GR Diary
…As I drove downtown with the free-flowing traffic I couldn’t help but wonder at my good fortune.
My job does not stuff my pockets with lots of money, but I have more than enough to get by. And, as I had just told my father-in-law (who’s a pastor) my wife is the best woman any man could ask for. Her strong religious background is ever so reflected in all her actions. She might come across as stiff, but her purity is equivalent to that of a nun, her purity is matched by her beauty, this beauty is also matched by her goodness, and her goodness is only matched by her dedication to her job.
And the financial rewards are quite impressive.
Only a few women will make that much more than their husband and still remain humble.
I don’t have the words to describe it.
Many men talk about how good their wives are – out of duty, or they say it just to look good. That’s not what this is. Let me try to explain it; as head of business relations for a growing company my wife travels often, but this has barely affected how she runs our home. She’s the kind of woman who keeps abreast of the going ons in her home regardless of where she is. She’s the kind of woman that wouldn’t stay a second longer than she has to in a meeting – just so she could be home with her family. I remember one time she staggered out from a gruelling 5 day conference immediately after it was officially ended, 20 minutes later a staff realized she’d left her file on the table. The staff looked around for a few minutes and couldn’t find her, only to call her phone and she answered it at the airport…about to board a flight home. That’s her level of dedication to her family.
As I drove on I couldn’t help smiling at my good fortune. I’m one lucky dude. I had just arrived Abuja an hour ago. I didn’t tell my wife that I was coming because I wanted to surprise her.
Before you start jumping to conclusions, I would like you to know that it didn’t go the way you’re thinking. I didn’t go to her hotel and find her in bed with another man. Sorry to disappoint you.
You see, we didn’t hide anything from each other. So, I had her hotel room number, her Assistant’s number, the conference location, I even had the head usher’s number in case my wife and her Assistant couldn’t answer their phones. That’s the kind of woman I married. Total trust.
I even felt a bit guilty about not telling her that I was in Abuja, but I knew she would like the surprise…and would love the distraction.
I checked the time, 2:16pm. I knew the conference would last till 4pm, so I had planned to make the acquaintance of Chief, an oil tycoon whom a friend connected me with. We had spoken on the phone and he was expecting me.
I replayed the conversation in my mind again.
The man hadn’t wanted to see me, and didn’t hide that fact. The only reason he listened to my business proposition was because my friend whom he’s quite fond of is his brother’s brother-in-law’s son. The man was brash, crude and quite vulgar on the phone. When I told him where I’ll be coming from, he preferred to talk about his escapades with girls in my town. Now, I grew up around university students, so if there’s one thing I’d mastered it’s vulgarity and how to tell realistic erotic stories.
After over an hour of trading dirty stories (trust me to make mine so extreme I could hear his quickened breathing), the man and I had become fast friends (a match made in evil-heaven), and he asked me to fly to Abuja the next day to meet with him.
He said he was glad I wasn’t a dull ‘church-boy’ like my friend, his in-law. He also said a couple of his friends were in the country, and if I were any good I could be the one showing them a good time when they come to my town. It’s not everyday that a man gets such an opportunity to swim with powerful men like that.
So, I flew to Abuja the next day. A friend of mine was generous enough to lend me his car. I planned to sleep in my wife’s hotel room, and fly back home the next day.
I didn’t think my wife would approve of this erotic approach to business with Chief. In fact, I knew she would frown and start warning me that these men would only lead me to destruction and eternal damnation. I too, didn’t approve of this method of hooking up with powerful men, but, hey, I have to pay bills.
I shook my head and brought myself back to the present. I’ll deal with my lovely wife later. Right now, I have a task ahead. If that task requires a vulgar, crude guy with little or no moral values, then that’s what I’ll be.
I followed the instructions given to me by Chief, and found his house with ease. I identified myself to the mobile policemen at the gate and was directed to park. As expected, the car park was filled with assorted exotic cars. A young man came out of the house and asked me to follow him. We walked into what I would only describe as a palace, up a flight of stairs and into a private waiting room where I was asked to “…please sit down. Chief will be with you shortly.”. Surprisingly, Chief came out in less than 5 minutes. I was impressed at the simplicity of such a powerful man. I jumped up to greet him. He wasn’t a handsome man, but he had the kind of smooth easy features that only unlimited wealth can give. He also had a beer gut. Oh my! That gut was something.
He also looked a bit tipsy, and smelled of liquor.
“Chief, good day, sir!” I said.
He said a quick “How nah?”, then gave me a look over. Taking in the slender frame, the mischievous smile on my face, he said “Bad boy. Yes, you be like person wey like f**k well well”.
I laughed my most devilish suggestive laugh, with the fake relaxed air of an accomplice. I was eager to let him know that I had flexible morals and was down for whatever. I’m a hustler, baby.
He asked if I wanted a drink, I said no, but I wouldn’t mind a massage if he had girls around. I pretended to look at him afraid and hopeful. It had the effect I wanted. The man laughed, “You’re hopeless.”. He looked like he’d just found his soulmate. He looked me straight in the eye as if he was trying to make a decision. Then he got up and asked me to follow him.
As we walked down a small hallway, he explained that his friends were around, and were being given a run for their money by one of his girls. ‘F**king machine’, he called her. This girl could take on a whole platoon and still want more.”In the past one year, do you know how many of my guys that have tried and nearly collapsed on top of her?”
He laughed.
“The girl de baaad. Anytime men start talking rubbish about how white girls are something else, I invite them to Nigeria. Just a taste of this girl the person go just quiet.”.
I laughed nervously. I didn’t plan to have sex with another woman, talk more some nymphomaniac young girl. As a matter of fact, since I married my wife I’d not been with another woman. I am pretending to be without decency, but I am NOT without decency. I am a man married to a beautiful responsible mother of two. I can’t come here and have sex with some twenty-something year old girl – in the presence of some dirty rich men. All because of money.
My God! What have I gotten myself into?
I made a quick decision. If this is what it takes to make that money, so be it. I’ll never tell my wife about this. I will make this money and spoil her silly, but I would NEVER tell her whatever I end up doing here today.
With anger now mixing with the adrenaline suddenly pumping into my veins, I knew the young nympho was in for a rough experience. She would rue the day she set eyes on me.
I walked into a dim room with Chief, my heart filled with a sexual fatalistic viciousness.
The four men in the slightly stuffy room were all naked. One was sitting down and pressing his phone, one was sitting on one side of the huge bed, one was just getting off the girl, while the other was prepping to get on her. All four of them were sweating like any middle aged man should when he’s being handled by a young nymphomaniac.
I was shocked as I recognized the man about to mount the girl as a popular politician I’d seen on TV many times. I composed myself and walked closer to the bed only to freeze again.
Lying naked on the bed with the men’s sweat glistening on her skin was my wife.
www.arinze.nduanya.com
The stage is set, the anticipation is palpable, and the excitement is already building as SIFAX Group unveils its lineup of top gospel artists for the much-anticipated 2024 SIFAX Group Thanksgiving and Night of Praise celebration.
The event is set to hold on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
The night’s lineup features an array of celebrated gospel stars, including Bidemi Olaoba, Laolu Gbenjo, Beejay Sax, Adeyinka Alaseyori and Chigozie Wisdom.
The event will also feature performances from Woli Agba, Titilayo Eyinjujesu, Abosede Akande, Nonny Chorale and Daminator Dance Group.
Themed I will Rejoice, the event, which is in its second year, promises an uplifting atmosphere filled with soulful melodies, heartfelt prayers, and vibrant expressions of gratitude for the milestones and blessings of the year.
Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, Group Chairman, SIFAX Group, said the event was an avenue to appreciate God for his faithfulness in the outgoing year:
“We are thrilled to bring together our board, management, staff, clients and other stakeholders to celebrate the goodness of God we have enjoyed in 2024.
It has been an interesting year laced with a lot of challenges and accomplishments.
This Night of Praise reflects our commitment to showing gratitude to God for His divine support for our businesses and our people.”
Attendees can expect electrifying live performances, a vibrant choir, and opportunities for communal worship, all within a beautifully curated setting designed to uplift and inspire. The event will also feature special segments for praise, worship, and words of encouragement from renowned speakers.
The event will be livestreamed on all the company’s official social media channels to extend the experience to the company’s online community.
Events
Speakers to Discuss How to Restore Nigerians’ Confidence in the Judiciary
…A collection of eminently qualified personalities will on Friday November 29 engage in the discourse on how to bring back the confidence of Nigerians in the nation’s judiciary.
The event, the Gavel International Annual Lecture with the theme: “The Judiciary as the last hope of the common man, media and legal perspectives” will be hosting Prof Hope Eghagha, Mr. Richard Akinnola, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN, Mrs. Joke Layi-Babatunde, and Mrs. Asabe Waziri as the panel discussants.
The panel will be coordinated by Chief Anthony George-Ikoli SAN.
At the event, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi will deliver the Keynote Address while Nigeria’s top business lawyer, Mr. Gbenga Oyebode MFR will serve as chairman Former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Dele Adesina SAN will deliver the main lecture.
George-Ikoli is a former Attorney-General of Bayelsa State and the first Senior Advocate from the state. A passionate advocate of the Justice system, George-Ikoli will bring his wealth of experience to bear on the discussions.
Prof Eghagha, is a highly experienced teacher of English Literature and Literary Analysis at the Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos and researcher of dramatic theory and criticism.
He is a playwright, poet, novelist, biographer, columnist and member of The Guardian newspaper’s editorial board. Through his weekly newspaper opinion articles, he explores the complex challenges facing Nigeria.
Prof. Eghagha also served as the Commissioner for Higher Education in Delta State from 2009 to 2014. In 1999, he was named Honorary Colonel of the Commonwealth of Kentucky United States, and Honorary Captain of the Belle of Louisville.
A distinguished academic Eghagha was made appointed professor in 2010. He was also Acting Dean of the Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos in 2015 and Head of the Department of English, University of Lagos from 2016 to 2019. In December 2023, he was appointed Education Consultant to the Delta State Government.
Richard Akinnola is a legal affairs journalist, legal historian, media law specialist, media trainer, and author of 18 books on law, media, human rights and politics.
A respected law columnist, at various times, he was a pioneer staff of The Guardian, Vanguard, and Judicial Editor of the Concord Group. One of the founders of Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), the first Human Rights body in Nigeria, established in 1987, he is currently Director, Centre for Media Law and Advocacy, member of the Board of Partnership for Justice and founder of Richard Akinnola Foundation and NGO that takes care of widows of journalists and activists. Akinnola is the publisher/Editor-in-Chief of COURTROOM; Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of MEDIA LAW and Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of CORRUPTION CASES JOURNAL.
Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is a well regarded rights advocate and legal luminary. Adegboruwa attended the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1995. He served as counsel at Gani Fawehinmi Chambers from 1995 to 2000 and later founded his law firm, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa & Co.
He has been an activist and rights crusader for most part of his life. He was the Public Relations Officer of the Student’s Union of Obafemi Awolowo University, and later the Union’s President.
He was a member of the Senate of the National Association of Nigerian Students and member of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, Civil Liberties Organization, Campaign for Democracy, President, GSM Subscribers and other Phone users Association of Nigeria and founder of Law and Justice Forum and Millennium Legal Support Services.
He is also a Pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God.
Mrs. Adejoke Layi-Babatunde is an alumnus of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife and the Nigerian Law School, Lagos. She is a results-driven and accomplished law publisher with an exceptional talent for developing and launching new publications. With a keen eye for detail and exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, Layi-Babatunde easily stands out and is well known for her collaborative approach to leadership.
She is an author and life coach and sits on several boards. She has featured as a keynote speaker in several national and international conferences. Her editorial board position at a legal entity covering Africa reflects her deep industry involvement.
She has spearheaded pivotal roles, including being Deputy CEO at Lawbreed Limited, driving publication of Supreme Court judgments and publications aimed at equipping lawyers for greater success as well as overseeing corporate social relations. Her blend of experience, skills, and commitment positions her as a valuable asset to organizations at various phases of growth and this has earned her several awards one of which is the ESQ Nigeria Legal awards Amazon of the Year 2021.
Mrs. Layi-Babatunde started her career at the Legal Department of Nigeria Industrial Development Bank (now Bank of Industry. She is a life member of WIMBIZ (Women in Business and Management), Lagos Chamber of Commerce & industry, Chairperson, Mentoring Committee of FIDA Lagos chapter and FIDA International Editorial Board and the vice-chairperson of the Professional Development Committee of the Ikeja chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association.
Asabe Waziri is a petroleum engineer and a respected professional in the oil and gas industry, with nearly three decades of experience. She is also the founder of the Asabe Waziri Justice Advocacy Initiative (AWJAI), an organization inspired by her profound encounter with injustice. Driven to help others navigate the complex Nigerian justice system, Asabe established AWJAI to address critical issues faced by vulnerable communities.
In just over a year, AWJAI has made significant strides in combating illegal evictions, gender-based violence, monitoring compliance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), addressing professional misconduct, and tackling prison overcrowding.
The Publisher of Gavel International, Mustapha Ogunsakin explained that the 2024 annual lecture is designed to kick off conversations on the restoration of confidence of the Nigerian people in the nation’s judiciary which appears to be at an all time low.
“During the #Endsars protests in 2020, a very major court building, the Lagos High Court, Igbosere was razed by a mob. We saw the horrendous pictures of the burnt court, particularly one of the arsonists in a lawyer’s garb of wig and gown, with a machete in his hand. For me, that is very scary imagery. We must begin to restore the hope of the common man, if not in other organs of government, but in the judiciary. The other alternative is anarchy,” he said.
Ogunsakin posited that legal and media professions saddled with direct constitutional roles in the judicial system are best positioned to restore confidence in the judiciary. “While the role of the legal profession is statutory, the media has the responsibility to represent the people by covering and reporting court proceedings, except it has to do with national security or cases involving minors. That is why the constitution made provision for a public gallery in every court where journalists occupy to report cases and disseminate to the public,” he noted.
Gavel International has over the years hosted lectures and conferences in pursuit of its guiding principle — Rule of Law. In 2015, Gavel International presented a book, “For the love of their Nation, Lawyers as Agents of Change in Nigeria’’ authored by the publisher, Mustapha Ogunsakin.
The public presentation of this book was done by the then Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo SAN. Others in attendance at the event include Mr. Eyitayo Jegede SAN, then the Attorney General of Ondo State, Chief Anthony George-Ikoli SAN, the first SAN from Bayelsa State and a former Attorney General of the State, Mr. Ade Ipaye and a host of others.
In 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic raged, it managed to host a stellar webinar conference, bringing together some of the most brilliant minds across the country to discuss on the topic: “Media Coverage of Virtual Court Proceedings: Prospects and Challenges. Prof. Osinbajo delivered the Keynote Address and was joined by others like human rights activist, Femi Falana SAN, Bode Olanipekun SAN, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, Dr Reuben Abati to discuss the topic.
Events
Hamzat, Abiru To Speak on Impactful Empowerment For Nigerians At TheGazelleNews Annual Public Lecture
TheGazelleNews, a leading online newspaper, is set to host its much-anticipated annual public lecture on Thursday, December 5, 2024, at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Isaac John Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
This year’s lecture will focus on a topic of crucial national importance: “Poverty Alleviation: Fantasies, Expectations, and Realities of People’s Empowerment.”
The event will convene distinguished speakers, thought leaders, and government officials to address the challenges and practical solutions surrounding poverty reduction and empowerment in Nigeria.
It will feature Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, as the Guest Speaker, who is expected to bring a wealth of experience in governance and infrastructure development to the discourse. As the Keynote Speaker, Senator Mukhail Adetokunbo Abiru, a renowned legislator and financial expert, will share valuable insights into policy-driven approaches for sustainable poverty alleviation.
A dynamic panel discussion will follow, featuring prominent personalities: Engineer (Dr.) Adekunle Olayinka, FNSE – Special Adviser on Works to the Lagos State Government; Ms. Abisola Olusanya – Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Lagos State, who will provide perspectives on the agricultural sector’s role in empowering communities; Comrade Tosin Adeyanju – Executive Secretary of the National Lottery Trust Fund (NLTF), focusing on community development through structured funding and Honorable Rasaq Ajala – Executive Chairman, Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA, who will be contributing insights on local government initiatives.
Goodwill messages will be delivered by: the Senate Leader, Senator Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele; the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment, Senator Yunus Abiodun Akintunde; the Chairman of Winners Golden Group, Honourable Idowu Osuolale Obasa; and the Special Adviser to the President on Public Communications and National Orientation, Chief Sunday Dare.
The event will be graced by prominent personalities in government and public service, with Nigeria First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, serving as the Special Guest of Honour; Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio as the Chairman of the occasion and the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, will be the Chief Host.
The Father of the Day is seasoned politician noted for his connection with the people especially at the grassroots level, Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon (GOS), and Mother of the Day, Her Excellency Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, reflecting her longstanding commitment to social empowerment and women’s issues and of course her role as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals.
In a celebration of excellence and dedication to public service, TheGazelleNews will present its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award to Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi, Chairman of the Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC).
A highly respected political figure and royal prince from the Akinsemoyin ruling house of Lagos, Prince Olusi has made impactful contributions as a former Lagos City Councilor, House of Representatives member in the Second Republic, and Commissioner in Lagos State. His award highlights a career marked by unwavering dedication to Lagos and its citizens.
The day’s proceedings will be hosted by the dynamic compère duo, Gbenga Adeyinka and Feyikemi Niyi-Olayinka, who promise to guide the audience through an engaging and memorable event.
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