The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

  • Mabati Cornell Kiswahili Prize for African Literature makes its debut

    A new Mabati Cornell Kiswahili Prize for African Literature was unveiled at the Ake Art & Books Festival held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

    The prize is to recognise writing in African languages and encouraging translation from, between and into African languages. The inaugural prize award will hold October next.

    Director of Mabati Rolling Mills, Kenya, Sarit Shah said: “Supporting literature and literacy is crucial to the development of a thriving culture, and Mabati Rolling Mills is proud to provide financial support for the foundation of a new venture in African language publishing. The new prize for Kiswahili Literature seeks to reward East African writers, artists and thinkers who, through their work, encourage literacy at all levels of East African society. We believe it is vital to reconnect the world of ideas with the practical world of business and commerce, and to do so with relevance to the communities which have been pivotal to success of our business in East Africa for over 50 years.”

    Director of International Initiatives at Cornell University’s Office of the Vice Provost for International Affairs, Laurie Damiani, said the office “is pleased to co-sponsor this exciting new initiative, Under the leadership of Vice Provost Fredrik Logevall, we have taken steps to expand our robust array of international opportunities for the Cornell community and to provide additional avenues to deepen their understanding of our diverse global society. It is an honour to be part of an effort that promotes vibrant literary traditions and encourages meaningful interaction between the peoples of East Africa.”

    Board Member Ngugi Wa Thiong’o said that “the Mabati-Cornell prize is a major intervention in the struggle for writing in African languages, for their place and visibility in the global sun of literary imagination. Prizes have generally been used to drown African Literature in African languages under a Europhone flood. With the Mabati-Cornell prize the dreams of Diop, A.C. Jordan, Obi Wali and others are very much alive. I hope that this prize becomes an invitation for other African languages to do the same and much more.”

    The co-founder Mukoma Wa Ngugi said that the “prize recognizes that all languages are created equal and no one language should thrive at the expense of the other. But beyond that recognition, the Prize sets a historical precedent for African philanthropy by Africans and shows that African philanthropy can and should be at the center of African cultural production.”

  • Gallery holds Children’s Funfair December 6  

    The National Gallery of Art (NGA) holds a funfair for children on Saturday, December 6 at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja. The fair tagged, Rainbow Art Children Expression, with the theme, Unlocking Creativity-Christmas through the eyes of the child is geared towards stimulating values, identifying talents, motivating parents to love art and encouraging young ones to choose art as a career.

    It will feature seven segments: Art competition, Folktale, Face painting, Hat making, Bead making, Head tying and Cartoon characters. Each category has specific tasks for the children to bring out their innate talents. In the Art competition,  participants will produce art works from a given theme in a competitive environment. This in turn will expose their level of creativity, engender the spirit of competition and generate perceptual appeal.  Other attractions include selected cultural performances from some of the 45 participating schools, Puppet theater performances, Magic Time and Fun Cartoon characters. The funfair is supported by Skye Bank Plc, Setraco Nigeria Ltd., Pepsi and Indomie.

    According to the Director, Educational Services, Dr. Evelyn Otaigbe, the eventseeks to engage the mind of the child in more ways than one. “Children learn more through play and we believe these festivals like Eid- el-Kabir, Easter, Christmas and Eid-el- Malud would be great opportunities to interactively engage our children’s minds with a reflection on lessons about the season.

  • Thought Pyramid opens new centre

    The new Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Wuse 2, Abuja will open on December 4 at 5pm with a grand exhibition tagged New conversation modern and contemporary art. The new centre provides facilities such as art library, gift shop and an artist-in residence studio.  It is part of activities to celebrate its unique history and contributions towards furthering meaningful dialogue in Nigerian art.

    The exhibition is aimed at exploring ideas about history, creativity, power, identity and artistry and will also be creating room for ‘new conversation’ in the discourse of Nigerian and African art. The exhibition will showcase the works of top artists such as African most celebrated modernist Ben Enwonwu, world-acclaimed  printer maker, painter and sculptor, Bruce Onobrakpeya, Susanne Wenger, Ben Osawe, Muraina Oyelami, Jimoh Buraimoh and Kolade Oshinowo. Others are Rufus Ogundele, Erhabor Emokpae, Twin Seven Seven, Amos Odion and Bisi Fakeye.

  • Ebonyi: Elechi, stakeholders bicker over PDP congress

    Ebonyi: Elechi, stakeholders bicker over PDP congress

    The controversy stirred by the recent Ebonyi State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congress for the election of delegates for the House of Assembly primaries has not abated. Governor Martin Elechi has called for its cancellation. But, stakeholders have insisted that it was free and fair. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE writes on the push for reconciliation in the chapter.

    The primaries for the House of Assembly aspirants under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State has become an eye opener to politicians and observers.

    A few hours to the primaries, Governor Martin Elechi suddenly acted as the Publicity Secretary of the PDP announcing that the primaries scheduled to hold across the country on November 29 would not hold in the state as it had been cancelled. The Acting Chairman, Chief Onwe Joseph Onwe, was on the federal government owned Unity FM, announcing that the primaries would hold, urging members to participate in the exercise, a development that put to question when the governor turned the spokesman of the party.

    Uncertain as to how much the people believed the governor, the state government saw the monthly clean-up exercise a ploy to thwart the exercise, announcing that any person or persons caught outside before 10.00 am would be dealt with. About 85 people, most of them suspected to have gone out to participate in the PDP primaries, were arrested.

    Around 10.00am, Ebonyi PDP faithful moved to the party secretariat along the Abakaliki/ Enugu Expressway, only to find the place barricade with imported thugs on guard.

    The situation was solved when they were told to go to another venue, Pinnacle Hotels, a stone throw from the PDP secretariat where the five-man team sent by the National Working Committee (NWC) were seated with the materials for the election intact. The team was led by Senator Ben Collin Ndu as Chairman, Hajia Yela, member, Rt. Hon. Simon Dogari, San Mohammed Aminu, Alhaji Aliyu Bindawa, member/secretary.   The sight of the panel brewed instantaneous jubilation in the camp of those who had waited to have the election conducted whereas those who were believed to have preferred to have it cancelled on the account that they would lose should they go ahead with the primaries saw it as frustration. Many observers of the trend saw it as an implicit boycott of the governor’s camp from the exercise as it was suggested that it was more honourable to stage such boycott than to participate in the election that they were sure of utter defeat.

    The turnout at the venue was unprecedented in the records of political gathering in the state. Apart from those who had come to participate in the exercise, observers turned to be more in numbers, just like a crowd that could have made a better mega rally for President Goodluck Jonathan in Ebonyi State. The situation created the problem of crowd control hence the security was beefed up with armoured personnel carrier stationed at the entrance to the venue.

    So, the PDP team set to work, with observers, journalists, the police, the SSS, INEC seated while the materials were shared. After receiving their material, the officers guarded by security men zoomed off to their various units where the elections held.   At the various units, the elections went on successfully without hitches as was attested to by the observers and news newsmen who monitored the exercise.

    Surprisingly, Elechi is said to be agitating that the peacefully congresses which graduated to the last Saturday’s exercise should be set aside. This brings to clear question as to where the governor wants to lead the state. The election was conducted with his knowledge, only for the governor to turn back, asking for its cancellation, because Ebonyi people no longer want to be led by the nose, but to elect their people of choice than endorsement by one person.

    It was also out of this highhandedness that the wife of a governorship aspirant, Senator Ofia Nwali, and 27 other council officers were sacked because they opposed the imposition of candidates by the governor.

    Already, new coordinators have been appointed and sworn in by the governor without having them screen by the state house of assembly, like a case of lawlessness.

    The problem arising from a situation where the governor said he had recognition for Mr. Blaise Orji as the Speaker of the House of Assembly against the elected Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Nwazunku, whose sin is that he insisted that the governor should duly account for the expenditure of N16.5 billion Bond he borrowed from the Nigerian Stock Exchange before seeking for another N15 billion Bond at the twilight of this administration.

    Ebonyi people are by the day becoming more disappointed with these turn of events, more so as even executive council members lawmakers are forced to sign documents for the purpose of giving teeth to impunity, a development that is worsened with the sight of many unfinished projects.

    The recount has put to question certain acts and schemes that had all along been left asleep.  Stakeholders are at a loss as to how the Ofurekpe water scheme embarked upon by the Elechi Administration at its inception in 2007 flew from the estimated cost of one billion naira (NIb) to N7.8b. Even as one could accept that there could be cases of variations, how could it be that even with such differentials, there is no hope of drinking water from the scheme till the end of this administration as nothing again is being done on the project to justify such expenditure of the Ebonyi people’s fund? The Governor had on the floor of the 24-member Ebonyi State House of Assembly apologised for his failed promise that our people would drink water from the scheme last year. Is someone taking his people for a ride?

    A multi-million naira rice parboiling machine meant for the none-functional billion naira rice mills is still missing without any admissible account but deceit that the machine is on the high seas sailing towards the Nigerian shores. Can the ship arrive before May 29, 2015 or shall we continue in the rigmarole (ashi ashi)?

    For what reason was the Abakaliki/Enugu expressway which the Federal Government awarded to the renowned SETRACO construction firm has a section of it terminated and re-awarded by a state government that cries of porosity of funds. Now the project has been abandoned. Is anybody playing games?

    The NIGERCEM, Nkalagu, the foremost cement manufacturing firm in the south East geo-political zone of Nigeria was at least operational during the previous administration of Dr. Sam OminyinEgwu but went moribund shortly after Chief Elechi took over as the governor of the state. Those who laboured to rehabilitate the firm have been unreservedly frustrated and traditional rulers who welcomed them have been dethroned by the incumbent administration. What could be the reasons for these but the veiled economic and political interests of the government whose allies and siblings are believed to be the directors and benefactors of the death of the NIGERCEM?

    M&J Construction firm has handled about half of the contracts awarded to local contactors since the inception of this administration. A reveal of those who own the company would explain why shoddy jobs could have been granted certificates of completion and the poor tax payers’ money released to them.

    Worst still, the demand of N15billion from the Nigerian Stock Exchange by the Elechi-led administration has thrown spanners into the wheels of the state polity degenerating to alleged impeachments and counter impeachment in the state House of Assembly, merely because some persons including the Speaker of the House have call on the executive arm of the government to explain how the first Bond of N16.5 billion was spent without any evident success in the execution of the projects it was tied to. Does anybody want to further mortgage the state?

  • Wanted! Visionary leaders

    Wanted! Visionary leaders

    •Niger establishes agency to cater for books and intellectual property

    Not even a blast in nearby Kontagora could dampen the mood of the literary giants gathered in Minna, the Niger State capital. There were songs, drama, dance and speeches at this year’s edition of the MBA International Literary Colloquium. A keynote speaker and former President of Mozambique, Joaquim Alberto Chissano, touched on the continent’s need for visionary and people-oriented leadership. Evelyn Osagie reports.  

    Niger State was agog with literary and intellectual activities that have become a yearly ritual at the MBA International Literary Colloquium held in its capital, Minna.

    The theme was Leadership and national development. The colloquium has grown into a veritable platform where writers, scholars, politicians, public office holders and students talk about the place of good and proactive leadership and literature on the continent’s political and economic growth.

    This year’s edition had former President of Mozambique and Chairman, Forum for Former African Heads of State and Government, Joaquim Alberto Chissano; and public commentator and Professor of Literature at the Carlton University, Canada Pius Adesanmi, as keynote  speakers. Prof Pius spoke on the first day, which focused on Literature. On the second day, former President Chissano spoke on Leadership and National Development.

    The colloquium, the fourth on the series, has hosted renowned scholars, such as Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka, Prof Atukwei Okhai of the Pan-African Writers Association (PAWA), Prof Kofi Anyidoho, Odia Ofeimum as keynote speakers. Last year, the organisers focused on creativity, youth and national development, while unveiling the MBA Bookhawker Scheme.

    At this year’s event, the organisers unveiled two projects that would help in promoting the arts, particularly creative writing in the state. Akin to a celebrator dishing out gifts to his guests, Niger State Governor, Dr Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, signed into law the bill establishing the Niger State Book and other Intellectual Resources Development Agency, hitherto known as the Niger State Book Development Agency.

    According to the State House of Assembly Speaker, Mr Adamu Usman, after deliberations and interactions the bill was passed with stakeholders.

    On the same day, the Nigeria Writers’ Series was also presented. The series, which is a product of the N9million grant from the governor to the national executive of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), was geared towards promoting creative writing. It  featured the works of 10 writers selected from across the country.

    Praising the governor’s reports, ANA Vice President Mallam Denja Abdullahi said, the moves would impact on creative writing and subsequently on the reading culture of the young.

    The colloquium, which was part of activities marking the birthday of the governor, kicked off and ended with an evening of literary festivities. As if foretelling what was to come, writers, through their works, warned on the need for peace, while expressing that the masses were tired of insurgencies and killings in the country.

    Saddid Dzukogi’s poem Songs of horror from his Sunbeams and Shadows collection, which was dedicated to the late Kofi Awoonor, evoked a feeling of gloom in the audience. One could feel the harsh tug of the evening breeze as he read:”The poet’s gut fled in suspended terror…lodging in the nest of horror the wineglass is broken and bullets are now beats of music that swim through heart of man…”

    Two days later, amid the intellectual festivities of the MBA festival came the heartrending news of the bomb blast at the Federal College of Education Library in Kotangora some kilometres away where a woman suicide bomber was said to have rushed towards the library, detonated a bomb.

    Moved by the news the governor condemned the act, saying it was dastardly and indeed condemnable. Calling for calm, he urged that Nigerians, especially community leaders, be security conscious, saying this would go a long way to curb the insurgencies.

    He said: “I have received a bad birthday gift. A female suicide bomber was rushing to enter the auditorium where the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) examination was taking place when her bomb exploded. I was told they were two. The other one is still alive and is in the hospital. Soon, we would be able to find out who sent them. We must be more vigilant; let us confront our common enemy, the insurgents, but remain focused and determined in the effort towards building the country to its greater heights. No matter what evil perpetrators do, they will not succeed in eroding peace and collective development aspiration of Nigerians.”

    Former President Chissano said Africa is in want of visionary, thought-driven and people-oriented leaders. Although the continent has the means to achieve greatness and take the continent to the next level, he, however, lamented that for so long, it has lacked the right kind of leaders to achieve this dream.

    According to him, proactive leadership would take immediate action to solve challenges facing the nation, such as insurgencies. He named civil unrest a result of leadership failure, saying leaders should seek to eradicate poverty, which, he said, a “single major threat to security and youth restiveness”.

    He said: “Poverty eradication should be at the centre of policies for social and economic transformation and development. Leadership for development is anticipating and addressing potential trouble sports and not waiting until it is too late. Early warning demands early action. We need thought leaders: visionary leadership that would lead the nation towards the adequate diversification of the economy giving priority to correct use of renewable resources and development of capacities for provision of services by the nationals. Discontent and popular uprising may be part of leadership’s failure to deliver or lack of participation and respect for human right.”

    Although Nigeria is one of the nine countries that have surpassed the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) agricultural target of six per cent, Chissano urged, leaders to go beyond exporting commodities to exporting processed goods, saying they must prioritise agriculture and technological development.

    Platforms as the colloquium, he said, would not only providea meeting place of ideas but its constructive deliberations can change the mind-sets of leaders.He, however, observed that “the notion of leadership and national development is easy to discern in the literary world, but very complicated in the real world”.

    On his part, Prof Adesanmi, who spoke on the theme, Post-Centenary Nigeria: New literatures, new leaders, new nation, likened literature’s role in national development to fire, saying is able to ignite a change in mind of society. In his view, from the days of Soyinka to the present, the literati has played a major role nation-building, adding that the onus is on it to weave up new narratives that would serve as compass for good governance and national development in the country.

    “Literature, indeed, has the miraculous power to forge the essence and the spirit of a nation – and of a nation-state depending on the level of legitimacy and hegemony it acquires across time. The Peruvian Nobel Laureate, Mario Vargas Llosa, in a 1967 lecture agrees on the centrality of literature to the soul of nation and nation state in his essay,Literature is Fire.

    “Long before ANA National thought of the prophylactic powers of literary imagination, long before the conveners of this edition of the MBA International Literary Colloquium thought of a theme, which connects literature to imaginaries of leadership and nationhood, generations of writers before us have imagined the connections between literature and project nationhood,” Adesanmi said.

    The colloquium also featured writers from within and outside the country, including Prof Unoma Azuah; Editor-In-Chief, Newsday, Sumaila Umaisha; ANA Vice President, Mallam Denja Abdullahi; former ANA Vice President, Prof May Ifeoma Nwoye; award-winning playwright, Isaac Ogezi; Mr Chiedu Ezeanah, NLNG Prize for Literature finalists, Friday John Abba and Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, among others.

  • ‘Nigeria consumes its courageous voices’

    ‘Nigeria consumes its courageous voices’

    Nineteen years after, the death of Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa is still raising dust in some quarters. As civil rights activists, scholars and writers across the world commemorate the anniversary of his brutal execution this month, critics say Saro-Wiwa represents Nigeria’s unfinished business. But, is his struggle a waste? Critics highlighted his relevance to the struggle for change and more. Senior Correspondent, Evelyn Osagie reports.

    There is something about November. As the air begins to change and the days begin to hurry to the close of the year, the Nigerian literati have come to approach the month with mixed feelings.

    It has become a month of sober reflections as they remember two of their iconic voices –Chinua Achebe and Ken Saro-Wiwa.

    Incidentally, both writers are dead. One died at the ripe age of 83; the other’s life was cut short. And so, while it is the birthday anniversary of one, it is the month the other, Saro-Wiwa, met death brutally, 19 years ago, on November 10 to be precise, in the hand of the then military junta.

    That Friday, the literati received the news of his execution with much pain. And, as if it were an icing on a cake, his death, critics say, broke “the icing” that held together “the cake” of peace in the oil rich Niger Delta region, birthing several protests which, they opined, ignited the restiveness that the region later witnessed.

    Nineteen years on, Wiwa is still being remembered for the struggle, his sacrifice and the change. As the literati commemorate his death anniversary this month with diverse activities, it calls to mind a symposium on Life and Work of Ken Saro Wiwa: Possibilities for Nigeria held at the just-concluded Port Harcourt Book Festival, Rivers State.

    In short, he was a focus at this year’s edition. Several segments were dedicated to him, including a visit to his office that now houses the Ken Saro-Wiwa Foundation established by his children.

    The organisers, led by Mrs Koko Kalango, said it was an attempt to immortalise him. According to them, they not only believe the late Saro-Wiwa is worthy of emulation, but that the lessons in his example, if emulated, hold a roadmap to Nigeria’s advancement as a nation.

    Little wonder that the symposium had as keynote speaker and discussants, scholars from his home state – Rivers.

    Leading the deliberations was the keynote speaker, Prof Daniel Ogum. With him were the Head of Department, English Studies, University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Prof Nkem Okoh; Prof Onyemaechi Udumukwu; Dr Chinyelu Ojukwu; Dr Obari Gomba, who moderated the forum.

    They called him a “visionary social philosopher”, “an uncompromising environmentalist”, “an activist-qua-activist”, “a fearless leader”, “lover of his Ogoni ethnic nation” and more. Saro-Wiwa’s legacies and achievements as a creative icon, they say, live after him.

    Ogum, in his paper entitled: Literature and Legacy called the late Saro-Wiwa “the legendary martyr for humanity”. The martyr, according to him, represents “the unfinished business of Nigeria”, adding that like a yam seedling, although buried in the mound of the Niger Delta liberation farm, Saro-Wiwa is regenerating.

    Lamenting that instead of fighting insurgents, Nigeria is in the habit of killing its brightest minds, he linked the Niger Delta aggression and the Boko Haram insurgency to bad governance, warning that much more would happen if the pressing issues are not addressed. He decried that the region is in a sorry state, urging government and the oil companies to learn from the Saro-Wiwa tragedy.

    He said: “Nigeria structure should preserve, not destroy courageous positive voices. People who spoke up in protest of appalling conditions in the Niger Delta were at risks of attacks, threats to their lives and death. The present mayhem appears to be a blast of a keg of the gunpowder of past misdeeds and negligence. Boko Haram insurgents have questioned our nationhood Had companies acted responsibly in their host communities over the years, there would have been no Ogoni and Shell Crises, no Egni and Total E&P Memorandum of Understanding crises, no Umuechem bloodbath, no Odi disaster and amnesty related issues.

    “Saro-Wiwa came with a message which lives on in his absence. And our thought is to align with Wiwa’s vision of advancement through the principles of equity, who called on the Ogoni people to standby fearlessly and fight for their rights…quantum leap, saying if you must go to equity, you must keep your hands clean. Nigeria cannot be changed until its leadership commit to changing it. It is also hoped that the government, the trans-national oil companies and their agencies will be guided by the landmarks of this event in making policies, especially those policies that affect ethnic minorities.”

    While urging the young, especially up and coming writers, to emulate the example of the late writer, Prof Okoh said: “A writer who is not ready to die for justice is not ready to be a writer. Wiwa was one writer who was not afraid to confront injustice and corruption. Young writers can learn a lot from Wiwa and the role of an artist in development. However, if you are going to confront the authorities you must be ready for the consequences.”

    His comment sparked off heated reaction from the young in the audience and another debate, as many asked: “Must we die before Nigeria gets better?”

    On her part, Dr Ojukwu sued for peace, she urged the youths to shun violence, but to “keep negotiating for peace and talking until agreement is reached”. While calling for forgiveness and reconciliation in the hearts of youths and Nigeria, she named the massive education of youths and women as one of the remedy to curbing insurgencies.

    “For me, therefore, the possibilities for Nigeria are captured in Ken Saro-Wiwa’s booklet, Letter to Ogoni Youth, where he most importantly admonishes the youth of Ogoni to embrace education, hard-work, self-discipline and shun corruption. He, however, adds that: “The qualities which I have urged upon you in this letter are general and should all Nigerians acquire them, we will have a better country catering fairly to the interest of all citizens”. There must always be some light at the end of the tunnel,” she said.

    Prof Udumukwu, who described Wiwa was a gift to Nigeria and not just Rivers State, said the government should make its environment favourable to its young and creative minds. He said: “The ability to recognise our differences is where our possibilities lie. Nigeria’s possibilities can be realised by encouraging a vibrant and active reading culture that goes beyond the university and schools to market places and motor parks.

  • US museum honours Onobrakpeya

    US museum honours Onobrakpeya

    In appreciation of his contributions to the arts, Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya has been honoured by the National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, US, reports Assistant Editor Ozolua Uhakheme.

    From the calibre of guests, one could imagine the class of event. The colourful ambience of the National Museum of African Art,      Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, US penultimate Wednesday, also left no one in doubt of the significance of the 50th anniversary gala in the history of Smithsonian.

    The grand banquet was attended by top creative minds, such as former American Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Robin Sanders, Drs Bill and Camile Cosby, Prof. Perkins Foss, Samuel L. Jackson and his wife, Dionne Warrick, Victor Ekpuk, Inalegwu Okwa, Aki Debayo Doherty, Kagbare Onobrakpeya, among others.

    But, it turned out to be a celebration of everything that is noble and ennobling about Nigerian arts and artists. And the star of the day was Nigeria’s Prof Bruce Onobrakpeya. To the founder, Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation, and initiator of Harmattan Arts Workshop, it was a day of honour. He was honoured by the Smithsonian Institution in recognition of his significant achievement in the arts over six decades.

    Director and Chief curator, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington D.C. US, Dr. Christine Mullen Kreamer said: “It is with great pleasure that we invite you to the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of African Art to participate as our artist honouree at our museum’s 50th anniversary Gala on November 7. We would be honoured to recognise your significant achievement in the arts over more than sixty years and your contributions to furthering the careers of many artists within and outside Nigeria. You are an inspiration to many.”

    In his acceptance speech, Onobrakpeya described the honour as a crown for a lifelong effort in his creative endeavours. He said it is also in recognition of the hard work of different people and groups who are dedicated to the building of artistic personalities and relevance, for the visual art particularly, the old and modern African art.

    The elated living legend said: “I am happy and very grateful for being an honoree during the celebration of fifty years of life of the museum of African Art Washington D.C. I thank the museum for the honour. It is a great recognition and a crown for a lifelong effort in my creative endeavours.

    “The honour is also recognition of the hard work of different people and groups who are dedicated to the building of artistic personalities and relevance, for the visual art particularly the old and modern African art. I hold the award on behalf of my family for whom my restless work as an artist has denied my time and funds. I also hold it for my friends, fellow artists, individuals and corporate sponsors, cultural engineers including the press.  It is an affirmation that their labour continues to yield positive results. I congratulate the Museum of African Art for its golden jubilee.  May it continue to grow in the development of the visual art from Africa and Diasporas to the benefit of the entire world.”

    Back home, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan applauded the honour conferred on Onobrakpeya, one of Nigeria’s most renowned artists, by the Smithsonian National Museum of African Arts in Washington DC, US.

    In a congratulatory letter to the world-famous 82 years old sculptor, painter and print-maker who was named the Artist Honouree on the occasion of the museum’s 50th anniversary celebrations, President Jonathan said that Prof. Onobrakpeya’s outstanding and remarkable portfolio of works over several decades made him very worthy of the recognition by one of the most distinguished art institutions in the world.

    “You are indeed a Living Treasure of Nigeria. From your first, decisive intervention as a member of the Zaria Art Society when you and your colleagues fused colonial art practice with traditional art-forms and philosophy, you have been the consummate artist.

    “Indeed, there is hardly any individual more deserving of recognition at the Smithsonian’s celebration of 50 years of African art and culture. You have been a catalyst as well as a mentor and inspiration to generations of artists.

    “I note that the Washington programme at which you were honoured included an event tagged, ‘Conversations: African and African American Artworks in Dialogue’. This too is apt, for you continue to be at the forefront of dialogue between artistic traditions in Nigeria and around the world.

    “Closer to home, your works in the State House Art Collection have given me many moments of meaningful reflection, as I am sure they have done for many visitors to the Presidential Villa,” President Jonathan wrote to Prof. Onobrakpeya who received the UNESCO Living Human Treasure Award in 2006.

    Declaring that the celebrated artist’s works have been “a high point of beauty and dignity” in the lives of Nigerians, the President prayed that Prof. Onobrakpeya will continue to ennoble the country’s cultural space for many more years.

  • UNICEF, Commission make case for birth registration

    UNICEF, Commission make case for birth registration

    Moved by the importance of birth registration to the nation’s development the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the National Population Commission (NpopC) are collaborating with the media to improve birth registration in the country. To acquaint the media with issues surrounding birth registration, they held a workshop in Kaduna for journalists from across the country, reports Evelyn Osagie.

    Today’s developmental challenges and security requirements has raised a renewed concern of population experts for having in place a veritable registration system.

    An effective system of vital registration is critical in the life of any nation, experts have said.

    It is this concern that informed the policy decision to ensure 100 per cent registration coverage by 2015, according to the Chairman, National Population Commission (NpopC), Abuja, Mr Eze Duruiheoma (SAN). Describing “Civil Registration” as the continuous, permanent and compulsory recording of the occurrence of vital events, such as births, deaths, morbidity, marriages, divorces, etc, by a registrar on a continuous basis in accordance with the legal requirements of a country, Mr Duruiheoma said, it provides government with needed information that would help in policy interventions to improve the quality and standard of live of the citizenry.

    He decried the low rate of birth and death registration coverage of hard to reach areas, particularly in the Northern. He noted that despite the commission’s efforts and the 36,000 registration centres across the country, the 2013 Demographic Health Survey say 43 out of every 100 child under the age of five go missing at birth.

    To change the trend, the Commission Chairman said the commission is partnering with relevant agencies and bodies. “The commission has embarked on multi-sectoral approach via collaboration with all relevant agencies, such as UNICEF, and institutions to consolidate the gains. UNICEF has been remarkable and outstanding in this effort. The Commission with the support of UNICEF have established excellent working relationship with the health sector.

    “Integrating birth registration services into the national health care delivery is on-going basic service program that avails the Commission the use health centres and personnel to boost the registration. Similar partnership is being worked out with the Education sector, faith-based organisations and some NGOs to improve on the registration outreach and coverage,” Mr Duruiheoma said.

    He made the observations at a three-day workshop for journalists in Kaduna in collaboration with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

    While blaming the low rate on the lack of adequate public awareness on the importance of birth registration and ingrained socio-cultural beliefs that impacts negatively on registering births and deaths, he said: “The commission is partnering with the media  to intensify publicity and public enlightenment of the vital registration exercise, particularly at the grass root level”.

    The key messages developed by the media on birth and death registration along with the commission’s efforts, according to the Hon. Usman Ya’u Jama’a, Federal Commissioner representing Kaduna State, is sure to “greatly ameliorate the daunting challenges of ignorance and inadequate enlightenment that is posing a serious challenge to our efforts at attaining  the 100% registration by 2015”.

    On her part, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Child Protection Specialist, Sharon Oladiji has raised concern over the refusal of the leadership of seven out of the 29 out of the 36 states to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) with NpopC. She urged other the states, which include Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Cross Rivers, Sokoto, Zamfara, Niger and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, to draw inspiration from their counterparts.

    Communication Specialist with UNICEF Abuja Office, Mr Geoffrey Njoku, expressed hope that the dreams of attaining 100 per cent birth registration rate in 2015 can be achievable through the help of the media. He called for support from media practitioners and administrators, saying: “Vital Registration is the rights of every child and aids national development.” He said: “UNICEF is collaboration with the Vital Registration Department of NpopC to scale up birth registration rates, especially in the country’s northern parts. We call on the media to be at the vanguard of the campaign.”

    Communication Officer, UNICEF Lagos Office, Blessing Ejiofor, called for the cooperation of every citizen in ensuring that their wards are duly registered, while urging government at all levels to put in place laws that would require parent to compulsorily register their wards.

    At the end of the workshop, participants said, they were ever so determined to lend their voices to the campaign.

  • The attendant evils of free, checked culture

    The attendant evils of free, checked culture

    Book review

    Title: Diverse But Not Broken

    Author: Iyorwuese Hagher

     

    In his fourth publication, Diverse But Not Broken: Wake Up Calls For Nigeria, Dr. IyorwueseHagher examines the pervading culture of our society, Nigeria. What should be and what should not be. As the ‘what should be’ had been turned inside out while its reversetakes center stage.

    The author broaches the evils of certain culture practices in the nation that has reduced Nigeria to its current state, an eagle with broken wings. Likewise, he expands on the shackled cultures that would have made a difference.

    Literary icon, Chinua Achebe said, the problem with Nigeria is her leaders or lack thereof. The author emphasizes, the Nigerian leadership culture, wallowing in lies and grand corruption. These endemic qualities ensure that leaders, no matter how honest or will powered, cannot change that culture. Since those mired in that culture are more dominant than the ideologies of the leader.

    Once he is successfully sitted at the Aso Rock, the reader inherits the Neo-patrimonial crowd that ensured his rigged ascent. The leader’s fear of penchants of office tenants, those who manage to outlast governments; and the undecided voters is less than the pacification of his excessive lovers and the opposition prepared to oust him at all means.

    These excessive lovers must be appeased lest they turn into excessive haters. To avoid this pendulumic swing of votes, leadership turns a blind eye on their antics; of amassing wealth, turning personal celebration into state affairs, collecting traditional titles and taking medical jaunts abroad. All these further widen the gap between the supposedly poor electorates. It hardens the capillaries of the haves and embitters the hopeless have-nots.

    On the lower rungs of power, there is no exception. The writer calls attention to developments in Benue community sometime ago, the creation of ten traditional chiefs, where there was none before. According to him, there was no need to create more liability for Benue people, for a few who play advisory roles to the government. This capacity the Tor Tivas well as the existing wards represent. The new bill shows contempt to the 1999 constitution, by seeking to confer powers on traditional chiefs. It is a return to feudalism where some traditional leaders believe they have the divine rights to rule and would do anything to hold power. Also, it is retrogressive to the efforts of its ancestors who knew better to install the Tor Tiv. They had with care ensured that any Tiv would inherit the title. Thus at the death of the Tor Tiv, his children are the least likely to inherit.

    The icy fingers of the free yet damaging culture trickles down to the education system. Among politics being played in higher institutions, the endemic culture of cultism, drug addiction, fallen standards, ill-facilitation, indigenization of admissions and strikes has devalued education. Unknown to leadership its lofty ideals of meeting 2015 MDGs and the 20.2020 vision is unrealistic, owing to the dearth of intellectuals and lack of research in universities.

    Further crippling progress is the western ideologies that African needs more scientists than arts graduates. The Intellectual whom the author describes as one who refuses to be confined to his designated specialization, foliage elsewhere and everywhere. This is contrary tothe academic, a specialist who has disciplined his curiosity to operate largely within designated area. Intellectuals are the bearers of change in a society. Through their canvass, books, ideas, music and humane outlook, they reflect to the society, truths it fails to see or heed. They foresee the self destruction it’s racing towards. In similar manner of individuals like Galileo, Socrates, Aquinas, John Locke, Descartes, Leonardo Da Vinci, Picasso, Van Gogh did, Fela. Problems exist in society like ours where the intellectuals distance themselves from national discourses today.

    The artist’s admiration of Achebe is expanded as he describes the man’s contribution as an intellect to the nation. Achebe without mincing words writes to cause headaches to those who have”refused to hear one another, especially the anguished voices of those undergoing oppression”, the underdogs at any point in time. In Things Fall Apart, it was against the western world that he defined the humanity of Africa. In No Longer At Ease and Man of The People, he stood with the victims, the poor, against predatory leaders who has failed their post independence expectations.

    Hagher ends the 287 pages of lectures, essays and tribute collection with poetic reminisces of his intellectual residence, Canada. The poems rich in imagery, allusion, rhetoric, personification, euphemism, irony and satire explore the plundered depths of Dawson city, the true descendants of Canada, the Inuits and the Yukon. It also champions the minority in Canada, and the simplicity lost in the vast diplomatic games of leaders and the led.

    The author’s tone conveys his emotions, from unpleasant awe and despair of leadership culture, to pity for Nigeria’s Failed Code of Shame. The tone veered to outrage in the Chieftaincy Institution and Constitutionality in Nigeria, then advocatory to Artists as Intellectuals in the society, and admiration in his tribute to Achebe.

    The reader is swept along with tides of emotion evoked. Few exceptions appear in technical terms and couched words in chapter 13, and the author’s prolonged citations to prove a point.

    Some points were also not properly nuanced, his marshaled points on Nigeria’s utilization of her soft power, enlightening, does not clearly reveal, the idle nature of Nigerian embassies in their host countries, which contributes to her negative image abroad. In countries like South Korea, UAE, Czech, Russia, what have those countries done for Nigerian residents much more in the projection of our unique cultures.

    Indeed, the Nigeria creative industry is an active propagator of Nigerian culture; selling Nigerian languages to the world. It has however, been over run by western identification. It is skimpily clad, bottom-shaking dancer, offensive and nude. The greater avenues of exporting unadulterated (the least unchanged at the most) culture, the moving theatre and literature lack the financial clout and policy to thrive. Both have the capacity to resurrect the Nigerian textile industries and fashion, values and African leadership ideologies to gain louder reception. This is precisely what the Korean music, film and fashion industry wields smoothly. Persuasive power.

    It is with pride and shame that we must embrace the lessons, challenges and criticism bound in this book and work as leaders and followers to uproot the harmful cultures that is yet to break Nigeria.

  • Strengthening bond between Egba, Yewa in Diaspora

    Strengthening bond between Egba, Yewa in Diaspora

    Chief ‘Femi Shodunke, is the President of Olumo Progressive Association, Canada, a socio-cultural Yoruba sub-ethnic group of Egba and Yewa indigenes from Ogun State. The former Deputy Editor of the Nigerian Compass newspaper speaks on the leadership of his association its successes and challenges, and the Nigerians in Diaspora in an interview with Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME.

    hat are the objectives of your association?

    “Thank you. Let me start by saying that we are a group of Egba and Yewa indigenes in diaspora in Canada.  Our association was founded in 2006.  The association is to, among others, promote family atmosphere and unity among Egba and Yewa descendants; to promote cultural and social values of our sub-ethnic (and Yoruba in general) tradition, norms and values; to improve and uphold the image of our people and to protect our reputation in Canada.  It is, similarly, our focus to involve in the provision of infrastructure and amenities, and to engage in communal projects in Canada and also to help, and contribute to the development of Greater Toronto Area community, Canada and Nigeria in the areas of socio-economic, education and health advancement, among many.

    Olumo – the rock – is in Abeokuta, and it is synonymous with the name of your association, but there are Yewa indigenes among your members.  Why not a joint name?

    For you to understand why the name is like that there is the need for a bit of historical background, explanation and understanding of the rationale behind it.  This association was originally founded by the Egbas.  Later, more members came in who are Egbas too, but historically their ancestral root is in Yewa.  In fact, virtually all of them were born in Abeokuta – in Ibara, Oke-Ilewo, and Joga, though these communities too are in the main Yewaland. These areas are in Abeokuta, in what we generally called Egbaland.  So, to a larger extent these members are Egbas in actual fact.  And in fact, outside the country we don’t even remember who this is or that once we are able to share similar identity, ideas and aspirations together.

    Are there ties between Olumo Progressive and other similar associations promoting the image and interest of Nigerians in diaspora?

    Yes indeed, we relate quite well with other associations as at when and where necessary, particularly in the advancement of our ethnic culture, particularly Yoruba and Nigeria in general.  Under the umbrella of Yoruba Community Association, indigenes of Owo, Ekiti, Eko, Kwara and Ile-Oluji do come together and meet to promote the course of Yoruba race, and Nigeria in general.  We also relate cordially with other associations representing Nigerians in general here in Canada.  Similarly, we relate well with similar bodies outside Canada.  For instance, Olumo Progressive Association is one of the 17 chapters of Egba National Association US and Canada and barely couple of months ago, we met in Dallas, Texas, US to celebrate the 5th Biennial Convention of our association and virtually all the 17 chapters were in attendance.

    How do you relate with those at home and how do they feel the impact of your association?

    Definitely, home is our base and that’s where we come from to this part of the world.  Therefore, we cannot forget our people at home.  Part of the relationships led to the constant presence of Alake and Paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, and his team, and Otunba of Yewaland, Chief Ayinde Ibikunle at our events, most of the time.  Similarly, because we monitor events going on at home, that was why we were able to identify our fellow indigenes doing great things at home to develop our communities, and the decision to honour them in faraway US, the national headquarters of Egba National Association.

    However, let me quickly say that recently our chapter in conjunction with Egba National Association gave N1 million scholarship to indigent students chosen from our communities to cushion their financial burden in higher institutions in Nigeria. Also, our chapter is working on donation of some health equipment to our people back home in Nigeria.  And in order to further the advancement of Yoruba language in Canada, we are planning to donate some historical books on Egbaland to some libraries here, as there are plans by the Yoruba Community Association to ensure the inclusion and teaching of Yoruba language in Canadian high schools.

    As President of your association, how has the journey been?

    Well, it is full of challenges in various dimensions, particularly in a foreign land.  But with the support of my loyal members, we are forging ahead in the overall interest of the association, our members and our people at home.  In fact, under my able leadership, we’ve won the right to host the next convention of Egba National Association holding here in Toronto.