A season of affectionate displays backed by the associated stress of airing dirty laundry in public
By Bernadette Idalu
"We don't want to have to wash our dirty linen in public" but hey, come off it, this is the season for public displays of affection and set time for airing dirty laundry in public.
From kourtney kardashian announcing her pregnancy to Travis Barker, her drummer husband, and member of the rock band Blink-182, through a held up handwritten sign, "Travis I'm pregnant," which got her surprised husband rushing off the stage into the crowd to hug his wife while performing in Los Angeles on, June 17, 2023, to the military overthrow of Gabon's democratically elected president, Ali Bongo, through the action of his own cousin, General Brice Nguema, (who had earlier served as a bodyguard to Bongo’s late father) following the announcement by the country’s electoral umpire that Bongo had been reelected for a third term in office, melodramatic occurrences have kept swiveling through society on daily basis, keeping people spellbound.
Like Ali Bongo, I need to send out this message to tell friends, even foes, all over the world to, "Make noise, to make noise, to make noise really, while thanking you for sinking this message in, to desist from public melodrama. Thank you."
Boom! I got your attention. Did anyone notice an interesting fact about the 2023 coups that swept through Niger Republic and Gabon, on African soil? Ten fingers in the air if you did. Yeah, despite ousting democratically elected governments (life presidents?) which got citizens filing out and dancing in streets at the abrupt exit of political figures, the process of ouster being bloodless but tension soaked.
Based on this new trend, is it safe to advocate for a rancour free political and electioneering process in Nigeria with people forthwith desisting from giving pet names to politicians for being gladiatorial or lionhearted because such have the luxury of being surrounded by a retinue of henchmen and excited thugs who dither to dictates even at short notice. It is no surprise hearing enlightened people, men of grit, stating that elections are meant to be won only by "Strong men" in Nigeria.
Wikipedia gives a synopsis of "The Three Musketeers" a historical and adventure novel written in 1844 by French author, Alexandre Dumas in collaboration with Auguste Maquet, (a ghost writer), written in swashbuckler genre, with heroic, chivalrous swordsmen fighting for justice.
The novel recounts the adventures of a young man named d'Artagnan based on his Paris encounter with Athos, Porthos and Aramis, "the three musketeers" or "the three inseparables" who become involved in affairs of state and at court.
Nonetheless, Dumas frequently portrayed various injustices, abuses and absurdities of the Ancien Régime, giving the novel an additional political significance at the time of its publication, a time when the debate in France between republicans and monarchists was still fierce.
This reminds me of a story i penned which redounds to the acoustic prowess of two sets of Nigerian musicians. The storyline is pitched at a cultural event. I had to background the story along the culture context based on the fact that Africans are a people of colours and culture. They pay attention to details and settings which relate to age, status and need to wait for your turn.
The scene opens at the village square where men who deem themselves to be real men, shake their heads or gesticulate with their hands in Concord to details of their ongoing long talks. They periodically bite off pieces of kolanuts at hand, chewing on and swallowing it with the spittle at mouth to moisten their patched throats. They have sat for long. They are becoming impatient.
Finally, It is time for a short musical interlude. The time is ripe for the artistic display of raw talent, all they need do is point out who entertains them, but, people continue chatting, pointing at this or other direction, admiring the beauty and attires of many performers there present. They argue about the best dressed individuals and whose turn it is of the three delineated quarters which make up the village to send out a representative to perform before this audience as they get set for the next segment of the programme.
While waiting for a suitable response a young man walks over, effortlessly pushing down the "play button" on Faze's (Chibuzor Oji) music, "Faze alone," on the music box placed at the corner.
The crowd is jolted back to reality. Time is of essence. Despite loud murmurings about an imposition based on Faze's brand of music, which is a "universal flavor – a fine blend of rhythm and blues, reggae, pop, dancehall, ragga and soul, all with an African undertone" some individuals involuntarily start swaying their bodies to the vibe. Others let out an occasional attention seeking grunt. Some people are already commending the young man for clicking on this music which is autobiographical. They heap praises on the artiste for ability to switch from low to high pitched tones.
But, a grey haired man, seated at the corner, feeling blue, at the attempt by the young man who pushed the play button to deny them, of the middle quarter, their due opportunity to entertain at this auspicious gathering, signals to his acolytes, clutching his walking stick. He taps on his red cap, adjusts the red beads dangling on his neck, shakes out his flowing white robe as he calls out loudly, "Ha, where Deejay o?" The shrill cry wakes up the deejay from his brief nap.
Nah, it is not only lawyers and journalists that sleep at presidential election tribunals while waiting out a twelve hour judgment process hence my need to put hashtags to the event #AnyWhichWayLawyersWin
#OneEyeOnJudiciary; #WhyWeSlept
Getting his composure back, after a moment of initial shock, the deejay let's out a guttural grunt, "Ta...Ra-tata" and with vehemence turns the deejay turntable, mixing music seamlessly, with fast fingers, transitioning into the song by Styl-Plus "Four Years Waka."
He smiles despite sending out an icy stare, shuffling a succession of quick tunes before settling down to his final choice within the minute. Everyone is stunned. Culture enthusiasts shift attention between key participants trying to see if they can read or interprete the situation to help decode possible reaction from the young man but the DJ lets out, "No shaking, na me dey here" which earns him claps from his camp of supporters.
FREEZE!!!
Wow, the sheer beauty of writing a story replete with plots, subplots, themes, twists and turns that give life to characters. But, there is a cliffhanger, did the deejay succeed at sandbagging the music player? readers are entitled to draw up their final opinion.
Back from my story telling like "Alice in wonderland" i titled my story, "See hub" as i am presently caught up, wondering if my voice is strong enough to innovate, upscale and cascade ideas faced by the overwhelming compliance of workers during the two days warning strike embarked on by the Nigeria Labour Congress from September 5-6, 2023. It was so successful that I found myself asking, nonetheless, if key actors were perhaps blindsided at some point in time, in Edo State? Phew! Enough respect at the power of the unseen hands that rocks the cradle.
Thus far, there was no report of anyone getting flogged or any incidents, to wit, of pulled down structures as the NLC "eni ellu see" picketed establishments to ensure compliance during the last warning strike. Haven drawn attention of government to the hardship being faced by Nigerians as a result of the petrol subsidy removal, the union released a letter on September 6, 2023, “The Two-Day Nationwide Warning Strike: Nigerian Workers Have Spoken,” signed by the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero.
The letter stated, “We write to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our dedicated affiliates, state councils, and esteemed members for their unwavering support and active participation in the recent two-day nationwide warning strike.
“This collective effort was undertaken to emphasize our strong conviction that the government should prioritize the welfare of our citizens and adhere to our established statutes.
“We are pleased to report that, thanks to your resolute commitment, we have made significant strides in achieving the goals set during our National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which prompted the initiation of this warning strike.
“It is abundantly clear that our united message has resonated loudly with the government, and it would take a truly inattentive ear not to hear it.
“As we mark the end of the two-day nationwide warning strike today, at the stroke of midnight, we earnestly call upon you all to gracefully conclude the strike and return to work tomorrow, in accordance with our initial agreement.
“We would like to take this moment to express our profound appreciation for your unwavering determination and dedication, which played a pivotal role in the resounding success of this action.
“Your contributions during this warning strike exemplify your unwavering commitment to our shared cause.”
The letter observed, “Congress is not unmindful of the actions of detractors and fifth columnists but in the face of them all, we remain undaunted and more committed to the defense of Nigerian workers and people at any given time. Our nation deserves better."
Wondering on the action of fifth columnists or "betrayers," in layman's term, brings out the realization that life is dynamic not copacetic. There are no easy streets to stroll along nor space for one to wallow in hog heaven. People must obliterate perceived images projected into their mindsets, resist pareidolia images in the search for truth especially from friends, colleagues and associates who rat you out in public to make themselves look perfect in the eyes of the world.
The heck about washing dirty linens in public. Lets turn our attention to the medical profession. Hmm, the medical profession, "yes...yes" is one profession that people respect to heaven and back. Saving lives is their forte. In Nigeria, their services are so key that one or two get placed on standby on individual basis when those sets of upper and lower chamber people who make it a habit to perpetually throw chairs, fighting viciously among peers as they marshal out details and draw finelines on public issues backed by their fat allowances which gives them quick recourse to doctors that suture back open wounds received from such violent encounters.
Maybe, just maybe, the exposure to the intrigues of politics finally rubbed off on individual members leading to the issuance of a battle cry in the form of a communique let out by the Edo state chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) at the Business session of the 2023 Edo NMA Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference held at the Doctors House in Benin, Edo State on Thursday, August 17, 2023, wherein the body said it had suspended it's chairman, deputy chairman and secretary in one fell swoop.
The communique circulated in major news outlets read, “The AGM voted to suspend the trio of chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, for refusing to carry out their constitutional duties as demanded by the AGM.
“A secret ballot was held, and 120 members voted to suspend the chairman, Imoisili, deputy chairman, Dr Benson Okwara, and secretary, Dr Collins Otoikhila while three voted against and three abstained."
The meeting continued with the adjusted and adopted agenda, and the following resolutions were reached
“The Deputy Secretary, Dr Iluobe Inegbenosun should assume office as acting Chairman, NMA Edo State with immediate effect as prescribed by the Edo NMA Rules and Regulation and the suspended officers should hand over the association properties in their possession to the acting chairman within 48 hours of this meeting.
“Members took cognisance of the fact that all the committees of the association were constituted at a fraudulent and illegal state executive council meeting where a quorum was not formed and the attendance list was doctored. Therefore, the AGM resolved to dissolve all the committees.”
“The financial report was prepared by the suspended chairman with little or no input from the financial secretary. There were several inconsistencies in the financial report with a total expenditure of N54,847,067.48 spent under one year without any tangible project and no auditing. The AGM, therefore, resolved to step down the financial report.
“The AGM expressed its displeasure with the failure of the suspended chairman for failing to solidarize with resident doctors in Edo State during the National Association of Resident Doctor’s industrial action. The acting chairman assured the AGM that going forward, Edo NMA will support all her members including the Association of Resident Doctors.”
In swift reaction to their suspension titled, “Impersonation of the Office of Chairman and Secretary of Edo NMA”, Dr. Udoka Imoisili and Otoikhila, accused some members including officers of the association of acting preconceived scripts meant to cause chaos and pandemonium.
“Most galling and disrespectful action by these persons is the impersonation of my office and that of my Secretary by the Deputy Secretary and the PRO, who have been going about falsely parading themselves as acting Chairman and acting Secretary with intent to deceive the doctors in Edo State.”
“The two of them have also released letters to members with letterhead papers stolen from the office of the secretary to deceive members of the association and the public.
“We want members of the association to disregard any information coming from these impersonators and go about their duties with professionalism.
“We want to state that the 2023 AGM is still in recess due to security reasons,” Imoisili added.
Based on above dialogues it is trite to say that the Edo NMA has two parallel bodies of executives? By the way, what happened to years of mentorship and tutoring received from elders in the medical profession? From my small corner, I would say, "politics happened to them."
Compared to the Nigerian Bar Association's (NBA) case where licensed "quarrel settlers," arbiters, hit news headlines for engaging in public misdemeanor, fighting other learned colleagues makes the NMA beef sound more like child's play or a controlled experiment with missing claims or filed reports of a physical assault to heighten suspense.
People still regale from the tall tales of the 2023 "63rd Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), held at Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria which ran with the theme: “Getting it Right and Charting the Course for Nigeria’s Nation Building,” from August 25 to 30th, 2023.
At a novelty match on August 29, 2023, lawyers engaged in a free fist fight. Here is a relayed account of event, "In an unforeseen twist of events, what began as a football match between Team Abuja lawyers and Team Onitsha lawyers took an unexpectedly aggressive turn, resembling more of a ‘boxing match’ than a sports event at the Abuja sports complex, as seen in a video shared by Insta Blog Naija.
"TheNigeriaLawyer learnt that it was the Unity Bar branch that engaged in such behavior. The incident transpired during a scheduled match as part of the preparations for the 63rd Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), in Abuja.
"The dispute reportedly initiated when the coach of the NBA Onitsha branch football team contested the referee’s decision to extend playtime after the final whistle. In response, the coach physically confronted the referee, voicing his discontent with the extended gameplay.
"The situation escalated further when a member of the planning committee intervened to quell the confrontation but was also struck by the coach. This altercation prompted the involvement of others who attempted to mediate the conflict."
More chaos was unleashed at the NBA's one week AGM when the Treasurer disowned the financial reports of the association after national officers accused NBA President Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, of deliberately undermining them.
In his report, 2nd Vice President Chukwuemeka Clement Ugo said he was sidelined by Maikyau from carrying out his constitutional duties as acting president whenever the president is unavailable. He pleaded for empowerment of his office at the AGM.
The 3rd Vice President, Mandy Asagba accused Maikyau of disregarding her office and enacting deliberate measures to render her position useless. She stated that the national officers were excluded from the planning process of the
Annual General Conference.
National Treasurer Caroline Anze-Bishop disowned the statement given to her to announce as financial records of the NBA. She said presented financial statement was prepared without her input. She refused to adopt the financial report, saying she respects the association of lawyers too much to sign off on unknown accounts.
Responding, Maikyau accused the national officers of resentment because he refused to share lawyers’ annual practicing fees with them, referencing past attempts to share millions in NBA funds which he blocked. He alleged that the officers came to the National Executive Council meeting intent on squandering the Bar Practising Fees (BPF) money, leading to their rebellion when he opposed the plans.
Maikyau who spoke extensively in his defense while rejecting others’ right to respond ended the AGM abruptly amidst shouts and chaos, hastily adjourning the tumultuous meeting.
Earlier, a statement had to be issued with attempts made to calm frayed nerves when the Zazoo Zeh crooner Habeeb Okikiola referred to by the stage name "Portable" made his appearance on stage to perform as the guest performer at the NBA ‘Unbarred’ concert hosted at the Velodrome of the MKO Abiola Stadium, Abuja.
The NBA which said they never paid money nor invited the artiste informed that Portable was invited to perform by the headline sponsor of the conference, the Cubana Group.
The National Publicity Secretary of the NBA, Akorede Lawal, said Obi Cubana brought Portable because he is an ambassador for one of the group’s brands. He reiterated, “We did not pay a dime to Portable for the concert. We always write to sponsors to finance every level of our events.”
Like or hate Portable, the petite street lingo performer already moved on with his life. He was spotted September 6, 2023, in an online video covering the fuel expenses of every individual at a fuel station in Lagos in his own way at helping to cushion the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government.
Back to the NBA. Last year, during the previous Annual General Conference (AGC), a video trended which showed legal professionals embroiled in serious confrontation while attempting to collect their conference bags. Clothes got torn, many did not get the bags while there was a counter claim that the bags which ordinarily ought to go round participants were allegedly stolen by a few hands during the ensuing confusion.
It is noteworthy that the NBA’s Annual General Conference is a significant event held every year to discuss the legal profession’s challenges.
Wonders they say shall never cease. While waiting for legal opinion and interpretation from the position of law concerning homosexual acts in Nigeria, Imagine Bobrisky (Okuneye Idris Olarenwaju,) a Nigerian internet personality who identifies as the first transgender woman in Nigeria, a country with no LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) rights, jumping into the fray, poking and scolding 67 arrested suspects comprising two alleged gay partners and their invited wedding guests by police officers of Ekpan Division, Uvwie Local Government Area, Delta State at Teebolus Hotel, Refinery Road, Ekpan, on August 27, 2023, at 9 pm.
Choosing to identify merely as a "cross dresser," not a drag queen, despite usual charade of flaunting pictures and videos of acclaimed male lovers, taunting females with enhanced looks and alleged abilities to steal their love interest at the mere snap of fingers, expressed strong views via a post on Instagram on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, “You see dis class is not actually meant for everyone. But i strongly believe you can learn from those Alist. Firstly, there’s a law passed against you guys that you can’t marry urself in dis country why d hell did you all call urself together to organize a wedding? That’s d dumbest news have read dis week. You all deserve how you all were treated sad truth. If you feel you are in love with ur partner and you want to be together why not relocate to where you are welcome”
While the homophobic group hailed him for talking with sense for once, having the nuts and screws guiding his buccal cavity firmly in place, evidenced by the backdrop of being tagged with the gender identifier, "Shim" by Nigerian youths in their crackling humour received a explicit response from American based gay rights activist, Bisi Alimi, via his Instagram post on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, “I don't intend to say anything about the situation in Warri, but i have one thing to say, and it is one simple thing, Bobrisky is a fool and an idiot. I blame the people that make this sorry case of human important. She belongs in the gutter and not one to have opinion about issues.”
The invasion of public space with gay tales would make a good storyline for a Nollywood film replete with good sound effects for emphasis. But script writers and film directors would have to situate or interpret the role for this act into an orientation or a money making ritual act.
While debating role assignments, you suddenly begin to question yourself based on societal happenings if it is possible that the films youths watch have in some way helped to alter their mentality leading to the high drive to make quick money through shortcuts but ignoring the now hackneyed repercussions and disasters themes carried by those self same movies?
When the 38years old Pete Edochie was cast as Okonkwo in the 1987 BBC's film adaptation of Chinua Achebe's "Things Fall Apart" a film which got aired on the network service of the Nigerian television, he might not have realized the extent at which he was walking with destiny.
The film boosted interest in the study of literature based on the sheer beauty and clash of the western and indigenous cultures and its way of life depicting oral communication with use of idioms and adages for significance and relevance of the indigenous cultural heritage of a people.
The role of the protagonist, Okonkwo played by Edochie got viewers hooked to the programme, subsequently leading to the bunching together of creative minds who became forerunners of Nollywood even with the eery soundtrack and imaginative off screen murder of Ikemefuna by the same man he trusted and called "Father."
You've got to have grit, spunk and possess the tenacity to latch on to opportunity to survive in present Nigeria and the world at large due to overwhelming economic crunch and looming unemployment. "There is no such thing as a free lunch even in Freetown," a quick reminder of the stark reality surrounding "Freetown, a port city and capital of Sierra Leone, in West Africa, known for its beaches and historical role in the transatlantic slave trade. The waterfront is the King’s Yard Gate, through which former slaves walked to freedom." These men had to man up, growing their gross domestic product (GDP) to earn decent living.
Arguing about who to blame for slavery and the idea of sins committed and whether there is such a thing as a big sin, small sin, or just sins, based on present facts that some persons earn a living through blackmail remains hanging. It is the season of blackmail for money and associated scandals linked with leaked intimate video tapes and nudes.
The first female celebrity and Nollywood actress to have her nudes leaked for public view through a Lagos evening newspaper was Anita Hogan. Even though she threatened to commit suicide while clarifying that the content of herself and her white partner were taken off her laptop during repairs without permission and used as objects of blackmail, the scandal was much with a reprint by the newspaper on same edition as the former sold out at an alarming rate. Though the culprit was later identified by her and arrested, based on societal pressure Anita had to settle down in marriage with her Dutch husband, Ted at the Ikoyi marriage registry, Lagos on October 18, 2006.
Tiwa Savage, the only Nigerian who mounted the stage and received a loud ovation for her performance at the inauguration ceremony of the King of England informed people ahead of time of being blackmailed over a sex tape of herself and her partner, throwing light on how it got shared/leaked.
In an interview with American OAP, Angie Martinez of Power 105.1, the singer absolved people close to her of deliberately leaking the video. In the interview of October 8, 2021, She said, ‘‘We tried to stall them, but I later decided that I am going to own the narrative. I am not ashamed of it; this is someone I am dating; I am not cheating, neither is he. We are grownups.
‘‘I cannot believe this is happening to me. I feel for my fans because they will have to keep defending me. I can switch off my phone or have someone run my account so I do not see that, but my fans will feel the need to protect me. I will like my fans to ignore it.”
She chose to weather the storm, obedient to her personal creed of not "giving any shishi" to her blackmailers.
Earlier, in April 2020, the queen of Waka music, Salawa Abeni, personally shared her nude pictures on Instagram with screenshots of her chat with her 19year old blackmailer so that she could be left alone. The 59year old music legend with tears in her eyes accused her blackmailer of threatening to tarnish her image to destroy her career of over 45 years. The suspect was later picked up following the public outcry trailing the emotional trauma of Abeni.
In quick succession Nigerians have once more been inundated with trending videos of a social media influencer, Esther Raphael, known as "Buba Girl" on Tiktok, whose video said to have been released due to a delay to meet up with a cash transfer to her blackmailer, a former intimate partner whom she sent a recording which showed her having an intimate session with herself via the recording which trended massively on August 28, 2023, which nonetheless earned her more views and followers despite public scoff while "Moyo Lawal" a Nollywood actress who presently has another controversy closely linked to her already trending leaked intimate video released September 9, 2023, with the alleged mention of two other Thespians and the already mentioned female music star?, by Kemi Olunloyo, who allegedly insinuates they are all involved at making such videos with same persona Moyo claimed to be her former fiance.
What about the leaked intimate video from the camp of Oxlade which he claimed not to have control over as he was betrayed by trusted close ones who made the release of the video to spite the lady in question, with Justice O. A. Oresanya of a Lagos State High Court awarding N5m damages against the singer, Ikuforijimi Abdulrahman, over the leaked explicit tape with a woman on a social media app, Snapchat. The tape of the singer went viral online on February 9, 2022, with the artiste later apologising to his fans.
On the international scene, For dropping an unwanted kiss on the lips of Jennifer Hermoso following the Spanish team’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final on August 20, 2023, an action which sparked condemnation, Luis Rubiales was made to bite the dust despite his public apology.
Rubiales said he had informed the interim president of Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) that he had resigned and “I have also let him know that I have also resigned my position in UEFA so that my Vice-presidency position can be filled,” according to a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
He added that his family had “suffered the effects of an excessive persecution, as well as many falsehoods, but it’s also true that in the street, every day more, the truth is being imposed.”
The 46-year-old who had previously apologized and described the kiss as “mutual” a claim Hermoso denied, saying she was not respected had his brothers vouch for his personality as a responsible father and family who was effusive at showing emotion hence the need to be pardoned. But, his uncle thought otherwise. His uncle had earlier given an interview where he complained of Luis big headedness and pride based on his position and the coins that came along with it. He asked for his nephew's sack.
This is more like uttering William Shakespeare's "Et tu, Brute?" "Julius Caesar's" dying words, a Latin phrase which translates into English as "You too, Brutus?" after being stabbed by other Roman leaders. But he was more shocked by the stab from his best friend, Brutus.
"Don't be afraid of loosing people instead be afraid of loosing yourself trying to please people." My colleagues and I were gathered together trying to meet up with the pressures of production. That was the time one of us chose to distract all of us.
Pointing at one of us, he said, "Hey, this is about the second time you are coming to office with a bandaged finger within a space of two weeks. Nna mehn...if woman try chew my finger under any guise I go panel beat am for im pipo."
Everyone is shocked. No one speaks. I tried to explain based on information at my disposal. "Easy. He told us his finger got cut by a faulty door at home. He bandaged to sanitize." The first guy retorted, "Mbanu, na today I dey play return match?" But a bellowed, "Shut the f-ck up" directed at the first speaker gets everyone's attention diverted from the computer screen.
He proceeds. "I want to ask you salient questions which require straight up answers. Give me a yes or no, don't deviate." "Are you married?" He got a, "No," in reply. He asked again, "Are you in a serious relationship?" he got another, "No" in reply. He derisively asks, "Who gave you the right and effrontery to run commentaries about my family which you know nothing about when in essence you cannot even hold down a single relationship? Bro, you lack requisite skills to give advise to a married man such as i. Go work on yourself and learn how to build cordial relationships with fellow humans." Turning to other team members he said, "This is also sending a strong warning to everyone else here, kindly learn to mind your own businesses. If I don't call you in, kindly never interfere."
He looked in the direction of his main buddy who gave a swift, "Pardon me this one time, biko" as it was obvious he might have let slip on vital information which the first guy capitalized on. And so it was. Everyone minding their own business, "Happily Never After" revisiting the subject, mindful also that a mocking bird acting on privileged information got floored trying to use underbelly methods to publicly shame his colleague for being a victim of domestic violence, "a piercing reminder that love is not always a fairy tale but realistic journey with its ups and downs."
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