“What I always tell people is that don’t ever feel like you’ve arrived. I’m not one of those people who always feel like I’ve always been here, I like to feel like I just got in. 2008 till now is eleven years. So these are brand new jams, you’re going to see a new Iyanya, brand new collaborations but same OG.”
Speaking further on the EP, Iyanya stated that he is fully back to doing music and as from now, it will be hits after hits.
“The rebirth is a 7 track EP. I’ve been recording for a while and as I speak with you my album is ready. The rebirth means we are back like we never left so we are ready to drop more songs and won’t stop. The rebirth tour starts next year, we are going to tour universities in Nigeria and also go to northern Amsterdam and Europe.”
However, during his performance, Iyanya hinted that he is ready to marry.
“I believe that at least one day me self I go settle down”, said the Kukere crooner.
“So remember when I started performing, I said ‘I be man of faith.’
It was a colourful celebration of cultural diplomacy last Sunday as no fewer than 24 countries’ ambassadors, diplomats, contingents of 12 states of the federation and culture workers witnessed the closing ceremony of this year’s 12th International Arts and Craft (INAC) Expo in Abuja. To commemorate the cultural diplomacy day, every guest in the hall waved a white handkerchief to usher in peace across the globe.
The expo, which had as theme Networking Nigerian arts to the world, was held from November 20 to 24.
Former Imo State Governor and Chairman, Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism, Senator Rochas Okorocha, said no nation could grow beyond its culture and tradition, adding that the greatest gift to Nigeria is its culture and traditions. This, he said, is why nations protect their cultures and traditions jealously.
“Every nation in the world is created by God with their traditions and culture. Government is only a guide. No nation can grow beyond its culture and tradition. That is why nations protect their cultures and traditions. The greatest gift of God to us as a nation is our culture and tradition. So, when you hear people say “the giant of Africa”, they are simply talking about our culture and tradition. Nigeria has one of the best cultures and traditions in the world,” he added.
Okorocha, who was chairman on the occasion, noted that the days of over reliance on oil as the only source of revenue for the country was beginning to change, saying: “Before now, oil has been the mainstay of our economy. But now, we are beginning to realise that oil can no longer sustain our economy, we are opting for culture, tourism and tradition. We have started promoting our music.”
Okorocha recalled that few years ago foreign music from America, England and others dominated the scene in Nigeria, but that now music was going out from Nigeria to the rest of the world. He said Nigeria’s flag was flying in other countries of the world through our music. “Our musicians are now more popular than us political leaders. In fact, Wizkid, Davido and others are more popular than governors and senators of this country,” Okorocha said.
He commended Otunba Runsewe for the excellent job he is doing by promoting our culture and peace in Nigeria. He also praised the Chinese (who participated in the 2019 INAC) for their perseverance initially when they started producing things which were ridiculed as being inferior. “But today, Chinese products are among the bests in the world.
“In the 1980s in Aba, we were producing shoes, spare parts and many other things. But Nigerians and the rest of the world were laughing at us, derogating those things as “made in Aba” just as they did to the Chinese products. Similarly, there is a story that once upon a time, Nigeria was a country that was not doing well in culture, but today, Nigeria’s story has changed culture-wise. So, we need more of what we have seen at this 2019 International Arts & Crafts Expo,” the Senator said.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Paulin Tallen she described Otunba Runsewe as a great organiser and promoter of Nigeria’s arts and culture, noting that culture brings peace and unites us all. She prayed that the peace which pervaded the 2019 INAC will spread across the entire world..
Emir of Jiwa, Alhaji Idris Musa, extolled the virtues of Otunba Runsewe as a gentleman who has been in the forefront of promoting Nigeria’s culture and through INAC also promoted the cultures of the entire world thereby bringing peace to the world. He ensued for peace in Nigeria and the world, agreeing that culture is the key to global peace.
Otunba Runsewe commended the participating countries for coming to the 2019 INAC saying “for the first time, we had a window where the ordinary man and woman discussed (face-to-face) with the international community without taking a flight. I think that was a huge success for us.”
Libyan Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Saleh Saeed advocated for the participation of more countries in subsequent editions, saying “the expo has been ongoing for some years but the embassy in Nigeria decided to participate in this year’s event. It is important for countries to showcase their cultural heritage and the expo is a good platform for this.”
Trade and Tourism Officer, Ethiopian Embassy, Abuja Ms Harmella Mathewos, appealed to Nigerians and other countries to continually network in order to leverage each other’s unique cultural products.
Venezuelan Ambassador to Nigeria, David Carraballo commended the National Council for Arts and Culture for organising INAC saying that ‘the theme of the event creates opportunity for countries to connect, integrate, share cultural values and experiences, which would further foster global unity.”
On his part, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Nigeria Mr. Md Shameem Ahsan said his country is proud to synergise with Nigeria in cultural exchanges using the platform of INAC assuring that they will continue to participate just like they have in previous outings. INAC 2019 featured awards in several categories with Ogun state emerging best exhibitor overall and several countries coming tops in the various categories.
Investors in Nigeria’s creative industry have urged the Federal Government to review the statutory mandate of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) with a view to focusing strongly on championing Made- in-Nigeria goods campaign.
According to stakeholders, who spoke at the Investment Forum held at this year’s International Arts and Crafts Expo (INAC), organised by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) in Abuja, the NOA is the engine room capable of transforming not only Nigerians’ thinking but also their perceptions.
In his keynote paper titled: Imperatives on creativity and product design in networking Nigerian arts andcrafts, Prof. Jerry Buhari of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria said the agency needed a man with the spirit of an evangelist as its head to lead the campaign.
Jerry Buhari
“Imagine the NOA mobilising the country on a mother-of-all campaigns titled Use Made in Nigeria. We need a spirit of the Mass MObilisation for Self Reliance, Social Justice and Economic Recovering (MAMSER) to be injected into NOA. That office is the engine room of transforming not only Nigerians thinking but also perception. We need a man that has the spirit of an evangelist in that office. We should stop talking. I want to challenge the Ministry of Information and Culture to give directive to all its parastatals and agencies not to use imported furniture. Let’s promote made-in- Nigeria goods, that’s where the investment is,” he said.
He lamented the dearth of culturally-relevant edifices in most cities that can house the nation’s priceless cultural objects for better appreciation. He urged the government and corporate organisations to invest in facilities such as museum of modern art for the advancement of national heritage.
“If you close your eyes and you are on some streets in Abuja, and you remove all the black people on those streets, you would have been in anywhere in Chicago, USA. Abuja is a culturally-neutral or blind city. There is hardly any national edifice that promotes or advances the rich traditional architecture that we have. Who were the builders of Abuja? In fact, what kind of brief were they given?” he wondered.
On the need to believe in ourselves and promote our culture, Buhari said: “Imagine our President wears a made-in-Nigeria shoe. It will automatically inspire many people to wear such shoes. However, we have the problem of ‘clean broom’ philosophy in government. That is, when a public officer comes into office, he believes there are spirits and demons in such office space. He gets rid of the old chairs, curtains, and brings in new ones. But, I ask you, where is your history? They are lost forever. The table Jefferson used is what Donald Trump uses today in White House. The attraction of Dubai doors is the fine finishing. But, any of these doors cannot stand good kicks as it will give way. And if rain drops on any of the doors, it is gone.
However, there are lots of Nigerians doing great doors everywhere, why are we not patronising them? Our furniture and curtains should not be imported.”
Managing Director, Le Look Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, wondered why NOA has been quiet over the campaign to use made-in- Nigeria goods, adding that it should do more. She said Le Look was among the first organisations that started promoting made-in-Nigeria goods 34 years ago. “I cannot be defined by the imitation of foreign goods. Why not buy made-in-Nigeria. I will lend my voice to the call on the current DG of NOA to be given a new mandate on how to promote Use Made-in-Nigeria Goods. All our ministries should wear made-in-Nigeria dresses at least once a week. It is even worse that many go to second-hand market to buy dresses. Interestingly, Le Look bags are used everywhere in the world. In August, we produced 12,000 bags for NBA, and we have just finished producing 7,000 bags for SNE for their conference in Kano. To achieve this quality, we took our staff outside for training in proper packaging,” she added.
Art entrepreneur and producer of branded products, Mrs. Maureen Chukwura. who has improved the packaging of Nigeria’s foodstuff for global market, said her organisation worked on the packaging of our foods to meet international standard. “I later undertook a tour of Europe in order to advance the value of our foods in terms of packaging. Also, some government policies were not friendly to investors. Ever since my exhibition at Akwaaba, I have been receiving calls from different parts of Africa,” she noted.
International lawyer and public analyst Mrs. Christy Adejoh, urged entrepreneurs to determine what value to add to arts and crafts, adding that presentation of both the creator and the objects is of great importance. She noted that sometimes creators of works like adire appear in t-shirt with inscription like Hilfiger.
“With that there is disconnection. Also, some entrepreneurs cannot express themselves before a potential customer or investor. One thing we take for granted is the business etiquette, which is very suspect among culture workers. This will fetch you a loss by not applying the right social skill,” she said.
Dr. Ranti Ojo of the University of Abuja advocated for the reliance and development of indigenous technology as a starting point for advancement.
“People perish because of lack of culture. We must build special interest in our indigenous technology. The level of one’s technology is the level of civilisation. Unfortunately, we parade other peoples’ culture and civilisation at the detriment of ours. Unknown to many, Benin City was a civilised society before America became a nation,” he noted.
Good day to you and thank you for joining me again today. We’ve been learning some valuable lessons from Sir James Dyson who became dissatisfied with his Hoover vacuum cleaner in 1978 and decided to invent his own. He survived 5, 127 prototypes, several challenges and 15 years of efforts before he eventually founded his own company, Dyson Ltd, in 1993. With about 60 consumer products and over 5,800 engineers working for him, James Dyson is no doubt an example of success. Last week, we learnt some lesson from the story, that our disposition to challenges matters; we should look out for inspirations, even in the strangest places; we must not allow any limitation or excuse in our lives; and we must never give up on our dreams. Today, we shall consider four other lessons. Let’s get right to it:
Your team matters: we have credited Dyson with the invention and success of “G-Force” vacuum cleaner, and rightly so. But I wonder how successful he would have been if he didn’t have a highly supportive wife. Imagine a person being consumed by a “stupid” idea to the extent that several years were “wasted” in developing 5, 126 “useless” protypes. Imagine that all family funds were expended on such “madness” that they were counting their pennies! Imagine that the wife had to take up a job to support the family and her “jobless” husband’s “foolish pastime”. Imagine some other partners saying, “When you are done burning the future of your kids, will you get a real job and take some responsibility around here?” “Other more intelligent and science-oriented people didn’t find faults with the device and it had to be you, an interior designer!” One way or the other, the wife believed in her husband enough to go all the way with him. On your way to success, make sure you get a strong team.
Rejection is temporary: Dyson was rejected in the United Kingdom and the United States. Such rejection could have been devastating for someone else after several years of developing a product. He, however, refused to be discouraged and he kept at it until he achieved success. When you have great ideas, hope for the best but expect some rejects along the way. Dyson was rejected in the UK, not because his product was no-good, but because it was too good that it would ruin their existing business structure. Don’t be too quick to think you have failed because you were rejected. Perhaps you are just too good! Find where you will be appreciated.
Don’t be afraid to venture out: when Dyson’s product was rejected in all the places he was familiar with, he decided to travel the world until he ended up in Japan, where he not only got a market but also won an award. Venture out of your safe zone. Don’t stop until you find a market for what you have to offer.
Don’t stop at one solution: so, you have solved a problem successfully? Great! That means you can solve the next one, and then the next. If Dyson had settled with his innovative vacuum cleaner, he would have still been celebrated. But he went on to establish a company that has about 60 consumer products. By solving one problem, he received the courage to solve at least 59 others. There are greater achievements ahead of you. Never settle with an old record when you can break new ones.
Last week, I requested for your feedback on the lessons you learnt from Sir James Dyson and I appreciate your responses. I will like to share the message of one of the most dedicated readers of this column and who has always shared his thoughts. “When you don’t give up, you will end up being celebrated. Your deriders will become admirers of your courage. Right determination will only take you in one direction- the right one! These and more I’ve drawn from the Sir James Dyson’s frustrating yet inspiring endeavor”- Hanior, UniMkar. Thank you for sharing.
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. This can be your year if you want it to be!
As the world battles impacts of climate change, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), in collaboration with some local and international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and corporate outfits, is hosting this year’s National Climate Action Week across Nigeria.
It opened on Monday November 25 and will end on Friday 29.
NCF Director-General Dr. Muhtari Aminu-Kano said this year’s event, with the theme Promoting Nature-based Investment for Climate Resilience in Nigeria, opened in 15 states, including Lagos, Abuja.
Aminu-Kano said the objective of the week was to promote nature-based solution to climate change through mobilising communities, businesses, youths and women for action in Nigeria.
He noted that Nigeria was a diverse country with complex environmental crises ranging from flooding in the South, soil erosion and land degradation in the East, desertification and drought in the North, to farmland expansion leading to deforestation in the West. Combatting these challenges, he said, requires a combination of nature-based solution hence the need to advocate and promote investment in nature-based solution to address these environmental problems especially as Climate change challenge facing people, planet, and livelihood.
“Taking Lagos as the typical Nigeria’s coastal state with a significant population living along its coast lines and the economic capital of the nation having its major Central Business District occupying Lagos Island. Ocean surge as a result of sea level rise has been a major environmental
crisis leading to loss of life, infrastructure, and hindering business growth in the area. Lagos has witnessed several historical ocean surges displacing people and affecting livelihood of both coastal and inland communities. “This annual incident is continuously exacerbated by climate change as result of sea level rise with forced displacement of people across the coastline,” he added.
He recalled that in July last year, NCF conducted a satellite imagery assessment of how the Lagos coastline has changed over a period of 10 years forcing coastal
There is no gain saying that parents are struggling to keep the local languages alive in today’s world.
To ensure that Yoruba Language is kept alive, photographer and CEO of Camara Studios, Mrs. Yetunde Ayeni Babaeko, is partnering teachers and academics on a new YouTube channel, known as Nalingo Naija. The channel, according to her, is to aid the teaching and learning of the Yoruba Language, especially among Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora.
The move, Babaeko, a Nigerian-German photographer and social activist, said, was inspired by her training at the New York Film Academy (NYFA). Narrating how her experience as an alumnus of the New York Film Academy contributed to the initiative, she said: “The NYFA gave me the confidence to pursue this path as I understand the Yoruba language decline, it also exposed me to the global recognition of the language. At NYFA, I learnt writing and scripting production skills which stimulated my interest in this initiative.”
The channel presents videos that are two to three minutes long which are divided into two sections; the first part discusses the vocabulary of the actor.
“The speech is said slowly so the viewers may follow the plot and be able to read the subtitles which are 100% accurate because you do not only have the English subtitles but you also have the Yoruba subtitles with intonation marks.”
Leveraging on technology to promote culture, she said: “Nalingo Naija is an informative and entertaining channel designed to teach Nigerians and non Nigerians the Yoruba language and Nigerian culture, the channel went live on October 2019 with about 20 videos and it’s prepared to release a new video every day of the week.
“Camara Studios and Y.A.B Photography saw the need for an effective and entertaining presentation of the Yoruba language on social media, together with Yoruba teachers and academics, a new and effective method of teaching is therefore adopted,” Babaeko stated.
She hoped that subsequently actors in the movie industry will be incorporated as faces of Nalingo Naija. This, according to her, will also influence language use and subtitling in Nollywood movies, noting that the move is needed to promote proper representation of the Yoruba culture on the local and international scenes. Although the initiative is a self-funded, Babaeko told The Nation that she looks forward to more partnership and sponsorships.
It was double celebrations at Enugu last week as Enugu Chamber Choir rendered special songs in honour of the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, at the grand finale of the annual Life in My City Arts Festival (LIMCAF). Its theme was The Other Side. Venue was the International Conference Centre, Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.
I felt so nervous and scared when I saw the massive art works produced by the artists as well as the creative dexterity put into production of their works. In fact, it is truly a competition. As the announcement was being made and the number of contestants on the podium kept reducing, my anxiety rose. But, by faith I was expecting the award.”
That was the reaction of an excited Victor Emmanuel Olaoye, a 400-level student of Adeyemi Federal University, Ondo who, last Saturday, emerged the overall best at this year’s Life In My City Art Festival (LIMCAF) in Enugu. He got a prize of N500,000 and a sponsorship to attend an international exhibition. His work, Angel among gods, was adjudged the best entry of the final shortlist of 100. No fewer than 550 entries from across the country made it to the first round of the competition.
Angel among gods, a painting of charcoal and acrylic on canvas, is an epiphany of truth and the mystery of man and angels upon earth, and the reality of man as gods. The art piece was “inspired by the truth and revelation of gods walking with angels. Who are these gods? Gods are men from creation with the dominion to rule over everything on earth no matter the cultural differences or religion in the hands of man”.
Other winners of the top four prizes were Samson Ejiofor Mmadubuchi (Best Sculpture/Installation/Ceramics); Fagorusi Folashade Rashidat (Best Textile Art) and Clarke Toritseju Favour (Graphic/Multimedia/Digital art). Winners of the endowed prizes were Chuwuma Doris Onyinye (Justice Anthony Aniagolua Prize for originality), Idowu Emmanuel Dare (Dr. Pius Okigbo Prize for technical proficiency), Lamie Atonye (Lawrence Agada Prize for the most-promising young artist) and Nnorom Samuel John, (VinMartin Ilo Prize for best overall entry from Enugu State).
Seventeen other artists got consolation prizes.
An elated Olaoye, who could not hide his joy, said the cash would be utilised to build and invest in his capacity as an artist, especially in the area of sharpening his skill.
He is a self-taught figurative and realistic artist, a trait that started from childhood. His practice over the years has brought about a quest for the true human identity and change in the concept of life itself and the reason for human existence. Through his creative ideas, epiphany and satori charcoal drawings, he creates a unique style in art, bringing the reality in the sprit realm into the physical world.
Enugu State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who assured organisers of the festival of his continued support and collaboration, described LIMCAF as a true representation of the Biblical injunction that thou should not despise small beginning as the festival has grown from strength to strength. He said the festival has become one of the most prestigious longest running festivals in the country.
He said: “Enugu State is particularly grateful to you for bringing this annual event to the state. We appreciate how much your presence alone contributes to the economy of the state. You can be sure that I will keep hosting and collaborating with you. I thank you for creating workshop for the children and for helping to catch them young.”
Patron of the festival His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha. called on governors of Southeast to declare the month of October for the celebration of arts in the region.
He disclosed that this year’s festival was conveniently fixed to coincide with the post-humours birthday celebration of the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Owelle of Onitsha, who turned 115 on Saturday, November 16.
“Today, we started at Onitsha with the opening of the new office of Okpalanze in honour of Nnamdi Azikwe. As I stand here, I feel completely fulfilled… My own idea is that the month of October should be declared for creative arts in Southeast region. We have the Oreze at every Ofala festival, which features over 140 artworks by 140 artists from Nigeria, Africa and outside Africa at this year’s edition.
“This year, we started with a symposium as part of the activities and I’m sure so many people who were at that symposium are here. We have LIMCAF, Oreze and Anambra Book and Creativity Festival and others. Creative art is not just visual art. It involves art, literature, music, dance, masquerade etc. October is for Southeast. Let the whole world come here to savour the rich culture of the region,” he said.
He noted that some of the contestants would earn prizes, but that the greatest prize that all of them would receive today is the opportunity to know each other. “I’m sure many of them will become future masters of creative art not just in Nigeria but in the world at large,” he added.
Chairman, LIMCAF Board, Elder K Uke Kalu, said the top six winners at this year’s edition would join the six of last year’s edition on an all-expense paid visit and participation in Dak’Art Biennale in Senegal next year, courtesy of Prof El Anatsui.
For the first time in 13 years, owners of the 100 works on exhibition at the grand finale were sponsored to Enugu.
A five-man jury, led by Nsikak Essien, made the final selection of winners.
Essien said the process of selection was democratic, adding that the 100 works in the exhibition are ‘imbued with the winning potential in their own rights. Thus, everyone whose work is in this collection is a winner.’
According to him, the jury’s work is that of moderation of freewill; freewill of the artist to relate his/her creations to the various possibilities the theme offers. Selecting 100 out of more than 500 entries that registered this year is the first signal of the enormous work left in the jury’s domain. First process was the online elimination of some entries and a further critical selection by the zonal jury, from the various zones. These processes, he said, culminated in the compilation of a hundred works with high aesthetic promise as typified in the exhibition. “A more critical parameter comprising: originality, visual content, proficiency in media control, finishing and presentation, and paradigm shift/wow factor were employed to trim down from 50 to 25 artworks. It is from this handful that the specific prize categories were rigorously arrived at,” he added.
Other members of the team were Sam Ovraiti, Klaranze Okhide, Erasmus Onyishi and Dr Lasisi Lamidi.
Prof Victor Uwaifo, aka Guitar Boy, is among Nigeria’s living legends in the arts. In visual art and music, his trajectory has etched his name on the timeless marble of Nigeria’s art history. At 78, he is still waxing stronger. Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME writes.
AT 78, the former Edo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Prof, Victor Uwaifo, aka Guitar Boy, is among Nigeria’s oldest active musicians and visual artists. His imprints are in almost every genre of the art.
He remains a spectacle to watch at any given performance. Little wonder then that he wowed the audience with his impressive performance at the opening of this year’s National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST) at the Sport Complex, University of Benin, Benin City.
Decked in an all-white outfit, Uwaifo, who rendered some classic songs from his famous Joromi series, literarily stole the show. Also on stage was a younger musician, Innocent Idibia (2Baba), who also entertained the audience with his popular numbers like One Love and African Queen.
Apart from his remarkable exploits in music, art and academics, Uwaifo has a strong passion for the promotion and preservation of Edo heritage. Fifteen years ago, he founded Revelation Palazzo Museum, Benin City that houses his music studio and collection of rare artefacts and cultural objects on Benin history. The facility, which is close to his residence in Benin City, is described as ‘gate way to Edo State’ where the good, the bad and the ugly sides of Edo history are showcased. The artworks explain the history of the Edo people and are all done by Uwaifo.
A visit led by Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), Otunba Segun Runsewe, during the recently concluded NAFEST 2019, to the museum revealed many aspects of Edo history that are unknown to Nigerians.
“This is Oba Erediauwa Open Air Court, which is about art, culture and tourism. In Benin art, there is an interplay between aesthetics and functionality,” the curator of the museum who served as the tour guide, Mr. Chris Eburu, told the guests. Unfortunately, the state of the facility is not palatable to the eyes. Worried by this development, Uwaifo called on government and corporate bodies to take over the private museum to save it from total rot. He lamented that he invested hugely in preserving the culture and history of the Edo people and Nigerians at large by establishing the museum.
He said the museum, which houses all his intellectual property, ancestral shrines, slave market peculiar to Edo State, firing squad of notorious armed robber Aninih, portrait paintings of famous Nigerians, among other cultural objects, was his contribution to humanity.
According to him, government or private investors can take up the management of the museum to ensure proper preservation and conservation of the content.
“I am bothered by the poor state of the museum because I am funding it alone. That is why I am calling on the government and private organisations for support. I am okay with any arrangements, be it partnership or collaborations, because I spent so much of my flesh and blood since inception. In fact, I maintain the entire street leading to the museum.
“I invested so much money into the museum, which I could have put in fixed deposit. I am a fulfilled musician and artist. For me, there is nothing better than music and art because it gives me satisfaction. It makes me look forward to the future with pride. Patronage of the museum has been on the high side. But, we have not been able to break even because visitors pay token,” he added.
Uwaifo said despite the poor state of the museum, it has always been a beehive of activities since inception as it recorded huge patronage from students who got entertained, educated and inspired through its works of art.
Touched by Uwaifo’s challenges, Runsewe promised to supply computer systems to the museum for proper data capturing which, he said, was very important to its growth. “If this museum were to be in other countries of the world, tourists would be paying hugely to visit it. We must ensure this place is well preserved for the sake of posterity.The education I got here is out of this world and I am happy that history is kept and our children can learn,” he said.
Growing up
Uwaifo said: “I grew up listening to gramophone records as a child. The sounds I heard from the records then inspired me into music. Also, arts flows in the blood in the family, though we all took to different professions. I carved my first guitar with plywood, trap strings and sardine opener because I couldn’t afford to buy a guitar.
“I said to myself that if human beings can play guitar so well, I should be able to do better. That inspired me. The guitar appeals to me more than other instruments though I can play every other instrument. I made a revolving guitar which is the only one in the world.
“Later, I was able to buy a guitar for myself. But my brother, who was a church organist and later magistrate, taught me the rudiment of guitar. I was playing in the assembly hall at St, Gregory College, Lagos, before moving to Yaba College of Technology. I was already a graduate before I took to music full time.
“But, I went back to University of Benin for a BA honours degree and I made a First Class. I also did my MFA. Soon after it I was employed as a lecturer. Within that time, I was honoured by the varsity with an honourary doctorate degree. I accepted it but decided to earn it by enrolling for my PhD, which I got in Fine and Applied Arts. My thesis was on Architectural sculpture.
•Uwaifo performing
“Ekassa is performed during the coronation of a new Oba. And when it was released then, many thought it was not proper but I broke the jinx.”
Music by young generation artistes
“Music is real. If you don’t have it, you don’t have it. You need apprenticeship where you learn how to play one instrument or the other, then there is a problem. The young ones want it quick. Computer-aided music is not music. Play live and you know it. The young musicians have a problem. If they are off key, they use the machine to regain their voice.
“It is like you are writing an examination, you have the questions and the answers as well. Unless they study music and take it seriously as a profession that is when they can stand the test of time. I have been around for almost 60 years and Iam still relevant. If any of them can stay 30 years or more and still be relevant, then I will know they are musicians. They should not be carried away by technological advancement, which on its own is not bad.
“Everybody can argue, that does not make one a lawyer. Also, everybody can play street football, that does not make one a professional footballer,” the maestro said.
Social Life
“I have never smoked cigarette or tobacco in life since I was born. Also, I don’t drink except these days I take wine. I don’t compete with anybody. I compete with myself. I do things within my capacity. I go into any business because of the passion I have for it. I could have decided to do other things. I have invested so much money in this museum, which I could have put in fixed deposit. I have over 600 songs and video clips, which I earn royalty from.”
“I have some books that I have written. So, my income comes from different sources. In fact, I am a fulfilled person. To me, there is nothing better than music and arts because they give me satisfaction. It makes me feel younger and look forward to the future with great pride. Sustainability however belongs to God.
“My experiences in government and academics added value to my life, even if it is negative. If you don’t know how to fall you will not know how to rise. The best is yet to come,” he stated.
Negative musical content
“I will not condemn the younger musicians. I have played with EC Arinze, Victor Olaiya etc as apprentice. In the past, there were many genres that changed with time. From waltz to soul, reggae, twists, highlife, hip-hop and juju, the sector has witnessed lots of it. For me what they are doing whether good or bad, they are giving themselves employment and not nuisance to the society.
“But let them do it right. Quality of video has improved because of technology. The sound quality also has improved but is very shallow because they don’t understand the rudiment of music. However, if they are making money from it, they should invest it for the future,” he observed.
Sustaining his band
“My band is the highest paying band in the country. For every show I pay band members N100,000. For every rehearsal, I pay five thousand naira to each member. I want them to feel proud that they belong to a profession. I do rehearse twice or thrice in a month. Music has gone beyond road side act. A time will come when hip-hop in vogue now will fade away,” he said.
No fewer than 30 countries will participate in this year’s annual International Arts and Crafts Expo (INAC) opening today till November 24 at the FCT Exhibition Pavilion in Abuja. This year’s exhibition is an upgrade from the 23 counties that exhibited last year.
Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture Otunba Segun Runsewe has assured that everything is in place to stage another showpiece that confirms INAC as Nigeria’s number one global exposition.
Organised by NCAC, the exhibition will feature countries from virtually every continent of the world in what has become a tradition since the Expo was expanded by Runsewe from African Art and Crafts Expo (AFAC) in 2017 to a global affair.
Otunba Runsewe disclosed that this year’s INAC aligns with NCAC’s Corporate Social Responsibility and will feature components like free skill acquisition, free medical services, waste to wealth initiative, investment forum and many other aspects aimed at empowering Nigerians.
He expressed satisfaction at the massive mobilisation of equipment to the venue including world class pavilions, a media/ICT centre, mobile toilets, state-of-the-art stage by renowned event management outfit, “I Am” and emergency vehicles all of which will be on ground throughout the duration of the Expo.
African Socio-cultural Harmony and Enlightenment (ASHE) Foundation, backed by paramount monarchs, led by Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has dismissed reports of Botswana being the true Garden of Eden as cultural miseducation.
A statement by its President, Prince Justice Faloye, noted that the news was a continued misconception of original African cultural and genetic origins and identity, which came from wrong archaeological conclusions that Tanzania was the origin of humanity, based on the hominid findings, to genetic anthropological conclusions of Botswana. The statement added: “However, it appears this cultural misconception goes beyond religion and also has geopolitical considerations. This latest study claiming the evolution of humanity occurred in a huge lake that previously existed in Botswana overlooks a fundamental requirement that the environment should be salty marine water and have a freshwater source due to the physiological makeup of Man that includes some salts.”
According to him, no other African sub region has the necessary environmental conditions, apart from Southern Nigeria with the largest continental mangrove and freshwater swamp and lowland Rainforest in Africa.
Faloye, who is author of “The Blackworld: Evolution to Revolution”
posits: “Unlike with the theoretical Botswana lake that can only occur within a short timeframe by stretching the 26,000 year precession of the equinox, in Nigeria for millions of years majority of the rain from the Atlantic Ocean, especially from Guinean highlands and Jos Plateau watersheds, is funneled out back to the Atlantic Ocean through Nigeria’s permanent continental freshwater and mangrove swamps. Nigeria is also the center of the Yam belt known to be the food of evolution picked in the wild by hunter gatherers. When initially suggested that Man evolved in a rainforest, due to the fact that all hominids skeletons unearthed had dental markings that showed a previous rainforest habitat, what became known as the Wild Yam question was raised that Man couldn’t have survived on Yams alone without savanna agriculture. However, it has recently been proven by the Kyoto University study (Yasuoka 2013) that Man evolved eating wild Yams.
“Now, the question is what did the first humans in Botswana eat? This recent study currently trending attempts to explain the inconsistency of the genetic study conducted by Sarah Tishkoffs (2009) that came to the wrong conclusion of Botswana, which was influenced by the wrong inclusion of the nonexistent ethnic group Lemande, instead of Yoruba, to determine the site of divergence. The inclusion of Lemande to be the only group older than Yorubas among full sized Africans that speak the continuum of dialects known as the Niger Congo ethno linguistic family made the decision biased towards Central Africa; as seen in Tishkoff, Sarah A.; Reed, Floyd A.; Friedlaender et al (2009-05-22). “The Genetic Structure and History of Africans and African Americans”. Science. 324 (5930): 1035-1044.”
He added that another overlooked fact is that Western Pygmies are largely mixed with Bantus, while those that migrated to South Africa were isolated and retained their age more than their West Counterparts.
He writes: “If the site of ancestral origin had been based on the true oldest DNA Yoruba, it would be have clear that the nearest source of salty and freshwater was the Yoruba coast. It is agreed in the theories of Bantu migration that the Benue-Congo ethno linguistic group diverged from Taraba/Adamawa into Cameroun across Central, East and South Africa as seen in (William Croft, ed. (2005); Genetic Linguistics: Essays on Theory and Method. Oxford: Oxford University Press; Greenberg, Joseph H. (1948). “The classification of African languages”. American Anthropologist. 50: 24-30. doi:10.1525/aa.1948.50.1.02a00050; and The Languages of Africa. Bloomington: Indiana University Press. 1963).
“This Benue Congo ethno linguistic group diverged from the Volta Niger group that includes Yoruba, Igbo, Ewe, Fon, whose cultural and social organization show a coastal evolution point with only Yam at the foundation of their culture.
