In Pictures: Fashola visits LASAA

Fashola arriving at LASAA- for the visit. With him is George Noah, MD of LASAA

It was a busy day for Nigeria’s Governor Raji Fashola of Lagos state . After returning to Lagos from the visit to Governor Rotimi Amaechi, the embattled governor of Rivers State, Fashola also inspected the new office complex of the Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA) on Mobolaji Johnson Way in Ikeja.
He was accompanied by the commissioner for environment, Tunji Bello.
Fashola was taken round by the Managing Director, Mr George Noah.

Fashola arriving at LASAA. With him is George Noah, MD of the agency

Fashola with Bello, Noah

Noah explains a point of interest to the Governor and Bello

Thanks for visiting: a small gift to Governor Fashola

Eko Oooni baje ooo!!!

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Nigeria Bags 20 Channel O Awards Nominations

• •Tiwa Savage

•Tuface Idibia

As Channel O celebrates a decade of recognising the best African contemporary music talents, Nigerian artistes have notched 20 nominations in this year’s edition of the Channel O Africa Music Video Awards, CHOAMVA.
Nigerian artistes received the CHOAMVA nominations across the relevant categories including four of the six nominations in the Most Gifted African West Video category and another four in the coveted Most Gifted Video of the Year category.
Altogether there are nominees in the 14 categories which include multiple double nods for over 10 artistes from East, West and Southern African.
The category again reveals the mix of newcomers and established artistes at this year’s event – a signal of the growing maturity of Africa’s music scene.
And as part of the celebrations, Channel O has expanded the prestigious Most Gifted Video of the Year category to 12 nominees, increasing the pressure on nominees in the most fiercely fought category at the awards.
In this category are Nigeria’s P-Square (Alingo), Ice Prince (Aboki) and Wizkid (Azonto) which prove their ongoing popularity with the nomination.
They will be in the race to claim Africa’s most prestigious music awards’ top prize alongside Mafikizolo (Khona), Zeus ft AKA & Tumi (Dats Wasup), STL (Stella Stella Stella), Xtatic/AKA & Priddy Ugly (Hit ‘Em Up), AKA (Jealousy), Reason (Do It Like I Can), Fuse ODG ft Wyclef Jean (Antenna), R2Bees (Life Walaahi), and Paul G ft Fabulous (Get Control).

•Tiwa Savage

•Wizkid

The list of nominees is also bursting with new faces, including the five contenders in the Most Gifted Newcomer category –Nigeria’s Burna Boy (Tonight) and Lola Rae (Watch My Ting Go); South Africa’s Moneoa (Is Bhanxa) and Khaya Mthethwa (Move), and Chocolate City’s Kenya’s Victoria Kimani (Mtoto).
2Face Idibia (Ihe Neme) and Davido (Gobe) are in the race for Most Gifted Afro Pop Video with three other African artistes, while Tiwa Savage featuring Don Jazzy (Without My Heart) will slug it out with four other divas across the continent for the Most Gifted Female Video prize.
Also on the nomination list for different categories are Banky W (Yes/No), KCee (Limpopo), D’Prince (Goody Bag), Iyanya (Flavour), Jesse Jagz (Murder Dem), and Chidinma/Ill bliss/Tha Suspect  (Emi Ni Baller).
Analysts said the multiplicity of genres emerging in this highlight category of the 10th Annual CHOAMVA – from Dance Pop to Contemporary Afrobeat and Afro-fusion – provides a brilliant glimpse into the diversity of sounds that currently define Africa’s music scene.
The best of the continent will be unveiled when the CHOAMVA Live event takes place on Saturday, 30 November at Walter Sisulu Square, in Kliptown, Soweto, South Africa.
CONGRATS GUYS!!

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‘I Buy Fake Naira Notes At Alaba Market’- Barawo

 

A DVD seller is now in police custody at Ilasan Division, Lekki, Eti-Osa , southwest Nigeria, over unlawful possession of N15,000 fake N1000 notes.

Chinedu Oneli, 37,  after his arrest allegedly confessed to the police that he buys fake naira notes at Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos,  and surreptitiously exchanges same  for original notes through bus conductors and traders.
According to the police, nemesis caught up with the suspect, who claimed to be from Imo State, southeast Nigeria, when he went to buy a tin of milk with one of the fake N1,000 note at a shop owned by a woman at Jakande Estate, First Gate , Lekki, Lagos.
The trader, it was gathered, discovered that the N1,000 note the suspect brought out to pay for the tin of milk was fake.
And while pretending to be looking for change for Oneli, she allegedly informed some youths in the area about the development.
The youths were said to have confronted the suspect but the suspect simply took to his heels. He was pursued and caught by the youths.
During a search, N15,000  fake N1,000 notes were found in his possession and the youth dragged him to the nearest police station.
During interrogation at the station, the suspect allegedly confessed to that he bought the fake currency notes at Alaba Market, Ojo, Lagos.
Oneli allegedly told the police: “ I am a DVD cassette seller at Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos and I also buy fake N1,000 notes from  Zida Ozegba, a trader at Alaba market. I have been doing the business since 2010. Zida normally sells N8,000 fake notes for original N1,000 and N16, 000 fake notes for original N2,000.
“ I exchange the fake notes for original naira through bus conductors and traders. I will board vehicles and give the conductors N1000 fake notes for a journey of N100 and they will give me N900 change. Before I move around Lagos the whole day, I must have finished spending the whole fake notes in my possession and make enough profit.”
After investigation, the suspect was charged before a Tinubu Magistrate’s court on a one count charge of possession of fake currency notes.
The offence, the prosecutor, Sgt. Ighodalo Daniel said, contravened section 363g of the criminal laws of Lagos state, 2011.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and Magistrate Mrs. Pinhero admitted him on bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum.
She adjourned the matter till 17 October, 2013 for mention. The defendant was taken to Ikoyi Prisons pending when he will fulfill the bail conditions.
Hmm this craze for fast money........

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The death of an innocent girl

A touching poem about an innocent girl who was killed in an accident caused by a drunk driver. Please don’t drink and drive.

I went to a party, Mom, I remembered what you said.
You told me not to drink, Mom, so I drank soda instead.
I really felt proud inside, Mom, the way you said I would.
I didn’t drink and drive, Mom, even though the others said I should.
I know I did the right thing, Mom, I know you were always right.
Now the party is finally ending, Mom, as everyone is driving out of sight.

As I got into my car, Mom, I knew I’d get home in one piece.
Because of the way you raised me, so responsible and sweet.
I started to drive away, Mom, but as I pulled out into the road
the other car didn’t see me, Mom, and hit me like a load.

As I lay there on the pavement, Mom, I hear the policeman say,
the other guy is drunk, Mom, and now I’m the one who will pay.
I’m lying here dying, Mom. I wish you’d get here soon.
How could this happen to me, Mom? My life just burst like a balloon.
There is blood all around me, Mom, and most of it is mine.
I hear the medic say, Mom, I’ll die in a short time.

I just wanted to tell you, Mom, I swear I didn’t drink.
It was the others, Mom. The others didn’t think.
He was probably at the same party as I.
The only difference is he drank and I will die.

Why do people drink, Mom? It can ruin your whole life.
I’m feeling sharp pains now. Pains just like a knife.
The guy who hit me is walking, Mom, and I don’t think it’s fair.
I’m lying here dying and all he can do is stare.

Tell my brother not to cry, Mom. Tell Daddy to be brave.
And when I go to heaven, Mom, put “Daddy’s Girl” on my grave.
Someone should have told him, Mom, not to drink and drive.
If only they had told him, Mom, I would still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter, Mom. I’m becoming very scared.
Please don’t cry for me, Mom. When I needed you, you were always there.
I have one last question, Mom, before I say good bye.
I didn’t drink and drive, so why am I the one to die?

This is the end, mom, I wish I could look you in the eye,
To say these final words, mom, I love you and goodbye.

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Daddy’s time

 
Daddy came home from work late again, tired and irritated, to find his 5 year old son waiting for him at the door.
“Daddy, may I ask you a question?
“Yeah, sure, what is it?” – replied the man.
“Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?”
“That’s none of your business! What makes you ask such a thing?” – the man said angrily.
“I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?” – pleaded the little boy.
“If you must know, I make -N-40,000 an hour.”
“Oh,” the little boy replied, head bowed. Looking up, he said, “Daddy, may I borrow -N-20,000 please?”
The father was furious. “If the only reason you wanted to know how much money I make is just so you can borrow some to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you’re being so selfish. I work long, hard hours everyday and don’t have time for such childish games.”
The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.
The man sat down and started to get even madder about the little boy’s questioning. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money.
After an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think he may have been a little hard on his son. Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that -N-20,000 and he really didn’t ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy’s room and opened the door.
“Are you asleep son?” – he asked
“No daddy, I’m awake.” – replied the boy
“I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier.” – said the man. “It’s been a long day and I took my aggravation out on you. Here’s that -N-20,000 you asked for.”
The little boy sat straight up, beaming. “Oh, thank you daddy!” – he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow, he pulled out some more crumpled up bills. The man, seeing the boy already had money, started to get angry again.
The little boy slowly counted out his money, then looked up at the man.
“Why did you want more money if you already had some?” – the father grumbled.
“Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do.” – the little boy replied. “Daddy, I have -N-20,000 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.”
The father was crushed and he put his arms around his little son.

Author Unknown

It’s just a short reminder to all of us working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. Do remember to share that -N-20,000 worth of your time with someone you love.
If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of hours. But the family & friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.

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