Pundit

EL-RUFAI CALLED OUT ON BLASPHEMOUS TWEET

Twitterverse went ablaze in tweeting frenzy after erstwhile Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mallam Nasir El-Rufai wrote a tweet that read: “If Jesus Christ should criticize President Goodluck Jonathan, his aides would accuse him of sleeping with Mary Magdalene”.

Immediately this hit the social platform, twitter and facebook exploded. Neither his followers nor concerned citizens — Christians and Muslims alike — found the statement remotely amusing. In what was apparently a tongue-in-cheek jab at the president and his henchmen for their hypocritical ways, Nigerians are now labeling the ex-minister a poster leader for religious blasphemy.

Worse still, in an attempt to make light of the situation, Mr El-Rufai retweeted LWKMD (Laugh Wan Kill Me Die) which all but fueled the anger of the already pissed off social media mob who accused him of heresy and for stooping so low to desecrating the name of Jesus Christ in such a childish manner. Many are reiterating that in the face of religious crisis underlying the woes of Northern Nigerian as it is the case with the Jihadist faction Boko Haram, that sort of comment was downright intolerable from someone of his educational background and political authority.

What lends the whole saga an interesting twist is the fact it isn’t just members of the Christian family that are riled up by the supposed offense against the church, citizens of the Islamic faith are as much pissed. And in light of that, they all continuously take to twitter and facebook to give the ex-minister a full dose of their minds. Below are excerpts of avalanche of reactions and comments that almost crashed Mr El-Rufai’s Social Media career following the incident.

In one reaction, a commenter wrote “It is a pity that such people like El-Rufai have held positions of authority in this country and are still saying such things. However, it is also an indication that he needs his head examined for tweeting or re-tweeting such.”

In her own response, Hajia Mohammed wrote on his facebook: “He is insane for insulting the prophet. He is not a true muslim, for no true worshipper will say this. Some people say no God and he is one of them.”

Yet another comment by one Cade on facebook reads: “When we are talking of common sense, we must eschew sentiment from it…As a Christian, I really don’t feel offended when joke is made of Jesus but Islam as an article pointed outhas been unforgiving to anybody that jokes with the name of prophet Mohammed and thousands of both Muslims and non-Muslims have been killed for that…Either Rufai and his Cronies are impostors or naïve.”

Directly addressing @El-Rufai, Ibrahim Safana subtly observed: “Sir, with all due respect. I get your point in this joke. But why Jesus?”

The list of disgruntled Nigerians baring their minds on the minister’s religious slur goes on and on.

But seriously I’ve got to ask is it that serious? While I bear no religious or political affiliation to any particular entity, I for one, see no much big deal in what the Minister said. Was the joke in poor taste, given the country’s present socio-religious state? Yes. Was the citizenry right for haranguing him, even if harshly? Perhaps yes.

But I, always for seeing the best in people would like to think the Minister’s intention was nothing other than innocent satire. Even if he meant otherwise, we Nigerians need to learn how to take a joke and see past political or religious undertones.

*Written By Seun Adenuga

 

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ENTER, RITA DOMINIC WILL SEE YOU NOW

Previously when certain Nigerian actresses were accepting foreign labels as the best things to happen to our film industry, I was quick to join the bandwagon and share those sentiments. I like everybody may have been blinded-sided by the hype. However, couple years down the line the true color of said situation is coming to fore. Mention Nollywood and 3 actresses instantly appear synonymously: Genevieve, Omotola and Rita, in that order. Whether that order is dead-on isn’t the bone of contention right now, the deep-rooted misconception about fame and merit is the crux of this missive.

As the Nollywood gods of fame and fortune dictates, Genevieve with her good looks and screen charm is to lead the pack of our tinseltown’s screen divas. And she has come a long way. From small-town girl to international phenomenon, there’s little left in the way of hindrance for this movie star. She almost has done it all. First ever Nigerian, if not African actress to get endorsement from Oprah as the ‘Julia Roberts of Africa’. A beautiful daughter, shelf of endorsement deal, internationally acclaimed box office movies and awards later, Gene as she’s fondly called apparently has conquered the Nigerian thespian terrain.

Omotola on the other hand is a bombshell in every sense of the world. She may not lay claim to the high-octane fame or countless endorsements of Genevieve but she comes seriously close [some would even contest she’s more famous]. Can she act? Rhetorical question. If her body of good movies doesn’t prove her acting prowess, the one movie ‘Mortal Inheritance’ that shot her to global limelight should seal the deal. A happy marriage, mega successful career and a reality TV show later, she’s no doubt etched her name in the sand of time as one of the best actresses on the African continent.

Truthfully, at first I couldn’t be bothered by the theatrics that is Rita. In my book she was just another wishy-washy actress but looks they say can be deceptive. Though she’s got tons of movies to her credit, hardly any merits the cut of critical in my books. It would appear as though what Rita was up to over the years was stirring the soup, now that it’s fully cooked, she ready to serve it to us, steamy hot.

Genevieve and Omotola may hold the gun in the leagues of globally recognized stars but dare I say no actress, I repeat no actress in present Nigeria can hold the light to Rita Dominic’s face. While the other 2 and a host of other actresses are busy raking in the fame or4 mediocrity as the case may be, Rita is carving a niche for herself as both a commercial and critical actress. There is nothing Genevieve or Omotola has done in their movies that we haven’t seen before; same ‘ol routine: scorned girlfriend, independent woman, rich daughter, village girl or broken hearted girl.

Rita has gone past that common territory and is pushing the envelope. Check her out in her new movies: The Meeting, Shattered and ’76, then get back to me on who is truly the queen of acting in Nigeria now. It’s one thing to be rich and famous in one’s chosen field but what truly makes a true artiste is the ability to constantly rebrand and up the ante. I categorically endorse Rita Dominic as knocking the ball out of that park. Still in doubt, enter her world, she will see you now.

*Written By Oluwaseun Adenuga*

 

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D’BANJ AGAINST THE WORLD

Here’s one thing I’m sure of about Nigerians: they have taste. While this is a good thing, it can often, border on mental. Create enough juice that appeal to their glorious taste buds and you can do no wrong in their sights, but take the high road and cook a sumptuous meal for yourself—suddenly, hell hath no fury.

D’banj, without a doubt is a phenomenal artiste. If his tune doesn’t get you bobbing your head, you are bound to be charmed by his mixture of witty ‘koko’ lyrics, except if you’re a sadist. Like his debut album ‘No Long thing’ this harmonica wielding crooner, wasted no time establishing himself as an African, and recently, international superstar. In his 8 year run as the contemporary Fela—as he’s now referred to, he has, album after album, single after single, churned out hits after hits—with the help of his beat powerhouse producer Don Jazzy, of course. During that period, this virtuosity has been lauded by Nigerian critics and fans the world over. No homegrown music collaboration could have been more successful than the Mo’Hits’ franchise.

Now, enter 2011. Dbanj, after years of whetting our ears with his koko flavour, decided to aspire for greater things: break into the international music scene—a mega ambitious move. And therein lies the hard pill. His detractors won’t have it. “How dare he abandon his flourishing Mo’Hits partnership? How dare he think he can make it abroad, especially under Kanye’s shadow?” They argue. Compelling as that is, it is myopic. Which begs the questions; are Dbanj’s fans being too fanatic or is this a case of too much taste or just plain hate? I’d defer to the latter. It is Hate.

First of all, D’banj is a businessman and by extension, a priced commodity. Therefore, in order to maintain and grow his worth, there is need to constantly rebrand and up the ante, which obviously explains his G.O.O.D intentions (pun intended). In business, you take risks and make huge sacrifices. D’banj has done that already by jumping ship, he now only needs to prove he can transition from Nigerian superstar to hollywood walk of fame material. This won’t happen in a day. Ok! Granted, maybe Oyato and the Kanye feature weren’t his best efforts post-Oliver Twist, but we need to give him a chance to acclimatize and see him fail first—which he won’t—before we hound him. More ironic is the fact that in spite of the bad blood trailing his career he excels further, what with his numerous local/international nominations, accolades, nods and awards namely Fab, MTV Africa music, MOBO, MTV Europe Music, Chanel O and BET awards, not forgetting chart-moving hits such as Bachelor, Tony Montana with Naeto C and Sister Caro ft K Switch. Bottom line, hate him or like him he smiles to the bank nonetheless.

Also, go back in time and verify how long it took internationally-based Chamillionaire, Tinie Tempah, Tunde Baiyewu, Lemar and Wale—whom music execs have constantly compelled to change his name—to break into mainstream America. Go on, fact-check. Took them years of effort. D’banj hasn’t even spent up to over a year or done something major internationally for us to evaluate but the ‘haters’ won’t even let him catch a breather, which sometimes makes me want to scream Fuck y’all without a shred of irony. Nigerians, please if you gon’ hate, do it objectively and constructively. Having an opinion about his music is permissible and perhaps your right, what I won’t take is everyone constantly raining on his business parade. Now, that’s the KOKO!

*Written By Oluwaseun Adenuga*

 

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REVIEW: FIFTY SHADES OF GREY….SORRY CRAP!

I am the least likely to be swayed by general opinion, as a matter of fact it irritates the heck out of me. There is a tired stale aftertaste the wind of going-with-the-crowd leaves in your mouth. And I’d rather defy convention than tread the path of ‘the hype’. That statement simply embodies my philosophy on the over acclaimed publicized book ‘Fifty shades of Grey’. Despite all ado, I decided nothing whatsoever would propel me into the shallow territory of common literature; thusly [the empty vessel metaphor comes to mind] however, the book-demon in mewaged a successful war. My train of reaction about the book followed the highlighted sequence: first, Indifference — since I’d never heard of the author E L James I could care less for her work, then came Curiosity — based on the level of uproar and interest the hit novel was generating among intellectuals [I use the term loosely] and dummies who all but rushed through the first few introductory chapters just so to help themselves to self-pleasuring, enter Interest — my curiosity was piqued enough, ever the bibliophile I set out and bought the latest literary holy grail. Only few chapters in, the highly sought spoil was lost on me.

As the racy prose drags on I couldn’t help but marvel at how a work of fiction working with such flimsy a premise could appeal to all and sundry. Sex, as its continuous trend is proving, would sell about anything. Just add a few tweaks of raunchy S&M here or there and you’ve nailed yourself a bestseller. Now for the clueless residing under a rock, here’s a weathered-down synopsis of the popular ‘piece of crap’ alluding allegiance to critical relevance: a seemingly innocent literature student by the name of Anastasia Steele is caught in a whirlwind sexcapade that has her bedding a young, wealthy and insanely handsome businessman Christian Grey, but not without a signed contract committing her to an abusive intercourse. Simply put, they fuck maniacally. All of that hot mess starting at about page 117. They fuck, sex, screw, make love, bang, have coitus…you get the idea.

It is worthy of note for me to gush at this point that I’m an avid reader. I devour all forms of writing with savage-like hunger. I do not as a result of boredom but because I find the art of creative writing refreshingly inspiring. Having said that, a writer does my bookish yearning a great disservice if by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5…10 pages in, I’m left disenchanted. To say that is the case with Fifty Shades would be me putting it mildly. And whence comes the actual tragedy: A British author who has never stepped foot in Portland USA where the story is set decides to sell an American story to Americans and readers the world over. Problem number 1: poor research. E L’s use of Brit colloquialism in an American setting is quite distracting and dare I say off-putting. The naïve heroine Ana not just is bland as oatmeal she suffers from Repeat-Yourself syndrome; when she’s not blushing (she did on almost every page), she’s constantly in a war of wits with her subconscious (every single page), needless to mention the number of times she repeated phrases like ‘oh my’, ‘holy crap’ or is in awe of Mr handsome. Problem number 2: Over-repetition.Mr Christian Grey doesn’t fare any better, for one, he is unbelievably cliché: a handsome, rich and endowed businessman who spends half the time gyming and sexing his new found lay. When and how again does he work and make all that money? Problem number 3: lame characterization. As for the plot and writing style, let’s leave it as it is: profoundly silly. It’s so badly plotted and written I feel superhuman as a writer. The only bit that got me through this sleeping pill of a book was my imaginative ability to envision Ana as Kristen Stewart; Gullible, horny, bland and uninspiring. Which only worked till page150, mind you this is a 514 pages book. I’ve never read a book unfinished. This is my first.

On brighter note, at least everyone is buying and talking about the book. E L James succeeds by reworking an old recipe of impressionable damsel falls for rich handsome lad, only this time adding a legion’s favorite ingredient ‘sex’. I understand how the randy nature of the storyline attracts but the writing is goddamn awful. I know high-schoolers who write better. The book isn’t a complete write-off, in all fairness it could serve a good purpose being a manual for horn dogs and pervs and that’s it.

Near comatose/suicide, at page 150 I succumbed to common sense and flung the piece of crap to the trash where it belongs.

PA: I’m dashing out my copy of the book; if I won’t get back those few hours of my life back I shall be charitable enough to torture someone with it. Contact me if you want it.

*Written By Oluwaseun Adenuga*