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	<title>Feyi - photoblog</title>
	<link href="http://ikawokolaso.shutterchance.com" />
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	<author>
		<name>Feyi Fawehinmi</name>
	</author>
	<id>http://ikawokolaso.shutterchance.com/</id>
	<generator>RSS CronUpdate</generator>
	<updated>2007-11-20T00:05:03Z</updated>
	<entry>
		<title>
			<![CDATA[
				Today's Useless news (Guess Who's Back?)
			]]>
		</title>
		<link href="http://ikawokolaso.shutterchance.com/photoblog/120125.htm" />
		<summary>
			<![CDATA[
				1. Mr Paul Martin owes BT £1000+ from using his landline. Now that takes some doing. I wonder who's the bigger fool; BT for letting him run up such a large bill and then bugger off without a forwarding address or Mr Martin himself for being so stupid as to risk a County Court Judgement for talking too much as it were. 2. Some jobless guy who apparently works for the French government has 'invented' a wall with some sort of undulating surface in Paris. The idea is to discourage men who tend to relieve themselves in public on the streets of Paris. Basically, once urine lands on this techie wall, it immediately 'returns it to sender' by bathing the 'criminal' in his urine i.e le arroseur arrose [ the sprinkler sprinkled]. If you are a man and you are visiting Paris soon, you have been warned. 3 . HRH The PoW is not as tall as you would have thought, at least in the flesh. Dont get me wrong, he's no midget but he defintely looks a lot taller on TV. We hung out on my birthday last week. Apparently we are birthday mates. I knew I'd be famous one day........ 4. These days I have to wear a tie to work everyday. I have noticed [with delight] that my 15.5" neck size shirts now struggle to button at the neck. I have been praying and hoping to put on weight for the past 20 years or so without much luck. I dont want to get excited but if indeed I have made some progress, there shall be a thanksgiving service in my church before the end of the year. 5. Without checking the internet I can list the past 5 Presidents of Indonesia starting with the current one Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Megawati Sukarnoputri [aka Mega] Abdrahman Wahid Bachirudeen Jusuf Habibie General Suharto This information is unlikely to win you any pub quizzes, but I just thought someone out there might need it. No need to thank me for this, I am here all week. P.S It's a good thing Mr Yudhoyono is the President because if he had to apply for jobs like the rest of us, he would really struggle to fit that name onto any application form. 6. Avid readers of this blog [if there is any such person out there, I can only shake my head in pity for you] will recollect my varied battles with dodgy British food and the resulting 'washing machine cycles' my stomach frequently subjects me to. It turns out that I am 'lactose intolerant'. Amazing stuff. How a Nigerian boy who grew up drinking and chewing [yes chewing] powdered milk can suddenly become 'something something' intolerant, beats me square. Anyway I am currently on my 3rd pack of Alpro soya milk [recommended by an Architect...I know... that's how foolishly I make my decisions] and so far I have suffered no violent reactions. 7. Audis make some really sexy cars. Have you seen the R8? Pheeew! Whatever you do though, try as much as possible to stay away from Audi automatics. The company simply doesnt know how to make 'em especially in the older models. Once the gearbox decides it's had enough, the cost of repairing it will usually exceed the value of the car, 9 times out of 10. 8. What do people get from kissing as those 2 in the photo are doing? I simply refuse to understand the idea of 2 people exchanging saliva, halitosis and other assorted mouth infections in the name of 'love'. Everywhere you go, you see people locking lips, usually for no apparent reason. The moment the woman tilts her head to either side, you see the guy heading towards her, lips first...and before you can stop him to talk some sense into his head, he has landed one on the woman.....and even more annoyingly sometimes they linger there gazing into each other's eyes..presumably admiring each other's eye liners or contact lenses. 9. It is now very much possible to conduct your entire life via Facebook. In one of the most remarkable stories I have heard about the thing; a friend told me he went to a party one night and left the place around 2am in the morning. By the time he got home around 4am, the party pictures had already been uploaded onto Facebook complete with tags. Some tortured souls, who clearly need a cure for their insomnia, had even left comments on the photos. This begs the question; why didnt the 'uploader' just stream the party live on the internet. Clearly it could have been done. You must forgive me for my leave of absence...the London rat race has sort of caught up with me lately. How have you been? I have missed you guys, honest.
			]]>
		</summary>
		<updated>2007-11-20T00:00:00Z</updated>
		<id>urn:uuid:372975b9c517a4a3e09c3bb0874c257d</id>
	</entry>

	<entry>
		<title>
			<![CDATA[
				13 Conversations About Nothing!
			]]>
		</title>
		<link href="http://ikawokolaso.shutterchance.com/photoblog/95521.htm" />
		<summary>
			<![CDATA[
				1. I call her Segolene [ I pronounce it Say-go-lahn]. She speaks rather good French so I thought it apt. 2. Alcohol is indeed a very powerful drug. Under the influence, people turn out to be completely different animals, I say no more. 3. Ran into Shusho of the 'Chance in the foyer of JH. The following ensued; S: You are Feyi arent you? Me: [looking stupefied as usual] Yeah? S: Morenike. Shusho from shutterchance? Me: Oh! You look really different from your photos. Where's the scar? S: [parts her hair and points to the scar on her forehead] There you go. Wish you all the best with what you came over to do. 4. If not for my unshakeable belief that God is not a practical joker; I would have thought someone was setting me up for a fall with the way things have happened in my life lately. I am in full thanksgiving mode. 5. A newly qualified accountant is one of the most restless human beings on the face of the earth. 10 months down the line I am changing jobs. Think I am bad? You should meet my friends. I stayed the longest in my job amongst all of us! 6. Maurice/Xavier, the Maitre'd at Flavio's restaurant in Le Touquet, has got to be the funnniest French man I've ever met. Maurice: Oooh, I feel a good vibration! [He then reaches into his pocket, pulls out his mobile phone and answers a call] The sexual innuendo went on relentlessly throughout the meal. Me: what's this? Maurice: Oh zis is an aphrodisiac monsieur, so be very careful. 7. French cuisine is miles ahead of the stuff we get here in blighty. Had a 7 course meal [including a 'cannbis puree'] and didnt even feel slightly bloated. Merci! 8. I thought JG resented me until we were alone and she said she was sad I was leaving. She thinks I am 'very talented' and I work 'bloody hard'. Our preconceptions about people are usually very wrong and subject to change the moment we have had a chance to sit down and speak to them. 9. There's nothing wrong with Nigerian girls. It's just this country that is unnecesarily harsh on them and on single girls in general. I know a few single Nigerian girls and I know for a fact that 99% of them will make some lucky guy a damn good wife. 10. Are hedge funds a thing of the past? Some intelligent people I know certainly think so. How long can you guarantee 'absolute returns' for? These guys have certainly benefitted from the fact that the sector in which they operate is largely unregulated. Some policy maker or jobless politico somewhere is watching with rapt attention......matter of time if you ask me. 11. Hard lesson I have learnt: Its actually quicker and CHEAPER to save up for something over a few months than paying for it with a credit card, hoping to repay it sometime soon. Rarely goes according to plan I tell you. 12. You dont want to be in a position where you have to choose between 2 equally good job offers. Trust me you dont. It's probably similar to choosing a wife between 2 lovely ladies. Except that with a wife, your choice is permanent. If the job doesnt go to plan at least you can always change. 13. The avoidance of tax is the only intellectual pursuit that yields any financial reward, So said some wise guy and I kinda agree with him. Why else would the PM, who was recently the Chancellor for 10 years, take advantage of a tax loophole he aggressively tried to close? I suppose minimising the tax you pay is a bit like cable; if you can, you should! The photo was taken on my way back from my recent whistlestop trip to France. I have missed you guys. Feels good to be back.
			]]>
		</summary>
		<updated>2007-08-05T00:00:00Z</updated>
		<id>urn:uuid:c04c9db9fd0ae148f73ad9dd98cce1d5</id>
	</entry>

	<entry>
		<title>
			<![CDATA[
				I have been 'distracted'.........
			]]>
		</title>
		<link href="http://ikawokolaso.shutterchance.com/photoblog/89400.htm" />
		<summary>
			<![CDATA[
				I have been 'distracted' lately, hence my inability to write anything. But anyway I managed to catch a concert last week with perhaps my favourite performer; The brilliant John Legend. With all the synthetic, lip synching music out there today, its a breath of fresh air to listen to a performer who actually plays the piano and can really sing as well. So much talent compressed into a modest sized body. 'Twas a good night. Since I havent been able to shake off my 'writer's block', I came up with a plan of inviting friends to write something for me. So watch this space. How ya been?
			]]>
		</summary>
		<updated>2007-07-04T00:00:00Z</updated>
		<id>urn:uuid:82704fa1c2dbdb928bf4eed0667260dd</id>
	</entry>

	<entry>
		<title>
			<![CDATA[
				For P.I.I.
			]]>
		</title>
		<link href="http://ikawokolaso.shutterchance.com/photoblog/84562.htm" />
		<summary>
			<![CDATA[
				Dear Lord, You've outflanked us yet again. Fair enough. By virtue of you knowing the beginning from the end, it stands to reason that You are infinitely smarter than we are. While we cry and wonder why, all the time Your eyes are firmly on the bigger picture. Inspite of everything, we thank You. It would take more than this to shake my faith in You. I accept that as much as you are the merciful God, you also sometimes take on the persona of the Supreme Iconoclast. Were we building something You knew wasn't quite right and You needed to pull it down to the foundations? If so, You may do it again and again. Is it possible that we sinned against you by praying in one direction and never leaving any room for Your sovereignty? We ask your forgiveness. Do as you please. As often as you want to. My faith in you remains unshakeable regardless. Even stronger. You are able to orchestrate even the most complex of circumstances to work for the good of those who trust in You. aduro GBOIN GBOIN leyin olododo You stand solidly solid, rock of Gibraltar style, behind the righteous. For You Lord, one more wouldnt go amiss. GBOIN!!! As much as the pain weighs heavy, we draw strength from your faithfulness. We know, with everything capable of discernement inside us, that Your thoughts towards us are of good and not of evil. In the fullness of time, all mysteries shall be made manifest. Till then, we dare not question you. Perhaps your ultimate goal is perfection. In that case there's no easier way. Gold must endure the fire to become Pure Gold. In any case the battles of this life are endless. Death would appear to be the perfect state of being. It must be a pleasure, incapable of being analysed by any of our senses, to taste the awesomeness of your dwelling as your daughter has surely done. For those of us who remain, strenghten us. That we might not depart from your presence till you come for us too. Help us to constantly allow for your sovereignty in all that we do and ask for. Help us to concede that nothing is beyond you in Heaven or on Earth. Afterall you bring out thunder and lightning and rain from your treasuries. Hmmmm. Help us to never forget how good and merciful you have been to us. How you give us brand new blessings everyday. All unmerited. Olorun Oba afuni masinregun You give us so much and yet ask for nothing in return. For PAI, J and N; be their comforter. Let them find peace beyond all understanding in your constant embrace. For your son, pour out fresh anointing on him in these trying times. You must know his capacity to take such a body blow and remain standing. Otherwise you wont let this cup come to rest on him. It will all be very well with her. Her eyes have now seen the glory of The Living God. The Eternal Fountain. Poi si torno all' eterna fontana. Amen
			]]>
		</summary>
		<updated>2007-06-08T00:00:00Z</updated>
		<id>urn:uuid:5be5d5f93093db1346915f49a568aad9</id>
	</entry>

	<entry>
		<title>
			<![CDATA[
				Will it float?
			]]>
		</title>
		<link href="http://ikawokolaso.shutterchance.com/photoblog/79621.htm" />
		<summary>
			<![CDATA[
				I am leaving London. Not now or anytime soon but eventually I would pack my bags and head back to my country. But I am grateful for the time I have spent in this country thus far. I have been blogging on shutterchance for a while now on and in that time I have had a few disagreements or skirmishes with a couple of bloggers. I once had a minor kerfuffle with Dotun. We literarily took our argument 'outside' [the shutterchance portals] and continued it there. Needless to say after a couple of emails he asked to draw a line under the whole thing and the matter was put to bed. Funny thing is I think about 90% of the blame for the whole thing lay with me. But the guy has got class, oodles of it. At no point did we insult each other or get personal. He could have said something like ' how come you are 6'3in tall and you have never managed to weigh 70kg?'. But he didnt. You have my respect sir. A few days ago I also had a minor tiff with Ade over my objection to a photo on Ian's blog. If you have read her blog, you will agree she's got a rather formidable intellect and as such could hold her own in any argument. A couple of emails later, we agreed to disagree and ended it there. Again there was no trading of insults and she never said ' how come your head is bigger then everything else on your body except your lips?' In my time in this country, I have learnt the true meaning of the word TOLERANCE. No matter how much I detest your point of view or way of life, I must respect your freedom of expression. But you must also recipocrate my gesture of tolerance. That's the only way it works. A difference of opinion need not lead to fisticuffs or trading abusive language. An example? Stand up if you detest the policies of the BNP. If you are on your feet,how come you havent petrol bombed their offices yet or lynched one of their members? Exactly. No matter how you feel about another person, you must always respect the fact that the person is equally human and has a valid right to hold a point of view opposite to yours. As fortuitous as opportune will allow serendipity to be, it turns out that Ade and Dotun are, horror of horrors, Nigerians! If you didnt know, Nigerian senators perfected the art of throwing chairs at other senators during heated sessions in the National Assembly. [mercifully, the chairs in the new buildings are all bolted permanently to the ground now. Genius!] We Nigerians by nature tend to be boisterous characters but big hearted at the same time. I dont know exactly what God has planned for my life in the next 10-15 years, but if I ever get my 15 minute shot at influencing public opinion, I am definitely going to preach about tolerance and respect for another person's right to free speech. If i take nothing with me when I am leaving London, this lesson is definitely going in my hand luggage. I wont check it in lest they seize it at customs! I have tried and failed to somehow tie today's photo to my 'message' but it's too tedious. Hang on a minute. What if i say the groom [the guy on the left] 'tolerates' me despite my best attempts to upstage him on his big day, will it float with you guys? Join me in raising a cold glass of Ribena [really light, the one with not so many vitamin Cs] to Ade and Dotun and all the other people in this society who work to make sure that tolerance is entrenched in the society's fabric. God bless them. I dare say that God himself agrees with tolerance because He gives us all a fair chance at redemption inspite of ourselves. Rant over.
			]]>
		</summary>
		<updated>2007-05-16T00:00:00Z</updated>
		<id>urn:uuid:7897002b4013d89a76b25e0385681f00</id>
	</entry>

	<entry>
		<title>
			<![CDATA[
				'Hapia' Men
			]]>
		</title>
		<link href="http://ikawokolaso.shutterchance.com/photoblog/78859.htm" />
		<summary>
			<![CDATA[
				I had this friend while I was at university a few years ago. The boy had an inexplicable fascination with street language. He had a habit of 'updating' whoever cared to listen with the 'latest' street slang. As soon as there was a new buzz word among the ubiquitous street urchins a.k.a area boys [the equivalent of our 'innit bruv?' brigade here in London], the word would be permanently on his lips. A mutual friend once commented that were it not for education in his life, he would most likely have ended up an area boy himself. He was ludicrous to the point of being comical. One fine day, he came home singing a song he claimed he had just learnt from the streets. it went thus o ye ko hapia o ye ko dansia eni t'aiye kila kila, ti o tie dia dia Before you protest that you dont understand Yucatec or whatever language this is, let me translate. 'hapia' and 'dansia' are local variations of the words happy and dance respectively. 'kila' and 'dia' also mean kill and die respectively. A translation of the above ditty into english becomes he should be happy he should be dancing the man whom the world has severally tried to kill but refused to die. I initially marvelled at the sheer stupidity of this 'song' but then i sat back to think about what the words meant. In some parts of the world, merely staying alive is a thing of happiness and dancing. Forget about the 'extras' of life, if you have life to live, you better be dancing. One man's poverty is another man's opulence. For those of us who live in the western world, it sounds strange to hear that merely existing in this harsh world can elicit happiness and dancing in a man, but there you go. The sad reality of capitalism and prosperity is that as much as some people have managed to live the 'good' life, other people are struggling just to breathe. Inequality is part and parcel of our world in the 21st century. Here's another photo from my friend's wedding in Nigeria. These guys certainly looked happy all the while we were together. It's not like they dont have problems or they have everything they need, but faced with a choice between moping about feeling depressed about how things have gone wrong in Nigeria or wearing a smile and praying that God will turn the country around, they promptly opt for the latter. Maybe we have something to learn from them you know. I strongly suspect that moaning was invented in England and unfortunately I have picked up this bad habit. When you wake up tomorrow morning, try to wear a 'Hapia' smile. If possible do a 'Dansia' Repeat daily until further notice....
			]]>
		</summary>
		<updated>2007-05-13T00:00:00Z</updated>
		<id>urn:uuid:5cba7f6f336bbfd225951a24ed7dad1a</id>
	</entry>

	<entry>
		<title>
			<![CDATA[
				A Tedious Metaphor
			]]>
		</title>
		<link href="http://ikawokolaso.shutterchance.com/photoblog/76406.htm" />
		<summary>
			<![CDATA[
				What's going on? This is a typical scene from a Nigerian traditional wedding ceremony. The groom here, prostrate on the floor, is pleading [more like begging] with the bride's parents to let him have their daughter. The groom's friends [myself included] usually join in this 'begging' rites i.e we all join him in prostrating flat, face down in front of the bride's parents asking them to let the groom have their daughter [just this one time!] You could say the bride's parents deserve this pleading rites afterall they have spent time, energy and money raising their daughter to become the woman the groom now wants for a wife. Let's alternate the characters in this still life scene. The typical Nigerian is prostrate on the floor pleading with the nation's supposed leaders to allow him live a decent life. What he wants is no more than is desired by human beings everywhere in the world; electricity, water, food and economic security. And there the similarity ends. Whereas it can be argued that the bride 'belongs' to the parents surveying the scene above, who really owns the resources which are used to provide the people with a decent living? The 'selected' leaders? Don't be silly...... Effectively, a few people corner the nation's lifeblood, have their fill and then hand down the remnant to the prostrate citizenry. We the people have to plead with our so called leaders to hand down 'something' to us. To make matters worse they are able to carry out this bullying by virtue of a mandate which has all the legitimacy of a child born to a harlot in a very busy brothel. Surely, this aberration can only continue for a season. How much more punishment can even the most stoic people take? These expropriators will yet meet their comeuppance...very soon. Back to my friend the groom; after he has begged and displayed all the humilty he can muster in his being, he is told to stand up and eventually take the bride home to be his wife. I pray that we will one day be able to take what rightfully belongs to us even if we have to grab it forcefully. I warned you it was a tedious metaphor........
			]]>
		</summary>
		<updated>2007-05-03T00:00:00Z</updated>
		<id>urn:uuid:069175e4a72f808aa6d0e2bcea679161</id>
	</entry>

	<entry>
		<title>
			<![CDATA[
				Award Nite: Roll Call of Dishonor
			]]>
		</title>
		<link href="http://ikawokolaso.shutterchance.com/photoblog/72644.htm" />
		<summary>
			<![CDATA[
				It's time to give out awards to those who have 'distinguished' themselves in the last 8 years. So here are my awards... To the committee of idiots who propagate government by buffoonery; you painted the bus lane on the fast lane. May your stupidity hold you in a vice like grip and never let go of you. As you have glorified mediocrity and celebrated inanity, so will the people be filled with laughter and mirth at your demise. To the politicians who bought up all the cutlasses and matchetes on the open market; even professional butchers could not get matchetes to continue their legitimate business. Wherever those matchetes are raised to wound in the name of politics, may a simultaneous one land on your own children. To those who have participated in the gang rape of the nation's resources; you have elevated larceny and corruption to an art form. May you stay awake every night for the rest of your lives thinking about the money you hve stolen. May you never see another night's sleep until you eventually go the way of Howard Hughes. Infact, may your end be worse than his own. To those who have reduced the people's existence to a daily struggle to get the very basics of life (now classed as luxuries); your government has existed solely for your pockets for the last 8 years. If you die before suffering the consequences of your repulsive actions, may your children carry the can for you. May the wages of your sins seek out your DNA like a heat seeking missile. To those who are waiting in the wings ready to loot and rape the nation for the next 4 years; all you are currently thinking of is how you will have your way with the people's money. May you fall into whatever holes you dig for others. May the darkness in your souls eventually permeate every part of your body until you lose all recollection of what light looks like. To those who revel in the politics of insanity, violence and sheer lunacy; you have made it virtually impossible for good men to get into elected office and cause positive change and progress in the nation. May the violence you sponsor in the streets climb over your high fences and find its way into your oppulent homes. Whatever amount of violence you forment in the streets in the name of politics, may double that amount occur in your very own homes. (In case you were wondering,I just returned from a trip to Nigeria)
			]]>
		</summary>
		<updated>2007-04-16T00:00:00Z</updated>
		<id>urn:uuid:d1de5b8963a2e4e16526007bc152daff</id>
	</entry>

	<entry>
		<title>
			<![CDATA[
				The Last Surviving Great Romantic
			]]>
		</title>
		<link href="http://ikawokolaso.shutterchance.com/photoblog/60822.htm" />
		<summary>
			<![CDATA[
				Does anyone know who or where i can apply for an extra 2 hours for my day? The days just seem to be flying by and sometimes i get really scared at the thought of 'one day less to live your life'... someone once said that 'days are like suitcases; some people can pack more into them than others'. very true i think..... Anyway, in the middle of my very 'busy' schedule i somehow found the time to attend a concert at Waterloo with Tunde. The boy is good .......as they say. He did some of the old lighthouse family songs and material from his 'new' album [about 2.5 years old]. what i like the most about him is how he's so very proudly nigerian. cultured, very smooth and obviously he's done well for himself yet he never hides the fact that he's nigerian no matter who his audience is. nice touch methinks. you come across a lot of people [not just nigerians] who having spent a few years here in england, would go as far as requesting a ceremony to renounce their original nationality/origin. this is quite sad and unnecessary i think. Surely God would not bother creating a race or tribe He didnt care about. In any case your identity would always follow you down the generations like a bad smell. What's it like where you live?
			]]>
		</summary>
		<updated>2007-02-25T00:00:00Z</updated>
		<id>urn:uuid:02213b4edfc0e8a315f71f9aa99e340b</id>
	</entry>

	<entry>
		<title>
			<![CDATA[
				Bread For The Journey
			]]>
		</title>
		<link href="http://ikawokolaso.shutterchance.com/photoblog/47664.htm" />
		<summary>
			<![CDATA[
				You've done it again. Another 365 days under my belt and i'm still standing. Who am i that You are mindful of me? Why do You care? Why have You spared my life time and again? It would be so easy to thank You for the major and easily recognizable things You did for me in 2006. But it's the things You do that i am not even aware of that touch me the most, like letting me wake up every morning hale and hearty or the very air that i breathe. Yes, i'm grateful for how You turned me from me a wannabe into a qualified accountant in august [and how You used that to open doors that no man can shut] but i am even more grateful for Your protection for all the journeys i have undertaken this year, including the 2 minute walk i take to Tesco express round the corner every now and again. So You are offering me another 356 days eh? I am going to take it with both hands. You seem to like giving gifts to the least deserving people because i cant for the life of me begin to understand how i qualify for Your brand new mercies every morning. This year i aint moving till You say so. I am gonna put my hands where Your eyes can see...all the time. If i dont hear from You before i want to make any major decision, i will remain undecided. I am going to totally leave my life in Your hands. Do as You please with me. I am not afraid of anything anymore. You've shown Yourself to be faithful time and again in the past, so if i am going to trust anyone with my life, it might as well be You. Thank You for pre-providing bread for the journey. I now know Your Word covers every situation i may come across. Everyday in 2007 i will break open an alabaster box of praise at Your feet. Your Son and Friend....standing in awe of You FF
			]]>
		</summary>
		<updated>2007-01-01T00:00:00Z</updated>
		<id>urn:uuid:95345799f982ff5ba10930c9e397f79a</id>
	</entry>

	<entry>
		<title>
			<![CDATA[
				The Screwtape Letters ver 2.006
			]]>
		</title>
		<link href="http://ikawokolaso.shutterchance.com/photoblog/43679.htm" />
		<summary>
			<![CDATA[
				Gary Fritter: so where do you operate Ibrahim? Ibrahim Larceny: most of our work is in 3rd world, impoverished countries. the masses tend to be weaker, uneducated and uninformed. that way the leaders can get away with daylight robbery [laughs] Gary: we tend to operate in the advanced countries. the work is a lot harder but your boys in africa can only dream of stealing what we waste here. for instance in london one of our biggest projects was the millenium dome. once we can get the politicos onside winning over the public is relatively easy. Ibrahim: we have had great success too especially in africa. our biggest office is in nigeria and that's where most of our staff are based. i always tell those in charge of public funds to keep it simple. abacha was our best disciple. if he wanted money he simply took it creating a blur between his personal finances and the state's resources. Gary: in our own case that approach might not really work cos we would have to navigate the banana skin called democracy but the payoff is greater. ken livingstone here in london has really been useful to us. he helped us launch projects like free bus travel for yobs and bendy buses. it's a win win for us because whatever happens the costs are passed to the people via taxes. in your case, you could steal a country dry and have a situaion like zaire where mobutu had to borrow his country money. out here taxes are our safety net. there would always be something to waste. Ibrahim: [raising his voice] i disagree with you strongly. we've been stealing in nigeria since the days of festus okotie-eboh in the 60's and i can tell you that the rich men today would change festus' money to coins for him if he were still alive. admittedly corruption has completely ruined some countries like zaire you mentioned but with oil and now gas the future is very bright. Gary: ok there's no need to get angry. at the end of the day our goals and objectives are the same; to line someone's pocket. the approach might be very different but we are like twins seperated at birth. in your own case the money never gets to the people, in my own case we give it to them but take it back. it sort of like a legerdemain. gordon is extremely good at this, he understands the art of giving first and then taking back more than he gives without raising awareness in the person being mugged. Ibrahim: ignorance is bliss. if the people never taste the resources there is no chance of them knowing what they are missing. Gary: we really should collaborate in some country you know. i am in a very bullish mood right now. we recently wasted £600m here in the uk on stuff like post it notes and different stationery for govt offices. can your boys in africa top that. my favourite is the council tax. it's so easy to waste. in birmingham a guy who changes streetlight bulbs was paid £40k p.a plus a £20k bonus. where in africa or the 3rd world can you waste £100m a year on translators? Ibrahim: [seemingly exasperated] you are the man gary! i have to give it to you. where do you think we can do something together? because of the way we operate it would be difficult to get any joy in the west... Gary: i think i know where we can do something massive together. basically we can get the money from the west in the name of a just cause and then transfer it to a country in anarchy where nobody would notice if it disappeared. the politicos would have to support us no matter what because their political fortunes are tied to how we do. it's a no brainer really; i waste, you steal. Ibrahim: i am drooling; where can we do this project my brother? Gary: Iraq baby, Iraq is where it's at....
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		</summary>
		<updated>2006-12-15T00:00:00Z</updated>
		<id>urn:uuid:f5f0711534e0b5d69c8e4206dd17cd88</id>
	</entry>

	<entry>
		<title>
			<![CDATA[
				Confucius Say....
			]]>
		</title>
		<link href="http://ikawokolaso.shutterchance.com/photoblog/40310.htm" />
		<summary>
			<![CDATA[
				'...man who walk into UK bank with this passport likely to cause mass hysteria, vomitting, wailing and general pandemonium'. I cant count the number of times i have gone into the bank to withdraw a large amount of money and they ask me to produce some identification. As soon as i whip out this passport they practically frisk me from head to toe, ask me stupid questions [repeatedly] and generally keep me waiting to see if i would 'crack' under pressure. Apparently ALL NIGERIANS are fraudsters who have nothing better to do than sit behind computers sending dubious emails all over the world. Damn shame really. Its ironic that Uk banks notorious for their avarice have led the way in labelling us as fraudsters. I suppose no one will blow your trumpet for you. Its up to us Nigerians to change people's perceptions of us. For example you never read in the papers that at the last 3 or so olympics arguably 30-40% of British athletes are of Nigerian extraction or the work Nigerian doctors and nurses are doing to keep the NHS going. I need to go into the bank tomorrow with my passport. You bet i am gonna be up for it.
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		</summary>
		<updated>2006-12-01T00:00:00Z</updated>
		<id>urn:uuid:a3af76f69a3c9c55f12cf5fc418a0593</id>
	</entry>

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