Author: The Nation

“Whenever I come here, it reminds me of the novel Far From the Maddening Crowd by Thomas Hardy, which I read in my secondary school days. While I sat down here, I felt so comfortable. I’m far from the maddening crowd while I’m here. Out there is the noise and everything, but once you enter here, you’ll be far from the maddening crowd. So, we want to give kudos to Shodex.”

That was the views of grand donor Yemisi Shyllon Museum Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, Omooba while declaring open the maiden exhibition tagged Life, Art and Nature held at Shodex Garden Anthony Lagos penultimate Saturday.  

It featured drawings, paintings, sculptures, graphics, prints, digital and photographic media, ceramics and textile works by 31 artists of different generations. The exhibition is an advocacy platform for the conservation of the earth, nature and the environment as well as for health living. On revelation from the exhibition, which hopes to be a regular event at the garden is the participation of a young female artist, a Microbiologist now an artist, Miss Joyce Korede. She took drawing classes at Mountain Top University and joined the studio mentorship of Dr. Peacemaker Efeoghene. Other exhibitors included Peacemaker Efeoghene, Eghosa Osabuohien,  Kazeem Omotayo, Abisola Cole, Adegoke Adedamola, Sanusi Abdulahi, Favour Ernest-Nwankwo, Ogunkunle Tunde, Mercy Eyit, Nwachukwu Clara, and Michael Ikobi.

Omooba Shyllon, who was guest of honour, said Shodex Garden is a vision from insanity to sanity, noting that Nigeria is a difficult place for the young ones to thrive.

“It is only great mind and an entrepreneur like him that can establish something like this. He’s an entrepreneur because he is creating a business, employment, values and possibilities for the society. It is people like him that see low hanging ripe fruits in a desert like Nigeria,” he said of the Managing Director of Shodex Art Gallery, Mr.  Olusola Adekoya.

He tasked the artists to embrace sculpting instead of focusing on painting, which he said, is a later day medium. “You are laying too much emphasis on painting. My forefathers made their names from sculptures, not painting. That is where our art originated from. Painting is a latter day thing. I’ve seen so many painting. It’s more difficult to make sculpture,” he added.

In his remark, the Managing Director, Shodex Art Gallery, Mr. Olusola Adekoya, said that it has been the dream of Shodex garden to promote art as one of its major fields alongside nature and life.  He added that the aim of Shodex Garden, which is to make a paradise of everywhere, to reflect as closely as possible the styling, decoration and colour palette of the client’s home so that there is a strong visual relationship between the inside and outside spaces.

The maiden exhibition is to create and promote artistic creativities and budding artists with passion. Shodex Art Gallery programme is a wake-up call to creative artists and designers through enlightenment and networking. The aim of an art gallery within Shodex Gardens is to establish a creative hub that will complement existing recreational facilities for visitors’ pleasure.

“We regularly work closely with architects and interior designers to ensure that this is achieved. We deal in landscaping as well as tree planting and we are popularly known for our Garden and Mini Zoo Recreational Centre here at Anthony, Lagos.

“The reason for Shodex Art Gallery is simply to advocate for the conservation of our natural habitat, through collective efforts of visual artists, textile and ceramic designers, craft-makers and so on. Just as the theme of the exhibition says, Life, Art & Nature, we all know that art, life and nature are inter-connected. Life is essential in art, just as nature is important in health and life. As artists, designers or other creative make art, it’s important to also care for the environment and natural habitats bearing in mind that they depend solely on nature for productivity. Improper disposal of paint media & chemical substances within the environment, atmosphere & waters, by visual artists & industrial designers, is an issue requiring serious consideration,” he added.  Adekoya stressed that indiscriminate tree-felling or cutting of wood, which leads to deforestation, is a prevailing factor in today’s world.

On Tuesday January 31, at the Oriental Hotel Victoria Island, Lagos, business mogul, Adekunle Adedayo, sauntered into age 75 amidst flowing encomium and praises from his constituents and well-wishers.

Adedayo’s compelling grass to grace story was spotlighted during the event as he received encomiums from dignitaries from different walks of life for his contribution to the food and security sectors where he is still holding sway.

His story was linked to a child born with a proverbial lucky star. “Born Adekunle Olubunmi Maxwell Adedayo, on January 31, 1948, to the family of Pa Solomon Adewunmi and Madam Victoria Adedayo in Ila-Orangun, Osun State . “I was raised and have led a balanced and principled life. This informed the man I have grown to become,” he said.

His steady rise to success has been a clear indication that he didn’t just get to his current status by sheer luck, however, he also worked tirelessly to attain his current height.

The story of the Nigerian Customs Service would be incomplete without the immense contributions of the celebrator, who was a former deputy comptroller, via the various committees he was appointed in.

Fondly called “Aakunle” by close friends and family, he is reputed for his words of wisdom and his philanthropic works. With his vast knowledge in marketing and a master’s in management, he voluntarily retired from customer service to support his lovely wife in her business – De Tastes Fried Chicken Ltd and Dr Tastee Pot Ltd.

“At 75, Adedayo, I am still keen on achieving more heights, which includes the continuous growth of De Tastee Fried Chicken and to ensure that it remains the no 1 QSR brand in Nigeria; and also to see that every public school student gets a sound education through the Bunmi Adedayo’s foundation (BAF),” it was stated.

He is married to his childhood friend, turned partner, Olayinka Pamela  Adedayo (Nee Ogunnusi), and the marriage is blessed with a child OluwaBunmi and grandchildren. The marriage began and matured like fine wine into a ‘happily ever after’ story filled with blessings.  

Terra Academy for the Arts (TAFTA), Lagos at the weekend conferred degrees on no fewer than 1,900 students who successfully completed its rigorous programme on relevant skills in theatre arts and entrepreneurship. The programme, which was primarily virtual, offered an innovative curriculum with specialised courses in sound design, stage lighting, animation and scriptwriting, all of which were incorporated with entrepreneurship modules.

Established by Nigeria’s leading culture and art centre, Terra Kulture, the creative academy’s goal is to build and empower a community of young Nigerians who will impact the economy and society by transforming the creative industry.

Founder Terra Kulture Bolanle Austen-Peters said the goal of the academy is that in five years, it would have trained 65,000 young people. “I recognise that jobs are not available. And I looked at the system we were running here. Every single person that has done light, sound, makeup, hair, those skill sets that allow you to be an entrepreneur were all thriving. All those who needed to be employed needed help. I said I’ll only teach courses whereby people become self-employed and become earners of income without having to take a CV to anybody. It was deliberate. All our animation, sound and lighting guys are never short of cash.

‘’The training we provide allows our graduates to build their entrepreneurial skillsets, ensuring that they are capable of providing for themselves and their families. I am very delighted that what was thought impossible has been made possible. My sincere congratulations to our graduates today who have taken the next steps to transform their lives,” she added.

Among guests that witnessed the ceremony included, Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,  Prof. Duro Oni, President, Christian Association of Nigeria, Rev Olasupo Ayokunle, award-winning Filmmaker Femi Odugbemi, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, Deyemi Okanlawon, and Mike Afolarin.  

In his remark, Mohammed spoke on the long-term impact of TAFTA’s programme on national development, saying “Nigeria’s creative industry is the new crude oil. Today, Nigeria has taken the world by storm and found itself in the global space, be it through music, movies, fashion, literature, or theatre. As Nigeria’s population comprises a 70 percent youth demographic, many of whom are unemployed or underemployed, TAFTA could not  have come at a more auspicious time. I can say with conviction that TAFTA is contributing its quota to the efforts to solve the unemployment crisis in Nigeria. I also want to congratulate the graduates and admonish them to make the best use of this rare opportunity afforded to them. TAFTA continues to be a partner of progress and its efforts are impressive and highly commendable. The ministry looks forward to exploring greater means of partnerships with TAFTA to extend their invaluable training across the length and breadth of Nigeria”.

Terra Academy for the Arts was launched in 2021 with the mission to up skill 65,000 underserved Nigerian youths through innovative creative education and practical training strategically designed by handpicked experts in the creative industry. The initial programme runs for six weeks, with an additional two-week practical workshop designed to ensure the hands-on application of the course materials. Notable alumni from the academy include Moshood Fattah, best known for his role as ‘Michael’ in Netflix’s hit series “Far From Home”;  Queen Celestine, Theatre performer and Miss Nigeria Universe 2014, and Bunmi Olunloyo, Actor, dancer, and fitness instructor.

In 2022, TAFTA expanded its offerings with the announcement of the opening of six physical learning centres for the benefit of students who lacked access to the internet, electricity, or compatible devices. The academy also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Screenwriters Guild of Nigeria (SWGN) to strengthen the support offered to students by easing the admission process into the professional guild.