The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

  • At 60, Balogun dines with motherless

    At 60, Balogun dines with motherless

    At a memorable time when most people would have rolled out the big drums in grand celebration of their diamond birthday anniversary, Dr Olusola Kayode Balogun, former Arts Editor of Daily Sun newspaper and now Senior Lecturer Federal University, Oye Ekiti chose to do the ‘unthinkable’. He ignored the red carpet to rejoice with the motherless babies. Balogun who shunned a grandiose celebration of his natal- free day last April 19 marked his 60th birthday on a modest note at the Peace of Life Orphanage, Aiyetobi Alagbado area of Lagos. 

    The brief but eventful ceremony saw members of his immediate family, friends, relations and workers at the orphanage in attendance. Hosted by Evangelist Sarah Adenike Dosunmu, founder of the orphanage, the ceremony witnessed prayers, exhortation, singing and dancing with the motherless babies and orphans. The high point of the ceremony was the presentation of gifts, food items and souvenirs to the orphans by the celebrant.

    Explaining his choice of location for the ceremony, Balogun who expressed gratitude to his creator for sparing his life said he received a divine message to celebrate with the needy such as motherless babies and orphans. He described his life of six decades as one that is full of grace and special favour from God, noting ‘I appreciate God for giving me life till this moment, despite all the challenges and obstacles I have encountered’.

    Balogun, who referred to himself as a product of God’s mercy noted that he had earlier planned to celebrate his birthday anniversary with the presentation of his two newly published plays; Okemesi and the Jealous Gods and Beyond the Chains, but that upon receiving the divine message from his maker, he resorted to celebrating with the motherless babies and the needy.

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    Evangelist Dosunmu commended Dr Balogun for choosing a unique location like the orphanage to rejoice with children and adolescents who do not have biological parents to cater for them. She described this decision by the celebrant as a worthy and Godly one, even as she urged other Nigerians to emulate Dr Balogun ‘who have chosen to identify with the needy on a day, which can be easily turned to a platform for merry making and collection of gifts from friends, relations and colleagues’.

    The ceremony, which featured special prayer session by the children in favour of the celebrant was graced by Dr Balogun’s wife; Deaconess Elizabeth Balogun and his four children; Barrister Bolaji Balogun, Miss Atinuke Balogun, Mr Ololade Balogun and Miss Abisola Balogun.

    Born at Iwo Osun State on April 19, 1965, Balogun attended Methodist School, Oke Agogo Igboora, Kuta Community High School, Kuta and Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo for his secondary education. He studied Theatre Arts at the University of Ibadan where he obtained his B. A (Hons), M.A and Ph.D degrees. Balogun also worked at The Guardian, Daily Independent and Daily Sun where he served as founding Arts Editor. He was trained as Arts and Culture journalist at the Goethe Institut, Berlin, Germany and UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France. Balogun also served as President, Arts and Culture Writers Association of Nigeria (2010-2014) and Chairman, Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Ekiti State chapter between 2020 and 2023.

  • Trino, NIFS inaugurate ISDE, induct 12 creatives

    Trino, NIFS inaugurate ISDE, induct 12 creatives

    No fewer than twelve creatives were inducted at the weekend in Lagos by Trino Motion Pictures and the Nigerian International Film Summit (NIFS) at the maiden edition of the International Sales and Distribution Executives (ISDE) programme. The initiative is to address a critical gap in the entertainment industry.

    The cohorts are Adetayo Adebowale, Dr Sherif Adekunle, Ehinomen Azeta, Uneke Ekene, Faustina Okomayin, Lucy Adikwu, Mercy Akumute, Nneamaka Nwadei, Olatubosun Olasimbo, Precious lroagalachi, Daleshawn Butler and Temitope Sanni.

    The programme was also designed to equip professionals with expertise in international sales, aggregation, licensing, and distribution.

    At the core of the initiative is addressing a pressing need in the creative industry, where talented individuals produce high-quality content but often lack the knowledge and skills to effectively market and monetise their work globally.

    Managing Director of Trino Motion Pictures, Uche Okocha said that the training programme was conceived after the company’s two-year experience attempting to handle sales and distribution roles.

    He noted that a gap was encountered, which was a lack of structured pipelines for professionals and inadequate training facilities.

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    This realisation, he said, prompted the development of the programme.

    Highlighting the importance of identifying potential, building capacity, and creating opportunities to build a sustainable film industry, he disclosed that the training would feature both virtual and physical classes and would run for six months.

    “So the ISDE programme will have 12 finalists trained on the nitty-gritty of international sales and distribution for all formats: scripted, unscripted, TV formats, documentaries, films and all.

    “This will be for six months and will feature international executives as resources persons that have been in the sales and distribution space for at least over 15 years. We are going to try and have a mix of the French territories, some of France, the UK, and Nigeria.

    “The real goal is to train the next generation of professionals that can sell our content to a global audience, which is very important because we found that there are no training platforms for such.

    We hope to have this as an annual programme going forward and maybe expand it to 24 participants so that we can keep supporting the industry and the personnel that we require in that space of sales and distribution to keep growing.

    “They will have the opportunity to visit local film markets, festivals, and international festivals in the course of the training,” he added.

     Founder of the Nigerian Film International Summit (NIFS), Ms Ijeoma Onah stressed the need to create a balance between the business side of film and the creative side.

    Onah said that upon the completion of the programme, the participants would go on an internship programme with international organisations.

    “People need to understand that film is a product, and if the right knowledge is in place, then we can begin to see sustainable businesses birthed, she said.

    She charged the cohorts to understand that it is time to step out and build their own network as well as elevate their career.

    “A lot have been invested in this programme we demand a lot of concentration and focus from you,” she added.

    Executive Director, National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shaibu Husseini,

    highlighted the importance of capacity building in developing a robust entertainment industry.

    He tasked the creatives on the application procedure to procure the Federal Government’s Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF), which would only warrant a creative’s intellectual property (IP) as collateral.

    He urged them to apply for the fund, which would aid their operations in the industry.

    Programme Director for ISDE programme, Godwin Nzekwe stated that today marked the beginning of a bold and timely vision to prepare, equip, and position African creatives for the global stage through international storytelling, business strategy, and meaningful industry collaboration.

    “The ISDE programme is not just a training. It is a launchpad for cross-cultural exchange, market access, and real transformation in our film and television space.

    “Over the coming months, our participants will engage with global mentors, gain deep industry knowledge, attend major international markets, and complete a six-month internship with top-tier distribution companies,” he said.

  • Gallery partners Goethe, MOWAA to restore national collection

    Gallery partners Goethe, MOWAA to restore national collection

    As part of its strategic reforms to reposition Nigerian contemporary art, the National Gallery of Art (NGA) has launched series of reforms directed at the restoration and digitisation of the National Art Collection that has been in a poor state for decades.

    Speaking during an interaction with Art Writers in Lagos, the Director-General, (NGA), Mr Ahmed Sodangi, disclosed that the initiative involves partnership between Goethe Institut, Museum of West African Arts, (MOWAA) and Julius Berger to restore and digitize national collection. Already, Julius Berger has donated a 40ft sound-proof container for storage of some of works

    “Goethe Institut, MOWAA and Julius Berger have agreed to partner us to help digitise our collection so that we can have a digital archive of the national collection. We are taking on-the-spot assessment of the artworks giving them condition assessment and documenting them in a digital form.

    “And these artworks have been lying around for a long time and there is need for their restoration. This is also what has sparked the partnership with (MOWAA), Museum of the West African Arts, which they have also graciously partnered the National Gallery to do some conservation works on the National Collection.

    Sodangi maintained that due to the absence of a national gallery building, the National Collection is currently stored in various locations across the country in poor conditions. “These artworks are meant to be displayed, and are meant to be seen by the general public,” he said.

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    He stated that beyond the restoration of national collection, the ongoing reforms in NGA are focused on four pillars, which includes a review of the gallery’s enabling Act and internal restructuring, which involves rebranding the institution. Other area is implementing the National Art Renaissance Programme, aimed at cataloguing and digitally preserving artworks worth billions of Naira. Sodangi stressed the need for human capacity building, noting that NGA personnel, as custodians of the National Collection, require regular training to stay aligned with global best practices. “The Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy is more or less a new ministry, but the creative industry and creative economy have been blossoming,” he said.

    “It has had so much success, with very little interaction with the government. So, as a government, we have to look at ourselves, and see how we can come up and not take control. But see how we can partner the private sector, and the creatives that have built this undeniable industry to where it is today.”

    Director Goethe-Institut, Nigeria Dr Nadine Siegert who expressed delight at the partnership, underscored the significance of the collection, which she said, contains hundreds of masterpieces that deserve global visibility. “I think we have already inventoried about 900 or so works. We have photographed about, I think, 400 works,” she said.

    According to her, two artworks are currently undergoing professional restoration and would be ready for exhibition locally and internationally in July.

    She recalled that when she was at the National Theatre in 2018, she fell in love with the collection, because “I was working on it as an art historian, and the collection was precious. I am sure there’s not only one masterpiece in this collection. I think there are hundreds of masterpieces in this collection that the world needs to see. And as an Institut, we are very happy and proud to be part of that, to make this collection more visible to not only the art historians and the academia, but all the theatre lovers and art lovers in the world,” she added.

    Associate Conservator at MOWAA, Yetunde Odediran said it is an exciting opportunity for MOWAA to come on this collaboration as technical partners for conservation and restoration. This, she said, will enable them to share the conservation expertise and knowledge that they have, use it to make the works more accessible to the general public in Nigeria and across West Africa.

    “A lot of people have not seen the collection. This generation has probably not seen some of these works that have been in storage. They are now coming to light by digitisation, inventory and they were put up for exhibition. So, our main focus is to ensure that these works are stabilised and also brought up to the level that they’re able to be exhibited and displayed. Another thing that’s key for us is to share our knowledge and training. So in the course of the collaboration, we’ve been able to work with NGA staff as well as equipping staff in understanding what it takes to handle artworks,” she added.

  • Youths and virtues of ethical living

    Youths and virtues of ethical living

    Over 2,000 students across 20 public secondary schools in Lagos State have been trained in two editions of the “Ethical Living Project.” Powered by African Capital Alliance (ACA) Foundation, a non-profit organisation, in partnership with Enactus Nigeria, next year’s edition of the initiative which aims at instilling values and skills in young people to position them as change agents, targets one million students across 40 schools. It also plans to expand its reach beyond the Southwest states to other parts of the country, Assistant Editor CHIKODI OKEREOCHA reports.

    Its transformative power to create a future where the value of ethics reigns supreme is not in doubt. This must be why the co-creators of the Ethical Living Project, an initiative designed to instill ethical values and skills in young Nigerians to enable them become change agents, admit that they do not expect to immediately see all the changes envisaged in the six-week ethical living training programme.

    However, the co-creators of the project, namely the African Capital Alliance (ACA) Foundation and Enactus Nigeria, acknowledge that the seed that has been sown by leveraging the Ethical Living Project to equip secondary school students with the skills and values they need to become ethical leaders will not take long to blossom, ultimately resulting in significantly bridging Nigeria’s ethical gap.

    Their optimism is not without justification. The first two editions of the project, which is being funded by ACA Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of pan-African investment firm African Capital Alliance, with Enactus Nigeria, a leadership development-focused non-governmental organisation (NGO) as implementing partner, responsible for creating the ethical living training curriculum, were hugely successful.

    So far, over 2, 000 students across 20 public secondary schools in Lagos State have been trained in two editions of the Project. About 534 students in 10 public secondary schools in Lagos State, as pilot, were trained in its inaugural edition last year, while this year’s edition expanded its enrollment to 10 new schools in Lagos; bring the total to 20 schools with a total of 2,000 students.

    The 20 public secondary schools across Lagos so far reached on the project’s two editions include Araromi Senior Secondary School, Orile, Surulere; CMS Girls’ Senior Grammar School, Bariga Lagos;  Reagan Memorial Baptist Girls’ Secondary School Yaba; St Timothy’s College Onike, Yaba; Lagos Anglican Girls’ Grammar School (LAGGS); and Dolphin Senior High School, Lagos Island, Lagos.

    Others are Boys’ Senior Academy, Lagos Island, Lagos; Ebute Elefun Senior High School, Sura Lagos Island; Kuramo Senior College, Victoria Island, Lagos; Akande Dahunsi Memorial Senior High School, Osborne, Lagos; Government Senior College, Ikoyi, Lagos; Ilado Community Senior High School; Wahab Folawiyo Comprehensive Senior High School; Government Senior College, Maroko; Osborne Schools Complex, Ikoyi, Lagos and CMS Grammar School Bariga, Lagos.

    Other schools that benefited from the ethical living training are Jagunmolu Girls’ Senior Grammar School, Bariga, Lagos; Baptist Academy, Obanikoro, Lagos; Ojota Senior Secondary School, Ojota; Gbagada Senior Grammar School, Gbagada, Lagos and Ayedere Ajibola Senior High School Ketu, Lagos.

    The Chairman of the ACA Group, Dr Okechukwu Enelamah said it is gratifying that this year’s edition of the programme reached over 2,000 students across 20 public secondary schools in Lagos State, compared to about 534 in last year’s inaugural edition.

    “This milestone reflects the growing impact of our shared commitment to promoting ethics, integrity and responsible citizenship among young people,” he said.

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    Dr. Enelamah, who spoke at the grand finale of the Ethical Living Project 2.0 Annual Essay Writing Competition, held last week, at the Civic Centre Lagos said the ACA Foundation was established in 2012 as a force for good, focused on supporting the development of entrepreneurship, governance and ethical leadership in the various communities in which ACA operates.

    According to him, the Ethical Living Project is not just a competition, “it is a movement, it is a call to action for each of us to live by the values we espouse, to be the change that we want to see in our communities and society and to live by example in a world hungry for ethical and exemplary leadership.” He added that out of the 2, 000 bright minds that have been trained, 1,416 students rose to the challenge by participating in the annual essay competition.

    Samuel Opadotun, a student of Ebute Elefun Senior High School, Sura Lagos Island emerged as the overall winner of the ‘Ethical Living’ Essay Competition.’ Reuben Oshisanya, an SSI student of Baptist Academy, Obanikoro, Lagos and Anuoluwapo Akeni of Jagunmolu Girls’ Senior Grammar School, Bariga Lagos were second and third place winners, respectively. They were rewarded with high-end laptops.

    The three overall winners were among the finalists after their essays were thoroughly reviewed and assessed by certified experts drawn from educational institutions. The finalists made presentations and highlighted their learning experiences to the admiration of the audience, which included industry leaders, top government functionaries, stakeholders in the education sector, social impact institutions and development agencies.

    “I feel great because I have made my parents proud by taking the first position,” an excited Samuel told The Nation.

    “I am happy for taking overall second position. I thank everyone that has contributed in sponsoring this project,” Reuben, the second place winner whose school participated in the programme last year, also said.

    Anuoluwapo, the third-place winner, is no less excited. “I feel so happy. This is the first time our school is participating in this ethical living project and I feel so overwhelmed,” she told The Nation, adding that her happiness stemmed from the fact that “I have always wanted to have a laptop. For over a year, my dad has been telling me he will get me one, but I am so happy that I have one now.”

    An elated Anuoluwapo, who expressed optimism that “if the organisers can continue this project, it will, at least, improve a lot of young minds in Nigeria,” even as he drew the attention of the Country Director for Enactus Nigeria, Michael Ajayi and the project sponsor, ACA Foundation to this need.

    Ajayi said, for instance, that the organisers are looking forward to the third edition and beyond to expand the programme and its impact and reach beyond Lagos to other Southwest states and eventually to other parts of the country.

    “The impact that needs to be made to transform Nigeria cannot be made on a handful of states; we need to make that impact on a wide range of young people so that we can create that critical mass that will gradually transform the country.

    “So, for the third edition and subsequently, we are looking to expand it gradually. Now we have 20 secondary schools, for the third edition, we are looking at a minimum of 40 schools and from there, we will grow up to the entire country eventually,”Ajayi told The Nation.

     According to him, we have a five-year plan that will take us to other parts of the country beyond the Southwestern region. The essence is about teaching ethics to the Nigerian people so that, in the next five to 10 years, we will begin to see certain levels of transformation.

    The Head of Corporate Development, ACA Executive/ACA Foundation Board, Mrs Uwa Osa-Oboh also confirmed plans to expand the Project’s scope and reach.

    “Next year, there will be a doubling. The Chairman (Dr Enelamah) said he wants us to get to one million students. We have to think of efficient ways of being able to engage the schools and the government so that this truly can scale up as quickly as possible,” she said.

    Mrs Osa-Oboh, who oversees the affairs of the Foundation from an executive perspective, however, said beyond the numbers, the reason for the grand finale is not just to celebrate, recognise and reward the winners, but “to ensure that when the students leave here, they continue to think about this and they want to become role models.”

    The Chairman of ACA Foundation Council, Mr Paul Kokoricha, elaborated this further, noting that the purpose of the Ethical Living Project is to instill in young minds in the secondary schools the virtues of living ethically. He also revealed plans to spread the Project across Nigeria.

    “Once we are done with Nigeria, we will be thinking outside of Nigeria because our business is also pan-African,” he told The Nation.

    As implementation partner for the Ethical Living Project, which is an integrated developmental programme designed to elevate consciousness around ethics and ethical decision-making among young adults in secondary schools across the country, the first thing Enactus did was to design six training modules, having realised that to teach ethics, there should be some sort of structure that guides the conversation.

    Module 1 is Introduction to Ethics, while Module 2 is Impact of Ethical Decisions on Self, Family and Society; Module 3 is Conflicts of Values, while Module 4 is Ethics and Society, which is basically about how certain societies have evolved and have become a beautiful place to go to and how those societies have grown based on ethical practices that have become like their culture.

    The 5th Module is Reflection and Retrospection while the sixth is a recap of everything from the first module to the last module. Ajayi said after the six-week training, the students went into essay competition designed to help them articulate their thoughts to inculcate those things they have learnt into them. This is “because by writing, you are also forced to think.”

    To ensure the programme’s sustainability, the Enactus Nigeria Country Director said an Ethical Living Club has been set up, drawing pioneer membership from 50-60 students per school who were selected in the first phase of the training last year.

    “The Ethical Living Club is an interactive programme that allows those 50-60 students from last year to also share what they have learnt to other members of that community and also lead the conversation so that through them, we are able to reach at least 50 per cent of the school population,” he explained.

  • Art as emotional medicine

    Art as emotional medicine

    Amid the daily pressures of modern life, a new wave of artists is harnessing the power of sound as emotional medicine. Groups like the Lagos Sound Artists Collective are using experimental sound to heal, reflect and challenge societal norms. Blending ancient traditions with modern technology, these artists craft immersive performances that foster emotional release and promote community engagement, transforming sound into a powerful tool for emotional release and social change in challenging times, reports Associate Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF.

    What if music could do more than just entertain us? What if it could heal, guide, and transform the emotional landscape of our lives? This idea has driven artists for centuries. Sound, after all, is not merely a form of entertainment. It has the power to express emotion and, more profoundly, to shape and soothe it. As science and art continue to converge, we’re beginning to truly understand the depth of sound’s impact on our bodies and minds. From ancient chants to modern sound baths, artists have long sought to turn sound into something far more than mere noise—something that heals.

    Today, there’s a growing movement of sound artists turning to their craft to provide emotional release and healing within communities worldwide. One compelling example of this transformative use of sound is the Lagos Sound Artists Collective (LSAC), a group of artists based in Lagos, Nigeria, who have taken sound beyond entertainment, making it a tool for resistance and reflection in the face of ongoing societal challenges. In a world where the socio-political and economic struggles of daily life can seem overwhelming, sound is offering a powerful avenue for introspection, healing, and reconnection.

    A recent performance by the LSAC, titled Echoes and Balance, took place at the J. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History in Lagos. The event was more than just a performance; it was an attempt to create a communal space for emotional release and social reflection, using sound to address what the artists call the “normalisation of challenges” in Nigeria. Issues like insecurity, the cost of living, and gridlocked city traffic have become constant burdens, so much so that they often go unnoticed in their weight. Nigerians, in many ways, have become numb to the everyday struggles they face. Yet, through sound, the LSAC sought to offer a moment of pause, an opportunity to confront and reflect on these challenges, and perhaps find a way to reconnect with what’s been buried beneath the noise of daily life.

    Tosin Oyebisi, a member of the collective, explained that the performance wasn’t just about providing entertainment but about confronting the daily burdens people carry. “People are carrying a lot—cost of living, insecurity, traffic. We’ve become numb to it. Through sound, we create space to reflect and possibly reconnect with what we’ve suppressed,” Oyebisi said. The intention was clear: to help people confront and release emotions they might not even have been fully aware of, allowing sound to open up the possibility for healing.

    Qudus Onikeku, the director of the J. Randle Centre, encapsulated the ethos of the event by describing the performance as “sound as material, not information.” He emphasised that it is not about what is heard, but what is felt. Sound, he explained, has the power to communicate deeply personal messages to each listener, shaping internal conversations based on individual memories and experiences. “It’s not what you hear but what you feel. The sound becomes a personal message to each listener.” This was not just a concert; it was an immersive sonic journey. The performance featured a unique blend of indigenous instruments like agogo, dundun, djembe, and bata drums, fused with modern electronic sound technology, inviting the audience to actively participate in their own emotional journey. Instead of passively listening, they were encouraged to become co-creators in their own healing experience.

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    For LSAC, sound is not simply a medium of expression; it is a weapon of resistance, a tool for challenging the status quo and providing release to those overwhelmed by modern life’s pervasive difficulties. The use of sound as a form of emotional medicine is not unique to Nigeria. Artists around the world are tapping into the transformative power of sound to address the emotional needs of communities, guiding individuals toward personal and collective healing.

    Sound, however, is more than just an auditory experience. It is a vibrational force that affects us on a cellular level. The frequencies, rhythms, and tones we hear influence our neural pathways, alter brainwaves, and even trigger emotional and physical responses. The scientific community has long recognized sound’s power. Fields like music therapy and neuroscience reveal how certain sounds can reduce stress, improve mental clarity, and even aid in trauma healing. In this context, sound becomes a form of “vibrational medicine,” grounded in the belief that our bodies are energetic systems, and sound waves can interact with and recalibrate our energy fields, restoring balance and well-being.

    One of the most captivating examples of this healing power is the practice of sound baths. In these immersive experiences, participants are enveloped by resonating tones from instruments like crystal singing bowls, gongs, and chimes, each designed to resonate at specific frequencies aimed at reducing stress and promoting relaxation. The vibrations travel through the body, helping to clear energetic blockages and restore emotional clarity. Many people report feeling profoundly rejuvenated afterward, as though their emotional state has been cleansed and realigned. These experiences remind us just how deeply sound can influence our emotional and mental states.

    Similarly, music therapy plays a significant role in emotional healing. For individuals dealing with trauma or grief, music offers a channel for emotional expression and release. Its power lies in its ability to bypass the rational mind, reaching the subconscious in ways that words cannot. Whether it’s a song that resonates with personal memories or a piece of music that facilitates the expression of otherwise inexpressible emotions, music offers a balm for the soul. Music has been shown to help individuals heal in ways that many other therapeutic approaches cannot, offering both release and solace.

    Genres of music themselves also carry emotional weight. Classical music, with its intricate arrangements and soothing harmonies, is known for its ability to reduce anxiety and promote focus. Ambient music, with its ethereal, atmospheric qualities, is often used to induce calm and tranquility. Even genres like rock or electronic music, with their intense energy and rhythm, can provide a powerful outlet for catharsis and self-expression. In every case, sound moves beyond being mere entertainment—it becomes a form of emotional medicine.

    The healing power of sound isn’t a new discovery. Ancient cultures worldwide revered sound for its transformative qualities. Tibetan singing bowls, for example, have long been used in meditation and spiritual ceremonies, their resonant tones believed to clear energetic blockages and restore harmony. In many indigenous cultures, drumming circles and chanting rituals were central to spiritual and emotional healing. These rhythms and frequencies were thought to connect participants to the earth, the universe, and the divine, facilitating deep emotional release and a sense of unity. Gregorian chants, with their slow, melodic rhythms, were used in monastic traditions to calm the mind and facilitate spiritual connection.

    These practices provide a direct link between ancient traditions and modern sound healing. Today, technologies like binaural beats—audio tracks that play slightly different frequencies in each ear, producing a third frequency in the brain—are used to guide individuals into states of relaxation or heightened focus. Such innovations blend ancient wisdom with modern science, expanding the healing potential of sound.

    What makes sound as emotional medicine so powerful is its deeply personal nature. A song that touches one person’s soul may not have the same effect on someone else. This personal connection to sound is often linked to our memories, experiences, and physiological responses. Sound has the unique ability to bypass our logical minds and speak directly to our emotions and bodies. It can evoke memories of a loved one, create clarity during moments of confusion, or offer comfort during times of sorrow. Sound connects us to our inner worlds in a way that few other forms of art can, offering a direct line to our emotional selves.

    Artists, in turn, are uniquely positioned to channel their raw emotions into sound. Through melody, rhythm and texture, they create spaces for listeners to engage with their own feelings. Whether through a song, a beat or an ambient soundscape, artists guide their audience on emotional journeys, providing a medium for release and catharsis. In doing so, they offer a tool for emotional processing and healing, helping others work through complex feelings and experiences.

    As our understanding of the relationship between sound and emotion deepens, it’s likely that we’ll see an even greater integration of sound therapy into mainstream healthcare. In the future, music therapy may become as common as physical therapy or mental health counselling, with sound technologies designed to enhance sleep, focus, or relaxation. Imagine a world where immersive soundscapes—potentially enhanced by virtual reality—can transport individuals to serene, peaceful spaces, fostering emotional well-being. As the boundaries between art and science blur, sound will undoubtedly become an even more powerful tool for emotional and spiritual healing.

    Sound is not merely an artistic medium; it’s a potent force capable of healing and transforming our emotional and mental states. Whether through the resonance of a Tibetan singing bowl, the energy of a live concert, or the catharsis of a beloved song, sound has the ability to shape our emotional well-being in profound ways. Artists, through their creative expression, have long recognised this power, using sound to entertain but also to guide listeners toward emotional awareness and healing. As movements like LSAC demonstrate, sound holds the potential to serve as resistance, reflection and healing in the face of personal and societal challenges. The next time you listen to a piece of music or engage with sound, consider this: it might not just be an artistic experience—it might be emotional medicine for the soul.

  • Promoting reading culture among children

    Promoting reading culture among children

    As part of initiative to cultivate a love for reading among children, celebrated children’s author and literacy advocate Theresa Ameh popularly known as Aunty Talatu, has launched an book giveaway project targeting 500 children in 2025. With eight published children’s books to her name, Ameh has long been committed to promoting literacy.

    “All through the years, I’ve always given out my books to children. But this year, I wanted to do something bigger. You’ll be surprised some children have never held a storybook in their hands apart from their school textbooks. So I decided to launch this project, and already schools are reaching out to benefit from it,” she said.

    The initiative falls under the work of the Aunty Talatu Reads Foundation,  which has set up libraries, distributed books, and run reading campaigns in communities and orphanages.

    The 2025 project has already kicked off with beneficiaries including children from Victoria Home, an orphanage where Ameh previously established a library and regularly runs reading programs.

    Ameh noted that she sources books through personal donations, purchases, and contributions from supporters.

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    “I buy books, I write books, and I give books. So many children-focused organisations are learning from this. Before we talk about poor reading culture, we need to spread books around,” she said.

    The author noted that she plans to expand the initiative further.

    Known affectionately as Aunty Talatu, a name borrowed from her popular book Lessons from Aunty Talatu has become a household name among young readers. “Most children who’ve read the book call me Aunty Talatu when they can’t remember my real name,” she added.

    She however called on parents and guardian not to underestimate the power of books.

    “Books can help children travel, dream, and shape their futures. Read with them, read to them it’s important”, she added.

  • Broadway Comes to Lagos: “The Jewel” lights up the stage at Eko Hotel

    Broadway Comes to Lagos: “The Jewel” lights up the stage at Eko Hotel

    By Precious Godwin and Anu Ajibade

    A captivating theatrical experience is set to light up the Eko Hotel Convention Centre this Easter as The Jewel, a futuristic musical theatre production, takes centre stage.

    Scheduled for April 18 and 19, ‘The Jewel’ draws inspiration from two iconic works of Nigerian literature—Wole Soyinka’s The Lion and the Jewel and Ola Rotimi’s Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again.

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    The production blends these classics with contemporary music, choreography, and visual storytelling to create a bold reimagining of African theatre.

    Critics have hailed the show as a groundbreaking attempt to bring a Broadway-style spectacle to the African stage.

    Featuring innovative set designs, electrifying performances, and a powerful musical score, The Jewel promises an immersive and unforgettable experience for theatre lovers this Easter season.

  • ‘Human capital is our greatest asset’

    ‘Human capital is our greatest asset’

    Three years after 22 Hospitality Limited acquired majority shares of 51 percent of Capital Hotels Plc, owners of Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, now Abuja Continental Hotel, it remains a work in progress. The management of the hotel continues to transform its facilities and human capital for better service delivery. Group Managing Director Continental Hotels, Mr Karl Hala described the ongoing transformation at Abuja Continental Hotel as a total overhaul of the entire hotel system ranging from its landscape, physical facilities and human capital, which he said, is the greatest asset of the hotel.

    “Since the acquisition few years ago, you can see that we are here for the long term. We are here to better the hospitality industry and to show by example. Of course, we want to bring back the legacy of the former hotel. Abuja Continental Hotel is a landmark place, which is comparable beyond Nigeria and it is from its own power of status as the capital and the seat of government.

    “It’s actually a real walk in the park now. From the floral arrangements to the newly designed guest’s rooms, convention centres, lobby, pool bar and the recreation areas, it is a brilliant picture. And wherever you go the transformation doesn’t stop anywhere,” he said.

    Hala who spoke with tourism writers during a recent tour of the facility, assured that the hotel is strategically positioning itself to be at the top level of the MICE business. He observed that though lots are happenings in Abuja travel and tourism market, yet ‘there is a market that is sleeping.’

    He said Abuja Continental Hotel has equipped itself with topnotch facilities and services to meet the needs of MICE business. “If our guests are planning a meeting, whether presidential or huge corporate events, an exhibition and a launch, we have the design for all. Our hotel is strategically positioned such that it can fit the top level within the MICE business. We have an amazing commercial team and both hotels need to cover Nigeria and our strength is that we have the two powerhouses in the two power cities under our umbrella. That’s key. So, the synchronisation of our clients, how we approach the MICE business, who are the MICE decision makers, how do we offer them the best in both places? And we will take care of all that.

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    “Guests can convene; have their gatherings and meetings while we are here to deliver. We have 14 hectares of land, three towers and each of them has 200 rooms each. You have almost two and a half thousand square metres of convention facility at the Ladi Kwali wing, which will soon turn into a Congress centre. Abuja is the place to meet. It doesn’t matter from which direction. We want to be there for that,” he said.

    Reacting to the ever growing MICE business and how Abuja Continental is tapping into that, Karl said: “We have refurbished almost 3,000 square metres, which is a major investment. We put it to a standard, so we don’t have to go as far as cities such as Cape Town, Barcelona.

    “We have the space and we cater for the guests. The best of audiovisual, recreation space, large gatherings of breakouts, and others already in place for the guests. But, a lot is required because of government conditions for their meeting spaces. We host a lot of high-level meetings and conventions. We are also looking into auditoriums, amphitheaters for the relaxation of our guests. And we have on going renovations of a couple of the convention centres.”

    The success so far recorded in the hotel is not a function of the upgrading of facilities alone. But, on how to keep enhancing the performance of staff in line with the trending technology, he said capacity development in the hotel is a given, adding that the staff remains the greatest asset of the organisation.

    “The hotel’s commitment to staff development has not gone unnoticed. Staff morale has in¬creased significantly, and employ¬ee retention rates have improved. The hotel has also seen a significant improvement in guest satisfaction ratings, with many guests praising the friendly and efficient service provided by hotel staff” he added. He noted that as the hotel continues to grow and expand its operations its commitment to staff development will remain a top priority. The ho¬tel’s management team recognizes that their staffs are its greatest asset and is committed to providing them with the skills and knowledge re¬quired to succeed in their careers.

    Continuing, he said:  “Our staffs are the backbone of our hotel, and we are committed to investing in their fu¬ture. By providing them with the skills and knowledge required to excel in their roles, we are not only improving their career prospects but also enhancing the overall guest experience.

    “Our staffers are our biggest asset. It’s not the building. It’s all about our people. That’s why our key focus is on them. And development is a big thing. And it is evolving. It will never stop.

    “So, we have internal training programme, which is between both hotels in Abuja and Lagos. We have direct trainings for each hotel as well. We run programmes online that are very sophisticated, which are used not just by us, but also by the international partners. The training programames cover areas such as how to serve a cup of tea or how to strategically approach a client. We run a transformation training where we bring in experts as facilitators, which we did in both hotels.

    “But having said all that, we are also working in direction of the Academy, which we are working within the basic operations of the hotel, like service, kitchens, cleaning, housekeeping, and guest relations. This is to enable staff develop further in their career paths. We are already working with institutions and it is in progress.

    “We are talking with quite a number of partners, business schools, and some top Nigerian professionals.  We also know we need certain other inputs, but we do have the interest and we are very enthusiastic about the response from the Ministry of Education,” he said. 

    As part of the ongoing transformation, Papillon, one of the popular restaurants is being converted into a breakfast place, where all the terraces outside will be available for a full food and beverage delight while the shops opposite it will be turned into conference rooms. For the wellness of guests, Ladi Kwali Sport Village has been redesigned to offer a wide range of exciting sports activities for the guests. From paddle and pickle ball to tennis courts, football fields, table tennis, squash, basketball and volleyball, the village is an ideal setting for team building events. It is also ideal for hosting exhibitions or fairs, training programmes and breakout sessions during conferences. For the outdoor, the pool bar has also been redesigned making it really trendy.

    The Group Managing Director hinted that henceforth there will be constant improvement in all sections of the hotel in order to create much better ambience for customers to meet with friends and business associates. “Like any industry, the hospitality industry is witnessing day-to-day changes spinning trends in food and beverage, new linen, Information Tech, recreation, wellness and all of that. So, with the transformation of the new guest rooms in Tower Three, which we will convert into Abuja Continental Hotel and Suites, guests will have a fulfilled experience,” he noted. 

  • Celebration of African textile

    Celebration of African textile

    A solo art exhibition of a stunning collection of 13 textile works crafted from vibrant designs of Ankara fabrics by one of Nigeria’s contemporary artists Kaosiemenma Uchendu-Edeh, was held at ArtQuay Gallery, Southampton, United Kingdom between March Mar 10 and 13. The collection projects the timeless traditions of African craftsmanship with innovative design focus and adornment sensibilities.

    Kaosiemenma Uchendu-Edeh, is a Nigerian multidisciplinary visual artist and an art lecturer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Applied Arts and a Master of Fine Art in Fashion Design..

    Kaosiemenma’s art is dedicated to celebrating African heritage through innovative textile-based art. Her handcrafted creations include soft sculpture figures made from wool balls and African prints balls, vibrant African print tote bags, accessories, and one-of-a-kind beaded collectibles. With a passion for storytelling through art, her designs blend traditional African elements with modern flair, resulting in unique pieces that honour her cultural roots.

    She is passionate about crafting unique, handmade pieces that blur the lines between fashion and art. As a talented artist and designer, she loves exploring with her indigenous African fabrics and textile fibres using various studio methods to create unique arts and crafts.

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    Her goal is to explore the use of textile and art as a social identity. The exhibition is a celebration of African textiles and craftsmanship as it showcases the beauty and significance of traditional African textile designs, reimagined for a contemporary utility by the artist. 

    Essentially, the collection presents the beauty and diversity of African cultural visions, the importance of preserving traditional craftsmanship and the power of textiles to shape identity and community.

    This stunning collection of Kaosiemenma’s 13 works, crafted from vibrant designs of Ankara fabrics, offers both decorative and functional items rendered in bright and multiple colour shades.  Kaosiemenma who is the Creative director Kakao Kouture explores African textile to elevate different styles expressively while creating exciting handcrafted African prints and other collectibles.

  • When art breaks boundaries for humanity

    When art breaks boundaries for humanity

    All through global history, art remains a very important form of expression for humanity. From cave paintings to modern artwork, legendary artists such as Vincent van Gogh and Pablo Picasso have been able to capture the beauty, emotion and history of their time through their art.

    For UK-based Nigerian multidisciplinary artist, Gbolahan Olanipekun, he is not only deliberate, but also determined to use his art to impact the society positively. At every platform and opportunity, he uses his art to break artistic boundaries while creating works that inspire and engage the society. In last year alone, he participated in three group exhibitions such as Circular art space in June/July, African cultural association exhibition in October and Spectrum group exhibition in November.

    Bolstered by his wealth of experience that spans over a decade, Olanipekun creates artworks that blend organic elements, human expression and nature to tell compelling visual narratives.

    Much of this touches on his heritage, struggles, womanhood, global peace and unity, freedom and equality among others.

    Sharing similar passion with the late Rembrandt van Rijn, a Dutch painting genius, Olanipekun has a strong passion for still-life portraits. He makes canvasses famous for their emotional content, making him stand out among his peers.

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    Rooted in his African cultural heritage and personal introspection, Olanipekun, who is the creative force behind OLAart Gallery, explores light and texture, all intertwined with storytelling to foster connection and reflection. Through his gallery, he continues to refine his artistic vision offering fine art prints, custom commissions and creative collaborations that celebrate culture, vulnerability and self-expression.

    His recent collection of artworks captures themes that resonate with art enthusiasts and collectors’ feelings across the globe on the need to sustain nature for humanity, acknowledge life’s intricacies, personal emotions and desires, using vibrant colours and movements. In artwork like Echoes of the Drum, the artist captures the energy of a young drummer and the accompanying rhythm of the beats. He also highlights the socio-cultural relevance of drum beyond being an instrument to being a voice, a heartbeat, a messenger of history and tradition. In line with African culture, the rhythmic beats of the drum carry the wisdom of ancestors, bridging the past and the present. It speaks in tones that transcend language, telling stories of joy, emotions, struggle, unity, and celebration.

    Every strike on the drumhead sends ripples through time as it calls communities together, guiding dancers in sacred rituals, marking moments of transition, and igniting the soul of a gathering. To hear the drum is to feel its pulse, to be drawn into its rhythm, and to become part of something greater than oneself.

    Like Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), who was a remarkable painter, his grasp of colour relationships and unique brushwork distinguishes him among his peers. Olanipekun’s Nature’s Flow captures the harmony between human form, nature, and artistic expression. He creatively uses the organic colours to reflect the earth’s beauty, while fluid body movement embodies inner strength and connection to natural elements. This piece evokes a sense of balance, resilience, and the seamless interplay between art and the natural world.

    As an advocate of inclusivity and gender parity, the visual artist pays a deserving tribute to woman folks particularly for their strength and resilience. With Fierce Woman, Olanipekun captures the pride and determination of its subject, evoking admiration and introspection. The intensity of the woman’s gaze, combined with her commanding presence, serves as an ode to the women who have fought for change and continue to inspire others.

    Rooted in African cultural contexts, this piece resonates universally with its celebration of defiance, courage, and empowerment.

    Olanipekun, who studied at the Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria, is a lover of nature and environment. Inspired by these, he presents a solitary fisherman paddling into the horizon in The Optimist. This artwork is imbued with layers of meaning, evoking solitude, introspection and hope. The interplay of isolation and optimism reflects the artist’s belief in the human spirit’s resilience. The artwork stands as a poignant reminder of the beauty of creation and the potential for growth even in challenging circumstances.