M4C in very simple terms

Today's conversation:

Komo: like to kno wat u do
thnks 4 da add

Anke: Me I do dis
http://musicforchange.blogspot.com
wat do u do?

Komo: wat is music for change

Anke: kicking musicians into putting the right messages into their songs
you know, like Fela... maybe less naked
But basically using entertainment for development

Ram Bashing or Football? Choices, choices...

Quick note, just a few pics from this weekend:

The real interesting bits I don't have pics of - me on stage at the Felabration, announcing my Music4Change thing, my boys getting their big break, and the Black-Eyed Peas concert Sunday night. But here are some pics I took out in Ikorodu where I spent most of Sat afternoon (albeit half dead with dehydration) and Sunday morning.

In other news, my guru has been launched big style as the new professor for Indian Religions and Culture in Hong Kong this week. Press Release

Nigeria the Fifth. Day One.

Had a wonderful flight. The food was great, the seat next to me was free, so no problem for space. Great entertainment, had a nice rest.

It was raining when I got out of the airport, driver was there, everything fine.

Got home, unpacked with the help of my maid Blessing, did some writing, went to bed.

Slept beautifully, Blessing woke me up asking for the key, got up at 6:15, didn’t meditate, did my hair though. Ended up wearing it in a tight bun with the fake ponytail draped on top of it. Was nice.

Tried to make it to the hospital this morning before work, driver didn’t show, but traffic on Awolowo was too bad, so turned around and went to the office instead. Everyone happy to see me, tried to catch up, a few people ordered something, mostly things seem on track, I was thinking it is not such a difficult job, let me just do it.

Checked my mails, internet connection in the office is iffy at best, need an IT guy around. Started calling people, IK said he’d show me stuff in the papers about me, with pics from the Chill Out thing where I was dragged on the dance floor by this comedian guy. Called customers as well, scheduled a few meetings, one was really nice, two are being weird, and I dunno what to do about them. One asked for a meeting with Nilesh and me tomorrow. Who knows what that is gonna be all about. This guy is difficult at the best of times, having ordered stuff and then not picked it up.

Had a call from Parkers estate agents, buyers backed out again. Not nice. Called them all to get it back on the market.

Had lunch with the guys from downstairs, think it’ll be ok for now, they are quite different amongst themselves, some from South India and some from the North etc, so it’s not like it’s them and me. Well maybe it is but I just have to forget about that. I think I’ll be ok if I do.

Then went out to meet Mr Fagbemi from Skin Beauty and Mr Tabbah from Cybele, I felt out of my depth at both but had my boy Maurice with me. Why are we trying to sell them stuff that is difficult to push out? I dunno.

Went straight to the hospital, it was 5:30 by the time we got there, thought I’d be late but Adino wasn’t there, called him and he asked if I wanted to wait an hour, I said no way, have to go Shrine tonight. So I went in by myself… Tuface lying there with his big bandage on his leg… poor bloke. Is not right.

So I sat on the side of his bad leg and got talking, tried to give him some reiki and most surprisingly it started flowing like anything, he felt it as well. I started to do just over the bandage, then he asked me to put it on a localised place, correcting me when I hadn’t got it exactly right. And when I took my hand away to answer the phone he was almost shocked and said Did you feel that? He was amazed he could feel all that energy flowing when I wasn't even touching him. Big Brother was on TV. We talked about the foundation; I asked him what his original idea was, and told him my two thoughts, which were the need for the right people, and direction.

Talked about some other stuff as well, he was asking if I smoked or drank, and said he had been with me a few times and knew really that I didn’t. This was great, having him to myself for a whole hour like this. I remember trying to convince NGO people in Europe of the potential impact his foundation could have on all of Africa... raising money won't be difficult, but he needs to have a vision, people, and he needs to put himself into it. Because judging from his lyrics, he has the vision.

Gosh I went on about his lyrics and he was almost embarassed... he is such a humble guy. Great really.

Went to the Shrine after having dinner. Met Bash and his people… met YK, Femi, the general, Ope, Francis, Ken, Biyi (he looked shockingly thin… had been ill and wouldn’t tell me what it was… I told him that I had met with Yinka in London and when he asked if Yinka had told me anything, I said He told me to stay away from you guys! Lol), Sunday (told him I had spoken to Tuface about playing at the Shrine…) this… what’s his name? Ke something, Valerie with a guy, Seun’s friend… every time I come to the Shrine it’s like family dinner.

Seun was playing, he was fantastic. Azu was there of course with Celine, Bash had a chat with Ope, all good fun. Bash is pushing me to launch Music4Change at the Felabration which is lasting until Saturday…. Only a little bit of pressure then! He wants to print t-shirts and everything. Would even finance it. Well… what are friends for?

Going back on Monday

Blog has been quiet. I'm going back to Nigeria on Monday, after trying to sort out bits and bobs here so that I wouldn't have to worry about things here all the time.

Will start posting again once I'm back down.

Here's a taster: The first page of my proposal for one my new ventures.

Soul Spa


Littering a dark and dreary road lie the past relics of cheap beauty salons, unhygienic conditions, untrained staff and broken promises.

Today we must clear the mind of past practices. Spa enlightenment has been brought within our reach thanks to the tireless efforts of the major new spa creators.

The Soul Spa takes this development one step further. We invite you to relax and take advantage of the latest in beauty enlightenment, as well as old and proven relaxation techniques. Begin to see with clarity. Learn to use the time-honoured techniques of inner beauty in a new and invigorating environment. Become one with your beautiful soul.


When your mind is calm,
The beauty of your soul shines through

Femi Kuti in London

As hard as it was to leave Lagos, the good news is that Femi Kuti and his band came to the UK 3 days after me and are now touring the country. I managed to see them on Thursday at the Barbican centre, a sold out show which blew everyone's minds as expected. I think Seun Kuti's prediction about Afrobeat going mainstream this year is coming true! Funk was born in Nigeria :D I got there for the sound check and because I had spent so much time at the Afrika Shrine lately, some of the guys recognised me and put me on the guest list. Yay.

Of course these pictures are old ones from the shrine... I don't have my Sony Alpha, so no new pics for now :(

Not doing the groupie thing though, they are up north all week and I didn't fancy the cold, so I'll see them again next Saturday when they are back down south, if everything works out to plan. Might invite them for tea then. - Oh wait... I don't have a house now... lol... I was asked if I wanted to travel with them over to Croatia though. And since I have good friends in Zagreb (waves to KC), i really would love to. But I don't think I can afford it right now...

Shocking Revelations

This is an article from Punch (one of the big newspapers in Nigeria) about the situation with my boss just before I left the country. It's long but very good, and I can't post the link, so it'll all have to go here... sorreeeee :)

Oh, and any emphasis was placed by me.

Shocking revelations
By ’Nonye Iwuagwu
Published: Saturday, 3 Feb 2007

Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) is one association that has been rocked by a lot of crises for some time now. For the past 10 months that Bolaji Rosiji has been calling the shots in that organisation, the Krishna monk has not had a month devoid of rancour.

Now, he cannot take it any longer, so he has thrown in the towel. Last Wednesday, he voluntarily resigned as the PMAN president. The fire became too hot for him to handle.

A lot of criticisms had trailed his election as the PMAN president. Many felt he was not a musician and as such, not qualified to be the president..

The election didn’t go down well with some of the musicians, so they went ahead to create another faction of PMAN, led by juju musician, Dele Abiodun.

Of course, each faction had its own followers. Rosiji seemed to have greater control because he was operating from the Ikeja secretariat of the association. Besides, he organised a number of events that earned him more attention.
But he really had it rough for the little while he remained the PMAN president. He braced up to the challenge. And apparently in a bid to become more rugged, he discarded the Krishna robes and went for denims and boots. Many believed he took a cue from his mentor, Charly Boy. And as if to justify that, he got himself a power bike.
Ironically, it is the same Charley Boy that Rosiji is holding responsible for his decision to resign from PMAN.

Speaking to Spectacles on Thursday, Rosiji alleged that the Weirdest One wanted to turn him into a puppet and he had to resign because he could not take it any longer. “I cannot condescend to the level that Charly Boy wanted,” he said. “Because I wasn’t ready to dance to his tunes, he sent me a text to tell me that by the time he finished with me, I would not be able to walk on the streets of Lagos. In fact, I might as well read out the text message he sent to me. It said, ‘Bolaji, I think it is time we had a talk. Your time as PMAN President is about to wind down. I know I have made a big mistake, so I have to clean the mess myself. Let’s talk so that we can find the easiest way out for you. I can’t take it anymore.”

Rosiji said that it was PMAN’s lawyer that made Charly Boy understand that even if he had to be removed, due process should be followed. “That was when they sat down together and put pen to paper. The only query they could come up with was misappropriations of funds,” he said.

Rosiji felt the accusation was ridiculous since he had been the person running the association with his personal money.

“Considering the fact that I have put in more than N50 million for the past 10 months that I have been there, I found the query ridiculous. All the time my father was into politics, he never had a case of financial misconduct. I just had to leave.”

Although he remained in charge for 10 months, Rosiji said his problem with Charly Boy started right from the outset. He said the problem started right at the convention in Kaduna when the position of Ambassador General was created.
“PMAN never had such a position. It was Charly Boy that lobbied delegates so that the position would be created for him to still be able to look into the affairs of PMAN and sit in our meetings. That position does not exit in PMAN’s constitution. He lobbied and twisted the constitution so that he and his allies could be sitting-in in our National Working Committee meetings. But I found out that he is not concerned about PMAN; he is only there to fill his pockets.”

Rosiji recalled that Charly Boy initially complained of being sidelined, adding that that was why he started letting him into some PMAN’s projects.

“Before I knew what was happening, he would hijack the project and take it for himself.”

Rosiji alledged that Charly Boy wanted to be the person to oversee the affair of PMAN to the extent of telling him to sack some members of staff of the association.

He said, “He wanted me to get rid of the secretary general and the corporate affairs manager, Fidelia. His relationship with Fidelia got bad because she reported him to Nuhu Ribadu in Abuja, telling him that Charly Boy was terrorising PMAN. That day, Charly Boy called me and said if I didn’t get rid of these people, he was going to scatter everything.
It would seem like Rosiji was afraid of Charly Boy that he decided to leave immediately. But he denied that. “I am not afraid of Charly Boy. Definitely not. It was just that he made PMAN ungovernable as a result of the change in the constitution that he masterminded.

When Spectacles spoke to Charly Boy concerning the allegations levelled against him by Rosiji, he had a good laugh.

“How can he say I want him as my puppet. I already have a dog as a pet and I don’t think I need another one.”
On the allegation of blackmail, the Area Father said he couldn’t have blackmailed Rosiji.

If he knew that Rosiji was incompetent, how come he did all in his power to make sure that he became the PMAN president? His response, “Bolaji disappointed me greatly. I saw him as a monk. The life of a monk is the same as that of a priest. They do not tolerate corruption; they live a life of chastity and celibacy. These traits make them to be incorruptible. I assumed with such traits, Rosiji would take PMAN forward. But my assumptions were false. He was always coming around, wanting to help. I assumed he was going to do better than me when he gets into the position. I went all the way to campaign for him. I later found out that he had none of those traits; they were mere façade. I was devastated. I made a lot of enemies because of Rosiji. A lot of people wanted my head. I have realised that I made a mistake.”

Since his tenure had come and gone, why meddle with another person’s regime?

“What do I really have to gain in PMAN. It is not as if I am being paid or anything. I am not looking for ways to expand my business. But then, because of the emotional attachment I have for the association, I cannot turn my back and watch it go bad. I tell you, I was not sleeping. In fact, every night, I was getting complaints and text messages. Many past presidents turned their backs on the affairs of PMAN. I am not that kind of president. That was why I had to come to their rescue when they asked for it.”

Is he categorically saying he was the one that removed Rosiji as PMAN president? Spectacles asked.
“I don’t have that kind of power. But if he says I am the one that removed him, I like that idea.

The first Vice-President of PMAN, George Dureke, claimed that Rosiji was not running PMAN transparently.
“He claimed he was doing a lot for PMAN, but we found out that all he was doing was for his Foundation, Guranga Foundation. I tell you, Bolaji ran PMAN aground. When he was called to order, instead of him to apologise and answer the query given to him, he chose to resign and he is now blaming Charly Boy. Nobody knew Bolaji before Charly Boy put him there.”

He went ahead to say the association lost a lot of deals due to Rosiji’s lackadaisical attitude.

A lot of people may think Dureke was against Rosiji so that he would be kicked out and he, (Dureke) will take up the position as President.

But he disclosed that he is not, in any way, ready to take up the position

“I am happy as the first Vice-president and I will remain so. I am getting the work done from this position. I don’t want to take Rosiji’s position. I am not interested. In fact, there is going to be a by-election where interested parties should contest. I don’t want to be president, I say it again.”

Interestingly, Dureke says he wants the two factions of PMAN to become one. He is going to make a move to see that Dele Abiodun comes back to PMAN.

“I want to resolve this problem. I have spoken to him. I wish he comes back and contest the position that is open.”
But Dele Abiodun told Spectacles he never left PMAN, and that he was still a part of the association.

But regarding the reconciliatory moves, Abiodun said he would wait till March 29, when judgment will be delivered in the case between the two factions, before making any move.

“Rosiji should have waited for the judgment to be delivered before resigning. You cannot start a war and abandon it half way; I think it is wrong. They took me to court; I have been a law-abiding citizen. It would be foolish of me to abandon the case now.”