HURRICANE FASHOLA

I have been told several times that I am handsome. Yes. You heard me; I am handsome! As difficult as it is for you to swallow, many ladies have told me that I suffer from 'SEXYLITIS' and as such I have unwittingly earned the title; 'HIS ROYAL SEXINESS'. Aint my fault was born that way! Anyways, before you start to swoon over tales of my beauty and sexiness, I will love to let you know that I grew up practically all my life in Jakande estate, Isolo and for five years i went through Mushin frequently on my way to school, so I possess some latent uncivilized proclivities. Bottom line, I can be 'bush' if I set my mind at it. So it did not shock me last week when, on impulse, I decided to stop at Ladipo on my way to work to eat yam and beans by the railway.

After some minutes of complete oblivion, enthralled by the magnificence of the delicacy, I began to take in my environment: people assuming different positions, unabashedly smoking weed! The atmosphere was filled with its stench and for a while I thought I was going to throw up. And that’s when I started to ask myself; if this people could do this in an open environment, what else could have happened under the cover of ‘inconspicuity’? That is when I started to appreciate the work of Governor Raji Babatunde Fashola. Whoever said we get the politicians we deserve obviously did not envision BRF. In the midst of a perverse generation, convolved in an intricate knot of mediocrity, avarice and unpatriotic manifestations, BRF stands out like a sore thumb.

The events of the past few months have left Lagosians in a state of awe-inspiring shock. Although we had clamored for change in certain areas, when it came, it did so in a manner most unpredictable and speed highly unprecedented. The level of growth and development in Lagos is one we would not have expected for another ten years. Perhaps, there is hope for the future. BRF has successfully done more for the outlook of Lagos and the Spirit of Lagosians than any Governor since ALHAJI LATEEF JAKANDE. I am not particularly a supporter of any party or person and even during the elections i was endeared to the DPA candidate Jimi Agbaje, but I am strongly of the opinion that if someone does a laudable job, he should be commended immediately; not after his death!

BRF has taken a resolute step towards the strategic alignment of Lagos and his efforts seem to yield tremendous results. In one bold sweep, he cleaned up Oshodi, Mushin and other notorious places in a way that would have inspired OMO and KLIN.
This success has not been limited to the demolition, of illegal shops, shanties and homes, which swept through the metropolis like a hurricane.

1. OSHODI AFTER

2. BEFORE

...Fashola's Post Production effects.

The Beautification process of Lagos has been overwhelming. His talk about his administration combating employment, environmental issues, road construction and management has in the least been carried out with some success. The result: a people aflame with a genuine love for the state. However this level of progress has generated mixed reactions from the general populace. Some have stated that the governor's hurricane-like sanitation is nothing but a flagrant disregard for the rule of law. Others, cynical over any allusion to a great Nigeria; express fear over the developments being merely a placebo administered solely for the gratification of our frayed nerves.

I, BRIGGS, P.U., would only want to dwell in the present, in hope and in faith. May history be the judge!

WHERE IS AGE BEEKA?

My love for music is a given. I am drawn to a person's mind; his ability to articulate in unambiguous, intellectual terms what he feels. This is what attracted me to Age Beeka.
Listening to his songs on my phone evokes a passion within my spirit that words cannot describe. His soft voice, though meek and gentle, radiates energy similar to the suns’. Age Beeka enthralled me early on when I heard an acapella rendition of ‘’Angelica’’ on Music Africa. Immediately afterwards, my detailed military manhunt for him and his began. I garnered some tips from Gulder Ultimate Search, added them to my arsenal and hit the streets. My search didn’t yield much result for years, despite my military tactics, until a friend of mine; Andrew Adigwe gave me the debut album - Age.

Age Beeka, born 7th Dec, 1975 captivated Nigerians with his debut album titled ‘Age’ with songs like 'Angelica', 'Trusting in the destiny', 'Girl of my dreams', 'Gift of God'. With an inspirational lyrical pad and mellifluous voice, accentuated by a dexterous touch on several instruments including the guitar, piano and drums, Age is a musician in the class of the gods.

His entry into the music industry, though orchestrated by happenstance circumstances, was highly inevitable as his love for music created a surge in his early years and since then Age has been relentless in his pursuit. Really Age may not pass with the Nostradamus phenomenon, but when it comes to music...Age saw the future. As I lay on my bed letting my mind get soaked with the rhythms and essence from several of his tracks, I couldn’t help but agree that Age came ahead of his time.

If you are anytime like me, the first awestruck feeling I had, reverberated from the realization that he his Nigerian. At the time his single hit the airwaves in 2002, many were unsure if this good thing can really come out of Nazareth (speaking of Naija), his nationality became an issue on the street, in the buses. People started to troop into his residence to ascertain his identity.


Driven by excellence, he began by personally studying music great artiste of all times in the likes of; Mozart, Beethoven and a host of others. After, his first album, he attended a music school in Los Angeles where he developed his love for music into a first class item. I say first class, because the standards of the world are unworthy to serve as a yardstick in classifying his kind of music.

Age like his name is boundless as he easily connects with people from all ages. Though, in some shallow farce one could easily dismiss him as foreign with the wave of hands. Nonetheless, Age’s music transcends nationality, tribe or social status. It is for those who appreciate the intricacies of professional music, and whose heart resonates with unsaid words.

After his first album, which was heard by a handful of music lovers, he totally dropped off the radar. Whispers have been heard about a second album and some stage appearances, but really nothing substantial.

In view of all that has been raised so far, one would think that Age would play a key role in projecting the Nigerian music brand but alas, the Nigerian music scene is a theatre with elements of mediocrity and gross ineptitude, on display riding on a platform of ephemeral financial profitability. Age’s romance with oblivion does not therefore come as a shock as he has become anachronistic in a world where mediocrity has become the new excellence.
Nevertheless, all who have caught a glimpse into his soul attests of his addictive ability. A single ‘drag’ on his lyrics, instrumentals and productive prowess leaves one hooked to his passion, excellence and infallible talent.

Age Beeka has effortlessly ravaged our souls, invaded our beings and disrupted our lifestyles, but we do not complain. We are content. But as our proclivities oscillate us towards the status quo, towards bland music; inspired by perversely hollow minds and dominated by empty, mediocre lyrics, we can only ask; WHERE IS AGE BEEKA?

WHEN LAST DID YOU HAVE INTERCOURSE?

After spending the night at Ferdinand’s house, discussing God, Nigeria and love, I was ready to indulge my delusions of royalty. The thought of my king sized bed awaiting my arrival invaded my mind and I was impatient to get back home. I left the office as quickly as I could, and designed by fate and delivered by sheer happenstance, I met Funky (Funke Sopein-Mann) in Oshodi. Funky doubles as my elder sister and the love of my life. Despite the age disparity, she is one person that I feel extremely comfortable with. She knows just how to patiently listen to me and draw out my deepest thoughts and feelings. Since she just came back from SA, we had a lot to catch up on. As she always does, she patiently listened as I revelled in my moment of bragadocious ramblings on my life, future and passion. After a while though, the discussion shifted to the nation, the future and possibilities. It was then I saw a side of Funky that I had never seen. It was a fire that I recognised. A deep desire to effect a change in the society. We talked for a while and it was what prompted this write up.

THE NIGERIAN CLIME….

Nigeria, a wonderful nation is sadly one created to administrate and not to produce. As years roll by, universities churn out graduates into a very competitive global society. Young graduates plagued by a chronic myopia which affects the depeest centre of their spiritual minds jettison their dreams in search for the highest paying jobs. So the guy who always wanted to become the world’s greatest communicator, ends up being a banker and the lady who always wanted to be a top sewage diposal expert ends up working in an oil firm. Their reason? Frustration and impatience!

Frustration? Impatience? Hell yeah! These are emotions I am all too familiar with. Impatience and pain is watching helplessly as your mother rushes out to work at 6:00am only to return at the most ungodly hours for 31 years. My hands are tied, I want to salvage the situation, to make enough money to force her into resignation but I am helpless. In the obscure labyrinth called my mind, I roam aimlessly searching for answers to questions produced by my heart. Am I stupidly ignoring the facts? Is my obstinacy just another act borne out of youthful exuberance? Do I decide to work in a bank or an oil firm, instead of pursuing my vision to be the world’s greatest brand strategist? Do I abdicate my responsibilty to the world to face a more pressing call to my family?

NO! This Nigerian clime which threatens to asphyxiate our dreams and obliterate our hopes is not enough to stop us. Our spirit as a Nigerian people is strong, tough and resilient by default. We refuse to falter even in the face of staggering opposition. We are tenacious to the point of oobstinacy in the pursuit of our dreams. The truth remains that if that does not happen and we continue to overflood these “choice” industries, the system will collapse.
So we stick to our purpose; how? INTERCOURSE.

INTERCOURSE…

This subject is more spiritual than physical. Albert Einstein said that you cannot create a solution at the same level of thinking you were in when you created the problem. Whatever dream you have in life, there is a person who has walked that road before. Someone who functions on a higher pedestal in your line of vision. So you engage in the act the Greeks refer to as koinonia. A fellowship. A mingling of spirits. You pick these mentors, connect with the aura they exude. Drink of them. Rub minds together. Engage in high level intellectual and cerebral discourse. This process is what develops you and gives you a higher playing field to function from. With the advent of globalisation and its resultant effect – the death of distance, it is great to know that this intercourse process can transcend the barriers imposed by nationality. You can undergo a fellowship with a person you have never and may never meet. You doubt it? Visit Facebook.
But remember, the intercourse is not the only process in eliciting the “eureka of a lifetime.” You need to take the next step!

GESTATION.

The purpose of the fellowship, mingling and intercourse is for you to create your pool of resources. But the gestation period is actually the defining moment of the process. Here, you connect with God and your inner person. You process all the information with the mind of the spirit. Here you develop all the ideas you have, brooding upon them, setting things in place for the ultimate awakening. This process is what has given birth to the world’s greatest ideas. Remember to detach yourself from the crowd to enable a seamless fermentation process.

DELIVERY

..when the clouds are filled with rain, they empty themselves upon the earth.

Your great idea might be the one that charts the course for the next generation. It could be the defining idea that liberates the world in the next period of global meltdown. Beleve it or not, we have not seen the end of the days of austerity measures and depleting economies.
After your process of intercourse and gestation, you are conditioned by nature to deliver. It is not a decision you take. It is ochestrated by the grand design of the universe. It does not require concious effort. It just happens.

INNOVATION is a powerful tool in fixing this decrepit society which is unwittingly driven towards annihilation. You cannot afford to conform to the norm. Your ideas can be the single key which positions Nigeria positively on the world map. Your idea can catalyse our journey towards nationhood. We have to build our capacity to produce and it all begins with you.

ARE YOU READY FOR INTERCOURSE?