Wednesday, June 06, 2007

UPDATES

Crazy Week But....


I had to stop by and give you some 'Addy Styleee' updates






INAUGURATION RUNS


It was interesting as I said but not without some quirkiness. First of all, who said the leaders are inaccessible (sarcasm). Practically all the beggars moved to Abuja just to see Yardie (more sarcasm). Or could it be that the Northerners just couldn't wait to get back into power (below the belt sarcasm). Oh don't chastise me! You lot know that's what you are thinking, I just have a big mouth enough to say it out. Well I am probably on the optimistic side of things and hoping Yardie and Goodie will not be like their predecessors and play on tribe, religion and be corrupt. Anyways I really just wanted to write about my experience trying to get past the sea of beggars to get into the island of wealth that was packed inside the banquet for the Inauguration. After all we are all aspiring. First of all the invitation and protocol passes did not account for anything because somehow random people had gained access into the banquet hall for this 'exclusive' shindig. Serious security breach to say the least. Presidents of countries (Algeria and VP of Egypt I think) were locked out while several 'non-exclusive crowd' individuals had seats. Not that I am in the 'other' crowd but me and and little my mid-level crowd crew could not find seats so we opted to leave and have an early start to the house party. How about it took us 30 minutes just to be allowed out of the building. We and the Canadian high commissioner went from one room to the other including the kitchen to find an exit but each was either jammed with people trying to get in or locked. Did I hear someone say FIRE HAZARD. Not just that. My mind went very far and I got very scared. I mean with the way the Niger Delta Militants operate, bombing peoples homes and s***. In my mind, I kept on thinking OMG this is some serious prime target here and Addy can't even get out to safety. Oh well we eventually left when the High commission started getting prickly with the security personel. Everybody else left eventually because it was probably boring. Let's just hope the disorganization is not a reflection of what's to come. I mean seriously Yardie... Abuja ain't Kansas...I mean Katsina. You have to step your game up dawg. You can keep it real with the common folk. You know....shake a few beggars now and then, toss them a few change here and there but that's really as real as you can keep it. Especially in the 'dirty south' cos there's some hommies that ain't pleased you got 'ASO ROCK ON LOCK'.. (Whoa!! that's some tight rhyme courtesy of 'queen slim mack of the underground'...my rapper alter ego. By the way the dress was made by one of my tailors. I knocked the style off one of my 'vintage' purchases in NC. Meanwhile I am still looking for more tailors. Know any good ones? I am trying to re-invent 'Addy's Closet' so I don't burn my purse... I still have grad school tuition to save for.)




MORE BOOKS CONQUERED


So I am done with both of Jude Dibia's books (Walking with Shadows and Unbridled). Great reads. It took me two sittings to finish the first and teh second I was done with in under 8 hours. Unbridled was tight. Captivating and engrossing. The drama was just deeeeeep all the way to the end. It was just a little bit predictable but it's the journey to the end that kept me gropping for more. I guess I am putting my 'ameboness' to good use by getting my does of gossip in books and not 'blogs' (lol) or peoples drama filled lives. Not that I did in the first place really... but every now and then I did dip and dabble. But I have to admit, and this without bias, that my best read for the week has to be Ken Wiwa's tribute to his father titled In the Shadow of A Saint.




For someone who prides herslef in being a supporter of the Ogoni struggle and Ken Saro-Wiwa, you'ld expect that I should have been standing in line when this book first came out. I know. I am ashamed to even say I am just reading the book now. I'd been meaning to buy the book for a while (almost borrowed Kulutempa's copy way back in NC) but my cheap ass was waiting for a free autographed copy from the author which never came. I guess Kulutempa's message delivery system FAILED. I have to confess to my cheapness because the week before I met the writer, I had actually picked up the book and walked to the counter to pay, but was like 'awww hell no. why should I pay when I can get a free copy' (wide grin...out come the jackie o. sunglasses). Anyways I finally got my free signed copy and I have to say that I could not put the book down until I got to the very last page. DEEP and STIRRING. You just have to get a copy. (And with that I am expecting a check from the royalty revenue for June...lol... just kidding) Now I am off to read Tanure Ojaide's latest book titled The Activist.



Yeap... he's of the 'North Carolinian-Nigerian' stock. There are some mixed reviews online but I am on the second chapter and I already like the writing style. The main character, the so called 'activist' doesn't even have a name yet .. JUST PLAIN BRILLIANT!!!













Meanwhile our girl Chimamanda Adichie keeps showing she's a force to reckon with in the literary world. According to This Article on BBC.com, she is tipped to win the Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction for her book Half of A Yellow Sun. THAT'S RAD GURL!!! Many of us here are huge Adichie fans and I am sure we are all rooting for her to win (by the time you read this the winner may have been announced). And in the words of ICY 'RAWK ON!!' (UPDATE: SHE WON THE PRIZE)

ESCAPE


On Thursday I found myself in a robbery panic situation near the Lekki Phase 1 roundabout that was too close for comfort. Ain't Lekki supposed to be the safe haven for the rich and privileged. Well looks like the ill elements of the mainland are leaving it to the pot holes alone to encroach the plush existence. It was just about 8.30pm. There was some unusual traffic along the Lekki Epe express way going towards VI. The opposite lane was dead and by now curious drivers had already started coming out of their cars to find out wassup. I locked my doors and continued jamming my music while keenly observing movement around me. I have heard of the random traffic jam robberies but never thought I would ever be so close to one. After a while I just saw people running towards me in panic. Omo!!! Reflex came into operation. I took my phone, my bag, turned off the engine and got out of the car in less than 5 seconds. I locked the car and abandoned it in the middle of the road as everybody else did and just followed the crowd into the bush. In my head I was thinking, I hope 'Blu Cantrel' doesn't get broken into or jacked because I would really hate to be walking or jumping okada in this Lagos especially in the rainy season. I ran as far away as I could because the gun shots could be heard from a distance. After a little over to 20 minutes, the cars seemed to start moving. I found my way back and got in but instead of driving straight through, I branched off on to the Lagoon School road in a bid to find an alternative route home. WHO THE HELL IS THE IDIOT WHO PLANNED LEKKI? WHAT A MORON!!(surprise, surprise... but aren't they all morons) It took me another 30 minutes to find a route to get home, eventually using a road that was not too far from the highways. It really made no difference because by now the vigilante boys in their reflector vests had come out with their guns and machetes. Still no police or operation sweep or whatever in sight. YET I SEE THEM EVERYDAY WEAVING THROUGH TRAFFIC WITH SIRENS BLARRING. BLOODY BAGGARS!!! I guess we are truly at the mercy of kind robbers now, whom we either have to TOAST so that they don't rob us (true story...happend to my friend). IMAGINE. Yardie and Fash (Gov. Tunde Fashola of Lagos) have their work cut out for them and right about now I'ld hat to be them because they'll get the blame even if it isn't their fault. Goodluck boys!!





IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK




Nigeria made history this week by electing the first woman speaker to the House of Representatives in the person of Patricia Olubunmi Etteh. (This is the position that had been speculated to have been reserved for Iyabo Obasanjo, the former first daughter)





And NEPA bosses are getting a Serious Warning from President Yar'adua. ENOUGH WITH THE EXCUSES PALS...Come up with a plan or 'get the phuck out' (not his exact word but you can infer that). And all the hommies say 'JUS GIMME THE LIGHT'





And that's all for now. I guess I must admit my rapper ego was the guest blogger today. If I can spare a moment this weekend, I'll be back with my '6 MONTHS IN LAGOS REVIEW'. Later peeps.







BY THE WAY HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY DESMINA!!! I didn't forget, just kept forgetting to send an email when I log on and the battery in my old sprint cell phone is dead and I don't have a charger. So send me an email with your phone number.Love ya.

22 comments:

Omodudu said...

Everyday in Naija is like a movie scene. Robbery.

Unknown said...

I have good news. Chimamanda won the prize. I'll be back to read. Just had to share the good news

Ozymandias said...

why you no go check wetin dey happen as per true nigerian...that would have meant some interesting materials...lol..just kidding !!

Anonymous said...

I am very happy Chimamanda won, I purchased that book a while back and it has gone from atlanta to California now it is in Philly with my sis and everyone loved it. So well written. It was unputdownable (made up word). Loved it. Can't wait for the next... Even read Purple Hibiscus.

Kafo said...

i was reading on Yahoo about how Chimamanda is the first Africa and also the youngest person to win this award

big ups to her

Chxta said...

Love the prose as interspersed with lyrics...

As for the police. Truth is this: we are asking them for too much.

Nonesuch said...

Glad for Adichie.sorry about the experince its part of the hazard we face daily in Lagos. But i have to add my 2 cents, wat do u mean all the 'ill elements of the mainland...' Lagos Island (Isale Eko) I believe has always being the HQ of the 'ill elements' and I guess they were just visiting their 'rich and privileged cousins in Lekki
But really security is a big issue and I sincerely hope that the new administrations will do something meaningful in that direction.

Anonymous said...

hey Adaure..u dont really really know how to sing to participate in the blogville idol thingy....the problem is bloggers in 9ja cannot record in d voice player thing(no thanx to www.snapvin.com)but be sure to listen to the contestants and vote..tanx for ur interst..stick around for more info

jadedjune said...

so happy buffday to desmina but none for me abi? na wa ooo....

Anonymous said...

wait adaure...now that they have fired jeff koin koin,
isnt it time to make ya move!
razz is moving to NC...what can you tell her?

Unknown said...

adaure there's a fabulous seamstress in surulere, her name is mary... i need to find her information and send it to you.

armed robbery on that lekki road has been ridicoulous lately, in the past month alone, I know 5 people personally who have been alleviated of their material possessions on that road, in broad daylight. But lekki is perfect for robbery, one way in, one way out If the robbers were organized and really wanted to wreak havoc on that side they could, all they'd need to do is cut people off from Maroko and just attack each posh estate one by one, from lekki phase 2 all the way down to fara park; its possible since we all know police won't/can't do anything.

I'll get you Mary's number, I mean sometimes her prices make you wonder if she thinks she's a couturier on par with the more famous names... but her work is impeccable sha

BlogVille Idol said...

BLOGVILLE IDOL

Hey guys as you know the BLOGVILE IDOL CONTEST Would be kicking off on 11th JUNE 2007...Please help us make it a succes by participating..We already have our contestants(fellow bloggers)who would be singing in the voice comment player on the blogville idol page.We need you to listen to them and vote..Pls check our page (the Condition on entry) and see what is required for u voters to do and your voting dates,the voting poll would be up soon..Pls help us turn this to a success...and pls visit the page frequently...Tanx for ur support as we try to spice things up in blogville

Ayomipo Matthew Edinger said...

girl, u sure can write. reading you during office hours is a herculean task. i finally saw you on TV too.

Waffarian said...

NAIJA BLOGGERS- THE BOOK!
Dear friends, please do not forget to send in your submissions, a lot of people have sent in great stuff but a lot of my favourite bloggers are missing, what's up, people? Come on, send in your stuff! June 15th is the last day, come on!


Submissions should be sent to nigerianbloggers@yahoo.com not later than Friday, June the 15th 2007 stating date of blogging and blogname/address.

Uzo said...

Just finished walking with shadows. Not bad. The activist i got months ago and i cant believe this - i couldnt finish. U might have better luck....

t said...

After your adventure story which I enjoyed as usual (na wa for crazy Lagos), came good news and good news: Women in power (well, womAn in power) and
Phucking out blackouts in Nigeria.

Good luck to us.

Unknown said...

Good Lord, U abandoned ur car and ran into the bush. Waht if u had stayed in the bush and they came in to look for you, God forbid. Such experiences gives me the shivers.

It was so nice to her Chiamamnda won the Orange Prize. More grease to her elbows.

Mr.Fineboy said...

You rep NC too??? Raleigh 4 life!

Unknown said...

I beg sister adaure,
come back now! Forget dis naija ppl and gist us now. Where ra u sef? Na efery day i dey ck blog, na so i no see u.

Luv ya writing. Just discovered blogsville and have read all ya postings since 6/05 -don't worry ...i no go stalk u o! i just luv ya writing.Now dat i don finish am, pls post more now!

Omolola said...

My sister dis ur MIA done go oon 4 2 long mann.abeg no vex,update ooo.i done finish all ur tory finish and i always look 4wd to cmn here but u no gree update!!!i dey wait uuu.Thank you

Anonymous said...

i've also read the jude dibia books n de'r very good if i must say.. i've become somewhat fascinated wit nigerian literature.. u shud also read el~nukoya's nine lives

Anonymous said...

Your writing style rocks lady and I definitely don't mind 'reading' from that rap artist addy once in a while. The robbery tale is no joking matter. Some people haven't come out of that alive so here's my "praiiiiseeee the Loooorrdddd!". Addy style ehy?lol