Tuesday, 21 August 2012

Our Cynthia, Kidnapped and Murdered in Lagos! Will they let her rest in peace? Written By Aishatu Ene Ella


In the last few days I have seen had my heart torn, stripped and broken in pieces first by the disappearance and death of my Dearest friend and secondly by the wickedness exhibited by Nigerians, passing judgment on someone they never knew or met. 


Cynthia
When She was officially declared missing, we put up a number online so people with information can call and help out, off over 500 calls we received in 3 days, only 2 of those calls were from people who actually helped with information, One was my Dear friend Nuhu Kwajafa, The other was the Area Commander who called to inform us of the arrest of the people. The others were heartbreaking to say this least, I wondered how her mother would have coped if she had to deal with silliness, pettiness and undeserved hate from strangers, who just took one look at a lady and decided to judge her based on her looks.

When The sad news of her death broke, I made a comment and said I hope " all those who have insisted she was with a man would have their answer now and let her rest in peace" how wrong I was, They wouldn’t rest, they would only go back and manufacture a more hurtful and painful story, formulate more rumors and pass it around as facts, hmmm it is well. I have no comments for hateful people, I just want to share with you the real Cynthia, and the Cynthia we knew not the one who hateful people have created in the last few days.

Cynthia was born on 10th of November 1987 to Gen Frank and Joy- Rita Nkem Osokogu, Udoka as her Mother named her, even as a baby was a uniting factor in her family. Her Mother had 3 boys before her; she was the last baby and only girl.

Her Parents had settled in Jos where we were and still neighbors, We became friends because in those days there were only few houses in the area. I was the last child and so didn’t have a lot of playmates my age, her brothers were my mates and Cynthia as the only girl didn’t have much friends around the neighborhood either so she tagged along when we had our "adventures" and "yawo".

Cynthia the Model and Business Woman

2004 was one of the hardest years for the Family I was raised with in Jos, Cynthia and her Mom was with me all the way. They were there to comfort, assist, cook etc.

She was a tall beautiful and slender girl, we always teased her because even at 13 she was taller than me and the same height with her brothers, she was a tomboy all the way. Determined, stubborn and focused. As she grew into her height Her Mum and I playful suggest she try modeling because of her structure, Cynthia took it seriously, even though her major focus was education she gave modeling a trial and did quiet well as a model. In 2007, she got her first major run way job and I will never forget the day she called me from Lagos after she had been paid, she said she wouldn’t want to waste the money and would buy clothes and bring to school to sell. The first badge of clothes never made it to keffi as industrious Cynthia who staying with her brother during her visit at Air force Quarters sold the clothes to her brother, his colleagues and their friends, she told me she made 3 times her capital and immediately re-invested, bought more stock, came to Keffi and rented a shop, that was the birth of her Baby: "Dresscode". 

I remember I bought her the forms to one of the national competitions some years ago, she passed the screening passed 2 stages and called me one day to say she was asked to compromise to get through the next round, I told her to withdraw and she left. That was in 2011S. She never entered any major pageant after that
When it came to business Cynthia was midas, she knew when to make a great sale, she was never at a loss, her business grew from strength to strength all this while she was not even 21, @ 21 a lot of the people who now make it a point to formulate such hateful rumors were still struggling to buy Jamb Results.

Cynthia the Sister and Daughter:

Cynthia was like the baby sister I didnt have, She was my confidant, stylist and a great comfort. We shared a lot, tears, smiles, laughs, joys ,sorrows and was always at my service. She was greatly involved in charity, anytime I sent a text or posted a picture of someone needing medical support, I could count on Cynthia as one of the first respondents.  When she was in Abuja, she would always come and volunteer, run errands, always with a smile. When I get to Jos, she will be at the motor park waiting, Thats if she doesnt pick me up from Abuja. Not to forget my person Stylist, she either bought or chose most of my clothes, most times my friend say "you look nice" i tell them "ask Cynthia oh, I have no idea what I am wearing". Style has never been a strong point of mine, but if Cynthia bought it or asked me to buy it I knew it was good and stylish
To her Mother, Cynthia was her heart. Several times i will ask Cynthia please dont go to Jos it is volatile and she will reply me " Mumsy is alone at home", or when she is in Jos and there was a fight I would call and ask her to leave Jos and come and stay a few days with me, she will say "I cant leave Mumsy alone here now" . That was our Cynthia, Others first.

When it was time to serve, while others would work their service to areas full of opportunity like Abuja, Lagos and Porthacort, Cynthia worked her service to crisis ridden Jos to be close to her Mother, Is that what a "runs girl" does?

At age 24, Cynthia had a successful business, and was running a Post Graduate Program in Public Administration, sadly people will ignore all that and choose to believe that because she is pretty and Young she must be a "Runsgirl", how sad, we Judge people by our own low and shabby standards.

She earned every kobo she had by good old hard work, Lets even forget her Father supported her financially but that didn’t turn her to a spoilt brat she was as determined as ever to make her own mark and earn her own keep.

The world and people who have no standards can stand afar and Judge all they want but we know who you are and we love you, we don’t need to defend You My baby, just setting the records straight.

The security Situation in our country now is horrible at best, people are kidnapped, robbed and killed everyday, why is it so hard to believe that a young girl was killed while going to pursue her legitimate business? If It was a man who was killed would we have come up with all these stories? If it was an older woman or someone not so attractive would we still? Her crime is being, young, pretty and a business woman. Hmmm, People, Have the decency to let us mourn in peace Please
Aishatu Ene Ella

Wednesday, 15 August 2012

Flying Ijaw National Flag Is Not Secession! NBA President Got It Wrong. By Kayode Ogundamisi




Yoruba National Flag

OUTGOING president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), J. B. Daudu, on Tuesday, said flag and anthem by Bayelsa State are unconstitutional and illegal; as such provisions did not exist in the Nigerian constitution.

I am afraid to say that Mr Daudu is speaking from deep IGNORANCE. I am not a fan of Bayelsa state government, but the state government and other state governments who fly indigenous flags, anthem and symbols are only enforcing the principle of federalism as entrenched in the Nigerian constitution.



Such action does not in any way indicate a "secessionist" agenda. Even in advanced democracies such as the United States and the United Kingdom component units have flags, symbols and anthems. It is unfortunate that those who should know are misleading the public.



I am not disputing the fact that some of the state governors might have other agenda's in enforcing the principle of true federalism, It is my humble opinion that some of the governors are simply introducing flags with fanfare to divert attention from chronic corruption and inability to deliver on campaign promises, ‘patriotism’ can sometimes be diversionary, but so long as actions are based on legitimate requirements of the Nigerian constitution, they have not done anything wrong. What would be wrong is if Nigerians from other region, state, tribe are victimised or treated as second class citizens within Nigeria.



In as much as we rightly should protect the unity of Nigeria we should not impede on the rights of federating Units to enforce their rights to self-determination within the confines of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.



It is as a result if the confusion and bastardisation of what a federation is, that opinion moulders such as the NBA president should encourage and campaign for the convocation of a Sovereign National Conference. I know the campaign for SNC is being hijacked by 5th columnist, self-styled militants and war mongers to give undiscerning minds the impression that SNC is an agenda to divide Nigeria along tribal, religious and ethnic lines. That is not what SNC is all about. SNC is a last chance to look into the foundation of Nigeria and negotiate the relationship between the federating units and social contract between the state and the citizens.

SNC is not the solution to the myriad of problems confronting Nigeria but it will be a bold and genuine attempt by Nigerians to revisit post-colonial arrangements, mistrust and inequality.

I recommend my article Thoughts on Nigerian Federalism http://kayodeogundamisi.blogspot.co.uk/2009/11/thoughts-on-nigerian-federalism-by.html to the NBA President.

Sunday, 12 August 2012

I cant ever thank you well enough. By Kayode Ogundamisi


12th August 2012



Land! Sea and the Sky!

I still do not know if your words formed them

But what I know is that I wont be a part of the Universe

Without your consent!

Do I doubt your existence sometimes? Yes I do

When I see the injustice! Pain and savagery of humanity

I say to myself. How can anyone have power over the

universe and permit such evil.

But even when I doubt you, a inner voice whisper into my ears, soft and calming, saying ‘without me you wont be’

I then realize I owe my being to no other one but you.

Even with my imperfections, you just keep forgiving and

keep giving me a second chance.

As I take a look at forty-four years of Struggles! Defeats!

Triumphs! Laughter! Sadness!

I take your gift of LIFE and Say I CAN NOT THANK YOU WELL

ENOUGH!

Monday, 6 August 2012

A Great Piller! Shola Amuwo Passes On!

 
 
 
Dear Friends,

We sadly announce the passing of Ms Shola Amuwo. She died in the early hours of 5th August, 2012 in London.

You will all recall her strong support and tireless contribution to the successful hosting of the State of The Nation Nigerian conference organised by the Nigeria Liberty Forum in 2009.

Shola Amuwo co ran Accounts3 a UK based all female non-profit empowerment organisation Accounts3 The company operates a one-stop shop approach to providing advice, suppo...
rt, resources and education to local people. Please see www.account3.org.uk

She was always ready to provide her facilities to up and coming organisations in the UK for use in the betterment of our community, our host country the United Kingdom and our country Nigeria.

Personally she’s been a great pillar to friends and I included
I will pass details of her burial arrangements as soon as the family release details.

May Her Soul Rest in Peace.

Kind Regards.


Kayode Ogundamisi


CELEBRATING A GREAT SISTER.

I am inviting friends to join colleagues, and family in celebrating the life of my lovely sister Shola Amuwo.

Date: Monday 6th August 2012

Venue: Accounts 3

3 Birkbeck Street

Bethnal Green

London E2 6JY

Closest Tube Station is Bethnal Green Station.

Time: 11:30 AM – 6 PM


Bukola Amuwo