Its been two days since i got to lagos. I just didnt like it anymore like i do years ago. Starting from the over zealous and proud immigration officer ho are bent on collecing poundsterling off you, to the numerous touts outside who will embarass you with their wares. I stayed in the ikotun area of Lagos, but going all the way to mushin and oshodi is a big minus in my style as i hated every bit of it, very very irritating. People are also very rude and talk without etiquette that i started doubting if i ever was born in Nigeria. I guess my familiarity and love for luxury has suddenly pointed out the irregularities in my dear nation. Nevertheless, the nostalgic feeling is there, that of an abode where one’s mind rests without any hassle. I gues its true, the wise saying: “There is no place like home”. I guess that wil be justified when i get to my final destination which is Ilesa, Osun state
Archive for September, 2006
Ok, this is weird, i just didn’t blog for quite sometime now. But guess what?…I am blogging at the airport lounge of the Abu Dhabi airport in Dubai. This place looks extremely cool ooooo. I just could’nt wait to share my excitement with readers that i jumped at the offer of a $6.00/40 minutes to get online since i could’nt find a free wifi connection for my 2.5kg Toshiba laptop. I am flying enroute to Nigeria, my dear country that i have’nt been to in 2.5 years. Dubai is cool, with a lot of tourist attractions. Still seems more of a culture shock to me, since almost every official is dressed in asian attire. It brings out the culture though.
I have since set my Nokia phone’s ringtone to “Nigeria Jaga jaga”, a song me and yinka (my flatmate) mime million times to, just for the love of Eedris Abdulkareem. I can’t wait to get to lagos. I feel over excited, overjoyed. Trust me, I’ll update you on my experience in Lagos on this blog. Omo, till then, na Dubai i dey for the next three hours, enjoying the duty free and beautiful modernised scenery. I wish i can connect my camera phone usb on here to post pictures, nevertheless, i go do that when i get to Naija.
Yesterday was exciting but also pretty hectic for me. For the first time since i started amateur acting, i went on set yesterday. The video, a christian film is a 45 minutes story of a Young boy whose life was transformed by God for greater things, but who refuse to help others.
I receive my script about two weeks ago, and i was going to appear in nearly 80% of the scenes, been the main actor. While excited, i was also nervous as to my lines, I am used to stage drama, and i handle my composure perfectly well on stage. i portray the attitude of the character more with words and gesticulation rather than facial expression. Yesterday, it was very difficult for me to relax and let everything go that way. In the first scene, i noticed myself that i was overacting, and at another point, i was acting like a robot. That made me feel more nervous and uneasy. One thing i appreciate myself for is that, throughout the period of filming, i never for once looked into the camera, a feat “baba Suwe” and some other nollywood actors achieved so much.
With the help of the director and some other people on set, i was able to gain my composure. I blend into the story, and i did my best perfectly well. There was a particular scene that i had to run over hills, in the bush, over a bridge e.t.c. We end up spending 45 minutes shooting that part that i got so tired of running. As i type this, i can feel the pains all over. I have’nt done this (running) in ages (5 years i suppose). Becoming a star actor is not easy, as the storyline depends on me. I remember at a particular point when i sat down and reflected on the whole thing, and i thought to myself, “Acting is not bad at all”, its not really rocket science”. And to be honest its not.
I look forward to the production coming out. I guess i won’t watch it first as i’ll be more critical of myself, so i’d rather get someone to watch it first and comment before i do. Also, i look forward to putting it up on this Blog so that you can download and share for your viewing pleasure.
I look forward to more features in other vidoes, maybe one day, i’ll be a celebrity like “Mike Bamiloye” of Mount Zions, RMD or Muyiwa Ademola. “….zzzzzzzzzzz………..Gbenga, will you stop having wild dreams?!”
N.B: i guess you are worried about privacy?, its a free promotional movie.
One thing am happy for recently is the start of my second year module 1 at the Open University. its titled “Object Oriented Programming using Java”. I already got my coursework books and the installations CD’s. I am quite excited that by fire by force, i will have to learn java even though i have stayed away from it for so many months, inclusive of the one been taught on Nairaland by SBU career. With this, i guess i’ll be able to flow more professionally with Azuka, and other programmers on Nairaland.
Its so obvious that my old compaq Presario 1200 is ageing, as it totally slowed down my system after installing the JRE and JSE as well as the BlueJ IDE. Parcelworld also dropped a note for me today that my laptop will not be released until i pay a custom duty fees of 70 pounds. I felt like fuming since the sender sent it personally, but i guess i’ll have to co-operate now so as to let my romance with java go on smoothly. Gbenga, what a pity!
I finished watching the last episode of sleeper cell at 2.30Am on BBC1.
I am not a great fan of TV drama but sleeper cell seem to have cajoled me. Sleeper cell is the story of a FBI undercover agent( Real Name Michael Ealy) Darwyn al-Sayeed (his undercover alias is Darwyn al-Hakim) who is a practising muslim. He infiltrated a terrorist sleeper cell planning an attack on Los Angeles. The cell, run by handsome Faris al-Farik( real name, Oded Fehr) consist of other terrorist like Ilija Korjenic (a Bosnian), Christian Aumont(a Frnech, Tommy Emerson (an American convert) and grant Heslov whose character was killed off before the end of the drama series. Darwyn was supervised by FBI senior agent “Ray Fuller”, also a close friend of Darwyn who worries about his safety.
The drama achieved so much, by educating vieweres about the extremism of terrorist as well as how far they can go in recruiting other young muslims into terrorism. It also depicts the difficult faced by security agencies in tackling it. Despite the strictness and professionalism of the cell leader in ensuring that the attack takes place, Darwyn, using his instinct, religious safeguard, professional experience wa able to foil the atack which was meant to take place at a baseball tournament with over 50 thousand spectator.
For those of you who missed the drama, and for the benefit of those living abroad, you can check the links below. I am not good at film narration, but you might as well forgive me for that. I think its one of the best drama’s worth watching. At least better than the rubbish “Big brother house”!
Links: Sleepercell 1, Sleepercell 2
Today was pretty hectic for me at work. I just didn’t get an ounce of free time to update my blog. Over last week, i have been on “days off” last week and i simply concentrated on my University assignment. Hopefully, i should start an HND in software development this september at MANCAT, and i have decided not to stop my second year at the Open University. At least after my degree, i can go for a Masters at Cambridge, Oxford or Manchester University, No more no less!. God help my lazy brains.
For so many months, i have been buried in the rubbles of uncertainty about where my future lies academically. Most of my mates are in their third year in UNI and i didnt start until last year. 5 years after i passed out of secondary school. My best friend pressured me into considering the Open University, as it offers flexibility of learning, and low fees. I was initially put off by the fact that i have to learn virtually on my computer.
I decided to go for it, since i was working full time and can’t afford not to get a degree. I chose a degree in Computing, which means i have to study 2 Modules on the level 1, 5 modules on level 2, and about 2-3 modules on level three. In total, i have to score 360 points to get a Bsc(Hons) in my chosen course of study. I have just finished my first two modules now, and have’nt had any regrets at all.
While i informed my home-based friends about my University, i was told about the Nigerian Version of the Open University. I visited the site www.nou.edu.ng all to no avail. I guess that is a turn off for me, as i was a bit excited about the Nigerian version. Nairaland, a Forum for Nigerians by Seun Osewa has a thread put up for complaints by prospective, and current students of the NOU, ranging from errors in results,poor administration, slow course study e.t.c
I wish the Nigerian Education system can appreciate to a greater level of sophistication to accomodate such institution and stir it to greater and higher heights.
Naija,…..Wake up……Wake up from your slumber.
