Mr. 'FIX-IT' TONY ANENIH WAS NO PATRIOT, BY SONALA OLUMHENSE 1

Chief Anthony Anenih, one of the most influential chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party from 1999 to 2016 who was widely-known as “Mr. Fix-It,” died last week, aged 85.

A veteran of various political parties since the early 1980s, President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him Minister for Works in his first term. He subsequently served twice as the chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, and of the Board of the Nigeria Ports Authority.

His passing was followed by a heavy avalanche of tributes as frontline politicians praised the Edo State-born politician. Among others, President Muhammadu Buhari, former Presidents Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, and PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar called him a “patriot.”

He was a political colossus and a PDP hero and legend. But he was not a patriot by any stretch of the imagination.

But Buhari extolled him as a “frontline figure” in Nigeria’s political history.

Obasanjo called him “…a national icon and authentic role model…a patriot and a nationalist of no mean order…” Jonathan said Anenih’s name “would continue to appear in gold whenever the history of this country is being rewritten.”

As a culture, we do not speak ill of the dead. Well, we ought never to speak blatant falsehood before God either or betray the living through flagrant hypocrisy. Anenih was clearly and particularly a PDP figure. He was a cold-blooded PDP-partisan who saw Nigeria through the eyes of his party; he never saw PDP through the eyes of Nigeria.

A patriot loves, asserts and defends his or her country passionately; Anenih’s passion was the PDP, right or wrong. To pronounce him a patriot insults both the term and Nigeria.

Did Anenih advocate an overriding public vision of Nigeria; if so, when, and what was it? What was his passion concerning uplifting Nigeria? What moved him to tears and what did he do about it?

Whom did he offend publicly in affirming right over wrong, ours over mine, day over night? Did he champion the cause of clean drinking water for every Nigerian…free and fair elections, free education or healthcare? Did he advocate libraries in towns and villages or opportunities for the gifted?

Was his combat in connection with maternal and child deaths nationwide?

More after the break.

IN CELEBRATION OF AFRICA'S MOST REVERED MONARCH- THE OBA OF BENIN ON HIS 1ST CORONATION ANNIVERSARY

In Salute of the Highly revered monarch, The Oba of Benin.

HRM, OBA EWUARE II, OBA OF BENIN

The King, his wives and kids

His Royal Majesty, Omo N'Oba N'Edo Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II

It's only just one year since the coronation of his royal Majesty the King, Oba Ewuare II, saluted as one of the most revered monarch in the whole of Africa and whose stool is also so revered it doesn't allow for any controversies whatsoever. "Omo N'OBA N'EDO Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II", being the full title and name, is The Oba of the great Benin Kingdom and the revered leader of the proud and historic Bini people of Edo State.

There's the common saying that has become the stuff of legend, where it is commonly said that "Oba no dey leave the Palace", this connotes that at any time the king steps out of his palace, it has to be for only very very important reasons and functions, his is not the stool where, he is just seen just about anywhere and everywhere, just for any reason. So the king and by extension his stool is not taken for granted, neither is it seen as being cheap and therefore very very highly respected.

The current king who took over the baton from his late father, the great Omo N'oba Erediauwa, who reigned from 1979 till 2016 that is 36 long years; has since he came on board and became the King of the Benin empire added a new modern twist to the throne. Just imagine this photoshoot of him and not just him alone, it includes his royal harem and gorgeous kids too!

This shoot was part of the celebration and commemoration of his one year reign on the throne of his forefathers.

We just love the in your face royal red outfit, that is highly favoured by the Benin monarchs, including Oba Ewuare II here and the coral beads of very high value. The "Oomph factor" here is the very handsome king himself who has given the royal garb life and then the gorgeous family portrait.

Congratulations your royal highness, may your reign continue to be very colourful and very impactful and may it as long, if not longer than your father's reign.

Happy first anniversary sir.

CAPTAIN HOSA SET FOR ULTRA MILLION NAIRA WEDDING FOR LUCKY DAUGHTER

Those close to this super duper rich magnate, philanthropist, mega bucks dude by name Captain Hosa are already getting prepared for this "grandmother of all weddings" set for the Edo State capital Benin City, the ancient city of tradition and culture.

We hear that it's planned to be a super exclusive one, that shouldn't have more than a hundred plus at the wedding, some have even speculated that at most between 120 to 150 first class guests at the maximum, that would be expected from near and far. Expect a few Governors, top government officials, a few Nollywood power houses, top business people like the host himself, a good mixture of those that "carry weight".

More after the break. CLICK on read more below

NAMA (FG) VS. ADAMS OSHIOMHOLE- WHAT'S GOING ON?

 The Nigerian Aviation Management Agency (NAMA), yesterday, recalled and grounded an airborne OAS Helicopter ferrying Governor Adams Oshiomhole to Awka, Anambra State for the funeral service of the late Mrs. Colette Obi, wife of Senator Ben Obi, Special Adviser, Political Matters to the President.

Pilot of the helicopter, Captain James Manahash, a Filipino, said "I was surprised that I was recalled after taking-off from Government House because I had communicated with the control tower on radio.

"We were already airborne when we got the call to return to the airport and was even threatened that failure to do so would lead to complete grounding of the aircraft. The governor prevailed on me to return and listen to them.

"When we got back to the airport, I was told to pay landing and aerodrome fees which ordinary we could pay later because we were already airborne.

"Even after completion of the process of payment within 10 minutes, we were still delayed for one hour fifteen minutes. The Governor left in anger after that.

"I am surprised by this development because this is not the first time I would be coming to Benin to fly the governor.

"I was even threatened, after payment, that the aircraft will be grounded completely if I argued with them. I have flown for 35 years, seven of which I spent in Nigeria and this is the first time I am encountering a situation like this. I do not know what problem they have with the governor.”

Managing Director of the OAS Helicopters, Mr Everest Nnaji, who was contacted, expressed shock over the incident, saying that “I am still making calls to find out exactly why they did not allow the pilot fly the helicopter conveying the governor to Anambra state. I am really angry, I don’t know why they did that and that is why I am still trying to make contact because we have no problems with NAMA.

EDO STATE IN FOR A TREAT AS PATRICK OBAHIAGBON BECOMES THE NEW CHIEF OF STAFF

HONOURABLE PATRICK OBAHIAGBON

We believe the whole world knows who the new Chief of Staff in Edo State is. Known very much by all for his extraordinary command of English, especially in the use of highfaluting words or should we say bombastic expressions to explain normal things. 

The indefatigable & Honourable gentleman has just been appointed as the new Chief of Staff to the re-elected Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomole. Before now, Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon was a member of the House of Representatives, but lost in his re-election bid at the last election.

We congratulate him on his new post and await his response to the new appointment.

Just a little reminder of one of his many speeches on the state of the nation- 

“This was the gobbledegook of the kpotokios in the crass and macadam vituperation of our grey matter from the terminus a quo to the terminus ad quem of their colonial peregrination and I dare say that FIFTY TWO YEARS after our flag and territorial shambolic autarky, our modus vivendi both at the leadership and followership sub-stratum still exudes and sustains that kpotokian diatribe.
This is indeed the sphinxian conundrum of a Nation at FIFTY TWO.”

OSHIOMHOLE TAKES THE CAKE, SLAM DUNKS THE OPPOSITION

Wow!!! It is official; Governor Adams Oshiomhole is in for another 4 years. Everyone is eagerly waiting to hear what the paperweight opposition would claim made them lose the battle. But however it is, no matter what they try to do now, we don't think the supposed heavyweight opposition can do anything anymore. Except like many have brought to our attention that if care is not taken a magic show could still happen. From the little we have seen and heard, that kind of magic might be suicidal.

One major thing the election has made clear to all and sundry is that the will of the people cannot be suppressed, even if they try, the people could erupt and demand for a change. No matter who the Goliaths are. So where are all the godfathers? We had thought that with the so-called 2 Billion they were supposedly given and the Federal might they would have done far better than they did. It's so obvious now that they are paperweights, just pretending to have influence. We just hope in the name of God, that this signifies that paradigm shift; we have all being clamoring for.

The fake weighted people had thought they could trample on the support of the royal father, who we heard had prior to the election given his backing to the incumbent. 

And the thing is, Governor Adams Oshiomhole won by a landslide, even if they multiplied their numbers by 2, they would still have lost out, even if all others in the opposition gave their votes to the PDP, they would still have lost out. This is victory for democracy and ultimately victory for the people. 

Congratulations Governor Adams, we hope you would not disappoint your people. 

MISS CROSS-RIVER-ISABELLE AYUK IS THE NEW MBGN 2012

Waoh! After what some would call a grueling battle. With 32 beauty queens representing 31 states and the Federal Capital: all vying for the chance to wear the crown as the new MBGN 2012. The delegate from Cross-River- Miss Isabelle Ayuk was a few hours ago declared the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria- 2012. The lucky winner won for herself a brand spanking new Toyota Corolla car donated by the Edo State government, also an unspecified cash reward, a Cartier wrist-watch, said to be worth a Million Naira- donated by Polo Ltd and a ticket from Lufhtansa Airlines- to go anywhere in the world, that the airline flies to. She would be representing Nigeria at the next Miss World Pageant coming up in Mongolia in August of 2012.

The 1st runner-up was Miss Rivers- Charles Granville-Damiete, who would be representing the country at the next Miss Universe Competition before the year ends.

The 2nd runner-up was Miss Abuja-Ifeoma Umeokeoke- Who would be representing Nigeria at the Miss Tourism International, later in 2012.

The 3rd runner-up was Miss Kaduna- Joyce Ngozi Chidebe and the 4th runner-up was Miss Osun- Okafor Christabel Nkechinyere.

Truth be told, the 25th anniversary edition of Nigeria's most prestigious beauty pageant, was a bit lacklustre. Maybe it was because of Benin where it held or it was the way the broadcast was viewed, something was clearly missing. We would even like to suggest that the organisers need to bring in some new and exciting blood to help galvanize the pageant.

Many of those we also spoke with did not enjoy the performances by the artistes at all, all these might have been because one was expecting too much from the organisers, having at the back of the mind that it was a very special edition- the 25th Anniversary. A bird had whispered into our ears (though not confirmed) that the organisers had tried to get -former Pussy Cat Dolls lead Singer- Nicole Scherzinger to be a a special guest at the occasion, but apparently it didn't work out or they couldn't meet her demands.

One hopes that there would be major improvements at subsequent editions.

We wish the newly crowned queen, a scandal-free and very successful reign.

The night's other winners were-

Miss Photogenic- Miss Edo

Miss Amity- Miss Taraba

Face of Select Pro- Miss Kwara- Tomilayo Salami

Best Traditional outfit - Miss Cross River, who is also the new MBGN 2012.

25 YEAR OLD WINNER-ISABELLE AYUK

MISS RIVERS- 1ST RUNNER UP

MISS ABUJA-2ND-RUNNER-UP. EVERYONE'S FAVOURITE

MISS KADUNA-3RD RUNNER-UP

MISS OSUN-4TH RUNNER-UP

MBGN 2012 CONTESTANTS REVEALED- who is/are your favourite(s).

This year's edition like you all already know is the silver jubilee edition. We are all expecting some new things & surprises from the organisers. It would take away from the excitement, if it’s the same old thing that’s been done year in, year out. Now that the venue for this year’s edition is in Benin, Edo State, will the goddess of beauty favour the contestant from Edo State? Who amongst the 32 gorgeous and highly expectant ladies is favoured to win the crown? Whose head is big enough to wear the highly coveted crown? Come May 5, 2012 the lucky one would be revealed for all to see.

Meanwhile, we have the pictures of the 32 state queens, vying for the ultimate prize- the MBGN 2012 Crown. We would like you all to be the judges, if you were to choose from the 32, who would you all pick, who would be your favourite. What if your votes count?

Check out the pictures and tell us your thoughts.


MISS ABIA- ONUOHA GLORY

MISS ABUJA- IFEOMA UMEOKEKE

MISS ADAMAWA- OFOMAH CHISOKWUE

MISS AKW-IBOM- ESTHER EPHRAIM

MISS ANAMBRA- ELSIE ANULI DIKE

MISS BAUCHI- OKOLO OBIANUJU