It’s D.O. to the T.U.N.

With absolutely no initial intention of ever becoming a radio presenter but very energetic, clearly outspoken and an addiction for the radio, Dotun is now one of Nigeria’s hottest radio presenter.
BY ADA IGBOANUGO

You would know a radio jockey/presenter when you see one or rather when you hear one. He practically took out all other questions from my mouth at the answering of just one question as we hooked up on a sunny Saturday afternoon at his Coolfm office, ikoyi.

In the beginning
Born April 8 1984 to the Kayodes, Oladotun Ojuolape Kayode has his grandfather to thank for his girly middle name. ‘‘it makes people laugh, thanks to my grandfather’’.
Though born and bred in Lagos state, dotun never forgets where he came from as I spotted him putting on a tee-shirt which read, ‘ondo boys are stubborn’. ‘‘yes we are, we know our rights If we have to take it from the likes of Gani Fawenhimi and Femi Falana.’’
In a family of three in which he’s the first born, the 25years old attended the Lagos state University, School of Communication Ojuelegba specialising in advertising and public relations. He also took an elective in E-tech/info technology at NIIT, ‘’I can actually specialize in java/html now, computer programming.’’

Despite his set physique and good looks, this hunk has a soft side to him that is quite uncommon in most guys. ‘‘I’m very honest and can be very blunt but people tend to think I’m emotional. I could risk getting into trouble for people.’’
Due to this, His major heart desire includes setting up a foundation for Sickle cell patients and getting people off the street and reasons why he chose to do this? ‘’I want to save lives. A whole lot of them- I have and have lost friends with sickle cell and I hate child labour.’’
He inherited this rare gene of his from his mother who’s been a nurse for 20years and according to him has apparently been saving lives.

Having been a radio presenter for four years, that is ‘‘two years behind the scene and two years perfectly on the radio’’, dotun would go back to school if he gets the chance to- to get a masters degree. “Probably try my hands on oil and gas”

Journey to Coolfm

In a country where problem is our middle name, what else would you expect than people who’d be suffering from chronic insomnia as a result of the problems as they would rather stay awake and think about their lives. Ironically though, dotun earned his fame and fans through these people’s problems as his show ‘sleep talk, what’s on your mind’ were dedicated to the ‘night crawlers’ which got him promoted from the night show to the daytime show. But this heartthrob of many sleep talkers today started as a young novice who did nothing for the first two of his four years putting up charts for United States Radio Express as they had found him trustworthy in the analysis of music. This experience opened him up and made him to be unrestrictive when it comes to music and he naturally started listening to songs he never would have thought of listening to. “Now I’m a huge fan of Nigerian music. I respect Nigerian music a lot more now than I did before. I also respect a couple of Nigerian musicians today who are doing us proud because they chose to be different.”
But the real walk into Coolfm was in November 24 2004, when his mentor, Mr Nzeribe, depicted the confidence he had in Dotun by putting a phone call through to the then general managing director to Coolfm, Chris ubosi telling him about Dotun. “He gave me three options; MiTV, LTV and Coolfm and of course I was already a diehard fan of Coolfm at that time so everything just fell into place.” He first got picked by Alero Egaga a woman who he claims understood the fundamentals of music.
Having started as an intern, dotun claims it wasn’t as easy as people think it is or probably what it is today. “It was hard. I did a lot of research. There was a lot of politics going on. People took advantage of the fact that I was young. It was like a battle of supremacy but thankfully it all paid off.”

The Ups and the Downs

Though fun, being a radio presenter comes with its price. For dotun, the price of sleep was what he had to pay. But then that’s basically the life of a Presenter so it didn’t really count as anything. What did count though were the challenges he had to face while on air. “There was a time I was on air presenting and Olisa asked me, ‘what the heck are you talking about?’ and he said get back on the mic, this is how it’s done and after he showed me I kept coming everyday to watch him present until I finally got it”. And that experience also marked the beginning of a new era in his life as his success in the radio industry skyrocketed since then. ‘Sleep talk’ was one of the most listened to shows in Lagos.

The Razzmatazz of the Job

Craziness is an understatement in the Radio industry. That’s where most crazy things are done or said; after all, like they say, ‘you can’t see their face’ so you are completely oblivious of whoever is talking or whoever is calling in to participate or contribute on the show. Like every other presenter, dotun has had his own fair share of craziness. The craziest thing he has ever done on the radio was to publically give out the phone number of a caller, a prospective stalker, who was insisting he had it. “It wasn’t intentional though. It was a pure mistake, I just let it slip and she was so angry because her phone kept buzzing from many callers who had gotten her number off the air as she called it out. But we are cool now though.”
While the craziest thing a caller has ever done was to profess her feelings and her love for him on air. “She kept doing that every night. Don’t get me wrong she was a pretty good caller but that just wasn’t it. You want to talk and ask questions but all she wants to do is take off her clothes and just do something and that always made me laugh because I was warned that I’ll get the craziest call one day”. Someone even called and proposed on air to him.

Relaxation Spot
Dotun spends most of his hangout time like every normal average youth presenter- the fab way. He’s hangout spot would include Tribeca, insomnia Chocolat royale or seeing a movie and when he’s not going out he is watching TV or surfing the internet.

WHY QUEUE

Introducing YQ, the ‘efimile’ crooner who is set to release a debut album soon. In this interview, he tells us the story of his rise to fame, his expectations and hopes for the future. Kanyinsola Doherty writes...

Tell us about yourself.
My name Yakub Jubril, I am from Dekina LGA, Kogi state. I was born in Ibadan, Oyo state and I am the second child from a family of seven kids; six boys and a girl. I grew up in Lagos.

How did you come about the name 'YQ'?
Well, I joined a group twice and after a lot of disappointments I thought to myself 'why queue'? Now here I am today; don't wait for man, only God can work it out.

Could you tell us about your label and the people you are affiliated with?
2koncept and storm 360. I started with 2koncept and we had a deal with storm records and now I am signed in a joint venture and I am also a CERIOUS music (Naeto c) affiliate.

Which artistes have you worked with or currently working with?
Naeto c, Rugged Man, Sasha, M.I, Kel, Mode9, Lord of Ajasa, 2shotz and a lot of other good artistes.

How would you describe your genre of music?
It’s R 'n' B with some reggae blend and contemporary feel good music because I can jump on any beat.

Should we expect an album soon?
Yes, it drops in May.

Any Name for it yet?
Not yet but in my own mind 'I am I' because the album will tell more about me.

What do you think about the music industry today?
It has really improved. endorsements, big corporate shows, talent shows and real talents are being recognised with the emergence of new radio and TV programmes.

JESSE JAGZ : ANOTHER ABAGA UNLEASHED.

Jesse, producer extra-ordinaire and musician took time out to tell us about his experience and the journey so far. Ada Igboanugo and Kayinsola Doherty write...


Please introduce you and give us a brief background.

My name is Jesse garba abaga. I am from a family of three and I’m the second boy. We are all boys. I started music at an early age because I grew up in church. I schooled and stayed in Jos. I started music professionally in 2001.

Was becoming a musician part of your future ambition?

I'd like to think so... It was always part of my life so even when I was in school I always dreamt of doing this
So if you were a Doctor, you would have been an artist too?

Lol... Nah would’ve been an artist. I don't think I’ve ever wanted to do anything else

Apart from being an artiste, you produce for a lot of artistes like yourself, how did you start producing?


Well I just picked interest in it and it was sort of easy for me being a drummer to understand it.

Which are you more passionate about, being an artist or a producer?

Well for me they are all one and the same...

Recently, you won the Future Awards for Producer of the year, how do you feel about that?

It felt good and humbling at the same time. I was nominated last year but didn't win. It always feels good to win

What do you feel about the comparison between you and M.I that seems to be a discussion or argument all the time?

Well it’s inevitable since we are in the same line of work. But for us we understand that it is important and necessary to help both of us musically.

You are set to release an album, what should we expect from it?

It’s very revolutionary... It’s totally different from nothing out there. It’s Nigerian, its hip-hop. It’s international

Who are the artists you worked with on it?

Braimoh, Skales, Munachi, Banky W, Soul-E Baba, Silver Saddih, Lindsey and my loopy boys Ice Prince and MI(who is my executive producer)

What’s the Name Of the album?
Jag of all Trades

Can you tell us your greatest achievement so Far?

Hmmm ... Guess it’s being able to inspire people... Having the power to give people hope and influence them.

DIPP: THE FUTURE IS NOW

Dipo ogundele a.k.a Dipp has been out of the music scene after the hit single ‘DANGEROUS’ featuring M.I and now he is back with his upcoming album ‘THE FUTURE IS NOW’ , he tells us what he has been up to and also tells us about what to expect from the new album. KAYINSOLA DOHERTY WRITES…

Please tell us about your background?

My name is Dipo Ogundele Originally, as you can tell I am from the south-west of Nigeria (Yoruba by tribe).

I grew up with 5 brothers and had no sisters! (Sounds sad right?)

Dad is an engineer and Mum a senior nurse.

I studied Building in the Northern part of Nigeria. I’m a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, and I’m done with service!

Worked a little here and there!

Fell in love with Music as a kid (and all it brought) when I first laid eyes on Mj’s Thriller movie and since then, it’s been HISTORY!!

How were you able to pick your career?

I had always been mimicking Mj, Ginuwine ever since, but never professionally. Education was very important to me so I had to be done with school before moving on to the next one! {Laughs}

Nonetheless, I performed all around campuses when I could. Did a few gigs!

Shortly after, I officially/professionally picked up my musical career about 2005/2006 like a year and half before Dangerous video was released.

Can’t speak for anyone, but for me it was extremely difficult.

Firstly, making the decision to do music amidst other possibilities out there, and also coming to terms with the dynamics the industry brings.

Investors and sponsors were like myths, empty promises and disappointments were the only thing that was consistent.

But for some reason my friends and I just kept going.

Firstly, by identifying what was our strength (performance, dance etc) and then exposing them over our weaknesses hence the video.


After your Hit 'Dangerous' you just disappeared, why?

It was important for me to go back and re-evaluate myself and what I wanted to stand/represent in the hearts and minds of my fans and ultimately my peers in the industry. Also to monitor my peers in the market and finally to prepare myself and work hard!


You have been said to be an Usher wanna-be due to your relative attitude, do you think so?

It’s only normal to be likened to usher because we have the same mentor, and he was out there way before I was.

I respect Usher a lot but we are not alike in many ways.

This album would definitely prove it! Thus one of the reasons I went back to re-define myself.

We hear you are about to drop an album, what should we expect from it?

Difference! Change!! Reflection!!!

For me this project doesn’t end in the strings, chords and kicks of music. Not just audio but it goes all the way to the stage, videos, magazines, online, etc! It extends beyond to visual interpretations! It’s simply Holistic! Hence I find it a bit difficult to view it as just an album. You be the judge! I just know that I can’t let my fans down! They’re all I care about!

Who are the artistes you worked with on it?

Dagrin, So sick, M.I., Lala, Waje, Isolate, etc several.

What do you think makes your album different from anything we have heard before?

It hasn’t been done or heard before!

What do you think about the Nigerian Music Industry today?

There has been a dramatic step-change in the way we make music. I keep getting blown away by the remarkable work we as Nigerians keep coming up with. Considering the constraints we face everyday!

However, we can do much more! We are just starting. The future is now!!!


The Future Is Now Right?

Most definitely! What are we waiting for?

Let’s make history! Efyzzie! Life without Limits!!

DEAR SIR

BY OLADIMEJI A. OJO

DEAR SIR,

This is my way of reaching out to you. I cannot come into your home, I do not dare to come to your place of work. The most I can do is to write and hope that you get to read this. I am your daughter’s boyfriend.

She has been crying has she not? That is because I broke it off with her. I did so because she told me that you were against our relationship and that you had threatened her repeatedly with various consequences if she did not end it. I love your daughter. I cannot bear to see her suffer, not even for the affection we share. The irony is, by trying to stop her suffering, i have inflicted the fresh one of heartbreak.

When we first met, your daughter was shy. She smiled rarely and snapped at everybody. A lot of people ignored her. She was alone. I could see that her loneliness went deeper than some giggling teenagers. She was hurting somewhere bad and had nobody to share it with, so I spoke to her. We talked for almost a year before she opened up, still, when she did I realised that all along she was in agony.

She suffered from memories inflicted on her by society. By persons whom you chose at the time, one of whom you still trust today. She was violated and came to believe herself worth less than nothing. She had no pride so she acted like she was proud. She had no friends so she pushed everybody away. She was alone because she had nobody to trust. Till she met me.

She had hidden herself away from you. Hidden from her mother. Hidden from her family. I made her come out. I made her come clean, open herself to you. She told you all there was to say, she spoke her mind. I expected your sympathy, I expected your outrage. I even expected you to go beserk, rain down your wrath from heaven on all those who dared attempt to ruin your child’s life. What I did not expect was for you to ignore it. I did not expect you to confine it to the dustbin of your mind. To pass it off as child’s play.

She opened up her soul to you and you turned her away with your disregard. I do not claim to understand parenting, i have never been a father. One day I hope to be. I know i will not accept disrespect as a father, this is why i do not offer it. This is why I have chosen to let your daughter be though it hurts me as much as it hurts her. This is why though she would rather we defy you, i have chosen to respect you.

Sir, it is not a crime to love a blind man. I am not one who has lost his way, a vagrant or a scoundrel. I am simply impaired. I can see, it is just we do not see the same ways. We can coexist, can we not? I can make use of my other senses, I can see the way. Atleast, at the very least, i see that i love your daughter and that is all i can say.


YOURS SINCERELY

YOUR DAUGHTER’S BOYFRIEND

March hangout
Compiled by Ada Igboanugo

Poetry Potter {34th edition}

Date- February 27th
Time-3-7pm
Venue- Rotunda Hall, Alagomeji, Yaba

S.h.a.r.e movies

Date- march 1st
Venue- Silverbird Galleria

Touch a cell benefit concert

Date- March 21st
Venue- Coral Reef, Ikoya Street, Ikoyi

Book jam

Date- March 26th
Venue- Silverbird Galleria

Lola shoneyin launches poetry collection ‘For the love of flight’

Venue-JB’s Grill, Maitama Amusement Park, Abuja
Date- march 25th

Jeans for Genes


Date-march 27th
Venue- Swe Bar, City Mall Onikan Lagos

Anthill 2.0{2010 edition}

Venue-De marquee, rooftop Mega Plaza, V.I
Date- March 28th

Helping hands benefit concert for victims of Jos crisis and Haiti earthquake


Date- March 28th
Venue- Oriental Hotel, Lekki

Ibiyemi live {jazz session}

Date- march 28th
Venue-

TODA A Different Touch

Damilola Femi-Shofu, a co-partner of TODA is a very jovial and simple guy. He is a go getter and has been able to carve out a niche for himself in the entertainment industry due to his creative imaginations. A fun lover with a big heart for the poor, he tells Ada Igboanugo the secret to his success.

Background
I am from a royal family in Ijebu ode. I am the 2nd of three children. My father is into advertising while my mother works for the state government. I did my junior and secondary education at Grace High School and Yaba College of Technology secondary school respectively and went further to Babcock University where I am currently studying marketing.

About TODA...
TODA is an event management/entertainment company that is made up of young, enterprising and resourceful individuals who want to use their creative abilities to make a difference in the event management industry nationwide. We are generally into organizing of parties of all manners, organizing shows, concerts, we also do wedding planning and other event management jobs and finally we are into artiste promotion. Just as a tip, TODA is working on recognizing students in private Universities that have made a mark in their endeavours..... TODA All Private Universities Award 2010... Watch out!!!

Was it events planning initially?
Yes, I always had a flair for entertainment. I am an extrovert and a good lover of music. All these were determinants to what I was going to venture into while I matured.

What’s your Clientele base like?
We are growing in clients at the moment. We have clients though who would not like for us to single them out for their company policy reasons but among the others are:
Bizkonect Ghana ltd
Xplore magazine Africa
High society magazine
Sopsy entertainment Ireland
Blaze media
to mention just a few.

With the competition in events planning, how do you manage?
Standard. I can’t over emphasize on standards. We keep our standards high even when we think we are not being paid or treated well. We prefer to leave a mark for our clients to ponder upon. We put a touch of class into everything that we do and this has helped us to shine like a star.

How do you balance schooling with your career?
it has being challenging to be sincere but breaking through this challenge and coming out successful in the two aspects is my greatest goal and wow; so far so good, it has being just wonderful. I get to plan a lot so that I don’t get clashing activities and I tell you, Planning well is one of the secrets to getting a result.

What else do you do apart from events planning?
I do a lot of personal advisory which has being bearing a lot of fruits. This is another aspect that I would love to explore. The P.R /Consultancy industry. I also have a flair for giving to the poor and would be starting a program that would be seeing 20 young people going to the places of need every last Saturday of the month to give service and give what we have from the heart.

Achievements...
Hmmm... I am actually not the type that announces achievements though I have quite a few but something that encouraged I last year was getting 3 nominations from Dynamix all youth awards. It shows that nationally people appreciate my efforts to try and re-brand our industry to one that can be emulated.

Challenges...
Like I said, balancing school and work is a challenge. I do not think I have any other challenges.

If given another chance, what would you do differently?
I think with the best parents in the world, I have being mentored in the right way with words and good examples and this has helped me to attain the position I am in at the moment so I do not think I did anything wrong at any time.

Success tips...
Never give up. Success surely comes with determination. you have to be very determined to be a success in Nigeria. It is not just about being a success, there is a harder job and that is staying a success.

The Ashawo, the Angry Housewife and the Office-Lady

By Tobi Adewuyi
Fantastic species I must say. They are rare species that can be found anywhere in the world. They can be seen to dwell in areas like England, Dubai, America, France, Holland and the other 189 countries of the world. I've been studying their kind for a while and after years of tiresome research; I’ve finally been able to categorize their species into three.
Firstly, I’d like to begin with my research on the first specie. These animals are either tall or short and well-equipped with external features that seem to attract the opposite sex. They only come out at night wearing some type of material around their bodies that expose their external features. This, I consider a form of display used to attract the opposite sex. This display also means that they are ready for mating which I find very disturbing because they mate almost every night, especially on weekends. I was walking down the street one day, at 22.00 hrs, and noticed an animal standing on the sidewalk. So I decided to hide behind a car (a form of transport) and study this animal for a while. It stood there for about 600 seconds before a car drove up to it. They communicated for a while, then the other animal in the car handed her some form of paper which I found later to be called money. What a marvellous species these animals are! I thought. They hand each other money as a form of incentive to speed up the process of communication and friend-making so as to make one, big, family. Suddenly, the animal on the sidewalk entered the car, and they both drove to a quiet location on the east side of the road. I followed them on foot and hid behind the car they were in. I heard noises coming from the car. Noises that were made only when mating occurred. I felt disgusted and ashamed to be an ear-witness to such unruly behaviour. When I got home, I ended my research on that particular group and decided to call them The Ashawo-A group of unruly animals that come out at night to mate with the opposite sex in order to obtain money.
I then moved on to the next specie. These animals do not leave their place of abode to go anywhere else unless necessary. They cook, clean and provide for their family. These animals are of no harm unless they are provoked. They usually have helpers in their houses (a structure made of bricks which provides shelter for the animals) to help around with household activities. These helpers sometimes find themselves in unlucky situations and are severely beaten by this animal. During research, I stumbled across this particular animal and decided to study it from a distance. I presumed the animal just got back from somewhere as she was properly dressed. These animals are usually found wearing a wrapper and a church camp T-shirt when in their natural state. The animal entered the house and was welcomed by a very dirty sitting room (a place where the animals relax). On seeing this, she began to utter some weird noises that somewhat sounded like incantations of some sort. I then moved closer to the house to get a better view of what was happening. To my horror, I saw the helper being tossed around and severely beaten by the animal. ‘Maybe this is some kind of greeting’ I thought to myself. But as the beatings became more severe and the shouts became louder, I realised that it wasn’t any form of greeting, it was definitely a form of beating. I marvelled at such power the animal used in punishing the helper. It was truly a sight to behold. I noticed that the animal had evolved as the hair of the animal was rough and its biceps had grown larger. Its eyes were bulging out, and I could swear I noticed a pair of fangs in its dentition. When the beating session was over, I decided to go home so as not to be caught lurking in the ferocious animal’s home. I ended my research on this group and decided to name this group -The Angry Housewives-A group of animals that seem nice to the naked eye but when looked at closely, are found out to be ferocious beasts that beat helpers for a living.
Lastly, I began studying the final specie of these animals. These ones are never at their place of abode but are always at work (a place where the animals earn money for a living). They are particularly short tempered and lack the skills of cooking, cleaning and shopping. These animals rely solely on their place of work and have no time for anything else. This specie often seems to have little or no interest in the opposite sex. Their offspring tend to turn out to be junkies or thieves, and often have to fend for themselves because their mother isn’t there. I tried to study this animal in its natural habitat, but to no avail as it was never there. I gave these animals the name, Office Ladies.
I then compiled all my research on these specie and decided to name them W.O.M.E.N-Wonderful Organisms that Might be Extremely Notorious. As I said earlier, these animals are extremely fascinating. These animals can be more than what they are but they’re letting the jungle around them eat into their subconscious and thereby changing them as a whole.
These Wonderful Organisms that Might be Extremely Notorious should not let their surroundings change them but should change their surroundings and affect the country as whole positively. Well, that’s all I can say about these creatures for now. I’ll be sure to update you on their counterparts later! Ciao!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

BY OLADIMEJI OJO

I know it’s not the first publication this year, still, it’s the first time I’m writing this year. The first time I’m putting pen to paper, or is it fingers to keyboard, in a while. It’s been some time since I’ve been able to summon my creative faculties long enough to put out an entire article. I apologise for the long absence. Well, here we are, 2010. School is in and from the first step you have to smile and respond to the numerous “Happy New Year’s” that come your way. By way of extension some ask what your resolution for the year is.

My resolution? I don’t have any. I might be wrong but I believe that to change anything in your life you require simply determination not the change of date on a calendar. That is why, in my honest opinion a large percentage of resolutions do not live past the first few months. My personal convictions notwithstanding, I will admit that making resolutions does indeed create the sense of stability, of focus. You would agree that the stability of which I speak is more than necessary in Nigeria. So if the Big Brother of Africa was a person, what would her resolutions for 2010 be?

The highlights of the year 2009 were, of course, the four month long AASU strike aimed at settling decades of conflict between the Federal Government and the Body of academics in one fell swoop. There was the Amnesty agreement between the Federal Government and the militants of the Niger Delta. The upheaval of the Banking sector by the serving CBN Governor. The continued absence of our ailing President. The incessant fuel strikes, still present in the New Year as is the President’s absence. And last but very definitely not least the barrage of failed promises by the Government of the day, particularly the promised solution to the Nation’s erratic power supply. There was of course the Dec 25 failed attack by a Nigerian.

Barely weeks into the New Year and we still suffer from the scarcity that marked the end of 2009. Nigerians still wait for the return of the President or at least the delegation of authority to the Vice President. There are currently three legal actions demanding, in various forms of legal terminology, the same. We have also been adjudged a terrorist country in response to the Dec 25 incident. I am waiting for the end of the saga before I put pen to paper/ fingers to keyboard on the matter. This, amidst dire warnings for the nation by various men of God. We have again been given a deadline for the accomplishment of the promised 6000MW. Nigerians, at least the ones I know, have chosen to take the assertion with a pinch of salt.

Until young people get angry, elections will continue to be rigged – Abike Dabiri Dele Olojede, Toyin Subair, Tonye Cole, Pat Utomi, Ben Bruce, other

It was a full day of serious inspiration at The Future Pre-Awards Conference as some of Nigeria’s biggest movers and shakers from politics, Corporate Nigeria and the media came together to interact with young people at the pre-awards conference for Nigeria’s biggest youth event.

The format of this conference was radically different. The 3000-strong audience was able to interact frankly with the speakers from across three generations about issues that concern them. The hall was full to overflowing at the Welcome Centre Hotels, International Airport Road, Ikeja from 10am to 6pm when the conference held.

Speaking at the first and second sessions of the conference were Toyin Subair (CEO, HiTV), Obi Asika (Chairman, Storm 360), Tonye Cole (ED, Sahara Energy), Hon. Abike Dabiri, Detoun Ogwo (ED, AfterGraduate Development Centre), Dele Olojede (Publisher, NEXT Newspapers), Prof Pat Utomi, Ben Bruce (Chairman, Silverbird group), and Emeka Mba (DG, National Film and Video Censors Board) who represented the minister for information, Prof. Dora Akunyili, who was unavoidably absent following the events of the past few days regarding President Umaru Yar’Adua.

“We should do things based on love and not money,” Mr. Subair said in response to a question. A point Mr. Olojede emphasized when he said “I wouldn’t make a good minister; so I declined an invitation to be one. I prefer to stay in the area of my strength.” Fela Durotoye, known for his motivational messages also added his voice: “It is essential that young people do what they know how to do,” he said. “Imagine if MI (the musician) ended up as a doctor!”

Other speakers emphasized on what success really means. For Hon. Dabiri, “Success is about how many lives you touch.” Tonye Cole picked issues with Nigerians’ definition of the idea. “Who set up Coca Cola and Pfizer?” He asked. “Few people know; but in Nigeria, there is an emphasis on who owns what, which shouldn’t be.”

Just as Prof Utomi emphasized passion and perseverance, Mr. Bruce emphasized this with his personal story. “I went to the bank to get a loan for Silverbird Galleria,” he disclosed. “And they tried to won the project… but eventually, I was in the right place at the right time, and it took off.”

The final session had young role models, including the rapper MI, musician Omawunmi Megbele, female farmer and The Future Awards Business Owner of the Year 2009 Mosunmola Umoru, actress and producer Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, and magazine publisher Hassan Rilwan, amongst others.

Emphasising the theme for the conference, which is “Stop wanting, stop watching, stop waiting. Do something”, he said: “When I decided to make things happen for myself; I didn’t wait for good roads, electricity or anything. I got up and did something.” Ms. Umoru gave a guideline for that, using her life as an example, “It is very important for you to sit down and ask yourself what your strengths are.”

There was a moment of drama when Hon. Dabiri was about to leave the venue. A passionate young man asked about the character of politicians and how we can be able to elect leaders that act on the people’s will alone. Hon Abike Dabiri stopped mid-step to take the question. “Do you vote?” She asked. It is not enough to keep complaining. People sit in their houses and say elections will be rigged, but if you don’t do something, then it will surely be rigged and those leaders we complain about will come back! So you need to come out and take action. I believe in passive resistance.” Outside the hall, she re-iterated her stand on President Yar’Adua’s absence. “We are saying that he should do the right thing and handover to his deputy.”

The day was also Prof. Pat Utomi’s birthday, and Mr. Bruce led the hall to wish him a happy birthday, whilst the organisers of the event presented a life-sized card to him.

The awards proper hold today at the Muson Centre in Lagos. The Keynote Speaker is Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director of the World Bank.

here are pictures from the event;