Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

Author of children animated literature, The Royal Visit, Netherland-based Nigerian Finance Manager Ranti Akintobi is passionate about bringing awareness to various rich African cultures. This, she said, inspired her into the world of creativity, especially children literature.

Akintobi, who recently launched the animated book, said she avoided reading children’s books based on African children characters so as not to be tempted to deviate from her idea of children’s book series.  She admitted that she was still learning how to write and that her editor had been great at guiding her.

“However, one book I did read about African folk tales was The Girl Who Married a Lion by Alexander McCall Smith. It has fantastic compilation of African tales which I feel should be brought to the whole world,” she said.

But on key challenges she faced while writing The Royal Visit, she said having a full-time job and only having some weekends and some evenings to work on the book were major challenges.  But she added that her greatest challenge was self-doubt, because “I doubted myself/ my capabilities of writing something even good enough to read as I’m not naturally a writer.”

According to her, she has many storyline ideas written down, and she has written her second and third book, parts of the series of The Royal Visit recently launched in Lagos.

“The story outline for the fourth book is ready but still needs to be developed. But as mentioned, having a full-time job does not give enough time to focus on my writing. Once I come up with an idea of a storyline­­ – I write it down,” she said.

The 34-page Royal Visit Book 1 was published by T&T Nubian Adventures Limited in 2020 and is available on Amazon and Okadabooks.

Explaining the process that led to the book cover design and the title The Royal Visit, she said “I wanted something that was colourful and attractive to kids. With that in mind, it made it easy to choose one featuring animals at the zoo.”

Last Saturday, she held a virtual reading session of the three-chapter book for book lovers, especially children.

The Royal Visit Book 1 is the first book of the T&T Nubian Adventure series written for children between the ages of 5 and 11 years. T&T Nubian Adventure stories are centred on an African royal family living in an African country called Lafiya and ruled by an Obabirin, a female king – Queen Lara.

It focuses on introducing the main characters of Lafiya and is a story about the royal visit of the sovereign queen to Rugare kingdom to visit her brother and his family. During her visit, she uses her magical powers to enable the princesses to communicate with animals when they go on an adventure to the royal zoo. The princesses have a wonderful experience listening to an African tale narrated by one of the animals. Long time ago, animals could talk and elephants had wings.

By Evelyn Osagie

United States Consulate General, in collaboration with Tender Arts Nigeria, has unveiled an “Arts and Medicine Innovation Hub” at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Yaba, Lagos.    A local non-profit organisation, Tender Arts Nigeria, led by 2015 Mandela Washington Fellow, Kunle Adewale, set up the innovation hub with the support of a public diplomacy grant of the U.S. Consulate General.

U.S. Consulate Acting Public Affairs Officer Jennifer Foltz said incorporating arts into healthcare delivery would enhance holistic patient care.

According to her, the innovation hub will provide opportunities for cultural exchange for art therapists, arts in health practitioners and mental health advocates in Nigeria and beyond.

“The United States works closely with our Nigerian partners to strengthen human capital for inclusive growth; and part of this is by supporting programmes that lead to a healthier population. We are proud of Kunle Adewale for giving back to his community and country through the establishment of this hub,” Foltz said.

In addition to inaugurating the Arts and Medicine Innovation Hub, Tender Arts Nigeria organised the maiden edition of the National Arts in Health Conference titled “The Arts, Health and You.”

Foltz said there was increasing evidence that the display of visual art, especially images of nature, and the use of other art forms like music, could have positive effects on health outcomes.

Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, thanked the U.S. Consulate General and Tender Arts Nigeria for partnering to bring together public health practitioners and artists to advocate inclusion of arts in medicine.

“The impact of arts in healthcare could be miraculous for both patients and medical providers. In Lagos State, we will be seeking the input of artists in the design of our new public healthcare facilities,” Professor Abayomi added.     Founder/Executive Director Tender Arts Nigeria, Kunle Adewale, said creative arts programs can help patients work towards recovery in an effective and enjoyable way. He explained that Arts in Medicine, which is relatively new in Nigeria, will go a long way in enhancing public perception of hospitals as centers for nurturing and healing.

“Integrating the arts into healthcare settings helps to cultivate a healing environment. Our Arts in Medicine Project has yielded notable results across local hospitals, including mental health institutions,” he said.

 

Nigeria’s Father of Tourism, Chief Mike Amachree, has expressed shock over the death of the founder and Senior Pastor of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet T.B. Joshua. He expressed his condolences to the SCOAN and the late pastor’s family on the loss.

Speaking on the contribution of the late pastor to the growth of tourism in Nigeria, Amachree said: “Prophet T.B. Joshua single-handedly elevated Nigeria into a religious tourism destination that attracts thousands of inbound religious pilgrims from all over the world, who troop to the SCOAN for worship and also sought spiritual and physical solutions to their problems.”

He said the prophet’s death, at a time when tourism practitioners were putting heads together on how to grow the industry after the COVID-19 pandemic, was unfortunate and a major setback for the country.

Amachree, who said he was impressed by the activities of the late pastor when he visited Ikotun, recalled how the late pastor created a tourism economy in Ikotun, a suburb in the city of Lagos, and put it on the world tourism map.

He said: “I was sad to hear of the death of Prophet T.B. Joshua because I know what he represented for Nigeria’s tourism. He was the biggest tourist attraction to Nigeria. About 80 per cent of non-business tourists coming to Nigeria are visiting his SCOAN in Ikotun.

“This has created a tourism economy on that axis, making it possible for people to generate income to take care of themselves and their families.

“Visit Ikotun, you will see the number of hotels and other accommodation facilities, eateries, different kinds of vendors who are depending on visitors to Ikotun for their source of livelihood. The tourism industry in Ikotun is all tied to Prophet T.B. Joshua’s SCOAN; he feeds and clothes thousands of people on that axis.  How are they going to survive and generate income without the tourism business? His death is a huge setback for the country.

“In addition to this, the late Prophet T.B. Joshua had built a multi-billion naira, world-class tourism resort,  the SCOAN Prayer Mountain Resort. The resort would create thousands of jobs for people to earn livelihood. He really did so much for the industry. That is why his death is a great loss to us in the country.”

He urged tourism industry practitioners not to be discouraged by the loss of Prophet T.B. Joshua, but should continue to thrive to build the industry and make the country a world-class tourism destination.

Prophet T.B. Joshua died on Saturday, June 5, after conducting religious service for some of his members.

Title: British footprints in history of Yaba

Author: Dr. Segun Oshile

Publishers: Connel Publications, Ibadan

Pagination: 328

British Footprints in the History of Yaba, Lagos written by Segun Oshile, a doctor of veterinary medicine is an expository book, which unearths the unique community named Yaba in Lagos State of Nigeria. Dr Oshile captures in detail not only the history of Yaba but also delves in detail into the political, socio-economic and the cultural life of the people of Lagos State.  The foreword was written by Prof. Ayodeji Olukoju of the University of Lagos.

According to the distinguished professor, British Footprints is a book on aspects of the history of Yaba, an indigenous community on the Lagos Mainland. The volume contributes to the history of Nigeria by documenting the perspectives of the indigenes of communities in the states. A product of years of painstaking data collection and keen observation by the author Dr Oshile, an indigene of Yaba.

The book contains his reminiscences and insights into the obscure aspects of Yaba swamped by the megacity of Lagos. This book focuses on the transformation of Yaba from farmland, fishing and hunting ground to a fast growing integral part of a megacity. Yaba is the community hosting the first tertiary institution in Nigeria, the Yaba College of Technology, formerly known as Yaba Higher College in 1932. History isn’t the same as the past.

We can never experience the past in as much as we can never know what Napoleon had in mind when he invaded Russia in 1912. What happened in the past is gone, history is our attempt to reconstruct the past from evidence, documents and oral sources available.

In pre-colonial Lagos, Yaba was known as Oke Odo; during the colonial period, it was known as the Garden City or Yaba Estate. It was called Garden City due to its sprawling ecosystem of beautiful and lush vegetation in the manner of the British landscape gardening. Etymologically, the name Yaba had been in existence since 1895. Yaba in Lagos predates the Yaba of Ondo State. In the 18th century, people coming from the hinterland to buy goods at Lagos ports, usually indicate that when they get to the precincts of Lagos, they will branch to a rural settlement, translated in Yoruba, maa ya bara, was shortened ma ya baa. This was later shortened to Ya ba, Yaba.

Chapter two contains the history of religious organisations at Yaba. The Portuguese brought Christianity by way of trading to Lagos in the 15th century. Portuguese principal trading objective was slave trade. Christian evangelism was secondary to trading in slaves. After the British abrogated slave trade in 1833, liberated slaves were taken to Freetown, Sierra Leone. The majority of these liberated slaves had accepted Christianity before their liberation. Liberated slaves of Nigerian descent were settled in Lagos, Badagry and Abeokuta. One of the freed slaves was Samuel Ajayi Crowther. He had been abducted at age 12 by a Fulani slave merchant and sold to Portuguese slave brokers.

Ajayi Crowther  regained freedom and was later ordained a bishop by the British Christian Missionary Society and translated the Holy Bible into Yoruba language. The Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo  built by the Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion was named after him. However, the advent of Islam in Nigeria took a different turn. Nigeria first had contacts with Islam via the North Eastern areas of Kanem and Borno in the 9th century. By the 11th century, Islam had taken roots in Nigeria through trade and migration. From then, Islam became the religion of court and trade with the Arabic language as the medium of communication. While Islam entered Nigeria firmly by the 15th century, Christianity got here in the 19th century. The Seventh Day Adventists came to Nigeria in 1914 led by Elder D. C. Babcock. Their first church was built in Yaba in 1920. The activities of Reverend Babcock led the Seventh Day Adventists to name Babcock University, Ilishan Remo Ogun State after him.

Chapters four, five and six of the book explore the activities of markets and business premises of Yaba. The culture of installing market heads takes into account taxes and levies imposed by the colonial administration in Lagos Colony. Like in Europe and across the world, Yaba was consciously planned as a residential community, making available schools, grocery outlets, supermarkets, health centres and most importantly, recreational facilities to all and sundry.

Chapter six is particularly remarkable for accounts of the genealogy of the traditional rulers of Lagos whose lineage have been traced to Benin Republic and Ketu Kingdom in Ogun State. The Protectorate of Southern Nigeria was inaugurated in Lagos in 1906. After the amalgamation in 1914, Lagos became the location of the capital of Nigeria; schools were established, the Supreme Court, the Old Secretariat were located at the Racecourse. Since its creation in 1859, the Racecourse remained the central feature of British rule in Nigeria.

Classification of Nigerian cities started in 1921, with Lagos belonging to Class A. Ikoyi was a residential area reserved for Europeans. The commercial area in which Europeans lived, worked, traded and interacted with Africans was Lagos Island. Ikoyi the European Reservation Area was laid out in 1928. The First Governor of Lagos Colony, Sir Gilbert Thomas Carter (1891-97) pushed through the building of the railway. He opened the Iddo Railway Terminus in 1900 with rail linking Lagos to Ibadan. He also built the Carter bridge carrying pedestrians and tram from the island to Ebute Metta. This gave the development of Lagos a tremendous boost. The impact of the footprints of the British and their architecture remain as edifices continue to litter the landscape.

The building master plan designed by the British for Yaba and environs partially subsists as the influx of immigrant population altered the plan. The Third Mainland Bridge mortgaged the residential Yaba community to a beehive of commercial activities against the original plan. Other chapters attempt to capture ancient family structures in Yaba. The families discussed are those whose houses still exist or those who contributed to the development of Yaba. The last chapter covers the political class in Yaba who as political office holders contributed to the growth and development of the community. In his Did You Know segment, the first Baale of Yaba, Chief Folarin Oshile (1995-2013) is the father of Dr Segun Oshile, the author. Dr Oshile holds the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and practices veterinary medicine in Lagos. He also authored other books including Rebuilding Your Academic Bridge. He is the Editor of Eminent Veterinarian magazine. A philanthropist and animal welfarist Dr Oshile is a lover of history and is married to Wande and they have three wonderful children.

It was an evening of toast and clinking of glasses. But, one hour before the start of the celebration, many guests – young and old – took turns on the red carpet outside the hall for vantage shots. The 10th anniversary cocktail organised by Solution Media and Infotech last Friday was not all about winning and dinning. It was also an evening for appraisal and re-strategising, Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.

Ten years in the life of a business organisation in Nigeria is no mean experience. From insecurity to inadequate power supply, high cost of production, double taxations and inconsistent policies, the challenges are endless. But, for Solution Media and Infotech, a group of four companies, turning 10 is not only a learning curve but also a time to reflect on the journey so far while appreciating its management and members of staff for an eventful decade.

Last Friday, it was a day of celebration as some guests, management and staff gathered at the company’s corporate headquarters on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, to celebrate the organisation’s tenth year anniversary. It was indeed a merry making evening with lots of fun as Vintage Band thrilled guests to scintillating music.

Former Governor of Ogun State and Chairman on the occasion, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, described the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer Solution Media and Infotech, Prince Yanju Lipede, as a very successful business man who was one of the best local government chairmen (Abeokuta South Local Council) in Ogun State during his tenure.

He recalled that Lipede refused to go into politics despite his sterling performance at Abeokuta South Local Government Council. He enjoined the Ogun State Government to support his business, especially in the provision of access road to the company.

“I wanted to promote him in politics but, unfortunately, he turned down my plea. I was not happy at his response. We actually had a challenge those days and we thought we needed to change the colours of political participants.

“However, today, with the success he has recorded in business, he has proven that even though he did well in politics, he could do much better in private business. This place is our own Disneyland and I want to encourage him considering the security challenge and the COVID-19 pandemic. I will also plead with Ogun State Governor to please support the project in the provision of access road to the place,” he said.

Recalling some of the trying moments, Lipede said the journey was full of ups and downs, noting that one of the unforgettable moments was when the company’s new tent came down as a result of a heavy storm, which necessitated the refund of ticket money to fun seekers. He, however, stated that the setback gave birth to a better tent and arrangement.

“Another incident was in Dubai. We had set up instrument for the show. Just as the first artiste was performing on stage, someone blew the system and that was all. It was a really sad moment,” he added.

Notwithstanding these challenges, Lipede believes strongly that the fortune of the company is “getting bigger and better by the day, not only in Nigeria but also in all areas of our operations by His grace.”

With nostalgia, Managing Director, Solution Media and Infotech, Prince Adeyeloye Lipede, remembered the day his brother Adeyanju Lipede and himself sat to discuss what they could do differently. The discussion and shared dream, he said, like a mustard seed planted, has germinated into a big tree and grown to give birth to four outfits: Hi Impact Rigging (a foremost company in sound, stage and lights), Hi Impact Planet Amusement Park and Resort (Nigeria’s biggest amusement park), Hi Impact TV (the first and yet the only fully HD TV in Nigeria) and Hi Impact Cruise (the largest commercial cruise ship in Nigeria launched on October 1, 2020).

“In our ten years of existence, we have flown Nigerian flag in the UAE and the UK, where artistes of Nigerian and African descent performed to the admiration of all at world musical concerts. In 2013 and 2014, we organised an event tagged Hi Impact for Creative Kids. It featured about 6000 kids from private and public primary and secondary schools in Ogun and Lagos states. They were hosted to show their talents. Winners were rewarded and the school that came first had the opportunity to travel outside Nigeria,” he said.

However, the current position of Solution Media and Infotech is not Eldorado yet, according to the him. He said “we are not unmindful of the business climate in the country, but we are confident and hopeful that with the right attitude and determination, the future looks bright.”

Interestingly, the camaraderie in and around the expansive hall all through the evening spoke volumes of the reason for the evening – a family celebration of sort. Even  Prince Yanju Lipede, who acknowledged that the business birthed as a family enterprise, did not leave the ushering of guests to the ushers alone. He was always at hand to attend to guests at the entrance.

He willingly participated in guiding some guests to their designated tables. He also went round the tables to ensure that everybody in the hall was having fun. He looked simple and humble as he walked round the hall in his milk colour dress that attracted no special attention- all belying the grit of a shrewd entrepreneur- a proponent of world of limitless possibilities.

Importantly, too, in compliant with COVID-19 protocols, the sitting arrangements in the hall were well spaced with seven guests per table. And every guest went through screening at the entrance for security and safety irrespective of status.

The high point of the evening was the cutting of a giant anniversary cake by selected guests. This was followed by comedy, mock singing and dance sessions, which dovetailed into an open dance session with the younger ones forming the majority.  And they all savoured the anniversary bash till late night.

Among guests that attended the cocktail were Prof Fola Aboaba, Afolabi Afuwape, Prof Gbemi Onakanya, Mrs. Titi Oseni-Gomez, Pastor Joseph Adeyokunnu, Ogun State Commissioner for Tourism, Dr. Taiwo Emmanuel Oluwatoyin, who represented Governor Dapo Abiodun, Tunji Alapini, Ade Ipaye, Kayode Samuel and Mrs. Dele Giwa.

Zenith Global Health, an organisation set up by healthcare professionals for collaboration, shared learning and upholding excellence in healthcare globally, will host the Africa Healthcare Awards and Summit in Lagos.

Venue is the Oriental Hotel. The maiden event, which will hold between June 25 and 26, will plenary sessions titled Advances in cancer and diabetes care: plugging the gaps.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated number of deaths associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), will increase by 17 per cent by 2030. This reinforces the fact that discussion to reduce the numbers should be ongoing.

Leading healthcare professionals from across Africa, USA, UK and Europe will gather for two days to share, learn and network.

Her Excellency, Dr. Zainab Bagudu-Shinkafi, the First Lady of Kebbi State, who is one of the guest speakers, said: “This is a great initiative to support as not only is it  bringing stakeholders together, it is also a source of inspiration for our youths, especially young girls in choosing ‘STEM’ as a career pathway. The two-day summit will conclude with the awards ceremony on the 26th.

Founder and President of Zenith Global Health Mary Akangbe said: “We cannot afford to drop the ball regarding non communicable diseases.” She added that the impact of excellence in healthcare across Africa could not be over emphasised as it was a privilege to be able to celebrate that.

Some of the recipients are Dr. Kunle Hassan (Lifetime Achievement Award, Prof. Pat Utomi  and Dr. Mohamed El Sahili (Special Recognition Award).

Zenith Global Health believes the awards will boost the morale of healthcare professionals who are under increased pressure and is a give back to their commitment to nursing the nation back to health during the pandemic.

 

By Lanre Arogundade

At a stage we constructed a cage at the secretariat of the Lagos Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Shomolu area of Lagos in which we inserted images of incarcerated journalists to demonstrate to the world that the Nigerian media was in chains.

It was in the aftermath of the annulment of the June 12, 1993 elections during which journalists and media outlets who stood with the people in the struggle to rid the military through the validation of the mandate freely given by Nigerians to Bashorun MKO Abiola were being hounded.

Lagos NUJ was actually very much part of the June 12 struggle having been led into the Campaign for Democracy (CD) and the Joint Action Commitee of Nigeria (JACON) by the radical Ladi Lawal leadership in the thick of the battles in 1993/94. Once we got elected into the exco on the banner of ‘Change ’95’, we picked the gauntlet in 1995 and the struggle had to continue.

Early occupants of the cage were Chris Anyanwu (The Sunday Magazine – TSM), Ben Charles Obi (Weekend Classique), George Mba (Tell) and Kunle Ajibade (The News). Others followed in flurry – Nosa Igiebor (Tell), Osa Director (Tell), Femi Ojudu (The News), George Onah (Vanguard), Bunmi Aborisade (June 12 magazine), Soji Omotunde (African Concord), Niran Malaolu (The Diet), Moshood Fayemiwo (Razor), etc.

We fought their battles here and abroad. Amnesty International adopted some as prisoners of conscience and the Commitee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Sans Frontiers (RSF) spearheaded the mobilisation of the international media freedom and free expression community including the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Kabral Amihere led West African Journalists Association (WAJA).

The escape into exile of Bunmi Aborisade leaving behind a pregnant wife and Dapo Olorunyomi, whose wife and three-month old baby were arrested as proxies when the security agents could not lay their hands on him to drag him before their instructors dead or alive, turned out a positive factor on the international front.

Working in both the National Concord and Vanguard newspapers at different points during the period, I knew what editors Frank Aigbogun and Nsikak Essien went through managing invitations or visits by security agents along with their newspapers. Some other editors and even publishers were traumatised.

The likes of Olu Akerele and Frank Igwuebeze, journalists and personal assistants to MKO Abiola were equally of vital link to the Nigerian human rights and the international community especially during the later’s incarceration before he unfortunately died on July 7, 1998.

The struggles yielded desired results and in the thick of it for example, I as Lagos NUJ Chairman secretly received Chris Anyanwu’s PEN International award on her behalf, kept it along with the donation and handed it over to her after she was released from prolonged detention.

But we were also fighting our collective battles. Outside the jails, which the Lagos NUJ cage symbolised, there were many other journalists in chains. Journalists working in The News/Tempo group and Tell magazine who had to go underground to consummate a marriage with guerrilla journalism following persistent murderous raids by armed military personnel. Journalists working in the Concord group of Newspapers, The Punch and The Guardian, etc who faced the ordeal of forced closures and job losses.

The Guardian demonstrated courage in consistently referring to MKO Abiola as the presumed winner of the June 12 election and in the case of Concord it was particularly painful that the publications in the stable never made it back to the newsstands. Beyond job losses, there were lost pensions and lost insurances with some dying in frustration. There were brutalities meted to reporters, editors and photo journalists covering the series of protests. Painfully too, journalist Bagauda Kaltho became a martyr when he was bombed in Kaduna.

The role played by the media in the June 12 struggle and the ultimate triumph over the military would make several volumes of books just like that of non-journalists like Chima Ubani, Beko Kuti, Gani Fawehinmi, Olisa Agbakoba, Fredrick Fasheun, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Shehu Sani, Femi Falana, Segun Sango, Uba Sani, Col. Umar Dangiwa, Anthony Enahoro – who I met and had prolonged conversation with on the way forward in the company of Dapo Olorunyomi and Femi Ojudu in New York in 1997 – among several others.

It can be no exaggeration to say that without the media, there would be no democracy in Nigeria today. Let the current wielders of power therefore be reminded of this fact so that they can know that their current battles against the media and free expression are a fight against history in which they will end on the losing side. For that history records that the media will always survive governments no matter how tyrannical or dictatorial.

On the media and spiritual fronts, I certainly belong to the Thomas Jefferson school of thought. On the former, he stated: “Were it left to me to decide if we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter” and on the later he said: “Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God”.

 

• Arogundade, Executive Director of International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos-Nigeria is a pro-democracy activist and former Chairman of Lagos NUJ.

By Dorcas Aluko

To lift many Nigerians out of poverty, The Isaiah Wealth Initiative (TIWI), a brainchild of Prophet Isaiah Wealth, launched The Empowerment Network (TEN), a non-governmental organisation under LIFT Nigeria.

The launch, which was held in Lagos, was attended by former Governor of Adamawa State, Hon Bala James Ngilari, Bishop Wesley Arije, a representative of Joint Christian Action (JCA) and a host of other dignitaries. Managing Director, Greenlife Pharmaceutical Limited, Mr Peter Ebere Nwosu and Salvation Alibor, an engineer.

The founder of TIWI, Prophet Isaiah Wealth, said the initiative was created to offer humanitarian services in various areas of life after measures taken to combat poverty seemed futile.

“Over the years, several poverty alleviation initiatives have been floated to tackle the menace of poverty in Nigeria. Funds were disbursed to beneficiaries, but nothing seemed to have changed. This prompted me to reflect on how best we can all act together to address poverty in the nation. TIWI which was created in 2012, offer top-notch and cutting-edge humanitarian services through interventions in health, education, human empowerment, and catering for victims of natural disasters and the less-privileged.” he said.

He noted that TEN intended to spend N439 billion in 10 years to achieve its goal as under the TEN model, N11,000 is what it takes to take one Nigerian out of poverty. He also reiterated that TEN is different from other previous poverty alleviation programmes in operation in Nigeria, because of its unique model.

On how TEN intends to achieve its goal, Dr. Sharon Peters and Freda Utake of LIFTED, the umbrella NGO under which TEN was launched, said beneficiaries would be empowered in three phases. In phase one, beneficiaries would receive N20,000; undergo a profitability & saving test where they save N,4000 monthly for five months. In phase two, beneficiaries would receive another N30000 to trade. In phase three, beneficiaries would enter into a thrift with nine other people where they all would save N5,000 each monthly; and as a form of annual interjection, beneficiaries would receive N50,000 saving N10,000 for Back-to-School Initiative.

The duo also said TEN worked through volunteers to provide properly-guided skill sharpening training to its beneficiaries, and thereafter provided the first phase of financial empowerment. Beneficiaries are monitored closely by volunteers to ensure that they utilized the grant as intended, and also make compulsory savings before qualifying for the next round of empowerment.

“TEN is now working to provide these services to the entire unemployed labour force in Nigeria. This structure is intended to be perpetuated through local Empowerment Centres (ECs) that would be established in all seven hundred and seventy-four (774) local governments in Nigeria, with a minimum of one Empowerment Centre (EC) in each local government” they added.

He called on well-meaning Nigerians, corporate bodies, NGOs and charity organisations to consider partnering with them towards the actualisation of these first-of-its-kind poverty alleviation programmes.

“Let us take a cue from Joint Church Action (JCA) which was formed as a coalition of churches to render such partnership,” Utake said.

By Patience Fadipe

Benin is a unique city known to be the ancient city of Nigerian art work. Today, the city is surrounded by satellite villages most of which are of ritual, religious or political importance. The discussion on Nigeria art will be incomplete without Benin art work.

Benin City is divided into two main parts. Around the city are five villages, namely: Uselu, the domicile of the heir-apparent, the Edaiken, and the Queen mother, the Iyoba. Use, Uzebu, Ulegun and Udo. Beyond these are outlying farms and hunting camps and villages set up and founded by the Obas, chiefs and warriors. These were feeder villages for Benin and they also helped to keep the demographic level of the city under control.

By founding new villages, the Oba distributed the human resources of the capital and prevented over-crowding the city. The principal language groups of the kingdom of Benin are Edo, Ora, Etsako, and Ishan. Beads have appeared in abundance in the archaeological record of African societies. To the Benin people bears are treasures and their significance to their fashion, lifestyle, royalty, culture and tradition cannot be over emphasised.

Coral are materials formed from natural organic sediments. These are remains from living and non-living organism. These remains settle at the deep part of sea and over the years they solidify or harden or become cemented together to form sedimentary rocks. These materials are mined from the oceans and sharpened and polished into jewelry. Precious coral grows in the bush-like formation in the Mediterranean Sea and Sea of Japan. These coral are turned into beads which serve as body adornment worn by men and women among the Benin people.

Bead, according to Webster dictionary, is defined as a small ball or bit of glass, metals, plastic or other material, with a hole through it, so that it can be strung on a thread with others to form a necklace or bracelet, or sown on various fabrics as ornaments. Bead is also defined as small, usually round object made of glass, wood, metal, nut, shell, bone seed pierced for stringing.

The existence of beads can be dated back to the Nok culture (900BC -2000AD). Beads have always played a prominent role in the life of Nigerians. It is associated with royalty and a symbol of wealth, especially among the traditional and the religious members of the society. The Portuguese in the 16th Century brought coral beads into Benin through trade.

The Bini call beads ivie and ekan Ivie and Ekan are members of the coral beads family. Ivie is a specie of coral beads. It is an important type of jewelry worn by the Benin Obas. The type of coral beads (Ekan) worn by the Benin chiefs is described as precious coral. It has a hard core that can be polished to bring out beautiful red rose or pink colours. Ekan is also worn by the Benin Obas, Benin chiefs and the Benin people. Ekan looks like a stone and is grayish in colour. The use of Ivie and Ekan is controlled by the Oba of Benin. There are some shapes and patterns of Coral beads which the chiefs wear. Coral beads used in Edo-speaking areas are different from those worn in the Northern, Western and Eastern parts of Nigeria.

In Benin, the Obas wear heavily beaded coral regalia such as beaded crown, beaded necklace, ankles, wrist and beaded shoes. These are symbols of royalty, authority, wealth and prestige.The Benin chiefs also wear coral beads, though not as heavily beaded as the obas. They are usually around their necks and wrist. The wives of the obas, are also heavily beaded. They adore their hair with coral beads; wear a number of coral beads round their necks, wrist and ankles. In addition to these, coral beads are used for social and ritual ceremonies, such as the coronation of chiefs, coming of age of young men and women, wedding ceremonies, the naming of children and funerals of the elderly and all occasion for the use of beads. They are worn around the necks, on wrists, ankles, ears and nose as body enhancements by both men and women. Women wear waist coral beads to emphasise their hips as a sign of feminine beauty.

Significantly, coral crowns and coronets have been a permanent and dominant feature of Benin urban festivities. Since the reign of Oba Ewuare the Great (1440-1473). Even in the villages certain elders (Edion) who attained high ranks in Benin society wore coral beads. In Benin, periodic festivals of corals are held yearly and the Oba recites the famous incarnation.”Oh corals, when I adorn myself with you, endow me with wisdom and keep me apart from evil spirits and spells of the wicked and witch-doctors”. The wearing of red coral was a royal privilege. The Oba’s mother (Iyoba) and the Oba heir (Edaiken) were entitled to wear red coral crowns in public ceremonies. Later, the privilege was extended to the Ezomo as the supreme war chief of the kingdom. Oba’s wives (Iloi) wore neck beads or stones …

The coral beads worn by the Obas, chiefs and people of Benin have been archaeological recorded. For instance,

Oba Ewuare the Great (1440-1473) is believed to have introduced coral beads and red flannel cloths (Ododo) to the Benins for the first time, he was the one that founded the Iwebo place association which has been in charge of palace regalia ever since. Oba Ovonramwen usually wore a heavy beaded crown. The crown was so heavy that the Oba’s attendants or servants had to remove it from time to time as they fanned the Oba’s head. The coral regalia of Ovonramwen was taken away with him in 1897 to Calabar when he was exiled by the British officers. Oba Ovonramwen died at Calabar in January 1914. He never came back to his father land (Benin) from exile. The coral regalia belonging to Oba Ovonramwen was brought back to Benin in 1938. Oba Osemwede (1816-1848)  was the one who introduced the coral headgear with the arching flanks on both sides of the head as well as the Viking-looking coral headgear, which can still be seen in Benin royal audiences or ceremonies today’.

Since 1933, Oba Akenzua II and Oba Erediauwa have made popular the coral crown with both the high arching flanks and a tall protrusion of coral in the centre of the head. The coral beads usually weigh very heavily on the Oba’s head. It is constantly being removed by an attendant.  Coral beads are highly valued among the Benins, and they have been in use as body ornaments for hundreds of years. One can dare to say that coral beads are more valued than gold.

• Fadipe is of the Department of Research, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Onikan, Lagos State.

By Evelyn Osagie

Ogar Ande and Anjola Jegede are two bright senior pupils. Although the both girls are from schools in two different states – Lagos and Ogun – they share the same challenges.

“There is no time as challenging for us pupils, especially those of us seniors, than our monthly menstrual cycle,” began Anjola as she recalled her experience.

“Apart from the pain usually experienced during the period, having a constant supply of pads is even more challenging,” Ogar  reteirated.

It was with joy, therefore, when a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE), distributed sanitary pads to their schools in commemoration of the World Menstrual Hygiene Day. For both girls, the gesture came as a huge relief.

“For the first time, I learnt that there are ways the government can make pads available to school girls and this is an initiative that they should imbibe to address some of the challenges that we are faced with as young girls,” Anjola of Champions International Schools, said.

Ogar from Perfect Praise School, said: “I’ve learnt from this programme that I should uphold personal hygiene during menstruation as that can help a girl to be more confident. I also learnt to walk in company of others when going out at night to avoid a rape situation.’’

But they were not the only beneficiaries. CEE-HOPE also distributed about 600 school girls across Lagos, Ogun and Rivers states to mark the day.

In view of the challenges experienced by girls, CEE-HOPE called for free distribution of pads to secondary school girls.

The train took off by 8am from CEE-HOPE office in Ogba office and moved to the schools, beginning with Champion’s International School in Ogun State and Perfect Praise Group of Schools in Lagos.

The events on each stop witnessed talks on Menstrual Hygiene Management, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and prevention tips as well as free distribution of sanitary products to the school girls.

They were also shown CEE-HOPE’s documentary on period poverty entitled: Give us this day our monthly pads and another video talk on period poverty by “Zsanai Epps”, “Programme Director”, “My Sister’s Keeper” at Black Women’s Health Imperative, and “Positive Period”, U.S.

CEE-HOPE’s Executive Director, Betty Abah, stated that the sensitisation outreaches were organised with the aim of reaching out to school girls on menstrual hygiene practice and also distribution of pads as a measure of addressing period poverty among teenage girls. “It is also to draw attention to the rampant period of poverty in the country and continue the group’s pressure on the Nigerian government to initiate a policy of free distribution of sanitary products as is done in countries around the world including African countries like Kenya and Uganda.

“Millions of school girls from impoverished homes are finding it hard to stay in school as they cannot afford sanitary products, a reality which further widens the gender inequality in terms of education. It is high time our government did something about this menace, even starting from a policy as simple as tax deduction or tax removal on sanitary products,’’ she said.

While praising individuals who funded the three-state outreaches, Abah, the sensitisation was also aimed at engaging the students in frank talks on how to prevent rape as it is also a rampant menace targeting mostly teenage girls.

A gender advocate and founder of Jabez Place, a sexual violence prevention organisation, Sola Alamutu, also enlightened the girls on Preventing Rape and Sexual Abuse, stressing on the need to understand that, “anyone can be a victim of rape, regardless of gender, age or race and it is important to note that anyone can be a perpetrator, regardless of relationship, gender or age.” She urged the pupils to be security and safety-conscious and take training on martial arts and self-defense skills.

A filmmaker and activist,  Willie Workman Oga, sensitised the girls on staying focused on their dreams and avoiding traps that may obstruct their roads to life’s success.

Project Officer, CEE-HOPE, Edidiong Umoh, spoke to the girls on how to maintain the highest levels of hygiene during their monthly period  to avoid infection and the unhygienic environment.

A school visit was also observed in Port Harcourt as part of the day’s activities. CEE-HOPE also visited Community Secondary School, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, along with the two schools.

The Port Harcourt leg of the sensitisation outreach was coordinated by Ekaete George, Director of the NGO, Red Eyes Development Initiative (REDi) and held at the Community Secondary School, Rumu Olumeni.

Other speakers included Executive Director of the King Charles Memorial Foundation, Princess Ijeoma Ozor and Grace Okezie. They touched on GBV, menstrual hygiene and on the rights of the girl child.

The school girls, school owners and other officials were full of gratitude for the initiative and expressed their excitement over information that was shared during the sensitisations.

A JSS 3 teacher and counsellor for the pupils at Port Harcourt, Bertha George, commended CEE-HOPE for the event and asked for more of such seminars for her students.

“This is a community school; these kinds of opportunities make a great impact on the students,’’ she said.

The Proprietress, Perfect Praise School, Lagos, Uzorechi Oluwaluyi, praised CEE-HOPE for the gesture, which according to her, has impacted positively on the girls.

considering their relative lack of exposure to holistic sensitisation on menstrual hygiene talks. “People don’t talk about menstruation issues often and we have seen cases where mothers don’t talk to their girls about it, they are ashamed to talk about it and this is a great opportunity for these girls to learn about all these issues,” she said.