The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

  • Start right in 2019

    This New Year, I believe it is very important for us to have a solid start with specific objectives in mind. Communication is very important; you communicate whether you want to or not. Just as you make major plans at the beginning of the year, which some refer to as New Year resolution, you should also have major plans for your communication and interaction with other people. We cannot continue to do the same thing and expect a different result. If indeed we want this year to be far better than last year, we have to deliberately aim at effective and contribution-oriented communication.  Today, therefore, I want to suggest a few areas in your life in which you should try to start right in 2019.

    • Personal Life: I dare to say that this is one of the most important areas in which you need to deliberately manage your communication. This area represents your comfort zone. It represents your life when you think no one is watching. It is your life when you let down your guard. It is your life when you think you are not being scrutinized or judged. In 2019, be yourself inside and outside. Know that whatever you do or say communicates something to everyone around you. They either believe that you are a responsible and reliable person to deal with, or they feel that you are better avoided. Remember, if you don’t have people’s respect and trust, they will never want to deal with you.
    • Business: ok, I agree that I am not your regular business consultant. I may not even have the slightest idea of how to do your kind of business. But I know that they say “customer is king!” Yes, you may tell me how annoying your clients or customers tend to be. In fact, I agree that sometimes, it seems like they actually set out from home to upset you. Nevertheless, that is all part of the ‘fun’ of having a business. What if you decide to make difficult customers or clients a major target in your business? You can determine that you will make every customer smile about one thing or the other while being attended to. This, of course, does not make you a clown; it just means that you are going the extra mile to make your customers like you and what you have to offer.
    • Academics: For students, it is extremely important to develop an effective communication system this year. If you have worked really hard in the past and your results did not justify your efforts, then you need to change your strategy. I believe it is not enough to study a subject, it is perhaps more important to study the teacher. Some teachers don’t like lengthy explanations in exams while some others would not be satisfied until you have used several pages. This crystallizes the fact that no two people are the same. You must learn to communicate with each teacher on his/her own terms.
    • Career: the workplace is a very dynamic place. It is very important that you learn to communicate with three valuable categories of people; your superiors, your colleagues and your subordinates. Mutual respect is one of the best ways to communicate friendship. When it comes to your superiors, they read both your verbal and nonverbal cues. They can tell when you don’t like the job, when you don’t like them, when you are being lazy, etc. The best way to impress your superiors this year is to change your attitude to your work; love what you do (even if you have plans to move on soon). Your colleagues are also very important because you work with them on the same team a lot. As for your subordinates, if you underestimate them, it is at your own expense. If you care for and respect them, they will go out of their way to help you succeed.

    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. Don’t lock your potentials in; let them breathe!

  • Royalty meets clergy at wedding

    It was a marriage of royalty and clergy when Oluwole Sosanya and Ifedapo Akanbi-Oluwa tied the nuptial knot amid pomp and ceremony in Lagos. In this report, EVELYN OSAGIE captures the sights and sounds of the event.

    As the saying goes, sometimes you fall in love with the most unexpected person at the most unexpected time. This certainly holds true for Oluwole Sosanya and his beau, Ifedapo Akanbi-Oluwa, who both signed the dotted lines at a high-profile wedding in Lagos.

    Oluwole, suave and gentlemanly, is a scion of Omooba Olumuyiwa Abayomi Sosanya of the Isara Remo ruling house in Ogun State. Ifedapo, on the other hand, is a stunning beauty from Iseyin town of Oyo State, whose parents have a long history of service in the Lord’s vineyard as clerics of faith-based institutions: she is the daughter of Rev. Paul Abiodun and Mrs. Elizabeth Akanbi-Oluwa of New Covenant Church, Ebute-Metta branch, Lagos.

    But providence brought the lovebirds together.

     

    The meeting

     

    When Oluwole first met Ifedapo at a social gathering organised by one of his friends three years ago, the last thing on his mind was marriage.

    As a royal blood, the tradition was that if he needed a life partner, he would choose from his kind. But Oluwole did not subcribe to this culture.

    “I wasn’t really keen on marrying from the royal family as such. All I wanted was a wife  from anywhere, regardless of her social status and, luckily, for me, Ifedapo turned out to be a perfect fit for me,” the International Business Economics graduate of the University of Westhampton England, said.

     

    The solemnisation

     

    The three-part ceremony, which held at the  highbrow Yard 158 Garden, Lagos, was heralded by a traditional wedding with families and friends in attendance. Then, followed the church wedding where the couple and their bridal train led by the best man, Power Hart, and maid of honour, Abiola Akeredolu, were welcomed to the venue in a blaze of glory as confetti lined their paths. Also on the train were the ring bearer, Olakabi Delano; Ladun Baderinwa; Olusayo Adeleke; Phidelia Imiegha; Emem Williams; Oladele Oladunjoye; Kolawole Alakija; Muiz Ogbara; Ronald Ajiboye; and little bride, Abifoluwa Oloruntoye.

    The solemnisation began with officiating clerics of the New Covenant Church. They were Rev Nicholas Omisade, Rev Oluwole Olaleye, Rev  Gboyaga Adejobi, Rev David Abraham, Rev Abba Peter, Rev Akin Ayoola, Pastor Phil Osanakpo, Pastor David Oluwadairo and Pastor David Aderinola Oloruntoye.

     

    The vows

     

    The couple were wedded by Rev. Omisade.

    Subsequently, Rev Wole Owolabi, the Provost of New Covenant Church Bible College, who delivered the homily, encapsulated his advice in a five-letter word, ALIVE, urging the groom: “Love for a woman is not just what you say, but what you do. Love her in language, love her in looks. Love to a woman translates to kindness. Be kind to her. Locate her passion and be part of it. A woman moves by intuition, but a man moves by calculation. But wise men are learning that intuitions most times are more accurate than calculation.

    “Let her know she is a part of your life and not an appendage. Say to her, ‘I’m going to smoothen you with love’. If you do all these to your woman, she would come alive. I perceive that I’m looking at a family that would be a role model to their generations.”

    The couple were ushered into the reception auditorium with fireworks and pyrotechnics, which lit up the atmosphere in a kaleidoscope. The event  was chaired by a lawyer, Aderemi Oguntoye, who represented Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, .

    The best part is always the emotional part and that was when Ifedapo and her dad had their last dance.

    As the famous Nel Oliver’s famous lyrics, Mon enfant, ma baby girl, began playing and the bride and dad got to the dancefloor, the rendition evoked mixed emotions.

    The couple and parents also had their day on the floor with guests serenading them with applauses.

     

    The marital advices

     

    Oguntoye decried the increasing number of broken marriages and asked couples to work towards building a happy home. According to the chairman, if the efforts and resources expended on wedding ceremonies were worth it, many marriages would have been saved.

    He said: “We live in a social media generation where people spend most time on wedding ceremonies, but they spend less energy on marriage itself. Marriage is about love and work. People must be ready to sacrifice and make it work. Ifedapo and Oluwole after today’s ceremony, I want you to take a look at yourself and say, ‘I will spend time to reflect on my marriage’ I pray that the Lord will give the couple the grace to make their marriage work; and that God in His infinite mercies would bless those of us witnessing this.”

    He recounted that: “As a legal practitioner and I have been privileged to witness orchestrated number of divorce cases. I have been counsel to nothing less than 17 divorce matters and I’m talking about situations of marriages that are between one year and 15 years. The only one I had to turn down was a petition by a man who wanted me to dissolve his 37-year- old marriage.

    “I turned it down and I said to the man, why would you want to throw away a relationship that has existed for 37 years? And the man said, Aburo (young man) I need to live my life. It’s not worth it anymore. That is where I want to take my advice from. Ifedapo and Oluwole, the Lord will help you. Just make sure you work it out. Marriage is meant to be enjoyed, but you must make it work. In all my experience, one of the key denominators the man always complains about is, ‘I have lost her respect’. A man does not demand love, men demand respect.”

    In his message to the newlywed,  obstetrician and gynecologist and member of the Lagos Governor Advisory Council (GAC), Dr Oluyomi Abayomi Finnih, said: “They should show love to each other. The wife should respect the man and the husband should do the same too. And they shouldn’t allow third parties into their affairs. And I wish them God’s blessings.”

    The groom’s father, Omooba Sosanya, also  advised the couple, reinforcing what the cleric said. “My advice to my son and daughter is that they should live together as friends.

    They should show love and understanding to each other. Although they come from two different families, they can live together as one happy family, if the love is there,” he admonished.

    Echoing similar sentiments, the bride’s parents also gave their last words. “Our advice to them is to love God and each other and work their marriage out. And they should know that understanding is shown from above with the help of God. We are releasing them as a solution to Nigeria to affect their generation positively and to change this nation for good.”

    Senator Gbenga Ashafa also advised the couple. “As I always tell young couple that are getting married, I use one word – that is love.

    They must endeavour to love each other and then have the fear of God. Once they imbibe these principles, it will be easy for them to tolerate each other because they are coming from different backgrounds. My prayer for the newly wedded couple is that they will find everything to make their marriage succeed in all ramifications. I’m talking about enduring peace, money and of course, long life and abundant prosperity.”

    The ceremony was high-octane judging by the calibre of guests who attended. Among the guests were wife of Senator Ashafa, Sade; Chief Whip Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Rotimi Abiru; Lagos APC deputy governorship candidate, Hon. Obafemi Hamzat; members of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), including former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, Prince Tajudeen Olusi; Prince Rafiu Oluwa; Otunba Bashura Alebiosu; High Chief M. O. Taiwo, Asiwaju Reuben Bashorun and Prof Babatunde Samuel and Chief Lanre Rasak, popularly known as KLM.

    Others were a lawyer and the state Legal Adviser of the Lagos APC,  Ademola Sadiq; Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Director of Accounts, Mrs Adenike Ganiat Akanbi; Rear Admiral Toye Sode (rtd); CSS Bookshop Limited Managing Director, Dare Oluwatuyi, and the Deputy Managing Director, Mr Adesina Adegbola.

     

  • YouMax pledges to invest in girl-child education

    The President of YouMax Dubai, Mr. Abraham Boakye, has pledged his firm’s commitment  to the development of girl-child education in Africa. Boakye spoke this in Lagos at the launch of the YICGPY Platform to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs ) by Wells International Services in partnership with YouMax Dubai.

    He said according to the United Nations, women  make up 70 per cent of the estimated 1.3billion people living in poverty, two-thirds of the population of one billion illiterate adults, and two thirds of the 130 million children, who are not in school.

    He said, women, however, shoulder the impact of global development market, hence they are the world’s greatest unused resource for turning the tide of economic injustice.

    He asserted that giving a woman access to primary education will ensure that her entire family receives better care and nutrition. This indicates that providing equal access to education and employment opportunities for women will ensure economic justice and sustainability for all.

    Boakye said the project would not only provide educational opportunities for the girl-child, but  also raise advocacy for more investment and support for the girl- child

    He added: “We want to train and embrace the ability of young people from economically disadvantage to successful transition to SDG framework for economic sufficiency.  To build bridges to promote entrepreneurship movement in achieving 17 SDGs, through the medium of art and tourism to further the success of UN SDGs agenda.”

  • Breakthrough for dogged artist Okoye

    Artists do not come of a harder hue than light-skinned sculptor, painter and poet Chidi A. Okoye. A firm believer in the creative enterprise, Okoye has applied his art diligently in Nigeria, Canada and the United States, surmounting all kinds of institutional obstacles. He remains undaunted in his quest for excellence, daring all odds. His drive brought him in contact with the equally determined Dr Sally Mbanefo, the Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Indigenous Artworks, Culture and Tourism of Anambra State. Mbanefo, who incidentally started painting as a tender teenager, knows an original when she sees one.

    The collaboration of Mbanefo and Okoye could not have come at a more opportune time. Okoye has since set to work, rebranding Mbanefo’s ministry in the Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka, Anambra State into a permanent art exhibition centre with exquisite sculptures, paintings, lush carpet, grass and flowers.

    Governor Willie Obiano had headhunted Mbanefo into the service of Anambra State after her posting as the Director-General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) in Abuja by adding to her portfolio the novel “Indigenous Artworks” facet. It is in the pursuit of the promotion of indigenous artworks that Obiano took personal charge of commissioning Okoye’s “Mmilioma Anambra” foundational exhibition during the Anambra Homecoming Festival on Friday, December 14.

    The Mmilioma Anambra Statue at the centre of the exhibition rotunda depicts a young maiden carrying a clay pot bearing water from the original source which she is poised to pour into a larger communal pot to be shared in the rhythms of life. The communitarian essence of Okoye’s Mmilioma symbolises the watering of the Igbo spiritual bond of the land (ala), to wit, Mother Earth. This represents the renewal and restoration of Anambra as a new paradise holding aloft the light of the nation.

    Chidi Okoye gives voice to his vision thus: “I pray and believe that Mmilioma Anambra will compel our visionary Governor and our royal fathers and mothers to see our highly needed place of Arts and Culture as a befitting state art gallery in Awka and engage a professional artist to manage our Arts Department for the economy we seek.”

    Okoye got his higher training in art at the esteemed Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) Enugu when “IMT was IMT, the place to be for gifted artists.” A native of Nimo town in Anambra State, he undertook his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) year after graduation in 1988 at the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, where he then lectured for six years.

    Mobil Producing sponsored his 1993 exhibition, “Textures of Life”, at the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos. The then Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria took a liking to Okoye’s work and facilitated his travel to Vancouver, Canada, in 1994.

    Settling into the artistic life in Canada was indeed difficult as he needed a work permit to sell his art. Even when a lady helped him to procure the work permit she tied into it the clause that he could only operate through her company without the option of leaving. Okoye had to perforce survive a herculean two-year immigration battle.

    Even so, he had to face the daunting reality of refusal from Canadian gallery operators who declared: “We don’t do African art but modern art.” Okoye refused to be cast aside, and devoted time to convince the doubters that the modern art of Picasso owed a lot to African art by way of cubism.

    He had to devise out-of-the-box means of survival. He saw some Ghanaian immigrants making cross-border travel to Seattle in the United States. He took his art to the streets, showcasing his works in restaurants, banks, different public places, anywhere people could see it. It was then the journalists started taking notice of him and writing about his uncommon enterprise. The galleries could not but now start asking for his works. A Vancouver journalist wrote a full-page article on him. Even in the US a Miami art dealer took charge of selling his works in the ship.

    He persevered to create an outstanding body of work in sculptures, paintings, mixed media, drawings and poetry in the private and public art collections in Canada, USA, Italy, France, Ireland, Israel and Hong Kong. His 2006 “Drums and Dance” adorns the Head Office of Delta Airline in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.

    Okoye came back to Nigeria in 2015, and instantly saw that things had really fallen apart in the country. His beloved alma mater IMT was now a poor shadow of its old self. The British Council that used to host artists in Enugu had left the town. He found that artists were now angling to become professors instead of creating artworks and exhibiting.

    It dawned on him that Lamentation, the title of his first collection of poetry in 1992, came too early. Now was the real lamentation.

    It was against the general disillusionment that Okoye met Sally Mbanefo. Believing that art should propel the land, Okoye dares to lead by example without placing any premium on money.

    He is now poised to build a gallery and generally turn the entire Anambra landscape into an estate of art.

    He strongly believes that with the art-loving Governor Obiano, everything is possible, starting from the highly successful Mmilioma Anambra initiative.

     

  • Enter Agbawodike-Izu

    Indigenes of Umuariam ancient kingdom in Obowo Council Area of Imo State will not forget in a hurry the array of dignitaries from all walks of life that converged on the sleepy community.

    It was not just the usual gathering, the sleek cars, the cultural display, royal dances and regalia further added colour to the ambience of the community.

    It was the occasion of the conferment of the chieftaincy title of Agbawodike-Izu, one of the highest titles in the community, on one of the illustrious sons of the land, High Chief Bright Chidiebere Okeke.

    From one end of the community to another, the atmosphere was charged to breaking point. Gaily dressed men and women trooped out in large numbers to behold the new Agbawodike-Izu and his delectable wife, Lolo Susan Chima Okeke. The Palace of Eze Adiele Nwaigwe, the venue of the event, was filled to capacity.

    It was historic for both the recipients of the revered title and the community. The honour, according to the traditional ruler, was not influenced by any sentiment or mundane considerations but a reward for service to humanity and community development.

    Unlike in other communities where chieftaincy titles are conferred on the highest bidders and people with questionable characters, in Umuariam, such honour is reserved for sons and daughters who have contributed to the development of the community.

    In his speech, the traditional ruler disclosed that the title was conferred on Chief Okeke and his wife because of their philanthropic gestures to the people of the community.

    He noted that the recipient and his wife have contributed immensely to the development of the community.

    He said: “Chieftaincy title in Umuariam is not for sale, it is not based on sentiment of any kind, it is purely a reward for service. The recipient of today’s title, has contributed in no small means in the development of the community.

    “The chieftaincy title is one of the ways the community is showing appreciation for what he has been doing and we do hope that it will spur him and other illustrious sons of the community to do more”.

    The Council of Chiefs, Ndi Nze also confirmed that the honour was well deserved. The leader of the Ndi Eze, Nze Dan Orji, described the recipients as people of goodwill who have promoted peace and unity in the community.

    A priest from Saint Paul’s Anglican Church,  Ijesha-Tedo, Lagos State, Venerable Evans Adegbuyi, encouraged Christians to take up traditional titles that are not infiltrated with diabolism.

    He expressed worry over the indifference displayed towards leadership by Christians.

    While appreciating the traditional ruler and his cabinet for finding him worthy of such honour, Okeke said despite the fact that he had received several titles from other tribes, the title conferred on him by his people is most treasured.

    He assured that he would do more for the community, adding that the new title had motivated him and confirmed that his humble contributions in the development of the community have been appreciated.

    He said: “I want to thank the traditional ruler and the Ndi Nze for finding me worthy for this chieftaincy title and I will not take this gesture for granted. I will continue to do the much I can to support the community and that is the only way to justify this honour done me and my wife”.

     

  • Hymnodia kicks off in Lagos

    Excitement filled the air as shoppers, merchants and visitors were treated to melodious rendition of inspirational hymns at the Ikeja City Mall in Lagos by the team of the a reality-TV programme, Hymnodia. This was during the flagging-off its Season One.

    Hymnodia, the organisers explained, is “a unique reality-TV programme that seeks to reignite the hymn culture and promotes the nurture in the area of worship”.

    The fun-spiced ceremony, which featured crowd-moving performances of the 30-member choir, signalled the commencement  of the call-to-entry for the show.

    At the flag-off, the team swung in tune with the lyrics, while shoppers demonstrated their enthusiasm by singing along with the choir, expressing delight at the gorgeous Hymnodia designer dresses.

    Kufre Ekanem, Managing Director of Philosoville Limited, initiators of Hymnodia,  explained that the show seeks to revive the hymn culture and worship as a critical element of what cohesive societies require. He said that Hymnodia revolves around members of a world class choir who contest to showcase their skills as singers, writers and hymnodists, while collaborating to render soul-lifting renditions.

    “It is designed to redefine the perception obout hymns and reposition the minds of Nigerians on the almost forgotten art and value of hymn creation, writing and singing,” Ekanem affirmed.

    According to him, entries will be received from December 31, 2018 to January 21, 2019 and audiences will be regaled thereafter in the flow of creativity of choir performances during the 13 weeks of fun which the initiative would run through.

    The winner of Hymnodia will be announced at the grand finale of the contest on April 21, 2019 and will be rewarded with the ASAPH, a specially designed trophy, a brand new car and cash prize of N5 million.

    “It is an initiative of nurturing talents in rendition of hymns that are inspirational and tells the values that redefines our perception and belief,” Ekanem stated.

    Hymnodia, which will be an annual event, aims to ignite rumination, regard and allure on the words within hymns beyond their oft-whistled melodies. It will lavishly reward the creativities and talents that excel in its defined categories.

    To participate, talented young Nigerians are required to visit Hymnodia website, www.hymnodiahq.com, download and complete the Hymntestants application form and return scanned copy of completed form to info@hymnodiahq.com. Applicants are also expected to post a maximum 60 seconds self video of hymn rendition on Facebook, Twitter Instagram or their website with the hashtag #hymnodiahq, after which shortlisted applicants would be invited to an audition.

     

  • Telling the African story through dance

    As the curtain closed on the renowned Calabar Carnival, Cross River  State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade, has said the state sought to provoke some contemplation about the African  continent through dance.

    He made the statement in the state’s capital while reflecting on the just-concluded carnival.

    With the theme: Africanism, which was chosen by the governor, the streets of Calabar beamed with colours and excitement with participating dance bands, preaching a message of unity in the continent.

    Ayade said: “But above all, the more challenging theme for us this year is the theme of Africanism. The drive here is to see how we can use the festival and the carnival as a uniting force for the African continent.”

    Ayade, who had flagged off the street party, said Africa is the emerging continent. He stressed the need for young men and women to promote Africa in their thinking, dreams, action, conduct and dress sense, and enjoined all to use the opportunity created by the processional dance and drama to tell the African story in a way that all understand.

    According to the judges of the last edition, Passion 4, one of the five competing bands, interpreted the theme better, hence were declared winner after the 12km Carnival that ended at the UJ Esuene Stadium. Seagull Band came second while Freedom Band came third.

    Also speaking on the theme of the carnival, the Leader of the Seagull Band, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, said last year’s edition was the biggest and most relevant to the society so far.

    Ita-Giwa, a former Presidential Adviser, said they worked tirelessly to interpret the theme of the carnival. Her words: “I am happy the carnival has grown; last edition  was the biggest so far because of the theme Africanism. We told the story of Africa with a mind of moving us to retrace our steps.

    “We tried to shake off the mentality of colonialism and now establishing ourselves and in our efforts, a lot of great people have emerged. Go back through history, go to Mandela, go to Obama that became president of the United States. Even here in Africa, a lot of Africans are doing a lot of great things.”

    “The governor thinks strongly it is doable, he thinks that for everything, it begins with a drop,” an aide, Ken Aklah had said.

     

  • Wande George’s discourse in fragments of thought

    Cubism is Wande George’s main style of artistic expression. Though, he has works in other art styles. Ancient and traditional African arts are some of the creative inspirations that helped forged Cubism, Fauvism, Expressionism and Abstraction among some other art styles, ushered into the global art world by modern art. Thus, Cubism as a mainstay in the body of works by George in his latest show: Fragment of Thoughts, is just answering creative calls from his African ancestors. Before the first set of Europeans set foot on African soil in the 15th Century, Africans of old had already been producing sculptures and paintings that were works of cubism, abstraction, stylisation, and symbolism to mention a few. Therefore, George’s Cubism dominated depictions with mixtures of other styles are in order.

    George’s 46 works on display at TerraKulture filled up the available space without mercy for visual/ spatial refreshment in an aggressive quest to satisfy the hard to please Lagos art community. Variety is the major selling point in George’s body of work. From his previous show: “Naked Truth”, to this “Fragment of Thoughts”, it is mainly a case of Cubism and other styles. From the Cubism’s “Head Tie Series” with titles such as “Madam Kofo”, “Onile Gogoro”, “Oju Oge”, “Old School”, “Onta Wire”, “Angelina”, and “Golden Scarf and Red Lips” as well as “Shine Your Eye” to the “Family Tie Series” works and others in the “Broken Promises Series” are all social commentaries and visual documentations of the symbolic beautiful nature of women and the happy essence of Nigerians in the past unlike the distrust and concealed hatred among the citizenry in recent times. The spirit of ‘being your brother’s keeper’ seems to be history,what is in vogue now is ‘being your brother’s rival’.

    Suspicion of one another is a destructive virus that has eaten deep into our Nigerian psychic. It is such social maladies that George is preaching against in works such as “Togetherness”, “We are all connected”, “Brotherhood”, and “Home Alone” in the ‘Family Tie Series’. While “Home Alone” touched on the bonding of siblings left at home by their parents, “Togetherness” and “We are all connected” as well as “Brotherhood” dwelt on Nigerian unity and the national maxim of “United We Stand, divided we fall”. George employed the “Family Tie Series” to preach unity, harmony, love, trust and peace from the national level down to the family unit.

    The “Head Tie Series” basically celebrates fecundity, beauty and glory of womanhood as metaphorically captured in cubist expressions of gorgeous and grandiose geles: head ties (head wraps). It is also a social commentary by George on the obsessive nature of women on being fashion conscious and often glamorous display of beauty despite the hard time; they never missed an opportunity to slay the men. The two paintings under the “Broken Promise Series” are “The Heart of the Matter” and “Just one life”. Love and issues of the heart between lovers, man and woman were treated in this two works. “Just one life” is the picture of a seated gloomy lady with crossed legs, half filled wine bottle and glass cup on a tilted small table beside her. She is a good picture of a dejected, broken heart. However, “The Heart of the Matter” is a depiction of two lovers, a lady and her man, love is definitely in the air. They are served with lovely heart felt dishes symbolised by one heart that is already beating as one. The dude is about to propose because he has a ring in his hand with suggestive scrutinising looks on their faces, speaks volumes without words… When it is true love, you do not need too many words, even the silence in the air cannot conceal the love in their heart.

    “Oke Arin” is a representation of the popular street market in Oke Arin, Isale Eko: Lagos Island. “Rush Hour” is another Lagos Island depiction of an early evening after work rush hour when most offices, schools and shops among others have closed for the day. So, the rush to get home by the workers, teachers and students to mention a few is the story behind “Rush Hour”. “Oke Arin” and”Rush Hour” are oil on canvases with commonplace blend of impressionistic and expressionistic finishing which is in good stead with “Wishful Thinking I”. But, “Wishful Thinking II” is an expressionistic painting of a deep reflective thinker in mostly subjective hues and moods. These aforementioned three oil on canvases yielded space to three symbolic socio-political abstract paintings; “The Evil Forest”, “Rumble” and “Dance across the field”. George finds it appropriate and safe expressing his visual messages in abstract forms on such sensitive socio-political/religious issues of fanaticism, terrorism, abduction, rape, forced marriage, religious bastardisation and misrepresentation, concealed treasonable and perfidious actions which is captured in the several years long demented story of Boko Haram and their covert financiers/ comrades in shaded corners and tinted corridors of power.

    “The Evil Forest: Zambiza” is a metaphor of the epicenter of the Boko Haram terrorist group, Sambiza forest in Bauchi State, Northeastern Nigeria. It is an abstract piece with psychological and symbolically suggested forest in deep blues, violets, blue greens and emerald greens. There were also minor peeping yellows and reddish impressions of Sunlight and other life forms with the brown hues representing humans. It is all a subjective abstract visual statement on the disaster, sadness and war that Boko Haram had etched into our national history.

    “Rumble” also dwelt on Boko Haram with the added issue of Fulani herdsmen. But, Fulani herdsmen’s clashes with farmers and other related topic on the hard pills of herdsmen and cattle colonies are rumbling maladies that gore George into producing this piece. Nothing to sweat about, if the real owners of these cattle and herdsmen will do the right thing by establishing cattle ranches to house their herds and staffs.

    “Dance across the field” is the third and last on this socio-political abstract discourse on Boko Haram, Fulani herdsmen and other ills in our society such as the recently discovered subterfuge necropolis pond of the Berom a village in Plateau State. Several vehicles of many people who had been missing for many months were discovered in this sacred pond of the Berom. The disappearance of General Muhammad Idris Alkali (rtd.) of the Nigerian Army and his car in the Berom territory dragged the Nigerian Army into the story. Thus, it was reported that some of the Berom murdered the Army General like many others before him. These killing of innocent people had being going on for many years with impunity. Thank God, the Nigerian Army stepped in, and unearths this madness.

    Thank God, again; the Niger Delta is presently sane and temporarily safe. How about political warfare in the guise of cultism rivalries in some part of Lagos and River states among others, well; life is about challenges, war and peace are co-travellers in our world. Nigerians definitely deserved better than what we are presently getting from the government at all levels. Though, the previous government is worst than the present one. Since, governance is a reflection of the citizenry. Nigerians should purge and cleanse themselves of corruption, moral and spiritual decadence as well as hatred and evil in any form which is the main message in Wande George’s oeuvre. George’s dream of a better world, a saner society must start from every single Nigerian alive today. The cure of society’s malady must be borne by the communities and leaders. Or else, it will all just be a case of using a pencil line to slice Mount Everest into two. God help those who help themselves. May ‘the labour of our hero’s past…never be in vain’.

     

    • Rasheed Amodu is an Artist, Art Historian/Critic, Lagos, Nigeria.

     

  • Runsewe hails Marwa committee on drugs

    The Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Segun Runsewe, has hailed the initiative of the Brig-Gen. Buba Marwa-led Presidential Advisory Committee on the Elimination of Drug Abuse (PACEDA).

    Runsewe said the initiative is a welcome development considering the challenges of drug abuse amongst Nigerians, especially the youth.

    Runsewe, who is Nigeria’s number one culture ambassador and a staunch advocate of preserving the country’s cultural identity, observed with very keen interest that drug abuse has never been part of our culture.

    Declaring his stand via telephone conversation, the NCAC DG noted with excitement that the committee has come at the right time to enlighten and educate Nigerians on the dangers of drug abuse.

    He was particularly happy with the committee’s proposal of introducing random drug testing for Nigerians aimed at identifying persons in need of attention and assisting them overcome the challenge of addiction.

    Speaking further, Runsewe cited the Malaysian and Korean experience as countries that have been successful in tackling the menace of drug abuse since the 1990s by aligning closely with the International Drug Policy Consortium which is a global network of organisations and professional networks that specialise in issues related to illegal drug production and use.

    He noted that Nigeria can engage the Consortium as it promotes objective and open debate on the effectiveness, direction and content of drug policies at national and international level while supporting evidence-based policies that are effective in reducing drug-related harm.

    Runsewe  assured  Nigerians that the NCAC will continue to play its part by using the cultural content of our domestic environment to sustain the fight against drug abuse.

     

  • Setting New Year resolutions that work

    Mo fe lowo ju daddy mi o (I want to have more money than my dad). Mo fe l’owo ju popsie mi (I want to be richer than my dad)”. This song by pop artiste Davido once rocked the Nigerian air waves, in-fact it became the slogan and goal of many, after all the average Nigerian parent prays for their children to surpass them.

    How amazing will it be if Davido truly became richer than his father a business man simply by singing this song.  We would all go into the studio to sing songs on how we want to be richer than Jeff Bezos or Bill Gates, I can already picture myself in the studio singing the pidgin version of the song.

    Last week I shared on ‘why new-year resolutions fail’, and why replacing your resolutions with goals, using goal setting formula is a much better and sustainable approach. I also mentioned that there is a proper way to set goals, and I have gotten messages asking, ‘what is the proper way to achieve new-year resolutions by using goal setting?’

    Let us use the Davido song as our case study, a lot of people will say ‘I want to be richer than my dad’ and call it a goal, I say it’s wishful thinking or wishful singing.

    What exactly is wrong with this ‘goal?’

    If someone walked into my office and told me they wanted me to coach them to be richer than their dad, the first thing I would ask is how much is your dad worth? . Do you know his exact worth? When we get the exact worth of the dad, the next question to ask would be how much richer than your dad do you want to be, because ‘richer than my dad’ is a very vague statement.

    For a goal to be actualised, the goal needs to be clear first to the goal setter and to all around, if what you call a goal lacks specificity, it is not a goal.  If for instance Davido’s dad is worth 10 naira, having 15 naira would make Davido richer than his dad.

    A specific goal would be I want to be 100 dollars richer than my dad who is worth 10 naira. This method ensures that the goal setter knows exactly what he is working towards and he can track his progress.

    In setting goals, it is important to be clear and specific on what the goal is.

    The next question would be to elicit how important the goal is to this person, a simple question like how important is this goal to you, what are you ready to sacrifice or let go of to accomplish this goal will reveal to me how serious this person is as regards the goal.

    When setting goals, it is important to examine the importance of this goal, this is because as I mentioned in my last article a lot of people go with the flow when setting goals, going with the flow in this instance happens when you set a goal because everyone around you is doing something similar.

    A goal must be valued by the setter, it must be of priority to whoever is setting it. It is important to prioritise goals and arrange them according their value or importance, this helps to focus on what really matters. Attaching value to your goals also helps to drop unnecessary goals, and focus your energy and resources on what is important to you at the moment. A simple tip to help prioritise your goals is to ask yourself ‘on a scale of 1-20 how important is this goal to me’? You can then arrange each goal in order of priority by the scores you allocated to each goal .

    After eliciting the importance of the goal, the next series of questions would be aimed to develop an actionable time frame for this goal.

    Many set goals that cannot be tracked, a wishful statement like ‘I want to be richer than my dad’ leaves out the important factor of timing. This answers the question of when do you want to be richer than your dad? Time must be allocated to goals for it to be met. This keeps the goal setter in charge of his actions, and makes him consciously plan his actions, till the day the goal becomes a reality. When timing is ignored in goal setting, this leaves the goal setter to coast and float till the goal magically becomes a reality, which in most cases never happens.

    Importance of including timing in goal setting include the following:

    –            It builds a sense of urgency and importance

    –            It helps you plan and determine every action till the goal is actualised

    –            It gives you something specific to look out for in the future

    –            It sets the subconscious mind in motion to look forward to the actualisation of the goal.

    A person who says by May 1, 2020 I want to be 1,000 dollars richer than my dad who is currently worth 1,000 naira, is more likely to achieve success than someone who simply says I want to be richer than my dad.

    The last series of questions would be aimed at spurring action. As far as goal setting is concerned, your action plan is the last piece of the puzzle. A lot of people are brilliant at planning, but their plans have no execution.

    What is the first step you would take to ensure your goal is actualised, if you cannot itemise actions and steps to take daily till your goal is actualised, you may end up slacking and falling into the 80 percent of people who do not accomplish their goals. A lot of people fail to note that goal setting goes beyond making plans, action is where all your plans and ideas come to live. Action is that continuous decision to daily do tasks that fuel your goal.

    Here are some tips on action taking:

    –            Have an accountability partner

    –            Create reminders and have a to-do-list every day

    –            At the end of each day, review your actions in terms of your goal

    –            Reward yourself when you reach a milestone

    –            Enjoy the process and do not relent

    After identifying the first step to take, identify what actions will support the first step to ensure your first step does not fail. An example will be ‘I want to save a thousand naira every day from my salary’ the first step to action will be to open a savings account where I can easily transfer the money, a step to support this action will be signing up for internet banking from my bank, and ensuring I can send the money via USSD code, in the instance of no data or bad internet network. By following this action plan, it is easier for your goal to be met and leave no room for excuses.

    Goal setting on the surface level seems easy and like a walk in the park, from this article we see that, setting goals that work, require more than just making generic statements, goal setting involves discipline, intention, and of course action. While I cannot share exhaustively on the formula for setting goals that work, I know this article will help you go back to the drawing board and help you make the needed changes as you set your resolutions for the new-year.

    You can keep up with me on social media for more helpful tips via Instagram @coachgbemz.

     

    • Gbeminiyi Obadan is a Life Coach