₦airaland Forum

Majek Fashek on arrival to Nigeria's emerging pop culture of the 1980s instantly constructed his own freeway of love, affection, turbulence and troubled soul..

By the end of the seventies decade, Nigeria’s pop culture, recovering from the civil war, was saturated by musicians seeking fame, fortune and to a few extents, misfortune and nightmare, through a funk-influenced genre of that era’s music. In 1979, Eastern Nigeria based psychedelic funk band, Sweet Breeze, a rebrand of the 1960s and early 1970s funk band, Fuel For Love, charmed our music world with a monumental a single hit, BEAUTIFUL WOMAN, from its late entry as a glass of new wine from an ageless bottle- album, CLOUD NINE…

In the early 1980s, Dizzy K Falola, Jide Obi, Felix Leberty, Sweet Breeze, Emma Dorgu, Nelly Uchendu, Dora Ifudu, Oby Onyioha, Stella Monye, Kris Okotie, Late Christy Essien Igbokwe, Onyeka Onwenu, Sonny Okosuns, Fela Kuti energized Nigeria’s new pop music scenes. These stars were some of the happenstances in the Nigerian music scene until a strange mystic man arrived from Benin City, with his acoustic guitar and cousin, Amos McCroy, ( Jegg).

Every Sunday, Majek and McCroy joined the Aladura choir for songs of praise to Jah Jehovah. McCroy remembers:” That was how we started. We were in charge of the Aladura Church band. I was a bass guitarist and Majek was the choir’s trumpeter. Later I taught Majek the guitar picks”. The cousins backed other aspiring artistes with their music demos or live performances within Benin City. Gradually, they built a reputation as great dependable session musicians: that trust and reliability took them to the studios of NTA Benin where they were featured as members of the resident band for the live and lively weekend music program, MUSIC PANORAMA.

Music Panorama, produced and sometimes anchored by Late POGO LIMITED frontman and great musician, Pat Finn, was a successful and popular live music program which aired every Saturday evening. It featured aspiring artistes freestyling on the mic,in concert with breakthrough national artistes such as Sir Victor Uwaifo, late Emma Dorgu, Kris Okotie, Emma Ogosi, Osayemore Joseph, late Sonny Okosuns, Sweet Breeze, the Benjof Majic feet dance ensemble, Rigo Ariyo, Steve Black, Late Jake Solo, Remmy Pearl.

Along came another great guitarist, musician and a wicked drummer, creative artist spiritualist named Black O Rize. Jah Stix’s formative years were spiritual, spiced with music and sermon. The platform was eccentrically blended into the Aladura church in Benin City. Majekodunmi, then known as; “Raji Canal” and Amos McCroy were members of Aladura Church sect and its choir.

Majek and Amos met Black O Rize at the studio settings of Music Panorama program. Rize, a dark fearless down to earth athletic built artist and drummer, returned from New Jersey and was hyped with artistic creativity. The quartet quickly intertwined comfortably with each other, musically; their personalities, though uniquely strange, blended. Months after the meet, they agreed to form a music band and planned relocation. The trio instrumentalists needed a name for their new band.

So, RAM BAND was coined from the initials of the three members’ names: Rize, Amos Majek. Majek was in search of an identity. He had been influenced by the Indian pop culture penetrating Nigeria’s entertainment industry. The effect of the Indian pop culture manifested in his chosen identity then: Raji Kanal.. But when Black Rice finally met Majek, he encouraged him to change his name, abbreviating his first name ( Majekodunmi) and his last (Fasheke) to create an everlasting identity: The suggestion birthed: MAJEK FASHEK.

Majek Fashek found an identity. Amos McCroy and Black O Rize embraced their roles in the band, RAM. But Benin City music scene was becoming too repetitive, boring and less challenging for a young band destined and ready to explode. Majek Fahek came into the City’s entertainment scene with an Indian influenced character, RAAJI KANAL. He would leave that ancient kingdom as MAJEK FASHEK, accompanied by the new Ital group: RAM!

The reggae Ital dream of location to Lagos, the fun city , under RAMS Band, happened soonest, with other new members: Dennis Cecilia joined the group in Lagos. He later left to run his mother’s flourishing restaurant and never returned. George Orwell, the classic keyboardist, joined, Charlie Fyhn, another wonderful keyboardist and Sammy, an amazing guitarist. Sammy too did not last: he left for France after a few months with the band.

The composition of the group expanded as new personalities were added. The band was beyond RAM. It then sought to change its name to accommodate other members and be universally ideal and appealing. Several suggestions later, the group settled for JEHOVAH's WALKING STICKS, abbreviated: JAH ‘STIX. Jah Stix became the first reggae band in the history of Nigeria’s music. The name was entrancing and infectious.

Jah Stix’ arrival into the Nigerian music scene was beyond expectation…. They were young, hybrid bohemians, studious road warriors, masters of their musical instruments and fantastic and fearless songwriters with Jehovah’s spirits.. It instantly settled into the sizzling Lagos music scene, secured regular gigs at Hotel Bobby Bensons popular club, Caban Bamboo, before it became a permanent Club’s band.

The personalities were outspoken, brilliant and always lightening up the social scene with their demeanors..Jah Stix’s messages were laced with political poetry, a call to action: haters of the republic and the sad system under Military dictatorships. They were Nationalists with guitars, drums, percussions, keyboard and engaging songs. Jah ‘Stix was an engaging storyteller with its music and performances.

Jah Stix members were also free spirit radicals ready for the world. Its music became the voice of the disenfranchised Nigerian youths. It was a different norm from the then conservative Nigerian music scene and performers of their era. These were new dreadlock guys, great instrumentalists and singers with provocative and profound songwriting skills and couture. The protest and conscious music of Jah Stix was an added flavor to Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s polyrhythmic Afrobeat music.

Fela had found a companion group, marinated in afrobeat lifestyle and philosophy, young comrades, additional protest voices through the power of music, expressing and exposing the sufferings in the land. Jah stix group became the new crusaders for social justice and equity. Its performance was always electrifying and defining, poignant, sassy and sweaty. Its philosophy of life was orchestrated and anchored by Black O Rize, the spiritual and ideological guardian.

Black tells this better: “Jebose, I was the spiritual and ideological leader. Amos was the musical leader while Majek was the lead singer of the Reggae Itals as we were known. I refused to be called a band. “

Jah ‘Stix reggae Ital was a clean free spirit doctrine fronted by MAJEK FASHEK, a skinny handsome sexy guitarist, brown, smooth sensual and seductive toned African skin, flavored by his enchanting stage swagger and cute flirty smiles, emulating his guitar idol, Jimmy Hendricks. Amos McCroy explains:” Jebose, Majek was of a Bob Marley and Jimmy Hendrix creation, Black was of Dillinger and U-Roy personality, while I was more of Peter Tosh and Gregory Isaacs. So we had to weave these personalities together.. Black was the organizer. Majek and I were the music directors.

Our relocation to Lagos changed the face of the music industry. We were involved in every known music project then. I counted over 86 recording projects we were involved in both as a group and as individuals. There was Terra Kotta"s 2nd album, we did something with Perry Ernest, The Mandators, Ras Kimono, Orits Williki, Late Isaac Black, Late Best Agoha, Marshall, Evi Edna Ogholi, Andy Shureman, Walka Inni Kamanda from Kano, Lemmy Ghariokwu & a host of others ..

During this experience, Majek Fashek was hired as the Resident Artist and Repertoire manager for Tabansi records. A few months after his employment, Tabansi signed him on as a SOLO artist. Amos McCroy freelanced at Tabansi records as a session man and assisted with demo productions for future artists and musicians. Though each band personality had sidekick music productions as session men or freelance producers, Jah Stix Reggae Ital was busy in the Nigerian music scene.

Early 1985, Tabansi records saw the potentials of these young musicians and decided to sign them onto its record label, as a group. The signing ceremony was a mega bash at the then Winas hotel, Ikeja. The Nigerian music scene was about to be captured by a protest political music movement, lyrics and social engineers with anti-establishment messages and attitudes. After signing onto the record company, Jah Stix began a major national tour of the country, bringing its music and message to a young disenchanted Nigerians frustrated and hopeless about the military dictatorship. Their tours also included performances at various prisons across Nigeria for inmates.

In 1988, Majek, backed by Jah stix reggae band recorded his solo debut album, PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE, for Tabansi records. The release was delayed for one year. Amos McCroy remembered those moments thusly:” We were told then that Chief G.A.D Tabansi, the Tabansi Records boss, traveled overseas for medical treatment. He stayed for almost two years and that delayed the release of Majeks work. We were also frustrated as a group just waiting in vain for our own work to be released. We wanted out of our contract and needed to move on”.

Meanwhile, inside Anthony Village by Maryland, Lagos axis, a new sophisticated record company and studios opened: Japex Records and Studios made a sophisticated entrance into Nigeria’s music recording business with its new state of the art studios: Japex became an attraction to new, aspiring singers and musicians to visit this new home of sounds. Black O Rize was great friends with owner of Japex, Frank Eke: “Frank and I go way back, so I convinced him of the band and he signed us onto his label.” After years of waiting for Tabansi records deal to manifest, Jah Stix Reggae Ital group signed onto Japex records. Majek remained as a solo artist under Tabansi records, awaiting the release of PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE.

Jah ‘Stix recorded and produced four albums for Japex records. The album also coincided with the release of Majek Fasheks solo work for Tabansi records… The group felt it was bad for it to release an album as a group with Japex records Label while Majek would release his debut album almost at the same time under Tabansi records. It agreed to protect the Majeks contract. The band decided to sneak into Japex studios and steal its master tapes, hid them from Japex records’ management so as to allow Majek Fashek to release his debut: “We wanted Majek to honor his contract with Tabansi records.”

So in May 1988, Tabansi records released what would be the biggest selling reggae album in Nigeria’s music history: PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE. It instantly rocketed Majek Fahek into superstardom.

The hit single, Send down the Rain was majestic. Majek Fashek, the brand, became the greatest on-demand product in Nigeria, compared only to our petroleum export... It was during these times that the personality began to evolve. Fame, sometimes, change personalities, characters and behaviors. Majek was no different. Majek allegedly became an arrogant revolution. The once clean Aladura choir boy with a guitar and innocence allegedly turned into a famous beast with brutal force and demonic, performing raunchy sexually explicit nonsense on stage and in public. Members of his immediate family allegedly surrounded him with fetish spiritual guidance and guardian, to protect the sudden explosion and money-making family messiah. Majek was enjoying the limelight. He was willing and able to find any that came to seek him and easily welcome all to his entourage.

The groupies increased daily and his behaviors and public tantrums and stage utterances were beginning to change. Majek was also experimenting with marijuana and alcohol. Majeks family also allegedly introduced him to occultism within these periods. After the release of PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE, he allegedly began experimenting with Sat Guru Maharaji spiritual sect, Hari Krishna religion and was exposed to the seven books of Moses. Family sources alleged that during his early years, his late mother would take him to the cemetery to worship the dead at midnight hours and offered sacrifices. He was allegedly mixing voodoos with occultism, wrapped in spiritual mysticism. Though Amos McCroy would neither confirm nor deny these alleged observations by family sources he, however, provided additional insights into the beginnings of a troubled soul: “This happened immediately after the release of my first album: we were returning from rehearsals, riding in his car; one of the female companions asked me what was happening to my record sales: She said my album was not making waves as Majek’s, Mandators, Kimono, etc: Majek quickly interrupted her and said:“ don’t mind Amos; he doesn’t want to ask me the road that leads to stardom. He thinks it’s a good record that makes one a star. I then slapped his head and asked him which road he passed. He told me in our Bini dialect that “this is not the Majek you knew and grew up with o!. I did not take him seriously...until December 1998 when we went for a concert in Cote D'Ivoire. I was determined to check his excesses. I hung around him to watch his excessive use of alcohol throughout our concert period. Between 2 and 2.30 a.m while we were watching movies together, he looked at me and said, rather solemnly:”Amos I envy you”. I was shocked by the statement. After a lot of probing he began to tell me how his mother and elder brother took him to Cemetery in Benin City past midnight and they buried my record, that was the reason my record did not sell.. When he said he envied me I asked him why?. He said I had peace and comfort and that I may never understand…..probing further, he then began what to me was a confession. I refuse to tell everything to this day because that’s my cousin, my family and despite these I love him”.

Majek Fashek embraced fame and was mesmerized by the attention and unsolicited affection it brought along. Through these passages, he began to pay less attention to Jah Stix band. He became distanced from the Reggae Ital band, focusing mainly on the success of his debut album: fast and furious lifestyle and the ovations. He was also searching for everlasting peace and comfort through religion, a true covenant with his soul and God. He became a “man of sorrow in search of my tomorrow…”

Majek’s alleged carelessness and lack of respect, recognition and appreciation for Jah Stix deepened; the remaining personalities began to seek different directions with their lives and their music. Jah Stix slowly fragmented into nonentity, barely surviving. A once-promising and hot Reggae Ital shredded by the success of its frontman. Black O Rize adds: “The mission of Jah Stix Reggae Ital was more than one person in the band. If my guys had followed the vision projected in the earlier formative years, everyone would have had a lasting bond. Majek cannot feel free because of ego and lack of sharing a conscience. Majek couldn’t look George in the eyes for abandoning him because of fame and America. I still feel sorry for Majek.

In 1989 I predicted his family was going to ruin him and that America was going to be a make or break thing for him. When he wanted to travel on his first U.S tour, he dropped two original members of the band: Amos and George. He said I could go with him if I wanted to. But I don’t sell out. I was already an EU citizen, so I didn't need Majek to succeed in life; we sacrificed the group’s album for PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE. Why would he break us apart from this way? These guys were a bunch of talent that needed harnessing, In 1989 George and I went to Europe and the others went to US. The rest is history. Jah Stix Reggae Ital Band was the fertilizer and the manure that would have sustained Majek’s growth and fame, but he rejected the stones needed for the building and allowed sentiments and envy to creep into his heart, seeking the counsels of Lucifer...Amos became a rival instead of a partner, George was deemed not smart enough. My problem with him was his problem with Ja’Stix; George and Amos. I left him that day in ’89 and we would not see again until 20 years later. I was very angry so I asked Amos and George to come with me to Europe just to show that 'when the rain falls, it doesn’t fall on one man's housetop'. I am happy we are all doing well individually, years later… I keep hoping and praying Majeks circumstance would change for best”….

Unedited Excerpts from my autobiography: MY SCATTERED LIFE. Stay With Me.

Copyright: AZUKA JEBOSE

AZUKA JEBOSE MOLOKWU

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My first musical video produced on any reggae artiste was on TERRA KOTTA. Actually the first reggae artiste in Nigeria.

The second was Majek Fashek. 1991. He was followed by other Rasta greats like. Ras kimono, Orits Wiliki, Evi Edna-Ogholi, Mandators, Peterside Ottong etc

Dean Disi , then PR manager of SONY music wanted me to come to the office. The MD, Chief Keji Okunowo invited me to a meeting.

I had produced Shina Peters ACE video for Sony. It caught like fire in the industry. The first musical video to be sold in the country. So Sony easily declared I will be producing videos of all their artistes.

It was at that meeting Majek Fashek was introduced to me.

Hitherto, Send Down the Rain was raving all over the country. But Tabansi records, the owners, could not rise to the occasion. So Sony snatched Majek from them. Actually Sony tushed up Majek, buying him a Peugeot 505, new dresses, contracting me to shoot a whole album video etc.

D-Day was set for the shoot after I had done a lot of location recce. I moved crew and equipment very early to Majeks house at Oluwaleimu street close to Oshopey plaza off Allen Avenue.

I was shocked Majek was still sleeping. The house was a 4 story building so I hesitated climbing . I kept sending one of the crew up but he would not come out of the flat. I had to eventually climb the stairs. Olu the senior brother and Rita the wife kept apologizing to me as I sat the next two hours on a bench in the corridor on the balcony. Nobody was bold enough to wake him up. Even Randy, his very young son had to be playing with this stranger. I was livid.

After over 4 hours since we got there I suddenly heard the sound of the Aladura type bell sounding from the recess of the flat. Finally Majek emerged to me on the balcony and shouted “Repent for the Kingdom of God is nigh !!!”

I blew up shouting. I don’t work like this. Call time must be obeyed when I work and so on and so forth. He looked at me , flashed a mischievous smile and shouted Omo Ita Agbalagba !( rascally elder!).

Although his name was Majekodunmi, he did not speak or understand yoruba, as he grew up in Benin. The way he pronounced it was part of the big fun. I collapsed in laughter. The ice was broken. And that was the way he would always salute me anytime we met for the rest of his life.

My immediate feelings today are the exciting times we had working together on a whole album videos. I remember the scenes on the lagoon by the Unilag VCs house where we were joined by DEDE MABIOKU , apparently a very close friend of his. Two scenes stand out in my memory.
I had set up the UNILAG theater auditorium for the So long too long track which I wanted to shoot as concert format. My friend Tunji Sotimirin facilitated the permission.

I had never seen him perform before and he was still at the elementary stage of his stardom. All cameras and lights were set for the stage. The band was ready. Amos Mcroy, Black rice etc . I called ACTION! I didn’t see Majek emerge.

Suddenly I heard the sound of the bell again from outside the hall and as he emerged ringing it and his hands in handcuffs, he was shouting REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NIGH !!!

It was a mad scramble to turn the cameras and lights round to catch the moment. That format of entrance he maintained as his entrance into any concert he did anywhere in the world throughout his career.

Let me digress. Years and years later , when Majek has achieved international fame and I began to hear of his substance abuse , I remember seeing him one day in traffic in Maryland. We stopped to greet and I asked why he was breaking down. He narrated to me how he had his first breakthrough which was a concert tour with Tracy Chapman in the US. On the first night of the tour he entered the hall from the back with his bell and in handcuffs. He narrated how Chapman ordered her security to stop him and remove the handcuffs. Saying as far as she was concerned the Blackman has broken the cuffs and are free. The sight of the cuffs to her was an insult to her psyche. Majek told me that disgrace affected his moral, self esteem, and it was the first night he had an overdose.

Anyway back to the video shoot. The most memorable sequence we had was for the track MOTHER - oyoyo. Since the song was to honor his mother , I asked him to invite Mama from Benin for the shoot. Location was on the roof of the National theater, with panoramic view of Lagos giving me a colorful backdrop.

It gave me an opportunity to see the other side, the most authentic side of Majek.

Stardom had crept into every breath of Majek. He would wake up in his house as if he was going into a concert hall with the bells jingling. He would have the most personal discussions with you talking patois/ pidgin but still maintaining celebrity affectation. However on the roof of the theater , in between takes , Majek will move close to his mother and lapse into very deep Benin language. He would exchange jokes with the woman in way you will know nobody on the face of earth bonded with him like his mother. With her , he was not a star. He was MAMAs boy.

Majeks slide into the abbys was long and painful. It spread over 25 years or more. I have two vivid recollections.

It was at Lekki Sunsplash. Africa’s biggest concert in the sun, owned by Dapo Adelegan. Fela Anikulapo Kuti was the biggest attraction. Majek Fasheke was the second. It was FELAs tradition to move to the beach with his 27 wives two days to the concert. I was shooting the whole concert , so I moved my crew two days to D -Day getting candid shots of Felas life with the queens and interviews with him and his tribe (story of another day).

Concert day Majek was supposed to play before Fela. His band was all set but no Majek. Dapo Adelegan and his dynamic staff- Ali Baba , Kunle Onime etc if I’m not mistaken , we’re running helter skelter. Sending various vehicles from Lekki to Allen Avenue to force him on stage.

Finally Majek came. Disoriented. His performance wishy washy, forgetting even his lyrics. It was sad.

The last time i saw Majek was a couple of years ago at Chris Okotie’s church Household of God. As I approached him , he squinted his eyes and when he finally saw through the haze he shouted OMO ITA AGBALAGBA !!!!

The man in front of me can not be Majek. The teeth were mostly gone. The Rasta locks were all gone replaced by attachments. No way I would be 10 years older than this ancient man in front of me. My heart sank. Original Majek had a complexion of a half caste. His skin always shone like glass. It has all withered.

I didn’t want to write this eulogy bc of the promise of sad memories overcoming the good ones. But I decided to write it to send a message to our current super stars in Nigeria.

Fame is a drug. Celebrity is a cancer. If you allow it to control you. As I write this I remember Tom Jones.

Jimi Hendrix. Janis Joplin. Micheal Jackson. Whitney Houston. Prince . Amy Whinehouse and many who became idols , who became celebrated globally but who in the end succumbed to the drug named fame.

Wiz kid . Davido. Burna Boy. Phyno Flavor. Gold. Tiwa Savage. Yemi Alade. Falz . Mayorkun Fire boy. Olamide. Rhema. and many many of our stars “blowing” , you must learn from Majeks odyssey.

Beware of the most devastating cancer named FAME.

In conclusion. Majekodunmi Fasheke was a gift to the black nation. He was a gift to human consciousness. A first class musician and guitarist. Our own rain maker. Drench them in heavens.

ELEWON (prisoner), the way we all called him, thanks for raising our consciousness. Take off the hand cuffs now. You are free forever!!!!

Alabi-Hundeyin is the MD/CEO of Dudu Production

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geekybabe:
@newgroom

1. What is the difference between GERD and ulcer?
GERD is gastrointestinal reflux disease. A more chronic form of acid reflux /heartburn. It occurs in d chest due to excessive stomach acid flowing up from your stomach into your oesophagus and maybe even up to the throat. This acid flows up your oesophagus because the spinchter that controls the opening from your oesophagus to the stomach is weak and isn't closing properly.. You can read more online.
Stomach ulcers are like sores in the stomach caused due to many things.. Stress, excessive stomach acid, bad eating disorders, and most commonly H. Pylori infection. etc.

2. How are the symptoms of GERD different from Ulcer's?.

GERD symptoms occur in the oesophagus and attimes the throat. You feel d discomfort more in d midchest. A burn, a heaviness, sharp pain that sometimes radiates to the back, behind your breast bone. In throat it can be very confusing because its symptoms are similar with other throat infections. You could get hoarseness in d throat, sore throat that, cough that feels like you have to clear your voice at all times. Yea. The cough usually clears when you get on ppis or those antacids.. Could take a while depending on how chronic d GERD is.

Stomach ulcer symptoms occur in any part of the stomach area depending on d kind of ulcer. Gastric ulcer pain is usually felt just above your navel in the upper abdomen area. It comes with cramping attimes but you feel d discomfort more intensely after eating any of those trigger foods. Duodenal ulcers occur in the small intestinal. The pain is usually intense and not easily diagnosed. Either way, you need a Doc to examine or properly recommend an endoscopy in extreme conditions to know exactly what the issue is.

3.The plantain therapy you mentioned, is it for GERD or ulcer?
This was used for acute gastritis years back. It worked then cause basically its an alkaline solution that helped to reduce the acid levels in the tommy and provide a coating for the ulcers to heal. I used it years back. Not used it in d past 5 years. Rather I've adopted lifestyle changes that work for me without living on PPIs and meds.

4. What is the best solution for GERD?

Healthy eating and lifestyle changes. Cant stress this enough. No fizzle drinks, no hot meals, no citrus and especially no fries. If u indulge for any reason let it be once in a while and have your antacids as backup around to neutralize the effect. Some antacids are not effective for GERD.
Ranitidine works but I heard the NHS as advised that pple should stop using as it causes cancers on the long run. If you keep your stomach acid levels low, eat right, and give your self enough time for food to digest b4 you sleep, you should get better over time. For meds, in my opinion PPIs work best for ulcers and H2 blockers are best suited for GERD. Im not a doc. Read online to understand these differences. Watch YouTube videos as well. Many Gastro doctors provide Indepth explanations with physical illustrations on YouTube.

5. What is the best solutions for Ulcer?
See a doc to get the right prescription for you if its bad and you dont feel well. Especially if you have bleedings and cannot tolerate food. And again, an healthy lifestyle. Dont junk.

6. Those foods and drinks you listed that we should abstain from, are they for people suffering from GERD or from ulcer?
Those foods are drinks you be avoided as much as possible for anyone with either GERD or ulcer. Your Digestive system is all linked. And what you eat goes through the oesophagus first before it gets to the stomach.


I am not a doctor, and most of d things i write here are just from my experiences over the years and research. I've been lucky to also have amazing Doctors as well.

Hope i answered some of your questions in a way.

Wow! Wow!! Wow!!!
I doff my hat
You are good, responsible and responsive.
Thank you so much
����

OPEN LETTER FROM COL. DANGIWA UMAR (RTD) TO PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI

Muhammadu Buhari,
President,
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces,
Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Dear Mr. President,

MR. PRESIDENT; PLEASE BELONG TO ALL OF US.

“One of the swiftest ways of destroying a Kingdom is to give preference of one particular tribe over another or show favor to one group of people rather than another. And to draw near those who should be kept away and keep away those who should be drawn near” Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio.

I have been prompted to write you this open letter, Mr. President, by the loud sounds of drums, singing and dancing that erupted within many groups in the last few days on the grounds that you attained the 5th year in office as President of Nigeria. It comes as no surprise that enthusiasm for the celebration is not shared equally by segments of the public. While your admirers and supporters believe you have performed well, many others believe the five years you have been in office as our President has not met the yearnings, expectations and change promised Nigerians.

Mr. President, you know me well enough and my position on issues to realize that I can be neither a rabid supporter nor a fanatical opponent of yours. I believe being a responsible citizen is enough reason to wish you well and to work for your success. As we have seen all too clearly these past few years, your success is ours as is your failure. We swim or sink with you!

You might wish to recall that after the results of the 23rd of February 2019 presidential elections were announced, giving you victory, I addressed a press conference during which I urged the runner-up, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the PDP, to concede defeat. The reason was clear: tensions were running high and little missteps by the leaders might ignite violence, as often happened after major elections. Some supporters of Abubakar Atiku disagreed with me and told me off. As it happened, Alhaji Atiku went ahead to mount a legal challenge to the outcome of the elections up to the Supreme Court. Mercifully, his actions did not result in an outbreak of violence as we feared.

At the same occasion, I counselled the declared winner, your good self, to use the opportunity of your second term to redeem your pledge of being a leader and president of all Nigerians.

On the occasion of the first-year anniversary into your second four-year term, I feel there is an urgent need to revisit this subject matter.

Mr. President, you have often expressed the hope that history will be kind to you. It is within your competence to write that history. But you have less than three years in which to do it. You may wish to note that any authentic history must be devoid of myth. It will be a true, factual rendition of the record of your performance.

And truth be told, Mr. President, there are quite a lot of things that speak to your remarkable accomplishments, not least of which is that for the first time in our democratic history, a sitting President was defeated. That feat was achieved by Muhammadu Buhari. The reason was the public belief of you as a man of integrity.

The corollary to this is that at the expiration of your 8-year tenure in 2023, your achievements will not be measured solely by the physical infrastructure your administration built. An enduring legacy would be based on those intangible things like how much you uplifted the spirit and moral tone of the nation. How well have you secured the nation from ourselves and from external enemies?

At this time and in the light of all that have happened since you took office, any conversation with you Mr. President cannot gloss over the chaos that has overtaken appointments into government offices in your administration. All those who wish you and the country well must mince no words in warning you that Nigeria has become dangerously polarized and risk sliding into crisis on account of your administration’s lopsided appointments which continues to give undue preference to some sections of the country over others.

Nowhere is this more glaring than in the leadership cadre of our security services.

Mr. President, I regret that there are no kind or gentle words to tell you that your skewed appointments into the offices of the federal government, favoring some and frustrating others, shall bring ruin and destruction to this nation.

I need not remind you, Mr. President, that our political history is replete with great acts of exemplary leadership which, at critical moments, managed to pull this nation back from the precipice and assured its continued existence.

A few examples will demonstrate this:

In February, 1965, the NPC-led Federal Government was faced with a decision to appoint a successor to the outgoing Nigerian Army General Officer Commanding (GOC), General Welby Everard, a Briton. Four most senior officers were nominated; namely, Brigadiers Aguiyi Ironsi, Ogundipe, Ademulegun and Maimalari. The first three were senior to Maimalari but he was deemed to be more qualified due to his superior commission. He was the first Sandhurst Regular trained officer in the Nigerian Army. His being a Muslim Northerner like the Minister of Defense, Alhaji Muhammadu Ribadu and the Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa granted him added advantage by today’s standards. But to the surprise of even the Igbos, and opposition from some senior NPC members, Minister Ribadu recommended Ironsi, pointing to his seniority. The Prime Minister concurred and Aguiyi Ironsi was confirmed as the first indigenous GOC of the Nigerian Army.

When on 13 February 1976, the Commander-in-Chief, General Murtala Muhammed, was assassinated in a failed Coup de tat, General Olusegun Obasanjo, his deputy and the most senior officer at the time, was sworn in as his successor. The Chief of Army Staff, General T.Y Danjuma, a Northern Christian, was next in line to succeed Obasanjo as the Chief of Staff, SHQ and Deputy Commander in Chief. General Danjuma however waived his right and recommended a much junior officer, Lt. Col. Shehu Musa Yar’adua, for the post. Shehu was promoted two steps up to the rank of Brigadier and appointed Chief of Staff SHQ and Deputy Commander-in-Chief. Lt. Col. Muhammadu Buhari was appointed Minister of Petroleum. This was done to placate Muslim North which was deemed to have lost one of its own, Murtala Muhammed.

Both the chief of staff, Mr. Sunday Awoniyi, and the personal physician Dr Ishaya Audu to the Premier of Northern Nigeria, Alhaji Sir Ahmadu Bello, a direct descendant of Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio, were Christians.

Barely nine years after the civil war in 1979, the NPN Presidential candidate, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, picked an Igbo, Dr Alex Ekwueme, as his running mate. They enjoyed a truly brotherly relationship as President and Vice President. President Shagari’s political advisor, Dr Chuba Okadigbo and National Assembly Liaison, assistant, Dr K.O Mbadiwe, were both Igbos. His economic advisor, Prof. Emmanuel Edozien and his Chief of Personnel Staff Dr Michael Prest, were of Niger Delta extraction. Remarkably, all his military service chiefs were Christians with the exception of his last Chief Army Staff, General Inuwa Wushishi under whose tenure he was removed in a military coup de tat.

Mr. President, as a witness and beneficiary, it is our expectation that you would emulate these great acts of statesmanship. Which is why we have continued to engage with you.

You may wish to recall that I had cause to appeal to you, to confirm Justice Onnoghen as the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria a few days before the expiration of his three months tenure of acting appointment to be replaced by a Muslim Northerner. We were saved that embarrassment when his nomination was sent to the senate by the then acting President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo. When he was finally confirmed a few days to the end of his tenure, he was removed after a few months and replaced by Justice Muhammed, a Muslim from the North.

May I also invite the attention of Mr. President to the pending matter of appointment of a Chief Judge of the Nigerian Court Appeal which appears to be generating public interest. As it is, the most senior Judge, Justice Monica Dongban Mensem, a northern Christian, is serving out her second three-month term as acting Chief Judge without firm prospects that she will be confirmed substantive head. I do not know Justice Mensem but those who do attest to her competence, honesty and humility. She appears eminently qualified for appointment as the substantive Chief Judge of the Court of Appeal as she is also said to be highly recommended by the National Judicial Council. If she is not and is bypassed in favor of the next in line who happens to be another northern Muslim, that would be truly odd. In which case, even the largest contingent of PR gurus would struggle to rebut the charges that you, Mr. President, is either unwilling or incapable of acting on your pledge to belong to everyone — and to no one. I hope you would see your way into pausing and reflecting on the very grave consequences of such failure not just to your legacy but to the future of our great country.

Thank you for your time, Mr. President.

COL. ABUBAKAR DANGIWA UMAR (RTD)

Lol

Hello geekybabe,

Thanks for your contributions thus far. I want you to summarised everything we have been talking about for the benefits of some people here.

1. What is the difference between GERD and ulcer?

2. How are the symptoms of GERD different from Ulcer's?

3. The plantain therapy you mentioned, is it for GERD or ulcer?

4. What is the best solution for GERD?

5. What is the best solutions for Ulcer?

6. Those foods and drinks you listed that we should abstain from, are they for people suffering from GERD or from ulcer?

Thank you

Davash222:
Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu goofed big time. APC will useless him and dump him.
Shehu Sani and Ambode is a perfect example.

This your English has "uselessed" you. Why disgracing your parents in public?

She was not talking about Igbo as a tribe. She was addressing the senseless ones on RantHqs. And do you want to say there are not senseless Igbos on RantHqs. Just as we have some senseless ones here on Nairaland. Just as we have senseless Yorubas and senseless Hausa's. Why do you guys like generalisation?

Sebi you have created your own Igbo RantHqs. You have achieved your aim abi?. So, leave the woman alone now. The moment they are not leading a sector, they are angry. Just as they are not happy Yorubas are leading in music and Christianity. The same thing they did oin Nairaland years ago.when you guys left Nairaland to create your own forum, has Nairaland died? Where is your version of Nairaland today? People that are never united wanting to lord it over anybody.

We shall soon see where your own rant group will be in one year. Miserable lot.

falcon01:
What do you mean? in 2020 he was still upcoming because he released holla at your boy 2010 doesn't mean he wasn't an upcoming artist. He wasn't A star then.

The title is misleading possibly because of what Wizkid tweeted. The tweet made it look as if was begging Banky to sign him. No, he was already on the label of Banky when he tweeted. He was just having fun.

Did you see me say he was an A star?. You are prolly confused about the meaning of star. Wizkid was already a star by the time he made that tweet. As a matter of time, he became a star with his first album. Being a star is not a function of your year in the industry or the number of single or album. You can be a star with a single. Being a star is different from being a legend....

Dimmo:
Absolutely fake because Wizkid cannot have a verified tweeter account at that time

The account was verified later. The thing is the moment your account is verified, all your tweets, even those before it was verified, carry the Verified mark. Tweets are not verified, accounts are.

falcon01:
as in gosh! Nigerians are Ignorant. There's a link leading straight to the link but they are still arguing, claiming it's photshopped, someone was saying how comes was he verified way back then, I just died walai.

He was prolly having fun on Twitter. Wizkid was already a star in 2010. He joined Banky's EME in 2009. Holla at the Boy was released in January 2010.

The tweet was true but he was just playing on Twitter.

Lai is the Grand Commander of Propaganda and Fake News in Nigeria. He should be tried for misleading Nigerians

And this made FP?

What if they just want to play his past sermon?

nairavsdollars:
Ministerial List: Anxiety In South-west APC As Bola Tinubu Loses Out

*Tinubu Not Bothered As Long As They Are Capable — S/West APC

Temidayo Akinsuyi, Lagos

https://www.independent.ng/anxiety-in-south-west-apc-as-bola-tinubu-loses-out/

There is no doubt that op NairavsDollars is the same person as Temidayo Akinsuyi of Daily Independent.

Anytime HE (not she as the username erroneously indicates) comes to Nairaland, HE comes to promote his rubbish writeups. Unfortunately, HE does not appear as an intelligent, investigative and exciting journalist to me.

How can you interview one or two people, generalise it and base your piece on such? Unfortunately that has been his style whenever he showcase his rubbish on Daily Independent. His type can only exist in a Banana Republic like Nigeria.

Baby and lazy journalist

Obasanjo and Nzeogwu were tight friends. As a matter of fact, when Nzeogwu was to die he made Obasanjo swear that he (obj) will take care of his parents (when he might have been killed for staging the coup) and Obasanjo has been doing this till today.

The only person that can tell us about Nzeogwu is Obasanjo and not even any of his family members who were never close to him when he was alive

Idiots.
What did Igbo see in Atiku? Sorry I forget Atiku is Urhobo? Lots of mischievous educated illiterates...

Adetunji75:
If you want the game is free am not collecting money from anybody bcoz am not a beggar

How can I get the App, bro??

TUNEX89:
pls I am yet to get a response on this

[url]old-mobile.bet9ja.com[/url]

Press Conference by Senator Ishaku Abbo (SIA) (PDP Adamawa North)

It is with a deep sense of remorse and responsibility that I, Senator Ishaku Abbo (SIA) profoundly apologize to all Nigerians, the Senate, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), my family, friends as well as our mothers - the Nigerian women.

I personally apologize to Bibra and her family for my action towards her, which has brought immense discomfort in our body polity.

I have never been known or associated with such actions in the past. Regardless of what transpired prior to my expression of anger, I am sincerely sorry and plead that all men and women of good conscience should have the heart to forgive me. To err is human, to forgive is divine.

To the Church of God everywhere in the world, I am sorry. As an Ambassador of Christ, much is expected of me.

My family and religious upbringing do not give approval to such conduct and for this, as a leader, I seek forgiveness before God and all those who feel offended by my action.

Indeed, this episode has taught me a very great lesson both as a private citizen and a public officer, particularly as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria upon whom public confidence is bestowed.

Finally, I assure Nigerians, especially the people of Adamawa North of my good conduct at all times.

Thank you and God bless.

Senator Ishaku Abbo (SIA)
Adamawa North

succyreal:
Questions : 1.why? To look more handsome.
2.When? 2008-2015.
3. How? through a makeup artist.
4.Where? On his face.

Ignoramus.

Listen kid, EVERY INDIVIDUAL (even Trump and Buhari) is made up before you go on TV. The person you see there is a make-up artist, who is preparing him for a TV appearance...

daddytime:
Who comot the 5k wey dey on top

Hehehehehe..

OP
Your English is pathetic. Work on it...

yehmy:
very possible, u can even initiate the whole 100k at once but payment of 250k upward needs verification

Thanks. I know I can take everything once. The fact is, I needed only N50,000 before. It was after collecting it that I discovered I needed more.

See this man?

Tom Ikimi was to become the first Chairman of APC before Tinubu (and ors) checkmated him and anointed Oyegun as the Chairman. The same Oyegun is now talking about doing away with godfathers today.

Will he have become APC Chairman without those godfathers?

Victoria Murray, a student of Holy Child College, Ikoyi, Lagos, that was declared missing some weeks ago, has been found.

According to her father, Senan Murray, Victoria is back home and has been re-united with her family. The family will soon provide details of what happened.

Victoria who was said to be about 6ft tall and resides at Oniru in Victoria Island left home for her school and was subsequently declared missing.

Lalasticlala
Seun