By Evelyn Osagie

 

In recognition of the invaluable contribution communities play towards curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS, awareness drive on HIV prevention cascaded down to the communities, focusing on adolescents and young adult.

According to the Zonal Coordinator Lagos, the Faith Based Action for Scaling up Testing and Treatment for Epidemic Response (FASTER Project), Dr Adebukola Adegbola, the fight against HIV can be greatly improved through organised partnerships.

She observed that the event provided a significant opportunity to recognize the essential role that communities have played and continue to play in the AIDS response at the international, national and local levels. “Communities are a unique force behind the success of the HIV response recorded so far,” she said.

Themed: “Communities make the Difference”, the awareness creation on HIV prevention took place in different communities in Alausa and Ikeja, Lagos. It featured HIV Testing Services and sensitisation.

The weeklong event was put together by the Lagos State Ministry of Health in collaboration with the CDC funded FASTER project being implemented by Catholic Relief services (CRS) and Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).

Read Also: NACA lauds Lagos for leading war against HIV/AIDS

Other partners included the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), project and the Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (NEPHWAN).

The awareness drive, she stated, was part of the project’s mandate of improving HIV case identification and retention, targeted at caring for children and adolescents.

“FASTER Project is designed to significantly advance an enabling environment and foster the development or improvement of operational guidance: tools, training, practical evidence, and proofs of concept, which will allow all facilities and paediatric providers to quickly and strategically expand HIV testing, and paediatric-friendly treatment, care, and support for all children and adolescents.

“Communities make the difference in the fight to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS. We have been collaborating with Lagos state Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders and will continue to collaborate in the AIDS response in the state.

The event was an opportunity for us to unite in the fight against HIV. To show support for people living with HIV and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness, we joined the world to mark the 2019 World AIDS Day,” Adegbola said.

 

 

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor Arts

 

After a successful outing last year, the Homecoming Festival will again light up the Yuletide season in Anambra State. Beginning from December 16, the city of Awka will be agog with various artistic events drawn up for the festival.

It is being organised by Mrs. Sally Mbanefo-led Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, Indigenous Artworks, Culture and Tourism in collaboration with Stanel Groups.

Venue of the events that will run till January 3, 2020, is Stanel World and Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka.

The festival will feature 2Baba, Rude Boy and Funny Bone in a music concert, arts exhibition, street carnival, reggae fiesta, entrepreneurship lectures, Christmas Carol featuring Gozie Okeke, Mercy Chinwe, Black History week, Golibe festival,  among others.

This year’s festival is expected to be electrifying, educating and inspiring as the entrepreneurship lectures will be anchored by renowned experts in the sector.

Read Also: ‘Ijakadi festival will promote Nigeria’

 

They include Catherine Uju Ifejika, CEO,  Brittania-U Nigeria Limited; Prof. Pat Utomi, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, CEO, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company.

Also on the list is Associate Prof. Lilian Orogbu and others who will come from Lagos and overseas to spice up the events.

As for the maiden edition of the reggae show dedicated for reggae music lovers, it will hold at Alex Ekweme Square from December 27 to 30, to make the festival enjoyable and worthwhile.

For the second year running, the festival is surely going to provide abundant pleasure and fun for  Ndi Anambra and tourists during the Yuletide season.

 

By Chinaka Okoro

 

For several hours on Friday, December 6, members of the Chartered Institute of Administration (CIA) and guests who converged on the Prestigious Hall of Golden Tulip Hotel, Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos had the opportunity of listening to some of the finest discourses on administration, maladministration and nation-building.

The event was the December 2019 induction new members of the Chartered Institute of Administration (CIA) and its Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Speaker after speaker spoke on the relevance of noble administrators and unpretentious administration that could engender the kind of society where everything works.

At the induction where 204 members — 99 fellows, 51 full members and 54 associate members were inducted, the President and Chairman of Council, Samson O. Olopade (FCIA), said the induction was in line with the mandates and acts of the institute, adding that the exercise also served as a platform through which  administrative system could be strengthened.

Olopade further stated that the institute prides itself on excellence and professionalism. “The process leading to members’ qualification and admission into the professional membership of the institute was quite taxing and rigorous. This is because the institute prides itself with excellence and professionalism.

“Similarly, the process of screening leading to the selection of those to be inducted into Full Membership and Fellowship grades was quite thorough and daunting so much so that multitudes of applicants could not satisfy the requirements for admission into these very grades.

“Chartered Institute of Administration is chartered by Act No. 103 of 1992, now Cap C7 LFN and is empowered to regulate the training and practice of Administration within a professional framework throughout Nigeria.

“The institute runs several programmes throughout the year to update the knowledge and skills of members. The programmes include continuing membership education and training (COMET) workshops, conferences, symposia, seminars and public lectures, among others.”

Through these, he noted, the institute does not only update the skills and knowledge of its members but also regularly lends its voice to issues of national importance, especially as they concern the practice of administration.

The institute, he also said, has been contributing to human capital development by qualifying professionals in the field of administration.

Olopade revealed that it attracted administrators from all walks of life across the states of the federation.

He also encouraged the newly inducted members to “join any of the district societies nearest to you in order to benefit from the wealth of professional experience that members share among them”.

He warned against sharp practices by professionals at their duty posts.

“As members, you would be required to adhere strictly to the institute’s code of ethics. As professionals, we are required to place public or employer’s interest above self-interest in our respective organisations. This has been a great challenge to our nation…” he said.

He promised that the institute will ensure that those desirous of its membership are equipped with the requisite administrative knowledge and skills to function as professionals.

Urging the newly inducted members to uphold the principles and integrity of the profession in their service to humankind, the CIA President advised them to be committed to contributing to the societal desire to bring about effective, efficient and seamless administration system in all spheres of the country’s economy.

The Head of Service of Lagos State, Hakeem Muri-Okunola who was also inducted as Fellow of the institute said the Lagos State government takes the issue of capacity building of its workforce seriously.

He appreciated the efforts of the Chartered Institute of Administration (CIA) in producing highly trained manpower that drive the economy of the state and nation.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Local Government Establishment, Training and Pensions Office, Abiodun Osi-Efa, he said the government recognises the need for civil servants to improve themselves from time to time; especially those who are at the helm of affairs.

It recognises that the CIA, among others, would be able to galvanise administrators at the state and grassroots levels.

He said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu takes capacity building of the civil servants seriously, adding that he has been strengthening the administrative capabilities of the workforce in the state such as council managers, council treasurers and council engineers, whom, he said, have benefited from the gesture in order to further sharpen their knowledge, since there is no end to learning. He wants the civil servants to be as good as possible in the discharge of their duties.

On how to move the country forward, Muri-Okunola said: “In order to ensure that we move forward as a country, we need to stir up our capacities to improve on the state of affairs of the society. We should not rest on our oars and say we have arrived because we have attained a certain level of success. We should go beyond the contemporary capacity that we have.

“The CIA and such other professional bodies are capable of providing the platform that will help Nigerians to improve their knowledge in order to take the country to greater heights.”

In a chat with The Nation, one of those inducted as a Fellow of the institute and former Minister of State for Power, Hon. Mohammed Wakil (OON) said he was happy to be a member of the CIA because it is one of the most serious professional bodies in terms of training and re-training and packaging of administrators.

Harping on the need for quest for knowledge, he said having been one-time Minister and Majority Leader in the House of Representatives, he still saw the need to be trained, re-trained and packaged by a professional body such as the CIA.

“People hold some erroneous beliefs that once one attains some positions in life or certain age, there is nothing more to learn. Education is a lifetime process. I still see myself as a student in every aspect of life. That motivated me into the quest for more knowledge,” he said.

Read Also: Fashola tasks youth on nation building

 

On the roles of administrators in nation-building, the former minister noted that “administrators play very important role in nation-building because administrators are the engine room of the nation. Without administrators, the nation cannot move forward.

“But for administrators to play active role in the development of the nation, they must be trained and re-trained. The Chartered Institute of Administration provides quality training to its members. So, the institute assists the country in finding lasting solutions to its leadership challenges.”

On the deficit of unpretentious administrators in the country, he said: “That is where the crux of the matter lies. Some people thought they are administrators. One shouldn’t just arrogate to oneself the tag of administrator unless one has been trained professionally. One may claim to be an administrator but one is not.

“It’s time those who are aspiring or who claim to be administrators embraced the services of organisations such as the CIA in order to get retrained so that, at the end, they will be professionals. Once they become professionals, it will manifest in the kind of decisions they make and in the policies and programmes they evolve.”

To the up-and-coming Nigerians, Hon. Wakil advised them to seek knowledge and professionalism.

“They should not be deceived by the ‘achievements’ of those who are unqualified administrators. They should quest for knowledge and be trained as professional administrators. They also should know whether they are cut out to be administrators. They have to join institutes such as this for them to be professionally trained so that they would contribute to nation-building.

Highlights of the event were induction of Fellows, Full and Associate members of the institute, administration of Oath of Professional Membership, presentation of certificates to the newly inducted members.

Some of the members of the Governing Council of the institute present at the event were Samuel Olawuyi Olaoye, Anthony C. Eze, Njoku Stephen, Adm. (Dr.) Joseph C. Okeke (Chairman, Membership, Students’ Affairs/Examination Committee); President/Chairman of Council of CIA Adm. Samson O. Olopade; Treasurer of the institute Adm. Azubuko Ugochukwu; Vice-President of the institute, Adm (Dr.) Oshoba Festus; (Adm. (Dr.) Noble E. Oguguo; member representing the Minister of Education, Barrister Eunice Ike; Abiodun Osi-Efa; Former Minister of State for Power, Hon. Mohammed Wakil and Muhammad Inuwa Tahir and Adm. Princewill Gbogbodu (MCIA), among others.

 

  

 

 

By Vivian Chimezie

 

Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU) Alumni Association has held the maiden edition of annual lecture series at Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

The event had as guest speakers the founder of Proshare Limited, Mr. Awoyemi Olufemi, and Chief Executive Officer of Women Radio (WFM 91.7), Mrs. Toun Okewale-Sonaiya.

Delivering his speech, the alunmi President, Mr. Ademola Makinde, spoke on the essence of the lecture series, saying it was driven by knowledge.

He said: “The National Executive Council (EXCO) of the Onabisi Onabanjo University Alumni Association has decided to invest in the lecture series because we are convinced that the contemporary world is ruled by a knowledge-driven economy.

We are persuaded, therefore, that here is a crucial nexus for us to continue to come together for periodic cross-fertilisation of ideas, note sharing and intellectual brainstorming of contemporary issues of national and international pedigree”.

For Mr Olufemi, the growth of every grown university is linked to the quality of its Alumni. He noted that building a better society and rescuing the university is a collective responsibility.

“The Alumni should establish channels that can facilitate closeness between the Alumni, students and the university. The alumni’s role is crucial in the growth of the university”.

The CEO of Women Radio, spoke on ‘Sex for marks in the Nigerian universities’, observing that the issue of sexual harassment is common in all universities both within and outside Nigeria.

Read Also: OGS alumni celebrates silver jubilee

 

She condemned it is in strong terms, stating that “all to report sexually abused cases should be reported to Mirabel Centre, Women Radio and others so that the person, if guilty may be penalised.

I don’t want us to discard the issue of female students making themselves available for rape through their dressing but I still believe it is the problem of the mind.

A student that is not properly dressed enters his office is to send her out instead of seeing it as an opportunity to have sex with her,” Mrs Okewale-Sonaiya said.

The lecture was attended by the Vice Chancellor, who was represented by Mr Adekoya; Vice president and Chairman, Organising Committee, Mr. Olalekan Kazeem, the guest speakers and other alumni.

 

By Lanre Amodu

 

Every journey in life begins with a step. A lot of times, we take the first step without being sure what the next one would be. It is amazing how things unfold when we decide to move anyway.

A step becomes two, then three, four… and before we know it, we are right on our way, doing great things. Looking at the year 2019, it is amazing how quickly time has gone by.

But it is even more amazing that we are not at the same spot we were at the beginning of the year.

As we gratefully approach the end of the year, we should be mindful that success is not what we do but who we are. It is far more important to become an asset than to have assets.

To become an asset, we have to keep learning. According to D. A. Benton, the author of How to Act Like a CEO, “Every day that you aren’t getting stronger and better, you’re getting weaker and worse”.

Where we are now is a function of our current level of knowledge and skill; if we want to do better, we have to add something extra.

Read Also: That’s a Mistake! (2)

 

We must be willing to give up something for our dream. John Maxwell puts it this way, “There are two paths people can take. They can either play now and pay later, or pay now and play later.

Regardless of the choice, one thing is certain. Life will demand a payment”. Here are a few things we should know about learning:

• We can’t bring something out of nothing: as far as information is concerned, we can’t give what we don’t have. If we find ourselves struggling on a spot and we find it impossible to make progress, we probably need to acquire more knowledge.
• We should never get overconfident: it is dangerous to claim to know too much too soon. When we believe we know all there is to know, then you have achieved all there is to achieve. The quest for more knowledge is what leads to progress.
• We should have a deposit mentality: we should decide to consistently feed our minds with the kind of information that can create the kind of future we desire. Whatever we want to achieve, some people have gone ahead of us; why not learn from them so that we can surpass their records? Asleigh Brilliants states that “Learning a little every day soon puts you far behind whoever is learning a lot every day”. If that is true, what is the fate of someone who does not learn at all?
• We should protect our minds: my favourite book says that above everything you can ever guard in life, guard your heart because from it flows the wellspring of life. Why do people guard their money, houses, jobs, etc, and they leave their hearts unprotected? Why do people read things, watch things and listen to things that distract, depress and discourage them? Whatever seed is planted in our hearts manifests in our lives and around us. If we want to find out how we arrived at where we are today, we should evaluate what we have been feeding our minds on.
• We should be flexible: There is no “once-and-for-all” information in life, we must keep learning. According to Alvin Toffler, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn”.

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, you are currently nothing compared to what you can become. There is still plenty of time to change your year!

 

 

 

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor Arts

 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has inscribed the Tiv Kwagh-Hir performance on the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The nomination of the Kwagh-Hir, an intricately woven performance, comprising a congeries of atavistic communal events expressed in the form of dance, mime, puppetry and masquerade was adopted on Thursday, December 12, 2019 at the 14th session of the Inter-governmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage held in Bogota, Colombia, making it the fifth of Nigeria’s inscription on the Representative List.

The Acting Executive Secretary, National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Mr. Louis Eriomala, who is leader of Nigerian delegation to the ICH Convention, broke the news in a telephone chat with his Media Assistant, Mr. Caleb Nor.

Eriomala, who on behalf of the  Federal Government, the people of Benue State and the Tiv nation, bearers of Kwaghir Theatrical Performance, expressed profound gratitude for the inscription of Kwagh-Hir on UNESCO’s Representative List, also expressed deep appreciation to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, for his support and approval for attending the meeting, which gives credence to the importance of culture in the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Read Also: UNESCO camp to boost girls’ confidence in STEM

 

He also thanked members of the Bureau for supporting the nomination of Kwagh-Hir as well as the Evaluating Committee for their hard work and a job well done.

While acknowledging contributions from colleagues in the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and NICO for putting together the nomination file, Eriomala expressed deep appreciation to Prof Gowon Ama Doki, the Dean, Faculty of Arts, Benue State University, Makurdi, who is an expert on Kwagh-Hir for being meticulous and diligent in preparing the element for eventual inscription.

Commenting on behalf of the Custodians, the Benue State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Rt. Hon. Ngunan Addingi, thanked His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Dr. Samuel Ortom for ensuring a high powered delegation to the convention.

Expressing satisfaction with the inscription, Addingi noted that the inscription would not only increase visibility for the element but also enhance the dignity and pride of the performing community.

She, therefore, pledged govern-ment’s continued support to the safeguarding mechanisms of the element.

Over 70 countries attended the convention to seek for various inscriptions and it was a big privilege and honour done to Nigeria. By this inscription, Kwagh-Hir can now enjoy the support and protection of UNESCO.

Eriomala was accompanied by NICO’s Director of Research and Documentation, Mr. Michael Ekoko

 

 By Vivian Chimezie

 

Peace advocates have met in Lagos to discuss the security challenges in the country under the auspices of Global Terriorism Index Launch 2019.

The event, which was held at Manifold Place, was organised by The Institute for Economics and Peace.

The event featured panel discussions on “the Causes of Violence and Terriorism in Nigeria”.

Delivering his speech, the Convener who is also the President of Mind Reformers Network, Mr Chimezie Okechukwu, spoke on “Peace building and the essence of reducing the issue of war and terriorism in the country”.

He made it clear that Nigerians do not have to rely on the government but in every little corner, peace must be the aim of all. He said: “In Nigeria and Africa, most of what we try to achieve is negative peace building which involves resolving of conflicts, mediating violence attacks and others.

It is essential we start initiating the acts of positive peace building by having a well-structured and fair-justice system as well as a society that enhances the welfare of citizens instead of targeting insecurity alone.”

Read Also: Group creates awareness on sexual violence

 

In conclusion, he enjoined social change makers in the country not to relent in their efforts but to be zealous  in ensuring that peace reigns all over the county.

On his part, the Lagos  State  Coordinator of Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Julius Ilori, linked violence and juvenile deliquency to the home, observing that how the youths are brought up affect the person they become as they gro up.

He urged parents, especially mothers, to pay attention to the upbringing of their children.

He said: “Youths are very important in promoting the peace of this nation. Their role cannot be overemphasized.

That is why a good number of YALI  network members are vibrant and passionate youths, who are eager to make a change in all sectors of the nation through social impacts. Our work is to train them using our curriculum”.

Another advocate, who is a member of The Lagos State Youth Parliament, Shosanya Akinola, spoke on the importance of employing peace in conflict resolution, saying the aim of the parliament and their activities.

“Our aim in the parliament is to change the mindset of youths in order to improve peace in the state, we also preach peace building and conflict resolution to youths.”

 

By Omolola Afolabi

 

For artist Yemi Odetayo, art is a fulfillment of his life’s dream.

Inspired by the picturesque colonial street architecture and street work in Yaba Lagos where he grew up and schooled, he says he is driven by different “Shades of life”.

Odetayo prides himself in the “the notion of motion” style. I developed the style over the years to the level that it brings me joy as I create my paintings. However, I deliberately add more dings and scratches for intensity force to achieve fullness of expression”.

His exhibition , Shades of Life, held at the National Museum, Onikan. It was chaired by Director Lagos State Ministry of Culture of Arts, Mrs Olaitan Otulana.

Odetayo, who has received many awards, including the Federal Ministry of Education’s award for excellence, has also been listed in the “Who is who” role in the of Smithsonian’s Institution National Museum of African Art Libraries in Washington, United States of America.

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“The exhibition is a form of fulfillment. I have deprived myself of selling any of the art pieces since my launch into the advertising agency.

Discussing his trajectory into the artistic world and how he has been able to juggle advertising with painting. I have been able to combine advertisement  with publishing with the arts in order to have multiple streams of income,” he says.

According to the chairperson of the occasion, Director Lagos State Ministry of Culture of Arts, Mrs Olaitan Otulana, Shades of life capture the different moments of life.

Drawing on one of the paintings “Solitude”, she applauded the colorful and highly picturesque art works, while encouraging art lovers to invest in it.

Dean of School of Art Design and Printing, Yaba College of Technology, Dr Kunle Adeyemi, who is a senior colleague and mentor to the exhibiting artist while in school was, he said the exhibition speaks highly of different aspects of our national life, particularly Nigerian women who struggle to make things happen but yet under-appreciated.

By Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

 

Come Friday, Awka, the Anambra State capital, will come alive with art. The city prides itself in celebration of Igbo arts and culture. Blacksmithing in Awka, for instance, is the stuff of a legend.

It is in this light that the Awka Art Exhibition 2019 will hold. It is being put together by Zimife Foundation in collaboration with the Awka Museum Project.

The landmark art exhibition slated to hold between December 20 and 22 at 231 Zik Avenue, Umudioka, Awka, will feature talks, kids workshop, music and sales.

The Awka Art Exhibition 2019 is an exposition of painting, graphics, textile, sculpture, ceramics, blacksmithing and crafts.

For attorney and art connoisseur, Arthur Harris-Eze, who is driving the exhibition, the event will serve as a veritable precursor of Yuletide garlanded with Christmas Carols rendered in Igbo and English.

He said: “We think the interest in Igbo culture and tradition ought to be encouraged, given a new life, packaged and sold to the younger generation. The objective of this exposition, amongst others, is to awaken us to the reality that Igbo language and elements of the culture may soon suffer some extinction. Igbo festivals have also suffered neglect.

‘’We, therefore, aim to create awareness through the different forms of art.  Most importantly, the Awka Art Exhibition aims to be a multi-disciplinary medium of conveying this message.  It aims to be an annual event.”

He is poised on a catch-them-young scheme, as he espouses thusly: “The younger generation has very little experience of the Igbo culture and traditions. This is attributable to a number of factors, notably, growing up in very Westernised homes, dressing, mannerisms, spoken language, speaking English most of the time both at home and in school.”

Starting from Friday, December 20, Harris-Eze is poised to lead the charge of redressing the lack of cultural awareness in the land through the Awka Art Exhibition 2019. The exhibition will come to a climax on Sunday, December 22.

Read Also: Annang Festival of Arts and Culture 2019 holds on December 20

 

In the heart of town at 231 Zik Avenue, Umudioka, Awka, new vistas in graphics will be displayed. Textile artists will command attention. Sculptors of many dimensions such as wood, stone, marble, plastic, metal, clay and fiberglass will add cubits to the reputation of Awka as a cultural trailblazer. Local carvers and blacksmiths are as ever willing to create new works for the public.

A token registration fee of N3000  is all that is needed to be a part of the prodigious happening.

The Awka Art Exhibition is indeed an idea whose time has come especially at the auspicious moment that Mrs Sally Mbanefo, the Anambra State Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Indigenous Artworks, Culture and Tourism, is engaged in an unprecedented enterprise to give art and culture a new lease of life east of the Niger River.

The great art patron, HRM Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, the doyen of utilitarian art, Tony Chidi Akudinobi, CEO of Hammerhead in Aba, who represented Nigeria in the Afrexim Expo in Cairo, Egypt are some of the dignitaries expected at the event.