Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

For several years, Ndigbo in Lagos have been celebrating the New Yam Festival through which they make statements about who they are. Each year’s celebration has its peculiarities and with the usual razzmatazz.

They celebrate the New Yam  as one of the cultural events for which they are known. This year’s event was held at the Lagos State Igbo Community Centre on Nwachukwu Drive, Okota in Isolo Local Council Development Area of Lagos State had the usual idiosyncrasies associated with previous celebrations.

However, the presence of the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Hon. Mudashiru Obasa who was represented by the Ogbuhuru Uzo Ndigbo of Lagos State High Chief Solomon Chukwu, the member representing Oshodi/Isolo State Constituency 11 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Jude Emeka Omobowale Idimogu; the National Chairman of Inter-tribal Leaders’ Association of Nigeria (ITLAN),  Igwe Boniface Ibekwe, the Eze Ndigbo of Kano,  the National Leader of ITLAN, the Sarkin Hausawa of Agege  Alhaji Musa Muhammed Dogonkadai, Uche Egenti the Eze Ndigbo of Abuja and member Governing Board of Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Sarkin Hausawa of Ikotun Alhaji Nuhu Alhassan, Sarkin Hausawa of Shasha Alhaji Ilya Isah Kira, first President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo of Lagos State Chief John Uche the Akpatinsiegbe, the President, Nigeria National Association, the Netherlands (Ugoeze Ndigbo 1) Chief (Lady) Evelyn Azih; Eze Ndigbo of Etiosa Local Government Area Eze Gerald Onuchukwu; Chairman on the occasion and Professor of Linguistics, African and Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts University of Lagos (UNILAG) Mazi Chigozie Bright Nnabuihe; Ezeugo 1 of Awo Ohii Dim Atta Autonomous Community in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State His Royal Highness Eze (Sir) Noel Chikaodinaka Chukwunenye; Nwanne Dinamba of Ndigbo Chief George Etukudo; Ugochimereze of Ndigbo Chief Offor Uche, among others, gave this year’s cultural event which held at the Lagos State Igbo Community Centre on Nwachukwu Drive, Okota in Isolo area of Lagos State, a national outlook.

The Chairman of the event Mazi Nnabuihe, Chigozie Bright said: “We gather here to perform the New Yam Festival (Iri ji) which is one of the greatest Igbo traditions. God gave Ndigbo yam and cocoyam for their well-being.

On the significance of the day and the place of yam in Igbo culture and tradition, Mazi Nnabuihe, a Professor of Linguistics, African and Asian Studies, Faculty of Arts the University of Lagos (UNILAG) narrated how the festival began.

He said: “God created people and gave them special peculiarities. God that created the Igbo gave them the wisdom to organise the socio-cultural advancement of the East. The Igbo were the first to lay the socio-cultural foundation in Africa.

“It is unfortunate that the cultures and traditions of the Igbo that are so populous in Africa are becoming extinct. It is regrettable that one is alive but one’s cultural ethos is on its last legs.

“We are here to celebrate one of the greatest cultural festivals in Igbo land which is the new yam. You identify a people by their culture, tradition and language.

Since  then, the spirit of Ahiajoku became the god of yam. In the circumstances, whatever an Igbo man does, if he hasn’t planted yams, he is not regarded as a mature Igbo. In the same manner, whatever an Igbo woman does without planting cocoyam, she is not regarded as a fully-fledged woman. The myth of Ahiajoku is re-enacted during the New Yam Festival each year.”

Welcoming his guests to the event, Eze Nwachukwu noted that the year 2021 has been an eventful one.  Preaching peace and unity among the ethnic nationalities in Nigeria, Eze Nwachukwu enjoined all to regard others as brothers and sisters.

He said: “The Igbo should see the Yoruba and Hausa and members of other ethnic nationalities as their brothers and sisters, even as the Yoruba, Hausa and other ethnic nationalities should see the Igbo as their brothers and sisters. With this, the long-sought-for unity of the country will be realised.”

On the import of the day, Eze Nwachukwu said: “In traditional Igbo society, the yam crop is regarded as the king of crops. Yam represents peace, unity, love and harmony. It also represents equity, justice, fair play, good governance, and productivity.

Nwachukwu revealed that the Igbo constitute a significant percentage of the population of Lagos State.

“The Igbo are very industrious and peaceful. That informs their active participation in the development drives of their host communities. This assertion is made manifest in the actions and activities of Ndigbo who live in Lagos.”

He thanked the government and people of Lagos State for being good hosts, promising that Ndigbo will always be alive to their civic responsibility and obligation to the Lagos State Government.

“Today’s event is also a showcase for the Inter-tribal Traditional Leaders’ Association of Nigeria (ITLAN) to extend its hands of friendship across all the 36 states of the federation and the FCT Abuja in promoting peace, unity, forgiveness, reconciliation, and love among all ethnic communities co-existing in Nigeria where equity, justice and fair play exist among all,” Eze Nwachukwu said.

Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly Mudashiru Obasa, through his representative, the Ogbuhuru Uzo Ndigbo of Lagos State High Chief Solomon Chukwu, congratulated Ndigbo on their day, urging them to continue to work for the peace, unity and progress of the state.

Hon. Jude Idimogu stated that celebration of the new yam festival by the Igbo was  part of the culture for which Ndigbo are known, even as he described culture as “the characteristics and knowledge of a particular group of people, encompassing language, religion, cuisine, social habits, music and arts.”

The high point of the event was the cutting and consumption of tubers of roasted yam by participants.

In the wake of pandemic is a new normal that has brought about a paradigm shift that has added a boost to social media and virtual space. How that shift has amplified all facet of life, particularly the creative/art space, was the focus this year’s Ake Arts and Books Festival.

Since its inception in 2013, the Aké Arts and Book Festival has featured new and established writers from the African continent and its global diaspora to promote, developing and celebrating creativity, culture and the Arts on the African continent.

The festival, a yearly three-day programme, held virtually due to the pandemic that continues to disrupt global businesses and logistics for the second year. It is one of the initiatives of the Book Buzz Foundation Nigeria founded by the award-winning author and poet Lola Shoneyin.

Supported by Sterling Bank Plc since 2018, this year’s edition featured book chats, panel discussions,performances, documentaries centring on African and international writers and thinkers.

With the theme, ‘Generational discordance’, the festival, which curated five intergenerational conversations that reflected its theme, was headlined by the Nobel laureate Prof. Abdulrazak Gurnah and Booker-Prize shortlisted author, Maaza Mengiste.

The festival featured Mengiste in a conversation with Prof. Gurnah at its ‘The Life and Times Series’ event.

Gurnah, a Tanzanian author, spoke about the invasion of East Africa and noted that until recently, most conversations about colonial presence in Africa had always excluded Germany.The Nobel Laureate, however, used his novel as a medium to narrate how Germany established colonies in present-day Namibia, Cameroon, Togo, parts of Tanzania and Kenya as well as Rwanda and Burundi.

According to him, German colonial rule was as brutal as colonial enterprises were in an era known for its oppression and violence. The author, in Afterlives noted that it was Germany that perpetrated the first genocide of the 20th Century in 1904 and 1908. The genocide was part of a campaign of ethnic extermination and collective punishment waged by the German Empire against the Herero, the Name and the San in German Southwest Africa (now Namibia).

Commenting on this year’s theme, Shoneyin said the internet has amplified generational differences in almost every area of African life. “From relationships, love and marriage; spirituality and religion; gender and feminism to politics and activism, the differences in perspective are glaring. Where earlier generations of Africans are anchored to their cultural identities, our younger compatriots see themselves as a part of a globalised world. It is easy to assume that our aspirations are poles apart but they are not. Africa cannot afford the luxury of endless culture wars,” she said.

“Engagement and communication – characterised by a willingness to listen – as well as mutual respect and empathy are what will face down the retrogressive forces and the structures and systems that oppress and dehumanise us. We must eschew the sensationalism and divisive influence of digital algorithms and find a more harmonious continental rhythm that allows us to talk to, and not past, each other,” she remarked.

Meanwhile, for its support for this year’s festival, which also curated six intergenerational conversations on themes that impact our lives in very real ways, Sterling Bank Plc received commendation.

According to Shoneyin, Sterling Bank has become the code word for companies that support the Arts with sincerity of purpose. In her words: “Across the continent, cultural activists often say ‘we need a Sterling Bank. Having Sterling Bank by our side makes our heads swell. From their commitment to the belief in the transformative power of our stories and for helping us document and archive our ideas, we thank you.”

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Sterling Bank Plc, Mr Abubakar Suleiman, stated that the bank has continued its partnership with the festival because the bank believes in the transformative power of education and the arts.

He said: “Education is one of the five major sectors of the Nigerian economy that the bank is focusing investment in under its Heart of Sterling programme. The other sectors are health, agriculture, renewable energy and transportation.”

The United States Mission has supported Nigeria’s burgeoning film industry and creative community with its participation at the 10th Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF).

In addition to sponsoring two masterclasses in partnership with American Film Showcase and Global Media Makers, representatives from the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and U.S. companies including Amazon, Macro and Paramount are attending the ongoing festival to deepen their ties with the Nigerian film industry.

Delivering remarks at a reception for representatives from the Nigerian and American entertainment industries, US Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard hailed the growing U.S.-Nigeria cultural ties.

“I am proud of the U.S. Mission’s contributions to this year’s Africa International Film Festival,” Ambassador Leonard said. “Our goal is to build the capacity of emerging filmmakers on animation and post-production, two areas that could lead to tremendous growth in Nigeria’s film industry.”

“The U.S. government has long recognised the role of film in diplomacy, with its emphasis on free expression, creativity, democratic and collaborative teamwork,” Leonard added.

Founder/Executive Director, AFRIFF, Chioma Ude, offered appreciation to the U.S. Mission for being one of the major sponsors of the festival over the last five years. “We are grateful to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and the U.S. Consulat- General in Lagos for their continuing support of our efforts to build capacity of African filmmakers,” she added.

AFRIFF, an annual showcase of the world of filmmaking, with participation from local and international actors, directors, film critics, buyers, distributors, visual artists, film students, and equipment manufacturers, is taking place from November 7 to 13.

The Public Affairs Sections of the U.S. Mission in Abuja and Lagos, support programs that bring American cultural leaders to Nigeria to meet, exchange ideas and collaborate with Nigerian cultural leaders. Through these people-to-people connections, the U.S. Mission hopes to foster a deeper relationship between the people of Nigeria and the United States.

A GROUP, Excellence One United Kingdom, and Advocacy for Global Peace Forum International, have conferred some personalities with their Global Peace and Humanitarian awards.

They are Senator Istifanaus Dung Gyang and Attu Reachout Foundation.

Other awardees include former Rotary International President, Bahamas, Barry Raisin; former Minister for Women & Justice United Kingdom, MP Helen Grant; United Nations (UN) representative and former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Ambassador Josepine Ojiembo; founder, Peace Foundation, India, Mrs. Suri Namrata; Director, Rotary International Foundation, United States, John Hewko; Swiss Ambassador,

Ambassador Arthur Matti; Israel & Palestine Peace mediator, Ann Frich; End Nuclear weapon activist, Tamara Lorincz; founder, Institute for Economic Peace Australia, Stephen Killelea and Dr. Rodolfo Rivera of Italy.

Read Also: ‘Great success requires resilience’

Ambassador Esiri Ozuem, who represented Senator Gyang at the hybrid event, which brought people together from around the world, said: “The awards celebrate individuals who consistently promoted peace, provided humanitarian services and made contributions to peace building, human development, gender equality, youth empowerment, sustainable economic development, and healthcare in their communities and regions around the world.

The event also saw key decision makers discussing best practices in global peace, humanitarian assistance and community development.

The organisers thanked its partners, which included some Rotary clubs, saying there were ongoing projects and campaigns to build a culture of peace and provide humanitarian services.

Breast cancer is the number one cancer in the world with six million new cases recorded last year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said.

In Nigeria, statistics show that breast cancer is responsible for about 18 per cent of deaths caused by cancer . Many governmental and non-profit organisations have stepped forward to sensitise men and women against the disease.

One of such is the Lilly Care Foundation, an non-governmental organisation (NGO), who is passionate about the health of the common men and women in Nigeria.

With the premiere of its documentary, Tufiakwa, the foundation has intensified enlightement on breast cancer among women.

The documentary, which premiered at the Glover Memorial Hall, Lagos, featured the touching story of two cancer survivors in the country, the groundwork of the foundation as it mobilises and educates communities against breast cancer, interviews with physicians to demystify misconceptions about breast cancer as well as testaments of beneficiaries of the foundation’s innovation.

According to the Executive Producer and founder of Lilly Women’s Health, Dr. Lilian Ebuoma, the documentary is to showcase the stories of cancer survivors and correct cultural beliefs and misconceptions surrounding the ailment.

She said: “Today, through this documentary, you all bear witness to the journey of two persons who battled breast cancer in Nigeria-one early and one late. As witnesses, you are now able to testify. And through testification, you will help to identify problems which are late detections and loss of life. You now are able to proffer solution and then create empowerment through visualism of this ailment. This documentary was created to bring into visualisation, to depict what we at Lilly Health Organisation have been doing for the past three years and to showcase what our current situation is, but as well what is possible.”

Read also: Pastor Odukoya’s wife dies of cancer

Wife of Lagos State Governor Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu urged women to seek early treatment and go for mammogram to avoid late detection, as depicted in the documentary. She noted that the Lagos State Government was working together with NGOs to ensure the flattening of curve of the disease.

Dr. Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Dr. Mosunmola Oluwafunmilayo, said: “The Lagos State government is implementing a state-wide free breast anti-cancer screening which is meant for women in addition to their various programmes targeted at drastically flattening the curve of victims of cancer.  Part of the outcomes in the 21st National Women Conference of the Committee of Wives of the Lagos State Officials was a call on the government through the ministry of health stakeholders to institute policies mandating cancer screening for women and vaccination for the girl child from the age 10.

“Specifically, the council reiterated the need for more awareness, and advocacy to encourage screening so that  breast cancer for women and prostrate for men should be prevented.”

Speaking for the Ministry of Health, Lagos State, Dr. Abosede Wellington hailed the foundation for its continuous effort to create awareness for breast cancer and also for creating the documentary to share the experiences of those who have survived this very dreadful disease.

“The foundation has put together a documentary talking about the journey of women who had breast cancer: before you can do that, you must have done a lot of work in the background, working with women. I really appreciate what you have done,” she said.

Popular Nigerian artistes, Yinka Davies and Muma Gee, spiced up the event with their musical renditions. In attendance was the Permanent Secretary of Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Princess Adenike Adedoyin-Ajayi, among others.

In these days of hardship, resilience and hard work are the way out of the struggles brought about by the pandemic, so says Human Settlements Officer, Regional Office for Africa, UN-Habitat, Omoayena Odunbaku.

For Odunbaku, author of Omoh, who spoke at the virtual launch of the book to commemorate her 40th birthday, achieving great success, especially in the post-pandemic era, requires resilience, hard work and patience.

Odunbaku told her story and shared her life experiences, adding that the journey of giving the book a name was exciting.

“We started from reflection, moved to shades, because we discovered there were different shades to Omoh, then we moved to grace, we can’t hide the grace of God from everyone’s life. There is Omoh the child, Omoh the young adult, Omoh the woman and the most interesting part for me is Part Four which is Omoh the wife. This chapter contains my husband’s interview. My editor told me this is one of the most genuine ghost writing she has done because my story corroborates with what people have put in, especially the anecdotes. The anecdotes ministered to me and made me understand that it is not only in religion that we can actually minister to people but also in our day-to-day life,” she said.

As part of activities marking her celebration, Odunbaku stated that proceeds from the book would be channelled to the Gabby Yadua Foundation, an educational non-profit, founded this year, with the goal of providing enabling environment for mathematically-distinguished students from disadvantaged backgrounds attending Nigerian public schools.

According to her, she has always wanted to give back to the society. “It’s a societal effort that has brought about the person called ‘Omoh’. Everyday life is about struggles, especially for the girl child. It is important that we get out of these troubles with our head high, with dignity, with hope, with integrity,” she said.

She said this would be achieved by establishing a maths laboratory that teaches prodigies using the Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) as access points for guiding their inquiry, dialogue and critical thinking.

Read Also: Seplat: Touching lives through CSR

Guests, including her siblings (Mr Alfred Yadua, Dena and Bridget Yadua), praised her generosity, recounting that she has been selfless from childhood.

Former High Commissioner of Nigeria to Kenya, Ambassador Friday Okai, described the author as a friendly, bold respective, helpful very intelligent, a genuine person in character and relationship. “I saw the best part of her in 2016 when we drafted Habitat 3, the latest document on Human Settlement, The New Urban Agenda. She and other colleagues worked very hard in drafting and endorsing the documents at the highest level.”

Sandra Zawedde, a colleague with United Nations Economic Commission for Africa UNECA, said the author is a great colleague, “who goes out of her way to help people”.

Justice Nkemdilim Izuako, who did an overview of the book, said it is simple and easy to read.  She said the book has 359 pages and it spoke about everything, which the author is today. This book brings home certain crucial messages. The path we tend to reject may bring out the best in us. Secondly, hard work and resilience can take someone to great heights. Love is the glue that holds us together. Everybody should read the book, young or old, it is very inspiring.

The event also had in attendance, a professor of Urban Planning, University of Lagos, (UNILAG), Taibat Lawanson and Prof. Samuel Iyiola Oni of the Geography Department UNILAG and the author’s hubby, Mr Olayinka Odunbaku, among others.

Lawanson, who is also her mentor, said: “Our relationship has blossomed and because of the connection, I am a member of the Yadua family. I encouraged her to continue with her PhD programme when she was about giving up. She is passionate about her goals and people. Most importantly, she is still evolving.’’

Oni described the author as diligent, and calm. She relates well with people. She stands for positive thought and she is a reliable and consistent innovative and creative young scholar who has grown into an identifiable status. She has a passion for sustainable development.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has for years presented opportunities for companies to positively impact the lives of people in communities where they operate. In any form CSR presents itself, the objective is to ensure that the society becomes a better place for the company and the people. To this end, Seplat Energy Plc is determined to impact the lives of pupils with the PEARLs quiz, which it implements in collaboration with the Ministry of Education in the Delta and Edo states, writes EVELYN OSAGIE.

In any form corportate social responsibility (CSR) presents itself, the objective remains to ensure that the society becomes a better place for the company and the people.

To promote better and quality life in its host communities, Seplat Energy Plc., an operator in the energy space, has taken bold and practical steps to redefine CSR. The moves have brought positive feedback from the host communities.

Such moves include executing projects that cost millions of naira and also meet Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) and international best practice. One such is Seplat’s PEARLs Quiz for secondary schools’ pupils in Edo and Delta states.

Seplat Energy began the PEARLs quiz empowerment initiative in secondary schools in its host states with an all-round curriculum quiz contest in 2012, after it made a major debut in the oil and gas industry.

Seplat Energy had targeted rural and urban schools to improve the educational standards of students. The objective of the programme was to enhance academic performance, particularly in the host states and Nigeria.

Participation for the programme has been made accessible to all secondary schools in Edo and Delta states and the competition holds at the school level along the line of the senatorial zones and ends at the state level to determine the winners.

The quiz contest comprises selected questions in various subjects following approved school curricula. At the end of the final stage, the first three top performing schools and the winning students are rewarded with various prizes.

The PEARLs Quiz, implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, in the states, is expected to stimulate healthy competition among schools in the designated area, encourage learning and reward outstanding academic performance.

The 10th Seplat Energy Pearls Quiz was held at the Government House, Asaba, Delta State with Peniel Academy, Boji Boji Owa, Agbor, Delta State emerging the winner.

Two Edo State secondary schools Pioneer Education Centre and Igbinedion Education Centre, both in Benin City, clinched the second and third positions.

While Peniel Academy coasted home with the star prize of N7 million, it also got a trophy and the three students that represented it got N100,000 each; Pioneer Education Centre took the second prize of N3 million, a trophy and its three students got N75,000 each; just as Igbinedion Education Centre got N1 million, a trophy and its three students got N50,000 each.

At the conclusion of the keenly-contested quiz competition, every teacher from the participating schools got a tablet (a communication device) while the teachers of the last four schools that got to the finals were given a laptop each.

Notably, participating pupils performed excellently during the contest to the admiration of government functionaries and Seplat Energy officials who attended the ceremony.

Goodwill messages from Delta State Government and the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC) were laced with commendations for Seplat Energy. Other corporate bodies were urged to emulate Seplat Energy’s initiatives in developing its host communities.

Delta State State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, represented by the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, commended Seplat and its joint venture partner, the NPDC, for sustaining the CSR programme in the last 10 years.

“It is no gainsaying that NPDC/Seplat Energy JV has made a remarkable impression in the education industry in both Delta and Edo states. It is a milestone that has left a lasting impression in the mind of students, teachers and the schools through interventions in education,” the governor said.

He called on other corporate organisations to emulate the Seplat Energy initiative, insisting that the mantra of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) ‘Education For All’ is the responsibility of ‘all’, implying that education should not be left for the government alone.

Director, External Affairs and Sustainability, Seplat Energy, Chioma Nwachuku, represented by the Western Assets Base Manager, Emmanuel Otokhine, explained that the Seplat Pearls Quiz as an educational initiative, is targeted at boosting the quality of education in the states where Seplat Energy operates. She reiterated that the programme is also aimed at providing facilities in schools in the states within areas of operations of Seplat Energy.

Read Also: African economy challenging but rewarding, says Seplat chair

Thanking Okowa for his support, Chioma also congratulated the winning schools and urged others to improve on their performances, stressing that the Pearls Quiz was very transparent.

“In line with the Sustainable Development Goals 4 (SDG4), the Seplat Pearls Quiz ensures inclusive, equitable quality education and promotion of life-long learning opportunities for public and private secondary school students in our host states of Edo and Delta,” she added.

Also, the CSR Manager of Seplat Energy, Esther Icha, said the oil company had introduced many new awards for schools, including Best Behaved School and Most Promising School.

Aside the cash prizes to the winning schools, Seplat Energy has delivered various projects to schools through the quiz initiative over the years. They include language laboratory, roofing projects, decked block of classrooms, interlocking stones for an entire school premises to prevent erosion, and computer laboratories.

Basking in the euphoria of winning prizes, students of Peniel Academy, Pioneer Education Centre and Igbinedion Education Centre expressed appreciation to Seplat Energy for the opportunity given to them to showcase their talents. The event also featured dance performances by the pupils.

Other dignitaries who attended the ceremony were Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker Emmanuel Enebeli; Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the SSG Felix Ideh; Commissioner for Higher Education, Delta State,  Stella Agbeyeke;  Director, Inspectorate Department, Delta State Ministry of Higher Education; Augustine Ede Oghoro, Permanent Secretary, Delta State Ministry of Basic and Secondary School Education; and  Bernard Aghomon of the Science, Technical and Vocational Education Directorate, Edo State Ministry of Education.

This year’s Pearls Quiz also featured chronographic and cultural dance performances by students.

Apart from the quiz, the organisations also hold  other CSR initiatives, such as teachers’ empowerment programme known as STEP, whose second edition began earlier in the year. The STEP initiative is an educational programme through which teachers are equipped with all it takes to continue to impart knowledge in their students with modern techniques.

The company has committed significant resources to crafting the programme to rekindle academic excellence and healthy competition in private and public schools in the two states.

Stakeholders said the Seplat Energy initiative was a step in the right direction, giving the role of youth in the development of the country is key.

“Seplat Energy has taken a very deliberate decision to target the youth with this programme because young people represent the future of any community, and indeed the nation, as youth are very active and need to be assisted to channel their energies on the right direction. They also need to be encouraged to embrace the spirit of scholarship and supported to understand and appreciate the fact that there is good reward for scholastic excellence,” analysts said.