyce (Angola)
Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
Duncan (South Africa)
Patoranking (Nigeria)
Stonebwoy (Ghana)
5) Best Hip Hop

Cassper Nyovest (South Africa)
K.O. (South Africa)
Phyno (Nigeria)
Olamide (Nigeria)
Youssoupha (DRC)
6) Best Collaboration
AKA, Burna Boy, Da LES & JR: “All Eyes On Me” (SA/Nigeria)
Davido featuring Uhuru & DJ Buckz: “The Sound” (Nigeria/SA)
Diamond & Iyanya: “Bum Bum” (Kenya/Nigeria)
Toofan & DJ Arafat: “Apero Remix” (Togo/Ivory Coast)
Stanley Enow & Sarkodie: “Njama Njama Cow Remix” (Cameroon/Ghana)

7) Song of the Year
Cassper Nyovest: “Doc Shebeleza” (South Africa)
Euphonik featuring Mpumi: “Busa” (South Africa)
DJ Fisherman & NaakMusiQ featuring DJ Tira, Danger & Dream Team: “Call Out” (South Africa)
K.O featuring Kid X: “Caracara” (South Africa)
Lil Kesh Featuring Olamide & Davido: “Shoki Remix” (Nigeria)
Mavins: “Dorobucci” (Nigeria)
Sauti Sol: “Sura Yako” (Kenya)
Toofan: “Gweta” (Togo)
Wizkid: “Show You The Money” (Nigeria)
Yemi Alade: “Johnny” (Nigeria)
8) Best Live

Big Nuz (South Africa)
Diamond (Tanzania)
Flavour (Nigeria)
Mi Casa (South Africa)
Toofan (Togo)
9) Video of the Year

“Crazy” – Seyi Shay Featuring Wizkid; Director: Meji Alabi
“Doors” – Prime Circle; Director: Ryan Kruger
“Love You Everyday” – Bebe Cool; Director: Clarence Peters
“Nafukwa” – Riky Rick; Director: Adriaan Louw
“The Sound” – Davido Featuring Uhuru & DJ Buckz; Director: Sesan
10) Best Pop & Alternative

Fuse ODG (Ghana)
Jeremy Loops (South Africa)
Jimmy Nevis (South Africa)
Nneka (Nigeria)
Prime Circle (South Africa)
11) Best Francophone
DJ Arafat (Ivory Coast)
Jovi (Cameroon)
Laurette Le Pearle (DRC)
Tour 2 Garde (Ivory Coast)
Toofan (Togo)
Best Lusophone
Ary (Angola)
B4 (Angola)
Nelson Freitas (Cape Verde)
NGA (Angola)
Yuri Da Cunha (Angola)
12) Personality of the Year

Basketmouth (Nigeria)
Bonang Matheba (South Africa)
OC Ukeje (Nigeria)
Trevor Noah (South Africa)
Yaya Toure (Ivory Coast)
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Entertainment

Mourinho banned from driving

Chelsea coach, Jose Mourinho has been banned from driving for six months after being caught speeding in Surrey. The Portuguese ‎was also fined £750 and ordered to pay £160 costs.
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Entertainment

Short Story: Nostalgia | By: Oluwafunminiyi Omojola

The silence deafens her.
It was not always like this, this eerie silence. Even a stranger who has never stood where she stands now knows that this sort of quiet is  man-made.

A noise in the distance punctures the stillness, rupturing the ghostly tranquillity. She glances up at the sky. It is a vulture, dark and frightening in its flight across the face of the sun. The avian calls again as it departs, leaving her in a slight shiver, chills streaking through her slender frame like flashes of lightening.

She returns her gaze to the vast expanse of land where she had played as a child. Her childhood – those were happy times. They never had much, but they had laughter. It rang somewhere in her ears now, the happy sounds of yesterday – her own laughter and Amina’s, the screeching of the other children running in the fields, the babble of chubby toddlers, the cackle of firewood, the aroma of cooking food, the shrieks of village women and the cursing of grown men.  

She had been away for only two years, serving her mistress and schooling in the west, and in that time, an ominous hand had arrived one chilly morning and rolled happiness up like a mat. The hand had tucked the mat neatly out of sight, stashed it in a place reachable only in pleasant dreams. What it left in its wake was a sobbing sadness, a cynical stench that hung onto the shoulders of the town like a desolate mother singing dirges about the death of her children. 

Hauwa’s stomach churns in a violent vortex that sucks air through her lungs and she gasps, determinedly fighting the urge to throw up. Her left hand has been a clamp over her nose and mouth since she arrived. They’d warned her about the flies and the stench, that there was no getting used to anything here any longer, the stench especially. She remembers with a sad smile a trick she and Amina used to play on each other. 
They would stick a finger into their anus, whenever it was at its smelliest, preferably immediately after shitting. Then they would stick the anointed finger in the nostril of the other person. It was a rare evil. The pong followed you everywhere you ran.  The only way to get rid of it was to remove ones nose. And that was the first instinct she had felt when the bus had dropped her off here before speeding off in a dusty haze – a violent urge to remove her own nose, to pluck it off.

 She knew that the smell was of hurriedly buried corpses. 
“There was no time for proper interment. Husbands, wives, fathers and mothers, neighbours and friends returned under the cover of darkness to bury their dead. They said they’d sleep better at night when they had ensured that the bodies of their loved ones would not be desecrated by vultures. …” she’d read in the tabloids.

She walks hurriedly on now, overtaken by an urgency to leave this place of silence. The sun is fast losing its bright yellow glow and in its place comes a mournful topaz burnish that also diminishes by the minute. She side steps the shallow graves that litter the fields, the ones she can identify from a distance. She steps on others and they are soft beneath her tired legs. 
As she walks, she wonders if she’d stepped on Mama’s grave or side stepped her fathers; she shifts uneasily when it strikes her that the one she now momentarily stands on to steady herself from a renewed wave of dissness just may be Amina’s.

By the time she reaches the dusty road, tears are falling freely from her eyes. She had arrived here with a weight on her shoulders. Now, it sits in her chest, heavy like a mill stone.

She doesn’t need anyone to tell her that she will never return.


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Oluwafunminiyi Omojola is a writer. Follow him on twitter
@ooluwafunminiyi

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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.
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Entertainment

Mikel, Essien missing on Mourinho's favourite players list.

It’s not like the list is long but some names are (un)surprisingly  missing. The self-acclaimed Special One has dropped some names of the players he has most enjoyed working with across his 15-year career as a manager.
‎Nigeria’s Mikel Obi and Ghana’s Micheal Essien (who used to call him Daddy) didn’t make it to the list. No sentiments! We all would have been shocked if John Terry, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard didn’t weren’t mentioned. Mourinho’s love for those 3musketeers knows no bounds.
‎Others include Alvaro Arbeloa, Marco Materazzi, Javier Zanetti and Xabi Alonso.

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Entertainment

Joseph Edgar's Loud Whispers: South African 419

So some stupid fraudsters sent me a very lousy email today. When I opened the letter, I laughed. Me, Ajanaku fall for this scam? Teehee.
Anyway, I decided to warn you guys incase you come across such. See the content of the letter below:
The letter reads:

 Good Day,

I am a mining services consultant. I am 46 years old male (I shall provide you with more details on my background later). I have worked for South Africa department of mineral and energy as project director and now ESCOM. At the moment, I am a consultant for several mining companies advising them on liquefied natural gas exports and storage but the government wants me to be the new spoke person of South African airways (SAA)

The South Africa economy has witnessed a steady growth since the end of Apartheid. Within the Ministry of Energy & Mineral Resources where I worked as director of Auditing and Project Implementation, Mining and Quarrying alone contributes 12.3% GDP (R25.9Billion), Gold made up R19.9Billion of the yearly export while Base metals and other mineral products contribute R6.7Billion and R5.0Billion respectively. This figure excludes Diamond, which is quoted separately.

The Government has continuously strived to improve and maintain good relationship with foreign governments and Non-Governmental financial agencies by ensuring payments for all debts owed to foreign contractors. As a matter of fact, the Government has sponsored several trade delegations overseas to improve and attract foreign investments to South Africa.

I write, asking for your indulgence in re-profiling funds to tune of Forty- Five Million Seven Hundred Thousand United States Dollars (US$45.7) which we want to keep safely overseas under your supervision. In other words, we would like you to receive the said funds on our behalf.

The Funds were derived over time from a project awarded to a foreign firm by my Department, and presently the actual contract cost have been paid to the original project executors, leaving the balance in the tune of the said amount which we have in principle obtained approval to remit overseas.

Currently, as a Director of Projects at The Department of Minerals & Energy here in Pretoria, though I’m in UK for a short holiday because my family are also here. We have the authority and approval of my partners involved in this transaction to compensate you with 25% for your participation.

This endeavor has a minimal risk factor on your part provided you treat it with the utmost discretion. You are advised to back for further clarification.

I await in anticipation your fullest co-operation.

Dr.Thabo Sibiya

Director, Project Implementation Email: [email protected] TEL: +442032907856

Yeye people. ‎
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Entertainment

Omoni Oboli takes us through her Natural Hair journey.

My Natural Hair Journey! It’s been almost a year and five months since I did the big chop. I transitioned for a couple of months before chopping off all the perms and I haven’t looked back since then. I looooove my natural hair! Going natural is one of the best decisions I have made!
I always get questions on my hair care routine so I am going to let you all know how I care for my hair without advertising any particular hair product. Please don’t ask questions on particular products. Deal? Cool! Let’s go!
The first thing I think natural hair needs is moisture! That’s why I have my spray bottle of mostly water which I use morning and night. I spray my hair with water, not too much so it’s not dripping wet, I then proceed to rub in a handful of leave in conditioner before sealing with oil. I use different oils for my hair but my ‘go to’ oil is coconut oil. I can’t over emphasize the importance of coconut oil. I use it on my skin, I cook with it, I use it on my hair. It’s like a cure all! You can even use it on your relationship and your bank account! Lol!
So back to my hair care routine. I co-wash my hair once a week. For those who don’t know what co-washing is, it’s washing your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo. I shampoo about once a month. After washing my hair, I oil my scalp with an oil mix. My oil mix typically contains a base oil like coconut oil, almond oil, argan oil or olive oil with shea butter. I add drops of an essential oil like peppermint oil, tea tree (great for dry scalp) or lemon oil. I deep condition every week or two depends on what I feel my hair needs.
You can use any deep conditioner of your choice. You can also use a DIY deep conditioner from things in your kitchen. (That’s another lesson for another day…lol) The trick is to listen to your hair and know your hair. Your hair tells you what it needs. WTVhen it’s dry, you know you need extra infusion of moisture.
Once my hair is clean, I add a leave in conditioner, seal with oil and style. Whatever you do, pay attention to the ends of your hair. Make sure your leave in conditioner and oils get to the ends because the ends die faster and breakage starts there.
For styling, there are different styling products like curling puddings and creams. Sometimes, I skip the styling creams and just twist with the leave in conditioner in my hair. My go to style is a twist out! I like the definition it gives. Depending on the curl pattern you want, you can do big twists or small twist. Also depends on the length of your hair. When my hair was really short, I couldn’t do big twists even if I wanted to. So after twisting, I allow my hair air dry. I hardly ever use heat for my hair. I mostly twist at night and just sleep with a satin bonnet or scarf over my hair. It’s usually dry by morning. To unravel, I rub some oil on my hands, and unravel the twists gently. Also depending on what look you are going for, you can fluff out your hair. If you want a more defined style and not just a fro, you can use bobby pins or hair assesories to style.
The most important lesson to learn in the natural hair journey is to enjoy the journey! Rock your hair at various lengths! I certainly have! Don’t be in a hurry for your hair to grow. I loved my twa (teenie weenie afro) and I even miss it sometimes. I love my new length and I am not in competition with any other naturalista. We all have hair crushes and hair goals but every hair has its pace, it’s texture and its love language that it responds to. Learn to speak your hairs love language.
As always, I love to read from you. Drop a line or two. I’m still learning, I don’t claim to know it all. Let’s chat ladies, what are your secret potions and lotions? Lol! No excuses o, we must try our best to look good! Hugs and kisses
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Entertainment, Sports

Messi to stand trial for tax evasion.

‎Some bad news for the Argentine star. ‎Lionel Messi who was accused of evading tax for 3 years (2007, 2008 and 2009) and refusing to pay €4.1m (£3m) will have to stand trial for tax evasion after his appeal was rejected by a Barcelona judge.
According to reports, his father Jorge Messi who is in charge of the World best footballer’s businesses and deals revealed that his son had no knowledge of their operations because he was too young to handle them.
‎
The judge decreed that the Barcelona player will testify in person in court before they decide if he knew about the illegal operations. If he’s found guilty, I’m afraid he could be cooling his feet in prison for years.
 
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Entertainment

Enyeama to Retire After 2017 AFCON

Super Eagles goalkeeper, Vincent Enyeama has revealed his plan to hang his international gloves after the next African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Gabon in 2017. 
The 32 year-old Lille goalie is the second Super Eagles player to reach the 100 caps mark since his debut against Kenya in May 2002. He however hopes to resign from the national team by lifting the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations trophy.
He told BBC Sport, “It’s impossible to play football forever and the next tournament in Gabon will be my last one. I’ve played in two finals, lost in 2004, won in 2013, and to win in 2017 is how I hope to be remembered. But more significantly we must not get ahead of ourselves because we need to qualify first.”
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