The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

  • Be Authentic!

    Lanre Modu

     

    We live in a world where things are largely judged by appearances. We appreciate a building because it is massive and beautiful.

    We appreciate a car because it is luxurious and expensive. We appreciate a person because he is handsome or she is beautiful.

    We appreciate a job because it pays well and has good benefits. And the list goes on and on. Actually, it would be inhuman not to appreciate all these things and more. But are these qualities enough?

    How many massive buildings exist with critical structural challenges? How many luxurious vehicles have been recalled because of major technical errors, after they have claimed lives?

    How many people have regretted the day they met the beautiful or handsome significant other in their lives? How many glamorous jobs have turned out to be traps or have gone bankrupt? How many times have the appearances we based our decisions on turned out to be false?

    Appearance may sell a product but it would take more than that to sustain a business. Appearance may marry a wife or husband but living together is another ballgame.

    We’ve got to pause long enough to avoid making critical life decisions based on little or no information. As an expert in public relations, it would amount to deliberate misinformation if I tell you that appearance is not important.

    Read Also: That’s a Mistake! (3)

     

    Appearance is like a magnet that attracts. There are several things or people we may never approach without an initial attraction.

    However, attraction can wear out as quickly as it came if there is no substance. We can do a reality check with these questions:

    • Am I properly informed? All the decisions we make in life revolve around information. While we make some decisions based on quality information, we make others based on little or no information, or even outright assumption.

      It is also possible that we sometimes make decisions based on deception. Due to inordinate desire to impress, several people create images they cannot live up to.

      Therefore, a major way to go beyond the surface is to ask critical questions. Some people enter business deals without exercising due diligence.

      Some accept proposals because they believe they are dealing with a “good” person. Hey, trust is essential in relationships, I know, but it must be earned and maintained.

    • Am I authentic? It is easier to point out fake products and persons than for us to admit that we are too! Can people take us at our word? Are we as real in public as we are when we are alone? What can the people close to us say that would ruin our “well-manicured” public image? Can we deliver excellent results with little or no supervision? Can we be trusted to act in public interest or will self-interest mar our judgement? If we live an authentic life, we will not have to struggle to maintain several identities.
    • Can I pay the price? Being original isn’t easy. It means choosing to be excellent in the midst of mediocrity. We are at a dangerous time in history when the society doesn’t even expect us to try so hard.

      People settle for the minimum standard and they consider one fussy when he or she insists on going the extra mile. Strange, isn’t it? What should have been the norm has suddenly become the exception.

      You begin to feel uncomfortable because your efforts to do the right thing stick out like a sore thumb. You do have a choice though- blend in or stick out.

      When you are excellent, people may complain about you but they are actually recommending you without knowing. Seekers of excellence will hear and come looking for you. I searched for the word “instant” on Google and returned 3,090,000,000 (Three billion and ninety million) entries.

      Development takes time. The process is what makes your success worth it. The lessons you learnt through the process is what makes your success a habit and not a coincidence.

    Thanks for reading my article today. I would really love to hear from you. So, do share your views with me by sending SMS to 07034737394, visiting www.olanreamodu.com and following me on twitter @lanreamodu. Remember, if you can change your mind, you can change your life. Grow your mind and every other thing will catch up!

     

  • Amachree urges govt to support women in tourism

    Our Reporter

     

    Nigeria’s Father of Tourism, Chief Mike Amachree, has called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, support women in the tourism industry in their quest to grow the sector for the nation’s benefit.

    Amachree made the call when he paid a condolence visit to the founder, Webisco International Federation of Women Entrepreneurs and Tourism of Nigeria (WIFWETN), Chief (Mrs.) Margaret Bolanle Fabiyi (WEBISCO) who lost her husband, Chief Ebenezer Fabiyi.

    He described the late Chief Fabiyi as an astute business man with great passion for tourism.  He said: “Chief Fabiyi has so much passion for tourism.

    That was why he gave his wife, Webisco,  the opportunity to be involved in tourism. As you are aware, we can’t talk about female tourism practitioners in Nigeria without mentioning Webisco.

    That is why I call her Mama Tourism.  This was only possible because of the support she got from her husband. He  did not only give her moral support, he empowered her financially.

    That was why it was easy for her to traverse the length and breadth of the country to promote domestic tourism. We thank God for the huge legacy of Chief Fabiyi.”

    He used the visit to reiterate the need for government to empower female tourism practitioners like Madam Webisco.

    He said industry practitioners like Webisco have contributed so much to the development of tourism in the country but are being hampered by funds.

    He called on government to intervene and provide them with the needed funds to continue to develop the industry.

    Responding, Webisco thanked Amachree for the visit. She said the visit was a morale booster for her and also thanked him for playing his role as Nigeria’s Father of Tourism well by visiting and encouraging industry practitioners facing challenges.

    Read Also: Role of tourism in African development on focus in Madrid

     

    She said tourism was a passion which she intends to continue despite the loss of her husband. According to Webisco before the demise of her husband, they had acquired an expanse of land for agro-tourism in Osun State under the Webisco Women in Agricultural Tourism Limited: ” It  is registered to promote Agro-tourism starting with the cultivation of fruits and vegetables.

    Using Enviro-Dome Ventilation System Greenhouses, the main products lines are Tomatoes-Cucumbers-Sweet peppers red, green and yellow.

    The agro-tourism centre will have training wing as well as Industrial Centre for Processing of Tomatoes, Fish and Chicken.

    It will also house Entertainment section, Restaurants, Amusement park, mini zoo and wildlife. As we progress, we shall have small and medium scale rice and other grains milling machines for our use and sales of or lease by our out grower partners and smallholder farmers.

    The centre will also have indoor and outdoor games for visitors and guests. There will be dedicated area for clubbing, recreation and fitness Centre. Webisco said the project is being carried out in collaboration with the Osun State government on a  20 hectare-land. When ready, the resort will create  employments and add value to the tourism profile of Osun State.

    Amachree praised her for the vision and encouraged her to continue with the good works.

  • Lagos Creative immortalises Enwonwu

    By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor Arts

     

    Lagos Creative Project, a new artists’ residency programme initiated by The Ben Enwonwu Foundation in partnership with Alliance Française Lagos/Mike Adenuga Centre, Lagos is accepting applications from artists of African and French descent for its maiden edition.

    The project will focus on experimentation and new possibilities in painting and sculpture, two mediums celebrated African pioneer modernist artist, Ben Enwonwu excelled in.

    According to Executive Director, The Ben Enwonwu Foundation, Mr. Oliver Enwonwu the residency seeks to foster cross-cultural ties and exchange between African countries and France by providing a platform for artists to broaden their practice, nurture new forms and ideas, establish networks and develop collaborative projects.

    He said the programme encourages applications that engage Lagos as a megacity by exploring themes that preoccupied Enwonwu throughout his career, including identity, the body (the gaze), gender equality, spirituality and religion, peace and conflict resolution, and environmental sustainability.

    “During their stay, residents will immerse themselves in the increasingly vibrant Lagos art scene, through introductions to local artists, artisans, art organisations and events, as well as cultural and academic institutions.

    They are also expected to engage with the public through open studios, workshops, artist talks and focused discussions.

    Residents will be selected based on the quality of their work, commitment to their practice and adherence to the themes. Successful applicants will be contacted via email,” he added.

    Applications for first session have since January 31 opened to interested candidates and will close by March 20. Announcement of successful candidates will be on May 11.

    Applicant can visit the website https://benenwonwufoundation.org/artist-in-residence-programme and fill the online form. Applicants may benefit three times in total from The Lagos Creative Project. The two sessions will hold every year from July to September and October to December at the Centre.

    Enwonwu disclosed that leading Lagos-based gallery, Omenka, will provide curatorial and logistical support for the programme, which will culminate in an exhibition of works produced during the artists’ stay.

    He added that sales from the exhibition will be split 70 percent for the artist, 20 percent for the Foundation and 10 percent to Alliance Française Lagos/Mike Adenuga Centre.

    Artists may also gift any work of their choice to the foundation.  He noted that two artists will be selected for each session.

    Selected artists will be provided with a live/work studio space at the new, ultra-modern Alliance Française Lagos/Mike Adenuga Centre Lagos, which has facilities such as gallery, library, state-of-the art auditorium, and bakery/ bistro Maison Eric Keyser which are excellent for research, exhibitions, presentations and talks.

    All artists will receive a monthly stipend for incidentals and a one-off stipend for additional art supplies. Funding for travel within Lagos will also be covered while assistance with visa letters will be extended to international participants.

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    Director Alliance Franciase, Mr. Charles Courdent said the project is designed to defend the cultural diversity of Nigeria and France as prescribed by UNESCO, urging artists’ community to be open minded about the new project. “We wish this will be a long term partnership.

    Lagos needs such projects for the growth of art. Also, Lagos needs this kind of centre like Alliance Franciase/Mike Adenuga Centre. We are however confident about the success of the project,” he added.

    Five top judges that will screen the entries are Founder Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation and master artist, Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, Director Alliance Francaise, Mr. Charles Courdent, Founder and Chief Executive Officer Artfundi,Tamzin Lovell-Miller, Founder  and  Director  African  Artists’  Foundation  (AAF),  Azu Nwagbogu and Founder of the 1-54 art fair, Touria El Glaoui.

    The late Ben Enwonwu is the most celebrated African artist of the 20th century. His legacy rests partly on a successful synthesis of indigenous art traditions with Western conventions to create a modern national aesthetic.

    His father, Odigwe Omenka, was a skilful traditional sculptor, while his mother, Iyom Nweze owned a  lucrative  textile  business.  Enwonwu  enrolled  at  Government College,  Ibadan  in  1934,  where  he  studied  under  Kenneth  C.  Murray.  In 1937, Enwonwu was one of a few students Murray exhibited at the Zwemmer Gallery in London,  and  later  at  the  Empire  Exhibition  in  Glasgow.

    This resulted  in  a scholarship to continue his studies in England, first at Goldsmith College, and subsequently at the Slade School of Art, where he graduated with a distinction in sculpture in 1947.

    In 1946, he was invited by the Director-General of UNESCO, Sir Julian Huxley,  to  participate  in  the  International  Exhibition  of  Modern  Art  at  Musée National d’Art’.

    Over the next 10 years, he held several solo exhibitions at Berkley Gallery, Gallerie Appolinaire and in the United States at the behest of the Harmon Foundation.

  • At 10, Freedom Park sets new targets

    By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

     

    One of Nigeria’s most celebrated arts and culture spaces, Freedom Park on Broad Street, Lagos, will soon undergo some changes as it is reengineering and repackaging its facilities and programme contents in order to meet the increasing demands of clients in years ahead.

    The management of the 10-year-old facility built on a one hectare ground of the first colonial prison in Nigeria, disclosed at the weekend that Freedom Park will among others run artists residency, upgrade exhibition space at the museum, install a retractable roof over the amphitheatre for better use during rainy season, provide more dedicated parking spaces along Campbell Street, introduce community outreach programmes targeting Lagos Island community and improve ambient lighting and water features around the park.

    Speaking with Art Writers on Friday at the unveiling of 10th anniversary logo, CEO Freedom Park, Mr. Theo Lawson disclosed that the facility has in the last 10  years paid Lagos State government N50 million as revenue.

    He stated that plans are underway to increase its revenue base by building a Pod hotel over the cells while extending the food court to accommodate more vendors.

    Also, in the plans is the creation of children’s arena that provides adequate and comfortable space for children during visits.

    On partnership strategies, Lawson said Freedom Park is planning a joint tourism initiative that offers a standard tour service that starts and terminates at Freedom Park.

    “We will create a unique tourism experience with a tour-specific special viewing experience that uses film to present a digital  3D tour of Lagos State, history, monuments, sites, governance structure etc.

    We will aim to operate a tour bus as well with a route that showcases the beauty and grandeur of our city. The tour will be principally targetted at foreign visitors and visitors from outside the city and will be jointly designed, operated and owned by our company and Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture,” he said.

    As part of efforts to drive human traffic to the park, a new membership scheme is being introduced to ease entry into the park for visitors.

    These, he said, come with special benefits which include the following; free entry with three guests, special discounts on use of facilities and purchases, members lounge, quarterly members’ night and magazine and discounted services in lounge. The membership categories are ambassador, VIP, regular, artiste and children.

    Read Also: Green Park Estate defines modern lifestyle in design

     

    Lawson recalled that each year, Freedom Park  has hosted over 12 major festivals in varied disciplines of the arts catering to diverse tastes of patrons across ages, stages monthly performances or visual art exhibitions and boasts of live music performance twice weekly.

    “Recently, it became the home of the Soceity of Nigerian Artists (SNA), and also hosts monthly meetings and end of year ball of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (Lagos chapter). All we have achieved so far is reputation.

    Freedom Park has become an international brand, listed as top 10 places to go in Lagos,” he added.

    On Friday, February 14, it will host I am Amazon, a musical concert dedicated to the womenfolk. It will feature five female artistes performing live with an all marking black. Time is 7pm.

    Freedom Park is a former colonial prison that was renovated into a park by Lagos State government. It has been transformed into a space dedicated to the arts and culture of Lagos people.

    Built to commemorate Nigeria’s 50th Independence in 2010, it has become the choice venue for diverse social events and recreational entertainment. Freedom Park offers a serene environment, away from the usual bustle of that part of Lagos.

  • LIMCAF calls for entries, introduces new categories

    By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

     

    Organisers of the yearly Life In My City Art Festival (LIMCAF), have added two more categories to be competed for by artists. The new categories are Best in Ceramics and Best in Photography/Multimedia categories which will be recognized as distinctive areas.

    According to a statement by the Art Director of the festival, Dr. Ayo Adewunmi, the arrangement makes it a total of six different categories with each winner receiving the sum of N250,000.00 (Two hundred and fifty thousand naira only.)

    He also disclosed that Nnamdi Azikiwe Prize for Cartooning, which was introduced during the 2019 grand finale will be awarded this year and winner will receive the sum of N150,000.00 only.

    Interestingly, Mfom Usoro Prize for the Best Entry for Uyo/Calabar zone earlier on hold has been reintroduced. The prize for overall winner remains half a million, while the best six winners will benefit from Emeritus Prof. El Anatsui’s sponsored international trip.

    Read Also: Lawan seeks partnership for festival

     

    The Board of Trustees of the festival, which is in its 14th edition has called for entries for 2020 national art competition.

    The theme for this year’s competition, Vision 2020: So far, So what? is a metaphor for a projected dream, and subsequent hopes and impediments that characterise the social, economic and political conditions of lived environment over time.

    The theme is not just silent probing of yesteryears but also an exploration of the divergence between dream and reality, and between illusion and realism.

    Artists will be required to visually interrogate the specific theme – Vision 2020:So far, So What? using any artistic  medium, technique(s) and quality finish. Deadline for submission of entries is May 30.

  • ‘My life as a poet’

    Many know the founder of Diamond Publications, Lanre Idowu, as a die hard journalist, passionate about the media. But not many know ‘Idowu the Poet’. Come tomorrow, he will be launching a poetry collection, Songs of Childhood along with two other books on the media. In this chat with EVELYN OSAGIE, he speaks about his life as a poet and his passion as a journalist. 

     

    It has been an interesting journey. I’ve been a reporter, editor, columnist, manager, director and a trainer, yet I’m still in the Media and I believe I’ll be in it till my maker calls me home.

    I began my journey as a student of the media, specifically from the University of Lagos (UNILAG). I started paying attention to what is published in the media and I always knew I would make a career in it.

    I had combined honours but majored in History and later decided to go back to school to do a Masters in Public Communication. From there, I started working in different areas of the media precisely in newspapers.

    I  worked first in Daily Times newspaper, then I became a pioneer staff at The Guardian. From there, I went to The Democrat Weekly, and back to the newsroom as I worked with ThisWeek.

    Then I decided I wanted to do something else and to publish a monthly review of the Nigerian media which I’ve done for over 20 years.

    We also have a programme to honour and celebrate journalists through the Diamond Awards of Media Excellence (DAME) that has been on for 28 years now.

     

    My background and  influences  on my media career

    I won’t trade my beautiful childhood for anything. I grew up in a loved setting where love and sense of duty resonated. I had fantastic parents.

    We were taught to own up to whatever mistakes we made: not to be afraid of making mistakes and speaking our mind without being rude.

    My strict father was the head of the home and my mother was a diplomat, always mending fences, explaining things we don’t fully understand and punishment was for correction. She made everyone feel we were special.

     

    On my three books

    Over the years, we have published diverse books but this is the first time that we would be publishing books solely written by me.

    Come tomorrow, I will be formally presenting three books simultaneously: Media on my Mind: Ethics, Governance and other matters, Uneven Steps and Songs of Childhood.

    The three books show different aspects of my career growth. Media on my Mind: Ethics, Governance and other matters, a collection of my essays written between 2009 and 2017, is about my work as an essayist, columnist and public speaker.

    Uneven Steps, a first full-length novel, is the story of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), a very important professional association. I had a good, interesting childhood and not too pleasant experience.

    And so, 10 years after my first poetry collection, Bridges of  Memory, I will be unveiling another on my childhood, entitled: Songs of Childhood.

     

    My life as a poet

     

    I’m happy my parents sent me to school. I’ve always enjoyed the arts. And a good number of my courses in UNILAG were in that area. In secondary school, Literature and History were my favorite subjects.

    Then I tried writing a few lines but they were not published. At some points in the 80s, I started publishing some in The Guardian.

    The first collection was Briges of Memory  which featured some poems on private matters and others about things happening around.

    As an observer, it was experiential. But the second anthology was more deliberate because I decided to focus on my childhood.

    As a child, I watched drama on television, like Oyin Adejobi, Baba Sala and lots of other Yoruba dramas. Throughout secondary school, I followed what was in the media.

    Growing up in Lagos and going to Abeokuta to visit my maternal grandmother who was into tye and dye, had a huge influence on me. She would tell us stories.

    The more I sat to think, I remembered a lot of interesting happenings in my childhood and village life. And so I thought it was a great idea to share my experiences with an audience, such as the sing-along songs.

     

    My most memorable moments in the media

    Though there have been some challenges, we are at it. Bringing these three books out is my most significant step because this is the 40th year of my being a writer. I was first a writer before I became a journalist.

    It is important for me to say thanks to God for how far I’ve come.

    We thank God for our mentors and mentees. I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be relevant. I’m working towards achieving more.

    Read Also: Poet of dust stirs debate on Sufi, African world

     

    In the course of my work, there have been dangers on the field but I am grateful for life. I think I spent a good part of my life working in the media.

    A lot of things happened that should not be forgotten and putting it down in written form will help scholars, journalists, students and citizens concerned about development in our society.

    I’m hopeful that Uneven Steps will be found useful in helping to clear the air in decisions-making, repositioning the guild and making it more relevant.

    We must encourage our people to read and write. My next assignment is to make more journalists become authors, sharing their experiences for growth. I’d like to see new books by journalists from the field so that different viewers will have new information.

    We will need help because a number of things we come across will be put into news. I salute Segun Adeniyi who has been able to follow things in the news and turn them to books.

    I think he has done that for about two or three times. We just need to encourage more of our journalists to talk more about what they go through so that their efforts can be appreciated.

     

    Lessons life taught me

    We are not in this life by accident. We have a duty to our Creator to put to use the talents he has endowed us with.

    As a child, I learnt that you are not accountable to yourself alone; that you didn’t create yourself, God created you and put you in a family.

    And in anything you do, you must honour Him, helping those you come across in life. For after we leave this world, there is another life that we will be accountable to.

    So, values, Christian values, have always been part of my upbringing. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Whatever life throws at you, you must face it squarely.

    We should use our talent to please God; make our society a better place, show courage even in the face of challenges in life.

    We can’t afford to give up. Learn from challenges and move on. I like what doctors say, ‘We care, God heals’. So, try, do your best and leave the rest for God.

    Find out what He has given you and use it to exalt His name. I always say that what is popular is not always right. So don’t follow the crowd.

    You don’t have to fight to make your point. If they are doing something you are not comfortable with it, excuse yourself.

  • Beautiful Wilderness mounts Muson stage

    By Evelyn Osagie

    A new musical play, Beautiful Wilderness The Musical, an adaptation of the novel A Beautiful Wilderness written by  Dupe Olorunjo, will mount the Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos stage from February 14 to 16.

    It is produced and directed by Gbenga Yusuf. The musical will spice up the Valentine day celebration in Lagos.

    gbenga yusuf
    gbenga yusuf

    The musical will set the stage for mesmerizing scenes, relatable narratives and gripping twists and turns. “What is real and what is not is left for the audience to decide”, the producers said. Seasoned with free-flowing poetry, riveting dances and enchanting music, Beautiful Wilderness is a must-see stage splendour.

    The plot revolves around the stereotypically successful business tycoon that is Keanu Omira (played by Patrick Diabuah). Omira is an easily recognisable boss-man by any working class subject as he believes he has got the world in his pocket.

    Being one who does not suffer fools lightly, he is truly bewildered when the rug is pulled from beneath his feet and he takes off on a journey into the unknown. In this 4D-nightmare-come-alive, he must make a choice; to either retrace his steps or be lost forever.

    The musical play parades other top notch actors like Tosin Adeyemi, Omololu Sodiya, Aisha Onitiri, Eden Attah and many others.

    Produced by Seeing Through the Arts Production Company, this family show speaks of humility and kindness as part of the best human virtues to possess.

    It explores a different kind of love that gives freely but expects nothing in return. The Executive Producer of the musical play and author of the novel, A Beautiful Wilderness, believes that stories have the power to expose the reality of where we stand and help us envision where we should be. She also states that all positive stories birthed in our hearts deserve a telling.

    “I have written four novels, all within the inspirational fiction genre, and my hope every day is that each one will continue to influence my audience to embrace life-changing possibilities, sometimes outside our normal reach.”

    Talking about how she was inspired to write the novel, Olorunjo disclosed that it happened while she was trapped in Lagos traffic one morning.

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    “I was sitting in the car, frustrated, when my eyes were drawn to a lame beggar. He must have just arrived and was unpacking his things including his begging bowl.

    I watched him closely and realised …This was his entire life; he wasn’t concerned with the traffic, with issues in the corporate world, the stock market, Lagos gossip, celebrities, owning a car, designer clothes… nothing. Then I also understood that he didn’t choose that world. In fact, each one of us in a different life, a different family, a different environment could have easily been sitting in that beggar’s shoes.

    The story of A Beautiful Wilderness from the beginning to the end was formed in my mind that morning”. I trust that our exposure to this story will help us appreciate all we are and all we have including our blessings and the love God has surrounded us with, Olorunjo, added.

    Gbenga Yusuf is the creative director at Seeing Through the Arts Production Company. Recently, he produced and directed the Legends: the Musical and also produced and directed Red Velvet- Waje’s first album concert.

    Yusuf is excited to be on the ‘Beautiful Wilderness’ project, not just because he is producing and directing it, but because it’s an amazing story of love and faith.

    As Producer and Director, he said: “It is not a regular story and so our decision to stage Beautiful Wilderness during the Valentine period was intentional, because the musical play shows us a different kind of love.

    It is the highest form of love…one that has depth. I will say this to you, no matter what your schedule looks like, make time for yourself, or your loved one or ones, as the case may be, to come and see this show. Do not miss the Beautiful Wilderness Musical.

    “The musical play shows how crucial our decisions are and how they come to bear on our love life, relationships, businesses and also to us personally.

    We follow the story up the corporate ladder, through the alleys of poverty, over the bumps of the marriage institution and finally to a point of self-reflection on our own life journey. It’s a family show which connects with different age groups and social classes and one we are quite proud of.” Yusuf said.

  • Rotary empowers 35 on energy management

    By Evelyn Osagie

     

    The District Governor  Rotary Club District 9110 stood tall last Friday evening when the club empowered 35 men and women.

    Speaking at a ceremony, which took place at Ishak Tolaram Foundation Building, Lagos, the District Governor, Dr. Jide Akeredolu, stated that the programme was held to salvage humanity, urging the participants to strive to make positive changes in their various communities.

    “Rotary Club is a community of humanitarians touching people’s lives. We expect that you also will go back to your communities and affect other people’s lives with what you have learnt these two days. Please go to your communities to impact their lives,” he told the beneficiaries.

    On his part, the Assistant Governor of the District, Omotunde Lawson, noted that the club’s involvement in the vocational training is because “we, in Rotary Club, are dedicated to optimal performance and service”.

    “Our club wants to further empower people, that is why we bring these young women and men together, they are entrepreneurs in their own right and the topic today is on energy management and you know energy is a major issue in Nigeria of today.

    This training will enable them to be better equipped in their daily work. The certificate we are going to give them can be presented anywhere to show that they were part of this impactful training,” she said.

    On his part, Mr. Sanjay Srivastava informed that the club is out to touch more lives this year.  He said: “For the Rotary Club of Lagos Island, this is one of the many series of training that we do. So it is almost a regular thing. As the need arises, we bring resource persons together to train people.

    “The benefit is that we are out to serve humanity, to improve the state of things in our communities, and beyond. We aim to make people self-sufficient in whatever they are going to be doing that contributes to the society. We do this free of charge to people who are less privilege in the society.”

    The two-day empowerment programme ended on Friday evening with the Club’s top official led by the District Governor, taking turns to present certificates to the beneficiaries. After receiving their certificates, Oluwadurotimi Akinbolayan, a beneficiary, said: “I read Mechanical engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University.

    I saw the flyer bearing the information about the seminar on social media. I made research and contacted the numbers and I found out that it was authentic so I decided to attend. Honestly I am shocked about the content of the programme.

    “When I first saw the flyer I was skeptical. But when I saw Rotary Club I was more confident about attending. We were informed through the flyers that we would pay N5000 for the seminar but on getting here, we even found out that it is totally free plus refreshment and proper lunch. I go for programmes like this and I know how much I pay for such. What they have done today is very humanitarian. Rotary Club has lived up to its name and reputation.”

    Another beneficiary, Jonathan Chinedu recounted that: “The programme has been educative and impressive. My brother who is based in Port Harcourt sent me the information. He said he got the information on the social media.

    So he told me to attend. Registration was termed N5000 but on getting here, Rotary Club declared it free, no fee paying seminar.

    Read Also: Rotary promotes health for humanity

     

    I have come to see that the energy problem in Nigeria is simply political and can be overcome. I have collected the certificate today and it is going to open new doors for me.”

    For the two of the resource persons at the training, the seminar was a timely intervention to help curb in the unemployment in the country.

    According to Austin Duru, an executive officers of Nigerian Society of Engineers, Victoria Island Branch, observed that Nigeria holds a lot of opportunities for energy service management industry.

    “We act we hope that would become energy providers after this training. We know that it is not going to happen overnight but the knowledge that they have got here would probably help them to plan and execute an energy service company that offers power purchase service and agreements to communities in the next few years.

    Hopefully I want to see that Nigeria’s electricity problems can be solved even from this minor group. And when others do the same and more people are trained, then we could have a bigger social impact.

    The return on investment is high and we hope continue organising this training and advocacy to many to enable them enter into the energy space,” said Duru.

    An Indian, Mr. Prasanna Kuppuswamy, who was also a resource person at the training, praised efforts of the club on empowerment, while urging participants to buld on what they have been given.

    He said: “I represent Enpee Group. From my interactions with these participants, I see them making impact with the knowledge that they have gained today. People come into the industry without knowing about the sector.

    The knowledge they have gained today will enable them to know what, how and where to procure the infrastructure and materials needed in the energy sector and how to do installation of electrical and solar energy amongst other things.”

  • Journey through art in memory of Bisi

    By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

     

    As part of activities commemorating the one year anniversary of the late founder The Centre for Contemporary Art (CCA), Lagos Bisi Silva, a documentary entitled Journey through art by Toyin Akinosho will be screened on Wednesday February 12 at the Centre for Contemporary Art, Yaba Lagos.

    This will be followed by a discussion session featuring Jide Bello, Uche Okpa-Iroha, Sinmidele Adesanya and Temitayo Ogunbiyi.

    Jahman Anikulapo of CORA will moderate the event which will attract artists, collectors, arts enthusiasts and critics. Until her demise, Silva was the founding Artistic Director of CCA. She passed on the February 12, 2019 at the age of 56.

    Read Also: Octogenarian finds fulfilment in art

     

    Silva started the Center for Contemporary Art, Lagos in 2007 and made it a hub for bold and experimental sculpture, painting, photography and video and performance art that could ignite local and global interest.

    She also curated exhibitions of African art around the world. One, in Helsinki, Finland, in 2011, featured the Nigerian photographer J. D. Okhai Ojeikere’s images of African women’s exotic hairstyles.

    She turned that show into a book. Others showed the work of the Ghanaian-born sculptor Prof Emeritius El Anatsui in Amsterdam and Johannesburg.

    To fill the gaps in arts education and appreciation, she created the Asiko Art School – actually a series of pop-up schools holding annual, monthlong educational gatherings in various African countries including Senegal, Ghana and Ethiopia, where artists, writers, historians, curators and teachers immersed themselves in seminars, workshops and exhibitions. The events gave Silva opportunities to evaluate artists’ works.

     

  • NCC, AFMAN partner to boost Hausa films

    By Evelyn Osagie

    The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) and Arewa Film Makers Association of Nigeria (AFMAN) are  developing the film industry in the North to ensure its sustainable growth and economic viability.

    The partnership, according to them, would focus on harnessing creative talents and developing a conducive business environment for the film industry to thrive as a viable source of engendering gainful employment for the teeming youths in the North.

    The resolutions were reached during a courtesy visit by a delegation of AFMAN, led by its chairman, Mr. Ahmed Turaki Kaka to NCC Director-General, Mr. John O. Asein, at the commission’s Headquarters in Abuja last Wednesday.

    Asein stated that in implementing the proposed NCC-AFMAN collaboration, “the commission would intensify enforcement measures to check the piracy  Hausa films in Nigeria and the Hausa speaking regions across Africa”.

    Describing Hausa filmmakers as indispensable components of the Nigerian creative industry, which has contributed immensely to the Nigeria’s economy, he reassured delegation of the commission’s commitment to always support creators and genuine investors in the industry.

    “NCC would also be addressing issues of rights management, public enlightenment and education to promote a viable business framework and effective distribution of Hausa films. I urge you to consider how best they could leverage on existing online platforms to promote their works beyond the shores of Nigeria,” Mr. Asein stated.

    Read Also: Copyright: Filmmakers to dialogue with pirates

     

    He, however, urged AFMAN members to upgrade the technical content of their movies to meet the required high digital quality of international standard, adding that they should consider the possibility of adopting licensing schemes to check the illegal downloads of their films.

    The D-G urged stakeholders to forge a united front, noting that copyright pirates exploit the division amongst right owners to perpetuate their evil. “It will be good for the northern film groups to have a unified body that will represent your interest and speak with one voice”, he added.

    The Chairman of AFMAN, Mr Ahmed Kaka, disclosed that large scale local and foreign piracy was affecting the growth of the industry, while listing filmmakers’ major challenges to include “the rampant activities of illegal downloaders, voice-over translators and inadequate knowledge of players in the industry”.

    According to him, “all the associations of film makers in northern Nigeria have agreed to unite under the umbrella of the Motion Pictures Association of Nigeria (MOPPAN) and AFMAN”.

    Stating that Hausa filmmakers were willing to dialogue with illegal downloaders and others infringing their copyright, he stressed that the association was committed to working with NCC in addressing the challenges undermining the growth of the industry.

    Secretary of AFMAN and Coordinator, Nassarawa State Zone, Mr. Dalhatu Sule, in his remarks, gave assurance that the association would deploy its huge fan base to support the efforts of NCC in the fight against piracy and other matters affecting the industry.