Health and the Oyibo syndrome

The rave of fitness and healthy living is obviously not a fad as it has now become a lifestyle for some. One thing a true fitness aficionado will tell you is that exercise and diet are paramount to health and weight loss. You can't keep loading yourself with the normal mountains of foofoo and garri then expect the pounds to fall off except you have a special metabolism like a family friend I know who can swallow an elephant and yet still have a flat tummy and look like he's a refugee. However, nothing in life is cast in stone: for instance have you ever wondered why our rural folks who don't gym, subsist on majorly carbohydrate(that has become taboo these days) based meals never get fat? That being said, diet is important. When my brother started his weight loss program, his fridge reflected it. My mom said there was nothing to eat in his fridge; but what she meant was nothing familiar. After successfully evicting the pounds he moved unto muscle building, his diet too reflected this. He is a fitness aficionado. Recently I met someone else who claimed to be one in shopsomthing the babe was loading her cart with canned foods and all these oyibo vegetables. I couldn't contain myself I had to ask her why she was buying vegetables there when there were our own local markets that she could get fresh veggies that have not been preserved with chemicals. She said she doesn't like open markets. I wanted to take this babe to school. But not just her. The irony of it is that the oyibo health buffs go for organic foods which are more expensive over there but here that we have them in surplus we don't appreciate them. Rather we gorge ourselves with oyibo foods and start to have diseases which were foreign to us before all in the name of trend.

Yoweri Museveni playing out the African leader's never leave office script.

"This is not a mere change of guard, it is a fundamental change" Those were the words spoken by newly sworn in President of Uganda Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on January 22, 1986. Ugandans rejoiced. He was seen as a hero to many having toppled Lieutenant-General Tito Okello(the army commander who had led a successful coup against Milton Obote) whom he saw as an upstart who came in to enjoy the fruits of Museveni's labour. Today, the 72 year old Museveni for the fifth time has allegedly won the Ugandan elections. This amidst a lot of controversy. His opponent and main opposition Kizza Besigye placed under house arrest. The people to be governed fearful, the country tense.Ugandans have not rejoiced. President Museveni has been in power for 30 years. For the most part of his career in office, Museveni enjoyed international support and got praises for a lot of good the economy enjoyed, however; in a country of 37.58 million people as estimated by world bank,one man being in power for three decades has definitely soiled his scorecard. Uganda seems to have had the worst end of the deal since their independence in 1962. They've been embroiled in civil wars and coups, from Milton Obote to Idi Amin back to Obote and then Tito Okello and Museveni, there doesn't seem to be any salvation in sight. Ironically Museveni started looking like the salvation but that illness that seems to suddenly take over the will of African leaders found him and down the drain went all the good intentions . Now Museveni has joined the ranks of longest serving African leaders who hold onto power desperately because they maybe want a state burial? or is it just the wealth? we have African leaders who are richer than the country they govern. Museveni probably sees nothing wrong with this extended stay, he is in great company... Muammar Gaddafi of Libya ruled for 42 years before he was ousted and killed in 2011. Omar Bongo Ondimba, Gabon ruled for 41 years before his death in 2011 and was succeeded by his son like birth right. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, Equatorial Guinea(37 years) Jose Eduardo dos Santos, Angola(37 Years) Robert Mugabe, Zimbabwe (36 years)-Has been in office since his country's independence. Paul Biya, Cameroon(33 years) King Mswati III, Swaziland(30 years) Omar al-Bashir, Sudan(27 years) Idriss Deby, Chad(26 years

Mfeheke(I Won't Run)

THE DEATH OF AFRICAN CULTURE AND LANGUAGES

I'm sitting in church trying to pay attention to the message and not be offended by the man having a simultaneous discussion with his very cute daughter behind me. Then she says "ekaaro o"(which means good morning in Yoruba) her accent very clean and distinct. I was quite impressed. However; her father wasn't, rather, he sounded angry. He blurted out "what's that trash?" the little girl did not answer. I'm sure she was as stunned by his tone as I was. He ventured again this time softer " what does that mean?" she finally answered "E mean I am the house". The man continued "Don't be saying that again. Where did you hear it from?" now that's the part that really caught me. I happen to know this man and his lovely wife: beautiful young couple whom I've always thought were very noisy as they always seem to preach along with the pastor or dissect what he's saying at the same time not caring that they might be distracting others. Suffice to say I was disappointed by his words. I have always appreciated the way the Yoruba people seem to speak their language to everyone whether you understand or not. I always felt my people could borrow a leaf from them about the love of your own language. English is and will always be a second language to us whether we like it or not. But here was this man rather than encourage his daughter to learn her first language was chastising her for picking up a word like it was a bad habit. It made me wonder. Did it then mean that even at home they do not speak their own language? He did ask her where she had heard it from. If as parents and elders we do not have regard for our language and culture and we don't make an effort to pass down our culture no matter how flawed we think they are, then they will die. The reason foreign cultures and languages seem so appealing is because their people made conscious effort to promote them by foisting them forcefully on conquered people. But the conquerors have returned to their land and we have a rich, colourful, vibrant and attractive culture. What is our excuse now?

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