As people and nations around the world grapple with the new reality of Coronavirus Disease (COVID 19), Stephanie Linus is inspiring a long-term and purposeful lifestyle change among Nigerians to stimulate personal and community hygiene as a tool for preventing person-to-person transmittable diseases.
The campaign which is titled “Hygiene First – My New Habit” is an attempt to drive the conscious awakening of good hygiene habits among people and communities in Nigeria and get Nigerians to take responsibility for their personal and community hygiene.
Maintaining good health and sustaining the beauty of our city all starts with us; we all can commit to good health and cleaner cities by practicing the simple steps of deliberately identifying new habits we need to form.
Practicing good hygiene develops a person’s self-worth and self-confidence. It benefits our own health and impacts the lives of others around us. From regular hand washing to proper waste disposal, deep cleaning of homes and public spaces such as streets, markets, schools, and hospitals, this campaign is geared towards encouraging simple tips and ideas that families can integrate into their daily lives. These changes, when positive and deliberate, help in shaping our lives far more than we probably realize.
The “Hygiene First – My New Habit” campaign is an initiative of the Extended Hands Foundation.
Weeks after rumours of her delivery went viral, Nollywood actress, Mercy Johnson and her husband, Prince Okojie have welcomed their 4th child, in Maryland USA. Her husband made the announcement on his instagram page.
Nigerian singers, Simisola and Adekunle ‘Gold’ Kosoko are expecting their first child together. The couple who got married in a private wedding ceremony in January 2019 released a video, ‘Promise me’ which shows scenes and moments from the wedding.
Simi revealed her pregnancy in the most heart-warming way. She revealed her pregnancy with a music video, titled, Duduke. The song was also dedicated to their unborn child.
Speaking shortly after their wedding ceremony in 2019, Adekunle confirmed that they got engaged in 2018.
“Earlier in 2018, I asked my girl of five years to be my wife. Knowing all of my imperfections and shortcomings, she said yes! This January, before God and our family, we vowed to do this thing called life together. To be honest, it’s easy to get lost in the limelight; so we definitely have a slightly obsessive desire for a private life that belongs to just us. We planned on sharing a little bit of the beginning of our forever with you. Thankfully my team got Kudus on our little Island with us to capture some of these moments for you.”Here is ‘Promise’.”
The trial and conviction of actress Funke Akindele and her husband are legally flawed. The fact that they pleaded guilty does not foreclose a discussion on the case because the flaws I intend to highlight are constitutional and jurisdictional in nature. Issues of jurisdiction can be raised at any time. I have read the following: The Charge Sheet filed by the office of the Attorney General of Lagos State against Funke and her husband; the Public Health Law Cap. P16 Vol. 9 Laws of Lagos State, 2015; and the Lagos State Infectious Disease (Emergency Prevention) Regulations 2020. I submit that Funke Akindele and her husband (the defendants) were convicted for a non-existent offence. The charge sheet shows that the two defendants were arraigned on a one-count charge for gathering with more than twenty persons contrary “to the social distancing directives of Mr Governor of Lagos State.”
DEFENDANTS CHARGED FOR AN OFFENCE THAT IS UNKNOWN TO LAW:
The charge sheet against the defendants also states that the said social distancing directives contravened by the defendants were issued by the Governor in line with the regulations made by the Governor pursuant to the Public Health Law. In other words, the defendants were not charged under the Quarantine Act. They were charged under Section 58 of the Public Health Law of Lagos State. For clarity, Section 58 of the Public Health Law cited in the charge sheet provides as follows:
“For any contravention of the provisions of this Law or any regulation made under this Law for which no other penalty is provided, the offender commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine of One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000.00) or to any non-custodial sentence and if a corporate body, to a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000.00).” The defendants were convicted for gathering with more than twenty persons. The material question is: is it an offence under the Public Health Law or Infectious Disease Regulations to do so?
There is no provision under the Public Health Law or Infectious Disease Regulations that makes gathering with more than twenty persons a criminal offence. The Infectious Disease Regulations purport to give the Governor the power to issue the social distancing directives. The legal defect in the directive on gathering is that it cannot be the basis for criminal liability. A subsidiary legislation like the Infectious Disease (Emergency Prevention) Regulations 2020 derives its authority and validity from a substantive law (the principal legislation). The regulations cannot extend such authority. Since the Quarantine Act and the Public Health Law of Lagos State specifically limit offences to the contravention of regulations made by the governor, it is outright illegality to charge Funke Akindele and her husband for contravening a directive of the Governor (which is outside the regulations itself). See Din V. Attorney-General of the Federation (1988) 4 NWLR (Pt.87) 147.
An act or omission is only a crime if it is so prescribed in a written law. By virtue of Section 36 (12) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), every person is guaranteed the fundamental right not to be convicted unless the offence is defined and the penalty is prescribed in a written. It states as follows: “Subject as otherwise provided by this Constitution, a person shall not be convicted of a criminal offence unless that offence is defined and the penalty therefor is prescribed in a written law and in this subsection, a written law refers to an Act of the National Assembly or a Law of a State, any subsidiary legislation or instrument under the provisions of law.” Let me reiterate that the Governor’s social distancing directive that restricts gathering in Lagos State which the defendants purportedly contravened is not an Act of the National Assembly, or a Law of the Lagos State House of Assembly, neither is it a subsidiary legislation or an instrument under the provisions of the law.
Therefore, by the authority of Section 36 (12) of the Constitution, and the Supreme Court decision in Aoko V. Fagbemi & Ors. (1961) 1 All NLR 400, the conviction of Funke Akindele and her husband is unconstitutional. As I contended earlier, there is no provision in the Public Health Law of Lagos State or the Infectious Disease Regulations that makes a gathering of more than twenty persons or any gathering for that matter a criminal offence.
Regulation 8(1)(a) of the Infectious Disease (Emergency Prevention) Regulations 2020 cited in the charge sheet against the defendants provides thus:
8(1) “The Governor may – (a) restrict or prohibit the gathering of persons in the Local Area, such as conferences, meetings, festivals, private events, religious services, public visits, and such other events, save where the written approval of the Governor is obtained for such gathering.” The above provision does not codify any offence. It only empowers the governor to restrict or prohibit gathering. The Infectious Disease Regulations 2020 should have expressly and specifically prescribed that gathering is restricted and prohibited in Lagos State before it can be relied upon to convict a violator in line with Section 36 (12) of the Constitution. Since neither the Public Health Law of Lagos State nor the Infectious Disease Regulations have prescribed that gathering is an offence, the purported directive of Governor Sanwo-Olu remains an advisory. The Court of Appeal in the case of Faith Okafar V. Governor of Lagos State & Anor. (2016) LPELR-41066 (CA) made it abundantly clear that the directive or order of a governor is not a law & that violation of same cannot result in criminal liability. Read more
Funke Akindele and her husband, Abdulrasheed Bello, who were arraigned early today at the Samuel Ilori Courthouse of the Magistrate Court in Ogba have been sentenced to 14 days of community service each for flouting Coronavirus lockdown rules.
The couple pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of hosting a gathering of 20 persons and over, contrary to the social distancing directives of the Lagos State Government. They are also to pay N100,000 fine each and spend 14 days of isolation in a location to be determined by Lagos State Ministry of Health.
Recall that they were arrested for holding a party in their house, in celebration of JJC’s birthday ceremony at their Amen estate residence, in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos. She also explained her side of the story in a video posted on her Instagram page.
“Dear Friends, I really have to do this!!
I hear you all and I acknowledge all your honest feedback.
I also thank you for your concerns, well wishes and calls. I am sorry and hope this video offers some explanation.
The magistrate also ordered that they should be placed in self-isolation, as well as names and phone numbers of everyone who attended the shindig should be compiled and submitted to the court.
Following a violation of the restriction orders in Lagos State, Nollywood actress Funke Akindele and her husband, Abdulrasheed Bello will be charged to court. This is coming less than 24 hours after the couple were criticised for holding a party in their house amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. You can read the initial report here.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Lagos, Bala Elkana, who confirmed the Nollywood star’s arrest on Sunday, revealed that the guests at the party were celebrating a birthday party organised by the couple in their Amen estate home.
Police detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Yaba were at the location where the actress was arrested. Her husband turned himself in after an order demanding that he makes himself available.
The couple who are the first to flout the recently passed law by the State Assembly and signed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will be charged at the Magistrate Court 1 in Ogba.
They may be fined between N100,000 – N200,000, face one-month incarceration in the correctional centre or three-month community service.
Contrary to claims that the actress is an ambassador for antiseptic brand, Dettol and the NCDC, Dettol has come out to refutethe claims.
“We have been made aware through social media that Funke Akindele recently, acting in her personal capacity, had a celebration which is against the caution to the public on social distancing during the covid-19 pandemic. The NCDC partnered with Dettol on a public service message to educate our communities about preventive measures against COVID-19. Funke is not a brand ambassador of the NCDC. As a responsible organization and brand Dettol does not condone any breach of the guidelines on Covid-19. As an organization we are concerned at the turn of events. We will continue to support NCDC and the Nigerian govt to fight COVID-19” They wrote on Twitter.
Nigerians have expressed their disappointment in actress, Funke Akindele and her husband, Rasheed Bello, also known as JJC Skillz, for holding a party in her house despite official warnings against socialising inorder to curb the spread of the corona virus crisis. They are also calling for the arrest of the celebrities, for flouting the state and federal government orders, adding that Funke Akindele, who is one of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) ambassadors and who once ran an awareness campaign for the organization should have done better.
A video of the party below:
Nollywood actress and NCDC ambassador, Funke Akindele and husband held a star-studded birthday party yesterday despite lockdown. pic.twitter.com/e72KleXADy
The party, which was held in the couple’s Amen estate home, done in celebration of JJC Skillz’s birthday had in attendance actress, Eniola Badmus, Naira Marley and a host of others. Reacting to the outrage, the Omo Ghetto star claimed the party was part of the scenes of her upcoming movie, Omo Ghetto The Saga. Besides, some of the attendees were already camped in her estate before the lockdown, adding that the estate is safe.
“Losing this contract by @funkeakindele in my opinion would not be seen as witch hunt but simply stupidity.” One tweep wrote. To which she responded, “Uncle don’t create unnecessary sensation. #omoghettothesaga was to be filmed Before the lockdown and some of us had been camped in Amen estate.
“So we had to stay in there. So we are safe and happy!!! Let’s not be NEGATIVE!!”
Dear @NCDCgov, Please I hope there’s a clause in the contract that Funke Akindele signed that spells punishment for the kind of idiocy she displayed yesterday hosting a house party despite being a NCDC ambassador.
This is a total slap on the NCDC.
Pls RT till NCDC acts on this.
— #OurFavOnlineDoc 🛂 (@DrOlufunmilayo) April 5, 2020
-NCDC Ambassador -Dettol Ambassador -Did two awareness videos on social distancing.
Yet, Funke Akindele Invited Eniola Badmus and Naira Marley who returned from the UK into her house, as if that wasn't enough, she threw a full house party.
An ambassador of GOOD HYGIENE hosted a party during this pandemic, invited Eniola who just arrived from UK to her home,& you still don't believe that some devilish spirits are controlling D Nigeria celebrities
Funke Akindele & everyone in Dat house party are all Stupid & Useless
Funke Akindele hosted a London returnee (Eniola Badmus) in her home on the 24th of March, who didn't observe the 14 days self quarantine (on returning).
Funke held a house party, disregarding govt's social distancing directives & endangering public safety.
On Funke Akindele hosting a houseparty. It is thoroughly selfish & irresponsible. She’s also one celebrity that can reach a demographic of Nigerians who doubt the seriousness of this thing. They see her doing this, & their erroneous beliefs are cemented.
You people will confidently and passionately drag our politicians for not doing the right thing but all of a sudden you don’t want people to drag Funke Akindele.
You don’t know it’s her responsibility as a citizen of Nigeria to abide by the rules set by the FG? Dem no teach una?
Meanwhile the total confirmed coronavirus cases in Nigeria hit 224 today as the NCDC announced 10 new cases in Lagos, FCT and Edo. Worldwide coronavirus cases reach 1.2 million.
In a bid to stop the further spread of the corona virus disease, actor cum politician, Desmond Elliot provided custom buckets and water to serve members of his constituency and Nigerians are not having it.
“So we constructed a makeshift cleansing mechanism, where passerby’s or people entering streets could wash their hands with soap and water and also sanitize before entering the streets -pilot works can be seen in these areas. It was located across the environments. Olodeokuta, Ojuelegbe both sides, love garding, Hugan Bassy, Masha bus stop, Shirts bus stop, Adelabu, Iponri, Bode Thomas and ishaga road. He wrote on his Instagram page.
The post has generated mixed reactions from the public, with many branding the project as ridiculous, embarrassing and poor efforts from a figure that promised so much.
Take a look at reactions from the post below.
It is obvious those lovely films from Desmond Elliot may not actually be created by him. Menh if he could come up with this nonsense idea man is a scam. Except it is a case of if you can't beat them you will join them in politics. Even bubu can do better than this.
Desmond Elliot has good intention for his constituency in this #COVID19 period, but the way he came about that is wrong imo. Should have used big Geepee-like water tank. Good thinking, bad result. pic.twitter.com/YzAEjo4d0J
— Red Rose🌹 Chelsea First Lady (@Roseangel009) April 1, 2020
No matter how expose, sound and diligent you are, once your go into politics your IQ of reasoning go from 100-0 real quick. Ask honorable Desmond Elliot pic.twitter.com/Izsye710sy
Twitter is full of negativity mehn, people just want to make fun of everything for the sake of likes and Rt. Here are pictures of Desmond Elliot sharing food stuffs to people in his constituency, so because he made mobile taps you people are dragging him. Nawa ooh pic.twitter.com/CWqKuPmq3c
Desmond Elliot is another prove the youth litmus test in politics will always fail Us, might just be the reason “ancient of days” are scared of handing over absolute governance to the youth. Surelere Yahaya Bello 🤡🤡🤡 pic.twitter.com/m016xLu7bz
FLASH: This is a huge world-class donation from Honourable Desmond Elliot to fight Coronavirus in his constituency. pic.twitter.com/Y3fptDhmic
— #OurFavOnlineDoc 🛂 (@DrOlufunmilayo) April 1, 2020
Well, Desmond Elliot also did this too✌️ nice one still 🙂 ….we need more of this from all our representatives across all board! pic.twitter.com/GETazgTh40
I still find it difficult to believe that this is same Desmond Elliot I watched his movies yearsss back sha.😩 this guy takes his people for granted on a regular sha☹️ pic.twitter.com/x22vdSj6XG
If you see Desmond Elliot trending, don't think he's doing giveaway o. Baba is just being his usual clown since he started his political career. And this is not even April fool! pic.twitter.com/y8zQ0TFJmu
— Dr. Steford (PhD affidavit) ❁ (@odun42000) April 1, 2020
Hon Desmond Elliot has taken a huge step in contributing to the fight of Covid-19 in Nigeria. What has your representative contribute?
Desmond Elliot continually proving the old folks right that THE YOUTHS ARE NOT READY FOR GOVERNANCE I can’t even come up with such a watery concept, foundations that mounted the hand washing in different locations didn’t even put their Logo there because it is needless, Yeye Boy!
— MAKE ME YOUR SKINCARE PLUG (@Kween_Beth) March 31, 2020
Desmond Elliot is a genius, the real Baba Suwe. He couldn’t give them borehole, so he printed a tap on China made buckets. 👏🏾 Ignore that useless white tap, na format. pic.twitter.com/4NAFMbUvae
The simple story has become an endangered species and this couldn’t have been more evident than with Lionheart, Nigeria’s first ‘Netflix Original’ and veteran actress, Genevieve Nnaji’s directorial debut.
Much as been made of what it could have, should have been, largely due to Netflix’s involvement as it is expected that the streaming giant’s association with any artistic effort would automatically make it gold.
However, there are quite a number of films in this regard that for all the awesomeness of Hollywood, fail to even have a few sprinkles of bronze on them – this applies to both films produced by Netflix and the ones which rights they bought. Lionheart isn’t one of them.
Lionheart reminds keen followers of the Nigerian movie scene what Nollywood films of the 90s used to be, without most of the technical shortcomings. This isn’t just nostalgia taking hold though; albeit being a simple story, this is a film with a lot of heart and charm, showing a daughter’s race against time to save her father’s company from going under.
With this film, Nnaji shows a lot of promise as a director and leaves one excited about what she could come up with in future from behind the chair.
With most movies in recent times aiming for the shock factor with unexpected plot twists and convoluted sub-plots, Lionheart’s simplicity could easily be mistaken for being basic.
As it is, those who say less is more seem to know what they’re talking about and there is something to be learned from the ability to tell a simple story that takes viewers from Point A to B, and tell it well and this is where this film succeeds.
Central to this success is the cast and acting. Nnaji’s effort might have been made easier with a selection of established veterans who at this stage need little or no directing. While this may be easy to say though, it’s important to consider the tone of this movie from start to finish – it was never off – so credit should be given.
Pete Edochie rolled back the years as the Obiagwu patriarch and was ably complemented by Onyeka Onwenu, whose skill as a musical artiste is matched by her acting capabilities. Genevieve herself performs admirably and Nkem Owoh was a treat as usual. The supporting cast also gave a good showing and this is one of the areas where the director shines.
Language is central to this film and it’s hard to imagine how it would have fared were it to have been delivered in English from start to finish – there’s a temptation to cringe actually. It’s a thing of beauty to watch a movie so unapologetically Nigerian – yes, Igbo was the language of choice but it is refreshing to be rid of the highfalutin accents and pretentious aura that bedevils most Nollywood films of the past decade.
Cinematography, editing and transitions were competently handled and everything seemed to fit together like components of a well-tuned engine.
This review would not be complete without a mention of the themes explored in this film. While family is the most obvious from the get go, Lionheart expertly takes on gender in the Igbo socio-cultural milieu. Other than the need to save her father’s transportation business, Genevieve’s Ada had to contend with the need to prove herself as being good enough to run the company especially with the men around her.
It was quite nuanced and seeing her battle with a wave of different emotions upon the arrival of her uncle – who turned out to be a ‘ride or die’ fellow – was a joy to watch. The film also bravely takes on intertribal relationships, particularly with the Hausa whom the Igbo have had an historical fractious relationship with.
This is not to say that Lionheart is a perfect movie, far from it. The way the conflict was delivered leaves much to be desired and one wonders if more time should have been spent tightening the script. Were it not for most of the positives in the film, this is a critical flaw that could have marred the entire movie.
For one, it is difficult for a business owner to secure a loan of almost a billion naira without board knowledge or approval. It’s also hard to believe that a competitor attempting to execute a hostile takeover would simply waltz into, and appear to chair a board meeting set up by just one member working in his favour without anyone else’s knowledge.
But this is Nigeria, some of these things happen but it should have been worked better, especially considering that writers like CJ Obasi were on it.
Still, it’s refreshing to see a film with great chemistry among the actors, with the dialogue and scenes doing well to coherently advance the story from start to finish.
Lionheart might not be the finished article as a director but it’s clear that Netflix saw more than just an inroad into the Nigerian movie industry but a good story as well. With this film, Genevieve has achieved in one attempt what a lot of her peers have failed to do and it leaves one excited about the prospects of what she could do going forward.
ABOUT DEOYE
Deoye Falade is a communications professional and writer whose work has spanned both mainstream media and corporate sector. He was among the 20 Young Critics trained by the International Association of Theatre Critics during the 2017 Lagos Theatre Festival. He also contributes features and movie reviews for True Nollywood Stories, AfriReviews and other top media outlets. When he’s not being lazy or up to some mischief on social media, he pretends to express a sane literary side on his blog.
Talented actress, FunkeAkindele and her husband, Abdulrasheed ‘JJC Skillz’ Bello have reportedlywelcomed a set of twins. The boys were delivered in a UK hospital recently andthe couple are reportedly back to Lagos with their bundle of joy.
Funke in her Insta-story in the early hours of Saturday was full of thanks to God for giving her a new name.
“Thank you Lord. Oluwa o tobi. Mo je oruko titun. Emi ti a da lewa Olorun. A ti fi oruko titun pe mi. Eyin oluwa. Thank you Jesus. Iwo loba aseda! Mo fi ogo fun o,” she wrote
