The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

  • You too can do it!

    You’ve got greatness within you!” These are the words of Les Brown, one of the world’s leading motivational speakers. Before you dismiss this statement as another sugar quoted, empty, and make-people-feel-good speech, you need to read the story of Les. One of my most revered mentors says that the secret of people is in their stories. So, let’s find out if Les has the right to tell us to look within.

    Leslie Calvin “Les” Brown was born in 1945. Les and his twin brother, Wesley, were born on the floor in an abandoned building, in a low-income area of Miami, Florida. They were later adopted at the age of six weeks by Miss Mamie Brown, a cafeteria attendant and a domestic assistant. In the fifth grade, Les was labeled “Educable Mentally Retarded” (EMR) and he became a child no one thought could amount to anything.

    One day, Les was in a class, waiting on a friend who was to rehearse for a play. The teacher told him to go and write something on the board but he declined. When he was asked why, he explained to the teacher that he was Educable Mentally Retarded. The teacher came from behind his desk and said, “Don’t ever say that again. Someone’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality”. That statement changed Les’ life forever.

    Les Brown never had a college degree, never worked for a major corporation, and never had any MBA or Ph.D; yet, he became one of the world’s most renowned motivation speakers and a highly-sought-after resource for Fortune 500 Companies. What happened to Les? Was there a magic in what that teacher told him? I don’t think so. What happened was that the teacher redirected his attention from outside-in to inside-out. He had previously been confused by people’s opinion about him so he never looked inward to discover himself.

    Several people are too focused on external factors that they think very little of the internal factors. How can we believe other people over our own minds? How can we accept external verdict that we are failures when our hearts are screaming that we can make it? When it comes to our personal successes, ‘majority does not carry the vote’. Our opinions count the most!

    According to Les, “Most people fail in life, not because they aim too high and miss but because they aim too low and hit”. The only reason we aim low is that we lack confidence in our own abilities. We believe we don’t deserve great opportunities because of our background or education. Our greatest obstacle is not a mountain or a wall; it is our minds. We can only achieve what our minds permit us to. That is why we need to carefully filter the kind of information we allow into our minds. Do we want fear, worries and discouragement to rule our thinking or do we want positive information that can lead to development? We must begin to realise that our external environment is a reflection of our internal environment. Things can only change around us when something changes within us.

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

  • Okigbo’s 50th memorial revisits the Civil War

    Okigbo’s 50th memorial revisits the Civil War

    The Trenchard Hall of the University of Ibadan (UI) was host to the literati, academics and more at the conference marking the golden jubilee of the demise of legendary poet Christopher Ifekandu Okigbo. The event resurrected discourse on the Nigerian Civil War and current political shake-ups in the country, EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

    He lived and died a soldier. First, he fought with his pen, and later took up arms against injustice. Widely-celebrated as an outstanding post-colonial English Language African poet, who wrote and fought against injustice, Christopher Ifekandu Okigbo (1932–1967), was also one of the major modernist writers of the 20th century.

    The writer whose friends called “The Renaissance man” and his legacies were the focal points of a two-day conference at his alma mater, the University of Ibadan (UI) in Oyo State capital.

    Tagged: Christopher Okigbo Conference, the event, which was a collaboration between the Christopher Okigbo Foundation and UI, through the Departments of Classics and English, was to mark the 50th year after Okigbo died fighting for Biafra secession in the Civil War.

    With its theme: Legacy of Christopher Okigbo – 50 years, the conference revisited the Nigerian Civil War and current worrisome political concerns, particularly the violent agitations across the country. It also bought back Okigbo’s ideals, prophetic endowment and poetry collections – now fused into a new collection, Moonglow and Other Poems – to the front burner. It brought together Okigbo’s contemporaries, family members fellow poets, members of the cultural industry and institutions worldwide that have been instrumental in upholding his memory to date.

    While recounting the life and times of the late poet, his friends and colleagues also expressed worries over the growing security and political concerns. They noted that the issues that led to the war in which Okigbo died have confronted the polity 50 years after.

    Recounting his moments with the late poet,  Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka said the anniversary was fitting in the wake of the rising insecurity and political concerns. In his view, Okigbo’s most important legacy was choosing to put his life on the line for his conviction. He noted that aside writing, when the time came, the late poet joined the others and took up arms for his convictions. He called on the leadership to pay attention to the grievances of all in order to end the growing restiveness.

    “It is for me a very sweet-sad day. I begin on a solemn note but I promise you, I’d end in a light-hearted one because this is a celebration. The reason it’s a sweet-sad day for me is because of the legacy of Okigbo as a human being. He was somebody who based his life on his convictions. And I ask myself, will that aspect of his legacy spell IPOB in the end – I-P-O-B. I use it in a generic way, not as referring specifically to any region.

    “We are celebrating Chris who was a poetic embodiment of that movement at that particular time. I am looking at the young people on the streets behind the banner, once again, reaching that stage when they are also preparing to put their lives on the line. This anniversary is taking place at a critical moment for the nation as a corporate body and for many of us as individuals – for millions who are not here today, who are confronting a choice, which is come about as a result of mass misgovernance in this nation, leadership alienation, maginalisation across regions and across classes. And it is these societal contradictions within the society – this resentment which leads sooner or later to what is confronting the nation at this moment,” he said.

    Praising the Army’s effort at fighting Boko Haram, Soyinka condemned military excesses, saying such acts fuelled “separatist movements”. He called on the military to probe the video of IPOB youths being punished by soldiers, as they were seen lying in the mud, while urging that more should be done to protect lives and security of the citizenry.

    In his words: “It is not enough to put up Python dance and crocodile dance; it is not enough to say“we are ready for you” while the other side says “we are waiting for you”. This rattling around us is as if we are about to repeat history.” When people see that they cannot look to the responsible structure of governance to look after their security and livelihood, then they’d move towards their own structure that can lead to violence.”

    Fifty years after, celebrated poet Prof. John Pepper Clark said he was still deeply moved by Okigbo’s death and the trauma the period brought. He lamented that five decades after, Nigerians are seeking restructuring, observing that there is a need for a genuine system that would make everyone to have a true sense of belonging. In joining the Biafran army, Clark opined,  Okigbo was asking for the restructuring of the nation; however, stressing that ever since the death of Chris, nothing had changed.

    He said: “Fifty years after the war, where are we as a people. Restructuring is what everybody is crying. The war has changed nothing. Chris took on so many of the trauma and pain we went through and to fight for restructuring. Fifty years after the war, we are all still very moved by the pains.”

    The traditional ruler of Ndikelionwu, Prof. Chukwuemeka Ike, who chaired the event recounted that that the outbreak of the war in 1967 disturbed the late poet so much  that he could not resist the urge to enrol in the Biafran Army, even without military training. “I was at Stanford University, California, United States, in 1966 when, Chinua Achebe, Chris, and many others fled home primarily from northern and western Nigeria owing to the tragedy that befell eastern Nigerians. Chinua, Chris, Arthur, named Citadel Press, at Enugu, with Chris as manager. I was to join them on my return from Stanford. When I learnt that the first enemy air raid on Enugu had dropped a bomb in the premises of Citadel Press, I drove to Enugu to size up the situation.

    “Providentially, Chris, was taking a short break from the warfront, and was in his office. After giving me a hug, he described his unconventional troop formations, which usually confounded the enemy. The watch on his wrist belonged to a white mercenary fighting for Nigeria, killed with a hand grenade lobbed by one of Chris’ courageous boys into the Nigerian armoured vehicle the mercenary was driving. ‘I noticed your uniform has no rank’, I observed. ‘Yes’, Chris replied with a smile. “I’m a Major. If I wear my rank I will be obliged to salute a Lieutenant Colonel for whom I have no respect’.”

    Oyo State Governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi, praised the organisers for holding the event at a time when Nigeria is straining from inter-ethnic and inter-religious tensions. Ajimobi, who was represented by  Deputy Governor, Chief Moses Adeyemo Alake, observed that the conference and its theme, underscored the unifying role that literature, including writers and scholars represent. “And even though every effort is being made to resolve this highly volatile issue, one very low hanging solution can be found in the country’s Literary and Cultural spheres. Nigerian writers and scholars apart from the strident unifying themes of their writings, have through their belief in humanity and altruism, continued to show other Nigerians how to live in harmony with one another.

    “And despite the current religious and ethnic intolerance in some parts of the country, it is remarkable that today, here in Ibadan, we are celebrating a distinguished Nigerian from the South Eastern part of the country who once studied and lived in this part of the country. I thank the organisers of this conference, including the friends and colleagues of our late brother, for not only making it possible to celebrate one of our own but for situating the celebration here in Ibadan,” he said.

    Prof Dan Izevbaye, who gave the keynote address, described Okigbo’s entry into the field of conflict  as an act of heroism. While highlighting Okigbo’s stance as poet-prophet and the legacy his poetry represents, he lamented that the battlefield does not differentiate between the poet and the ordinary soldier. He said: “It should be remembered that the period of political time leading to the Civil War was a period of heightened political awareness and discussion in nearly all parts of the country. In the period before the Civil War, Okigbo would not hear any talk of political commitment. The reality of political events forced the poet, who had all along lived by his own myth, to confront his destiny in his own flesh and blood. But it was at the cost of the sacrifice of the real self for which, as the last poems prophesied, the poetic persona of the early poetry was only the template.”

    Two-term member of the House of Representatives, Chudi Ofodile, reiterated Izevbaye words, describing Okigbo as “a perfect hero”. While noting that heroes like Okigbo were not given the honour due to them, he noted that Nigeria’s complicated history frustrates the march to nationhood as different sections of the country see things differently and oftentimes interpret the same set of facts very differently. “Our different accounts of historical facts cannot all be true, and that makes the teaching of history rather problematic. The solution is not to remove history as a subject in our school curriculum or to engage in the dangerous dance of pythons with needless fatalities, but to commit to the universal ideals of justice and fairness…

    “Because he fought on the side of Biafra, expectedly, opinions differ on his place in history. But he was a hero. A hero need not be perfect, but a martyr is a perfect hero, for there is no better way to die than for a cause you believe in. Christopher Okigbo died a martyr.”

    The Okigbo Poetry Prize, endowed by Soyinka and which ran for some years before it was suspended owing to funding, was reinstituted during the conference.

    The President Christopher Okigbo Foundation, Obiageli Okigbo, said the conference is one of the ways the foundation is immortalising Okigbo and his legacies.

    Also in attendance were his wife Ambassador Judith Sefi Attah, and other family members; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic) UI, Prof Yinka Aderinto; Prof Olutayo Charles Adesina, Prof. Oluwatoyin Jegede, Prof. Babatunde Omobowale, Prof. Ademola Omobewaji Dasylva; Prof. Dele Layiwola; Prof. Mufutau Temitayo Lamidi, Executive Editor of The News Magazine Kunle Ajibade; Chairman, Safari Books Limited, Chief Joop Berkhout; Director, Bookcraft Limited, Bankole Olayebi; Prof. Ayo Ogunsiji; Dr Doyin Aguoru; Dr Kazeem Adebiyi and Dr Tunde Awosanmi, among others.

  • LUTH partners clerics to tackle depression, suicide

    LUTH partners clerics to tackle depression, suicide

    Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba, has said to tackle depression and suicide across the country faith leaders and experts in the field of mental health-care must work in unison.

    It organised a one-day medico-religious/interfaith workshop on mental healthcare for the clerics to understand their roles better or how to assist their members to differentiate between challenges and mental health issues.

    The hospital targeted Christian and Islamic religious leaders (clergy, clerics, leaders and others in like-fold) to equip them on how to identify depression and the risks of suicide, towards establishing a collaborative care approach that incorporates both the spiritual and the physical.

    It was part of the hospital’s activities to mark this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day, with the theme: “Take a minute, change a life.”

    According to the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof Chris Bode, the rising spate of suicidez and tendency to commit such act can only be reduced if all work together for early identification of sufferers for better referral and management.

    Prof Bode said working with spiritual leaders in faith, both in Christianity and Islam to take on the shared responsibility to transcend and tackle depression that is causing suicide in the society cannot be pushed under the carpet.

    Prof Bode said: “The hospital’s initiative – Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative and Staff Emotional Care Services (SURPIN/SECS) came up with the workshop. We consider it a right step in the right direction. When depression and suicide issues pop up in a person’s life, such a person tends to count it as a spiritual attack. And that is why we as caregivers need to come together in agreement with religious leaders, being the first set of people that are likely to have contact with the person with mental health illness. They need to have the knowledge that not all these issues are spiritual but that their parishioner needs medical attention, and that is why as religious leaders they need to get it right on how to counsel their members anytime the need arises. And then refer. This is an empowerment workshop”.

    Giving an overview of suicide across the country and its impact on the economy, a resource person, Dr. Bola Ola, said depression and suicides are major things professionals need to look into, “Religious leaders need to make interaction between their family members and members of their congregations. Depression is not only common in adults alone but also among children. So Pastors and Imams should not neglect that area. They should make sure adequate monitoring is put in place with focus on children from broken homes, and common people that are helpless. Not leaving behind influential members of the congregation.”

    Chairman of the ceremony, Dean Clinical Sciences Prof Joseph Adeyemi said the rate at which depression and suicide behavior is raving in the country is alarming stating that globally it has been said that several attempted suicide and suicide are committed annually. “I encourage people to report cases to the experts whenever they come across such cases. That will further help in statistics and planning,” he explained.

    Former Dean Faculty of Clinical Science, College of Medicine (CMUL) and a renowned Paediatric Consultant, Prof LesiAfolabi pointed out that children also should have been involved in the workshop as children/students are also affected and hence should not left out in this issue, “they should be involved as suicide is rampant among students and all hands must be on desk to ensure the students get help and they are prevented from killing themselves due to depression and all this is very disturbing. Lot of cases of attempted suicide is getting high in our tertiary institution lately.”

    He said the way out is to quickly approach and adopt suggested recommendations which are not only for the medical personnel alone but our religious leaders, Pastors, Reverends, Imams who are important in assisting in this ultimate goal in reducing suicide attempt among the students. “I encourage everyone to support the campaign in stopping depression and suicidal attempt especially among students, said Prof Lesi.

    Coordinator Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative Rapheal Emeka Ogbolu said the World Suicide Prevention Day is marked on September 10 yearly to remind all that suicide is a global issue and is preventable.

    Ogbolu said globally close to one million people die by suicide annually and for every death by suicide 20 to 25 more has attempted it before resulting in suicide.

    “This figure is under-estimation because of under-reporting which occurs due to: Those who ‘hide’ suicide deaths as a result of the stigma associated with it. These countries that have no suicide prevention plans and reliable statistics on causes of death. Countries where suicide attempt is criminalised thus discouraging reporting of cases. All three of these are factors in Nigeria. The WHO aims to reduce suicide deaths by 10 percent by 2020, but needs the collaboration of all countries, and it is encouraging the de-criminalisation of suicide and the establishment of national initiatives on prevention,” said Ogbolu.

    Ogbolu said evidence available shows that suicide is not alien to Nigeria. It is as a result of all of these that the Lagos University Teaching Hospital took the step of establishing a Suicide Research and Prevention Initiative (SURPIN) in March this year. Since then SURPIN has been involved in many activities geared towards suicide prevention.

    Obolu said: “The reason for having this one-day medico-religious workshop is that the path-to-care for many people in this part of the world involves trado -religious therapy before orthodox treatment. Also, many of the stressors associated with depression are issues for which people seek counseling and support from their pastor, priest, Imam, etc. Therefore these religious leaders are highly relevant to whether people who need medical treatment seek them or not. Some may only need the encouragement from the spiritual leaders, while others will need the input of orthodox medical treatment as well. The two are not in opposition if the basis of therapy is well understood. Therefore a therapeutic collaboration between the religious leaders and the healthcare practitioners will be hugely beneficial to the populace.

    “To achieve this, there has to be a harmonisation of the process, and in the specific case of depression and suicide there is a need for the religious leaders to be able to spot clinical depression as against someone going through everyday challenges. SURPIN aims to achieve this through this upcoming medico-religious workshop. It is a fully-loaded workshop and another blazing-trail activity by the hospital. Depression and suicide are real, and we need to tackle same as they are respectively preventable and treatable.  Let us keep in mind the words of the theme for this year’s World Suicide Prevention Day- ‘Take a minute, change a life’.

  • Edo community to project Saturday

    Edo community to project Saturday

    TO make healthcare services accessible to its people, Sobe community in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State will, this Saturday, at Sobe Town Hall, launch a multi-million naira general hospital project.

    The launch, which is part of activities marking this year’s Sobe Day celebration, will be chaired by a varsity don and United States-trained political scientist Prof Smart Uhakheme, while Edo State Governor  Godwin  Obaseki is the special guest of honour. His Highness, Chief Ero Aleburu, the Odion-Ibiado of Sobe, is royal father of the day.

    Sobe Day Planning Committee Chairman Superior Senior Apostle Funso Oshoro said the focus on health facility was informed by the absence of a general hospital in the locality and the fact that Sobe, community and its environs rely mainly on ill-equipped private clinics for health care delivery services.

    He noted that in times of critical health challenges, the community relies on either University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) in Benin City or Federal Medical Centre Owo, in Ondo State both facilities are over 50 kilometres away. “We must agree that by our population Sobe has outgrown a Dispensary or Health Centre status… We hope that the abandoned Health Centre will be the starting point to building a general hospital by upgrading the centre,” he said.

    This year’s Sobe Day celebration is also repackaged to meet the  realities in the Edo State community with the presentation of empowerment machines worth over a million naira as gift items.

    Oshoro said the gesture was geared towards empowering the people, especially the grassroots to ameliorate the hardship occasioned by the recession.

    The N1.6million worth of tems, which will be won by raffle draw, include two motor cycles, four hair dryers, four grinders, four sewing and two vulcanising machines.

    The week-long activities, which kicked off on Saturday, September 22, will feature prayers in churches and mosque, general sanitation, free medical test, rally across major streets of the community and gala night.

  • Gula hits stage Sept. 30

    Gula hits stage Sept. 30

    H ow reformed are the prisons? Can an inmate leave the prison reformed? Why do  the youth constitute the majority of prisoners?

    These were some of the questions former President Olusegun Obasanjo provided answers to during a briefing in Lagos, on the forthcoming stage play Gula that chronicles part of his prison experiences in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, during Gen. Sani Abacha’s reign of terror.

    According to Obasanjo, who condemned the state of prisons, said the deplorable condition of the prisons makes any ex-inmate to be hardened instead of being repentant, noting that prisons were yet to play the expected roles of punishing, correcting, reforming and rehabilitating inmates.

    He said the prisons were mostly populated  by youths who are in their 20s and 30s. He called on families and concerned bodies, including religious organisations, to pay more attention to the youth as they are the pillars of society.

    The performance of Gula, which is produced by Ashvault Ltd and Declassical Arts and Entertainment, and directed by Mr. Kenneth Uphopho, will hold at the Arena Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos from Saturday to October 8.

    Its Executive Producer, Tunde Oduwole, said  the play brings to the public some of the activities Obasanjo engaged in prison, adding that one of the persons he met, though a hardened criminal, has become a cleric. He noted that the play tells the story of how the former president, in Yola Prison, met and interacted with Baba Ali, the head of a ruthless criminal gang in the North and parts of Cameroun.

    Oduwole said: “While Chief Obasanjo’s life was hanging in the balance, between life and death, rather than allow fear, depression, self-pity or loneliness to engulf him, he took responsibility to understand why the prison was full of young people.”

    According to him, to find answers to this question, Obasanjo interviewed a few inmates and met Baba Ali, whose interview was most engaging and intriguing.

    Ali, the son of a Christian missionary, had answers to the many questions of, ‘who is to blame for juvenile delinquency and criminality.’ The play tells the story of how Baba Ali, who should be a worthy example to emulate, turned out to be a ruthless armed robber and an assassin.

    Oduwole said Gula hopes to speak on the state of the prisons, the need to make them reform homes for juveniles, rehabilitation and re-integration plans for ex-convicts, apart from also highlighting family planning among the less privileged using drama, dance and music to reach the souls of the audience. “Gula is a true-life story that has been in the making for decades. This is a story of courage, hope, taking responsibility and of second chances,” he added.

  • The Content: When luxury designs meet art, carol

    The age-long affinity between luxury design items and fine art (paintings, sculptures), wine tasting as well as season’s carol will be celebrated by collectors and enthusiasts at the second outing of The Content (Harmattan) exhibition opening on October 15 at Adam & Eve, GRA, Ikeja Lagos

    Leading the pack of exhibiting artists is Dr. Bruce Onobrakpeya, alongside Kolade Oshinowo and Lekan Onabanjo(curator of the exhibition) who are featuring as guest artists.

    The group exhibition, which will run till December 15, according to CEO Adam & Eve Mrs Modupe Ogunlesi is to continue the new concept of widening the appreciation of creativity across luxury design item, art and tastes.

    The event, she said, include a Festival of Carol, a yearly programme of Adam&Eve designed to celebrate lovers of luxury items.

    “Festival of Carol is what we do every year,” Ogunlesi enthuses. But this time we want to have 6 lessons, in shorter form for the Carol, which starts on November 12, as it flags off our Christmas activities. The festival of carols is a one day event on November 12 to flag off the Christmas season,” she said.

    On the carols, she said: ’’Carol as in years past, we plan an adaptation of the shorter version ‘Carols from Kings’ to give more time to mingle.’

    Renowned actress Joke Silva is among poetry readers selected to perform at the opening.

    Apart from the guest artists, seven artists will features their works and they include Francis Uduh, Juliet Ezenwa, DamolaAdepoju, Olumide Oresegun, Emmanuel Stanley Dudu, IbeAnanaba and Josh Nmesirionye’s and Lekan Onabanjo.

    When The Content debuted in June, the exhibition featured works of Onobrakpeya, Oshinowo, Raqib Bashorun, Tola Wewe, Onabanjo, Duke Asidere Zinno Orara, Alex Nwokolo and Fidelis Odogwu.  Curator of the exhibition, Onabanjo said the choice of the title is to give The Content a generic name, hence the Harmattan edition rather than make it in numerical series like 1, 2, 3. The event also offers lovers of wine to take a look into a century-old port’s trajectory. The art and science of port tasting, Ogunlesi assured would be part of the event.

    With the increasing interest of young Nigerians in art, Ogunlesi predicted that “art may just be like the ongoing enthusiasm in music. Young Nigerian artists, she said, have what it takes to be in the fore front of increasing art appreciation. Her thoughts apparently inform the dominance of The Content-Harmattan edition by young artists.’

    Last June, Adam&Eve created a fresh energy in culture economy with a show titled: The Content that brought lovers of luxury design items and art enthusiasts from Lagos/Victoria Islands and other axis of Mainland for the maiden edition.

  • Impression of reality from 30-year art journey

    Impression of reality from 30-year art journey

    After three decades of practice as a studio artist, Mavua Lessor, a 1986 graduate of Auchi Polytechnic, still sees every work of art as an opportunity to learn. His love for art made him to re-enrol into class four at Urhobo College, Effurun in Delta State, after writing his West Africa School Certificate (WASC) examination in another school. Lessor, whose latest solo exhibition, Impression of reality, will open from October 19 and run till 25 at the Wings Tower, Ozumba/Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos, speaks with Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME on his 30-year journey in the art, the challenges, what makes Art School great and why he chose Auchi Polytechnic instead of the University of Nigeria Nsukka to study Fine Art, among other issues. 

    Thirty years down the road, how fulfilled are you?

    In terms of fulfilment, I will say it is a fulfilled 30-year journey. In material life, what we call fulfilment is when you are happy. And what makes one happy are the basic things of life like shelter, good family and income that sustains one. After 30 years of practice, I still feel there is so much to learn. Each work comes with a new experience; it teaches something new and motivates you into experimenting on something else. This journey, after all, has no definition within a single effort. Nevertheless, maturity of the rudiments has been attained and the mastery of the discipline is imbibed.

    When it comes to technique of art and painting, these are academic, which are on your fingertips. That to me is not the art but aides or enablers to achieve expression… Art is like religion. But what is the source of inspiration and final goal of expression? With each work we tend to see new things and learn more about life itself. As far as that is concerned, there is still some mileage to cover.

    It means you are still in class learning art?

    Art makes you learn without end. It is also a school. We are here to experience a higher life beyond. Life in itself is a continuous learning process towards a maturity of entire life. I believe in life after death or life after life. If truly there is a higher life, then what we are going through here is a phase. But then, who defines death as the end?

    Were you prepared for this journey in art?

    From day one, I was prepared to be an artist. At Auchi then, painting was not a popular medium and there was no computer, too. The trending medium was graphic art. And as a painter, the only option was to teach. Those that succeeded as painters then were combining painting with teaching job. We were driven by passion then. Painting was not very popular, but some of us felt then that we will make it popular.

    So, you were among that set of generation that could be described as  quiet ‘path-finder’?

    Sure, kind of. We were only six in class in 1986. The late Ben Osaghae was my classmate. But in graphic art, there were about 20 students in class. Painting was the least popular in my time.

    What an irony for Auchi Art School that is noted for colourful painting?

    Those who pioneered painting in the school were strong and creative. They include Sam Ovraiti, Olu Ajayi and others. Some of us took the plunge, not minding whether we were going to survive or not. We had passion for painting. Again, there were a few art-related shops such as Geobi Frames at Palm Grove on Lagos Mainland, servicing the art.

    But, something remarkable happened to painting in 1993, that changed the landscape of art business: the emergence of finance houses, who built fantastic offices that needed to be decorated with art works. That brought Rahma Akar’s Signature Gallery then.

    Any regret going through this “unpopular” route?

    No regret, at all. If not painting I don’t know exactly what I would have studied. My interest may be in space exploration and I am passionate about exploring mysteries and nature. But that would have been a tall order to study in Nigeria. Maybe I would have thought of something else.

    Did you get your parents’ consent to study art?

    The signs were there growing up as a child. You would readily see that even in the arrangement of my books on the shelves. I was that organised in creative things. When there were no wall papers then, I paralled my father’s room, using plywood. I was doing all that, but they could not put a finger on my direction. I went to a secondary where art was never taught. The only subject that reminded me of creativity was my biological drawings. I did my WASCE in 1978. But while waiting for result, I started painting at home. It dawned on me that this was my direction. I wasn’t a science student anyway. However, I could not study art because I did not enroll for art in my WASCE.

    But, because of art, I went to enroll in another school where art was taught as a fourth year student in order to write the subject in WASCE O level.

    My mother approved of it because I had lost my dad then. My uncle told me I should go and read history, which I refused. I told him I wanted to read automobile design. That was how I went to Urhobo College, Effunrun, and graduated in 1981. Interestingly, the following year, I got two admissions to study fine art: University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and Auchi Polytechnic.  I opted for Auchi for many reasons.

    I went to Nsukka to register and I took time to see the school sculptural garden. From what I saw, I felt Auchi’s garden was richer and better. That immediately changed my mind to leave Nsukka for Auchi. Again, the university was far from my base. Many years after, I thanked God I went to Auchi. During my service year at Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, my colleagues were Olu Oguibe from UNN and another guy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

    Oguibe made first class in art from UNN then.  Oguibe and I were close and we worked hard during the year. Oguibe acknowledged then that “Lessor, you are a prolific painter”. I told myself this is a first class student saying this of me. I was happy Oguibe made that remark when I wasn’t even the best in my class at Auchi.  I realsied that the practical knowledge impacted on us at school created a working habit culture that keeps us improving. Many things I was exposed to in Auchi, my friends were deficient in them. One of such was mural painting.

    What really makes an art school great or unique?

    The foundation matters. If the students are exposed to a foundation of teaching yourself while teachers are watching and students allowed to work they will discover themselves.  Unfortunately, in many art schools, they tend to follow traditions. These traditions are initiated by pioneer instructors. Oguibe then was painting like Udechukwu Obiora. But the difference in Auchi is that the setting was not purely cultural as you have in Nsukka or Ife. For instance, inspiration, motivation, mentorship and sources of materials are tied to same cultural setting in those schools unlike Auchi.

    How did you break into the open market when painting was not popular?

    I think it was destiny that brought us to practice art at a time when the art market was about to bloom. It has nothing to do with hard work or struggle. There was a growing thirst to acquire art individually as well as corporately to decorate public buildings like the banks. I call it a coincidence.

     When was your first shot at exhibition?

    Three years after school I was still freelancing. I did not go into full time practice immediately. I went into metal gate design and murals for property owners on Victoria Island, Lekki and Allen Avenue in Ikeja when it was just developing. In fact, I designed Nike Gallery gate. However, gate design was the last thing most property owners wanted to do then. And by the time they were ready the money is finished.

    Later many of my designs were replicated by artists and I decided to go into furniture design that will be in-door and out of the reach of copycats. That led me to designing lamp holders or stands. It took me about six to seven years of doing several things before I shifted to painting. I had one experience that will interest you. There was one Fabak Gallery at Toyin Street Ikeja. The owner commissioned me to do a painting. After I finished the work, he said I should not sign it because I had no name that can sell the piece. He said the signature that will be on it is Fabak. I told him no problem, but pay me right now and that was the last day I worked there.

    I was selling average size (36 x 48) painting for one hundred naira then. That was the starting point. The first gate job I got was three thousand naira each for two. I was shivering when I was collecting the advance payment.  The man came back the following day saying he wanted to collect his money back because he saw me shivering while collecting the money yesterday. I told him I had cold, and that I have already bought materials for the work. In fact, he doubted my competence to handle it.

     How did the boom affect your practice?

    Yes. Signature Gallery was opened in 1993 and it attracted almost all artists in Lagos. Signature owner, Akar, is a hard working man, though he may have his shortcomings. The gallery provided a fresh platform for artists to show their works. Another factor was the opportunity the expatriate collectors found in Signature to collect our works. Exhibitions started coming up. My first solo was in 1998. I took my time and it was deliberate too. The discipline and rudiments to art practice are not available immediately after graduation, so you must tarry a little before coming out for solo.

    What is the thrusts of your paintings?

    I am not religious, which is one path that leads to discovering God. And there are many paths. We are homogenous to our environment.

    My works are expressions of my day and sub-consciousness of my world, my world is remotely African, wich continually expands beyond by way of contemporary advancement in technology. Generally, still dark and heavy and at best twilight-like, I have a compelling encounter and romance with this environment every day, trying to relate, transmit and convey my perspective about it. Lifting up the heaviness here and lightning-up the darkness there, I attempt to reform, embellish and nourish realities. My works are not exactly a copy from life but my opinion about life as defined by my nature. In truth, as we have it today, most of what surrounds us is anything but beautiful, ugly forms dominate our world and we are shrouded and enmeshed in it. This is the challenge, with my works, I attempt to subscribe to the ideal and stimulate reflections. My primary motive is aesthetics. As all human endeavours is summarised in beauty.

    The works are in different phases and time. It will feature about 40 to 50 paintings and mixed media. My primary motive is aesthetic as all human endeavour is summarised in beauty.

     What are the serious issues being addressed with those aesthetics?

    The works are in two fronts. While I am relating with the environment, I also make comments about the society by ways of recording or documenting, stimulating reflection on a subject. But there is a higher goal, which every human being inspires to and that is the goal of paradise and perfection. Paradise is beauty. Unfortunately, mankind especially Africa, is still far way from it. Our environment and thoughts are still dirty. We need purification in terms of reminder. If am sad I don’t paint because I will transfer it.

  • Alakija, others tackle marriage deadlocks

    Alakija, others tackle marriage deadlocks

    Determined to make marriage achieve its values, despite the socio-economic or ethno-religious challenges, one of Africa’s foremost business magnates and evangelist, Mrs. Folorunso Alakija, has teamed up with relationship experts to wage war against marriage deadlocks.

    According to Mrs. Alakija, building a harmonious marriage is not an impossible feat, either for young or older generation of couples. A peaceful and glorious union, she said, is not measured by the absence of friction or differences, but the mutual cooperation and resolve of both parties to keep the union together.

    She spoke at this year’s Rose, of Sharon Glorious Ministry International organised University of Marriage Conference in Surulere, Lagos, with the theme: “Unlocking Deadlocks in Marriage”.

    The conference was a robust introspection into the domestic and social factors inhibiting the purpose and intent of the marital institution and the perspective of the Almighty in sustaining the union. Convener of the conference stated that a winning marriage must jettison some destructive behavioural patterns, including infidelity, disrespect, obstinacy, argumentative discussion, noting that when such factors persist with an unrepentant urge to contain it, the diminishing effect accumulates into deadlocks.

    Mrs. Alakija noted that there must be equal commitment to the marriage vow and the bed, adding that a good marriage setting must prevent undue switch of the bread wining roles. The Almighty, she explained, originally designed marriage to be heaven on earth and not an endurance of the turbulent adventure.

    “The purpose of God concerning marriage was for the man and the woman to live happily, raise Godly children and advance His kingdom on earth together. The devil knows this and tries to cause mis-communication in the marriage, just as he did with Eve in the Garden of Eden, thereby causing them to lose out on the best God had for them.

    “This, he does by planting seeds of doubt, disobedience and disharmony. The resultant effect is disagreements, leading to deadlocks and ultimately destruction of marriage. God is still the author of marriage and He wants our marriages to be heaven on earth. He has made a way for us to enjoy and not to endure. No matter how far gone or bad the situation has become, when we invite the prince of peace into hearts and homes, there will be full restoration,” she said.

    President, Funke Felix Adejumo Foundation, Mrs Funke Felix-Adejumo, in her contribution, said irrespective of the fact that the institution of marriage is a blissful gift of God to mankind, it is a very expensive concept that only the currency of hard-work can sponsor.  “There is no institution as stretching as the marriage because it is about building, blending and bonding,” she said.

    Deadlocks, she said, are characterised by major character defects in both spouses, which are not irresolvable. She said the onus lies on the couple to deliberately channel efforts towards a peaceful and enduring union except the threat to life becomes imminent.  According to her, the covenant of life is superior to the covenant of marriage.

    She said: “In my research, I have noticed that there are a minimum of 14 deadlocks in every marriage. Some are personal, caused by the devil, natural, self-made, government policies, in-laws, friends, career or occupation, children, religion, sexual or third parties. But the first is character problem in both spouses. As parents prepare their children for JAMB, Cambridge and different life exams, they should prepare them for marriage.”

    Urging women to embrace submission to their heads as ordered by scriptures, pastor Adejumo stressed that submission was not synonymous with subjugation or slavery, but the immersing or humbling of strength under the control of the family head.

    She, however, urged bread winners to be so, indeed, noting that husbands must of necessity support their families with a tight spiritual head gear, defend and provide for their needs.

    The Daystar Christian Center Pastor, Nike Adeyemi, stressed the need for spouses to reconfigure their mindset and approach to marital dealings, saying unlocking deadlocks was impossible without the master key of forgiveness, especially in the context of  agape love. “There is need for certain keys in unlocking deadlocks. Love and forgiveness are powerful tools to heal any issues,” she said.

    Pastors of Grace Family International Churches, Reverend Yinka and Deaola Ojo both illustrated the importance of chemistry in marriages. They defined good marriage as one composed of two forgivers. Pastor Yinka countered the claim that men were naturally polygamous, explaining that since the human makeup has been modeled after God, men can also achieve excellent marital outcomes. He advised Christian couples not to assume the word of God as merely readable, but practical principles for their marital journey.

  • Opportunity once lost? (2)

    Welcome to this column where you are motivated to confront your limitations and surpass them. Last week, we considered the burden that most people bear with respect to opportunities they have lost in life. It is true that when we miss specific opportunities we can never regain them in the exact form they initially came because of the change in time, circumstances and the people involved. It is, however, also true that life is full of other opportunities. We miss new opportunities because we are too busy bemoaning the lost ones. We must learn from our mistakes and move on.Today, let’s learn from someone who had a rebound.

    A quote from Heraclitus says, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man”. Since the water in a river never flows backwards, the water the man steps into will flow on and will be gone forever; and since the man has experienced the water once, he is no longer the inexperienced person that stepped into it the first time. If we allow the river of lost opportunities to flow away with our inexperience, we will step in again wiser and better.

    Talking of missed opportunities, Will Smith, one of the biggest names in Hollywood, turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix (1999) to act in Wild Wild West (1999). While The Matrix won four Academy Awards and grossed over $460 million worldwide, Wild Wild West was described as a commercial disappointment. It was nominated for 12 awards in the “worst” category and won 8 including Worst Screenplay, Worst Original Song, Worst Director and Worst Picture. I believe that is enough to ruin anyone’s career. However, Smith let go of the lost opportunity and engaged new ones like Ali (2001), Men in Black II and III (2002, 2012), I, Robot (2004) and I Am Legend (2007), among others. He became ranked as the most bankable star worldwide by Forbes. His movies grossed a total of $6.6 billion at the global box office as of 2014.

    It is great to be able to identify every opportunity that comes your way and make the best of it. But what happens if you miss a few? Does that mean you are less intelligent than other people? No! The secret here is in your ability to learn. You can learn from others or from your own experiences. Mistakes are only worth it when you learn from them. You have missed great opportunities, so what? Look out; one is coming to you right now! These suggestions may help you:

    1. If you have lost anything from missed opportunities, consider it your tuition fee in the school of wisdom. If you don’t learn anything or you make the same mistake twice, you have wasted your fees.
    2. Stop waiting and start seeking. Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you, go out and find them. That shows how committed you are to achieving your goals.
    3. Be creative. The opportunity you seek was created by someone. Why can’t you also be creative? Never limit what you can do when you set your mind on it.

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

  • Expo sets new benchmark, empowers over 2000 women

    Expo sets new benchmark, empowers over 2000 women

    For 22 days, participants drawn from 17 African countries, Nigeria’s 18 states and hundreds of SMEs showcased quality arts and craft at this year’s 10th African Arts and Craft Expo in Abuja, which ended last Sunday. Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports. 

    Over two thousand women received training in e-marketing, bead-making, cloth weaving,  soap, air freshener, shoe making, hair-do, waste-to-wealth and make-up, among other skills at this year’s 10th African Arts and Craft Expo in Abuja.

    The 22-day expo, which ended last Sunday, also provided free medical tests for blood sugar and Body Mass Index for about 1,120 Nigerians, who could not afford such exercises. Also, 200 Nigerians were given free eye glasses while 620 got free dental test.

    Apart from the tremendous improvement in infrastructural development and content, the exercise was part of the innovations (investment round table, and states special days), which made this year’s AFAC Expo tagged: Nigerian Crafts: Untapped treasure, to surpass previous editions in its 10years of existence. Little wonder 17 countries, 18 states, 94 local government councils and over 200 NGOs participated in the expo, which attracted an unprecedented numbers of the diplomatic corps as well as other foreigners.

    Head of Service (HoS) of the Federation, Mrs Uyo Etta, who drew the curtain on the expo, said she was impressed with what she saw at the event, especially the security, excellent layout of pavilions and the skill acquisition programme for women. She urged the council not to rest on its oars, but take arts and culture to greater height, adding that stakeholders and the states should partner regions and countries for better promotion of the expo.

    Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism Grace Isu Gekpe, who was excited by the quality of the organisation of the expo, said Otunba Runsewe brought lots of  innovations into the expo, noting that it was the best ever since the expo started. “I believe that next year will be better and bigger as he executed this year’s edition with little or nothing. On the part of the ministry, we will do all within our capacity to support the expo,” she added.

    Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State who was represented by Secretary to Kogi State Government, Mrs Folashade Arike pledged the state’s support for the promotion of culture.

    Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, said given the height of creativity and ingenuity of African exhibitors as complemented by professional colleagues from other parts of the world, this year’s expo has set a new benchmark. He said the event has increased both domestic and international traffic in Abuja on the days the expo lasted. Otunba Runsewe, who pledged that the council would not rest on its oars until it realises the vision of making the expo the best in Africa and one of the best in the world, renamed it International Arts and Craft Expo.

    “The challenge before us now is how to attract critical stakeholders to join hands with the National Council for Art s and Culture to develop a vibrant expo that is second to none in the world. We need to leverage the potentials of this industry to help drive the economic diversification policy of this administration. I therefore call for the collaboration of government, corporate organisations, tour operators and art vendors,” he said.

    Otunba Runsewe, who described the expo as an opportunity for showcasing products and networking by exhibitors as against outright sales of arts and craft, disclosed that considering the challenges posed by the rain, next year’s expo would be held before the rainny season sets in.

    On what spurred him to repackage the expo, he said: “I needed to prove my competence as was done in tourism because many did not believe I could re-enact same feat in culture, especially in the face of the economic challenges facing the nation now. Above all, I want to use this sector to kick-start cultural diplomacy that can be used in resolving many national crises.

    “When you appeal to the people using their cultural elements, the job of reducing hate speeches is half done.”

    Otunba Runsewe cited reconstruction of venue, re-engineering of safety and security, using National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as arrow head, introduction of skill acquisition and redesigning of the pavilions as part of the strategies used to repackage the expo.

    Before now, the venue of the expo only had four toilet facilities for the guests and participants. But, this year 30 mobile toilets and one exceutive toilet were provided.

    Former National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Director-General,  Mr. Tom Adaba, described Runsewe as cat with the proverbial nine lives, who goes and comes back better, articulate and ready to serve. He urged the DG to keep it up and take the expo to international standard, noting that arts and crafts are the products that distinguished Nigerians as a people.

    Senator Smart Adeyemi said apart from football culture is what ‘we can use to cement our diversity. As a state, Kogi is endowed culturally and capable of hosting a similar event.’

    United Kingdom (UK) trained entrepreneur Adaobi Jennifer Ifeadi, who deals on body and hair cream products, said she made good sales throughout the duration of the expo. “On a normal day, I sold products worth N20,000. I appreciate the opportunity the expo provided to show and sell my products and hope to be here next year,” she said.

    Executive member, Society of Nigerian Artists (Abuja Chapter), Mr. Onyeka Ilo Anya,  described this year’s expo as the best in the last 10years in terms of planning, publicity and packaging. “In fact, I scored the expo the best in all ramifications. This year’s expo is an edition to beat. There is guaranteed security in the pavilion 24/7, products are very safe even when you are sleeping at night and after closing nobody is allowed to stay back. Unlike past editions, exhibitors slept in the venue. Last year the society only sold one miniature whereas this year we made good sales. We pray next year will be better and bigger,” Anya said.