DELIVER US FROM AILING BRT BUSES

That a new bus rapid transit(BRT) player is in Lagos is no news. It's pretty hard to miss the new glossy blue BRT buses with seats facing inwards. Like all new things,the bus is very attractive and smart. Watching it drive by is beautiful but immediately after it comes the old one dragging its weight, gladly sharing its smoke to all and sundry and generally looking like a death trap. Sadly I wish that had been an exaggeration; but alas it's not. Two days ago I witnessed this first hand. We'd been standing at one of the BRT terminal for what seemed like ages. The old BRT buses were not in sight but the new ones kept breezing by and sometimes stopping to let off passengers but not taking on any new ones. As it turned out, it's a different operation entirely, the old BRT tickets are not acceptable and people working with the new buses weren't available so passengers couldn't pay money to get in. ON my way back I decided to try out the new BRT bus, I discovered that you queue up without a ticket and when it gets to your turn you just pay money and get in. That set up kind of defeats the whole "Rapid" purpose of the BRT idea. After a long wait and hearing different opinions about the present government and our lack of maintenance culture, an old BRT finally wobbled by. Relieved, we all got in packed tightly like sardines ready to be shipped, however this shipment was going nowhere as the bus started and spurted to an abrupt stop. Some passengers came down attempting the herculean task of pushing the bus with a full load of passengers plus extra. It was a futile attempt as the bus stoutly refused to budge. Eventually all passengers were told to disembark and then cross over to the other side of traffic as the BRT Lane had been effectively blocked by the now obviously dead bus and that's when the drama unfolded. Everyone wanted to cross the road at the same time and there were oncoming cars that refused to stop because it was not yet red light. Crossing accomplished with too many near mishaps, it was time to get onto other old BRT buses that might have space. NONE had space. First one that stopped to take some of the passengers had a driver who did not think the passengers should fully be in the bus before he leaves. He started moving whilst people were still trying to get on and that left people falling over themselves and unto the floor and an old man being trampled under foot and almost crushed by the same bus. I got on the second bus that came along and two minutes after we left the terminal another accident occurred; this time involving a dispatch rider whose skin was neatly peeled to reveal fresh one. A gory sight it was. All through the journey we seemed to be one metre away from an accident(Lagos drivers are very angry people)The journey of thirty minutes seemed so long. Bottom line is : If the old BRT buses are to be phased off, it should be done now before a major catastrophe hits us; If not then whoever is in charge of maintenance should wake up from his slumber and get to work pronto.

DELIVER US FROM AILING BRT BUSES

That a new bus rapid transit(BRT) player is in Lagos is no news. It's pretty hard to miss the new glossy blue BRT buses with seats facing inwards. Like all new things,the bus is very attractive and smart. Watching it drive by is beautiful but immediately after it comes the old one dragging its weight, gladly sharing its smoke to all and sundry and generally looking like a death trap. Sadly I wish that had been an exaggeration; but alas it's not. Two days ago I witnessed this first hand. We'd been standing at one of the BRT terminal for what seemed like ages. The old BRT buses were not in sight but the new ones kept breezing by and sometimes stopping to let off passengers but not taking on any new ones. As it turned out, it's a different operation entirely, the old BRT tickets are not acceptable and people working with the new buses weren't available so passengers couldn't pay money to get in. ON my way back I decided to try out the new BRT bus, I discovered that you queue up without a ticket and when it gets to your turn you just pay money and get in. That set up kind of defeats the whole "Rapid" purpose of the BRT idea. After a long wait and hearing different opinions about the present government and our lack of maintenance culture, an old BRT finally wobbled by. Relieved, we all got in packed tightly like sardines ready to be shipped, however this shipment was going nowhere as the bus started and spurted to an abrupt stop. Some passengers came down attempting the herculean task of pushing the bus with a full load of passengers plus extra. It was a futile attempt as the bus stoutly refused to budge. Eventually all passengers were told to disembark and then cross over to the other side of traffic as the BRT Lane had been effectively blocked by the now obviously dead bus and that's when the drama unfolded. Everyone wanted to cross the road at the same time and there were oncoming cars that refused to stop because it was not yet red light. Crossing accomplished with too many near mishaps, it was time to get onto other old BRT buses that might have space. NONE had space. First one that stopped to take some of the passengers had a driver who did not think the passengers should fully be in the bus before he leaves. He started moving whilst people were still trying to get on and that left people falling over themselves and unto the floor and an old man being trampled under foot and almost crushed by the same bus. I got on the second bus that came along and two minutes after we left the terminal another accident occurred; this time involving a dispatch rider whose skin was neatly peeled to reveal fresh one. A gory sight it was. All through the journey we seemed to be one metre away from an accident(Lagos drivers are very angry people)The journey of thirty minutes seemed so long. Bottom line is : If the old BRT buses are to be phased off, it should be done now before a major catastrophe hits us; If not then whoever is in charge of maintenance should wake up from his slumber and get to work pronto.

I am SWEET, STRONG and AFRICAN...Yemisi Fancy

I met Yemisi Fancy in 2013 when we were both students at a film academy and the first thing that struck my mind was "wow she's tiny". Standing at a towering height of 5'4 myself that's a rather haughty perception on my part, but the truth is, it was quite wonderful really not to be the smallest somewhere( that does not mean that we Smalleys are lacking, on the contrary dynamites come in small packages) But don't be fooled, because the only thing small about Fancy(that's the name that stuck even though it's her surname) is her stature, this you find out immediately she opens her mouth. A lawyer by training who is not afraid to give her opinion no matter who you are. This beautiful multitalented dynamite is a fascinating powerhouse, she shares her birthday with Nigeria ; October 1st and she debuted her single same day. So an interview had to conducted ofcourse...enjoy. Who is Yemisi Fancy? Yemisi Fancy is an actress and singer.. who has a background in Law. I studied Law at the university of Lagos. I'm the 6th born of 10 kids. Why music and acting? Well… Music is something I’ve always loved and it grew to be part of me.. I can be a very shy person.. when I was younger I would literally lock myself in a quiet room and sing, dance, act with just me in the room. But now I’m more mature in the craft and I decided to take it professionally. And the response has been impressive. End Game: is to be a household name doing what I know what I know how to do best…both locally and internationally. Role models in the industry My role models in the industry are those who have left a great mark in their fields of specialty. The likes of Femi kuti, Tuface, Genevive Nnaji, Basketmouth, Mo abudu, Dangote. To some people their job is like a punishment, do you enjoy your job and what are the perks? Hmmm… I LOVE my job… because it’s a passion. Whenever I get to be on set or studio. I’m usually overly excited because what believe everyday doing what I love to do gives me the opportunity to be better at it. Downsides? There are downsides in every profession. There are a lot in this line of business.. but hey… Good things don’t come easily I usually see the downsides as part of the business. That helps me get through it. If you weren’t acting what would you have loved to do? If I wasn’t singing or acting. I would be practicing law specializing in intellectual property. Between stage and screen which do you prefer and why? Being on Stage and screen are both amazing. Stage is interesting gives a huge opportunity to learn. But I would say screen because most people in this part of the world patronize screen more than stage. A lay man would rather stay back home with a box of pizza or pack of pop corn and watch a movie.. Than drive all the way to see a play. Has the press ever carried false news about you? No… none that I know of. Who is your crush in or out of the industry.. Lol… people still use the world crush? Just kidding… would say Jay-z. I know he’s totally taken He just comes across as a gentle man. What’s your life philosophy? Be yourself and No one else. What has life taught you? Well life keeps teaching us something new every day. But I would say life has taught me that people would always come with negative energy. Shake it off because you can do anything you set your mind to. Accessories you can’t do without? Has to be my wristwatch and my earrings. Describe the Yemisi Fancy brand. I would describe in three words. Sweet, Strong, African. Instagram: Yemisifancy Twitter: Yemisifancy Facebook Yemisifancy

POLITICAL ROMANCE

I often hear women say that when a man is courting you he's a different person: sensitive, attentive, loving, generous, romantic(this is subjective though), he's going to scream and throw tantrums just to get your attention, but, once he does, he becomes bored, cold and indifferent. I think most times he just doesn't know what to do with the attention because it's more than he bargained for. It becomes real and no longer seen through rose coloured glasses so he just freezes or as is classic he moves onto the next challenge. That way the thrill of the chase continues. Operative word "Thrill". The feeling this attitude leaves with the one who was being courted is abandonment. Sometimes rejection and disappointment. We all remember some few months ago before the elections how the people were been wooed for their votes, I thought some of the then candidates were exceptionally good at courtship and some were clueless and simply annoying. Although in retrospect I realise it wasn't them but their campaign teams doing their work. The Lagos state race was particularly intriguing to me because at a point I thought Mr Akinwunmi Ambode was more of a model than a governorship candidate. but he was sensitive: each area of Lagos had an appropriate picture, for instance close to a church you'll see a picture captioned "let's pray", close to where young people frequent you'll see him in a suit looking at his wristwatch with the caption " no time " . He was really hands on and in our faces and maybe that's the problem, he got the votes but all of a sudden the now governor is conspicuously absent. Since last Monday there have been trailers parked on the ever busy Ikorodu road yet no official word, this coming close on the heels of the recent horrible avoidable accident at Ojuelegba that claimed lives is not looking sensitive, attentive or loving at all. If feels like all the Lagos state suitors have moved on to other things and abandoned her to her fate.

Last night: Clubbing or Dancing

Sometime ago a friend of mine said he works six days a week and as such he needs to relax over the weekend and let out some steam. And he does that by going clubbing. So I asked him how the clubbing aids in his de- stressing. He said he dances at the club and drinks. He claimed it's the dancing that's therapeutic. This brought to my mind something my mother had said a long time ago about when they were serving in Kaduna state, Nigeria. She said they used to go dancing during the weekends and their Hausa counterparts- the ladies- would tie wrappers and come to the club. The southerners found it ludicrous though but who cared? somehow the attire of the northern ladies didn't hamper them from dancing and having a good time. They looked forward to this dancing when they could be free. There was a song then that they used to sing "Umu yeneke kampala timu Unek" Kampala material was the rave then and the song translates to " if you don't have Kampala, don't come dancing" it's funny though, because one does not really need a particular kind of dress to dance well, except you're competing or having a presentation. Other than the garment being free enough for you to move you're good to go. That's a key word Free. Dancing is a freeing experience. So what has changed? Well, apparently a lot. simple dancing as a word is no longer acceptable, there must be an elaborate word now to describe a simple hair letting down fun thing . It's said what happens in a club is synonymous with what happens in Vegas- it stays there. So why don't we refer to dancing anymore as just dancing? Could it be because not a lot of dancing actually gets done in the clubs anymore? I decided to go dancing myself recently and break out some sweat and my newly acquired Latin moves, I noticed somethings... first, the music is deafening and one gets the feeling that those bartenders with the cute costumes will be needing hearing aid in not too distant time- one of their many job hazards- two, once a lady hits the dance floor, men just assume it's an open invite to come grope her all in the name of dancing and a new phenomenon or is it: all the men want to "dance" behind the lady so they can rub their groins against her butt endlessly to what purpose exactly? Isn't there a difference between dancing and groping? maybe the too loud music is intentional because it ensures you have to speak directly into your partner's ears, more groping, or no talking allowed here and then some just come in and buy drinks at exorbitant prices and consume without ever getting out of their seats, why not just buy the drinks at the normal prices outside and sit in your house to drink anyway? they leave the club fatter than they came. Back to the dancing, none actually gets done, you or your partner spend most of the time fending off would be gropers. At the end not a lot of freeing spirited sweat breaking dance is done, just a pure waste of valuable sleep time.

Oh no! Yaba tech

It feels like Yaba college of technology has been around for a lifetime. Well 1947 till 2015 is a long time. Age is usually associated with wisdom and excellence, albeit because there's been time to practice over and over again. So, it's been with great dismay that I have being privy to the accommodation challenges of the new undergraduates and the way in which the school administration is handling the matter.School resumed in May 2015 for the freshers, yet the hostels were not opened, two months down the line the hostels have still not been opened. The school authorities don't seem to be perturbed by the fact that some of these students are coming to Lagos for the first time and do not have anywhere else to go, if they assume that those living in Lagos no matter the area, Sangotedo, Epe etc can be coming from home, what about the student whose home is in Owerri, Imo state or Benin in Edo state? How do they get to classes everyday? Is living off of campus not supposed to be the last resort if the school as usual admits more students than it can cater for? This dismal state of affairs led to many of the students sleeping in the lecture halls at night. As if the no hostel was not bad enough, the school has now told the students not to sleep in the classrooms anymore, yet the hostels are still not opened. So, where should the students be then? Was the school not aware that students would be coming once the school opened or that they would need accommodation? Yaba college of technology is not a backyard little school by any standard, I bet the parents as far back as in the east who rejoiced when their wards gained admission into the "cradle of education" did not think their children will be stranded. There is no student union representation which is an oddity and hence the students have no one to speak on their behalf. The enormous challenges facing the Nigerian students are already daunting without this extra baggage. Someone should be held accountable.

God and the Football

God is our father. He is everything a great father should be and more. So much more. This is what I believe. This is what I know. Now, I know there are people who think and say there is no God, or, that even if there's a God, he doesn't care about what happens to us. Of course I disagree. I know for a fact that God is interested in every aspect of our lives, our careers, our family, our health, our sports... Like football for instance. In my country Nigeria we love the game of football almost to a distraction. I remember some time ago, while I was on Eko bridge inside a BRT bus waiting the traffic out, from my vantage point, I could see people playing football on a lawn tennis court. I thought it was hilarious.
I remember thinking to myself that if such a phenomenon as snow falling were ever to occur in Nigeria, rather than Ice skate, we would still set up goal posts on the ice and play football. Such is our passion for the game.
Football games on impromptu fields are a common sight especially on weekends. So, passing a group of boys getting ready to play on my way to church this morning was not noteworthy. I just felt as usual that boys take longer to get into God and the whole church business. However, on my way back from service, the game was in full swing with the boys kicking away. One of them kicked too hard and the ball got to the road. They screamed to get the motorists attention and save their ball. The motorists slowed down and one boy was about to get on the road to retrieve the ball when this black SUV driven by a respectable looking man comes up with children leaning out the window, and bursts the ball with a loud POP.
We all froze. The car although had slowed,  did not stop, the driver just looked around and we made eye contact because I was looking to see this person that was so mean. He continued going at a leisurely pace. Didn't even apologize or acknowledge what he'd done. His windows were wound down and he was obviously coming from a church. We all just stood and stared at the burst ball. You could see the hurt on the boys' faces. As I resumed my walk home, I imagined what those boys must be feeling. How their day was ruined by a heartless man who was coming from church. I imagined them one day saying "those church people are very wicked" and then recount the incident. Recently it has dawned on me that those of us who claim to know God misrepresent him a lot. We make God look like the bad guy.  A friend of mine says anytime she goes to an audition and they pray, she writes the job off, because she knows that at the end of the day, either the producers won't pay or the job will be crap. But they will first of all use the name of God to cover the crimes they intend to commit. It's sad. God is not shady or unjust. He is wise, kind, rich in goodness and mercy, loving. His intrinsic nature is GOOD, so why make him look like a jack ass?
God is the good guy.

EDEN ATTAI

Another phase is here. The phase of interviews. So my first guest in this phase will be(drum roll....) Me.This is a first of a first. My first gig as an interviewer and Eden's first sit down with an interviewer.
As an interviewer I thought about what people would love to know about my guests and well what I'll like to know about them and went in. It was funny at first asking myself questions but after a while we got into it. I Started with this " So who is Eden Attai?" Enjoy.
  Eden Attai is a performer. I grew up wanting to be a high fashion model but unfortunately I didn't grow past 5'4 inches and no amount of heels could get me to that gorgeous intimidating 5'11 height of the super models. It was depressing for a while because I thought beautiful girls had to have long hands and legs for days. Well, that's what I read somewhere. So it was goodbye to haute couture and fabulous trips around the world. You know they say models have the best lives.

My foray into acting wasn't dramatic at all. I have always loved entertainment. I started acting from Church where I used to play the bad girl. The other girls used to want to play Mary or the good girl so that left the bad girl for me. I sang and danced in church and later in Secondary school and the university but it was not serious then. They were just things I did. After my NYSC I asked myself if I wasn't afraid of failure what would I do? And my answer was acting. So, I came home went to register at an acting school and that was it.

I studied Biotechnology at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
My first Job was a theatre play; kakadu the Musical directed by Kanayo Omo. It was very exciting for me. From then I've gone on to do other jobs, movies, series, radio drama, webisodes, theatre. Some of my jobs: Wide awake, Tales of Eve, Nectar, Remember me Oh Lord, wetin matter, John Zerebe, Beyond doubts, the odds. I just finished a job that I know is a game changer; Zone 222 directed by Rogers Ofime. It's a great show.
 I think like in all things the Nigerian film industry is evolving and I'm excited to be part of it.

 I absolutely love and enjoy my job . I love the characters and the becoming of someone else and of course the travelling. I feel it's a priviledge to be a medium to bring a story or a character to life. It's awesome truly. Well, there are parts l hate; the waiting and the uncertainties of auditioning.
 I have been blessed and highly favoured by God who has been looking out for me because there
is always someone taller, shorter, more beautiful, better singer, more talent, bigger backside, bigger chest, better physigue more everything... To get jobs in the midst of that plus all the other shenanigans that go down is just God. I'm thankful.

I admire a lot of people in the industry. Mercy Johnson is what I call an actor. I see method acting in her craft. I admire Bimbo Akintola's fiery delivery. Loved Liz Benson's poise and the mother of them all aunty Joke Silva's elegant delivery and of course Genevieve Nnaji whom my mother calls " my Genevieve ", she'll buy any movie so long as Genevieve's face is there. For the men RMD has been and still is the boss for me.I wrote my first script for him when I was in School. I was heartbroken when he retired, I'm glad he's back. My film with him will still get shot someday.

I love action movies as well as drama.
 I love food and cooking so I know that dieting isn't my thing.
 My fashion sense is simple and elegant. I love Vintage clothes although i'm yet discover a go to store for them.I love shoes a lot but definitely not like Imelda Marcus.
If I wasn't an actor, I'll be an air hostess.

LessonsFrom Erin Ijesha 2

I get to the seventh level of Erin Ijesha and I'm out of breath. I keep walking though because I just want to get this over with. I am excited but then the mud dilapidated houses give me cause for pause. Houses. This means that people live here.  I see fruits wasting away on tress of houses that have been abandoned. My excitement builds up again but it's not as high as it was when I started out. I'm thinking to myself  'is this all?' after almost two hours of walking. I'm slightly disappointed but then I feel there must be something more so I press on.I remember my dad's story about the fried pawpaw , l share a secret laughter with myself and then voila people. A group of young men drinking away, a woman pounding and very disinterested in visitors. She's probably tired of tourists and it hits me.. Most of life is like this. You're excited about something because you haven't had it, the thrill of the chase. Then you discover that others have already been there. There really isn't a lot  of newness  in life. I keep asking myself why I can't discover new soups and dishes. Even when you think it's new the joy of achievement sometimes gets diluted by newer challenges that crop up even at the precipice of a colosal milestone.

Lessons from Erin Ijesha 1

There are lessons that are embedded in particular life journey that you'll never get if you do not embark on that path. I say so. I'll tell you why.

 Easter Sunday dawned bright and beautiful and although I had wanted to sleep longer because it was a work free day, my body still woke up at the usual time. So I closed my eyes and just lounged for a bit.  However, excitement got me out of bed in no time. We were scheduled for a picnic which turned out to be an excursion to the Olumirin waterfalls Erin Ijesha.

Erin Ijesha is in Erin Oke community of Osun state. Rightly it should be a great tourist attraction. The beautiful waterfall and the mountains speak for themselves but sadly, it seems the Osun state government isn't aware of its enormous potentials. The road leading to it is in a state of terrible disrepair. The houses are shadows of themselves, reek of abandonment and despair.

As true zealots we started out in a bid to see the source of the waterfall and were succinctly informed it's on the seventh level. Fueled by excitement, desire to conquer new terrains and encouragement of peers, we left. Some people had babies strapped to their sides - such was the euphoria of mountain climbing-they were told to go back.  As the way became steeper, they listened.

At the end of level two the crowd had dwindled down to just a handful of people. By the third level, we became fewer still. On the fifth level I could only distantly see one person in front of me and no other behind, after some long moments of solitude, I encountered some people coming back who said the journey was pointless and encouraged me to go back down.

At the sixth level, I met more coming back down and then all of a sudden I was on my own. Complete eerie aloness. 

 I got to the almighty seventh level eventually.

When I saw the names inscribed on the floor by others who'd made this same journey at one point or the other I was encouraged. At this point my solitude was palpable. I got tired at some points and at others I could barely feel the pain in my body. My feet were now in auto walk. They just kept moving while my mind roamed. The seventh level seemed to be an unending level. During this my solitary moments on the mount, many life truths crystallized in my heart. 

 I realized that it was natural to start out life with a lot of people: family, friends, colleagues but as your life journey progresses the crowd dwindles. You lose some to death, marriage, misunderstandings, differing interests...endless reasons actually but your journey is yours and you must see it to the end.

My father says that life is an invitation to courage and truly it is.

You have to be courageous to have your own opinions, know what is right, live your truth and stick to your guns even when it's not the fad thing to do.