Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

The 308-page book is a collection of articles written by former Spokesperson, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), between 2013 and 2017.

The book has topics and sub topics including: The Dilemma of a civil servant with sub topics, Okonjo Iweala and Controversial Appointments, My witings and Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and I cease to be a Civil servant. This part of the book talks about how he ran into trouble in 2013 after publishing an article and a cabinet minister lodged a complaint.

He was thereafter compulsorily retired.

Another part of the book is titled: Tributes to spymaster with subtopics, Sambo Dasuki on security Media Relations, An encounter with Spymaster, Open letter to Femi Adesina on Sambo Dasuki, A memo to President Buhari on Sambo Dasuki, Garba Sheu Goofs on Sambo Dasuki.

The author describes Sambo Dasuki as a humble man who has never been ambitious and would rather take a bow than playing dirty.

It also describes the Presidential Spokesperson Femi Adesina as a respected columnist. He referred to his article to his article of May 1, 2015 with title “A little Late But Not too Late”  where he said the article clearly exonerates Dasuki from some allegations and also reveals some concreate facts of achievement that were not being reported in the media.

Strategic Media Affairs with sub topics, Debating Government Media Relations, Still on Nigeria Military and Online Media, Spokespersons: On Publicity and Communication, Self-Censorship and Security Reports, General Enenche: An Engineer in PR Turf? Haba! is another part of the book that states that government and media not being able to keep a permanent friendship but loyal opponents.

Page 87 hammers on national security focusing on Boko Haram. The writer states here that: “There are various conspiracy theories being parroted about the crisis being engineered by outsiders against the North and Northerners. This is a cheap argument that someone will use northerners to fight the North where ringleaders and arrested suspects are mostly Northerners.”

The page is titled National security with subtopics, Boko Haram, Muslims and Northerners, Chibok: Bring Back Other Girls and Boys, Service Chiefs and Buhari’s Deadline, A Trip to Maiduguri in December, NACTEST: Revised Counter-Insurgency Campaign, National Security and Election Poatponement, NIA’s Black- Budget and Mysterious Whistle- Blower, Between Igbos and Biafran Agitators

Another very thought provoking title is Global Perspective with subtopics, That Nigeria’s Quest for Membership of UNSC, New Orleans: The Disaster Resilient City, Emerging Nigeria: Between America and China, In  Africa’s Memo to Arab and the West, Nelson Mandela: Embodiment of PR, May Allah Bless Chancellor Merkel of Germany, Muslim: Neither Sunni Nor Shite.

Here the writer states that not minding what others will say about nigeria’s quest to becoming a member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC0, the country has made positive impact in international diplomacy and peacekeeping operations.

Page 162 titled Newsmaker with subtopics, President Jonathan and Doubting Thomases, President Buhari’s Cabinet of Saints and Sinners, Professor Osibanjo and Unquestionable Loyalty, Bamidele Aturu: Senior Advocate of the Masses, Kwara Politics: Between Loyalty and Performance, Kwankwaso and Politics of Development, On El-rufai and His Accidental Book, Gen  Buratai: In Encounter with Soldier’s Soldiers, Amaechi- Kachikwu: Between fighter and Manager, Ese Oruru: From Delta Creek to Northern Savannah, Tompolo: Between Dialogue and Confrontation, Magu’s EFCC. Between Suspects and Victims, Monguno: Talking the Inter-Agency Rivalry, Bukola Saraki: Between CCT and EFCC, states that going by experiences of Nigerians with their leaders especially on politics. “There are many who will rather prefer to remain Doubting- Thomases are not ordinary individuals nut highly placed personalities even among the media,” the writer stated.

On page 234 titled Socioeconomic Issues with subtopics, Taming ignorance and Begging in Kano, NMRC: Duplication of Mortgage Financing, Open Letter to ASUU: Have Pity on Poor Students, INEC and Worrisome Statistics, My ordeal inside Kirikiri Prison, FIRS: The Fear of Invading Tax Enforcers, That Peaceful Protest at Baze University, Jon Ode Panel Misleads Buhari on Arms Deal; the writer praise the Kano State government.

“Realising the importance of knowledge, skill acquisition and job creation, the Kano State government through its Kwankwasiya slogan is fighting ignorance, street begging and other vices through massive investment on education and critical infrastructure,” he said.

The book also carried media interviews with subtopics, Why we introduced the Spokesperson’s Magazine, Writing My Hobby, PR My Profession- Shuaib, PRNigeria Links Newsmaker with Newsmen, Media managers must be media – friendly- Shuaib and tributes with subtopics, Yushau Shuaib: A tribute to Iconic Crisis Communicator by Chidi Omeje, Yushau Shuaib: 47 Candles for an Iconic PR Man by Abdullahi Yunusa ProWills.

For anyone who wants to read past works of the writer; this book is recommended. The writer in this book doesn’t show fear for anyone as he writes about the politics behind the premature retirement of the author.

Apart from a few typographical errors in the table of content, there are no other noticed errors.

No fewer than 150 university students have been selected to engage in advocacy. They are to visit rural communities and meet with women to convince them to eat more iron-reinforcing food to ward off anaemia. The students are members of this year’s Heroes for Change, a volunteer programme by Unilever Plc. ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA reports.

No fewer than 150 undergraduates including some National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members have been  deployed to rural areas nationwide. Their mission – to carry a health  advocacy by encouraging mothers and young girls in remote communities to eat more of iron-fortified food toward off anaemia which constitutes a significant health challenge in Nigeria.

The young minds, drawn from universities in the country, converged on the Renaissance Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, where they were given tips by Unilever Plc under its Heroes for change platform.

Heroes for Change is a volunteer programme anchored on the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan (USLP). The programme recruits, teaches and empowers volunteer undergraduates and NYSC members to teach in programmes with focus on health and well-being in their communities.

Anaemia simply translates to that individual with fewer red blood cells or better still, less haemoglobin than normal in each red blood cell. Either way, a diminished amount of oxygen is carried around in the bloodstream. Lack of iron is the most common cause of anaemia. Its symptoms include: tiredness, weariness, feeling faint and becoming easily breathless.

For this year however, Unilever launched the Knorr for Good programme with which it hopes to educate mothers and teenage daughters on nutrition cooking behavious , all towards a healthier living.

Chairman First Bank Nigeria, Ibukun Awosika who addressed the would-be volunteers ahead of their task, challenged them to gain a mileage through the platform, and make a difference in their communities and beyond.

According to her, youth all over the world make a significant portion of the population in the society, and are therefore capable of driving change.

“The success of project Nigeria is one that should concern everyone, particularly the youths who make up a sizeable portion of our population and are the most active, creative and passionate. The Nigeria of your dream is only possible when you defy the odds and take a step to making a change with your talent, efforts, passion and energy,” she said.

Going down memory lane Awosika a former Governing Council member of Lagos State University, recalled that what she learned during the time which also exposed her to activities by young minds, was their creativity, passion and undying thirst for success. She therefore considered their choice for the campaign as ‘most ‘ideal’

Similarly, Founder of Slum2School, Otto Orondaam, shared his experience with the students on how he gave up a banking job which he was offered at the twilight of his NYSC, to take up a ‘service’ at Makoko, one of the prominent Lagos slums.

“I just simply observed that many of those children then had a dream but were limited by their circumstances. Many could not afford uniform, many attended school bare footed and yet a lot simply chose to sit back at home helping their parents with domestic chores,” Orondam said as he shared with them the journey to Slum2School, initiative.

“That was when I identified a gap, Orondaam noted, challenging them to be observant to specific needs of their hosts as they attempt to educate them on the scourge of anaemia.

He advised them to be friendly with their host, give them a listening ear, and we prepared to take up some unplanned or unexpected tasks which might not directly relate to their mission; yet could help in facilitating a stronger appeal before their host.

President, Unilever Africa, Bruno Witvoet, and Executive Vice President, Unilever Ghana – Nigeria, Yaw Nsarkoh, reminded the youths that they might encounter certain hiccups on their path. Nonetheless, their joy would be maximised and their sacrifices would not go unnoticed once their aim is attained.

As a corporate body committed to the wellbeing of the nation, Witvoet noted that Unilever is not just in Nigeria to make profit; but rather look at areas its host communities could further be improved upon.

“We are an organisation that believes business will strive in thriving communities. Whatever we do in business, we try to look at ways to improve the society and the community within which we reside,” Witvoet said.

He continued: “Heroes for Change is how we get better organised to deliver. We recruit young people and engage them in activities with high values.

“For example our fortification programmes with Knorr which ensures that we are able to deal with some of the challenges of anaemia is one of the things the Heroes for Change programmes will be concerning itself with. “

Nsarkoh also justified the choice of the youths for the campaign.

“Youths are in the majority in Nigeria; and that’s the reason for the demographic reality,” he said.

“The second thing is, if you are talking about social change, the youths are going to be 100 per cent of the future. So it is important that you start it from there. The future of the country and indeed the human race is in their hands,” Nsarkoh added.

Nsarkoh noted that the inclusion of more females in the campaign was done on merit, adding that this gladdens the firm which believes females particularly have a special role to play in the campaign.

Marketing Director (Fruits) Unilever Ghana Ogedi-Alakwe Nsima, saw the campaign as an opportunity for Nigerian youths to impact their society.

Nsima is optimistic the campaign which started in 2015, would further stir the youths’ consciousness to the role they need to play toward building a Nigeria everyone dreams of.

“Initiatives like this helps us to understand that we are all a part of the puzzle called Nigeria and it requires our collective efforts and solutions to achieve the desired growth and development. Using the Knorr Force for Good program, our volunteers will reach teenage girls and their mothers withing age bracket 15-45, teaching them on the need to eat greens to prevent iron deficiency anaemia.” she said.

She said: “Knorr for Good is the social mission platform that we launched in 2015. Powered by the brand knorr, we go into communities to locate Nigerian women and young girls of the importance of healthy nutrition and how they can combat anaemia by just eating the right meals including iron fortified know into their meals and also adding green vegetable into their meals.

Launched in 2015 though, Nsima said the advocacy targets 20 million Nigerians by year 2020, adding that currently; the exercise has reached over 10 million mark.

Though Nsima admitted there have been certain challenges along the line. Nonetheless, she said their joy is hinged on Nigerians’ ability to benefit healthier growth.

“The triumph (of the exercise) is seeing people that have been through this programmes testify that because they have started eating vegetable, they are thereby growing healthier. Vegetables don’t cause them an arm and leg because it is already within their reach,” she said.

“It’s simply a service to the nation; nevertheless in the overall assessment, the youths must have been seen to have contributed significantly towards making Nigerians grow healthier.”

Others in attendance at the event include: the Special Assistant to the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Education, Ms Banke Alawaye; as well as Nollywood actress and Knorr Force for Good ambassador, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, as well as top management of Unilever Nigeria Plc.

Ten years after opening its Abuja office, Thought Pyramid Art Centre has opened its multi-million naira Lagos arm on Norman Williams Street, Ikoyi. It is the second art gallery (after Mydrim Gallery) on the same street, which also housed the defunct Nimbus Gallery in the 90s, Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports. 

It was a full house. Legendary and master artists such as Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya, Kolade Oshinowo and Sam Ovraiti, as well as major art collectors and gallery owners were in attendance. Young artists and art enthusiasts were not left out. The gathering was all about art – a two-in-one show: the opening of New Thought Pyramid Art Centre and a group art exhibition, The Provenance, which was opened by Prof Onobrakpeya.

Unlike the regular art exhibition, The Provenance, an exhibition of modern and contemporary art that featured no fewer than 100 works by about 50 artists of diverse slants from Nigeria and other African countries, was truly  an extra- ordinary outing. And it ran for 12 days. The art works, which included paintings, mixed media, sculptures and ceramics, among others, showed a variety of artistic mediums, styles and age group as well as a generational trajectory of artists in Nigeria.

With the new addition to the Lagos art space, the Artistic Director, Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Mr. Jeff Ajueshi, has added a new chapter of growth and achievement not only for himself but also for the Nigerian visual arts sector. To him, the centre is more than a gallery, and it is a dream come true.

Ajueshi said as long as there is art, there will be Thought Pyramid Art Centre, noting that there are some who said it could not happen, while many said ‘you cannot do it. But we did it.

He said at Thought Pyramid Art Centre, “we believe in setting up processes to enhance excellence among artists and advance human achievement that will reinforce commitment to the society. We promote art appreciation and understanding. We bring together and thus encourage participation among the artists from diverse backgrounds. We build common understanding among artists and art lovers.“ According to Ajueshi, the idea behind creating the centre is to bring together and encourage participation among artists from diverse backgrounds, while building common understanding among artists and art lovers.

He said: “Thought Pyramid Art Centre is a creative platform on which the pursuit and spread of knowledge of the arts thrive, in line with international best practices. The Centre aims to project the arts and artists who are professionally competent, enterprising and capable of creating works that can comparatively stand the test of time globally.”

Ajueshi whose goal is to ensure that the space is appreciated beyond being just a gallery, added that ‘the Centre has been structured to act as a positive agent of change on the art scene across national and international boundaries. In addition to these objectives, Thought Pyramid Art Centre encourages the promotion of art and other creative endeavours.’

No doubt, he is charting the course of cultural and art business revolution, exploring the opportunities to mainstream the visual arts business which he has worked for and which has in turn worked for him. According to him, visitors to these galleries are sure to encounter enormous collections of visual narratives and the overall quality ambience that one could experience in other climes.

In his words: ‘’These galleries are enlivened by visually splendid and impressive sea of works arranged and mounted in a sequence-like pattern, with thematic displays that are complemented by the settings which add some socially conscious dimension to the creative impetus of the respective artists with whom we have strong business relationship.

“Apart from the fact that the galleries are devoted to varied themes with exhibits including some of the best artworks to be found in Nigeria, it is obvious that every bit of the imagination we put into the arrangement is to ensure that the direction and standards are maintained to enhance a glorious array of the beautiful artworks often on display.”

On how the state of the economy has impacted the art business these past years, he said: “Now is a difficult time for many people in the world. The current economic trends have not fared well for the art market. Selling art is never easy, even in the most robust of economies, and at times like this, it can seem nearly impossible. But confronting adversities is a fact of life. Therefore, we have adjusted to prevailing conditions in order to survive. We are very flexible, particularly with respect to selling prices, realising that art prices fluctuate according to supply and demand market forces just like those of auto gas, stocks, electricity, and other commodities. Of course, we cannot expect our price structure to stay the same when people all around are taking salary cuts, losing their jobs, watching their stock portfolios deteriorate, or worrying about their security. This does not mean that we immediately announce to the world that we are having a 70 percent off sale, but rather that we monitor the health of the art market on an ongoing basis in order to respond appropriately to changes as they occur.”

Renowned artist, Kolade Oshinowo said of the new facility: “It is commendable and very brave of Ajueshi to have taken the plunge. When he started in Abuja, some of us were sceptical. He must have been emboldened by how Abuja has gone, to set this up in Lagos. It takes a lot of courage these days, with the state of economy in Nigeria, to step out with this. His coming is expanding the exhibition platforms.”

Continuing, Oshinowo said: “What I like about him aside his passion, is that he tends to do it right in terms of the choice of works and display. He deserves every support to encourage others who want to go into such. It is a plus for artists because there are many of us who annually look for exhibition spaces for our works. With this, we now have an added option.”

Nathalie Djakou, a Cameroonian artist whose ceramic pieces were part of the display, was pleased and encouraged that her works were part of the opening exhibition.

“Art is an everyday event and artists support artists and collectors support artists too. But for someone who is not an artist to make such an investment for art, is significant,” she said.

For art historian, Faith Uba, it was very striking to see that various mediums of expression were deliberately chosen for the opening. She noted that it is a reflection that the event is not just that a new gallery has come to town, but that there is keen interest in promoting visual art across board.

Uba said: “There is a good mix of the past, present and I want to add, the future because there are a lot of beautiful works that people may not have known the artists before now. But being able to see what they produce gives them visibility.

“I can archive all these and tell a great story of cultural diversity, livelihoods, Nigeria’s past history and people’s way of life.”

With art patronage dwindling as a result of economic constraints, there was a call for the Centre to consider younger artists.

An art collector, Lanre Ishola said, “The Centre should consider taking in young artists. A lot of them who are up-coming have beautiful works that are also affordable. Art should be for everybody and not something that is elitist. There are not enough secondary platforms where collectors can view works. This is something Thought Pyramid can harness for young artists.”

Three women writers have arrived in Iseyin, Oyo State, for the November/December 2017 Ebedi Writers Residency session. They are Murjanatu Sadiq Al Kassim, Kemi Falodun and Gertrude Uzor.

Murjanatu, who is from Kano State, studied Mass Communication at the Federal Polytechnic Bida,  Niger State, and has worked variously as a presenter at Dala FM Kano, and later as a journalist at the Daily Trust Newspaper Office in Kano. A published author (The Morgue, 2017), Murjanatu’s hobbies include reading, writing and singing. She hopes to spend her time in Ebedi to complete her new Collection of Short Stories and also to mentor secondary school students in Iseyin and environ in the art of Hausa songs and poetry.

The second writer, Kemi Falodun, from Ondo State, is a graduate of Microbiology from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. She was the Associate Digital Editor of Saraba  magazine, from where she moved to OYA magazine in 2015 as the Editor. A lover of fiction, poetry and opinion pieces, Kemi hopes to use her time in Ebedi Residency to complete her Poetry Collection. She will also interact with secondary school students in Iseyin in the areas of Drama and Poetry.

Gertrude Uzor, the third writer is an Ebedi Fellow having previously attended the Residency in 2014. A native of Anambra State, Gertrude is a graduate of Computer Science from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Apart from writing, Gertrude is also a singer and an actress. She has appeared in a Nollywood film and given various performances as a singer. In 2012, she published her first novel; One Love, Many Tears, a 250 page Thriller Romance. She hopes to spend her time in Ebedi to complete work on a collection of short stories as well as poetry collection. She will mentor Iseyin students in the arts of singing and acting.

The Ebedi International Writers Residency is a private initiative for writers willing to complete their ongoing works in a conducive environment at no cost. Since its inception, eight years ago, the facility has hosted about 90 writers from 10 different African countries. It also offers publishing opportunities to its fellows through the Literamed Publishers, Oregun Lagos.