How did this miss everybody? Did we all travel out of Lagos for Easter or we were on fuel queue, too preoccupied to notice? Even my football crazy friend, Goddie Dgreat Ofose didn’t celebrate it!!! Correct me if I’m wrong, until Saturday, March 26, 2016, only The Nest, the new world-class Stadium in Akwa Ibom played Nigeria Professional Premier League matches under floodlight. But on Saturday evening, about 7pm Brilla FM, 88.90 reported that a match between MFM FC vs Kano Pillars FC was been played under floodlight at Agege Stadium. Yes, you heard me right, Agege Stadium of all places playing a match under floodlight!!! O little town of Bethlehem… Where is Onikan Stadium or the famous Taslim Balogun Stadium. I called up a couple of friends who live in the environs to confirm the story; one traveled for Easter and the other doubted it. But it was true. Believe it or not, Agege Stadium was capacity full at night and the crowd control was super. No stealing, no area boys harassment etc. I couldn’t contain my excitement!!! I thought it’s only Oyinbo who can do it O!. Recall the national embarrassment some years back when floodlight went out for many minutes in Nigeria during a FIFA age-grade competition match (Under 21 I think) E go better for Nigeria!!!
Dr. Celey Okogun
THE DOWN-SIDE OF E-COMMERCE
I’ve always been circumspect of these E-commerce sites where everything is sold and bought, especially second-hand goods and services. Hear my worry: my cousin or someone staying with me steals my wristwatch and as it’s advertised “sell it”. Without any background checks and the clever inclusion of a “Buyer Beware” clause, the E-commerce sites wash their hands off the deal, making illegality legal. Before I could say OLE, a maid that was hired through OLX site kidnapped a child kept in her custody. Today, a new E-commerce site has taken everything to another level by promoting unwholesome conduct. The E-commerce site’s radio advert is about a lady who wanted Brazilian hair for a wedding event; and when her Uncle was delaying to pay for it, the lady sold her Uncle’s phone and bought herself a Brazilian hair. The advert ends with the Uncle agonizing over the stolen phone while the lady and her female friend are amused at the Uncle’s pain. This was always my fear!!! Advertising ought to promote responsible behaviour and people in advertising ought to be role models that represent the very best of society.
Dr. Celey Okogun
THE SHAME OF AKWA IBOM:
Despite concerted effort by the government of the state, misguided parents and adults in Akwa Ibom State still abandon or, worse still kill, children who are labelled witches. It took a foreigner to rescue one of these children from the streets on January 31, 2016.
This 2-year-old Nigerian boy was found emaciated and worm infested after his own family left him for dead in Akwa Ibom State. He has since made a remarkable recovery after about eight weeks of his rescue from the brink of death by Anja Ringgren Loven, a Danish national, on January 31. Ms Loven now shares the before and after photographs of the remarkable recovery of the little boy she has since name Hope. We call on those who still indulge in this wicked act in Akwa Ibom to please have a heart and stop this madness.
