The misunderstood world of Linda Ikeji - by Onyeka Nwelue

Award-winning writer Onyeka Nwelue was the one who invited me to Paris for a film festival and I spent some time with him over there. I didn't even know he was using the time to analyze me so he could write this. ..lol. But it's a nice write up and and I wanted to share it here. Read below...

Linda Ikeji is the most powerful blogger in Africa. And the richest! While this may not be earth-shattering breaking news, as most of us already know or at least probably have an idea about, it is still heart-warming to know that a regular Nigerian girl (yes, she is quite regular) can drag herself from virtually nothing to reach the apex of the blogosphere. It is a truly inspiring tale of rags to riches.

It is also not news that a lot of people dislike Linda Ikeji. They read her blog, they swear by the Gospel of Linda Ikeji Blog, but they dislike her. 

They dislike her under the usual banner of “there is nothing this person is doing that should make her better than I am.” But she is better than most people because she is different from most people. Linda Ikeji is not some air-headed young lady that leisurely eavesdrops on conversations of the celebrities and the upper class and then shares it with the internet. Linda Ikeji takes blogging more seriously than some medical doctors take medical study. From what I observed when I met her, Linda Ikeji obsesses over her blog like it were piece of art. She dedicates herself so passionately to it that it may seem the blog is a child she nurtures. In a sense, that blog is a child that has grown into a very handsome man.

She told me a story of how Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie had left where she sat and came to her, as a fan, to greet her. “I love what you are doing. I love your blog. My name is Chimamanda Adichie,” she had said to Linda. Linda told me she screamed. She had also nurtured ambitions of meeting Adichie. Now they met, and she didn’t have to jump through any hoops for it to happen.

“Linda Ikeji is a snub.” “Linda Ikeji is this.” “Linda Ikeji is that.” We all have our opinions and perspectives of her. “Linda Ikeji loves money.” Some of us think that, too.

I met Linda Ikeji for the first time at the then Club 10. I was introduced to her by a friend, Ifeanyi Dike. She didn’t snub me. Years later, she could not remember that we met.

Second time, we had agreed to meet at Eko Hotel. We chatted for over 2 hours and went home. She offered to buy me food. I was there when her two smashing sisters – Laura and Sandra – came. I left with a different understanding. It is not her fault that you don’t like her. Some of us can’t deal!

Nigerian writers don’t like Linda Ikeji. Why? Are they disgruntled? What is their problem? Can I safely say I was part of the group that secretly despised her for no reason? We were angry, because we didn’t understand how she could be doing almost same work as us and then, had effrontery to buy a Range Rover. Some would have said ‘men’ give Miss Ikeji money. I had heard different things about how she makes money.

In Paris, I came closer. I saw. I shook my head. I wept for the world that will never ever meet Linda and continue to judge her from afar. Life is not fair.

One particular evening, in her hotel room, at Hilton, one of the most expensive hotels in Paris , Linda almost grabbed my hair in uncontrolled anxiety, because a post she had made on her blog had disappeared. I didn’t quite understand what the fuss was about, but I picked something: this lady is obsessed with her work and she knows what she is doing. She never plays with her source of income.

Linda loves her readers! She claims she doesn’t care – Linda cares too much! She cares too much for everything! Looking back now, in that room, I could say, Linda may not have a very social life, but she has a beautiful life – she has the greatest sisters. They support her. They help her. They share in her joy. And sadness too.

Do I have her permission to share this story? I am not sure. But she shares a lot of things she is not supposed to, and that is part of her appeal. I’m borrowing a leaf from her playbook.

As she told me, on a certain evening, after returning from one of her numerous shopping sprees, she said: “On my 30^th birthday, I had N800 left in my account. I spoke to God.”

Linda’s story is like a fairy tale, I tell you. It is like, but it is not. She has had her fair share of turmoil, troubles and hustles. She has faced crushing rejection. She went round Lagos looking for sponsors. Some of those she sought for sponsorships in their offices can’t have access to her anymore. Somehow, she disagrees with my assertions that this is vendetta. She is driven by the will to pay back many people, to succeed.

I kept asking myself questions about Linda as we went to the mall to shop. I followed her everywhere. I wanted to understand her very well. Would there be a room to ask her questions? Linda is this, Linda is that! Sorry, Linda is not all these things we have cooked up in our heads because the Linda Ikeji I spent enough time with in Paris is: hardworking, gentle, reserved, careful with words, pays attention to details and doesn’t eat much. She likes chocolate!

I had seen her jump from beneath her duvet and run straight to her blog in the middle of the night. Just to blog! She is disciplined and hardworking!

Linda is the richest African woman I have met under 40. I have seen! But they are for my eyes, only. I could not stop myself from writing that line!

Now, let me get back to the writers. Linda Ikeji did not just appear from nowhere. Like the rest of us, she had been struggling in the dark city of Lagos, until her wheel of samsara turned. Her tough days prepared her for this glory.

When I started chatting with her via WhatsApp, her profile status said and still says: “I’d Rather Be Self Made.” This will sound funny, but she doesn’t allow people do anything for her. I mustered the courage and asked her to attend the Nollywood Week Paris; saying we would pay for her flight and before I could even add another thing, she asked for the date and said she would love to come, but she would not want us to pay for her. Her honesty and modesty could make you fall in love with her. She said: “Hey. Would love to come. Never been to Paris. Me and my sisters. I’ll take care of the expenses. Flight, hotel, etc.” I paused. This doesn’t happen. She continued, “I don’t travel alone. I hate it. I will take care of myself. I kinda like luxury living when I travel. So, 5 star!”

She booked her First Class flight ticket. She booked herself into Hilton. Linda and her sisters, Laura and Sandra came to Paris!

She shared intimate stories with me and encouraged me to find that one thing that makes me happy, that will also give me money. It is impossible to hang out with Linda and leave without feeling something has been added to your life.

While Sandra and Laura were shying away from eating Nigerian food, Linda wanted it. The last one, I goofed, I got back late with the food and she was not happy, but she ate little and said: “Onyeka, are you not going to eat?” I was going to say no, but then I remembered she had eaten from the plate with those magical fingers, so I said, “I want to eat.”

I took the food and I ate from the same plate where Linda ate from and now, I’m hoping some mystery has been added to my life, too!

Thank you, Linda, for not being what they told me and what I had thought. Thank you, for your realness.

Onyeka Nwelue is Assistant Professor of Literature at the University of Manipur, Imphal and Visiting Lecturer of African Studies at the University of Hong Kong. His latest book is “Hip-Hop is Only for Children.”

Saraki receives agency responsible for allowances of Assembly members, releases statement

The Senate president this afternoon met with the management of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation & Fiscal Commission RMAFC, to clarify issues bothering on the alleged N8.64 billion wardrobe allowance the newly inaugurated Assembly members are entitled to.

At the meeting, the Chairman of RMAFC, Engr. Elias Mbam denied the media reports, stating that each lawmaker is entitled to N506, 600 wardrobe allowance per annum. A press statement from Senator Saraki on the matter after the cut ...


President of the Senate, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki today warned government agencies adamant of not remitting Federal Government revenue to the Federation account saying government will no longer condone such mismanagement act. Senator Saraki said this when he received the Chairman of Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Engr. Elias Mbam and his team in Abuja that non-compliance by agencies of government has brought major setback in the processes of governance.

He reiterated the support of the Senate in bringing back justice to any erring agency that indulges in diverting government revenue to illegal channel adding, “Monetary revenue and allocation is a serious challenge to our economy. Though, diversification of economy is very important but is not an overnight issue. We must block every leakage in government revenue.

“We made campaign promises to Nigerians and we must fulfill all our pledges. It cannot be business as usual. We will do everything within our capacity to elevate the living standard of Nigerians.”

Senator Saraki also cleared air on the N8.64billion bogus wardrobe allowance to lawmakers as reported in the media, saying the Commission is charged with fixing of remunerations to public office holders and advise the media to be more accurate in their reporting.

Earlier, the RMAFC Boss, Mbam said the agency have always enjoyed cordial relationship with the National Assembly while calling for continued working partnership with the view to enhance their effectiveness.

Mbam condemned the recent media report that exaggerated the wardrobe allowances of Senators and members of the House of Representatives saying, that wardrobe allowance is 25 percent of the basic salary which when broken down amounts to N506, 600 per legislator, per annum. He advised that the agency operates a functional website where information concerning the day-to-day activities of the agency is published.

Bamikole Omishore
Media Office of the President of the Senate

Stella Oduah In Trouble: Court Orders Bank to Disclose Details of Bullet Proof Cars

Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on Tuesday ordered First Bank of Nigeria to disclose details of a loan facility it granted to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) over alleged purchase of some bullet proof cars.

The court also gave an order of mandamus compelling First Bank to grant access to or make available to Enough Is Enough (EIE) Nigeria, the information it requested, in a letter dated Oct. 30, 2013.

The judge issued the order while delivering judgment in a suit instituted by EIE against the bank over its refusal to disclose the information that would expose Stella Oduah who is now a senator.

EIE Nigeria had written an application under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act on Oct. 30, 2013, requesting the disclosure of such information.

The suit was filed on behalf of EIE on Jan. 9, 2014 by Mr Ayodeji Acquah of Media Rights Agenda’s Network of Freedom of Information lawyers.

In that suit, EIE is praying the court for the declaration that the failure and/or refusal of the First Bank to grant access to or make available to EIE the information it requested in its letter amounts to wrongful denial of access to information under Section 7(5) of the FOI Act.

It is also praying for a declaration that the failure and/or refusal by the First Bank to give EIE a written notice that access to all or part of the information requested would not be granted and stating reasons for the denial and the section of the FOI Act upon which the bank relied upon in denying EIE access such information, amounts to a flagrant violation of Section 4(b), 7(1), (2), and (3) of the FOI Act and is therefore wrongful.

Madam Stella is in panic mood as sources say she is trying to use David Mark to beg people in Abuja.

Female Corps Member R*ped To Death By 51-year-old Man

A prosecutor of Kwara State Police Command, Matthew Ologbon, has informed an Ilorin Magistrate’s Court, presided over by Mr. K.A.Yahyah, that a female National Youth Service Corps member, Miss Yetunde Idowu was r*ped to death by a 51-year-old man, Abdullahi Tanko, and his gang members.

PUNCH had reported that Idowu’ corpse was found at the Ilorin GRA.

The police prosecutor told the court that on May 23, 2015, at about 12pm, the police found Idowu in a pool of her own blood.

Policeman Ologbon told the court that investigation by the police revealed that Tanko and his collaborators, now at large, tricked Idowu from her residence to Fate Road, where they r*ped her to death.

He added that Tanko and his gang members r*ped the deceased inside their car. He said, “After they had r*ped Idowu, they carried her dead body to a nearby junction. The police located Tanko’s house through the blood traces of the deceased and the suspected killer was arrested.

“The mobile phone of the deceased was found with Tanko.”

Yahaya ordered that Tanko be remanded in prison, while he adjourned the case till August 10, 2015.

Special Military Unit To Take Over Aso Rock’s Strike Force

Ahead of the relocation of President Muhammadu Buhari to the Presidential Villa, arrangements have been concluded for the Nigerian military to take over the activities of the Strike Force in the villa.

The Strike Force, is a special security outfit saddled with the responsibility of protecting the President and the seat of power, is currently comprising only officials of the Department of State Services.

“DSS officials are the ones that have been serving in the Strike Force. With this development military personnel will take over from them henceforth. 

“We are aware that the situation is causing a palpable tension as there is a possibility of a showdown. But we are working hard to ensure that the situation did not degenerate.”

A top Presidency official, who pleaded anonymity, revealed the development to Punch in Abuja.

The source said a Lieutenant who will be leading 21 other military personnel had already been transferred to the Strike Force with an instruction to take over from the DSS officials.

Operatives attached to the Strike Force are always trained abroad on counter-assault and other techniques aimed at making their jobs easier.

Another official, who is aware of the arrangement, also said that machinery had also been put in place to change the new Presidential Villa’s Administrative Officer, who was deployed by the DSS about two weeks ago and replaced with a military officer.

He said all DSS officials currently serving inside the Presidential Villa were not sure of their fate yet.

“The truth is that we are not sure of anything yet. Whichever way, we will only act based on signals from our headquarters whether to leave or remain inside the Villa,” he said.

Pa Buhari: Old age will limit my performance...Resign without any further delay, PDPMW asks Buhari

Press statement from PDP Watchdog. Read below...

The PDP Media Watchdog has reacted to the statement credited to President Muhammadu Buhari in which he declared and admitted that age will limit the rate of his performance in office as President of Nigeria.

The group while reacting to the statement on Wednesday June 17, 2015 said the APC and President Buhari are gang of hypocrites and liars. "The PDP is again vindicated by this confession from President Muhammadu Buhari and many more that are yet to come.

Nigerians will recall that during the presidential campaigns, the PDP and other well meaning Nigerians complained on the choice of sponsoring Pa. Muhammadu Buhari as Presidential Candidate of APC and the effect it will have on the country when it comes to managing the affairs of a multi dimensional nation like Nigeria, but the APC and its leaders said that age is just a number".

The PDP Media Watchdog again reminded Nigerians of their earlier statements on the need for the people of this country to challenge the numerous inconsistencies of this APC administration and call on President Muhammadu Buhari  to resign immediately to save the country of this four years of motion without movement because according to the group, all they have done since May 29th is that Pa. Buhari and the APC has hit the ground sitting instead of running as they promised. 

"It's barely three weeks into the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and his age is already telling on him, so, what will happen to Nigeria in the remaining 1,440 days of this government. It's better to find a black goat in the day time rather than looking for it in the night and this is why we are asking President Buhari to resign now because Nigerians will not entertain further excuses of why the APC cannot deliver on their campaign promises". the group said.

The group also gave another example of how President Buhari's age is affecting his performance and reminded Nigerians of how he disgraced the country in a world forum when he referred to the President of Germany as President of West Germany. "Nigerians saw this all along during the campaigns but could not resist the broom stick voodoo that the APC used to hypnotize the people. Nigerians will also recall that this same Pa. Buhari could not remember the complete name of His Vice Presidential Candidate and even the full name of his party, the All Progressive Congress (APC) under which platform he was contesting and instead referred to it as  the All Progressive Confidence during the campaigns. How long will a nation like Nigeria, the giant of Africa remained under this hypnosis of the APC" the group queried.

Finally, the Watchdog urged the people of Nigeria to wake up to the challenge and resist this daylight robbery and blackmail of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and demand the immediate resignation of Pa. Muhammadu Buhari and call for another election to elect a more competent and vibrant Nigerian to lead to the people to the Nigeria of our Dreams.

Tunde Lawal
For: PDP Media Watchdog

Beninoise cooks poison family just two weeks into employment

A 34-year-old Beninoise man, Victor Hounkpe, who came into Nigeria to serve as a cook in Lagos, has been arrested by the Lagos state police command for drugging his employers just two weeks after her was employed. He did this because he wanted to steal from them.

According to a report by Vanguard, Victor connived with one David Amusu, the former cook of his employers, Omowunmi Fadojutimi and Mr. Nwogu Chinaka to drug them and bring armed robbers into their home to steal. God forbid evil people we bring around us!

On April 22nd, Victor made vegetable soup for his employers who after eating became ill and were rushed to the hospital. The same illness that befell his employers also befell two other domestics staffs in the compound.

A test carried out on them showed they had all been poisoned. His employers suspected foul play and lodged a complaint at a police station. According to the Lagos state Police Commissioner, Kayode Aderanti, Victor ran away immediately he poisoned his victims.

“Efforts to arrest him proved abortive initially. But he was eventually arrested through investigation and deployment of advanced technology.

During interrogation, he confessed to have put some substances in the food served and further confessed that David Amusu, the former cook, who recommended him to the complainant, gave him the substance and directed him on how to administer it. He admitted that their intention was to gain unfettered access into the inner rooms and rob the complainant after they must have passed out.

Victor blamed his accomplice, David for pushing him to commit the crime

 "I put the substance into their food and it was given to me by David. He told me the drug was a sleeping tablet and that it would put them all to sleep so that they would gain easy access into the house. But I took to my heels when the gate man told me that the doctors said they were suffering from food poisoning.”he said

His accomplice, David who is also from Benin republic, said the administered substance was 10 tablets of Super Appetite which he grounded and gave to Victor to administer

"I left my former boss because I was not feeling well. I have recommended four cooks to her but she kept saying they were not good. Hounkpe was the last person I introduced to her. But when he got the job, he called me and said we should rob the family, that they were rich. He asked if I had any sleeping tablet that would put them to sleep. So I ground 10 tablets of Super Appetite and gave it to him. Our intention was never to kill anyone but to rob and leave for Benin Republic, where we intend to establish our business.”he said

Photos: APC Governors call for federal bailout over salary crisis

APC Governors met last night to meet over the salary crisis in some states. At the meeting, the governors called on the Federal government to a setup a bailout plan for the states that have not been able to pay civil servants their salaries for many months. Spokesperson of governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo state blamed bad economic policies of the past government for the current financial crisis facing state governments at the moment

 

"On the economy of the nation, we are concerned and worried by the dwindling revenue of the states which today has affected negatively on the people and the matter has become so serious that urgent action must be taken for a bailout for the state as things are not getting better. We sat down to review what steps to be taken and we are are calling for a total overhaul of the system to block all the leakages in our nations economy. We have realized that what we are going through today is as a result of poor management of our nations economy in the recent times and in fact the APC government has come to meet a near empty treasury and this is worrisome, not only to us as Governors but I think the entire nation"he said

The governors will be meeting with their PDP counterparts under their enlarged body, the Nigerian Governors Forum at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja today June 17th.

Adorable photo of Davido feeding his daughter

The singer who welcomed his daughter recently shared the photo and wrote "On duty last night waiting for mama to sleep so daddy can go finish his album...lol". He must be proud!

They were born male...see how stunning they are now as females!

Shauna Brooks and Sidney Star are two of the baddest transgender in the game. They have been linked to rappers and NBA players...and are reportedly currently working on their own reality show - The Real Transgenders of Hip Hop. More photos after the cut...



 This is Shauna

And this is Sidney