Artist of the day - Ola Onabule

There are two words that sum up Ola Onabule’s career and music – passion and perseverance.

For nearly two decades, Ola has blazed a trail, leaving behind an education in law to become a singer/songwriter. Then he decided to work outside of the mainstream system of big record labels, setting up his own studios and his own record label.

 “Though my music is of a different idiom, I write with the heart of a folk songwriter and the desire for my lyrics to be heard and read.” – Ola Onabule

Ola was born in London, the eldest of six children born to Nigerian parents. When he was seven his parents returned to their homeland where he spent the next 10 years of his life. He was a natural performer, both at drama and with music. His friends called him Gramaphone, such was his love of music and natural talent.

He later returned to the UK to study law, leaving in his final year to take up a degree in art. He bought himself a guitar and did a few gigs around London, inspired by the music of James Brown and Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Electra Records (US) spotted his talents and signed him to an album deal, which ended a year later.culminating in Ola setting up his own label, Rugged Ram Records.

Ola has since released six albums of original, self-produced material, with the latest album, SEVEN SHADES DARKER to be released internationally in the Spring of 2012 which will  take him on tour dates to theatres and Jazz festivals across the world.

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Samson Siasia no longer Super Eagles coach

Almost three weeks after failing to qualify Nigeria for Januaty's Nations Cup finals, the Board of the Nigeria Football Association (NFF) has relieved Samson Siasia of his duty as Super Eagles coach.

The decision was taken at an executive Committee meeting of the Nigeria Football Federation on Friday in Abuja and finally ended weeks of speculation surrounding the fate of the former international striker.

Although the NFF kept the Siasia saga on the front burner by taking ages to reach a decision, in truth Siasia's had already been sealed once Guinea left the Abuja National Stadium with a share of the points courtesy of their late equaliser in the 2-2 draw.

In making Siasia the best ever packaged indigenous coach, with a monthly salary of N5 million, a brand new car and official quarters, the Glass House had insisted that the former junior international must at least reach the semi-finals of CAN 2012 before activating the second part of his contract, which would have ended in 2014.

But by not even qualifying for Equatorial Guinea/Gabon 2012 he did not fufil section 5.5 of the contract.

Perhaps in more advanced climes, Siasia would have done the honourable thing and resigned knowing that he had fluffled his contract, in the end he opted for the more ignoble termination by the football body.

However, with qualifiers for CAN 2013 kicking off in January, the Glass House knows it has to work fast to fill Siasia's boots.

Already news making the rounds indicate that former national team skippers, Stephen Keshi and Sunday Oliseh may be the ones to take charge of the Super Eagles.

Although a highly placed Board member had hinted that they were considering going for a foreign coach.

This Day

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Principal flogs student to death

A young man studying at Shiloh Hills Remedial and Advanced Studies Academy located at No. 7 Rumuibekwe Street, near Shell Residential Area in Port Harcourt, Rivers State was allegedly flogged to death by his principal, one Mr Chudi Nwoko.

Rivers State police spokesperson, Ben Ugwuegbulem, who confirmed the incident said the late student, a 13-year-old was subjected to severe punishment until he slumped and died. He said the matter, which occurred on October 20 was not reported to the police until five days later.

"It was only reported after staff from the school went to condole the family of the deceased and a relative of the boy attacked and wounded the principal. That was when the matter was reported to the police," Ugwuegbulem stated.

He said the case was currently under investigation at the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and that he did not have the full particulars of the late student but promised to get back to our reporter

When THISDAY visited the school, a staff who refused to disclose his name told our correspondent that the case was already with the police and he would not comment on it.

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Canada to invest in Nigeria's power sector

Canada has become the next country hoping to buy into Nigeria's electricity market still caught up in reforms sweeping through the power sector.

Canadian high commissioner to Nigeria, Chris Cooter, said there was "a global awareness that something massive is unfolding in the power industry in Nigeria."

Cooter and his deputy Jean Gauthier met power minister Bart Nnaji on Tuesday to seek specific areas where Canada can take part in Nigeria's power plan, said a release from the power ministry.

Nnaji has stressed the sensitive nature of the industry, saying the federal government would encourage state governments but discourage mutation of state-run power stations that could possibly be mismanaged and draw back gains on power supply.

"We are guarding against mistakes of the past while addressing other institutional lapses through the strengthening of National Power Training Institute and ensuring that World Bank commitment to the issue of bulk trading is not lost," said the minister.

Canada is interested in the bulk trade and wants to focus also on hydropower, where it is thought to have high comparative advantage.

Nnaji said Nigeria was ready to take on Canadian partners for two hydroelectricity projects, Mambilla and Gurara, expected to produce at least 3,300MW combined.

Cooter announced that Canadian companies were scheduled to visit Nigeria and join other multinationals bidding for different aspects of the power industry.

"The air indicates that something is enveloping Nigeria's capacity to lead the world," he told the minister when they met in Abuja.

"We are here to compliment these efforts to resolve your electricity challenges and galvanize your industrial leadership of Africa."

He allayed Labour concerns over reforms, insisting that privatization efforts in the sector had global investors excited.

But the minister assured that grievances behind Labour agitations would be addressed at all costs.

Daily Trust

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