Anuoluwapo Opeyori‘s name is already etched in the history books of Nigerian badminton. As the nation’s undisputed champion and Africa’s number one player, he’s soared to new heights, securing a coveted spot at the prestigious Paris 2024 Olympics.
But Opeyori’s journey is more than just qualification – it’s a story of dedication, resilience, and a burning ambition to rewrite history on the global stage.
Opeyori’s path to badminton stardom began not in a world-class facility, but on local courts, honing his skills alongside his brother and coach, Funsho Opeyori. Financial constraints were a constant hurdle, but raw talent and unwavering determination fueled his passion.
Through relentless training and a deep desire to represent his nation, Opeyori rose through the ranks of African badminton, dominating tournaments with his aggressive style and powerful smashes.
UK-based Nigerian, Fikayomi Agbola, is passionate about fashion design and is determined to ensure that African fashion remains prominent on the global stage through her brand, Bittany. Inspired by a high school moniker and fuelled by childhood frustrations with local tailors, Bittany embodies perseverance and creativity. She shares insights with David Bolarinwa on her brand’s origins, challenges, and future vision. Excerpts:
What or who inspired the creation of Bittany and why the name?
The journey of Bittany began with frequent disappointments from tailors, especially for custom-made outfits—a common frustration for many Nigerians and non-Nigerians. This frustration became an opportunity to create something beautiful, transforming it into a hobby and then a passion for fashion design.
I started learning to sew female designs at 16 and made fashion a side hobby while focusing on my studies in Economics at the University of Ibadan. During holidays, I practised sewing with my mum’s fabrics. The name ‘Bittany’ originated from my high school moniker, which stuck and evolved into a full-fledged identity, symbolising perseverance, transformation, and the celebration of African heritage and style.
What’s your start-up story?
Bittany’s startup story began in 2017, right after my NYSC programme. Despite starting my career in a consulting firm, my passion for fashion never waned. I managed a fashion house for a year, gaining invaluable insights while also becoming a chartered accountant. I believed that my background in accounting, economics, and fashion would eventually align perfectly.
Bittany started with me making clothes for friends and family, locally sourcing all fabrics and producing in Nigeria. One highlight was making outfits for female hosts on a TV show airing on Africa Magic. Using my mum’s old sewing machines, I crafted designs in my parents’ house, eventually turning a hobby into a business.
What was your mission from the outset and what is it now?
Initially, I wanted to make beautiful, well-fitting designs for women. Over time, I aimed to shine a spotlight on the rich tapestry of African fashion, showcasing its beauty and diversity. Bittany now designs for men and children as well.
After moving to the UK, I rebranded Bittany to bridge the gap in bringing contemporary Afrocentric fashion to the forefront. We now incorporate sustainable methods like upcycling to ensure ethical production. Bittany is about creating stunning garments and empowering people to embrace their individuality confidently.
My vision includes establishing a youth empowerment programme, and offering free sewing vocational training to young people, especially women from less privileged backgrounds, enabling them to gain financial independence and positively impact their communities.
What makes your brand unique?
We pride ourselves on fabric fusion and creating contemporary styles that celebrate African culture. Blending traditional African aesthetics with modern design sensibilities, we offer customers captivating designs. Bittany ranges from everyday wear to occasion wear, including ready-to-wear and custom-made pieces. This variety empowers customers to curate a wardrobe reflecting their unique style, promoting a sustainable ethos and conscious consumption.
Who is Bittany for?
Bittany primarily caters to women, empowering them to look and feel confident. However, our tagline, ‘Be unapologetically unique,’ reflects our inclusive approach. Bittany is for anyone who dares to express themselves boldly and authentically through fashion, regardless of gender or age. From custom-made designs to ready-to-wear, there’s something for everyone at Bittany.
What are your greatest achievements so far?
Bittany has achieved milestones I’m incredibly proud of. Designing outfits for female presenters on a show airing on Africa Magic was a significant highlight. I’ve also designed for notable celebrities like Temi Otedola, Don Jazzy and DJ Cuppy. In 2021, we started serving the UK market, launched our e-commerce website www.bittany.co.uk and opened our first physical store in Lagos, Nigeria. Showcasing at Africa Fashion Week, London in 2023 was also a major accomplishment.
Can you share some success habits or tips that have helped you?
Perseverance, adaptability, and continuous learning have been crucial. Surrounding myself with a supportive network of professionals, family, and friends has been invaluable. Staying true to my values, maintaining a positive mindset, and embracing challenges as growth opportunities have propelled me forward.
What can we expect from Bittany going forward?
I aim to introduce Bittany to a global audience via our e-commerce website and collaborate with brands with a similar ethos. I look forward to partnering with retailers to stock Bittany’s designs, and potentially opening another physical store soon. Bittany’s sister company, Kayomi, is also in development, so stay tuned and join us on this journey.
What advice would you offer to someone just starting?
Embrace the idea of starting small and refining your approach as you go. Dive into resources like ‘The Lean Startup’ by Eric Ries for valuable insights. Don’t be afraid to ask for help; people are often more willing to assist than you might think. Above all, never lose sight of your vision and believe in yourself. Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with ups and downs, but staying true to your purpose and persevering through challenges is key to success.
On May 27 every year, being Children’s Day, the National Gallery of Art (NGA) organizes art competition for children in nursery, primary and secondary schools across the nation. It is always a moment to discover new talents, promote, reward and encourage them. This year children were also allowed to dance, sing, do choreography, engage in dance drama and generally represent different Nigerian cultures in costumes and traditional adornments. EDOZIE UDEZE reports on the colourful presentations that graced the programme this year.
The National Gallery of Art (NGA, a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Culture, Art and Creative Economy has already carved a niche for itself. For many years now, it has been creating, promoting and championing programmes to discover and elevate children artists. Last week when the Children’s Day was marked on May 27th, NGA organized one of the most elaborate and largest gathering of student artists in the history of Nigeria. A mammoth crowd of pupils and students and their teachers and other visitors from different primary and secondary schools in and around Lagos were in attendance. For a while it seemed that the sprawling esplanade of the NGA office premises located within the National Theatre complex, Iganmu, Lagos could not take the crowd. But like most things artistic, more spaces were quickly improvised; lots of more shades and canopies were erected to accommodate the teeming crowd.
The children were in their best jolly mood. The festal mood of the environment further induced them to perform their best dances, dance-dramas, poetic renditions and songs. Guests were very excited to see and witness such high quality productions and presentations by kid artists. Indeed, the children took over the arena, commanding and displaying their artistic prowess. It was their day; it was their moment to shine, to take over the surface of the earth. There was every good reason to believe that most of them have already chosen the part they want to follow in life. This is so because most of their presentations were unique, natural as the rate of fluidity of their performances proved that these were really artists in words and actions.
Even though the theme of this year’s package centred entirely on visual arts, it is certain that the act of creativity can often be all-encompassing. The children in arts talent hunt exhibition 2024: Visual art as a panacea for the growth of our economy! Nothing can be better than this given the state of the nation right now where emphasis is on people trying to create to live and live to create. According to Mufu Onifde, the zonal head of NGA in the south west, this programme has been in existence for years and it has offered the NGA the rarest opportunity to see that one can start on time to discover these talents. And when they are discovered, it is also imperative to prod them on, encouraging them and guiding them to move on in the right direction.
The drawing and painting competition equally proved Onifade right. The quality of those art works both in ceramics and sculpting done by the children point to the fact that there is plenty in the creative economy. The students can sculpt, they can also paint in such a way to interpret the theme expressively. A look at those works as they were mounted inside the Aina Onabolu Gallery showed that there is creativity in lots and lots of children and they need to be explored and encouraged right on the dot of time. Not only that prizes were awarded to the best winners in different categories of the visual art competition, some of the school presented awesome dance-dramas that astounded people. Those who presented musical renditions and played so many different instruments stole the show. Those that chose to dance traditional dances proved that culture is ever rich in Nigeria. Adorned in different colourful costumes, the students demonstrated that given the chance they can promote Nigerian cultural values without let or hindrance.
With about 16 nursery and primary schools and 14 secondary schools in attendance, the assorted colours and decorations of the arena became more engrossing and attractive. Out of them all, eleven schools were chosen to perform in areas of choreography, dance-drama, cultural dances and more. And so the Director General of NGA, Ahmed Sodangi explained that the show was purposely to reflect on the significant role children play in shaping our society and contributing to a brighter future for Nigeria. He gave examples of those bright children the NGA as an agency of government has taken time to celebrate.
Sodangi said more, “This day is very important in the life of a child as well as their parents. To the children, I say that the day reminds us about our duties towards you all. You are like tender bud”, he said with lots of funfair. With this statement the mood was set for the children to be more eccentric in their presentations. And in her usual motherly manner, Dr. Peace Odogwu, the curator of NGA, Lagos office, said “So as young artists, I encourage you to continue exploring by creating visual arts. Your passion and talents have the power to not only enrich our culture but also contribute to the growth of our economy”.
This also goes to support what Onifade said earlier. The theme is to encourage the creative economy to triumph even in the face of mounting odds. The government of Ahmed Tinubu has done well by creating and empowering the Creative Economy Ministry so as to ginger artists on endlessly. What the NGA has been doing over the years is to ensure that the sector is kept on its toes in this regard. “Over the years, we have discovered and encouraged many young artists, some of whom went on to prove their mettle in the world of art”.
Another striking feature of this year’s is that NGA got more sponsors. Some of them who were present praised the theme which is children in art talent hunt and other sundry issues geared towards children’s arts promotion. Oware Alex of Young Professionals for Tinubu said that the idea of the group is to encourage talent to blossom. “We formed this group before president Tinubu became the president. The idea cuts across. It is to encourage and promote talents everywhere, allow them to grow, to prosper and to achieve. This is why we are part of this show to encourage our children to become sound professionals in the nearest future”. So also was the AB Art world. They came with their products mainly visual materials for painting and more. The outfit located in Surulere, Lagos, is meant to promote arts and artists through their products and materials.
Awards were given to students. In the primary school category in painting, Araoluwa Akanbi of St. Leos Catholic school Ikeja came first. He was followed by Chinweuba Onoh of Gem Star private school, Lagos who came second while Okechukwu David of the same school came third. Their works thoroughly explored and captured the theme and indeed set out to prove that children do the damndest things. In the primary graphics category, Isabelle Ejinima of St. Leos Catholic school Ikeja came first followed by Okunbor Daniel of Kids Montessori who came second while Efodi David of Gem Star school, Lagos came third. Their works in graphics are not just modern and synthetic; the works are also a representation of an era, an era of creativity in a special way.
In the secondary school category in painting Udoka Divine of Oloye Comprehensive College came tops while Okoro Franklin of Holy Covenant school came second and Adewara Ezekiel came third. In the secondary school graphics, Obi Joshua of Ekum College came first while Kalmadeen Sodiq of the same school followed. The third position was won by Ibrahim Sulaimon of the same school. In the award of secondary school graphics in sculpture, Emmanuel Prince came first with Labulo Teleola coming second in the ceramics category, while Goodluck came third in textile. What all these have shown is that it is instructive to engage Fine Arts teachers in all schools across the nation to teach and guide the children early enough.
Policemen, soldiers, journalists, and many others, on Saturday escaped death in Nkomoro Community, Ezza North Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The people of the community have been at war over chieftaincy stool.
The State Correspondent of the Sun Newspaper, Uchenna Inya, Godwin Oguta, and Chinelo Okoro of the Radio Nigeria Unity FM, Abakaliki went to the community to cover the election/coronation of a traditional ruler of the community.
Inya, Oguta, and Okoro were attacked by thugs, and the Corolla car belonging to the Sun Correspondent was vandalized.
The thugs also attacked a Magistrate, Amaechi Nwakpa, and some government officials, including the Secretary of Ezza North Local Government, Mrs. Samuel Nweke; Chika Igboke, and other officials, their cars were also vandalized.
Motorcycles, tricycles, and other valuable properties were also destroyed by the thugs.
The thugs were armed with weapons including sticks, rods, stones, and other weapons.
Some members of the community had raised objections to the letter from the state Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters which ordered the coronation of a former Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Jacob Nwakpa.
The letter was read by Chika Igboke, the Coordinator of the Imoha Development Center.
A member of the community immediately came out with a paper and said that there was a court order restraining the election and coronation of a traditional ruler of the community.
He pleaded that the exercise should not hold.
Ignoring the content of the letter, shortly after the letter had been read, Mr Jacob Nwakpa was crowned.
However, after the coronation, youths armed with weapons blocked the entry and exit points of Okpoku Eze Secondary School, the venue of the exercise, and started vandalizing vehicles.
It was gathered that the angry youths went inside the community and burnt some properties after vandalizing the vehicles.
Meanwhile, some stakeholders of the community have blamed the Commissioner for Local Government And Chieftaincy Affairs, Uchenna Igwe for the violent incident.
They spoke in Abakaliki in a statement signed by Peter Nwafor and four others.
They said the Commissioner in connivance with one Jacob Nwakpa decided to carry out the coronation of Mr. Nwakpa in total disregard of the order of Court of Competent Jurisdiction by unscrupulous elements led one of the aspirants to the stool.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned the indiscriminate arrest of youths in Abia State, alleging that it is part of an ethnic cleansing agenda against the Igbo people.
According to IPOB, the Nigerian Army has abducted hundreds of innocent civilians in Abia State, claiming they are searching for IPOB and ESN operatives.
IPOB in a statement on Saturday by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, denied any involvement in the attack and murder of soldiers at Obikabia Military checkpoint on May 30th.
Instead, they claimed that the incident was a false flag operation carried out by the Nigerian Army in collaboration with some kidnappers.
The group has called on the Nigerian Army and the Abia State governor to release all illegally abducted citizens and to investigate the incident thoroughly.
IPOB also urged Igbo leaders to protect their youths and not allow political correctness to lead to their massacre.
“We condemn the indiscriminate arrest and detention of our youths,” said Powerful, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary.
“We demand their immediate release and an end to the ethnic cleansing agenda against our people.”
An elder statesman and Igbo leader, Dr Chike Obidigbo, has called for the unity of Igbo to give room to tackling the obstacles hindering the progress of the Southeast region.
He says it’s time to bring all the sociocultural organizations like Ohanaeze Ndigbo, political leaders in the Southeast, and other leaders together for a possible solution.
The front-line Industrialist, while speaking with The Nation, Saturday, declared that the disunity in Igbo land was a calculated plan by some powers, especially, Britain to cripple Igbo.
“In the Southeast, despite the 25 years of unbroken civil rule, elections have always provided opportunities for those who are interested in the internal subjugation of Igbo land to impose leaders on the people.
“This undemocratic programme, which started from Anambra State and manifested in Imo State, has always defined elections in the Southeast.
“I say this of a fact because I contested governorship elections in Anambra State and I knew the level of interest shown by powerful individuals from outside the zone on who becomes governor of every Igbo state
“The political emasculation of Igbo seems to be the most proficient political strategy handed down by the British to ensure their continued influence on the sociopolitical life of its former West African colony,” Obidigbo said.
Continuing, the elder statesman said Britain had remained steadfast in intervening in Nigeria’s affairs as if Nigeria was her entitled source of livelihood and Ndigbo her major obstacle to drawing her entitled benefits.
“This undue antagonism against Igbo is not limited to politics but goes down to economic activities, especially, trade, commerce, and industry
“Having identified some of the various obstacles to Igbo progress, it behooves on our leaders, particularly, Igbo political leaders,(which I doubt genuinely exist), Igbo socio-cultural organizations, and Igbo Think Tanks, to sit down and fashion out workable course of action to free us from these heavy man-made burdens.”
Obidigbo, further said that the Igbo must realize that the progressive nature of Ndigbo elicits envy, jealousy, suspicion, and outright hatred which according to him could culminate in death.
The Imo State Police Command has announced the arrest of a suspected armed robber, Ogochukwu Favour David, in Owerri.
The suspect was apprehended by operatives of the Shell Camp Divisional Headquarters during a routine patrol on June 13, 2024.
According to the police, the operatives responded to a robbery incident on Bank Road, Owerri, and arrested the suspect while his accomplices fled the scene.
A locally made pistol was recovered from the suspect’s possession.
“The operatives showed great courage and professionalism in responding to the robbery incident and apprehending the suspect,” said ASP Henry Okoye, Police Public Relations Officer on Saturday.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to combat violent crimes and ensure the safety of our citizens.”
The police are currently investigating the suspect and working to apprehend the fleeing suspects and the manufacturer of the locally-made gun.
“The suspect is undergoing a thorough investigation and will certainly have his day in court
“Security is everybody’s business, and we urge the good people of Imo State to continue to support us with actionable information. With their help, we can make our state a safer place for all,” said Okoye.
The police are urging anyone with information about the suspect or the robbery incident to come forward and assist in the investigation.
The meeting aimed to strengthen the internal security architecture and enhance peace and security in the State.
The meeting brought together top security officials, including the Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, Air Force Commander, representative of Oguta Naval Base Commander, Director of DSS, NSCDC Commander, Federal Fire Service Commander, FRSC Commander, and the Comptrollers of Immigration, Correctional Service, and Customs Service.
The security chiefs assessed the security challenges in the state and brainstormed collaborative strategies to address them.
The Joint Task Force has been deployed to conduct intelligence-led raids on criminal hideouts and dominate the security space in the State.
Danjuma urged citizens to support the Police and other security agencies with timely information on suspicious activities.
“We reaffirm our commitment to upholding the rule of law and professionalism while collaborating with other sister security agencies to ensure public safety.
“The success of our efforts depends on the support and cooperation of the good people of Imo State,” CP Danjuma added.
Traditional Ruler of Edem-Ani Ogwugwu Ancient Kingdom in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Samuel Ikechukwu Asadu, has emerged as the new Chairman of South East Traditional Rulers Council.
According to a statement by Chief of Staff to Igwe Asadu, John Okanyi, the announcement of the monarch’s emergence, who doubles as the Chairman of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, was greeted with widespread jubilation across Enugu State and beyond with congratulatory messages pouring in from various dignitaries across the globe.
The statement said the Obi of Onitsha and the Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe has joined other Royal fathers and dignitaries nationwide in congratulating the new Chairman.
The statement said: “His Majesty Igwe Asadu had earlier emerged the Chairman of Enugu State Council of Traditional Rulers following the reconstitution of the 8th Council of Enugu State Traditional Rulers and his subsequent appointment as the Chairman by His Excellency Barr. Peter Mbah, the Executive Governor of Enugu State.
“His Royal Majesty, Igwe Dr. Asadu is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Promptime HealthCare Services, USA- a leading healthcare service provider in the USA with over 400 staff in his employ.
“He owns credible health care services as well as Lakeview Health Care Services all based in the USA. To cater for his interest in real estate, he founded NSSP Holdings NLC, a leading real estate firm in Dallas and he is a member of the People’s Club of Nigeria (USA) Branch.
