₦airaland Forum

Doctors at the General Hospital, Gbagada, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, are seriously battling to save the life of an 11-year old girl, Ita Bassey-Eno, who was allegedly set ablaze by the woman she lives with, Mrs Nkese Iroakazi, a nurse at a hospital in Surulere.

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Ita Bassey-Eno in critical condition

Iroakazi was alleged to have poured kerosene on Bassey-Eno before lighting a match stick to set her ablaze after the girl was said to have stolen a piece of meat from the pot.

Witnesses said the girl ran out of their apartment at 7, Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere, unto to the main road with fire all over her body as she cried for help from passers-by to rescue her.

It was gathered that someone quickly stopped his vehicle and used his fire extinguisher to put out the flame on her body.

The incident, which occurred last Saturday, was immediately reported at the Bode Thomas Police Station and the police from the station arrested Mrs. Nkese.

The little girl was rushed to the Burns and Trauma Centre, an annex of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital at the General Hospital, Gbagada, for urgent attention as the doctors in the hospital said she had suffered 95 percent burns and would take a miracle for her to survive.

Bassey-Eno’s private part was damaged, while almost all her body is burnt. The whole of her body, except her face and her feet, are bandaged, while she wears pampers because her private part was damaged.

On her hospital bed on Monday the little was groaning in pains while health officials described Nkese as callous woman and that she must be made to face the music.

Executive Director, Esther Child Rights Foundation, ECRF, Mrs. Esther Ogwu, who was at the hospital to see the girl, wept when she saw her pathetic state, saying that in all her life as human rights activist, she had never come across such a gruesome case as that of the little girl. According to Ogwu, the situation is terrible.

The doctor said the girl suffered 95 percent burns and that her private part has been damaged. This woman is more than wicked. Justice must take its course.

“One of the health officials at the General Hospital, Gbagada called me and said a woman poured kerosene on the little girl staying with her and lit up a match stick and set her ablaze.

The girl ran out of the house to the main road where a Good Samaritan used her car fire extinguisher to put out the fire.”

Little Bassey-Eno, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, southsouth Nigeria, was brought from the village with another girl, Happiness Okon-Bassey, 13, to live with Nkese in June 2013 on the premose that she would send them to school, but that was not to be as the two girls allegedly performed the function of domestic servants for Nkese.

The second house girl, Okon-Bassey, said she did not see when her colleague was set ablaze but that she heard her screaming when their mistress was beating her shortly before the she saw flame all over her body when she ran outside their home.

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She alleged that they were maltreated and beaten thoroughly very often and that they had no time to rest as they work almost throughout the day for their mistress without going to school, saying that they normally eat twice daily.

Daughter of the alleged culprit, Ijeoma Akiti, 27, said she was not at home when the incident occurred and that she could not tell whether her mother poured kerosene on the little girl’s body and set her ablaze, but that she heard such story at the police station.

She said her mother was first married to her father and later remarried into the family of Iroakazi and that her mother’s husband had gone on a business trip to the eastern part of Nigeria.

At the Bode Thomas Police Station, police sources alleged that the little girl confessed that her mistress poured kerosene on her.

The police at the station said the woman would be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Panti for further investigation into the matter, but Ogwu alleged that the police were trying to shield the woman from prosecution.

In her statement at the police station, Iroakazi denied that she poured kerosene on the little girl’s body and set her ablaze.

According to her, she was in the sitting room when she heard a loud cry and rushed out only to see the girl on fire and called on people to help put out the fire.

Officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, WAPA, were at the hospital and the police station where they spoke with the woman, but she denied the story.

WAPA officials took Okon-Bassey, the second girl with them for rehabilitation pending when she would be reconciled with her real mother.

With the way guys are spending money today, Ọmọ Oódua is of the opinion that if anyone come asking for help from Nigerians tomorrow through the media we should ask that person questions. The extravagant lifestyle of Naija celebrities who squander their wealth on luxury and later become bankrupt is what is giving industry watchers great concern. Why do some Nigeria-known faces in the entertainment industry usually beg for fund after a successful career?

Anthony Ada Abraham and Samuel Abulude take a look at this sad development. A typical Nigeria celebrity is seen as a wealthy personality. Going on tour around the world, shooting videos and making people know they are a force to be reckoned with, buying and big cars, etc. Most shows they perform in is outside the country and it aids them with lots of money for stage appearance, multinational endorsement and more fan base. But of late, the tide has continued to turn inasmuch as
majority seek fund from the public before they could even eat. The question entertainment enthusiasts are asking is, what have they been doing with the millions they earn?

The ordeal of African Queen Music producer, OJB Jezreel with kidney failure has revealed the lifestyle of our music celebrities. He struggled to get the required funds for his kidney transplant and had to resort to
begging Nigerians to save his life and donate money for his operation. This development casts a notion of wasteful spending on our celebrities who made money when the going was good.

A lot of our contemporary artistes and music producers have smiled to the bank unlike the veteran singers of yesteryears who laboured more producing quality music and yet did not make as much as the contemporary artistes. Catching on the global hip hop trend, many of our artistes have hit it off and smiled to the banks. The Nigerian musician has laboured and tried to make himself to be reckoned with.

Today, while many have attained celebrity status via the industry and become brand ambassadors of different products and organisations, others have gradually faded
out as if they never existed.

Flashback:
As an upcoming artiste or actor a lifestyle is created to help in championing a career, a lot is provided by a label for instance in the music industry like house, car and some cash for the particular period as agreed by the
contract. But when the 'dough' starts coming in, the exotic lifestyle creeps in. Some spend about hundreds of millions to get a house while others spend same and
above to get 'lambogini' just to pose with it because of what they watch on MTV or Channel O. Often, this is far from their initial plan of making it big and establishing themselves as an entrepreneur in the business. And it has continue to hinder a lot of people in the entertainment industry from achieving a lot like their European counterpart.

Though people like D'banj, Don Jazzy, 2face, Omotola, the popular actors Aki and Pawpaw, Genevieve, Jim Iyke and some few others have invested in different businesses aside the usual profession, many are busy
buying commodities that do not last for the future only to cry for help when they are broke.

The strugglers:
At that time, his wife was also reported to have left him because he could no longer meet the needs of his family. Also, at an early age, Shina Peters was one of the richest musicians in Nigeria with his platinum hit Afro juju. He was a force to be reckoned with but some of his fans said it was mismanagement of funds that led to his not being famous.

Nigerian father of Juju music, King Sunny Ade and the northern veteran, Dan Maraya also advised young entertainers to invest their money on things that would benefit them and their family, instead of living a lavish lifestyle and later coming to seek help. Nico Gravity said in his song 'Finish Timaya' that he had no beef with him. In an interview with Leadership, he said he just tried to advise him and other artistes to invest their
money on things that would benefit them in the future instead of making noise of buying cars and travelling round the world only to start begging in the long run. He also said he would be glad if they collaborate in any song.

An insider said that the late Pa Rolling Dollar was totally broke and could not afford the basic necessities of life, though he was popular. But succour came his way from the Lagos state governor.

Majek Fashek:
How are the mighty fallen! This exclamation best captures the current state of New York-based Majek Fashek who waltzed his way into the hearts of music fans in the early '90s with his critically acclaimed album, Prisoner of Conscience. All is definitely not well with the reggae icon who released a video entitled Jah Revelation. Looking from his kind of music and patronage, he is supposed to be one of the most stable artistes, but Majek has been dogged by bad publicity. After many years of turbulent sojourns, it is hoped that the rainmaker would pray the rain is sent down.

Blackface
When stories of famous entertainers who have suffered a reversal of fortunes are chronicled, the name Augustine Ahmed better known as Blackface would definitely echo and reecho. Ejected from home by landlord, deserted by wife and abandoned by friends; such is the story of Blackface, who was once a trailblazer when the raga movement took off in Nigeria. Together with his friends, Tuface and Faze, they took the music scene by storm. While Tuface, after their inglorious disbandment continues on his astronomical rise and Faze rides on the
crest of his modest fame, Blackface has remained unable to find his footings. That is after a big hit with his albums. Will he bounce back or continue to wallow in penury?

Soul E
"In the life of everyman, there must be some ups and downs, it's just a normal thing that happens and I must tell you that I have learnt from them and all I can ask from God is that everything falls in place this time around. Most of the things I did before, I don't do them anymore. One of the things I learnt in my trying period is to be focused on the Lord and no matter how deep down one goes, God is mighty and able to lift him back
to the greatest heights."
The above was the response of Emmanuel Okose (aka Soul E) when asked about his depreciated relevance in the Nigerian music industry. Shortly after hitting it big, especially with the tracks, Soul E Baba dey Here, In My
Life, among few others, the young hip hop actor disappeared from lime-light. Since he left Colossal Entertainment, to start his own record label, Soul E International Records, all has never been well, especially with his finances. His failed marriage to older lover, Queen Ure is said to have also contributed to his thin pocket. But fans have also blamed him for lack of good planning only to seek for relevance when things are sour.

Baba Fryo
The last time anything news worthy was heard of him was on August 23, 2012, when he was beaten by policemen with their baton, kicked with their boots, handcuffed and dragged like a common thief to Isashi
Police Station, along Badagry Express Way. Within the period, 1999 to 2003 when he was still waxing strong in the Nigerian entertainment industry, before fame and
fortunes suddenly disappeared into thin air; no police man in Nigeria could have brutalised the Afro-reggae artiste to that extent.
Friday Igweh, popularly called Baba Fryo hit stardom in 1996 with a maiden album, Denge Pose,( a kind of dance one throws his leg as if suffering from waist pain) after which he released a sequel album, Notice Me, in 1999, and Country No Send, in 2003. Within those years,he reigned supreme. But today, it seems 'he can't denge and pose' again.

Marvellous Benji
Chinua Achebe's book, "Things Fall Apart" best captures Marvellous Benji's grace to grass fall. Back in the days when Suo, Konto, (a dance that involves both the hands and legs simultaneously as if pulling a string) and Galala were the reigning dances in Nigeria, Marvellous Benji, whose real name is Benjamin Ukueje also reigned alongside the era. But shortly after, his name, just like the
dance pattern, gradually went into limbo – a reason he is currently experiencing hard times. In 2012, he tried relaunching himself into the music industry with two singles, Iwo Ni Mofe, and My Life. Though it was a good
effort, but his expectations were never met. In an interview on his current state with Leadership, the artiste in a sober voice said he is working on a big hit in the pipeline and would let the public know when the meal is
ready.

Ekwe
Sunday Osakuni, popularly known as Original Stereoman Ekwe, is no doubt among the artistes with riches to rag stories. According to the artiste whose hit song, E dey Pain Me and once a Glo Ambassador, made waves a
few years back. His ordeal began after he was invited by homicide detectives, Force CID Panti, Yaba–Lagos, following an allegation that he strangled and killed his estranged wife, Rukayat Idris in April 2012. The incident,
no doubt, affected the fortunes and career of the dread-locked artiste. For almost a year now, shows have eluded him. And the matter is worsened by the absence of a trending song from the Delta State-born Stereo man.
We hope he will rise to fall no more.

Eddy Remedy
Eddy Ashiedu-Brown, better known as Eddy Montana, a former member of the defunct musical group, Remedies, has had his own share of misfortunes in the nation's
entertainment industry. He seems the only unsuccessful member of the defunct Remedies. He had a messy separation from his wife, Kenny Saint Brown of Kennis Music and has not been able to resuscitate his music career since he dropped the arrival of Eddy Remedy. His case is like the unfortunate hunter who caught a big Antelope but in a twinkle of an eye, let loose.

Daddy Fresh
The former dance-hall guru, who reigned alongside Daddy Showkey and Baba Fryo, has left the industry that once brought him fame and fortunes. His last attempt at reclaiming his lost spot on the music scene was a
monumental failure and ever since, nobody knows his whereabouts musically.

Fada U-turn
The name Femi Mayomi might not ring a bell in many ears. But once Fada U-turn is mentioned, people will scream and are bound to ask, "where is him now?" This talented singer, whose hit track, Yetunde, in 1999, became a household number is today struggling with life as a result of fortunes reversal.
At the moment, he is planning to stage a comeback into the industry, especially with the recent release of his brand new single entitled Gbafun Remix, which features K-Solo. The song which was also produced by K-Solo is the first single from Fada U-turn's forthcoming double album – Oba Shakara and Obaluaye, from the stables of Shakara sounds. We hope it would be a progressive U-
turn this time around.

The Way Forward
Entertainers should know that they are public figures and people (fans) are watching and monitoring their progression especially when they have made it big. It's left for them to work for the future and invest in any way
they can, even if it means opening a kiosk to aid them during the rainy day.

rafhell: Who is enjoying the yansh and who is enjoying the brreast ?
Lmfao