₦airaland Forum

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The attention of the whole world was drawn to Boston in the United States of America, these past few days when two bombs exploded near the finishing line of the Boston Marathon killing three people, including an eight-year-old child, and injuring more than 100.

This ugly incident, unfortunately, turned one of the city’s most cherished rites of spring from a scene of cheers and sweaty triumph to one of sorrow, tears and blood...

Almost three-quarters of the 23,000 runners who participated in the race had already crossed the finishing line when a bomb that had apparently been placed in a dustbin exploded in a cloud of smoke amid a crowd of spectators in the heart of the city. Thirteen seconds later, another bomb exploded several hundred feet away. Pandemonium erupted as panicky runners and spectators scattered, and rescue workers rushed in to care for the dozens of maimed and injured, some of whom lost legs in the blast.

Speaking at the White House, in response to the tragic incident, President Barack Obama vowed to bring those responsible for the blasts to justice. He said: “We will get to the bottom of this. We will find who did this, and we will find out why they did this. Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice.”

Within few hours after the president’s pledge to hunt down the perpetrators of the ugly incident, the security apparatus of the US simply rose to the occasion. The entire city of Boston was shut down in a dramatic manhunt that saw security officials combing the whole of the city. Obama was fully involved in the manhunt as he was kept up on the situation in Watertown throughout the period by his Assistant for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, Lisa Monaco. Aside from this, Obama was also watching the drama unfold on television in his White House residence.

Hours after the FBI released images of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects, thereby narrowing the search for the suspects to two brothers Tamerlan Tsarnaev “Suspect #1″ and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev “Suspect #2″, both Chechnya nationals living in Cambridge. They later stated that Tamerlan, age 26, had been shot and killed, but younger brother Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, was still at large. The manhunt intensified as the night went on, and the entire Boston area woke to find itself on a lockdown, with public transport shut down and citizens advised to stay indoors.

Shortly after, shots were heard in Watertown, as Dzhokhar was discovered hiding in a boat in the backyard of a residence. And, thus, ended a traumatic nightmare of Boston residents four days after the bombing.

Now, coming home to Nigeria, there are some salient lessons for us to learn as a nation from the swift manner in which the US authorities responded to the Boston debacle. In the last three years, our country has plunged deep into the abyss of catastrophes resulting from the dastardly activities of the Boko Haram sect and other activities of criminals who have continued to hold the country to ransom.

The tragedy, however, is really not in these acts of blood spilling; rather it is in the ineffectiveness of the response of appropriate authorities. Thus far, we seem to be getting used to a stereotyped form of response. First, different people pay visits to sights of gruesome acts, commensurate with those involved, promise heaven and earth until there is another incident when the whole circle will be repeated all over again. In some instances, the President would promise to get the culprits while police chiefs would equally promise heaven and earth. If the magnitude of the tragedy is serious, the President or as the case may be, the governor, could choose to be very “decisive” by setting up a committee to “look” into the circumstances surrounding the sad event. And you can bet that the committee would set about the job in a very “patriotic” manner.

What about our people? Could our people have allowed a whole city in the country to be shut down in search of one criminal responsible for the death of’ just three people who had nothing better to do with their time than going to watch a marathon race? It wouldn’t take up to two days before traders and other “very busy” people would begin to tell those who cared to listen that those that had died had died and there was nothing we could do to bring them back to life. More so, when there is money to be made.

If there is any lesson that we have to take home from the Boston experience, it is that we have to be more serious in respect of the sanctity of the human life. This has to reflect in every aspect of our lives. The doctors in our hospitals, engineers at the various construction sites, police officers, public transporters, and other such professionals that deal directly with the people must hold human life as sacrosanct.

Another lesson we have to learn from the incident is that we need to put in place strong institutions that will ensure that criminals and crooks pay for their evil deeds in the spirit of the law of the land. What it takes for evil to triumph is for evil to go unpunished. Only God knows the number of unresolved murder cases we have had in this country. Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State is currently battling with security agencies in a bid to unravel the murder of his late Private Secretary, Olaitan Ojerinde.

No matter the perspective from which we look at the issue of granting amnesty for militants and Boko Haram members, the bottom line is that we don’t have any concrete system that could decisively deal with crimes and criminals on the ground. So, we would rather opt for the option that is available and easier. Similarly, where criminals are apprehended, our justice system is so absorbent that criminal cases go on for years without getting to any logical conclusion.

Perhaps, more importantly, our leaders need to take a cue from the way President Obama personally got involved in the process that culminated in the nabbing of the culprits of the Boston tragedy. He did not only talk tough, he acted tough. He demonstrated the quality of a good leader. He stood by the people of Boston. He showed them he cares. He gave leadership and direction to a dejected people at a very critical period.

This is what is seriously lacking in Nigeria and that is why we are where we are. Our leaders need to empathise with the people by coming up with programmes and policies that practically demonstrate their love for the people. We must build good roads in order to stop avoidable carnage on our roads. In everything that the leaders do, they must always put the people first. This is true leadership. This is what our nation need. Lest I forget, what exactly did our leaders say the other weekend when about 100 Nigerians died on two different auto crashes across the country? It just shows they don’t really care about us!


http://www./forum/topics/what-nigeria-must-learn-from-the-boston-bombing

What's happening to all these musical groups - the gospel ones for that matter? Yet this is the only surviving gospel group in Nigeria.
You will recall that Kenny K'ore quit the Infinity group (Olori oko singers) a while back and he is presently doing great as a solo artiste...since he quit the group, Infinity has been off the music scene - they have not released any album in a while!



Well it appears the same fate is about to befall the Midnight crew as one of its' pillars Mike Abdul is quitting.
When the group actually started years ago (2001), they were about ten but after the release of their first album (Fusion) 70% decided to quit leaving just four of them (Mike Abdul, Gbenga Oyebola, Patricia Uwaje and Odunayo Ojo). These four released the last three albums (Tungba unlimited, Igwe and king of nations).
Mike Abdul Of Midnight Crew Goes Solo, Drops New Single ‘Morire’ Feat. Monique
Now the bad news: The once sweet beautiful relationship the group members shared is starting to fall to pieces but it doesn't have to do with money issues. They are refusing to say a word about it as they are presently on a tour in South Africa but it's either Mike is quitting or the group is falling apart.
Mike Abdul, who has featured in so many musical videos - with other gospel artistes - has decided to go solo by dropping a new single "Morire" ft Monique...and this kinda confirms the speculation that the gospel group is on the verge of break-up.
told you first...I will bring you more details soon...

- See more at: http://www./profiles/blogs/mike-abdul-quits-midnight-crew-goes-solo

This is really embarrassing...little wonder why the yoruba movie industry is not moving forward like Nollywood #JustSaying.

Last Sunday at Adigbe in Abeokuta, Popular actor Odunlade Adekola and his team including Madam Saje (Fausat Balogun), Afeez Owo and others lodged in at a hotel, Hcord (not too far from one of the Moshood Abiola polytechnic hostels), to shoot a movie - however a fight ensued between the crew and the students of MAPOLY!
My source exclusively told me that everywhere was calm until the movie shoot began - the crew's generator was "allegedly" disturbing the peace of the neighbourhood!

Students in the hostel stepped out to appeal to the actor to switch off their noisy Generator which was disturbing them. (They were trying to study for their exams for the next morning).

However, instead of listening to them, Odunlade who felt insulted said
"E o le da mi duro (you can't stop me) eni ti baba e bah toh, ko wa le mi ni bi bayii (he whose father has the guts should come and stop me)."
And then, the students and the team began exchanging words and cussing.

A civil defendant while returning from work after having witnessed what happened decide to interfere and carry out his duty of restoring peace.

Since the students were all familiar with him in the area, they appealed to him to help talk to Odunlade while he calmed them down and made for his apartment.
However, another argument ensued between the students and Odunlade after about 5minutes so the civil servant (name withheld) stepped out to know what was happening and once again tried to restore peace...

This time, Madam Saje and Odunlade threatened to beat and detain the civil servant if he didn't shut up but hey he had to insist and protect the right of the students and and that was things kinda got out of hand!

Before he could say Jack, Odunlade had ordered his boys to beat him up...the thugs hit him with planks, sticks till he was beaten mercilessly...Afeez Owo, Fausat Balogun and two other artiste even joined the thugs in beating him....they left him with scars and continued with their movie shoot. This is really really bad, a whole actor stooping so low as to do that...
And to think that he recently welcomed a baby boy...smh!




The civil defendant has since reported the issue to the police custody and the case is presently being looked into!


- See more Details and Photos at: http://www./forum/topics/show-of-shame-actor-odunlade-adekola-his-thugs-and-2-other-actors

SUPER COOL

Yeah, the HKN Gobe video was nice - almost everyone liked it...anyways the "omo baba olowo" himself is working on a new musical video and here's a snapshot from one of the scenes, more like a sneak peek...can't wait to see the video *smiles* -


See more Pictures at: http://www./profiles/blogs/davido-shoots-new-video-photos