The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

Accessible studybase is game changer

• PAWA, UBEC, others endorse platform

The recent launch of Accessible Studybase learning management platform at this year’s Nigeria International Book Fair was a game changer to teaching and learning in today’s schools. Designed and developed by the Ibadan-based Accessible Publishers Ltd, the Accessible Studybase will not only enhance teaching, but also promote effective school administration.

Students, teachers and school administrators will find it as an enhanced tool that ease school work in teaching and learning as well as school management in real time. The launch had as theme, Leverage Technology to Enhance Learning and Reduce School Operational Cost and targeted at ‘Next Gen: School Platform with Content and Analytics, and latches on the catch phrase, ‘Digitise. Engage. Learn’ as drivers.

MD/CEO Accessible Publishers Limited, Mr. Gbadega Adedapo, said since the unfortunate advent of Covid-19 four years ago, he saw the need to leverage technology as the future of book publishing. He added that he has been looking for ways to better tap into ICT and maximise its benefits to the industry.

“It was precisely for this reason that he rebranded his publishing outfit Rasmed Publications to Accessible Publishers Ltd in 2021, with a vision to make his products that include e-book, audio books, braille, virtual learning, App, more inclusive and accessible to all strata of the learning environment.

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“As an organisation which prides itself in making contents accessible across all formats, we are excited to introduce to you our customised curriculum-based learning management software in Nigeria called ‘Accessible Studybase Learning Management Platform,” he added, noting that the platform incorporated a teaching series for all subjects in various textbooks as approved by the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), the educational regulatory body in Nigeria.

Continuing, he said: “Over the past few months, we have engaged highly qualified and seasoned teachers to virtually teach all subjects as presented in our textbooks from elementary classes to Senior Secondary School classes, all in the bid to make learning and development easier for students and to augment physical teaching deficiencies for students both within and outside the school period.”

Adedapo gave five reasons why a platform like Accessible Studybase has become an imperative given the apparent deficiencies easily noticed in Nigeria’s educational system, particularly poor teaching and learning environments, poor remuneration for teachers and lack of adequate teaching personnel to cater for the large student population.

According to him, ‘it is important to understand our inspiration behind this project. You will agree with me that reading is ingrained in our daily lives whether we realise it or not. A significant portion of our daily communication happens through our social media engagement, text messages, emails, and messaging apps. Reading and learning are involved in our professional and academic lives and in navigating our environment. In all of these, we realise that most of our reading and learning process nowadays are 80% in digital form; that is, through our respective gadgets. Therefore, we thought it will be great to package our contents and book products to fit into what people are mostly interested in – the gadgets!’

He explained that Accessible Studybase was borne out of the need to build resilience and to sustain the publishing industry beyond today. “Covid-19 taught us resilience and also served as a catalyst for change, innovation, introspection, prompting individuals, societies, and organisations to re-evaluate their priorities, strengthen their resilience, and prepare for the future. Accessible Publishers has accelerated the adoption of digital technologies by taking advantage of the synergy between ICT and publishing to enhance the learning process and improve school operational cost,” he said.

Adedapo, however, assured that Accessible Publishers still have physical books, but the e-learning platform provides leverage and serves as additional resource from other experts’ viewpoints to further boost our knowledge, and to augment our curriculum-based textbooks.

Aside the content and virtual classes, he said, the platform is very robust and comprehensive, adding that it is loaded with an end-to-end school management software with modules such as ‘enquiry/admission module’, ‘students’ profiling’, ‘teachers’ profiling’, ‘documents’ hub’, ‘school fees’, ‘management/online payment gateway’, ‘attendance management’, ‘calendar’, teachers leave’, ‘library’, ‘expense management’, ‘inventory’, ‘exams result’, ‘question bank’, ‘session/class/groups’ and ‘lesson planning’.

Others are ‘online exams’, school timetable’, ‘340 feedback’, ‘custom reports’, ‘analytics’, ‘salary management with biometrics’, ‘messaging and SMS integration’ and ‘compatibility with assistive technologies (AI)’.

Mr. Adedapo also introduced three of the authors on the stables of Accessible Publishers Ltd, which include Mrs. Bolaji Ladipo, Funmi Ilori, and Mr. Anote Ajeluorou.

Accessible Publishers’ Digital Manager and developer of Accessible Studybase Learning Management Platform, Mr. Dapo Adebayo, highlighted the unique selling points of the App in resolving the numerous challenges schools in the country currently face that inspired the App development. The App, according to Adedapo, comes especially handy “Where there is no teacher, we have got you covered, student can subscribe to practice questions and prepare for examinations, individuals can subscribe to home schooling and learning and personal development, schools can sign up for fee, over 2,000 library access materials, and personal tutorial sessions.”

Present at the event were Mr. Dare Oluwatuyi, Chief Cyril Uchenna Anioke, Pastor Dominic Omokaro, Dr. Wale Okediran and Mrs. Grace Samuel.

May 15, 2024
Exploring social media for empowerment

The time was simply auspicious for the yearly gathering. The ambience of the venue, Church of God Mission International, Victoria Island Zonal Headquarters (Garden City), Oniru, Lagos, was more than an ideal setting for the audience who were mainly youths. Guest speakers ranging from clerics to business executives, top government functionaries, social media influencers and other entrepreneurs were at hand to inspire the audience, who sat patiently through out the five hours event.

The event was the annual The Roundtable, Lekki, a business development, economic empowerment and networking forum, created to share information that will assist businesses, business owners, investors, SMEs and individuals on how to take advantage of growth opportunities that abound in their operating environment.

Convener of the roundtable was the Parish Pastor, Rev. Chris Ubamadu. It was held penultimate Wednesday.

Leading the pack of speakers was Lagos State Commissioner for Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Olatunbosun Alake, who disclosed that Lagos State had sponsored and invested in many companies leveraging social media, and that there were many programmes entrepreneurs could tap into like LASSRI, voucher programme for entrepreneurs that require physical office, multiple programmes for multiple sectors of society.

Speaking on the topic Lagos State Government Youth Empowerment through Innovation, Science & Technology, Alake said using collaborations, between 2020 and 2023, Lagos State brought up 70 start-ups from Fintech, construction, leveraging social media, secular economy and environmental sciences.

“There are quite a lot of supports that Lagos state has been giving to young entrepreneurs. We also have an internship program through our agency, Lagos Employment Trust Fund. What we do, young entrepreneurs who want to start a business, whether they are leveraging social media or other tech, we put them with industry experts.

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“For instance, if you want to start a cement plant we will pair you up with Dangote. If you want to start a Fintech we will link up with an expert in that industry. The expert will help coach you and help prepare your business for pointers. We also give what we called Hub Voucher Ticket.

“For entrepreneurs that require physical space. You can apply at Lagos Innovate platform, you will get that voucher and you can redeem it at over 45 spots in Lagos. If you want to do business, you need electricity, internet, all the resources you require. You need networking and facilities. With the voucher you applied for. Once you are accepted, you can redeem that voucher in any of the spots in Lagos for free,” he said.

Alake added that there is also “Lagos State Science Research and Innovation Council, LASRIC, they are the one that grants company funding. You can follow them to know when there is a call for application.”

President Benson Idahosa University, Dr. Feb Idahosa who spoke on how to build a personal brand online, stressed that mindshare increases market share.

“What can help you build a personal brand: When building our brands, most times we are obsessed with getting followers, you don’t have to do everything. Niche on one. TikTok will blow you up if you have a niche. You can solve a problem, you will prosper.

“Mindshare increases market share. Don’t chase market share, chase mindshare. We trust people we know about their details, and that is why we trust actors we never met before. You see a certain actor advertising a detergent, and because we know the actor we trust them. We want to buy the product, but minding if they also use the same detergent they are promoting.

“Teach what you know, someone is praying to find answers to the things you know and you do every day. Your post should educate, entertain or encourage. Most of these social media influencers either educate you like Aproko Doctor or entertain you or encourage or edify you.

“Another way to build your personal brand is by posting frequently. Be consistent. You must not post perfect content, just post what you have,” he said.

In his remarks, Rev Ubamadu said: “Our strategy is to use free conferences, seminars, and networking platforms to stimulate interest and aid economic emancipation, especially in difficult times like this. By doing this we intend to make our humble contribution to reducing poverty in the land and helping households. It is purely a CSR initiative.

“Each year, The Round Table Lekki, which made its debut in 2021, selects a sector in the economy, and focus on it with the help of professionals and key players in that sector. The goal is to critically analyze the sector in order to reveal the business potentials inherent therein. Our strategy is to stimulate interest in the audience and encourage them to use the information provided to be economically empowered.

“This year, The Round Table Lekki has set its eyes on the Social Media space. Although many see social media as an entertainment outlet, we know that it has huge potential for businesses and individuals to make money. It is arguably the fastest means for businesses to reach millions of consumers at the same time, creating awareness for their products and at the same time gathering clientele.

The social media has great potential to engage millions of Nigerians, especially the youth. It is therefore our interest in helping our participants to know how to tap into its vast economic opportunities.” He added that vision of the church is to release potentials; creating a Godly world.

Continuing he said: “We feel we can help reduce poverty by showing people little things they can do on their own to make money. We started this programme in 2021, we did something on real estate twice. Last year, we looked at the entertainment industry, and we brought the likes of Joke Silva, Ali Baba and many others. There are always testimonies anytime we organise this programme.

“This year will not be different in terms of impact. At the Church of God, we decided that we would not be part of those that assign blame, we decided to take the bull by the horns.

“To do something specific to address poverty, unemployment, underemployment and all the social vices that come with it. For us as a church, we believe that Matthew chapter 5: 13 says, “You are the salt of the earth… and the light of the world.

‘We believe the church exists to solve society’s problems. We in the church of God Mission, Garden City believe the church exists to address issues affecting society, family, nations, and individuals. That was what gave birth to The Round Table Lekki.”

For Mrs Oremeyi Ajah, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Interswitch Group, social media is a platform for business and marketing, which she said, has become part of our life and a required skill for business and marketing.

Akah who spoke on Social Media and Its Potentials To Make Money, urged participants to leverage social media effectively and strategically. “If you are going to leverage social media, you need to be strategic, define your products using the 4 Ps approach. Also identify social media by generation, which explains the patience level of each generation on social media in terms of attention span,” she said.

She however warned that one can be ‘talented yet poor but social media can change your story. For instance, the darkness that envelopes Africa because of poor power supply, is a bundle of opportunities to explore.’

The event also featured two-panel sessions, which had the likes of Debo Adedayo (Mr Macaroni), Afolabi Nosa Adeyemi (Lasisi Elenu), Clinton Baruch, and Dr. Noso Egemba (Aproko Doctor), sharing their personal experiences from which people could learn from and be inspired too.

May 15, 2024
Nigerian bags life jail in UK for killing wife

In a heart-wrenching twist of fate, 48-year-old Olubunmi Abodunde, a resident of Newmarket, Suffolk, United Kingdom, has been sentenced to a lifetime behind bars for the killing of his 41-year-old wife, Taiwo. The incident saw him bludgeon his wife to death with his son’s skateboard on November 28, 2023, shattering the hopes of a brighter future the couple sought when they relocated abroad a few years ago. London Bureau Chief OLATUNDE KAZEEM reports the chilling turn of events.

In a tragic turn of events, Olubunmi Abodunde, 48, hailing from Newmarket, Suffolk, United Kingdom, has received a life sentence for the brutal killing of his 41-year-old wife, Taiwo Owoeye Abodunde, on November 28, 2023. The tragic incident saw him bludgeon his wife to death with his son’s skateboard, which was discovered stained with blood, some fragments lodged in Taiwo’s head, resulting in severe neck, head and brain injuries. Presiding over the case, Judge Martyn Levett of the Ipswich Crown Court delivered the somber verdict, marking a tragic conclusion to a family’s strife-ridden tale. With a minimum of 17 years before parole consideration, Abodunde’s jealousy and financial disputes with his wife were cited by prosecuting attorney Stephen Spence as contributing factors to the heinous crime, underscoring the corrosive impact of domestic discord.

Detective Inspector Dan Connick prosecuting said after the hearing: “This was an awful attack on a woman that has had a lasting impact on the community and most importantly on the victim’s family” and “we are pleased that Taiwo’s family will no longer have to go through the pain of a trial. Our thoughts remain with Taiwo’s family and friends and hope this result will bring some small comfort to them.”

Nneka Akudolu KC, in her defense, asserted that the level of violence displayed by her client was entirely uncharacteristic and potentially influenced by medication he may have been taking. However, she acknowledged that no medical evidence was provided to substantiate this claim. Olubunmi, who changed his plea to guilty before sentencing, reacted with shock, clasping his hand over his face, speechless, realising the stark reality that less than two years after arriving to join his wife in the UK, he would now spend his days in the desolate confines of a prison.

The absence of family banter, where children joyfully play and parents smile in contentment, now looms over his life. In a poignant victim impact statement, Kehinde Owoeye, the late Taiwo’s brother, expressed the profound and enduring trauma inflicted upon the children, who may struggle to reconcile the fact that their father is responsible for their mother’s death. Seeking solace in justice, the family implored that the law be upheld, offering a semblance of relief amid their grief. Furthermore, they requested that certain family members be permitted to visit the children, facilitating their healing process and honouring their late mother’s desire for familial support. They emphasised the importance of migration to be with their extended family, providing a nurturing environment for the children’s emotional recovery and ensuring continuity in their education, a value cherished deeply by the family. This migration, they asserted, would be instrumental in fulfilling their sister’s wish for her children’s well-being and academic advancement.

Taiwo Abodunde was a dedicated employee at Cambridge Manor care home, renowned for her compassionate care towards residents, especially those requiring dementia, residential and respite care. TLC Care, the owner of the facility, expressed profound sorrow and shock at Taiwo’s tragic death, describing her as a cherished member of their community. Their spokesperson conveyed heartfelt condolences to her family, emphasising Taiwo’s legacy of kindness and compassion, which touched the lives of both staff and residents alike.

In contrast, Olubunmi, lacking stable employment, relied on sporadic shifts at Tesco and Wickes. In a statement to the police, he claimed self-defense, alleging years of physical abuse inflicted by his wife. However, the sequence of events paints a different picture. On November 27th, 2023, Taiwo contacted Suffolk Police, reporting an assault by Olubunmi, adding to a series of previous assault reports dating back to August 15th, 2023. Subsequently, Olubunmi was arrested on suspicion of these assaults, leading to his temporary release from police custody later that day, albeit with stringent bail conditions. The imposed bail conditions prohibited Olubunmi from returning to their shared residence and from contacting Taiwo directly or indirectly, save for arranging child contact via a third party.

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The bail condition, erroneously stating 239 Exning Road, Newmarket, should have been recorded as 259 Exning Road, Newmarket. However, when Suffolk Police visited Taiwo’s residence on Tuesday, November 28th, for a scheduled meeting to gather evidence regarding the assault allegations made against Olubunmi Abodunde on November 27th, they heard disturbing noises emanating from within the house. Upon entering the residence approximately 25 minutes later, they made a chilling discovery: Taiwo, a mother of three, lifeless on the floor of her living room. The police speculated that the fatal assault likely occurred between 9:12 am and 9:20 am.

According to the police report, officers arrived at 259 Exning Road, Newmarket, Taiwo’s home address, at 9:55 am on Tuesday, November 28, 2023. Inside, they found Taiwo unresponsive on the living room floor. Despite immediate medical attention, paramedics pronounced Taiwo dead at the scene. Olubunmi, Taiwo’s husband, was discovered within the residence and promptly arrested on suspicion of her murder. He was subsequently transported to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for interrogation and later appeared at both Ipswich Crown Court and Suffolk Magistrates’ Court for a preliminary hearing. Olubunmi asserted that on November 28th, an argument escalated, during which Taiwo allegedly brandished a knife, leading to him defending himself by grabbing the knife, resulting in an injury to his hand. However, the court was informed that although he sustained a hand injury, no knife was found near Taiwo’s body.

Prosecutor Simon Spence KC grimly informed the court that the banging heard by officers was likely the sound of Abodunde persisting in his assault on his wife, even after she had become unconscious or deceased. Following his arrest for the murder, Abodunde was taken to the hospital due to what appeared to be a mental episode. A neighbour residing near the couple’s unfortunate home in Newmarket recalled her observations, stating: “I arrived home to find the entire street swarmed with police and ambulances. Just two days prior, there were police present. I knew it was something truly terrible given the number of police and their reluctance to share information. Normally, they would provide some details, but they were exceptionally tight-lipped.”

Another neighbor added: “It’s simply dreadful; everyone is in shock. I used to see some young boys playing in their garden.”

The three children have been placed in foster homes in Norwich, UK, and they are set to be reunited with their uncle and aunt next month when two family members will meet with them. Kehinde Owoeye, twin brother to the late Taiwo, expressed gratitude for being granted visas by the British Consulate in Lagos to visit and assess the children’s situation.

Kehinde disclosed: “I will be accompanied by my sibling, Alaba Owoeye, next month. The plan is to check on the welfare of the children, bond with them and proceed accordingly.

However, Kehinde lamented the lack of support from the Nigerian Government, stating: “Nobody reached out to check on us; we had to handle everything ourselves with the assistance of the British Police, social services and the government in general.”

Adekunle Owoeye’s social media post delivered a poignant message to their extended family, urging composure amid the anguish. Expressing gratitude to the UK Government, detectives, private investigators and the Nigerian Embassy in London for their unwavering support, Adekunle also thanked the Igogo-Ekiti community, friends and well-wishers for their solidarity and comfort during this challenging period. Addressing their mother, he acknowledged the irreplaceable loss and emphasised the need for divine solace.

Reflecting on the past 18 years as a “living nightmare” for his late sister, Adekunle recounted her journey, underscoring her aspirations for independence and academic achievement. He revealed the husband’s attempt to hinder her financial independence by withholding her academic certifications for a decade out of envy. Despite the challenges, Adekunle remained resolute in seeking justice and closure for his sister’s untimely demise.

Elder Ayo Abodunde, the husband’s uncle, expressed profound sadness for the Owoeye family in light of the tragic events. Despite his attempts to extend condolences via phone calls, he noted their decline, understanding their emotional turmoil.

Seeking intervention from Oba Oladipupo Kolade, the Olupoti of Ipoti Ekiti, Elder Abodunde, emphasised the imperative of addressing previous issues of domestic violence and counseling for the husband. He stressed the importance of patience and understanding in marital relationships, urging conflict avoidance given the legal and familial consequences.

The late Taiwo hailed from Igogo Ekiti, while Olubunmi was from Ipoti Ekiti. Their paths crossed in 2004 during a Seventh Day Adventist Church social-religious camp in Otun Ekiti. Despite initial reluctance, Taiwo eventually acquiesced to Olubunmi’s persistent pursuit, leading to their marriage. However, their 17-year union, fraught with challenges including controlling behaviour, domestic violence, infidelity allegations and distrust, ultimately deteriorated. Kehinde Owoeye, Taiwo’s brother, recounted the escalating verbal and physical abuse inflicted by Olubunmi, underscoring the profound strain on their marriage.

The tragic events surrounding the couple’s relationship sent shockwaves through the neighboring towns of Igogo and Ekiti, where conversations about the case permeated both the airwaves and street corners following Taiwo’s passing. Kehinde Owoeye, speaking on behalf of Taiwo’s family, recounted a distressing incident from years earlier in Igogo Ekiti, where Bunmi and Taiwo engaged in a heated altercation during an event over sleeping arrangements. Reports indicated that Bunmi resorted to physical violence, even striking Taiwo and her protesting mother-in-law. The conflict was eventually mediated by the respective monarchs of the towns, namely, the Onigogo of Igogo Ekiti, HRM Oba Sunday Adewunmi, Okinbaloye I, and the Olupoti of Ipoti Ekiti, HRM Oba Sunday Adewunmi, Okinbaloye I. Expressing deep sorrow, HRM Oba Sunday Adewunmi, Okinbaloye I, conveyed his dismay at the untimely demise of Taiwo, lamenting the efforts invested by the royal house to foster reconciliation within the marriage. He underscored the guidance provided to Taiwo in their shared pursuit of a better life overseas, emphasising the heartbreaking outcome in light of their collective aspirations.

May 15, 2024
‘La Campagne Resort beacon of creativity’

The Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade-John has described La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Ikegun Village, Ibeju Lekki, Lagos, as ‘a beacon of creativity and ingenuity, a testament to Nigeria’s richness and diversity.’

She made this known when she visited the resort recently and pledged her commitment to the preservation and promotion of Nigerian cultural heritage. Founder and President, La Campagne, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye took her and the team on tour of the resort.

Ade-John had an immersive experience of the rich resort, climaxing with a musical performance by Atunda Entertainment, a musical group founded by Akinboboye. The star artiste of the group, Ara Thunder, a naturally gifted female talking drummer, put up a well-choreographed performance to the delight of the Minister.

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Enamoured by the beauty, resourcefulness, creativity and rare offerings of the resort, the Minister commended Akinboboye for the treat, noting, ‘for allowing us to immerse ourselves in the vibrant tapestry of the Nigerian culture and heritage visible everywhere at the resort.’

According to the Minister, La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort is a beacon of creativity and ingenuity, a testament to Nigeria’s richness and diversity.

“Through its intricate presentation of architecture, cultural practices, cuisine, and entertainment, the resort encapsulates the essence of our unique identity, inviting visitors to discover and appreciate our heritage.

“As we gather amidst the breathtaking beauty of this resort, let’s reflect on the significance of our shared cultural heritage. Nigeria, with its myriad traditions, languages, and customs, is a treasure trove of diversity, a mosaic of experiences waiting to be explored and celebrated.

‘‘This resort serves as more than a destination for leisure; it’s a platform for cultural exchange and dialogue, a space where people from all walks of life can come together to learn, share, and celebrate what makes us uniquely Nigerian,” she added.

She disclosed that as part of her agenda of putting Nigerian tourism on the global map that she would pursue with vigour the preservation and promotion of Nigerian cultural heritage as signposted by the resort, which she said fully embodied what Nigeria stands for as a bastion of unique cultural tapestry.

“Through initiatives like La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, we harness tourism’s power to showcase Nigeria’s beauty and diversity while fostering economic growth and sustainable development.

‘‘I urge all stakeholders present to continue supporting endeavours that celebrate our Nigerian identity and promote cultural tourism, ensuring places like La Campagne Tropicana serve as beacons of pride and inspiration,’’ she noted.

Akinboboye expressed his appreciation to her for the visit, stressing that tourism is not just about sites and destinations but also about the culture and traditions of the people.

May 1, 2024
My Father The Emir…on screen

The documentary, My Father The Emir A Portrait of Ado Bayero chronicling the life and times of the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, one of the most powerful and influential monarchs in Nigeria’s history was screened last Monday at Freedom Park, Lagos. It was written, produced and directed by his daughter Princess Zainab Jummai Ado Bayero.

Freedom Park, venue of the screening, a historical site itself was a great setting to showcase this historical and cultural documentary movie about a man of peace and culture who played a pivotal role in Nigeria’s socio- political and economic landscape for half a century.

The screening began by 7:15p.m and ended by 9:30p.m followed by a question and answer session that provided further insight into the production.

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The event was attended by filmmakers and movie fans, including director of Kiss of Death Terry McMahon, The Dutch High Commissioner in Lagos, Mr. Michel Deelen, The Director of Alliance Francaise Mr. Marc Brebant who were all captivated by the story of the monarch brought to life on screen.

The documentary was recently screened at the just concluded IREP film festival on Sunday, March 24th. The filmmaker believed the project deserves a global audience and hopes to get it on streaming platforms depicting a great African icon and black history.

May 1, 2024
How art auction can impact value

In March, an artwork by a Nigerian artist Olaolu Akeredolu-Ale, also known as Olaolu Slawn, titled The Three Yoruba Brothers, was sold at one of the biggest auction houses in the UK, Sotheby’s Contemporary auction for £31,750 (N56million). The price was over 350 percent increase from the estimate, according to report. The artwork shows three hideous-looking monkeys with big lips named Alara, Ajero and Orangun. Until that auction, Akeredolu-Ale might not have recorded such earning from a single sale.

Equally, at the home front, there are a handful of auction houses that have influenced the market values of contemporary Nigerian art and artists over the years. Artworks such as Anyanwu and Negritude by Ben Enwonwu made record sales of N59,800,000 and N46,000,000 respectively at ArtHouse Contemporary Limited’s auction in 2018.

What is the relationship between sales at auctions and the market value of art and the artist? Speaking with The Nation on Gallery Talk, a Lagos based contemporary Nigerian artist, Mr. Michael Adigwe believed that strong auction results can influence future sales and contribute to an artist’s overall market value. He said that though auction can be quite competitive, he believes it offers valuable platform for artists to showcase their works and potentially reach a whole new level in their careers.

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“Art auctions are interesting aspects of the art world. They create a unique space for established and emerging artists to gain signif-icant exposure. A successful auction sale can generate a lot of buzz and media attention, which can lead to gallery representation and opportunities to connect with a wider range of collectors. Beyond exposure, auctions can also establish benchmarks for an artist’s work. Strong auction results can influence future sales and contribute to an artist’s overall market value,” Adigwe said.

The Yaba College of Technology, Lagos trained fine artist is not shy of taking on any challenge as a studio artist. He said that build-ing a career as an artist is a challenge he truly enjoys. He believes that there is always a potential buyer for every piece he creates, and he is constantly exploring different channels to promote and sell his works. “It’s a hustle, but a rewarding one,” he added.

Adigwe who had his internship with the late Prof Abayomi Barber of the University of Lagos, whose style and unwavering profes-sionalism continue to inspire him deeply, described studio apprenticeship as an incredibly valuable tool for developing artistic skills. He said while formal education provides strong foundation, apprenticeship offers a unique chance to learn from an estab-lished practicing artist in a real-world studio setting. “This hands-on experience can be highly transformative. It allows you to gain valuable mentorship, exposure to professional practices, and potentially refine your artistic style. In my own experience, the manda-tory apprenticeship after my Ordinary National Diploma (OND) programme was under a seasoned artist, which proved to be a piv-otal point in my artistic journey,” he recalled.

On who shaped his artistic journey, he said: “I have been fortunate to draw inspiration from several talented individuals, but I would like to highlight the influence of two prominent artists: Abiodun Olaku and Gregg Kreutz. Mr. Olaku’s work, a true embodi-ment of impressionism, has greatly impacted my artistic development. His mastery of soft brushstrokes, mid-tone palettes, and sub-tle details continues to inspire me. Similarly, Gregg Kreutz’s expertise in impressionism resonates deeply with my artistic vision. His masterful use of light and shadow is a constant source of inspiration.”

Adigwe who held his first solo exhibition titled Nature in 2010, finds acrylics incredibly versatile, allowing for both delicate wash-es and expressive, textured applications thanks to their fast-drying time. But, oil paints hold a special place in his practice due to their rich colour and smooth blending capabilities.

According to him, building a career as an artist is a challenge he truly enjoys as he believes there is a potential buyer for every piece he creates. “So I’m constantly exploring different channels to promote and sell my works. It’s a hustle, but a rewarding one,” he added.

May 1, 2024
Escape from life of dysfunction

In the practice of law and in Christianity, the word ‘testimony’ (or its synonym) is top of mind stuff. It is at the center of their mission. Testimony is the compelling ingredient for advancing practice here. Savour the thoughts behind the following propositions: “There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact”- Arthur Conan Doyle “Faith is a response to evidence not a rejoicing in the absence of evidence”-John Lennox.

Joke Odumade presents evidence of God’s doings in her life in Wings of Grace. Unabashedly of the Christian faith Odumade chronicles her chilling experience from childhood to adulthood. It is a story of an “escape”, the type that cannot be described by any other word than miracle. By the force of nature water flows downstream and everything begets its kind. The story of a miracle begins when this natural order is breached. The tale of how a child changes faith from that into which she was born to a rival other will always command awe. The facts and circumstance of Odumade’s birth cemented her fate. Or so it seemed to humans. The superior being that formulates destinies executes His will even when it means standing nature on its head’. Here are some facts from the book without giving away too much. Her father, Kareem Olarewaju Sanni hails from Ilorin East local government in Kwara state. His father came from the Fulani lineage of Ilorin. Kareem was the last born of three siblings. Ilorin is predominantly Muslim community and so the Sanni clan were Muslims. This is the religion into which Joke Odumade was born and was exposed to. She practised the faith like she was expected to do with the extended family. Her tale continued with the marriage of her parents. “My dad got married to my mummy in 1971 at the age of 20years. My Mummy was 18 years old.” This was nature still taking its course as expected. Her father worked for Daily Times in their Sapele, Bendel state (now Delta State) office. Then, the seed of ‘reordering’ started taking roots as the days brought on new events. Joke was born in Sapele, evidently a more diversified and liberal community. Early in her life, couple quarrels between her parents sparked vicious fights. Then a separation was inevitable. These events weakened family bonds and tore away at commitment to puritanism and religious fervour. Her mum moved to Lagos. The journey to Lagos ended up in a crash. Joke and her mum were the only survivors of the fatal accident. They spent the next three years in Lagos, living apart from the father, in her paternal family house.

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Later, the quarrel between her parents was settled. Economic changes were followed by geographical repositioning in the family. Exiting Daily Times pay roll in Sapele, Joke’s father moved to Abeokuta in search of greener pastures. Male siblings were born, expectedly, responsibilities were mounting. The search continued as the family moved from Abeokuta to Ijebu-Ode where Joke started schooling. She went to Sanni Luba Private School. She stayed there up to primary 2. At Sanni Luba seeds were sown which brought the harvests of deliverance and freedom ultimately. It was not just in the education. It was also in the people who were like guide boards on her life journey.

For some unexplained reasons, Joke was sent back to Jodomo, a little settlement near Ilorin in central Nigeria. She made the journey in the company of cousins with whom she ended up living with their father in Jodomo. Another school and another life. While she was now the strange girl, her cousins had returned to the fold of their parents. This uncle who was a maintenance staff of the Nigeria Railway Corporation had two wives. Though Joke’s mother had left her father in Ijebu Ode, she stayed in Ilorin instead of Jodomo. Coming from a more enlightened background, Joke gained some respect for speaking better English than the village school pupils at Jodomo. Joke’s uncle was a very good man, but his wives were discriminatory in their treatment of the children in his care. It was shocking to Joke who was used to a much fairer standard of treatment. As unpleasant as her stay in Jodomo was, she made gains in how to handle local chores in a village, like grinding pepper on a mill stone, pounding yam with mortar and pestle, petty farming and other domestic chores. But her mother did not think doing these chores village style was gainful experience for her daughter.

And she made a point to protest to her husband, Joke’s father. Her protest paid off eventually when Joke had reached Primary five at Jodomo. She left Jodomo for Ilorin where she was admitted to school on afternoon shift. That offered her a chance to learn to be street wise and of course be exposed to the vagaries of unguided street urchins. In the morning hours she did ‘alabaru’ load bearers in the market, before going to school in the afternoon. She did that under the not too watchful eyes of her mother who had protested the impact of village life on Joke a little while before. Joke had more freedom in Ilorin than was good for her. Predictably she got mixed up with bad friends who introduced her to boyfriends even as a primary school pupil. Education was not really her priority because that was not in the trajectory for anyone in her world. She had been accepted to primary four at Isale Moliki Primary School. Her coming to Ilorin was gainful to her mother, she hawked her mother’s cooked food. That brought the family some stipend. Joke also made some money by working as messenger for orange wholesalers at Ipata Market in Ilorin. She thought the tips she got from their customers after helping to carry their purchases across the road to their parked vehicles was a windfall. “They paid me some token which I spent on fried chicken and fish as a teenager” she recalled. For her, life was at its lowest, in Ilorin. But that was where the journey to signifi-cance commenced. It is when you hit the bottom that changing course becomes possible. It is not always inevitable though. Joke be-lieves God set off the chain of events, encounters and intervention that thrust her on the path of progress and a meaningful life. Her maternal grandfather pulled over Joke’s father for a hard talk. He objected sternly to how he conducted his life. Why was he living in a separate town apart from his wife? Joke believed it was God straightening things out for her. “I know it was God’s intervention in my case, because after the talk, we reunited with daddy in Ijebu-Ode again”. Time was running out. At fourteen she was still in primary school. But they returned to Ijebu Ode only to find out that another woman had moved into their father’s apartment. It was the same aunty Jumoke who had been introduced to Joke while at Sanni Luba. The woman was very nice but she was a disciplinarian. She was staying alone with Joke’s father but they had no child between them. For even the most sceptical reader, the introduction of this ”an-gel” into Joke’s life will be the high point of the narrative. How she completed the reformation of a life that was already beyond re-demption is a masterful twist and the redeeming light in an otherwise gloomy setting. Her name is Jumoke. She was not the classical rival (orogun). Even as the second wife, she was not hostile to the first daughter in the family, especially when she did not have one of her own. She took her step daughter under her wings and performed the unexpected, giving and accomplishing the turnaround that Joke most needed. The story of Joke from there on becomes most inspiring. Once she was sold on education and a life different from being condemned to servitude and a chattel in a man’s house, there was no looking back. With speed and grace, Joke ate up the miles climbing the academic ladder with superior grades. At tertiary level, she had two admissions: one to be an engineer and the other to be a computer scientist. More destiny helpers and mentors showed up as she climbed until she became the owner of a budding manufac-turing enterprise in Lagos. Who could have believed that a confirmed candidate for “iyawo saraa” would become mentor to many and a shining light of possibilities to those who may plead their background or birth as reason for their failure in life? The book offers great hopes on how to resolve many social and societal questions. Parenting standards, male domination and worship, overbearing family members and their intrusion in the homes of their sons, religious conservatism, as well as mentorship and guidance by teachers, man-agers, churches and religious leaders. This book is a seminar on how to escape from the life of dysfunction to one of hope and strong significance. Everyone should read the auto biography of the girl of Fulani heritage who evolved into a power house of modern, liber-ated, and inspiring figure for all young people across religions.

May 1, 2024
Terra hosts The Human Angle

The expansive lawn of Terra Kulture on Victoria Island, Lagos will transform into a big stage for the hosting of The Human Angle, a new play, this month, except on May 4th and 12th. The new production, which is a 65-minute play, written and produced by Ozi Okoli, and directed by Ifeanyi Eziukwu, is a theatrical piece loaded with strong socio-cultural messages with the infusion of comic relief.

The play is all about what happens in a family, what we experience daily in homes and those issues that border on how to keep the name of family name. In particular, the story delves into the journey of a couple whose profound love is tested by the agonizing ordeal of infertility, which is a recurring challenge in most homes.

As they navigate through the tumultuous landscape of family expectations, societal pressures, and personal setbacks over the course of seven grueling years, their bond is put to the ultimate test.

Despite their unwavering love for each other, the couples find themselves grappling with doubts and insecurities, questioning whether love alone can conquer the formidable challenges they face. Amidst the facade of outward appearances, they confront the harsh reality that things are not always as they appear, forcing them to confront their deepest fears and reevaluate their perceptions of themselves and each other.

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The cast for the play includes Richie Patrick, Mercy Emordi, Pere Ere Sampson, Seyisola Ogbonna, May Efe Okanigbe, Uche Chiekwe and Awesome Duru.

Speaking at a command performance/media interaction in Lagos, Okoli, an award-winning presenter of Morning Show on Arise TV Lagos, said playwright as conscience of the society has a duty to keep telling the people what is happening in the society, especially on cultural issue of first son’s responsibility in a family and the pressure to make him extraordinary in all he does. “Interestingly, there are God and human angles to most of the issues in attempt to resolving them,” he said.

Okoli described the playlet as a mother and son play and a must-watch as it mirrors the society while revealing who we are as a people. He disclosed that immediately after the show, he will publish the play into a book. “I have sent the manuscript to a publisher to start working on the editing,” he added.

Okoli noted that the play is one of the products of his creative juices inspired during a residency programme, hence it is worth watching. He recalled that he started working on the play around 2009 at the Royal Court, but pressure of work didn’t allow it to be performed ever since. But, the command performance of The Human Angle will hold at Alliance Francaise, Ikoyi, Lagos on June 8.

May 1, 2024
Rainbow BookClub hits double

Ten years ago, Nigeria made history, as Port Harcourt assumed its tenure as UNESCO World Book Capital, beating 8 cities, including Oxford. Project managers of Port Harcourt World Book Capital programme, the Rainbow Book Club, last week. launched two exciting initiatives; Talking Books Africa, a monthly, virtual, live conversation with authors, and made its debut with award-winning Chibundu Onuzo as guest and R.O.A.R. Africa series (biographies of notable Africans for young readers), beginning with Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, who turns 90 this year.

The initiative is a partnership with UNESCO Paris.

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Last Tuesday, Strasbourg, France assumed the World Book Capital title. The Get Nigeria Reading again campaign, which the Rainbow Book Club, kicked off with Chimamanda Adichie in 2005, played a significant role in Port Harcourt’s nomination as World Book Capital 2014.

From 2008, the Garden City Literary Festival (later named the Port Harcourt Book Festival) drew writers, artists, book lovers, other creatives and culture connoisseurs from across Nigeria, Africa and other continents to the city of Port Harcourt. The festival, which was described by This Day newspaper as ‘arguably the biggest of its kind in sub-Saharan Africa’ was sponsored by the Rivers State Government and hosted by the Rainbow Book Club.

At the opening ceremony of Port Harcourt’s year-long World Book Capital tenure, Soyinka, in his keynote address, spotlighted the important of the book in national development and the threat to education, highlighting the plight of the Chibok girls who had been kidnapped from their school two weeks earlier. Obi Ezekwesili, former education minister, made the call to bring back the girls, sparking off an international campaign for education. Nigeria’s musicians (now Grammy award winner Burna Boy, Timi Dakolu, MI, Waje, Yemi Alade and Nosa) lent their voices to the reading campaign as they rendered the PH World Book Capital theme song.

The dozen programmes of the World Book Capital year included 200 book clubs set up in schools, establishment of a 350-seater library sponsored by SHELL, as well as stories written by children from the 23 local government areas of Rivers State and the 36 states of Nigeria, about their communities and published in books. Hay Festival and Rainbow Book Club collaborated on the ‘Africa 39’ project that selected and celebrated 39 of Africa’s most promising writers under the age of 40. Other international partners on this project included the Caine Prize and PEN International. In that year, Port Harcourt World Book Capital exhibited at the Cape Town Book Fair, the London Book Fair and the Frankfurt Book Fair.

Other partners, who are working with Rainbow to spread the joy of reading include Nigeria LNG and Total Energies.

The Rainbow Book Club pioneered getting notable people to read to children to stimulate their interest in books. Readers have included former Vice President Osinbajo, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Soyinka, former Governors Fashola and Amaechi, ex-Ministers Dora Akunyili, Ajumogobia, Emeka Anyaoku, Burna Boy etc.

The creative and passionate Rainbow Book Club team is led by its founder, Koko Kalango, whose work in social development, earned her a national award in 2014.

May 1, 2024
How much salt is too much?

Considering various studies linking excessive salt intake to heightened risks of severe health conditions such as heart disease and stroke, too much salt consumption has become a pressing public health concern. CHINYERE OKOROAFOR examines the nuanced question of how to define the threshold of “too much” salt in one’s diet.

Baba Yusuf (pseudonym) was healthy on Thursday. On Friday morning, he went to work, and in the evening when he returned from work, he started feeling unease. He was feeling dizzy and so much thirsty, his feet and hands were swollen and his blood pressure shot above the normal systolic pressure of at least 130 mmHg was 157mmHg, while the diastolic pressure of at least 80 mmHg was more than 90mmHg.

His wife, Bisi and his first son, Ola, rushed him to the family hospital. The doctor on duty, Fatima, examined Baba Yusuf to discover that there is so much salt in his body system. Dr Fatima had to place Baba Yusuf on medication so that the symptoms would be taken care of. He was discharged after two weeks of hospitalisation.

Another patient, Mama Kunle, 65, was also off health. She was feeling nausea, vomiting and dizziness.

Her husband, Gbenga rushed her to the hospital where the doctor carried out some diagnosis. It was discovered that she was suffering from hyponatremia which experts describe as a condition that occurs when the sodium in one’s blood falls below the normal range of 135–145 milliequivalents. (mEq). Experts say that such health issue is more common in older adults because they’re more likely to take medicines or have medical problems that put them at risk of the disorder, even as they contend that “low sodium levels in the body can lead to muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. Eventually, lack of salt can lead to shock, coma and death.”

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Health experts have said that intake of too much salt and low intake of salt could be dangerous to health.

This is a dilemma which health authorities say is dicey. So, how does individuals approach intake of salt, since too much of it leads to hazardous health situation? Caution and moderation, they advise, should be the watchword.

Salt is a necessary ingredient in our daily meals, even as it is useful in flavour enhancement and food preservation. The body also needs some salt; it is necessary for nerve and muscle function and helps to regulate bodily fluids.

However, numerous studies have indicated that consuming too much salt can increase the risk of severe health problems such as high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, kidney-related diseases, heart disease and stomach cancer.

In the circumstances, therefore, it is taxing to state exactly how much salt a person eats in one day without knowing the precise salt content of each food and measuring the exact quantities eaten. To worsen this problem, many individuals underestimate their rate of salt consumption. This has resulted in a significant health issue in Nigeria, leading to calls for a reduced salt intake.

Recommended salt intake

Due to these concerns, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that adults consume less than 2000mg of sodium per day, which is equivalent to less than five grams per day of salt (just under a level teaspoon).

For children aged 2–15 years, the recommended sodium intake should be adjusted downwards based on their energy requirements. Unsurprisingly, many individuals exceed this limit in their home-cooked meals, often unknowingly. Additionally, processed and restaurant-prepared foods tend to also contain high levels of hidden salt.

With its recommendation, the WHO aims for a 30 per cent reduction in global sodium intake by 2025. How feasible is this target which is just a year away?

Salt represents the primary source of sodium in our diets. Nonetheless, the question remains: how much salt is deemed “excessive” for consumption?

According to the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) Alliance, a global civil society network uniting 2,000 federation associations, civil society organisations, scientific and professional associations, and academic and research institutions to improve NCD prevention and control worldwide.

It noted that NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases are the primary cause of death and disability worldwide.

In Nigeria, hypertension, mainly caused by increased intake of salt and sodium accounts for 12 per cent of deaths.

This could be why the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) is leading a campaign to reduce salt consumption.

According to its Executive Director, Mr. Akinbode Oluwafemi, Nigeria currently records an estimated daily salt consumption of up to 5.8 grams per day, which exceeds the WHO recommended limit. He spoke at a one-day journalism training on salt reduction in Lagos.

He said: “Our role as a health-focused civil society organisation is to help the public understand the dangers of their choices, especially when consumption is driven by a gap in knowledge when it comes to food.” Oluwafemi advised Nigerians to understand the gimmicks of the food production industry that promote unhealthy foods as the norm.

The Programme Officer for Salt Reduction and Cardiovascular Health, Bukola Olukemi-Odele emphasised the significance of ensuring that Nigerians have the knowledge needed to embrace salt reduction policies, advocate for salt reduction, and monitor industry practices.

Olukemi-Odele noted the importance of ensuring that processed and packaged foods adhere to specific sodium limits to protect the health of Nigerians.

“Research has shown that high salt consumption causes hypertension and hypertension is the major risk factor for stroke, kidney disease and several other non-communicable diseases. A way to maintain normal pressure is by reducing salt/sodium intake,” she said.

She further explained that salt reduction is a cost-effective public health intervention that can help to bring down the burden of NCDs in Nigeria as well as help Nigerians live free of hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. Olukemi-Odele, who called on policymakers to take action and set mandatory salt targets for all processed and packaged foods in Nigeria in 2024, also charged the public to be aware of the public health consequences of high salt consumption, take responsibility and make health choices that will be beneficial for the future.

The Director of Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED) and Technical Adviser, Salt Reduction Campaign, Dr. Jerome Mafeni, said the Nigeria salt reduction target coalition includes non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations, academia, and international organisations that have come together to track and promote the campaign around salt reduction and diet in Nigeria. Mafeni added that the coalition is working to ensure that NAFDAC takes responsibility to ensure that existing food regulations are in line with the salt targets for commercially produced foods to reduce the amount of salt that the public consumes knowingly or unknowingly. He explained that the coalition is also working with the Federal Ministry of Health to ensure that proposed regulations will also provide guides on how food products are labelled and ensure that the public is aware of foods that are of very high salt content and injurious to health.

On her part, Assistant Project Manager, Cardiovascular Research Unit at the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Ms. Vanessa Alfa, said: “We need to engage in widespread awareness, telling people to learn how to eat healthily, to reduce the amount of salt in their food; snack and conventional foods. One of the primary actions that are expected is for food products to have less salt; we are talking about products manufactured in Nigeria because we don’t have control over imported products.”

“There is a need for restricting the appearance of these adverts on contents that children watch. Involving children in the adverts is not good enough as it ruins our public health as a nation. It’s high time that our regulatory agencies restricted the promotion of such products.”

She also encouraged the public to make a conscious decision to reduce the amount of salt in the food they consume. The National Salt Reduction Campaign project was implemented by CAPPA funded by the Global Health Advocacy Incubator and the Network for Health Equity and Development (NHED) as an implementing partner.

Nigeria’s salt consumption statistics and health trends

Nigeria is experiencing a rapid epidemiological transition, shifting from a predominance of infectious diseases to an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension and cardiovascular disorders.

It was also noted that the age-standardised prevalence of hypertension in Nigeria stands at a staggering 38.1%, indicating a widespread health challenge affecting a significant portion of the population.

In 2017 alone, an estimated 100,000 deaths in Nigeria were attributed to cardiovascular diseases, highlighting the grave impact of NCDs on public health. For CAPPA, these statistics underscore the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the growing burden of lifestyle-related diseases, including initiatives to reduce excessive salt consumption and promote heart-healthy habits among Nigerians.

Frequently consumed foods

Nigerian cuisine encompasses a variety of flavourful dishes, but it’s important to be aware of certain foods that contribute significantly to sodium intake. According to Nigeria Sodium Study Findings titled “Nigerian Sodium/Salt consumption patterns and Nigerian Perspectives on Salt,” foods high in sodium/salt that Nigerians consumes include salted fish and meats and stock fish. Additionally, processed meats like kilishi (spiced dried meat) or suya (skewered meat) often undergo seasoning with salt, further increasing their sodium content. Another food is bread and baked goods such as bread rolls, pastries, and snacks. Others include cheese, dairy products, sauces, condiments, Instant Noodles and pickled foods.

Dietary habits, cultural preferences, processed and packaged foods, lack of awareness, socioeconomic factors and marketing and advertisement. The effect of high salt consumption on public health include high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, kidney damage, stroke, osteoporosis, gastric, cancer and public health burden.

According to experts, a single slice of bread typically contains between 80 and 230 milligrams of sodium. Additionally, certain breakfast cereals can contain as much as 300 milligrams of sodium before adding milk. Salt in the diet could come from processed foods, including processed meats like bacon, ham and instant noodles or because they are consumed frequently in large amounts. Salt is also added to food during cooking in the form of bouillon cubes or at the table. If sodium is listed on the label’s nutritional information instead of salt, the amount on the label should be multiplied by 2.5 to get the equivalent salt content. For example, if a portion of food contains a gram of sodium per 100gm, such contains 2.5 grams of salt per 100 grams.

May 1, 2024