The Rocket Media (2025)

21/07/2023

Black Celebrities: The Beautiful gates without keepers
There is this general assumption the public subscribe to when anyone zooms into limelight. We always thought it was that easy. Usain Bolt once said in an interview that the world record of 9.69 seconds he set and later broke with 9.58seconnds in 2009 took him 730days of consistent hard training before he could set the pace .Sometime in 2020 while I was in Lagos. Just a few meters away from my residence I strolled into a few groups of young people with different types of gadgets. Thery were cameras. Within few seconds I realized they were shooting a skit. Immediately I stopped to become a spectator. It was well over an hour; the skit had not been concluded. The owner wasn’t just getting it and the young director was also not ready to settle for anything less than what he must have believed was the quality. The skit eventually was less than three minutes.

Renowned heavy weight boxers such as Andy Ruiz, Bronze bomber and even Anthony Joshua has all been under daily routine of stresses, muscle expansion and all form of exercises, all waiting for that opportunity to grab that global center stage once again. The point I am trying to make here is just simple. For every five minutes a display of success, beneath it is years of rigorous hard work, consistency and several accounts of failures recorded underway. and make no mistake about it, the road to success is not a member of anytime tribe, race, or color. You will need to put in the hard work before you can get results. No, my worry. Why do black celebrities put in so much hard work to get to the top only to fall like a pack of cards?

On July 18, Nigeria born world record 100m Hurdle holder won the 100mhurdle in the Silesia Diamond League in Poland. Amusan crossed the finish line in just 12.28 seconds, breaking the previous record of 12.30 seconds set by America's Kendra Harrison in 2016. She is the current World, Commonwealth and African champion in the 100 m hurdles, as well as the meet record holder in those three competitions. Just 24 hours later, news emerged that she is currently under investigation for doping. The Athletics Integrity Unit has suspended her for missing three drug tests. Tobi, according to a twitter handle believed to be hers, has since requested that her privacy be respected while she follows due process to fight the AIU’s suspension. This is heartbreaking. A lot of questions came running through my head. Why would Tobi miss test this important to her career but create time for arbitration. Is she so poor she could have gotten a dedicated assistant for tracking important dates in her life?

One of the finest left back in the game of soccer, Benjamin Mendy has just been released off the hook after two and a half years of legal battle. The France left back was cleared at a retrial of attempting to r**e a woman — who was 29 at the time — at his home in October 2018. He was also found not guilty of the r**e of a second woman two years later also at his home address. He had not kicked a ball since 2021.While delivering judgement at the Chester crown court, am emotional Mendy wept. Luckily, life seemed to have given him a second chance as he has just signed a 2-year deal with France based Lorient where he will have a chance to start life afresh. What a loss!!! This is my worry, while at Manchester City, Benjamin signed a six year contract which would pay him an average salary of £4,680,000 per year. What would have cost him to hire a private lawyer who would have read the riot acts to him and consequently avoid this career damaging banana peel?

Sometime in 2021, October 18 to be precise. World renowned Nigerian Afro queen, Tiwa Savage almost paid heavily for what an ordinary person of her age would have done scot-free. She had her career, endorsements, and mega deals on the brink of collapse just because she got intimate with her partner. One would want to ask, is conjugal bliss not a right for black celebrities anymore? Apparently, poor Tiwa though after a well-deserved tour, there was nothing wrong with seeking relaxation away from a familiar ambience. She had gone on a boat crise with a few friends. She got intimate under the cameras and blackmailers came after her in droves wanting a chunk of her wealth. Honestly the list is endless. I could just go on. Israel Adesanya is currently slogging it out with his girlfriend claiming to be paid handsomely for dating the UFC champion for 5 years. I am just weak.

The message here is straight forward. Black celebrities need to understand that no one is watching out for them as much as their counterparts from the West. There is no logical sense in sweating it out hard and getting to the top only to lose it in just a swoop. I mean why sparing the cash to spend on lawyers, private body guards, private investigators, public relations, calendar and event schedulers, tour guides as against losing it when charlatans, hyenas and opportunists come calling . Staying at the top requires discipline and funding. Until celebrities of the black race acknowledge and address this ,the beautiful gates would remain wide open.

02/11/2022

Redesigning the Naira: Emefiele's Reverse Shot

This article billed for today has been postponed indefinitely in honour of Ifeanyi Adeleke . As a yoruba man, one of the darkest day of a warrior is losing a scion. The pain is not worth it. I condole with David adeleke and Chef chioma .May the God of the land be with you in this trying time.

13/05/2022

Deborah, Religion and Violence

Yesterday around 9.30pm I saw the most horrific video of my entire life. The brutal murder of Deborah, the 200-level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education in Sokoto. I advised whoever hasn't watched the video to stop searching for it. It is very terrible. It is the most horrendous act of inhumanity against fellow man. A group of young men numbering about 7 was seen hurling stones, sticks, and clubs at Debora's lifeless body. One even had his Identity card dangling on the chest pocket of his Babariga fabric. From the video, you could see that Debora was already motionless signifying life must have left her body yet, these beasts in human flesh kept on with their dastard act before eventually flaming her up. A true indication they wanted her dead, dead and dead.

In the course of the struggles and her eventual death, Deborah had sought refuge at the school's security post but was overpowered and was later mobbed.his reaction was deemed blasphemous by members of the group. (The Nigeria Police, this should be the starting point of your investigation ).

In the course of the struggles and her eventual death, Dborah had sought refuge at the school's security post but was overpowered and was later mobbed.A number of persons who I presume are clerics have been captured online to have supported the jungle justice meted on Deborah as a result of her punishment for being profane.

But I have not stopped wondering about the collective reasonability of the standbys or onlookers, witnessing public whenever a small group of people has decided to put their brains where their feet are supposed to occupy. What were other students doing while she was being stoned ? Watching ? Videoing ? Supporting ? Against ?

Some 13years ago, while I was a young vibrant student editor. I had released a headline that irked the Muslim Student Body of the Federal Polytechnic Ede branch. A very known and highly respected student had been expelled due to his active involvement in a student electoral violence that enveloped the school. The school authority had also based its decision on evidence of fact surrounded by my own publication. Even when the Student Union pressured management to dish a more mild punishment for the said student, the institution stood its ground. My publication further strengthened the school's position.

The student stood expelled and everybody hailed the decision. But in the wake of publishing the content, I had mentioned the number of associations he (the student ) belonged to among which is the Muslim Student Society of Nigeria. The MSSN would take none of that. Like the proverbial dirty knife which no one would want his yam diced with it. The said student who was at that time a high chief, association head, and a political force to reckon with became an outcast.
The Body (MSSN) wasted no time.It summoned me to a panel constituted by its executives. I maintained my ground on the content of the publication and further advised them to approach the school authority or the court if they feel offended. They, on their part, instructed that I issue an apology on a national daily as anything below that would be unacceptable. The meeting ended neither here nor there.

After noticing that I would not bulge to their demands, they decided to take laws into their hands. The media's notice board was forcefully carried and taken into their custody. It was the Chief Imam of the Polytechnic who challenged them while on it. The cerebral Islamic scholar now a Rector of a Federal institution fought against his own kinsmen because he knew what was right. he told them they had lost the case on moral grounds.

The real killers of Debora are the young men who saw their fellow men exhibit barbaric acts with no restraint at all. If you are a student of SSCOED,Sokoto, a full-bodied young man, and you were meters away from the scene where Debora was sentenced to death by some beasts and you did nothing and now you are part of those condemning her death, just know you are the killer. When you see injustice and look the other way, let me tell you. There is enough injustice to go around, it's just a matter of time.

Sleep well, Debora Samuel.

18/02/2022

Asiwaju/Aregbe Going ?
By now, any member of the Osun state chapter of the All Progressive Congress has the opportunity of staying either side. There is no more sitting on the fence . Its either you are in Arege’s camp or Oyetola’s.
Few months ago, top leaders of the party are quick to jump at whoever brings up the question pointing to the surging feud between the two warring big wigs. They have always chosen to be defensive rather than address the issues. I wonder what such sycophants will chose to say now that issues are up in the air. Going by the run of events in the past few days, the feud is now irreconcilable. Aregbesola has chosen to bite the bullet.

Oyetola, the proverbial bull in Aregbesola’s Chinese shop should be ready for a long rough and bumpy journey which has just began. With accusations such as power mongering, party structure hijacking, unconstitutional abuse of power and ultimately wanton destruction of Rauf’s 8 year legacy, he will need to do so much in his strategy and approach to issues if really he is hell bent on sending Aregbesola into a political exile.
From all indications, Aregbesola is more than prepared for this battle. This indeed is quite worrisome. If not for anybody but for Asiwaju himself. He has just lost his lieutenant on account of double standard. In a 19 minute 5 seconds video posted by goldmine tv on youtube a visibly enraged Rauf meticulously guided his audience on why we are here. Dressed in his usually white robe, Engineer Rauf addressed an over 200 audience while standing. One thing was clear, his expectation on account of being loyal has been cut short and he is prepared to do anything to seek a revenge. In Yoruba land, you may not need to go far in search of evidence when a loyal servant has been short changed. It’s a matter of sight. A similar case is that of Otunba Fasawe narrating why former President Olusegun Obasanjo remain unforgiven as far as he is concerned.
For whatever reasons, it is still unclear why Oyetola has decided to lock horns with Rauf. Without Tinubu, the latter is not his match. Without mincing words, Aregbesola a one-time commissioner for works and housing, former two term governor and now a currently serving minister obviously has done his calculation. Whatever it was fame and financial reward were out of the equation. Aregbe wanted respect and party recognition as reward for being loyal to Tinubu over these years. This, he meritoriously deserves. Talking about political equity, Aregbe is no match for Oyetola. It is undebatable that the 64 year old Rauf despite being a minister is well and deeply connected to the grassroot. You need to watch his campaign for re-election to understand this. He holds the crowd spell bound anytime any day.

Asiwaju Bola Tinubu whose recently declared intention for presidency has not witnessed a too smooth start on his declaration, would in no time be pressed again to test his popularity. Just like the monumental loss of Obaseki to the PDP, should he goof again this time around, it may be the beginning of the end for his political era. Frankly speaking, Tinubu’s prominence in the political space recently is being put under a huge question mark going by the body languages of his followers. Aregbesola’s latest onslaught is just the last straw which is about to break the camel’s back. Fashola’s rocky relationship, Fayemi’s brazen disrespect, Aketi’s quest for independence, Obaseki’s unjust party ousting and Osibajo’s clandestine run for presidency are all pointers to the fact that all is not well in Asiwaju’s camp.
While it is very clear that Baba Kabiru has bell the cat, it remains to be seen what will be his fate. But one thing is sure either Rauf or Tinubu is set for a political twilight.

24/01/2022

Goodnight Dr Adul Azeez, Goodnight Rapala !!!

Just yesterday the news broke and since the whole of The Federal Polytechnic Ede community had been in a sober mood. One of the respected scholars in the renowned Accounting Department has been declared dead. Although the Polytechnic authority is yet to issue a statement. Confirmed reports have it that Rapala as Dr Abdul Azeez is being referred to popularly is dead and has been buried according to Islamic right.
Who is Rapala ? Why so much noise about his demise? For readers who did not have the opportunity to attend the revered federal polytechnic situated in the small town of Ede, I will track back a bit. By the time you are done with this piece, you will definitely agree that we lost an asset that might not be replaceable in the next 20years.
The Federal Polytechnic Ede, established in 1992 had hitherto been a Baptist Teachers’ Training College. With the influence of the wives of former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of works and housing Major General Abdukareem Adisa,the institution became a reality. Upon establishment, the institution had since attracted young and brilliant scholars whom have been responsible for excellent brains we have currently in the private sector. One of such founding scholars is Rapala.

Born on July 29th,1959. Rapala attained his current academic Olympian height through struggle, hard work and self-determination. Rapala a PHD holder started his academic sojourn as a full time Financial studies National Diploma student in The Polytechnic, Ibadan. He had no accounting background. On his first day at school, the lecturer had ended a 2-hour lecture when Rapala approached him. ‘Yes what is the matter and how may I help you.’ “Y-Y-Yes sir. I am one of the students who just finished your accounting class.” Rapala quipped. Ok !!! I noticed you were writing DR on the left and CR on the right. Sir, I know that DR is for Doctor but what about CR? The lecturer looked Rapala scornfully and asked him, ‘how did you get admitted into this school ?’ He shook his head and walked away while Rapala stood bewildered .

The was the story Rapala narrated to us in 2003 as ND II students receiving his lecture for the first time. Dr Abdul Azeez would go on and say .”Ti course yi ba ti e le fun e,shaa try ko Rapala ko gba 40 !!! (Even if this course is quite tough for you, try your best to score 40 . (Do whatever you can to avoid failing a pre requisite course).That exactly was where he got the name Rapala.

Dr Abdul Azeez was sound. He was very intelligent. Everyone knew him for that attribute . He remains one of the few who lectures without a textbook in hand. He was a walking textbook. This perhaps made him the students’ favorite. Most especially for us Accountancy students who were referred to as the pride of the school. Despite these accolades, as a mortal ,he had his trying times. Rapala was engaged in almost an 8-year legal tussle with the Polytechnic institution which almost costed him his career. His appointment was terminated on allegation of sexual harassment and mark extortion. Rather than succumb to the judgement of the wicked disciplinary board believed to have unjustly nailed him in other to neutralize his influence, popularity and rising clouts within the polytechnic community, Rapala approached the courts. To show he was prepared for the vicissitudes of life, he won at the supreme court instructing that all salaries and allowances owed him to be fully paid. By the end of the 8 years, his detractors realized they had more than what they bargained for. He was also a barrister. During his years of litigation, he opted to study law. Till date he remains the only Chartered accountant who is also a barrister in the history of Federal Polytechnic, Ede. When life throws you a lemon, make lemonade. That exactly was what Dr Abdul Azeez stood for.

As a brilliant, social, versatile, popular and of course handsome lecturer in a leading higher institution, it is almost impossible to avoid stepping banana peels which often come in form of damaging stories bordering on sexual harassment, bullying and philandering. While no evidence points to this fact, by public opinion Dr Abdul Azeez earned some guilt . He was not in the ladies’ good books. Very few ladies would want to cross his path. Obviously for a good reason. First, there is every possibility you are being asked for a date if you fall within his spec. On the flip side, he handles one of the toughest pre-requisite in the business school. The last thing you want to be caught doing as a student is explaining to Rapala why you missed his classes or tests. An unconfirmed story had it back in 2003.A beautiful tall dark and lanky student had honorably failed Dr Abdul Azeez’s course. Obviously, she didn’t struggle enough to score the proverbial 40. Comments from certain quarters confirmed that the girl was a total snub. She could have received the benevolence of the gods if she had played ball. But in all of these passing his course was not impossible. You could get an A and still stay away.

Dr Abdul Azeez HND, Bsc, Msc, PHD, LLb has completed his journey in life but his prints on the sand of time remain indelible. Goodnight to the Accounting Generalissimo !!!

19/11/2021

The Return of P-Square ?
I woke up today to a series of news pointing to reconciliation of the biggest singing duo on the face of Afica. Peter and Paul Okoye are back together again. Not minding the fact that it may have a huge dose of falsehood, I felt happy. Few seconds later, I started my journey for facts. As at 8am this morning, none of their handles confirmed such a development. Paul’s wife, Anita Okoye confirmed the news on her Instagram handle. Thank God, this is looking to be true. I proceeded to you tube. There I stumbled on a 12minutes 55seconds video posted by one Kelechi Chukwu tagged “birthday reunion”. It was a birthday bash involving the legendary twins, reeling tracks from their past videos ,each holding onto each other. Ultimately, in a video posted on Instagram by ace produce Olumide Ogunade popularly known as ID Cabassa, Paul was seen making as thus : “………f****k Rude boy***k Mr P ,bring back P Square “

Apparently, Peter and Paul are about to put and end to a five-year feud. The 2 had to walk away from their jointly owned record label due to irreconcilable differences. To put it straight they went solo. P square upon separation had joined a growing list of Nigerian artistes going separate ways upon attaining stardom. Personally, I love Psquare. There is no album I have not listened to. Their music tracks speak a lot about collaboration and importance of talent combination. While both made exceeding success so far on their individual exploits, it didn’t take long to see their weaknesses. Paul was obviously good in composing dancehall, reggae and a bit of Afro fusion. His reason with me song released barely 2 years ago has crossed 132million views on you tube. But his weakness was quite in the open. He was not just poor in dancing; he was not a dancer at all. Because he was my favorite, I followed him. Rhythm and blues lyrics were Peter’s stock in trade. He was also the pillar of the dance steps but he lacked the depth needed in song composure and generic lyrics writing. But he brought in a business sense as he floated and managed the zoom lifestyle, a five-year-old lottery business which is estimated to have a capital base of 500million naira. His one more nigh 2-year-old track is currently grossing 18million views on you tube.
While Peter has on a number of occasions linked their unending fight to wanton disrespect to his wife, it is safe to say that both Anita and Lola Okoye have stayed on the sidelines while the war lasted. Though born and raised in Jos, I know the twins share a rich cultural heritage and values traced down to the small town called ifite dunu in Anambra state. Hence, I shared the sentiment that had their mum been alive, this ugly separation may not have happened let alone survived half of a decade.

If all heard and seen turn out to be true, I can boldly say that Nigerians and indeed the whole world cant wait to have these two back on our screens. They still have the grit to hold us spellbound as they had done decades back. This will definitely be the beginning of another era. P Square, please come back .Una be one, no be two.

The Rocket Media

21/07/2023

02/11/2022

13/05/2022

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