The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

  • UNIC Lagos launches first complete braille

    UNIC Lagos launches first complete braille

     

    The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Lagos has unveiled the first complete braille version of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). It was used to mark the 2017 International Human Rights Day and the beginning of the year-long campaign to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the UDHR adoption.

    Unveiling the braille at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) headquarters in Abuja was the Resident Co-ordinator of the United Nation system in Nigeria, Mr Edward Kallon with the support of the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Dayo Akpata (Esq); the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Christopher Thornley and the Acting Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Mrs Oti A. Ovrawah.

    To the admiration of the audience, two pupils of Abuja School of the Blind, Miss Jacinta Odili and Mr Honesty Ayama read the UDHR Articles One and Seven respectively from the braille.

    Explaining the rationale behind the UNIC Lagos initiative to produce the Braille Version, Mr Kallon said: “In strengthening the efforts to leave no one behind and deepen the universal access and usage of the UDHR, the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Lagos, initiated and produced the Braille Version of the UDHR for the blind. We have heard of the UDHR in sign language as well as in audio format. But, this Braille version probably is the first of its kind in the world.”

    According to him, the effort aligned with the directive of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that making global development inclusive of people with disabilities “must be an enhanced priority”. Delivering the UN Secretary-General message on the International Human Rights Day, the Resident Co-ordinator urged people and leaders everywhere to stand up for all human rights – civil, political, economic, social and cultural — and for the values that underpin our hopes for a fairer, safer and better world for all.

    In her remarks, Mrs Ovrawah called on human rights defenders, activists, (CSOs) Civil Society Organisations and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to stand up for the rights of all, the IDPs, the refugees, the trafficked, those still in the captivity of Boko Haram and those in ‘slavery’ and held in bondage in Libya.

    At the commemoration of the International Human Rights Day on the same day in Lagos, Director of UNIC Lagos, Mr Ronald Kayanja, presented the UDHR Braille at the event jointly organised with the NHRC Zonal Office. It held at Ikeja Local Government Council Secretariat.

    “The Braille Version of the UDHR”, he explained, “therefore, aims to foster unity within diversity and enhance a sense of inclusiveness amongst the visually challenged, whose rights as human beings are enshrined in and protected by the UDHR.”

    He disclosed that the UDHR braille  has been translated into Edo, Efik, Ibibio, Hausa, Igbo, Kanuri Yerwa, Tiv, Yoruba languages and Pidgin English. “This gives credence to the need to leave no one behind,” he emphasised.

    Mr Kayanja later led participants, who were mainly secondary pupils, to read and affirm the Human Rights Pledge to defend the rights of others as part of commemorating the 70 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). ‘When another’s human rights are denied, everyone’s rights are undermined. So, I will stand up,’ they affirmed.

    The UDHR is a milestone document in the global history of human rights, and is infused with values and ideals drawn from the world over. Drafted by the UN representatives from diverse cultural and technical backgrounds, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on December 10, 1948 as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations.

    In 70 years of its existence, the UDHR has proven to be resilient and critical to the well-being of the human race. Its appeal is unprecedented, and it cuts across regions and races. In 1999, the Guinness Book of World Records declared the UDHR to be the most translated document in the world. Today, with 505 translations, it still is.

    December 10, 2018 will mark its 70th anniversary and the UNIC Lagos is join

  • Cultural education stimulates mental development in children, says Adesanya

    Mothers have been urged to culturally educate their children as this would aid the mental development of their children. This was unveiled by Mrs. Níkèé Adésànyà, a YoruÌbaì writer at the just concluded edition of YoruÌbaì Laìko)Ìtun, the quarterly cultural renaissance programme, held at Ethnic Heritage Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    According to the author of Òdún Á Yako, Àbèké Òréke, Kókó-omi and other books said cultural education is a fundamental part of learning as many foreign cultures have negatively impacted on our culture.  In her words, “we have the opportunity to correctly educate our children from childhood so that they can challenge discussions that are not in tune with our culture. The uniqueness of each language is in their words as such it should not be assumed that languages can find their direct transliteration.”

    The Yoruba Cultural and Language Advocate equally stressed that the mother tongue plays a very important role in stimulating the mental development of children because thinking is easier in one’s mother tongue than in any foreign language.

    “Children should also be allowed to relate with their peers by engaging in cultural activities like “Ere Osupa” literary translated into Tales by Moonlight because it encourages children to learn role playing and other valuable lessons that portrays the virtues of Omoluabi which is renowned among the YoruÌbaìs,” she added

    While collaborating the author, Mr. Segun Adebayo, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ogun State on Facility Management, added that the understanding of YoruÌbaì language has opened many opportunities to YoruÌbaìs in the diaspora. He appealed to people in the Six Western YoruÌbaì states to promote the language from their households and project it to the world as a treasured heritage.

    This edition of YoruÌbaì Laìko)Ìtun was dedicated to Ms. Iyabode Aboaba, the Matron of the show who recently clocked 70 and all hardworking women who have carved a niche for themselves in the promotion of YoruÌbaì culture, craft and have been able to support their families and the society at large through it. Other highlights of the programme include singing folksongs about motherhood.

    Participants at the show were drawn from corporate and social Nigeria.

     

     

  • 21 years after, artists rise for alma mater

    21 years after, artists rise for alma mater

    After getting trained 20 years ago in different areas of fine art, including paintings, sculpture, carving and others, no fewer than 14 artists have chosen not only to give back to their alma mater, but to mentor the younger students.

    For five days, the old students of the Fine Arts and Design Department, The Polytechnic Ibadan gathered from all over the country to showcase various artworks and build on the positive mindset of the students while providing them with the necessary fillip to succeed in their academic training.

    Tagged: the Abinibi Impressions, the exhibitors displayed works in the field of paintings, sculptures, tapestries, ceramics, signages, photography and printing.

    According to the organisers, the exhibition was not only to showcase the works of arts of the old students but to encourage the students of the Arts, Design and Painting Technology (ADPT) department on their chosen field and career as well as provide them with opportunity for mentoring.

    The President of the group, Mr. Gbenga Isreal Oladokun said the intention of the exhibitors was to help carve a niche for the alma mater in the field of arts and design. Although Oladokun graduated as the best students in painting 21 years ago, he said his love for painting has pushed him to love publishing more and which has grown to be his areas of strength over the years.

    He added that it is to challenge the students of the institution to have a first hand experience of what the old students are capable of doing and relate with same through mentoring.

    Aremo Dipo Akinsete, a painter who also exhibited some painting acknowledged that his sojourn in the field of painting have shown that there is a disconnect between the old students and the institution and which is affecting graduates of the school, especially in the areas of mentoring and exposure and as such the group decided to put up the exhibition to address the anomaly.

    “There is a disconnect and that is what we are trying to reconnect. Because in most cases when you go to Lagos and other places, they will tell you there is no arts in Ibadan, but whereas there is arts in Ibadan and so what we are trying to do now is to  reconnect that  and create a kind of role and allow the students to have mentors and people that they can relate with as well as learn one or two things from,”he said.

    Happiness Ikusika, an artist who has enjoyed Ford Foundation’s grant, noted that what he learned in his school days was different he then had to go digital because arts is more than what people think.

    He stressed that his mission as a member of the exhibiting team is to challenge the young students to be more creative in their artistic creations as well as bring them up to date on the relevant tools that can make the work easier.

    “This is for the students. They don’t know what awaits them outside the school and particularly in the fields of arts and what we are trying to do now is to give them  a kind of first hand and real life preparations and expectations so that they will not narrow their scope to only the things they think they are taught or seeing on campus. It is more than just scribbling, there are applications out there that can make the job better and that is one of our mission. It is about creativity. We are also looking at exposing them to the business angle to it,” he said.

    Yemi Ajewole Alade, a sculptor, who also had more than five works on display, said the exhibition is not only to give back to the school and students from what they had acquired in the last 20 years, it is their own way of supporting and encouraging the students.

    She explained that their passion was fueled from their observation that many of the students, who often seek industrial attachment placement, often fail in a simple question that is basic in arts, coupled with the unencouraging working conditions of the lecturers.

    She, however, maintained that with the support of the management, the group is ready to do all in its power to ensure that the students get better.

    Some of the old students, whose works were on display at the exhibition included: AustineAlade, a sculptor; Andrew Akinbodewa, a painter; Wilson Okonyeh-Dixon a landscape painter; Otunba Gbenga Aremo, a trained Artist, painter and publisher; Wale Onakoya, a graphic artist; Aremo DiipoAkinsete, a specialist in oil-based medium paintings; Akande Femi Olajire, a prolific ceramist and Omolola Aderoja, a creative and prolific painter.

    Others were Gbogboade Adeniran, an accomplished lane marker and signage expert; Ajala Oluwole Folaranmi, a writer and painter; Lawe Filips, a United Kingdom (UK) based painter and photographer.

    Meanwhile, Wilson Okonyeh-Dickson, who identified the lack of mentors and role models for himself and his colleagues back in their undergraduate days, believed that the institution also needs to place premium on the quality of lectures that are engaged to impact on the younger generation, pointing out that it will be more credible for the institution if it parades an array of lecturers, who still make out time to practice arts either in paintings, design, ceramics or others.

    According to plans, for every work sold during the five-day exhibition  certain percentages of the proceeds is to be channeled to the development of the school and support the students.

    Specifically, while 10 per cent of the sales go to the departmental coffers, another 10 per cent goes to the students upkeep coffers to support them in procuring learning materials and tools.

    Despite the ongoing strike action that stopped the exhibition from being held on the institution campus, the  event was well attended by the top management staff of the institution to show their solidarity and support for the good intentions of the old students.

     

     

    Top management staffs at the event include The Deputy Rector, Mr. Augustine Oyeleke, Dean, Faculty of Environmental Studies, Mr. OlalereRemi and Head, Arts, Design and Painting Technology Department, Mr. E. Omotoso.

    While declaring their support for the initiative, Oyeleke charged the old students to make the exhibition an annual event so as to provide the needed encouragement to the students while also making mentoring and on the field experience available to the teeming young arts and design students of the institution.

    He assured that the management will do everything in her capacity to tap from the wealth of abundant resources of the Old students to better a lot of the ADPT department. The event also had in attendance the Permanent Secretary, Oyo state ministry of Information, culture and tourism, Dr. BashiruOlanrewaju.

     

     

  • Onuegbu is Museum’s acting DG

    Information and Culture Minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed has appointed Barrister Emeka Obiora Onuegbu as acting Director-General National Commission for Museums and Monuments.  Onuegbu, who was until his new appointment the commission’s Director Administration and Supply, took over from the former chief executive Mallam Yusuf Abdallah Usman after a successful tenure.

    According to a statement by the commission dated December 4 and signed by Dapo Sijuade, the appointment takes immediate effect. Onuegbu is a graduate of Political Science and Administrative Studies, University of Maiduguri. In 1993, he obtained a Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree from University of Lagos and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1995.

    He was a one-time Special Assistant to the Special Adviser to the president on Relations with the Civil Society. He is a certified Advanced Personnel and Human Resources Manager, and member, Nigerian Institute of management (Chartered).

     

  • Ikere gets Hall of Fame

    Ikere gets Hall of Fame

    The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has inaugurated a new hall of fame/museum to celebrate the exploits of heroes and heroines of Ikere-Ekiti. The museum will also showcase works of art. The ceremony attracted personalities who came to celebrate the bravery, industry and excellence of Ikere indigenes. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports

    Ikere-Ekiti in Ekiti State, came alive recently when the Ikere Hall of Fame/Museum was opened.

    The edifice was inaugurated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, whose presence added colour and glamour to the occasion.

    The foremost traditional ruler in Yoruba land was hosted by the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu Alagbado,  who led a team of other obas in Ife land to witness the occcasion.

    Ikere Anthem, a common official song rendered at public functions in the town, was also launched. Copies of the  CDs of the anthem were distributed.

    The event had the Asiwaju of Ikere and eminent lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) as Chairman while a chartered accountant, Mrs. Bisi Ogunleye, was the Chairperson.

    Pastor Bolu Alabi was the Chief Launcher.To ensure the functioning of the hall, a consultant from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, was secured for its management. The hall was bankrolled by a friend of the Ogoga and businessman Chief Dimeji Isiaka, the  Bobagunwa of Ikere. The complex consists of historical museum and royal court, showcasing the portraits of the past kings of the town.

    Pictures of Ikere greats, who had scored firsts in their chosen fields include the first Senior Advocate from the town, Olanipekun; the first Supreme Court judge, the late Justice Ekundayo Ogundare; literary giant, Prof. Niyi Osundare, among others.

    It also exhibits men, including non-indigenes, who have contributed to the development of Ikere town. The museum, according to Ooni and Ogoga, would preserve the historical heritage of the town and facilitate learning and research.

    Oba Ogunwusi has urged the people of Ikere to support their monarch, the Ogoga, Oba Alagbado, for the development of the town.

    The Arole Oodua, who expressed satisfaction with development witnessed in the community since Oba Alagbado, mounted the throne in 2015 said his ascension to the Ogoga stool was divine and never a mistake.

    According to him, Oba Alagbado has made history by building a new palace and mobilised philanthropists to construction an Administrative Building and Hall of Fame under two years of his ascension to the throne.

    The Ooni said Ikere sons and daughters are making progress in many fields of human endeavour urging them to come home and join their king to take the development of the community to higher pedestal.

    Oba Ogunwusi said: “When you have a good leader, there will be peace, there will be progress, there will be development and God has given you a new king in Ikere who is humble, progressive and handsome.

    “God has blessed Ikere with illustrious sons and daughters and God has blessed Ogoga with brain and his choice as king was not a mistake. You have not seen anything yet in terms of development.

    “I want to urge you to support your Kabiyesi because I am impressed with what he is doing. This magnificent Hall of Fame was not in Ikere before and the Ikere Anthem was not in existence before and all these have become history.

    “God himself has chosen a king for you and I want to urge you to support him, his chiefs and your leaders to take this town to greater heights. Allow peace to reign for his town to develop.”

    Earlier, Olanipekun said the Ogoga had ordered that the Ikere Anthem be sung in all primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in the town.

    The frontline lawyer described Oba Alagbado as “the anointed of God and a prophet of God who should not be plotted against”. Olanipekun said the Hall of Fame was constructed to celebrate achievements of Ikere indigenes all over the world where their pictures and exploits will be showcased for generations to come.

    He revealed that Ikere has produced not no fewer than 86  professors and other accomplished individuals enjoining indigenes to rally round their monarch to develop their hometown.

    Olanipekun said: “We thank you our father, the Ooni; you have come to celebrate Ikere here today, may your reign be long and you will lead all of us in Yoruba land for a long time.

    “When I was young about 60 years ago, my mother used to take me along to this palace here and I never remember an Ooni coming to Ikere to honour us as you have done today.

    “I am happy my elder brother, Dr Kunle Olajide, Secretary-general of Yoruba Council of Elders is here. We are one in Yoruba land because we came from the same source, Ile-Ife.

    “The inauguration of this Hall of Fame is a great milestone in the history of Ikere and wonderful things are happening since this Ogoga mounted the throne.

    “Our Kabiyesi single-handedly built a new ultra-modern palace, which has become a cynosure of all eyes and he motivated his friends to build an Administrative Block and now the Hall of Fame in this palace.

    “I want to urge all Ikere sons and daughters to support our king. No more rancour, no more disunity and no more acrimony.”

  • Staff welfare my priority, says NICO chief

    Staff welfare my priority, says NICO chief

    The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) Acting Executive Secretary, Mr. Louis Eriomala, has expressed his commitment to run an inclusive management system that will care for workers’ welfare.

    He  appealed to the workers to remain committed, have respect for superiors and be productive.

    Eriomala spoke at the maiden general meeting with the Institute’s Headquarters, in Abuja.

    According to him, it is his belief that when the workers’ welfare is taken care of, they become more productive.

    As a demonstration of his commitment to workers’welfare, he assured  workers waiting for their promotion letters that they would receive them before the end of year.

    “I am giving you my word. It is a pledge that your welfare is very paramount and that is why we say that the Promotion Board must sit latest by Thursday, this week and, possibly, by Friday or Monday, we will send it to the ministry and before we go on Christmas break, we should all have our letters.

    “I tell people that firstly, I am a minister of God; secondly, I am a father to everybody here and, lastly, the Acting ES. So, I start from God, then the welfare of my staff before the office,” he added.

    On the need to clear the backlog of already approved welfare package for staff members, Mr. Eriomala promised that the issue would be addressed gradually, stressing that it would no longer be a N100,000 henceforth. He reiterated the need to be very realistic and be in tune with time.

    The Acting Executive Secretary said a committee would be set up to look at this and come out with a  workable welfare package, since the institute could no longer sustain the N100,000 that is paid due to paucity of fund.

    He promised that whatever the committee suggested, the management would ratify.

    He however regretted that the biggest problem most people have is their lack of humility, saying that throughout his life, he has not had a reason to argue with any of his superiors.

    According to him, ‘one thing we lack is humility. I am here today by God’s grace and not by merit, but because it has pleased God for me to be here and I will not abuse that grace. So, you must be humble. What do you have that God did not give to you? So, our biggest problem is that we are not humble and that is where all of us are missing it. For me, I am just first among equals and there is nothing special. I don’t have two heads but it has pleased God that this time, I should sit on this throne but I should not abuse it.’

    He promised that trainings would start soon, urging staff members to embark on self-development pending availability of funds for such trainings.

  • Honour for Onobrakpeya

    Honour for Onobrakpeya

    On December 7, renowned artist Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya was conferred with the 2017 Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) Award in Humanity at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. In Lagos, a group art exhibition titled: Celebration was held in his honour, Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.

    Barely two days after he won this year’s Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM)Award in Humanity, Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya, 85, has been honoured by his disciples in the art at The Resource Place, Ikeja, Lagos.

    It was a gathering of some of his old students in art, friends, colleagues and art lovers who acknowledged his contributions to the art, especially printmaking, as trail blazing.

    The two-in-one event put together by Visual Printmakers Association of Nigeria (VPAN), a group art exhibition tagged Celebration and a gallery talk by Dr. Kunle Filani on printmaking, provided the ambience for the celebration of the master artist and national merit award’s recipient. Curated by Moses Ohiomokhare, the exhibition is featuring works of 27 artists and will run till December 23.

    The exhibitors include Bruce Onobrakpeya, Uche Okeke, Salubi Onakufe, Mike Omoighe, Kunle Adeyemi, Olu Amoda, Timipre Willis Amah, Juliet Ezenwa Maja-Pearce, and Onobrakpeya’s son Ufuoma.

    Others are Moses Unokwa, Bode Olaniran, Etido Effiong Inyang, Patrick AKpojotor and Aderinsoye Aladegbongbe. Others are Sophia OmoIgbinovia, Michael Fashakin, Tunde Oguntuyo, Adeyinka Akingbade, Afueve Onakufe, Dele  Oluseye, Festus Akinwande and Dele Ajibade.

    The touring exhibition featuring works by members of VPAN would have held earlier but was rescheduled to coincide with the award. Each speaker poured encomiums on the legendary artist described by many as the most decorated Nigerian artist.

    TAFAS Art Gallery, founder, Chief Timothy Adebanjo Fasuyi, said through  experimentations, Onobrakpeya developed various techniques in printmaking.

    “He is today regarded as the father of printmaking in modern Nigerian art scene. And he is known far beyond the continent of Africa with this form of art.

    “His various techniques in printmaking include woodcut/wood engraving, lino cut of lino engraving, intaglio, deep etching, screen printing/serigraphy, bronze lino relief, plastograph/hydrochloric acid accident (deep etching), additive plastograph, platocast/platocast relief viscosity, metal foil relief and ivorex among others.The development of print making art in Nigeria followed closely the practice of Onobrakpeya, who with his different creative experiments, graduated from printmaking to painting,” he said.

    According to Fasuyi, if Onobrakpeya had taken up a job in Kaduna and Nsukka, maybe he would not have been a successful  artist. He noted that his 17 years’ working experience at St. Gregory’s College, Obalende, Lagos gave him the opportunity to meet Mr. and Mrs.Wilford with whom he initiated the Thursday Market’ for selling of art works. “From the sales, he was able to expand his market to other parts of the Lagos and the country,” he recalled.

    Onobrakpeya said unlike Nigeria, printmaking is a very popular medium, adding that it is democratic that can reach large number of people. “The excitement that follows an accidental process of printmaking is what inspires me. For me, printmaking has brought me back to painting and sculpting. It can be described as painting or sculpting. The sky is the limit for printmaking,” he said.

    Printmaking, he said, is very experimental in nature, allowing great freedom in the use of materials which include industrial products to produce beautiful works inspired by everyday life.

    Renowned artist and former Deputy Rector, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Mr. Kolade Oshinowo noted that there would not have been the printmaking association without Onobrakpeya, adding that his attitude to work is amazing. “He is always working with passion which many artists don’t have,” he said.

    Dr. Filani, who spoke on printmaking, said the merit award won by Onobrakeya, is a plus for all printmakers. “For us, who are print makers, it is a plus and it is worth celebrating,” he said.

    He stated that printmaking is significant in that it makes the artist very popular  because it is affordable. He noted that the most crucial part of print making is discipline and that ‘if you cannot discipline yourself, you cannot go beyond imagination. The reality is that imagination without action amount to nothing. It is imagination plus action that turns to creativity. So, you must be able to discipline yourself. So, you can test your print making with another material and you’ll see what it will give you.’

    According to the event’s organisers, the maiden show will metamorphose into continuous annual exhibition of the association. The association came into existence during the 2015 yearly Harmattan Workshop by Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation at Agbarha-Otor.

    “Inspired by the quality of products, the zeal of unity in strength and the urge to leave a legacy, the group, therefore, decided to form the association to better inform and educate the Nigerian audience and the world at large the inner vision of expression in the two dimensional graphic art of printmaking with the following goals and objectives.

    “To inform and educate the society about the artistic expressions in printmaking and attracting stakeholders interests by investing in printmaking, organise seminars, workshop, lectures for intellectual development of members and the society;

    To experiment for new results in printmaking art, to cross fertilise ideas with members at national and international levels for the advancement of printmaking among others,” the association said.

    Guests, such as Elder Jerome Elaiho, Chief Timothy Banjo Fasuyi, Kolade Oshinowo, Mike Omoighe, Moses Ohiomokhare, Toyin Akinoso, Dr. Kunle Filani, Dr. Kunle Adeyemi, Prof. Peju Layiwola, Dr. Demola Azeez and Dr. BiodunKafaru, among others, were at the event.

     

  • ‘Tourism remains Africa’s untapped diamond’

    ‘Tourism remains Africa’s untapped diamond’

    Tourism stakeholders and investors from Africa and other parts of the world will converge on Paris, France, next year for the Prestigious African Awards. The event’s promoter, Funmi Rotiba and a tour ambassador, in this interview with EVELYN OSAGIE, speaks on how Africa can harness its tourism potential and the essence of the event.

    State of tourism in the continent

    Tourism is an untapped Diamond in Africa. But with good culture policy implementation, tourism promotion by government and stakeholders, and intervention of good tour consultants both handling local tourism packages for both Nigerian and foreigners, we will get it right.

     

     My love for tourism

     

    After a degree in Economics from the Lagos State University (LASU), and a one-year national youth service programme, my quest for a challenging career that will make me outstanding got me into tourism. Further researches made me realise that tourism is largely Africa’s untapped diamond not oil. Thereafter, I got sold on tourism.

    Today, tourism is my life. It drives me: I dream tourism. My passion for every aspect of tourism – the cultural aspect, the travelling and events, and meeting people is deep. And my passion increases each passing year. I am, particularly, delighted that I have grown and created jobs for others along the way. It has been a legacy-laying career. I have had the privilege of representing Nigeria at several conferences and seminars within and outside Africa. This is in addition to having organised and handled several state government trips, conference, excursions and large contingent’s travels to the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) World Cup.

     

    Challenges encountered

     

    The challenges are based on groups and individuals not understanding why they must patronise travel consultants or buy tour packages The other challenges we constantly faced with include securing visas easily for clients, who genuinely want to travel and return, issues of clients not having the right documentation. .The majority also prefer to buy visa, convincing clients to allow us handle their complete tour package, as it is far cheaper than buying visas, still pose a challenge.

     

    Tourism events

    and groups

    organised/chaperoned  

     

    With a long history in tour and travel management and capacity for co-coordinating and sustaining relationships, we have transformed Special Tour Travels Limited into one of the most companies in the nation’s hospitality sector. In the last 12 years, we have served as tour consultants to a number of countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and America. And through hard work and a penchant for results, we have handled great projects. Some of our patrons in recent times include the Oyo State government, the Federal Government (under the SureP programme), multinational companies, and several schools with excursion to the United States of America and Foreign Mission. We have also handled various cultural programmes to South Africa, organised cultural tour to São Paulo, Brazil with the Isese and Ase groups and took two World Cup groups to both South Africa 2010 and Brazil 2014. This is besides foreign trade exhibitions and several summits/training and trips that we have helped ministries, departments and agencies to handle across the country.

    Over the years, through commitment, creativity and passion for travels and tourism.

    Most people are usually surprised that I am quite young and could also communicate very well. They seem to expect an older person to be promoting culture, but culture and tourism promotion does not require age. Another reasonable number of people engage with me on religion, forgetting that culture  should be a way of life. The work I am doing with tourism and culture has redefined me and taken across the world, which is one of the potential that the sector has. Being a culture advocate requires that you lead by example, educating our people who misconstrue culture (asa) for spirituality and ritual, including those who love culture but do not know how to draw the lines between it and religion. Our culture is not only our heritage but holds huge economic tourism potentials as I have earlier said.

     

    On the prestigious

    African award

     

    The Prestigious African Awards is born out of love for Africa and the immense possibilities of tapping into and developing our true tourism potential. It will hold next year March 15 to 17 in Paris, France . This is a legacy-laying award that will bring together the decision makers, investors, entrepreneurs, royal fathers from across the continent; and foster collaboration between them going forward. It would also present a good ground for cross-fertilisation of ideas with foreign investors.

    The event shall, among other things, feature a cultural exhibition, an official Hall of Fame, an Imperial beauty pageant and an African Royalty presentation – an interactive session for participants. We wanted a common and fair ground where each country to speak about what they want to do and how they want to develop their potential, especially in terms of attracting both foreigners and Africans back to their root. And Paris was the place of choice because of the cultural theme and as a common ground. It is a lovely and bubbling city, hosting many Africans. So, we chose Paris.

  • ‘Why Tunde Bakare nicknamed me Soyinka of arts’

    ‘Why Tunde Bakare nicknamed me Soyinka of arts’

    Celebrated artist and sculptor, Dejo Victor Akinlonu, popularly called Dejak, has met and dealt with so many top art connoisseurs, especially some religious leaders, each expressing strong views about his high artistic work.

    The General Overseer of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare, is one of such who maintained that Dejak is the Prof Wole Soyinka of arts in Nigeria.

    Dejak said this at his monument arts garden in Ikeja, Lagos during an interaction with reporters on his birthday.

    Dejak, who thanked God for sparing his life, said Pastor Bakare, an art connoisseur, gave him the licence to use his name at will as one of those who believes in the sanctity of his art works.

    Dejak’s array of high standing artistic works, which dot his Oregun monumental arts garden, boasts of giant, sculptural moldings and carvings.

    They include the Eyo masquerade and statue of the late Oba Adeniji Adele, bust of the late Alexandra Omolade Okoya Thomas at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

  • Pupil for mental arithmetic contest

    Pupil for mental arithmetic contest

    A pupil Faluyi Rebekah Tokuibiye Ifeoluwa, has won in the International category  of the first Universal Concept of Mental Arithmetic System (UCMAS) held in Lagos. She was among those who won in the competition.

    She will represent Nigeria in Malaysia.

    The winners carted away trophies, medals, certificates and cash prizes after answering with speed and accuracy, 150 mental arithmetic questions in eight minutes.

    The 10 winners are Oluwateni Adewolu, St. Leo’s Private School; Ikeja, Oreoluwa Elangwe, St. Leo’s Private  School; Brian Ejiro Adams, St. Leo’s Private School; Chiamaka Okonkwo, St. Leo’s Private School; Rebekah Ifeoluwa, Prime Rose School, Gbagada; Joshua Aitokuehi, The Kings School, Gbagada; RonkeAjao Antoinette, The Kings School, Gbagada; Chukwudalu Obi, The Kings School,  Gbagada, Oreoluwa, Gemseed Children Academy, Gbagada; and Oyinkasola Aisha Banjo, Evesgreen School, Magodo.

    Titled: The battle of the brains, the event held at St Leo’s Catholic Private School, Ikeja, Lagos.

    No fewer than 100 pupils from some schools answered 150 mental arithmetic questions.

    UCMAS Country Manager, Mr. Emmanuel Alade, called on schools and parents not to lose hope in their children but to enrol them on the UCMAS Whole brain development programme to help discover the genius within them.

    He said: “When both the right and left hemispheres of the brain are developed, the genius within a child is discovered.”

    He also called on corporate Nigeria and philanthropists to support the UCMAS Nigeria and sponsor  pupils from Nigeria for the yearly UCMAS International competitions.

    The UCMAS is a professional educational organisation headed by a team of directors who are dedicated to offering a novel and path-breaking method of education – the revolutionary UCMAS programme, recognised and practised in over 70 countries – was first introduced in Nigeria in October 2015, for pupils between five and 14.

    Motivated by the successful implementation of the programme world-wide, the UCMAS team adopted this global programme for the benefit of Nigerian children.