Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

The 124 year-old punitive expedition of British Army in Benin Kingdom, resulting in the looting of priceless bronzes, has continued to attract calls for restitution. Last week, museums and institutions in UK and Germany indicated their readiness to return some of these stolen works in collections back to Nigeria. How prepared is Nigeria to fund museums in order to provide adequate space and care for the returned objects, Assistant Editor Arts (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.

The age-long burning issue of repatriation of artifacts stolen from Benin by the British Army during the infamous 1897 punitive expedition seems to be receiving positive responses from Europe where most of these priceless objects are kept.

The British forces looted thousands of metal and ivory sculptures as well as carvings during an invasion of Benin City in 1897. Some of the soldiers and administrators involved sold the artworks to museums, while others were given as gifts to museums or sold at auction or by art dealers.

The University of Aberdeen said last week it will return a Benin Bronze to Nigeria within weeks, one of the first public institutions to do so more than a century after Britain looted the sculptures and auctioned them to Western museums and collectors.

Also, Germany has said it would begin the process of returning hundreds of artefacts from the kingdom, including 440 of the famed Benin Bronzes held at Berlin’s Ethnological Museum.

The moves follow decades of agitation for the return of artefacts that have become global symbols of western plunder during colonialism, and the ill-gotten cultural heritage of colonised peoples displayed in museums around the world. The clamour has grown louder as the Black Lives Matter movement has intensified the spotlight on the ills of colonialism and need for restitution.

However, Africa’s leading art collector and Founder Yemisi Shyllon Museum, Lagos Omooba Yemisi Shyllon is not enthusiastic about the planned return of the priceless objects saying the general attitudes of Nigerians do not favour the return of the objects. He said Nigeria lacks the capacity; human resources, technological advancement and attitudes to house and care for the objects the same way the objects have been cared for by different galleries, museums and institutions in Europe and America. He said most Nigerians do not love the works as they tag them demonic.

“I am speaking about the ethnographic and archeological works in the museums, which are not appreciated by Nigerians. Since 75 years when the first museum was established in the country, how has Nigeria funded the museums across the country? We have consistently dished out messages portraying these works as demonic and that they won’t allow many to go to heaven.

“We do not have carbon dating equipment, the human capacity to preserve these works, no adequate allocation of funds to the different museums across the country and our people believe that the works contain evil spirits. Unfortunately, the world is moving from physical to virtual in the transaction of almost every business. How have we invested in the development of the physical museums since 1945? How prepared are we to invest in virtual that is IT driven?” Shyllon asked.

He feared that when the works are returned, they will be kept in non-conducive state and will not receive the quality care they are currently getting now.

To him, rather than return the works to Nigeria, ‘we should enter into agreement with those institutions, galleries and museums reaffirming that those works belong to us, and as such they should pay royalty for keeping them until we are prepared to house the works. Such agreement, he said, should be renewable every 20 years and our preparedness should be monitored by a UN agency.’

One of Nigeria’s modern artists and trustee of Legacy Restoration Trust, Mr. Victor Ehikhamenor shared a different view. He said in a report that he hoped the decision to return the stolen objects would prompt others to follow suit. “Because some of these things are missing from our environment, people are not able to contextualise where we are coming from,” Ehikhamenor said.

The plans for a new museum in Benin City will in part answer the argument long made in the West that developing countries do not have the facilities to keep the priceless art safe, Ehikhamenor dismissed the premise.

“If somebody comes to your house and steals one of your heirlooms, it would be a bit disingenuous for them to then turn around and ask you, what are you going to do with this?

“It’s like going to Buckingham Palace, ripping the paintings off the walls and when the owners question the intruders, they would ask if the original owners are sure they can take care of them,” he noted.

“This is a major institutional return and an entire country finding the right language and having the conscious mind to do the right thing,” he added.

Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed described the release of the bronze work as a right step in the right direction. “The reaching out by the University of Aberdeen and eventual release of the priceless antiquity is a step in the right direction,” the institution quoted him as saying. “Other holders of Nigerian antiquity ought to emulate this to bring fairness to the burning issue of repatriation”.

Professor of Painting and Art History, University of Calabar,  Prof. Victor Ecoma  University of Calabar, shared similar view points of Shyllon. He said he is not sure the NCMM have the capability to retain those artifacts in a conducive museum environment that promotes research, preservation, conservation and restoration. This, he said, is partly due to inadequate budget for the sector not considered a government’s priority. “The issue of light and space requirements will also be a major set-back. Since the 1950s the national museum has not had any expansion to meet its space needs,” he added.

According to him, the drive to return looted artifacts is largely a moral burden on the West and to avoid any form of reparations. “They have also argued that it is a way of ensuring a non repeat of looting artifacts in crisis situations. Also due to globalisation the era of artistic colonisation is coming to an end,” he said.

The restitutions will increase the pressure on London’s British Museum, which holds about 900 Benin artifacts. The museum this week acknowledged the “devastation and plunder wreaked upon Benin City during the British military expedition in 1897” but did not offer to return them.

In a report, the University of Aberdeen said that the sculpture of an Oba, or ruler, of the Kingdom of Benin, had left Nigeria in an “extremely immoral” fashion, leading it to reach out to authorities in 2019 to negotiate its return.

Pressure has mounted to return to their places of origin the Benin Bronzes – actually copper alloy relief sculptures – and other artifacts taken by colonial powers.

Neil Curtis, Aberdeen’s head of museums and special collections, said the Bronze, purchased in 1957, had been “blatantly looted” 124 years ago by British soldiers.

“It became clear we had to do something,” Curtis said.

Britain’s soldiers seized thousands of metal castings and sculptures from the Kingdom of Benin, then separate from British-ruled Nigeria, in 1897.

The university called it “one of the most notorious examples of the pillaging of cultural treasures associated with 19th-century European colonial expansion”.

“It would not have been right to have retained an item of such great cultural importance that was acquired in such reprehensible circumstances,” said university vice-chancellor George Boyne.

The move was also backed by Aberdeen University’s governing body and the Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the school, Prof. George Boyne, said the development is in line with the values of the institution.

“This is in line with our values as an international, inclusive university and our foundational purpose of being open to all and dedicated to the pursuit of truth in the service of others,” the school quoted him as saying.

“It would not have been right to have retained an item of such great cultural importance that was acquired in such reprehensible circumstances. We, therefore, decided that an unconditional return is the most appropriate action we can take, and are grateful for the close collaboration with our partners in Nigeria.”

According to the school, it started the conversation for the return of the artwork through Prof Bankole Sodipo, Professor of Law in Babcock University, with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments through its Legal Adviser, Babatunde Adebiyi, the Edo State Government through the then Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof Yinka Omorogbe and the Royal Court of the Oba of Benin through Prince Prof Gregory Akenzua in 2020.

Director-General National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Prof Abba Isa Tijani said the importance of displaying the bronze inside Nigeria for the first time in more than 120 years was inexpressible. “It is part of our identity, part of our heritage, which has been taken away from us for many years,” Tijani said.

On the new wave of desire to return the objects to Nigeria, the former Provost Federal College of Education (Special) Osiele, Abeokuta, Dr. Kunle Filani noted that the European museums and galleries have been conscientised over the years especially with the recent protests of Black Lives Matter. “They are realising that the continuing keeping of the looted bronzes puts them in an immoral conundrum. I am sure that they will make replicas of the bronzes before returning them… this should not be permitted because it is still immoral and pejorative to the African consciousness,” he added.

The British Museum, which holds hundreds of the sculptures, has alongside several other museums formed a Benin Dialogue Group to discuss displaying them in Benin City. It has said discussions are ongoing.

The University of Cambridge’s Jesus College said it had finalised approvals in December to return one Bronze. Tijani said US museums would also return two more Bronzes.

The governor of Edo state, of which Benin City is the capital, plans to build a centre to store and study the returned artifacts by the end of 2021, and a permanent museum by 2025.

“The strength of the British Museum collection resides in its breadth and depth, allowing millions of visitors an understanding of the cultures of the world and how they interconnect over time — whether through trade, migration, conquest, or peaceful exchange,” the museum said.

Dan Hicks, author of The Brutish Museums: The Benin Bronzes, Colonial Violence and Cultural Restitution, said the statement read like “something out of the 19th century”.

“It’s hard to understand how that narrative really remains, and [how] anyone can say it with a straight face in the 21st century,” he said.

The Benin Bronzes are a series of exquisite sculptures of animals, people and the kingdom’s rulers, dating from at least the 16th century. Many were commissioned specifically for sacred ritual use. They also include plaques that tell the story of the kingdom that once lined its royal palace. Oba Ewuare II, the current king, has led efforts to recover the bronzes, including a request made during a visit from the British Museum in 2018.

Barnaby Phillips, author of Loot: Britain and the Benin Bronzes, highlighted the role played by the 1963 British Museum Act, which prohibits restitution.

“I’m not saying by any means that the British Museum is desperate to return the Benin Bronzes — it’s not,” said Phillips, a former BBC correspondent in Nigeria. “[But] it is very difficult for the British Museum to give back objects in its collections short of a new law.”

Hicks estimated that 99 per cent of African objects in UK museums taken under colonialism are in storage boxes, some of which “haven’t been opened for 100 years”.

By Emmanuel Udodinma

The National Coordinator of the Media Centre Against Child Malnutrition (MeCAM Nigeria), Remmy Nweke, has urged Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, to optimise the use of Information and Communication Technology, ICT, tools in communicating nutrition in the country.

Speaking at the first quarterly capacity building of the Lagos State chapter of the Civil Society on Scaling Up Nutrition in Nigeria, CS-SUNN, hosted by the Communication Team, Nweke noted that optimising ICT tools in this era had become imperative.

Nweke, who dwelt on “Overview of Communicating Nutrition & Social Media Best Practices in Nigeria”, described communication as an act of conveying meanings from one entity or group to another through the use of mutually understood signs, symbols, and semiotic rules. He stressed  that the main steps inherent to all communication are the formation of communicative motivation or reason, message composition and encoding. “Any message conveyed but not understood has not be fully optimised for service delivery,” he said.

In addition, Nweke said that CSOs should ensure their communication for nutrition must be structured to impact on the receipts and their immediate communities. He pointed out that communication must be impactful which could be achieved by exchanging right and accurate information by speaking, writing, or using some other medium, such as television and nowadays the Internet, which are also effective tools for communication.

Nowadays, he noted that communications is a means of sending or receiving information such as via phone lines or computers, which are largely via satellite communications because they are transmitted technically. “Primary communications cuts across verbal, non-verbal and written, and nowadays involves coding and decoding, thereby paving the way for social media tools for communications,” he said. The ITREALMS Media boss counseled CSOs at the event  to always apply some best practices in 21st century in their communications strategies.

Some of these best practices, as  outlined by him  include the use of simple language and always re-checking of the content to be published. “Graphic content is a great ally for better interaction, and develop original, quality and useful content,” he advised.

By Lanre Arogundade

At over seventy this General of geosciences still commands geological and mineral exploration troops into rocky and mountainous terrains of the country at national and international consultancy levels.

No, you cannot slow Uncle Dotun Ayoade down!

The more he discovers, the more  his appetite for further discovery grows. He has explored so much, seen so much and armed with much facts and figures to constantly reiterate that but for leadership and systemic problems, Nigeria should be a world solid mineral power. That he remains on the field means he keeps the hope alive.

Driven by hard work, focus and discipline, excellence hall-marked Uncle Dotun’s geological and geoscience exploits across such Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government as Mines and Power, Solid Minerals, Geological Survey,  Geosciences Research Laboratories, etc.

The reward for the uncommon dedication and impactful accomplishment came last week in Ibadan, Oyo State when he became the first Nigerian recipient of the Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society Dr. J.D. Falconer Gold Medal Award for Economic Geology with the presentation done by Engr. Obadiah Simon Nkom president of the society and the Director- General of Nigeria Mining Cadastre Office.

Dr. Falconer was the first Director of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency and the award named after him is for “consistent excellent contribution to economic Geology and mineral exploration”. The award goes to “Miners, Mining Engineers and Geo-scientists of any nationality working on mining and geological problems in Africa”.

Uncle Dotun thus joins a distinguished class of four eminent winners of the Dr. Falconer gold medal award the others being Prof. Laurence Robb (2016), Prof. Judith Kinnaird (2017) and Prof. Dr. Arno Mucke (2018).

A scion of the famous Sekoni Ayoade family of Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State which the late renowned musician I.K. Dairo once predicted would become the London of Yorubaland, Uncle Dotun had his elementary education in the town before proceeding to Oyemekun Grammar School  Akure and Government College Ibadan for his high school and higher education.

He obtained his Bsc degree in Geology from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and a Masters degree in Industrial Mineralogy from the University of Hull, United Kingdom.

To close relations and friends, the lofty professional heights attained by Uncle Dotun have not come as surprise. He works hard, strives for excellence and demands same from those around him. Any attempt to do otherwise could only earn the undiscerning a reprimand; and if truth must be told a number of we his cousins, brothers and sisters partly owe our success to this fact.

I recall how while spending the holiday in his place in Ilorin in 1977, he picked ‘Not Safe to Be Free’ by James Hardley Chase from his rich book shelf for me to read. It was my very first encounter with the famous author and the experience was a turning chapter in my budding literary journey.

In a sense, it was poetic irony that ‘Not Safe To Be Free’ was his choice. I had quickly learnt from cousin Kehinde Ayoade who used to live with him that there was no room for careless freedom in Uncle Dotun’s empire. From strategic positions in our room (the living room was mostly a no-go area), we would watch out for his Volkswagen Passat car as he returned from office and ensured we were already at attention by the time he pulled up. The ‘e kaabo’ Sir chorus would follow while he would in turn run his eyes over us to know if we had been engaging in rough play instead of reading or working. Hardly Chase, in another title, describes such act as running a microscopic eye on someone like a scientist in search of invisible germs.

From early morning chores including washing of the cars, to ironing, to being part of the preparation of meals, to following him to the farm to plant or harvest yams, etc, you really wondered how you could be safely free in his environment. Yet, it was all about putting us on the right track to success.

All said, it will be a mistake to think that Uncle Dotun’s life revolves around Geology and hard work only. A man of style and indeed a fashion lover whose apparels are always tailor-fit for his six-feet-plus frame, he is very at home with nature hence in his gardens are varieties of fruits and flowers. His leisure times are not complete without listening to good country music, pop and soul and if he switches to sports, it will likely be lawn tennis or football. He is equally abreast of social, economic and political affairs; and and he writes so well that literary exploits could have been his alternative career path. Congratulations to a dear Uncle.

• Arogundade is a veteran journalist

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

Ebonyi Youth Development Project, a joint effort by Ijeoma Idika-Chima and Dr. Bright Chimezie Irem has emerged overall winner of this year’s Community Innovation Challenge 2021. The duo went home with N1.5 million.

STEAM in the Library, by Funmi Ilori and Olatunde Ajoke Omoware is the first runner up, while SHE SABI by the duo of Nkem Okocha and Peter Ayeni won the third place.

The Community Innovation Challenge (CCCI) is a project under the Cross-Cohort Collaboration Initiative of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria.

Congratulating the participants, the Coordinator, Mandela Washington Fellowship, United States Consulate in Lagos, Mr. Austin Emeanua, charged the alumni of the  Fellowship to imbibe its tenets, which emphasise quality, fairness and inclusiveness in all they do in each of their communities. He stated that the fellowship, which was founded about 10 years ago, was initiated to help nurture emerging leaders in Africa.

Emeanua, who spoke at the presentation of awards to recipients of Community Innovation Challenge in Lagos said: “In the 10 years of its existence, giant strides have been made. We deserve a pat on the back. However, the job is enormous and the journey is still far,” he said.

Emeanua noted that given the enormity of problems confronting the nation, he wondered where a committed leader would start from in providing solution, adding ‘nonetheless, we are hopeful.’

Idika-Chima disclosed that participation in the Ebonyi Youth Project would be via online and the camping period would be for three months under the tutelage of facilitators on different areas of entrepreneurship and digital literacy. She said hopefully, the project would be held annually if funds are available.

Ilori said Steam in the Library project is designed to expose children to books on science and technology, digital literacy skill and entrepreneur. These, she said, are needed by the children to function well in this era of information technology.

Okocha said that SHE SABI is to provide girls and women with skills in entrepreneur catering and digital literacy.

In recognition of the role of innovation in creating changes at community, state and national level, as well as the role of capacity development programmes, Fellows have been able to undertake in the United States with the support of the US Government, this project, which aims to achieve the followings: “Encourage Fellows to design and create innovative ideas, products, services or creative deployment methods for solving specific problems in their community; improve community interaction with our Fellows through the implementation of their ideas, project or business; foster strong collaborative spirits in fellows across different cohorts, encouraging them to work together, share ideas and support with community implementation of projects under this heading, continue to showcase and support the amazing work our Fellows are doing across the communities they work and help them do more and create more awareness for MWF and YALI at community level.”

 

Since Ms Ola Debayo-Doherty’s emergence over two years ago as the first Nigerian and first woman to lead Mandilas, the over 70-year-old conglomerate with vast interest in Nigeria’s fast-paced automobile industry among others, more women have risen to the pinnacle of their profession thanks to the company’s equal-opportunity policy for all. Top women achievers celebrated by the company to commemorate the International Women’s Day share their riveting stories with EVELYN OSAGIE.

As the Holy Book says, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.” This holds true for women in the employ of Mandilas. The company recently honoured womenfolk who are proving their worth and mettle in a male-dominated workplace as a way of rewarding hard work and diligence.

To mark this year’s International Women’s Daywith the theme #ChallengetoChange#, some of its top women achievers earned their deserved place in the company’s hall of fame as they were recognised and commended for contributing to the growth and stability of the over 70 years conglomerate.

Given the company’s long history of patriarchy, the feeling out there is that the friendly disposition towards the womenfolk is both heartening and worthy of emulation by other companies; a fact echoed by the majority of the respondents who spoke with our correspondent.

 

 ‘Performance has nothing to do with gender’ – General Manager, Mandilas Mobility Division, Kemi Koyejo:

Kemi, who has over 25 years post-qualification experience in the automobile sector, joined Mandilas Enterprises Limited as Public Enlightenment Officer in 1991, and later became the Business Development Manager and eventually National Marketing Manager.

For the younger Kemi, who grew up in a liberal family where there were no gender specific roles, finding herself in an otherwise male-dominated industry wasn’t a big deal at all.

A goal-getter, she holds the view and very strongly that, “performance doesn’t have anything to do with your gender. I love to take up challenges and never give up easily.”

Of course, she holds part of her success story today to the  opportunity she got at Mandilas.

“My story is incomplete without Mandilas. The company has given me a platform to express myself. I became the first female National Marketing Manager years ago amidst doubts and was able to make the best of the opportunity. The platform is currently further enhanced under the leadership of the current and first female CEO – Ms Ola Debayo-Doherty.”

Her advice to other women is to always hold their head high, no matter what. “If you know your onions, hold your head high, and do not look down on yourself, no one will be able to hold you down.”

 

‘Passion for the job my greatest asset’ – Branch Manager, Ibadan Workshop, Uzoamaka Fannie Nwakanma

Uzoamaka has over two decades experience in the industry. She began her career with Mandilas in 1997 as an Accounts Supervisor in Lagos and later moved to head the Ibadan branch, where she is the branch manager.

Although she acknowledges that nothing prepared her for the responsibilities she is currently saddled with but her can-do spirit has stood her in good stead all through.

Upbeat, she says, “Finding myself in a male-dominated work environment only brings out the best in me. I see myself most times challenging myself and always telling myself I can do it. As a fast learner, I watch my male colleagues closely as they do their job and apply same in my job as well as I try to build on top of what I have learnt to be better. I feel greatly honoured, highly motivated and exceptional; these have inspired me to adopt a combination of male and female attributes.”

Above all, working at Mandilas has made all the difference. “Mandilas played a major role in all of these by making available the platform for these to be achieved. Mandilas was able to identify the attribute in me and helped in developing it by giving me the appointment to display hidden talents and unknown skills and abilities.

 

‘My greatest motivation is satisfying customers’ – Branch Manager, Ilorin Workshop, Victoria Oluwaseyi:

Victoria, a certified Mechanical Engineer had stints with few of the major automobile companies for a combined 10 years before joining the employ of Mandilas Enterprises in 2015 as Workshop Engineer and later rose to the rank of a Branch Manager in 2019.

For Victoria, her journey into the auto world began when she went for the three months compulsory SIWES at the Warri refinery and she hasn’t looked back since then. As to be expected, operating in a male-oriented field comes with its hiccups but it feels good all the same, she says matter-of-factly.

The greatest motivation for her, she says, is seeing the look of satisfaction in the face of her clients. “The smile of satisfaction on my clients face has been my greatest motivation. Each time we turn out a job and the client is happy with what we have done, it gives me great joy to put in more effort.” She however owes her debt of gratitude to Mandilas for giving her the opportunity to excel.

“Mandilas has given me the platform to work as a manager and this has helped me develop my managerial skills. It has also increased my confidence level on the job.” For women who are planning to take a career in the automobile sector, focus should be their watchword.

“Women should stay focused because most women get distracted easily and also they should ensure that they spend quality time and resources to be the best at their profession. When you are the best at what you do people will go all out to look for you.”

 

 ‘Seeing others succeed inspires me’ – Branch Manager, Ebute-Metta Workshop,

Edna Poroye:

Edna has three decades experience having begun work at joined Mandilas Enterprises Limited in December 1991 as an Accounts Clerk. She later rose to the position of Senior Accounts Supervisor and presently the Branch Manager of Mandilas Enterprises Limited Ebute Metta branch.

Working in male-dominated field, sure feels great for her. Her determination and positive-mindedness has put her in good stead on the job.

Her greatest motivation is watching others succeed she believes she can too. “Mandilas has given the platform so mine is to strive to succeed. I do not feel intimidated because I do not see them as a threat. My advice to women working in male dominated environment is they should not see themselves any less than the male and try to stand out in any given task.”

 

‘I’m not intimidated at all’

– Head, Technical Sales, Mandilas Cooling Division, Cecilia Imomoh:

Cecilia with an academic background in both Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration, have been able to prove her worth and mettle in Mandilas over the years.

The youngest in a family of four, her parents raised them to believe in their own choices and take responsibility for it.

For her, operating in an otherwise male-dominated field is quite interesting and challenging at the same time.

As she recalled, her first experience with a particular consultant on a massive government project in Abuja brought out the best in her as she was able to wow the client.

“My first dive into the building services industry was during my industrial attachment. I was privileged to work directly on projects with experienced engineers both within and outside Lagos. Being a one-man business at her growing stage, I was trained to not just be a design/project engineer, but as a draftsman, dispatcher, estimator, secretary etc.”

Her passion for deeper HVAC knowledge prompted her to approach Mandilas as an experienced corp member where she began a thriving career.

 

‘Challenging doing a man’s job but optimistic’ – Branch Manager, Port Harcourt Workshop, Juliet

Ama-Ajuoyi:

Juliet joined Mandilas in 2008, as Senior Accounts Supervisor and later rose to the position of the Acting Branch Manager in February 2019 ill date.

For Juliet, working in an otherwise male-dominated field is both challenging as well as optimistic.

“Having been in the floor for eight years gave me a great insight and knowledge of work activities. I believe in myself and optimistic that I can do it better and I also believe I can achieve whatever come I can defeat.”

Her greatest motivation on the job so far is seeing herself doing things differently better than her male counterparts.

Her advice for other women working in male-dominated environment is that they should have passion for their job. Her mantra remains, to “Be mindful in both personal and professional life.”

 

By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN) Coordinator, Lagos State Chapter, Mr  Gbenga Sunmonu, has said that Lagos state government will on Thursday present cheques to some stakeholders in the tourism, art and culture sector who have been selected as beneficiaries of its N1 billion intervention fund.

The state government approved the seed capital for investment in tourism, arts and culture last August. It is part of the intervention fund to cushion the negative effects of COVID-19 pandemic.

Sunmonu, who spoke at a briefing with tourism writers, at the weekend in Lagos, said the presentation would douse the doubts among some stakeholders about the sincerity of the state to cushion the negative impacts of COVID-19 on the sector.

He stated that the presentation of cheques will be done at the opening of the maiden edition of Lagos State Tourism Hospitality, Art and Culture Economic Summit (LATHACE 2021) at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island Lagos. “It will be a transformative channel to clear the trust deficit between private and public sectors and be a good base to develop plans that will assist the development of industry players,” he assured.  According to Sunmonu the two-in-one intensive programme would attract stakeholders from both public and private sectors to discuss issues that touch on tourism, arts and culture industry, adding that it is the first of its kind with an objective to solve specific industry needs. “It is a platform for private-public sector interaction, whereby Lagos State ministries that relate directly with tourism, hospitality, arts, and culture will have their desks set up for interaction and information dissemination. This is to resolve issues and set up the agenda for the way forward post COVID-19,” he stated.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo Olu, will be Special Guest of Honour while Managing Partner of Verraki Partners Mr. Olaniyi Yusuf is guest speaker. Sunmonu noted that the panelists will include Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, Chief Sam Alabi, Lagos State Commissioner for Finance Dr, Rabiu Olowo and Chairman LIRS Mr. Ayodele Subair.

The programme will be a hybrid summit, that is, physical and virtual and will be an inclusive programme as about 23 agencies of government related to all segments of the industry will be there and will have the opportunity of interacting with key stakeholders.

To Sunmonu, the summit will be a fresh pedestal to create new vista for development of Lagos tourism.  the Summit will create opportunities to solve any lingering issues with any agency of the Lagos State government and open a new vista of relationship in moving forward.

He urged all concerned stakeholders to endeavour to attend the summit to brainstorm on ways forward for the industry.

Vice President, FTAN South-West zone, Otunba Ayo Olumoko said that whatever happens in Lagos forms the templates other states are waiting for. He said that the summit was being organised at the right time and prayed that after the summit, the industry will not be relegated to the background.

“The economic summit will be a practical aspect of what we need to do which government of the day of Lagos State will be expected to make some policy statements,” he said.

He noted that the hospitality, tourism and the entertainment industry have been most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Olumoko said that other State Chapters of the association will emulate this summit and would enable the various stakeholders fashion a direction on the way forward for the industry.

By Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka

This is a special book that can transport you to the inner workings of government institutions and how they can be reformed and repositioned to deliver effective and efficient services. Every person who reads this book will be inspired by its unique approach to solving complex institutional problems by applying simple management and leadership principles in an easy to understand manner. This important book by Dr. Dakuku Peterside on Strategic Management turnaround demonstrates several important theoretical, policy and practical principles well laid out in the different chapters. For one, it points attention to what is currently lacking in Nigerian public life, which is the need for those who manage public assets to share their experiences and knowledge at the expiration of their tenure. This book does that with considerable diligence. It is an important case study of how to reform and revitalise an ailing public enterprise and in so doing, bring them back to top-level performance. Second, the book shows the nexus of theory and policy in the understanding of Strategic Management. The author understands both the theory and concepts of strategic management, which undoubtedly contributed to the success of the big reform that he envisioned and executed at the agency. The practical lesson here is that we will do well for the country by appointing subject matter experts and those with the requisite capacity to the headship of economically critical agencies.

Third, this book is a balanced mix of theory and practice and therefore provides sound knowledge for students, practitioners, leaders and politicians all in equal measure. From different perspectives, every intellectual mind and those in managerial function have something to take away.

Altogether, the book has 13 chapters that cover the main areas of strategic management. The author “sought to build a knowledge-based organisation and ensured that NIMASA, as a regulatory agency, is driven by the knowledge and implementation of laws, regulations and policies that are in line with international instruments adopted by the International Maritime Organisation and the International Labour Organisation for maritime labour standards”.

In this book, I believe Dakuku succeeded well in doing what he set out to do, that is, turnaround an underperforming state institution into “a model maritime administration for developing countries”.

The author seeks to capture and document in this book, the main essence of the four years that he spent at the helm of NIMASA as chief executive CEO. He traces the challenges, the triumphs and the process outcomes of a well thought out set of reforms. It takes the reader into the workings of a critical public institution. The focus of his thesis is on how regulatory institutions should regulate and not be captured by the political powers that birthed them. For the most part, the Achilles Heel of public agencies is regulatory capture in a Spoilt System such as we often find ourselves.

In economic theory, regulatory agencies are themselves dominated by the industries or powerful interests that they are set up with regulating. The result is that an agency, charged with acting in the public interest, instead acts in ways that benefit the political actors or industry owners it is supposed to be regulating. This is prevalent in developing countries such as we are due to significant levels of poverty that in turn bestow political office holders a larger-than-life status. Dakuku’s reform focus helped stem regulatory capture, which is a corruption of power, and authority that occurs when a political entity, policymaker, or regulatory agency is co-opted to serve the commercial or political interests of their constituency. In Nigeria, these are mostly sub-national ethnic groups, represented by a particular geographic area or tribal affiliations. This book serves us with a rich menu of lessons to prevent regulatory capture.

The turnaround of NIMASA equally shows the critical importance of investing in broad and specific skills and knowledge capabilities if national agencies will meet the demands of the 21st Century. The need for competent staff and expertise, competitive salaries, and management autonomy. The management requires assured political cover for the CEO to make tough decisions and carry out bold structural changes; these are some of the imperatives for the emergence of a credible agency and the framework with which to create a culture of performance.

Dr. Dakuku built a solid foundation on which NIMASA could thrive and prosper in the years to come and as he set out to do, become an excellent maritime regulatory agency. The turnaround of NIMASA shows clearly that with leadership that is visionary and purpose-driven, blessed by a committed workforce to implement a well-laid-out plan, a regulatory agency can carry out its purpose even within an environment of a Spoilt System. As a corollary, it is also evident that state enterprises and public institution that were mismanaged could experience a radical turnaround. I highly recommend this book to students of management, leadership, policymakers, politicians and academics alike.

• Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka is Senior Special Adviser to the President on Industrialisation, African Development Bank (AfDB), Abidjan

By Emma Elekwa, Onitsha

The movie and music arms of the entertainment industry have continued to dominate the space over the years.

The beauty industry, unfortunately, has not been lucky enough to enjoy such relevance despite the number of talents, both old and young, it prouds itself with. This sector, which had raised several entrepreneurs, is yet to enjoy corresponding support from the public and private sectors when compared to the movie industry.

This, no doubt, could be the reason behind the Onitsha Beauty Shake Up celebrates creativity competition, recently packaged by Shoxzy Beauty Fix, a general beauty organisation in Onitsha, Anambra State.

The event which attracted a large number of beauty creatives and lovers across the city and beyond was organised by Mrs Omonefe Elizabeth, Chief Executive Officer of the firm in collaboration with a team of experts in the beauty industry.

Over 36 young talented beauty creatives in Onitsha, Anambra State were given make-up kits. They included fashion designers, skincare and hair stylists, nail and gele artists, beauty therapist/cosmetologists, makeup artists, photography/photojournalists, among others.

The three winners of the makeup competition who were rewarded with N170,000 worth of makeup items, were Mmesoma Nwacheta (Mimy Debby), the overall winner, Jack Japhet (Jj beauty), the Ist runner up and Mmesoma Ugo (Glimmers makeover), the 2nd Runner Up

The first position smiled home with makeup items worth N100,000, while the second and third positions got N50,000 worth of makeup items and N20,000 worth of makeup items respectively.

Other participants also went home with makeup items and certificates of participation.

Speaking at the event, Mrs Omonefe said the event was aimed at seeking avenues to bringing innovation, creativity and growth to the beauty industry.

She said the beneficiaries, drawn from the beauty industry in the commercial city were carefully selected by certified judges through rigorous process and evaluation after submitting their works and images.

She said: “The Onitsha beauty shakeup maiden event is targeted at promoting Onitsha Beauty Creative Industry beyond the commercial city, providing opportunities for empowerment as well as giving upcoming beauty creatives a sense of belonging to go beyond their domain.

“Our nominees included the honorary awards given to the veterans, photographers, makeup artists, nail technicians, fashion design schools, upcoming beauty creatives and those who have empowered others with knowledge and skills.

“We intend to take the event beyond the shores of Onitsha. This time, it will not only be the makeup contest, but we’ll be having the hair, fashion design and photography contests and submissions.

“We’re working on promoting the brands that got awarded, including sponsoring some of their adverts.”

Omonefe, however, identified convincing the relevant stakeholders to believe and buying into the vision as one major challenge faced by her organisation while packaging the event.

One of the sponsors and Chief Executive Officer, Notab solicitors, Victoria Ezeigwe, expressed joy that the beauty industry has over the years evolved from the background to limelight with several other sectors now forming part of the creative class.

She appreciated both the sponsors and judges for their dedication and professionalism in the selection process, just as she congratulated the winners of the competition, challenging them to keep raising the bar.

Her words: “The vision behind this event; Onitsha beauty shake-up is to solidify a collaborative relationship among the different categories of creatives that make up the beauty industry.

“I have known Lizzy for over 9 years and I can boldly say that her passion for this industry is unparallel, she has never allowed herself to be distracted from her Beauty business and that is only possible because of passion for what she does.

“So I’m not surprised that we all are gathered here in this maiden event to raise the bar for the beauty creatives.

“The goal of this event is not just to meet, have fun and disperse. It’s our expectation that the beauty creatives will begin to bring innovations into their business as well as addressing issues that affects them as people.

“Driving healthy competitiveness, creativity as well as proferring solutions for challenges that are faced in the beauty industry, and this can only be achieved when we come together as a group.

“I’m sure that nobody or group is in a better position to address the needs of the Beauty creatives other than themselves. We don’t expect that this event will end today, rather it should be the starting point for the beauty creatives.

“We want to see them grow to the stage where they would invite us for Annual awards just as we see in Nollywood and the music industry.”

She added: “When the call for entries for the award came up, most people were sceptical to be a part of it because they probably didn’t understand the whole essence of it.

“However some others with foresight were interested and we appreciate every beauty creative that participated in the awards event.”

Appreciating the judges for the hard work and professionalism they displayed in the selection process, Ezeigwe noted that their functions lasted for months and they didn’t give up but ensured that they selected “the best of the best”.

“Regardless of their majors and spheres of interest, these individuals have one thing in common – they just love their job and do their best to serve the society and be a role model for young personalities,” she said.

She also congratulated the winners of the makeup competition, challenging them to keep raising the bar.

“We will not fail to thank our sponsors, your benevolent support made it possible for this event to be a reality today; our major sponsor GLAM GALS COSMETICS, we are so thankful to you.

“Others includes Kulture magazine, Beyond Beauty, Stevo cosmetics, Notab solicitors, Zikel cosmetics, Beauty Inspiration, Dills Innovation, M’krunky Entertainments and Eve’s Touch Beauty home. Thanks to all of you for believing in our vision.

“Finally, our utmost appreciation goes to the convener; Mrs Omonefe Elizabeth CEO Shoxzy Beauty Fix for organising such an outstanding event.

“We hope to see this vision taken beyond Onitsha to becoming an annual nationwide ceremony in the beauty industry.

The winner of the competition, Mmesoma Nwacheta, could not hold his joy while talking with reporters, describing the event as extraordinary.

She said: “I’m overwhelmed with joy. I thank the organisers for creating this platform for us to showcase our talents to the world. My thanks equally go to my tutor for believing in me and patiently bringing out the best in me.

“This opportunity will serve as a launching pad for me to further impact others including training other upcoming beauty and creative artists looking up to us.”

Oba Abdulfatai Akorede Akamo is the Olu of Itori, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State. In this interview with EVELYN OSAGIE, he speaks of his 17 years reign on the throne and herdsmen crisis, among other national issues. Excerpts.

“We give thanks and adoration to almighty God that the community is fast growing. When I became the Oba, 17 years ago, hardly did I have about 100 to 150 people living here. And now I have over 123 villages that are now over populated. Itori is hosting Lafarge, and will house a mini train terminal. Dangote will soon be back here.

If not God, what can we do? He has been so merciful and has always been our strength. That’s why, to mark the day, we conducted prayers. We prayed God to be involved in what we do forthwith just as He had in the past years.

And my wife has been supportive. Being 17 years on the throne is indeed worthy of celebration; but we thought it wise to mark it in a small way with the pandemic in view and also to cut cost. We gave takeaway: nobody was allowed to sit down and eat because of the COVID-19 guidelines from the government. We do all possible things to observe the COVID-19 protocols. Last year was a terrible year, it is supposed to be named COVID year. I cannot but mention, Aremo who has also been supportive in all ramifications. Last year, he and some chiefs did a lot of empowerment for our people in thousands, putting smiles on their faces.

 

Historical relevance of Itori

Although Itori is an ancient community that migrated to Abeokuta in the 18th century, it is a cosmopolitan town. I believe this place was founded  in 1802. Itori got to the limelight in 1846 when the first train in Nigeria stopped here from Lagos. The then Queen of England was here and the first Alake of Egbaland, Osokalu was here also. That train brought flock of individuals and since then Itori has prospered and become a cosmopolitan town.

And for over 40 to 45 years, that old train has been abandoned but right now, in a couple of months, the old terminal would be decongested: they are going to establish a mini terminal in Itori. So, you can live in Itori and work in Lagos.  And I believe with this new development, the town would witness a lot of developments: more commercial activities, a boost in tourism and employment for our youths.

 

My thought on culture

It depends on one’s perspective. The question is “Why are we traditional rulers in the first place?” The onus is on us to uphold the culture and the tradition of our people. As custodian of our people’s culture, we try to create a conducive environment for your people. But it is not an easy task. I will tell you the truth, uneasy lies the head that wears the crown because all eyes are on one single person.

All that glitters is not gold. Even if you find gold in its raw material, you can never believe it is gold: it goes through a degree of heat before becoming gold. That is the principle of culture and what we are doing.

In the olden days, people brought  their cases to the palace.  Today, we find means of giving back to our people by way of empowerment. I like to garner support from the wealthy in our midst to alleviate the lot of my people. For instance, during the COVID-19,  I called a lot of my people, including Bishop David Oyedepo, Aliko Dangote, Kayode Kolade, Aremo and many others and they gave us palliatives. So, the pain was not so much on them.

 

Herders/farmers clash in your domain 

As a Nigerian you can live anywhere but what really matters is how you conduct your activities. What should really matter is how one carries out one’s activities in the community one belongs to. The herdsmen have been here long before now and so we live as brothers and sisters.  We do not propagate things unnecessarily.

We have a 92-year-old Seriki Fulani who was born here. Will I ask him to go? No. We just have to ‘jaw-jaw’. We’ve met in recent times and he was advised to report any strange face he sees.

Indeed, there is no where there is no issue. But no, we don’t have the issues of the violence you find in other places. Once in a while, disagreement does occur because cows feed on grasses, but when it does come up, we have ways of settling it.

You see, Yoruba is so powerful that if we grind red pepper and put it on the grass, the cows will not eat it and those that will do will die. But what is the gain if their cows are dying? We just need to ‘jaw-jaw’ and not ‘war-war’. Whoever might have seen war will not pray that we or our children should see war. It is a matter of understanding and carrying ourselves along.

 

My words for traditional and political leaders

If you know how to do bad or good, continue. It has its reward. If you buy knife from the market for the purpose of cooking and you decided to use it to cut somebody, what has the knife turned to? It has turned to a destructive weapon. And we all know the consequences of a destructive weapon; but the one who uses it will not escape at the end of the day? We should always pray for God’s wisdom and intervention in what we do. My advice to all traditional rulers is that they should be closer to their God and see their chiefs as their partners and their youths as their investment.

There are three seeds you sow: vegetable which does not last more than a year; the other is tree. A tree may last for 10 years and is cut down and used for something else; but when you sow a human being, it is for life. Investing on human being is everlasting. Over 17 years what I have been eating is the work of my hand, the work I have done while I was working.