The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

  • Celebrating the girl-child

    The Nigerian Centre of PEN International (International Association of Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists and Novelists), aka PEN Nigeria, commemorated the International Day of the Girl Child at St Lawrence Secondary School.

    The day, observed annually on October 11, is to draw attention to the plight of girls across the world, focusing on the challenges they face in their efforts at self-actualisation.

    The event, which was the seventh edition since its launch by the United Nations’ General Assembly in 2012, celebrated the girl-child, drawing and draw attention to the plights.  The event featured variety shows by pupils from various schools on the rights of the girl-child, and poetry performances by some poets, including Iquo Eke and Funke Awodiya.

    “The International Day of the Girl- Child provides the opportunity to bring to public consciousness the various forms of discrimination and abuse millions of girls across the world experience daily. Also of importance are issues associated with the enforcement of girls’ rights, their welfare and empowerment for effective engagement and participation in the decision-making process in various spheres of human endeavours. Thus, top  on the agenda of the observance are: education, gender equality, child marriage, gender-based violence, access to services associated with puberty and sexual health.

    “As part of the events lined up to mark the day, PEN Nigeria well-known for its passion for the advancement of literature and freedom of expression, organised a variety show to sensitise the public, particularly school girls drawn from several secondary schools in Abule-Egba’s environs, a Lagos suburb, on the basic rights of girls and especially, the significance of their right to equal education and opportunities,” PEN Nigeria President, Folu Agoi, said.

  • ‘Mistakes start-ups should learn from’

    Nigeria is one of the countries with the largest number of start-up businesses. Unfortunately, most of them die before the end of their gestation period. Many opportunities are available to them, especially in the creative sector, but they find it difficult to access such. Is yours one of those businesses? African Hub founder Mrs Olunleye Oluwole says you are not alone. Having the same experience in her first attempt in business, she has become an inspiration to start-ups as she now connects them to their dream through her platform and trade missions. In this chat with EVELYN OSAGIE, Mrs Oluwole shares her experience and thoughts on start-ups development in Nigeria.

    You would not believe the number of start-ups winding up every day.  They need support and platforms that will help them grow and achieve their visions, says Mrs Oluneye Oluwole, founder  of  Africa Hub, an entrepreneurship development centre, which was borne out of her passion and experience of failing in business.

     

    Birth of African Hub

    My vision was to rewrite the narratives on how to do business in Nigeria and globally, using less to achieve more.  And so with a mind of giving entrepreneurs the right environment to create, the hub was set up, primarily to provide support, a platform and an enabling environment/ambiance for entrepreneurs where their only concern would be thinking about their business, and not about light/power or the Internet. We started with the provision of work spaces, meeting room, training and capacity building in various areas. Today, we have grown.

     

    Mistakes start-ups should learn from / my early voyage into business/writing

    Start-ups do not need to take up huge expenses, like office rent, administrative support staff and other additional things. As a start-up in 1999 when I started my first business, a travel and tourism company, all I had was raw passion. I knew I wanted to be on my own and had lofty ideas and I knew I was good at packaging and running tours and travel agency.

    But I didn’t have a guide, proper mentoring, mentors or a network of entrepreneurs like me in that space and environment. I thought all I needed was a good office and staff, among others. I had serious expenses that I shouldn’t have. I did so many things wrongly and, of course, expectedly after a long struggle it came to a halt in 2005. And that affected me and my psyche. So, I ran away from the private sector into public service, with a mind of carving a niche for myself. But, inside of me, I was a private sector-driven person, who loved creating ideas. Although I learnt a lot from the public service as a supervisory counsellor for public health, I was a bit constrained because of their ways of doing things, which were not favourable to me as an ‘ideas’ person. So, when my term ended in 2010, I started writing books and penning down my life experiences and my observations, but I was seriously considering going back to the private sector. And in 2015, I decided to go back there.

     

    Going back to private sector

    So I went back into private sector in 2015, but this time, my focus was beyond Nigeria: I wanted a more global reach. I wanted to open new frontiers for entrepreneurs through strategic partnerships for them to leverage. And so, after the book presentation in the United States, I returned to Nigeria with a mind of creating a platform for entrepreneurs, given my experience. I knew what I went through as a start-up; especially how alone I was in that space as a woman. So, rather than looking for platform or who to help me, I decided to be prodigious by being the platform for start-ups and emerging entrepreneurs, by connecting them to who can help them, and has their interest at heart. And so, African Hub was born. I initially wanted to start it as a library because I was writing books, but by divine design we established a workspace. And I had never worked into a workspace before in Nigeria. So much so, my husband kept asking what I wanted to create.

     

    Most challenging period in my business

    Interestingly, we launched out in January into recession with eight state-of-the-art work stations at Amore, off Toyin Street, Ikeja, Lagos. It was the most challenging year of my life, carrying the vision amidst absolutely nothing and driving traffic and sustaining it for almost a year. 2016 and 2017 were the worst years for business people in Nigeria. We ran business at a huge loss, and there was no support from the government. We had no client for the first three months.

     

    Coming out of recession

    in business

    But we kept on. We began to build strategic partnerships, knowing that that was what entrepreneurs would need. We gave discounts, got marketers and after two months, we noticed we have outgrown the eight work stations and had to move. We then moved into our current place in May of the same year. And from eight work stations, we grew to 32 work stations in the same year. And we were still in recession.

     

    Opportunities available to start-ups, especially in the arts

    There are opportunities available to start-ups, especially in the arts, but the government needs to go beyond policy making by creating an enabling environment. More should be done to move start-ups and entrepreneurs up the business scale.  Unless the government understands the position of the private sector and role hubs like ours play in the drive towards encouraging and empowering entrepreneurship/start-ups, unemployment would keep getting worse. In advanced countries, the model of SME development is the government and NGOs support incubators to help the SMEs.  Hubs as ours are multi-sector-based. We would love to be at different locations to spur SMEs development in the country.

     

    Challenges in empowering

    The challenge has been funding, because we are talking to investors, who would invest in the vision of the African Hub to support African entrepreneurs. So, if we get funding for them to provide what we are talking about and help them, we will be able to scale up and entrepreneurs will become successful in their different sectors such as: creative industry, skin care, fashion and others.

     

    My interest in entrepreneurs

    in the arts sector

    We are also interested in entrepreneurs in the arts sector. I think the sector has a huge potential largely underutilised. We sponsored the first start-up in 2016 – called the Rewa Hut. It’s our baby. It was a hair exhibition expo in Canada; the African Alvanc Hair Show. The promising young entrepreneur, Ife Ajayi, a hair artist, was ready to explode and needed a platform to reach the world. We are glad to be there. Today, the name has evolved and she is now into food and drinks. For the literati, we had a book reading club for upcoming writers, where we hold book reading sessions. We’ve hosted Jamiu Abiola, MKO Abiola’s son. Last August, we hosted Ayanfe. For the arts we are open, but looking at how to have more collaborations with start-ups in such areas and what our involvement can be.

     

    Facts start-ups in the art industry should know

    For start-ups, and this time I’m speaking directly to those in the arts, it is not all about the passion or talent. It is about finding the right platform and the network that has the passion to build your business. What you are looking for is more of socio-enterprise kind of service. I see start-ups as a growing seed that has to be structured, packaged and nurtured. If you bring them out too early without structure they would collapse. Hence, there is a need for guidance and mentorship to help channel their talents on the right path.

    In proper packaging and branding, one cannot take away training and capacity-building while helping them to look after their talents through the business eyes. In today’s world, they need a website and good social media presence. And most importantly, one needs to match and network them with opportunities and events that will place them and make their talents visible. This is the reason we are involved in a lot of trade missions. For instance, we are going to France soon where we intend to bring businesses in the arts. One of the agenda for President Emmanuel Macron of France is in the entertainment and creative industry to see how they can support Africans in the arts. And that is the type of partnerships and collaborations we are looking to bring to the platform for start-ups.

     

    Writing for the country and humanity

    Whether it’s on my experiences in politics, on Ogun State or on Nigeria, my books reflect my thoughts and love for Nigeria, my home state and humanity. The first book was “My Heritage: The history of Ogun State”, which is a book chronicling the history of the state: from politics, human resources to tourist attractions and more. I put them in three volumes. The second one is “Dreams of a Patriot”. I see myself as a patriot and love Nigeria so much. And it pains me that we do not cherish history; we do not take advantage of what we have been blessed with, and particularly, I was concerned about the leadership. So, I did a chronicle on 50 years of its leadership – from 1960 to 2010. So, the book talks about the dreams of a patriot and what has been the lot of Nigeria.

    In 2015, I wrote my political memo on my experiences as a politician in the state and local government levels. So, I put together my experiences as a politician, married woman, a mother, and someone, who has passion for change and I called it “With Heart and Might”. This is because that was exactly what I set out to do – to serve my people and constituency with my heart and might.

     

    My voyage into Politics

    I was to be the vice chairman of my local government and then because of how politics was in Nigeria, some of the people, who vied for the post of  chairman and didn’t emerge were to be given the slot of vice chairman. So, I was appointed as a supervisory counsellor for public health – counsellors were like commissioners at the local government. I held the portfolio for three years and the experience gave birth to a book.

     

    Life nuggets

    I got an early understanding about servant leadership and it changed my life. I’m a very practical, creative and down-to-earth person, who has a call to help the downtrodden. I believe success in not about money, its the impact you make. Today, seeing the people God has brought across my life and the impact I have made in their lives, is more than a million dollars. to me. Also integrity, perseverance and placing others before one’s needs as modelled by my father, have encouraged me to do more for people. And those nuggets have come into my business space. Being a platform for people is an extension of who I am as a person.

    As a woman it has been tough and difficult having mentors in male- dominated world of business without them crossing the line. My father is my number one mentor, but I’ve had to mentor myself through Men of God like Bishop TD Jakes (I’m an e-member of the Potter’s House), the Lord Jesus, because my anchor is in Christ, and Pastor Lanre Thomas of the Sanctuary of Solution Ministry.

  • ‘We want to immortalise Henry Townsend’

    It will be 160 years since journalism began under the Scottish evangelist Reverend Henry Townsend in the hilly country-side of Abeokuta, which is now the Ogun State capital. The Nigerian League of Veteran Journalists (NLVJ) is set to celebrate the milestone. Its President, Otunba Eddie Aderinokun, speaks to EVELYN OSAGIE at a media briefing to unveil the group’s plans to immortalise Henry Townsend with the landmark event.

    Many may not be aware that it is 160 years since the Scottish evangelist the late Rev. Henry Townsend published the first newspaper in Nigeria from Abeokuta, Ogun State. This also marks 160 years since journalism, the fourth estate of the realm, began under the auspices of Townsend in the hilly country-side of Abeokuta. “I will not blame them if they do not know, but as a profession, we all have embraced as our own over the years, it is worth celebrating. For me, celebrating 160 years of Nigerian journalism is not only the culmination of a major milestone in the media history of the nation, but remembering and immortalising Townsend,” said Otunba Eddie Aderinokun, President, the Nigerian League of Veteran Journalists (NLVJ).

    He added: “We have kick-started the preparations towards the grand event with a press unveiling of the event, announcing the process, which will culminate with a grand finale on March 22 to 24, 2019 in Abeokuta – the same place where it all began.”

     

    Celebrating Nigeria’s rich journalism history

    “Nigeria has a rich history of newspapers and newspapermen and women without whom today’s long list of great writers and editors would have evolved. What we are celebrating is a journey that started in Abeokuta in 1859 with the Iwe Irohin and today that newspaper has given birth to countless journalists and publications and an independent Nigeria. I think it is worth mentioning that the woman, who christened Nigeria, Flora Shaw, was also a journalist, while it was the journalistic elements in Nigeria at that time beginning with Herbert Heelas Macaulay, the first publisher of a daily newspaper in Nigeria (Lagos Today) that began to move for Nigeria’s Independence. His struggle was then carried on by his protégées like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the fiery Anthony Enahoro and the rest of them.

    “Without editors like Ernest Okoli, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who edited the West African Pilot, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who published the Nigerian Tribune (still on the news stands till date), Chief Anthony Enahoro, who edited the Comet of the ZIK Group of Newspapers at 22 and was later to move a motion for Nigerian Independence at the House of Representatives as a young parliamentarian, we wont be where we are today as the fourth estate of the realm.”

    “I have only mentioned a few names that sort of led from the frontline of Nigerian Journalism in the 1940s and 50s, but I cannot avoid mentioning a host of others like Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Bisi Onabanjo, Dapo Fatogun (Daily Express), Gab Idigo, Roy Ezeabasili, (Nigerian Outlook), Babatunde Jose, Angus Okoli, Peter Osugo, Peter Enahoro better known as “Peter Pan”, Gbolabo Ogunsanwo, and Theresa Ogunbiyi (Daily Times) and many others of historic note.

    “We must not forget today’s leaders in this process. Sam Amuka-Pemu, the founder and publisher of Vanguard newspapers and past founder of Punch, and as well as Editor of Sunday Times is today 85, still playing an active role in the Newspapers Publishers Association of Nigeria (NPAN) and the biggest fish of today’s publishing empire, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, the publisher of ThisDay Group of Newspapers and its Television Wing, Arise News Television, which operates internationally with offices in Lagos, Abuja, London, New York, United States.

     

    Celebrating the link between education and Christian faith

    “As we roll out the drums to celebrate 160 years of journalism in Nigeria, we also are celebrating education and the blessings of education indirectly. It was very important to note that the power to read and write was given to Nigerians through journalism. How so? Before the first newspaper, Iwe Irohin was printed in Abeokuta on November 23, 1859, by a certain English Reverend gentleman Townsend, whom I refer to as the father of education and of all journalists and publishers in Nigeria, there was no formal way to teach Nigerians how to read and write. And because the missionary work of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ was impossible except the person to which you are preaching can understand your preaching, faith is impossible.

    “Interestingly, this is what Townsend said about his mission: “I have set on foot a Yoruba Newspaper. My first number is out, I am writing the second. My object is to get the people to read, i.e. to beget the habit of seeking information by reading, it is difficult.”

    “In this case, the people preaching were English speaking, and the only way they could establish that their work was successful was to ensure that converts can on their own find time to study the scriptures by reading. So, it follows that the ‘ready-for-harvest fields’ of Nigeria at that time had to be cultured for harvest. Thus, the reverend had to innovate by creating the local newspaper to stimulate reading. And just imagine what the man had to contend with. But today, we take for granted the fact that we can read and write as good as the oyinbos themselves, if not better in some cases; remember Prof Wole Soyinka’s literary feats, remember Chinua Achebe, remember Chimamanda Adichie et al.

    “So as a body, we felt we had to remind us all as a people, that journalism practically gave birth to Nigeria as we know it today and that we must remember our roots and water it properly, so that we can navigate the future with sure footedness and clear headedness.

     

    Celebrating the veterans

    “As we celebrate the Nigeria Media Sexacentennial, we must therefore, thank God, who in his infinite mercy, has kept alive many of us who practiced journalism in 50s, 60s, and 70s. Even as we celebrate 160 years of Nigerian journalism, we would also be marking the 30 years anniversary of NLVJ. The league was officially founded in 1989 by a group of veteran journalists under the leadership of myself, Chief Ajibade Fasina-Thomas, Ben Lawrence, Elder Sam Amuka and others like Dayo Duyile and Ambassador Moses Ihonde, Temple Benson, Olu Akaraogun, Abba Dabbo, Lindsay Barret, Tony Amadi and a long list of veterans, who worked tirelessly to ensure the longevity of the association after due consultations with senior colleagues, like the late Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Alade Odunewu and Alhaji Babatunde Jose; our forbears and practitioners of the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

    “I was asked the other day “what informed the decision to celebrate 160 years of journalism in Abeokuta, called the Nigeria Media Sexacentennial by the Nigerian League of Veteran Journalists? The celebration of 160 years of Nigerian journalism is, therefore, a major turning point in the history of the association.

    “Also, we have records to show  that over the years, the NLVJ has been instrumental to steadying the ship of state of Nigeria during turbulent times, using lectures, seminars and talk shops. The NLVJ is thus a patriotic conclave of eminent Nigerian journalists, who are passionate about Nigeria and are committed to the highest standards of the media profession through continuous interactions and interventions.

     

    Celebration highlights/partnership

    “Beginning from November 22 to 24, 2018, diverse activities are lined-up as build-up to the grandfinale billed for March 22 to 24, 2019, which would feature the inauguration and ground breaking of a Nigeria Media Hall of Fame and an Institute of Media Research and Training Center. There shall also be a Gala/Awards ceremony where past and present practitioners as well as performing public servants past and present shall be honoured. Amazingly, amidst a media exhibition and an international colloquium the descendants and representatives of Townsend with whom we are currently in talks as regards being present in Nigeria at the event, which will be lavishly hosted by the Ogun State government spearheaded by the governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun.

    “It was heartwarming when at a meeting with the governor, he agreed in principle, to host the event with fanfare just as he has been doing in the last three years with the now African Drum Festival. And as he completes his eight years of celebrated stewardship, what better way to sign out than in a blaze of glory with celebrating the phenomenon (journalism) that raised the profile of Abeokuta and Ogun State into one where giants of literature like Soyinka, governance guru like Obafemi Awolowo and music avatar like Fela Anikulapo Kuti, spring to fulsome. Not forgetting that there would be NLVJ annual convention, an important programme in the proceedings.

  • October Rain to honour Barber, Grillo

    The Lagos chapter of Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) is set for its annual exhibition, tagged: October Rain, its chairman, Idowu Sonaya, has said.

    According to him, this year’s edition, which opens on Saturday at The Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos will honour two Nigerian art icons – Prof Abayomi Barber and Prof Yusuf Grillo. Sonaya, who disclosed this at a briefing, recalled that the 2016 edition is on the late Sammy Olagbaju, while the 2017 was to honour the late Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi.  October Rain exhibition has served as platform for young artists to launch themselves into stardom over the years.

    “October Rain exhibition has maintained a reputation of high level of professionalism in creativity and craftsmanship. These qualities are evident in the works that will be on display via thorough scrutiny executed by the exhibition committee jury.  We would be honouring the two icons because of their contributions to art sector and art education.

    “Prof Grillo is being honoured for his iconic roles in visual art education and visual art practice in Nigeria. Moreover, it is meant to celebrate his unflinching support to the development of SNA as a professional body over the years at both national and state levels. It is noteworthy to mention that Prof Grillo was the first and founding President of SNA National in 1963.

    “Prof Barber in his own class is being honoured as he clocks 90 years  on October 23, 2018. He was born on October 23, 1928. He is highly regarded for his pioneering role in starting a visual art training school at the University of Lagos in 1973, with Muri Adejimi as his first student. It is a great joy that University of Lagos is today blessed with a vibrant Faculty of Creative Arts,” he said.

    He added that this year’s edition will be featuring over 100 artists, with over 100 artworks. “The list ranges from the Legends to the Masters such as Kolade  Oshinowo, Banjo Fasuyi, Bruce Onabrakpeya, Nike Okundaye, David Dale and Abayomi Barber on display. We also have works from various contemporary masters of our time, they include, Abiodun Olaku; Bunmi Babatunde; Sam Ovaraiti; Olu Ajayi; Kunle Adeyemi; Mufu Onifade; Oladapo Afolayan; Dotun Alabi; Damola Adepoju; Idowu Sonaya; Ajayi Porter; Bolaji Ogunwo; Udenta Omoligho; Stella Mofunanya; Micheal Fashakin; Anthony Nwalupue and George Taylor among others.

  • Adaba FM at 10: Beyond the cake-cutting 

    Adaba 88.9 FM came onto the scene in Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria on Thursday 21st August, 2008 with a different touch to what had earlier obtained in the broadcasting industry in the state. It was a breath of fresh air to opposition politicians who had been muscled out of the available media space in the space.

    To them, Adaba FM was a ray of hope. It became also a light that dealt a blow to the darkness of disinformation. It was a station ready to tread uncharted territories, bringing raw information to the people – information that had earlier been coloured.

    The people of Ondo, Ekiti, parts of Osun, Kogi, Edo, Delta and Kwara states where the station’s signal reaches have come to trust Adaba FM as a source of accurate and timely news, entertaining programmes, including sports.

    When on 20 August, 2018, Adaba FM rolled out drums to celebrate its ten years of unblemished and religiously professional broadcasting; many could have misinterpreted it as another jamboree, but to the discerning, the station was again making another statement, just as it always does, but this time to the whole of Nigeria.

    This it did with the caliber of the lecturer, Prof Banji Akintoye, a renowned leading scholar on Yoruba history, and the Chairman of the lecture; Chief Wale Osun, who is the National Chairman of Afenifere Renewal Group. The combination of this two made the lecture the first of its kind, shown live on TVC, Adaba FM’s sister station. 84-year-old Banji Akintoye stood for almost two hours to speak on the topic, “Nigeria: Signs of Our Time”. Just like Adaba FM, Akintoye delivered a message many would not dare touch with a long pole, a message that shook the whole of Nigeria and beyond, so much so that many were asking for the recording.

    Akintoye said: “From all accounts, from all tendencies, I repeat, I am not saying that if I say that I see these tendencies, I am saying, that is what my heart desires, but that’s what my knowledgeable sense tells me. That’s different from saying that is what I desire. For instance, if I say I believe Nigeria will continue to get poorer, that’s not what I desire, but from what I see today, that’s what I can see. And it is important that Nigerians of my age and stature in our society should tell Nigerians the truth. So, concerning the poverty that now runs over our lives, I see Nigeria continue to get poorer and poorer.”

    Prof Akintoye recounted Adaba FM’s ten years of existence, saying: “We are bringing large number of young people into the world, and in some parts of the country we are spending a lot of resources in educating them and we have no preparation whatsoever with which to get them started in life and so they roam around, and they are roaming around in a country in which corruption is the sanctified road to prosperity. That’s what everybody does. The smallest official in any business or office is looking for his own personal benefits and ready to give nothing to that company. Businesses are collapsing all around us. Many foreigners who are investors around us are quietly leaving. Meanwhile, all we get are promises from all directions. It is too late in life for me and it will be disservice to my country for me to be saying that this party is doing well, that party is not doing well. I am not into partisan relationships of any kind. It is too late. The last party that I belonged to was the Unity Party of Nigeria that was dissolved by the military in 1983; since then, I have never belonged to any Nigerian party. So I can tell Nigeria face-to-face, conscience-bright what I see about our country. Our country is going to get poorer. Why? Because it is human beings that build an economy, and the human beings who are supposed to be preparing to build the economy of Nigeria are being allowed to roam around the streets and do nothing. And many of them are running away from the poverty and hopelessness.

    “Go abroad. Go and live abroad as I did. I saw Nigerians, the best trained, the best minds, come over from Nigeria, seeking some sort of ways to get places in other people’s countries. And they usually get such places because they are good. They are bright …You will see Nigerians at the top of everything. Business, government service, research, academics and so on. Nigerians are fleeing … American Censors Bureau said in 2013 that Nigerians are the most educated group of immigrants that have ever come to the United States. We are losing the people who should be here to build our economy. Large numbers of Nigerian kids know that the education they are being given is poor, substandard. And they are leaving in droves. The most intelligent of our young people are leaving in droves. Many of them, in total desperation, want to go to Europe by traveling across the arid Sahara desert, and then if they manage, if they don’t die, and they arrive in North Africa, they then cross the Mediterranean seas by rickety smugglers’ boats, a lot of which flounder in the seas regularly. On a regular basis, Nigerians are dying in the desert. On a regular basis, Nigerians are dying in the Mediterranean Sea. An official of the federal ministry of immigration said this last June that between January and May this year, an estimated ten thousand Nigerians died in the Mediterranean Sea and the desert. So, you say in four years’ time, our economy will be better. How? How? How? We know how economies work. I am a historian particularly interested in development. That’s why I became a very significant person in the UPN.”

    Either during the struggle by Kayode Fayemi to reclaim his mandate in the courts between 2007 and 2010 or during Olusegun Mimiko’s legal efforts to become governor, Adaba FM came to be known as not just a product of struggle, but a deflator of lies and promoter of truth. Not even a shut-down order by the NBC in 2009 could stop it. This is the true story of Adaba FM, the real 10th anniversary celebration beyond the cake-cutting, dancing and fanfare. No one puts it better than the General Manager of the station, Sir Martins Ayoola, in his speech at the anniversary dinner. He said: “I look at all the faces here and it dawned on me once more how much Adaba FM is loved. This love sometimes is a burden to us at Adaba FM, because you have two opposites at all times which you must serve diligently. ”There is the buyer and the seller, the customer and the manufacturer, the pastor and the congregation, the school and the students, and the hardest of all, the people and the government. Two opposites with different aspirations that most times may not align, balancing all these views by listening to all sides of the story without taking sides requires great efforts. This is where Adaba FM comes in, bridging that gap and allowing the people to have their say at all times, making sure that their voices, and that of government as well, are heard loudly”.

  • Foundation pledges support for 1000 Nigerian students

    To reduce the number of school dropouts, a non-governmental organisation, Infinity Foundation, has vowed to shoulder a financial support system to assist students achieve educational dreams.

    Speaking at the investors dinner, book launch and award presentation organised by G Text Homes, recently in Lagos, one of Infinity Foundation Directors, Mrs. Bisi Akintayo, expressed commitment of the foundation to ensure children goes to school as a way of building a brighter future not only for the children but for the nation at large.

    On the government part, she noted the government is constituted by every citizen of Nigeria, thus, she charged Nigerians to cultivate a charitable heart in assisting one another.

    “For me I don’t talk about the government because every individuals makes up the government. That sit is not a permanent sit for them and if they seize to have a charitable heart, we can come together to assist ourselves. We started in 2018 and when we looking at those we have helped so far, they are over five thousand. We have gone to different states, met with different kids and we have been able to assist them in one form or the other”

    When asked why the foundation focus on education, she explained it was a nurtured dream from childhood to assist families who lacks the financial strength to see their children to school.

    “There was a time my first child couldn’t go to school and there was  a bursary in my church I wanted to collect but my husband told me God will provide that there are millions of children out there who needs this bursary than us. And truly God did it. Till date, each time I’m taking my kids to school and I see children not in school, tears run in my heart. I feel uncomfortable seeing kids hawking. I’m glad we are trying our best”.

    Chief Executive Officer, G Text Media and Investment Nig. Ltd., Mr. Stephen Akintayo who also bagged the 2018 Nelson Mandela Leadership Award as Africa Most Outstanding Person on Humanitarian Services and Societal Development Per Excellence, presented by African Youth Parliament (AYP),  said his book ‘Maximising your real estate investment’ is to educate the public on the importance of investing in real estate business and guides on how best to invest.

    “My book was written to enlighten the public how profitable and valuable real estate business is. From all the books I have written, I love this book because it’s about real estate. You can’t measure your wealth by Car. But when you own a land or build a house then it will appreciate. The biggest assurance is landed property not Cars. The starting point for landed property is to have information. You need to know how to invest and that why the title is maximization.”

    “When you invest in real estate you will be level headed. real estate has a way of humbling you because when you start you will know what you are into. With landed property, fifty years after you will be proud you have done something”.

    Speaker AYP, Rt. Hon. Bamikole Babs, expressed the parliament has so far been on a look for motivators  and role models to African youths and Akintayo was spotted for his exemplary lifestyle.

    “What actually informed us about Mr. Stephen Akintayo is his exemplary lifestyle, he has been doing something wonderful that a lot of youths are not taking cognizance of. And like some of his objectives in investing in real estate, I think it’s something that every youths who are reasonable to know  they need invest,” Babs said.

    Akintayo said he is humbled by the nelson Mandela leadership award by the AYP. “its a proof that people are watching. We are getting to a point where awards are based on merits and that people do their research and see who is doing well. I really appreciate the African youth parliament for the honour and we pray God gives us the grace to keep doing what we are doing better” he said.

  • LABAF holds between Nov 5 and 11

    Lagos Book and Art Festival, yearly literary activities will kick off on 5th November. The festival, which will be hosting different seminars, is targeted at developing the minds of Nigerian youths for purpose of national development.   Opening event is Cora Book Trek to feature readings and conversations around newest books on the Nigerian shelf at The Garden, British Council, Ikoyi. Participants will have opportunity to interact with writers, culture icons, celebrities and members of the literary circuits.

    This is will be followed by Reader’s Forum with the theme Leaders as Readers on 7th at Kongi’s Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island with Columnist Reuben Abati as moderator.  Poet and Essayist, Mr Odia Ofeimun and playwright and journalist, Mr Ben Tomoloju will be moderating a colloquium with the theme Imagining The New Country at Kongi’s Harvest’s Art, Freedom Park on 9th.

    On the 10th at Freedom Park will be two seminars starting with the theme Processes of Nation Building-2 which will feature reading and discussions around Helen Zile’s Without A Fight and Obafemi Awolowo’s Path To Nigerian Freedom to be moderated by Professor and Head of Directing, Southern Illinois University USA, Segun Ojewuyi on the10th. To be followed with the theme Intergenerational Dialogue presenting two phases titled What was the Plan? of persons born 30-10 years before independence featuring Prof Akin Mabogunje, A Measure of Grace and Titus Okereke’ Our Father’s Land. What we Plan will include persons born 15-20 years after independence and it will feature Chude Jideonwo’s Are We The Turning Point Generation, Eghosa Imasuen’s To St Patrick and Abubakar Adam’s Seasons of Crimsons Blossoms.

    The festival will round off with a special session Keys to the Knowledge Economy…Building the Capable State-3 on November 11th at Freedom Park, Lagos. This session will be moderated by Poets and Literary activist Aduke Gomez while the Special Guest of  honour Mr Kingsley Moghalu will be talking on two sub themes such as Build, Innovate and Grow (Big): My Vision For (Nigeria) and Emerging Africa, How the Global Economy’s ‘Last Frontier’ Can Prosper and Matter.

  • A pastor with heart of gold @50

    Pastor Barbara Ola, formerly of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), turned 50 last week, and family and well-wishers trooped to her home in Magodo, Lagos to celebrate her with a birthday bash.

    Pastor Yemi Adekunle of By Fire Ministries, who ministered the Word, enjoined guests to lead a life of legacies by impacting the lives of others, noting that Christianity is all about touching lives.

    “What would you be remembered for when you are no more? When we are gone, we will not be remembered for how much money we made, but for our goodness and the lives we touched with what God has blessed us with.

    “I encourage us to seek to leave behind legacies. At 50, Mrs Ola is at an age when nothing else should matter, but leading a life of legacies by touching others. She has impacted and continues to touch lives, and that is why many have come to celebrate her,” he said.

    Married to Pastor Taiwo Ola of Christhouse International Christian Centre, Barbara, a mother of four, is a graduate of Mass Communication. For her, life has not been a bed of roses: surviving convulsions, burnt legs and other sorts of health issues, Mrs Ola at 50,  is today an inspiration to many.

    Little wonder guests took turns to praise the celebrator, especially for impacting lives, using her communication skills.

    The celebrator’s mother, Mrs Roseline Ikediashi, described Mrs Ola as a “fighter” and “survivor”.

    “As a child, convulsions led to her legs being burnt, but she survived and grew up as a fighter and an inspiration to many. I am happy she can walk again because her legs were badly burnt. I thought she would never be able to work again, but here she is walking perfectly well and looking beautiful. She had convulsion, but still came this far. Glory be to God,” she recounted.

    To Kehinde, Barbara’s husband’s twin brother, she is more than a wife. “She is very caring and will always be remembered for the role she played in taking good and proper care of our mother. I have never seen a woman like her because she always goes the extra mile to help the family.”

    Loretta Olubunmi-Amosu, her sister and the last born of her family, described her as a woman with a “heart of gold”. She said: “Sister Barbara is very caring and accommodating. She stayed with me all through the time I had my surgery; and she always checked on me. She would always help me whenever I was in need. I see her as my prophetess: she is always praying for and encouraging me in all my endeavours.”

    To Pastor Ola, her husband, she is a “blessing to him and the family”, who “has made lots of impact in my life and I’m happy I married her”.

    On his part, Bola Bido, an engineer and pastor, who trained under the celebrator’s husband, said she is accommodating and caring.

    The event, which began with a praise and worship session, featured Bible reading, Word ministration, musical and poetic performances by Lammy John, D’Tone Martins and Evelyn D’Poet.

  • Quramo unveils top five finalists

    Two weeks after announcing the top 10 finalists, Quramo Publishing has unveiled the top five finalists of its Writers’ Prize 2018.
    The winner of this year’s edition will be announced at the award on Sunday, October 21.
    The annual prize is awarded to an unpublished fiction manuscript. Last year, Samuel Monye was the winner with his manuscript, Give Us Each Day.
    The top five entries are listed alphabetically: Achalugo Ezekobe, Boys on Jumping Trousers; Ani Obiamaka Splendour, The Girl Who Saw Tomorrow; Chioma Mildred Okonkwo, All That Glitters; Emmanuel Michael, Running Waters and Oriasotie Emmanuel Ehimare, When Yesterday Saved Tomorrow.
    Quramo Publishing Executive Publisher, Mrs. Gbemi Shasore, said: “We are very thankful to our judges, led by the amazing Aduke Gomez, for their painstaking work in picking our top five entries. We look forward to crowning a winner on Sunday October 21 and to publicly presenting Give Us Each Day, a debut novel from Samuel Monye (QWP 2017 winner).”
    Other judges for the Quramo Writer’s Prize 2018, include Kunle Kasumu, Edify Yakusak, Ego Boyo and Kayode Kofoworola.

  • Diary of a Keke Driver now online

    Opia-Enwemuche Maxwell Onyemaechi believes that every mind has a story to tell and a message to pass across in our society where a larger number of youths are falling apart without any sense of direction.

    His new e-book The Diary of a Keke Driver has been launched on October 1 on Okadabooks platform. The book promises to be timely and give anticipated steps to overcoming laziness and become successful wherever you find yourself.

    The book, The Diary of a Keke Driver, will cause you to pay attention to every details of your life no matter how minute they may be. According to him, the book will be available on Okadabooks and other major online stores.

    The Diary of a Keke Driver captures a real life situation. It exposes the day to day struggle of a young man that represents the youths of our present day and how to brace up amidst the challenges of violence, drugs, laziness and unemployment to become successful against all odds.

    Opia-Enwemuche Maxwell Onyemaechi is an author of the movie–bound novel, The Oracle of Isieke, (2013).

     

     

    He enjoys telling and writing short stories and poetry, his short stories and poems have appeared in quite a handful of anthologies and online journals and magazines.