Drug kingpin El Chapo declares war on ISIS with chilling threat

Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, one of the world's most wanted drug lords has reportedly 'declared war' on the Islamic State in a threatening letter for destroying his cartel' shipment that went through the Islamic state's caliphate. He sent an encrypted email to the ISIS leader Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi after one of his cartel's shipments was destroyed by them. His letter, which has been leaked by cartelblog.com, claims his men will "destroy" the terror group if they continue to 'impact on their operation'. The Mexican drug baron, who runs the notorious
Sinaloa cartel, allegedly told Al Baghdadi that his organisation are 'not soldiers' but 'lowly p*****s'. He allegedly wrote: "Your god cannot save you from the true terror
that my men will levy at you if you continue to impact my operation. "My men will destroy you. The world is not yours to dictate. I pity the next son of a wh*** that tries to interfere with the business of the Sinaloa Cartel. "I will have their heart and tongue tDrug kingpin El Chapo declares war on
ISIS with chilling threat
Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, one of the world's most
wanted drug lords has reportedly 'declared war' on the
Islamic State in a threatening letter for destroying his
cartel' shipment that went through the Islamic state's
caliphate. He sent an encrypted email to the ISIS leader
Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi after one of his cartel's shipments
was destroyed by them.
His letter, which has been leaked by cartelblog.com,
claims his men will "destroy" the terror group if they
continue to 'impact on their operation'.
The Mexican drug baron, who runs the notorious
Sinaloa cartel, allegedly told Al Baghdadi that his
organisation are 'not soldiers' but 'lowly p*****s'.
He allegedly wrote:
"Your god cannot save you from the true terror
that my men will levy at you if you continue to
impact my operation.
"My men will destroy you. The world is not
yours to dictate. I pity the next son of a wh***
that tries to interfere with the business of the
Sinaloa Cartel.
"I will have their heart and tongue torn from
them.”
El Chapo, nicknamed "Shorty", has been on the run
from police since he escaped from the maximum security
Altiplano prison - 55 miles west of Mexico City - in
July.

NUC RELEASES LIST OF TOP UNIVERSITES IN NIGERIA


The National University Commission (NUC), has
released its annual university rankings and named
University of Ibadan in Oyo state as the top tertiary
institution in Nigeria.
The body, which is responsible for accreditation of
schools, put University of Lagos in second place and
rated Covenant University as the best private
university.
Below is the 2013 Top 100 NUC University Ranking in
Nigeria.
2013 TOP 100 University In Nigeria by NUC
1. University of Ibadan, UI
2. University of Lagos, Unilag
3. University of Benin, Uniben
4. Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU
5. Ahmadu Bello University, Abu
6. University of Ilorin, Unilorin
7. University of Jos, Unijos
8. University of Port Harcourt, Uniport
9. University of Maiduguri, Unimaid
10. University of Agriculture, Abeokuta,
11. Lagos State University, Lasu
12. Federal University of Technology, Futo
13. Covenant University, CU
14. University of Nigeria, UNN
15. Federal University of Technology, Futa
16. Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Unizik
17. Enugu State University of Science and Technology,
Esut
18. Pan African University
19. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology. lautech
20. Modibbo Adama University of Technology
21. African University of Science and Technology
22. University of Uyo, Uniuyo
23. Bayero University Kano, Buk
24. Ambrose Alli University, AAU
25. Redeemer’s University,
26. Babcock University
27. Federal University of Technology,
28. University of Calabar, Unical
29. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture,
30. Ajayi Crowther University
31. Bowen University
32. Rivers State University of Science and Technology,
Rsust
33. Lead City University
34. Crawford University
35. Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU
36. Abia State University, Absu
37. Usmanu Danfodio University,
38. Igbinedion University
39. Imo State University, Imsu
40. Niger Delta University
41. Bells University of Technology
42. Kwara State University
43. Nasarawa State University
44. Caleb University
45. Obong University Obong
46. Adekunle Ajasin University
47. Ekiti State University,
48. American University of Nigeria
49. Joseph Ayo Babalola University
50. Veritas University Abuja
51. Afe Babalola University
52. Kaduna State University Kaduna
53. Osun State University Oshogbo …
54. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University Katsina
55. Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ndufu-Alike
56. Salem University Lokoja
57. Novena University Ogume
58. Achievers University, Owo Owo
59. Benson Idahosa University Benin City
60. Ebonyi State University Abakaliki
61. University of Abuja Abuja
62. University of Mkar Mkar
63. Madonna University Okija
64. Bingham University Auta Balifi
65. Plateau State University Bokkos
66. Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun
67. Federal University, Dutse Dutse
68. Nigerian Turkish Nile University Abuja
69. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University Lapai
70. Landmark University Omu-Aran
71. Delta State University, Abraka Abraka
72. University of Agriculture, Makurdi Makurdi
73. Renaissance University Enugu
74. Federal University, Otuoke Otuoke
75. Tai Solarin University of Education Ijebu-Ode …
76. Federal University, Oye-Ekiti Oye …
77. Kano State University of Technology Wudil
78. Tansian University Umunya …
79. Akwa Ibom State University Uyo
80. Baze University Abuja
81. Kebbi State University of Science and Technology
Aliero
82. Benue State University Makurdi
83. Adeleke University Ede
84. Ondo State University of Science & Technology
Okitipupa
85. Kogi State University Anyigba
86. Western Delta University Oghara
87. Federal University, Wukari Wukari
88. Paul University Awka
89. Caritas University Enugu
90. Federal University, Lafia Lafia
91. Cross River University of Science & Technology
Calabar …
92. Fountain University Oshogbo
93. Al-Hikmah University Ilorin
94. Godfrey Okoye University Ugwuomu-Nike
95. Oduduwa University Ile Ife
96. Anambra State University Uli
97. Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago Iwoye …
98. Federal University, Lokoja Lokoja
99. Federal University, Kashere Kashere
100. Rhema University Obeama-Asa
[Voice of the Nigerian Tertiary Institutions]

Dog finds an abandoned baby/foetus and takes it to safety (photos)

Dog finds an abandoned baby/foetus and takes it to safety (photos)

This is so amazing but biko, is that a foetus or a fully formed baby? Don't know where this happened but according to reports, this dog found the newly born baby and took it to where people could see it. The dog carried the baby in its mouth and amazingly didn't hurt the baby. See another pic after the cut

 

A good start! Meet Tanzania's first female Vice President

A good start! Meet Tanzania's first female Vice President

Samia Suluhu Hassan, 55, was announced Vice President of Tanzania in the 2015 General Elections, alongside Tanzania's ruling party candidate John Magufuli. Suluhu is married to Hafidh Ameir and they have four children. The National Electoral Commission announced on Thursday, October 29, that Magufuli won the presidential election after the opposition challenged the tallying process and demanded a recount.

Chairman of the Commission, Damian Lubuva told a news conference that Magufuli secured 58 percent of the votes, beating his main opposition rival, Edward Lowassa who has 40 percent.

Father of 11 children on £27k a year benefits refuses to work, says he is obeying God's first command to 'go forth and multiply'

Father of 11 children on £27k a year benefits refuses to work, says he is obeying God's first command to 'go forth and multiply'

A father of 11 who claims up to £27,000 a year in benefits says he does not believe in contraception - and admits the government pay for the upkeep of his children. Mohammed Salim and his wife Noreen claim up to £27,000 per year in handouts from the government and alarmingly hasn't worked for the past 10 years.

Their family of 13 live in a 4-bedroom house in Manchester & often travel by minibus. Mohammed, who is appearing on a new TV programme, said on the show that he has no regrets about fathering 11 children, even though “it is the government who pay for their upkeep, food and clothing”.

“Having 11 children I don’t think is irresponsible, we don’t believe in contraception, we are following God’s first command, he said ‘go forth and multiply’,”

Mohammed said it isn’t his fault that he has spent 10 years on the dole and the system is failing him, adding:

“I have got qualifications and real work experience. I’ve been forced on to the dole because I’m unemployed. I am expected to do at least seven job applications a week. I’m better off on the dole than working on a minimum wage.”  he told Channel 5’s On Benefits: 26 Kids And Claiming, a documentary about large families on benefits.

Mohammed has applied to work as an ICT teacher in Saudi Arabia because he can’t find a job in the UK.

He said: “It’s a sad state of affairs. For the last ten years I’ve failed to get any jobs or interviews. I am not getting the results.”

“I have been told to do taxi work but with the hours I would have to put in to get a reasonable wage, I can’t do it, especially with young children.”

Mohammed, who spends up to £300 per week on food for his family, said he would struggle if his welfare bill was capped at £500 a week as the government are currently proposing and he also forks out on modern gadgets for his children who want iPhones.


He said: “We are feeding 13 people. £500 a week is not enough, the costs are there, we are having to stretch and stretch. They want that because it is the thing of the present day and you have to cough up,” he said.

He added that with 11 children, there are so many birthdays and religious festivals to remember and celebrate.

“Virtually every month there is something going on, if it is not a birthday it is some kind of celebration, Christmas, Easter, Eid,” he said. “It is a big pull on the little amount of benefits that we do get.”

 Mohammed,a religious man believes that there are more important things than money.

“I am the richest man in the world with these children,” he said. “I have a big family, I am on benefits, there is a worry there but god always sees us through

Most Wanted Cultist In Lagos, Anarchy Killed In Bariga During Gun Battle With Police

 

Most Wanted Cultist In Lagos
Eiye Cult Leader Anarchy Killed In Bariga Lagos During Gun Battle With Police.A suspected cultist leader identified as Anarchy was on Tuesday killed by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command.
Anarchy was gunned during a shoot out between the cult group and the police at the Bariga area of the state.
The deceased, who was said to have been on the police wanted list for a long time, allegedly led his gang members to Bariga for a cult war, but were intercepted by policemen.
We gathered that the cult group opened fire on the policemen who retaliated and in the process, Anarchy sustained gunshots injury.
Confirming the development, the state’s Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, said Anarchy died while he was being rushed to the hospital.
He said: “The police got a distress call from Bariga about rival cult groups engaging in superiority battle.
“Some of the cult members were led by Anarchy, a notorious cultist who has been declared wanted and has since gone into hiding.
“The cultists engaged the police in a shootout, but one of them was arrested.
“However, Anarchy suffered gunshots injury and passed on before he got to the hospital.”

D’banj Gets Expensive Porsche Car As SLOT Ambassador

 

D’banj Gets Expensive Porsche Car As SLOT Ambassador
Respected musician cum businessman, D’banj has been unveiled as the official ambassador of SLOT. He got to the populated computer village in Ikeja on Wednesday amidst hailing by fans. More photos:

Over 600 Muslims Killed and Injured While Trying To "Stone The Devil" In Saudi Arabia Hajj

More than 200 people have died and 390 injured in Saudi Arabia after a stampede of pilgrims at the desert plain of Mina, near the holy city of Mecca.



The incident took place as almost 2 million people arrived in Saudi Arabia to make the Hajj pilgrimage in honour of Eid al-Adha, the Muslim feast of sacrifice. This is one of the worst incidents in years to hit the annual Hajj in Saudi Arabia, officials said.

Saudi Arabia’s civil defence service released the toll and said rescue operations were under way. It
was not immediately clear what had caused the stampede.

Pilgrims had converged on Mina just outside Mecca on Thursday to throw pebbles at one of three walls representing Satan, the symbolic “stoning of the devil” that marks the last day of the event.

 

i dey laf, una neva die reach

Graduate Analyst Community Relations at Etisalat Nigeria

Etisalat's vision is a world where people's reach is not limited by matter or distance; a world where people will effortlessly stay in touch with family and friends; a world where businesses of all sizes can reach new markets without the limitations of distance and travel.
We are recruiting to fill the vacant position below:
Job Title: Analyst Community Relation

Location: Abuja
Job Summary

• Maintain cordial relationships with all stakeholders in host communities within the Cell Site/Base Station location and leverage on all existing relationships achieve the company?s objectives.
• Conduct surveys for proposed sites to assess and determine suitability of locations and minimize/ avoid community related issues
• Evaluate prospective cities, towns and communities identified for build, make recommendations in line with best practice and in the company?s interest
• Identify all issues (Community and non-community) and work within company procedures and guidelines to resolve them within agreed timelines.
• Create and maintain database on all community related issues
• Ensure all stakeholders Radio, Transmission, Site Acquisition, Rollout, Legal and Finance teams are aware of all community related issues
• Initiate and carry out dialogues, meetings, negotiations where necessary on behalf of the organization to resolve issues relating to roll-out and post roll out operations in host communities
• Provide input in the development/modification (where necessary) into company procedure and guideline regarding community relations issues.
• Ensure due diligence and integrity is employed at the discussion and all dispute resolutions
• Ensure agreed terms with the Communities and obtain necessary sign-offs on the sites by the communities are done in line with agreed service level agreement
• Identify opportunities for developing communities and advise all relevant stakeholders within and outside the company on programmes that can be conducted to improve the situations
• Ensure proper implementation of all approved community development programs by the company.
• Maintain relationships with host communities after sites are integrated, promote company image at all times through implementation of all initiatives and programs that strengthen Etisalat Nigeria?s position within the host communities.
• Create a ranking of spots in all areas planned for build for community issues, reference the areas against the database for community issue and present report on status of issues to management
• Inform, educate and communicate with the host communities on the benefits of locating BTS?s in their domain and providing first hand answers to issues that they may face.
• Perform any duties as assigned by the Manager, Government Relations

Educational and Experience

• First degree in a relevant discipline from a recognized university.
• One year post NYSC experience

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should: Click here to apply online

Medical Representatives at Vixa Pharmaceutical Limited

Vixa Pharmaceutical aims to be Nigeria's leading pharmaceutical company with a wide range of product categories that include; Anti- Malarial, Anti-Biotic, Anti-Fungal, Anti-Emetic, Steroids, NSAID drugs, Anti-Spasmodic, Anti-Hypertensive, Worm Expellant, Anti-Histamine and Anti- Psychotic drugs.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Medical Representative

Location: Lagos

Responsibilities

• Arranging appointments with doctors, pharmacists and hospital medical teams, which may include pre-arranged appointments or regular 'cold' calling;
• Making presentations to doctors, practice staff and nurses in GP surgeries, hospital doctors and pharmacists in the retail sector. Presentations may take place in medical settings during the day, or may be conducted in the evenings at a local hotel or conference venue;
• Organizing conferences for doctors and other medical staff;
• Building and maintaining positive working relationships with medical staff and supporting administrative staff;
• Managing budgets (for catering, outside speakers, conferences, hospitality, etc.);
• Keeping detailed records of all contacts;
• Reaching (and if possible exceeding) annual sales targets;
• Planning work schedules and weekly and monthly timetables. This may involve working with the area sales team or discussing future targets with the area sales manager. Generally, medical sales executives have their own regional area of responsibility and plan how and when to target health professions;
• Regularly attending company meetings, technical data presentations and briefings;
• Keeping up to date with the latest clinical data supplied by the company, and interpreting, presenting and discussing this data with health professionals during presentations;
• Monitoring competitor activity and competitors' products;
• Maintaining knowledge of new developments in the National Health Service (NHS), anticipating potential negative and positive impacts on the business and adapting strategy accordingly;
• Developing strategies for increasing opportunities to meet and talk to contacts in the medical and healthcare sector;
• Staying informed about the activities of health services in a particular area.

Requirements

• A good Degree in Pharmacy, Microbiology or Biochemistry.
• Minimum of 3 years sales experience in Pharmaceutical Products.
• Ability to meet target.
• Good knowledge of territory.
• Not more than 35 years old.

Application Closing Date
11th September, 2015.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should forward their detailed CV's, with intended position and LAGOS STATE stated clearly as subject of the mail to: careers@vixagroupng.com

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Spread HIV in Ondo, Go to Jail for 10 Years, Govt Warns

The Ondo State Government  has  announced the commencement of the implementation of  its HIV anti-stigma law which prescribed a 10-year jail term, fine of N500,000 or both for  any person who by whatever means transmits HIV to another person.

Giving details of the law which was signed last  year, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chairman  of the state Agency for the Control of AIDS, Dr. Aderotimi Adelola, stated  that  the stigmatisation and discrimination discourages individuals infected with and affected by HIV from accessing health and social services, hence, the law stipulates further that  anybody who discriminates against people living with HIV commits an offence and is liable to fine of N100,000 or imprisonment of six months or both.

Speaking in Akure yesterday, while delivering a keynote address at a sensitisation programme to facilitate and ensure the enforcement of a law for the prevention of the spread of HIV/AIDS, Adelola said most times, the rights of people living with HIV are violated, causing them to suffer both the burden of the disease and the consequential loss of other rights.

He stated that stigmatisation and discrimination of people living with the virus may obstruct their access to treatment and may affect their employment, housing and other rights which he said  adversely affect the vulnerability of others to be infected.
Also speaking on the law, the state Commissioner for Information, Hon. Kayode Akinmade, said Ondo is the  first state in the federation to have a law which addresses many aspect of HIV response to law and will help promote public awareness about causes, modes of transmission, consequences, means of prevention and control of HIV transmission, through a comprehensive education and information campaign.

He added that the law is also  expected to extend to every person infected with HIV full protection of his human rights and civil liberties, positively address and seek to eradicate conditions that aggravate the spread of HIV infection, including but not limited to poverty, marginalisation, prostitution, drug abuse and ignorance.

It will also promote utmost safety and universal precautions in practices and procedures that carry the risk of HIV transmission.

Tags: News, Nigeria, Featured, AIDS

UNIPORT New Vice Chancellor Emerges

 

 The governing council of the University of Port Harcourt has finally confirmed Professor Ndowa Lale, as the new Vice Chancellor of the institution.
According to the chairman of the governing council, Mr. Gesi Asamaowei, Prof Lale emerged as the new vice chancellor following a competitive interview process.
He explained that the appointment was confirmed by the governing council at the 155th meeting held on Tuesday, following the report of the joint council and Senate selection board.
Lale, who hails from Eleme in Rivers State, before his appointment was a professor in the department of Crop Science in UNIPORT and pioneer Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture.

Kiss Daniel BIOGRAPHY

Early Life

Kiss Daniel was born Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe in Ogun state, Nigeria. He hails from Abeokuta North local government area. With the help of Dibie, C.B.N, he graduated from federal university of agriculture, Abeokuta, in 2013, with a degree in he Water Resources Management and Agrometeorology (Water Engineering). While in university, he decided to pursue music as a career alongside his studies.^[2]

Music career

Kiss Daniel showed an interest in music from an early age, and was encouraged by his father.^[3]He started his music career professionally 2013 after his tertiary education, when he came across G-Worldwide Entertainment CEO, Emperor Geezy. After being signed to G-Worldwide entertainment, he released his first official single "Shoye" which was produced by Beatburx on May 1, 2014, along with a music video was directed by MEX.^[4] Daniel released his second single "Woju", produced by Dj Coublon on September 1, 2014. The video for Woju, released by Adasa Cookey, was shot in Lagos, Nigeria. The song spent eleven weeks on the MTV Base Official Naija Top Ten, including six weeks at the number one spot.^[5][6]
Daniel then recorded and released a remix of "Woju" featuring Tiwa Savage and Davido. "Woju" and its remix peaked at Number 1 and Number 2 respectively on the MTV Base Official Naija Top 10, the first time that an original song and its remix would peak at the first and second positions on the chart.^[7] A cover of the song performed by 2face Idibia appeared online.^[8]
In May 2015, Daniel released a third follow up single "Laye" on his birthday, along with a video two weeks later which was shot in different locations in eastern part of Africa and was directed by AJE FILMS^[9]

Personal life

Kiss Daniel has listed acts like Danfo Drivers, Zulezu, Oriste Femi, 2face Idibia, 9ice, W4, Wande Coal, Owl City and Ed Sheeran as musical influences.^{[citation needed]} Kiss Daniel lost his father on May 9, 2015.^[10]

Discography

Selected singles

Year	Title	Album
2014	"Kiss Daniel"	Non-single album
2014	"Shoye"
	"Woju"
2015	"Woju Remix" (featuring Davido and Tiwa Savage)
	"Laye"

Awards and nominations

• Extreme Awards (Benin Republic) Next Rated Artiste of The Year - Won
• Maya Awards (Ibadan) Newcomer/Revelation of The Year - Won

UNN Post UTME CBT Practice Begins

 

 The authorities of University of Nigeria Nsukka has enabled the online Post-UTME CBT Practice on the school's website.
To practice, you will require an access scratch card.
The scratch cards are sold for 500 excluding bank commission at this designated banks;
- UBA Plc.
- Fidelity Bank.
- First Bank.
- Access Bank.
The More you practice the more your chances of excelling in the exam.
Steps for student to practice for the Post-UTME exam:
1. Buy the scratch card from the approved banks.
2. Log on to www.unn.edu.ng
3. Scroll down the page and click on Post-UTME CBT Practice
Or
log on directly to the portal via this link:to http://unnprecbt.unn.edu.ng/
To Register:
4. Log on with your Jamb Registration Number and Scratch Card pin.
5. Click Submit
6. Select your course of study.
7. Enter the subjects’ you registered during the JAMB exam.
8. Click Start.
9. Print out the page containing your token (The number that gives you access to practice for this exam) To begin the practice for the exam:
10. Go back to Step 3 above.
11. Enter your registration number
12. Enter your token number (Given)
13. Click start exam.
14. Begin Practice exam.
15. Submit when done.
16. See Result.
17. Log out from the system. Note.
- Each card gives you access to practice on the site twice (2 times).
- You will need to have your JAMB Registration number handy for this practice.
- Keep your card details safe.
- Print your generated token page and keep it safe.
Note: this is not Post-UTME Screening, it is just for you to practice and get acquainted or familiar with it. However, keep your card details safe in case you need it later.

Buhari to appoint ministers in 2 monthsgefdgjyhngsxfhg

Naira: Between restriction and devaluationscfewgg

Naira: Between restriction and devaluation

Naira: Between restriction and devaluation

Naira: Between restriction and devaluation

Must Read!! The Easiest Way Out For Broke (Poor) Students

 

 

The lifestyle of students across the varying campuses in Nigeria depicts a close to perfect picture of the gap between the haves and the have-nots in the country.
Students from rich homes often appear to have no worries, they look ‘cleaner’, use the latest phones, eat at the best eateries and always have money to buy all the required study materials and textbooks.
On the other hand, the broke (poor/not financially strong) students struggle through every semester especially at month ends; often not having enough cash, so they only buy study materials for courses that are ‘life-threatening’.
Now, what should be the proper response of broke students? Should broke students attempt to alter their financial state or just endure and struggle their way through school? (Have in mind that your financial condition might not change even after graduation).
From personal experience, the only way out for broke students in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions is this:
Do Something.
Students who hate being broke must stop wishing, dreaming or even praying for a better student life (in terms of their finances) while folding their arms.
Do something today to initiate change or do nothing and remain the same.
How do you ‘Do Something’?
As a student, the main reason for which you are in school is to study and not to hustle.
Therefore, you must not neglect your books in pursuit of money- this is something student-hustlers must understand. There has got to be balance.
Having said that, here is how you can ‘Do Something’ in your quest to stop being broke:
1. Start with your mindset
Winning any ‘battle’ begins in the mind.
Adapt the mindset of winners; say to yourself: “I can do anything I set my mind to do”.
Accept that your broke student-life can be fixed and that whatever you will do MUST NOT negatively affect your academics.
2. Appraise yourself and identify any skill you have – any skill at all
Do you have any skill? Can you style hair? Can you sew? Is there anything or something you know how to do?
Can you teach?
3. Monetize your skill
No one should answer ‘No’ to the last question in point number 2.
Someone who printed and made photocopies of a notice that read: “Get a Home Lesson Teacher for your Precious Kids. Call 080xxxxxxxx (his phone number)” and pasted them around the senior staff quarters.
Count 2 weeks later, he had started helping 8 primary school pupils with their assignments.
He worked 3 hours every working day at the rate of 5,000 naira per month for each child.
What will you do with an extra 8 x 5,000=40,000 naira every month?
Please note that our aim at this point is not to be as rich as Dangote but to stop being broke: to be able to buy handouts, textbooks and eat well; because we need those in order to graduate well.

PATRICK OBAHIAGBON

Patrick Obahiagbon, the Chief of Staff to the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, in this interview with GBENRO ADEOYE, talks about his controversial way of speaking and why he chooses to speak that way

What is your educational background

I am by the grace of the celestial choir, a legal practitioner, a public administrator, an international historian and a diplomat. I earned a degree in Law and was called to the Nigerian Bar as a solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria about 25 years ago and I do also have a double-barreled Master’s degree in Public Administration and in International History and Diplomacy.

Why do you always speak ‘big grammar’?

I am not really consensus ad idem with those who opine that my idiolect is advertently obfuscative. No no no, it’s just that I am in my elements when the colloquy has to do with the pax nigeriana of our dreams and one necessarily needs to fulminate against the alcibiadian modus vivendi of our prebendal political class.

How do you talk to your wife, children and even your friends?

 I relate with my family and friends very warmly and in an atmosphere of camaraderie, stripped of my confutational habiliment and gladiatorial homilies. I am a very peaceful, calm, level-headed and celestially attuned soul personality.

 Is this the way you proposed to your wife, speaking high tech grammar?

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 Of course, the business of the day when I interfaced with my wife on matters of the heart had to be in plain Caeser’s language and you can decipher why that had to be so. The matter in view did not permit itself of sphinxian conundrum.

It’s a long time ago, so I can’t remember the exact words I used. We had a relationship for ten years before we got married. We’re looking at close to 20 years ago.

How does your family understand your English?

 My family and friends understand me perfectly just the same way you understand me now though, I must admit that it depends on the issues on the piazza.

Is this the way you were speaking in your school days?

I’m sure if you confer with my school mates they will tell you that I no longer speak what those who just know me now call “grammar.” I could speak for about twenty minutes when I was in the university and you won’t understand one word of what I said. I must say I have deteriorated in my grammatical construct.

How did you start speaking in this manner?

It all happened when my father brought me a teaser which stated that good orators had ruled the world and you must have to be a feisty orator if you must rule the world. As an impressionable young man, I alacritously threw myself into the whirligig of improving my usage of words by amassing new words on a daily basis.

Did you write exams in school in these big words?

 I used such words very-very freely in my exams both at the secondary school and in my university and little wonder I had the misfortune of my English results being seized intermittently in my O’ Levels.

WAEC released my results for the other subjects and withheld my English result. This happened for about three years. Twice, I passed the University Matriculation Examination but I could not proceed to the University because of my English results that were not released. At the end of the day, it was released after the third attempt.

Didn’t you have problems with your teachers?

It no doubt gave me serious issues at the university and that is because some, if not most of my lecturers, ran away with the erroneous impression that my attitudinal predilection had a deprecable tinge of academic braggadocio and intellectual megalomania. But this assumption was both mendacious and a fallacious ad hominem. I could not but take solace in that Latin apothegm which states that O Tempora! O Mores.

Was English your best subject?

 My best subject in secondary school was government and religion and am sure that I was drawn to religion because, I now know as a student of Rosicrucian mysticism, that I was a student of divine light in my last incarnation. As for government, I just fell in love with the subject due to my early attraction in life to issues of political-economy.

So what did you score in English language?

English language was of course my hobbyhorse and passion but like I earlier asseverated, my results were constantly guillotined to my utter chagrin that I had to lapse into a jeremiad of lachrymoseim for a period of aeon. I would need to check the result again to be sure of my score.

 Do you pray the same way you speak?

God understands all languages, my brother and I pray to God using any word that pops up. May I posit that the key points in prayers are your sincerity, purity of heart, walking within the compass and to what extent are you ready and worthy of receiving the benediction of the cosmic and the cosmic masters because as we say in mysticism- “when the students are ready, the masters would appear.”

Take my words my brother that more than seventy per cent of humanity don’t know how to pray but that is a matter for another day.

By the way, are there other names you call God?

God is variously known as Jehovah, Yaweh, The Great Grand Architect of the Universe, The Cosmic Host and several other names known alone to heirophants but which names are so ineffable for me to mention here.

 Do you know that many people don’t take you too seriously when you talk because they think you are not communicating

Why will I be perturbed from ensconcing myself in the palatable arms of Morpheus because people have deprived themselves of the cultivation of the regime of the mental magnitude? I read all the farrago of baloneys and vacuous bunkum from pepper soup objurgators. The spirit of animadversion remains their fundamental human right. It also remains an indubitable fact that I get millions and millions of requests daily from people all over the world requesting for my verbal mentorship which positive cosmopolitan reactions have assisted my equipoise and righteous sense of pachydermatous garb. I cannot put my nose to the grindstone daily and expect to be understood by those luxuriating in a modus vivendi, verging on pepper souping, goat heading, suyaing, big stouting and isiewulising. Has a philosophical wag not once pontificated that things of the spirit are spiritually discerned and that it takes the deep to call the deep? We will speak more on this matter of critiques and chichi dodo another day.

You were there when a teacher in your state couldn’t pronounce ‘solemnly’, how did you feel?

I was indeed sad that a teacher in Edo State  could not pronounce a simple word as ‘solemn’. That was certainly one of my low moments in the service of Edo State but the eulogies must go to Comrade Adams Oshiomhole who put in place the infrastructure that made it possible to detect such an egregious ambience and this government would stop at nothing in cleansing the Augean stables.

Have you ever considered organising English classes in Edo State?

 I would have loved to organise English classes, my brother, but you will agree with me that I am sufficiently busy just now.

 Why do you pull your trousers up beyond the waist?

Hahahaha….That trousers style is called Yohji Yamamoto. It was my own audacious statement to remonstrate against the pervasive tendency of Nigerians especially our youths that took to the practice of putting on trousers exposing their lower anatomical contours and I will do it over and over again.

When you speak to Caucasians of English origin, how do they react to you?

My friends that are whites simply marvel and sometimes get maniacally bewildered when we engage, most times to my consternation.

 Do you think that you understand English language better than the owners of the language?

I have never had the ambition to know the English language more than the owners. However,  I must mention that they are shocked most times to find out several words from me they never heard of that existed in the dictionary. Yet, those words are supposed to be theirs. Na so we see am.

Have you ever met with the Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka? And what’s your opinion of him?

Professor Wole Soyinka is an international personality. It’s either you have met him personally or by reputation. He is a great man and I enjoy reading him anytime, any day.

Can you ever be caught speaking what many would consider as normal English?

 I speak in plain Ceasers language or what you call the normal language and let me tell you that I will hold my own even in pidgin conversation. No just try me at all at all o.

What is your take on the ongoing crisis in the PDP?

The crisis in PDP? All I can say is that I join some people to dey laugh o and he be like say my laugh go tay well well o.

Are you likely to contest for a political office?

I am still in politics, serving the good and amiable people of Edo State. Being the Chief of Staff to the comrade governor is in itself an art of daily political engineering.

Do you look forward to developing your own dictionary?

My own dictionary? I have never really given that a thought, but there is a young man in one of our universities who travelled all the way to meet me in Benin. His doctoral thesis is on “Obahiagbonism as a style of language.”

How many dictionaries do you read a day and how often do you read dictionaries?

 I have read and still do read a vaudeville of dictionaries from Websters to Funk and Wagnalls, from Cambridge to Oxford dictionaries, from Black’s Law Dictionary to Encarta and from Encyclopedia Britannica to Foreignisms, etcetera. I developed my corpus of vocabulary by reading omnivorously. I have also spent nothing less than an hour daily on my dictionary for over twenty years. So, whereas the dictionary for most people is a mere occasional reference point, it is for, me a vade-mecum. It may also interest you to know that there is much to learn from our daily newspapers.

 You seem to mix English with other languages…

 On mixing of languages; that comes with reading omnivorously. You cannot but pick these words here and there if you have an audacious reading culture.

Is any of your children like you?

 My children are still growing but I petition the celestial choir and cosmic hosts to give them the gift of kissing the hybla bee.

What is your favourite quote?

One of my favorite quotes is from the sapiential mind of the late Ikene philosopher, Papa Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo, when he was quoted as saying that, “the greatest glory is not in never falling but to rise up after a fall.”

Are you planning to contest in 2015?

I always feel flattered and smile with delight when I hear positive commentary on my tenure at the National Assembly and the wish of Nigerians to see me back at the National Assembly. I am humbled but as a student of mysticism, nothing happens in my life by accident. I am a robot in the hands of God and from that point of view therefore, 2015 would take care of itself. All my efforts just now my brother is geared towards complementing the efforts of the comrade governor in the total transmogrification of Edo State which is enough to chew at the moment. Let me however use this opportunity of your question to appreciate my numerous admirers all over the world.

How are you coping with the Governor of Edo State, knowing that the two of you have strong personalities?

When two or more personages are united only by the bonds of rendering service, that in itself becomes an agglutinating fragrance. In any case, I am very clear that Comrade Oshio Baba is the Governor of Edo State and I am his privileged Chief of Staff. So we are working together very harmoniously and in an ambience of conviviality in our unstoppable desire in taking Edo State to the next level.

The Music Issue (Can a Christian Artiste Sing Secular Songs?)

 

 

A few days ago, there arose a Twitter storm of apocalyptic proportions over news that a young “secular” artiste was invited to sing during a church service. The young artiste is a Christian and the song performed was from his title album, God Win. One must assume that a song titled “God Win” sang in a church setting seemed most appropriate, but these are curious times.
There are many choruses that echo the same sentiment, some using exact same words yet there were a lot of issues raised. The very notion that a non-gospel artiste had been invited to “minister” in church consternated many. And not a few were peeved that the artiste in question performed from the “altar” – a most holy place. And how can an “entertainer” be invited to minister to “the people of God”, some wondered, with righteous and not so righteous indignation. Even the Pastor was not spared. What was his motivation? There was no shortage of opinion, aspersions and castigations. And there was no shortage of exegetes misquoting scriptures. Were Jesus on Earth he would have had to up his signature command of nature to calm the storm. He couldn’t do a reprise. This was no watery issue. But lurking somewhere in the sea was the leviathan of the fundamental challenge as to whether a Christian artiste can even do secular music. It’s not exactly a new issue. The Amy Grants of this world faced that same challenge in the 80s. It’s as if someone somewhere is instigating topical conundrum in generational cycles.
An analytical perusal of the issues however shows a confliction in knowledge on many levels. The idea for example that the “altar” is “sacred” betrays a mix-up in understanding between the concept of the temple in the New Testament and the concept of the temple in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament the temple was a building. It was basically partitioned into two parts – the Outer Court and the Tabernacle. The Outer Court contained the Table, Lampstand and Altar of Incense. The congregation could enter here. The Tabernacle was in turn divided into two parts by a heavy hanging curtain – the Holy Place in which only priests from the tribe of Levi could enter; and the Holy of Holies in which resided the Ark of the Covenant. Only the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies and he did so once a year, on Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement. The High Priest must make atonement for himself before he entered the Holy of Holies. He would die otherwise. The sacrifice was his life insurance policy. And since no one can enter the Holy of Holies to retrieve his body, tradition says a scarlet rope was tied on his ankle. Small bells were also sewed around the helm of his robe. A priest in the Holy Place tended to the other end of the rope. He would drag him out by the rope in case something went wrong. If the bells stopped jiggling the priest knew something was wrong. You served God with your life as High Priest.
But something curious happened when Jesus died on the cross. As soon as he gave up the ghost the Bible says the thick curtain separating the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was ripped from top to bottom. Paul would later explain to us the significance of that momentous event. He says we have boldness to enter the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus in consequence. That the curtain was figuratively the flesh of Jesus. And so as they tore into his flesh with those horrible lashes they were ripping apart the curtain in the Tabernacle, in a manner of speaking (Hebrews 10:19-21).
That curtain-ripping incident would usher in a new dispensation. It was a formal signification of a change in the order of priesthood, something Jesus had been working on. He had appointed apostles without consideration of tribal identity. Only Levites could be appointed priests in those days but Jesus appointed non-Levites as apostles. Jesus himself was not from the tribe of Levi. He was from the tribe of Judah yet he became our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-15). Indeed, perhaps only Matthew was a Levite. We know Paul was from the tribe of Benjamin (Romans 11:1). The priesthood thus changed from the Levitical Order to the Melchizedekian Order. This Order of Melchizedek is a curious order. Unlike the Levitical Order it is a priest-king equation. It takes its name from Melchizedek, the priest-king who received tithes from Abraham in the Old Testament (Hebrews 7:1-2). Jesus belongs to this order, and he initiated us into the order (Revelation 1:6). It is because we belong to this order that we can “minister” to God though not full time priests, and not belonging to the tribe of Levi. It is why we can be priests though with secular callings. We are priest-kings. And so we have priest-politicians, priest-lawyers, priest-engineers, priest-fashion designers, priest-models, priest-footballers, priest-computer scientists, priest-accountants, priest-doctors… And of course priest-musicians.
The death of Jesus and the ripping of that curtain also changed the definition of “temple”. God was no longer confined to physical tabernacles. He franchised himself into new abodes – us! Our bodies are now the temple of the living God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). It’s why we’re advised to abstain from sexual sin. You can’t join God’s temple to another in fornication. We are spiritual building blocks. The Bible says we’re living stones that God is building into a spiritual temple (1 Peter 2:5-9). The temple of God in the New Testament is not a physical building, it is individuals. The Holy of Holies is now inside us. It’s why the Holy Spirit dwells in us. And so a church can meet in a nightclub, museum, hotel, civic center, tent, private residence, cinema, school, etc. The building is not the holy place, it is the people in who the holy God resides. And so the notion of “altar” being a place a secular musician cannot sing from or “minister” from is fallacious. That view does not align with New Testament realities.
And we question the prevailing notion of “ministration” and ministers. Since all Christians are priest-kings, all Christians are ministers of God. But some have been given special callings, like pastors. But all Christians are ministers of God in the New Testament. And so the idea that a Christian who sings “secular” music cannot minister to God or the people of God is unsustainable. It is not in accordance with scriptures.
——
The foregoing leads us to the tendentious issue of whether a Christian can even do “secular” music. Must a Christian sing only gospel? Should a Christian perform only “Christian” songs – “songs that glorify God and edify his people”?

If we accept that music is a profession, and we must, that raises these same questions for other professions. Can a Christian do only “Christian” doctoring? Is there anything like “Christian lawyering”, or is there “Christian engineering”, or “Christian computing”? If we’re not ready to entertain these questions concerning other professions then we must lose the moral right to demand of Christian musicians to do only gospel. Will a dying Christian reject medical treatment from a non-Christian doctor in an ideological demand for “Christian doctoring”?
If we must insist Christian musicians do only gospel songs then we must extend the imperative to other arts as well. We must insist on Christian acting, Christian dance and drama, Christian fashion, Christian fine art, Christian writing… They are all creative endeavours, just like music. Should we then insist a Christian professional actor cannot participate in a drama presentation on a church stage because he performed secular dramas like Wole Soyinka’s Opera Wonyosi, or acted in Macbeth or Selma? Isn’t he equally violating God’s “altar”? Why the particularisation of musicians?
What the Church has done is place a burdensome limitation on talented young men and women who otherwise would conquer the world with their talent. On any given Sunday the vocal dexterity of the average choir member is incredulous. But it’s limited to church. These talented young men and women are living unfulfilled potentials. They cannot maximize their giftings. And when they insist on their talent paving their way in the world, there is a chorus of accusation from a puritanical mob who purport to defend the sanctity of church. Pejorative expressions like “sell out” are often employed, as if there was ever collective bargaining. It does sound like prejudice, or worse.
In the pursuit of “gospel only” policy the Church absented herself from the cultural space, but then turns around to complain about issues in that spatial dimension. The chief instigator of these controversies is none other than Lucifer himself. He understands a thing or two about music. And he understands talent management being the first notable musical talent. Some interpretations of Ezekiel 28:13 allude to that fact. The passage speaks of embedded tabrets (tambourines) and pipes in the physiology of Lucifer. Seemed Satan was a walking orchestra. Being the first notable managed talent he understands being a rebel. He rebelled. And he understands musicians losing control to fame. He lost control of himself, having become inflated with pride. He sought after worship like a star (He was). As it turns out creatures can’t handle worship. Only the Creator can. Unfortunately we worship our music stars and those among them who can’t barrier their core from the perils of creature-worship begin to malfunction. And that is now used as corroborative evidence against “secular” music by isolationists.
Truth is, many of these artistes being young are merely dealing with the challenges of growth and maturation – a rite of passage into adulthood. They get into experimentations, like we all did and do. Only theirs is amplified because they’re in public glare. And then there are the challenges of fame itself. Fame is lonesome and it has major consequences. If not well managed it generates distortions. Michael Jackson for example had an identity crisis. He seemed lost and searching for meaning and purpose. He suffered from anguish of soul. In seeking to ameliorate loneliness some resort to booze, drugs and sex. And we seem to accept these excesses as part of the package. They’re stars after all, they can do no wrong. Thus we are complicit in that which we condemn.
It is hard to minister to those you condemn. Yet Christ died for all. There ought to be specialized ministry to stars, those in the public glare and those battling with fame. If we can have specialized fellowships for over-40s, widows, singles and executives why not one for the stars! They need a confidential system. They need a spiritual figure they can confide in, someone who’s not judgmental. They need to be able to talk about their fears, their challenges, their struggles, without feeling condemned. And they need to know their secrets are safe. Perhaps our pastors should consider such mentoring programs.
Many of the great musical talents started out in church. Many were in the choir. Toni Braxton, Whitney Houston, Tonex, Beyoncé, Fantasia, Chris Brown, Usher, Jessica Simpson, Diana Ross, R. Kelly, Kate Perry, John Legend, Aretha Franklin, Avril Lavigne, Faith Evans, Anthony Hamilton, Brandy, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Price, Little Richard, D Banj, Waje, Banky W, MI, Faze, Chidinma, Praiz, J. Martins, Tiwa Savage, P-Square, Sheyi Shay, Harry Song, Don Jazzy, Flavor, Masterkraft, Yemi Alade, Selebobo, Whizkid, Jesse Jagz, Wande Coal, Korede Bello… They all had their roots in church. Incidentally Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was the son of a reverend gentleman – Rev. Israel Oludotun Ransome-Kuti.
Now, here’s the irony. The Church discovers the talents but abandons the talents as they make way through the world. Satan then moves into the space abdicated by the Church and he soon destroys many employing concupiscence and other vices. He even introduces some to Satanism. And when he has wasted these young lives he sends their corpses back to church for burial!
The controversy over secular or non-secular music is so unnecessary. There are three genres of music introduced in scriptures – music focused on God (what we now call Gospel), martial music and social music. Martial music was employed by the army in the time of war. The psalms are God focused, and even when they talk about human troubles, struggles and inadequacies they still end up appealing to God. The end-all-and-be-all of the Psalms is God. The psalms are what we’ll call rap today. They even followed the production pattern of today’s rap music. After David had written the lyrics he’d call a producer – the “Chief Musician” who set the words to music. One such producer was Jeduthun aka Ethan (see opening notes of Psalm 39). David did all classes of music – worship, dance and instrumentals. He used to play soothing instrumentals for King Saul’s depression.
But then we have the musical compositions of Solomon too. He was a second-generation musician, philosopher and poet – kind of like an ancient Bob Dylan. He inherited his father’s lyrical skills. He wrote the Song of Solomon popularly known as Song of Songs. It’s a matrimonial love song, a bit explicit actually – “You’re so beautiful my darling, so beautiful, and your dove eyes are veiled by your hair as it flows and shimmers… Your smile is generous and full, expressive and strong and clean. Your lips are jewel red, your mouth elegant and inviting… The smooth, lithe lines of your neck command notice – all heads turn in awe and admiration! Your breasts are like fawns, twins of a gazelle, grazing among the first spring flowers” (SS. 4:1-5). Imagine a Christian artiste writing these lyrics today…

Of course the Song of Songs has figurative application. It can be used to illustrate the love of Christ for his bride, the Church. But the truth is, when Solomon wrote the song he had no figurativeness in mind. He just wrote a love song. He wrote it as a man, a mere man. He didn’t know, and couldn’t have known that the Church would emerge centuries down the line. The Church was God’s secret. It is an intercalation. Solomon didn’t write with the Church in view. It’s almost as if God is telling us, it’s okay to be human, to have feelings, to have emotions… And it’s okay to write about those feelings and put them in song. God is not against emotional expression in song.
Some of course would rather expunge Song of Songs from the Bible if they had their way. They struggle with it morally and try to explain it away, as if the language is not plain enough. When we try to morally sanitise the Word of God we run into absurdities of reinterpretation. God is the sanctifier. He is Jehovah Mekaddishkem – the God who sanctifies. Who will sanctify the words of the Sanctifier?
The Song of Songs is unlike any other book in scriptures, but it’s in the Bible. God put it there. It is one of the “practical” books, like Proverbs (another Solomon output) and the Book of Job which talks about trials; and the Book of Ecclesiastes, which is the philosophical musing of a human in a state of human-ness. It is replete with self second-guessing, frustrations and submission to the incomprehension of this animal called life. It highlights absurdities, like the man with no heir who keeps amassing wealth. To whom would he leave his wealth, Solomon wondered! In other words the Bible was written from two perspectives: there’s the perspective from above, and we find that in the prophets, the epistles and the like; and there is the perspective from below – the human dimension – Ecclesiastes, Proverbs, Song of Songs, Job. To the extent that both perspectives make up the Bible God is not against human expressiveness. Therefore in the tradition of the Psalms, a Christian artiste can sing gospel music. In the tradition of the Song of Songs he can sing about love, feelings and emotions. In the tradition of Proverbs, he can lace his songs with practical wisdom. And in the tradition of Ecclesiastes, he can philosophize in song, like Bob Dylan, or the man in black, the late Johnny Cash. And in the tradition of Job he can write about pain, suffering, difficulties and trials. And in the tradition of Heman and Jeduthun he can prophesy through song.
To imagine that a Christian can only do “gospel” is our self-imposed limitation. It is not backed by scriptures. Yes, Paul enjoins us to sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, and making melody in our hearts to God (Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16), but that is not an exclusive list. Try and imagine a man proposing to a woman and singing a chorus!
Now here’s another truth. Lucifer didn’t invent music, God did. Nowhere in scriptures is Lucifer credited with invention of music. Lucifer perverts music, just as he perverts everything else. He’s an unrepentant pervert. His corporate mission is to kill, to steal and to destroy (John 10:10). Music is not the problem. Perversion is the problem.
But what about the nudity in music videos and the explicit lyrics of some songs? Isn’t that the bane and essence of secular music, you ask? But there are many secular musicians who don’t do explicit lyrics, and they’re successful. Just like there are many people who don’t use four-letter words and are successful; just like there are many actors who don’t do nude scenes, and they’re successful, like Denzel Washington. It’s the personal choice of the musician what he wants to sing about. To then use someone’s explicitness to tar “secular” music in general is a rather illogical and desperate attempt to permute a conviction. There are many clean rap songs. And there are music without words. Think instrumentals and instrumental jazz. Doesn’t jazz belong to the “secular” spectrum? Can a Christian do jazz? If yes, our argument against secular music is inconsistent. And how do we classify music set to movies? Aren’t they secular? Yet Christians watch movies and listen to those music. How about classical music? Handel’s Messiah instrumentals? Is it gospel or secular? And what about the national anthem? Isn’t it “secular” music? It’s not gospel, yet it’s sung in churches. Now you see the absurdities of isolationism emerging.
This is not saying a Christian artiste can’t devote himself to gospel music. It’s his choice. And gospel has its place and role. If an artiste is naturally disposed to gospel or that’s what God has asked him or her to do, let him do it and let her do it. But those are proprietary decisions. They should not be extended into collective ethos.
Culture is a powerful thing. It has a huge leverage on society. Culture is zeitgeist. It is the general beliefs, ideas, and spirit of a time and place. Culture is highly propagated through media. When the Church abdicates the culturo-media space, we might as well pack our bags and go to yonder place. A Church that abdicates cultural influence is well nigh on its way to irrelevance and generational obsolescence. The Church needs to learn to manage talent. Perhaps it’s time to consider setting up a professionally managed and independent talent agency, lest we continue to lose our brilliant talents to Satan’s agenda, or keep tormenting our young ones with manufactured guilt.
It’s time we lay the debate over secular/gospel music to rest. It’s a storm in a teacup after all.