The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

  • Ooni tasks youths on Africa’s development

    Ooni tasks youths on Africa’s development

    OOni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi has charged youths to champion Africa’s development. The Ooni spoke during a meeting in his palace with the leadership of the Dream Project for Africa (DPA), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), dedicated to improving lives and communities in Africa.

    While endorsing the organisation’s efforts towards bringing development to the African nation, Oba Ogunwusi advised the organisation to continue in love and dedication to the improvement of the black nation.  He said: “It is highly commendable that our continent has a team such as yours (Dream Project for Africa). We need you to champion the cause and deliver the product of a fully developed society for the people of Africa.”

    The CEO, Dream Project for Africa, Nelson Oluwabukola Michael, presented the one-year cake anniversary of the organisation to the Ooni and asked for his blessings upon the team’s future projects.

    Dream Project for Africa began an international tour in May 2016. The group is connecting with communities in Nigeria and initiating programs such as Project 10/10 (Project Ten over Ten) designed to provide a system of welfare for the underprivileged in the African community. It also unveiled its No Child left behind Foundation intended to provide a full academic scholarship to children from poor homes. The organisation  has also concluded a campaign tagged: “End Sexual Harassment and Bribery in Nigerian Colleges”, which is rallying communities and the media to promote the Sexual Harassment In Tertiary Educational Institutions Prohibition bill sponsored by Senator Ovie Omo-Agege in the national assembly.

     

  • ‘Time to invest in Nigeria is now’

    ‘Time to invest in Nigeria is now’

    Director-General Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo has assured Mexican investors of a safe and fertile Nigeria for investment. She said the present administration has within a year, drastically reduced the activities of the insurgents in the Northeast region, which is a small unit compared to the size of the country. She noted that the time to invest in Nigeria is now as the nation’s economy is fast moving away from total dependence on oil.

    Mbanefo spoke during the  presentation of a paper Tourism Investment Opportunities in Nigeria, at the Mexico seminar on business opportunities in Nigeria, held in Abuja.

    The DG who also urged the Mexican investors to consider investing in the nation’s tourism sector, disclosed that the thrust of Nigeria’s tourism policy includes to create employment and engage the youths, generate foreign exchange, encourage small/medium enterprise development, promote tourism-based rural enterprises, empower local communities and reduce urban migration and promote cultural exchange.

    She said Nigeria is the largest and fastest growing economy in Africa as well as the largest population in Africa. “One in every seven black persons is a Nigerian. Now, imagine selling your products to over 170m people. We are not just populous, but we are the happiest, most friendly and warm people with over 250 ethnic groups who are united in diversity and we have the best weather.

    “Now is the best time for you to invest in Nigeria and as we are moving away from total dependence on oil, our tourism industry is a goldmine you can explore. Our business tourism is excellent, so also our entertainment tourism (Nollywood & Music). Our religious, sports and conference tourism are very good and active, while our culture (festival), medical tourism, education tourism, ecotourism and agro tourism are promising,” she added.

    In her paper, she highlighted the required facilities and services/investment opportunities in the Nigerian tourism sector, which according to her include energy supply; water supply; access roads; camping tents/shelters; floating accommodation and restaurant; cable cars; hot air balloons; boats: power boats, small sail boats, man-powered vessels, cruising boats; wildlife viewing vehicles/safari vehicles; hostels and dormitories; specialised stores/malls for camping and hiking accessories. Others are recreational sports equipment and accessories; paths, beach promenades, boardwalks passage ways for boats and cruise ships; small boat marinas and harbours for large passenger ships; parks, sporting facilities; coastal protection projects breakwaters, pumping sand onshore Garbage disposal; sewage disposal and transportation.

    She disclosed that government provides incentives to prospective tourism investors as a way to encourage investors. These, she said,  include provision of infrastructure (good roads, water, electricity, communications); concessional rates for easy access to land; development and demarcation of potential tourism zones; tax holidays, tax rebate and soft loans with long period of moratorium; major tourism projects to be given pioneer status; frequent review of acts and regulations for sanitization and standardization of the industry; encouragement of joint venture participation through Public/Private Partnership; maximum duty on Casino, Amusement and Theme Parks facilities not manufactured in Nigeria, and grant of work permit for foreign workers with specialized skills in the industry.

    “The current administration is focused on diversifying Nigeria’s economy and our mandate at the NTDC is to create an enabling environment, promote domestic tourism and fast track investment incentives that will propel growth in the tourism industry to make Nigeria Africa’s foremost tourism destination. With a domestic tourism market estimated at $4bn, tourist arrivals at 4.03million in 2013, which rose to 4.8million in 2014, we are ready for investors from Mexico,” she said.

  • A pathfinder’s odyssey

    A pathfinder’s odyssey

    Nigeria’s first Chemical engineer, Pa Anthony Olufemi Shobo, turned 85  last month. The Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers, which he founded and led as its pioneer president, held a lecture to commemorate his birthday. Pa Shobo tells Seyi Odewale his story in his Surulere, Lagos Mainland home.

    His sprightly gait belied his age. At 85, he is still agile. On hearing his name at the gate of his Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere, Lagos Mainland home, the bespectacled, tall, fair and lanky elderly man,  came out to meet his guests. He welcomed them into his one-storey building, which has a neat compound and well trimmed flowers. He led them to his study. Nothing showed that Anthony Olufemi Shobo, a chemical engineer, was in birthday mood. His mental alertness and ability to recall dates, events and places at his age, are unmatched. Shobo cut the picture of a modest man, despite his monumental achievements.

     

    My scholarship

     

    I was on scholarship from the Western Regional government. In fact, the scholarship started with the University College, Ibadan for two years and later extended to the University of Manchester for another three years. It is good you mentioned whether a bond condition was attached to the scholarship. Yes, there was a bond, but it did not apply to me because the company that brokered the bond did not satisfy the conditions involved in it.

    So, I had cause to resign and in any case, I had made my contact with the Western Regional government on why I was leaving. In fact, I had no grouse with the government, but the people were not treating us well. Remuneration was part of it. They were not paying us well and we were being treated differently from the expatriates, most of whom we were better than in qualification.

    In those days the expatriates and the colonial masters were somehow. I later took employment with Lever Brothers, now Unilever, first as an Assistant Development Manager and later rose to become the Technical Manager. I left as the as the General Technical Manager in 1984 after doing about 22 years with them. I later took up consultancy after that.

     

    My professional life

     

    As you can see, I’m a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemical Engineers. I’m also a Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers. In fact, I’m the first Nigerian to be so honoured. I’m also a Fellow of Academy of Engineers. That is the topmost Academy for engineering profession in Nigeria. I’m also a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Chemical, just as I am a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

     

    Growing up

     

    Growing up was difficult for me. I didn’t have the support of my father. Why? I was just unlucky. I don’t want to talk about it. He was not in a position to help. It was difficult growing up. But with the support of my grandmother and my mother, particularly my grandmother, who brought me up from the cradle. She was Mrs Alice Tella, her husband, was a pastor in Ebenezer Baptist Church for many years. I stayed with her for a long time and with my mother. It was difficult then. It was really difficult growing through elementary school. In fact, I should have gone to the secondary school earlier with my mates, but I had to stay back. I was in Standard Six when my mates were already in the secondary schools because my parent had no means of sending me to school. But ultimately, I got into St Gregory College. I started with Class Two instead of Class One and a year later I was given double promotion.

    Then when you leave school you have to work, so I joined the Nigerian Railways and was there for about two years. I later took entrance examination into the University College, Ibadan. In those days, they just would not admit you anyhow, you have to sit for an examination, which was usually competitive. So, when you passed and you are admitted, you can then beat your chest that you have achieved something. This was what the examination looked like. Like I said, the examination was competitive because thousands would sit for it and only about a hundred would be admitted. So, passing such an examination makes you to be proud of yourself, hence you will beat your chest that you have achieved a feat. That was what happened to me.

    I did my pre-engineering course in Ibadan, between 1952 and 1954, and from there I proceeded to the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom (UK) to complete the course.

     

    My life’s trying moment

     

    To give you an idea of what I mean by being difficult, when I was admitted to St Gregory’s College, you know where the school is and I was leaving at Adekunle, Yaba on the Mainland. I used to trek every day. And during that time, we used to have two school sessions, from morning to noon, after which we would have a break to come back at 2:30pm to eventually break at 4:30pm.

    Sometimes we would have games because you know the school was very popular with games. We then close possibly at 6pm and I would start coming back again. This was simply because my parents were not buoyant enough to give me money for transport.

    But my children never experienced such hardship when they were at Corona Schools. Then I was working at Lever Brothers. I would first drop them at school before proceeding to work only to rush back to their school at lunch time to pick them. But as soon as I finished schooling and started working things changed for good for me.

     

    My feelings at 85

     

    When I tell people that I am 85 they usually don’t believe me. In fact, they always tell me that I don’t look my age. The secret behind this is my wife. She takes good care of me. We have been married for 59 years and by the grace of God our marriage will clock 60 years by next year. It has been a wonderful journey together with her. She looks after me very well with our three children. Incidentally, one of my children just left shortly before your arrival. I mean my first born.

    He studied Chemical Engineering like me, but I discovered that he was not very much interested in it; he later went for his MBA at the University of Lagos. He then went abroad to study Accountancy. He later worked with Centrica, a subsidiary of the British Gas. He just retired and is shuttling between UK and Nigeria.

    The second son is the Deputy Managing Director of First Bank, Gbenga Shobo. The first born is Tosin. The one in the middle is a girl and she is into interior decoration and furniture manufacturing.

     

    My influence on my son to read

    Chemical Engineering

     

    Initially, my first born talked about reading Electrical/Electronics, but I knew from experience that Chemical Engineering was better. This is because I thought getting a job would be very easy because of the Petroleum Industry. But I saw that he was not too comfortable, so he went ahead to do MBA and Accountancy.

    However, his background in chemical engineering helped him, especially when he was working at Centrica. In fact, I forgot to mention that he first worked at Marathon Oil before joining Centrica. He was their International Development  Manager.

    He was able to get that kind of job because of his background in chemical engineering. He was really high up there. Imagine a black man rising that high in a British establishment. I personally did not want him to stay in the UK, but he preferred to stay. My thinking was that if he had come home he would have got a lucrative job in the oil and gas industry. But thank God, he is equally fulfilled.

     

     Studying Chemical Engineering

     

    In 1957 when I was making Chemical Engineering  a course of choice, I did not know anything about the course. I will tell you a story behind it. In 1952, the then Western Regional government published that it wanted to give scholarship to students; that was Awolowo’s government. Prof Awokoya was the Minister of Education then in the region. Students reading Engineering courses were asked to apply; I mean all the arms of engineering.

    I actually wanted to study Mechanical Engineering, which was my first choice, but for some unknown reasons, the course was not on the list of those to benefit from the scholarship. The reason for the omission, I could not decipher till date. So, I chose Chemical Engineering as an option. To be honest, I did not know what Chemical Engineering was all about till 1952. I then said since I studied Chemistry and was good in Mathematics; I should be able to read the course.

    So, when I got to the venue of the interview for the scholarship, Prof Awokoya asked me what I knew about Chemical Engineering. I said with Chemical Engineering background, I should be able to make soaps. He then asked me how to make soap. He was interested in it because of he was a chemist, he read chemistry. Chemical Engineering started as a course when he was in the University of London studying Chemistry.

    Of course, with the knowledge I gained at St Gregory College, I gave him the equation. He then asked me about the product, this showed how thorough he was. In fact my interview didn’t last longer than that. I was given the scholarship.

    But before this, I had attended the Federal Government Scholarship Board examination at the secretariat on the Broad Street. Although I did not make their scholarship list, they recommended me to the Western Regional government scholarship. That together with my performance enhanced my being awarded the scholarship. Even when I came back to Nigeria, not many people were aware of the course. But fortunately, the Blue Circle Cement Company knew about it and it was not a problem getting jobs for us. They knew what chemical engineering was and how to utilise it.

    Even when I joined Lever Brothers, the Technical Director I worked with was also a chemical engineer. He was an expatriate. But many other companies did not know about chemical engineering. In fact, they confused it with Chemistry. So, when we found the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers, of which, I was the pioneer president, one of the duties we took up was to publicise the profession.

    In fact, those, who studied the course after us, suffered a little because not many people are Aware of the course and its usefulness. Whereas, they needed them in virtually all the emerging companies. So, we took up the responsibility of making the profession known to everyone through organizing workshops, seminar and symposia. In fact, there were only eight Chemical Engineers then in whole of Lever Brothers.

    But when the oil industry started booming the demand for Chemical Engineers rose, particularly when the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), they knew they needed Chemical Engineers. Let me give you an instance, the number of Chemical Engineers must be greater than any other professional they would be needing. They are the soul and heart of the industry.

     

    Meeting my wife

     

    My wife, Theresa Abiodun, is the daughter of Peter Afolabi, the Jagun of Oyo. Incidentally, her half sister was Cardinal Okogie’s mother. So, she is an aunt to the Cardinal. The Cardinal comes here every Friday and Sunday. I am from Abeokuta as my surname implies. Although, some Ijebus answer Shobo, but they call theirs Shobowale. I am from Erube in Ake section of the town of that road leading to Sapon. Our quarters are at the back of the hospital along that road. My wife was the founding Matron of St Nicholas Hospital, belonging to the Late Chief Koye Majekodunmi. She walked closely with him before she retired.

    At the time we met, she was a student of Holy Child College. Her school and mine were like twins. They were more like the female arm of our school, though under another management. The two schools had always complemented each other. She was introduced to me by one of my friends and the relationship blossomed. I was in the final year of my secondary education and she was in the fourth year of her secondary education. We were just boyfriend and girlfriend until we got serious and married in 1960 in England. Incidentally, I went to study at the University College, Ibadan, she was also admitted at  the University College Hospital (UCH), which again brought us closer to each other. This developed our love. When I left her and went to the UK two years later, she also came to the UK. God has designed our being together. We have spent 59 years together as husband and wife and hopefully by the grace of God, we will celebrate Diamond (60) years of being together. Not only that, we also have eight years of courtship. So, if all the years are added you know how many years we have being together.

     

    Secret of my marriage

     

    In marriage, couples must learn to be patient with each other. A couple is like the tongue and the teeth, which often fight, but neither of them has ever packed out for another. As elderly people we have learnt to be patient with each other. Again, we are Christians of Roman Catholic faith. So, divorce is out of it because the Bible says what God has joined together, let no man put asunder. I have my weaknesses, she has hers as well. However, sustaining marriage these days can be very tasking.

     

    My social life

     

    Well I’m not a politician. I don’t have the temperament for that. I can only hope that God spares my life long for me to serve Him until He calls me home.

     

    My lowest moment

     

    The lowest moment of my life was when my grandmother died because she was looking after since I was a baby.

     

    My highest moment

     

    This was probably when I had my first child. I think that was it. I can recall any other simply because all my job appointments, I got them on merit. I forgot to tell you that I worked briefly at the Nigerian Industrial Bank (NIDB) which is now the Bank of Industry. In fact, they begged me to come, but I did not last long there because Lever Brothers recalled me. So, they didn’t come to me surprises, but my first child, making me a father in life, was a thing of joy to me.

     

    Challenges

     

    I wouldn’t say I had challenges. Probably when I was at the Lever Brothers; I had hoped to be the Technical Director, but that was not to be. One can say probably that was a challenge, but I never saw it as one because I believe only God decides human’s fate.

     

    Advice to younger

     chemical engineers

     

    I advise them to be serious with their profession and take their jobs seriously. They should also support the professional society-I mean the Chemical Society of Engineers. We have done many researches on professional level. For instance, the body had made representations to the government long time ago on the issue of petroleum subsidy and other issues affecting both the down-stream and the up-stream section of the oil industry.

     

  • Amosun urges unity in Ogun West

    Amosun urges unity in Ogun West

    Ogun State Governor Senator Ibikunle Amosun has charged the people of Ogun West to be united and peaceful in the pursuit of their political agitation.

    The governor called on all politicians and traditional rulers in the Senatorial District to work in harmony with a view to effectively articulate the interest of their people. He spoke at a public presentation of the book, “OGUN West: The Dawn of A New Political Era, written by an erstwhile Commissioner for Housing, Hon Daniel Adejobi.

    Represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Jide Ojuko, the governor noted that failure to work together is a drawback for any society in a dire need of progress.

    Adejobi stated that the drive to write the book came from the Amosun-led administration in 2011 when, at a time, two illustrious sons of Ogun West secured prominent appointment, Rt Hon Suraj Ishola Adekunbi was elected the Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly and Alhaji Rokeeb Olawale Adeniji became the State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the first of its kind.

    “If God has ordained Sen Ibikunle Amosun to make the first two to happen, then his support for a Governor from Ogun West come 2019, which is the third prayer, is equally possible. With God, all things are possible. That is when we can say Ogun West has attained its rightful place in the political equation of Ogun state.

    “Presently, Ogun West has not produced an Executive Governor since the creation of Ogun State, 40 years ago. The analysis of the political equation in Ogun state is clearly stated in the book. The political pendulum is not yet at rest.

     

  • Drama thrills kids to life’s lessons

    Drama thrills kids to life’s lessons

    A children’s creative arts company with African appeal, Proud African Roots Ltd., is targeting children with didactic values embedded in Africa’s cultural heritage, with its Back2MyRoots initiative.

    The company took children in Lagos through diverse life’s lessons during the staging of its musical drama, Story theatre with Grandma Wura at the National Theatre, Iganmu.

    The performance was staged for school children from across the state, including those from two orphanages (Arrows of God Orphanage and Raco Child Orphanage Homes).

    The performance, the company’s chair, Patrick Edwards, said, seeks to administer didactics to children and teenagers for the overall development of Nigeria.

    Revolving around the character of “Grandma Wura” (Bola Edwards) as a narrator, the play’s plot is simple and linear – as befits a theatrical performance for children – and contains a beginning, a middle and an end without any flashbacks or befuddling tweaks. The play opens in a village, whose name is not mentioned, where it is early morning and activities are about kicking off. Everything seems jolly good until a young girl, “Nkechi” (Amara Nwoneli), is ordered by her mother to get out of bed and sweep the compound.

    Nkechi grumbles about how she is compelled to work because, she says, this disagrees with her status as a future leader. She then commences sweeping but soon stops to sing with her imaginary friends – the ants. She envies them because she thinks they have nothing to do and are eternally cavorting. Her mother decides to check on her one more time before going out to ply her trade, and she catches her, red-handed, sowing her wild oats by singing, skylarking, and dancing while her chores lie neglected.

    Chiding her thoroughly, “Mama Nkechi” (Nkem Nwobodo), as Nkechi’s mother is called, soon leaves for the market. When she returns, she instructs Nkechi to fetch some firewood so that she can prepare dinner. Here, Nkechi, as is typical of many children, proves herself a seasoned grumbler and chunters so badly that upon beholding a troop of ants again, she wishes to be one of them so she can have a place in their eternal cavorting.

    Israel Eboh, the brain behind the performance, played a deft hand in the direction of the play. Knowing fully well that children are prone to being distracted easily, he infused the performance with elements of “ Total Theatre” – music, dance, and drama. Although, he claims that the performance belongs to the genre of story-theatre, the audience was treated to a magnificent display of mellifluence and such a riveting plethora of dance sequences. While the tempo rose and dropped as necessary, the pace was sustained even until the curtain call.

    The child actors blended well enough with the adult actors and they interacted so agreeably with the audience that it was clear, from the mesmerised eyes a quick sweeping glance at the audience provided, that some of the children had made up their minds to become theatre performers.

    At a point, when Ant Eater was about to make both its grand entrée and a meal of Ant Queen, the glory of theatre crested. Eboh had directed the aforementioned creature to make an appearance from stage right (the right hand side of the stage from the performers’ point of view). However, the character was to interact with a malevolent mien briefly with the audience before coming on stage. On cue, it burst forth from behind the stage roaring mightily, and then there was bedlam. The children nearest the creature showed the white feather that attends juvenility, hollering frightfully in fright, and one tyke completely abandoned his skin, seat, and dignity by attempting to fly in the face of the fauna but becoming frozen in shock.

    While he had gone into adrenaline shock, his vocal cord was quickened. So there he stood, vis-à-vis the object of his terror, and let off such a bloodcurdling scream at such mighty decibels that an adult had to placate the affrighted minor. The said minor was back to normal in less than a minute, laughing sheepishly and he enjoyed the rest of the performance without any further occurrences. That audience-performer interaction is one of the qualities of theatre, which has lived on for, ages and which has its own merits. No child who watched that performance will ever make wanton wishes for fear of turning into an ant and facing that terrible creature, Ant Eater.

    Meanwhile, other aspects of the performance complemented the acting. The dulcet voices of the actors were exploited by Patrick Edwards, the musical director, to punctuate the performance with music. Additionally, the live orchestra did its bit to set the mood and tone of the performance.

    The dance sequences, directed by Uche Onah, showed true masterfulness and were applause worthy especially as they were complemented by stage effects and lightning directed by Uwem Ukarika and Matthew Yusuf.

    The orphans may not have their parents around them to teach values, but  performances like this imparts values and didactics which may stick forever in the heart. For them, and other children present there, Proud African Roots Ltd. has done an exemplary service, one that many private and public organisations should emulate to salvage a future for the children.

     

     

  • ‘Creative industry can end unemployment’

    ‘Creative industry can end unemployment’

    Foluke George is the brain behind the Vision of the Child (VoTC) project. With over 123 paintings in its yearly art competitions, VoTC has been nurturing young talents. The 2016 edition, which ended with an exhibition/award night, kick-started Lagos@50 celebrations.  George is passionate about the arts and believes that with private sector investments the creative industry will become a major revenue earner and create jobs. In this chat with EVELYN OSAGIE, she speaks on her passion, the creative industry’s potential and the talents of Nigerian children.

    Before VoTC, how were you involved in the arts?

    My love for arts started with my younger brother – Olubunmi Oluwadare,  who began his artistic journey at the age of six. I worked with Chief Nike Okundaye in the 1990s and in 2002; and 2009, I led eight Nigerian artists to Florence, Italy, to participate in Caterina de’Medici World Painting competition and awards. In both competitions, Nigerian artists won gold and silver prizes. I also co-ordinated the Caterina de’Medici Africa edition in Nigeria in 2010 under the supervision of Prof Wole Soyinka.

    What was it in your upbringing that inspired the woman you have become?

    I grew up in the midst of boys. I leant to be strong as a child and I was always learning from the wisdom pot of my father. He told me at nine: never to give up. He reiterated several times in my early days that I was the best, even when I came home with second, third or fourth position.  He told me that my birth place, environment and circumstances must never be allowed to kill my dream. He is my Hero!

    With what the economy is facing due to the crisis in the oil sector, some art critics say the art sector is remains untapped and holds much economic prospects. What do you think?

    This is correct. With the dwindling oil prices, Nigeria can no longer rely on oil revenues. As the largest economy in Africa, it must be seen to take the lead in economic diversification and develop other sectors that have the potential for income earnings for the nation. Art is untapped!

    The creative/cultural industry is the third largest industry in the United Kingdom (UK). New figures published by the UK Government revealed that the UK’s creative industry is now worth £76.9 billion per year to the UK economy. This massive contribution is at an all-time high and equates to £8.8m per hour, or £146,000 every single minute, playing a key role in the government’s long-term economic plan. Nigeria’s creative/cultural industry is no different, in terms of the potential that it holds. There is urgent need for research agenda for the understanding of the creative/cultural economy in Nigeria. Government should seek out ways to tap into it.

    Critics also say leaders should pay attention to developing the creative potentials of the Nigerian child; they insist that government is not doing enough to harness that sector…

    The truth is that government is yet to harness the potential embedded in children’s creativity. How many creative institutions do we have in Nigeria? The old tradition of going to schools, reading, passing and graduating with little or no skill is still prevalent in Nigeria. This is why the rate of unemployment is very high. A potential employer of labour will end up in eight to five routine jobs because he missed his purpose due to lack of incentive to develop his potential.  Every child is sent to the world to rule and reign; the government must collaborate with the private sector/organisations like ours to grow creative economy.

    Where do you think parents and government are getting it wrong, with regards to galvanising the artistic talent in  children?

    Nigeria’s great future will largely depend on today’s children. There is need to help develop their God’s given talents so that our country can generate massive wealth through their creativity in the future.  Let me begin with parents, most parents have misdirected their children by insisting on courses they’d like them to pursue in the universities without reference to their ability and God’s given talents. Parents must watch their children from early years to understand their passion, and help them to develop early enough. Government must build institutions that will promote and develop creative thinking and inventions – and it’s not too late to start.

    How long have you been involved with children and how has the experience been ?

    The 2010 edition of Caterina de’Medici International Painting Award gave birth to the Vision of the Child (VoTC) in 2011. The first edition of VoTC took place 2012. This year is the fifth edition. So far, besides this year’s edition, 30 winners have emerged from the previous ones. After 2012 and 2013 editions, we discovered that children are endowed with multiple gifts. So in 2014, submission of essays, short stories or poems on given theme was introduced. We began two creative medium of expression in 2015 with the theme The Road to Sambisa dedicated to the agony of the Chibok Girls.

    It’s been an amazing journey working with children. I have learnt so much from them. Children love people, who are open with them and allow them to express themselves. Their innocence allows them to give unbiased opinion about issues. They also collaborate with each other without difficulties. They are easy to correct, lead and they have team spirit!

    How has VoTC helped in the talent development of the Nigerian child?

    Nigeria is a great nation with highly talented children, who required platform to develop and climb the ladder of success. One of the key elements of the VoTC is to hear the voices of the youth and children, and equip them to lead change. VoTC provides participating children the platform to express their understanding of the world they live in, their vision of what it should be, their dreams and fantasies through painting and the literary arts – poetry, prose, fiction, or essay.  So far, VoTC initiative has promoted thousands of children in Lagos State through her yearly programme. We are bringing up a crop of children who are bold, strong, passionate and determined to face the future. By challenging their creativity, they are able to apply necessary skills to solve problems. The arts will help them to apply their power of imagination and creativity to revolutionise the economy of Nigeria.

    What is VoTC driving force?

    We believe in Nigeria’s future, hence, our effort to catch them young and guide them to make right choices that will transform the country. At VoTC, we are building tomorrow’s leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators and world changers.  Leading change requires education, training, capacity building and proper understanding of one’s immediate environment. Over the years, we have seen that children have lots of information stored in their mind. VoTC platform helps them to speak out their minds, discover what they are born to do, and creatively pursue their goals without distractions.

    How have you been able to sustain it?

    The team members of VoTC are selfless. We believe in this vision, hence, the level of success recorded in the past. Diamond Bank joined the VoTC from inception as sponsor, the bank believes in the future of Nigeria through child development. We are hoping to work with other corporate organisations for future expansion.

    I heard this year’s edition was special, how so?

    The 2016 edition, which culminated in an exhibition and award night, was dedicated to the golden jubilee celebration of the creation of Lagos – hence Lagos@50. The mega city of Lagos became 49 years on May 27and the celebration will be on for 365 days! So, this year’s award’s dinner also kick-started the season of celebration.  It’s interesting that the date coincided with World Children Day; big thanks to Prof Wole Soyinka and the Lagos State government for believing in children as stakeholders to the future of Nigeria.

    Can you recount this year’s edition, from start to finish?

    This year’s finalists, representing 30 schools from across the state, emerged from 500 student-participants (drawn from 200 schools – primary and secondary), who took part in a three-day intensive audition in April. They worked on the year’s theme: Sisi-Eko@50: Ageing gracefully? Or Na So-So Pancake?. The project was opened officially in the month of January. Winners emerged before May 27 but the names and schools, which are usually kept secret till the last day, were announced. Emmanuel Richard emerged winner of this year’s painting category, while Favour Uti won the literary category.

    What lessons should parents, who frown at their children and wards expressing themselves in the arts, draw from the lives of participants of VoTC’s competitions?

    Parents also need a bit of exposure as to how to bring up their children, The VoTC stories have impacted so many homes in the last five years; and we have more participants each year. In 2012, it was quite difficult to convince schools and parents to register, but things have changed drastically as we have more schools on our database. Parents must be educated to allow their children to participate in fora that can develop the children raw talents. Our past winners are now part of the VoTC team as intern, moderators, trainers and great ambassadors.

    VoTC seems to be promoting talents yearly, any plans to mentor them beyond the competition?

    Yes. We have big plans. We are prepared to collaborate with the government and private sectors to build VoTC Academy. This academy will focus on mentoring children in art, music, dance, drama, poetry, architecture, information technology, etc. Most of the initial courses will hold during holidays and weekends. We will have series of educational packages that will help children to develop their gifts and contribute to nation-building. The academy will also have leadership-building sections where teenagers will be admitted to learn leadership development and entrepreneurship.  We also proposed to build a Hall of Fame, where the works (painting and literary) of these children will be put on exhibition for tourism purposes.

    How has partnering Lagos State government helped in driving VOTC’s vision?

    Lagos State government has hosted VoTC project for five years, their support is overwhelming. The project commenced during the administration of Governor Babatunde Fashola, and it has been taken over by the present administration. I see a brighter future with the leadership style of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode. He’s here to implement projects through adequate planning, proper organisation, control and monitoring! To him, Lagos is a project that must be properly managed to achieve desired goals and objectives.

    What should others learn from the Lagos’s example?

    Firstly, other states should recognise and work with visionary leaders that are selfless and have passion for human development. The success of VoTC’s project is primarily hinged on the foresight of Prof Wole Soyinka, who sees great future in whatever he does. He has strong passion for  arts, literature and child’s development, hence, the total embrace by the Lagos State government.

    Also, other corporate organisations should also learn from Diamond Bank’s team, the project was brought to the bank executives without a track record. They refused to be hindered by the lack of voluminous document, but bought into the future of VoTC. The bank is truly the bank for the next generation of entrepreneurs and change agents! Private sectors must invest more into talents development. This is the key elements for economic development.

  • Herdsmen, farmers crises: time bomb waiting to explode

    Herdsmen, farmers crises: time bomb waiting to explode

    Things are no longer at ease in Oyo State because of herdsmen attacks. There are fears that if not checked, they may lead to clashes between herdsmen and farmers.

    About  eight villages and settlers in Ilora Farm Settlement, Afijio Local Government Area of the state, have declared war on the cattle rearers. The villages are Oluwatedo, Temidire, Idode, Kaye, Fitila, Isale-Awon` and Ekefa.  The angry-looking villagers who are peasant farmers narrated how they lost millions of naira to malicious damages done to their farm produce by herdsmen.

    Spokespersons for the villagers Sunday Adeladan and Jacob Ayoola said invasion of their farmlands by the cattle rearers started late last year, noting that efforts to check the criminal acts were often met with violent attacks by the cattle rearers.

    “Villagers from each of the communities planted cassava, maize and yams on about 50 acres of farmland each, but were unable to harvest five ridges because  the Bororo rearers’ cattle  had eaten up all the crops.

    “Whenever we contacted them on the damages and the need for compensation, they would draw out their sharp daggers and cork their double-barrel guns in readiness for attack,” Mr Adeladan said.

    Adeladan and Ayoola added that they  were owing about N20 million as loans, which they could not pay back because “there is no means of doing so. “Our means of livelihood have been damaged and eaten up by cows; we have no other means of sustenance.  Our families are dying of hunger, nothing for us to eat, let alone allowing our children to go to schools.

    “No money to buy text books, sandals, not to mention uniforms. It is as serious as that. Failure to comply with the ultimatum may invoke anger and violent reactions from us because a hungry person is a mad person. Authorities concerned must intervene now before it is too late,” they said

    Similarly, Chairman, Ilora Farm Settlers Association, Alhaji Azeez Giwa, disclosed that “over 8,009 acres of farmland were eaten up and destroyed by the cows”.

    It was gathered that following the protracted crises, a committee was constituted in each of the 33 local governments. The committee is to be headed by council chairmen, while a Divisional Police Officer will serve as the secretary.

    Other members include heads and representatives of the communities and representatives of the cattle rearers. What do you expect from us when our source of existence is threatened? The encroachment on grazing fields and routes by farmers is a call to war,” Abdullahi Sadeeq, a Fulani herdsman, said in an interview in Saki town.

    Critics have, however, called for the law enforcement agencies to check the proliferation of small arm and light weapons. A legal practitioner, Mr Wale Adeoye, has suggested that cattle routes and grazing reserves should be “phased out” to lay emphasis on ranching. Adeoye also identified cattle rustling as a disincentive to ranching and called for “better policing”.

    “State governments which have large livestock population should maintain grazing reserves. The three-tier government should equally embark on a contentious “modernisation programme” in which nomadic herdsmen will be integrated into settled communities based on established cattle ranches with fodder development technologies, including abattoirs, processors and other businesses on the livestock value chain.

    “The integrated development programme should be undertaken and wrapped up within a period of five  to 10 years after which such settlements should have become self-sustaining with the full integration of the nomadic herdsmen community into modern Nigeria political economy.”

    He also advocated that traditional institutions should be primarily responsible for conflict resolution between herdsmen and farmers, and also their respective associations. “The farmers would want their crops to be protected, while the cattleman will also want their cattle to feed. So the government should fashion out a peaceful means to end the crisis.”

     

  • Samsung, Rele Gallery partner on What’s Cooking?

    Samsung, Rele Gallery partner on What’s Cooking?

    Art and technology share a unique relationship, according to Smartphone technology experts. They spoke at the culinary art, photography exhibition and online competition organised by Samsung Electronics West Africa and Rele Gallery.

    With the theme What’s Cooking? the event opened at the Rele Gallery in Lagos with the works of two photographers – Kelechi Amadi-Obi and Ade Asiko Okelarin – and the overall winner of the food contest, Ms Haneefah Adam.

    The project, Rele Gallery founder & curator, Adenrele Sonariwo said, was an eye-opener, observing that: “we’ve come to discover food is much more than something we eat”.

    The gallery, Sonariwo added, is committed to changing the way we consume; navigate the world around us through art.

    “Through this project we highlight that there is an art to cooking and presenting it. For the first time ever, Nigerian cuisine got to be documented as an art piece, to inspire experimentation and exploration of the possibilities. Technology has, once again, proven to be an important, reliable partner in establishing this narrative.”

    One interesting feat of the exhibition was that the photographs showcased were captured by Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Smartphone.

    Moved by the creative richness of the exhibits, Managing Director, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Mr Paul Lee, observed that art and technology draw strength and muse from each other. “Technology and art have had an unfamiliar relationship over the years, with many people wondering what the nature of this relationship is. Art and technology derive strength and inspiration from one another. Hosting a competition for chefs is logical as cooking is a form of art. With this novelty, Samsung is rebooting the relationship between art and technology by being a part of exhibitions and initiatives that will foster new collaborations across both disciplines and industries,” he said.

    Amadi-Obi and Okelarin said they drew inspiration from Nigerian cuisine created by three leading chefs, Tiyan Alile, Ozoz Sokoh (Kitchen Butterfly) and Dunni Obata (Dooney’s Kitchen). The exhibition was preceded by the online culinary art contest, which, the organisers said, attracted over 300 entries from across the country. The three winners were announced at a private viewing to mark the beginning of the four-week exhibition. Ms Adam, a medical scientist and lifestyle blogger, who came first, was rewarded with Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S7 Edge Smartphone. Her work on display depicts the African woman with ingredients of the South-eastern states delicacy.  Second and third runners-up got a Samsung Galaxy Tab A and Galaxy Tab E.

    According to the organisers, talented Nigerians from across the country, trying their hands at culinary artistry by creating an original work of art using real food, in line with the exhibition theme, participated in the competition.

    “The entries were uploaded by participants on www.techmeetsart.ng, who were asked to state what inspired their food art. All entries were judged by a panel of chefs and photographers based on published guidelines,” they said.

    On the online contest, Samsung Electronics West Africa, Director of Information Technology and Mobility, Mr Emmanuoil Revmatas, expressed satisfaction with the quality of entries received as he restated Samsung’s mission in making life better and more exciting.

    He said: “There are a number of necessities that are imperative in life, and two of them are food and technology. The collaboration between Samsung and Rele Gallery has produced the #TechMeetsArtNG initiative, a platform where technology helps to enhance art on different levels. This year’s theme, ‘What’s Cooking’ is all about fusing technology and art as well as food. The special culinary delights were brought into focus with the use of Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Smartphone by renowned photographers such as Kelechi Amadi-Obi and Ade Okelarin (Asiko) to capture Nigerian art food created by all three distinguished chefs.’’

     

  • Etisalat seeks more publishers for €15,000 African literary prize

    Etisalat seeks more publishers for €15,000 African literary prize

    Etisalat Nigeria has urged more African publishers to enter for its $15,000 pan-African literary prize.

    The call was made in Lagos by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Matthew Willsher, at a briefing to call for entries for this year’s edition and unveil the judges for the contest.

    The 2015 edition of the prize was won by Democratic Republic of Congo’s Fiston Mwanza Mujila with his first novel, Tram 83.

    The prize, Willsher said, “holds great benefits for the writer and the publisher”.

    Not only does it  come with a cash prize of €15,000, the winner will take part in a fellowship at the prestigious University of East Anglia, United Kingdom, under the mentorship of Prof Giles Foden, the award-winning author of The Last King of England, according to Willsher.

    “The prize also incorporates an award for Flash Fiction – an online-based competition for non-published African writers of short stories. We really value your support and hopes that it continues to increase this year as it has in the previous year,” Willsher urged the publishers.

    The briefing was attended by two of the prize patrons – renowned literary icon, Prof Kole Omotoso and awards-winning author, Dele Olojede -Nigeria’s award-winning writer/scholar Helon Habila and the media.

    This year’s panel, Willsher also announced, is to be chaired by Habila, and has South African writer and activist Elinor Sisulu and Ivorian writer, Edwige Rene Dro as members.

    He added: “We are delighted to champion the cause for celebrating the richness and strength of African literature. Etisalat Prize for Literature is about discovering and bringing to the world stage the many creative talents Africa boasts of.”

    Only books by debutant writers published not later than 24 months before submission, Willsher said, will qualify for entry. “They must also be by registered publishing houses not less than six years as incorporated publishers with registered ISBN Number or the equivalent, and who must have published a minimum of six authors. All entries should be accompanied by seven copies of the book entered along with an acceptance of our publicity terms. A publisher may submit a maximum of three books. The rules and guidelines for entry are available at prize.etisalat.com.ng.”

    Meanwhile, Habila decried that African literature is under-appreciated globally, observing that although African literature has come a long way from Things Fall Apart  in writing and publishing, more  has to be done in correcting the notion and improving the continent’s literature. “The prize is a timely correction from Etisalat. I’ve always been a champion of African literature; and this is an opportunity for me to do that,” he said.

    The briefing held at the Wheatbaker Hotel.

     

  • Hospitality group adopts new platform

    Fahrenheit Hospitality Limited (FHL) is adopting a platform for improving its service delivery, the group, which is the parent company for the  Maison Fahrenheit Hotel and Fahrenheit Loft, has said.

    With its recent adoption of SlimTrader’s ‘MoBiashara for Hotels’ platform, according to the Managing Director of Maison Fahrenheit Hotel Mr Anthony Shishler, FHL is moving to a new era of hotel inventory management. One, which, he believes will see an improvement in their room sales and efficient hotel processes automation.

    The partnership, he said, is a part of the Fahrenheit Hospitality Limited’s efforts to subscribe to the #BuyNaijaAndGrow TheNaira movement which encourages Nigerians invest locally.

    “Before the coming of this solution; hotels in Nigeria were completely unplugged. Now, this plugs us in and more people would be able to view our rooms and book them online. It simplifies processes immensely for FHL and for our customers, who can now book and pay for our rooms anywhere in the world, and in any currency. Our hotel staff will not be bogged down with currency conversions, forex limitations or the hassle of consolidating offline with online records,” he said.

    With the Channel Manager feature, Shishler was of the view that FHL hotels’ rooms would be available for purchase on international and local online travel agencies, stating that “The platform supports both online and offline payments as well as automatic syncing and reconciliation between FHL hotels’ creditand debit card machineswith computer records”.  Commenting on the partnership, SlimTrader’s General Manager, Commercial, Mr Magaji Buba said: “SlimTrader is delighted to partner with FHL towards supporting their business and facilitating effortless transactions. We are confident that our MoBiashara for Hotels platform is a must have management system for businesses in the hospitality sector.”