The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

  • 312 youths graduate from vocational training centres

    Three hundred and twelve youths have graduated from various vocational centres  in Ibese, Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

    They were trained on 15 vocations, including tailoring, making of Ankara bags and shoes; bead making and wire works, hair dressing and bathing, paintings, computer training  (Diploma in desktop publishing) and website design.

    The training was organised by One Youth One Skill (OYOS), an initiative of the councillor representing Owode Ibese in Igbogbo Baiyeku Local Council Development Association (LCDA), Lagos, Matthew Arowolo.

    Speaking at the graduation and award ceremony, at Kith and Kin Educational School, Ibese, Ikorodu, with the theme, “Skillful youths, nation builders,” Arowolo said the gesture was to invest in the youth to enable them become impact others.

    He stressed the need to engage the youth to enable them change the environment, saying the programme was not the first as it has graduated about 600 youths over the years.

    “This training is to get the youth engaged, because when youths are engaged, they will excel in the labour market as they already know how it works. With this gesture, youths will be able to fend for themselves and contribute to the financial needs in their homes. We are doing this responsible to make youths not to get involved in unaccepted things to meet  end needs. If a child learns tailoring, he or she can get a machine, sew clothes and make a living from it. So also it applies to those that have learnt other skills. They will make a living for themselves and they will not indulge in what they should not do,” he said.

    Speaking on what inspires him; Arowolo said he is a child from the ghetto, adding that he spends his money on buying equipment to enable the youth get the training.

    “The number of lives I have touched is what keeps me going, the zeal is there and I will not stop. We need to take youths off the streets, our youths can do anything to make money, they all want to make money quickly. They do not want to work, if we engage them and make sure they get something out of life, others will emulate them and they will all make a good living.”

    Read Also:312 youths graduate from vocational training centres

    He urged other leaders to impact others; saying when they are no more, what they have done is what would speak for them.

    He urged the graduates to put to use whatever they have learnt at the training.

    “They should become leaders and fight for what will make Nigeria a better place.”

    He explained that the duration of the training was determined by the course being studied. “Tailoring was one year, Ankara bag and shoe were two months, computer training (Diploma in desktop publishing) was four months, website design and production of paint was a month each, while barbing and hair dressing were six months each.”

    He urged government to assist him to get the youths empowered to enable them begin business of their own.

    The Chairman of the organising committee, Excellence Amodu, urged the graduates use what they had learnt. He said with it they could make a good living, sponsor themselves through school and contribute to their family’s financial needs.

    “They should go on with what they are doing and that will take them to greater heights to change the face of what is ongoing in the country. With this type of training, the youths will not hang around anyhow, they will use the skills they have acquired to something to make ends meet, and there will be reduction in crime rate,” he said.

    Another participant,  Temiloluwa Abioro, who partook in the computer training, said she learnt it because of her interest and love for the sector.

    She said she learnt a lot, adding that her skills has been broadened on the use of the computer, internet use, graphic design and web design, among other things.

    “I went to learn this course because I have interest in the use of computer and I wanted to broaden my skills but with what I have learnt here, I will teach other people the use of computer,” she said.

    Another participant, Feyikemi Ojetunde, learnt how to make Ankara bags and shoes. She said she loves the art, adding that with the skills she has learnt, she plans to start her business in the art, make money from it and teach others.

    She thanked the organisers of the programme for the initiative, saying it was helpful.

  • Ex-US envoy donates Okundaye’s paintings to Smithsonian

    Former United States envoy to Nigeria, Ambassador Robin Sanders, has donated two of Chief Nike Okundaye, works to the Smithsonian Gallery in Washington DC, United States. The painting series entitled Liberal Women Protest March, parts I and II depicts the strength and resilience of African women. It also represents the collective power of Africa’s women, either the contemporary ones living on the continent or those in the Diaspora.

    Okundaye’s paintings are not only part of the museum’s permanent collection but are mong the leading pieces at the beginning of the National Museum of African Art’s latest exhibition themed:  “I am: Contemporary Women Artists from Africa.

    Sanders, who is a collector of African art and a philanthropist, donated the pieces to the Smithsonian museum to ensure that the works of Okundaye were seen not only by Americans but put on international stage. “What I love about Mama Nike is that she is an embodiment of art and culture. When you hear her speak, you feel art comes alive and how much it is a part of you.When I saw the paintings, the pieces just spoke to me on so many levels but most importantly that they were so Nike!. Again, the role of art and culture has always been paramount in my life,” she said.

    Okundaye said of the former US ambassador to Nigeria: “Sanders is a giver of no equal and her benevolence earned her the unique name Woman of the people while she was the U.S ambassador to Nigeria.” Okundaye who considers Sanders as one of her daughters added that Sanders’ donation of her work to the Smithsonian Museum has unequivocally helped shine a global limelight not just on me but by extension on all Nigerian artists associated with my centres.

    “It is as a result of Sanders’ effort that I was given the honour and privilege of attending and speaking at the exhibition opening to showcase my work along with many reputable artists around the globe. This will remain evergreen in my memory and I will always show my profound gratitude to her,” she noted.

  • ‘Why we are initiating We Care’

    Rotary Club Nigeria will continue to remain focused on its mandate of contributing to humanity while ensuring it does not lose its membership.

    This, according to the  past District Governor (District 911), Otunba Bolaji Olugbenga Onabadejo, is the rationale behind the introduction of We Care and corporate membership initiatives.

    He spoke on the sideline of the club’s CEOs’ Afternoon, held at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, courtesy of Rotary Ikeja District.

    Onabadejo, who was the guest speaker, spoke on  Will and administration of Estate Law.

    He stated that the club realises that in recent times, membership of the club has been declining, no thanks to the dwindling economy, which prevent many of their colleagues from meeting up with their financial obligations.

    According to him, funding is at the heart of the modus operandi of Rotary hence, the introduction of the initiatives to raise the club’s financial strength.

    “The idea behind We Care and corporate membership is to sell Rotary Club International to the public and make them realise its advantages as regards its evolvement, core values and how it has evolved over the years,” said Onabadejo.

    According to him, economy is a factor and nobody can rule it out. He stated that some Rotarians no longer attended meetings because of financial demands. Rotary Club, he said, is neither for the poor or the very rich people, but people must be able to strike the balance.

    Read Also: Rotary Club of Ikeja gets new president

    “The truth is that a Rotary member has to feed and meet some domestic resposibilities in addition to paying dues of the club. Naturally, the first thing that he will cater for is feeding. We are having these challenges; that’s why we are trying to come up with an initiative that we called ‘We care’

    “What this means is that if somebody is in a particular club and he’ been an excellent member, except that he probably lost his job and therefore not able to meet up with his dues, the district governor, will upon the recommendation of the that particular club direct that that club either waives a part of or the entire yearly dues for him. This is a way of caring for fellow Rotarians.

    “Aside that, I must emphasise that paying of dues is compulsory. Now we are in September which is the third month of Rotary because Rotary year commends every first of July. So defaulting members should now be seeing themselves as not contributing well enough. This is the money Rotary use for projects and other things,’ he added.

    Onabadejo said the club has also decided to add more creativity to its operations by introducing corporate individuals and organisations as part of strategies to raise funding.

    Continuing, he said: “Owing to the flexibility we have introduced into Rotary. We now have corporate members. For instance, a blue-chip company can offer to be a corporate member of Rotary.  All they need to do is to donate two members to be attending our meetings. So such organisatuion would now provide financial support to the respective club they belong.”

    President Ikeja Club, Olumuyiwa Fagbola said that the essence of the lecture was to introduce more members especially corporate individuals and organisations to the club, so as to further jerk up its financial resources to take care of its varying projects.

  • 312 youths graduate from vocational training centres

    Three hundred and twelve youths have graduated from various vocational centres in Ibese, Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

    They were trained on 15 vocations, including tailoring, making of Ankara bags and shoes; bead making and wire works, hair dressing and bathing, paintings, computer training  (Diploma in desktop publishing) and website design.

    The training was organised by One Youth One Skill (OYOS), an initiative of the councillor representing Owode Ibese in Igbogbo Baiyeku Local Council Development Association (LCDA), Lagos, Matthew Arowolo.

    Speaking at the graduation and award ceremony, at Kith and Kin Educational School, Ibese, Ikorodu, with the theme, “Skillful youths, nation builders,” Arowolo said the gesture was to invest in the youth to enable them become impact others.

    He stressed the need to engage the youth to enable them change the environment, saying the programme was not the first as it has graduated about 600 youths over the years.

    “This training is to get the youth engaged, because when youths are engaged, they will excel in the labour market as they already know how it works. With this gesture, youths will be able to fend for themselves and contribute to the financial needs in their homes. We are doing this responsible to make youths not to get involved in unaccepted things to meet  end needs. If a child learns tailoring, he or she can get a machine, sew clothes and make a living from it. So also it applies to those that have learnt other skills. They will make a living for themselves and they will not indulge in what they should not do,” he said.

    Speaking on what inspires him; Arowolo said he is a child from the ghetto, adding that he spends his money on buying equipment to enable the youth get the training.

    “The number of lives I have touched is what keeps me going, the zeal is there and I will not stop. We need to take youths off the streets, our youths can do anything to make money, they all want to make money quickly. They do not want to work, if we engage them and make sure they get something out of life, others will emulate them and they will all make a good living.”

    He urged other leaders to impact others; saying when they are no more, what they have done is what would speak for them.

    He urged the graduates to put to use whatever they have learnt at the training.

    “They should become leaders and fight for what will make Nigeria a better place.”

    He explained that the duration of the training was determined by the course being studied. “Tailoring was one year, Ankara bag and shoe were two months, computer training (Diploma in desktop publishing) was four months, website design and production of paint was a month each, while barbing and hair dressing were six months each.”

    He urged government to assist him to get the youths empowered to enable them begin business of their own.

    The Chairman of the organising committee, Excellence Amodu, urged the graduates use what they had learnt. He said with it they could make a good living, sponsor themselves through school and contribute to their family’s financial needs.

    “They should go on with what they are doing and that will take them to greater heights to change the face of what is ongoing in the country. With this type of training, the youths will not hang around anyhow, they will use the skills they have acquired to something to make ends meet, and there will be reduction in crime rate,” he said.

    Another participant,  Temiloluwa Abioro, who partook in the computer training, said she learnt it because of her interest and love for the sector.

    She said she learnt a lot, adding that her skills has been broadened on the use of the computer, internet use, graphic design and web design, among other things.

    “I went to learn this course because I have interest in the use of computer and I wanted to broaden my skills but with what I have learnt here, I will teach other people the use of computer,” she said.

    Another participant, Feyikemi Ojetunde, learnt how to make Ankara bags and shoes. She said she loves the art, adding that with the skills she has learnt, she plans to start her business in the art, make money from it and teach others.

    She thanked the organisers of the programme for the initiative, saying it was helpful.

  • ‘Yoruba in Brazil have not forgotten their root’

    Nigeria joined in the celebration of the 2019 Brazil’s Independence Day in grand style. The event, which featured the exhibition of over 60 ancient Yoruba artefacts and treasures, reestablished the link between Brazil and the Yoruba race in Nigeria, reports EVELYN OSAGIE.

    Orunmila, Ori Olokun and Obalufon welcomed guests into the exhibition hall of Brazilian Consulate-General in Lagos. Dignitaries of different nationalities from all walks of life travelled back in time into Yoruba history and heritage as they were greeted with over 60 antiquities, dating 30, 000 years ago, from the stables of the Yoruba Museum (Oduduwa Mobile Museum).

    Like explorers walking into a hall of treasures, they were also met by precious metals and gemstones excavated from the ancient city of Ile-Ife.

    Women in Brazilian carnival attires, music and pictorial displays of some of its tourist/historic sites at the entrance of the Consulate-General and the exhibition were some of the scenes that greeted guests at the 2019 Brazil’s Independence Day celebration. Brazilian Head of Mission in Nigeria, Helges Bandeira, his lovely wife, Sumaya, and Brazilians resident in Nigeria welcomed guests to the event with the Brazilian national anthem, songs and snacks.

    But why hold an exhibition of African ancient artefacts on Brazil’s Independence Day?

    “Oruko mi ni Helges Bandeira,” began Bandeira. “Everybody in Brazil is very familiar with Yoruba culture, and to us it is really an honour to unveil the collection of Yoruba artefacts from the Palace of the Ooni of Ife,” he continued, adding: “It is  really a historical event because it is Africans showing African arts in its natural beauty. The Ooni of Ife has been to Brazil and acknowledges the Brazilians that are there as also his people. I was in contact with him and we have been talking about organising an exhibition of Yoruba artefacts here for a very long time because as Brazilians, we are Yoruba too. And so we can celebrate our national day and our Yoruba heritage on Brazil’s Independence Day in Nigeria.

    “We appreciate Nigeria for their receptivity towards my countrymen and women. Brazilians feel very welcomed when they are in Lagos. Maybe it’s because we also identify ourselves as Oyibo Yorubas (Laughs) if that’s possible. Happy Independence Day to all. And thank you, very much, the Ooni of Ife, for giving us the honour of unveiling your artefacts.”

    Tagged: “Pantheon of 401 Divinities and Treasures of Ancestors”, the exhibition featured relics in gold-plated, bronze and wood, as well as gemstones and precious metals.

    The Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, took guests into the “forest of artefacts”, explaining the historical relevance alongside the economic value of the stones and metals.

    According to him, he is out to change the historical and cultural narrative of the black race. He said: “The inspiration behind it derived from the increasing awareness of the richness of Ife cultural and historic heritage which has remained for long unplumbed – much of which has been lost in the course of African progression through the postcolonial phase of her history. The Yoruba in Brazil have not forgotten their root, and are strongly connected to their origin, and that is the reason why I have been working very closely with the government of Brazil.

    “The Pantheon of 401 Divinities: the items on display are representative examples of the 401 divinities that constitute a pantheon but that the divinities are larger in number than 401. It has always been the western world that is telling our stories. We have to tell our stories by ourselves. With this exhibition, we are starting a movement – movement over 20 countries, especially with countries like Brazil and Cuba where Yoruba is strongly rooted.”

    He decried youth unemployment in the country, stating that the harnessing of Nigeria’s natural resources hold the answer to the problem.  ”Today for the very first time in history, we are unveiling something very important commercially to the entire populace of our country and the continent of Africa, that we can actually add value to our treasures and by extension, our economy, take it to the entire world. It is a shame that we have so many treasures and we are living in abject poverty – it’s not adding up. We should wake up from our slumber,” he said.

    Although it was anchored by the Ooni of Ife himself, the two chaperons of the two sections, Victor Badejo and Lotanna Amina Egwuatu (Gemologist), were on ground to lend their voices.

    According to Scott Hoskins, who is working with Ooni on dating of the relics, building awareness around the relics and the cultural heritage of Ife is something that ought to have been done a long ago. “I am impressed what the Kabiyesi has pulled out of his archives to show the public. I think it is very monumental that he would do this. And in our humble way, I am actually working on bringing a German group to add some scientific knowledge to testing some of the bronze that he has to give them an age title.

    “I think the more details that he can put on the symbolism, e.g. around why there are multiple Ife Heads, why the crest around the Ife Head, who those people might have been or were and if he could document and tell us about those things, would add value to what he is trying to do.”

    Nigerians at the event spoke highly of the experience, saying it was a pride of the country.

    While commending the efforts of the Ooni, the president of ARSADIC, Chief Sola Olalekan Atanda, said: “We are living witnesses of the stories of the past and it’s not mere stories but facts because all we have been hearing in folktales, folksongs and reading in books, we have now seen physically.”

    For art legend, Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, “To have this opportunity to showcase these treasures at the Brazilian Consulate-General is a great achievement for Brazil and the Yoruba people of Nigeria to see their cultural heritage at the Brazilian Independence Day. They are part of us; they are Yoruba. If you go to Sao Paolo, you’d see the Yoruba people there. They eat akara and all we eat. And you know they actually left Lagos and still brought the culture along back home.”

    Reiterating Davies-Okundaye’s words, Former Commissioner for Art and Culture Steve Ayorinde, also commended the collaboration between Brazilian government and the Ooni for bring history closer to the people.

    Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Indigenous Artworks, Culture and Tourism, Mrs Sally Mbanefo, observed that: “This is an incredible exhibition. It is a historic landmark for us in the culture industry and the history industry that some of the artefacts that were taken away are back home and we can have access to them. The exhibition is  a very impressive work and I’m happy that the Brazilian Consulate General is part of this. It is really wonderful. The Ooni of Ife has always been a pacesetter when it comes to culture. I remember my days when I was a director-general of culture; he supported my work so much. It was during my time that he declared Ile-Ife a Tourism Zone and I had to go there to open it up.“

    On his part, Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology Hakeem Popoola Fahm, who is a founding member of Egbe Omo Yoruba, said a strong connection between Brazil and Yoruba of Nigeria still exists despite it being centuries old. “I find the exhibition fascinating. You can go to certain parts of Brazil and feel as if you are walking in a Yoruba city. You see people dressed in Yoruba attire, still practising the traditional religion and selling akarawa, which is akara on the streets. So it is very fascinating. So the connection is great, we share the same ancestry and we continue along that path.”

    Mrs Adenike Laja of the Lagos State Physical Planning Ministry said it was her first time she would see that Nigeria has gold and gemstones in Ife. “If they are mined and refined, it would go a long way to create employment for our youths and Nigeria would be great again,” she observed.

  • Burial for Pa Aka

    The burial arrangement for the late Hon. Tony Iheanyi Aka, who died July 25, has been announced.

    There was a wake at his Lagos resident on August 30.

    On September  13, the body will leave Aladinma Mortuary, Owerri, Imo State by 8am, to his home town Umueze with a stop over  at HRH Eze H.N. Akalagwu’s Palace, Ezenomi Autonomus Community, Uzoagba, Ikeduru L.G.A. Imo State at 10am

    A burial service will be conducted in his compound at 11 a.m and interment will follow.

    Entertainment follows  immediately.

    He was 61.

  • Church donates to 1000 school children in Lagos community 

    As part of giving back to the society, Eden Centre, Iwaya, Lagos has donated school bags, writing materials and other items to over 1000 school children in Iwaya area of Lagos through its Back-to-School outreach.

    The event was held in commemoration of the church’s seventh year anniversary. Children thronged the premises of the church with their parents to benefit from the outreach.

    One of the parents whose children benefited, Adeniyi lyabo, a trader, said that it was not easy to buy school bag considering the state of the economy as one costs N1,500.

    “It is a big relief to most parents in this community. We are very grateful,” she said.

    Also, a public servant, Ibikoye Temitope, whose two children benefited, said she was excited about the gifts given to her children. “We implore more churches to remember those in need around them and show forth the love of Christ to them,” she added.

    Chief Servant of the church Pastor Akin Akinpelu said the motivation to give back was to touch lives and impart the community.

    “We cannot continue to take from people. We must see how we can reach out to people around us and be a blessing to them, especially people who cannot pay us back the good we are doing for them,” he said.

    He added that the outreach was more impactful than any other programme or activity marking the seventh year anniversary because “we are giving back and being a blessing to people.”

    He explained that the church also provides skill acquisition programme for young people and the results have been impactful as young people are ecoming gainfully engaged.

    Akinpelu added that it was stressful enough in Nigeria as the depression was biting hard on the people.

    “And we cannot make it more unbearable for people and the best thing to do is to see how we can make their lives better and more livable,” he noted.

  • Lagos rolls out drums for Adeyemi

    Lagos rolled out the drums to celebrate the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy, Fola Adeyemi, who turned 60 and was bowing out after decades of service to the state, EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

    It was a double celebration last week for the former Permanent Secretary, Ministry  of Information and Strategy, Folarin Anthony Adeyemi, who turrned 60 and was retiring after years of service to Lagos State.

    Dignitaries, friends, family members and colleagues thronged the Grandeur Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos to fete him.

    The ceremony featured recollection of his meritorious service; a public lecture by Segun Ayobolu, former Chief Press Secretary to former Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, which led to a panel discussion moderated by former Commissioner for Art and Culture Steve Ayorinde.

    “This is, therefore, instructive for all Public Affairs Officers that wherever you find yourself, you need to work your way up there. Every organisation desires someone who could add value to them and not a liability. So, immediately they are sure that you are an asset they cannot but trust and work with you.

    “In all MDAs that I have served, I was able to escalate my office to the management level. The whole thing is about how well you package yourself and the office you are occupying.”

    These words by Adeyemi laid the groundwork of the day’s event.

    It also headlined the presentation of Adeyemi’s book entitled: The Dynamics of Public Information Management: Memoirs of a Veteran Public Affairs Manager. It waschaired by the Commissioner of Water Resources and the Environment, Tunji Bello.

    It drew dignitaries from across the state, including three former commissioners for Information and Strategy (Kehinde Bamigetan, Dele Alake and Ayorinde) and the incumbent Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, formerly the editor of The Nation newspaper; members of the state civil service; the media and scholars.

    Adeyemi was there with his lovely wife, Jumoke and children, Fola and Gbolade.

    From the office of the Deputy Governor to the Ministries of Finance, Education, Works and Infrastructure and the Environment at various times, Adeyemi left “path-breaking and trail-blazing imprints”, it was said

    He was extolled for his dedication to duty, his calm-headed nature; dealing with issues and proactive reforms that took place in the Public Affairs Office and Ministry of Information and Strategy in his time. Under his watch, “the social media unit in the Ministry of Information and Strategy was elevated to full-fledged departmental status to reflect the enormous influence that it  has come to attain in modern communication”; “the Lagos Television/Eko FM were repositioned and re-equipped”, and “state information officers were redesigned as public affairs officers in line with international best practices” it was stated.

    According to the immediate past Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Kehinde Bamigbetan, who anchored the book’s presentation, Adeyemi was launching the book to fund his foundation, which was a way of giving back to the society and journalism profession which has been instrumental to his rise and the successes recorded in his working life.

    “Adeyemi is a man with passion for the business of communication. And he has realised due over the course of his work that there is a rare species of the public relation personnel that requires a lot of support from all of us; he has identified them as the women who are involved in public relations and he decided to write a book. He is launching this book so that he can fund a foundation that would empower them,” Bamigbetan said.

    While Bello called him, “a good strategist”, former Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Dele Alake, praised Adeyemi intellect and sense of duty. “His attitude to work, managerial ability is very exemplary and impressive. I congratulate him for his successful career. There is nowhere else for you to go but up,” he said.

    “I am very happy for my friend. Lagos still needs his service

    In his lecture, entitled: “The Dynamics of Public Affairs Management: Information Management, Strategic Communication and the Emergent Greater Lagos”, Ayobolu went out to set agenda for the new administration, Ministry of Information and Strategy and the public affair unit/officers. Citing the administration of Asiwaju Tinubu, he said: “Free flow of information between the government and the media is critical to effective communication of the government with the public. A relationship that stresses a free flow of information between government and the media is necessary from the inception of a public policy.”

    The trajectory Adeyemi’s performance as Information Officer at the various offices he had been posted to over a period of over two and a half decades, according to Ayobolu, “indicated that he was indeed headed for the very apex of the civil service structure in a system that respects talent and rewards performance”.

    The keynote speaker revealed that Adeyemi’s joining the Lagos State Public Service was not by happenstance, stating that applying into the Civil Service was his father’s desire as “he wanted him to use the platform to offer quality service to humanity”.

    “It is thus no wonder that Mr Fola Adeyemi had a high sense of self-esteem and attached appropriate value both to his person and his profession as a government policy communicator.

    “As Mr Adeyemi puts it in his book evoking strong emotions on me as I read it, ‘You must have an identity before institutions and professionalism will back you to become an authority. If I can come from nowhere and make a mark, then the over 400 Public Affairs Officers in the Lagos State Public Service can do it. I cherish the ‘Can do Spirit a lot’… Mr. Adeyemi retires formally today but he is in no way tired. He still bubbles with physical energy, mental acuteness and moral fervor. It is for this great son of Nigeria certainly morning yet on creation day and the best, for him, is yet to come,” Ayobolu said.

    Travel business consultant, Ikechi Uko, organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market, praised the celebrator for forthrightness, and presented a gift to him.

  • Academy holds Footprints exhibition

    Africa’s first practical school of integrated brand experience and idea management, Orange Academy, which focuses on on shaping local minds that will build global brands, will hold this year’s art of positive thinking exhibitions and annual immersion ceremony with the theme:  Footprints.

    It will hold on September 15 at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The ceremony will afford the academy the opportunity to showcase some of the students’ creative works done for social causes.

    The immersion is an annual rite of passage for every graduating brand experience specialist and an induction into the Art of Positive Thinking (APT) through the exhibition of creative works by students who will conscientise the public on topical societal issues.

    At the event, graduating students are expected to exhibit some of their creative works focused on ‘fake news’, as a part of the APT initiative.

    With well over 5000 alumni scattered within and beyond Nigeria, Orange Academy, in technical partnership with CoolBrands House of the Netherlands, has for over a decade been at the forefront of discovering, nurturing and positioning bright minds for Nigeria’s commercial arts industry.

    Orange Academy spokesman Femi Odukoya said: “Our annual immersion ceremony is in recognition and celebration of our students after experiencing the IBX curriculum, which is to enable them find a voice of their own. It is in the same vein that we also choose to reckon with messages and communication that have left an indelible mark in the annals of our history. This year’s Art of Positive Thinking is to further emphasise the adverse effect of promoting news or information that is not verifiable or credible in our polity.”

  • Adejumo’s For whom the bell tolls stirs curiosity

    Contemporary Nigerian artist Segun Adejumo’s paintings featuring at the ongoing solo exhibition in London to express deep concern on the state of the nation, UDEMMA CHUKWUMA reports

    Of the twelve recent paintings by renowned artist Segun Adejumo, there is a symbolic work that forces one to ask why the saintly looking woman, who wears a blue attire and enchanting smile, has cow skull behind her head.

    The oil painting titled For Whom the Bell Tolls has as its subject, a semblance image of the Vice President’s wife, Dolapo Osinbajo. She sports a warm smile; with one palm harmoniously locked in the other, tucked right in front of her tummy.  On the whole, she appears at peace with herself. But then, look at her face – and she has a cow skull, with the full complement of horns, behind her head! What prompted an artist to such audacious symbolism? Artistic licence or just sheer recklessness given that the subject of the symbolism is the Vice President’s wife.

    For Whom the Bell Tolls, explained Adejumo “is a novel by Ernest Hemingway. It’s actually about the tolling of the bell. When a person is taken for burial, the bell, rung very slowly, tong…tong…is saying something.  But, the saying is not for the person being buried – no, that’s not the person to whom the bell tolls.  It is rather for you, the living.  Certainly, your time will come.”

    He added: “I am actually concerned about how we look at the security situation in the country. Often time, the rich of the world think they are safer than the commoners. And in most cases it’s always the common folks that get killed easier than the rich folks. They’re the ones whose villages have been attacked. They’re the ones whose women have been raped.  They’re the ones whose daughters have been carried away in slavery or taken away as captives.”

    Why the VP’s wife, though? He explained, laughing softly: “She is a symbol of influence. She can influence those in high places. At the place of influence, she has her husband’s ears and her husband is the VP.  I feel his wife is in a position to influence certain things that can change a whole lot of things happening in the country. But, if you think that you are safe because you occupy that position, the bell also tolls for you.”

    But, why pick this particular picture?  “It is her usual posture,” replied the artist.  “That is why it is easy for you to tell who she is because she has certain mannerisms. I must say something about her: she’s not a loud person.  Nevertheless, she’s a very stately person. She’s a mannered and very nice person. I chose her because of the pure attention she brings. You see, it is easy to get people’s attention when you choose the right subject. There are other people that are more flamboyant but we want people who have the heart to talk and the inclination to reach the place they should reach.”

    What about the horns, so prominent in the work? “If you look very carefully behind, you will see the skull of a cow – the remains of the cow. I remember when I started this work even I needed to be careful of what I needed to say because it is one of the works that can be easily misinterpreted. The VP’s wife is a nice person.  There is nothing about the painting that says she’s a bad person. The horns are not hers, they belong to the cow.”

    He added: “Now, people talk of the herdsmen’s menace.  The herders have been living among us for a very long time. Still, the herdsman is not the menace.  The menace is those who hide behind the herdsmen to commit crime. So, the cow skull behind the figure symbolises death.  But the cow is not the problem.  Those behind the cows are. In this particular painting, the cow’s head is perched in the North, the virtual “head” of the country; from where it comes down to the forest of the South.  Of course, Mrs Osinbajo is one of the southerners.”

    Still, you have to look twice before you could see that the horns are actually not part of her, but behind her? “Yes.  That is the entire idea – for you to look twice. Sometimes, when you look at those in power, they look like they are the ones supporting the menace.  But if you look carefully, you will find out that they are doing the best they could. Nevertheless, they are limited by certain things. But power influences. To everything, there is always a balance.  If there is a problem, there is always a solution.” said the artist.

    What message is Adejumo passing with this painting?

    “What I am saying with this painting, is that Osinbajo is an influencer.  She’s in the position of influence. We cannot continue to look at our people being slaughtered daily and not care; which is also the reason for the title of the painting, For Whom the Bell Tolls.  It also tolls for every one of us who has never said anything about the menace. This is about us, every one of us. If you don’t voice out how you feel, we are saying it’s okay for every one of us to be murdered. The bell doesn’t toll for the dead.  It tolls for the living.”

    Are you saying that she’s not saying enough? “I am saying that I am not saying enough as an artist; which is why I have to paint it. I am saying this is the way I feel; and this is how every one of us should feel by painting her. We are not saying enough. This painting is my voice. If we should all keep quiet, it means we are all okay with being killed; that we are okay with the situation like this. I am talking to her,” he insisted, “and every other person like them because you people are not there for your own good. When this thing goes bust, we all will suffer.  We cannot just sit down and look… Yes, it is always a place of opulence – everything is comfortable where you are, until the stone meets your home.”

    For Whom the Bell Tolls is in view at the Old Brompton Gallery in Old Road, Kensington, London till September 14, under Adejumo’s debut solo exhibition in London titled Freudian Tones.

    “The exhibition is about man’s friendship; or man’s involvement with a woman; with respectful restrict. I’m talking about different things about life. It is not one singular message, but the beauty or the pain or the different feeling we have when we engage life itself and the complexity of life. Each work tells different story. So, the works themselves will tell you what I am talking about rather than a collective body. But, the collective body of works speaks about a faceless or a colourless woman, but a very powerful visual expression.”