Entertainment
How Africans Vandalise Africa: A Review
Title: How African Vandalise Africa
Pages: 407
Author: Adaobi Whyte
Reviewer: Shedie Okpara
How Africans Vandalise
Africa (Focusing Nigeria) is a book authored by Chief (Mrs) Adaobi Whyte and launched on Thursday, November 10, 2016 in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. Though it is said, “Do not judge a book by its cover,” this book is an exception to the norm as its cover with an imprint of the map of Africa actually focuses on the African continent inhabited by the black race.
Both the cover and the title of the book speak for itself; it is not only an interesting piece which arouses curiosity, but also explosive, controversial and enigmatic, it is about Africa vis-à-vis the blackman. Even without the title one can easily deduce that the book is about Africa. The book exposes and laments the destiny, slave mentality and wickedness of the black man from the indigenous slavery to the cross Atlantic Slave trade, importation of Christianity and the Islamic religion into Africa.
The book also highlights the religious exploitation, commercialisation, fanatism and hypocrisy in Africa as well as colonisation, vandalisation and destruction of the continent. It exposes how Africans have imposed upon themselves, slave masters, dictators and sit-tight leaders, creating obstacles to the development of the rich continent, these religious and political leaders represent a creature who has eyes and ears that neither sees or hears.
According to the author, the three tragedies that have befallen Africa are indigenous slavery, cross-Atlantic slave trade, apartheid, importation of artificial Christianity and Islam into Africa as well as the recent Chinese colonization among others.
A glance at chapter one of the book tells us about how the Niger Delta region of Nigeria remains a shining example of how African leaders have failed at home and abroad for if the foreigner is not oppressing him, he must be oppressing his brother. Describing the Niger Delta as the treasure base of Nigeria and the goose that lays the golden egg, the writer expresses fear for the negative attitude of the African leaders towards God, even as most of them have turned themselves to demigods. The author blamed the deplorable state of the Niger Delta on the leaders of the region.
Chapter four of the book focuses on the failed efforts of the British colonial masters to stabilize Nigeria after Independence in 1960.
Discussing on the topic, “Federalism: The Nigeria Experience, the author states that the leaders failed to foresee that the tensions of combining federalism, the parliamentary system and regional interests would cause crisis capable of plunging the country into a civil war characterised by bitterness and vengeance.
The author also noted that the inability of Nigerian leaders to negotiate successfully some special problems and complex political forces made nonsense of our parliamentary system of government which landed the country into executive presidential system and will be judged on how far it had succeeded first in solving our special problems of diverse tongues and conflicting interests and cultures … so essential in the founding of a nation.
Nigeria: A case study of blackman’s evil upon fellow blacks is another issue treated in Chapter Six of the book. The author cited the case of the wickedness of the whites on blacks in South-Africa linking it to that of the black Africans on fellow blacks from the Nigerian experience. In that chapter, the writer asserted that Europeans inherited civilisation from Egypt and Asia, developed the system and imported it back into Africa, while the black man inherited the developed system from the whites and engaged in onward destruction.
The author noted that despite man’s faulty nature, the Whiteman has used his acquired resources to build his country, while the blackman destroys his God-given resources. The whites used their knowledge to develop the alphabets that we use today, but the blackman goes to higher institutions to learn mere paperwork. An African president or Head of State sits in his office like the Pharisees receives the nation’s revenue and embezzles the money and shares some to his cronies, while the country begs for development and economic empowerment.
The author in chapter twenty three stated that over five decades, after independence, the black man was better of under the whites. Despite the shortcomings of the whites, they exported beautiful things to Africans including good food, shelter, medical care, better environment and education, but today, the black leaders have vandalised all that the whites imported into Africa.
Other interesting and tantalizing topics that stimulate a good reading of the four-part and 407-page book include “Oppression: The Ndoni Kingdom Experience,” “The Unbroken Curses,” “The Nigerian Presidency in Retrospect,” “The Nigerian National Assembly and Abortive Probes,” Fulani Herdsmen and the Nigerian Farmers,” “the Potentials of the Blackman,” among others.
The author of the book, Chief (Mrs) Adaobi Whyte is a renowned fashion designer, horticulturist, critic/social crusader, mother, politician and writer. Privileged with only the basic primary education, Standard six, as it was called then, the Ndoni-born author has over the years, developed her knowledge by reading and seeking experience in many other areas of life.
She has also proved, through her contribution to life and everything about her that determination is the key to success. Adaobi has four other books: “Abuse of the Nigerian Child,” “Plight of the Nigerian Woman,” “Dr. Peter Otunuya Odili: Threading the path of Destiny” and Ndoni Kingdom and Peaceful Co-existence” to her credit, which are currently in the market.
Indeed, the book is people’s book of lamentations, well written and it will cause many university students and graduates feel challenged to record such outstanding achievements in their lifetime. It is a good source for research students and scholars. The book is recommended for all seekers of historical, socio-political and cultural greatness.
Entertainment
Ijaw Nation Day Festival Begins, Today
All is now set for the three-day cultural event tagged, Ijaw ‘Nation Day Festival’ expected to commence today, in Lagos State.
The fiesta is organised by Miebaka Aggo, a professional cyclist and an Ijaw son who is currently based in Lagos State.
Aggo, who disclosed this to The Tide Entertainment yesterday, said that the cultural event which is organised annually, serves as a reminder of the Ijaw culture to the ijaws residing in Lagos State
’For the cultural festival is to show the Ijaws in Lagos our tradition, so they don’t forget,’ he said.
According to him, the fiesta will feature cultural displays such as masquerades, Ijaw dance performances, boat regatta and traditional wrestling, arts and crafts displays and musical performance.
Meanwhile, preparations are ongoing to host a traditional sports festival this year end in Bayelsa Sate or Rivers State of the Niger Delta region.
‘“The traditional sports festival will be held in Niger Delta this year end or early next year. It is a big budget,” he explained.
He mentioned that the organisers are hopeful of sponsorship from companies and well-meaning individuals in the region.
Sports to be contested for include
1. Wrestling
2. Swimming
3. Canoeing
4. Draft
5. Aquathlon(run, swim, run respectively)
6. Triathlon (bike, swim, run)
“However, 5 and 6 are borrowed Olympic sports that favour our region because we can swim, but the major sports to expect are wrestling, swimming and canoeing,” he said.
Nancy Briggs
Entertainment
Life And Times Of Goddy Oku
“In his book, ‘The Wings’, drummer-turned-guitarist, Manford Best, wrote extensively and glowingly of the pivotal role Goddy played in his music career, in the face of his (Manford’s) natural challenge”
On Friday, January 19, 2024, Chief Tony Okoroji, the Chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Uche Emeka Paul, Sir Angus Power Nwangwu and other members of COSON were in Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area, Anambra State to pay the last respects of COSON to Engr Goddy Ogomegbunam Oku. Describing Oku as an “iconic musician…long-term motivator of the music industry…leader of the Hygrades, proprietor of Godiac Studios…a great man and a true genius”, Chief Okoroji draped the casket with the flag of COSON. To perform this rite of passage, Okoroji flew in from Lagos, Paul flew in from Abuja, Nwangwu drove in from Enugu and other members arrived from various states reflecting the esteemed regards Goddy Oku commanded in the COSON family. My experience with Goddy Oku and those of others as contained in the following dirge epitomise the essence of Okoroji’s graveside oration. Goddy was really a “long-term motivator of the music industry”.
During the Nigerian civil war, my family took refuge in Umuchima, down the valley at the outskirts of Orlu, Imo State. One evening, my father returned from Orlu with a message from my friend, Emeka Ifejika, that Biafra Army Officers Training School (BAOTS) was setting up a pop band and they were searching for a bass guitarist. Goodness gracious!!! I was the bassist of The Hardnuts, my defunct teenage band in Port Harcourt; so, I saw it as the opportunity to avoid conscription, which had intensified at the time. Very early the next morning, I sneaked through the back into the sprawling scenic compound of Bishop Shanaham College, Orlu, which housed BAOTS and, as God would have it, I met Goddy Oku. For three hours, he drilled me on bass guitar playing, basic chord progressions and eventually accepted me as bassist/vocalist of the proposed band. An identity card and a “Pass” were quickly prepared to enable me return to Umuchima the next day, pick up my personal effects and report for duty.
With Dona Dyke (Donatus Nwadike) on drums and Goddy on lead guitar/vocals, we became The Silhouettes, a power trio that played side-by-side Sunny Nwamama of “Umunwanyi ji ukwu achodi” fame. That was at a time Jimi Hendrix Experience, James Gang, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Cream, Grand Funk Railroad and other Power Trios were hip in Europe and America but hadn’t emerged in the West African music scene; so, our ensemble was peculiar or odd, if you prefer.
One day, Warrant Officer Murphy introduced a young man by name Justus Nnakwe (JU-Xperience) to Goddy and appealed that he (Justus) should be taught an instrument. Within two weeks, Goddy drilled Justus and transformed him from a complete neophyte to a rhythm guitarist. Eventually, JU had his first outing and The Silhouettes morphed into a four-some at an event for the Commandant of BAOTS, Colonel Tim Onwuatuegwu. Thereafter, Goddy groomed a singer whose entry gave the band a greater body and earthy sound. At the end of the civil war, I returned home to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, cofounded The Blackstones Band in January 1970 and chased the stars until 1972 when societal and family pressure leashed me back to school in the United States where I consistently earned pocket change thru playing guitar; the trade in which Goddy Oku groomed and gowned me.
Goddy mentored numerous artists in his days; the list is virtually endless. Sonny Okosuns, John Kerry, Nelly Uchendu, Panam Percy Paul, Chris Okotie, Felix Liberty, Felarday, Clement Amaechi and a host of others. Kenny Koburn (KK) once reminisced on how he broke bounds in high school to watch The Blackstones perform at Golf Course Hotel, Owerri in the early 1970s. Enamored by the performance of the bassist of the band, KK said he dropped out of school and headed to Enugu where he was tutored to play bass guitar by Goddy Oku. Subsequently, KK co-founded Founders Fifteen of Port Harcourt. In his book, ‘The Wings’, drummer-turned-guitarist, Manford Best, wrote extensively and glowingly of the pivotal role Goddy played in his music career, in the face of his (Manford’s) natural challenge. Before his demise, Prof Frank Onyezili (Frank Zilly of The Fractions) narrated to me the crucial role Goddy played in his music career before he returned to school. Goddy it was who played the classical guitar interlude in “Igede” by Celestine Ukwu. Arguably, “Igede” stands out as the first instrumental music in the Highlife genre and one of the most memorable songs of Celestine Ukwu.
Over the years, Goddy and I maintained contact and I visited him periodically. We even planned that he’d do one week with me in Port Harcourt and we’d embark on a musical pilgrimage to Abak, Akwa Ibom State to visit Emmanuel Ntia of Solo Hit fame, but that didn’t come to fruition. However, when JU came home in April 2021, I hopped into Enugu on the 13th and the three of us spent one night of reminiscences. We put two mattresses on the floor in Goddy’s parlor and played guitar and talked all night. We relived our collective experiences and walked through the engagements we played during the civil war. It was a memorable night.
JU Xperience, Goddy and
The next morning, April 14, 2021, we took a group photograph without realising that that would be the last time we’d see each other. First, JU sailed to the great beyond in far away China and now Goddy is gone; a rather grim reminder of my sitting at the “Departure Lounge of Life”.
May the creative soul of Godfrey Ogomegbunam Oku rest in the Bosom of God, Amen.
Jason Osai
Entertainment
TB Joshua:This Is Why Victims Do Not Speak Up -Seun Kuti
Seun Kuti has weighed in on the ongoing controversy regarding late Nigerian Prophet, TB Joshua, and states that the vilification of victims is why they do not speak up.
Seun Kuti does not believe that all people who do good things are completely good people.
“I don’t care if he took your family to space, you aren’t everybody,” he said.
The Tide Entertainment reports that the singer aired his views on the issue on Wednesday, charging “religious people” to “do better.”
“Eyin Elebi. Once person someone shares money and rice for people, he is a good person automatically,” he said.
”When this man was alive, he was sooo powerful that his criminal negligence, according to state coroner in Lagos led to the death of 84 people and he didn’t spend one second in police station and you want some young women to come and do what?! When Timis wife came out, you all turned a married woman to a prostitute like magic! That’ is why victims do not speak up!! E du Betta, religious people!!”
Going further, he slammed people who defend the late prophet on the grounds that he helped them one way or another, stressing that the experience of some is not the experience of all people.
In his words, “I don’t care if he took your family to space, and he was good to you, you are not everybody! Because a politician helped one person he would prove to the world that the man is a ‘good person!’ News flash- YOU ARE NOT EVERYBODY!!!”
The late prophet and his church have become the subject of controversy after a three part documentary produced by the BBC, highlighted the negative experiences of ex-Synagogue Church of all Nations members, who called the church “a cult”. Some women also accused TB Joshua of rape, forced abortions, child abuse and overall abuse. These claims have become a topic of discourse ever since with some siding with the church and others choosing to believe the victims.
However, the church has denied all the allegations.
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