Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

Omenala Press is set to relaunch new memorial editions of Buchi Emecheta’s six titles at the ongoing Nigeria International Book Fair in Lagos.

Buchi’s works, which covers are designed by the artist Victor Ehikhamenor, will be presented by her son, Sylvester Onwordi today by 2pm at Jelili Adebisi Omotola Hall (Formerly Multipurpose Hall), University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka.

Although Buchi, who died in January, last year, was an internationally renowned literary figure, her books have been out of print in Nigeria for many years.

The launch, according to Omenala Press, aims to ensure that quality imprints of her works are now available in Nigeria in affordable and accessible formats. The event is open to all who wish to learn about the legacy of the late novelist.

It will feature tributes to Buchi, a short film of her life, readings from her works, a panel conversation on her legacy, prize-giving and opportunity to view and purchase her new books.

A self-taught artist, Bankole Bako, has held a solo exhibition of his rare collection tagged: Silhouette of words at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.  Not perturbed by lack of patronage and survival, Bako has, in the past two decades, been working on experimental art. He has been very consistent with his conceptual works.

Bako’s art and aesthetic initiatives are neither acclaimed nor particularly noticed in the realm of painting in Nigeria, but they remain uniquely conservative, not competing for recognition within the clan of established artists on the visual art landscape. However, his contributions are set to become the subject of scholarly research.

The current exhibition, a collection of attractive life-size seven paper crucifix – the chronology of Christ’s life- makes no claim to provide any neat finality of the established concept, to conjure up any single cause meant to explain this phenomenon. The landscape of his artistic movement looks complex and multi-tier perhaps to allow for simple explanation and extension. According to him: “The beauty of this exhibition lies in its revelation that visual creativity in Nigeria, nay Africa, is no longer anonymous… In my artistic foray, I have in this exhibition targeted a specific theme in an area where possible enlargement can be created.”

The exhibition offers the willingness that permeates the scriptural directive of biblical teachings and the visual recording of episcopal commitment. In Silhouette of Words, there are such works as Angelic Roles, a 19-inch creation in which the artist brings attention to beliefs, superstition and myths. The cat-like image has four angels praising God in solemnness. There is also, among others, a 19-inch Iya Ibeji which is the positive role of the missionary, exemplifying culture, tradition and religion. In a framed set of nine (10-year-old) drums titled Jesus Testimony About  Himself, he highlights the real meanings given to the personality of Christ, according to the Holy Bible.

The stained glass, wooden and metallic works are his attempts at documenting and visually creating an understanding about the chronology of Christ. His experiences have led him to use paper to highlight and create visual descriptions of The Lord’s Supper; his version documents all the accounts of Christ’s last days from the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, as he did in past exhibitions with images of native people, animals, and plants. His mixed media, with thematic reference from the Holy Bible, is a paper collage painting highlighting the words, prints, and images with Christianity. Shedding light on Mirror and Console, Bako believes mirrors are now made more for functionalities than before. According to him “from the changing rooms of our houses to the studios and stages in public places, there are mirrors that snap or take pictures at events and venues.”

From the smallest size to the largest of his Drums, there is the message of the ascension of Jesus Christ from the testimonies of Christ Himself to the maps of His journey. Apart from The  Chair, his collection of paintings include The Warriors of God, Crowns and Thrones, The Heart, Martyrdom, Peace and Beauty, and drums that talk about God’s teachings and mission.

The artist has returned to the path of his forbears and elders to work full-time, may be, making art a veritable means through which he propagates the gospel. The earlier generation of the Bakos had a committed existence as preachers in Nigeria, making rare sacrifices in order of which Bako himself has decided through his art.

The act of preaching is in the family boasting till date a good number of preachers at a very high level. From the linage was Bankole’s father, Rev. Ayo Victor Bala Bako (1940 – 2008). He grew under his parents, Rev. Cannon and Mrs J. A. Bako. His great grandfather, Evangelist Thomas Walter Bako – the Martyr – was shot when he was preaching at Tawari village and died on the June 3, 1902. In 1943, the son of T. W. Bako, Rev. J. A. Bako, was transferred to St. Paul’s Breadfruit, Lagos as a curate. Also Rt. Rev. George Bako, who later became the Bishop of Lokoja, was a chorister and an active member of St. Paul’s since 1943.

This is a dynamic force in the evangelical mission of the family, a professional opportunity to draw attention to the act of evangelism of most of his family members.  Some stayed to form part of the culture of their Christian religious pursuit. While retaining this sense of functioning as the transmitter of truths, nonetheless places himself proudly as stylistic creator and interpreter of the message he transmits. In his words: “For me, it is about creating memories, connecting generations by passing on the religious heritage as a rhythm and a seasonality of life.”

The visual art exploit of Bako art has continued to flourish with the increased experimentation at numerous artist-run spaces in Nigeria. In spite of poor financial budget which could affect his works he is still able to make people have access to his works through a number of exhibitions.

Unarguably, he is among the new generation of artists to emerge from Africa. Bako uses traditional media and new technologies to create works that explore many concerns including environmental conservatism, culture, the preservation of native heritage, ecology, and more.

Lagos State Government has secured the support and partnership of museum experts at the British Council, Smithsonian Institute and France towards the execution of its proposed Lagos Museum project initiated by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

The project, which received a boost with the approval of a grant of $600,000 from the Ford Foundation last year, is expected to kick off by July, when the groundbreaking will be done by Governor Ambode.

Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr Steve Ayorinde, who spoke at this year’s ministerial press briefing on Monday, said that Ford Foundation has indicated readiness to join the state on a global road show to generate additional funding for the museum. “The grant is confident booster for the state in the quest to create iconic cultural space, facilities and expand the vista of opportunities in tourism and cultural promotion,” he added.

He disclosed that Kenyan-born Hollywood star Lupita Nyong’o will soon visit Lagos for the shooting of Chimamanda Adichie’s book Americana into a movie. He also said that UK-based Nigerian actor John Boyega has confirmed plans to invest about N9billoin naira in film production in Lagos, which he described as an investment capable of having huge multiplier effects on the sector.

Ayorinde stated that the grant is expected to aid the architectural design of the proposed Lagos Museum to be sited at the new Eko Court, Marina, Lagos, noting that the approval for the grant was disclosed at a symbolic meeting between Governor Ambodeand Ford Foundation team led by Hillary Pennington, (Ford Foundation Executive Vice President) in February this year.

He disclosed that the first phase of JK Randle will be ready before next year general elections adding that the centre will fully completed will create an important gateway into the rich, untapped aspects of culture and tourism previously consigned to history.

“The redevelopment of JK Randle will have a world class exhibition centre, a public swimming facility for recreational and competitive use, public outdoor landscape to promote civic engagement, improve tourism and cultural activities in Lagos Island alongside the National Museum. It will also improve economic income generation as a result of high human traffic to the area and finally serve as a catalyst for urban regeneration of Lagos Island through the execution of the Eko regeneration master plan,” Ayorinde said.

Speaking on the achievements and activities of tourism, arts and culture events in the Lagos State in the last one year, the commissioner stated that tourism has experienced continued growth and deepening diversification to become one of the fastest growing economic sectors in the world.

He stressed that the socio-economic benefits of tourism and its impact on other areas of development index, reinforces the tenacity with which Governor Ambode’s administration has pursued vigorously his project THESE (Tourism, Hospitality, Entertainment and Sports for Excellence) agenda.

“It is a known fact that the agenda, which informed the deliberate investment in human capital and infrastructure with the consequent encouragement of creativity and promotion of genius minds in arts, entertainment, culture and tourism, has lived up to its purpose in the last three years.

“This strategic intervention did not happen by accident, it has been a deliberate plan derived from a visionary study of the state, the demography and analysis of the productive sector which has the capacity to absorb the teeming youth population, reduce poverty and crime as well as create jobs with multiplier effects on other sectors,” he said.

We live in the information age but ignorance has never been so prevalent. People tend to think they know a lot when they know so little. We are surrounded by so much data yet we lack the ability to interpret them all. Most people claim to be ‘professionals’ in so many areas that only few are learning. People who ought to be students want to teach people good enough to be their teachers.

To be successful, you should acquire the information relevant to your niche; you should become a lifelong student. You need to become empty to become full. Value what you already know but consider it inferior to what you need to know. Your current level of performance is equal to your current level of knowledge. You can never outperform your knowledge level. It is dangerous to celebrate a current success at the expense of the future one because today’s winning idea is tomorrow’s outdated information. Failure to reinvent is the easiest way to lose relevance.

It is good to be confident of what you know but be conscious that there is more. What you don’t seek you won’t appreciate when you find. Learning is a deliberate process. Knowledge and inspiration can be acquired even in the least likely places. For instance, when I first became fascinated by the ants and wrote my first article on the subject, I expected to write only a few. Fourteen articles down the line, however, I’m pleasantly surprised at how much one can learn from very small things. Here are some final critical lessons from the ants:

• Things or people we underestimate are sometimes more efficient than we are. Size is not everything. We should always be willing to discover the strength of others instead of focusing on their weaknesses. What we admire in others is possibly what you need in our lives. Physical attributes may mask invaluable virtues; never be deceived by appearances. Small things come with great details. If you can learn to pay attention to details, you are on your way to achieving excellence. Excellence is a journey and not a destination; with every step you take, you surpass your last record.
• We should always pay attention. Who knows what else we are missing out of just as we have ignored the ants despite their valuable qualities? Wisdom is all around us. If we pay enough attention, we may discover that we don’t only have questions but we also have abundant answers. We may discover that we are not only surrounded by problems but also by plenty of solutions. We may discover that we are not only confronted by impossibilities but we also have access to unlimited possibilities.
• We must be humble enough to seek for help or information when we need it. According to Les Brown, “Ask for help, not because you are weak but because you want to remain strong”. Realising we need help is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. It takes a wise person to discover the wisdom in another person. The answers we seek are around us if only we can identify who’s got them.

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!

After about two decades of sojourn in the United States, former cartoonist with defunct Daily Times/Evening Times Moses Osawe returned to the Nigerian exhibition circuit last Saturday with a solo cartoons exhibition tagged: Pa Johnson and Gabriel.

Expectedly, Osawe’s collections capture the many challenges confronting Nigeria, the daily experiences on the streets as well as realities of today. Like a mirror, the exhibition reflects the good, the bad, the ugly and humorous aspects of Nigerian life, including those of the leaders and the led. In fact, it is an embodiment of advocacy, humour, satire and aesthetics.

The show, featuring no fewer than 27 old and new drawings and cartoons on paper and canvas, including his first cartoon published in Evening Times on October 17, 1973, will run till May 17 at the Weave and Co Gallery, Moorehouse Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Osawe, who studied Fine Art at Accademia di Belle Arti, Pietro Vannucci, in Perugia, Italy between 1977 and 1981, stated that unlike in his days in Daily Times, cartoonists of today were fortunate to have a democratic government that is open to freedom of expression.

“The politicians are more tolerant than the military. In those days, we had journalists having their hair shaved and getting letter bomb. In those days, one cannot write anyhow because some have lost their lives,” he recalled.

After participating in several group and solo exhibitions in the US and Europe, Osawe, who retired home as full-time studio artist, said his home-coming cartoons exhibition is a deliberate campaign to present cartoons not only to be read and discarded but to be decorative, informative, entertaining and impactful in other ways other than reading, laughing and dropping it off.

“I’m trying to bring out cartoon from a different perspective, in other words revolutionise cartoon. If paintings can be hung, why not cartoons. The reason I’m actually coming out for this exhibition at this time is because people have this impression that cartoons are meant to be read and discarded. Cartoons can be used for many good things. You can tell a joke a thousand times, if it makes you laugh it’s still going to make you laugh. “So, this is why I decided that I am not going to leave it like that on paper but create it in ways that can decorate, inform and entertain. I’m also doing research to see ways to make it better. This is just the genesis of making cartoons into a decorative piece that you can keep it in your offices and homes. This is an ongoing thing and I’m sure other cartoonists can follow in channeling cartoons into entertaining and decorating,” he said.

Osawe described Pa Johnson and Gabriel as the protagonists of his cartoons, saying: “They are characters I created in the Evening Times many years ago while I was still there. I use them to communicate.’’

Soni Irabor Media Group Chairman Mr. Soni Irabor, who was the guest of honour at the opening, said Osawe comes from an artistic family that is very creative. He said when Osawe went into publishing, he took us all by surprise, but he came out with Pa Johnson and Gabriel.

“Although those who are old enough will remember his famous cartoons series in FUNTIMES,before he left for USA.While he was there, he also made a name for himself and was holding exhibitions. I want to say that I’m proud to be involved with a great…cousin and a colleague because in this business creativity is paramount,” Irabor added.