Sunday 31 December 2017

2017 'BEST' LIST

Like every other year,2017 had its good,bad and ugly sides.I am grateful to have made it to the finish line.
These are my bests and worsts.
BEST MOVIE
The BET 3 episode New Edition biopic was awesome.Watched it quite early in the year and that the effect it had on me lasted to this point is a testament to its quality.
It was great watching a comprehensive walk through the careers of one of the most memorable boy groups ever.From the early deals to the fame,from the drugs to the girls and finally,the split.
BEST MUSICIAN
Shawn 'Jay Z' Carter.I was fascinated not just by the quality of his album but also by the elaborate promotion this genius put in motion.Before releasing the Magna Carta Holy Grail album, he inked a $20M deal with Samsung that involved the tech giant purchasing 1 million copies of the album and making it available to all galaxy users worldwide 3 days before it dropped.It effectively made him the first artiste to go platinum before releasing his album.
There had always been talk of Jigga dropping an album in 2017 and knowing this man,there just had to be an XXordinary twist in place.Well,in another unprecedented move in hip hop,he had 4:44 plastered all over buses in New York.The intrigue woven round that had everyone buzzing till it was finally confirmed as his album title.For a man that just had to give the whole world a date and watch the pre-orders begin,that was stepping things to a whole 'nother level.Mortals do what mortals do and Kings do what Kings do.Good just ain't good enough for some.
COUPLE OF THE YEAR
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.The royal house settled not only for a hollywood actress but one that was once married.Prince Harry must really love her.Meghan isn't looking to cash in on her new status in hollywood,she is quitting acting.She must really love him.
They must really love each other.
TEAM OF THE YEAR
The Super Eagles of Nigeria.We saw a rejuvenated side under Genart Rohr.The Eagles were the first african team to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and they finished undefeated in the qualifiers.For post-stress routine,how does seeing off the Argentines in a friendly sound?
ARTICLE OF THE YEAR
"Justice Onnonghen,Dangiwa And The Prospects of A Southern CJN" by wait for this...Femi Fani Kayode.It came at a time President Buhari was clearly taking for granted,sensitive issues having direct impact on the unity of this country.A lot of northern elders back then were either supporting him or staying mute.
Femi Fani Kayode is known to spew the most absurd rubbish possible but then he got it perfectly right this time.There indeed were northerners who were genuinely displeased with the President's unfair bias for the north and disdain for the south.
COLUMNIST OF THE YEAR
Aderonke Bello.Most people know her as the number one female soccer enthusiast and columnist.She recently took up the job of the Daily Sun's online editor.Earned every one of her stripes.
COACH OF THE YEAR
The Super Eagles technical adviser,Genart Rohr has stood out immensely.A lot of people,having just tasted the late Stephen Keshi's policy of unearthing and cleaning up gems from our local league,highlighted his lack of knowledge of our football in criticizing his appointment.But he has proved them wrong with his outstanding performance.Without totally shutting the door on local talents,he has rigorously chased down unheralded nigerian and half nigerian talents abroad and this has yielded positive results.
LEADER OF THE YEAR
The Kaduna state governor,Mallam Nasir El-rufai takes this without much competition.A lot of us have been advocating for a drastic change to our approach as far as education is concerned with particular emphasis on the foundation; the elementary stage.In a move straight out of an article i wrote in 2014,El-rufai sacked 21,780 primary school teachers for failing an aptitude test comprising questions they should ask their students.That some parents cannot afford to send their wards to private school does not mean they don't deserve quality education.Only the government can change that and El-rufai is moving in the right direction.
El-rufai has embarked on quite a number of infrastructural projects with some of them completed even before his 2nd year in office.Personal observation has revealed his is a non-hypocritical goverment that does not focus only on major roads in the metropolis to hoodwink the people,he has taken his projects to even the most obscure parts of the state.
Love him or hate him,you have to accept he is doing a sterling job.
BEST BOOK
THINK LIKE AN ENTREPRENEUR,ACT LIKE A CEO by Beverly E. Jones.Greatness comes most to those prepared for it.Fabulous read.
SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
The only thing missing from Kevin Durant's NBA career was a championship ring.He had led scoring for 4 seasons straight,being an NBA All star 5 times and season MVP once.He was portrayed as disloyal and opportunistic for crossing over to the Golden State Warriors in search of the elusive ring but all that talk vanished when he led the Warriors to the 2016/2017 championship.
For icing,KD clinched the finals MVP too.Typical movie stuff.
BEST MOMENTS
I started writing music reviews this year and wrote my first law article as well.Probably the only person in Nigeria with articles on politics,governance,football,music and law.Lol.
A big thank you to everyone who sent me a mail or showed me love on social media.God bless you.
I also made a lot of comedy skits and even had one of them acknowledged by the legendary Ali Baba GCFR himself.The feedback i got was mad and i thank God for that.
WORST MOMENTS
I lost an elderly neighbour in Kaduna i fondly referred to as 'papa'.We joked a lot and i was very much pained by his death.Guess we all have to go someday.
MAN OF THE YEAR
Nigerians have a problem and it is that we whine too much with little or no effort at addressing the common problem head on.Reason why we owe SERAP a whole lot for their attempts at ensuring there is transparency and accountability in government.
One man,however has taken it upon himself to mobilize nigerians to protest government's insensitivity to the plight of its people.That man is Adeyanju Deji.
Contrary to what a lot of people think,he kickstarted the #ResumeOrResign protests that chased President Buhari back to the country from London.
He allowed Charly boy take all the credit for the success of the movement and that put paid to any doubts as to the genuineness of his motive.He pushed for the prosecution of Deziani Allison Madueke,the former petroleum minister soon afterwards and the EFCC started giving regular updates the very next day.
If by January 3rd 2018,the fuel scarcity is not ended,he will lead protesters to the Aso Rock gate.On behalf of your fellow countrymen,i say thank you and God bless you.
WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Aisha Jumai Alhassan,the Honourable Minister of women affairs pledged her support for Atiku Abubakar come 2019.One,it proved even the closest people to the President had lost trust in him and secondly,it spoke volumes of her character.It takes a very strong woman to go against her employer and tow the path she did.Especially when that employer is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Wish you all a Happy 2018.

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