Bloggers as Liars

In recent times, so many people have become bloggers - a development that's really pleasing to me. Information dissemination is a worthwhile activity, especially at this time and in this generation. I have read several blogs and thoroughly enjoyed them. While many of them provided celebrity news and never-seen-before celebrity photos, others provided political and life analyses from an angle I never even thought of.

But then, as interesting as this development is, I am getting worried about the fact that blogging has become a competition in some quarters, as everybody wants to report 'breaking news' first. The effect of this 'competition' is that such 'breaking news' have ended up becoming 'breaking lies'. These days, I read some blogs and just shake my head. 

I have always believed in objectivity; so the pull-him-down stories are really not going down well with me. As much as I believe that celebrity buzz generates traffic, there's a need to be objective and rely less on rumours. When Zaaki Adzay's news broke, I just laughed at many bloggers' versions of the story because a friend of mine who happens to be Zaaki's neighbour gave me the gist before the news broke. Except for Linda Ikeji and those who copied from her blog, others just cooked up lies.

Then came the 'Lagbaja unmasked' story. Again, unverified rumour was published as though the musician unmasked in the presence of the bloggers.

And on Sunday, the 'Ayuba beaten to stupor for lateness' story went viral. As soon as I read the story, I just shook my head in sadness. Yes, Ayuba got to the venue of the event late because of the Lagos-Ibadan  expressway traffic; yes, the client was angry; but NO, he was not beaten at all. I got the blow-by-blow account of the event because my friend was there!

I know that many of us are in it for the money, but we must also realise that damaging other people's lives because of our quest for money is as good as armed robbery. The power of a blogger is more massive than we can ever imagine, and the uproar that greeted the Aluu killing is a pointer to this fact.

We all cannot be like Linda Ikeji, Olorisupergal or Omojuwa, whose occupation is blogging; but we can be like Ali Baba - blog when you have a material and make your blog as personal as possible.

Most importantly, blog for the passion you have for it. Linda didn't get to where she is by chasing money first. Anybody can blog, but it takes passion to build a brand.

I rest my case.

Rivers State Government Acquires $45 million Jet for Governor

Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi

The Rivers State commissioner for information,Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, has confirmed that the state government bought a brand new $45 million Bombardier Global 5000 (N565RS) jet for Governor Chibuike Amaechi. According to the commissioner, the jet was paid for two years ago, and they bought it for 'safety reasons'. She said the governor consulted the Rivers state House of Assembly and they approved the purchase.

This is coming at a time when Rivers State is battling with flood crisis, and the government already has an aircraft. Expectedly,the old aircraft, an Embraer Legacy 600, will be sold.

Seriously, I can't stopping shaking my head for this country. Why would any reasonable government spend over N7 billion of tax payers' money on a 'private jet', when the citizens can barely feed?????

Former Italian Prime Minister Bags 4-year Jail Sentence

Silvio Berlusconi, AC Milan president and former Italian Prime Minister, has been sentenced to a 4-year jail term for his part in a tax fraud scandal. The Milan supremo was jailed for failing to declare the payments made in the purchase of American movies for his company, Mediaset. The purchase was done via an offshore company, and the 76-year-old reportedly pocketed 250 million euros after licensing the movies.

Expectedly, his counsel will appeal the judgement. Silvio Berlusconi was Italy's Prime Minister 1994/95, 2001 to 2006, and 2008 to 2011.

Hmmmmmmm............ Will this ever happen in Nigeria?

Photos: Moyinoluwa's Christening

The event took place on Thursday, October 18th, 2012. Enjoy!

Moyinoluwa

My family

Praise and worship

Prayers for Moyinoluwa

In the spirit

Mummy and baby

Abigail

Pastor Phillip Okogie

Moyinoluwa's first gift

Pastor and Mrs. Okogie

P.Diddy Survives Car Crash

As reported by TMZ, music mogul and businessman, Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs was involved in an accident not too long ago. According to the blog site, a car turned left in front of P.Diddy's SUV, causing his driver to  hit the other vehicle.

Officers were invited to the scene but there was no injury and nobody was taken to the hospital.

Cakes by Creamy Delight Cakes

Sheila Solarin Passes On

Late Tai Solarin's widow, Sheila Solarin has passed on. The educationist passed on at the Babcock Univeristy Teaching Hospital at the age of 88.

Late Sheila Solarin was a co-founder of Mayflower School, Ikenne, and was honoured with an MBE for her contribution to Nigeria's academic development.

Rest in peace, ma. 

My Non-Blogging Reason- Fatherhood!

I've not blogged in a while and she is the reason. Yes, Moyinoluwa became a member of my family on Thursday, 11/10/2012, and fatherhood has been fun.

I will post the photos of the baby christening later.

UNILORIN Gets New VC

Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali is the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN). He took over from Professor I’shaq Oloyede, who had a hitch-free and colourful 5-year tenure. It is hoped that the new VC will sustain the peace and tranquillity that UNILORIN has enjoyed over the years, especially after the institution dissociated itself from the activities of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). 

Absenteeism: Oshiomole Dismisses Four Teachers

Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, on Monday dismissed four secondary school teachers and sanctioned one other for absenteeism and lateness.

The governor, who paid an unscheduled visit to some schools in Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, said the attitude of some of the teachers was not encouraging, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

While calling for support from the teachers, the governor said his quest to reposition public schools was not negotiable.

He said teachers must look beyond earning their salaries and bringing up children that would be useful to the state and the country.

This is really impressive. It seems harsh but impressive. Someone needs to knock senses into the heads of Nigerian civil servants!

My Family Photo Session

When we were doing this on 10/10/2012. we didn't know the baby would arrive 24 hours later. Yes, these photos are stale because God has gifted my family with a baby girl. But still enjoy it.