A COMMUTER DIARY
URINATING IN PUBLIC PLACES
The rainy season is here bringing along its advantages and disadvantages. One of its advantages being the coolness of the atmosphere, and the latent tranquility it exudes despite the hustle and bustle of the city. The disadvantage is that it causes more traffic and in a way bring into limelight the bad roads and streets in the state. It has really revealed that a lot still needs to be done in the state, not all roads are repaired and the ones repaired are being damaged by reckless drivers. Anyway, I was on my way home from work one evening when I encountered something very bizarre.
My favorite spot in the bus is the window side either by the left wing or right, or he back seat or middle, as long there is a window I’m comfortable. From there I can watch the city at anytime of the day especially the evenings; the hawkers with their wares bellowing at their customers, the hasty mother running home to prepare dinner for the family, the tired father who can’t wait to get home to be pampered as he tries to maneuver traffic, the single lady returning home for a nice date, the rich boss who is booming with smiles over a new contract, the young graduate who hopes to be called for a job interview and above all, you enjoy the drama of the traffic wardens and the policemen as they try to control traffic from the impatient drivers as well as collect tips from the conductors.
However, this evening we were in a heavy traffic, unlike before, commuters would have alighted and complete the remaining journey on foot, but due to the weather everyone sat down comfortably.
I was enjoying the evening breeze when all of a sudden I saw a young man came out from his blue Mercedes at the other lane, walked to the front of his car and…
At first, I thought his car broke down but when I saw him unzip his trouser and pee at the back of the molue bus in front of him I knew this was very crazy. I stared at him gob smacked at such display, I had to call the attention of the commuter by my side to watch him, he said to me nonchalantly that the guy was pressed that what was I expecting him to do. You have to agree with me that was absolutely crazy.
In Lagos, you will find a mélange of bohemian attitude. The sign ’do not urinate here’ is not a rarity on our streets and roads. I am sure it was due to the cavalier attitude of people who abuse the environment with their urine that the sign was created. I know that when pressed the organs don’t take commands from the brain anymore, they operate on their own, but there are other times it can be controlled. The male species have this insouciant attitude about urinating anywhere .I don’t know if that could be attributed to the shape of their organ because the way they display that thing blatantly could be appalling ‘The female species also practice this act even though their excretory organ is a little complicated.
At the garages and parks, you will be choked to death by the repulsive smell of urine especially at Oyingbo Park at Oyingbo bus stop. Sometimes, commuters are forced to inhale this pungent pong as the buses are lined at the back of the polluted area. Most times the bus drivers and conductors are provided with toilet facilities in the garage and park, but they nonchalantly chose to urinate at the back of the buses. Some passers by and hawkers do engage in this detestable act. At Ojota garage, it is difficult to breathe in fresh air as the drainages are filled with faeces of humans. How can one deliberately defecate in the drainage? Should the blame be placed on touts and destitute who have no place to stay.
The government should seriously look at this environment pollution as it is not only detrimental to the environment but also to its inhabitants. More toilet facilities should be made available on the streets and major roads for easy access when needed urgently.
Also there should be officials to supervise the effective implementation of this act. Any person caught violating the law should be punished either by giving out tickets or taking them to court.
It is high time we made our environment a habitable place and stop polluting it without impunity. If the environment is not inhabitable, we will face a lot of epidemic, which will result to a high mortality rate in the society. We should all endeavour to keep our environment clean and caution those who pollute the environs, because it is everyone’s duty to give Lagos state a serene ambience.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
MUSIC LEGENDS
There is no juju music without King Sunny Ade; he is the undeniable living legend of Nigerian juju music.
Born into a royal family on September 22 1946 in Ondo state, Sunday Adeniyi left school to pursue his music career, under the impression of going to University of Lagos. He joined the Olaiya Federal Rhythm Dandies, a Highlife Band but left it to form Green Spots in 1967, which was later changed to African beats. Frustrated by the exploitation of the record industry, Ade started his own record label in 1974.The label has released more than one hundred of Ade’s recordings in Nigeria in the past twenty –five years.
Ade’s career began with the release of “Sunny ti de” with his band; “King Sunny Ade and His African Beats” The song signified the birth of a new king of juju music. Sunny began to gain western attraction when three of his albums-Juju music, Synchro System and Aura was released in the early 80’s on the Mango label, a subordinate of Island records. He embarked on a tour of America and Europe in the 70’s and 80’s where he performed for mixed audiences. His performance was characterized with skillful dancing steps and mastery of the guitar.
In 1983, Ade and his band made their debut American performances to excited crowds in 1983.This gained him compliments from the likes of Trey Anastasio, an American guitarist and composer. These were his exact words
“If you must come to see Sunny Ade live, you must be prepared to groove all night.”
New York Times Robert Palmer described Ade’s concerts as one of the most significant pop music events of the time.
After the untimely demise of Bob Marley, Island records went in search of a new third world artiste to put on its contract. Fela Anikulapo Kuti was out of their reach because at the time, he was signed in to Arista records, thus, producer Martin Meisonnier introduced King Sunny Ade to Chris Blackwell, leading to the release of Juju music in 1982.Though at that time, many music afficianados were quick to assert that Ade’s music deserve such promotion.
However, Ade was dropped by the Island records as a result of his refusal to allow Island to intrude with his compositions. Though the Juju music and Synchro system showed signs that Ade was going to become “the African Bob Marley”, but with the unexpected plummeting of the Aura album in the market, the dream wasn’t actualized. Nevertheless one can’t dispute the fact that Ade’s brief recordings with Island records created opportunities for other world music artistes such as Senegalese Youssou N’Dour, Mali’s Salif Keita and a host of others.
Ade’s music is majorly characterized by the guitar and its peculiar application to its music that easily place him in the same class with the likes of Santana, and the talking drum. He introduced the pedal steel guitar, synthesizers, clavinet, vibraphone, tenor guitar into the Nigerian Juju music.
After Ade was dropped by the island records, he released an album ‘Authority’ in 1990, which failed to rouse much public attention.
‘E Dide’ which was released in 1995 however turned out well. It was followed by ‘Odu’; a collection of ancient songs in 1998.The album was nominated for a Grammy award, thus making Ade the first African to be nominated twice for a Grammy.
Ade has also featured artistes like Manu Dibango, Stevie Wonder, and Onyeka Onwenu amongst others.
Ade and his band were featured in ‘Juju music’ in 1998; ‘Live at Montreux’ in 1990 and ‘Roots of Rhythm’ in 1997.
In 1985, Ade acted in Robert Altman’s comedy; ‘O.C and Stiggs’ and also in Richard Gere’s movie; ‘Breathless’ in 1986.He performed his music in both movies.
Ade has produced so far more than 100 albums.
Moreso, Ade also has chains of companies in several industries, as well as a non –profit organization called the King Sunny Ade foundation which was established in the mid 90’s. The foundation has a performing arts centre, state of the art recording studio and housing unit of young musicians and performers on a five acre territory, which was provided by the Lagos state government. He also owns an oil firm, a mining company, a nightclub, film and video production company, a PR firm and a record label specializing in recordings by African artistes.
With the emergence of electronic media in Nigeria, hip hop music appears to be the rave of the moment. Nevertheless Sunny Ade’s musical output has persistently motivated a vast generation of other Nigerian musicians who strongly believed in his music. One of such musicians is Lagbaja.
The legend is reticent about his marital life. Though it was reported that he has many wives and lost two wives in the year 2008.There were also speculations that he dated Onyeka Onwenu who did a song with him ‘wait for me’.
Some of his popular music were: ’Ja funmi’, Wait for me’, Sunny ti de’, among others.
Born into a royal family on September 22 1946 in Ondo state, Sunday Adeniyi left school to pursue his music career, under the impression of going to University of Lagos. He joined the Olaiya Federal Rhythm Dandies, a Highlife Band but left it to form Green Spots in 1967, which was later changed to African beats. Frustrated by the exploitation of the record industry, Ade started his own record label in 1974.The label has released more than one hundred of Ade’s recordings in Nigeria in the past twenty –five years.
Ade’s career began with the release of “Sunny ti de” with his band; “King Sunny Ade and His African Beats” The song signified the birth of a new king of juju music. Sunny began to gain western attraction when three of his albums-Juju music, Synchro System and Aura was released in the early 80’s on the Mango label, a subordinate of Island records. He embarked on a tour of America and Europe in the 70’s and 80’s where he performed for mixed audiences. His performance was characterized with skillful dancing steps and mastery of the guitar.
In 1983, Ade and his band made their debut American performances to excited crowds in 1983.This gained him compliments from the likes of Trey Anastasio, an American guitarist and composer. These were his exact words
“If you must come to see Sunny Ade live, you must be prepared to groove all night.”
New York Times Robert Palmer described Ade’s concerts as one of the most significant pop music events of the time.
After the untimely demise of Bob Marley, Island records went in search of a new third world artiste to put on its contract. Fela Anikulapo Kuti was out of their reach because at the time, he was signed in to Arista records, thus, producer Martin Meisonnier introduced King Sunny Ade to Chris Blackwell, leading to the release of Juju music in 1982.Though at that time, many music afficianados were quick to assert that Ade’s music deserve such promotion.
However, Ade was dropped by the Island records as a result of his refusal to allow Island to intrude with his compositions. Though the Juju music and Synchro system showed signs that Ade was going to become “the African Bob Marley”, but with the unexpected plummeting of the Aura album in the market, the dream wasn’t actualized. Nevertheless one can’t dispute the fact that Ade’s brief recordings with Island records created opportunities for other world music artistes such as Senegalese Youssou N’Dour, Mali’s Salif Keita and a host of others.
Ade’s music is majorly characterized by the guitar and its peculiar application to its music that easily place him in the same class with the likes of Santana, and the talking drum. He introduced the pedal steel guitar, synthesizers, clavinet, vibraphone, tenor guitar into the Nigerian Juju music.
After Ade was dropped by the island records, he released an album ‘Authority’ in 1990, which failed to rouse much public attention.
‘E Dide’ which was released in 1995 however turned out well. It was followed by ‘Odu’; a collection of ancient songs in 1998.The album was nominated for a Grammy award, thus making Ade the first African to be nominated twice for a Grammy.
Ade has also featured artistes like Manu Dibango, Stevie Wonder, and Onyeka Onwenu amongst others.
Ade and his band were featured in ‘Juju music’ in 1998; ‘Live at Montreux’ in 1990 and ‘Roots of Rhythm’ in 1997.
In 1985, Ade acted in Robert Altman’s comedy; ‘O.C and Stiggs’ and also in Richard Gere’s movie; ‘Breathless’ in 1986.He performed his music in both movies.
Ade has produced so far more than 100 albums.
Moreso, Ade also has chains of companies in several industries, as well as a non –profit organization called the King Sunny Ade foundation which was established in the mid 90’s. The foundation has a performing arts centre, state of the art recording studio and housing unit of young musicians and performers on a five acre territory, which was provided by the Lagos state government. He also owns an oil firm, a mining company, a nightclub, film and video production company, a PR firm and a record label specializing in recordings by African artistes.
With the emergence of electronic media in Nigeria, hip hop music appears to be the rave of the moment. Nevertheless Sunny Ade’s musical output has persistently motivated a vast generation of other Nigerian musicians who strongly believed in his music. One of such musicians is Lagbaja.
The legend is reticent about his marital life. Though it was reported that he has many wives and lost two wives in the year 2008.There were also speculations that he dated Onyeka Onwenu who did a song with him ‘wait for me’.
Some of his popular music were: ’Ja funmi’, Wait for me’, Sunny ti de’, among others.
MICHAEL JACKSON -THE MAN IN THE MIRROR
Ever since the unexpected demise of the pop legend Michael Jackson, the media has been screaming with steamy headlines and gory details of the musician’s life. Some celebrate him while others criticize him. The most inhuman act of this was the disrespectful prying into Michael’s life, looking for flaws as if we don’t have skeletons in our closet. I find this very ruthless and infuriating from people who engage in this act. The dead should also be respected as well as the living; their personal life should not be made a public caricature.
From Michel’s birth to his death, everyone seems to have one discriminating thing to say or the other. We should not forget that this man’s music was one of the best in the world. Some even judged his mortality. Well, I hope we all know that we are all humans and whatever you do to someone else, the same will be done to us.
Instead of looking for flaws in Michaels life why don’t we view him from this perspective as the “man in the mirror”, the man who fought for a change.
Have we ever sat down for a minute to reflect on the emotions of the pop star, to put yourself in his shoes, to face the trials and accusations from not just one person but many people, to look into the mirror and realize that the whole world is against you because of your sacrifice?
Michael went through all this and despite the criticism and condemnation he faced, he was never discouraged, he pushed through, delivering music in the most entertaining way that nobody has been able to contend with. Is it his lyrics? They vary, he was not stereotyped, and his creativity was beyond measure. He touched almost every kind of being on earth: lovers, gangsters, children, even the earth. He was a vivacious performer on stage, wowing the crowd who couldn’t contain themselves. His energetic dance steps were the height of it all.
Michael was able to influence his generation, the present generation and inevitably the next generation with his music and dazzling moves. The list of musicians he has motivated is inexorable. Even when the world was against him he gave them music that was soul searing, wound healing, and love stunned. His altruism is still laudable.
Yet in his death people have the effrontery to judge him. Some went to the extreme of condemning his soul to hell, a place where all souls dread.
In fear, Michael raised his children, afraid that something bad might happen to them. During his lifetime, his children lived an isolated life, only appearing in public with hoods and masks, yet at his memorial service his beautiful daughter Paris, described him as the best dad in the world. Now he is gone, I hope the children will be fully protected in their new safe haven with their grandparents. However, Michael would not have loved his father to be part of his children upbringing because of the unfriendly relationship he had with him from childhood. But at least Joe Jackson deserves some credit because his discipline gave Michael the strength to carry on amidst the storm that shook his life.
Ironically, despite Michael’s flaws, he was the phenom among all. The most successful not only to his family but to the world. Michael was indeed a chosen one. We of the black race blame him for changing his colour, of denying his race have we ever ponder y Michael made that decision?
I know most people said he was influenced by the whites, but is it just that or is there more to it? We should not ignore the fact that Michael gained fame at an early stage in his life, mingling with celebrities and people who are more advanced in age than he was. He was deprived of a childhood experience which resulted to his unfathomable love for children.
Whatever the case, I believe that Michael was torn between two worlds and he made the safest and difficult decision of his life. He knew the consequences and he forged on, he tried o make a change when he could not control his human nature. When it was futile, he responded by singing black or white. I bet it was not easy for Michael to see the changes in his face, to watch his body pigment and was left with the Hobson’s choice; drugs.
Despite all these, Michael ought to be celebrated. He is a legend and will always be and there will be no duplicate of him never in this life.
A commuter's diary
Oh! It’s six am. And I’m already late for work. I quickly said a little prayer and scurried to the bathroom. Unfortunately, I was not the only one who was late for work, I and my elder sister made a dash for the bathroom but she outran me, so I decided to engage myself in other activities.By the time I was through with all the female wahala, it was seven forty-five, and I had to resume in the office by nine. I dashed out of the house with the speed of a superwoman, heading for the bus-stop which was few blocks away from my house.
Before I got to the bus-stop, I encountered a scenario. A bus driver was badly beaten by two touts. As always, the attitude of Nigerians is just to pass by and do nothing, I stood and stared like a good citizen of my country.
The driver tried to dodge his opponent blows and at the same time, justifying his actions. One of the touts held a bottle of the local gin in his right hand while tugging the driver by his collar.
“Why you stop here carry passengers?” asked the tout.
“No mind am. And u get mouth to talk. Don’t worry by the time the chairman deals with you, you go know.” said his colleague.
After much squabble, the driver was asked to pay a fine of a thousand naira to avoid the wrath of the chairman, which he declined. Meanwhile the commuters sat down comfortably in the bus, absolutely enjoying the drama. When the driver obstinately refused to agree to the touts’ terms, they took the gauge of his engine oil. He began to shout at them to return it but they paid him no attention.
One of the commuters, who was obviously late to work alighted from the bus and demanded for his money from the fuming driver. The driver just looked at him rudely, muttered something and went after the touts. The commuter chased after him, raining curses on him, still demanding for his money. Seeing the chaos, other commuters in the bus decided to add more fuel to the burning fire. The driver was torn between the touts and his passengers.
Sadly, I had to go to work. I never knew how they settled the dispute.
It’s quite funny how the transportation system operates in Lagos state. We lack effective traffic regulations and officers to see to the full implementation of the provided laws.
No doubt, the driver was at fault, there was a “No parking” sign in front of him, yet he deliberately stopped there to pick up a passenger. But the question now is: Are touts the authorized officials to penalize the offenders of these laws? What exactly are the roles of touts on our roads and bus stops? Ever since their emergence into the transportation sector, I can’t really see their effectiveness. Secondly, does breaking of such laws require physical abuse? Do we use violence to solve cases like this? Nigerians lack human compassion. It was quite disheartening to watch a fellow human being manhandled unjustly and yet do nothing about it. What happened to the saying ‘be your brother’s keeper.”
There should be effective traffic laws and officers to ensure that these laws are not broken and when they are, there should be punishment such as withdrawal of driving license or probably, the drivers should be sent to a driver’s institute. But not physically abused. We should as well look into the touts influence on our roads. Their role should be clearly defined and if they should cross the boundary, they should be reprimanded. In United States of America, there is a Good Samaritan policy which states that individuals should be able to help each other in times of danger unless lives are being threatened. Though in a city like Lagos state, this might be difficult to achieve, but it won’t hurt if we give it a try.
Luckily for me, I made it to work on time
Before I got to the bus-stop, I encountered a scenario. A bus driver was badly beaten by two touts. As always, the attitude of Nigerians is just to pass by and do nothing, I stood and stared like a good citizen of my country.
The driver tried to dodge his opponent blows and at the same time, justifying his actions. One of the touts held a bottle of the local gin in his right hand while tugging the driver by his collar.
“Why you stop here carry passengers?” asked the tout.
“No mind am. And u get mouth to talk. Don’t worry by the time the chairman deals with you, you go know.” said his colleague.
After much squabble, the driver was asked to pay a fine of a thousand naira to avoid the wrath of the chairman, which he declined. Meanwhile the commuters sat down comfortably in the bus, absolutely enjoying the drama. When the driver obstinately refused to agree to the touts’ terms, they took the gauge of his engine oil. He began to shout at them to return it but they paid him no attention.
One of the commuters, who was obviously late to work alighted from the bus and demanded for his money from the fuming driver. The driver just looked at him rudely, muttered something and went after the touts. The commuter chased after him, raining curses on him, still demanding for his money. Seeing the chaos, other commuters in the bus decided to add more fuel to the burning fire. The driver was torn between the touts and his passengers.
Sadly, I had to go to work. I never knew how they settled the dispute.
It’s quite funny how the transportation system operates in Lagos state. We lack effective traffic regulations and officers to see to the full implementation of the provided laws.
No doubt, the driver was at fault, there was a “No parking” sign in front of him, yet he deliberately stopped there to pick up a passenger. But the question now is: Are touts the authorized officials to penalize the offenders of these laws? What exactly are the roles of touts on our roads and bus stops? Ever since their emergence into the transportation sector, I can’t really see their effectiveness. Secondly, does breaking of such laws require physical abuse? Do we use violence to solve cases like this? Nigerians lack human compassion. It was quite disheartening to watch a fellow human being manhandled unjustly and yet do nothing about it. What happened to the saying ‘be your brother’s keeper.”
There should be effective traffic laws and officers to ensure that these laws are not broken and when they are, there should be punishment such as withdrawal of driving license or probably, the drivers should be sent to a driver’s institute. But not physically abused. We should as well look into the touts influence on our roads. Their role should be clearly defined and if they should cross the boundary, they should be reprimanded. In United States of America, there is a Good Samaritan policy which states that individuals should be able to help each other in times of danger unless lives are being threatened. Though in a city like Lagos state, this might be difficult to achieve, but it won’t hurt if we give it a try.
Luckily for me, I made it to work on time
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