Comments on this episode
Adeniyi
You looking great,I love you
You looking great,I love you
49 days ago
Joshua afolayan kokorojesu
u are doing great.
u are doing great.
50 days ago
joshua
funmi we need u in our own community, even in our group...bcos u are doing lovely programme...Joshua afolayan kokorojesu Producer J.F media alagabdo, lagos 07034210289.
funmi we need u in our own community, even in our group...bcos u are doing lovely programme...Joshua afolayan kokorojesu Producer J.F media alagabdo, lagos 07034210289.
50 days ago
Joshua afolayan kokorojesu
u are doing great.
u are doing great.
50 days ago
Omonigho matthew
Funmi,y is it dat programmes like urs never come 2 warri?omonigho matt,senior correspondent fresh angle newspaper warri.08060380537.
Funmi,y is it dat programmes like urs never come 2 warri?omonigho matt,senior correspondent fresh angle newspaper warri.08060380537.
112 days ago
Diamond
nice one fumi... undilutedlove.blogspot.com
nice one fumi... undilutedlove.blogspot.com
151 days ago
Nicholas omoruyi
Furmi, Why did you ask the governor when is he going to resign as a gorvernor of lagos state as he is not fit for a perpose but currupt?
Furmi, Why did you ask the governor when is he going to resign as a gorvernor of lagos state as he is not fit for a perpose but currupt?
160 days ago
Nicholas omoruyi
Furmi, why did you had a meal with the gorvernor of lagos state on camera? i think it was very unpressional as the people shampion to share a table with one of the currupt leaders in nigerai today.
Furmi, why did you had a meal with the gorvernor of lagos state on camera? i think it was very unpressional as the people shampion to share a table with one of the currupt leaders in nigerai today.
160 days ago
Anonymous
Hi Funmi.. Can I embed this video on my blog?
Hi Funmi.. Can I embed this video on my blog?
160 days ago
Raji Wole
i'm sure there are whole lots of fun we can't get to know about on here, i know Gov Fashola to be a fun person and respects other people, regardless of whom u are or what u've gat. Keep growing big aunty, more grease to your elbow!
i'm sure there are whole lots of fun we can't get to know about on here, i know Gov Fashola to be a fun person and respects other people, regardless of whom u are or what u've gat. Keep growing big aunty, more grease to your elbow!
166 days ago
Teko Emmanuel Oludamilola
We are da best even d Gov hinmself is a confirm MANCHESTER UNITED FAN... Folks why don't you check it the leader of are always ontop Gov FASH rules Lagos n Manchester rule England Football
We are da best even d Gov hinmself is a confirm MANCHESTER UNITED FAN... Folks why don't you check it the leader of are always ontop Gov FASH rules Lagos n Manchester rule England Football
170 days ago
In this episode Funmi spent a day with His Excellency Lagos State Governor Fashola. The governor taught Funmi football, played a game with his friends, talked about the use of sirens within the megacity whilst in his convoy, and talked about his past and history over dinner.
Exclusive Video Clip
Q: Why didn't you ask governor Fashola questions about the allegations?
The show was shot in May 2009 when there were no allegations or any sort of ill will towards Mr. Fashola. Lagos was in Euphoria about the visible infrastructural improvements, better living conditions and dramatic drop in crime rate.
TWF is not a news programme or a news magazine programme. To achieve the sort of post production we desire it, our turn around time is long so we cannot be specific as political situations change rapidly in Nigeria. If we had asked questions specific to whatever current situation exists at filming time, events would have overtaken it in a week or so and the show would be stale. Everything I asked him was relevant for all times but also true to the time of filming. It's like asking Obama about health reforms when he just won the elections and his approval rating was sky high.
We put this into consideration in conceiving the show, thus TWF is designed to be a timeless capsule of the stories, people and situations as exists in Nigeria today. The stories are allowed to tell themselves whilst the viewer makes independent opinions.
Finally the intent with the Fashola show was to humanize a public servant who had proven that Lagos could be organized, a peep into the man behind the office. We choose him because he is unusual in our climes and l can tell you that in other states we visited, Lagos was the peoples' yardstick for performance.
I am afraid people often want me to be Amanpour plus Oprah. I am neither nor desire to be. I am unapologetically and enthusiastically Funmi of Nigeria with challenges peculiar to Nigeria including the fact that no network in Nigeria will pay for nor hire me or anyone else to do any production nor will they air it if I didn't walk a considered apolitical line. This production has been a long lonely road requiring everything my co- travellers and myself have and more. We are pioneering and laying foundations to be able to do a lot more.
Q: But should he not be investigated? What about the many parts of Lagos where improvements have not reached? Did Lagos pay for this edition?
Technically, that's three questions
Yes Fashola must answer to the people at all times, he said as much himself in the interview.
Same yardstick must also be extended to all including the house of assembly membership.
We did speak about the as yet untouched areas using Makoko and Tawka Bay as pointers, he gave detailed explanations of their plans which we can hold him to at the end of his tenure. We have future editions shot in some of these areas.
No Lagos did not pay for this or any other edition of the show.
I think that because Mr. Fashola is not a great orator, many people did not listen to the substance of what he was saying which was very sublime. We indeed took out hours of conversation because he is too technically detailed in his explanations to m maintain interest. We managed to retain his contentiousness and purposefulness. He was believable, admirable but vulnerable all at once.
Q: Most insightful answer to a question you asked him?
As we came out of his car, he revealed that he is very shy and a poor mixer. It is very obvious that he is a bit of a loner and an intellectual. I think these factors may be partly responsible for some of his recent troubles with political colleagues. A drawback that his intimate relationship with his predecessor and astute politician, Asiwaju Tinubu, who is fondly called governor emeritus helps compensate for.
The other one which was not in the final cut was when in the dinning room he revealed in a very pained voice his regret that he is unable to spend as much time as he would like with his children especially his 9 year old and his fears that he will miss on their best years.
Q: Why were you wearing a Chelsea T-shirt?
Up blues! My allegiance is skin deep though as I wish we could have the glory days of Stationery Stores, Bendel United, and Shooting Stars back.
Q: Unnecessary piece of information you'd like to share?
I ate during the interview, it was edited out as I don't eat pretty as you'll find out in a future edition.
The show was shot in May 2009 when there were no allegations or any sort of ill will towards Mr. Fashola. Lagos was in Euphoria about the visible infrastructural improvements, better living conditions and dramatic drop in crime rate.
TWF is not a news programme or a news magazine programme. To achieve the sort of post production we desire it, our turn around time is long so we cannot be specific as political situations change rapidly in Nigeria. If we had asked questions specific to whatever current situation exists at filming time, events would have overtaken it in a week or so and the show would be stale. Everything I asked him was relevant for all times but also true to the time of filming. It's like asking Obama about health reforms when he just won the elections and his approval rating was sky high.
We put this into consideration in conceiving the show, thus TWF is designed to be a timeless capsule of the stories, people and situations as exists in Nigeria today. The stories are allowed to tell themselves whilst the viewer makes independent opinions.
Finally the intent with the Fashola show was to humanize a public servant who had proven that Lagos could be organized, a peep into the man behind the office. We choose him because he is unusual in our climes and l can tell you that in other states we visited, Lagos was the peoples' yardstick for performance.
I am afraid people often want me to be Amanpour plus Oprah. I am neither nor desire to be. I am unapologetically and enthusiastically Funmi of Nigeria with challenges peculiar to Nigeria including the fact that no network in Nigeria will pay for nor hire me or anyone else to do any production nor will they air it if I didn't walk a considered apolitical line. This production has been a long lonely road requiring everything my co- travellers and myself have and more. We are pioneering and laying foundations to be able to do a lot more.
Q: But should he not be investigated? What about the many parts of Lagos where improvements have not reached? Did Lagos pay for this edition?
Technically, that's three questions
Yes Fashola must answer to the people at all times, he said as much himself in the interview.
Same yardstick must also be extended to all including the house of assembly membership.
We did speak about the as yet untouched areas using Makoko and Tawka Bay as pointers, he gave detailed explanations of their plans which we can hold him to at the end of his tenure. We have future editions shot in some of these areas.
No Lagos did not pay for this or any other edition of the show.
I think that because Mr. Fashola is not a great orator, many people did not listen to the substance of what he was saying which was very sublime. We indeed took out hours of conversation because he is too technically detailed in his explanations to m maintain interest. We managed to retain his contentiousness and purposefulness. He was believable, admirable but vulnerable all at once.
Q: Most insightful answer to a question you asked him?
As we came out of his car, he revealed that he is very shy and a poor mixer. It is very obvious that he is a bit of a loner and an intellectual. I think these factors may be partly responsible for some of his recent troubles with political colleagues. A drawback that his intimate relationship with his predecessor and astute politician, Asiwaju Tinubu, who is fondly called governor emeritus helps compensate for.
The other one which was not in the final cut was when in the dinning room he revealed in a very pained voice his regret that he is unable to spend as much time as he would like with his children especially his 9 year old and his fears that he will miss on their best years.
Q: Why were you wearing a Chelsea T-shirt?
Up blues! My allegiance is skin deep though as I wish we could have the glory days of Stationery Stores, Bendel United, and Shooting Stars back.
Q: Unnecessary piece of information you'd like to share?
I ate during the interview, it was edited out as I don't eat pretty as you'll find out in a future edition.
I have kept a detailed diary on and off most of my life but the idea for a diary at this pivotal point was inspired by my friend Remi Lagos who bought me a beautiful note book and wrote in her sprawling bold prints "to our dearest aje in peace, love and happiness from olodo, with the very best wishes for now and always". The note pad was titled love, I have filled that and I am currently writing in the next one also titled love and will then move to happiness.
I wanted to write my thoughts down to quieten my mind at a time of deep fears, anxiety and change. It got worse, it got desperate and then it got demented after which one becomes fearless and strangely at peace. What will come in the following weeks are my exact thoughts and feelings as written at each point during the shoot of TWF.
Sunday May 17th 2009:
Up at 4.48am with a sore throat and cold.
The house is abuzz. My sisters, the Nazi (my cook Bose) and Toyin (our maid) were making breakfast for the crew and I.
Bayo (make up artist, friend, stylist, mother hen) walks into my room with the different costume changes and matching accessories for the day. I sit in my underwear, drinking my start the day tea and reading my research as he hems the corduroy pants for the football field. Segun my brother and dresser styles my hair, whilst our improvised stylist's assistant, my gorgeous 6 foot plus super model like sister Lawunmi arranges our bags.
60 minutes later, they have eliminated all signs of illness or fatigue from my face and I am in my personalized Chelsea football shirt and amended corduroy pants. Downstairs, Brian, Mike and Jeff (technical director, DOP and Sound Engineer) from Cape Town are whining about the lack of coffee.
Bayo quips "wetin dey do these oyinbo, we no dey drink coffee for here o, abeg make una give them kola nut jo"!
Chris (director, producer, slave master) is nobody's daddy and is going over his meticulously arranged order for the day. He has insisted on doing a technical recce of every point we would be filming to the irritation of the governor's people. Chris is also a bit cranky because we don't have all our equipments in from London.
We wait for a go ahead from the governor's people, each in his and her world, only Bayo appears relaxed but then he had eaten his usual breakfast of puff puff covered in sugar downed with one litre of processed orange juice and a shot of brandy.
We get the go ahead and leave in a convoy at 8.20am, with Tony my fitness instructor turned body guard fighting with Bayo and Segun for who should be in my personal space. Why any of them thinks I require extra protection in the company of the state's governor is beyond me.
We arrive at the newly finished Teslim Balogun stadium and I sit in the car reading a book and trying to detach from the drama around me as Chris and co determine best positions.
The governor's football playing buddies start to arrive and I know a number of them quite well, as I used to spend many weekends watching them play. That was almost a decade ago, the years show. I have a panic thought, does it show that starkly on me too? But then I think, I was in my twenties then and whatever damage a decade has done cannot be ruinous yet, that is still coming.
Suddenly the governor arrives and everyone jumps to attention. Of course things never work quite as planned but I have spent my career being quick and adaptive so I deftly step in his path, impaling his security and protocol details with my eyes and will and start talking with him telling him exactly how we prefer the shoot to go.
Even though we sent a detailed show plan, they still thought we only wanted to film him playing football. We were determined to film him playing football with me whilst we conversed. I don't play football so it became an impromptu football lesson. I am lousy at it, he is a sport. There is a Super Sport crew around led by my friend Felix Awogu with whom I had a lot of fun covering the Athens Olympics, so I grant a quick interview, a reminder of my sports journalism days.
We leave the governor at the pitch and drive to the State House to set the stage for our lunch and interview. I change quickly in the living room and Bayo and Segun eliminate the exertions on the field from my face and hair.
Fashola returns a few hours later and goes upstairs to change after which he and I have an interview over lunch. It was the best part as it was more controlled and he was very revealing.
The man eats moderately and healthily; I couldn't eat much during the interview but down my fish, rice and dodo quickly after the interview.
Then begins the dramatic part, Chris has designed an elaborate plan where two advance cameramen will be on okadas at specific points on his planned drive path so they can capture the way the convoy turns beautifully at those points whilst another camera will be in the car with us and the sound engineer at the back.
Great, except that the specialized truck from the governor's convey although luxurious is not comforable so Jeff has to contort his 6 foot 3 frame and bags of precious equipment into the boot, whilst Brian hand holds a camera on an improvised steady cam in the front seat with the governor and I squeeze into the remaining space. Not the easiest shoot but we pull it off with Jeff in near rigour mortis and Brian's shoulder frozen. I have a crick in my neck and lord knows what pain Fashola was concealing.
At the final location - Sky restaurant of the Eko hotel which has a great view of Lagos. The advance production team of Seki and Ife are jittery and I know something is wrong. We had designed a citizen's panel to consist of a youth, a person living with disabilities, a professional woman, a Lagos indigene and so on. Most don't show up, Dr. Abiola and Danlami are late; we start trying to find last minute replacements whilst the governor waits, his guys getting impatient. I figure the guests think all politicians are late, well not this man, and not this crew led by the slave master.
It turns out well enough in the end and I am very impressed with the governor who is unused to a film environment but has had immense patience and affability with the tiring and tedious processes.
Afterwards I go with my posse to Terrakulture to chill out and perform my 3rd change of costume, hair and make up for a special birthday event for Bobdee, Ovation's larger than life publisher, led by Bayo, Segun and Tony. These boys are insane causing a stir as we walk in.
I retire home at 1am and take off the make up, flatten the bouffant hair and step out of the tight dress. I see my red, exhausted demented eyes staring from a face waxen with pain and exhaustion and a nose expanded with tension as snot runs out. I pop my hormonal relaxant and smile, one down, 14 to go. Tomorrow I will not look like this, I have Bayo and Segun.
I wanted to write my thoughts down to quieten my mind at a time of deep fears, anxiety and change. It got worse, it got desperate and then it got demented after which one becomes fearless and strangely at peace. What will come in the following weeks are my exact thoughts and feelings as written at each point during the shoot of TWF.
Sunday May 17th 2009:
Up at 4.48am with a sore throat and cold.
The house is abuzz. My sisters, the Nazi (my cook Bose) and Toyin (our maid) were making breakfast for the crew and I.
Bayo (make up artist, friend, stylist, mother hen) walks into my room with the different costume changes and matching accessories for the day. I sit in my underwear, drinking my start the day tea and reading my research as he hems the corduroy pants for the football field. Segun my brother and dresser styles my hair, whilst our improvised stylist's assistant, my gorgeous 6 foot plus super model like sister Lawunmi arranges our bags.
60 minutes later, they have eliminated all signs of illness or fatigue from my face and I am in my personalized Chelsea football shirt and amended corduroy pants. Downstairs, Brian, Mike and Jeff (technical director, DOP and Sound Engineer) from Cape Town are whining about the lack of coffee.
Bayo quips "wetin dey do these oyinbo, we no dey drink coffee for here o, abeg make una give them kola nut jo"!
Chris (director, producer, slave master) is nobody's daddy and is going over his meticulously arranged order for the day. He has insisted on doing a technical recce of every point we would be filming to the irritation of the governor's people. Chris is also a bit cranky because we don't have all our equipments in from London.
We wait for a go ahead from the governor's people, each in his and her world, only Bayo appears relaxed but then he had eaten his usual breakfast of puff puff covered in sugar downed with one litre of processed orange juice and a shot of brandy.
We get the go ahead and leave in a convoy at 8.20am, with Tony my fitness instructor turned body guard fighting with Bayo and Segun for who should be in my personal space. Why any of them thinks I require extra protection in the company of the state's governor is beyond me.
We arrive at the newly finished Teslim Balogun stadium and I sit in the car reading a book and trying to detach from the drama around me as Chris and co determine best positions.
The governor's football playing buddies start to arrive and I know a number of them quite well, as I used to spend many weekends watching them play. That was almost a decade ago, the years show. I have a panic thought, does it show that starkly on me too? But then I think, I was in my twenties then and whatever damage a decade has done cannot be ruinous yet, that is still coming.
Suddenly the governor arrives and everyone jumps to attention. Of course things never work quite as planned but I have spent my career being quick and adaptive so I deftly step in his path, impaling his security and protocol details with my eyes and will and start talking with him telling him exactly how we prefer the shoot to go.
Even though we sent a detailed show plan, they still thought we only wanted to film him playing football. We were determined to film him playing football with me whilst we conversed. I don't play football so it became an impromptu football lesson. I am lousy at it, he is a sport. There is a Super Sport crew around led by my friend Felix Awogu with whom I had a lot of fun covering the Athens Olympics, so I grant a quick interview, a reminder of my sports journalism days.
We leave the governor at the pitch and drive to the State House to set the stage for our lunch and interview. I change quickly in the living room and Bayo and Segun eliminate the exertions on the field from my face and hair.
Fashola returns a few hours later and goes upstairs to change after which he and I have an interview over lunch. It was the best part as it was more controlled and he was very revealing.
The man eats moderately and healthily; I couldn't eat much during the interview but down my fish, rice and dodo quickly after the interview.
Then begins the dramatic part, Chris has designed an elaborate plan where two advance cameramen will be on okadas at specific points on his planned drive path so they can capture the way the convoy turns beautifully at those points whilst another camera will be in the car with us and the sound engineer at the back.
Great, except that the specialized truck from the governor's convey although luxurious is not comforable so Jeff has to contort his 6 foot 3 frame and bags of precious equipment into the boot, whilst Brian hand holds a camera on an improvised steady cam in the front seat with the governor and I squeeze into the remaining space. Not the easiest shoot but we pull it off with Jeff in near rigour mortis and Brian's shoulder frozen. I have a crick in my neck and lord knows what pain Fashola was concealing.
At the final location - Sky restaurant of the Eko hotel which has a great view of Lagos. The advance production team of Seki and Ife are jittery and I know something is wrong. We had designed a citizen's panel to consist of a youth, a person living with disabilities, a professional woman, a Lagos indigene and so on. Most don't show up, Dr. Abiola and Danlami are late; we start trying to find last minute replacements whilst the governor waits, his guys getting impatient. I figure the guests think all politicians are late, well not this man, and not this crew led by the slave master.
It turns out well enough in the end and I am very impressed with the governor who is unused to a film environment but has had immense patience and affability with the tiring and tedious processes.
Afterwards I go with my posse to Terrakulture to chill out and perform my 3rd change of costume, hair and make up for a special birthday event for Bobdee, Ovation's larger than life publisher, led by Bayo, Segun and Tony. These boys are insane causing a stir as we walk in.
I retire home at 1am and take off the make up, flatten the bouffant hair and step out of the tight dress. I see my red, exhausted demented eyes staring from a face waxen with pain and exhaustion and a nose expanded with tension as snot runs out. I pop my hormonal relaxant and smile, one down, 14 to go. Tomorrow I will not look like this, I have Bayo and Segun.
could u plz be kind enof 2 send me(seforshort@yahoo.com) a mail-address with which 2reach u,after which u can if desired share with da world