The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

  • Tributes for art patriarch at 83

    Renowned artist Timothy Adebanjo Fasuyi (TAFAS) has celebrated his 83rd birthday. To mark the event, the art community gathered in TAFAS Gallery in Lagos to honour him. He was presented with a monograph by the National Gallery of Art (NGA) documenting his life and times and his solo-art exhibition; while participants canvassed for the ratifying of Nigeria’s cultural/art policy, return of the African Regional Summit and Exhibition on the Visual Art (ARESUVA), and Art Expo, among other events. EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

    Calls for the return of the African Regional Summit and Exhibition on the Visual Art (ARESUVA), Art Expo and the ratifying of Nigeria’s cultural/art policy dominated talks at the 83rd birthday celebrations of legendary artist Timothy Adebanjo Fasuyi (TAFAS) at the TAFAS Gallery in Lagos. As a mark of honour, he was presented with a monograph documenting his life and times andhis solo-art exhibition by the National Gallery of Art (NGA).

    The events were initiated by Chief Joe Musa as NGA Director-General in 2008.

    “We use this occasion to urge the Federal Government to do more for artists by ratifying the cultural policy so that art can bring benefits to  artists and the country. If ratified, it should take care of insurance and endowment for artists,” said celebrated artist and founder of Harmattan Workshop, Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya, who was the keynote speaker at the book presentation to mark the 83rd birthday of the foremost art educator and artist.

    The event, chaired by founder, Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Arts Foundation (OYASAF), Omooba Yemisi Shyllon, was hosted by NGA led by the Chairman of its Governing Board, Ambassador Umaru Azores Sulaiman. The book, a research on the artist’s early life, career and late return to professional practice, was presented by the pioneer DG of NGA, Dr Paul Chike Dike. It was edited by NGA DG, Abdullahi Muku and Simon O. Ikpakronyi, a Director at NGA.

    “We ask NGA to bring back African Regional Summit and Exhibition on the Visual Art (ARESUVA) that brought artists from across the globe. When Nigeria celebrated FESTAC in 1977 here in Lagos, we thought it would be an annual event. Then, ARESUVA came and we thought it would be developed to fill the gap. Like Art Expo, it has since been rested and the artist does not have such international platforms of cross-cultural exchange which is healthy for growth of the sector,” continued Onobrakpeya, who described Fasuyi as “an artist/art educator and Nigerian ambassador extraordinaire”.

    According to him, Nigeria owes it as a duty to honour Fasuyi to sing his praise as someone who fought and won respect for Nigerian artists and the art profession in the country. Fasuyi, who is said to be the first graduate of painting with a first class degree from the then Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology (NCAST), the forerunner of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, in 1959, is referred to as a ‘principal of principals’ and ‘a school entrepreneur’ in the educational sector. In Nigerian contemporary art, he is a foremost pacesetter and social mobiliser, who was formerly an art adviser to the Federal Government, representing the country in the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

    Praising the celebrator’s contributions to the development of the art, Onobrakpeya linked Fasuyi’s achievements to his God-given endowment and his studies at the NCAST, observing that: “Today, an artist can take position in governance, that was formerly reserved for other professionals.  He was one of those who negotiated with the Federal Government to give art graduates from Nigerian colleges a salary status equivalent to those of other degree holders. He was one of the founding fathers of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) of which he was the secretary for many years. We thank NGA for giving us another document that will move Nigerian art forward. I congratulate Fasuyi and family on the exhibition being put up. The artist never actually retires.”

    While urging younger and budding artists to draw inspiration from Fasuyi’s example, he decried the state of the art sector. He called on the artist and government to promote the art informal education set like TAFAS gallery and Harmattan workshop.

    “During FESTAC 77, some of us, young artists, were very naïve and never asked for anything. Now we are asking the Federal Government to build for the Nigerian artists a befitting secretariat where they can practice. It is rather shameful for a country like Nigeria to be without a proper gallery. We ask the FG to build us a national gallery of art. Many years back, NGA showed us a plan of a new Gallery, but nothing has come out of it. We also ask FG to enact into law that a certain percentage of the amount that the work of any artist is sold in any art auction go to the artist or his family,” he said

    While disclosing that the board was working towards ensuring that the agency is empowered to actualise its mandate, Sulaiman described Fasuyi as “an art educator par excellence, who is still painting and executing sculptures”.

    “We are enthralled by your dogged spirit. You are dynamic, creative and above all passionate. At 83, you are still very active energetic and restless – traits normally reserved for the very young. We salute you and wish you many years of services to the arts and God. I am therefore glad that the NGA has been able to document this enigma for today and generations unborn. It is a collector’s item which I recommend to all artists, art collectors and the public at large.

    “We, at NGA, will work towards actualising the building of a befitting gallery and ensure that the effort of the National Assembly to review the Act setting up NGA to make sure that revenue generating is realised. My coming here, therefore, is part of the desire of the board to partner NGA management in its drive to revitalise the fine art subsector,” he said.

    For Omooba Shyllon, the event, which also featured the solo art exhibition, spanning three decades, was a testament of the ingenuity of the artist, which Fasuyi represents. He decried the plight of the artists, saying Nigeria’s comparative advantage is in the arts, not in technology.

    “Art is the easiest way Nigeria can establish itself on the world map. We need to harness this resource we have in abundance and use it to promote tourism. America made 1.5million in tourism using art. Artists in other parts of the world are highly regarded, but Nigeria is yet to give their artists the support and acknowledgment they deserve. Let us properly develop and harness the sector and the artists. I hope that the country will honour Fasuyi with national honours.

    On his part, the NGA D-G said Fasuyi is “a consummate artist” worthy of documenting for posterity. “In realisation of one of the key functions of the National Gallery of Art: sponsoring and encouraging research into all aspects of arts, I did not hesitate to approve the research into all aspects of arts; I did not hesitate to approve the research and documentation of this foremost artist and art educator.

    “It is a testimony to his abiding interest in the art practice that at a time people of his age would rather stay quite in retirement, he revived TAFAS Gallery, picked up his paint buckets, dusted up his brush to paint and even sculpt at 83. He is inspiring art educator who did all he could to enhance the image of the fine artist,” he said.

    It had in attendance the book presenter, former DG, National Gallery of Art  (NGA), Dr Paul Chike Dike; Acting Executive Secretary of National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), Mr. Louis Okpako Eriomala; Mike Omoighe; former Dean, Faculty of Environmental Design, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Jerry Buhari; Dean of YABATECH School of Art, Dr. Kunle Adeyemi; President of Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), Oliver Enwonwu; Dr Kunle Filani; owner of Quintessence Gallery Lagos, Chief Aino Oni-Okpaku; foremost artist Jerome Elaiho, and SNA Lagos Chairman, Idowu Sonaya.

    Awards were conferred on some personalities who have contributed to the development of the arts sector, such as Onobrakpeya, Sulaiman, Muku, Shyllon, Adeyemi, and Buhari.

    While responding to the honour bestowed on him by NGA, Chief Fasuyi said: “This honour today gives me great joy because this book is like a prize which I will share with fellow artists and possibly take a copy heaven.”

    At 83, Pa Fasuyi says: “What is important is that every day of our life, feel good, be grateful to God and bless Him for keeping you. After all, what happens to you every day is not necessarily what you planned. So there is a creator who plans and kee[ps you going to do what He wants you to do. I am therefore extremely grateful for who I am and what God has done with me and for me.”

  • Firm unveils 2000-seat event centre

    Allied Thrust and Systems Limited (ATSL) has opened its multi-million naira event centre, Funplex at Magodo, Lagos.

    The event, which started with a special red carpet reception, was attended by crème-de-la-crème of the society, top executives in the corporate world, hospitality industry and celebrities.

    Funplex Event Centre is part of a mix called the Funplex Resort, which houses an amusement park (Funplex Parks and Rides), a hotel for lodging (The Grant Suites), a quick service restaurant and bakery for all sorts of catering needs (Ticklers restaurant and Bakery), and an outdoor bar with a fully air-conditioned indoor lounge (Concourse Bar) that boasts of the best grill in town.

    It is a multi-purpose event complex that houses a gym, spa, beauty saloon, cinema, a bush bar, an underground club house and event halls that have the capacity to sit 2000 guests comfortably.

    It has modern facilities like air conditioning systems, well-furnished VIP suites/changing rooms, a standard performance stage and entertainment technology systems.

    Other facilities include glamorous lights, such as mood lights, disco balls and five-star conveniences, standby generators, car park attendants and an ample car parking space for over 350 vehicles.

    The event centre delivers the industry’s finest level of expertise to small, medium and large organisations as well as individualswho desire the perfect venue for weddings, social and corporate events.

    Allied Thrust and Systems Limited Managing Director, Mr. Emeka Nwasike, said the opening was a dream come true.

    According to him, the dream was ignited when Allied Thrust and Systems Nigeria Limited, which won a BoT contract with Centre for Management Development (CMD) with a proposal to build a conference hall for the centre.

    However, the company has surpassed that dream by erecting a magnificent edifice which not only houses halls for events but also facilities like bush bar, gym, cinema, etc.

    “This feat is borne out of our love for hospitality and our desire to be a strong contender and pacesetter in the industry. Already, you can see that Funplex Resort is a one-stop-shop for fun and entertainment. Our goal is to provide Nigerians with an event centre that can cater for all their corporate and social needs,” he said.

    Former Director-General of CMD, Dr. Joseph YakubuMaiyaki, who was in office when the institute and ATSL signed the agreement for the company to manage CMD Guest House facility, described the project as a good example of a public-private partnership.

    He disclosed that the concession was done as an alternative means of generating income for CMD, adding that though the institute is government funded, the institution felt there was a need to develop other ways of generating more funds.

     

     

  • ‘Why the rights of women must be protected’

    THE rights of women must be protected for them to maximise their full potential, which is crucial to the development of the society, Head of Spirits Portfolio, Guinness Nigeria PLC, Aigbeme Okonkwo, has said.

    She spoke at a forum organised by Junior Chamber International (JCI), Victoria Island Chapter,  at Radisson Blu, Victoria Island, Lagos.

    According to her, if women are not given their full right, the society will lose at the end of the day; because women have what it takes to develop this society.

    She said: “The issue of gender equity needs constant discussions and continuous engagement. There is misconception between what gender equality means and this is what has caused gender discrimination over the years. Men must know that women are not seeking gender sameness; what women want is the same right as men does, we do not want to be the same as men.”

    Okonkwo noted that organisations must run with gender equity, adding that this requires that women and men must get equal pay in an organisation and when it is time for promotion, women should not be let down because the job is difficult; it should be the choice of the women to step down.”

    She urged women to be focused, determined, believe in themselves, speak out, fight for what they want, stop relaxing and never be timid. “Every woman must have a strong female influence that they look up to, if they want to make a difference.”

    Light House Women Network founder, Nkiru Olumide Ojo, added that women must be courageous, competent and never forget the God-factor.

    “Women must stop putting themselves down, never take things for granted and believe in themselves. Women must be emotionally intelligent, add value to themselves; they must develop their IQ, don’t limit themselves, stretch in networking, be opportunistic and get out of their own will. ”

    City 105.1 FM Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Adedoja Allen, urged women to be mindful that they have equal right with men, adding that they could do whatever men could do.

    According to her, rights and opportunities are not based on gender; gender equality is our fundamental right and it is crucial to the society, in all aspects.

    “Women must work to fulfill their dreams, put themselves forward for roles men can do and be a change agent,” she said.

  • Adeboye, Bamiloye, Okeowo, others for RCCG drama conference

    The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Pastor Enoch Adeboye and his wife Mrs. Folu Adeboye, Founder Mount Zion Faith Ministry, Evangelist Mike Bamiloye, an ace gospel drama minster, Evangelist Kolade Segun-Okeowo, and Evangelist Yemi Adepoju are expected to attend the 10th anniversary and yearly conference of RCCG Drama Department.

    It opened last Monday and would end on May 5 at the Province Coordinating Hall, beside the new Secretariat, Redemption Camp, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.

    The event tagged: The Lord’s Trumpet will bring together church leaders, dramaministers, artists, producers and directors of gospel films from across the country.

    RCCG Acting Drama Director,Babatunde Oreniyi made this known in a statement in Lagos.

    He said activities lined up for the anniversary include a drama conference and leaders retreat aimed at celebrating God’s faithfulness and an opportunity to empower and position drama ministers for greater exploits in ministry.

     

  • Game of Numbers? Ask the ants! (13)

    You think numbers don’t matter? Tell that to a presidential candidate who wants to win votes. Tell that to a business person who needs more sales. Tell that to an entertainer who wants views and likes on social media. Tell that to a reality TV show contestant who needs votes to stay in the show and win. Tell that to a nation that needs to protect its sovereignty through military might from hostile forces. No one understands the power of numbers than the ants. Here are some of the benefits of numbers:
    • Unimaginable results: number is a major asset to ants. Researchers describe them as the most efficient predators on earth because they consume more meat than lions, tigers and wolves combined. In a single year, a colony of ants consumes over 10million insects. This statistics doesn’t refer to a single ant but a multitude of them. You never consider a single ant a pest butif your home is infested, you may need professional fumigation to regain control. People have even relocated because of persistent infestation of ants. You stand a better chance of achieving your goals faster if you can mobilize a mass of committed persons. There is only as far as you can go when you pursue a goal alone. Personal goals may be achieved through personal persistence and relentless engagement; however, goals that require other people’s participation would require the ability to rally people.
    • Focus on joint efforts: the life of an ant is not as important as the survival of the colony. It takes one person to spark a revolution but a multitude to sustain it. A person may start a movement but its success and survival depend on a multitude. If the Civil Rights Movement was entirely dependent on Rev. Martin Luther King, it would have collapsed after his death in 1968. However, Rev. King had ignited a fire in the hearts of multitudes that grew into a raging fire after his demise. If you think you can singlehandedly achieve your vision, think again. If you trust yourself alone and you fail to entrust responsibilities to subordinates, you have failed as a leader. If your followers don’t see what you see or feel what you feel, they will never go where you go or do what you do. As the famous saying goes, there is no success without a successor. The strength of leadership is in the ability to create a self-running system and not one that would come crashing the moment the leader exits.
    • True division of labour: in ants’ communities, there is division of labour. See my previous articles on ants’cooperation and specialisation for more on the subject. The number of ants involved makes the work process more efficient. Unfortunately in the human community, while division of labour is claimed, few staff are recruited to do the work of several others. In a case where five people do the work of 10 people, not only will there be fatigue, quality will drop. Division of labour means no body is overburdened so that productivity,quality and excellence can be at the peak.
    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!

     

  • FTAN promotes tourism in Southeast

    Vice President, Southeast Federation of Tourists Association of Nigeria (FTAN), Mrs Ngozi Ngoka, has described the tourist sites in Southeast as marketable and capable of attracting increased traffic if the infrastructure are developed.

    She said the association was in discussion with some stakeholders on how to address the issues.

    Ngoka, who spoke on efforts to showcase potential of tourist sites in Southeast zone during a tour organised by FTAN for tourism reporters/tour operators of five eastern states, said involving stakeholders in tourism was the only way to effect change.

    She described the tour as her little  contribution to a better Nigeria, saying: “We owe it to ourselves and our children to make the country better so that we are not left behind in the global scheme.’’

    On the marketability of the heritage sites, she said: “Well, the truth is that all the sites we have visited are viable in their raw form. But,they will have increased traffic if infrastructure and facilities around the sites are improved and in some cases developed. We are  in discussions with stakeholders as a result of our findings,” she said.

    According to her, the tour was to let tour operators and tourism journalists see amazing sites in the Southeast. “Our focus is primarily to walk journalists and tour operators through the amazing historical and cultural sites in the Southeast using well-researched sample itineraries that will appeal to both local and international tourists, with the hope that the exposure will drive tourism traffic to the zone and help generate income for the communities where these tourism sites are located, plus, ultimately, boast the businesses of our federating members.

    “Our federating members have businesses that cover the spectra of the tourism chain from transportation, accommodation/feeding to site seeing/entertainment. So, essentially, we’ll explore the best ways to get to the Southeast, how to move around; Where to stay; what/where to eat and what to do while you are in Southeast. It is our hope that our invited guests will help tell our story and highlight where government and private investors can come in and help provide standard access roads and other infrastructure around the sites we have identified.

    “I believe strongly that the only way to effect change in tourism sector is to actively get involved. If we all sit down and remain elegiac about the situation, nothing will change. I’m an advocate of small collective efforts-every positive move adds up to a big change. It is also my way of contributing to a better Nigeria.”

    She said the tour was easy to sell as hotels and transport firms that participated have been recording increased bookings.

  • Nigeria, India to renew cultural ties

    The High Commissioner of India to Nigeria, Mr. B. N. Reddy, has stressed the need to consolidate on the long-standing cultural relationship between Nigeria and India.

    The envoy made this known when the National Council for Arts and Culture Director-General, Otunba Segun Runsewe, and his team visited the Indian High Commission in Abuja.

    The duo agreed that both countries shared similarities in terms of culture, music, history and language, stressing that there is a need to leverage the cultural similarities for their benefit.

    During the visit, Reddy took the NCAC team round to see various mosaic artworks on display within the building depicting the rise of India via an artistic rendition of the rising sun.

    According to Reddy, the national flower, the lotus placed in the centre with closed buds, heralds the promise of the blossoms which symbolises hope for the future just as the tiger and peacock represents their national animal and bird.

    He further enlightened the visitors that India has 28 states with various languages and culture, saying they will be explored in the forthcoming cultural event slated for April 28 and May 5 in Abuja.

    In his words, “it is natural we collaborate with Nigeria who also has a very rich cultural heritage in terms of tradition, music, culture, food and languages. He promised to invite renowned artists from India to grace the occasion.”

    Otunba Runsewe praised the High Commissioner for his visionary leadership and his vigor towards repositioning the Indian High Commission in Nigeria. He promised to play vital roles towards reawakening the strong cultural ties between Nigeria and India.

    Otunba said: “Mosaic is a great cultural representation, which is worthy of celebration. Since 1963, Nigeria and India have always had a formidable cultural collaboration which the new management of the Council under my leadership is ready to build on.”

    The meeting was ended with the exchange of gifts and souvenirs between the two parties.

  • Orderliness? Ask the ants! (12)

    Orderliness is the quality of adopting a specific method of arrangement. It has to do with ensuring that things are where they belong and how they belong. It helps to clarify purpose and vision. When things are not orderly, problems appear larger than life; issues appear more complicated; and needs appear insatiable. In the absence of orderliness, beauty is lost. Proper arrangement is what turns simple individual flowers into a gorgeous bouquet. An orderly army can save a nation while disorderly citizens can ruin it.

    Some people’s lives are so disorganised that they appear to be suffocating. You need to take out the trash; get rid of clutters such as negative emotions, attitudes and relationship and enjoy a breath of fresh air. Never let your life become people’s dumping ground. Set your life in order; with planning comes a sense of purpose. The process of ordering your goals and plans gives you a sense of fulfilment and achievement. It also gives you a sense of movement; you can tell where you are precisely, where you are headed and how much effort you need to get there.

    Orderliness is selfless and painstaking. You defer to a procedure and delay your gratification. You wade into the midst of confusion and set things straight. You look beyond the mess and you see the message. It may be strenuous but the result is always rewarding. Effective decisions are made only when the choices are clear. Orderliness involves redeploying your energy from your areas of weakness to your areas of strength. Here are orderliness tips from ants:

    1.Orderly match: scientists observed that ants travel along orderly pathways in search of food. There is no contest about who gets “there” first because they all have a common goal. Ants are so coordinated that they can manage to overpower larger predators. The strength of the ants is not in the individuals but in the synergy of the colony to achieve a common purpose. While they appear as a confused lot, they are actually connecting through clearly defined signals. Orderliness can convert your antagonistic team into a complementary one; stop matching in opposite directions! When you introduce order, you will discover that your team is actually an asset and not a liability. Orderliness will enable you to deploy each person to where he/she will be most productive rather than leaving people to do anything and everything without coordination.

    1. Orderly roles: ants have specific roles in the colony. When there is orderliness, efforts are not duplicated and resources are not wasted. It ensures that no one feels cheated and all actions are justified. Disorderliness leads to a few responsible people taking up more tasks than they can manage because nobody else would. Don’t do someone else’s job while you leave yours undone! According to Sunday Adelaja, “Without order in your life, you will realise that you will only be busy but without commensurate results”.

    I look forward to reading your comments and stories of great successes. Share your views with me by sending SMS to 07034737394, visiting www.olanreamodu.com and following me on twitter @lanreamodu.

  • ‘There is paradigm shift in tourism’

    Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Director-General Mr Folorunso Coker speaks with Assistant Editor (Arts) Ozolua Uhakheme on the critical areas of tourism and the need to appreciate tourism as a business, among other issues.

    Before you were appointed NTDC director-general a year ago, you were in the tourism, arts and culture ministry in Lagos State. What is the experience like on both fronts?

    The experience at the federal level is a lot more intense than at the state level. As you must understand, their scope of responsibilities and size of jurisdiction is a lot more exciting because you learn to do so many things in so many regions rather than just in one state.

    What are the critical areas you want the government to address to reposition tourism?

    If you remember at the beginning, I launched the shift plan. First of all, there is need for a shift in thinking. Tourism is a business; it is not arts, not culture, not cultural dancing and not buba and sokoto.It’s a business so we need to address it as a business. It’s a business of transportation, hospitality and entertainment. The government needs to know that, number one, it is a corporate governance and regulation that has to do with tourism. What are the laws at the federal, the state and local government level? How are they affecting tourism? Are they best practices or not? They will also need to look at the human capital, are they trained? What kind of training they have? What kind of equipment they have to use in that training work? Whatare the welfare packages? If all these are not looked at, it is difficult for you to expect the best out of the people that you have employed to do whatever it is that they were employed for. You got to look at infrastructure inthe tourism industry because I know that every penny the government spends is for the betterment of the life of Nigerians.But it is also spent for the enjoyment of the lives of tourists who come to Nigeria. Also, there is need to put in place the tourism settler account, which the minister have already started working on. Equally, infrastructure in the form of digital technologies that are required to engage the global audience cannot be ignored. We cannot use paper anymore to do marketing of tourism activities. Finally, we have to look at the event because people are too tired of the cultural dancers, the heritage designation that we have been over flogged and no improvement.  People will rather go to Shoprite than go to Olumo rock for a day. You know people demand Wi-Fiand so much more. But, we need to create our event and create it from end to end and market them in a digital manner that everybody can see what we are talking about from the globe.

    Again, the issue of financing will always be a problem. Tourism industry facessingle digit funding to be able to actually do meaningful things within tourism industry.

    What is the update on the NTDC bill before the Senate?

    The bill has passed through the Senate and it is in the House of Representative since October, last year, for concunrrence. So, we are waiting for them to concur.

    How much of incentives is the government offering investors as attraction to grow the tourism industry?

    These include improvements in the lives of Nigerians, that ease of doing business, visa on arrival and all others. All those things make life easier for a Nigerian, but doesn’t make it easier for a foreigner and I believe that is being handled by the office of the vice president and I believe that as we are improving ease of doing business ranking by 23 states, I believe year on year new policies will be brought up to make life easier for both visitorsto Nigeria and Nigeria as a whole. So I believe that is something I cannot predict but that is coming from vice president’s office.

    Last November, NTDC workers protested against your style of administration, among other allegations. What is the relationship with them?

    Well, four months ago you saw the placards they carried. And in a 360 degrees recently too, you saw the placards they carried. I think the placards speak for themselves and we have a cordial respectful relationship. They needed to know me and I needed to know them. But you know as in all relationship, we don’t get a lot of time and understanding, we don’t get to know each other and I think we are in good phase now.

    How much incentives do we need in promoting domestic tourism?

     I think we don’t have a choice. Nigerians have cheapest holiday. If we don’t take Nigeria seriouslyas a cheapest holiday we will just be transferring a hard earned naira into dollars to go out there. We don’t need a visa to go on holiday in Nigeria, you don’t need a foreign exchange, and you don’t need to roam your phones. We have so many advantages. So, we got to look inward while the US dollar is currently angry with our naira. We have to focus inward and drive our money through the establishment ofinstitutions that make up Nigeria tourism. We understand that tourism is simple as it already exists.

    The transportation, the hospitality and entertainment already exist. It is a question of marketing it in different ways and that is how we can harness it. It is not like manufacturing where you have to go and buy the machines, train many staff and do so many things. It is not like agriculture where you have to weed, plant, grow, harvest and take it to market. All the assets are already there if we look at the new medium of culture and expression that God blessed us with through game, food, music, fashion, sport, arts and religion. So, if we can add that to what we already have with the population, I think the soup is ready just for somebody to light it and boil a little and we are ready to go.

     

  • Foundation empowers Ogun youths

    A foundation, Children Academic and Vocational Support Initiative (CAVSI), has empowered youths of

    Iloye community in Sango Ota, Ogun State, with educational support, seminar and career counselling.

    Tagged: Annual CAVSI career counselling seminar/training, the foundation’s three-day rural community children academic and vocational support initiative featured tutorials and quizzes.

    The project, which started in 2004 to stimulate learning, holds in three parts of the country yearly.

    “Now, we have three major events for children every year with the three days.  The career counseling seminar is designed to guide the children in the choice of career and also prepare them for life in and after school. It’s our desire to engage the children in a practical way of learning while having fun. We are happy that we were able to invite Access Bank to educate the children on early savers account with the theme Focused Savings.

    ‘’At the end, we pay for JAMB exams of the winner in senior secondary category. Other participants get consolation prizes of educational materials. We get professional friends and family to interact with the children,” said CAVSI founder, Mr Hakeem Ariori.

    He said the rural initiative was a family project but grew to an initiative that empowers children and youths with academic and vocational training.

    This year’s edition was divided into the seminar part and the tutorials.

    Ten teacher-volunteers, which comprised the founder’s wife, mother, children and people in the community, taught the pupils on diverse subjects, including Mathematics, English language, general studies and current affairs, while the seminar featured guest speakers, such as Segun Adebowale, who is visually-impaired and teaches in the school for children with special needs and a security consultant, Mr Bode Dogbonjaye.

    At the end of the programme, participants and winners went home with prizes, exercise books, educational puzzles, schools bags and white socks.

    Twenty-four pupils benefited from the programme, which included pupils in primary, junior and senior secondary schools. They were urged to set academic goals early in each subject to make good grades. They were advised to be conscious of their environment, with special attention to security.

    “I have always loved doing things with children at their level, such as singing, dancing, joking and playing games. I use such activities as an avenue to teaching them new skills and things. I realised as soon as we move to Iloye in Sango Ota in Ogun State that I must continue with my passion. Easter 2004 was our first main educational outreach in which we had about 20 children in attendance. At that time my immediate family and I donated different items, such as sweet, biscuits, balloons. We also got fairly used clothings, toys, books, footwear’s from Chief (Mrs) A.T.Oni-Okpaku of Ebunoluwa Foundation. We also had games, such as plate-on-the-head race, egg and spoon race.

    “Over the years, it has grown to include street football which has always been used to teaching about goal setting, team spirit and problem-solving. Spelling competition was introduced and then treasure hunt, reading competition, tyre race, Disney word search game, career and different seminars. Most of the activities are practical to make it attractive to socialise and learn in a funny way,” he said.

    The programme was sponsored by Ariori’s family members, friends, Mrs Oni-Okpaku, Eruobodo House, and neighbours, among others.