This picture may reveal more to you than you wish to know.
It might be a big pointer to some of the challenges you are having.
Do you know where you stand?
I am going to break more records – Soja Boi
By: Ola Pat
 |
| Soja Boi |
Rilwan Lawal whose Boxing ring
name is Soja Boi has revealed to Commune Magazine , CM that he is prepared to break more records at
the 2016 Governor’s Belt coming up on the 26th of December, 2016 at
the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere. He told CM in a Whatsapp chat that as a
first timer at the Governor’s Boxing Belt, he is prepared to set a new record
by winning the belt. “I am winning this fight as usual and I am bringing home
the Governor’s Belt. I will be the first soldier to win the Belt, so I am
breaking more records this time round.” He promised to bring to bear all his
previous boxing experience to the Governor’s Belt.
Private Students to write GCE twice in a year
By Aisha Abdul-Lateef
 |
| WAEC Chief Registrar, Iyi Uwadiae |
The West African Examination Council, WAEC have concluded
plan to offer private students opportunity to write the General Certificate
Examination, GCE either in the January/February diet or August/September diet
starting from 2017. According to the Chief Registrar, Dr. Iyi Uwadiae, the
council will now conduct GCE examination twice in a year. This was made known
at the council meeting held in Accra, Ghana on December 14, 2016.
LASEMA safe Petrol Station
According to Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, they help prevent a fire outbreak at the Richbam Filling Station on Pedro Bariga. More info later. Pictures are from LASEMA's twitter account.
Nigeria 2017 budget in chart
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| Courtesy: Budgit |
On Wednesday, December 14, 2016, the President Muhammed Buhari
presented to a joint session of the National Assembly the propose budget for
2017 called The budget of recovery and growth. In his speech, He recounted how
Nigeria got to its present predicament, which he said was due to squandering of
oil earnings on importation of all sorts.
He will not survive round 4 - KB Godson
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| Man Mopol and KB Godson |
Kaybee Godson has assured his fans that his opponent in his
second professional boxing outing at the 10th GOTV boxing edition
will not survived the round of four, he told Commune Magazine at the weekend. The boxing event scheduled to hold at the Indoor
Hall of the National Stadium in Surulere on December 26th, 2016 fixed
Kaybee Godson against Man Mopol in a six round match in the National Light
Heavyweight category.
Opinion: My choicest prosperous 2017
 |
| My Choicest Place |
Already, most people will have keyed into the traditional flow of setting agenda for 2017. It is a tradition, an euphoria of acknowledging the approaching new calendar for time is continuum like a flow of stream water. Nothing new, nothing changed. But, the lord has taught man to mark his days on earth and calendar is the best measure or counting the days.
J. H. estate brief up security after receiving visitation letter from Robbers
By Aisha Abdul-Lateef
Joseph Harrison Estate, Yaba has brief up security around
the estate perimeter after receiving visitation letter from armed robbers, who
promised to visit this week. The letter, which urged the residents to get ready
as the robbers will visit soon to take their Christmas gift was found on a
resident’s vehicle on Wednesday morning (7th of December.)
According to News agency of Nigeria, NAN the robbers
promised to visit during the week to collect their dues. “We are coming this
week to collect our dues and to visit you tenets and landlord… If you like go
and bring police or soldiers, we are coming to perform our duties. ” The said letter
also solicits for the residents’ cooperation with a death threat to whoever
failed to heed the call.
The Community Development Association, CDA chairman, Mr.
Bolanle Akinyemi confirmed the letter and said the matter has been reported to
the police at the Sabo police station. According to him, a similar letter was
received in 2013 before a company in the estate was robbed.
Informing targeted victims of robbery became a common trend
during the Abacha regime when all security outfits were deliberately starve of
fund in order to prevent them causing a change in government. It became so
rampant that every blessed week; streets receive letters from armed robbers
without any help from the security forces. That led to self-help in which
streets decided to protect themselves by building street gates, which we still lived
with today.
You can get across to us on this media:
Twitter: @ShomoluBariga.
Facebook: www.facebook.
com/communemagzine
Whatsapp: 0803 550 2253.
Call: 0802 344 1438
Use flash drive on your Android Phone and tab
 |
| USB OTB Cable |
Micro SD comes in big banks 16GB, 32GB etc, but there are instance
when an extra-external storage might be necessary in order to engage
in our vice without having to add it to our daily routes. That is you
want to keep your video stored in a different place and not on your android phone. That is where USB OTB comes handy.
Fashion: Adila couture Dec 2016 Collection for women
Adila Couture, one of the foremost designers in Lagos is starting
her end of the year sales with unbeatable discount. Below are some of their Dec
2016 Collection for women. They also have collection for men and children
including Islamic wares for ladies.
You can find them at 28, Bashua Street, Shomolu, Lagos. 0802 359 8412
You can find them at 28, Bashua Street, Shomolu, Lagos. 0802 359 8412
How Bariga Girl deals with her hostel mate (Video)
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| And the winner is... |
By: Esther Oki
We will move this earth to seek out our community people and
their exploit. We find this Bariga Girl by the name of Bukola in a fight with
her hostel mate named Blessing. While Bukky promised to deal more with her. She
never ceased to give props to her neigbourhood “I will show you say I be Bariga
Girl”
Black Friday: The start of Christmas shopping
By: Olarewaju Yussuf
 |
| Shopping for Christmas |
Unlike any other day or things with the prefix - Black, Black Friday signifies unbeatable deals, unbelievable discounts and pocket friendly shopping experience from stores and retail outlets. According to Commune Magazine, CM findings, this year 2016 Black Friday comes up on November 25th. And, Nigeria retail stores led by the online retail outlets are ready to lure shoppers into a shopping frenzy with huge and fearsome discount promise.
Community in Picture
By Olarewaju Yusuf and Aishat Abdul-Lateef
From time to time, Commune Magazine will bring to you pix
from the different communities in the Shomolu-Bariga, Gbagada areas in Lagos,
Nigeria. This is for your mid-week pleasure.
 |
| Abule
Okuta Road under construction with a burst underground pipe (Burst pipe Floods Street) |
Cloud Computing: How your personal computer will become a terminal
By Ola Pat
Soon enough personal computers will no longer be personal.
This revolution, this change in the way we relate to our computer is sneaking
up on us without us seeing it or being aware of it. It will affect us in one
way or the other, after the storm is over we will never view our personal
computers the way we do now. Nothing will be personal about computer again and
every personal computer will become a terminal, though a useful one.
Burst pipe Floods Street while House No. 3 may be demolish
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| Rasheed Akotun Street |
By: Aisha Abd-Lateef
As the rehabilitation work of one of the major roads in the
community progress from Igi Olugbin Street to Abule Okuta Road, another busy
community road Rasheed Akotun Street a major pedestrian route two streets away
is on the receiving end of the construction workers oversight as the street has
been flooded with water from a multiple busted pipe at the construction site. Commune Magazine, CM gathered that the
engineering company while digging the road broke an underground water pipe in
two different places thus flooding the work site and the water channel into the
drainage system. Although, all adjoining streets water
Tricks and tips for redecorating this season
 |
| A classic living room |
CommuneMagazine brings you
tricks and tips as provided by interior decoration Pundit. Home Pundits
Limited, a champion of inspiration, innovation, glamour and hospitality home
solution in “human ambient” as graciously allows us to share their tips of how
you can bring life to your home. You can find more tips on their face book
page: www.facebook.com/HomePundits. Happy Reading
Shomolu, Ilaje among worst slums in Africa
Compilation by: Aisha Abdul-Lateef
Ilaje and Shomolu have been listed at No. 11 and 13 respectively
among 20 worst slums in Africa. Slum, according to Microsoft Encarta Dictionary
is an overcrowded area of a city in which
the housing is typically in very bad condition. In a report release by
Africa Ranking (www.africaranking.com) an
“in-depth information” provider on interesting African fact. According to
Wikipedia.org, a slum is a heavily populated urban informal settlement
characterized by substandard housing and squalor. Other settlements in Lagos
state listed include Ajegunle at No. 15 and Makoko at No. 5.
Lagos State has the highest number of radio stations
Lagos has been listed as one of the highest state with radio
stations. Lagos state was listed at No.1 with 31 radio stations including two
higher institution radio stations, one traffic radio and a sport radio.
Oyo state is No.2 with 23 Radio stations, Kaduna state
followed with 17 radio stations, including one higher institution radio
station.
Abuja, the federal capital territory came fourth with 16
radio station including an Armed Forces Radio station. Anambra and Kano tied at
fifth position with Anambra having two university radio stations. Ondo follows
with 13 radio stations, which includes a community radio and two higher
institution radio stations. While Rivers and Enugu tied at No.7 with Rivers
having one higher institution against four in Enugu.
Editorial: SBSR – MORE CAN BE DONE
Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR is a concept designed for a large corporation to give back and impact the society. But being socially responsible is not an option open to only big organizations and brands, it is a must for all business whether small or big. Small Business Social Responsibility, SBSR is a way for small businesses and cottage industries to impact their community positively especially their immediate business environment. It is an opportunity to replenish and reduce the effect of businesses on the community. The failure to replenish the earth, our inability to give back what was taken from the earth is what we faced today ecologically – climate change.
The notion that social responsibility is not for small businesses is a gross misunderstanding. Indeed, small businesses are in an enviable position that makes a little input result in a very large output. Already, small businesses are providing jobs for community members, increasing Internal Generated Revenue, IGR for the Local Government but they can still do more. Sponsorship of events and programs of developmental values is a sort of SBSR. Idea, they say rules the world. Our business has partners – big businesses and brands that can be lured into joining us in giving back to our community.
The Smithyz Bar and Restaurant way
Smithyz Bar and Restaurant in Bariga conceived an idea that will not only promote youth development and draw attention to talents in the community but also provides a platform for talents to showcase their skills. With determination and negotiation, the Bar made a solid plan and approached other community businesses but more importantly, they were able to convince their big partners to support and be part of the event. They convince their partners, sold them the benefits derivable from being part of the event. And the rest is history.
Idea moves the world, you don’t have to go it all alone. Only when we help our community grow, only then can we achieve our business growth. We are aware of other businesses doing so much to promote community development. But we need much more to explore our community development options and exploit the many talents that are numerous in our communities.
SPECIAL REPORT: Gated street and Security
By: Ola Pat, Aisha Abdul-Lateef and Olarewaju Yussuf
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| Locked gate of Oduguwa Street |
It has become part of the Lagos
culture for residents to have a street association that cater more to the
security needs than to their environmental challenges, a carryover from the
failure of government to provide adequate security for the citizenry. It is a
“rarity” to find a street in Lagos apart from Victoria Island and a part of
Ikoyi without a gate. Shomolu-Bariga, Gbagada and Environs are all gated
communities and understandably so. CommuneMagazine, CM can reliably inform you
that streets without a gate are making frantic effort to make their gate.
The street gate concept escalated
in Lagos during the regime of the Sanni Abache Government, when issue of
security was jettison totally by all level of government. And since then, the
lives of the citizens have never be the same as street gate and security levies became part of
citizens monthly expense yet millions of Naira is budgeted for and expended on
security by all level of government. This excludes the notorious and
unaccounted for security vote, an assault on citizens’ intelligent.
To achieve this desired street
security, every streets has its owning governing bodies i.e. association or
committee saddled with the street security. Whatever the named chosen, they are
often voted in every year or two with the tag Landlords-Residents’ Association
under the leadership of a landlord. Posts such as Chainman, financial secretary
and treasurer are often reserved for Landlords, a carryover from the colonial politics.
This is the norm in all the associations except in some few communities.
In an interview granted CM,
Alhaji Tajudeen Bello, chairman Onasanya Street Association gave reasons why
the chairmanship and treasurer positions are reserved for Landlords. According
to him, tenants can move at anytime to another area without batting an eye lid.
These positions are very sensitive because they are sometimes entrusted with levies
collected from residents. The Chairman of Olusoji Residents’ Association chairman,
Mr. Ajiboye Afolabi also collaborate this statement, he averred that the
landlord or any members of his/her household cannot run away with the
association’s money because they have a landed property that tied them to the
community while the same thing cannot be said for a tenant, who can vanished
without a trace.
The Lagos State Government, LSG
has been inundated with the reports of abuse and perpetual locked down of some
street against traffic permanently. The fight to remove this hindrance to easy
access to government infrastructure began during the Administration of
Babatunde Fashola. In fact, the fight was to open up the inner roads to vehicular
traffic in order to reduce traffic on major roads and prolong the life span.
In February 2016, the LSG re-launched
the campaign against locking of street gates between the hours of 5 am and 12
midnight with a note that streets that failed to comply will have their gates
pull down. The LSG also stipulated as part of the term of having a street gate that
every locked gate between 12 midnight to 5 am must be manned so that in cases
of emergences the gates can quickly be opened.
The senior special Assistant to the Governor on Community Affairs Adversary
Council, Mr.
Tajudeen Adeniyi Quadri said it is totally on acceptable that street put
up gates or barricades that obstruct buses and articulated vehicles. “This government
therefore observes with caution that though the erecting and closing of these
gates may be desirable, the consequences on the overall urban efficiency,
aesthetics and functionality of the city and especially traffic flow poses questions
difficult to answer.” He declared.
Hon. Muslim Folami, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs reiterating the LSG determination to have all streets gate open to the public said “In view of the challenges posed by the unrestricted erection of street gates, the State Government is revisiting the directive on the gates and barricades. Any contravention of this directive will attract necessary punishment for defaulters”
Meanwhile, he went further to say that street that have failed to
comply with the LSG directives have had their gates about 148 gates
earmarked for demolition, 84 of which have been pulled down. “The Ministry promoted 24-hour access through
gated streets in the State with the involvement of Community Development
Associations in the State. So far, enforcement in 84 locations has been
effected as at April, 2016. This is being done to improve security, free flow
of traffic, safety of lives and properties of all citizens in the State.” he said.
In spite of government effort to guaranty freedom of
movement according to the Nigeria constitution, the residents of Oduguwa Street
woke up on Oct 5, 2016 to operation show your receipt. The street,
one of the longest and a major access road in the Ladi-Lak area of Bariga to
about four other major streets and a mini-market had 10 gates, 9 of which were
locked down by the street’s security coordinators. According to one of those
manning the only gate left opened, who refuse blatantly to identify himself to
CM correspondent on ground, the gates were locked down because some of the
residents failed to pay their security levy, thus only people with evidence of
payment i. e. receipt will be allowed to go out of the street. He went to
further to say the residents were given two weeks ultimatum.
All effort to speak with the chairman or the person
representing the security coordinators was frustrated. One of the residents,
who spoke with CM based on the condition of anonymity, said he did not know the
chairman of the committee. But he had heard about the purported lock down but
he did not believe it is possible. A shop owner in the community said although
they allowed people to come into the street, she had to go and meet one of her
customers at the lock gate because it was a long journey for her to go round
and use the open gate.
As at 11:25 am, when our correspondent was leaving the Street,
the gates were still under lock and key. CM sorts the opinions of some
community leaders on the issue of locking up residents in order to effect payment
of security levies. In a Whatsapp chat with Ayoola Julius Esq, popularly called
The Law, he found it unjustifiable and totally unacceptable to lock residents
in simply to force them to pay their dues. “Street Associations are not
government institutions and as such they have no competence to do what they do
by locking out residents on the account of nonpayment of security levies. This
is different in th case of private estate.
The chairman of Akoka CDA, Mr. Adesanya could not understand
why residents will refuse to pay for something they derived direct benefits
from. “The only way people understand is locking the gate some of the time”. On
being told that the government wants all gate open between 5 am to midnight? He
replied, we need to assist the government, the police in areas of security, if
not it would have been free for all for men of the underworld. In response to
the question, if its right to lock people in because they can’t pay their
security levies, he asked if it is right to keep people outside at night in the
cold through the month, while people are sleeping inside their homes. Then fail
to pay them at the end of the month. “Did you realize those security have
families at home? How do you pay them? I think it will be wickedness on our
part if those guys were not paid at the end of the month. Its call community
watch, who pays for it?
The songs that help your child develop language.
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| Reading to toddler |
Schools are back in session,
a new session for that matter. The bills are new, fresh and increasing, the
more reason why you should not only pay but also be part of your child's
education especially for those with pre-schoolers and kindergarten pupils. CM
finds this foundational article on helping your child to learn easily with
nursery rhymes written by a Montessori Coach - Mrs. Adepeju Falekulo.
Mrs. Falekulo is the Head of
Programs at Addlo Montessori Training Center, where she helps women who want to
establish Montessori Schools acquire the relevant skills needed to become
successful, world class Montessori Directors and School owners. You can find
her opinion on child education the Montessori way at www.ayopejufalekulo.wordpress.com.
Happy reading:
The Importance of Nursery Rhymes – by Adepeju Falekulo
Nursery Rhymes are the main ingredient
that keeps Pre-school environment alive and fun for the children. Music is food
for the soul that is what they say right? Well nursery rhymes fulfill that goal
in the lives of our children.
These simple songs feed the
child with the rhythm and melody of our language and music. Rhymes are the
first introductory steps the child gets to actually putting words together and
making a sentence. Observe the young toddler who is just over a year and a half
old, they haven’t started really talking yet, maybe a word or two, to express
their wants and needs. But if your child has been listening to songs especially
simple nursery rhymes for a while they have started singing after you most of
the time.
I remember one of our young
ones, just about a year and a half, then, they learnt this rhyme about traffic
lights, the teacher taught them this rhyme because she wanted to teach them
about colours, and relate it to something they may notice in the environment.
Well my dear one and a half-year old learnt this rhyme so well that during the
Presentation Day for Parents, she stood out; so small, yet so confidently
belting out her rhyme. She got a standing ovation.
 |
| Mrs. Adepeju Falekulo |
Traffic Lights , Traffic LightsWhen you see a Traffic lightThere is something you should knowRed means STOPYellow means READYAnd Green means GO!
Her Mum was so proud of her
little girl and said to us that every time they passed by a traffic light, she
would recite the rhyme and even told her Dad when the lights were always about
to go Red to STOP!
So why are these rhymes so important for our children
to learn?
Rhymes introduce children to
a rich use of Language. They learn new words and meanings of the words through
the rhymes and actions that they use. (For example the song Three blind mice {holding
up 3 fingers and covering their eyes} See how they run, They all ran after the farmer’s
wife {running feet}, Who cut off their tail with a carving knife {miming
pulling a tail and cutting it off}, Did you ever see such a thing in your life?
{miming seeing with hands moving out from the eyes/face} As Three Blind Mice.
{the 3 fingers} Children love singing this rhyme and they get it. Doesn’t make
much sense really, does it? But the children do get the meaning of the
words and enjoy singing it.
These rhymes help children
learn the structure of putting words together to make sentences. A child who
sings lots of nursery rhymes will be able to speak and construct sentences.
Rhymes tell a story and give
children the structure of telling stories, they have a beginning, a middle and
an end. Children learn to mirror this and they develop story telling skills
Rhymes are enjoyable, they
make children happy, they sing, move around and dance and all these are food
for the soul.
Rhymes can be used to teach
children social skills and are one of the best ways to help them learn concepts
you are trying to teach them. So as a teacher, or intending teacher, as a
parent or intending parent, start putting together your arsenal of nursery
rhymes they will help you to lay a good literary foundation for your child or
children. These rhymes are hardly ever forgotten. I remember when I was growing
up, my father used to sing and hum, Row, row, row your boat. This rhyme has
stayed with me, as it had stayed with him. I used to ask myself is life a
dream? Well is it? This is something you could even discuss
with the older children. Let’s give our children food for their need to acquire
language. Rhymes are one of the strong ways to get lots of language practice
for the child.
Communities campaigning for parties will destabilize – Alhaji T. G. Bello
 |
| Alhaji Taju |
The role played by every
community member adds either to the growth or decline of such community. Every
community has within its fold people obsessed with his growth and development and
also people bent on bringing it to ruin. Commune Magazine quest to find people interested
in community growth and prosperity led us to Onosanya Street in Ladi-Lak area
of Bariga, just behind Gbagada estate. This community of 36 houses is the only
known street in the Ladi-Lak area that operates and maintains a street lighting
policy with or without PHCN electricity while the Lagos State Government is
still working to implement the Light up Lagos policy. This community has taken
the bull by the horn to light up their street in order to reduce crime in their
community. Assistant Editor, Ola Pat spoke with Alhaji Tajudeen Gaffar Bello,
the Chairman of Onasanya Community Association to find out how they power their
street lights and ask other pertinent questions. Excerpt:
Asiwaju, International Music Promoter declares he is a core Bariga boy
Akeem Olaide Daramola AKA Asiwaju is the CEO of Al-Akeem Asiwaju Promotion, a Fuji Musical Promotion organization, which organizes fuji shows. On May 29th. 2016, the organization staged a show at the Beverly International Event Centre Car Park in New Garage area of Bariga, Lagos. The event tagged Gbera show featured Remi Aluko, a popular fuji musician, Suleimon Atanda, Chairman, Fuji Music Association of Nigeria, FUMAN, Shomolu-Bariga branch and other aspiring fuji artistes in Shomolu-Bariga.
Now, the organization is set to stage another fuji show tagged Dapada (The Return). CommuneMagazine corned the ever busy Master of fuji promotion, at the Iya Corner Restaurant in the New Garage Area and had a short discussion on his upcoming show. He also discussed his plan for fuji music in Shomolu-Bariga, the challenges he faces with his last show and why he is a core Shomolu-Bariga person. Enjoy it;
What is DAPADA show all about and why is the show called Dapada (The Return)?
The first show which was Gbera was not as I planned it because the Star of the day, Remi Aluko did not get to entertain the audience as much as necessary due to a faulty instrument, which made it impossible for him to play to the satisfaction of the fans. After that show, I received series of calls asking that we bring back the artistes, Remi Aluko. So, we don’t have much choose than to yield to the people's demand for a returned play by Remi Aluko. And even, the artiste is eager to come back and finished his unfinished business. It is because we are bringing him back that is why we tagged the show Dapada (The Return of Remi Aluko).
What have you put in place to prevent the reoccurrence of what happened last time?
Firstly, we are noting getting our instrument from the same source. We are getting it this time from another company that understand the important of a show and the stars coming.
How did you get into fuji promotion?
Actually, I love fuji music very much. I also notice Shomolu-Bariga, where are grew up also loves music and anything entertainment. And, I know that music especially fuji music can bring peace and harmony to the community. That is why I went decided to go into fuji promotion, so that I can bring in different artistes to foster peace in the community. I know how music can change people for good. If we start bringing in different artistes, being a fan of the same artiste can encourage mutual respect and understanding between warring streets and groups.
How long have you been in the business of promoting fuji music?
It’s been about three years now, Gbera is my first show in Shomolu-Bariga area. For the past three years, I have staged shows in Ibadan, Ijebu and Coutonu. Though, I have received several calls from people in Ghana, I have not staged a show there. Many residents of Bariga that attended my shows pressurized me to stage a show in Shomolu-Bariga. So, I planned to stage about five more shows this year for Shomolu-Bariga communities.
Before you went into fuji promotion, what were you doing?
I am a businessman. I am a clearing and forwarding agent and I bring in cars to sell.
Which school did you attend?
I had my National Diploma from Kwara state polytechnic in 1991-1992. My secondary education was at Ajayi Crowder Memorial School, Bariga. I attended Temple Primary School, Alubarika, Bariga. You can see that I am a core Bariga Boy, born and brought up in Bariga.
How is your organization helping upcoming fuji artistes
As at now, we only showcase them in our shows. We gave them ample opportunity to display their talents. When we have shows, the upcoming artistes are given about five slots to perform before we will call in the popular stars of the show. We featured more upcoming artistes in our shows, we do this to promote and encourage them. Not only that, we provide them with connection in the fuji music world.
Do you sign fuji artistes?
Not yet but it is part of our organization’s plan for 2017. We have a lot of fuji artistes not only in Lagos state but everywhere.
After this show, Dapada what should Shomolu-Bariga communities expect from your stable?
After this show, the people of Shomolu-Bariga should be ready for Sule Alao Maliaka early November 2016 at most. St. Janet and Obesere too will visit while 2016 will close down in December with Alabi Pasoma.
What challenges do you have with security?
The last show was peaceful. The effort of the Nigeria police to curbed street gangs’ fights and cult clashes is paying off. We notified the necessary security outfit about the show, so there was more than adequate security because we also made arrangement for more security. The relentless effort of the police to curb crime in Shomolu-Bariga will grow the entertainment potential of the community.
By: Ola Pat
KB Godson becomes the first professional boxer in Shomolu-Bariga
By Aisha Abdul-Lateef
As the city of Shomolu-Bariga transformed from an urban centre to a metropolitan city, the fortune of this educational city is also growing in other critical endeavour. One of the city big boy, Kabiru Towolawi alias Kaybee will be featuring in the GOTV night 9 boxing show on October 2nd, 2016 at the Indoor Sport Hall of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
CommuneMagazin, CM reported the return of Kaybee to amateur boxing in January 2016, where he won his returned match at the monthly Lagos Boxing Hall of Fame, LBHF. Before his return to the ring, the Hotel Manager had tried his hand on promoting football club. In an interview with CM in March, Kaybee reiterated his purpose of coming back to boxing, '' My aspiration is to move to the professional level''.
KB Godson, as he was known in the boxing arena will be fighting in the professional category for the first time in his Eight years career as a boxer at the GOTV Boxing Night. The GOTV Boxing Night is the 9th edition organized by Flykite Promotions. This edition will feature KB Godson in a six rounds fight against Man MOPOL (Emmauel Igwe) in the National Light Heavyweight Challenge. Main alight will be the fight between Fijaborm of Nigeria vs Raphael Kwabena of Ghana, Joe Boy (Nigeria) vs Richard Awenfu (Ghana), others are Jagaban vs Coded Man, Omo Iya Eleja against Lion, Madevex vs Great Jude and ID Cabasa vs Fighting Policeman.
Always Boxing Club, ABC coach, Prince Tajudeen Kazeem AKA Always who oversees the boxer's training said the club is determined to put the name of Shomolu-Bariga on the boxing map of the world and not relent in his effort to make boxing in Shomolu-Bariga the envy of other Local Government. The coach, who won the Best Coach of the Year Award in 2015 called on residents of Shomolu-Bariga to come out en masse to support their own. '' I implore people of this community to come to come out and support us. We can really do with their supports. Please come out on the 2nd of October to the National Stadium to encourage and cheer KB Godson to sure victory. We have Jerseys for our supporters to announce the arrival of our first professional boxer in Shomolu-Bariga. ''
Avlov Foods Provides Business Opportunity Seminar
By: Olarewaju Yussuf
Avlov foods Ltd, a food processing and packaging
company has concluded plan to host her food processing and packaging seminar at
a great discount in celebration of her CEO's birth month. The seminar coming up
on September 17th, 2016 at No.3, St. Agnes Street, Yaba has as its theme: A day
practical training on food processing, packaging and exporting. CM asked Mrs.
Olufunmi Osifowora, a mother of two and the CEO of Avlov Food s Ltd about the
upcoming seminar.
Why
should people attend this seminar?
Avlov foods Ltd, a food processing and packaging
company has concluded plan to host her food processing and packaging seminar at
a great discount in celebration of her CEO's birth month. The seminar coming up
on September 17th, 2016 at No.3, St. Agnes Street, Yaba has as its theme: A day
practical training on food processing, packaging and exporting. CM asked Mrs.
Olufunmi Osifowora, a mother of two and the CEO of Avlov Food s Ltd about the
upcoming seminar.
Why
are you organizing the seminar?
It's to empower people on opportunities around they
could tap in to in order to create more employment and to be independent.
Majorly, September is my birth month and its my way of giving back to the
society especially the young minded ones.
Who
is the seminar for?
The seminar is for anyone and everyone who is
presently not satisfied with his/her financial status, anyone who wants to earn
money in foreign exchange selling and exporting our local food produce and for
as many who wants extra source of income.
What
will participants gain from attending your seminar?
Participants will be exposed to practical knowledge on
processing and packaging different Nigerian food products. Secondly, they will
learn how to make the products supermarkets friendly and be given exporting
Tips. They will also been show how and where to source for the materials needed
for packaging the different products. As part of our effort to empower them, we
will show them related food businesses that can be done along side food
packaging.
Why
is this seminar so special?
This seminar is different from other trainings because
I charge 20,000 Naira for my regular trainings but I'm giving this for 7,000
Naira because it is my birth month.
Why
should people attend this seminar?
People should attend this seminar because with the
present increase in prices of things, so many could rarely feed themselves and
family, getting extra source of income is very essential at this period.
Call the Organizers on: 0818 751 5198
Call the Organizers on: 0818 751 5198
Opinion: Our unforgiving ways
By Ola Pat
-----------------------------------------------------+++-----------------------------------------------------------Ola Pat is an experienced journalist with a bias for community reporting. He is the Assistant Editor at www.communemag.blogspot.com, a community magazine for Shomolu-Bariga, Gbagada and Environs.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It’s all in our ways. Our students must pass or fail by writing examination, a purely academy endeavour. Anyone who failed this endeavour will be ably help along the way of ruin, academic damnation by the society. If you failed at your work, you will be kindly assisted to tumble down faster into the rubbles at the end of the hills. Fail in marriage and you will be cast into the leprosy camp. Why do we give so much to those who have too much? Why do we fail to gather at the side of those struggling not to tumble down? Why don't we give too much to those, who needed too much? Ladies and Gentlemen, our culture only support stars but ignored raising stars and abandoned fallen stars.
Indeed those who excel must be rewarded but couragement must be shower on those struggling for the pinnacle of their career and endeavour. We must demolish the gathering of failures, catch every falling comrade. A community is as strong as its weakest link; a comrade left behind may be forced by the enemy to divulge vital information. Yet we taught our kids that a junior adventurer never leaves a man behind. But we left behind tons of people who needed a different sand to flourish. Remember weeds are flowers too.
It is a collective failure that has continued to hunt us as a nation, stalk us as a people. Sir and ma, do I mentioned all the outcasts thrown out for their academic failure, those ostracized for their professional default without the provision for re-incorporation. Area boys today are the rejects of the society being nurture secretly by politicians. Al Magiri recruited by Boko Haram were the undesirables of our societal order. Our unforgiving and not standing up for the weak, our failure to fight for the right of others, got us here. Insecurity any where is insecurity to all. War in Syria is affecting Europe as refugees pour into Europe in their thousands. The disaster in North Africa is fueling the instability in Sudan and the entire West Africa and indeed the Boko Haram problem. We need to accept that between black and white, no and yes, bad and good is an island that is neither white nor black, a fence that is neither no nor yes, an action that is neither bad nor good, just a midway between.
Stars gather for Miss Gbagada beauty pageant
By: Ola Pat
This Saturday, the who is who of the entertainment industry and grassroots politics would gather at the Josland Hotel in Ifako to watch the emergence of Miss Gbagada Queen. The pageant, Miss Gbagada Beauty Pageant International 2016 according to Jasanya Adetutu, the Head of De Avatar Communications, organizers of the pageant promises to surpassed the first edition with the winners, The Queen and the 1st runner up representing Bariga LCDA in an up coming beauty pageant. 
Bariga Boxing Day was a community effort - Coach Always
By: Olarewaju Yussuf
 |
| Always in a training session |
But, he was determined to make a name for himself in the sport of boxing. He becomes a coach, operating with the name Always Boxing Gym until recently when it was changed to Always Boxing Club. Not only did he trained and produced the best boxers, many of his student have gone ahead to make name for themselves in the game of boxing represent different states of the Nigeria federation. His club regularly features in the Army Sport recruitment and had some of his boxers recruited into the Army Sport. His club also participates in Lagos State Boxing Championship every month. Recently, one of the big boys in Bariga, Kaybee made a returned to the boxing ring. He joined Always Boxing Club to train in readiness for his returned to the ring. He won his returned match flawlessly, a testimony to the coach training skill. He has won Best Coach of the year twice, the last being in 2015.
The clubs organized an annual Boxing event tagged Bariga Boxing Day, which is in the 5th series which was held in May 29th, 2016 in Bariga. The 5th edition was postponed for about 6 months due to financial and security reasons, Commune Magazine spoke with Always on the challenges he encountered and what the people of Shomolu-Bariga, Gbagada and environs should expect from the club.
What happened why did you postponed your Boxing Day Event for so long?
The postponement was due to a lot of logistic issues from finance to venue. In fact, we have printed the posters before the Lagos State Government banned the use of public school premise for social events. We are surprised that sporting activities that bonded our communities were also classified as social events. That was the first show stopper for us. We now have to start searching for a new venue since Shomolu-Bariga did not have any sport grounds; the nearest one is in Gbagada. But, the event is Bariga Boxing Day. How do you host Bariga Boxing Day in Gbagada? So, we were searching for an acceptable and accessible venue because of all the contingents that are coming including the Army Sport, from Morocco. With the help of the community, we secured an opening ground as venue for event.
Then, we have to face raising money again. Don't forget, we don't have corporate sponsors. It is the community that has been providing financial support for us. The meat sellers at Able Oja, Tailors at Odunsi Street and a whole lot of them support us with their five hundred naira, one thousand naira. That was how we are able to organize the boxing show annually. Megasea industries is the only thing close to corporate support we have year in, year out. They are our corporate pillar. So, we scampered to raise new fund, which takes time.
When we are done with fund raising, on the day of the event as reported by your magazine, the cult boys were in their best. For three days preceding the event, the cult boys were fighting for supremacy between themselves.
Public gathering were not allowed, since we are using the street. The police were forced to stop the event. The experience for me was a tough one, with multiple issues to deal with. It was traumatic. It is because the community insisted we must host Bariga Boxing Day, if not I will have surrendered. Well, our effort did not go to waste because despite the rain, the community stood in the rain to urge us on. The crowd was overwhelming.
How did you overcome the initial obstacle?
We went to Bariga LCDA but we received little support for this community project. If it has not being for the community and Companies like Megasea industries, Ray Queen pure water, AY-The Law, Hon. Kola Alabi. In fact the space, we end up using were secured for us by another set of people headed by Baba Balo.
When is the sixth edition coming up and what should the boxing fans in the community expect this time?
The only thing I can promise them is a spectacular show as usual. We have been receiving calls from different areas in Bariga to host the next edition in their community but we are considering the logistics that will be involved if we move it out of our comfort communities. Most importantly is the security implication.
What was your reaction to the death of legendary boxer, Muhammad Ali?
For us, it was a painful exit of an icon. The news of his death is a fatal blow to the sport of boxing. We honour him with a minute silence and did a 15 minutes spanning in his name.
 |
| Training session with a set of boxers |
It is extremely difficult. The shutting up of public school premises against grassroots sports is like a death sentence if not for the love and passion that I have for boxing, I will have quite. That particular policy is a death sentence. No playing ground or sport centre in most communities in Lagos state and the only other alternative are the public school premises. And, now those premises had been taken away from us. We are training in abnormal places, we train in my company. We are just managing. However, we implored the Lagos state government to rescind that particular policy especially for local sports. They must reconsider that decision or it will eventually kill grassroots sport.
Is Lagos state Boxing Association aware of this difficulty?We have written to them about the challenge pose by the closing of public schools’ premise to sport use. We have not heard from them.
What about the community leaders?
They are aware too because it is their children, their neighour’s children and the people in their environment that we coach. So when we were organizing Bariga Boxing Day, they were very helpful and supportive. If not for the community support we received, we might not be able to organize the boxing event. Not only did they contribute financially, they also provide solid moral and physical support, which includes legworks. The community provided the venue for the event and the people love it because it was held in a public place.
Did you lose anything by hosting the event on the street?
Not so much, just the financial revenue that could have accrued to us from the gate fee and those we expended for the event. Remember I told you, we first postponed due to closure of public school premises, and then at the second attempt we have to cancel due to insecurity. But, in place of that we have the community goodwill. In all, it was a good outing for us and I am happy because the community took over the event.
We Have Performed Everywhere and We Still Come Back To Bariga - Adefila Segun
 |
| Head Masquerade, Segun |
Segun Adefila, often refers to as the lead masquerade of Crown troupe is a Dramatist, Choreographer, Director, Performance Artist and head of Crown Troupe of Nigeria. He has featured in some home videos both Yoruba and English, notable among them is Arugba. He was probably one of the first persons to put Shomolu-Bariga on the world map with is drama tours around the world. He also runs a drama school for school children in the same complex that serves as rehearsing studio just around Grammar school bus stop. This year, 2016 the Crown troupe clocked 20 years of dramatic performance. And Commune Magazine, Ola Pat trailed the energetic performer to Freedom Park, Lagos Island, Nigeria where he and his troupe were putting the drama to Fela’s evergreen song “Unknown Soldier”. In this chat with CM, Assistant Editor, this passionate community dramatist shares his stage experience, the industry as he sees it and success story of his 20 years sojourn in the theatre industry and why he rarely features in home videos.
People must stick their necks out to develop their communities - Mr. Adesanya, Akoka CDA Chairman
 |
| Mr. Adesanya, Akoka CDA Chairman |
Akoka is one
of the CDAs in Bariga; it is an old community but an elite haven. This
community play host to University of Lagos, Federal College of Education and
one of the oldest and best secondary school, St. Finbars College. The CDA is a
model to be copy for it consistently features on the best CDA list in Lagos
State. Thus, our resolved to seek out the head macho of the CDA to find out
what their winning formula is so that other CDAs can follow suit in developing of
their community. Mr. Adesanya is a community man at heart, who loves to lead by
example, he told Commune Magazine, Ola Pat, how they work the magic. Excerpt.
Commune Magazine Social Platform
As the year run along, we at Commune Magazine move with the precision of an arrow towards the task of informing, educating and entertaining our beloved communities : Shomolu-Bariga, Gbagada, Akoka, Pedro and Environs. We have opened up more avenues for us to commune on important community issues. We are biased, when it comes to the community.
You can now follow us on twitter @ShomoluBariga. Like us on facebook: www.facebook. com/communemagzine and on whatsapp: 0708 598 9002.
EDITORIAL: Mission Possible
 |
| Commune Magazine |
Our mission, the task, we have set for ourselves is a mission impossible. We have received calls, text messages and emails trying to find out why we did not partake in the frenzy and orgy of publishing all the sour and bad story of our communities, our jurisdiction. Our answer is simple, our mission is to provide alternative news platform for positive news of the communities, a life and style showcasing of incredible people living and shining in these communities. To move the spotlight away from the negative onto the side of positivity. The advantage of looking at the good in these communities is to light up the mind of the youth to what they can achieve, what could be followed and to what is possible. Highlighting the good will encourage more good and bring good to the community.
Shomolu - Bariga host Fuji stars show
By: Olarewaju Yussuf
Come May 29th, 2016 Fuji artists in Shomolu Bariga and environs will congregate at the
 |
| Asiwaju |
Opinion: Does the IGP lives on the moon?
By: Ola Pat
Sometime ago, the Inspector
General of Police, IGP Solomon Arase gave a peculiar order. That order gave
rise to the title of this writing. It is now obvious that little has changed
from the Nigeria we cast out with our votes and the Nigeria we voted for.
Nigerians not only lack essential and concrete evidence of government, they are
constantly subjected to harassment and funny-reason-pattern in policies making
both from the voted and the appointed. News reports claimed that the Inspector
General of Police, IGP Arase has ordered the arrest of anybody selling or
buying petrol in Jerry cans. Is the IGP living on the moon?
With no iota of doubt, all
these people, who associate or relate with power, do live the days of their
life on the Nigerian moon away from the rest of us. They operate away from us; formulate policies
for us away from our realities. If not, how would the Inspector General of
police criminalized getting petrol (in Jerry cans) that is never available in
petrol stations. It's smacked of a moon order, from a man unaware of his
environment, far from reality. A reality that compel you to work anyhow, a
reality that forces talents to become “hasslers”. A reality of only the
strongest survived. There is no debate about it, they are not aware of this
peculiar environment and they are very far from this reality because we have
padded their days with comfort, stuff their lives with luxury. They are the
gods and goddesses of Olympus, whose abode is away from their subjects.
During the debate for fuel
price increments during President Jonathan's administration, all the panelists
for price increments, who at the same time were members of the government, were
asked how they get their fuel for personal use. Lo and behold, they got it
free, part of our unnecessary generosity to a group of overpaid, over pampered
government officials. But, I ask can a stranger decide for my family? Should overfeed
servants choose for the masters? That is the life we live. That is the way we
are. The IGP that get free petrol courtesy of the public pulse, the IGP by
virtue of his office that gets petrol gifts and the IGP that could get fuel at
gunpoint has criminalize fuel in Jerry cans. Desperate times, they say need
desperate solution. The government has
failed to provide petrol in petrol stations, just as they have failed to
provide good roads, transportation system, electricity and a host of government
responsibility.
IGP Solomon Arase has
successfully released two monsters that will have an unimaginable consequence
on the nation as a whole. Firstly, his instruction will finally put the country
economic activities on full stop especially the micro-economy. This section of
the economy runs on I-pass-my-neighbour generators, these are your tailors,
salons, vulgarizer, pepper grinders and others.
Then the second major problem of this petrol and Jerry cans issue is
that petrol in Jerry cans will continue but only men in uniform will be able to
carry on the illegality. Mr. Arase have successfully empowered and monopolized
for his corrupt prone and trigger happy constituency the business of petrol in
Jerry cans in addition to their other illegal business services from
motor-boy-escort, danfo driving to okada riding.
It is a conspiracy that the
IGP failed to tackle petrol diversion to neighbouring countries, it is
incomprehensible that people that are verse in economics theories refuse to
draw the attention of the security officer to the economic impact of his order.
Where were the stakeholders when he was formulating this policy? Until this
order is repealed, I will either have to buy a car, or borrow from my
neighbours in other to Power my generating set.
Eskay La-la bounces back with Mizkololo
Eskay Lala has emerged from
the cocoon to release his latest work, Mizkololo. Eskay, who released his works
under his own record label- White Gold Entertainment, had walked the length and breadth of the music
industry in order to have his hip-hop Fuji music recorded and released. All his effort yields nothing but anguish and
disappointment as he moved from one record label to another without getting to
release a song. Now, he has release a four track album which have title such as Mizkololo, Sexy Lady, Omo Mummy and Oti Nsele.
Shea butter is a multi-purpose cream for the skin - Mrs. Busra Ayilara
 |
| Mrs. Ayilara of EveryHome |
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