The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

  • Experts canvass support, safe space for early childhood 

    Experts canvass support, safe space for early childhood 

    Experts have called for proper funding and monitoring of early childhood to address social vices as well as checkmate the production of half-baked graduates.

    The experts, who spoke at the first National Retreat of the Early Childhood Association of Nigeria (ECAN) in Lagos, said studies had shown that the failure to provide quality early childhood education limits children’s futures by denying them opportunities to reach their full potential.

    It also limits the futures of countries, robbing them of the human capital needed to reduce inequalities and promote peaceful and prosperous societies, it added.

    The Acting Head of Department, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCD), Lagos State University of Education, Dr Aboluwarin Oyenike, said quality pre-primary education is the foundation of a child’s journey as every stage of education that follows relies on its success.

    The President of ECAN, Prof. Babajide Abidogun, identified poor implementation of curriculum, lack of proper monitoring, funding and training of teachers as some of the challenges facing early childhood education in Nigeria. He said the retreat offered opportunities for stakeholders to address the challenges.

    A Deputy Director, Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board, Hilda Twins, said the government is collaborating with some stakeholders to boost early childhood education in the state.

    “The essence of this retreat is to collaborate. With collaboration, there are going to be more impact in the area of outcome in building capacity of teachers and the pupil as well.  With early childhood education, most of the vices we have in the society can be averted. It also has an effect on the economy of the nation. The future of education in the country will be better if we get early childhood education right,” she said

    The retreat, which also witnessed  panel discussions, agreed on the need to create and ensure flexible learning environments that promote the growth and development of children as well as an inclusive setting for Children with Special Needs.

    A representative of the Development Research and Projects Center (dRPC), Augusta Keneboh, canvassed the implementation of relevant policies, including the National Policy on Safety, Security and Violence-Free Schools, which acknowledges the need of safeguarding in schools.

    “The concept of safeguarding, child safe guarding and physical safe guarding in play based learning in the ECCD setting is important in our society, especially considering the time that we are in. We are looking at policy documents promoting safety of children. We are looking at how all the stakeholders can ensure safety of children by implementing the appropriate policies and laws,” he said.

  • Onobrakpeya, Okundaye, others honoured at NGA Awards

    Onobrakpeya, Okundaye, others honoured at NGA Awards

     It was an evening of celebration for men and women who have brought pride to the art industry, as National Gallery of Art (NGA) rewarded them for their good deeds.

      The maiden edition of Mast Festival and Awards held last week saw some stakeholders honoured, including studio artists, gallery owners, art collectors, art teachers, Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA), art administrators and arts writers. 

    Among the awardees was renowned artist, Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, who bagged a Lifetime Achievement Award. 

    For Onobrakpeya, it was a double celebration as he was just honoured by Georgia State Assembly, United States for his exemplary career as artist and role model. 

    Also honoured was Chief Nike Okundaye, who received the Outstanding Visual Arts Personality of the Year Award. Mrs Okundaye is very adept in textile designs in adire and batik. 

    She has one of the biggest and most sought-after art gallery in the country, which houses about 7,000 art works. The art amazon has held no fewer than 116 solo exhibitions and 38 group art exhibitions in various parts of the world. 

    The Distinguished Visual Arts Award went to Muhammad Sulaiman, the President of Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA). The multi-dimensional artist is a unifier, bridge builder and mentor to young artists. His driving force is the improvement of the lots of visual artists in Nigeria.

    Deputy Editor of The Guardian, Gregory Nwakunor, got the Arts Journalist of the Year Award for his contribution to the promotion and propagation of arts and culture.

    Other awardees are: Thought Pyramid as Gallery of the Year; Mrs. Patience Nkwocha, the Curator of the Year; Comrade Ojo Agbor Idabi as NGA Exemplary Staff; while Helen Ogochukwu Nzete and Izuchukwu Clifford Agba are Inspiring Young Artists of the Year.

     Director-General, NGA, Ebeten William Ivara said the gallery, which has since completed the harmonisation of its Establishment Act for Repeal and Re-enactment in collaboration with the SNA, is ready to move it to the National Assembly once the 10th Assembly is inaugurated in June. 

    He added that the new law, when put into use, would propel the Nigerian visual arts sub-sector to higher heights with NGA contributing to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). For the artists, it will be a season of wealth creation.

    Awards Coordinator AND Deputy Director Overseeing office of Director, Information Services Department, National Gallery of Art, Oji Onoko, said: “Mast festival and awards is specifically designed by the National Gallery of Art (NGA) as a yearly event to reward excellence in creativity in the visual arts sub-sector and arts sector.”

  • Ali Baba, Joke Silva, others for The Roundtable on entertainment

    Ali Baba, Joke Silva, others for The Roundtable on entertainment

    Atunyota Alleluya Akpobome aka Ali Baba, Joke Silva, Dr. Noah Inu Momodu, and other artists have been billed to grace The Roundtable Lekki scheduled to hold on May 1, at Church of God Mission Int’l, Garden City, Oniru.

     The event tagged: ‘The Nigerian Entertainment Industry; Opportunities & Trends,” will attract investors, business owners, and individuals from different industries, especially actors, comedians, movie producers, promoters, investors in the entertainment industry.

     The Zonal Coordinator, Church of God Mission, Garden City, Vi, Zone, Rev Chris Ubanadu said this at a news conference  at the church, said that the programme is a business development, economic empowerment, and networking forum, created to share information that will assist businesses, business owners, investors, SMEs, and individuals, to take advantage of growth opportunities that abound in their environment.

     He said “our strategy is to use free conferences, seminars, and networking platforms to stimulate interest and aid economic emancipation. By this, we hope to make our own humble contribution to reducing poverty in the land and to aid economic empowerment.

     “Every year, The Roundtable Lekki selects a sector in the economy, which it dimensions with the help of professionals and players in that sector. The goal is to critically analyze the sector in order to reveal the business potentials inherent in it. The strategy is to stimulate interest in the audience and encourage them to use the information provided to be economically empowered.”

     He added that this year’s edition has set its eyes on the Nigerian Entertainment Industry saying, “This sector of the economy is one of the fastest growing today. It has great potential to engage millions of Nigerians, especially the youths. It is therefore our interest in helping our participants to know how to tap into its vast business opportunities this year.”

  • Family Palava set for premiere

    Family Palava set for premiere

    The premiere of a new film, Family Palava will be held on April 29 at Glovic Event Centre, Lagos.

     The film, which features George Ezenwaorah, Oputa Ifunanya, Stella Nnenna, Idika Kalu, Ikechukwu, Richard Elumeze, Anita Ihenkoronye, Acho Onuoha, Ofurie Inifome, Eze Uchechi, Joseph Munis, and Bonnyface Agum is poised to bring positive change to viewers.

     Expected as guests at the premiere are Angella Phillip, Nze Commader, Eke sisters, Sunny MacDon and Andy Chukwu.

     Popular comedian and lawyer, Kingley Ogbonna popularly known as Dauda will anchor the event.

     Family Palava is produced by Elumeze Chikereuba of Divine Inspiration Concept Production and directed by James Isiramen.

  • It takes patience, endurance to relate with male fans, says actress

    It takes patience, endurance to relate with male fans, says actress

    Rising actress Bojesomo Balogun Busayo has opened up on how she relates with male fans saying it involves patience and endurance.
    The role interpreter, who is gradually becoming a force in Nollywood, made this known in a recent chat.
    “You know humans have different attitudes. You meet some male fans and they behave well towards one another. Some others talk anyhow. Some of them want to have a relationship with one because they see us in movies. It takes patience and endurance to relate with male fans.Some male fans can hug one when they see one for the first time. I know they do these things because of the love they have for what we do,” Balogun said.
    The pretty actress also said that she doesn’t allow challenges to discourage her.
    “I have faced different challenges in the industry. However, I don’t allow them to deter or discourage me because I am passionate about acting. I thank God that despite the challenges, I have learnt my lessons and God has kept me going.”
    On how her acting career started, she said:”My maternal grandfather was a musician. So entertainment has always been part of my family. I grew up being exposed to how he dances and performs on stage. All these ignited my passion for acting. I respect sir Dele Odule, but I got trained by Murphy Afolabi. When I left there, I also worked with the likes of Toyosi Adesanya and others.”
    The actress, who hails from Oyo State, has featured in movies like ‘Once Debe’, ‘Zobomania’, ‘Derayo’, ‘ Opuro’ amongst others. She is also a banking and finance graduate of Osun State Polytechnic.

  • Alayo Melody set for U.S. tour after deal with Sammek Entertainment

    Alayo Melody set for U.S. tour after deal with Sammek Entertainment

    Multi-award-winning musician, Akinola Ayoola Michael aka Alayo Melody Singer, has sealed a mega deal with Sammek Entertainment just after his return from a UK musical tour.

    Alayo’s new mega deal with wave-making promoter, Sammek Entertainment, is in preparation of his proposed U.S. tour.

     With this new development, the top juju music/gospel artist who had toured some major countries like United Kingdom, Dubai, France, Italy, Germany etc in recent time, has been designated for an outstanding international award during the Sammek Entertainment 10 years anniversary of culture slated for October 21 and October 22 in the United States.

     It was also gathered that this year’s festival will last from 2023 summer to 2024 summer.

     A household name in the Nigeria music industry, Alayo Melody Singer had a music career spanning over three decades with international appearance and performances which has won him several laurels.

     On the latest move, the JujuGospel crooner said “Yes, it is true, though not the first time of signing a deal with an international marketer. I have always had a brand in the United Kingdom (Alex K Money production), they are my publicist in the UK.

     “With the profitable business relationship, I felt the need to spread my tentacles and meet the demand of our teeming fans in the U.S., which informed why we joyfully accepted an offer from Sammek Moments Entertainment to handle our media and publicity in the U.S. Our fans in the U.S. should expect a time-to-time appearance and performance,” he concluded.

  • Foundation holds medical outreach for less-privileged

    Foundation holds medical outreach for less-privileged

    By Stephanie Iruh

    A non-governmental organisation, Ike Jerusalem Foundation, has offered free eye surgeries to hundreds of residents in Awka, Anambra State.

    The medical outreach with the theme Vision is Life (Umuawulu Sees) was to give a lift to the less-privileged. 

    Its founder, Henry Chekwube Okafor aka Ike Jerusalem, said the aim of the organisation was to ensure that the plights of the poor and needy in rural communities are taken care of.

    Okafor, who is also Chief Executive Officer of Multiple Hems World Accessories, said he wished to do his best because his main concern was to help the poor.

    He said he used to give money, food and clothes but decided to look after children and the elderly with eye  problems.

    “We got the services of eye specialists who examined their eyes and gave them eye glasses to correct their sight. We also paid fees for those that will require surgery.

    “What motivates me to render assistance to the less-privileged is that I don’t like seeing people go through pain. I always  try my best to help. When we join hands together, things will work well in the society and I am doing this to the glory of God,” he added.

    Director, Credible Eye Care Limited, Dr George Muoka George said: “We are here to support Ambassador Ike Jerusalem. He has a heart of gold. He has feelings for the needy and the less-privileged. He paid for eye screening, glasses and drugs that were given to people. With what he has done, the people are very happy because this gesture has never happened in the town before.”

    An elderly woman and beneficiary of the medical outreach, Mrs Glory Amaka thanked Ike Jerusalem Foundation after the exercise.

    “They checked my eyes and gave me an eye-glass and some drugs. I pray for the founder that God will provide for him so that he will continue to help the less privileged in the society. God will grant him more life to enjoy the dividends of what he is doing to assist the less privileged in the society.

  • Re-enacting the magic of family story telling

    Re-enacting the magic of family story telling

    Book review

    Title: Under The Moonlight

    Authors: Harrison Okhueleigbe

    Reviewer: Wale Alabi

    Pages: 134

    If you were a youngster living in Nigeria in the 1970s through the ’80s, you will probably remember Tales By Moonlight, the popular drama programme anchored by Aunty Nkem, which ran on NTA Network.

    Featuring tales of sundry animals like tortoise, rabbit, lion and elephant, the programme taught children various moral lessons. However, the advent of social media has almost killed the art of storytelling on television. Children these days are perpetually glued to their phones and sundry devices that teach nothing in most cases about rich African culture. Most of these children have been sucked in by Western culture that they now despise African culture. Parents too are fast losing it to the extent that most Nigerian homes today have no storytelling sessions. So sad!

    But with books like Under The Moonlight by Harrison Okhueleigbe, there is hope in the horizon. In the 14-chapter book, he attempts to blend the traditional with  modernity. The book is partly biographical and partly fictional. It could even be regarded as a faction, a mixture of fiction and facts given the style adopted by the author.

    The plot is straight forward and simple. The language of the author is accessible but flowery and laced with Esan traditional sayings and motifs, where the author probably originates. As an icing on the cake, the book also has an endnotes where non-English words are explained to the reader.

    The author is an artist who has had a successful career in Banking and Information Technology. Though, born and bred in Lagos, Nigeria, he currently resides in the United Kingdom.

    As Okhueleigbe is famously known to say, ‘words become the paint and brush with which we capture our thoughts, memories, and wildest imagination,’ his writings reflect the profound adventurous nature of the human mind, and how these shape who we are and become.

    Apart from his natural love for arts and culture, Okhueleigbe holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Literature from the University of Benin. He was an actor for the department’s playhouse, a theatre group known for staging plays across Benin City, popularly referred to as Elsa Playhouse. Although, now in the UK, where he works as Communications Officer at Sheffield Hallam University, he still works and supports the theatre group as an alumnus, while spearheading initiatives to promote arts and culture through theatre and stage performances. 

    Though, Under the Moonlight is Okhueleigbe’s first published book, he has other books in the works due for publication soon. Under the Moonlight captures the enigmatic mind of a child growing up in Lagos. His knack for wild imagination and daydreaming is rewarded by a long summer holiday with his grandmother’s visit. She fuels his desire for adventure with a riveting mythical tale.

    Much of the story, including the folktale told by N¹n¹, is a fictional account of the persona. However, the author creatively alludes to how he imagines or remembers his own experiences and that of the average child in southern Nigeria in the 1990s.

    The first part introduces the reader to the child and his family, the dynamics there, and the world he created and coloured in his imagination. The second part, however, portrays the exciting fictional world where humans and spirits either coexisted or communicated in some way, exploring themes like envy and perseverance.

    The story itself is largely fictional, though it is inspired by the author’s own childhood experience. The main character, the young EghÍnghÍn, is nothing more than an alter ego of the artist. The book was inspired by the author’s natural desire and ambition in arts and culture. The creative style with which he paints, with words, the mind of a child and how descriptively detailed the settings are portrayed is really fascinating.

    The overall tone is kept in plain and simple English, with a bit informality. Some parts of the plot are also in Nigerian English, so as to express the language and culture of the setting.  The book explores themes such as perseverance in the face of adversity, envy, and the importance of the family unit in the larger society. Indeed, for a debuting author, Under The Moonlight is a good read

  • Lekki Film Summit to explore new opportunities

    Lekki Film Summit to explore new opportunities

    By Tomas Emima

    Director of Media, Lekki International Film Festival, Mrs Oluwatoyin Awolesi has said that most film practitioners-producers, directors, actors, technicians and distributors do not really enjoy the luxury of division of labour, something others professionals take for granted. She stated that film practitioners literally bury their heads in work, which in itself is a not a bad thing because it is impossible to make a real headway here without such commitment.

    She added that film practitioners easily get left out or left behind in certain aspects of development in the business because they rarely have the time or opportunity to interact and get to know what’s going on or what’s new.

    This, she said, necessitated the holding of international film seminar, which is part of Lekki International Film Festival holding between April 24th and 27th. It is a gathering of film practitioners running the entire spectrum of specialists, from producers to directors, actors, technicians and distributors.

    Mrs Awolesi noted that practitioners in the film industry are committed to the project. “You can say that we literally bury our heads in work which in itself is a not a bad thing because it is impossible to make a real headway here without that kind of commitment. You remember that we do not at this moment enjoy the luxury of division of labour, something that others elsewhere take for granted. The producer alone is forced to take on more than he or she should, additional responsibilities such as directing, marketing, distributing, media management and so on.

    “The result is that, we easily get left out or left behind in certain aspects of development in the business because we rarely have the time or opportunity to interact and get to know what’s going on or what’s new. A lot is always going on and a lot is changing in the film world. People are finding new ways of getting around old obstacles. New doors are opening every day. This is the reason for this kind of interactive forum. And it comes with many other benefits,” she added.

    On the benefits, she said: “One is the very idea of people connecting with others. Great ideas and opportunities grow out of such almost automatically. It offers opportunities to start or launch something together using new connections. We are looking forward to the prospect of people working together across countries and regions. If you like, different handshakes across the Atlantic or the Pacific.”

    According to her, Lekki International Film Festival held its last full festival before the outbreak of Covid in 2019 and it forced every programme in the pipeline to be postponed. “Originally the interactive aspect of the main festival event was going to grow into an international conference. That was on the drawing board. Our overall director Dapo Adeniyi who belongs to a committee of directors in Europe was in consultation with some of his friends with the aim of making that a reality here- a stand-alone event that would involve participants from all over the country and around the world. Covid taught the world to work and meet remotely”.

    She explained that the Lekki Film Summit 2023 aims to generate interactions, a comparing of notes among practitioners in the area of film distribution. Each lead speaker’s presentation will be followed by discussions where participants can talk about practical problems and approaches in open-ended discussions. Registration has begun at the Festival website lekkifest.com.

    The speakers include Dante Montagnani a British director and actor, Akin Alabi is a film photography director and production specialist based in Lagos, Mr.Tajudeen Agboola a director and publisher, Sam Uche Anyamele actor, director, producer and public relations consultant, Augusta Okon is a barrister at law, entertainment advocate, writer and film critic, Dapo Adeniyi founding Director Lekki International Film Festival who started his career on radio in Nigeria. He was a British Council fellow at Cambridge and a long time arts editor at the Daily Times in Lagos as well as a visiting editor at the Times Literary Supplement, London.

  • Group inaugurates regional chapter in Nigeria

    Group inaugurates regional chapter in Nigeria

    By Evelyn Osagie and Stephanie Iruh

    A group, the International Communication Association (ICA) has inaugurated its regional chapter, under the auspices of ICA Nigeria Chapter.

    The event, which was hosted at the Emerald Energy Institute Auditorium in the University of Port Harcourt Nigeria, had as special guest the Vice Chancellor Prof. Owunari Georgewill.

    According to the VC, ”We live in a rapidly changing world, where global interconnectedness and technological advancements have reshaped the landscape of higher education. As a university, we understand the immense contribution of communication to building a better future and preparing our students for this ever-changing world, providing them with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to succeed in their personal and professional lives.”

    The chapter inauguration programme was in two parts: the official inauguration and the inaugural Quarterly Seminar Series (QSS) of the ICA Nigeria Chapter.

    ICA Nigeria Chapter, according to the International President, Prof. Noshir Contractor, is a multidisciplinary, academic membership association for scholars engaged in the study, teaching, and application of all aspects of mediated communication, a knowledge hub for scholars and practitioners of communications and media in Nigeria.

    With a mind of creating sustained Regional Chapters for ICA outside the United States, Contractor, while presenting an establishment certificate of ICA Nigeria, signed by him and other key officials, stated that the Nigeria Chapter was launched as part of this ongoing internationalisation effort ICA has identified Nigeria as one of only six sites worldwide to pilot an innovation for ICA.

    In his words: “The ICA annual conference was anchored in Paris, and Port Harcourt, Regional Hub, hosted by the University of Port Harcourt, was one of our most successful regional hubs engaging intellectually and socially with participants in Paris as well as the other Regional Hubs.”

    The certificate was also signed by ICA Executive Director, Laura Sawyer and Branch Chairman, Ekaete George. 

    ”Building on the success of the Regional Hubs initiative, the ICA now intends to pilot a sustained year-long presence worldwide, beginning with this quarterly Seminar Series (QSS). The chapter will interface with undergraduate and graduate students, and senior faculty members who will allow members to interact and deliver impact locally and stay globally oriented.,” George said.

    Goodwill messages were given by some guest of honours, including ICA Indonesia, Prof. Dorien Kartikawangi; ICA, India Chair, Prof. Padma Rani; immediate Past HOD UNIPORT, Dept of Linguistics and Communication Studies, Prof. Aniefiok Udoudo; HOD, Dept of Broadcasting, Rivers State University, Prof. Barigbon Nsereka, among others.

    Shortly after the inauguration, the group kicked-off its first seminar with the theme: “Communication scholarship as bridge across global sustainability solutions”.