“Nigerians Need This Democracy To Step Up"-Gov. Imoke’s Jamaican Aide

Michael D. Williams is not just one of those run- of the mill professionals, the British born Jamaican is a public relations practitioner of international repute with diverse experience in advertising and hotel management, in fact, getting to meet the unassuming expert for a chat is like having a chanced opportunity to know more about what hospitality has to offer in a broader spectrum.

The lanky middle aged man who’s standing a terrific height of 6ft 2inches, in case you don’t know is one of the aides of Cross River State governor, Mr. Liyel Imoke, he is in charge of the State’s Tourism Bureau in the capacity of managing director.   

Flaunting a quiet mien, but with a discerning dexterity of an experienced international business manager, one of the first topics we dragged was the issue of hotel standards, taking one or two Nigerian hotels as a case study, Michael is of the opinion that, most of the hotels here are not 5-star, “though am not saying there are no good hotels, yeah maybe a few, ever since I got here like four years now, I have travelled far and wide and can’t possibly point out a clear 5-star hotel, fine give it to Wheat Baker in Lagos and a couple like that, but there are more to hospitality than what they offer, the funny thing is, they’re so  expensive for nothing in return”, he noted.

“I have travelled far and wide and I’ve seen properties, I could remember when I assumed office, I took some of my Nigerian staff for a tour of Jamaica, we visited many hotels and they were all saying this is 5-star, this is 5-star and by the time I took them to Royal Plantation, they couldn’t say anything again, a 5-star hotel doesn’t necessarily have to be big but what they offer is the most important, most 5-stars are built in villas of say 4, 5 or even 7 rooms together with an all inclusive service including separate cooks”, he told us.

Before his present job, Michael Williams was the director of the popular Nottinghill Carnival that holds in London every year, “I was the director of the Nottinghill Carnival, I was invited, among other people to be part of the presentation to manage the Cross River State Tourism Board, I never believed I’ll be considered until I was given the portfolio to consult as the Special Assistant To The Governor on Tourism, I spent like a year and a half years before I was seconded to head the Tourism Board as the MD.

 So far, he considered working with Nigerians as both interesting and challenging, ‘I think Nigerians are interesting people to work with and specifically, Governor Liyel Imoke is one of the best persons I’ve ever met on earth, full of humility and dedication, this is a man who will drive by himself at night to inspect several projects being handled by contractors, I think the man is a clear example of what a good leader should be”, he opined.       

On a final note, when Michael was asked on his observation on Nigerian politics, this is what he said, “I’ll say Nigerians don’t know the value of democracy, from my own point of view, I don’t think they realize they can change a whole lot of things by this democratic power, and not until they’re ready to do this will there be the expected change, it is a fabulous country of plenty but being mismanaged by leaders”.

Tunde Moshood              

Mercy Aigbe-Gentry Releases Exclusive Registry Pictures

Nollywood actress Mercy Aigbe Gentry few hours ago released what can best be termed "pictures of the year". The pictures

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 were taken during the court wedding of the super role interpreter and her hotelier hubby Asiwaju Lanre Gentry. cute!

Access Bank's Aig Imokhuede Lays Off 200 Staff..Squanders N200m On Mariah Carey Bash

The managing director of Access Bank, Aig Imokhuede is sure in a party mood, the banking whizkid who just laid off about 200 top staff for no reasons has just lavished close to a N200m (Two hundred million Naira) to bring one of the hottest R &B/ Soul songstress, Mariah Carey from the U.S. This much National Enquirer can reveal.

According to sources, the bank’s management yesterday had a weird end of the year bash at the 3^rd floor of the prestigious Intercontinental hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos and those who attended confided in us that, the fun was unlimited as bottles of champagnes were popped like water.

This office gathered reliably that, the Access Bank MD, Aig had been dreaming of hosting this one in town party where Mariah Carey will host few of his very close friends and confidants, even not all Access Bank’s staff were opportune to attend, yet the party was tagged “Access Bank End Of Year Bash”.

National Enquirer gathered exclusively that, in the front burner of the logistics of bringing Mariah Carey is Aig’s deputy, Herbert Wigwe who’s believed to be stepping in as the new MD, once Aig leaves next year.

“I can’t imagine why a whole bank, an institution entrusted in keeping public fund will embark on such a monumental waste of spending such a stupendous amount on bringing a musician from the U.S for just a party, what kind of party are you doing that can’t pay a Nigerian artiste, we knew that was why he sacked almost 200 staff last month to be able to accommodate the wasteful party and launder some funds, the MD is too randy, that was how they’re using people’s money to acquire private jet, this is somebody that’s lobbying to become governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, his days are definitely numbered, we’re compiling documents of some of his financial atrocities to give to the press soon, we must expose them” one of the aggrieved staff told us.

The stupendously rich MD of Access Bank, Aig was the host of honour yesterday at the grade A party where he was seen feeling cool and having fun at the Mariah Carey party where Champagne and other assortment of quality wines and much to munch were “ACCESS-ibly’ in excess.

Efforts to speak to any of the bank’s corporate communication staff were abortive as their phones rang endlessly without response; we guess they’re still recovering from hangover from the party but we later got to know that, the wild lavish party was meant to send-forth the bank’s MD who’s said to be retiring but at then, spending such money on a send-forth gig is rather too much comparing what our society is saying.   

Jite Usman

 

German Trained Nigerian professionals Hold conference in Ibadan

 Over 150 professionals from Nigeria that were trained in Germany with a scholarship from

the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) will gather in Ibadan from Saturday, 7th to 9th December, 2013 for a conference entitled “Sustainable Development in Africa’s Biggest Oil Producing Economy.”

The conference, which will partly take place at the International Institute of Tropical

Agriculture – IITA and the University of Ibadan, will be officially opened on December

7th, 2013, by HE Dorothee Janetzke-Wenzel, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of

Germany to Nigeria, Professor Adewole, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Dr.

Helmut Blumbach, Director Southern Hemisphere Department at DAAD and Professor Ajayi,

President of the DAAD Alumni Association of Nigeria.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Ambassador Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali

will deliver the keynote address on ‘sustainable development in Africa’s biggest oil producing

economy.’ Furthermore, a delegation of high-profile German and Nigerian academics will contribute to the conference through lectures, workshops and panel discussions. HE Michael Derus, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany to Nigeria and other representatives of German organisations in Nigeria will attend the event as well, making it an excellent occasion

to network.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) is an organisation of German higher

education institutions and their student bodies which promote the internationalisation of the

higher education system. It awards scholarships to outstanding students and researchers in

Germany and abroad, providing them with the opportunity to study or conduct research in a

different country. At the same time, DAAD works to create the institutional and structural

conditions for the transnational university of tomorrow, by funding cross-border university

collaboration.

Since 1960 almost 1700 Nigerian academics have been supported with a DAAD scholarship.

In 2012, 171 Nigerians benefited from such a scholarship. Many alumni have achieved important positions in Nigerian society. In order to maintain, renew, or intensify professional and personal ties with its alumni, DAAD regularly organizes conferences throughout the world with the intention to create a valuable worldwide network.

In 2013, DAAD has worked on the central theme of “Fostering International Sustainability” in

its projects and activities. The Ibadan conference will be the closing event for this thematic

emphasis.

Faith Irabor

“WHY AM HOSTING YEYE ASA FESTIVAL IN NEW YORK”- High Chief, Floxxy Bee

AFTER 16 years on global music stage, Floxxy Bee, the Queen of Hikosso

Music was made the Yeye Asa (Mother of the Source)
of Iyanfoworogi area of Ile Ife last year, 2012 in recognition of her musical achievements and her
efforts over the years to further the musical and cultural traditions of
Nigeria throughout the Diaspora of Africa. Today, her brand of music which
is a  mixture of Highlife, Makossa, Soukous, Juju and Afrobeat have
attracted the attention of African-American communities in United States,
such that heroic awards was given in her honour and citation read on her behalf in the cities
of Boston & New Jersey simultaneously. In giving back to the society, she’s staging the maiden ‘Yeye Asa Festival’, which literally
translates in Yoruba dialect as ‘Mother of Culture’ in New York, United
States on December 7. In this exclusive interview she opens up on the
concept behind the ceremony, awards’ significance and the rest.

What is the aim of the YeYe Asa Festival (YAF)?

The YAF aims to give recognition to African women who project and promote
African culture in a positive light.  It emphasizes the feminine side of
African culture and women’s importance in preserving and adapting African
cultures to the 21st century realities.
What plans have you put in place in ensuring that this historic ceremony
slated for New York on Dec. 7 is epoch-making?

YeYe Asa means ‘Mother of Culture’ and I will put all my power, talent and
effort into making the YAF a success.  The YAF, which seeks to stress and
highlight the contributions and issues of women in our culture, will be
relevant.
What is the significance of ‘Yeye Asa of the Source’ chieftaincy title
given you at Ile Ife?

The significance of my title is that it inspires and encourages me to
devote my musical gifts to preserving our culture.  The title is an honor
and an obligation to work within our culture to preserve it and make it
modern and relevant, difficult in a time where cultures worldwide are
breaking down.
What are the effects of ‘Yeye Asa of the Source’ on Yoruba race in the
Diaspora?

Historically the Yoruba were the dominant cultural force in the Diaspora.
What the Yoruba brought with them in a mostly involuntary displacement to
the New World has survived in various forms up to this day.  Traces of our
rhythms, dance, customs and spirituality can be found virtually in all black
cultures throughout the Diaspora.  The ‘YeYe Asa of the Source’ seeks to
remind us of who we are and that our contributions have not ended, our
Culture still has more to offer.
Can you kindly mention that particular music album of yours that among
other factors earned you ‘Yeye Asa of the Source’?

As you know, most of my recent recordings were done in Nigeria and in
Yoruba language.  It may not be any particular track but my return to my
roots as a passionate lover and propagator of African culture.
What kind of evergreen statement and impression do you wish to leave in
the minds of Africans, Americans who attend your show on Dec.7?

The impression is less in a statement than proving this fact:  Your (our)
African heritage is something to be proud of.
As the Queen of Hikosso music, kindly take us through few of the awards
you have been honored in the entertainment industry?

The many awards I have received are for promoting African music and
culture in the Diaspora.
We heard that your citation was read in Boston and New Jersey.
Kindly tell us about it?

I received the citation while I was in Boston performing with my band
(where I also received the GAIN, Inc Ambassador of Music award).  The
citation from the City of Newark was on the occasion of the US launch of
my Orimitikore album.
We gathered that you will be giving out awards to outstanding women that
have further popularized Nigerian and African cultures in United States;
yet scandal-free. Tell us about it?

Preserving and advancing African culture is not a one woman’s proposition,
it takes all African women.  The YAF is giving awards to three women who,
each in their own way, have been doing so.  The honorees are: Joyce
Adewumi, a Nigerian renowned singer and choreographer, Dione Saoudatou, a
Guinean fashion designer and Olori Kikelomo Adekoya, a Nigerian marketer
of traditional African art and handicraft.  Our aim in giving the awards
is to honor these women and to encourage others to join us in promoting
our culture.
Sure, this concert would have caused you a fortune to package. How much precisely have you spent so far to put Nigerian culture through
your festival on global history?

The cost of the YAF is nothing compared to what is necessary to spend to
preserve our cultures.  Promoting Western culture is a multibillion dollar
enterprise, the effects of which have been devastating to our indigenous
cultures.  It should be a National priority of the Nigerian government to
preserve and support the diversity of our culture but the artists and
artisans are struggling to do so, lest we lose it.
Would this festival be an annual event or a one-off ceremony?

All that we can do is to plant the seed and hope, by the grace of God and
with the help of our ancestors, it grows.
Above all, what is your message to Nigerians, Africans and Americans at
this time?
If we Africans don’t maintain our Culture who will? In our enthusiasm for

all things Western, let us not lose our souls or forget who we are.  To
our American friends, we thank you for your support and encouragement.
Finally, what surprises should the crowd expect from you before, during
and after your live performance in Yeye Asa Festival, New York?
The real surprise is how good we are.  You have to see to believe!