The Nation Newspaper

Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

  • Teaching them how to fish

    Teaching them how to fish

    Senate Minority Whip Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon has empowered some youths to set up their own businesses. His gesture, says Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman Chief Henry Ajomale, is a reminder of the nation’s empowerment crisis. Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN reports.

    The event started on a convivial note. But, suddenly,  there was silence. The speaker’s voice quaked, as listeners nodded their heads. Chief Henry Ajomale, Interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, held the microphone, analysing  what remains a pain in the hearts of many Nigerians.

    He struggled to contain his emotions as he bemoaned the fate of the 19 job seekers who died last month  during the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

    The Blue-Roof, popular events rendezvous on the sprawling LTV premises in Alausa, Ikeja, was filled. It was a moment for “the lucky ones” – numbering about 800 – who were being empowered with multi-million-naira equipment. The posture was a follow-up to their two-week training in various vocations, to teach them “how to fish.”

    The event was sponsored by Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon  the Minority Whip of the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, representing Lagos West District. He was supported by the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports.

    Exuding excitement, the youth donned branded T-shirts. With hearty praise-songs for their benefactor, they filled the roomy hall to capacity as early as 9 am, looking into the future with an air of assurance. At some locations in the hall was a spectacle: Loads of the expensive equipment that were later given to them with take-off grants.

    Before Ajomale spoke, Solomon had told the gathering why he took the bold step to rescue the beneficiaries from the brink of despondency with the training that ended on February 25.

    “With the various skills acquired by the youth, they need not continue to worry their heads over the white-collar jobs that are not there. Besides the equipment, we are also giving them some stipends in bank drafts to help them start off without ado,” Solomon said, urging them to be serious in their vocations.

    Sobriety gripped the gathering when he lamented the terror of joblessness in the country, especially among able-bodied youths. An unpleasant noise swept through the crowd in response to Solomon’s outburst on the ill-fated “NIS 19.” Sighs of agony and frustration shook the gathering. After a one-minute silence demanded by the senator for the repose of the late job seekers’ souls, he sought more commitment from the government and other stakeholders in the fight against unemployment, which he warned, was becoming a major threat to lives and property in the land.

    Everyone rose in earth-shaking ovation for the lawmaker. APC chieftain Cardinal James Odunmbaku (Baba Eto); Mr Wale Raji, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, who represented Governor Babatunde Fashola; Mrs Risikat Akiyode, who stood in for Fashola’s deputy, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire; another APC leader, Bashorun Tajudeen Jaiyesimi; officials of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports, among other dignitaries, were not left out.

    Ajomale was effusive in Solomon’s praise for his thoughtful generosity, especially towards the beneficiaries. Urging them to make good use of the gesture, the politician said: “If you teach a person how to fish rather than giving him fish, you are eradicating poverty in his life. This is what our senator is doing and the Federal Government must imbibe it.”

    Fashola had kind words for the senator, saying of the empowerment: “This is a timely intervention in view of the rate of unemployment in the country today.” Orelope-Adefulire also lauded Solomon’s passion for the development of youths and women, adding: “This is a gesture that will complement government’s poverty-reduction efforts and socio-economic rebirth. This will certainly reduce crime rate.”

    The Coordinator, New Renewal Group (NRG), an influential political body in APC, Mr Abiodun Musa, stormed the LTV premises with one of his group’s branded vehicles – loaded with various souvenirs. “This man (Solomon) is not only an asset to his district; he has proved a treasure to our party by exemplifying what it stands for – compassion for the less-privileged. Giving is his life; it is one virtue that all of us, including you, must imbibe,” he told a group of some beneficiaries.

    Pleasant surprise was bold on the faces of the youth when Solomon and the dignitaries stepped out to present the equipment, certificates and the grants to them. On their lips was the tacit exclamation: “So, this can be true!”

    Mojeed Afiz, who learned barbing, got kits to start off; Abayomi Agbelega and Olamide Faniran smiled home with bench grinders; Jude Okoro, dish installation equipment, Halimat Adeleke, shoe-making machine, among others.

    A graduate of Sociology from the Lagos State University (LASU), Ibrahim Adisa, could not contain his joy. He was trained in barbing after his futile effort at securing a white-collar job. “I’m from Alimosho. Youths are the leaders of tomorrow but our government has not proved it to us. I believe posterity will remember the senator for this gesture. I know that soon, I will become an employer of labour,” he said.

    Rashidat Adigun, a graduate of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), was trained in Make-up and Gele. She was happy that the senator fed them during the training and then gave N1,000 each daily for fare. praying for the lawmaker, she said: “I had looked for an opportunity to learn the vocation in many places, but they kept demanding about N100,000 from me, which I couldn’t afford. I thank God that GOS has done it for free.”

    Indeed, it was an outing that was generally adjudged a model in the concerted efforts to bail the nation out of the woods by building the economic base of the citizenry.

  • In your Sokoto series launched in Lagos

    When one hears “Beyond the distant clouds”, one’s mind could travel way back to the 1990s when the television series, ‘Behind the Clouds’ was aired on NTA or it could be a book of poems. But, it is none of the above.

    Although according to the author, Ngozi Omolaiye, the intial name was ‘Beyond the clouds’ later, she added ‘distant’ to differentiate it from ‘Behind the Clouds’.

    Omolaiye launched her debut novel, “Beyond the distant clouds” at the Lagos Resource Centre on Victorial Island,Lagos. The event was attended by  the Managing Director, Mansard Insurance, Tosin Runsewe, Chief launcher, Mr George Thorpe and Managing Consultant, Market Space, Mr Tokunbo Adesanya and other special guests,former colleagues, friends and family.

    Published by Author House, “Beyond the distant clouds” is a new relationship novel and the first in the In your Sokoto series, takes readers through a journey in the l ives of multiple individuals as they dance through the world of love.

    In the book, readers are invited to watch a marriage go sour. A pure relationship becomes tainted and endless futile search for “the one”. When a lady is caught in the middle of the couples’s woe, a tragic event occurs that changes the couple’s life forever.

    “I see a lot of relationships going wrong around me and most times, the solutions to the problems are near to people. This inspired me to write a series of five books with the same theme but different characters and stories,”  Omolaiye said. She provides her own, personal perspective at the novel’s conclusion as well as discussion questions.

    In the review by Kirkus Reviews, the novel s a dramatic story of a love triangle  that delves into the darker parts of the human heart. It offers a cautionary tale about people acting on impulse and refusing to confront their weakness. The complications of love and loyalty run deep in this rich story set in Lagos,Nigeria.

    The three characters at the core of the story-Donald; his wife, Shirley; and his dear friend and potential love interest, Tife shares intense ties, as well as the power to destroy one another. Donald struggles to hold on to his marriage despite Shirley’s frequent absences and flimsy excuses. His work life is similarly fraught with tension, as the oil company he works for fails to find new resources. Shirley leaves him on his own for a long period of time with only Tife to assist with the children. Although, Donald is like a brother to Tife because he took care of her when she lost her family. Donald’s platonic and tender love for Tife soon shifts into something much more romantic, and he eventually tilts the balance of their relationship and his marriage with a stolen kiss. As Donald and Tife’s connection deepens, its revealed that Shirley’s trips is actually related to spiritual explorations. Shirley, Donald and Tife’s saga, told in a straightforward manner is an honest look at how selfishness can be toxic to happiness.

    Over the course of the story, each character faces a tough choice, and the consequencies of his or her actions which serves as instructive lessons on how to approach life’s challenges. Indeed, this work is more than just an engaging read,it is also a thought-provoking and instructive moral lesson.

    According to Ngozi, at the book presentation, which the host of the day, Cordelia Okpei of Metro FM, turned to a talk show,  Omolaiye started writing the book in 2006 and stopped. Later on, she gave herself a deadline of three weeks and she was done with the book. During that three weeks, she had people pressurising her to finish the book.

    Omolaiye said the ‘Sokoto’ in the name of the series means that a lot of people are in relationships and they keep going to look for solutions to their problems in distant places when the answers are within them. She said what you go looking for in Sokoto is right there in your ‘Sokoto’.

    “So, ‘Beyond the Distant Clouds’ is the first of its series of Five books. I have four more to go. The idea of “In your ‘Sokoto’ series” is that I want to make people know that things are not as complicated as it seems but quite easy. People just tend to complicate matters”.She said.

    Omolaiye said the journey of writing the book required hard work and discipline especially these days when one have the option to be an independent publisher and so, the book is a self-published effort.

    Omolaiye said one of the challenges she faced was what is called ‘writer’s block’ when at a certain point, she ran out of ideas. “What I do at this time is that I talk to people I can trust that will not steal my ideas.Another challenge is finding time to write after work and also making out time for the family”.She said.

    Omolaiye attended the Federal Government College,Calabar. There, she wrote for the Press Club and got a literary award for “best literary student”. Later on, she went to the University of Jos to start up her purpose in life and that is writing. After school, she decided to pursue a carrer that would give her the opportunity to write which led her to corporate communications and marketing.

  • 2015 elections test for Nigeria, says US envoy

    United States Ambassador James Entwistle has said the 2015 elections will be a test for Nigeria. He urged politicians, the media and Nigerians to pledge “that they will not advocate, support or condone violence before, during and after the elections.”

    Entwistle made the plea during  his visit to Makurdi, the Benue State capital.

    The visit was part of his tour of the North  ”to interact with the people, learn more about the security issues in the region, and to share the United States’ wishes for peaceful elections, good governance, development and a better future for Nigeria,” according to a statement.

    He visited Governor Gabriel Suswan and met religious and community leaders.  He also called on the Vice-Chancellor of Benue State University, and interacted with students.

    At these meetings, Entwistle emphasised the importance of U.S.-Nigeria bilateral relationship, in terms of trade and economics, democracy issues, partnering on shared security, and advancing access for all Nigerians to education and health resourcesHe said the US will lend its support to Nigeria’s efforts, but will not dictate to Nigeria.He said: “Nigeria has great potential.  Your diversity should be a source of strength, not strive.  People must learn to tolerate and get along with each other.  Across the globe, history has shown that countries that make progress are those whose communities live in peace with each other.”

    He said with the North’s strong tradition of inter-faith cooperation, the US will support efforts aimed at promoting tolerance, and assist both government and civil society to promote transparency and accountability, strengthen media, and support national and local elections.

    He also toured two US Government-supported projects on health and agriculturein Markurdi.  He learned about the successes of USAID’s technical support on HIV/AIDS to the General Hospital, North Bank, Makurdi; in addition to the progress and growth of the rice value chain being promoted by the MIKAP rice mill that is working through USAID’s MARKETS project, to stimulate commercial production and processing of rice in Benue State.As part of his tours in the Middle Belt, the ambassador will also visit Nasarawa and Plateau states.

  • Whispering for the rise of Africa

    Whispering for the rise of Africa

    Book review

    Title:                      Midnight Whispers

    Author:                Adesina Adetola

    Reviewer:           Chinasa Ekekwe

    Publisher:            OpenWay Books

    Pagination:         35

    There is no doubt that Africa has slept for too long. While the sleep is never  sound, the land has also slept with its eyes widely opened. Therefore, these are Midnight Whispers, to bring Africa back to its consciousness.

    Adesisna Adetola’s Midnight Whispers is a compilation of contemporary poems about Africa.While some of the poems seek to address the prevailing issues in Africa, others are also designed to preserve Africa’s identity and its cultural heritage. The collection is aimed at panegyrising the virtues of Africans.

    However, the book does not fail to address the ugly sides of Africa. It tries to raise the political and socio-economic consciousness of the people. In all, the book represents a contemporary idea of the black race. The messages do not only wake up Africa, but also make her stand and move the continent to higher ground.

    The book is divided into five parts and each part has poems attached to it. Part 1 is tilted, Renaissance messages with 7 poems; Part 2 is titled, Black’s beautiful heritage with 12 poems; Part 3 is titled, Memos to friends with 4 poems; Part 4 is titled Current heresies contains 3 poems and part 5 is titled Others with a poem.

    The major themes driving the poems in part one include love of motherland, exile and alienation and immorality. The first poem, Midnight Whispers adopts the classical tone and calls for attention:

    “Lend me the innermost of your ears

    Listen to my deafening whispers

    Lest you wake up once more

    To the pressure of the adulterated world”

    Calling for immediate attention in quick succession with Arise Africa, the author seeks to re-awake Africans from “the obscure pit to the uppermost light of the new age”; (Arise Africa, from your great slumber.Wake up the giant of the ages. The cradle of civilisation), A clarion call (Leaders of our fatherland. Retreat from your wasteful trips. Dispose of all your corrupt bags and remove your neckless of fraud.While the greedy are tilling the motherland, turning Africa into a big theater of shame.The rampaging political juggernauts.Milking the flourishing land to destitution) He throws in a deeply political question for Africa’s election-riggers in One Man One Vote (Why not embrace the universal language, spoken in the realm of the developed, a language of one-man, one-vote?

    The rituals of polls manipulations.With the confusing electoral results) before screaming out in disgust against the fast-spreading act of same sex marriage in A letter to Adam and Eve (What has now come over your world? At the altar of strange matrimonial covenants.When two Adams dominate the maternity scenes and the earth shall be in utter desolation.As Eve and Eve exchange marital vows) A new dawn where equal chances will be given to all and this gives a resounding new hope.

    In part two, the poet opens it in a rhythmic flow of a sequence of words with My Golden Pen, which eulogises the wonders a pen can perform in the hand of a writer. Adesina affirms: “When my pen is on duty. Mountains are subdued and great storms are stilled”.

    Undoubtedly, the author proclaims his love for Africa ‘In mother Tongue’ the longest poem in the book where he celebrates the African mother tongues as against the Queens English and the many joys of the mother tongue.

    In Black is beautiful’, My native name’, Africa my Beauty and ‘The African spirit’, he encourages readers to embrace Africa’s rich cultural values. In this section, Adesina also pays tribute to Mandela, the city of Lagos and Afro-beat king,Fela Anikulapo Kuti with his ground breaking song, ‘I no be gentleman at all’ (I no be gentleman at all…/Na so baba Fela talk am/ I be African man original/ I no dey pretend/ E dey for my blood).

    In part three, he takes off from his primary assignment with Memos to Friends’ addressing the US president, Barak Obama, To A Son-in-law, To A Slave master and an Ode to a Known Stranger.

    In part four of the book, the poet shares his memory of Jos, re-affirming his love for motherland in ‘Bleached’ and the need to return home irrespective of the urge to see the world (I am proud of my colour. Black bold and beautiful) ‘Abdul Mutallab’ indentifies the desire to elope to another land “for a better life” and bring back “The glories of my sweat, my labour and my pains to motherland to enjoy forever”.

    (To die in the cold I will never pray… I am an African I don’t commit suicide. Abdul mutallab your offer I reject. Back to motherland I go in peace).

    The final part of the book is in rememberance of the earthquake victims in Haiti, 2009 with the poem, Agony of a friend.

    With a clever use of metaphors, imageries and other poetic devices, the poet arranges the flow of the poems in a position of the richness of the African culture and pointing out the issues affecting the black race.

  • East meets West documentary

    “Crocodile in the Yangtze” is a film that tells a story of how China’s first Internet entrepreneur and former English teacher Jack Ma battled the United States giant, ‘eBay’ to build China’s first global Internet Company, Alibaba Group.

    The “documemoir”, written, directed and produced by an American, Porter Erisman, who worked in Ma’s Company for eight years, captures the ups and downs of life in a ‘Chinese Internet world’ between 1995 and 2009 when the Internet brought China face-to-face with the West.

    An English Language film, Crocodile in the Yangtze is a compilation of period footage shot in the 1990s-2000s in Hangzhou, China. Film editor Giuseppe De Angelis spent hours editing the footage into a comprehensive and smooth film drawing on 200 hours of archival footage filmed by over 35 sources.

    Erisman followed his heart to China and spent ten years living and working there. He worked as a Vice President at Alibaba.com and Alibaba Group in Hangzhou, China between 2000 and 2008. It is clear from the film that Erisman was a truly integrated and respected member of the Alibaba family. In several scenes, he and Jack shared the glory of the developments in the company.

    It is incredible to consider how this footage was captured in real-time and preserved. But, according to Erisman, a camera was always rolling behind the scenes at Alibaba’s, from the earliest days of the company’s formation. The film contains childhood photos of Ma as a small boy and his personal journey from English teacher to a global business leader. It also shows Erisman as a young boy in the US and later as a young adult in China, telling the story of what brought him to Alibaba and what caused him to want to stay.

    The story rolls forward on a double lane: Alibaba thrives in a time when social, economic and technological transformation are happening in China and the outside world watches Alibaba with a careful eye, finally realising its strength.

    In addition to behind-the-scenes footage, Erisman and De Angelis weaved in archival news coverage of reporters on Wall Street interviewing Ma and assessing his company to potential investors. It is interesting to watch the narrative about Alibaba’s change over time within the financial media.

    The film is more than an account of the history of a Chinese internet company. It gives a truly inside perspective on internal meetings and private conversations between Ma and his team, capturing the triumphs, but also repeated struggles to turn a profit.

    It mirrors how Ma led Alibaba to startup the business in a small apartment which later grew into a global company of more than 16,000 staff.

    One of Erisman’s goals in making this film was to inspire young entrepreneurs with a dream. As the film chronicles, Ma was originally trained as an English teacher, with no background in computer science or business. For that reason, his story is one about a simple man with a dream. That relatability makes this film accessible to everyone.

    Konga.com has hosted the technology business community to a special screening of the film documentary. Konga believes that the year will be a promising and rewarding year for the Nigerian technology and business eco-systems, not only because there will be growth, but because these sectors will provide solutions to Nigerians at large.

  • Seraph Voices in glorious celebration

    Seraph Voices in glorious celebration

    It was a carnival of praise at the Choirs Day of the C and S Movement Church in Surulere, Lagos. The event will c linger in the memory of those who witnessed it.

    The Seraph Voices, as the choir is called, demonstrated their love for God by praising and worshipping Him in one voice, in one accord, in English and various Nigeria languages, and with diverse instruments.

    The show, with the theme Heirs of the Covenant, was a celebration of theatre praise and worship in Lord’s house. A large crowd filled the large tent erected on the church premises. The choir performance was inspiring and soul lifting, drawing tears from men.

    The stage was a sight to behold. The choir, estimated to be 5,000 used digital techniques, graphics and light effects to beautify the stage and enhance the plays and songs. There were Plasma televisions on the wall for those far from the stage to watch the show.

    Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr Oludeyi Coker, who represented the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Kayode Opeyemi said: “The commissioner wants to felicitate with the church of God, he is thanking God for this programme which he believes has been a source of blessing to everyone because is a time of praises and time of thanksgiving to God and God dowels in the presents of his people, he is using the event to thank God for His Grace in his life, his family and work.

    “He also wants all Christians to live their lives as Disciples of Christ, to live our lives in faith and in the strength that we have in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, a name given to us whereby all men will be saved. In that respect he believes one with e are God his peace which incidentally is the message of restoration will always continue to be with us in Lagos and Nigeria.”

    Though the church is a white-garment one, the choir dazzled  with an array of colourful attires and beautiful costumes. “It is because we want to carry everyone along,” said the general choirmaster, Prophet Sunday Korode.

    “What we are doing today is a buildup of what we did at 40th anniversary. I saw ourselves through the wilderness of life into the land of Canaan and have gotten to the land we have to inhabit our occupation and as we do we are also going to face normal life experience of temptation, problems and hazards but because we are socked in the covenant we are now talking about all of us that has landed in that Canaan land as Heirs of the Covenant; and it is the covenant celebrated literarily, trying to remind everybody that is not by your power that you got into Canaan and when you arrive at Canaan you must appreciate God.

    And he is a covenant-keeping God but we have obligations and responsibilities under that covenant and that is what we are trying to show in the graphic presentation of the various drama presented today.

    Korode urged Christians not to lose guard and ensure that they focus on the goal on staying well and staying alive for salvation with the covenant of God. “The world of God is our basis, the Bible is our dictionary for all forms of references to pick what we want and then we look at environment in which we live to really look at how this environment can affect and afflict believers, what you can take out of it, how you can enjoy the blessings, how you can get rid of the causes those are the things that count,” Korode stated.

  • Seoul: The living soul of asia

    Seoul: The living soul of asia

    Penultimate weekend I was in Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, on the invitation of the Korea Foundation as a guest of the foundation and the Korean government. The visit which was under the auspices of the Korea Foundation invitation programme for prominent and distinguished guests in culture for the year, had invitation extended to 11 countries, including Nigeria. Other countries represented at the event were the Sultanate of Oman, Kuwait, Panama, the People’s Republic China, United Arab Emirates, the People’s Republic Bangladesh, Guatemala, Israel, and Iran. One or two persons represented each country, I represented Nigeria at the event, and incidentally the only African delegate to the event.

    The invitation for eminent and distinguished persons in culture is the brain child of Korea Foundation. Since its establishment in 1991 by Korea, the Foundation has been promoting mutual understanding, interaction, cooperation and friendship between the good peoples of Korea and other nations through various educative and highly informative international exchange programs.

    Within the scope of these events, the Foundation invites prominent individuals from abroad who have distinguished themselves in various professional fields to visit Korea and have the opportunity to meet with their Korean counterparts, share knowledge and expertise, network and seek future meaningful and enduring collaborative initiatives, and familiarise themselves with Korean culture and society.

    The week long visit to Korea was an eye opener to me, as I saw a people and country determined and resolved in their quest to develop by providing necessary infrastructure, giving meaning to the lives of its citizenry and determined to influence and make positive impact in the world space. Right from Seoul Incheon International Airport on arrival, I had a fresh breath in my interaction with warm and very friendly Koreans. The airport is extremely beautiful and one of the best in the world that I have had the opportunity to see. Without the fear of sounding immodest, I have seen an airport too many all over the world, so I can be as assertive as I am trying to. The structure, neatness, security, workability of facilities and courteous ground staff at the airport were out of this world, and simply put were incredibly charming and inviting. What I saw at the airport on arrival and the impression I left there with actually prepared me for the great places and persons I visited and met while in Seoul, the beautiful and captivating city of Korea……In short, Korea is alive and moving in a positive direction.

    The invitation program for distinguished guests in culture to Korea entailed visits by delegates to very important and notable art and culture institutions, interaction with practitioners in the arts and related fields, lectures and selected tours. Institutions visited by delegates included the Korean Broadcasting Service, Seoul Arts Center, the Korean Folk Village, Korean National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organsation(UNESCO), the National Museum of Korea, Namsan Park-N Seoul Tower, the National Theatre of Korea, the Digital Media City (DMC), the Arts Council of Korea, the Korea Foundation Cultural Centre, the World Cup Stadium and the Palace at Hanok Village amongst others.

    The visits to the Korean Broadcasting Service (KBS) and Korean Foundation were another eye opener as they revealed how Korea, deliberately using the platform of arts and culture attracted and captured the world’s attention to its culture and made it irresistible to all. At these venues, the delegates were given a lecture on the Korean Wave of globalisation and cultural exchange as exemplified in Winter Sonata, a Korean drama which has changed the view of many of Korea in South East Asia in particular and the world in general, and Gangnam Style by Psy. Winter Sonata added value of 4 billion USD to the Korean economy in the first year. An estimated figure of over 1.9 billion You Tube view (the most ever) was enjoyed by Gangnam Style by Psy all over the world. The Korean Wave which started from Korean drama is now reaching new shores and expanding to K-pop, thanks to the internet. You Tube has facilitated the consumption and distribution of the contents which enabled people to watch TV programs on the very next day of their broadcast in Korea. In this way, the Korean Wave is expanding from Asia to the whole world.

    The visit by the delegates to the National Museum of Korea, apart from it being situated in a large expanse of land and a magnificent building was refreshingly inspiring, informative and educative. The museum has 11galleries filled with more than 1,400 precious works donated to the National Museum of Korea by various benefactors from the world. Five rooms displayed around 830 art works and cultural objects gathered from Asia, featuring pieces that reflect the universal aspects of Asian culture while simultaneously representing the unique characteristics of each country. Seven rooms displayed 710 finest specimens of Buddhist culture, metal arts and ceramics.

    The Digital Media City (DMC) is a state-of-the-art digital media entertainment cluster, which is located in Sangom-dong on a large expense of land. The Digital Media City is another Hollywood, California in the making in Asia, as it is planned to be the next business and entertainment hub of the world. It will greatly contribute to Korea’s positioning in the knowledge-based market of the 21st century through its advance IT, human  resources and entertainment capacities already  demonstrated  in the global phenomenon called Korean Wave.

    The Korean Folk Village simply put is the conscious transfer of ancient Korea into modernity, a perfect blend of the very old and new in terms of culture and architecture. A typical village of the Joseon period has been created on a 245-acre site regarded as a propitious location according to the principles of Feng Shui, with a river flowing in front of it and a mountain behind it. With 260 traditional Korean houses which have been relocated from the various regions of Korea, exhibition space and, performance arena. It is indeed the re-enactment of the ancient way of life of Korea. The Korean Folk Village was a delight and beauty to behold and speaks volume about the positive fusion of ancient and modern in the cultural evolution of Korea. It provides an opportunity for Korean children to experience and learn the culture of their ancestors first hand; and equally promote traditional Korean culture to both domestic and international visitors.

    The Seoul Arts Center is an architectural masterpiece and an imposing structure. With its stylish architecture in the shape of a gat (a traditional Korean hat made of bamboo and house chair). The Opera house opened in 1993 to become the first culture complex in the country. Across six floors, the Opera House is equipped with plenty of space and top-notch facilities for performers and workers.

    This article will be termed incomplete by many without the mention of “Arirang” and “Soju” as they occupy very prominent positions in Korean culture. Arirang is a quintessential Korean Folk song that is loved by Koreans living all over the world. Hundred of variations of the song have been sung over the generations. The flexibility of the lyrics have allowed “Arirang” to transcend time, by offering a powerful sense of freedom and self-expression to the singer. Although the song is quite easy to learn, it is far from simple, as it embodies the soul, spirit and culture of Korea.

    In December 2012, UNESCO inscribed “Arirang” on the Representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, affirming the song’s status as an intangible cultural asset of the entire world.

    To anyone visiting Korea, the average Korean will always inquire if you had tasted “Soju” at lunch or dinner. Soju is a traditional distilled drink made from rice, it is unique with a distinct flavour of its own that so quickly captures the hearts of consumers. Koreans love Soju and are very proud of its quality as they affirm that it is the best drink in the world. The Koreans equally have a unique drinking habit. Drinking alone is quite a rare sight in Korea. Drinking customs in Korea are very passionate and in groups, as if it is to prove the notion that alcohol can strengthen the collective spirit, bonding and solidarity. This is how the distinctive Korean custom of after-work get–together drinking sessions got started. Can a Korean really do without Soju?

    On the slope of Mt. Namsan are the Namsan Park and the Seoul Tower, a landmark which offers an unobstructed panoramic view of Seoul as a city. The tower located in the heart of Seoul, houses an observatory from where you can see Seoul in its entirety, and the space is consciously bringing art and technology together. From the observatory, any visitor can behold and savour the beauty and the very alluring architecture and landscape of Seoul. Indeed, Seoul is beautiful, captivating and a city everyone should visit in a life time.

    In all, my Korean experience was thrilling and rewarding as I developed a network of accomplished art and culture practitioners, ready for meaningful and beneficial collaborations to involving parties. I now know more about the Korean culture and its very widely acknowledged successful approach for reaching and influencing other parts of the world. I can safely say that the Korea Foundation public diplomacy initiatives of helping develop expertise while building solid foundation of cooperation and friendship is working very well and worthy of emulation by others especially those from the developing countries.

     

    • Ogbechie is with the National Council for Arts and Culture, Abuja.

  • Badagry monarch lauds tourism boss

    Badagry monarch lauds tourism boss

    THE Oba of Badagry, De Wheno Aholu Menu-Toyi I, Oba Babatunde Akran, has described the domestic tourism promotion agenda of the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo, as an incontestable way to promote Nigeria’s tourism and boost the nation’s economy.

    The monarch said: “Sally Mbanefo is hitting the nail on the head with the promotion of domestic tourism. This was what the government of Japan did some years ago with a law stopping Japanese from traveling out of the country for holidays. It paid off. It did not only endear Japanese to their country and the tourist attractions therein, but it also wooed foreigners to the country and developed their economy.”

    Oba Akran spoke last Saturday during a courtesy visit by the NTDC boss to his palace.

    “Domestic tourism remains the best approach to promote Nigeria’s tourism and better the lots of Nigeria and Nigerians. Hence, the NTDC boss should be well-mobilised and supported by every stakeholder in the industry to achieve her domestic tourism promotion cause, which in turn will boost our economy, hearten peace and unity, drastically reduce social vices and woo hosts of foreign tourists to our country,” he added.

    The monarch, who described the NTDC boss’ visit as momentous, as the visit coincided with his 37th coronation anniversary, noted that Mbanefo is the first director-general of the NTDC to come to Badagry to appreciate the tourist sites in the town  to champion their promotion.

    Mrs Mbanefo, who congratulated the Akran of Badagry on his 37th peaceful reign and prayed for more fulfilling years for him, said tourism will enable Nigerians know the country, appreciate the many tourist attractions in the country, appreciate its various fascinating cultures, and attract foreigners to the country.

    This, according to her, will have a positive reflection on the economy.

    She described her visit to Badagry as part of her ongoing visit to the geo-political zones in the country to know the tourists’ sites in the states, “assess how to develop and promote them to encourage Nigerians and foreigner travel within Nigeria”. This, according to her, will immensely benefit the nation and her good people.

    Mrs Mbanefo described Badagry as the first tourist site in Lagos. She added: “There is no way the history of Nigeria will be written without prominently mentioning Badagry, where Christianity was first preached in 1842 by Revd Thomas Birch Freeman, where the first Christmas was held in Nigeria, where the first church, the first primary school and the first storey building, just to mention a few, were located in Nigera.”

    The Akran of Badagry while presenting a gift of coconut to the NTDC boss, prayed that God should give her Solomonic wisdom to achieve her lofty dream for the tourism subsector, which will make Nigeria stand tall in the comity of nations and enrich her people.

    “Sally, you are a symbol of Nigeria tourism. It is, no doubt, with your strides since you assumed office that you meant business with the promotion of domestic tourism. Therefore, I pray that God will endowed you with the wisdom to practically develop and promote domestic tourism in Nigeria,” the monarch said.

    The monarch also presented the NTDC boss with the Badagry Pilgrimage Certificate, which, according to him, is not given to every Tom, Dick and Harry, but patriots, who meant well for the nation and the town.

    The Badagry Ambassador of Tourism and founder of African Renaissance, Hon. Olaide Mesewaku, described the appointment of Mrs Mbanefo as the NTDC director-general as a round peg in a round hole, adding that she is poised to record more successes than her predecessors.

  • Redemption of Africa (ll)

    Redemption of Africa (ll)

    (A review of Wole Soyinka’s Harmattan Haze on an African Spring)

    Politics of exclusion, intra and inter-country boundary problems, lust for power, warped ideology, etc. are identified as the heart of the crises plaguing the continent in the book. While underscoring the place of “strict adherence to democratic justice” in resolving most of the myriads of convulsions threatening the continent, the blind defence of these European-created boundaries of death certainly demand interrogation: “Is it truly in the interest of the occupants of that continent that the present boundaries are being consolidated, defended, held so inviolate that the population of the continent is routinely decimated, millions maimed and incapacitated for life, vast hectares of farm land rendered useless by liberally sown anti-personnel mines? Youths are robbed of their innocence and their humanity, as the continent becomes the corrupted playground of boy soldiers. In short, what price is worth paying for the illusion of boundaries and ‘sovereignty’?”

    To clear any misconception, the playwright-historian is not advocating the disintegration of the present nation entities. In fact, a proper interrogation could even lead to the opposite – amalgamation. The point is where such horrendous human conflict is traceable to this product of European fictioning, as in the case of Sudan, “Where this is seen clearly to be the case, and internal instability of a costly dimension evidently derives from such impositions, common sense urges that, at the very least, the basis for such amalgamations be revisited with a view to ascertaining where precisely lies the will of the people themselves, acting in freedom.”

    The criminality of the Janjaweed, under the banner of impunity, really troubled the human rights activist and he devoted a lot of attention to it. South Sudan eventually gained its independence after the publication of this book but then what does one make of the current internecine upheavals in the new country? I think the answer to the situation could be located in Soyinka’s lecture during his investiture as Awo Laureate on March 7, 2013: WINDING DOWN HISTORY: RELIGION AND NATION, POWER AND FREEDOM.

    One then comes to the conclusion that, whereas there are no absolutes in any propositions, it seems the path of “democratic justice” , as enunciated by the author, can be the best of all the alternatives as a way of restoring our humanity in Africa. The sanctity of the rule of law, constitutional provisions that safeguard the interest of minorities and entrenchment of democratic norms such as free and fair elections, all within the structures of government most suitable for different countries based on their cultural, economic and socio-political realities – federal, confederal or unitary. But admittedly, these can only be achieved through interrogation of the present in an atmosphere perfumed with burning passion for justice. Restructuring, either of the structures of government, forms of government or power relations, seems inevitable across the African continent.

    If I may add in passing; in Nigeria, for instance, the present unitary system disguised as federalism must be dumped without further ado. The aim of dividing the country into three regions, each with a regional council in 1947, according to the then governor of colonial Nigeria, Sir Arthur Richards, was “To create a political system… within which the diverse elements, may progress at varying speeds, amicably and smoothly, towards a more closely integrated economic, social and political unity, without sacrificing the principles and ideals in their divergent ways of life.” Inherent in this submission was federalism. Again at the Ibadan General Conference, preparatory to the promulgation of Macpherson Constitution of 1951, the question on the structure of Nigeria was asked: “Do we wish to see a fully centralised system with all legislative and executive powers concentrated at the centre, or do we wish to develop a federal system under which each different region of the country would exercise a measure of internal autonomy?” The London Conference of 1953 and Lagos Conference of 1954 that followed emphasised a full-blown federal constitution, which was later captured in the Lyttleton Constitution of 1954 and Independence Constitution of 1960… Now that history has come full circle in Nigeria, we need to return to the bequest of our founding fathers – federalism.

    In Harmattan Haze on an African Spring, Wole Soyinka (WS) also holds that the redemption of African spirituality, indeed, Africa and the world lies in the embrace of the doctrines of Orisa. “Thus, for all seekers after peace and security of true community, and the space of serenity that enables the quest after Truth… we urge yet again the simple path that was travelled from the soil of the Yoruba, across the Atlantic landmass to contiguous nations, across the hostile oceans to the edge of the world in the Americas – Go to the Orisa, learn from the Orisa, and be wise.”

    What WS presented in this book is an exegesis of Orisa worship. The Babalawo (traditional healer/diviner), the equivalent of a Bishop or Imam is “the wistful embodiment of all that is missing in the political life of a continent.” Ifa, the equivalent of Bible or Koran, according to WS, “emphasises for us the perpetual elasticity of knowledge. Ifa’s tenets are governed by a frank acknowledgment of the fact that the definition of Truth is a goal that is constantly being sought by humanity, that existence itself is a passage to ultimate truth, and that claimants to possession of the definitiveness of knowledge are, in fact, the greatest obstacles to the attainment of Truth.”

    He rejects the tag of paganism often placed on believers of Orisa by Christianity and Islam and cautioned that these traditional religions should not be conflated with cults. “The accommodative spirit of the Yoruba gods (Ogun, Esu, Oya, Sopona, Sango, etc) remains the eternal bequest to a world that is riven by the spirit of intolerance, of xenophobia and suspicion,” he submits.

    WS spoke of the “beneficent gods and their potencies, their curative and fortifying interventions…the combative, even malevolent, who can be invoked to work against the enemy,” citing the reference by a former head of state after a visit to Mandela in prison to the potency of these traditional powers: “Where is our egbe? Where is our onde? Where is our famed juju to take out these perpetrators of hideous injustice on our own soil?”

    Rightly or wrongly, the question cannot escape the attention of a reader, let alone a reviewer: Why did these traditional powers not work against the intruders, including their religions on the continent of Africa?  The dramatist is a faithful of the Orisa but is he a worshiper in any shrine? This certainly is another conundrum.

    In summary, we cannot but agree with our erudite scholar that religion should be an evocation and constitute “the spice of life, not the trigger of strife.”

    The culture icon made a strong case for the efficacy and potency of traditional medicine, citing a haunting instance where the latter had come to the rescue of orthodox/western medicine. Harmattan Haze on an African Spring is a treasure trove, controversial to boot in some aspects.

    Finally, WS urged that the questioning of cultures and social norms within the concept of what is globally acceptable or fundamental human rights is a categorical imperative. Cultural relativism or respect for other cultures should be within such a context. You cannot say because in your own culture, the toe of the first born must be cut or that girls must not go to school, therefore I have to respect such.

    Of course, this lucubration cannot but contain some errors – the ritual every reviewer must perform. “African past and present” is given as “African past and presence” on page 19. Berlin Treaty of Partition of Africa took place in 1885, not 1881 as provided on page 50. “…is one of my favourite” should have been “favourites” on page 98; “it serves” is typed as “it serve” on page 196.

    Through the exploration in Harmattan Haze on an African Spring, Prof Wole Soyinka, my intellectual avatar, has once again reiterated the immensity and polyvalence of his knowledge. He has sown a seed on a fertile ground, which should sprout to produce “a new breed of explorers for the relay race towards a deeply craved Age of Universal Understanding – African inspired.”

     

    •Soyombo, is an Abeokuta-based journalist

  • Mothering Sunday in Jonathan’s hometown

    Mothering Sunday in Jonathan’s hometown

    It was their day. Women worshippers in the President’s family church, St. Stephen’s Church, Otuoke Deanery in Bayelsa State, came gorgeously dressed for this year’s “Mothering Sunday”. EVELYN OSAGIE writes on the event which attracted Otueke indigenes from home and abroad.

    The classic song by highlife maestro, the late Nico Mbarga, “Sweet Mother, I no go forget you, for the suffer wey you suffer for me o!…” rent the air as men, women and children went about exchanging gifts and pleasantaries. Yet, it was no party. The celebrators were mothers who have served their families and society.

    It was their day and women worshippers in President Goodluck Jonathan’s family church in Otuoke, Bayelsa State turned out in large numbers to mark “Mothering Sunday”. Sons and daughters of the town trouped home for the event.

    The yearly feast, celebrates the importance of motherhood to the family and society.

    It was the women’s day of glory and they showed they knew what it meant to look good. They had set out to outdo one another in their dressings and the gifts they shared. Many wore white blouses and green and blue wrappers that bore emblem of the Anglican Church Women Guild, made specifically for the occasion.

    They had matching scarves and shoes. Others came in different eye-popping attires. The men and children were not left out: they were also gaily dressed. The event drew notable personalities, including the Obenema of Otuoke, Lot Ogiasa, Oke X; Bayelsa State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Sarafina Otazi; Dr Celina Eze; the biological sister of President Goodluck Jonathan, Madam Obebtiatein Jonathan, among others.

    There was a shower of gifts. People, young and old, moved from one row to the other dishing out all sorts of gifts to the women.

    There was no discrimination. Even though this reporter was not a member of the church, she got a fair share of the gifts. She left with a bag full of gifts.

    It was a refreshing turn of event for the reporter, having been initialy stopped at the entrance by an usher, who bombarded her with questions.

    “Who invited you?” “Who did you come to see?” he asked.

    Wondering if there was a problem with her dotted white-and-black kneel-length gown or cream hat or if it was the church custom to treat visitors that way, she answered: “I was invited by a friend.” He took down the friend’s name and had ran off to confirm her claim, but not without saying: “Wait here,” before leaving.

    Stunned and amused at the same time, the children’s presentation calm her nerves and she resolved not to allow anyone spoil her mood. The day started on a refreshing mood. It rained heavily that morning cooling the hot Otuoke’s air.

    “I am sorry, please follow me,” came the voice that jolted her back to reality.

    As he led the way, she wondered if all guests were given such “close watch”.

    There was a brief announcement calling those paticipating in the dramatic performance to get set as the reporter sat down just in time to listen to Mrs Elizabeth Amangala give the New Testament reading taken from II Timothy 1:3-7 in which Apostle Paul enjoins Timothy “to stir up the gifts of God in him” while citing his mother and grandmother as worthy mentors. The women drama drove home the role of mothers in the life of a child, family and society.

    For the Vicar’s wife, Mrs Ipoton Eli, women are the bedrock of the family; and as such should live up to their responsibilities. Her submission was taken from Proverbs 31:10 to the end that urges women to build their homes rather than destroy it.

    According to her, Mothering Sunday is not only set aside by the church to celebrate motherhood but also “women of virtue”. While speaking of the importance of motherhood, she listed the qualities of a good mother, which she termed a “virtuous woman”, urging women, paricularly mothers to imbibe the qualities listed therein.

    She said: “The success of your home is in your hands. Whether it is to succeed or not, you have a role to play. Don’t leave everything to your husband. You need to walk together with your husband to raise your children. We saw in the drama what the end of a mother who abandons her family and one who does not is.

    “While one was cursed by her children at the end; the other received blessing and lived to enjoy the fruit of her labour. Let us lead our children alright. Only then can we receive the blessing of being a virtuous woman as we read in the Bible which says: ‘Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come’.”

    Mrs Otazi reiterated the Vicar’s wife words, urging women to be dedicated to God in their actions and service to Him. She said: “In the first Sunday of March I was here, and the Vicar said the Bishop had said that our “God is a God of impossibilities” and that with “Him nothing is impossible”.

    Today, the Vicar’s wife preached that women should do away with characters that will not allow them make progress by supporting the men to take care of the family. “If we serve a God of impossibilities, I think all we will need to do is to ensure we live rightly, do away with characters and behaviours that allow us to make progress and support our men for the development of the family,” she said.

    Madam Jonathan advised mothers to do all to give their children a better life, saying a true mother is one who cares for her children.

    “I believe one of the lessons the day holds is for mothers to live up to their responsibilities in ensuring that their children are well-taken care of. And mothers should support the efforts of their husbands. They should struggle to see that they do not allow their children to suffer.

    “My mother was like that, even though we were poor, my mother never allowed us to starve. She supported our father and worked hard to make sure we had food on the table. I think all mothers should be that way.”

    The speeches were followed with a thanksgiving service. The women danced out in style in appreciation of God’s goodness, while donating a blue canopy to the church. “The blue canopy is symbolic of the presence of God in the family and home,” said Mrs Eli. The day ended with an exchange of gifts. Children and men were seen presenting gifts to their mothers and wives along with other women.